Happy Monday everyone! It is a great beginning of the week here - it is finally raining! The KY clay really needs a good soaking. What is even better about the rain is that the ground, which hardens into brick during the dry spells, will get soft enough to dig in. This is truly great, since DH and I picked up some assorted perennials this weekend. The timing could not be better!
I am still totally in love with the new hobby; napping! In other words, the needles are not exactly racing here. I did stitch this adorable design by Barbara-Ana (Quoth the Raven: Nevermore)) and I like the raven so much that I had to stitch up a mini-version too. As you can see, he is itty-bitty. I was thinking about finishing the tiny one into a pin, but he may be too small. The design is intended to be used as a scissors-fob, but I think that it is way too large! I'll have to come up with something else to do with it. I am also contemplating making a third version for an exchange coming up this fall - he is just too cute not to share.
You can buy this pattern either from Creative Poppy (they'll send you the pdf and a pass-word pretty much instantly) or printed out on paper (I got my hard-copy from ABC Stitch Therapy).
I have also fallen back into the dangerous habit of browsing e-bay every now and then.... Sometimes, I really do manage to get a great deal that I am really pleased with, such as this silk-gauze kit (frame included!) from The Heart's Content for less than $25. Three of the letters had been stitched by the previous owner, but I ripped them back out and started from zero. Here are a few progress pics:
I would love to find the companion piece Love Thyself one of these days... ;-)
The new sampler is coming along slowly too, but it is all right since I really enjoy working on it. The problem is that I try to tell myself to switch between the projects every other hour or so, but then I get so engulfed with what I have in my hands that I forget everything else.... Oh well, there is just too much fun to have!
Did I show you the sweet little scissors keep from Rovaris? I am becoming a big fan. I was really impressed with the "Stitched Initial Necklace" that she came out with a few months back (here is the back of mine). This is the latest sweetie from Rovaris: Scissors Fob Kit. All the parts spread on top of the sofa:
After a very quick and easy assembly:
While browsing the net to find the link to the necklace, I happened to run across another of Rovaris' beauties: Wreath What a gorgeous design!
Well, other than that, not a whole lot going on at the stitch front. The garden has finally gotten some TLC, so I can post some photos without weeds! :-) Here is an oak-leaf hydrangea, planted last year, and she seems to be doing well.
The other day I saw a robin take a drink form the sunflower bird-bath. That made my day! :-)
The hardy hibiscus are doing really well this year too. I discovered that one of them already started blooming this morning. (Please ignore the clover.... LOL)
Another hydrangea, also planted last year. I love the shape of the flower clusters on this one!
Lavender - what is not to love!? They really take care of themselves, smell wonderfully, and are a bee and butterfly favorite!
Our new flowerbed is starting to look a bit "bushy"...
More lavender.
And the older hydrangea is sporting both pinks and blues this year.
The bunnies don't want me to log off before they say hi. Princess has some tummy problems right now, but I think that he'll get better soon.
