Saying good-bye to a fellow blogger

I found Jennifer's blog 2 years ago when I first started blogging and have always enjoyed her posts.  She is funny, dedicated to her work and a talented designer also.  There were times reading her blog when she would post just the right bible verse that would speak to me and lift me up or remind me of who's in charge of my life.

Sadly, Jennifer is leaving the blog world and she is also, unfortunately, taking down her blog.  She posted about it this morning, so by tomorrow morning her blog will be gone.  She still has some beautiful freebie designs on her blog, so if there is anyone out there who has visited her, but not taken the time to explore all she has to offer, do so tonight or you'll miss out on some truly simple, but beautiful designs.

Feathers in the Nest is the name of her blog, and she will be greatly missed by all who have known her over the years in the cyberspace world.

All in a days work

As much as I wanted to stitch today, I decided to take advantage of the nice breezy cool (well, cooler than it has been) weather with the windows open and do some baking.  I had 3 monster zucchinis from my garden I wanted to start using up and so I made lots of yummy goodness today.  I made Zucchini Banana Craisin Muffins, Zucchini Muffins, Zucchini Cookies, Banana Bread, Zucchini Bread and Zucchini Egg Frittata Nests.  I also tried making scones for the first time - they're quite easy, but these particular ones are a bit on the dry side, so I'll have to try to revamp the recipe.  They were Maple Oat Scones and they had a decent flavor, just dry.  I also went out to my garden at my daughter's house and picked a few more smaller zucchini to use in my salads for work this week and then went to my BIL/SIL's house and had at their beans - they've got more than they know what to do with.

Here's a picture of my day's work.  Well, it doesn't include the 4 loads of laundry I washed and dried on the laundry (but still need to be folded - I'm too pooped right now!)

And here's a couple of recent pictures of my grand-baby Emma. 

The outfit she's wearing is one my Sister (her great-aunt), made for my niece who will be 12 in December (just 3 weeks younger than my son Caelan).  My Sister made tons of clothes for each of her kids and has recently weeded through them all to keep just the very most special ones for memory boxes for each child and then she sent a whole box full to my daughter for Emma.  The sizes ranged all the way up to a 4T and I know she has more to send in the future when she gets older.  I love that we have these special hand-me-downs that were made with so much love.  My Grandma kept many of my handmade childhood dresses that my daughter then wore when she was young and Emma has worn a few already and will wear the others when she fits them.  I also kept many of the handmade dresses that my Mom made for Therese and Emma has worn some and will wear the rest as she fits them.

Alrighty, I'm pooped - it's been a busy, busy day and I'm ready for bed!

Header Picture

For those who are wondering, my header picture is my two boys and my nephew.  My nephew is in the middle, my oldest son Devan is on the right - he turned 13 in March and my nephew is just one month younger than him and on the left is my middle son Caelan who will be 12 in November.

This was taken last Saturday when DH, myself & my nephews parents (DH's brother & wife) picked them up from a week long bible camp in Dixon, Illinois.  It's called Rock River Bible Camp and hubby, his brother & wife attended this camp when they were children up through high school.  Hubby was even a camp counselor for the intermediate camp in his high school years (this was the camp our boys attended).  I used to go to Manville Church Camp in Manville, Illinois when I was in high school - that was the camp for the Nazarene Church where I was a member in Freeport. 

This was the first year our boys had attended any camp of any kind and been away from home for more than just a stay and Grandma/Grandpa's or their aunt/uncles homes.  All three boys had an absolute blast and are already looking forward to going again next year!

I won!

I'm still just completely flabbergasted that I WON Gabi's giveaway here.  I'm so excited!  I've had nothing extra the last several months to get any new stash or to get the threads for some LHN I have and need to stitch in the coming months.  Well, with the exception of the $10.50 I spent for the floor stand I found at the thrift store ( I just couldn't pass that up!).   Thank you so much Gabi for the giveaway and "Thanks" also to Anita at Anita Little Stitches for adding to Gabi's giveaway to make it $100!  I've admired several of Anita's designs and will definitely be getting at least one or two of those, plus some threads for my LHN patterns and I THINK I'm going to get Rosewood Manor's Spring Quaker with the Valdani threads, as I've loved that pattern since I first saw it.  I just have to go through the site and browse a bit more.

I leave you with a couple of pictures of my Granddaughter Emma from the last couple of months.  This first one is with my hubby at our 4th of July parade - she just didn't want to look at the camera!

Riding the merry go round at a nearby park, and another with an expression that reminds me so much of my daughter at that age.














As soon as I purchase & receive my new stash, compliments of Gabi & Anita, I'll be sure to take pictures and put them up here.  I also need to take pictures of Winter Queen progress since having to rip-it, rip-it, rip-it, when I started over.  I haven't got as much done as I'd like due to lots of summer activities with my boys and watching Miss Emma, but now that I have my stand, the stitching certainly does go quicker. 

I also found as I was going thru my LHN charts that I have a duplicate of the "Virtue Sampler".  I had bought it for myself, and then I also received it in my "Mystery package" that I bought a while back.  Some time in the next couple of weeks I'll be having a giveaway of the chart for my followers, so stay tuned.  Oh, and I have quite a bit of stash to work through and post pictures of to sell.  A couple of years ago I had bought a "lot" of fabric on ebay and found some of it just isn't to my liking - it's mostly linens in a variety of sizes varying from quite small (ornie size) to bigger pieces, along with some aida.  I also have several charts, some kits and also quite a few older kits from The Silver Needle "Secret Needle Night".  These include the chart, threads, needles, fabric & any charms/buttons that are needed.  If there's anyone who is specifically interested in those kits or have a specific kit they're in search of, please let me know and I'll see if I have it.

Well, that's it for now - I'm LATE to leave for work, but I just couldn't stop writing today!  Have a blessed and wonderful day.

An idea for floss winding

I subscribe to "Craft Gossip" and today in their newsletter there was a link to a blog called Little Lovelies.  She had blogged about the way she wound her floss - it involves the floss, the little cards, bobbin winder and a drill.  Yes, you read that right - a drill.  It's actually quite genius. 

I have most of my floss in generic plastic baggies, sorted by numbers and then ordered in plastic shoe box organizers.  I just might have to borrow my sister in laws drill and try this out.  It would certainly make everything less bulky for storage. 

Here's the link. Little Lovelies Floss Winding

Gabi's having a giveaway

Gabi over at Lady of the Floss is having a spectacular giveaway for her blogaversary!  The chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Anita's Little Stitches.

Go here to check it out!  Gabi's Giveaway

Thrift store find - Stitching stand and Sampler book

I used to make Saturday my St Vincent de Paul thrift store day, but I haven't been there in a few weeks.  Since we'll be out of town all day tomorrow I decided to stop there today.

I am so glad I did!  I found this for $10.50 It's the FA Edmunds Universal Craft Stand.  Now, I know this is not the best one out there, nor is it the stitching stand of my dreams, but it's better than nothing and I can't wait to use it!  It even came with a small scroll frame, so that was a bonus. 

There was actually a 2nd one there that looked just like this one, but I believe it may have been homemade to be like the one above.  It's was a bit taller that the Edmunds and rather than have the knobs, it just had wing nuts.  I'm contemplating going there on Monday after work and getting it if it's still there. Thought I could give it to my MIL for her own stitching.

I also found this for just $1.50.  I glanced through it briefly at the thrift store, saw a couple of samplers that I liked and bought it.  I decided to google it and have found several for sale at prices ranging from $9 to $125 - WOW!  I also found when searching it, that two of the designs in here are by Theresa Wentzler.  I'm so glad I picked this up!