A Last Bit about New Orleans!!

Well, I know I need to talk about something else, but I have one other little bit of fun to show about New Orleans!
On my last post, you saw the adorable yellow-wrapped chart package from The Quarter Stitch.  I also visited the Needlework Vault near Magazine Street.

These are the New Orleans/Mardi Gras charts I purchased!

I do have one very small finish that I stitched in the car and a little bit in the hotel.  It's a little freebie from Talons Aiguilles and located here.   I only stitched the little mask and not the whole chart.  I must get this one finished up quickly so I can enjoy it this year!

As part of the Grow Your Blog Party, I've been enjoying visits from other bloggers, and visiting their blogs, too!  This has been so much fun!  Don't forget to comment here to be entered in my mystery cross stitch giveaway!  *It's a mystery because I don't know what I'm giving away yet--but it'll be fun!

Since I haven't mentioned my sweet kitty, Dolce, lately I'm going to close with a cute photo of her!

Thank you for stopping by--please come back soon!
Frances

Just a Silly Little Post!

I was glancing through the recent photos on my phone, and I just had to laugh!
We host my in-laws each year for their family Christmas celebration, which took place last week.  I cook the meal, we eat and then we gather around the tree and unwrap gifts--  
a fun evening!
Anyway, earlier that afternoon, I walked into the dining room to finish with the table, and look what I saw:

I think Dolce thought she was being rather crafty, don't you!?!?!  I ran and got the camera. She stayed there for a while.  (At least I remembered to vacuum the chairs before the guests arrived!)

Thanks for stopping by--I hope you're all preparing for a wonderful Christmas!
Frances

Kitty & Me

This is just a quick little post...I was trying to get a good picture of Dolce with me...you may remember that she is a little bit shy and reserved, but she has been coming out a lot more!  I guess it's just going to take time, but we are so pleased!  I got my husband to try and get a decent photo of us. He was willing, but is rather slow when it comes to taking photos, so the cat and I were BOTH getting tired of posing and trying to look happy!
Anyway, here we are--getting ready for the holidays!

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!
Frances

Such great FUN!!!

Oh, I had a lovely weekend, and part of it was because of a wonderful stitching and blogging friend--Jacquie!  Oh, she really outdid herself by surprising me with a wonderful RAK!
I went out to check the mail, and a nice large envelope was in there with my name on it!!  I saw that it was from England, and from Jacquie!!  That was so exciting--I ran inside and grabbed the scissors to find out what loveliness was inside!

Look at this PRECIOUS gift wrap!! It's the cutest little BEE paper!!!  I love it!!  Oh my--I used my scissors again to cut the tape so I could admire the paper later!! (I'm such an old lady!  HA!)









Inside was a darling mug mat with a precious kitty, stitched in redwork! Jacquie does beautiful redwork and I love it so much! So very cute and I love the finish!!  Also included were some wonderful trims--"patriotic" rickrack, which I'll enjoy using AND the cutest BEE ribbon!  I love them and will definitely use them on favorite ornaments!

There were even some treats for Dolce!!!  I put them in the chair with her so she could see them, and she was so excited--she just sniffed and sniffed!  I opened them and she jumped right in and enjoyed a fun snack!!  We don't have this exact food in the US--similar, but not exactly!  It's really a treat for her!

Thank you so much, Jacquie!!  You really made our day and surprised me so much!  I really appreciate you and your kindness!

Thank you, fellow bloggers, for stopping by and please come back soon!
Frances

A New Baby!

No, don't get too excited!!!  I'm 56 years old and I haven't had a baby!!!

You remember that we recently lost our precious cat Violetta, and I have really missed having a kitty here!  SO, I went to the local shelter and found a beautiful two year old calico, ready to go with me!  She is so pretty, but rather timid.  I have been told that her former owners weren't kind to her, which makes me very sad.  However, I brought her home and have spent a great deal of time with her.  She sits by me but doesn't get in my lap much.  She is scared when I pick her up, but I do it several times a day anyway.  She does love to be petted, so I do a lot of that.  She ran from my husband and still does some, but not as much.  We found out that the man was unkind, so it makes sense that she runs sometimes from my husband.  She is attached to me and has come out a lot, and I hope she will continue to do so with much attention and love.

ANYWAY, I fostered her for two weeks and we have decided to keep her!
Since I'm a musician, I wanted her to have a musical name.  She is very sweet, so her name is Dolce.

This is how we found her at the shelter.  She was clipped for the summer, so I'm anxious to see her in a few months when her fur grows out!  She is so pretty and I'm determined to get her to relax even more!  Sweet!

Thanks for stopping by--please come again!   And don't forget my GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

Frances

PS--I switched out and put patriotic stuff back on the tree for the weekend!  I must be crazy!!!  However, this is one last hurrah before all the fun Fall decorating starts!  I'm ready for that!