Gee, here it is March already. Seems like it was just the beginning of the new year, I have so much to finish, and time just seems to be slipping away. I am learning a new skill, making free standing lace on the embroidery machine. It is being taught on a yahoo group I am on. Very much fun and very interesting. The "class" will last the whole month of March. I have started to look for patterns to use in the class.
I think my embroidery machine and I are becoming friends.

This cute little candle mat was made by a talented 11 year old sewing student. Her first attempt to lean to do pleating.

I have had this pattern a long time, but just could never seem to find time to do it. I think the pattern is from a blog somewhere, got the link from a friend, then lost it then found it again, and decided I better make it before I lose the pattern I printed out. This year I plan to make some of the patterns I have found here and there that at the time I really thought were cute...Need to stop saving more and start doing the ones I have. Since I have had a lot of requests for this pattern I am including the location of the blog I got it from...So here you go

http://www.lollychops.com/lollychops/2008/11/abraham-owl.html

Finally dusted off the embroidery machine, and decorated a fleece throw for a family member for her birthday. It was difficult to arrange the throw so you could see all the corners.
I picked snowmen and flakes, because she lives in Florida, and it has been getting a bit chilly there lately, chilly by their standards any way. And I figured she has enough stuff with tropical scenes on it. She used to live in Wisconsin, so she remembers the snow...

Isn't it pretty....

One of the things I like to do while sitting in front of the TV or just sitting, is Crewel Embroidery. It is fun and relaxing. I like working with floss too, but yarn is sometimes a fun change. After completing all the blocks, I put them into a wallhanging. Now to find a place to hang it...I seem to be running out of walls....

My Cricut was lonely with no cartridges, so here is a picture of the 9 I have so far, my friend has at least 9 too. They are all different and we plan to share them back and forth.
I had used the Jasmine one to make the Christmas tags. Which of course I did not think to take pictures of and they are now all gone. Have not had any time to play with it again..but will try to squeeze some play time in soon.

The Secret
One day, one friend asked another,
"How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down."
With her eyes smiling, she said,
"I know the Secret!"
"What secret is that?"
To which she replied,
"I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others."
"The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
He has never let me down.
And now I pass the Secret on to you!

I decided I needed to buy myself a Christmas present this year.....and since I know what it is, no need to wrap it and wait for Christmas to play with it.
I have bought it several accessories, I did not want it to be lonely. I have about 7 cartridges for it so far, and some extra cutting mats, and blades.
Then of course I need paper so I have something to play with. The week between Christmas and New Year's I plan to play with my new toy.
I have played some already, as I made name tags for all the Christmas presents with it so far.

Wow where has the time gone...it seems like just yesterday I was getting ready for thanksgiving, and here it is less than a week till Christmas!
At least I think I am ready, have all the presents wrapped, all the decorations up, only have one more kind of cookie to bake, all the cards are out except 3, have to locate addresses..
Tomorrow, will do that last batch of cookies and clean the house for Christmas, write up the Christmas dinner menu, and see what I can make ahead.
If everything works out...I will have Wednesday and Thursday to just chill out and relax....will see how that works out.