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 

New Birthday Card For Our Dear Friend!

This card started out as a 12x12" piece of K & Company card stock.  I cut 3" on the top off, folded it in half, then covered the bird with Glossy Accents.  It already came glittered and had a bit of resist on the bird and the floral design, but wanted more on the bird.

Next I took Wild Honey Distress Ink (Tim Holtz) and inked up the entire front of the card and love the way the ink resisted the bird and design!

I had to use some of my new Magnolia flowers I just received from Wild Orchard Flowers!  They are really beautiful! Glued a leaf around each one, made a little birdie nest with two baby birds looking for Mama (and dinner) matched a piece of Bazzill card stock that matched perfectly to the ink (I always ink up the sides all around my cards, too.)   

I used embroidery thread to thread a tag I had a friend make for me and cut on top and bottom of the beak so it looks as if the bird is actually holding it in her beak!  Always need a bit of ribbon, but on the neutral side.  Lined the card with another piece of card stock to insert our personal Happy Birthday message for a dear friend!

Even Mama bird knows we need to teach our young ones, "Life Is Sweet!"  Happy Birthday, Jan, for making our lives a bit sweeter, just by knowing you!

Tomorrow I'd love to show you a card I'm finishing up for our doctor.  I also have something special I'm working on for a DAR Sister who injured herself, broke her ankle and now in a rehab facility - Ouch!

Hugs,
Donna

* * * And Time Flies By * * *

I cannot believe it has been a week since my last post!  A couple of wonderful friends wrote and asked if I was doing OK, if the family was well, was everything going alright?  Yes, yes and yes! I've just been really busy and time, literally just flew by!

A lot has happened in all our lives!  Does it seem to anyone else, the older we get, the faster time goes by?  I remember family elders saying that, and of course when we were kids we thought anyone as old as are parents didn't know what they're talking about!  When we were teenagers, time went by so slowly we could hardly wait to get out of the house!  Oh, but then came the rat race of college, working, families, and we all thought, "Ah, as soon as they're raised we'll be able to relax and enjoy life!"

So, here we are and time seems to go by so fast, it almost feels like we're on a fast train!  All these sights keep just keep going by, or we by them, so fast!  I thought of that when Don called me to look out our living room window two evenings ago to see this view ~ "Honey come look at this!"

I ran out quickly to take this photo!  Isn't this sunset incredible!?  We must slow down and notice the small blessings in our lives, and this is one of them!

I'll be back tomorrow, I would love to share some of the cards and journals I've been making.  I'll be by to visit all of my blogging buddies tomorrow, too.  Right now, just know I think of you all often and keep all of you in my prayers!

Hugs,
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

Crocheting And Knitting And Tatting, Oh My!!

Last weekend I held a 'Let's Learn Together' for some of the ladies in my Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter.  I crochet, and one of the ladies said she'd love to learn.  I'd love to learn to knit. Our knitter said she'd be happy to teach me to knit as well as show tatting. Before I knew it we'd set a date and time for a get together in my home for Crocheting, Knitting and Tatting.

So what does one need?  Yarn!!  I keep mine separated - Acrylics, Wool, Cotton, Ribbon, chenille.  I also keep it stored in plastic bins until used.

And, you'll need to pick out a good hook !

The size of the hook depends on the yarn the pattern calls for.

Sharon wanted to learn to crochet and finally learned to make a chain - which as we explained is the foundation of all patterns and learning to gauge, was second on the list.




 

Or a set of knitting needles!






A REALLY good Learn How Book is also very helpful!

By the time I got to row three with my knitting, Alice had to take over and try to make mine look rectangular again, as I'd done something incorrectly right smack dab in the middle and had a perfect pair of lips!  Like Lucille Ball's upper lip for those who remember!!

We had a ton of fun, and it's easy to see how it looks so easy to do when some one who is schooled in the art is doing it and quite another as I felt I had two left hands!!  We'll be doing this at least once a month, maybe twice.  But, here's the real treat -

Alice brought this over to share - this is a 'Tatted' baby bonnet that her mother or grandmother had made for her older brother, so it had to be AT LEAST 93 years old!  It was amazing, as was tatting - she gave us a 5 minute lesson on how it is done.  It's this silver pincher thingy that looks almost like a strawberry corer, except pointed with an ever so tiny hook on the end of it and a spool, like a sewing machine bobbin in the middle.  See how thin the thread is by the 'O' shapes?  This is the size of the thread, the 'O's' are actually 20 or 30 knots all around in a circle - there must be 1,000's of knots in this little cap! You have to find some one to show you - it's AMAZING!!

Oh, one other thing I really needed, so I went out and got this for myself to help me learn how to learn knitting a bit better - with this little book, I can see sweaters in my future!!!

Week's almost over, and we're coming up on Memorial Day weekend!

Stay safe,
Blessings,
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