Searching for.....

I have been searching all over the internet to try to locate a copy of a pattern that was issued pre-2004 for a combination Hussif and Pursif  designed by Julie Craig of Attic Heirlooms Designs.  I will finally resort to throwing it out to you to see if any of you would happen to either have a copy or know of how I could locate one.  The pattern has a lovely needle hussif that fit inside a purse (which could also be carried as a normal purse if you wished). 

The now-defunct CQMagOnline magazine had at least a couple of articles about different people creating their versions of the pattern and I would love to create one as well.  I know, before you say it, that I could come up with my own pattern, but there are elements of the original that I just love and would like to learn how to make.

Today's quote is from Dan Zadra....  "Take action on your ideas.  Procrastination is the mortal enemy of spontaneous brilliance"

Errands, errands, errands

B-O-R-I-N-G!!!

I do hate errands.  

I hate grocery shopping.

I hate hauling the groceries inside

and I hate putting them away.

Oh,

and even more,

I hate the manufacturers of toilet plungers,

who can't seem to get their heads around

the fact that we really do want

said toilet plungers to actually,

(gasp) PLUNGE!!

 Oh, the concept!!

 *
*
*
*
rant over.

And the quote for today from Marie Curie:  "Life is not easy for any of us.  But what of that?  We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.  We must believe we are gifted for something"

Button - of the Dorset kind

Yesterday was our monthly CQTeers meeting and Irene showed us how to make Dorset buttons, something I've been intending to try doing and hadn't gotten around to it.  Here's my effort...

Definitely not perfect, but not bad for a first effort!

Today's quote is from Benjamin Franklin...  "To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals" 

Nuttin, Nada, Zilch

Yep, that's all I have to post about. 

SO....

Photo credit is unknown.

Today the quote is, once again, from Anonymous....  "If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again"

Planting our garden

Yes, we do have a garden, despite living in an apartment.  Here it is...

Yep, it's a huge garden!! 

Our entire crop (we hope!) will

consist of tomatoes, lettuce (two kinds),

cherry tomatoes and herbs.  

Looking forward to having a few lettuce, peanut butter & mayo sandwiches and some tomatoes fresh off the vine.  There's nothing like a sun-warmed tomato, freshly picked.  

And yes, I can see you all now....curling up your noses and saying a resounding 'yeeewwww' to lettuce, PB, & mayo sandwiches.  All I can say is don't knock it until you try it!  

 Today's quote, from Anonymous....."  What someone thinks of you is none of your business"

A couple of announcements....

I'm still working on my not-to-be-shown-YET project, so I thought I'd send you off to visit elsewhere. 

Today's quote, from Arlee Barr.... "There is no emergency exit in life, no escape route, no tunnels laid out with a string of lights to guide, no end but the life lived in wonder, finished in love"

Lucky me!

I have to be the luckiest person in the world!  I am always so humbled when someone gives me something that I can use with my work and I am definitely blessed to have such good friends who think of me when they come across something they know I will like.

First of all, one of my friends brought me back this treasure trove of goodies (she brought me back more and this is just what was in one of the little baggies).....

The fabrics you can see are gold and silver lame (at least I think that's what it's called) and the other piece is a beautiful gold satin.  There are ribbons, and beads, and buttons, and some gorgeous trims.  She also brought me some beautiful sequins and a package of milliner's needles.  Am I blessed, or what?

And,

I was gifted with these on the weekend...

I don't know how old these things are, but they came from a lady who is nearly 90.  They could have been from her mother, so even older than that.  The apron is made from a fabric very similar to gauze...certainly one that would have been used for Sunday best.  The other piece is an envelope...perhaps used to hold hankies.


Click to embiggen the photos!

Some beautiful collars, as well as a little pouch that is crocheted using very heavy thread.  I would assume that the ring must mean that it could be hung up.  I have no idea what it would have been used for originally.  Do you know?

I have to say that I have the nicest friends on earth!  Thank you Mary Ellen and Kelly.

Today my quote is about friends, and comes from Arlo Guthrie.... "A friend isn't someone who will carry you to your destination so much as someone who will walk along with you for awhile"

Do you know?

Here's a question for you.  Do you know what a group of bears is called?  You'll have to read to the end of this post to find out!

Reason for the question is that I wanted to show you this...

These little critters, also known as 'lovies', are seemingly all the rage around the internet.  They combine an animal, in this case a bear, and a security blanket.  There are lots of free patterns on Ravelry (which is where I got this pattern) if you want to go and check them out.  They also come up under 'blankies'.  If you aren't familiar with Ravelry, you should be!  It's a marvelous resource for knitters and crocheters and you can join for free.  There are tons of free patterns available there, as well as those you can pay a nominal sum for.

I don't know if you will remember about a month ago me showing a picture of the 31-year old cradle that we were sprucing up for our soon-to-be-born grandbaby (you can go HERE to read the story behind it).  Yesterday we delivered it to our #1 son and daughter-in-love and here it is, all set up and ready for Logan to arrive....

The quote of the day, from Diane Grant.... "It's better to walk alone, than with a crowd going in the wrong direction"

Oh....and the answer to the question?  A group of teddy bears is called a 'hug'.  Fitting, don't you think?

Ta dah!

One Ted E. Bear, completed!

Here's a quote from Anonymous.... "Usually it's a lot easier to nod as if you agree with someone than it would be to explain why you don't.  

Best legs in town?

What do you think?

Started sewing Ted. E. Bear together today and these are his legs.  Poor thing....he's still lacking a body and arms...and oh....his head!   

Today's quote is from Margo Fonteyn....  "The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously.  The first is imperative and the second is disastrous. 

A post of mumblings...sort of

You will have no doubt noticed a sad lack of blog postings from this neck of the woods.  

Oh.  

You didn't?

Really?

Well then,  I suppose you won't be much interested in reading my mumblings today.  Perhaps cleaning the toilet is more fun, and if that's the case, you're excused.  I promise I won't get my feelings hurt.

1.  Part of the reason for my absence was our lending assistance in the grand move of our #1 son and d-i-love from an apartment to the new house.  We managed to deliver both them and their two cats to the new abode, leaving the rest of the moving in the capable hands of the pros.  

2.  Another part of the reason is that I've been busily polishing and finishing the soon-to-be-published 'BOOK'.  Now before you go and get all excited that I'm about to be found on the best seller lists, I have to tell you that the subject matter of the 'BOOK' isn't the stuff that best sellers are made of.  Some of my long-time readers may remember that I published book #1 ('Self Doing Naught') back in 2010.  It was a transcript of the daily diaries of my 2x great grandfather and his life on the farm dating back to the 1800's.  The current book ('Did Little But the Chores') is a continuation on the same theme with the original author being my great uncle and dating to the early 1900's.  There are over 500 pages in this book.  It took awhile.  There will be over 500 pages in book #3.  It, too, will take awhile. 

3.  The pile of to-do projects is in imminent danger of topping over, so.... one teddy bear has been cut out and is ready to put together, along with four baby bibs.  Funny, the pile doesn't seem to have diminished any.

Today the quote is from Ernest Holmes...  "Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he things into it"

Lucky me!

Just look at what has arrived at my

door!!

Thank you Winnie and Shawn!

LOVE YOU!

Today's quote is from Elizabeth Stone... "Making the decision to have a child - it's wondrous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body"

Thrift store find

Yes, I'm continuing to stitch (despite speculation that I'm sitting with my tootsies up and imbibing bonbons).  Thought I would show you my latest 'find' at the thrift store...

This intrigued me because it said that the package contained 'rice paper' which could be interesting to stitch on.  It was total happenstance that the marker actually still works.  I have NO idea if the transfer aspect of it works as the package says though.  According to the directions on the back, it's useable on fabric, canvas or wood.  You trace your design onto the rice paper using the purple end of the marker and then retrace over it to transfer onto your fabric (or whatever you choose).  Apparently the markings will remain for 2-14 days before disappearing.  If you want to hasten the disappearance act, you use the white end of the marker.  Then you can simply rinse out the rice paper and reuse it later on.  I thought it was worth $1.99 just to have a play!

Today's quote from an unknown author...."The brave may not live forever, but the cautious don't live at all. 

Mumblings

Yep, it's a mumble day...again.  Stitching is happening but since the project is hush hush, I can't show you (never fear, you WILL see it eventually). 

Sunshine!   We have sunshine!!  Still have to wear a jacket but we are happy for the return of some sun.  This year we have to be pleased with the small steps towards spring.  We walked along the river today and I, of course, forgot to take my camera.  Will try to get some pictures next time. 

Spring must be here because we have a pitcher of iced tea in the fridge!  Yum.....

Today's quote (from Sir Robert Helpmann).... "The trouble with nude dancing is that not everything stops when the music stops"