one, two, three . . .

What a splendid weekend! Friday, Jason had to go to work to handle an emergency, so I told Jocelyn I'd fill the gap.  (I mean ... three active girls and a four-day-old!)  With Joc's permission blessing gratitude, I loaded up the three girls in Joc's mini-van and headed off to the Botanical Gardens!

We packed a picnic, grabbed the Picnic Quilt for its first real test, and scouted the grounds for the perfect picnicking spot. What do you think . . . 

I think it's a perfect fit!  Did you know there's actually a formula to determine the best size for a picnic quilt (or blanket)?  I think I definitely got it right with this one.  

We had such a blast walking the Scarecrow Trail ... it's truly one of my favorite fall things to do!

The girls enjoyed the day and the sunshine, running the paths and climbing and exploring.  It was a nice treat for all of us!

And of course, I got a little *extra* reward from it myself . . .

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about!

Saturday was game day.  I really enjoy doing handwork during games.  It keeps me from getting (dare I admit this?) too agitated during the play.  Well, mostly.

I saw this great tutorial for making embroidery acorns and giving them a little depth/dimension, by satin stitching the little caps, and split stitching the bodies. So I drew a handful out on my favorite Crackle, linen, and went to work in an assortment of colors (and notably, some Cosmos variegated) flosses.

I'm really pleased with how this is turning out.  And it'll be time to rotate my decor into fall (which definitely includes acorns) very soon!  I will say, if I ever do this again, I'll satin stitch the bodies and split stitch the caps. Hind sight is 20/20.

James sent me a dozen fabulous action shots of Sawyer playing soccer.  I'll limit what I share to these two . . .

Check out that steal! I'm not sure whether I'm more wowed by Sawyer's athleticism, or James's photography skills!

And since I gifted my Friday to Joc and the gang, Todd and I took advantage of a lovely Sunday afternoon and spent as much of it on the lake as was possible . . . 

A very good weekend.

:)

tricks and treats . . .

First things first.  Did you remember to fall back last night before going to bed??

I'm not all about time change.  I wish they do away with it. But I *do* like the extra hour on Sunday morning and the change so that I'm not driving to work in the dark in the morning.  Yes, I like that just fine!

Last things are last. So be sure to read through! (That means there's a giveaway!)

Todd was in Florida for a conference most of the week, so I was on my own. I battled a headache for pretty much the whole week, but managed to squeeze in some fun time.  Mainly on Halloween night, where we (Jason, Joc, Ellie, Evey and I) gathered for a 'spooky' dinner at my mom and dad's home and then trick or treating. My mom was in her party hostess element! We had Goblin's Eyes:

Jack-O-Lantern Humus:

Poisoned Apples:

And Pumpkin Brains:

Not to mention dessert . . . 

Pumpkin, Spider and Cat's Tongue cookies! The little girls--especially Ellie--were delighted.  But I think Jason, Joc and I were equally delighted with the fun of it! 

Even the table was dressed to the nines!

I had managed to finish up Flotsam and Jetsam for Evey's costume. Please don't mind the mess on my kitchen counter!

They came to work and kept me company for the day. 

That certainly raised some eyebrows as visitors came in during the day!

I didn't get any great pics of the girls dressed up for Halloween . . . I let Jason do all the photo taking and I've not seen any yet! I did snap a pre- and post-Trick or Treating photo of the two . . .

They had matching glo-in-the-dark pjs.  Ellie is demonstrating hers in the bottom right capture.  Evey is demonstrating how worn out she is!

I finished up both scarves this week and finished up my swap mug rug that needed to go in the mail by Friday.  I can't share a picture yet, but I will next week.  I hope my partner is pleased with it.  She sure did a great job on mine -- reveal later.

Thursday I took off a little early and met Joc and the girls at the Botanical Gardens.

With temps still in the 80's, it seemed the thing to do. Ellie loves to "strike a pose"! Evey just wants to run. Everywhere.

Even the butterflies were still out and about.  And loads of flowers still blooming, since we haven't had a frost yet.

My stash experienced a little change up this week. 

I took in two fat quarters I was gifted with from the tea cup exchange.  And then my mug rug going out and the two eels, took it and a little more back out.  I'll take it!

I need to work on some Christmas ornaments today. Just need to figure out what I'll try next. Probably not the crescent Santa!  LOL! 

That'll be my sloooooow stitching for today!

One final thing. This picture was taken at Evey's birthday party in September. I'm holding Ellie and Marilyn, Joc's mother-in-law in standing next to me, holding Evey.  Our respective husbands are behind us. Leave a caption for this photo in your comment.

For the bestest, funniest, zaniest caption I'll give a prize. Then I'll draw from all the captions that peg the picture correctly for another prize! That's TWO prizes! I'll leave it open through Wednesday and announce it next Sunday. If you are a no-reply blogger, please make sure you leave your email in your comment!

Linking up to Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts today.  Enjoy your extra hour and have a blessing-filled Sunday!

:)

time flies . . .

When you're having fun.  And when you get to be *my* age, even when you're NOT having fun, it flies.  Seriously!!

But mostly, even at work, I'm having fun.  I can hardly believe the month of May has come and gone and it's June! I spent time stitching and visiting grandbabies and my parents through the month, did some traveling for work . . . anyway, let me pull out the pics!

First, I finished up stitching on Ellie's and Everley's little dresses:

These are so sweet!  I can't wait to see them in them!

I finished the flimsy on the little faux ruched flower piece.  You know how when you envision something in your head and you get it finished and it just doesn't quite match up with your vision?

That was this project.  I'm not sure whether or not to pull it apart and redo, let it go and leave it, or let it go and quilt it and be done!

After a long week at work, I snuck into the Nook and knocked out a little mug run for my desk at work . . .

Of course it's purple and sports a tea cup and saucer!  My co-worker wants one just like it, only with a green cup instead of the blue.

My folks did travel down for the long Memorial Day weekend.  We spent some time at the Botanical Gardens--

Who needs flowers when there are such darling little 'bud'dies as these three?!  We also went to the Alabama Balloon Jubilee. None of us had every been, so it was quite exciting and the children were completely enchanted. And even though they didn't lift off, because of high winds aloft, they did fire up the balloons and do their 'glow' finale, which was spectacular!

It really was quite beautiful!  But not nearly as beautiful as this one . . .

Or this one . . .

Who will be celebrating the big O-N-E on Saturday.  Wow!

I did some playing around with tumblers to come up with a piece for my mini-stand:

I've always wanted to make one of these!  And now thanks to two darling bloggy friends (Sarah from sarahdidit! and Janet from Rogue QuilterI), mine is all cut and ready to be pieced!  I'll hang mine from the side, instead of the top -- hope to have it ready for June 14 -- Flag Day!

I have also been thinking I needed a little 'tea' something for that same mini-stand.  I got on the computer and started playing around with graphics until I put together something I liked.  Like this:

Then I printed it in full color on a piece of heavy white cotton and put it in the hoop!

I was very pleased with the quality with which this printed. Whew! Now I'm going to embellish it with stitches . . .

Not the whole thing, but bits and pieces.  I'm thinking I'll add a frame in some tea-ish, floral print and then quilt it.  Fun!

So I'm thinking that's enough for now.  Time to get on with the business (aka busy-ness) of June. Before it's July!

:)

the tenth of october . . .

I know it's been quiet on the blog this week . . . but that's because it's been super LOUD in real life this week!

My sister and her crew, from Texas, spent their fall break camping with us! We've had a marvelous time, especially since her youngest are right around the ages of my grands! Hilarity and craziness have reigned this week!

So it goes to figure that there's been very little stitching done this week (a little, and I'll catch y'all up on that a little later).We've hiked and played in the creek and visited the Botanical Gardens and cooked s'mores and just, in general, have had a marvelous time! 

We had a big first -- Sawyer earned his "slept in a sleeping bag in a tent" badge this week!  He's an old pro now and has asked if if can move to the camp and live in a tent all the time. :) This is his 'morning after' cup of hot cocoa, to celebrate his victory! Please do notice the boots and pj's.   

Today, because it is 10/10 (that magic day of the year I like to refer to as the kickoff of my month-long birthday celebration), we are headed to the PUMPKIN PATCH!  Yay!!

Just in time for the kick-off . . . my order from Stash Tea . . .

Happy birthday tea for me! Hahaha!

Have a great weekend . . . I know I will!!!

:)

farming . . .

Finally, finally . . . got moving and grew me some nice looking carrots!!  Haha!!

Isn't it darling?  I went with the "stitching right sides together" method so I could stitch the green tops into the seam.  I was so pleased with my creation, I went ahead and stitched up another . . .

(Please do NOT look too closely at my ironing board cover ... it's a mess!)  Then I promptly wrapped them up and handed them off to their new owners . . . Joc and Kim!  I handed them off in the parking lot of the Botanical Gardens, which is where we all met yesterday to play.  I had a little *seasonal* treat for the kiddlies, too . . .

Though Ellie was the only one who wanted to wear hers right then and there for any period of time!  Sweet little bunny girl!!  We had a fun time, hanging around in the sand piles . . .

All three--Sawyer, Ellie and June--had fun flinging sand.  When I sent the above picture around to my sisters, one was quick to send it back . . .

Water colored! Isn't that cool?  It's an app on her phone -- Waterlogue -- that does it.  I 'luff' it, as Ellie would say.

Sawyer and Ellie, taking advantage of the free wagon ride:

Sweet cousins!

Kim and June (who is sitting comfortable on Miss Olivia)!

We had a fun day!  Even if it was a bit blustery, it was nice to be outside after such a very cold start to the week of SPRING BREAK.  LOL!

Today I'm scanning more magazines . . .

At least my "to do" pile (on the right) is less than my "finished" pile!  Of course, I won't mention that there are about ten more *piles* to go through!

I've also pulled all the elements of the pineapple quilt back out.  I've got to cut strips to cover seams on the back of my center, and then next will be putting these elements together:

These will make up the borders and corners of the quilt. Once their done, I can start assembling it all.  I'm really not that far from a finish!

I'm offering up a feline flashback for Friday, in honor of the forthcoming Spring . . .

Sweet boy. Merlin's always enjoyed finding unusual ways to make his presence known!!  TGIFF!!  (Thank goodness it's Feline Friday!!)

:)