Spring Has Sprung!

Dear Blogging Friends:

As usual, I'm running around and behind on the blog!  However, I'm posting my Spring Tree today!  I took the obvious rabbit and egg items off the Easter Tree and have replaced with flowers, birds, etc to be ready for Spring!  You might remember that several of these are old, outdated pieces that I either cut down or just made into ornaments.

 

 

Easter was wonderful!  (I can't believe a month has passed since then!)  Our Holy Week services went wonderfully and without problems.  The church was decorated beautifully and the music was lovely.  All was good!

I had my little family for Easter this year.  And I also included my friends that I had entertained last year when my family didn't come...We had a great time this year and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  I took this photo as I was cleaning up everything.  I always seem to forget about photos until things are over!  I used bright Easter Egg colors and was pleased with how it turned out!

My sweet Zoe came and entertained everyone!  ha  She was so dressed up in her little Easter dress!  She is a sweetie!  Omar came through and didn't hiss or slap at her, so I consider that a step in the right direction!  ha

Actually, she has come to spend time with me a couple of times and we have worked on playing nicely with Omar.  I can tell that he is tolerating her, but she is trying to pet him gently now, instead of hitting him and pulling his tail!  He backs his ears a little, but he endures her!  In another year, they will probably be great friends!  haha

I'm traveling some with my music organization.  Last week I was in Indianapolis to plan an upcoming (in a couple of years) meeting there.  It was such a quick time, but much fun.  I was able to see my dear friend Janie who lives there.  We had dinner out and then went by her beautiful home.  She has a sewing room to die for!  She also quilts and has a beautiful quilt she's working on.  Also, her cross stitch is displayed throughout her house.  It was such a fun evening!

I didn't take any cross stitch with me on the plane, which was too bad.  I was staggering out of my house to get to the airport, after waking up at 3:00 am!  I just didn't think of it until I was halfway to the airport!  Oh well!

I'm cleaning a guest bedroom that I have really let go for a long time!  I have made great progress and have a couple of boxes of junk to donate.  I am not finished...there is more!  I intend to organize my cross stitch after that, and I want to get on with some fun stitching!  You would not believe the patterns, supplies, etc that I have!  And I love each and every item!  I am going to guess that you have too much, too!  ha  But it is such a fun hobby and collecting up "things" is part of the fun!

I'm still feeding my birds and loving that!  I got my handyman to put up a feeder pole I got at Walmart and it is in the back of my yard, near the bushes.  I think it has taken some time for them to find it, but I'm seeing a little activity out there, as well.  I hope they will be more safe there, near the bushes.  It is such a fun and relaxing hobby for both me and Omar!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to post more quickly next time.  I have another music trip coming up and I will be sure to take a small project with me this time!  I have enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful creations you all have made!  I have made several comments.  I had to go back, yet again, and fix my "no-reply" status!!  Such a problem!!!

Frances

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! (late!)

Dear Friends,

I am late in posting this, but I'm going to go ahead and post it because I had a nice tree fixed for the holiday!  I think I've told you before that we have an annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and we always have tons of green beads!  I actually didn't attend the parade this year, but I understand it was a fun time and rather lively!!

Here are two views of my tree, full of fun green things!  I have two other pieces stitched, and I hope to get those totally finished, but of course that will be for next year, now!!
haha     I always think this is such a fun holiday!

 

Spring has finally sprung around here, I think!!  Our weather has been so strange.  It's been really cold (for us) and down around freezing at night and highs in the low 50s.  This week should have highs in the 70s-low 80s and lows in the 50s!  If only it would stay that way!!!  I took this photo a couple or three weeks ago.  This Japanese Magnolia is now all green leaves.  I started not to post it because it's not current, but I thought I would anyway since it's pretty.  This is beside the Cathedral.

We had an ordination over the weekend.  A seminarian became a transitional deacon.  He will become a priest next summer.  These are always such joyous events.  I played the organ, of course, and the singing was really lovely!  A glorious evening!  The other seminarians are seated in the pews on the left side.  It's so nice to know that so many young men will become priests.

You know I have to give a quick update on my granddaughter!!!  She is smiling and being silly!

 

Thank you for visiting and come back soon!

Frances

A hodgepodge of everything!

Hello fellow bloggers!!!
This is a little bit late, and a jumbled up post, but I'm glad to be sharing it with you!

I visited one of my favorite little local shops, "P is for Primitive", located on the Square in Canton, MS.  Lisanne has a few antiques in the front of the shop, but the back is primarily for rug hooking supplies.  She has gorgeous wools, but there's not much there for me, other than DMC threads!  In the front, she also carries sweet little ornaments and seasonal decorations.  I went back to get the precious watering cans I talked about in a previous post.  They are so cute and are perfect on my Spring tree!  Don't you just love the sweet little bead "water drops" that come from the spout??  And I couldn't leave without that darling primitive Spring bunny, which now graces the top of my tree!

Since I last posted, I've been to Memphis again!  I found several fun things to purchase, and I just hope I'll get them stitched one day!  I love those tart pan stitches from Plum Street Samplers, so I had to buy both of those, plus the pans!  I also got some pretty red, white, and blue floss, because I'm itching to stitch some patriotic stuff!

I also attend my annual state music club meeting and this year is was in Columbus, MS.  It was a fun time, with wonderful music and great food!  I stayed in a B&B, which I haven't done before!  It was a fun time and I loved my gorgeous room in this antebellum home, the Cartney-Hunt House.  Isn't it beautiful?

I have turned in my last exam and picked up my cap and gown for Friday night!  YAY!
Yes, I will have my Masters on Friday night!  Hahaha!  You're all invited!

When I got home from my lovely trip to Columbus, there was an exciting-looking package waiting for me!  I looked at it and ripped it open, all at the same time!!!  Inside, I found something nicely wrapped in tissue, and a beautiful envelope!    Inside the envelope was a beautiful handmade card from Annette (California Stitcher).  Isn't it gorgeous???  I cannot believe that she took the time to make that beautiful card for a "56 year-old graduate"!!!!  

 

Well, then I had to rip open the larger package, and I couldn't believe my eyes!!!!  Annette made a fabulous music-themed project bag, just for me!!!  I absolutely love it!  I am so thrilled and humbled by her kindness!  Oh my goodness!!!  The fabric is so beautiful and she has a piano charm on the zipper and eighth notes charm where she put my initial!!!  I just love it!   If that wasn't enough, I unzipped it to look at the lining (which is the beautiful music fabric) and there was more inside!!! She made a sweet matching needle book and I just love it, too!  It has a little music charm inside!  Then, to top it all off, she included the wonderful Mardi Gras mask chart she had ordered from New Orleans!!!!  I am ecstatic!!

I am so touched~thank you, Annette!!!  You are so lovely and a precious friend!  Thank you again so much!!!

I will post photos from graduation after Friday night.  I had portraits done today!  Hahaha! I also had my photo made with my piano teacher, and I am pleased to have that!  It took 3 years, but the time has really flown by and it's been such a joy!

Thank you for stopping by, and please come back again soon!

Frances

Spring Has Sprung!

Our weather has been mild and pleasant, even though we are getting our April showers!
I think it's time for the Spring Tree!  I got all of Easter put away and got out my cute Spring goodies!

It's such a light and happy tree to look at!

 

I love all of these!  The violets at the bottom were stitched by my cousin years ago, and I made it into a cute little ornament.
I made the sweet cows for my late mother-in-law in 1990--I had blogged about it here. The cute black and white sheep are from a dishwasher magnet from years ago.  The queen bee was a freebie from The Primitive Hare and is found here.  The peacock is a freebie from Jenny Rasmussen.  

Arent' they cute?  This fun colorful flower ornament was a freebie by Lilybet Designs, and I can't locate it anywhere online.  I think it was from 2010--Tulip's A Buzz. I used lively colored fabrics for this one, and a little ladybug button that I had!
The flower basket is from Prairie Schooler's Spring Miniatures.  The coneflowers were stitched by my cousin years ago.  They were in a small gold frame.  She gave them to me and I fashioned an ornament from them!  I used African fabric and a sweet little bee button!

 

I love the tiny garden gloves like the purple one at the top of the photo!  Too, too cute!  I'm actually going back this week to get the little watering cans I saw earlier...why didn't I just go ahead and get them when I was in the store??  HA  Oh well, maybe I'll find more that I just have to have!

The sheep on the left is the only thing I kept out from the Easter Tree.  It was the freebie from found here.  The little flower with bee button is from Prairie Schooler's Spring Miniatures.  I added buttons and even some African fabric at the bottom.  

My precious bee was a giveaway gift from sweet Jacquie.  I love it so much and it always makes me smile.  She's been really sick and in the hospital.  Many are praying for her swift recovery.  The red poppies were also stitched by my cousin and given to me to make into an ornament.

My house is in total disarray--I had the carpets cleaned today.  We only have carpet in the bedrooms now, but they're all bright and clean now.  I'll put the stuff back tomorrow!  You don't realize what sits on your floors until you move it.  (not really that much but it looks like tons stacked in another room!!)

I reserved my cap and gown for graduation on May 1st!!  I ordered a few little announcements for my family.  I cannot describe how ready I am for graduation!  It's almost here!

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!

Frances

Spring is coming!!

Dear friends....I cannot wait until Spring is here!  It's just around the corner!  YAY!  
I absolutely love the beautiful green landscape here in Mississippi!  It's really one of the most beautiful Spring places on earth!  There are flowers everywhere and much wildlife, and a mild temperature.  (Yes, it does get rather WARM in the Summer!)

Anyway, I went outside, looking around for birds and Spring things!  I have enjoyed seeing Beth's outdoor/bird/wildlife posts at her blog!  She is an expert photographer and knows so much about birds and critters!!!  Check out her wonderful blog, if you've never seen it!

I'm going to post a few fun photos--but these were taken with my phone, so don't expect great and fabulous photography!  I had such a good time outside, looking around at everything and just appreciating the beautiful world!!  I must take more time to relax and enjoy it!

I have no gardening skills at all, but I do enjoy looking at other people's yards, and wish that mine was as nice!  However, I have a few little things planted outside that make me happy, so I'm going to share those with you!

My pink hyacinths are coming up!

My jonquils are just coming out, but the one below is the only one with a bloom!

These are Easter lilies.  People at my church donate Easter lilies each year, but everyone doesn't come and get their lily when we take them down. Since I'm on the Flower Guild, I've brought home some of the "unclaimed" Easter lilies each year and we just put them in the "natural" back corner of the yard, which is where the jonquils and hyacinths are, too. The lilies come up every year, usually around Mother's Day.  I will be sure to share a photo!  They are really pretty.  They're peeking out now!!

*All of the hyacinths, lilies, and jonquils are left over from the church!

There are many, many birds and wildlife in Mississippi!  I forget to notice them, but they are everywhere!  I live by a creek, so there's always activity there!

There were TONS of robins everywhere, hopping around and looking for food, I guess!

We have too many Canada Geese, but I've always thought they were so pretty!

 

We have mallards swimming by...

And this fellow is new to me, called an American Coot!  What a funny name!  I saw two of them swimming by.

We also have at least 6 egrets that love to stay in the creek by my house!  They are so big and pretty.  I'd love to see where they might have a nest.  I'll have to investigate!  There's also a couple of blue herons, but I haven't gotten their photo yet!

I have several bottle trees in our yard!  These are trees that can't be ruined!!!  I love them and enjoy the colors in the sunlight.  I have a lot of champagne bottles (a friend saved them from a party) but I also like my fish bottle and my violin bottle!  They are so much fun! I see that these need a little bath so they'll be sparkling!  Hmmm...one day! LOL!

 

Well, that sums it up for today.  This is not my usual type of post, but it's been fun!  I'll be back with Blogoversary Giveaway news, so check back!

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

A small finish!

You may remember that I recently made two ornaments from some vintage cross-stitched flowers my cousin made years ago.  Well, she gave me a third and final one--some violets. I quickly fashioned a sweet little ornament for spring/summer.  I was a bit rushed but I think it turned out ok--the ribbon and buttons match well.  I think this is the last one she has for me--too bad for there aren't any more!!!! HA

I've been in quite a hurry today because we are leaving bright and early in the morning for a week in Boston! I'm looking forward to going and relaxing!  The weather will be cooler than it is here in Mississippi!  I have looked online for cross stitch stores--I'm not having much luck.  I found a number of yarn stores and knitting places--not much on cross stitch.  Oh well, there are many things to do there, so I'm sure the trip will be fun!
Thanks for visiting and come back soon!
Frances

Two more for Spring!

My cousin has been cleaning out and rearranging.  She has given me some pretty family items and other fun things.  She gave me two little framed flower cross stitch pictures that have hung on her wall for probably more than 30 years!  They were rather "dated" in small gold rectangle frames and were stitched on Aida that has discolored through the years. She told me to take them and make some ornaments, which I did!  I think they turned out really cute!  I used an upholstery cut sample at the bottom of the red one, with taupe trim and buttons.  It is backed in a red on red paisley cotton.  The yellow flowers have an African-type print with a bee button and little yellow flowers attaching the hanger.  It is backed in another African animal print.

Don't forget about my Giveaway!!!!  The deadline is May 25 and that is fast approaching!  Look back on posts from May 8 or May 11 for details.  Thanks to all those who have signed up and if you haven't yet, I hope to see YOUR name there, too!

Happy Stitching and Come Back Soon!
Frances

Spring Tree!

After Easter, I removed all the bunnies, carrots & Easter eggs, leaving Spring ornaments!

                                       

Prairie Schooler Spring Miniatures little flower basket.  I added a twine hanger and some braided twine edging.  This green fabric reminded me of basket weave.  I stitched this a long time ago and apparently ran out of the green border thread, so the lower corner wasn't complete!  I added a couple of buttons there!

           
This precious sheep ornament has a clever story--I stitched it years ago from a long-lost "country" pattern book.  It was made to be a dishwasher magnet--white sheep up for CLEAN and black sheep up for DIRTY!  I stitched it, mounted it on stiff board with a magnetic strip, put it on the dishwasher, and it fell off because magnets don't stick there!!! It's been in a drawer for years and I got it out last week and made a cute little sheep ornament!

This sweet peacock was stitched a long time ago, also.  I added a strip of burlap and peacock feather ribbon.  The hanger is braided twine and I love the bright mother of pearl buttons!  It's from a freebie by Jenny Rasmussen located at BirdCrossStitch.com.

I think you can tell by my descriptions that I had stitched up a stack of really cute smalls and just had them in a drawer!  I went on a "finishing frenzy" recently and got everything finished from the stack! What a great feeling!  Now I want to stitch another stack!!!

Two close-ups of the fun, including flowers & butterflies!

            Thanks for visiting and come back soon!  Frances