Late night posting ...

Hi everyone ... perhaps I should re-introduce myself?  It's been so long since I've stopped by.  It's never intentional ... my absences.  I get busy, distracted, always something to do or somewhere I need to be.  I haven't forgotten about my little blog - many days I've hoped for a moment to spare for a quick post.  It's late today (way past my bedtime) and I'll be brief ... just stopping by to share a few greetings that have come together lately.

Thanks for stopping by today ... good night!

Autumn?

Another weekend behind us.  Thursday and Friday rain showers were a blessing - it's been so dry here and the sprinklers just couldn't keep up.  Saturday a light drizzle ... the perfect day to curl up with a great book.  What are you reading?  Sunday was bright and sunny without the high temperatures.  Is Autumn just around the corner?  My favorite time of year featuring my favorite color combinations.  I'll have to pull out my Autumn stamps and papers for my next posting.

I finally tried to sew on a paper butterfly ... something that's been on my "list of things to try".  It's quite a long list with all the inspiration I see posted on your wonderful blogs.  I try to attempt something new with each project - it's exciting to see the results.  Scraps from the drawer in pretty shades of blue, a touch of warm brown (Four Frames), a sweet teacup (Tea Shoppe) and of course polka dots.  All layered on a crocheted doily - created while enjoying a quiet moment.  It's funny how I enjoy working with blues.  You won't find any blues in my house nor in my closet.  But when it comes to creating something special from the heart ...  I don't know of another color that provides such comfort and softness.

I hope this inspires you to try something new ... and thank you for stopping by!

Tags ...

Hello again.  Today was filled with a gathering of crafty friends.  Although we all work on duplicating the sample project, each turns out unique.  Something happens in the process as each of us stamp, cut, layer and assemble.  A bit of us seems to become a part of what we do ... making each project different from the other.  I think that's wonderful, don't you?  We get together once a month and I always enjoy their company ... I do wish all of you could come and join in the fun.

I have a couple delights to share with you today.  What could be happier than blue and yellow?  Yes, that's right ... blue and yellow polka dots!  Layered with a glitter house, button, and a bit of crochet (of course).  

While on vacation in sunny California years ago, my daughter wanted a day trip planned to visit Hollywood.  Never having been there, I admit I was curious to see some of the sights.  By the end of the day we found ourselves walking Rodeo Drive ... then somehow we were in Juicy Couture ... then, as if by magic, there appeared the cutest pair of pajama's in my hands ... exactly my daughter's size.  She was thrilled and so was I.  She got the pajama's and I got the tags!  Without a doubt the most expensive embellishment I have ever used is the tag from those pajama's - see it under the heart!?  I added a crown, a painted pink and glittered frame, a shabby pink crinkly bow along with my own crocheted doily and flower.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

A Bit of Crochet ...

Life is beginning to settle down once again.  My daughter is finally home from her 8th grade trip.  I say "finally" because I miss her so when she's gone.  The hours and days seem to crawl as I imagine all the exciting things she is seeing and doing. My son and I just returned from a Mother/Son Boy Scout camping trip.  The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time.  He has just joined a new troop (having out-grown his previous group) and he is fitting right in.  The boys are very welcoming and he is enjoying his new friends.

I've been doing some crocheting and have been able to find some time to create a few things to share ... I hope they provide a bit of inspiration or at least bring a smile to you today.

Thanks for stopping by and spending a moment of time with me.  I'll be back soon with another project to celebrate the long weekend!

Vanilla soft ...

Happy Labor Day my friends!  I plan to do NO laboring today.  A few errands, a bit of sewing, and time spent with family is on my "to do" list.  The crisp Autumn temps have arrived with a high of only 63 degrees today.  It's my favorite season ... looking forward to the beautiful colors.

Seeing so many wonderful blooms created with everything from silk to printed cottons, I've wanted to try a rolled flower for a long time.  Mine is an off-white muslin...a length of left over drapery lining.  Next time I'll rip it rather than cut it ... hoping for something shabbier.  The leaves are velvet and there is a bit of crocheted doily tucked in for good measure.  I dyed the seam binding a light shade of blue and created some decorative pins by adding turquoise beads and pearls.  My greeting is stamped in Soft Suede ink.  The striped paper is from the scrap drawer but the damask print is new in the Beau Chateau collection (every sheet in this package is gorgeous).  The lace and button is from Shirley who collects and sends me "this and that" ... thank you!

The inspiration for this post comes from Mona and the Design Team over at CR84FN.  The color collage is nothing short of fabulous ... love the quote.  Thanks ladies for providing such amazing samples and creative ideas!

I appreciate you taking the time to stop by ... you always make my day brighter!

Nice and Neutral

These past days have been wonderful.  First, a visit to the zoo brought us up close to our feathered friends when we stepped inside the new parakeet house.  Having budgies as pets at home, it was exhilarating to enter their world.  Beautiful colors flying everywhere with songs of joy filling the air ... it was magical.  Next, my daughter presented her crocheted apple sweaters (each with a bright red apple tucked inside) to her teachers ... sharing the moment with her younger brother who stepped in to give them to his teachers too.  I was so proud of her knowing how much work she put into each project.  Later, a quick visit to the bookstore to pick up the latest Somerset turned out to be more than expected.  I found a new publication "Crochet Traditions" - filled with motifs, projects, patterns, and so much more ... including a bit of history.  I read it cover to cover, staying up late ... enchanted by every page.  I hope to share some new projects and patterns with you soon.

Today's post is inspired by this week's Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World.  It's all natural, neutral in color, and sooo romantic.  I love it.  I began with Sahara Sand cardstock and layered on neutral printed papers.  I've always wanted to try stamping on muslin and creating ribbon, this was my opportunity to try and I think it fits in beautifully.

Some brown and white baker's twine is tucked beneath my handmade vanilla flower along with a sweet tag created with Pennant Parade.  My obsession for creating doilies continues - still loving their delicate texture.

Each pennant is a combination of linen and lace made to hang on a string of hemp held in place with two sweet miniature clothespins.    

Back to the inspiration image.  Nice and neutral .... and gorgeous.

And for some more fun - For the second year in a row, Simon Says Stamp and Show & The Simon Says Stamp Challenge teams (click here) are joining forces to bring you a SUPER blog hop and treasure hunt to celebrate STAMPtember! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoyed your visit ...

Timeless Treasures

Hello friends.  Goodness, it's been a few days since we've visited!  I hope you've been busy enjoying the summer while staying cool with this heat wave (for those of you here in the US).  The temperatures drove us inside this past week.  It's been the perfect time to read, crochet some doilies (replenishing my supplies), and catch up on a few home improvement projects.

I love the look of a handmade doily layered with embellishments ... it's like icing on a fancy cake.  This pattern is from a book I picked up called "A Year of Doilies" filled with one for each month.  All are too big for my purposes (meant for table tops) so I just stop when it's the size I want.  This pink doily is paired with a flower print, a splash of yellow and black polka dots.  My seam binding is dyed with So Saffron Classic Ink and topped with a pretty pink button from the Designer Button Subtles collection.

The chair is stamped in Basic Black  on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I used a floral stamp with a light pink ink to "dress up" the edges.  Of course, everything is antiqued with Distressing Essentials.  The chair is from Timeless Treasures.  I love this stamp set ... it has so much to offer a vintage loving gal.

I'm sure you recognize the flower.  I do hope you don't tire of them ... they are such a joy to make.  A pearl adorns the center of this one while pink velvet leaves add a gentle softness.  The tag stamp is new - I just got them and am smitten with their phrases and the font.  Here's the entire set for you to see ... Occasions Alphabet.

Today's post was inspired by this Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World.  The photo is wonderful ... I'd love to have this coat for spring!  The print in the background is equally fabulous.  Cath and her team are incredible.  How could you not stop and stare?

Thanks for stopping by today ... I appreciate the time you spend here.  Enjoy the rest of your day!

Dream Catchers ...

Hello friends.  I'm so pleased to share with you tonight my latest project with a sweet handmade doily embellishment.  It was fun crocheting this precious jewel, I'm sure to create more in the future.  My head is swimming with ideas and I'm searching for patterns.  A little overboard? Maybe.  Excited?  Yes, definitely!

 "Doilies are like dream catchers, each knot holding a thought, a memory.

The sum of these make up the history of a place."

This card began with Very Vanilla card stock which was layered with printed papers from my scrap drawer.  I don't think I could ever go through all my scraps ... I love digging through them all - matching colors and patterns.  The assortment of buttons along the bottom are from here and there ... strung together with Early Espresso Bakers Twine.

My doily is layered on die cut paper in the lovely shade of sage.  I added a coral colored fabric flower - picked up along the way somewhere.  The seam binding is dyed with Certainly Celery Classic Ink, a soft yummy green.  A decorative pin adds sparkle and the velvet leaf another texture.

The tag is created with two punches - Eyelet Border and our Large Tag.  It's easy to trim the tag down to the desired width.  My sentiment is a rub-on found currently in the Clearance Rack (yep, on sale).  There are lots of wonderful sayings on two sheets ... it's called Chat Room.  A little more bakers twine holds my tag in place.

Thank you for stopping by ... I hope you enjoyed your visit.  There is a strong possibility that you will be seeing crocheted doilies in the future - I hope you don't mind!