I've run out of April

Oh dear. Epic failure. Today is the last day of April and I have not completed my Snapper Year April block. No! No! Not the wet noodle!

What on Earth could have kept me from stitching? Yard work. Lots of yard work! Rick was out of town last weekend and I surprised him upon his return by having all the flower beds cleaned and planted. Boy, was he surprised. Or shocked, more like! Last Summer, nothing was done in the yard because of construction...new roof, siding and guttering. By the time all that was finished it was too hot for new plants and besides, who wants to work in the yard when it is hot outside? Not me! So...since last Friday I have worked my rear end off and just look at the results...

This is the front flower bed, very shady. I have Hosta, Hydrangea, Azalea and Impatiens. This is also the bed where my Lily of the Valley is, sweet Linda in MA sent me them last year.

You can see the Lily behind the bird bath. Lots of Easter Lilly in here too. It is so peaceful.

And I can't hold the camera straight.

Another view of the front bed.

The whole house, new siding and all! The grass hasn't really greened up yet.

My Lantana bed. Butterflies love these and they flourish in the heat.

The bed at the front porch is hard to plant as it's half shaded by the house. I planted Impatiens along the back and Rose Moss in the front.

The back Patio. Ignore the rubbish.

I should have cleaned up before taking photos!

The back bed along the garage wall. Lavender, Rose Moss, Dianthus and the Clematis. The Clematis has flower buds all over and should be covered in purple flowers soon. That screen shades the air conditioner in the Summer.

While I was out, I happened to snap this hilarious photo of Sheba right as she was starting to chase a bird. I just crack up at the look on her face.

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I hope to finish up that Snapper block this weekend.

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Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

I Love Ladybugs

When I spotted Myra's sweet, adorable ladybug finish I knew I HAD to stitch her myself. She is just so cute and sassy! I actually stitched and finished her as a magnetic needle minder in one evening. This counts as A BIG DEAL because she has fifteen different colors AND she is stitched over-one. And I rarely stitch over-one. The fabric pictured was used on the back. Teeny-tiny, she was the perfect size for the needle minder. I love her!

Design ~ In Your Easter Bonnet

Designer ~ Brooke's Books

From ~ Just Cross Stitch, March/April 2010

Fabric ~ 28 count monaco

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Magnetic Needle Minder

What was I doing stitching yet another new project when I should be working on Snapper year? I'm happy to say, there has been splendid progress on April's block, so there! Seriously, it rained ALL weekend so was perfect for stitching.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Oops!...I Did It Again

Here is another little RAK going out tomorrow to someone reading this blog! These are so much fun. I cannot resist making RAKs right now. They are on my mind constantly. I should be stitching on Snapper Year, right? But April is a little gloomy so I needed this to brighten up the week! The fabric this is pictured on is just for a pretty photo, the back of this piece is linen stitched with initials...which I can't show or it might give away the surprise!

Edit: This RAK went to Karen!

Design ~ USA Squared

Designer ~ Lizzie*Kate

Fabric ~ 28 count blue/white gingham linen

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Pin Pillow with crushed walnut shells & Lavender blossoms

If you would like to be included in my RAK list send me an email with your mailing address and your blog link. You might get a surprise in the mail from me someday!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Don't blink or you'll miss it

Or A Totally Useless Post.

Drive-by posting to show off my TU SAL progress for the month. I was going to have a Ceremonial Dumping of the ORTs into the big jar but I'm too darn tired today! I just tossed 'em in and called it good enough. If you are wondering what-the-heck the TU SAL is all about, see the link in my side bar.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Stitching Bloggers are the best

Quickie snap (roflol) of my start on Snapper Year's April. This took me forever to start...mainly because of being nervous about placement. The border chart comes separate from the monthly charts and it is really difficult to tell if you are putting things in the right place. You notice I still haven't started that tricky border? Because it scares the living hell out of me! I'll get to it when I get up the nerve...

I won Mary's blogoversary giveaway on Colorado Stitcher. The giveaway was a lovely pair of scissors...but look what I found when I opened the box. Mary made the beautiful fob and the artist's trading card. Everything is in my favorite colors too! Thank you so much Mary!

Speaking of giveaways.

Edgar of Blacksheep's bit of the web is celebrating his third blogoversary and Patty of Hanging On By A Thread is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway. Good luck!

I am still collecting addresses for RAKs!

Thanks to all of you for the positive comments on my last post regarding RAKs. I've received lots of emails containing those coveted addresses, plus sent my own out a few times. If you haven't sent me your address, why not? No place is too far to mail. Don't be shy asking to be included! I am going to have such fun doing RAKs! A BIG SPECIAL THANKS goes to Hazel of Quietly Stitching and Lynda of A Cozy Little Place for Stitching for joining in on the fun. They are both seeking addresses for their own RAKs.

One RAK still in transit. This one isn't stitched, just a little something I thought my special person would like. It was mailed the same day as Becky's RAK but it has a bit farther to go!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Strawberry Pin Pillow

I finished the pin pillow today. It is stuffed with Lavender blossoms and walnut chips. It smells divine! This is a secret surprise for someone who reads this blog. Could it be you? I stitched a tiny strawberry and initials on the back side. This was so much fun to stitch. What made it even better was knowing it was being stitched as a surprise for a special someone. I really like making RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) and surprising someone with a little treat! This is being mailed out on Monday when I get off work...

Edit: This RAK went to Becky K!!!

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Design ~ Vegetable Trinket Cards "Strawberry"

Designer ~ Kreinik Mfg. Co., Inc.

From ~ The Cross Stitcher Magazine, June 2009, Vol. 26 No. 3

Fabric ~ 32 count Belfast Linen, tea-dyed

Fiber ~ DMC

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Since I like RAKs so much, I think I should make them more often. I usually save the addresses I receive when I do exchanges and such so I have a few choices. However, if you'd like to be considered for an RAK gift some day please email me your real name & mailing address with the name of your blog. If I get inspired, I might make you a little something. That being said...I cannot guarantee you will ever receive anything. I am not a prolific stitcher! But, wouldn't it be fun to receive a surprise out of the blue?

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Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Spring Chicken

I think my eyes actually bugged out when I saw the chicken potholder that Annie crocheted. I know, for a fact, I gushed over it in the comments. The next thing I know Annie is offering to send him to me! OMG! Mine? All MINE??? Now, I know the mechanics of crochet and I can follow a pattern but it's the doing it that kills me. It makes my hands ache and fall asleep. So creating a Spring Chicken for myself is impossible. Isn't it great that stitching bloggers make the best friends to have? Thank you so much Annie. I adore this silly chicken with all my heart!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

March Blows

After a gentle reminder from Cathey that I was really running out time to finish my March Snapper Year...I buckled down and stitched. I couldn't figure out why the chicken is pooping a pitchfork. Then it hit me, a foot? Wait, is it a foot? I hope that's a foot.

Since I've stitched three months worth, it's time for a quarterly photo! I like how each quarter rhymes. I'm having fun!

Now, on to finishing up that strawberry pincushion! For those that asked, the design is from The Cross Stitcher magazine, June 2009. (This is the US magazine.) Called Vegetable Trinket Cards by Kreinik. The design was charted for Kreinik Silk Mori. As most of you know, I'm horribly allergic to silk so I've converted it into DMC.

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Great Big Thanks to all those sweethearts that have nominated me for blog awards. I am so touched and honored that you thought of me and thought my blog was deserving. ***hugs*** I am so sorry... but I am not going to play along at this time. It has been hard enough just keeping up with my blog reader and my stitching right now. I am hoping for more free time in the near future.

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Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

My Ma still blows

I feel really guilty for not stitching on my Snapper Year. I got a little distracted with strawberries. So, my March WIP is still stuck on that rude phrase and the new one is growing quickly. Well, not TOO quickly! I admit, frogs invaded for a short time because I thought I was so above checking the pattern, photographic memory ~ you know? NOT!

When this is finished (maybe a pin pillow?) I'm thinking of sending this to someone who reads this blog...

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Swap received and a Spring blizzard

Remember all the lovely Christmas ornaments I received in January? This month it was my turn to send to Lisa. I really enjoyed stitching for her! I'm so happy you liked it, Lisa! I've stitched this ornament once before but in green...and Glenna is now the owner of that one. I like this design so much, I'll probably stitch it again!

• Design ~ Fa La La
• Designer ~ Plum Pudding Needleart
• Fabric ~ 32 count Belfast, tea-dyed
• Fiber ~ DMC

Thank you all for the sweet comments on my stashy post. I'm still giddy over all that floss! Yes, my friends, feel free to steal that picture for your desktop background, I'm happy to share. For those of you asking about how I store my floss click here to see my previous posts on that subject. You will need to scroll down a bit on that page. I seem to talk about stash a lot!

Yesterday (the last day of Winter) the weather was 70 degrees and gorgeous. Today (the first day of Spring) it is 30 with blizzard snow. UGH! I am SO SICK of snow.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox