a stitch, a pin, a pattern . . .

Do you ever have one of those nights?  I evidently spent too much time collecting sweet little embroidery patterns on my Stitcheries pin board yesterday, because ALL night long I dreamed--in color--about finding the perfect pattern and how I'd stitch and embellish it.  Gracious!

I finished up the bow on my little black dress embroidery block.  I'm one-third of the way through and it's looking good! 

I was so thankful that Lisa, from A Cuppa Tea With Me, mentioned in a comment that she was thankful for Thread Heaven when working with metallic flosses.  What?!  You can use that?!?!  I was having a horrible time with the metallic floss twisting and had considered using the Thread Heaven, but wasn't sure, so I didn't.  After an exchange with Lisa, I *am* using it and what a difference it made!  Whew!  Thanks, Lisa!

I wanted to share a couple of my favorite pins.  I'd posted pictures of some HERE, after being inspired by a story on Madeline Albright, a couple of years ago.  Then my friend Melissa, over at The High Altitude Tea Duchess, mentioned she might do a linky party of blogger's pins, and I knew I had to share!  Just a couple of quick sets . . .

The copper poodle was a gift from my daddy, many years ago.  He brought it home from a convention.  I think I was in 8th grade.   It's the piece I've had the longest (not the oldest, mind you).  The roadrunner actually belonged to Todd's mom's, but I held onto it because it reminded me of my Grandma Willie and their snowbird trips to Arizona.  Her postcards would always have roadrunners on them!  And my chorus pin from high school.  Who holds onto these things besides me?!?

This set is fun ... the "Once Upon A Time" pin was given to me by a darling friend after I met Todd and he proposed (to commemorate finding my Prince Charming and happily ever after.  :)  The monkey pin was a secret pal gift, and was one of my favorite to wear when I was teaching high school (for obvious reasons).  It makes me laugh, as does the computer screen with the cat tagging the mouse!  That was a gift I received during my IT/software troubleshooter years.

Some more whimsical pieces.  The cat tickles me because his tail moves!  The dragonfly just appealed to me because of the colors (oooh!  sparkly, pretty colors!), and the little angel I found in Gatlinburg, TN, one year at a craft show.  It so reminded me of my Pop and the fun art he created with tin cans.  I had to have it (and the sweet matching earrings that went with it)!

Finally, at some point, I need to get busy on a challenge piece for guild.  Our challenge exhibit is next month.  Yikes!  The theme is:

It doesn't necessarily have to be a crazy quilt but the theme of 25 (for our 25 year anniversary) is encouraged ... and gets extra points, too.  I happen to have it on good authority that there will be some awesome prizes and door prizes that night, so I definitely want to give it my best shot.  I've got some ideas ... I just need to flesh something out.  And SOON!

That's it for me today.  Lots of busy things happening up at the camp and I've got to get a move on!  Have a happy Wednesday!!

:)

junkies come in all shapes and sizes . . .

Sometime late last year, CBS did a very interesting piece on their Sunday morning show. It featured Madeline Albright; specifically, her collection of brooches. I was fascinated! She's been collecting pins for quite a long time and has an incredible collection! Some, with their stories, are pictured in this Newsweek photo story.

At that time, we were pre-RV and I was contemplating what would go and what would have to stay. I had been thinking I would need to pare down my jewelry -- especially my own pin collection -- but the story on Ms. Albright changed my mind.

I've been a pin collector/wearer for a long time. I've gotten them as gifts from all kinds of people (family, students, friends, etc.) and given them as gifts to . . . well . . . myself! I have lots. I love them because they express how I'm feeling and who I am. Nothing quite says it like a pin.

So today, instead of the normal stuff & junk, I decided to share some from my own personal pin collection . . .

These were all gifts; the big bow, which always makes me feel like a present, was from a student. The scarf bow was from a friend, and the beautiful black, silver and pearl pin was from my Jocey, at Christmas this year.

Both of these were "self" presents. I love the little flower basket--it makes me think of Spring. Plus, I got it on sale for $2! You can't beat that. The silver & gold bow gets lots of compliments.

This interesting group is all old-school. The silver scallopy thing was my Grandma Willie's, the road runner was Todd's mom's, and the white flower was my Grandma Wadleigh's.

The little gold cat was a present for my sister; his tail wags. The computer mouse & cat pin was a gift from a good friend. These are both so me!

And finally (for today's post, anyway) my flag pin/ribbon is standard wear for every patriotic holiday we have. The second, my Navy Good Conduct metal, is one I don't wear too often anymore, but it sure does mean a lot to me.

Fun to wear, fun to share! What can I say? I'm a pin-up girl!!

LOL!

:)