Pink

Pink Flowers on Gingham

The Sweetheart Tree

I needed a small design to carry with me to work on during those bits of time while I'm waiting with my mom at the doctor's office or during a break at work.  Beading and a button are all that are left to do on this piece.

I made this needlebook for Meari for her birthday.  I thought the spring design and bright colors were perfect for a birthday celebration.

And here's your chuckle for the day:

My youngest DD gave me a mother-daughter afternoon at a local spa.  We each had a facial, manicure and pedicure.  It was wonderful!  Then I discovered that I had to walk through the mall and out to the car while wearing flimsy foam flip flops!   DD and I didn't go on the coldest day, but it is still winter in Illinois.  I can barely walk in flip flops under the best circumstances, but between the lotion on the bottom of my feet and the thin foam flip flops, I was having quite a time trying to walk.  DD and I were laughing so hard and it truly was great together time!  Just for the record, those foam flip flops didn't hold up too well and I ended up running through the mall parking lot barefooted.  It only made DD and I laugh harder!  DD and I decided it was our version of the polar plunge, lol.


If the weather forecast is correct, my area of Illinois is looking at an additional ten or more inches of snow between Wednesday evening and Monday morning.  I wonder just where we will put all that snow because I already have waist high piles of snow along each side of my sidewalk and driveway.  I think it will be a very long time before we see the ground again.

Whatever the weather is in your area, I hope you are all safe!




    

Trying to catch up

I was just thinking now that it's the beginning of January, I needed to get caught up both at work and at home.   Next thing I know, it's January 18 and I still haven't caught up.  Gosh, I feel like we just celebrated Christmas! 

There was a question on one of the morning programs recently asking if Americans are weather wimps.  I think it's the news broadcasters and weather forecasters that are making such a big deal about it.  When I hear that it's going to be sub-zero temps and snowy, I think, "Well, of course, it's January in Illinois.  It's supposed to be cold and snowy!"   Seriously, sometimes they make it sound like we've never seen snow before. 

Ok, enough of my rant.  Here's a look out my window over the past couple of weeks.

Despite the winter storm, I still found some beauty of the season.

Granted, I didn't like shoveling the snow over and over again.

I've got lots of these Sparrows perched in my apple trees 

and emptying the feeders.

 The little Woodpecker keeps busy

There are many more Juncos this winter than previous years.

As I write this, it's snowing here again.  It was supposed to be 4 inches of the fluffy, white stuff, but we already have over 8 inches.  I spent 4 hours outside shoveling this afternoon, which wasn't how I planned on spending my afternoon, but I figure it's good exercise.

I've been working on the consignment pieces and a couple of gifts and exchanges, so no stitching pics to share this time. 

What are you all working on?  Have you started any Valentine stitching yet?

 

2013

When they're all compiled into a collage, 

my 2013 accomplishments don't look too impressive.  

I'm sure my list of what I didn't get done is much longer than what I did get done, but I've decided that I'm not going to let it bother me!

My goals for 2014 are very relaxed.

I'm still working on a couple of consignment pieces and 

once these are completed, I have no specific stitching plans.

Just stitching whatever calls out to me.

There are many designs in my to-do basket

and I'm sure I'll stitch some of them, 

but I'm not creating a schedule or rotation.

Happy 2014!