HELLO! It's ME!

HI, Friends,
I've been away for quite some time now and really must get back to the delight of blogging and keeping up with all my friends from around the world. I've been busy, busy - with little to show for it. However, I do have some things to share.

I received a surprise package from my sweet friend, Angela (Pretty Little Things in a Box) I was lucky enough to spend time with when I was in Singapore last year.

Angela knows how much I ADORE biscornus, buttons and embellishments. Aren't her gifts pretty?

Thank you, Angela, for thinking of me!!

I volunteered to be a Guinea Pig for one of Dana Burton's 1:12 scale porcelain dolls. She is going to teach this in a live class and I was one of several who volunteered to go through the tutorial she wrote, the supplies she included, etc., to test it out and see if there were any improvements she could make. Well, through no fault of Dana's design, I messed up a bit and had to go to plan "B" for the embellishments on the bodice of the dress. Had to scrap that because she looked like she had pasties on (YIKES!), so went to plan "C". Actually, there wasn't a plan "C",  so really had to think this one through. OK - here is what I've come up with so far.....

"Joie"

It's difficult to see it in the pictures, but there is silk tulle glued to her bodice and arms. Tricky, yes....I hope to pull the 'look' together with black and gold embellishments and a black silk gauze wrap with gold lining. Stay tuned on this one, kids!

Finished wigging, painting the shoes and getting the stand prepared for "Eve".  Now just have to costume her....

"Eve" OOAK Polymer Clay Doll with soft body - 18 inches tall

Last, but not least, finished "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". I followed a tutorial put together by Deb Wood of "Enchanted Hearts". Deb's an absolute doll and answered many questions I had along the way. Love, LOVED making him!!!  Hubby likes him so much, he's going to make a wooden sleigh for him to sit in!!

OOAK Polymer Clay Sculpt 4.5 inches H x 3.5 inches D

DH cut tiny pieces of wood and I wrapped them with miniature wrapping paper - and even made the bows! I had such a blast making them, I ordered more ribbon in different colors - 8 more packages to wrap......hmmmm......maybe he needs a sack??

I've also been working on other polymer clay things, nothing to show you....yet.

Take care - it's good to be BACK blogging!!! Missed you all. More later -

"Time Keeps on Slipping into the Future....."

As I sat to write this post, I glanced to look at the date of my last post - YIKES! It's been awhile. The lyrics of the Steve Miller Band song, "Fly Like and Eagle" sprang to mind. It seems the older I get, the faster time moves.....I don't get it. Maybe it's because I'm finding more and more things to do and just not enough time to do it all. How about you?

Jessie Mann taught me how to paint Limoges boxes many, many years ago. I was fortunate to have the pleasure of traveling to Jessie's home and experiencing her grace and graciousness. I will be forever grateful for her passion and willingness to share her talents.

I received the most wonderful surprise in the mail - a Limoges box and porcelain purse fob painted by Jessie.

Jessie - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will treasure these always. If you want to see more of Jessie's painting, visit her website here.

I << LOVE >> My Blogging Friends!

Hello all,
I want to thank all the fellow stitchers who responded to my cry for help and sent me links to some great sites. I'll share them here:

Michele Bilyeu
Needle Crafters
Snowmen A to Zzzz

There are so many nifty patterns and ideas, I could spend HOURS going through the links.....and probably will <g>.

A special thanks to Shami. She had saved the patterns from Cheryl Fall years ago and sent me the pdf. I'm so very excited to start the stitching this weekend.

You guys are the BEST!! HAPPY DANCE! THANK YOU!

Need Help - Embroidered ABC Quilt Block Pattern?

HI, Ladies! I hope your week has been a good one. I've been contemplating making an ABC quilt for my grandson. Since I can't sew <g>, I'd like to embroider the letters. So this is where

I NEED YOUR HELP

I've looked all over for cute blocks to either cross stitch or embroider a redwork design, but have come up empty. I saw the sweetest blocks on About.com (they happened to be free) by Cheryl Fall, but the links don't work (SOB!).

I'm willing to purchase the patterns....but I can't seem to find any I like for a little boy. I see cute ones for girls.....

It occurred to me this morning, if anyone can help me, it's all of you. If you have any ideas or sources, please share. Hopefully I can make this in time for his birthday (October) or Christmas.

Many thanks to all - have a great rest of the week and weekend!

What a Surprise!

I'm so very blessed to know so many kind and caring people. I met Shelly Hawley Yan on the MSAT Mini doll list. Basically, it's a group of like-minded women who love miniatures and creating miniature dolls, room boxes - anything miniature. Shelly and I have a lot in common besides miniatures - animals, music, needlework and more. She is a gorgeous artist and lovely person.

In Monday's mail I received a box from Shelly. Look what she created for me:

Missy and Sally (Best Friends for almost 15 years)  and Sweet Holly (who passed away at 5 years from congestive heart failure)

Emma and Bella (our current furry friends)

Me hugging sweet Holly 

Lovely Lilacs (I love the scent...we have a bush outside our back window)

An Artist Trading Card - reminding me of Toby, my one-in-a-million horse of my dreams....now in greener pastures

An Artist Trading Card - Just for Me!

Shelly also included five other ATCs, which I will share in a future post.

I have to say, I was totally overwhelmed when I unwrapped these tiny gifts.....it all brought me to tears and touched my heart. Please stop by Shelly's website On Dragon Wings Studio and browse through her works. She even offers some free needlework patterns!

Shelly - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

Initial Heart Swap Goodies

Good morning!

I participated in Cheryll's Initial Heart Swap this year. Unfortunately, in my haste to send out my package to my swap partner, I forgot to take pictures. I know the package arrived at its destination safe and sound to Judith (no blog). Hopefully I can post pictures later. In the meantime,  I received these glorious goodies from Terry F.

Fabrics and a quilted needle book

A darling card and a travel mug with hand stitching - with my initials 

A bowl of chocolate kisses and English Breakfast tea

What was in the bottom of the bowl

THANK YOU, Terry! I don't have your email to send a thank you, so I hope you're seeing my post. I love, LOVE it all.

I've got so much more to blog about - more later -

HAPPY VALENTINES  DAY!!

Ballerina

Hello everyone! Yes, it's been awhile - lots going on here - just wanted to pop in and share my latest finish - 1:12 scale ballerina named Litana. She's the first of Dana Burton's Black and White Series. She's VERY delicate - only a tiny pin in her left front foot (and glue) holds her onto the base.

Litana - 7 inches tall - from tip of toes to top of hair