Friday 23 January 2009

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

Well, be prepared - this will be a varied post! There has been lots going on lately. Some I can show and some I can't.
I have been very quiet as I have been working on a mystery quilt with my quilt group here in Arizona. I missed the first two weeks so I am catching up. I am there now. I cannot show you the table topper as it will be a gift for someone who reads my blog. Sorry.
I also will not bore you with photos of Noddy and Royal Holiday. Noddy has had a monkey and the same boat as before added to the border. I have done some stitching on Royal but she still looks like a brown blob.
Now for the variety.
First up, here is Jack's birthday cake that Grandma made for him. He requested a garbage truck and after much searching here is what I came up with. It is not the best as I did not have my decorating supplies but he loved it.

Upon my return I received this lovely gift from Clare. Clare and I did a Fair and Square exchange together and have become friends. She sent me this lovely ornament of a lighthouse. Santa's sleigh is being pulled by a team of goldfish. We can't quite figure that one out so if anyone has any ideas.
Next up, my neighborhood is home. Annemarie mailed it off to me late December and I was thrilled to receive it. The photos do not do it justice. It is so tiny and perfect. My heartfelt thanks go out to Carol, Katrina, Judith, Cathy B, Annemarie and Michelle. Edited to add Erin. I am so sorry Erin. I knew someone's name was missing but just could not come up with it. Today I looked at my RR and there it was - your name. thank you so much.

I have a good friend named Bill C. Last year, he went to the Yuma fair with Leo and I and saw the ribbons that I had won. He made a crack to the effect that anyone could do that and that he was going to stitch something and enter it in next year's fair as competition for me. I promptly dismissed his words.
Well, this week he presented me with this finished cross stitched piece. He has since learned that it is not as simple as it looks and that stitching takes a great deal of time. He worked on it off and on since last summer. Bill is known for his whining capabilities so I will always be reminded of him by his choice of pieces to stitch. I think he did a wonderful job for his first stitch!!!!! and I appreciate the time and effort he put into it.
I also received my next winter neighborhood in the mail and have started on it. Here is my progress to date.

Now, if you are not bored to tears I have a little business to conduct.
Lesley had this interesting little tidbit on her blog and I decided to go along with it. She got to interview me and ask me 5 questions in return for posting them to my blog.

1. What do you like and dislike about the place where you live?
In Arizona I love the sunshine and the everchanging desert. I do not like the duststorms and sometimes I miss green trees. In Canada, I love the view of the lake from all the windows in my house. I do not like the dampness that can be persistant from living so close to the water.
2. What types of crafts and needlework do you do and which do you enjoy most?
I do cross stitch, swedish weaving, crochet, ribbon embroidery, crewel, 3D paper tole, cake decorating and quilting. My top choice is always cross stitching.
3. Tell us what you admire most about your sons.
My older son Bob - his calmness, his love for his family and the joy he takes in life
My younger son Adam - he is very affectionate, his love for his family and his sense of adventure.
They are my great joy. Their father died when they were very small and they have been everything to me. Leo is a wonderful father to them for many years and my children adore him. I have been twice blessed.
4. Out of everything you have made yourself, which do you like best? which did you enjoy most? which are you most proud of?
I love Fairy Grandmother (Lavender and Lace) that I stitched for my granddaughter. I enjoyed stitching Paradigm Lost the most and I am most proud of Celtic Banner which won me the ribbons at the county fair.
5. I received a wonderful stitchy surprise today. What has surprised you most recently?
My blog entry before this one I think covers my biggest surprise. I cannot believe that after all this time, that Mirabilia RR has been returned to me and that I was able to send it on to Marjean.

If you would like to be interviewed by me, this is what you do.
1. Leave a comment saying "Interview me"
2. I will respond by sending you 5 questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers
4. You will include an explanation and an offer to interview someone else
5. When others ask to be interviewed you will ask 5 questions.

Whew, I think I got it all. Okay anyone want to be interviewed??????????

17 comments:

Rowyn said...

What gorgeous RRs. Your seaside RR does look very tiny, and very beautiful.

That's really cute that your grandson wanted a rubbish truck birthday cake. You made a wonderful job of it.

What an intriguing Christmas ornament from Clare, with goldfish pulling Santa. The mind boggles!

What a great story about your friend Bill and his stitching. He did a fantastic job of his first ever piece.

Jenny said...

Both those neighborhood RRs are turning out great - my first ever RR was a neighborhood RR. :)

BTW, you won the basket give-away on my blog - please stop by the blog to get my email address so you can email me your snail addy. :)

Missy Ann said...

Love the RRs, they look fabulous! If you need an extra stitcher for that seaside drop me an email.

And your dumptruck looks just as it should. :)

Brigitte said...

Both RRs look great, particularly the Winter Neighbourhood RR. I love all sorts of winter pictures but not winter itself. Too much cold and snow.
What a nice piece you got from your friend Bill. It's fantastic for a first ever project.
Jack must have been very pleased with his garbage truck. It's a pity that it can only be preserved in pictures.

mainely stitching said...

A wonderful & interesting post, Kathy! :D

Anonymous said...

Umm, it looks to me like Santa is delivering this gifties to the fishies in the fish tank. Clicking on your photo for a closer look, the other 'buildings' and the plants look like the type you buy for aquariums.

Luuve that birthday cake! :o)

Wendy said...

I really love your projects! They look so great! I enjoy reading your blog and the wonderful things you make, that I have an award for you. Take a look at my blog, please!

PS : I'm looking forward to the mystery quilt also.

Cindy F. said...

Love your RR summery theme! The colors are just beautiful! And your winter RR is beautiful on the blue fabric!
Great birthday cake! That's a fun talent I wish I had a pinch of!
Bill did an amazing job! Congrats to him:)

Anonymous said...

Tks Kathy.

Bill

Dani - tkdchick said...

Boy you must be busy... I can never catch you online! LOL that is halarious Thou Shall not Whine!!!

Wendy said...

Hi Kathy,

Well, I have a second award for you also. It's such a lovely one that I wanted to share this one also with you.

Take care,
Wendy

Lavendelhaus said...

Very nice, your winter neigbourhood.
Bianca

AnnMcD said...

As usual you have not been idle. Love Bill's stitching! It is still cold here but in a couple of weeks I will be in Florida...we are getting anxious!

Beatrice said...

That is a cute pieces that Bill stitched...maybe he will win the Award. That would be cool!
You've been busy I see. The RR 's are wonderful.
Take care!

Ruth said...

Ok, I think Thou shalt not needs to be entered with a note signed by all his friends certifying his whining tendencies. lol

A dump truck? I applaud your ability to improvize a darn fine cake... of a DUMP TRUCK! lol

If you want an interview victim, you can have me. I note you have no other brave souls yet. lol

Also, I'd be honored to have your spools I'll email you.

And another also, I just love your beach RR. I note that there is some spare space on it. If you'd like a volunteer to fill it I'dbe honored. Now, I know you may have plans for the space, and that's fine. I just know I have a RR I haul out and stare at trying to figure out who to send it to next. lol

Wendy said...

Those are great RR's! And I love your pal's Whine stitching. How great that he tried his own hand at stitching.

Stitchingranny said...

I would love to be interviewed by you lol wonder what questions you will come up with.