Heather's Challenge

This weeks challenge from Heather at One Little Spark, was to use one stamp multiple times. I used a basic leaf pattern and just stamped it onto white CS, using Burnt Sienna. I placed a piece of CS close to the same color as the Sienna on a white note card, then the stamped background,went on top of that. I used a smaller piece of the Sienna CS then topped it off with white CS with Happy Fall as the sentiment.

Supplies used: White CS,

Oak Stamp by Rubber Stamped

Color Box Burnt Sienna Fluid Chalk i=Ink

Happy Fall Stamp by Inkadinkado

Ribbon from Michael's Bargain Bin

We are having much needed rain and cooler temps are on the way for a couple of days, then back up to 90 for the weekend. I can't believe that fall is just around the corner. I just can't bear to think summer is almost over. I am not a happy camper in the dead of winter. Thanks for letting me share a little bit of my day with everyone.

Please remember the 911 victims and their families and friends today, as we go about our so called normal lives. The families and friends lives can never be normal again.

Name of Flower & Pat's Challenge

In Sunday's post I was asking for info on the above flower that was given to me. Richard Henley, graciously gave me the name. This is what he said, "The plant in the first picture is Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana). If you bend the stem it stays bent, hence obedient. It also is sometimes known as False Dragonhead." Thank you Dick, for that 2 year old question I have had. The link to his web page is www.daylilylane.com

This week Pat's challege had us framing something on our card. I used her example and used the rectangular nestie, and cut me out a frame. The little chicks were stamped on a white piece of CS along with the "chicks rule" sentiment. Then I put the white stamped piece underneath the red polka dotted frame. I previously had layered a plain white card with a piece of striped paper. I used the same red polka dot for the middle chick. Then just regular card stock for the other two and used the piecing technique on the chicks. I used little black twinkles for their eyes. I tried to use some different colored ribbon to make all the colors stand out and finished the bow off with a yellow button. I finished up by cutting down the ends of a little flower and attaching it to the larger chick, making a flower for her hair. Hope this one made you chuckle.

Kittens & Flowers & Sunday Morning

Good Sunday morning to everyone. I hope every one on the East coast has come through the storm, without much damage.

Yesterday, I spent the day cleaning, and also got visits from my older grand daughter and my younger sister. So you are assuming correctly, I did enjoy my Saturday.

I am sure you are thinking that there are other kittens in the world, and that I am carrying this picture taking a little to far. But I thought I would show you the latest picture of the new kitten. I have gotten several e-mails, asking about her. She has grown longer in the last week and 1/2. I hate to see her growing up so fast.

The next picture is of some "weeds" that a friend gave me about 2 years ago. That is what they called them, If they are weeds, they are the prettiest weeds I've have ever seen. They are perennials and multiply. I wish some of you could give me the name of them, as I have no ideal. The butterflies, hummingbirds and bees love them. That is what that black thing is- a large bumblebee.

The next picture is of some marigolds, and I know everyone grows marigolds. These are special. My DH's Mother passed away in Jan. of 2000. Just this past summer a little brown lunch bag was given to me. On the front was written marigolds. It was my MIL's handwriting. She had been sick several years before her death and had not had any flower beds. So these seeds are over 15 years old. I was so excited to see them bloom. I am gathering all the seeds to give to the other family members. That way she will live on through these flowers.
Just a post note - Flossie Mae is now in time out. (Laundry Room) I had a antique lace tablecloth on my dining room table, it and the vase of flowers just landed in a chair. Hurricane Hanna had already passed by NC, so the perpetrator had to be Ms. Flossie. *wink*wink*

A very special gift.

Yesterday I received a very special gift from someone that I do not know, but because of my special friend Janet, I received it. Most of you are aware of mine and Pat's friend, Emily, that was murdered December 05. Janet at the time was my neighbor, and she listened and understood the loss that I had. This murder devastated the little NC town that we live in. Her death brought out the worst and best of all of it's inhabitants. It divided communities, and friends, and churches. Janet, moved to Ohio, and we still remain close through emails. She had divided her daylilys and shared with me. I put them in Emily's memory garden which you can visit here: http://searchingforarainbow.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-birthday-emily.html

A friend of Janet's is the owner of Poplar Creek Perennials, in Baltimore, Ohio Mr. Dick Henley very generously sent me the "Rose Emily" daylily for my garden.

The picture shows, the daylily in full bloom. It will bloom mid-summer next year. I am already wishing for winter to be over, and fall has not officially gotten here yet. Please visit Mr. Henley's web page, http://www.daylilylane.com/ and view some pictures of his beautiful daylilys, also let him know what a nice gesture he and Janet made. It will help me to always keep Emily's memory alive for all who visit my home.

Thank you Mr. Henley

Something Simple

How many of you gals still have the pin cushion that you used in Home EC class? Mine is 40 years old, while some of you it hasn't been but maybe a year. Mine is this red tomato looking thing, with a strawberry thing hanging from it. It sure has served it's purpose all these years. I keep it in my sewing basket, that is also very old. Every time I needed to pin something that I was making, even a simple a task as pining a loose end on a spool of ribbon, I would have to get up and go to another room to get a pin. I came across this little terra cotta red pot, that had originally held a candle. It had served it's purpose and needed a new job. I filled it with some batting, covered it with a crochet doily, embellished it with a ribbon threaded through the doily, to gather it up. I then stuck these little sunflowers onto some pinheads, just to dress it up a little. I think it made a cute little pin cushion to keep on my workspace. Every one take care, especially the ones that live near the east coast, Hanna hasn't decided what route she is going to take yet. Thanks for letting me share with you.

Yes that is what you think it is in the background. Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Pat's Challenge

Since I had a three day weekend, I got to work on Pat's Challenge, thus getting it in a little earlier then normal. I'm usually just making the deadline on Wednesday night. About 3 weeks ago, My DH and myself (with a lot of help from a very special friend, Carolyn) had a surprise 40th anniversary for a couple. Well it was a surprise for her but I had to tell her husband. I decided this early Friday morning, which was just the day before the surprise. I did this after finding out on Friday night, when they were having dinner at my house, that he had a surprise for her, in the form of a new ring. Also the conversation at the table Thursday night, turned to my sister's 40th anniversary vow renewal and reception. My friend made the comment that she wished she had planned something like that. So got busy Friday morning, contacted her husband, a preacher a singer, and about 19 other people. Carolyn got the cake and picked up the flowers and all the other errands, while I was at work. On Saturday, I got stuff for the punch, made her bouquet and head piece. While my DH and myself took the couple out to eat, Carolyn and Becky came over and sit up the tables on my front porch and got all the food ready. I invited the couple back to my house for dessert, and when we walked in they all were hiding and then my husband turned on the lights and they yelled surprise. They had hid all the cars at my neighbors home. She was overwhelmed, but then when her husband told her that they were also going to renew their vows, she was actually speechless.
OK now to the challenge. Pat said "So how would you frame or display a special picture?? That, ladies, is tonight's challenge!! " After seeing her sample I knew there was no way, I could come up with anything as good as she had shown us. Making a quick trip to Big Lots on Saturday to get some odds and ends, I turned down the candle aisle which was a shortcut to the register. This candle holder was on a shelf sitting all to itself. Guess it was waiting on me. This is my answer to Pat's Challenge. Sorry for the length of post and so many pictures.

This turned out to be really a simple challenge. Plus I have what I think is a pretty momento of "their night" to give to them for a gift. All I had to do is take the little candle and it's frame off the candle holder and make a template to cut the photos by. After cutting the photos out using the template I inserted the photos down inside the holder, put the top back on, put one of those little battery operated tea lights down in it, and put a few embellishments on it. Sorry the photos aren't real clear, the reflection off of the glass messed with them. Again thanks Carolyn and Becky.

Ossie ---I mean Flossie Mae

Well what I thought was a little male kitten, has turned out to be a little girl kitten, so instead of Ossie we now have Flossie Mae. This is her latest picture. Of course I have the smartest little kitten ever born. *wink*wink* The house is quiet this morning, Flossie Mae even went back to sleep. I can look out my window in my little craft room and look straight in to the limbs of a old hemlock. Most mornings there are birds in it, and they are singing the prettiest melodies. Sometimes they look at me like they are doing the serenade just for me. Mornings like this, I do a lot of reflecting back. I think about old friends, new friends, loved ones that are no longer with me, and the newest little ones in my life.

I am way behind in my card sending. I tried to catch up this morning. I have addressed some belated birthday cards, and the best thing is, I have addressed all my birthdays and anniversaries for the month of Sept. So maybe I won't be too delinquent with this month's cards. The little first aid kit goes in one one of the little packages, along with some other things I've already shown. The little white container is one I found in my drawer that holds possible alterables. I do not even remember what was originally in it. Hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday weekend. Thanks for visiting.