Thursday, January 27, 2011

WIP's


Cross Stitch

my jar of DMC labels I had to buy
for 2010 projects - time to empty and start anew


Isabella's Valentines Ornament
14 ct Hand Dyed Aida
DMC 3685 & 99 Varigated
Weeks Dye Works 1091 Whitewash

For Mom
Magnolia - Nora Corbett
25 ct Antique White Lugana Over 2
DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads, Kreinik

The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow
Carriage House Samplings
22 ct Water Gray Hardanger
DMC Floss

Mom's Magnolia is a carry over from last year and The Shores is a new start. My goal is to get both done this year along with Isabella's Care Bear Alphabet quilt, small projects for her and the LDI kids quilt blocks.

I told everyone that would listen this past weekend that I didn't have time to work, I needed to be stitching. No one listened and I came to work this week like always. What a dud!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Quilts of Old


Baby Quilts

Mine
Embroidered and made by Grandma Belcher

Jennifer's
Cross Stitched by Me
and it took the entire 9 months

Isabella's Floor Quilt
my very first quilt as a teenager
and
it is perfect to cushion the floor
as she starts rolling over and over


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Looking For Sunshine


Winter Color
Where O Where is Spring

After a gorgeous weekend in the 50s Monday rolls around and the rains come again. More rain on Tuesday and through the night with snow showers for Wednesday morning and a light dusting on the ground but not the roads thank goodness.

our magnolia sprout growing by leaps and bounds

red birdfeeder in the garden

more green in the corner garden

red berries the birds love

empty birdfeeder
the wild turkeys tried to get on
so funny - they are too big and it is too little

red wagon by holly tree
sure makes the red berries show up

green moss - so pretty

bee and sunflower birdhouse
on side of old shed

old shed still standing the test of time

snow showers lingering Wednesday morning

dusting of snow

We did manage a little sunshine Wednesday afternoon before the clouds rolled back in and it is supposed to start snowing sometime this afternoon/early evening and depending on what station you watch we could get a dusting to 3 inches of the white stuff. Where is spring? It needs to hurry up!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Family Portraits


Four Generations


Jennifer scheduled for Isabella's 3 months pictures the week of Christmas. Daddy had to work and I didn't so Mom and I went with them and had our's taken together.

We thought we had it planned perfectly. Isabella napped, woke up and we fed her, dressed her and arrived with 5 minutes to spare for our appointment. Unfortunately, the lady taking the pictures was running 25 minutes behind so by the time she got to us our happy little princess was no longer a happy camper, she was hot and and hungry again. So after feeding her, taking her tights off and holding her in front of a fan to cool her off we were once again ready. No smiles but at least she was not crying any more. haha


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Cross Stitch Finishes


The First 2011 Finishes

For Linda - Happy Birthday
Monkey Shines Bookmark
Stoney Creek Magazine, October 2009
14 ct Beige Plastic, DMC Floss


Isabella's Quilt
C&D Alphabet Blocks
14 ct White Aida, DMC Floss
Hope to have done by her birthday 9/25!



For LDI
My Little Pony - Whizzer
14 ct White Aida, DMC Floss


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Snow Day Cookies


A winter storm came through from the south Sunday night and dumped lots of snow south of Nashville but since we are north we only ended up with about an inch or so. Great day to stay home from work and bake cookies. Another winter storm came through Monday night but the worst of it stayed north in Kentucky and we only ended up with a dusting. Main roads were clear so I headed for work today.

Christmas Cookies

1 lb chopped seedless dates (2 8 oz boxes)
1 teaspoon soda
2 tablespoons hot water

Pour soda water mixture over dates and let stand.


Chop into small pieces and set aside:

8 oz candied cherries
8 oz candied pineapple


Cream 2 sticks margarine and 1 1/2 cups sugar in largest mixing bowl you have. This recipe makes 6-9 dozen cookies and you will need the room.


Mix in 3 egg yolks (save egg whites for later).


Gradually add and mix till blended:
Mixture will be very dry and crumbly.

3 cups sifted plain flour
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt


Mix in:

candied cherries
candied pineapple
2 cups raisins (white or regular)
date mixture
1 cup chopped english walnuts
1 cup chopped black walnuts
1 cup chopped pecans


Fold in 3 stiffly beaten egg whites.


Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10-15 minutes (until lightly browned) at 350 degrees. Let cool briefly before removing. Makes 6-9 dozen.

Enjoy!


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Cross Stitch Finishes


Christmas & Easter Finishes

For Miss Kenzie
Fairy Celebration IV
Stitched on 14 ct Hand Dyed Fabric
DMC Threads and Kreinik Blending Filament 093



For Miss Morgan
Ladybug Family
By Virginia Knutson, Vee & Co Designs
14 Ct Baby Pink Stripe Impressions Aida by DMC
DMC Floss, Ladybug Material for Inside of Red Bag
With Ladybug Buttons



Isabella's First Christmas Ornament

Chilly's Gift
14ct Lavender Aida
DMC Floss and Mill Hill Beads

Back of Ornament
With Beaded Edging All Around

Miss Isabella's Easter Bag
Easter Peeps
Virginia Knutson, Vee & Co Freebie
14ct Light Yellow Aida & DMC Floss

butterflies and dragon flies
fabric for inside of bag

Mom made the lining for both these little bags
which made them so much nicer to give.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Christmas Snow


Miss Isabella's First Christmas

in her Christmas dress
she was fascinated with the dots

Our first Christmas Day snow in 17 years
sure made the day seem magical

wild turkeys came to visit

birds had to hunt for water
along with the cats

bird girl wearing her coat of snow

bell at end of porch
don't ever remember snow sticking to it so well

It was truly a wonderful Christmas for all.