Follow up to Blog Below!! Backwards Kit Here!

Here is the needlepoint piece I am giving away..........

Here is my Mom in her final months.....see what a Fire Cracker she was!!!

My Favorite Vintage 4th of July Display is............

my Mother. She passed away exactly 1 year ago tomorrow, June 30th, and you guessed it....she was born on the 4th of July! She would have been 89 years "young" this year (as she would say)! Amanda Catherine Lehman was a minister's wife, a teacher, a grandmother and a great grandmother. But most importantly, she was my MOM! The 4th of July was much more than just a celebration of freedom and fireworks at our house. It was Mom's birthday and she always chuckled about how EVERYONE in the WHOLE country celebrated her birthday! She was born in Pittsboro, Indiana and always remained a "Hoosier Gal." She loved coming to Florida as in her latter years she was always cold and loved how warm Florida was most of the time. She was also on kidney dialysis the last 6 years of her life which continuously lowered her body temperature and liked the dialysis center here better than up in Indiana because down here they played Bingo and let her eat cookies and popcorn while receiving treatment! She loved to wear red, white and blue so when someone would compliment her she could explain that she was a "Freedom Fire Cracker" Baby! And here is one of the reason's I wanted to share this. I don't know about you, but when I lose someone that is close to me, it seems I am always looking for a sign that they are OK. Well, I was feeling kind of low in April as that is my birthday month and also my daughter's who is named after Mom. I was missing her terribly and just wanted to know that she was OK and I went out on the back patio and looked up in the sky. Here is what I saw....a huge kiss from Mom!

So, see.....our Fire Cracker Baby is doing just fine! Enjoy your Holiday and be sure to say a little prayer of thanks for those that have gone before us and know they ARE OK.

In honor of the 4th of July Vintage Tour, I am going to give to one lucky winner this approximately 14" x 14" Colonial Needlepoint that I bought at an Estate Sale. The center square is needlepointed in a deep rose, so this is really a rose, white and blue prize! I have no idea how old it is or where it come from but I thought it would make a fabulous cover for a journal or even something as simple as a pillow or tote. Just leave me a comment telling me how cute my Mother is and I will have her namesake draw the winner's name on the 4th of July so you can comment up until midnight of the 3rd. I will post the pic right under this post as I don't know how to get a picture down here! I NEED CHOCOLATE!! Happy 4th everyone!

Mofongo Bazinga!!!!

I was out running my list of errands and was getting hungry. Being in an adventurous mood as my list was getting checked off brilliantly, I saw a sign for a new restaurant that had opened and on the sign it said "We have Mofongo!" H'mmmmm...no clue what that was but there was a way to find out so I pulled in and went inside. The smell was fabulous...lots of garlic and pork and cilantro and espresso tickling my nostrils! I marched up and ordered Mofongo...acting like I knew exactly what I was doing. As I stood there, I noticed no one else was ordering it so became a little leery of what I had done. I stood and waited...and waited...and waited. Finally a young man motioned me over as asked to see my receipt. Then he smiled and said "Another 20 minutes and it should be ready." H'mmmmmm again. FINALLY, a plate came out of the back of the restaurant and I was looking at this HUGE pile of dirty yellow lumpy mashed potatoes! Not being one to judge a book by it's cover, I started nibbling and OMG!! It was fabulous! Lots of garlic and the texture of lumpy mashed potatoes with pieces of red pepper and pork and cilantro. I am guessing that no one was ordering it because it took so long to make but it was worth the hour wait, for sure. I immediately looked up a recipe for it when I arrived home and am going to make it myself! The title of this post is a link to a basic recipe if you want to check it out, but the one I had also had red peppers in it so I guess you can make it your own!

Be sure and read the next post as my free giveaway for The Mad Tea Party is still open until tomorrow at midnight! Make it a good day!

Party Time and Give Away!

PARTY!!!!!!!!!

Chescheri Mini Album Giveaway!

10 Interior Pockets

10 "Page" Inserts!

It's time for the Mad Tea Party and in honor of the Host, A Fanciful Twist, allowing me to join in, I am giving away my Chescheri Mini Album made with coffee filters and double sided cardstocks. There are 10 inserts that can hold photos on both sides, so room enough for 20 photos. I am new to blogging...less than a month....so to help get me into the groove, please sign up to follow me and leave me a contact comment. Since there are so many fun and fabulous blogs to visit, I will keep this open until Wednesday, June 30th. Then I will have my 20 month old grand daughter draw a name for me on Thursday, July 1st, and will contact the winner for mailing information and to let you know Chescheri is on her way to you. This is a perfect venue for keeping all your favorite photos from the 2010 Mad Tea Party! Thank you and enjoy traveling through all the wonderful blog Mad Tea Party adventures out there! I, also, appreciate any suggestions to educate me on my new adventures in the blogging world in your comments!

Welcome to Florida

Need I say more?

It's So Hard Pretending to be Normal

Here are a few pages of my journal that I play in once in awhile. I thought I would share them so you can see how normal I am......hehehehe.

All I Can Say is WOW!

I started visiting blogs last night on My Desert Cottage's Blog "Where Bloggers Create Tour," then visited off and on today and all I can say is there are SO many talented and ORGANIZED artists out there!! And I only got about a tenth of the way through the tour! If you want to check it out, go to http://mydesertcottage.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-bloggers-create-ii.html and just start clicking on the blogs. It is like traveling all over the world to so many happy places without leaving the air conditioning! (It's close to 100 degrees here in Florida today). The organized spaces just blew me away! I'm much more along the lines of the A.A. Milne thought..."One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries." Yes, it's ALWAYS Christmas at Kit's house!

The picture I have posted is a bracelet I made for one of my best friends reflecting a trip to NYC she made with her daughter and granddaughter. I know the picture isn't that great but I picked this one on purpose as the glare covers their faces as they may not want their beautiful faces plaster all over my blog!

Saw a GREAT Bumper Sticker Today!

"My Golden Retriever is smarter than your honor student"

LOLOLOL.....I guess only a dog lover would appreciate that! They are really smart dogs, though!!!

More Mini Album Designs

The top design is Tabby 1 followed by Strike a Pose and the last one is Ruby's Wristette. Only 46 more designs to post!

Mini Albums I Have Designed

My goal this last year was to design 52 different mini albums to put the Grands pictures in and do a Zine with step by step instructions and templates for others to be able to do. Here are some photos to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. I've done all the math and designed most of them to be done with only 1 sheet of double sided cardstock and to be finished in less than an hour. The top one I call Quote Me, the next is Flip Flap, then Float the Boat and the last one I call Squeeze Me. I don't know how I am going to get 52 photos on here without freezing up my Blog so will post them a few at a time over the next few weeks! Please let me know what you think!

Tuesday Was One of Those Days Full of "Strangeness.."

You know what I mean?!

Monday Is Almost Over!!

This picture was in an email a friend sent me. Isn't it so pretty and peaceful? It got me through Monday. I wish I could take pictures like this!

Bead Addict!

I got up early this morning to finish working on some beads for a bead swap I'm in and although I only needed to do 5, I ended up with over 40 by the time I finished trying all my ideas. Here is a picture of some of them. They are so addictive and the ideas kept coming. I could write a book but I am sure someone already has! Fabric, paper, cardstock....the material ideas are endless!

ATC Project from Beth in OK

Here is the ATC (Artist Trading Card) I received from Beth Meador in Oklahoma. She is losing her eyesite due to Retinitis Pigmentosa and before that happens she is trying to place a piece of her artwork in every Country and every State in the US. The title of my ATC is "My Path is Lighted" and it is done in Watercolors. This will always have a special place in our home. God Bless You, Beth! To find out more about Beth's Project, go to http://www.myspace.com/blindgirlartist

Confusion on Thursday

I received an email from my granddaughter today and it said it was sent from her IPod. Aren't those just for music??? I can't keep up with all this so meet my new Technical Assistant ....hehehehe. Hey..he has a boat, we have a lake. We can also call McGee for further assistance!

The Spirit Art Doll I Received in the Milliande Doll Swap!

Isn't she gorgeous? This is "Joyful" and she came all the way to me from Patty C. in Nevada. She is a showstopper and such detailed work! I wish I was a better photographer because she just shimmers with colors and the detailed beading is wonderful!

Quilted Pillow Squares Swap

Here are the pillow squares I made using the Teesha Moore's technique for another swap on Milliande's Blog. We all did 10 and we will all receive 10 different one's back. We can use them to make journal covers, purses, etc.

Boxcar Belle

Here is another doll I just finished for a Spirit Doll Swap on Milliande's International Art Blog for Women. This is Boxcar Belle. She is the spirit doll for those who wander in wonder and sleep under the stars.

Mucho Monday

I realize I have a dislike of Mondays. Wonder why.... Anyhoo, I wanted to get more pictures loaded of things I have made so here is another pattern I created called the Easter Beaster. I love this pattern and whipped out a bunch of these for the Grandbabies for Easter. I hope they make you smile!

Blessed Sunday

It is sooooo hot here this weekend. It's like a sauna outside! I heard the heat index was over 100 degrees. I wanted to post pics of the doll I made for one of my best friends for her birthday. She is wearing a banner that says "Am I dancing or holding on for dear life!" I say it depends on the day....

Fabulous Friday!

Got stitches out and nose spot frozen today. A fun lunch at the Columbia with one of my best friends. Coughing has slowed down to just an occasional annoyance so that is good, too!

Here is another design I did awhile back and need to get the pattern on Etsy. This is Chescheri, the other Cheshire Cat. Check out them choppers! LOL.

Thrilling Thursday

I am finally getting better...I think! I get to get my stitches out of my neck tomorrow and have the place on my nose "revisited" by my Doc. Hope I don't lose a nostril! Ewwwwww! I spent today with my Cupcake who is also sick with this coughing and wheezing but she seemed so much better today. Taught her to Limbo and now I wished I had taken a picture! She'll be 2 in October so I think to be able to Limbo this young is pretty brilliant!

I have designed a pattern to make one of those huge stars you see out of metal....but I make them out of file folders. So much lighter and easier to decorate. They measure about 22" across. Here is a pic and I hope to have the pattern on Etsy soon. I am way behind on what all I thought I'd have done by now. I think I have been saying that all my life, now that I think about it! Onward and Upwards! Let me know if you like this star pattern idea! Have a wonderful and blessed evening!

My Latest Creation

I thought I ought to start posting some pictures right away to overcome the boredom of my story telling! I like pictures so thinking everyone does. Maybe not, but here is my latest.... this is my Pinescrapple. It measures a whopping 24" x 36" and I made it from all my scraps leftover from making my 52 mini albums. It's all just torn card stock and I am going to frame it and hang it in a house we have for sale. I have this vision that a potential buyer will walk in and see this and ask the Realtor "If I buy the house, can I keep the artwork?" AND they will pay top dollar for the house just to get this one of a kind piece of art!!! I will let you know if it works. Oh, the next item on my "to do" list when I get free time is to take some photography lessons!

June 2, 2010 D-DAY!!

OK....I've gone and done it! Now mind you I am on medication for a terrible cold which probably has me throwing caution to the wind OR it could be that the fact this is a FREE Blog space that hooked me in. I like Free...especially when it comes to high tech because if it can be crashed, dumped or frozen up.....I'm your Gal! Just walking up to my computer makes it groan and sometimes before I even touch it (insert creepy music here) it jumps to that BLUE SCREEN. What a moronic question on that screen...."Have you seen this screen before?" Uh, ye-ahhhhh, like.... DAILY!

Hopefully, I can now stay in better touch with my friends and family. I keep forgetting my password for Face book (is that one or two words?) and I don't know a tweet from a twit so I am thinking this is my last hope at communicating with the REAL WORLD!

OK, this is my first post. Now I am going to go read the directions and see what I missed! Catch you later!