well, would you look at that . . .

Hello.  My name is Inigo Montoya . . . 

Wait, that's not right.  This isn't Princess Bride.  It's me . . .daNeesey, from Count it all JOY!  (Which has been a real challenge over the last three years. But I digress.)

So lemme try this again.  

Hey, this is Denise.  I'm a crafter of an eclectic mix of stitchery crafts (think wool applique, quilting, needlework, cross stitch, crochet, etc.), a Neesey (my grandma name is Neesey), a cat mom (that's new!), an apartment dweller (also new), a violinist wannabe (practice, practice, practice), a widow (which is still so sad and weird to say), a tea drinker (who now hows an entire cabinet dedicated to tea—seriously), a lover of books and the written word (who now has three sets of bookshelves), a writer who refuses to give up the dedicated two spaces that are meant to follow a period (:P to APA), a poet (betcha didn't know that one) and a soon-to-be-regular blogger (again) (hopefully).  There's so much more, but that's a good start and gives me loads of opportunities to fill in the blanks.  Just think of it as blog post opportunities.  Y'all, I'm trying.  

So instead of going back to July of last year–my last post–and catching up, I'll just start where I am.  I feel like that's a solid plan.

Me with the local family, just last night.  Aren't they beautiful?! 

I love my new apartment.  It's four minutes to my local grands, has a pool, and an elevator, which is important if you're on the top floor.  It also has a Nook to which I do not have to go outside to get to (which is really only important if it's dark and bears or wolves might get you, or if it's raining/stormy).  The new Nook also has a new sewing machine! The space is messy right now (always) and you can see I share this space with the kittens. The walls in here are mostly bare, but I've got a design wall to install on the back wall, behind my sewing station, so that will add color, as well as two bulletin boards and a painting.  I'd also like to add a strip to hang smaller wall hangings on.

This is my new Janome—Horizon Memory Craft 9480 QCP.  It stitches like a dream!

I've got a lovely balcony . . . it's west facing, so I enjoy marvelous sunsets and a view of the pool and the lake, and the constant sound of waterfalls (fountains), which I adore.  I really enjoy sitting out there early in the day and in the evening.

All our deck furniture from the Camp came over and fit nicely.  I added a huge potted plant and the fun rug.  It's comfy!

It's a sweet little complex with lots of amenities.  I like I can still see stars and trees and horizon.  

I'm still working out who I am, now that my better half and best friend is gone.  It's a process.  Being close to family and having the girls (big girl kittens, as Ezra refers to them) helps.  Pictured below, Starry is the silver point and Celeste is the all-white.  They are full Maine Coons, and they're just babies (9 months old).  Maine Coons mature more slowly than other breeds and can take 2-5 years to reach their full growth!  Aye yi yi!  They need a full bloggy intro post of their own, so I'll just share their photos here and call that finit, for now.

Starry is the oldest by two weeks.  Quiet and a bit aloof, but has a purr like a race car! She's also incredibly smart and curious: a dangerous combination in a cat!

Half sister, Celeste, is a snuggler and a bit like a puppy.  She plays fetch until I wear her out, and she follows me around the house.  She's deaf, so she definitely needed a cat companion!

I've spent the last year collecting fabrics <ahem>, so I'm working hard to spend time every week in the new Nook stitching.  At my annual SASsy Retreat in January (three of us in a cabin in Seviereville, TN), I set a goal to complete at least one three-yard quilt (or better) a month.  Have you heard of those?  Fabulous! Quilts for everyone!  That's the target, anyway. I missed the mark in March, but it's a work in progress.  April's is planned and should work out quickly!  Here are one finish, three in progress, and one ready-to-get-started project . . . 

My February and first 3-yard quilt top finish.  Love the colors/prints in this!

My second 3-yard quilt.  I just need to stitch the rows together an attach the simple borders.

I upped my cross stitch game over the last year.  This is Coming to American:  The Women of the Mayflower, by With Thy Needle & Thread.  I've never stitched up a project of this scope, but I felt it was a must, seeing as how I'm related to five of the women listed!  :)

Spangled, by Granny's Legacy Patterns.  I've never done beaded wool work, and you know what a sucker I am for anything patriotic, so there we are.

This pretty grouping will be used in my next 3-yard quilt.  Yes, there are actually four yards.  I've never been able to do much of anything strictly by the book!

I'm also slowly starting to get back into social things, like guild, Stitcher's, etc., and have enjoyed seeing friends. Bit by bit.  I miss life at the Camp, but it was just too hard:  physically, mentally and emotionally.  I did bring a piece of it with me, though . . .

These four canvases are photos of four of my very favorite places in the Camp, in each season.  It makes my heart happy to see them on my wall.  To everything there is a season. ♥

I've missed my bloggy friends, too!  Here's to new starts or restarts or whatever this is. See you again soon!

:)