Happy Thanksgiving..

Today has been ONE of "those" days...

...that I just can't concentrate on any one thing. It is, after all - the perfect day to get stuff accomplished. I had appointments today - which were both cancelled, I have the house to myself and a million things on the back burner that really need some attention. Focus. Focus. Where is my focus??? What a nice view I have. Focus.....

After a wonderful conversation on the phone this morning - my buddy Mary, (White Clover Stitches) who can do just about anything with needle, thread, beads, yarn, you name it - sent me a pattern for socks after arising at the conclusion that the pattern I got out of my book titled, "Oh so Easy Knits!' - wasn't, um - oh so easy after all. I do hope to report progress on these socks soon.

I do want to make one last comment on the topic of knitting before I show you my experiments from today - FIVE NEEDLES - 5 NEEDLES??? WHO THE HECK DECIDED THAT SOCKS SHOULD BE KNIT WITH 5 FREAKING NEEDLES??? IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE A JOKE?
I did start painting, stitching and melting some foundations for my Christmas gift tags, cards, etc. I always enjoy doing the legwork for those kinds of projects. Just getting handling the paints, fancy fabrics and fibers, etc. makes me happy. Just what I needed after such a frustrating morning!

These first few are tyvek that I painted with Lumiere and heated up for texture. The purple one came out so cool.

Then I gathered some old stuff, new stuff, colored stuff into groups like my friend Carolyn does - for inspiration

Looking at Carolyn's little collections always inspire me. So I thought, what if I do that myself with my own stuff? I'll let you know how it turns out!!

Laugh as much as you breathe and

love as long as you live.

Blustery Days....

Oh How I Love Them!!!

The Wind, The Rain, The Falling Leaves...

The perfect day to work on my rag quilts....

Play with the embellisher....

making pretty pieces of handmade fabric with silks, organza, lame, metallic fibers, soy silk, yarns and other pretties....

Then stitching all over the surface
and applying heat to create some magic....

which will now be cut into hearts, and stars, Christmas trees to make beautiful Victorian Christmas Gift Tags.

If time permits....

I just might work on my kitting skills. I really want to knit my entire family socks for Christmas this year.

Do corgis wear socks?????

Now put on your raincoat and boots.... and go jump in the puddles. It will make your heart smile!

The Ocean at St. Ives Bay...

I have long admired a blog of a lovely lady (Lesley) in St. Ives (I believe I came across her on Carolyn's blog) - who is not only a gallery owner, but an amazingly talented painter.

Sea Blue Sky Abstracts blog has been a favorite haunt of mine for while. I visit there at least a few times a week to indulge my passion for the sea - and all things beautiful in shades of blues and neutrals which seem to be Lesley's trademark.

Lesley sent me this beautiful painting that she painted that I am so excited and honored to own. I am working on something to send her in return for this wonderful gift.

I have been diligently looking for frames for both this piece, and the earlier piece (on global warming) that you may remember, that my dear friend Carolyn sent me. I'm afraid that to do these two pieces justice, I need no ordinary frame. Therefore, my quest continues. I am seriously considering putting them on my Christmas list - as it looks like frames regal enough to hold both of these pieces will have a regal price tag attached!!


In the meantime, both Global Warming and St. Ives Beay are both securely and lovingly placed under a sheet of glass in my studio so that Sabrina and I can enjoy them until Santa comes!

Now go breathe in some fresh, crisp St. Ives air and visit Lesley's world of paint and brush.

The Leaves.......

are falling.... and falling.....

and falling.....at the Recca House! We get 'em cleaned up, and they fall some more. Everyone loves playing in the leaves - even Tobie!

NOW... go out and jump in a great big pile of leaves today (when nobody's looking - if you care to do it that way!) It will make you (and anyone who sees you!) SMILE I promise!!