Pink Artist Charity

Here are my 2 by 2's for the Pink Artist Charity. Thank YOU Monica from Girl Gone Thread Wild (http://www.girl-gone-thread-wild.blogspot.com) for making this wonderful project happen! They are on their way :)

My New Studio

My Sweet daughter Ashley agreed to switich her bedroom with my old studio ~ I gained just a few feet but am a bit more spread out ~ which is nice. I wanted to wait till it was "perfect" but have been so busy sewing ~ we may be into fall before that happens!

So here it is ~ a bit of a mess and still unorganized. My rule was I would not spend one dime other than a gallon of paint. I stuck to it ~ ~ ~ until I paid a visit to Kimberly Niesz web site. Bye bye rules ~ Hello vintage curtains!

I ordered the panels and like so many of you wonderful ladies that I love in blogland ~ extras came with the panels! I used a runner she sent as a valence and a small bit of fabric was perfect to sew with some chenille for a pillow cover! You MUST pay her a visit at http://www.niesvintagefabric.com/.

The clear boxes I got for free at Office Max with a coupon (they retail for about $15.00) are Wonderful!!!! I used them for crazy quilting supplies and projects I am working on.

My serging area is between the silk hand dyed ribbon from Pat Winter (she often has them on her Etsy site http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=80476) My book/magazine rack which has proved to be a God send! It is meant for a retail shop but is perfect for home use!

The ribbon holder was simply made by Frank. Just dowels drilled into a wood base.

The wrapping paper organizer over my cutting table was on clearance at Pottery Barn for $99.00! I had a $100.00 gift certificate from my visit to The View this past spring so it was Free! I have to say ~ it is made so well and hangs with ease ~ not always the case with something so heavy.

I am going to share how I made my sewing machine cover in another post soon. It is an easy ,fun project.

This little room is where all my family knows where they will find me and where I am able to "talk to" some of the dearest folks in all the world ~ YOU!!!

New Market Bags Ready to List on ETSY

Time to list some new Market Bags on my Etsy Site. I will have to wait till next week to list as I am going to New York City this week-end ~ YIPPE ! I am adding a smaller version as well that can be used as a Mother/Daughter set or used as a small gift bag.

Feel free to e-mail me tthreadart@aol.com

if you would like to purchase one before they are listed. The large bags are $12.00 ~ 17" by 15" , handles add an extra 13" drop. The small bags are $8.50 ~ 10 1/2" by 8" handles add an extra 8" drop. The fabrics are high quality, sturdy construction and completed with a french seam. Shipping is $2.50 for the first bag and just a $1.00 more per bag for more than one.

Sane Quilting (verses Crazy Quilting)

I am really enjoying the quilting classes I started in January. We are doing a block a month for a year. These are my first 2. I am not used to being so precise and have already had to "doctor" things a bit to keep the block the correct size. For example ~ the vintage lace at the top of the quilt shop was not supposed to be there but I needed to add a tiny fabric strip to correct the size ~ and I hid it with the lace. I am perfectly happy with that ~ being creative should be JOYFUL and not cause too much aggravation :)

Come Meet My Garden Friend's

Would you like to meet my garden friends? We all share wondrous moments together.

There is my sweet angel that sits in place of a window box.She has a bit of a shiver ~ all covered in ice.

The Jackson No. 5 Garden wheel barrel is a treasure. I can't bear to put it away each winter ~ it looks so pretty with white lights and evergreen at Christmas. I do put a coat of poly on it each year to preserve the awesome green patina.

Then there is the hammock I take one or two naps in it a season. Usually when I sit there ~ I notice something that needs to be weeded and jump right up again.

My sweet Teddi is more like his nickname ~ RatDog. He is tough as they come and I have seen him eat things ~ well lets just say I've had to wait a few days to kiss him afterwards.

Jake ~ our Brittney ~ just spends the day barking at cats. He has the dearest spirit.

I'm waiting patiently for the Big Oak Tree to offer shade from the sun. Here in Ct ~ the leaves on the oaks don't really open fully till around Mothers Day.

There is my dear Ashley Angel, old vintage watering can we took from someones garbage, my sweet birdbath angel who is holding her head down to keep warm,the dog that stands guard on my deck and keeps Pansy's happily growing all season and lastly ~ the bird house (looking from the back) that seems to have been home to every kind of creature these last few years.

We are still snow covered here but in just 22 days~ IT WILL BE SPRING!!!!!

How many times do I have to tell Victoria Magazine not to copy my ideas? Don't you love when you see something you already have in one of your fav magazines!

This beautiful statue is on page 59 of the March /April issue. I am sure it is made of the finest materials and has a patina aged with decades of seasons gone by. I doubt however that it could mean more to it's owners than mine means to me!

Mine was purchased at TJ MAXX about 8 years ago with a $20.00 bill that one of my daughters friends gave to me for my birthday. He had just started working and it touched me so deeply.I can't tell you the joy it has given me ~ I also place fallen flower petals on the book ~ just as they have in the Victoria magazine photo. Hurry Spring!!!

Wonderful "Winter" Project .... get it?

I wanted to let you know Pat Winter has added a Hair Comb Kit to her Etsy site that matches the pattern in her new book " Pat Winter Gatherings.....My Crazy Quilting Journey"
The kit includes everything you need to make your own beautiful hair comb. YIPEEE! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=80476

Signs of Spring and A Recipe for Tomato Soup

This week I started looking for signs of spring in my backyard ~ They were everywhere! I was shocked to see bulbs coming up and buds ready to bust open. But alas ~ this is New England. As Mark Twain, who resided in Conn., said ~ "if you don't like the weather in New England , wait a minute." Today ~ it's a big ole' snowstorm ~ 9 inches and counting. I was happy to have made homemade Tomato Soup yesterday for dinner. It was much better today with some buttered bread and freshly grated cheese on top. As I cut my bread ~ I remembered knowing which angle each of my four angels liked their sandwiches cut. I could still "feel " them sitting there waiting patiently for their lunch. They were the most wonderful kids. Now my Teddi and Jake sit just as patiently for a bite of Mommy's lunch. (doubleclick on Jakes photo and notice the tear in his right eye ~ such drama!) Ted gives me a sad look and Jake ~ one of desperation! As always ~ they weren't disappointed!

Homemade Tomato Soup
Saute 1 large onion in 3 T butter and 2 teas. olive oil till onions are transparent. Add lg carton chicken or beef broth (i use organic), salt and pepper, 3 pitches of thyme, large can of each of these ~ Muir Glen tomato puree, crushed tomato, diced tomato with hot peppers, sprinkle of parsley. I simmered this for 45 minutes and it was ready to eat. HOWEVER ~ it was MUCH better the next day!
Add a sprinkle of freshly grated cheese to the top.Also for a nice touch ~ how about adding a few cups of fresh veggies.

Special Friend

This is my friend Lisa (on the left) at a wonderful get together her and Jay give each year. We became friends about 20 years ago. Our girls attended the same kindergarten. Each day we would stand outside waiting to pick up our girls ~ both a little shy and intimidated by some of the other more boisterous Mom's.




















I was also ready to "pop" with my 4th child.
The day after Ashley was born ~ Lisa gave my twin daughters coloring books and little gifts to celebrate having a new baby sister. I have loved her ever since!
We have shared many of life's joys and disappointments together but can easily go close to a year without seeing each other ~ although we live less than a mile away. There is a quiet knowing that if ever one needs the other ~ we will be there : )

note to self ~ 4 or more French Martini's will make your eye's look like slits :)

Valentine Traditions

This year's Valentine Celebration wasn't quite the same since I went back to work this year. I am used to devoting an entire week or more ~ preparing gifts and making the house sparkle with hearts and Windex!However ~ I managed to keep my 25 year tradition of making a Heart Shaped Meatloaf with ILY written across the top in green peppers.
My mom used to do this ~


















it means alot to me to keep these sweet traditions. Along with that is the pink mashed potatoes! This year I decided to just do a dollop of pink on the top but the dye turned out to be that darn neon colored stuff and it turned out purple instead! That's okay ~ Love is blind ~ right?

Happy Valentines Day !

" I have made it my honour and my religion to love you desperately. " M.Alcoforado 1668

" I can neither Eat nor Sleep for thinking of You my dearest love, I never touch even pudding." H.Nelson

" You have lifted my very soul up into the light of your soul, and I am not ever likely to mistake it for the
common daylight ." E. Barrett 1846

"I have now taken of the kernal of your life and planted it in mine." M. Fuller 1945

"WHERE? WHEN? HOW MUCH?" Prince de Joinville 1840
"Your place. Tonight. Free." Her Reply

and welcome to the 21st Century........

Ran into my Ex .......Put it in reverse & Hit him again.

Why do I have to get married ~ I didn't do anything wrong!

Explain to ME again Why I need a man???? ( 21st century quotes by Ed Polish & Darren Wotz)


However your day is spent ~ FEEL LOVED !!!

ONE World ONE Heart

UPDATE ~ ~ ~ CONGRATS to Kathy Wasilewski (http://alteredantiquity.typepad.com/)~ ~ ~ the WINNER of my give away. My son picked Kathys name out of a basket tonight! Thank you SO much to ALL who entered.
God Bless You ALL!!!!!

My GiveAway is this Dupioni Silk Pillow handcrafted with vintage lace , vintage buttons and a satin bow. I have placed lavender inside for a delightful scent. It is 11" tall with a 8 " cord (total length 19") I will also be sending EXTRA goodies (think lavender,beads,buttons,vintage,fun)~ everyone loves a surprise!

http://oneworldevent.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-years-event-information.html

Please visit this link for more info on this wonderful giveaway:)

Remember you must be a part of the ONE World ONE Heart GiveAway to participate so HURRY and join at the link above!!!

Book Review ~ Pat Winter's New Book!

"Pat Winter Gatherings ~ My Crazy Quilting Journey" Pat's JUST published book has arrived!!! I've had it just a few day's and it is already well broken in from reading and rereading , falling asleep with it as I read in bed 2 nights in a row and showing off to my family and friends. I am SO proud of her.

It is a wonderful medley of her stitching and garden intermingled with bits and pieces of her life.She shares her favorite threads, techniques and her best sources.You find yourself coming along for the ride as she expresses her creative mind and you get to "sneak a peak" at some of her stash. Most important ~ it is chock full of eye candy from cover to cover!

I had just "showcased" 2 of Pat's altered children in a little Ikea frame and was so excited to see one of them in her book. One of the projects is a crazy quilted hair comb. I made the blue one shown last night using her simple instructions ~ it was a delight to make!

You can order your own copy directly from Blurb http://www.blurb.com/home/3 or save about $5.00 on shipping by ordering from Pat's Etsy site http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=80476

I encourage all of you to take this journey.

As Pat says on the last page ~ ~ ~

" I'll see you in my garden........"

Dreaming of Spring ~ Enjoying Today

Within your heart, keep one still,

secret spot where dreams may go.

- Louis Driscoll