...A Worthy Day...

Today I decided to pick up my needle and floss. It's been awhile since I pulled the cross stitch out and I really forgot how relaxing it was...I feel like a juggler sometimes because it's too easy(for me) to pick up a new project. This particular chart is from Carriage House Samplings and I have been wanting to get it done and on the wall for about a year now...I think I'll concentrate on getting somewhere on this this weekend...I'm mellow and flowing this weekend so it's tops on my list!

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While outside today, I found one of the "iris babies"from VA. I call them iris babies because they were planted last year and this is their first blooms...This is my favorite color too, it's such a pretty pale peachy pink...My sweet little mama gave me slips of all her irises in so many colors last Fall...She has such a green thumb~ I don't...Luckily these irises are hardy enough to survive me...my kind of plant!!

Take Care,

Tina

...Return to Sewing...

It was so wonderful to get back into the sewing room today. I had lots of "needed" company because all three cats followed me upstairs. I normally close the door to my room when I'm not in there so getting their little paws in the room is always a treat for them. They all have their favorite spots to curl up and sleep and looking at them makes me want to stretch out and take a nap alongside them!! Keeping a clear head though , I stayed on track and did what I was up there for...Sew!!

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I am still working on my first quilt(it's supposed to be a Christmas present). Sadly, this one looks like another "dummy" quilt. It's pretty to look at but there's no way I can quilt this. It's a good thing I've got sooo much fabric!! *LOL* I have got to line up my seams a little better...Yes, I'm a firstborn, a perfectionist and a Type A personality so I want everything to look as even as possible! I'll be starting another quilt top replacement soon and I'll have to kick into fourth gear to get it pieced as soon as possible. I haven't given up hope yet and I'll keep you posted...I'm my own cheerleader...Go Me !!! ... Yeahhh!!!

I did get a couple of dresses together today for some primitive dolls in progress. I'll probably be listing them on "The Primitive Gathering" coming up on May 1st...I haven't thought that far ahead yet ... too preoccupied!!

Take Care,

Tina

...The Ever Classic Urn...

For the last couple of years, I have been obsessed with urns... I love their shape and how beautiful they look with flowers overflowing their rims... I think I first noticed how striking they were when watching "The Patriot" (one of my favorite movies)... The homes were beautiful in this movie . I would move into any of them tomorrow if given the chance! The landscaping was equally beautiful and of course there were a few lovely urns perfectly placed among box woods in a couple of the scenes...Every time I watch the movie, I look for the urns!! They are definitely a classic piece of art and they dress up whatever area they are found...in my humble opinion...

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After a trip to the garden center yesterday in the pouring rain...I postponed my planting until today... I was lucky enough to find a few of my favorite herbs...lavender, rosemary and thyme...They are so fragrant and primitive...Love 'Em!! I spent the morning planting them and arranging my clay pots and urns. I have a few urns now and have my sights set upon another for Mothers Day...just (im)patiently waiting!! I had forgotten how nice it was to get outside and get the hands dirty once in awhile... it clears the mind... The birds were chirping, the sun was shining and the humidity was low so it was a perfectly comfortable day here in NC...

I hope you had a great day too!

Take Care,

Tina

... Hooking Downstairs...

Okay, I have to say I always giggle when I write these hooking titles... I probably blush too...I guess I gotta dirty mind!!

Anyway, because of the hostile fleas holding my sewing machine hostage, I have been working on all the things that I have piled up downstairs. Now, if you would like an explanation of the "hostile fleas", please read previous blog below... getting back on track, I have been teaching myself how to hook and have been practicing a lot lately. It's turning out to be very relaxing and very addicting...I love wool!!!

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Here's a little glimpse of the simple hand-drawn design that I am attempting. My loops are getting a little more uniform and things are becoming easier. I do think I might have made my loops too close in the goose body but I'm learning as I go along...Did I mention how much I love the wool?...There's so many colors and textures out there...I'm in big trouble!!

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I'm patiently awaiting the Orkin man's call to set up an appointment for this week...I really miss my sewing machine!!!

Take Care,

Tina

.... Bugs and Lilacs...

It's that time of the year again when all the creepy crawlies wake up and launch their attack on us non-suspecting North Carolinians... Up until last summer, we fought back with bug bombs and "weapons of bug-destruction" ... and got nowhere!! The Calvary arrived with one call to the Orkin man (angels playing harps are circling my head now). The Orkin man has been my light in a tunnel of darkness...He showed up and brought order to my chaos ... I'm sorry to say now that I am waiting anxiously for him to ride in on his white horse ( or white truck in these modern times) and save me from the fleas that have awoken and are attacking me and my poor innocent cats...and son!!

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I thought that Orkin had wiped them out last year but they have returned again in vengeance. A pocket of them are located in my attic sewing room preventing me from getting to my sewing machine... You see, my son and I are "flea magnets". We can be sitting or walking and fleas find us and attack us...we are irresistible to them!! My husband and daughter, on the other hand, must not smell so good (to them) because they never get attacked...What I would give to be less attractive...to fleas, that is!!! Anyway, yes... I am losing it... and this blog today may hold up as proof...I just really hate bugs and North Carolina is SO buggy...

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Despite all this trauma, I do have things in progress that I work on downstairs and will soon have pictures to prove it!! Please stay tuned and check back... I can't wait to get them listed!! I also still have new "news" that I will tell you later... I don't want to jinx it!!

Take Care,

Tina

...A Visit Home ...

This past week was Spring Break for my daughter so we all packed the car and went to visit my parents in Virginia... A few days to get away and clear the mind is always welcome. After getting there, we decided to add an extra day.

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As usual, we had a wonderful visit and Virginia is so green and beautiful right now. The trees are blooming and the drive was so relaxing. I always plan a day of shopping and browsing at the local primitive stores and antique malls while there. My area here in NC sadly doesn't have primitive shops so I'm rearing to go and I wear my poor mother out... We have a great time though, even if we are dragging by evening...She's resting up now for my next visit!

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I remembered to take my camera and got some wonderful pictures of their barnyard "pets". These animals are so spoiled and almost everything (but the chickens) has been bottle-fed. They are all so sweet and they don't mind hamming it up for the camera which makes it easier for me...the amateur photographer.

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Today I will be reorganizing and getting back into the swing of things here at home. There's clothes to be washed and projects to pull out once again. Visiting is so much fun but it's always so nice to be back home again... Be happy wherever you are and bloom where you are planted...

Take Care,

Tina

...Hard at Work...

Things have been busy here behind the scenes...I have some new listings coming soon and maybe a surprise announcement or two!!! ...Stay tuned...

Take Care,

Tina

...Me and Nanny McPhee...

Today was a truly relaxing day in every sense of the word...After church, I managed to sew and stuff some items and get a base ready for a beautiful pincushion that I am finally getting around to finishing... We ate Easter supper later in the day so I gradually made twice-baked potatoes and deviled eggs to go with our ham as the day progressed...Happily, everything came together in the end and we are all stuffed at this point...Now it's time to relax some more!!

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As I was piddling around today doing all these little things, I was drawn into the wonderful and creative world of "Nanny McPhee"...I have watched it a number of times up to this point and it always has the same effect on me in the end...smiles and tears...It is such a wonderful fairytale and so colorful too...I love it when "Nanny McPhee" first appears and her saying "When you need me but don't want me I'll stay but when you want me but don't need me I'll leave." The fairytale is classic in so many ways. There's a band of cute kids, a caring but distant father, a deceased mother, a strict matriarch and a perilous situation...Oh and did I mention, a beautiful and humble scullery maid who secretly loves her employer...Thank goodness he secretly loves her too and it all works out in the end or I'd really be upset!! I do always cry at the end of this movie but the funny thing is, I always have a huge smile on my face because I'm happy too...Wow what a movie!! It's always nice to wrap yourself in a fairytale and live there while it lasts...It's also the perfect way to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon...I hope you had a peaceful and Happy Easter also...

Take Care,

Tina