A Gift Stitched for My Sister

Today I spent at the sewing machine trying to finish a little project for my sister. She's still a little sad over her rooster so to cheer her up I thought I would let her know I love her with a gift. The cross stitched center is from Elizabeth Designs and I finished it as a small pillowcase with ribbon ties over a simple muslin pillow.
Now to pop it in the mail....she doesn't check my blog often (Naughty sister!) and so I think I am safe sharing it with all of you.

Dieting with Jenny Craig Update

Monday I visited my consultant at Jenny Craig and had my 'weigh-in'. I was a little disappointed in my loss...but I must remember that it is still a loss.

July 18...179.3lbs
July 25...178.1lbs

I lost 1.2lbs this last week for a total of 7.4lbs. My goal is to lose 50lbs (with 135lbs being my target weight).

Daddy-O Passes On

My poor sister...today one of her roosters feel ill with some sort of airway obstruction and had to be 'put down'. She was very sad....she becomes attached to animals and such very easily (I do too.) Living in the country, she has many more pets and animals to become friendly with. It seems country life has more of the life and death situations of animals and it is just one of the reasons I've told my sister that I could never be a 'country girl' again....too many things to break my heart...and too many creepy crawlies.
So I thought I would post a photo a Daddy-O here today. Maybe he will be crowing in Heaven tomorrow morning.

What I Stitched for Jane

Now that I know Jane has received the 'sampler house' I stitched for her, I will post a photo.
I adapted Little Houses Needlework's Daisy Lane Cottage. I stitched it on 32ct Flax Belfast and finished it as a little door hanger with olive-coloured organdy ribbon, and a simple blue and white cotton print.
I am horrible at finishing and was pleased that this turned out looking well. I was very nervous as this was my first exchange also! Now I think I'm hooked!!

Sampler House Exchange

All I can say is 'Wow!'. Today in the mail I received my Sampler House exchange item. I was stunned at how wonderful it was and how overwhelmed I was to receive someone else's gift of stitching. Funny, being the stitcher I have always given little stitched things but have never received and it was a wonderful feeling.
I received my 'sampler house' from Danielle T. Not only did she send me the little cushion but some other goodies....a lovely note, some yummy candies (by the way, hard candies are my favorite)and a little mesh zippered stitching case filled with a few skeins of Gentle Art Sampler Threads, some gold John James needles and some precious Mary Engelbriet things - sticky notes and a fun magnet saying 'Anyone who is successful must have dreamed of something'.
I will have to let you judge for yourself. I've tried to photograph it in the best light, which was outside. I set it on one of my birdfeeders....I felt it was so fitting as it was a little house that even had a couple of birds of its own.

Many thank you's and blessing to Danielle for this wonderful feeling of happiness I have today.

Dieting with Jenny Craig

"Hello Jenny......I'm fat."

Well, I finally decided something must be done about my weight. I've worked my way up to 185lbs....something I can hardly believe. It seems just weeks ago I only weighed 158lbs and I was so proud my 'baby' weight was coming off finally. But somehow it seems that I have completely let things get away from me.

I started my diet on July 12. I'm working with planned menus and things seem to be going well. I thought perhaps I would keep track of my weight here in my blog to share my ups and downs.

July 11...185.5lbs.
July 18...179.3lbs.

I have my weekly consultations on Mondays and will continue to post my progress after each visit.

Wish me luck!

New Scrapbook Layouts Posted

It seems that I have spurts of creativity and productivity and so I have managed to finish a few scrapbook pages. I've uploaded them to my PictureTrail album.

I think that "Cousins" is my 'artistic' favorite but as a mommy, I have to say that "Life should not be....." is my true favorite just because of the pictures of my little Lucas. He was being so cute that day they were playing in the sprinklers and he just had to get naked! I like to look at sweet pictures of him like these when he's being rotten!...and he is a lot.

I have some great pictures of Adrian too that day, I just need to find the perfect paper to highlight them.

Atelier de Brodeuse

I actually finished stitching this last month and never got around to posting a photo of it. I really enjoyed stitching it. It is 'Atelier de Brodeuse' (My Stitching Room) from French designer Au Fil des Reves. Veronique M. (Vero M) has been a wonderful enabler with all the beautiful stitching she does and it was through her album that I first saw this stitched. I have only mounted and stretched the design so far. I plan to have it framed.

I have also just finished a small piece for the Sampler House Exchange on the Legacy Embroiderers Guild EzBoard. I still must decide on my finishing....the most complicated part of any small design! I will be sharing it soon after I know my stitching friend has received it. Our date to post is July 25th.

Now to stitch some more on my entry to the SilkWeavers Summer Fun Pack Drawing. I cannot wait to share a finished photo of that! It is a darling design with little 'chicken' buttons....very cute and playful.

shelley

Fun with MakeUp

I spent a bit of time yesterday watching the "Bare Escentuals" specials on QVC. I absolutely love Leslie Blodgett and her mineral makeup. So I shopped a little and then went and played. I did a makeover complete with before and after photos. It was so fun. In the photo, I am wearing 'Light' Foundation, 'Tinted' Mineral Veil, 'Compassion' Blush, with 'Trust' and 'Intuition' on my eyes....all Bare Escentuals products.

Summer Fun from Dinky-Dyes

I thought I would share a photo of a wonderful fun pack that I received today in the post from Jo Fisher Mason of Dinky-Dyes.........silks and cotton flosses and a scrumptious cut of hand-dyed evenweave fabric. The colors are all limited editions....Berry IceCream and Strawberry Gelato (both cottons), Summer Seas and Cool Lagoon (both silks) and a mystery blue that is a sample of a future release (Left to Right). Jo's fibers are the best!!
While this was a Summer Fun Pack that was strictly Dinky-Dyes, in August there will be another Collaboration of International Dyers and Designers release that will include the work of several other dyers of fabbies and flossies. The theme is 'Wine and Spirits'. I cannot wait to get "intoxicated" on those!