Quilting Weekend

My first block for my String Quilt
Janie and her quilt
Patty and one of her quilts. This is the braid she taught me.
Kathy and a table runner she was working on.

Charlotte and Rusty. Like her boy toy calender in the back ground, Sorry Charlotte I had to do it! He he!!!!

I know I've been missing in action. Sorry everyone!!! I've had lots going on in my life the last few months. I'll try to do better!!

I spent most of last weekend at my friend Charlotte's home. I'm finally learning to quilt!!!Besides Charlotte and I there were three other ladies. Janie, Kathy and Patty. Patty is Charlotte's big sister and Kathy is Patty's best friend. What a blessing, they both teach quilting classes, I was in good hands. They all taught me so much. Friday night, they started me on a String Quilt, Sat. morning Patty taught me how to do a braid. Sat. afternoon we went on a field trip to a cute little quilt shop in Montgomery, TX. When we returned to Charlotte's house she showed me how to do a Stack and Slash quilt using my new fabric I bought at the quilt shop. Then we went to a local restaurant, where I had some wonderful Fried Shrimp, then I had to head home, but Charlotte sent me out with a bag full of scraps to use on my String quilt. Only I forgot to bring my backing, so I've not been able to work on my quilt. However I have all my scraps ironed and ready to go!!

For a Special Friend

I made this card for one of my friends for her birthday. I really love this stamp. I hope she likes this card as well!

Pink Rose Card

Here another card using the rose stamp from my friend in England, Lynn. I think it's so sweet and lady like!

Trash or Treasure

Today I was cleaning out my closet and I came across a box with broken and old
Christmas ornaments and pieces. I'm glad I never throw anything away!! They are now safe in my craft cottage waiting to be part of a future project. I'm not sure what yet,but I have that to look forward to.

Tea Party for One

I didn't have time to plan a tea party, so I had one for myself this morning using my new teapot a gift from my friend Dianna. I also used my new tea cup and a plate I bought at an antique shop when I went to Huntsville, Texas a few weeks ago. The tea came from my friend Lesley who sent it to me for my birthday all the way from England. The cookies are from a local bakery.
Who says you need a lot of people to have a party!!

Sheep of the Week

This week's sheep is the part of the Willow Tree collection. It's called "Peace on Earth". I bought it last summer on my trip to Lubbock, Texas to visit my cousin June. Right after I bought it, we went to visit an old friend, Margaret. I hadn't seen her in close to 20 years. When I got to her home I noticed some sheep on her shelves, I even had some of the same sheep in my collection. Come to find out she also collected sheep. So I went out to the car and carried in this figurine to show her. She loved it! I was afraid she wasn't going to let me leave with it.

Sheep of the Week

Well I'm really behind posting on my blog, but better late than never! Billy bought me this adorable sheep on our trip to Huntsville, it was at a resale shop. I love resale shops!!!!! He also got me a couple of other sheep items that I will share at another time. One sheep at a time.

Sam Houston

We went to Huntsville, Texas for the weekend. Our first stop was the Sam Houston Statue. This statue is clearly seen miles away as you drive up I-45. I remember the first time I saw it. I remember thinking what in the world is that, its so BIG. This statue stands 67 foot high. For those of you who do not know who Sam Houston is...a little history lesson. He played a big part of Texas history. Houston was statesman who was President of Texas twice, a U.S. Senator for Texas. He was Commander in Chief of the Army of the Republic of Texas. He was Governor of Tennessee and of Texas. He lived a very colorful life. Houston, TX is named after him.
While we were in Huntsville we also visited the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and his gravesite. We went to the Texas Prison Museum, which was interesting. And last but not least we went shopping in downtown Huntsville. Love antique stores!!!

Sheep of the Week

I bought this adorable sheep last Easter. I think I got it at Hobby Loppy. I love it! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I know I did. My son's are too old for Easter egg hunting, but it doesn't stop me from making them a Easter bag full of Easter candy. My precious husband gave me a large Chocolate Kiss, one of my favorite candy! He also gave me a beautiful Easter Lily. When I came home from church there was an adorable yellow bunny holding a chocolate Easter Egg, a gift from my oldest!!!! But I can't talk about Easter without telling everyone why Easter is so special to me. It's because this is the time of year that we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. He is Alive!!!

February Card Challenge Winner for Tanda

I WON! The theme was to make an Easter Card for the February Card Challenge at the Tanda Forum. There were so many pretty cards to vote for, so I feel very honored to win!!

First Rose of the Year

Here's a photo of the first rose to bloom in my garden this year. I almost waited too long to get the picture, I should have taken the picture yesterday, but I still think its pretty. It smells good too, You'll just have to take my word on it.

"Sheep of the Week"

This weeks sheep is the smallest sheep in my collection. I can't remember when I got it or even where. She is made of plastic and for some reason is always falling over. Maybe the bigger sheep are pushing her over when I'm not looking!

Rose Card

I made this card using the beautiful stamp that my friend Lynn sent me from England. It was a Christmas gift from her and I love it!! I wrapped fibers around a white ribbon and used a cheery red.

Sheep of the Week

My "Sheep of the Week", is a Jim Shore collectible. I love this sheep because it has a folk art quality and I love the quilt. My husband, Billy bought it for me on one of our outings we took together. Can't remember which one and exactly when, but that's case with most of my sheep. Some of them I remember all the details, who gave it to me or where I got it from, the year
etc... When I look at some of the collection of my sheep I draw a blank, I can't recall anything about it, just that I like it.

Sheep of the Week

I'm a day late posting my Sheep of the Week, but here it is. This sheep was a gift from my Mom. She brought it back from New Zealand. When you turn it over it makes a baa sound.

Birthday ATC

I made this ATC for Sian of Tanda's Forum for her birthday. It was late, typical of me. I hope you had a wonderful birthday Sian!!!

Chair Teapot

A few years ago, my husband bought me a teapot in an antique shop. After that it seem my teapot collection just kind of happened. Maybe I don't have many by some peoples standards, but each one is special to me. I found this adorable chair and cat teapot in an antique mall a few months ago. I loved the pretty pink roses, I wish I had a real chair like it. The cat reminds me of the one Billy got me as a present on our first Christmas together. Only he a had a black spot on his nose.

Frame for Lorraine

I made this frame for my Tanda Forum friend Lorraine for her birthday. I used pieces of scrapbook papers, rubber stamped the blue bird, ribbon and lace. The bottom burgundy color is velveteen paper and I embellished it with buttons, a pearl stick pin and an old ink pen tip I had. Added a tassel and added a nice message for Lorraine, which if she wants she can replace with a photo. I liked the way it turned out. I plan to make some more in the future.

Sheep of the Week

This sheep was given to me as a gift from my friend Charlotte. This is Flora, here is some information I copied from the internet." EWE AND ME by Toni GoffeEnesco brings us Ewe and Me by Toni Goffe, a collection of stylish sheep in knitted sweaters and fun shoes and boots. These whimsical resin figurines are full of character and will bring a chuckle to anyone who sees them. The inspiration for this collection occurred when Toni and his wife were out for a drive...."My wife and I were going to our favorite pub in the countryside when we saw a field of very cold-looking sheep; they had all been recently shorn and were looking very sorry for themselves. When we got to the pub my wife said she'd like to knit them some little hats and jumpers to keep them warm until their fleece grew again. I drew a picture of what they would look like and there began Ewe and Me." Toni Goffe's art is collected worldwide and his humorous characters have inspired numerous successful collections, including Cool Cats and Hot Dogs and Catalandia."
Charlotte saw Flora and knew I need her in my collection.

Chocolate Turnover

Look at what my youngest son, Nathan surprised me with today. He stopped at Arby's on his way home from school and got me a Chocolate Turnover. It was a total surprise, he knows how much I love chocolate. Wasn't that so sweet of him and believe me it was yummy.

I found these cool jars at a resale shop , they will be perfect for my craft cottage. They are candy jars. The colored ribbons remind me of candy. They were a bargain, only 50 cents each. Not sure which makes me happiest, getting a bargain or finding such pretty jars. O.K. both!

My "Sheep of the Week

This weeks "Sheep of the Week" is my latest sheep. It was a Christmas present from my sister Christine. It's made with cloth yo-yo's, I also have a white one made just like it, I think they were both made by the same person. It's one of the 3 black sheep I have in my collection.

Valentine's Day will be here in two days. I can't wait, not that I love Valentine's Day so much. I work for a major card company and this is my busiest time of year. Each day when I go into work, I'm greeted by a mess of cards and envelopes, It usually takes about two hours to straighten up and restock Valentine cards. That doesn't count the party products, gift bags and gift items to straighten up. I'm counting the days for Valentine's to come and go. I took the photo above after I straightened the cards this morning.

I collect sheep, so I thought it would be fun to feature each week, one of my sheep. I will call it "My Sheep Of The Week", I'll show a photo and tell something about it. So to start off I thought I would tell about the ewes that got me started. These two gals were my first, About twenty years ago, I was in a Christmas Shop and I saw these two, So I took them home, snipped off their little red ribbons and replaced it with blue to match my color scheme. I've been adding to my sheep collection ever since and no, I don't name them. I just enjoy them. I hope you enjoy them too!

Hannah's 4th Birthday Party

When I was a little girl, I loved my dolls! They were definitely played with, dragged around, fed mud pies , their hair brushed, braided and even cut. I had all kinds of dolls from Barbie to baby dolls. When I was a teenager I collected rag dolls. Now that I'm a grown woman, I still love dolls. I can spend hours looking through stores that sell dolls. I have my own collection and I inherited my mother's collection. Having all boys, I really never got to pass on that love, even though they were given a few dolls in their childhood. So when I was invited to Hannah's Birthday Party, I had a rare opportunity to look through all the dolls for one I could purchase for a precious little girl, Hannah is my friend Dawn's little girl and is in my Sunday School class. I wasn't even sure she played with dolls, someone told me girl's just don't play with dolls like they use to? Well not in Hannah's case, she loves dolls and I think she really liked the one I picked out. Above is a picture of Hannah holding the doll I gave her. Maybe someday I will have granddaughters to pass on that love and my own dolls, if not I'm sure I will find other little girls to pass on that love.

February 8, 2008

This is my first blog, I'm looking forward to meeting other creative people. A chance to share my crafts and some of my life with old friends, new friends and family.

As I start this new venture, I have to give my Savior, Jesus Christ all the thanks and glory for all my blessings. He is the one who has blessed me with any talents I have. It's my heart's desire to never forget that and to always bring Him the honor in what ever I say or do.

Donna