The Teacup Collector's Cottage (Craft and Decor Blog)

Keeping Busy ...

2012-01-31T15:54:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted in a while, but we've been busy. In December the Army moved us from Miami to Houston. We got home just before Christmas and, as you can imagine, the family was very excited to spend a Christmas with The Monkey (and I'm sure me and hubby too).

Amid all the unpacking and holiday celebrating we also had to prepare for hubby's deployment. He left earlier this month and Monkey and I settled in.

As with the previous deployments, I knew that I'd be spending more time doing crafts, specifically after the baby has gone to sleep.

This past month, in an effort to relax because Monkey has been acting out over daddy's absence, I've been stitching and working on other projects.

I'll be posting some of these projects soon ...

Freebie Friday: Special Salute

2011-10-07T16:00:00.000-04:00

Hello fellow crafters and bloggers! I know it's been a few days since I last posted, and I actully didn't get last Friday's Freebie up because I was so determined to get the projects done that I am posting today ... and you'll see how that work paid off!!!

A few weeks ago the Friday Freebie I posted was a tribute to my grandmother's battle with breast cancer ... while inspired, it also gave me another idea. So with permission from the designer and a little color change I completed a Triple Tribute to my military husband and two grandfathers who also served in the military. This is actually the first post I think that will be cross-posted on all 3 of my blogs!

designed by:Artecy Cross Stitch
Pattern found at: Artecy' Cross Stitch Free Patterns

Stitched:
September/October 2011

Material:
(Ribbon towel) Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel
(Army towel) Charles Craft cotton HomeDecor Towels with a
14-count Aida panel insert
(bookmarker) Charles Craft cotton 18-count bookmark with lace-trimmed

Floss:
DMC 743 (yellow); DMC 742 (gold)

Tote-ally Fast and Fun

2011-09-26T14:28:00.000-04:00

This weekend George, Monkey and I will travel to Louisiana for my niece, Stephanie's< wedding. Jamie will be ringbearer and we are excited but also a little nervous. So I wanted to make a quick to tote to for the traveling portion of this adventure. A few weeks ago I had found this pink animal print and pink flowers. So I cut it down and made a pink and black bag for me to take some enertainment stuff since I will be in a car with the Mickey Mouse for like 12-14 hours! (Now you see our apprehension!)

Well, here it is!

Here is a closer look and more of the actual color:

The flowers are just pinned on for now. I'm not sure about the placement of the number ... I may do more ...

What do you think?

Until our next cup of tea ...

Halloween Hauntings Happenin'

2011-09-23T16:42:00.000-04:00

In case you missed it on the last post, I love Fall! When my mom came to visit at the beginning of the month I set aside a day to pull out my decorations for Halloween and access what had survived the last 2 Army moves ... only to find out I needed less than an hour. Yep, Halloween may be scary, but not as scary as unpacking from Army movers! Not much Halloween stuff survived which meant ... Shopping trip!

Last weekend while my husband jumped up and down on the sofa watching the Texans' game, I took a grumpy baby and headed over to Michael's to see what I could get with their sale and my meager $30! Ah, budgeting!

I did get some stuff, though nothing that was a "big" project. I think I'll have to dedicate some time to it next year, but here are some things I did.

This was a quick and simple but really fun project. I got a charger (actually 3, but whatever) and found these "bling" stickers after adding a little to the rim ... ta-da! Spider plate! With all the shiny things I love!It really looks cool at night when we have the candles in front of it and the lights are off ...

This centerpiece was fun to put together. I love the rich purple in our burgandy dinning room. My husband really liked the candle with the skulls and for once ... I agreed to have skulls in one of the rooms!

This little guy wasn't really a project, but he was too cute to pass up! Well, I hope everyone else is having fun with holiday decorations!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Falling in Love with Fall

2011-09-23T16:13:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to lie, I LOVE fall. Its been hard though, being stationed in Miami these last 2 years. I miss "fall" ... the color changes, cooler weather, random hot beverages ...

My favorite holiday is Christmas and hubby's is Halloween, so we go all out! I have really been in the mood lately- taking out decorations, working on Fall/Halloween projects ... all while the temp steadily rises. Yep, the highs are in the 90s this week and I am hoping for a random cool front.

With that said, this week's Friday Freebie was super fun ... and slightly scary!

designed by: Glory Bee
Pattern found at her blog: Glory Bee-Free Boo Chart

Stitched:
September 2011

Material:
Charles Craft diamond terry weave towel with
a 16-count Aida border

Floss:
Pattern Reccommendations for DMC
with the exception of pumpkin changed to DMC 722.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Idiocracy

2011-09-13T16:28:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen that movie Idiocracy, where Luke Wilson plays Private Joe Bauers, the definition of "average American", who is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future and discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he's easily the most intelligent person alive?

I swear sometimes I feel like I am living that in real-life. Take for example my little "quick" trip to Michaels last night for some last minute supplies for a project I am working on.

I told hubbyt I'd be quick. It's about 3 miles from the house, I planned run in grab some embroidery floos and a few sheets of scrapbook paper, maybe look at Halloween stuff on sale and be back in time to put the cooling leftovers from dinner in the fridge. Ha! Who was I kidding. By the time I made it back home, hubby had not only put the food away but cleaned the whole kitchen!

So here's what happened:

I ran into Michaels as planned. I grabbed some scrapbook paper for a flip book I am making for Jamie with his swim pictures. The got distracted by the Fall and Halloween decor (like I knew I would). There was a cute project sheet for decorating a charger for Fall so I grabbed a sheet and then remembered I wanted to grab a charger for some cinnamon pillar candles I'd been toting around for 3 years. I then wandered over to the table docor shelf and picked up a beautiful wrought iron pumpkin candle holder that was on sale for 50% off! On the next shelf was the Halloween stuff and I wanted to see what was on sale because it's hubby's favorite holiday and I wanted to decorate with stuff he'd like too. I saw these adorable black iron spider table top candleholders that were on sale for 30% off. Ah, I love sales ... Anyway, I did quick math in my head, realised I have enough cash to get it with the stuff I needed as well. So I quickly ran over to the needlepoint section, grabbed the floss that I needed and headed to the register.

Maybe it was just all falling into place too well and something had to go wrong, but when I got to my turn in line and the cashier started to ring things up, I noticed that the spider candleholder was at full price. "I'm sorry," I said, "but the spider was on sale."

No, it's ringing up full price," she said.

"I'm sure there was a sign next to it saying it was 30% or 50% off," I said, which was met with a look of boredom from the cashier. The shae radioed the manager, "There's a customer who says a candleholder is on sale but its ringing up as regualr price," she said with the most boredom I've heard in a long time. She waited a minute then said, "He said if it was on sale it'd ring up that price."

"Do you mind go look while you finish scanning," I asked, trying again.

"I guess," she said.

I ran over and sure enough there was the sign, "30% Off Celebrate It! Halloween Decor Tabletop". Not wanting to take the sign off the rack, I took 2 quick pictures with my phone making sure the sign and spiders were visable and went back to the register.

"Oh, you took a picture," said when I handed her the phone. She returned a few minutes later She stood there almost a full minute looking at the picture then radioed the manager. I'm not sure what he said, but she said, "This says 'Celebrate it! Tabletop Candleholder Collection," looking at the tag on the spider.

"Well, there were decorated candles next to it, not everything was a candleholder," I said.

"Let me go see," she said and left to go look.

I stood there feeling so bad that the lady with the infant behind me was waiting, but she assured me she'd do the same. The cashier returned and pulled out a sales paper and S-L-O-W-L-Y flipped through it. She radioed the manager again, then looked through the paper again.

"I ... guess ... I ... can ... just ... give ... you ... 30% ... off ..." she said dragging each word out as if it took every ounce of energy she had.

She finished ringing me up and I apologized to the lady with the baby again, who smiled and said no problem, before leaving.

I mean, was it really that difficult?!? You would think I was trying to get 50% off a car at a dealership, not 30% off a $4.99 candleholder! Does everything here in Miami have to be SO DARN DIFFICULT!?!

Well, I got my spider and here is a picture of it with my candles I got on sale at Yankee Candle ... Now, Yankee Candle- they have GREAT customer service!!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Spring Revisited

2011-09-09T10:58:00.001-04:00

As I get ready to face the challenge of seasonal decorating with the assistance of a toddler, I thought I'd pay homage to spring (and maybe summer for some) with this fun freebie..

A few years ago I had found this Spring Flower pattern by Lizzie Kate. In anticipation of Easter, I had the time to alter it a little with some of my favorite Spring colors and created this table runner.

(corners)

(center)

I started it at the beginnig of April with the goal of getting it complete for Easter ... I finished it the Saturday before- talk about close!

After Easter, I decided I liked it so much I wanted to make a dish towel with the same pattern, though I altered it a bit.

Here is the sample photo posted with the pattern link at Lizzie Kate.

designed by:LizzieKate
Pattern found at: LizzieKate's Cross Stitch Freebies
Stitched:
April 2011

Material:
(towel) Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel
(table runner) Charles Craft 14-count Aida Table Runner

Floss:
DMC, suggestioned colors

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Flip Flops Rock!

2011-09-02T16:15:00.000-04:00

Sorry I didn't get to post last Friday. My husband and I went to Disney WOrld to celebrate his 30th birthday and our lil Monkey stayed home with his Nana who came to visit. It was a great chance for us to finally have some "couples time".This week's project is one that I had so much fun doing. I absolutely loved this pattern when I first saw it!! Its actually a single pattern that I broke into to two pieces for a towel and a bookmarker. I repeated some of the colors that I liked and made it my own!Original pattern ...

Here is my version ...

designed by:Janlynn
Pattern found at: Janlynn's Free Cross Stitch Patterns Page

Stitched:
May 2011
Material:
(towel) Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel
(bookmarker) Charles Craft lace bookmarker with 14-count Aida

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Bird House

2011-08-19T19:53:00.000-04:00

Here is another one from Penelopis. I absolutely love her work! I loved this birdhouse and thought it'd be great on a kitchen towel. When I was done, I decided to make a matching potholder - my first! It was not easy, but I like the way it turned out. I think I want to do an other towel with 3 birdhouses at different levels now, but it'll be later if I do.

designed by:Penelopis
Pattern found at: Penelopis' Cross Stitch Freebies

Stitched:
July 2011

Material:
(towel) Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel
(potholder) Charles Craft quilted 8” x 8” terry
potholder with 14-count Aida pocket

Floss:
DMC 535 (grey); DMC 648 (light grey); DMC 3716 (pink)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Luck of the Irish

2011-08-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Freebie Friday! This was a fun one for me and it took me a while to realize I hadn't posted this one yet. I don't remember when I first found this designer but she has such adorable patterns. When I decided to stitch a towel for each holiday this year, St. Patrick' Day was a no-brainer, this was the first choice. It did take me a little bit to decide if I wanted to alter it, and in the end I decided to add the second clover because I absolutely love these Charles Craft waffle weave towels. So this is it ...

designed by: Cosmic Handmade
Pattern found at her blog: Cosmic Handmade-Free Charts 2008

Stitched:
March 2011

Material:
Charles Craft diamond terry weave towel with
a 16-count Aida border

Floss:
Pattern Reccommendations

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon

2011-08-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

I always say that there is no such thing as "too much pink", but I think there is one intance I'd love to see pink disappear and that is when we find a cure ... no prevention ... for breast cancer.

This week's Freebie Friday is a beautiful Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon provided by Artecy Cross Stitch.

This is a personal one for me because it is not just the pink that draws me to this ribbon, but the of the fight and determination that I saw in my grandmother and family when she waged war against it when I was in college. I watched as she quietly battled this war while our family rallied to offer love and support and in the end, she won - no, we won. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have her with us, to share with her the stories of our little boy and the promises we make to him to let him see "Ma & Pa's horses" next time we are home in Texas.

The great thing about this free ribbon is that designer Tereena Clarke has allowed stitchers to use her pattern to create pieces for donations for Breast Cancer Research. So stop by and peruse the great patterns at Artecy Cross Stitch.

designed by: Tereena Clarke, owner and designer, Artecy Cross Stitch
Pattern found at: Artecy's Cross Stitch Free Patterns

Stitched:
July 2011

Material:
Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel

Floss:
Pattern Reccomendations

P.S.: Check back soon, I have (with the permission of the designer) altered this pattern for something special!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Whimsical Cup

2011-07-29T10:00:00.011-04:00

This whimsical cup was a free pattern I found on Michael's craft site in the projects. I stitched this tea towel as one of the first "house" projects after George and I were married.

(closer view)

designed by: Alice Okin for DMC
Pattern found at: Michael's Projects: Cross Stitch

Stitched:Sometime between 2005-2007

Material:
Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel

Floss:
Pattern Reccomendations

Until our next cup of tea ...

Freebie Friday: Fun with Fluer de Lis!

2011-07-22T10:00:00.005-04:00

So this was a towel I stitched April and didn't get a chance to post. I really love Fluer de Lis- which is kind of a rule growing up in Louisiana, along with eat crawfish and go to LSU ... I'm not much of a Saints fan though ...

Anyway, my kitchen is grey, white and pink and I found this freebie when I stumbled across a blog called Penelopis' Cross Stitch Freebies! She has so many beautiful freebies - mostly monocromatic - that have that French feel (to me at least). There are crowns, vintage ladies, and birdcages, high heel shoes, etc. Very French chic!

Well this was one of two Fluer de Lis that I found and just had to start stitching right away. I like the pop of pink - which was a bit of a last minute decision. What do you think?

designed by:Penelopis
Pattern found at: Penelopis' Cross Stitch Freebies

Stitched:April 2011

Material:
Charles Craft Banded Huck Towels with 14-count
woven-in Aida band

Floss:DMC 535 (grey); DMC 3716 (pink)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Quilting for Sanity!

2011-07-15T22:00:00.001-04:00

Now I know that it has been 2 months since I last posted and I must say I feel bad, but I have been keeping busy. I have gotten a variety of projects completed, my craft stash is in the process of being organized and I am currently looking for a part-time job while chasing a very active toddler!

Recently, my husband was deployed and I decided it was time to get some projects organized and on the road to completion. Here is one of my favorites:

I fell in love with this burgandy paisley fabric and a complementing striped one in JoAnn's a few years ago. Originally it was to be for the dining room but when we inherited my husband's family furniture the dining room was complete! So just before he left on this last deployment I decided to make a simple 9-inch square quilt ... and maybe pillow case with any extra fabric. After doing the math, I realized I could make a nearly 5-foot square quilt ... with blocks on both sides ... if I was efficient and ...well, I'm a military wife, I sleep efficiently!

So I went to JoAnn's to find some additiona fabric (conviently located across the street from my gym- talk about incentive). There I found 2 complementing fabrics, a brown and a green, that didn't compete with the busy paisley and striped ones.

I came home and cut down the fabric one night after the baby went to bed. The deployment (thankfully) was only a few weeks this time and there was a lot of unplanned things, like the baby getting sick, family coming to visit, mutant mosquitoes attacking the baby causing his face to swell ... well you get the idea. So I didn't get to start sewing on it until the week hubby returned. Luckily, the large blocks and easy "patterns" allowed me to finish it over 3 days- a total of 9 hours. Each side has the same blocks, but in a different pattern.

"Front"

"Back"

When I completed the front and back measured 54-inches ... and you know me, I need even numbers, so I decided to add 6-inches of border. True to my luck they only had the brown fabric left, the green was gone, so I decided to get a tan that I had originally looked at but felt that a brown and tan might make the quilt a little too "dark". My luck didn't return when I get to the register and realized I was one coupon short of the items I had. Not too bad since the price was good already, but I realized when I was working out before going to the store that so far all of the fabric had either been on sale, on clearance or purchased with a coupon. Darn! So close to a "half-price" quilt!

Well, I still have to add the border and find someone to quilt it for a price that won't leave me short on diapers or milk, but I'm kind of excited! I'll post photos when I get it completed ... hopefully soon.

(BTW, I'm well aware of the irony of making a quilt in the middle of summer ... in South Florida!)

Well, off to work on another quilt!

Hello Spring!

2011-05-17T19:55:00.000-04:00

Wow! It's been a while since I posted, but I've been keeping busy ... not only with the baby and life as a military wife in general, but I've managed to get some projects done as well.

A few years ago I had found this Spring Flower pattern by Lizzie Kate. In anticipation of Easter, I had the time to alter it a little with some of my favorite Spring colors and created this table runner.

(corners)

(center)

I started it at the beginnig of April with the goal of getting it complete for Easter ... I finished it the Saturday before- talk about close!

After Easter, I decided I liked it so much I wanted to make a dish towel with the same pattern, though I altered it a bit.

Here is the sample photo posted with the pattern link at Lizzie Kate.

Well, now that the baby is asleep, I'm headed off to work on a quilt for the guest bedroom ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

Just the numbers, please!

2011-04-02T16:20:00.001-04:00

Military life has a way of forcing you to look at life through a different pair of glasses. Time is measured in deployment cycles, friends are characterized by the military installation you met them, and a house is designed around what you were able to find when you moved. The important things are determined by what you take with you versus what you allow the movers to take ... in hopes that you'll see it again in less than 6 weeks!

Now this is what I've become accustomed to, but the other day I notice a similarity between military life and crafting. Now, I know you're probably thinking, "Where is she going with this?"

Well, as a military spouse, you often learn to cope with the stress, seperation and rollercoaster life ... for me, I participate in a variety of crafts ... cross stitching, quilting, scrapbooking and organizing.

Well, the other day, while hubby was finishing up a conference somewhere to the north of us (which being in S. Florida could be anywhere, I guess!), I went to Lowe's to finally get the pegs for the bookshelf that had gotten lost when we moved here 15 months ago. With a baby soon to arrive, it was not a priority at the time, and life since then has been a little hectic. So I finally got around to it because with hubby gone, I had planned to box up most of the books which were from when I was finishing my masters and the leftover "professional development books" he had from the Army but he isn't using at this assignment. My goal was to use it for books on the top and organizing crafts on the bottom.

So anyway, while I was there I was looking at paint samples which I use in the house book (another story) so that when we are buying furniture, moving, etc. I can make sure that everything is matching as close as possible. So the associate asked me if I was looking for a particular color.

"Oh, I'd been thinking about painting the kitchen," I said, though it wouldn't be until our next move.

"Well, what color are you looking for?," he asked.

"DMC 535, is what I want for the walls, but its accented with 3716," I replied, not even thinking about it.

After a moment of silence, I turned and looked at him and the confusion on his face was evident.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said with a laugh, "I've been handstitching some kitchen towels. Its a medium grey and a light pink."

"Oh, he said with a laugh, "well, those are over here."

I thanked him and grabbed a sample or two of the grey. "I guess you think I'm a little crazy," I said, as I turned to go get the furniture pegs.

"No really," he replied. "My wife picks colors by shoes designers. At least you're makes sense."

I walked away laugh and thought to myslef, I'm sure it all seems to make sense in our heads, its once you say it out loud that you start to wonder ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

While away, a crafter will play ...

2011-03-20T21:21:00.000-04:00

So I know I've been away a while, but I've got a lot of things going on. Among other things, I've gotten a few projects completed.

One goal that I had this year was to stitch a kitchen towel for each holiday. They usually only take a few days to make so, here's a look at what's been keeping me sane ...

This was a quick Valentine's Day towel. I stitched much of it while I flew to Houston for a quick weekend trip.

This one was a favorite. It was actally a freebie pattern from Accent's Inc., called Jester Face. It didn't have a color legend, you were able to pick your own colors and make it unique.

This one was a fun one. It was another freebie from Penelopis' Cross Stitch Freebies. Its a wonderful site with BEAUTIFUL patterns, I think she's got some amazing stuff and can't wait to get more done.

I did it in the bright pink that I have splashed throughout the kitchen. Eventually, I'd love to do white on a soft grey for my office. I think it would e so pretty in white frames. If anyone has suggestions for where I'd find some fabric, please let me know.

Lastly, this one took a bit of time. First I had to convert the colors from specialty threads listed on the pattern, then I was stitching on it intermittently as I was stitching the others because its "fall-ish" and its hard to get in the mood of "darks" when Spring is just around the corner. Eventually, I'll do a few more in the freebie series and as soon as I find the website, I'll post it.

Well, I'm off to get more blogging done (on our family site so my parents can see pics of their No. 1 grandchild!)

Happy crafting,

Monkey Business ...

2011-02-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

Wow! Its been a while since I've posted on here hasn't it!?!

Well a lot has been happening ... Our little guy has celebrated his first Christmas and first birthday. Unfortunately, I didn't get his Christmas stocking finished, but I'll post and update on that later. I did get to finish some other things for him.

First, this was part of his Christmas stocking ... its a towel and (will) have a matching bib. (I'm having trouble finding all white toddler bibs. They all have stars or some other design on them that I have found either girly or baby-ish!)

He absolutely loved it and dragged it around for a while. Thanks to Meari @ Meari's Musings for finding the monkey pattern for me! You don't know how much I love it! I'm trying to think of other projects to use it on!

For his first birthday this past week (2-9) I made both a towel and bib for him!

Well, I'm off to clean a little so I can do some more crafty stuff when lil Monkey takes his afternoon nap.

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 11

2010-11-14T10:27:00.000-05:00

It's begining to look like Christmas ...

Well, I can see the end in sight, but still got lots to do before we can fill it with goodies. I got a little more done this week. I'd hoped to be further this week, but I didn't like the letters in the original pattern so I spent a little time looking through other books and stuff for ones I liked, then last night I found them ... in the pattern before this stocking in the same book!

This week was also Veteran's Day so hubby had a 4-day holiday and we spent some family time together. He even went with me to the craft store on Friday (Michael's) and Saturday (JoAnn's) so I could pick up some stuff I need for the stocking and to make my nieces a little present for the holidays. My brother is self-employed and they had their first baby 3 months after Jamie ... my mom's second grandchild, a girl! My younger half-sisters, whom he and his wife adopted shortly after they got married and are now considered "nieces" are in college (2) and high school (2), so they voted to just get one big family gift this year instead of individual gifts. Mom makes afgans like crazy, so she's going to pull some that she finished and put away for them. Anyway, they're really great girls and have been a great help to my brother and sister-in-law after a difficult pregnancy, so I wanted to surprise them with something. (My SIL has muscular dystrophy and was off her feet starting at about 3 months I think.)

Anyway, back to the stocking, now I'm ready to get the header done this week and hopefully some of the face ... UGH! I hate the intricacies of faces ... all those half and quarter stitches! Oh, well, hopefully this time next week it'll be over ... then I can concentrate on finishing the filler parts and then the dreaded backstitching!

Week 11 (Nov. 14)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Christmas Stocking Update ... Weeks 9 & 10

2010-11-09T14:41:00.008-05:00

Week 10 (Nov. 7)

Well I didn't post a photo last Sunday (Oct. 31) since I hadn't gotten anything done that week. We joined Baby Jamie's godparents at DisneyWorld for Halloween weekend. But that following week I more than made up for it! I feel like I'm in the homestretch now. I just have the face (UGH!), nameplate and filling in to do, to do, then the outlining and sew it into shape! I'll probably be cutting it close, but as long as he has it for Christmas theres no use stressing the rest.

Tote-ally Out of Control!

2010-10-28T22:10:00.000-04:00

So I finally had time to sit down and play with the sewing & embroidery machine that my husband got me for Christmas. Well, actually, I've been sewing on it sporatically for the past 10 months (as I can fit in now that the baby is getting more mobile.)

Well, I'd only been able to try out the embroidery part once before and I couldn't figure out why the tension was too loose causing big loops during stitching. When my mom came to visit in August she looked it over and I learned I was using the wrong thread weight. Whew! That's an easy fix!

Well, I'm finally getting around to trying it again and "Voila!" it worked! I was embroidering like a fool the last three last night!a Anything I could get my hands on. I actually "destroyed" a neatly organized and color coded bin of fabric looking for anything to embroider on! Unfortunately, I ony had one bobbin left and filled it with the orange I wanted to use for Baby Geo's Halloween tote, so Halloween orange it was!

First I practiced a little and then did a Halloween towel for the kitchen ...

It turned out so cute I got started ... I made his tote, then me a tote, and since I had more orange floss left ... I made a Halloween tote for his godmother & aunt, Mindy. (Since she doesn't visit thie blog I can post it. We surprise her with it tomorrow!) Here they are ...

Baby Geo's Halloween bag

My Halloween "boo" bag

(front)

(back)

Aunt Mimi's Halloween tiny tote (front & back)

I had so much fun, I looked through my fabric bin and decided to make myself the every day tote I'd been planning but never found time for. I got to play around with some decorative stitches and created a one-of-a-kind pink and chocolate tote, measuring just over 16 inches wide and just shy of 16 inches tall. What do you think?

I have a little "perfecting" to do on the tote, but once I get it figured out I think I'll make one for Mindy and my niece Stepha, my mini-me, for Christmas. I'll post pics when I do.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 8

2010-10-25T22:06:00.000-04:00

Just chuggin' along! I'm trying to enjoy it rather than panic over how much time I have left. Here is this week's update.

Week 8 (Oct. 25, 2010)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 7

2010-10-18T08:56:00.000-04:00

So another week has gone by, and though I didn't get as much done as I wanted I was happy that I got some time on it. I'm hoping that maybe the next two weeks will have some progress because 1.) The children's playgroup I lead is cancelled for Halloween activities at the location and 2.) I really need to get it done!

Here is this week's progress:

Until our next cup of tea ...

Works in Progress: Cross Stitching

2010-10-17T21:05:00.000-04:00

So here is a more indepth list (and some photos) of my cross stitch WIPs. As I was collecting photos for the post I found even more than the original post listing them! Yikes!

Jamie’s Christmas Stocking: hoping to get done in the next few weeks! Various posts recently showing progress.

Army Seal: started in summer 2002, but am stitching on 22-count over 2, set it aside for something more relaxing on the eyes. I have about 85-90% done, but last worked on it every day the 3 months my father-in-law was in the hospital. After he passed it was hard to look at, so it went to the closet. This will be the hardest to complete. (Photo taken: 11/14/2008)

Daisy Tablecloth: this is one of my favorites, but since it is a repeating pattern I usually alternate with other projects. I lost it for a minute when we moved, but found it just as I was starting Jamie's stocking. Definitely want to get it done before next spring. (Photo taken: 4/16/2010)

Rose Quilt Blocks: I bought these quilt blocks in hopes of making it for our spare bed, but then changed my mind. Want to finish and decide what to do with at that point. I think there are 6 panels. (Photo taken: 10/17/2010)

"Lindsey" Stained Glass: This was actually an altered pattern. I think the stained glass was a holiday piece, so I found some lettering that I liked and decided to change it to our last name so we could display all year-long. A friend borrowed the book to stitch a stocking for her husband, but 3 years later returned the book having only done one for her son. Unfortunately the book was returned the week we were moving, so it is on a box somewhere since the craft room had already been packed. When I find to project, I'll post a photo.

Easter Bunny and Egg: My mom bought this pattern and I was excited when she asked me to do it for her, but then she bought those cheap varigated threads from Wal-Mart instead of the WDW specialty threads and I HATE stitching it, but it's been 5 years and she keeps pestering me, so hopefully I can muster the strength to finish for this year. (Photo taken: 1/18/2009)

Roly Poly Santas: I loved these! They were in a cross-stitch magazine and I fell in love. Unfortunately I had one of those totes that you can put photos in, and Sgt. Major took offense to the dog (him) on the bag and pulled if off the closet door and chewed through the bag and one of the Santas while I was at work. I couldn't figure out how to repare the rip, so I set it aside, but hope to finish for next Christmas. (Photos taken: 8/19/2007)

12 Small Christmas Ornaments (former SAL): I am HORRIBLE at stitch-a-longs! Please don't ever let me join. I do good the first month or so, then life happens and I NEVER finish! Maybe that's why every time I do an exchange I send off my piece (I'm good when its for other people) but never get one myself. This has happened 4 time! Anyway, I was doing an ornament one the first two are completed ... the third one, not so much ... and number 4-12 never got started! They are small and its a great set so I am determined to get them done! (Photos taken: 10/17/2010)

Watermelon Dish Towel: a free pattern than came with the towel purchase. I started this one last year and it got packed up in the move from Georgia to Florida. I was stitching on it when we were driving back and forth to Houston (from Florida) for the baby shower last Novemeber, so when I find it, I'll post a photo.

Candy Cane Dish Towel: another free pattern that came with the towel purchase. It was lost among the packing when we move from Louisiana to Georgia (see a pattern?)

Heart Ornaments: I actually just found these. I'd completely forgotten. When my husband was deployed the first time in 2005, I would stitch these when I'd got hide out at my Father-in-laws on weekends. We were only 3 hours away and he was the only one who truly understood what I was going through. I guess I'll finish these up for our red, white and gold tree. (Photos taken: 10/17/2010)

Well, that's the cross stitching WIPs, at least the ones I am aware of. It has taken me 23.5 hours to complete this post! If I find more projects I'll definately post. Soon I will add the sewing WIPs, some of which are cross stitch patterns that need to be "finished".

Until our next cup of tea ...

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 6

2010-10-12T14:11:00.001-04:00

So I'm going to try to post this every Monday, but yesterday was a busy day. Hubby was off of work (and again today) so we were out and about enjoying some family time.

Anyway, I don't feel like I got much progress done last week, but something is better than nothing! Here is progress as of Sunday morning ...

I'm hoping this week to get the teddy bear and some of the toys in the center next the to block done this week, finishing the top and rest hopefully by the end of the month and just do the backstitching (which I HATE!) at the beginning of Novemeber. My goal is to have it completely done by end of November sowe can use it with his Christmas pictures.

(Fingers crossed) Hopefully, I can stick to the schedule. I'll keep posting updates.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Starting is the easy part!

2010-10-10T17:15:00.000-04:00

“Winning isn't always finishing first. Sometimes winning is just finishing.”

So it is time ... time to face my "beginnings" and the journey to completion. As I look at my list of unfinished projects, I see that the journey to completion is one less traveled. "Unfinished" is a rare place for me. I am a chronic creator who longs to see the final product when it comes to my personal and professional life. As a "creative soul" a professional career in Public Relations and Marketing is wonderful. I can be creative, I am calm, caculated and methodic as I strive to see whatever project I am deeply engrossed in come to live and eventual completion. My collection of teacups and saucers as well as family glass and china heirlooms are carefully catologed as to the nature of when, why and whom gave them to me.

However, when it come to craft project ... cross stitch, sewing, quilting or scrapbooking ... I am totally out of control. They are my kryptonite ... the Mr. Hyde to my Dr. Jekyl. I am a chronic starter. I see something that catches my eye and it consumes me until I start it. I am axious to see it through, imagining how and where it will be desplayed, but then some other "shiny object" catches my attention and I am like a kitten with a ball of yarn.

So here and today, I have vowed to compile a list of my WIPs and set goals to completion. I can't promise that I won't start another project, but I will try to adhere to for every one start, I must match with two finishes. Now that the terms have been set, let's see what the damage is:

Project List 2010
To Be Completed:

Sewing:
Pink and Blue Baby Blanket
Pink and Blue Doll Quilt
Freedom Wallhanging
Purple Quilt Block (ornament for Rita)
Christmas Wreath Pillow
Blue and Gold Heart Quilt
Jamie’s Quilt
Blue and Chocolate floor quilt

Cross Stitch:
Jamie’s Christmas Stocking
Army Seal
Daisy Tablecloth
Rose Quilt Blocks
God Bless Me Pillow
God Bless Me Blanket
Lindsey Stained Glass
Easter Bunny and Egg
Roly Poly Santas
12 Small Christmas Ornaments (former SAL)
Watermelon Dish Towel

Scrapbook:
Jamie’s Book: Baby Shower
Jamie’s Book: Birth Day
Jamie’s Book: First Bath
Jamie’s Book: Meeting the Godparents
Jamie’s Book: First Easter
Jamie's Book: First 4th of July
Jamie's Book: Meeting the Family, First Road Trip
Jamie's Book: First Halloween

Wow! When you see it all out there, it makes you want to start crossing things off! Right now I am working on Jamie's Christmas stocking. I've got pictures of some of these projects, and will upload by category in the next week. Maybe a little "oohing and aahing" will help motivate me.

Well, I'm off to get some "stitching" done (see already tackling the list!)

Until our next cup of tea ...

“My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”

Freebie Alert:Halloween Tea

2010-10-08T21:04:00.000-04:00

O.k. So I probably won't do this on a regular basis because I can't promise to always get something posted, but I am deep into holiday mode now that I am stitching Jamie's Christmas stocking.

I came across this Haunted Tea Party cross stitch pattern at Brooke Books Publishing and just HAD to share! I mean as a teacup collector all things "tea" intrique me, but this was just so darn cute!

I don't think I'll get it stitched in time for this year, but if you decide to stitch it, drop me a note and I'll post a link to your blog.

Happy Halloween fellow "witches with stitches",

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 5

2010-10-06T22:46:00.001-04:00

O.k. So here is another week's worth of work. It's coming along slowly, though I haven't started to freak about it not being done in time for the holidays. Hubby will complete the class he's been taking three nights a week this Saturday, so I'm hoping that he will be willing to watch Jamie a little more so I can work on the stocking.

Five weeks isn't bad for the progress I've made ... or at least looking at everything I'm juggling, I don't think so. I'm actually further now in 5 weeks on this one than I was in the nearly 3 monthsI spent on the first attempt, but then again I didn't have the looming holiday!

Week 5 (Oct. 3, 2010)

I actually haven't done ANYTHING on it this week, so this is exactly what it looks like right now. I am about to head up to bed and stitch a little while hubby does some homework.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 4

2010-10-01T21:27:00.003-04:00

Here is the update on Jamie's Christmas stocking as of Saturday night. I take photos every Sunday morning, before starting to stitch.

Week 4 (Sept.26, 2010)

I'm really enjoying stitching this and watching it come together as long as I don't think of how much time I have left before Christmas (84 days if you're wondering!)George is pretty excited about Jamie's first Christmas as well, even though Halloween is his favorite holiday.

Today, I loaded Jamie up and after running some errands, headed over to Jo-Ann's Fabrics. I really love craft shopping. It so exhilerating starting a new project ... and I am a perpetual starter. I have to force myslef to finish, especially the larger projects, because something new is always catching my eye and I get excited.

Anyway, today I went looking specifically for fabric to decorate a tote for Jamie for Halloween and tricker-or-treating. While I was there I picked up two more fat quarters for a "vintage" quilt that I was making for me and some fabric for the stocking. This is the Christmas fabric I picked.

It was by sheer chance that I found this. The green matches almost exactly the Santa's suit on the stocking (you'll see part of that in the next update photo.) I was worries that everything would be "Chistmas" reds and greens, and that finding something that more of olives and burgandies would be something that I had to search for. I really like not only the colors, but the pattern as well.

Well, I'm off to get some stitching done before bed, I'll post more follow up photos as well as some updates on other projects.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Creating Christmas Memories!

2010-09-23T17:15:00.001-04:00

Anyone who knows me, would not be surprised to hear that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Growing up with my dad and step-mother who had 12 children between the two of them, left little time or energy to put much effort into Chistmas and as a little girl, even into my teen years, I vowed that when I had chicldren that Christmas would be what it was meant to be ... a magical time of year.

Well, during my whole pregnancy I searched through my cross stitch magazine and book collection, looking for the perfect stocking for our little angel. I finally had it picked out and when he was 3-months-old I started stitching. I spent any free time I had on it, which wasn't much with a newborn. 3 months into it, I realized that despite my hard work, I had managed to miscount when crossing from one page of the pattern to another, leaving a 12-stitch gap. UGH! I had to start over! I was nearly halfway done and the mistake was right in the middle of the whole thing. Rather than cry over it, I started collected what I needed and decided that I would stitch it on 14-count Aida, instead of 28-count, over 2. I prefer the softer look of the smaller count, but it definately harder when working on a larger project and I only had from Septemeber until Novemeber to stitch it and sew it, so we could take his Christmas photos with it.

Well, I'm making progress. I work on it for a few hours each day and am only ehind about a week from where I'd planned to be. So far here is the weekly progress pictures.

Week 1 (Sept. 5, 2010)

Week 2 (Sept. 12, 2010)

Week 3 (Sept. 19, 2010)

I feel like I'm making progress this week, despite Jamie's teething issues. I'll post updates as I go along.

The stocking I chose was "Opening His Pack" by Nancy Rossiin the book, "The Stockings Were Hung." (Sorry for the glare!)

Well, off to get a little stitching done before bedtime!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Monkey's Favorite Spot

2010-09-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

So this past summer we went home (Texas) for a month while my husband was out of the country on an assignment. Many of the family members had yet to meet this little guy since the Army deemed it vital to move us to the OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE U.S. when I was 8-months pregnant, but that's Army life!

While we were there, our little Monkey, as we like to call this happy and active little gift of our, spent a lot of time being spoiled. As the first grandchild/great grandchild on both sides, he was quite a commodity, though my brother quickly followed up with the second grandchild, first grand-daughter, 3 months after Monkey was born.

So went a day on Pa Frank and Ma Joyce's ranch (my grandparents). While we were there lil man recieved his first "made with love" quilt ... his response was to promptly fall alseep on it ... in nothing but a diaper! (How's that for breaking it in!?!)

Over the past few months he has become quite attached to it ... to the point I have to make sure he doesn't fall out of the recliner in his room when I pull it out. Let me explain ...

Monkey is very good at sitting in the recliner with a toy while I fold his laundry or change his sheets, however, every day after his lunchtime nap, I lay the quilt on the floor, throw some toys on it and we practice sitting, crawling, and other age appropriate activities. Now he's got a small room and with the quilt on the floor nearly the whole room is covered in furniture or something, so as soon as I pull it off the toy box (beside the recliner) and open it up, he flips over on his tummy and pushes off the back of the chair and slides down the front to get to the quilt. Luckily I am there to catch him as his feet hit the floor ... much to his amusement. It is a fun game for him, but mommy still gets nervous. Maybe this game is why he was standing on his own, long before the crawl or sitting were attempted (on his part.)

He is content to play on the quilt for quite a while, unless the puppy walks by and he tries to follow. He's just happy as can be, playing on his quilt ... and mommy is happy becasue she gets to sit doen and relax for a minute!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Emerging from Chaos, Still Sleep Deprived, But Stitching!

2010-09-21T14:20:00.000-04:00

So lately I've been juggling a lot of things, life with a baby, job search, home maintainence, weight loss (attempt), unit families, leading Baby/Toddler Music group and well, my sanity. My sanity seems to be on the loosing end.

In an attempt to not end up curled up in a corner, crying for my mommy (or chocolate!) I have to spend some time, though not nearly as much as I'd like, on craft projects. My main priority is the baby's Christmas stocking, but I also have two quilts that the tops are about halfway completed (one a little more, the other a little less).

When my mom and step-father came to visit in early August I had the chance to get a little more time in on projects while they took care of the baby. Granted they kept pushing me to relax more than I was, but its hard not to constantly feel like I needed to clean the house while they were here. For years I suffered under a "clean your room, clear your dished or suffer the consequences" regime, so relaxing is hard if there is even one dish in the sink or dirty sock lurking nearby.

I did take some time though and wanting to be a little more organized, decided to make a quick-stitch tote (no liner or anything fancy) so that I could keep whatever project (the baby's stocking) all together and be able to "Grab and Go" if needed (like if Geo has to go to the base to check in or something before we do dinner.)

So my mom and I made a quick trip to JoAnn's while my step-father watched the baby (EEK!) and an hour after starting this is what I had:

My mom really liked it and rather than risk finding it missing after she returned home, I offered to make one for her too. She picked some fabric from my small collection and this is what she got a little over an hour later!

Now the stocking is another story, and I'll post progress pictures and details soon (hopefully!) Life here is crazy and I am sorry to say my blog may be suffering, but I will try to be better ... (It took me 3 days to finish this one!)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Baby Jamie's 1st Quilt ... (by Mommy that is)

2010-02-05T17:30:00.002-05:00

O.k. so where was I? Oh, yes, I was sharing the creations of a newly revived need for crafts! I've been busy working on finishing a stitching project for Baby Jamie, but have been having some difficulty posting because at 38-weeks pregnant there is NO position, sitting, lying down or standing that is comfortable and my laptop no longer fits on my lap, so typing is hard. My poor arms barely reach around the baby belly so sitting at the desk is hard and my back aches a lot.

However, while I have the energy and limited back aches, I wanted to post pictures of a quilt I'd put together for Jamie. As I'd written in the Christmas post on my military life blog, Cup of Tea with Friends, I got a sewing and embroidery machine for Christmas and was so excited, I had it out of the box within an hour (I had to clean up all the mess we'd made first.)

As hubby sat down to play one of his new XBox games, the pup and I headed upstairs to the guest room to see what fabric I had in the craft bins. Most of it was pinks and other "girly" fabrics and I really wanted to do something for the baby. After a bit of searching (and nearly destrying the almost completely organized closet) I found some 6-inch squares of muslin fabric and blue with tan stars fabric. I'd forgotten that at one time I was going to make George a quilt (even though I had no sewing machine!)

Since it matched Jamie's Vintage Mickey bedding set, I brought it downstairs and got started. The next day we went to Jo Ann's after visiting a Soldier in the hospital and I picked up some burgandy striped material (among other things). By the start of the new year, this is where I'd gotten ...

As you can see it sort of matches his Vintage Mickey-themed bedding set. (I wanted something that would grow with him!)

My mom arrives tomorrow and I will have her go with me to get material for the border and backing so we can finish it.

Well, I'm off to rest!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Making the Furbaby Comfy and Safe

2010-01-09T22:30:00.000-05:00

So as I'll post in a day or so on A Cup of Tea with Friends, my military life blog, the new king bed we got for Christmas was delivered on Thursday. It made the mattress higher than usual (about 2.5-feet to the top of the mattress) and now the puppy's steps are too short for him to get on and off easily. Well, last night, the poor guy was trying to climb down using the steps and lost his footing and completely fell off the bed, nearly hitting his head on the crib we'd set up in there recently. It woke me up (since I haven't been sleeping well anyway) and he just lay there dazed and confused.

I checked him to make sure he was o.k. since it was a complete face plant into the carpet (his short legs have problems catching him). About 15-minutes later he climbed back in bed with the steps and got stuck at the top so I got up to help him up the nearly 12-inch gap. He was just shaking at the top step scared to try to hop. It kind of woke my hubby up and I told him Sgt. Major had fallen and was now too scared to climb in bed by himself. Well, that set the agenda for today.

Despite the (upper) 30 degree weather and freezing rain, hubby and I donned our college sweat shirts and warm(-ish) pants and headed to Lowes to get supplied to make a ramp for the puppy. We spent the morning designing it so that it was sturdy, but wide enough for him to turn and fell comfortable going down on. Supply list in hand we headed to Lowes.

After 4-hours of bitter cold and (much) irritation as to how to go about making it (we have DIFFERENT ways of doing things, I am more planning and design and he likes to "wing it"), we finally got the frame done.

As you can see (below), Sgt. Major liked it so much he was willing to walk up the ramp going nowhere and we couldn't get him off of it, even as we tried to wrap it in carpet ...

We did get it fiished though and it turned out great. (The notch is so it fits over the footbaord and snuggle up again the mattress so there is no gap.)

I think in the (distant) future we'll wrap a piece of plywood in the leather like our headboard or stain it a chocolate brown to match the bed, so it looks better, but for now, the pup can safely snuggle in bed with me when he wants.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Bitten by the bug again!

2010-01-08T23:08:00.001-05:00

OMG! I can't believe it has been 4 months since I last posted! In all honesty though, it has been about that long since I've been able to do any significant crafts. A lot has been going on. In October the Army moved us again ... not that I'm complaining, we're in Miami now, but I was more than 7-months pregnant! After a week here at the new house, we headed to Houston for almost 3 weeks for the baby shower and to visit family. After returning we learned that my grandfather had been in a serious car crash and a week later despite all of the doctors efforts he passed away and we drove to Louisiana to attend the funeral. Then we arrived back in Miami at the beginning of December and George started his new command position and I attempted to unpack as much of the house as possible.

So now it's January and things are settling down, which is good because I'm about 6-weeks away from my due date and it's time to start concentrating on baby preparations.

When we went to Louisiana for the funeral my grandmother gave me the baby blanket she had finished a month or so earlier. Since she has so many grandchildren (16) much less the great-grandchildren (4) she is making one blanket for each grandchild's family. She had started making blankets for each of the grandkids in the last year and that was enough to keep her crocheting into the late hours, but then both my (biological) brother and I found out we were expecting at the same time! Boy is her plate full now! (She says God did that to help her keep busy now that my grandfather has passed.) So she asked if making one with blue, pink and yellow was o.k. so that if we have a girl later on we can use if for her too! I think it turned out beautiful!!!

It's bittersweet to have such a beautiful blanket that she worked on while caring for my grandfather even before the accident and G'Pa will certainly be missed.

It will be the first two (biological) great-grandchild for our paternal family and first great-grandchildren for out maternal.

My mother is also crocheting him a blanket and I have some things on my list as well. For a baby in South Florida, he's sure going to have a lot of blankets!

I've got more posts coming soon, so please stop back by. I've got some projects that I am h=finishing now that I am suppose to be resting more.

Until our next cup of tea ...

A Promise of better things to come ...

2009-08-31T12:19:00.002-04:00

O.k. This is my promise to be a better blogger friend! With the move, finishing my masters and then getting pregnant, I admit that I have not had as much time as I'd like to read other blogs or blog myself, but I promise to be better.

Now that I am in "mommy" mode I think I have come up with a system to accomplish this. Each time I post on one of my blogs (this one or A Cup of Tea with Friends (Military Life Blog) I will put a colored star on my calendar (a different color for each blog.) My goal is also to visit the blogs on my sidebar weekly. Each week I visit each blog I'll put a different colored start on my calendar. (If I missed you, please let me know. As I get comments I will check to make sure you are on the list.)

I think this way I will be able to see at a glance how I'm doing. Isn't it a bit sad though that I have to revert to the system parents use to get their kids to do chores? I promise it's not a chore, my days seems to run together now that we prepare for ANOTHER move and the baby. I've already done two posts in two day on this blog, so the system must be working!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Just wanted to Announce ... We're having a ...

2009-07-23T21:03:00.001-04:00

For those who don't read my Mil-Life Blog we announced over Father's Day that we are expecting our first child. It has been an exciting two months as we start on this new journey. At this point my expected due date is Feb. 16, but I'm sure that the baby may have his own date set.

For more updates on all things baby, check out my Mil-Life Blog.

Until our next visit ...

You've got to see this ...

2009-06-06T20:17:00.001-04:00

For those who have been following my first blog about my life as a military spouse may recall a post about an art piece I had commissioned for my husband's return from Iraq last fall. For those who didn't read it, let me explain ...

I am a HUGE support of military spouses, particulary artists and am always looking for original art pieces (as an artist myself!). Another military spouse gave me the name of military spouse artist who could recreate anything using the person name or a word or phrase. To be more specific she creates a picture by writing a word over and over in different ways to give depth and demension. Anyone from Texas knows how proud Texans are so this was the perfect piece.

I had so many people asking for the artist's contact info after I posted it and I was happy to pass it along. Well, ask no more, my friends, because now the artist Maria, has her own blog as well as a Esty shop! Now you can explore her beautiful art without waiting! GO! See what she's up to now ... I am am off to explore more of her work!

Until our next visit ...

Pretty Pink Pot

2009-06-01T19:51:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I was looking for a quick and easy craft project to help with the stress of unpacking and settling in. I had a clay pot and was wanting to plant the Pink Pearl Hyacinth that I had be "forcing" but was having trouble with since we moved. So after a little bit of creative thinking, I came up with an idea ...

Off I went to Michael's (Crafts) and picked up a small bottle of "Hydranga Pink" paint and a spounge stamp. A few hours later, this is what I'd created ...

Until our next visit ...

Farewell to Friends

2009-04-04T01:05:00.009-04:00

This week I got two new items to add to my pink kitchen (which seems to be the theme of late.) I recently posted about my farewell gifts from my military unit on my military life blog at my farewell luncheon on March 23. On March 25 Misty, the Rear Det Cdr who became a close friend of mine joined me for a final lunch farewell at the painting pottery place in the nearby community. It was a great way end my days there. Anyway, she painted a cute red, white and blue heart-shaped icecream bowl, but I didn't get a picture. I painted this cute flower plate.

On Thursday, I stopped by the office to finish my clearing papers (you clear your unit every time you leave, Soldiers also have to clear the installtion when they leave as well). Misty said she had a gift for me, so I met her in her office and this is what she gave me ...

It also had a sweet personal message on the back. I am so excited to put this in our new house (we are moving the week after Easter.)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Pink Pretties for my Cozy Kitchen

2009-03-28T01:05:00.008-04:00

This week I am profiling my beginnings for my pretty pink kitchen. As I'd said before, my great-grandmother's Pink Depression glassware was the inspiration for this room. With that thought in mind, I'd recently started painting pottery with friends at a local pottery place. Here are some of my "works of art." It was a lot of fun! The teapot I did with my sister-in-law and best friend Mindy and the teacup I did with my friend Misty.

A cute mug perfect for hot cocoa and whipped cream!

I painted this planter when Mindy came to visit.

Last weekend I was in Houston for a bridal shower and found this at the local grocery store, it was for Easter eggs, but I couldn't pass it up ...

Thanks for stopping by! I will be busy this weekend prepping for my exit exam for my master's degree ... wish me luck!

Until our next visit ...

A Polka Dot Planter How-To

2009-03-15T21:26:00.000-04:00

Monday, the MP Battalion where I work held their Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. Each of the four units in the battamed a volunteer of the year, someone who had done an outstanding job over the past year. They each got a special certificate and gift. They were fun to make. Here's how I did it:

Step 1: Chose the pieces you want. I used medium-sized terracotta planters with saucers.

Step 2: Sand them to remove any ridges or rough spots.

Step 3: Let them dry completely. Be sure to flip over so the interior drys as well. I let them dry for more than 24-hours.

Step 4: Paint them. I used 3 coats for the base, letting each dry at least and hour or two before adding the next one. Dependingon the paint you can get creative and drag a dry-brush over the top coat while wet to get striping. After dry, do secondary color. Try sponding a complementing over the top.

Step 5: After the pieces are completely dried, add accessories. I glued ribbon of the complementing color to the rim and then added ribbons.

It is a very easy project, but does take time for the drying. If you want, you can add a clear coat once the paint dries for a shiny look. Later, probably next week, I'll add pictures and instructions for using these pots for other projects.

Until our next cup of tea ...

A New Beginning and A Obsession

2009-03-14T09:55:00.011-04:00

Now, Pink Depressionware is not so new to me, as you may recall an earlier post featuring my great grandmother's pieces I acquired a few years ago.

I'd decided that these would be the inspiration for my kitchen decor. They are so delicate. So I've been looking around for other pieces ... glass knobs, candleholds, goblets. Soft touches of pink everywhere.

I've learned from senior spouses, that in military life deployments and moves are inevitable, but the best way to make it feel "normal" amidst so much change is to make sure there are common "comforts" or "constants" that remain. So as we make plans to start a family, these things have become more important to me. Until now, my constants have been work and school, but both of those are coming to an end and I am excited to now focus on creating a beautiful home.

What are some of the "comforts" in your life? You don't have to live the life of a nomad to have a "happy place" or items that sooth you.

Until our next visit ...

Trying something new ...

2009-03-06T23:38:00.005-05:00

Tonight George and I went to Lowe's to get some stuff he needed to get for his new "old" motorcycle (more on that later.) While there I went to look at planters for a plant we got at Dad's funeral. I got a few actually, a set of four ferns, a peace lily, and some sort of tropical or exotic plant (picture below- Can anyone tell me what it is?)

Anyway, after desperately attempting to grow these plants, I passed three of the ivy plants and the peace lily along to a fellow miltiary spouse who has a unique gift with them. I swear she looks at plants and they bloom at her very presence. Anyway, I'd never tried to care for plants before, except for the three cactus in the front house that I managed to kill during this last deployment ... yes, I managed to killed CACTUS!!!

So as the granddaughter of two talented gardeners, I decided to give it a try starting with a few plants: the one ivy that I didn't give my friend, the exotic plant and the aloe plant I brought from Dad's house.

What all that leading up to was, while we were at Lowe's tonight, I picked up a new pot for the plant above and I saw this "kit" for a Pink Pearl Hyacinth.

The kit is for "forcing" the plant to bloom. Forcing is the term used to describe the special treatment of bulbs so that they will flower before their normal time. For most bulbs, forcing requires a period of cold and darkness to speed up root development before flowering can take place. Your Hyacinth bulb can be forced in potting soil, or without soil over water in special jars.

So basically the bulb is placed in a small "figure 8" type vase with bulb resting on the top of the vase with water coming just to the bottom of it. It will sit in a dark place for 10 weeks when it should start to bloom ... I'll let you know how it goes!

Until the next visit ...

Editor's Note: The kit manufacturer is w.r. vanderschoot. Their website is www.wrvanderschoot.com.

Pretty Pottery Project Updates ...

2009-02-22T17:21:00.003-05:00

Today was an exciting day! After staying up late watching movies and eating King Cake (Happy Mardi Gras!) last night, we finally rolled out of bed and got ready for grocery shopping. I realized today was the day that I could go get the pottery projects that Mindy and I painted last week.

So after picking up the groceries and a quick stop at the gaming store, George and I headed over to the Paint-n-Party store. I was so pleased when I go there and saw the pieces on the shelf.

First, was the cappucino cup that I'd painted Feb. 7 with my friend, Misty. I'd alredy picked up the Princess Plate but the cup and saucer had to be re-fired because there were some rough spots.

I didn't want to leave the inside blank, so I painted flowers on the inside of the cup and the plate.

On Valentine's Day when Mindy and I went to paint, I made a teapot. I'd missed it when I'd gone the week before, so it I was very excited.

This is the base of the teapot. I wanted to do it pink and white. It was fun to talk it through with Mindy. The top has the same pattern with a painted flower on the top.

Mindy painted a a cute sticky note holder for her desk at work. Considering how stressed it makes her, hopefully this will give her a smile when she see's it thoughout the day.

Cute huh!?! The next day went back ... What!?! We weren't finished having fun! After eating lunch with the boys at the local Mexican Restaurant, they went to the shooting range and we headed for the paints!. This time, I painted a planter. When George's dad passed in Novemeber and Gordon and Mindy helped us clear out the house. I snagged a few clippings from the H-U-G-E container of aloe vera plants on the font porch. Unfortunately, I hadn't gotten to them yet and only one has survived, so I made planting it a priority. Mindy and I decided on colors that would match my kitchen and livingroom.

Are you starting to see a color theme!?! I decided to do something different, so instead of using a brush, I used a sponge and dragged it in strokes instead of dabbing it to create streaks. What do you think? After painting the inside pink, I put white dots in the top scalloped edge and then mimiced it at the bottom.

MIndy had been trying to decide on a container for her kitchen to hold teabags. What better container than a TEAPOT! Their kitchen is black, red and white, so she decided to paint the teapot to match.

I think the top is SO CUTE!! She did such a good job!

It was such a fun weekend and we are definitely hoping to do it again soon.

Until our next visit,

Date Night Marinade

2009-02-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

Here is the marinade we use every Friday for date night. A few of you had asked for it and I wanted to share it.

1 c. olive oil
1/2 c. Sherry Wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. minced garlic cloves
1/4 tsp. (coursely) ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. red peppercorns
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. sugar (we use 2 Splenda packets)
1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
2 (6-10 0z.) steaks

1. Place all ingredients except for steaks in bowl and mix.
2. Pierce steaks with fork and then place each in a seperate ziplock bag and pour of the 1/2 mixture over each.
3. Place steaks in refridgerator for 12-24 hours.
4. Grill to desired doneness.

I hope you enjoy. This is the best steaks EVER!

Until our next visit ...

Fit for a Princess

2009-02-16T16:07:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day weekend. We had a visit from George's best friend, Gordon, and his fiance, Mindy. She and I get along great together. If you'd visited my military life blog A Cup of tea with Friends, you'd have read stories of shared vacations and other activities. They are our closest friends, despite distance.

Anyway, they came to visit for the weekend and we had a blast. For dinner Valentine's Day George and I made steaks, marinated for 24-hours in an AMAZING marinide, sauted green beans with garlic and onions and a cucumber and tomato salad with parmasean cheese and a basil dressing. We drank Pomegranate wine, ate by candlelight with Sinatra playing in the background. It was great. For dessert we had strawberry cheesecake.

When they arrived Saturday, they'd brought presents/ None of us had exchanged Chistmas presents, though we'd seen each other a time or two since then. We'd gotten Gordon a bottle of some Cask 16 Crown Royal No.88 and I got Mindy a cheese and wine basket with candles and glass candleholders. For her birthday (in December) I got her a beautiful jeweled 'M' charm, a velvet elephant (she collects them) and a cute book of friendship quotes.

They'd gotten us a bottle of wine that they'd made and monogrammed wine glasses. George got an Astros jersey and hat. For my birthday, Mindy had gotten me these adorable teacup notepad and 4 creme brulee dishes that I'd been wanting.

After eating and unpacking we all headed our seperate ways. The boys were going to go to the shooting range, then back to the house for some beers and catching up. Mindy and I headed out to paint pottery! Yes, this is my ew favorite activity.

Last weekend, I went with a friend Misty, who is also my Rear Detachment Commander (unit commander that stay's behind when a unit is deployed.) We painted princess plates in the MP Battalion colors (I am the 'Viper' Princess ... the unit is called the Vipers.)

I also made a cute cappuccino cup and saucer. It had to be re-fired so I'll have to post picks later ...

Anyway, Mindy and I went to paint pottery. I painted this cute teapot and she made a cute post-it note holder with flowers for her desk at work. After about 3 hours we headed home to greet the boys who'd skipped the range and went straight to the beer! After much amusement of watching the boys "be drunk" we cleaned up the mixed alcohol mess and started dinner.

After dinner we just hung out talking and Mindy and I made some progress on the wedding planning.

The next day, the boys decided to go to the shooting range and Mindy and I headed back to paint pottery. This time I painted a planter for some plants I brought back from (George's) Dad's house when we cleaned it out and she painted a teapot to put her teabags in. Cute idea, huh!?!

Well, all in all it was a great weekend. Being in Houston taking care his father gave us the chance to spend nearly everyday with them. So coming back home made the seperation that you often feel when you leave your loved ones at the start of your military life, vivid once again.

When I pick up the pieces after they are fired, I'll be sure to post pictures.

Until our next visit ...

Rosy Family Treasures

2009-02-10T21:19:00.015-05:00

Today I want to show you a "rosy" treat that was passed on to me about 5 years ago.

This pink Depression Glass roster and chicken belonged to my great-grandmother. My mom got them years ago. I don't remember when she got them, but I do remember when they were buildingn their house that she had them. I recall them siting on the kitchen windowsills once the house was built. I implored with my mom to clean them and put them in a better place. They were speckled with paint from when we painted the inside. Eventually she gave them to me and I cleaned them up.

Now they sit on the counter in my kitchen. I see them everyday and remember my great-grandmother who passed away the month after George and I were married. They were the inspiration for the pink glass heme in my kitchen. I am always looking for pieces that I think she would appreciate.

She was a tiny, delicate woman with skin as soft as satin. She smelled of cookies and powder. She was quite, but not timid. When you spoke, she listened as if you were the only person who mattered. I remember she used to hold and pat my hand when we talked.

The lace that the pieces are sitting on was something that my mother got in a bag of scraps. It was tattered and torn and has holes in it. She was going to throw it out, but I begged her for it. I have yet to figure out what to do with it, but as you can see it has some holes in it.

Any ideas? It is about 4x6 feet. I'm not sure what I'll do with it, but it was too beautiful to throw out.

Until our next visit ...

Family Portrait and A Reading Nook Project

2009-02-10T17:45:00.002-05:00

Greetings all! Its a peacefully rainy day here in the deep south and I am sitting here blogging to keep busy while my husband plays games on the XBox and the puppy snores peacfully at my feet. With this in mind, I wanted to share with you a picture of "my two boys".

George is always complaining that the puppy doesn't love him as much, but Sgt. Major is a momma's boy and as anyone with a clingy kid can tell you, sometimes it gets overwhelming. He is always under foot when I am home. When I do dishes, he sits on my feet! Well, one night last week I came into the livingroom to see why they hadn't come to bed yet and this is what I saw.

Sgt. Major had actually fallen asleep on George and he didn't want to move for fear of waking him up. Too funny!

On another note, I wanted to show you the pillow that I finished for my reading nook. Do you see the puppy's kennel across from me. He likes to lay in it and watch me stitch or read ... see, Momma's Boy!

I used one of my favorite fabrics. I am hoping to make a quilt out of what was left, but I ahve to find complimentary fabrics. You can see at the base of the chair is my craft basket. It holds all of my current working projects. I change them monthly so I don't get bored. I have to stay motivated or a project will never get finished.

Until our next visit...

Books of Roses

2009-02-04T08:00:00.006-05:00

Last week I showed you the album where I catolog my teacups and other related collectibles, with promises of others this week. Well here it is ...

See the pretty binders on the shelf with my tea set? There are actually a few more but they are in use and I didn't want to hunt for them around the house. Each 8.5 by 5.5 inch binder is decorated with pink scrapbook paper. They each have a purpose. The top 5 used are ...

1. House Book- everything regarding our house from fabric samples, design drawings, furniture lists, serial number and photos of electronics.

2. Storage Book- contains info on every packed box we have in storage and in the garage. I can tell you what box is where and what is in it. My husband learned the value of this book when he accidentally packed something from his dad's house that was supposed to come to our house.

3. Craft Projects Book- list of project notes, ideas and pictures of completed projects. (I actually just started this book, so there are a lot of guesses on some things.)

4. Short Stories and Poetry- kind of self explained!

5. Recipe Binder- contains recipes from family, but most treasured are the ones from fellow military spouses. Here are pictures of that book ...

Front cover that actually wraps around to back

Inside cover, but also what dividers look like.

Recipe Page

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... Part 11

2009-01-31T10:30:00.003-05:00

Welcome to another Saturday Tea. This has been a long week for me as I started working out 5 days a week with me husband, so I am really ready for a relaxing cup of tea. Please pull up a seat, join me for a cup of tea and some sweet treat of your choice. Last time we had tea I showed you the Teacups and Saucers from my friend Kristin.

This week I want to show you a cup that I had fun searching for. My husband was sent to an Army school at Fort Gordon, Georgia that ran over Easter weekend 2007. I flew up to meet him for the weekend and we spent the weekend exploring Augusta which included a variety of antique stores. Among them I'd seen a few teacups and saucers, especially in this particular store, but for some reason, I'd kept coming back to this one. Maybe it was the vivid colors, or the classic beauty of it, but it was the one I'd chosen to document the weekend.

After dinding my teacup, I joined my husband for an Easter Sunday game of golf (which neither of us is really good at) inspired by the Master's happening in Agusta that weekend.

Until our next visit ...

A Book of Treasures

2009-01-28T09:07:00.006-05:00

Today I want to share with you my pretty pink photo album. I saw it at Target I think and JUST HAD TO HAVE IT! Though at the time I didn't know what to use it for.

One day I was trying to organize my teacups and other tea-related items and thought, while not catolog them. I was already photographing them for my blog.

So on the back of each photo is the date, description and story of how each one came to join my collection. Many of those stories are recounted on my Saturday Tea posts, as I go through each one in chronoligcal order.

So do you think I am oddly organized yet? My husband and friends think so. DO you organize your collection or anyhting like this? Next week I will preview another binder or two that I have.

Until our next visit ...

Trying something new

2009-01-25T21:11:00.002-05:00

Yesterday my husband and I went to the the "city" to watch the new Underworld movie and stopped at Michael's Craft Store so I could get stuff to re-string the pearl necklaces he'd sent me from Afghanistan.

Now I am not to admit that PEARLS are this girls best friend and the fact that both necklaces broke has had me in all sorts of turmoil, since all that I had left was my set of pink pearls ... what do I wear if I've got red on?

So, there we are. George is off somewhere doing something as he tends to wander and I was immersed among the shiny beads. I'd found some beautiful pink glass beads that match some metal beads that I'd bought when George and I were planning on renewing our vows in May for our 5 year anniversary. I'd also found some antique glass pearl beads that I "just had to have" to make a necklace and bracelet for a wedding I am a bridesmaid for in May.

So once we got home after the movie and dinner, George had fallen asleep while watching TV so I took out the beads and proceeded to start on some pieces.

There I sat at the kitchen table just working away and this is what I accomplished ...

I love the toggle clasps. I don't know why, but they seem to be a favorite. The double heart beads are the ones I'd bought to make a headpiece for our vow renewal. They were just too pretty not to make something with.

Now, I must admit, I'd never done beading before other than maybe putting beads on a cross stitch project, so it was new to me. Here is what I learned ...

1. Beading requires patience
2. Puppies cannot help, no matter how much they think they can.
3. Those suckers are REALLY slippery
4. Never bead on top of carpet, especially if it is the same color as your beads.
5. If your husband tells you that the oil and grime on the needlenose pliers will not get on your beads because it is "all dried" don't believe him ... especially if wearing white pants!
6. Don't bead in silence, because if your husband walks up and startles you, the beads will go EVERYWHERE!

All in all, it was a fun project and I have a few more ideas. Have you done any beading? What tips do you have for a beginner?

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 10

2009-01-24T21:15:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another Saturday Tea. I hope your week has been a good one. Please pull up a seat, have a cup of tea and some sweet treat of your choice. Last time we had tea I showed you the 5 Teacups and Saucers from my Grandmother's collection but I forgot to mention there was also a pretty saucer wh'd lost it's cup mate a long time ago. If I can find a picture of it, I will post at a later date, but today I am going to share with you the cups given to me by my closest friend, KG.

KG is also a military spouse. We'd met one fateful day in early 2006 when she got a job as a fellow staff writer at the post newspaper where I worked. She was given the office next to me and we'd hit it off from the start. So much in fact that the door that actually linked our officed on the shared wall was always open with our desks also being on or near that wall so we could chat throughout the day. (The previous writer actually had closed and blocked the door with a bookcase ... Point taken!)

At the time George had been deployed in Afghanistan. After long conversations and shared stories we realized just how much we had in common, aside from being military spouses and writers. She too was a Captain's wife with no children and furbabies who kept her busy. We lived in the same neighborhood, one street away from each other (there is actually a little path through the wooks that connect our homes) and she too has family in the area.

We bonded quickly as our higher education levels had made us outcasts at work (don't ask, but it appeared that HAVING an education was a negative thing.)

Anyway, shortly after George came home we had the chance to introduce our husbands after two power surges knocked out two TVs and computer, I offered her one of our TVs since we didn't really need three TVs in a house with two people! When she returned them she brought along these (below) teacups and saucers that had been given to her by her mother but she didn't want them and thought they'd have a loving home with me.

There were so many to look at. My poor husband was forgotten about for a day or so while I sorted, washed and cataloged them. There were a few that stood out to me, but I'm having trouble finding some of those individual pictures since I got my new computer. If I find them I will posts.

KG and I still continue to be close. We both left the newspaper within a week of each other, both taking jobs as Family reps ... she for my husband's unit and me for the MPs which her husband's unit fell under at that time. True to our "one is never without the other" repuation, both of our husbands recieved orders for their next duty station. We will leave at the same time and go to military posts and hour and a half away from each other. I guess that'll make our seperation transition a little easier.

Until our next visit ...

Teacups to share ...

2009-01-22T16:53:00.001-05:00

So there are mornings when I wake up and think, "I wonder what Jan is doing today?" Now for those of you who visit Jan and Tom @ Rose Haven, know what I'm talking about. Every week there is something new and surprising, but she also does a variety of weekly events like Rose Wednesday.

Well, I was not surprised when I logged on this week and found that she was sharing again with others in a tea cup give-a-way. These Give-Aways will last for 15 weeks...every Thursday, starting today. The last Give-Away will be on April 30th. The Photo below is of the ACTUAL cups and saucer sets.

So here's how it works ... You must:
1. Live in the USA only
2. Have a blog
3. Only comments left the on the weekly post will be considered for the Teacup and Saucer being given away that week
4. You may ONLY win ONCE in the 15 week Give-Away
5. If you do NOT win, you will have to post again the following week, for another chance.
6. Each week there may be a topic of discussion for the comment section, so be sure to read before entering.

For 5 EXTRA ENTRIES into the weekly drawing, take the GIVE-AWAY BUTTON , just below (it's smaller and will fit on your side-bar) ~ put it on your blog side-bar, with this HYPER-LINK to her blog:
http://jt-jantom.blogspot.com/2009/01/special-announcementof-new-weekly-give.html

Now that you know where to find Jan, take time to browse through her blog. I will guarentee you'll find something you like.

Until our next visit ...

Filling a Room Full of Flowers

2009-01-21T08:51:00.003-05:00

This week I am going to share with you one of my favorite current projects.

Decorating my house is one of the most exciting hobbies. The search for "just the right fabric, furniture piece, accessory" to make it a home and to express myself is a very satisfying reward.

In our home, while I take in to account my husband's comfort and the puppy's needs, when it comes to the kitchen, that is my place of solice.

Until recently, we had a sitting area in our dinningroom with the dining table pushed under the window like a bistro table for two. I'd started to stitch some pillows for the seating area.

I loved this pattern from the first time I found it. It was a free pattern on the Internet two years ago. I wish I could find it again, because I want to make another one. I think I'd also like to make a wall hanging. I'm just really in love with the pattern. I'm hoping that there is another copy of the pattern in the stack of free patterns in my craft closest.

The fabric was a gift from an online friend in an exchange, and I wish I could find more of it as well as more soft colors like that. Any ideas, suggestions?

Below is the material for additional pillows and stuff.

I'm really excited because at our next duty station we're looking to rent a house off post which will give us a chance at a larger house for the housing allowance we get. George said that if there is a dining room and breakfast area that I will be able to make the breakfast area into a sitting room with a cabinet for my teacups. I'm really excited. I'll definitely post pics when the pillows are done and if I get my sitting room.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 9

2009-01-17T11:42:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another Saturday tea. I enjoy then so much as I relive the treasured memories of each tea cup on my colletion. Last time I told you about the Mexican Teacup and Saucer that I got when my husband and and I went to a resort after his last deployment.

Today, I want to tell you about my maternal grandmother. She can be tough as nails when needed (and when my brother and I were young we needed it a lot I'm sure), but she is also the most poised, well-mannered and elegant lady. Even when she is elbow deep in her garden after a rain storm, she still seems to have the elegance of a grand lady. I must say she has probably been the largest influence on my life even though as a child we saw her only twice a year when my mother had visitation.

For my pending birthday (Jan. 22, 2006) she gave me five tea cups and saucers to add to my collection.

I asked her about her collection and she said that she started collecting them when she was my age. She had no preferences or requirements, just choosing those she was drawn too. She has given some away over the years, but I think secretly she was happy that I was starting my own collection and she could pass her collection along to me.

I told her about how when I was a little girl I would sit at the coffee table in the den and pretend I was a Spanish Queen pouring tea for her visitors. I loved playing with her silver set.

Growing up I loved to look at my Granny's tea cup collection, from afar of course. She kept them on top of the china cabinet, but there was a silver tea set that sat out on the coffee table, probably because it was unbreakable (trust me I dropped them a few times.)

My grandmother wasn't a "high class socialite" but she is a firm believer in perfect manners, being polite and getting the most from your education. I think that's why manners and style are inmportant to me today.

These the individual tea cups are from her personal collection that she passed to me that January for my 29th birthday. They are elegant and beautiful – just like her.

Every time I look at them, a new favorite emerges. Which do you like best?

Until our next visit ...

Petals in the Storm

2009-01-14T08:56:00.002-05:00

When Hurricane Ike, the third most destructive hurricane to make landfall in the U.S., George and I were in Houston caring for his dad who was in no condition to be moved long distances even if he wasn't as stubborn as ever saying no hurricane would run him out of his home!

For 18 days we were without power, living off of generator and scrounging for fuel and food. Amid all the chaos, my husband still found a way to show me how much he appreciated me. He booked a night at one of the local hotels that had power, and this is what greeted me, even though a hot shower was all I had expected ...

I told you he treats me like a princess!

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 8

2009-01-10T15:07:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the first Saturday Tea of 2009. Thanks for joining me. Last time we had tea I showed you the Marble Teaset my husband brought back from Afghanistan. Well, that same month, two weeks after returning from deployment he took me to El Dorado Royale in Cancun for vacation. It was while we were there that I found this next piece to my collection ...

I'd always loved Mexican pottery and spending time in Houston with my mother I saw a lot of it. So from the onset of my collection, I knew I wanted some, not only because it would be a reminder of my heritage, but because of the general beauty and artisty of these pieces.

I noticed when looking at the Mexican tea cups that unlike most the design is not centered with the handle on the left, they are centered in the middle of the cup. I don't know if they are all like that or just the ones local to the Cancun/Playa del Carmen area. You'll see later on what I mean, because we went back almost a year later and I got another one.

Until our next visit ...

Join the Tea Party ...

2009-01-08T20:52:00.001-05:00

There's a Tea Party hosted by Jan and Tom's Rose Haven and you're invited!

I'm so excited, the first Tea Party of the new year! I just love tea parties ... the crisp linen, the shiney silver, sugar cubes and lemon slices laid out on pretty plates. Chatting with friends, meeting new aquaintances ... tea parties are so much fun!

Oh, what to wear!?! Well, I've got my hat and tea cup, so join me for a sweet treat ...

Until our next visit ...

A Plateful of Roses

2009-01-07T23:03:00.007-05:00

With all the holidays finally winding down, I thought I'd take the time to show you one of my favorite dishes, both actualy serving dish and recipe.

I often use this tart plate for food at social events. Life in the miltiary, particularly those of officers tend to include a lot of social activities, from spouses club events, to 'hail and farewells' to holiday parties and potlucks. A favorite "quick dish" that I make when I have an event following a day at work is my red, white and blue dessert. How suiting to have a patriotic dish at military functions!

I take red and blue berries and place in a variety of designs in the tart plate and drizzle with room temperature vanilla pudding or white chocolate and then place in the fridge overnight. It is so yummy and very quick and easy, and when it's all finished how could you not enjoy the sight of that pretty plate staring back at you!?!

Until our next visit ...

Look at what I did!

2009-01-01T20:09:00.010-05:00

I stitched this over the Christmas weekend. I used DMC's Satin Floss. At first I was going to use it as a bookshelf, but now I'm thinking I want to frame it and put it on a table among pictures or something.

Until our next visit ...

A Christmas Project ... and a Promise for Next Year

2008-12-28T21:51:00.001-05:00

So the day after Christmas was just as exciting for me as the holiday itself. As many of you know we brought back a variety of items from my father-in-law's house after cleaning it. Most of the furniture went to storage after I made a detailed list so I'd know what we can get rid of here before consolidating (do two people really need 6 TVs?)

So in all the turmoil of the recent weeks and the holidays on top of it, my precious (though small) craft closet became a catch-all for anything that my husband didn't know where it went or what I would deal with "in a minute." So, day after Christmas I decided to takle this former haven of solice here at Rose Manor. This is what I was greeted with after I opened the door (I was lucky to get it opened!) ...

My poor closet looked like it had contained Hurricane Ike for a week! My close friends were amazed that I hadn't lost my sanity with my OCD tendencies. I too wondered how I hadn't lit a match and started over.

I completely emptied it out and after 4 hours of sorting and disposing of trash, I loaded my Tahoe (after removing ALL of the seats) with stuff to be donated to the post Thrift Store (which provided scholarships for military spouses and children). I reorganized and after threat to my husband resulting in promises to get rid of the old printers and relocating his guns within the month, this is what I walked away with ...

After all that cleaning I found quite a few half finished projects in there. I'm hoping in 2009 that I will get a good number of them marked off. SO after a bit of organized chaos, I've managed to make a list of what needs to be done. There is no promis that I won't start anything new, but hopfully the "to be done list" is smaller by the end of 2009.

I'm not really one to make New Year's resolutions, because I really don't think you have to wait until a certain time of year to make choices that will make your life better. However, this year, I decided (not resolved) to get some projects finished this year. Mostly cross stitch, but a few others as well. So here it is ... my mighty list of procratination.

To be Sewn:
□ Pink and Blue Baby Blanket
□ Pink and Blue Doll Quilt
□ Freedom Wallhanging
□ Purple Quilt Block
□ Christmas Wreath Pillow
□ Blue and Gold Heart Quilt (new project I will tell you about soon)

To be Stitched:
□ Army Seal
□ Daisy Tabletopper
□ Rose Quilt Blocks
□ Rose Pillowcases
□ God Bless Me Pillow
□ God Bless Me Blanket
□ Stuffed Lion
□ Lindsey Stained Glass
□ Easter Bunny and Egg-Mom
□ Easter Bunny and Egg-Me
□ Roly Poly Santas
□ 12 Small Christmas Ornaments (former SAL)
□ Love, Honor, Cherish Centerpeices/Placemats

Needless to say, I have more than enough to do without starting any new projects, but we'll see. There are a few things that I'd like to do for the house such as ...

□ Christmas Stocking George
□ Christmas Stocking Michelle
□ Christmas Stocking Sgt. Major
□ Mistletoe Tree Skirt
□ Kitchen Towel- Christmas
□ Kitchen Towel- Thanksgiving
□ Kitchen Towel- Halloween
□ Kitchen Towel- 4th of July
□ Kitchen Towel- Easter
□ Kitchen Towel- Valentine’s Day

I'll post my progress periodically, but please feel free to inquire at anytime, it may motivate to get some of these projects done.

Until our next visit ...

Our First Christmas ...

2008-12-27T22:41:00.001-05:00

Well maybe it wasn't our first Christmas, but it was our first Christmas at home. For the past 7 years we've been together, we've spent our holidays traipsing from one Family event to another. Usually 3 a day. It was so exhausting and left us very cranky and lacking any holiday cheer.

This year we stayed home. Christmas Eve we had a candlelight dinner. George had marinated some steaks and I cooked some veggies and we had a nice bottle of wine before watching a movie. I had to wait for him to fall asleep so that the neighbor could bring over the Craftsman tool chest I'd gotten him. It seemed like it took forver to get it across the street and every noise sounded like a cannon. He was alseep in the livingroom so I was sure he'd hear the garage door. But I got it safety tucked in the garage and then woke him up to go to bed.

Christmas morning we woke up and I made pancakes. Actually first I prepared the ham by marinating it in Bourbon before cooking it in a brown sugar and Bourbon glaze. As you may imagine, Sgt. Major was VERY helpful ... all the way to the fridge ... as seen here ...

Then we opened presents. Puppy first ... we got him this oversized bone and a stuffed animal with squeaker. That damn bone turned him into Cujo and now, two days later we still cannot walk into whatever room he is in without him growling an lunging at us. {sigh} He was such a nice boy before that bone turned him eveil. George and I have decided to take it to the garage. We try this every few months. but those stupid bones turn him into an evil pup. Here he is guarding his treasures ...

What a rotten dog, But I digress.

Next it was our turn to exchange gifts. George got me an 80G Zune and new cell phone, both the same color as my computer. I am so excited that all my electronic toys match! (I know, I'm a total dork, but whatever!) I'll post a pic as soon as I am willing to put them down long enough. He also got me 3 of my top 5 holiday movies ... White Christmas (ultimate favorite, I love Bing Crosby!), Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life. I grew up without a TV and my stepmother never let us help with any decorations, she'd put up the stockings and IF we had a tree while we were all sleeping. So when I grew I kind of reverted to trying to recreate those Christmas memories that most people get when they are children.

George got a BlueRay player, two movies to go with it (something about Star Wars Clones and Tropical Thunder), the Craftsman tool chest, a hat from our college to replace the one he lost and a Texas hitchcover for his new truck (Oh, yeah, I'll have to post a picture of that soon too!)

After than we watched movies and ate luch (ham, green bean casserole and yams) at about 1 p.m. After that we just hung out about the house and played with out new toys while trying to stay out of Cujo's way. For desert we had Port (that is some SWEET tasting stuff) and pumpkin pie. It was an absolutely great day!

Until our next visit ...

Merry Christmas ....

2008-12-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

Merry Chistmas from Rose Manor and a very disgruntled Santa!

Christmastime at Rose Manor

2008-12-20T11:00:00.001-05:00

Christmastime has arrived here at Rose Manor. It's such a wonderfully peaceful time of year. Since I make my holiday list in January and start gathering gifts in February, by November I only have last minute gifts and the planner I get my niece every year (she's as organized as me, which is a given since she shares my name.)

The tree has been decorated ... twice and gifts are being wrapped. This will be the first Christmas we spend at home and to be honest, I am very excited. I tire of the frantic traveling from one relative to the next. It's so stressful making sure no one's feelings get hurt, that gifts aren't forgotten and that somewhere in all that craziness we don't forget to spend a little time with each other and the puppy.

But, back to Rose Manor and it's decorations. Each year I try to make a new set of ornaments. Our tree is all red, white and gold, so the ornaments, all in a Victorian theme follow that color scheme. Here is a sampling of some of those treasures:

This was made from white and gold cording that I hot glued to a styrofoam ball. I made two different sizes in this cording and red and gold cording.

I made a variety of these by rolling them after putting paint inside. Every few hours I'd turn then and two days later, this is what I got. I did a variety, but word of advise, the red and white may turn pink, but it's still pretty.

Here is a gold version of the same ornament.

This is one of my favorites, but a bit of a sad story, many of them turned yellow. I'm guessing it was the fabric stiifener not doing good in storage. This is the lone survivor. Any one have ideas to keep them from turning? I am hooping to find more round doilies so I can make more.

Thiis our current tree skirt. Many years ago my made these for Christmas gifts and I got to help stamp them. When she stopped putting a tree up I got this one. I recently found a monochromatic poinsettia cross stitch patternt that I want to use to make a tree skirt with. Maybe it will be a project for 2009 and I can debut it next year.

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 7

2008-12-13T19:12:00.000-05:00

Thank you for joining me for today's tea party ... pull you chair to the table and pour yourself a cup of tea or fill your plates with sweets - today, I will tell you about a group of people who inspire me.

Their dedication and devotion are immeasurable. Despite criticism and disrespect they endure, some even to their faces. I am talking about America's service members. It must be so hard to defend the rights of people who picket the funeral of their fallen comrades and welcome home ceremonies. I can't imagine what it must be like to deal with that kind of hate and continue to fight for their freedom of speech.

They leave their families behind while they fight to help others achieve the freedoms that many take for granted here. They fight for what they believe in, regardless of what others think or say. As Lt. Col. Hal Moore said in the movie We Were Soldiers …, “American soldiers in battle don't fight for what some president says on T.V., they don't fight for mom, apple pie, the American flag... they fight for one another.”

They are honorable men and women who ask for nothing in return.

This week I debut (on this site) a special treasure. My husband brought this marble tea set back from Afghanistan.

When his bags arrived in January 2006, a month after he came home, he said he had a surprise that he had been carrying around for a few months. When I opened it up, I was stunned. It was breathe-taking and beautiful. I was like a kid at Christmas. I cleared off the glass table in the kitchen and put it on the top. Not satified, I moust have moved it three or four more times before returning it to that table.

I love haw the little cups and the decanter sit on a little serving plate. All snug and perfectly. George said they drank a lot of tea over there when visiting with elders, Chi specifically, but like a true Texan went back to his coffee shortly after coming home. My drink of choice depends on my mood and the weather.

There were two places that pieces broke off during shipping, but you can’t even tell.

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 6

2008-12-06T15:04:00.002-05:00

Welcome to another Saturday tea. This week I preview a new teacup.

This teacup has a bit of a funny story behind it, but in order for you to find the humor I must explain something. My mother is one of those people you cannot just buy a gift for. Despite something she might like (such as fabric for a quilt or a cute goat item because that is what they raise on their farm). You have to wait for her to tell you what to get or else take trip with her when she returns it. She is also a woman who believes if it did not come from WalMart, then she does not need it. With that in mind ...

Sometime in 2007 my husband and I were in Houston visiting our families when my mom said," Hey! Maybe when you come to visit you can help me go through all of the kitchen cabinets and get rid of stuff." (That is the sort of thing my mom plans when we visit, but it is better than helping worm nearly 100 goats!)

"Um ... o.k.!" I replied without much enthusiasm.

So the day came and there we were in our stocking feet in the kitchen (no shoes allowed on her hardwood floor!) with boxes spread out and my stepfather safely hidden upstairs as not to be asked to assist. One cabinet at a time, I climb up on the ladder and hand down all of the containers, cups, bowls and other items she miraculously crammed into those wooden hideaways.

When cleaning out one of the top shelves, I pulled down this hummingbird tea cup and saucer.

"This is pretty," I said handing it to her.

"Then you can have it," she said.

"Where'd you get it," I asked absently, as I placed in aside on the counter.

"I don't know," she replied. "It couldn't have been important if I don't remember."

"I guess not," I mumbled as I climbed off the ladder. "I think it look familiar. I might have that in a cross stitch pattern."

"I think it's kind of ugly," she replied absently.

I moved the ladder and started on the next cabinet, forgetting about the pretty little bird in flight.

After a few hours of working we had cleared all of the counters and boxed up the donations for a local charity or something, I boxed up the few things that I wanted and headed back to my father-in-law's.

Days later I unpacked the cup and saucer with the other items and put it on a shelf in the kitchen, making a mental note to put it on display later with the others in my small collection.

Fast forward, a few months later, my husband was deployed and I was looking for some bowl that had disappeared as they often do and I came across this set. Suddenly, it clicked. I knew where I had seen the set at. I finished what I was doing and opened up the laptop. Going to one of the flower pages visit for special occasions, I searched and quickly saw it ...

Yep! Plain as day. It was part of the floral arrangement I had sent my mother the previous Mother's Day. I guess once the flowers had died, she put the cup and saucer in the back of the cabinet and forgot about it. So there it was, a cup and saucer that I thought was so beautiful eventually made its way back to me ... maybe I should have told her to put some flowers in it before she gave it back ...

Until our next visit ...

What is pink and blue and has four paws?

2008-12-01T19:12:00.001-05:00

Apparently, my half finished quilt!

This is part of a quilt I started on about 7 years ago. I thought that this would be a good project for the new year's list of projects to finish. (It is NOT a short list either!) On top of it is our 64-pound English Bulldog, Sgt. Major who (I guess) feels that the carpet is not soft enough and the quilt blocks remedied that!

I started the quilt when I found some fabric my mom had. For those who may not know, my mom is an avid quilter ... or was. A few years ago she bought a quilt supply business from a friend and now barely has time to make the quilts for display. Kind of sad, I think, becasue she used to get so much joy from it. Although she still enjoys it, she doesn't get to labor over it like she used to or rotate on projects depending on her mood. (She can tell you a story about working night and day to finish a quilt in like 3 days while my stepfather was left to fend for himself for dinner. He just went to his mom's after work!)

Anyway, I really liked these two fabrics and he thought of making a quilt from triangles sounded fun. Unfortunately, I think I made it harder on myself. A few months into the project my mom was looking it over wheile I ironed it one day and said, "You know you could've done the same pattern using squares..."

Great! I was making it twice as hard on myself so I started to make squares. Later I realized that I couldn't just switch in the middle of the project unless I changed the pattern somehow. Besides the sizes were all ). A little overwhelmed, I put it away and no doubt started another project or two or three.

So now, I revisit it. I don't know if there is anymore fabric than the remaining pieces that I cut. Maybe my mom has more, maybe not. But looking at it, I think I can make a small lap quilt from the pieces I have of the triangles and another wall hanging size from the squares cut. Or a crib sized blanket and matching doll blanket ... I kinda like that idea. Especially since we are ready to start a family.

Here are some options. Any suggestions?

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 5

2008-11-29T11:01:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another Saturday tea. Thanks for joining me. Sorry that I was absent again last week, now that we are finishing up with my father-in-law's estate things should be back to normal soon ... whatever normal is!

This week I have a beautiful six-sided Rose Saucer on display.

I got this beautful pieces the summer of 2006. My father came to visit with my niece, Stephanie, shortly after George deployed the first time. We went shopping Natchitoches, LA a beautiful place for anyone who loves that small town charm (and happens to be where the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed). At a Christmas/resale store (that is open year-round ... Yeah!) we were exploring all the crevises and corners when I found this lonely little plate. The saleslady said she had found it when she was going through some boxes and thought she'd put it on the shelf to see if anyone wanted it. She had planned to throw it away but hadn't gotten around to it yet. I had to have it with such a sad story, so $2 later, I had added to my collection. How could I not!?! It didn't just have roses, but PINK roses ... It called to me!

Has anyone seen this pattern before? I woud love to find a cup, but hadn't had a chance to do extensive research.

Until our next visit ...

A Holiday Rose

2008-11-25T21:55:00.006-05:00

We have so much to do to finish clearing my father-in-law's house before visiting Family them heading back home to Army Life this weekend, but I wanted to share this with you.

This post will be short and sweet, but it seemd so appropriate for Thanksgiving. This rose reminds me so much of Fall each time I see it I think of how beautiful life is regardless of whether it is cheery and bright or dark and sad. This rose, in all its beauty, was part of a floral arrangement for Dad's funeral. (It's actually a very deep golden yellow and vivid orange.) Beautiful yet sad. But I chose not to dwell on the sadness, but rather the celebration of his life, just as this rose lives on in ths photo, so does Dad live on in our hearts. I'm sure the holidays will be hard for us as well face them so close to losing him, but George and I are thankful we have each other.

Until our next visit ...

A Celebration of Life

2008-11-19T08:53:00.003-05:00

This week I wanted to take time to celebrate the roses that my recently passed father-in-law brought into my life.

These are the roses on the bush in the back yard. It was planted by my husband's grandmother and cared for by his dad long after she passed away. I love the variations of pink against the yellow house. He had a yellow rose bush in the front of the house too. But I missed the blooms this year since we were at the hospital so much the past few months.

This was a beautiful painting of roses that we found when packing the house. I fell in love ith it the minute I saw it. George thinks it was something his grandmother had in her house, before she passed away. It was tucked back in a closet at the back of his dad's house.

When I was cleaning the kitchen and diningroom, George and I found a variety of beautiful glass serving pieces and such. It took me about 4 days just to go through those two rooms, but towards to end of it I found this single plate with a beautiful pink rose on it. I'm not sure what to do with it, but it will be a pretty serving plate or something.

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 4

2008-11-15T09:35:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another Saturday tea. Thanks for joining me. Sorry that I was absent last week. With my FIL's passing we had a lot to do in settling his estate and we are only just beginning, but for now, let's have tea.

This week's addition to my collection comes all the way from across the world, Afghanistan to be exact. On Dec. 4, 2006, George and I came home from shopping in Lake Charles and the post office had delivered the trunk George had mailed home with his extra stuff from his deployment. (He'd returned a few days prior.) As he unpacked it he said he had a surprise for me. I tore open the packaging to reveal this beautiful, tiny marble pitcher followed by six tiny cups and resting plate. Sure enough, my husband found me a tea set in Afghanistan. (Click on photo to see larger.)

He said, "You said you had a tea cup collection, so I got this for you. I didn't know you collected teacups."

Really, what did he think was on the glass shelves for the past few years!

What do you think? DO you have treasures from other places in the world? Please feel free to share.

Until our next visit ...

Seal of Approval ... Closing in on the finishline

2008-11-14T20:10:00.001-05:00

The past three months I have spent a lot of time at the hospital while my father-in-law was sick. Try as I may, concentrating on homework was difficult, but stitching was something that I could drop at a moments notice or take with me when we went for tests in other parts of the hospital. I have a long list of unfinished projects and as soon as I verify it, I'll post so you can see just what I have on my plate.

When packing for Houston, I chose three projects, the Daisy tabletopper was one project, but the Army Seal that I have been working on for over 5 years was another. Both large projects, both high on my priority list.

When I started Oct. 23, this is where I was:

When I put it down and started fresh on a new project a week ago, this is where I was:

Really close to finishing, aren't I?

I first saw the pattern, summer 2002, when I was was in North Carolina completing my internship. (Yes, same one where I got my green and rose teaset.) I started the following fall. A few months into it, I was working on completing the outer circle and realized I'd miss counted and it didn't meet correctly and was too far off to "correct" with altered counting, so I started over. Trust me, I was MUCH more careful the second time.

I chose 22-count fabric and for those who don't know, that means 22 squares per inch ... yep, that's small. So it's taken me a while. I've just got a few letters and backstitching, which is my least favorite. I'll post pictures as I continue.

Until our next visit ...

Paisley Parade

2008-11-05T08:49:00.005-05:00

I thought all week about what I would post, and thought that I would actually skip it this week, since we got the news of my FIL's rapid decline in health. But sitting in the hospital room in these last few days with him I needed something to remind me of the beauty in life. So this week's post is dedicated to him.

As I've said before my mother owns a quilting company, mostly patterns and supplies. When I was in college I used to travel with her to various shows. In a community such as crafts and quilting you meet others who live the gypsy life and see them throughout your travels. Most of them knew me as Veronica's daughter and I quickly became accepted as one of them, thought I cross stitched (gasp) rather than quilted. It wasn't that I didn't like to quilt, I did, I just needed to stay busy at all time and it was much easier to stuff a stitching project in my bag versus quilting.

On one of these trips our booth was across from Husqvarna-Viking who was introducing a new embroidery machine. All day long they made samples and at the end of the day either packed them up or if there werew multiples, threw extras away. They asked if I wanted one at the end of the conference and this is the first one I chose. They also gave me a "sister" sample. What do you think? Pretty huh!?!

The pink paisley matches my dinningroom, so I will have it matted and framed to hang in there, but I hadn't decided what to do with the other one. I'll let you know what I decide.

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 3

2008-11-01T18:16:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Saturday tea ... sorry I am late, I guess it'll be an afternoon tea this week. Please a enjoy a crumpet, scone or whatever treat you'd like as you join me in the sunroom and we continue to talk tea. Let me tell you about my third piece in my collection ...

Now where were we? Oh, yes, I had just gotten my first teaset in North Carolina ....

At the end of the summer I packaged everything up for the 19-plus hour trip back to Houston. There is the front seat of my purple Fort Ranger sat the carefully boxed tea set and the two original matching tea cup and saucers. I breathed a sigh of relief when I made it to my new college apartment and unpacked my "collection." I placed them on the only counter in that small efficiency apartment. I had my stepfather's gold fabric "college" couch, a day bed and no room for a kitchen table, but my collection was proudly displayed.

Following graduation in May 2003, I again packaged my treasures and headed off to my first "home." I was renting a beautiful four-bedroom house that my grandparents had bought to renovate and I promised to help when I moved in.

First things first, out came the collection. Now that I had room, I saved my pennies (literally) and bought a brass table with three glass shelves to display my growing collection. It was actually a towel rack for the bathroom, but it was all I could afford and it worked. Its the table which the teaset was on in last week's tea.

Helping my grandmother go through her "Christmas closet" that year, we found a pretty blue tea-for-one set that included the teapot that steeped on top of the tea cup and had a pretty dessert plate with it. She offered it to me, probably after seeing my humble collection when she visited.

So I took my newfound treasure home, thinking about all of Christmases I had helped her go through that closet and placed it on the counter. There it sat for nearly 8 months until my next adventure came ... marraige ... but more about the next peice at tea next week!

Until our next visit ...

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T10:18:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween! Hopefully ghosts, goblins and ghouls will be in full form tonight.

For me this is a new thing. Until my husband and I married 5 years ago, I'd never celebrated Halloween.

When my husband learned I'd never dressed up, trick-or-treated or carved a pumpkin he set about to remedy that. My first pumpkin carving was in 2005. I had so much fun. This (pumpkin on left) was my first attempt.

That year we also dressed up Sgt. Major as ... a Handome Devil! Obviouly that first year he wasn't happy, but he got used to it when he realized he got more treats ... no tricks!

This was last year, Halloween 2007. Much better participation!

This year will will hand out candy, but we are spending the day at the hosptial with my FIL (story on other blog), but we did attend the Texas Ren. Festival last weekend and I found a drunk pumpkin and thought my cottage visitors would love to see him! Click on the picture to see his droopy eyes! I loved it!

Until our next visit ...

Photographic Florals

2008-10-29T10:27:00.009-04:00

I love everything rose ... some of my first projects as a photography student were of roses. No matter how many times I've photographed these beutiful flowers, I never seem to get tired of it. In fact, some have been featured in gallery showings and the installation newspaper. Many of my teacups have roses too, but that is a story for another post.

Today I want to share some of my floral photography. There are a variety of gardens and such near the installation that I visit. I haven't been but plan to visit the American Rose Society Rose Garden in Shreveport, LA. But until then, here is one of my favorites ...

This is a photograph of roses that my husband got me for my 29th birthday (or as I like to say the 7th anniversary of my 22nd birthday!)

I changed them a little using Photoshop, as you can see here, there are actually red. Ah, but I do love pink ...

More of my natural photography can be seen here and here.

Remember to take time to smell the roses!

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 2

2008-10-25T12:00:00.007-04:00

Welcome to another Saturday tea. Please pull up a seat, help yourself to a treat, and lets chat.

This week I will tell you the story of when I started my tea cup collection. Though I previously had two cups and saucers, it was not a collection yet.

We left off the summer of 2002. Actually, let me back up a few months.

At the beginning of 2002 my mother asked me to accompany her for a quilt show/convention where she spends about 48 weeks a year for her company, Bear Thread Designs. So I packed my stack of internship application and a weekend bag and headed to Cleveland.

I was anxious about getting a journalism or PR internship for the summer, so I would still be able to work a paying job during the school year. As fate would have it, sitting next to me on the flight was a VP of Marketing for a Home Improvement Loan Company. She noticed me filling out the applications and after talking for nearly the entire trip she offered me a position as a PR intern, which led me to spending a summer in North Carolina.

So five months later, I moved into a house Cary, NC, with 3 others who were students at the local North Carolina University. We got along well. One day, a few weeks before I returned home to Houston, I went shopping with one of my roommates, Holly, at a Tuesday Morning. I found this tea set with raised pink roses and it took little prodding from her for me to purchase it. It includes teapot with lid, sugar and creamer with lid, four tea cups, four saucers and four dessert plates.

I was so excited to get it back home and display it in my next apartment. Even now, it is one of the first things I unpack when we get to a new home.

Until our next visit ...

Stitching my way to sanity ...

2008-10-22T22:38:00.002-04:00

There is always so much going on in my world that it is often hard to keep it straight ... hence my saving grace ... my planner. I'm still working old school with a paperplanner, but I've tried digital and could never remember to charge it. On top of that there was always so much paperwork and little notes that changing my "color coordinated sticky note system" for a more techinical one just made me more stressed.

But as much as I rely on my planner, it is really my stitching and craft projects that keep me from screaming to the top of my lungs after a hectic day. I work on a variety of projects (wat until I post the list of projects to be finished!) This keeps me from getting bored and I can find a project to cater to my mood.

My favorite project of late has been a spring table topper with daisies.

I loved it when I saw it in the catolog three years ago ... I had to have it. It took me a few months to get started since I wanted to get some projects finished and I was starting my master's at the time. But once I did, I loved it even more than I first did.

The daisies wrap around the entire topper. I was so in love with it, I decided I wanted to do napkins, pothold and breadcloth. I got the breadcloth finished, but have decided to finish the topper before I get to the napkins and potholder. I can't wait though. I did a few more flowers when in Houston, but am only about half done. I promise to post pictures as I go along, but in the meantime, here is the finished breadcloth.

Until our next visit ...

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 1

2008-10-18T20:41:00.001-04:00

Thank you for visiting my little cottage. I think it is time to introduce you to my collection, each with its own precious memory. Each week I will introduce a new piece, in the order I acquired them. I am so proud of them and can't wait to show them off. Have a seat and let me start from the beginning ...

Growing up I loved to look at my maternal grandmother's tea cup collection, from afar of course. I only got to see them when I'd visit my mom after my parent's divorce, so it was special for me.

She kept them on top of the china cabinet, but there was a silver tea set that sat out on the coffee table, probably because it was unbreakable (trust me I dropped it a few times.) My grandmother wasn't a "high class socialite" but she is a firm believer in perfect manners, being polite and getting the most from your education.

I always wanted to start my own collection one day. Something to pass along to my children, along with the stories and memories.

Growing up in my father's house with 11 siblings offered little chance of getting new toys, much less working on a collection such as tea cups or tea sets. I understood, but still maintained that one day I would have one.

My first tea cups (above) I bought as a senior in high school in 1995. I bought them out of a Christmas catalog, you know the one with the chocolate covered fruits and nuts. When they arrived, I was so excited. I unwrapped them an put them on the top shelf above my desk, which was pretty safe at the time as I finally had my own room.

When I left for college I carefully packaged them up and transported them with care to my new home with my mom. At the time she and my stepfather were building their new home so we lived in a makeshift house in "the barn" which is actually a well insulated metal building that is now the warehouse for her supply quilting company. At the time it was like living in a huge loft with makeshift walls from heavy bookcases and furniture. There they sat on my tiny bookshelf reminding me of what I hoped to one day create, as I finished my first degree.

I pursued a second degree and when I left my mother's home for college, I again packed them with care carried them to their new home. Each summer carefully packing them away until the next school year where they'd be one of the first things unpacked and placed in a place of honor. It wasn't until the summer of 2002 when I'd be able to add to these pieces.

Until our next visit ...

Childhood Treasures Found

2008-10-13T20:10:00.005-04:00

I was cleaning the laundry room today and found a stack of old picture frames at the top of the cabinet and I found two very exciting treasures.

The first (left) is a framed cross stitch piece that my great greatgrandmother stitched, I wish I knew the year.

My mom had it stuff in some box for a while and when I was just beginning college (and defining my stitching and decorating style) I found it and convinced her to give it to me. I framed it in some cheap Wal-Mart frame to prevent it from getting any further damage.

I loved the colors. It reads, When St. Peter announces "It's time to go," I say "Please let me finish, just one more row."

I was very lucky in the fact that my great grandmother was alive until I was 26 years old. So got to spend a lot of years with her. She was a large part of my love of crafts and stitching. She made us all sorts of things when we were young, from stuffed animals to children's purse to doll clothes. Her main projects were crocheting and sewing, though she did some stitching. She only made one quilt that we know of, it was a child sized one made for me from my baby clothes and favorite clothing pieces of my mother and grandmother's. I brought it to her funeral 5 years ago and my mom took it home. I'm still trying to get it back, but I digress.

The second was a framed collage of pictures of my brother Mark and I (he's the only one who shares both of the same parents in my group of 12 siblings, the rest are half-siblings or step.) I absolutely loved it! We were so young.

My plan is to take both the the Arts and Crafts Center on post and have then re-framed in archival matts and frames to protect them more. I'm thinking I may look for some more pics and do one for my brother and sister-in-law as a Christmas present. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get them completed.

Enjoying a Cup of Tea ...

2008-10-12T11:28:00.012-04:00

This is the renewal of my second blog, sadly deleted when I was unable to keep up with it. The first, A Cup of Tea with Friends, is a journal of my life as a military wife ... the good, the bad and the ugly. But no matter how bad it gets I can always escape life in my haven ... my home.

I am first and foremost a teacup collector. My interest started as a child when I would play with my grandmother's silver teaset and pretend I was a Spanish Princess in a faraway land. It is a title that I have continue to hang on to even as an adult to remind myself of those treasured memories. There will be more in my collection later, but let me tell you a little more about me.

I love decorating and re-decorating my home, much to my husband's dismay. To avoid conflict, most of the re-decorating is done when he is deployed, so when he gets home it's done and for the most part he likes it. He's just not a fan of the transitional period.

Before we met, 8 years ago, I was in college and I had dreams of creating a home with richly-colored fabrics, dark wood and elegant furniture and original artwork. Even as a college student I had saved my pennies and slowly began aquiring the furniture and fabrics that I had envisioned. It could also be seen in my photography ... I studied photography as a second major in college and I leaned towards photographing Southern antebellum (pre-war south.) I grew up in the shadow of old Southern plantations and dreamed of recreating that in my own home one day.

However, George liked a more comfy, well-worn furniture, southwestern style feel of things ... hmm ... how do you combine those two ways of life?

After much thought, I settled on my second favorite style, Romantic Cottage. It combines my love of colorful fabrics and textures, with his need for comfort. So as my new goal of creating a home for "us" versus "me" unfolds, I look forward to find inspiration and sharing ideas with others.

The Teacup Collector's Cottage (Craft and Decor Blog)

Keeping Busy ...

Freebie Friday: Special Salute

Tote-ally Fast and Fun

Halloween Hauntings Happenin'

Freebie Friday: Falling in Love with Fall

Idiocracy

Freebie Friday: Spring Revisited

Freebie Friday: Flip Flops Rock!

Freebie Friday: Bird House

Freebie Friday: Luck of the Irish

Freebie Friday: Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon

Freebie Friday: Whimsical Cup

Freebie Friday: Fun with Fluer de Lis!

Quilting for Sanity!

Hello Spring!

Just the numbers, please!

While away, a crafter will play ...

Monkey Business ...

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 11

Christmas Stocking Update ... Weeks 9 & 10

Tote-ally Out of Control!

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 8

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 7

Works in Progress: Cross Stitching

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 6

Starting is the easy part!

***Freebie Alert***:Halloween Tea

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 5

Christmas Stocking Update ... Week 4

Creating Christmas Memories!

Monkey's Favorite Spot

Emerging from Chaos, Still Sleep Deprived, But Stitching!

Baby Jamie's 1st Quilt ... (by Mommy that is)

Making the Furbaby Comfy and Safe

Bitten by the bug again!

A Promise of better things to come ...

Just wanted to Announce ... We're having a ...

You've got to see this ...

Pretty Pink Pot

Farewell to Friends

Pink Pretties for my Cozy Kitchen

A Polka Dot Planter How-To

A New Beginning and A Obsession

Trying something new ...

Pretty Pottery Project Updates ...

Date Night Marinade

Fit for a Princess

Rosy Family Treasures

Family Portrait and A Reading Nook Project

Books of Roses

Join me for a cup of tea ... Part 11

A Book of Treasures

Trying something new

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 10

Teacups to share ...

Filling a Room Full of Flowers

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 9

Petals in the Storm

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 8

Join the Tea Party ...

A Plateful of Roses

Look at what I did!

A Christmas Project ... and a Promise for Next Year

Our First Christmas ...

Merry Christmas ....

Christmastime at Rose Manor

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 7

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 6

What is pink and blue and has four paws?

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 5

A Holiday Rose

A Celebration of Life

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 4

Seal of Approval ... Closing in on the finishline

Paisley Parade

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 3

Happy Halloween!!!

Photographic Florals

Join me for a cup of tea ... part 2

Freebie Alert:Halloween Tea