My Latest Obsession

I found this e-zine on free-style embroidery by Teresa McFayden which is totally up my alley and fell in love again with a pastime that I enjoyed as a kid.    Over the years I have cross-stitched several projects and enjoyed making them.  The thing that I love so much about free-style embroidery is the unlimited stitch selection, creativity and ability to personalize each piece.   Here's my finished piece, with a few variations from the sampler used in the class.

With my first project under my belt, I am now working on a new sampler that will (hopefully) reflect the Summer of 2010.  Now I've got yet another way to capture memories!  More to come....

In the meantime, am wondering if I should change my blog to Paper and Stitching Love?!

Day One - Week in the Life

Day 1 of Week in the Life finds me missing Tim (still - gone since the 10th), trying to get back on track with the morning workouts, ready and excited to help plan Alex's Eagle Summit Ceremony (8-10 Scouts getting their Eagle in one ceremony), and basking in what was a surprisingly smooth Monday. I don't have the materials quite in the order I'd like for them to be for this project but did download and print out these tonight...I think they're fab and love that I can just print out as many as I want. They're also on sale right now!! Thanks Ali! ;-)

More great news from Ali - head on over to her blog this week and check out the amazing list of giveaways she's hosting! Leave your comment by Friday and you'll be in the drawing!!

Loving the challenge for today in the Everyday Explorer class (you can still sign up for this class through this Wednesday). Can't tell you what the challenge is because I think someone might sue me if I do...of course someone other than my sister and mother would have to be reading this blog for that to happen and since they're the only ones who even know it exists at this point, I probably shouldn't be too worried.

I'm inspired by Ali's gi-normous give-away. I don't have that kind of stash (or clout with anyone who would be in a position to give me such cool things) so I'll have to think of something else to lure readers to my blog....any ideas? Going to go to bed now to dream of fabulous prizes for my loyal following (of 2).

Nite!

A Week in the Life + Everyday Explorer

Yes, I'm addicted to online workshops and classes. There. I typed it. Mostly just the ones that have something to do with keeping records of my days. I guess I keep thinking these days seem pretty darn good and there's just a whole bunch of stuff I want to remember about them. So I wig myself out by signing up for inspiring online classes that sometimes I have a hard getting around to actually doing. The good news is even if I can't get everything done while the class is live, I've got all the materials, instructions and downloads so I can "take" the class whenever I want.

Anyway, this week, there's a class on tap through Big Picture Scrapbooking called Everyday Adventures. I made this cool notebook for the class and the 1st official day is tomorrow!!

The other activity on tap is A Week in the Life, created and hosted by Ali Edwards on her blog. It also starts tomorrow and I am working on a system to keep track of my notes, pix and memorabilia (yes I now have a reason for keeping that Starbucks sleeve for 3 months).  I think I'll use this collection of goodies for the mini-book (apologies for picture quality....will take a better of the project in progress).

Good news....I was able to work on Alex's Boy Scout album yesterday and it's about 80% there...just the embellishing and journaling to finish up...and, oh, those fabulous Eagle Scout ceremony pix yet to come!!

Next up - finishing Alex's School Years scrapbook!

Handmade Gifting

So it was my sister's birthday yesterday and she told me a while ago that she wants to do more simple, handmade gifts for people this year for gifting occasions (birthdays, Christmas, etc). Guess what? I figured since I'm getting something handmade in the near future (smile) she would probably appreciate the same. As it turns out, I really like this handmade gifting idea. I found this cool print-and-go kit from Rhonna Farrer, purchased and downloaded it and made her this awesome Inspiration Jar. The plastic paint can is from Michael's; the tickets are Tim Holtz while the paper flowers and ribbons are from my collection.

She seems to like it....she loved that it was handmade. I hope she enjoys it!

BTW, Alex didn't like that I folded the slips of paper with the words and phrases facing out...I thought it looked more interesting this way but he thinks it makes it more likely someone will cheat and pick out whatever they want to do. ;-)

Mother's Day is just around the corner...I'm wondering if I should make something for my sweet mom? Any ideas?