Stitch'in on the Porch and No more Naked Dinner

The pollen has finally stopped blowing through the air like a feather duster being shaken out. Our back porch is clean and we picked up a few new things from yard sales to cozy it up a bit. Plus, the weather has been down right gorgeous for porch sitting.

One of my most favorite things to do is sit back here and stitch. I love listening to the wind, watching the critters in the trees and the pond and smelling my magnolia tree and gardenia bush that are in bloom. It's just a peaceful place to sit and stitch.

This bird bath was given to me a long time ago by my friend Lyd. It use to be in the yard, but one day I got this big idea to use it as a cocktail table on the porch. So, I cleaned all the poo off and schlepped the thing out of the yard, up the steps and onto the porch. Mind you, it's concrete...heavy concrete. I then took these really cool glass pepple things and put them in the bath and then placed a piece of glass over the top to make the table. David came home and instead of saying how pretty it looked, he simply asked me, "how bad did you hurt yourself getting in it here?" He says my arms are chicken wings and not meant to carry heavy things. Well...dag nab bit, I got the darn thing up here didn't I! Ouchie.....

I love how the colors of the pebble things match my new pillows perfectly! Yes, I did that on purpose. You know how I am. hee,hee,hee. That cute little bun came from Tuesday morning. A whopping $6!

Ok...so now on to the reason you're really here reading this post. The no more Naked Dinner part. Yeah, yeah, I know that's what got your attention! You know who you are! hee,hee,hee. Well don't get too excited, this is a "G" rated blog.

You see, David and I love to eat on the porch as much as possible. Our kitchen is also right off the porch and we eat dinner at the kitchen bar when it's cold. We also eat dinner around 7:00 p.m. so most of the time it's dark or almost dark, except of course in the Summer..you get the picture. Well anyway, the people that built the house behind ours put in a "full length" glass block window in their bathroom. Me being in new home building, knew this was not going to be good. Oh dear... Their bathroom window faces our porch and kitchen. Now...construction tip here people...glass block just "diffuses" the image, it's NOT totally private!!! So...even though we can't actually see all the "details"...we can still see that you are naked in the bathroom and sometimes naked together in the bathroom!!!!! Then to make it even more entertaining, they always seem to take their shower's when we are eating dinner.

 Thus..."Naked Dinner."

But last week they started constructing this new garden shed that totally blocks the full glass block window from our view. So there ya have it. No more Naked Dinner. I bet you were thinking something else weren't you??? Naughty....hee,hee,hee.

A Hopp'in and a Swapp'in

Isn't this the cutest little image? I just love it. It originally was in color, but I changed it in my computer to make it more sepia toned. I'm participating in the ornament swap at Quilt and Stitch Marketplace (click here) and this image is going to be part of my ornament. I can't wait to show you the finished piece.

This was my little contribution to the art exchange I participated in. I made this little Friends Stitchery for Charlene at My Hearts Ease (click here). The crochet lace at the bottom is vintage and the those are glass pearls from Swavorski. I love those things!

Finally, I wanted to give you a sneak peak of the floss I'm using for the secret project at the 12 Days of Christmas Shop Hop. Remember, starting this Friday, November 27, visit my website each day for your FREE stitchery pattern. At the end of the 12 days I'll show you the finished project and there will be prizes! Be sure to visit Make Mine Pink (click here) to participate in the shop hop and win prizes there too! While you're at it, you can get all your Christmas shopping done without leaving home!

Don't forget Wild Hare Wednesday kicks off this week with some decorating Wild Hares! I'll be interested to see what your wild decorating hares have been!

bunny hugs,

shell

This week IGF being one week closer to only working 2 jobs.

Art for my Soul

It came, it went. The Art and Soul retreat in Hampton, Virginia. I registered for classes back in November. My best friend, Beth, and I decided to give ourselves a 40th birthday present while we celebrated being best friends for 28 years. We met when we were 12. We made art together all the time. We were in art classes when we were little and to this day, we still love to create art together. What better way to celebrate than going to an art retreat. This is a picture of me and Beth. A little blurry because people can't operate my camera. Having a best friend like Beth is a true gift.

From the minute we got to the hotel on Wednesday, I knew we were in for a special treat. What a fabulous room! The people were so friendly and kind. Artists are usually like that. To be surrounded by some of the most incredible artist was so inspiring. We took classes every day from 9 until 4:30 and then again from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. We were tired, but not in the "gotta go to work and deal with crap" kinda way.

For the first time in years, my mind was free from responsibility and all I had to do was let my soul be and create. The paints, the inks, the glue's, the papers! The kindest people coming up to the breakfast table and asking if they could join us. Learning about their lives and their art was so much fun. I met so many artist that I have admired in my beloved Somerset Magazines. To see them and their work in person was a totally thrilling experience. To learn more about them on a personal level was even better.

I met a lady named Jo who is an incredible bead artist. Here is a picture of her holding a gourd that she painted and the beaded. It took her 2 years to create this masterpiece. She has won numerous awards and money for this one of a kind piece. The detail was amazing. She gave Beth and me a lesson on beading and we would love to go visit her in Williamsburg, VA for some classes. She was so nice.

For years I have admired the work of mixed media artist, Beryl Taylor. To meet her in person and be able to take a class from her was the icing on the cake. I could look at her art for hours and never tire of it. She is an incredible lady who is so funny and so incredibly kind. I could also listen to her talk all day long. She is from England. She signed her book for me Mixed Media Explorations and this is a picture of her and me and some of her beautiful work. She creates fabric from paper and that is what she taught us to do. I will be making a lot of this. It's so fun!

I will never forget this trip and I would love to go on another one. Maybe next time I can go to the one in Portland, OR. Maybe one day I could even go to the one in Italy. Hmmm, better start saving for that one. Of course, Beth will have to go with me. Best Friends Forever....

I'll put pictures of my work up as I finish them. I took 6 classes and learned so much. I want to take my time finishing the projects so I can hang them on the walls in "Bunnyville" (what I have named my studio).

Have a great week. Hugs to all and I encourage you to purchase art for your soul. It's good for you. Remember, no mass produced, fall apart Walmart! Buy original, buy handmade!

Shell

This week IGF having a best friend for 28 years and being able to shed responsibilities and just play for 5 days.