The center

Here is the center of the surprise Christmas gift that I worked on all year! The whole picture is very large. I think it is 25" square.  I'll share other parts to it soon. There is so much detail that you just won't want to miss out on!!! lol

Another something

You know me...busy working on all kinds of things.
This owl was something I found in my mother's things. And my dad loves owls, (well so do I) so I decided to stitch it onto a tote bag for him because he uses them and I wanted to make it into something useful.

Wait 'til I show you what I've been working on all year! I couldn't share it with you while I was stitching it because it was to be a gift for my daughter. Its what I did with that special fabric that was handpainted, dyed for me. It came out perfect!

In the meantime, here's a happy picture of us at Christmas.

My gift from Laurie

I could hardly believe it when I opened my BASG gift from Laurie!
I think it is the most beautiful thing!!!!!
And knowing that it was from Laurie, a dear friend of mine made it even better. I could not help but get tears in my eyes, I was so touched and love it so much.

She did the tiniest work. Gorgeous work. I just love birds, I'm sure you've all figured that out by looking at the things I've done.
And flowers! OMG! Yes, flowers, flowers, flowers.

A favorite book of mine is The Secret Garden. I read it as a child and loved it.
My grandparents had the most beautiful gardens and as a child, I learned all the different kinds of flowers.

I love what Laurie created and I love Laurie!!!!!

BASG Gift Exchange

I belong to the Bay Area Sampler Guild (California) and each year in January, we draw a name.
We then have all year to figure out what we would like to stitch for that person's Christmas gift, which gets given at the holiday party in November.

Lucky me got Ria, a wonderful friend of mine.

She put on her little hint paper that she likes purple and gold.
Well, I knew she liked knots. And she had taken a trip to Scotland in the spring. And she carries her stitching in these mesh project bags.

I love to make things that have a PURPOSE.(haha I'm thinking of Steve Martin in The Jerk)

So I found the purple mesh bags. Took it apart at the side seams. Stitched the design on linen band. (I first tried to stitch on the mesh. Oh forget that! The gloss the mesh had made it SO DIFFICULT to see, even under the magnifier, so banding won out.) 
Once stitched, I  put it all back together.

I think she really liked it.    :)

Here I am!

Oh I have lots of pictures to share with you! 
Soon though. Right now I'm working on something I found in my mom's things. This is a Blackberry Lane needle book she had started. I finished his back and have been working on the front now.

If you look closely at him, I added some sparkly royal blue filament.
And if you know me, you know I always have to have a bit of sparkles!!!!

Goatie

Tip: if your backyard gets too overgrown... get a goat!
Its easier on your husband than making him cut it down, grind it up and haul it out!
And then... there's the extra bit of FERTILIZER!
Win win!!

Happy Holiday Weekend

I've got an update for you!
See, I really *have* been doing a bit of stitching. With kitten in lap, as you can see from below. She's learning properly to lay in the lap and not bother my thread.  (I only had to extract her hanging body and needle-like claws once from my picture). haha

It was my birthday on the fourth. This was really a nice birthday. I must say it was the most nicest one I've maybe ever had. The cards I received were so touching.  And lots of nice messages on my facebook page (which I never go to, but think now I must just to say thank you to everyone). I guess I must have been nice this year! lol

Next week makes the one year makes that my mom died. sigh
I miss her but I'm doing ok. I'm just sure she visits me all the time.  :)