I've Been Tagged

Marilyn of 4 You With Love blog tagged me in a blog questionnaire game of tag. The following questions are what I am to answer. Then I have to come with 11 questions and tag 11 people. I have never done this but am happy to give it a try to share a little about me and hopefully learn about others.


Here goes:


1.  What was your favorite childhood toy?
Barbie dolls and her house, van, and hand sewn clothes that my grandmother made for all my Barbie's.


2.  How many children were in your family and what is your birth order?
I am the oldest of two girls by three years.

3.  If you are married or seeing someone seriously, how did you meet them and what attracted you to them?
My husband, Stan, and I met in high school and we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary in August.


4.  What do you do when you are not blogging? 
I don't work except at home, so I am generally cooking, cleaning, sewing, crafting or reading.


5.  Do  you  do any volunteering and if so what/where?
I spent 20 years volunteering at school, church, crisis pregnancy center, etc. Last year we had a tragedy in our family and I decided I needed time to regroup and focus on my family and friends. The free time has allowed me to help out friends in need and also to have a friend really give of her time to encourage me.

6.  What is your favorite activity that you blog about (cooking, sewing, knitting, painting, remodeling, etc)?
I enjoy all different activities but sewing/embroidery and cooking are my two favorites to blog about.

7.  What is your favorite childhood memory?
I loved vacations. On the morning that we would leave, my mom would pack a cooler with  
pistachio salad, strawberry dream salad and fried chicken. We would stop and picnic on the way to our destination. I always loved those picnics and the excitement of knowing we were headed someplace fun.


8.  Who is your (fantasy) dream guy?
Instead of who, I would say what makes a dream guy...honesty, faithfulness, kind, considerate, generous with his time, selfless, a man who loves God first and family second. 


9.  What is the "creating/crafting" skill your mom/grandmother taught you and you always think of them whenever you make something with this medium?
My grandmother taught me to cross-stitch, embroider and quilt. Anytime I engage in any of those activities, she is always on my mind.

10.  Where do you see your blog 12 months from today?
I hope active. I did well for a couple of years and then really let it slip away for two years. I started anew in January and really have a desire to continue blogging. I am hoping to meet new crafting friends, share new projects and enjoy the time I am online.

11.  Who is your idol?
My kids! I love them dearly and am so thankful they survived my parenting to grow into two wonderful, healthy, active adults. My son is 25 and my daughter just turned 23. My son told me last week that I was a Ball of Happy. I am choosing to take that as a compliment.  :)

Wild Olive Stitch Swap and a Helpful Tip

Check out this adorable package I received yesterday. It is my swap gift from the Wild Olive Stitch Swap. The only rules were that hand embroidery had to be used and the hoop had to be 4", you could or could not include any other goodies. That was totally open to the individual. I am so thrilled with my hoop, the embroidered tea towel and embroidery thread. My partner chose to use two of my favorite colors and my love for anything birds. I couldn't be happier over my package. 

Here is my package headed to Portugal. I am hoping she will be as thrilled with her swap gift as I am with mine. I included my hoop, a set of iron on embroidery pattern transfers and a set of homemade magnets. I used her 3 favorite colors and enjoyed making each item.

When I completed my embroidery, I removed it from the work hoop I had used and backed it with a piece of light broadcloth for added stability. I trimmed it evenly around.

I ran a gathering stitch close to the edge, finished it with a tight pull and knotted it.

Before adding the felt backing, I stamped my name info on the felt. This is the first time I have used the stamps on any fabric. I need lots of practice! 

I slip-stitched the felt to the gathered fabric for a finished back.

To dress up the hoop a bit, I hot glued flat ribbon and then layered ric-rac on top. I really like the finished look.

Helpful tip: I had used all the lotion out of the bottle, I thought. No more would come out of the pump but when I took the pump lid off, I could see lotion in the bottom. Usually I would just pitch the bottle in the recycle bin but this time I decided to check and see how much lotion was actually in the bottle. I tipped the bottle over a clean, empty jar and left it overnight. As you can see, the bottle a good deal of lotion left. I will use a spoon to scoop it out and will truly have an empty bottle to toss. By the time it had completely emptied, I had 2/3's of a jar of lotion.

Key West Grilled Chicken and Grilled Pineapple Recipes

While perusing Pinterest earlier in the week, I ran across two recipes I wanted to try and try them together. Key West Grilled Chicken and Grilled Pineapple. Both turned out to be delicious. I added Grilled Zucchini to the mix and a bag of baked Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Fries. The family declared it a keeper meal. The marinade for both the chicken and pineapple are so easy. The zucchini I washed, sliced, brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with Trader Joe's 21 Spice Blend and grilled. 

Grilled pineapple recipe can be found here: http://jana739.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/grilled-pineapple/

Key West Grilled Chicken recipe is here:

 http://www.grocerybudget101.com/content.php/322-Key-West-Grilled-Chicken

This meal made me want to throw on a bathing suit and flip flops and sit by an ocean. Okay...truth is, I want that any day!

Linking up to: http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/03/linky_party_80/

http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/03/feature-friday-free-for-all-12.html 

http://jennifercooks.com/ 

http://www.craftionary.net/2012/03/friday-fun-party-and-features-12.html 

http://asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com/2012/03/simply-klassic-sunday-link-party-and_24.html 

http://www.waywardgirlscrafts.com/search/label/wayward%20weekend 

Black Apple Doll Named Baby

I made my first Black Apple Doll yesterday. The pattern is a freebie found http://www.marthastewart.com/264299/black-apple-doll. There is a tutorial video. It is best to watch before cutting your pieces. The pattern is printable and needs to be enlarged 150%. No problem. The problem is not realizing that the pattern pieces for the arms and legs needed a seam allowance added. Yes, I had to redo and sew them twice. My doll went to a sweet friend's 16 month old. Taking that into consideration, I didn't paint the face but instead embroidered it. I also added ribbon around the neckline for a necklace/collar and another ribbon for a belt. I chose a bright color for the legs for a tights look. I wanted Baby to be bright and cheerful. 

I gave Kenna her Baby on our ride home from the airport. She is here with her momma, my sweet friend, Jill. Kenna hugged and kissed and yes, chewed, on Baby immediately. :)

This was a fun project and I plan to make a few more for gifts. The possibilities for variety are endless. And of course, the older the child the more accessories can be added. Has anyone else tried this pattern and if so, what did you think? Share your link with me so I can check it out. 

linking up to:

 http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/03/show-me-extraordinary-47.html

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/03/linky_party_80/ 

http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/03/feature-friday-free-for-all-12.html 

http://www.craftionary.net/2012/03/friday-fun-party-and-features-12.html 

http://asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com/2012/03/simply-klassic-sunday-link-party-and_24.html 

http://www.waywardgirlscrafts.com/search/label/wayward%20weekend 

Work in Progress Wednesday

I am participating in the Wild Olive Stitch Swap (http://wildolive.blogspot.com/). The requirements are for one 4" hoop in hand embroidery. 4 inches is not very big when trying to decide on an embroidery pattern. My swap partner didn't give any type of suggestions except color. I decided to use the corner of a free pattern from Jenny of Elephantz, http://www.elefantz.com/ in the colors requested. I have completed the embroidery and now have to decide how to finish the back. I think this little blue bird is adorable, don't you?

A Day At The Georgia Aquarium

Our daughter lives in GA in a suburb of  Atlanta. She turned 23 on the 13th. My husband, son and I traveled there yesterday to spend the day with Hanna and Rob. We let her plan our day of activities. We ate at Egg Harbor Cafe for lunch. We then went to the GA Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. If you have not been, it is well worth the visit and money for attendance. My family teased me that I was like a 7 year old with eyes wide and exclamations of amazement. Go to http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/  to check out the aquarium site.

Our son, Cody, and our daughter the birthday girl, Hanna. 

Whale shark!

Hanna and Rob

Proud daddy!

Jelly Fish

Felt and Embroidery Hoop Project

I completed my first felt and embroidery hoop project. It is for a friend who is having a precious boy in May. I completed the back off by doing a running stitch around the extra linen fabric, pulled it tight and knotted it off. I then cut a piece of felt to fit the back and sewed it to the linen for a finished look. To dress the hoop up a little bit, I glued on ric-rac around the hoops edge.  I think it turned out well for a first try. :)

My inspiration to even try felt and embroidery together came from Lime Riot. This tutorial link was my first introduction, http://limeriot.blogspot.com/2011/06/felt-embroidery-tutorial.html.

The Trouble with Crafting, http://thetroublewithcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/05/finishing-hoop-with-felt.html,  showed me how to finish off the back with felt. Of course, both of these ladies have a much more professional look. But, hey, it's my first try! :) I'm happy with it. 

Linking to: http://www.countrymommacooks.com/2012/03/link-greet-party-10.html

http://www.craftionary.net/2012/03/friday-fun-party-and-features-11.html 

http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/03/manic-monday-linky-party-10.html#more 

http://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/