Friendship Friday

This week has been full of deadlines and goals for me...and truth be told, I have been pretty much overwhelmed by my ever-growing Blue Ribbon Designs to-do list, household chores and yard work, and our two dogs. It seems my schedule is always full and I can't find the balance I so desperately need. Today, however, I took a break from the craziness and enjoyed "Friendship Friday"...a Friday where I meet two of my very dear girlfriends (Mary and Lorrie) for lunch and just relax for a couple hours...and today was made even more special, as we were celebrating Lorrie's birthday!  We met at one of our favorite restaurants "On The Border" for a little Mexican fiesta...we had fabulous food and spent some much needed time catching up  - conversing about our lives and families and everything in-between...and afterwards, Lorrie opened her birthday gifts.

I always have fun working on birthday gifts for my close friends...and although I usually sew and quilt many of my presents, this time I changed things up a bit. I decided to make Lorrie a little friendship photo album, with pictures from our recent road trips and outings. I used chipboard tags and covered them with pretty scrapbook papers and added the photos...using one of my favorite gadgets - a 5" Xyron Creative Station (OMG - I love this fancy little machine that makes pretty much anything adhesive)!  I also used a 1.5" Xyron Create-A-Sticker to adhere chipboard buttons, laces, trims, and rick rack. Yes, I adore these Xyron products...and wish I had more of their fabulous crafting supplies - do you hear me Xyron?? - I heart you (no affiliation, their stellar products just make my crafting life better)! It was so much fun printing out the photos and then working with my stash to decorate this fun friendship book...digging through ribbons, laces, trims, and buttons always brings me joy!

I also decided to stitch Lorrie a pendant. This from Milady's Needle, titled Quaker Pendants II - it is stitched over-one on 36-count fabric...and then I backed it with a piece of retired Blackbird Designs sampler fabric stabilized with fusible interfacing. This is the second one of these pendants I have made for a gift...I think I need to get an additional pendant, so I can finally make one for myself!

I also have to share this book with you - I purchased this book for Lorrie months ago, after we had a discussion on using vintage handkerchiefs in sewing projects. This lovely book has fabulous ideas for using those special antique hankies, laces, doilies, and ribbon you may be holding on to...

It was a lovely luncheon and we all commented on how we need to do it more often...in fact, I think every Friday should be "Friendship Friday"....

Tonight, after an evening walk, I am hoping to finish up the last set of needlework smalls for my upcoming new releases. I am getting ready to send out a large printing order and I am crossing my fingers I can get all the files and photography completed this weekend (or early next week). There are new designs on the way and I can't wait to share them with you!

Finally - I am truly touched by the AMAZING response I have received for "Red Rosies and Pink Posies" - the support, encouragement, and beautiful e-mails I have received are heartwarming. Your generosity is beyond compare - and I sincerely thank each and every beautiful soul who has made a donation and/or spread the word about this special design and my fundraising page for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! I still have until November to meet and surpass my goal...and (for those of you who have asked) my special exclusive design for donors will be available until that time. Please continue to help me spread the word...and I will continue to train and work hard to make sure all my supporters proud!

A Teeny Tiny Needlework Finish

I had to share this teeny tiny finish with you! Last weekend when teaching at the Heart's Desire Cross Stitch Camp, I was actually awarded a door prize....which was so much fun. After opening my package, I knew I would have to start stitching it right away...and with it being a smaller project, I knew it was something I could finish (for a change). I was the recipient of Milady's Needle "Milady's Quaker Pendants II"...which happened to be in kit form - including the pendant piece, the linen (36-count Luna from Lakeside Linens) and silk floss (VCS Oxblood)...it actually included the charting, fabric, and floss for four different pendants. I changed mine up a bit from the model, which was stitched with a light blue silk floss. The design is stitched one-over-one on 36-count linen and measures 1 1/8" x 1 1/8"...I told you, it was TINY. I actually started it while I was at the retreat and worked on it during the car ride home...then finished it up this week....and yes, I did complete Cross Stitches (not Tent Stitches). The finishing instructions tell you to use designer scrapbook paper for the back, but I used a little picture of a bird that makes me happy (the artwork is done by Becky Kelly - I just adore her illustrations and artwork!). It was a quick stitch and so much fun....in fact, I have chosen another one to stitch as a birthday gift...

The Gift of Friendship

Today was such a fun day! I have been so busy with the new releases and catching up on work, I REALLY needed some time away (seriously, there are no words for how much I needed to get out of my office). Simba was scheduled to go to the groomer today, so while he was enjoying a bath/haircut, I met my good friend Merry at the local quilt shop for a little retail therapy. It was so enjoyable to see the new spring fabrics, pick up a couple new projects (more stash!), and just be "out in the world". We then had plans to eat at a new Japanese restaurant...which was FABULOUS! The best part of it all was spending some time with my friend and a couple cups of hot tea...catching up, gossiping, and giggling - it was such a "pick-me-up" and a much needed break from the chaos which has been my life lately. To top off my day, she brought me the most thoughtful handmade birthday gifts (don't you just love it when your birthday celebration lasts for a week!). As I have said before, my friends are so extremely talented...and Merry is no exception - she does beautiful handwork, sews, quilts, knits, and crochets (and is one of the best cooks I know)...she is always working on something creative. Months ago, she asked me about my favorite piece I had designed - this was a tough question, as all of my designs are my "babies"...so I chose my most recent release (at the time) "A Sampling In The Square"...I knew she was up to something, but didn't get any specifics. Today, I finally found out her little secret. She took a photo of the design I chose and made it into a pendant for me...and it is teeny tiny....about 1 inch square...I mean SUPER SMALL...in fact, it was almost nearly impossible for me to get a decent photo because it is so miniature...she also attached a bee charm to to bottom, knowing I am sentimental about bees (my grandfather was a bee keeper). I am still amazed by this...so thoughtful and so special. Her gift also included a couple items she made for my kitchen...an adorable flour sack towel adorned with hand stitching of the cutest flower pot and a floral fabric accent...and a new dish cloth...my kitchen is all set for spring (which can't get here soon enough!).

Yes, today was a good day!