Boys, Boys, Boys

A perfect word for "B" - BOYS!

My life is filled with BOYS and I'm OK with them.
This is my youngest son and his fiance

My hubby, AKA Grampa, and Mr. E

 Son #2 and Mr. E

My oldest son was killed in a car accident in 1997.  He left behind a then three-year-old son who lives with his grandparents in Virginia.

Needless to say, I'm good at boy stuff: football, baseball, golf and Hot Wheels.  Dirt is no problem.  Worms and bugs are a problem.

When we get together with the family, you're more likely to find me hanging out with the children or the men than with the women of the family.

Are you more comfortable with boys or girls?

Sweet P

A is for . . .

BIG A, little a 

What begins with A?

Aunt Annie's alligator

A...a...A

Dr. Seuss's ABC

This rhyme ran through my head all night as I mused on my topic for the letter A.  When you have an adorable four-year-old grandson Dr. Seuss is part of your reading repertoire.

Where does A fit into my life?

About Me

For any new readers, let me tell you about me.  I am a 50-something wife, mother, and grandmother (or Dema as my grandson, Mr. E, calls me).  We live in beautiful Dover, NH where it snows most of the winter and the sun shines most of the summer.

 

I work for a large fabric and craft retailer as a merchandise manager.  I love my job as it allows me to work creative co-workers and help creative customers.

At least one night and one day a week, I have the extreme pleasure of Mr. E being here.  We have a ton of fun together as we play, create, garden and enjoy growing up.

I spend time every day creating something.  Which leads me to my second "A":

Art

In grade school I loved art class.  I enjoyed cutting, coloring, drawing and painting.  I was chosen to paint the Queen of Hearts on the school's library window.  I didn't pursue art through junior high and beyond.  Academics were more important to me.

As an adult I always longed to take a drawing or art class.  One morning on the way to work an SUV drove by advertising private art classes.  I quickly jotted down the number.  When I sat down at my desk I picked up the phone and nervously dialed the number.  Soon I was signed up for a weekly private one hour art class.  I started with sketching.  I practiced and practiced, but never felt comfortable drawing.  Instead we turned to painting.

Two years into the classes, I rediscovered quilting - an art my Irish grandmother taught me when I was young.  I left the art class and focused on quilting and playing with fabric.

Fast forward to today.  I now play and create art in many ways: with fiber, with fabric, with paper.  I am starting to explore with mixed media formats as well.  Below is a my first attempt at mixed media with a cover for a new sketch book.  I used Gelatos, pens and chipboard stickers.

My last "A" word for the day is Awesome!  That's my description of my life.

Thanks for stopping by and come around tomorrow to see what the letter "B" brings to this blog.

Sweet P

Can I Blog A to Z?

My niece wrote on her blog this morning she is going to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge in April.  Mmmmmm . . . sounded interesting.  I checked it out, mulled over it while cooking and cleaning, and decided to give it a try.

My theme is Around the House.  A little food, a little arts and crafts, a little family, a lot of fun.

For now, here is Mr. E ready for Easter morning church in his new suit.

I hope you will check back daily to see how I show off my A, B, C's!

Sweet P

A Day Off with Grampa

This past Monday Grampa had the day off and he spent it with me and Mr. E.  Mr. E was excited when Grampa hopped into the car to join us on the way to therapy.

After therapy we went to the indoor playground.

It was a busy place on the holiday.

 After play time it was off to Friendly's for lunch.

Mr. E needed Grampa's help deciding what to have for lunch

After a busy morning it was nap time.

Mr. E decided to nap in his tent.

 He's in there - somewhere!

At the end of the day, he and daddy spent time playing on their I-pads.

This week it's mommy's turn to spend Monday with us.

Sweet P

List #6 - Things I Do Every Day

 List #6 - Things I Do Every Day

1. Brew a fresh pot of coffee
2. Read Facebook, check in on Ravelry and read Blogs
3. Hug my hubby
4. Smile, a lot
5. Be happy
6. Sing
7. Create
8. Think about exercising more

To learn more about 52 Lists, check out Meet Me at Mike's.

Sweet P

List #5 - Favorite Snacks

 List #5 - Favorite Snacks

1. Cinnamon Almonds
2. Banana
3. Fruit chews
4. Chocolate of almot any kind
5. Corn chips with black bean and corn salsa
    

For more yummy snack lists, check out Meet Me at Mike's.

Sweet P

List #4 - Favorite Smells

I'm catching up on 52 Lists this week.

Here's list #4 - Favorite Smells

1. Coffee brewing
2. Lavender
3. Cookie butter spread on warm toast
4. Fresh cut grass
5. Rain
6. Hubby when he gets out of the shower
7. Onions sauteing on the stove
8. Simmering chili

Learn more at Meet Me at Mike's.

Sweet P

List #3 - Childhood Shows

List #3 -  Favorite Childhood Shows

I wasn't much of a TV watcher growing up.  I spent more time playing outside than inside.  This is a short list.

1. Brady Bunch
2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
3. Batman
4. Lawrence Welk (loved the music)

For more lists, check out Meet Me at Mike's.

Sweet P

Mid-February Update

I wish I could get back on a regular blogging schedule.  I have many excuses for not writing posts these days:

• Working too many hours.  When I started writing this blog I was working 50 hours a week.  That's more than I'm working now.  Bad excuse!
• Sharing my life on Facebook.  This has merit.  It's easier and faster to write two or three sentences, post a photo and call it "good".  Plus more people read my Facebook ramblings than my blog.
•  My adorable Mr. E keeps me busy.
• The biggest reason of all: My free time is devoted to creating, whether it's crocheting, needlepointing, paper crafting, cooking.

What motivates you to keep blogging?


Anyway, we survived the blizzard last weekend.  The storm gave me four days off, three of them housebound with my hubby.  Here's a brief photo trip through the storm.

My car - 10:30 am Friday morning

 Same car - 10:30 am Saturday morning

Looking to the right of my car

 Hubby starting to dig out the car

I spent a lot of time creating during the storm.

I cut out hearts for Mr. E

(stupid photo won't stay turned)

 I put together a Snow Day mini album

(another photo that won't turn)

And I crocheted 18 mini baubles

We enjoyed the time hibernating.  It was the first time in years we got to enjoy snow days together!

What have you been doing lately?

Sweet P

List #2 of 52

Jobs I have had:

1. Circulation aide at public library
2. Switchboard operator at a Target store
3. Office assistant at credit bureau
4. Waitress at several restaurants including Perkins, Dennys, Red Lobster, World of Pancakes, Weathervane, as well a couple of small local breakfast coffee shops
5. Youth minister
6. Executive assistant at our family company
7. Merchandise manager at Jo-Ann Fabrics

 What jobs have you had?

Sweet P

Can I Make 52 Lists?

Normally I am not a list maker, but in the interest of doing something different, I though I would give it try.  Prompted by Toni at The Red Boot Quilt Company, I clicked over to Meet Me At Mike's to see what this 52 lists is all about.  I think I will give it a try.

Week #1
Towns/cities I have lived in:

1. Blaine, MN - 1961-1985
2. Waukesha, WI - 1985
3. Orlando, FL - 1985-1986
4. Saratoga Springs, NY - 1986
5. Norfolk, VA - 1986-1993
6. Dover, NH - 1993 - 1997
7. Blaine, MN - 1997-1998
8. Newmarket, NH - 1998 - 1999
9. Dover, NH - 1999 - present

Where have you lived?

Sweet P

Reorganizing Drawers

I finally spent the remainder of my Christmas money this past Tuesday.  It was tougher than I thought it would be.  I have a gift card and a 10% off purchase coupon for The Container Store.  I figured with those two items and my remaining money, I could find several storage options.  I spent days perusing their website and had a handful of ideas when I walked in the door.

Alas, I was less than thrilled with their storage options.  Most of it is wire, plastic and melamine.  Not a whole lot different than what I could find in other stores.  But, I was determined to spend my money.  90 minutes later I left with two new kitchen drawer organizers, a cookbook holder, a rack for my baking pans, an ironing board and iron hanger and two racks for hanging purses and scarves.

Yesterday I woke up with the mindset of transforming a few drawers and thread storage around the house.

First up was the kitchen drawers.

Here are before photos of the drawers, one for silverware and for utensils.

The organizers I bought for these drawers are expandable to fit the entire drawer.  I love them!

But wait . . . the old drawer organizers didn't get kicked to the curb!

They are now home to my stamping and art supplies.

My original intent in going to The Container Store was for thread storage.  I was frustrated having many plastic containers for my needlepoint threads.  It took me forever to choose threads for a new project.  Then, a light bulb went off in my head in the middle of the night.  I have this wonderful wood cart that wasn't being used to it's full potential.

When I first bought it I was quilting a lot.  I used it to store pre-cut squares and strips in the smaller drawers and larger cuts of fabric in the larger drawers.  Lately the bottom half of the cart is holding Mr. E's clothes and the top half was just stuff.  I did a little Google research and decided to make my own dividers for the drawers and put my threads in them.

With a little trial and error, chipboard and a few pieces of masking tape,

I made these dividers for the drawers.

My thread storage went from these containers (by the way, a friend came by and bought these containers from me already)

Into the drawers

The threads are sorted by color: red/pink, yellow/white, orange/brown, blue, green and purple.  I love it!  Late yesterday I was working on a project and wanted to choose a different thread.  It was super easy to flip through the drawers looking for the right thread.  I don't know what took me so long to come up with this idea!  Needless to say, I've been spending the last 24 hours hunting around the house for other methods of reusing what I have to revamp my craft storage.

The project I was working on?  It was the Monday Mystery from Janet J. Perin.  I finished the second part yesterday.  I'm anxious to see the next step on Monday.

Have you done any reorganizing lately?

Sweet P

Start of a New Year

I am not one to make New Year's Resolutions.  I choose to live one day at a time and enjoy every day.  Therefore, there are no big pronouncements to be found here.

I have finished one project already this year.  Hubby's best friend and his wife are expecting their first baby, a girl, next month.  She is sure to become a girly girl and a pink and white afghan will be the perfect complement to her.

I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease yarn.  I loved working with the yarn.  The afghan washed up beautifully.  I can't wait to give it to them.

I received money from my FIL for Christmas.  Whenever I get money or a gift card, I always take a long time deciding how to spend it.  I think about what I would have asked the recipient for and then spend the money on those items.  I have always asked people for gift cards to my favorite on-line shops and no one has ever given me one.  So, with part of my Christmas money and a good sale on threads at Fireside Stitchery, I enhanced my thread stash significantly.  I spent two days contemplating my purchase.  Should I buy all one kind of thread in as many colors as I can?  Should I parcel out the purchase over the year?  What to do?  I even created a spreadsheet to help me make the decision.

I finally decided to purchase seven different thread types in six basic color groups.  The threads I chose were: Caron threads including Watercolours, Soie Cristale, Impressions and Snow.  Plus Rainbow Gallery Pebbly Perle, Rainbow Tweed and Very Velvet Petite.  The six color groups were: yellow, orange, pink/red, blue, purple and green.

My purchase arrived on Saturday and I couldn't be more thrilled!  Nearly all of threads arrived, the rest are back ordered and will be sent when they come in.

Here are the yellows, pink/red and oranges

Here are the blues, purples and greens

Fireside Stitchery also has Ebay auctions where they sell items for other stitchers.  I happened to find a collection of mini canvases perfect for stitching over the next year.

Two lovely angels

And two mini stockings

Yesterday I couldn't wait to try some of the new threads.  I started Laura J. Perin's newest Mini Mystery Monday.  I chose Elderberry Wine Watercolour, purple Snow, purple Pebbly Perle and a gold Kreinik thread.  I finished the inside part of the project last night.  I still have the borders to finish.  I hope to get them done before she posts Part 2 today.

And to think, I still have Christmas money to spend.  I have a plan for it - stay tuned!

Sweet P

SSCS Goodies

There is one Christmas swap I have been in since it started: ChookyBlue's SSCS. I got wonderful gifts from my partner, Shez at Shez Enjoying Life.

Here is the gorgeous ornament she sent me.  It found a home on my tree right away.

She made me a cute wall hanging and included Christmas buttons

and a piece of Christmas fabric.

My SSCS partner was Pamela at Simply Chic.

I crocheted her a snowflake using hand dyed yarn.

I made her a journal for her gift.

The journal was a lot of fun to make.  I will be making more of them this coming year.

Thanks, Chookyblue for another great SSCS swap.

Christmas Catch-Up

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday!  My son and his fiance came up from Brooklyn to spend Christmas with us.  Mr. E, mommy and daddy spent a lot of time here. The celebration was fantastic!  I didn't take many photos as I was enjoying the moments rather than snapping away.

For the first time in several years we have a full-size tree.  Of course, I had no tree skirt.  Therefore, I made one.  There are seven snowmen on the skirt, one for each person in our family.

One of our family traditions is to have a new pair of pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve.

Mr. E understood Santa Claus this year for the first time.  We set out a plate of cookies and milk for Santa.  Mr. E is taste testing one of the cookies before he went home for the night.

After he went home, it was time to put the presents under the tree.

Christmas morning was tons of fun.  Mr. E was excited Santa left him a note thanking him for the cookies.  Opening presents was exciting.  Mr. E's line of the morning was, "I help you open it!"  Followed by lots of oohs and aahs.  The rest of the morning was spent putting together this for Mr. E.

 

He loves marble mazes.  Let me tell you, this one is not coming down anytime soon!

Today we are getting hit by a Nor'Easter, lots of snow and sleet and ice.  It's gorgeous, but dangerous out there.  I'm hoping I don't have to go into work later today.

Sweet P

Stitching Diversion

Ooops, I'm a little lax in posting.  Blame it on working retail and getting ready for Black Friday and Holiday shopping preparation.  I don't mind the busy weekend.  I work the closing shift which means I won't see the mad rush of people, but I will see the mess and that's OK with me.

Christmas swap gifts are nearly ready to be sent so this week I treated myself by starting a Monday Mini Mystery project by Laura J Perin at the Two Handed Stitcher.  She started the mystery two weeks ago.  Her mystery projects are quick and fun.  I have done them before, but so far this one is my favorite.

Thread choices:

1. Caron Watercolors in Pomegranate
2. Caron Impressions, Color 3041, a bright red
3. Caron Impressions, Color 4022, a bright yellow
4. Brown Paper Packages Trio in Citron
5. Rainbow Gallery Hi-lights, color H365, a metallic rust orange and gold

Here is the piece with week one finished:

Here it is with week two finished:

Finally with week three done and the metallic thread added:

I can't wait for the next installment next Monday!

Sweet P

Christmas Swap Gifts In Progress

I am involved in four Christmas swaps this year.  I always enjoy swaps this time of year because I know the recipients will enjoy what I make for them.

I've been crocheting snowflakes.  This week I blocked the ones I have finished.

I have been sewing a project or two:

There is another secret crochet project or two being worked on:

If you look closely you will also a book on making books from which I also have a project or two in process.

Are you one of my swap partners?  Do you wish you were?

What gifts are you working on for Christmas?

Sweet P