During the Storm

No, I'm not going to show you photos of snow piles

Everybody is so tired of that! (Except Florida).

These are the little girl dresses I made while the storm was raging.

Two ruffly shabby tea-dyed dresses

The other one has ribbons instead of the shabby rose:

Both Size 1. For sale in my Etsy store.

Stay warm! Love, Linda

Baby Daygown

Just finished this baby dress. Its pale yellow with white lace

and white embroidery.

A custom order going to Texas.

She is having her daughter's first birthday photos taken

in the Texas bluebonnets.

Isn't that a great idea?!

Just wanted to share. Love, Linda

The Cloth is Finished!

It seems like I have been working on this project for years!

It all started with a class from Karen Ruane

at Contemporary Embroidery (here)

where I started this Wrapping Cloth.

then a Lace Class, and now on my third

"Fly on the Wall" experience called Simply Stitch 3

I have finally finished THE CLOTH.

A French Knot frenzy - The "D" is for Dorothy, my mom.

Karen works mostly in white, which I love,

combining vintage lace with lots of stitching.

Her classes are videos, and are entertaining, as well as instructive.

(She drinks her coffee right over her work, which is hair-raising.)

She doesn't mind making a mistake, because it gives

an opportunity to show "what Not to do." The "fly on the wall"

experience takes us right into her creative process.

 Beginners feel comfortable, because only a few different stitches are used.

Some cutwork, below.

 French Knots over lace.

 Julia and Gladys were my grandmothers.

This was a hankie, now embellished with stitching.

 My initial "L" in cross stitch.

Hope you enjoyed it! Love, Linda

Duke here . . .

I sure had a good time at Christmas!

First of all, while Mommy was at work on Christmas Eve,

 I found my present from Aunt Mary, and ATE it!

 It was two big bones! It was sooo good, but it was sooo good

 that I ate the wrappers too! I also opened one of Mommy's presents,

 but it wasn't anything to eat, so I left the rest of them.

When we opened our presents, I had such fun

shredding all the paper and boxes!

I was tired after helping open all the gifts.

Happy New Year!

The Duke

Back

Finally ready to start blogging again. Duke and I moved on November 12th

into our new place here, and I hope to share some of my decorating efforts (when I get some time to do them). Duke has settled in very nicely. He very much likes this place all on one floor where he can get to me easily, and doesn't need to sit by the stairs and howl. This is the first time in many years that I have lived with just one dog, and we are planning to keep it that way for awhile. Duke turned 11 on December 4th - he is quite the senior white-faced gentleman, but can still steal goodies off the kitchen counter.

This ceramic tree (made by my late mother-in-law about 44 years ago) and a wreath on the door are the extent of my Christmas decorations this year. I have had cataract surgery since we moved, on both eyes, the second one was done 9 days ago. Still blurry, and still putting in tons of eyedrops, but coming along. My vision has improved greatly. The surgery was so easy - only took 10 minutes - but the eyedrops!! Don't get me started.

Anyway, my new craft closet is all organized and I want to share!

I took the tiny second bedroom and made a craft closet!

The brown bins hold all my finished etsy stuff.

All my fabric is color-sorted. I am just so organized!

I know exactly what I have and exactly where it is!

(for the first time in many years!)

More stuff in the pull-out drawers.

Paints, brushes, teddy bear stuff, stencils, glue guns, glitter, soap making supplies, sewing notions, buttons, scrap fabric, you know, Stuff!

Across from the shelves are . . . shelves!

More sewing stuff and patterns.

The white cabinet with narrow drawers holds all my scrapbooking stuff.

(How many times have I said "stuff"?)

Behind the door - all my ribbons and trims.

Even the beads are organized!

So I exhaustedly leave you with best wishes for a Merry Christmas

 and a Happy New Year.

Love, Linda and Duke