Hello My Dear Friends! Merry Christmas!!

Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've written, I'd almost forgotten how to get on, write and post to my blog!

I have been so busy - I visited with family all over the country through October, and then began a series of oral surgeries.  Why do we women always think, 'ah, not a big deal, I'll be up and around in a couple of days!'  Really a good question - it's because WE ARE WOMEN!!  When did we take time being sick, or lazy or down when our children, or even our grandchildren were really little - we didn't - unless we were half dead!  Which may be the reason things hit us so hard now.  But, I digress.  The last surgery I had was a 3 hour bone graft 10 days ago.  Doc explained, 'going to be taking bone from the back of your jaw and screwing it in here (showing me on ex-rays, like that's really English to me!)  If we need to - we'll take some from the chin area - ack!  Wait a minute, CHIN AREA???  Like - isn't that going to leave a bruise?  'Donna, you're going to have quite a bruise anyway, this is major surgery.'  Hangs head - me, that is.  Well, at least it was scheduled after all of my business meetings.  My sweetie is still taking really good care of me.  Tonight - Christmas night, I ate my first full meal - last one for a while because I'm in a lot of pain now, but it was yummy, and I did get to help cook most of it.  We were able to laugh a bit throughout this entire process, no talking really because at first I sounded like Scooby Dooby Doo, then like Sylvester the Cat (still do when my mouth starts to hurt because my tongue swells badly.)  But we go on - life is good, it's wonderful, today is the day our Lord and Savior was born to save us all!

Our garden still has it's lovely visitors - even though we have had many nights at 25 degrees.  Because we are so close to the coast, we still get many, many hummingbirds.  They must know how much we love them, as we are still feeding them at the rate of - - - drum roll please - - - one half gallon of sugar water A DAY!!  We have two feeders up, about 10' apart or so, and they love our home we have for them!

It's really something to see so many birds feed in our yard, and then our neighbors for a block in all directions my get a stray bird once in a while.  The only thing I can think it could be is water.  They will not feed on tap water.  Ours is reverse osmosis and they'll drink regular water if it is boiled, but most people won't take the time to do that for them.  It's so worth it for us!

We have about 2 months when we have no birds at all, and take the feeders down - usually January or so, then one will go up for a month around March, then the other goes up shortly after that.  At first, we will get One male who will try to lay claim to the feeder - but when all come

home, and hundreds are here, there is no room for bossy boys here!  They say they come back to the same feeding area each year, and I must say, each year, we have had more and more birds.  Feeding one half gallon of sugar water a day is feeding a lot of birds - and they are a joy to watch.  These are the two feeders we have.  The blurs are 'birds in flight!'

Have you all been keeping your crafts up?  It's so much fun to create something with our hands!  I've been making tons of journals.  I love making them for gifts.  I can't seem to find my folder that has all the photos, so here's the latest one I made.  I made it for one of the ladies in our Daughters of the American Revolution chapter as a Christmas gift.  I loved having a tree, symbolizing the 'family tree' aspect of the group!

Then, as always, I have a crochet project in the works.  My friend told me of this pattern, though she never knew the name.  She said, 'all you do is double crochet 10, chain 10, until you have the length you want, then I'll show you how to twirl and tie it up.'  You know me, I'm always game for something new, so I double crochet, chained 10 to what I felt was a comfortable width, and length - it looked like this -

Then twist the chain 10, pull through the next chain 10 and repeat until all are finished.

It's actually very pretty and looks as if it's braided strands and not twisted and brought through. 

When all are twisted and brought through, I went around the entire afghan twice in a very nice half double crochet, placing 3 stitches in each corner to have it lay straight.  The color scheme I used was a variegated with dark brown, medium brown, orange, tan, and beige - 6 colors total.  The pattern was 5 rows of each 6 colors, 3 rows, 1 row to the variegated and then 1 row back, 3 back 5 back. 

The colors came out beautiful!  The size was a bit smaller than I first thought it would be, but never making it and not having much to go on, it's great.  My next one will be twice the size, as this is just for one.  But, it was given today to my newest granddaughter - my grandson was recently married and they are expecting their little wee one on March.  This will keep her nice and toasty.  The fringe was a new one for me, a triple knot.  I really like it, for fringe.  Only on one end.  I prefer no fringe because it always tickles or makes me think something is crawling on my neck when I'm sleeping.  But, it was a gift, so I fancied it up.  I read a pattern on Pinterest some time back and they had a variation of this as a ripple and called it Jacob's Ladder.

Also done a bit of sewing.  My little Wee One, Leila, asked for a Yoshi blanket for her gift.  So how does one make a Yoshi - well, first buy the material, then take it all to Colorado to my daughter there and ask her to help!  My son married an Angel and she sews like a professional, so she helped me.  Son made the Yoshi pattern, I cut, daughter did sewing - a family affair!

She loves it Auntie Kim!!  Thanks Uncle Jeff for helping, too!  And yes, each piece is sewn on separately!  It was a lot of pieces, a lot of work, I can't thank Kim enough as she has this beautiful, professional sewing machine that really hit the mark! 

These are my kids who do costuming professionally.  She does the sewing of costumes of fabrics and leathers,




he does all of the props or items fabricated in different metals or plastics.  They are an amazing team together!

And, so with that my good blogging buddies, as Yoshi to the right is ready to say good bye for now - I promise it won't be another 4 months before I stop back by.  I do get by to see many of your blogs, but have just not had time, as you read to leave messages.


May God bless each and every one of you, keep you safe, loved and forever thankful we live in the greatest country in the world. 

For those who have soldiers away from home, God bless you and them.  Thank them and thank you for your service to our country.  Without them standing on the front lines, keeping our liberty and freedom, and you all keeping the home fires burning, we would not live in the greatest country any longer.  God bless you all.

May you all have a wonderful, healthy, and Happy New Year!  May it be all you want it to be, bring you the happiness you deserve, the prosperity you work for and the health our Lord bestows on you.  This new year I look forward to better health, a brand new Great Granddaughter (Grandson and new Granddaughter will be having her in March) and a wonderful new year.

Blessings and hugs,
Donna

A Journal To Cheer A Friend

I so enjoy crafting and making cards!  One of my DAR Sisters fell and fractured her ankle and was hospitalized a few days, now spending time in a Rehabilitation Facility to help her get back on her feet a bit faster.  I made this pretty little Journal for her.

I thought a journal would be nice for her to be able to write daily notes, keep track of visitors, cards and flowers or gifts!

These flowers are again from Wild Orchards and are two toned with a deep rich burgundy while the rose goes from dark to light pink

Thought it was pretty, but needed a kick of color - when I used the burgundy velvet it was too little, when I used the big pink it looked too plain BUT together Wallah!

Threw in some pearl sprays, a bit of gathered lace along the edge of the journal a row of pearls on top!  So pretty!

Hard to see here, but I also added a nice long piece of ribbon as a book mark or place mark.  I glued it in by bending both front and back covers together poured a bit of glue down the books middle behind the binding.





I wish you all cooler days, breezy nights!


Blessings,
Donna 

Flowers, Roses, Magnolias and more ~~~

3/8" Roses

Not real ones of course, but flowers, roses and magnolias for my cards!  And they are beautiful!!  I love making my own cards and altered art projects, but running down to the craft store and picking up a package of 5 to 7 for $5 or more (yes, we always use the 40% off coupons when we have them) but we're limited to color and style at the store!

Gorgeous Small Gardenas

I've done some online ordering, but this one company looks so good - so I took the plunge!  Oh my gosh ~ these roses and flowers are F A B U L O U S!!!  Wild Orchid Crafts ~ a company out of the United Kingdom.  Now, before that scares you off thinking, "Oh my gosh, shipping will be a fortune!  It's going to take forever to get here!  They must be really expensive!"         

Aster Daisy Flowers

No, no and no.  Shipping is very reasonable, free if you order over a certain amount.  It took less than 6 days to get here from the time I ordered to doorstep delivery - ordered on Wednesday night, shipped Thursday morning and arrived on Tuesday in the mail!  I can't beat the price with a coupon or a stick!  I bought some of these beauties 50 - 1 1/4" roses, for less than $6!  And these are all beauties!  But, you decide for yourself.  I decided for me, and I need to make a bunch of cards so I can place my next order!!  he he he!

So my dilemma was - open roses, rose buds, curly roses, cottage roses, tea roses, wild roses? ? ? 

Light colors?
     1" - bigger?

            Two toned?
                    Maybe a flower
                            and not a rose?

As you can see ~
    Nope, I couldn't decide!

I can't even get them
    All back inside!!





Hope to be showing you all some great cards soon!  I love making them!  I love giving them!  Now I'm off to buy ribbon and twine!

Also, I'm still working on my computer.  Seems Chrome, regular Blogger and the rest of the Computer Genies in the sky, are all working to irritate me - not succeeding - I'm just going with the flow on this.  Everyone is seeing something different and I don't know why.  Just know I'm trying to fix it!!

Blessings to all!!
Donna 

Just A Couple Of Cards - - -

Some times I need a card in a hurry. I like to keep a stash of cards I make myself.  All I have to then is print up a sentiment on a piece of paper, or vellum (my favorite), stick it down and Tad-ah!  All done!

But, when I need one for an extra special person or occasion, then it's back the table!

I need a little of this - yep, a few little fluffy feathers!

A piece of lace ~

A pretty flower ~

Some beads ~

Paper, oh, let's use two colors, some glue, ink the edges - always love that! 

OK, where's the cute little butterfly?

Perfect! Colors look great!

Now for some glue, some tape and some time - mix all together - Wow, this looks just fine!

OK, OK ~ a little cheesy maybe - the inside was much better.  This was for a Grand Dame, one of my fellow Daughters of the American Revolution sisters, just as an appreciation for all of the work she has done, along with her sister,  for the last 30+ years!  

This one is for her sister, who is our worker bee - well - she's 10 worker bee's all rolled in to one, that's for sure!  Actually, she brought her sister in to the organization!  How old are they, you ask?  Her sister, the Grand Dame will say, "Well, Dear, you never ask a lady her age, don't you know?  But if you must, I'll be 28 or so again this year!"

Ribbon with little flowers, a string of pearls, a rosette of lace to house roses and leaves, inked on the edges, and a personalized sentiment in side as I did for her sister.  These women are special to all of us in our El Paso de Robles Chapter, NSDAR.  

If any one is ever interested in finding out if the are related to an American Revolutionary soldier, nurse, supplier (and many others) and is interested in joining this elite organization, send me an email.  I would help you get in touch with someone in your area who would gladly speak with you.  It's a lot of hard work to prove your heritage, but very satisfying and rewarding once completing the work!

The weekend is upon us already!  Tomorrow is Friday!  I hope you all have a wonderful few days planned!  What ever you do, be safe and have lots of fun!  I know I will!!

Hugs and blessings,

Donna

A Little Of This, A Little Of That

Yesterday, my Sweetie and I went up to Monterey to meet with friends and colleagues, I did a bit of craft shopping and then out for seafood dinner in Moss Landing, California (half way between Santa Cruz and Monterey).

I love visiting Beverly's Fabrics and Crafts as we don't really have a local fabric shop in town.  When I do get up to the Salinas area, I visit the store.  As I walked in, I noticed they had a few clearance tables set up and I took a quick gander.  The manager, Marilyn, said, "Donna, grab one of those bags and fill it up with anything you want, as much as you can fit in, for only $7.99."  I thought, right, probably worse than junk, as it wasn't the first day of the sale.

7"x11"x13" sized bag

After checking the fabric upstairs, which was a bust this trip on fabric, I again took a look at the clearance tables, and this time, Marilyn handed me the bag and said, "Just look - see if you find anything!" Well, like all of you, among my favorite words are clearance and sale.

At first, I found some buttons, couple of stamp pads, but not much - then Marilyn said, "All these tables."  I asked, "Anything?  As long as it fits?"  "YEP!"

OK Ladies, who know what happens next right?  Now it's almost as if it's a challenge that we fill this bag up with as much junk, I mean stuff, that makes it worth filling up this bag and paying that ginormous price of $7.99!  Challenge on!!  And, let me tell you, I usually get quite a bargain, but this time I honestly hit pay dirt!

I really made out.  When my Sweetie came by to pick me up, he went to grab the bag by the handles and oops - took two hands to pick up my monster bag!  Yep, those pots are terracotta garden pots!  Two are 8 1/2" wide by 7 1/2 high, two are 6" x 5 1/2 and one is 7 x 6 1/2. I nested three in one stack, two in the other.  Then I filled them both with tons of buttons and jewelry parts and pieces.  Put the first one in, stacked the books in on the side, along with the stamp blocks, adding more all around the pots.  The second pot went in on its side with more stuff stacked all around.  Well, I was close to being full, but reminded we needed to meet friends for dinner, so I took my bag and headed to the check out.

Off to Moss Landing.  It's a nice drive along Hwy 1 right next to the Pacific Coast.  The weather was blue skies and clear, but a tad on the chilly side (it is along the coast!)  I always have to get close to the sea animals and take pictures!

 

I think this is some kind of boat dock or something.  There is a walkway down to the area, but it's locked up tight right now.  These are all male Harbor Seals.  The females are all still in the San Diego area.  My Sweetie walked down with me all the way down to the end, I wanted to see the baby where the big, fat grandpa seal was barking! This walkway is SOLID Harbor Seals!!  Hundreds and hundreds.  I don't know if it was getting close to eating time or because many of us had ventured down closer to them - but they started barking - LOUDLY!

This big guy started barking and the little one fell off!   After several attempts, right up on Grandpa's back.  I don't know why they don't get squished!

They are really piled 4 or 5 seals on top of each other all the was down the dock!  So, all the while we're trying not to step on the sea gull poop to get photos, and these guys stink to high heaven!!  

Then along come the cutest of the ocean critters!  The Sea Otter!! She would come up and rub and roll her hands together like she was washing!  Then dove down and got dinner and a rock and slammed them together! Then she did the entire process again!  I just love them!

So this was my Tuesday!  I had lots of fun, love seeing the Ocean and know how blessed we are to live so close to the Coast!  Oh - I forgot to tell you how much my $7.99 bag would have cost at retail - as near as I can tell.  Some items no longer had the original tag, so I used the sale price that was on them - ready???

A WHOPPING $773.00

plus the bag was $1.99

So, right around $775.00

Not too shabby,

not too shabby at all!

Blessings to all,

Hugs,

Donna

My Secret Dove Arrived All The Way From Vietnam!

I have a made some of the most wonderful friends here in Blogland. I met Love Stitch early on in my blogging and she and I have become such very good friends.  You all may remember, about a year ago, her father had a horrible stroke and the recovery was grim. Both LS and I believe it was all of prayers offered by our friends in Blogland all over the world who prayed for him, for his health and determination to get well, that brought the miraculous healing to her wonderful father.

Many months ago, I sent to her a package of items I felt she might enjoy, bring her a bit of happiness and joy, and kindness from across the Pacific Ocean.  We lovingly call it our "Dove."  She sent it back to me last week or so and when I received the knock at the door from the Post Man this morning, I said, "I hope this is my Dove from Vietnam!!"  He looked and sure enough - there was our Dove!

I felt like a little girl, jumping up and down, ran and got the scissors out and opened it up - I'd love to share these heartfelt and hand made gifts that LS sent to me that she made herself!

I was so excited!  I knew she had made some very special items because she asked me about colors, but I had no idea it would be this much!  LS is self taught in all of the crafts and sewing I will be sharing with you!

This is the very first hand made card she has ever made!  LS, you did such a lovely job on this and I will treasure this forever! The note she wrote is a very special message and is all hand written to me!  And, on the very last page, oh my goodness, look at this beautiful hand crocheted heart with a motif in the center.  This is crafted with a thin cotton thread, like we use to make doilies!

Hand embroidered handkerchief.

She made me this beautiful Cowl (knitted I believe) scarf to wear when the winters get icy cold again - and I just adore the colors, the design, the softness of the yarn!  I wish you could each reach in and touch it ~ it is so soft and so beautiful!

Enclosed was this beautiful ruffled scarf, also made for me - it feels like cotton - so soft and will be perfect for adding to our cool Spring or even Autumn evenings as just a neck wrap.  The detail is gorgeous!

Three cute bookmarks hand made in Vietnam!  They are beautiful!

A total surprise was this cap for my Sweetie!  He was so touched my LS's generosity and love!  It is knitted and is very soft!  And, while it has a design, it is very manly!

Can you believe this small Dove has no bottom!  Gift after precious gift, kept appearing!  This is a set of four absolutely wonderful dish clothes!  And, look closely at the ribbon - it too is hand crocheted!

This scarf is the most special to me!  First, they are my favorite colors!  Pinks and Lavender, Purples, just love, love, love the colors.  This was a very exquisite skein of yarn, very expensive, I know, because I gifted it to her.  LS, living where she does, doesn't have the same opportunities for shopping for the multitudes of yarns and threads we do, so I sent this as a special gift to her.  What a wonderful thing she has done, to turn around and make something just for me and send it back with all of the love it took to make it.  LS~I will treasure this forever and think of you with love every time I wrap it around my neck!

So, all of these gifts flew across the Pacific Ocean from Vietnam to California, United States.  Each item made with love for a friend.  I have already started my Dove going back to Vietnam in a couple of months.

Each one of these crafts she has taught herself - crochet, knitting, embroidery and now paper crafting.  This young woman is so beautiful inside and out.  We have become such wonderful friends.  If you have a moment to visit her, please do ~ compliment a self taught Artisan on the beautiful items she has made.  She goes by Love Stitch - there's love in every stitch, too!

Thank you all for taking a peak at my gifts of love.  And, Love Stitch, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and love.  You are an amazing woman.  May God continue his blessings upon you, my friend!

Love,

Donna