I finished my lavender sachet for the Little French Swap. They are kind of cute. Not too hard, but pretty.
I am off to harp practice with a friend. I am not sure how it will go but we are going to give it a try. I would like to put a soundbite on my blog. Something else to think about. Have a good Saturday.
I am getting brave. I have joined in the fun of being challenged to complete “One Project a Month” for 2012. See my sidebar button for information. Hey Helena, wanna play? I am great for starting but not finishing things. So I am hoping this project is right up my ally and I will get some things done. I am teaching an Institute class every Wednesday evening about The Gospel and the Productive Life. A couple weeks ago it was about setting goals and making To Do lists. Two things I have tried my best to avoid in my life. Now I feel a little guilty. So here goes. I am pumped and ready to get some of those projects done.
I hope I have not jumped into a pot of frog soup! Look at all those little frogs!
And I hope I can be brave like Simon the lion. Doesn’t he look like a wild lion?
And not take too many cat naps like Abby. She loves to cat nap!
But hop to it like Kermit here. Kermit lives in my backyard pond, and probably is responsible for many of those little Kermits in the previous photo.
I am really looking forward to a year of finishment. Is that a word?
This afternoon, I took these photos of a visitor in the Maple tree. I have seen him before and I have photographed him many times. He is quite majestic and beautiful, as well quite a threat to the other wildlife in our backyard. He certainly does not mind me taking his photo and he lets me get up close.
I am very excited. I have been included in a swap group led by the very talented Cheryl Goss, of Willoberry Designs. I have placed a badge over to the right called A Little Bit French. Cheryl is uploading a tutorial once a month for an embroidered item. Here is her description of what will be there:
“So, each time I make a finished gift, I’ll be stitching a second one and popping it in my ‘Provence’ basket. When all is said and done, and there’ll be a fair bit of saying and doing, we’ll have a bundle of gorgeously mushy gifts and a basket full of bits and pieces to complete a beautiful storage hanger for our creative sewing spaces.”
Cheryl’s work is beyond beautiful and if you would like to do some too, click on the link, fly over to Willowberry Designs and check it out.
Well it was a beautiful day. I was able to get my Etsy Shop open : http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrimsonCricket?ref=si_shop. I am still working out the bugs. We had to punch a hole in the pond today and put the heater in. I would like a nice air hole for the fish. Here are some photos of the day.
Poor little Simon looking out the studio window wishing.
This little kitty is looking in wishing!
I am glad I am inside tonight. I was planning a trip over to my friend Valerie’s for a practice. However, I had a few things to do tonight so I cancelled and stayed away from the nasty weather that is soon to arrive. Even the cats are sleeping in the warmth. The Hyacinth is growing leaps and bounds. However, I think it has a funny smell. When I came home from work tonight I asked what the funny smell was. I don’t think I used those words but you get the picture. I think it is the flowers! HMMMMMM!!! Didn’t I say I love the smell of the hyacinth? I wonder what is going on. But they are pretty. As you can see I had to tie them up a little. They like to droop.
Ok, here is the unveiling of my newest work on my slowcloth. Don’t be too harsh. The cloth is yet new and the full thought has not come out yet. (It takes me a while), but I am glad to be working on a new piece. Soon I am going to dig out the whole backing and start arranging my pieces. I love working slowing and feeling the cloth change with the stitches.
The base cloth was soaked in beet juice for about three months. It did not make much of an effect on the cloth. The weavings are inserted into the cloth and surrounded with a bias cut strip.
Well Simon, Abby and I are continuing the watch of the ever growing Hyacinth. Yesterday it had grown above the mark on the stick.
Simon is keeping the plant honest and making sure the photos are taken from the same angle. Maybe the growth is because he talks to them alot.
Both cats now are deciding what to do about this situation. They are mystified about the growth and why I care so darn much, and where are the treats, anyway.
Well, the treats are on the counter. And it is not treat time!
The plant is growing, and I am excited for the bloom, and then spring. Take that.
I bought a pot of Blue Hyacinth bulbs on Saturday. I love the way the Hyacinth smells. AHHH, so like spring. And even though it is only January, I could do with some spring. So I bought the pot of bulbs and placed them on the kitchen table. Of course the cats think that perhaps this is a new game or digging spot. Which I have told them, it isn’t, but they still question the blue pot on the table. But I swear, that each time I leave the kitchen and then come back, the plants have grown. No kidding. They are growing great leaps and bounds. Well maybe not exactly leaps, but they are growing. So Simon and I decided to monitor the growth. So I can prove to my DH that I am not crazy (or not absolutely) and the rest of the world my theories on growing spring flowers in winter. So here is Simon helping me get the pot ready for the monitor system.
You can see his intense concentration as he helped set up the measuring stick. His eyes are closed, and his paw is lifting up, perhaps in prayer. Such a good little kitty. Simon and Abby lick the plant every day, at least three times. That too is aiding in the incredible growth that is being witnessed.
Here Simon has become not interested and left the scene. However, I have marked the stick and will monitor the growth. I am sure they grew between photos. Who knows. The mystery will unfold, to all you unbelievers. Keep your eyes on this, for future posts.
I had an enjoyable Sunday. I hope you did too. We had a friend over for dinner and enjoyed the company. DH says that when we have company is the only time he gets a good meal. I am not too sure about that. Now as evening arrives we are quietly preparing for the new week. I must confess to a little cat nap this afternoon: not as comfortable as this:
Simon really does know how to take a nap. Even if he is getting a little big for the surface he has chosen. He looks so peaceful.
Here is my Trip Seed Fairy.
She is ready to be flown into the wind. I am enjoying my journal this year. I know that this year is only a few days so far, but I am determined to keep up the momentum. How about you? Are you keeping a journal as well? I would love to hear from you.
Today my friend gave me a serger. I am excited to try it out. I need a project (like I need a hole in the head.) However, I need something to try on it. I am no good at just running fabric through for the fun of it. Any ideas?
Cathy
It is so hard to come back to work after a nice long Christmas holiday. Today is Friday and I have basically dragged myself into my office. I will be glad when I can go home tonight and relax for the weekend. Life is getting busy again. I will begin teaching institute again next Wednesday and Harp Group will get going for Thursday. I have been reading some good books and working in my journal. Last night I started a Seed Fairy. She is kind of cute and may just work herself into future journal pages. For now I am calling her Travel Seed Fairy because she is ready to take her trip to the unknown. I will post a photo of her tomorrow. She is not quite ready to meet the world.
When I looked out the window this morning and saw the beautiful sunrise, I had to go out and take some photos. I think the statement is “Red sky in the morning Sailors take warning”. But it sure was beautiful out in the back yard. Even the snow had a tinge of colour reflecting off the sky.
What a gift it is to see beautiful sights. I am always thankful, as my inner self becomes more content.
