Winding to UnWind

Do you wind to unwind?  Have you ever even thought about winding to unwind?  Well, I hadn't until last night.  While visiting my sweet 83 year old mother-in-law at the care center, I sat next to her winding my DMC thread onto some bobbins while she stewed over her dinner.  A dinner that was too salty, too bland, and not very good, so I think I am not hungry enough to eat dinner!  lol  I had a rough day and was not in the best of moods until I saw my MIL's smiling face.  But, don't let that fool you......she has some fire left in her and she lets you know it every once in awhile.  Especially when she wants to get out of there and GO HOME!  She has been recovering from some surgery she had just over a week ago to remove some tumors from her bladder wall.  I am still waiting for the test result from the hospital.

So while she is recovering I am stitching, and working, and well......the list goes on.  Here is a current photo of the Friendship Sampler from BOAF that I have been working on.

I have been working on a little "Twister" quilt that has been fun so far, but still need to dedicate some more time to get it done.

Meanwhile, I won a giveaway from Nancy of Bountiful Heirlooms .   She sent me a charm pack from Moda called "Baskets of Flowers" and a fabulous pattern with lots of pincushion patterns.  Now I just need to decide which one to make first!!   Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Thanks Nancy!!!!

On March 11th my (sweet 16 and never been kissed) son, Brayden, celebrated his 16th birthday.  What a milestone!!!!!  He had so much fun which included "three" birthday parties.  The first party was celebrated at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant on his real birthday, the 11th, followed by a party with friends on the 12th and last one with family on the 13th.  Lucky for me he is taking drivers education right now and has to complete 40 hours of drive time with his learners permit before he can get his official drivers license.  That won't happen until August because he has to have his learners permit for six months before he can take the actual test.  Here are just a few of his birthday photos:

Next up is a cute Bird Pincushion that my friend, Kathryn, made for me.  I should have taken a photo of the other side as is has a little pocket that holds a thread separator.  Isn't it just darling!!!! 

I have the last finish I made for 2010 to show you.  It is "One Sheep" by Carriage House Samplings.

Stitched on 32 ct. black linen using DMC threads as per pattern.  No changes were made.

Another finish by The Goode Huswife called, "Fruitful Clusters".  I loved stitching this one, too.  It never got old, the journey with needle and thread was fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by for a quick visit, I know I shouldn't be a stranger to blogging, I need to work on that one, too.  Happy day and as always....keep smiling and stitching! 

20th Anniversary and First Year Blogiversary Giveaway

Welcome sweet friends! Today is my 20th Wedding Anniversary and "Belated" Blogiversary!  I can now show you a beautiful finish I made for my hubby to commemorate our wedding.  I absolutley love the muted tones and nostalgic look of this design.  Thank you Carolyn and Magaret for sharing this pattern with me. 

Stitched on 32 count linen

Suggested DMC threads

"I Thee Wed"

by The Goode Huswife

Two Hearts, One Love

Close up the of the beautiful floral wedding gown, Love those flavors!

I wish you could see this in person, it takes my breath away!

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My Dear Sweet Mikey,

When I was young, I couldn’t think

What it would be like to be older.

How could I know it would bring such joy

Just to cuddle my head on your shoulder.

So many things bring happiness now,

Like a rub on the back or a smile,

And my feelings for you are stronger today

Than they were when we walked down the aisle.

When I was young, my fondest wish

Was a marriage that could be this good.

Where we’d work through pain to laugh again

As loving partners should.

As the days drift by we’re settling in,

To a life that’s rich and rewarding.

Just sharing with you is a dream come true;

You’re a pleasure well worth hoarding!

I’m still in love with you "My Mikey"

And I’m blessed and thankful that you are mine.

I Love you Sweetheart!!!!

143, Jolene

When I decided to start a blog I never imagined that it would be so much fun and that I'd meet so many amazing people from all over the world! Your support and your comments mean so much to me and I am glad to know you!  So to celebrate my First Blogiversary (365+ days) of blogging I'm offering a giveaway as a small thank you gesture from me to all of you for your support and inspiration.

Now, as you all know, I like to have fun with my giveaways so this time around if you would like to enter please leave me a comment and let me know how the love of your life proposed to you and then let me know if your name is drawn what your first, second, third and fourth choice prizes would be.

Prize #1

"Gabby" Make Me Blush Purse

by Vera Bradley

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Prize #2
"Simple Joys"
by Little House Needleworks
Pattern and Thread

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Prize #3
"1892" Sewing Pouch

by French General

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Prize #4

"Honeysuckle Manor"

by Blackbird Designs

 

Good Luck my friends!  I will keep this Giveaway open until midnight, June 12th and the winners will be drawn and posted on June 13th.

Smiles......

Jolene

Three Crows

Hi my friends, it has been a long time since I last posted, but I have been working on some "secret" projects/exchanges.  So....I thought I better take a minute for a quick post and update you on my latest and greatest addition....

This is a design by one of my very, very favorite designers, The Goode Huswife, called "Three Crows".  I was able to stitch this thanks to CathyB for sharing this design with me.  I love blackbirds, they are so mysterious.  I used the DMC threads as called for in the pattern, no changes were made which is so unlike me.  I guess it's perfect the way it was planned.

I really like the mustard flavor that was used on this one with the black.  I like to use off-beat colors as they add interest to the design. The "Three Crows" is going to be framed in a handmade black frame (made by yours truly, me, myself, and I).  I believe I have a perfect spot in my kitchen where I can display this one.

Hooray for sunshine, it makes taking photos soooo much nicer.

I love this old, really old, worn out black velvet pincushion. It is shaped like a heart, but you aren't able to see it that well in the photo. It still has the old pins in it and some of the heads on them are interesting.  I bought it last weekend at an antique store, the lady mentioned she bought it at an estate sale and it was made in the late 1800's.  I had seen this pincushion in her store about two months ago, but didn't buy it, so I was very lucky it was still there for me when I went back.  I guess it was meant to be for me:) 

Below is another new start I am making for my cousin's first baby.  I have to keep a low profile on this one because she checks out my blog and I want it to be a surprise.  So, I won't be posting anymore info on this one until it is done. 

Have a marvelous weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommies!!!!  Thanks for visiting and as always.....Smiles

Jolene

NINE NINE OF OH NINE!!!

The Goode Huswife

Little Red R Sampler

stitched on 28 ct hand dyed linen

using DMC thread

What a date to remember, 09-09-09!! I couldn't resist pulling out a

WIP and adding the final touches so I could complete it on this very day.

As you can see in the photo above I strategically placed the 09-09-09 so it was very visible to the eye. I scattered my initials throughout the sampler just for fun.

I added a few of my own little designs here and there.

I'm still deciding if I really like the four "stars" around the initial "J", what do you think? Should I leave them or rip them out????


I stitched this on hand dyed linen and I wasn't truly in love with the colors of blue on it, so I coffee dyed it, dried it, didn't like it, so I coffee dyed it again!! LOL!! I find this hard to say because I am such a perfectionist, but I really like the uneven, uncentered and out of balance stitching showcased on this design. Definitely a school girl look. Gotta love the simplicity, right?

It has been such a crazy week for me, so it was a nice needed change of pace to be able to add some well deserved stitching time in tonight so I could finish this one up. My "Sail Away" project has kinda been anchored lately. Labor Day weekend was filled with working in the yard and packing up some things in the house. It's amazing how much stuff you have to pack up and put away so you can refinish the hardwood floors and add a fresh new coat of paint to the walls. I hope I can someday get back to stitching. I mentioned a few weeks ago I was giving up ice cream and going on a diet......it's working, and so far I have dropped 20 pounds!!! Wooo Whooo!!! The goal is insight now and hopefully I won't put any weight on during the holidays. I guess that's all for now, I have been perusing some of your blogs lately and have seen some fabulous projects in the works......lucky you....keep smiling and happy stitching!