Monsoons, planters and Sundays

This was Friday. This is why the patio isn't clean. This is why I have green bricks. It is monsoon season in Lubbock! At the risk of sounding like my mother-in-law, I can't remember a more wet winter or spring. It's been great for the vegetation, but it's wrecked havoc with the grass and brick; and the trees are producing pollen faster than I can buy allergies pills this year. Oh well, I'll invest in a power washer and get the green off the red brick patio. Somehow..
Sunday is a fun day around our house. Church, yard work and a wee bit of fun are usually on tap. The squirrels have returned. I used to have 4. Or should I say, that four squirrels thought they owned our yard last year. I have found more seedling pecan trees coming up. What a nuisance, thank you squirrels. It's a good thing they aren't on the endangered species list! Oh but did you know that if where there are cats, there are no squirrels. So I think I'll keep feeding the strays!
So I planted some on Sunday. This planter was purchased at a great little place on Doniphan in El Paso. Talevera pottery is one of my weaknesses. I can't get enough of it. Maybe Rosa's will let me come "shop" their restaurant?? I doubt it, but it is a thought regardless of how bad! We are blessed with lots of shade. So I can plant lots of caladiums! But I do get a might bit sick of those. Need to find some other plants that will do well in the shade other than the succulent I loved the look of at the nursery but whose orange flowers smelled of a nasty gym shoe! Now really, who would buy that? I don't know what the lime green stuff is except that it trails, is lime green and I love it. Do you know the name?
Planted some ivy around our real tree branches that are all strung out in lights. The garden witch perches beneath keeping all bad garden pests at bay. If you listen carefully, you'll hear her say, "Stay away, stay away, don't even think of coming another day!"
I can't wait till it dries out, then I'm sure I'll be able to get rid of the excess dirt on the patio! Found this great pot at Garden Ridge in Dallas. As I did the Talavera pot behind it. Have yet to find a perfect plant (remember all shade) for the Talavera pot. Any ideas?
More caladiums in each window box on the patio..
Check back soon, the planting is almost all done, the patio is yet to be cleaned, and there are lots of ideas floating around like flotsam in my head...

Psalm 68:10
Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.

She says, He says.

Last week Friday night. She's tired from work. He's just coming in.

He: "What do you want for dinner?"
She: "I'm not sure. Let me think about it."
She: "Oh I know... Mexican. Rosa's."
He: "Okay, let me go get changed."

They get in the car. He pulls the car back from the garage and says: "We haven't been to Garcia's lately."
Note that they have not yet left the driveway. I thought she said Rosa's? Isn't that what you heard?

She knows where this is going: "Whatever."

He pulling out of the driveway heading down 19th Street eastward, they've gone about 4 blocks: "Durango's is down the street."
She, getting more disappointed, but at least it's still Mexican: "Okay."

Further down the road.

He: "You know we haven't been to Jazz in a while."
He pulls into the parking lot and parks at Jazz.
Important to note: She suggested a type of food and a restaurant. Mexican and Rosa's.
He manipulated the dining out by parking at Jazz, a Cajun restaurant.

Seated inside, reading the menu, beer on the table.
He: "What are you gonna have?"
She, a bit sarcastically: "Well, I don't see enchiladas on the menu."
He, now slightly agitated: "Well, we can always leave!"

They stayed and ate because the beer was already on the table, it was Friday night, they were seated and there was no wait. The food was good as always.
BUT...

Surely I'm not the only one in the world with this problem. I suggest a place to eat, or say what I would like and boom.. we don't eat there!!! Does this ever happen to you????

May QuicKutz Club project & supply list

Right page embellished with ribbons and a flower.
Left page.. 10 things I love about everyday life uses 4 different fonts that are die cut and then a quick 'about' stamp.
And the ten little inserts onto which you can record your ten "things".

Supply list:

Little Yellow Bicycle papers as shown plus 1 sheet white cardstock
5 ribbons
1 ric-rack
Cat's eye Smoke Blue ink pad
Distress Ink Broken China inkpad
1" circle punch
corner rounder
"notebook" edge punch
1 brad
sheer glitter glue (Stickles - Icycle)
Glue dots
Adhesive
Basic scrapbooking supplies

QuicKutz:
Chicken Noodle font
Lemonade font
Phoebe font
Flirt font
Studio font
Nesting Flowers
Flowers


See you Saturday at 10am! I've got the buttons ;-) thanks to Dallas.

Happy Mother's Day!

No Love like a Mother's Love

There is no love, like a mother's love,
no stronger bond on earth...
like the precious bond that comes from God,
to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother's love is forever strong,
never changing for all time...
and when her children need her most,
a mother's love will shine.

God bless these special mothers,
God bless them every one...
for all the tears and heartache,
and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over,
a mother's love lives on...
through many generations,
with God's blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,
for they love with a higher love...
from the power God has given,
and the strength from up above.
by Jill Lemming

The beautiful ribbon lady was made by my very dear and very talented friend Charlotte Gallaher. The head is porcelain, the hair is real and the "gown" french silk wired ribbons. She has a special place both in my heart and in our home residing on an antique china platter topped with a crystal cloche. She does have a string for hanging and a stand, but she had to fit under the cloche. Happy Mother's Day to all mom's. And Happy Mother's Day to you mom, I can feel you watching over me.

Tribute to my BFF on her birthday!

One of the best things that came directly from working for Bernina was that I got to meet Charlotte Gallaher. She is the most creative person anywhere! I heard someone once say that she is smarter than (insert sewing machine company name). Her work is amazing. Flawless. Perfection. Inspiring. Amazing. This quilt hung at the Quilt Show in Huntsville, Alabama. Happy Happy Birthday my dear friend.
Here's Charlotte prepping for the PBS show Martha's Sewing Room. She sure taught me everything I needed to know about being prepared.
A pillow she created for a Martha Pullen Company heirloom book.
A stocking designed for Designs in Embroidery Magazine. Sorry the picture is not bigger, it came from their website.
She created this beautiful tassel from a pumpkin purchased at Hobby Lobby. Just look at all those threads and yarns!
I loved this jacket. Well I still love it, but Charlotte sold it. It was unbelievably gorgeous. No wonder Charlotte was handsomely rewarded for her work.
And here is the back.
This cotton jacket is so fun.
This is a class sample for a class that Charlotte taught at Martha Pullen's School of Art Fashion in Huntsville. I am the lucky recipient of one of my own, I know you've seen me wear it!
These are the beautiful porcelain tassels that Charlotte makes so meticulously. I have shown you one of the two that I have here.
Isn't this fabulous? Fantastic? Sew clever? I love this stocking. The instructions compliments of Designs in Embroidery magazine can be retrieved by clicking here.
Bernina came out with an embroidery design collection by Sue Box (an Australian artist) and Charlotte created a mini home inside a suitcase with the whimsical sewing mice.
Chocolate lovers beware. This jacket from brown and cream wool, dripping gooey icing made from fabric chenille makes me want to go raid a cabinet and find some chocolate pdq!
A beautiful bag made for the Martha Pullen Catalog.
This vest has always been my favorite. It's made with cashmere sweaters, lace and ribbon. Isn't it just define?
I love that wonderful edging on the bottom of the back.. and that ribbon bow is the perfect finishing touch.
I love this shirt. It's so beautifully made with antique laces.
Charlotte created all the beautiful edging on this outfit using sewing machine stitches. Can you believe that?
Love the old spools of thread on the handle, the picture of a Bernina on the front and the colors and the stitches and the whole piece. Luckily she made one for me too!
An embellished sweater...
a beautiful jacket...
A jacket and matching handbag...
love all that embroidery that just seems to match the fabric perfectly.
The roses on this collar are 3 dimensional and were embroidered while attaching the folded silk ribbon within the process.
A beautiful quilted piece. Look how perfect that stitching is.
The perfect summer jacket.
A favorite jacket.. the jacket is overlaid with silk organza and the leaves are trapunto stitching.
A gorgeous shirt with more off the edge stitching.
This is a great piece. Museum quality. Cutwork embroidery done with the embroidery machine, thank you Bernina for the attachment that makes this happen easily.

Charlotte does the most interesting techniques on the fabric before she does the embellishing making for a very artistic and creative garment.
The summer dress is topped with a fabric chenille vest. Perfect for sitting in those air conditioned dining spots in the midst of summer.
Woven ribbons create the fabric on this vest. Stunning.
Charlotte is a crazy patch artist. Simply breathtaking.
Can you believe this is a sweatshirt?? Isn't it so wonderful. I started one, but am not quite finished because I can't find a button trim for the bottom. I think I'll just buy this one and dye it!

Thank you Charlotte for being my inspiration, for being my friend and for making my life richer. Happy Birthday my dear friend. I found this poem and it so reminds me of you!

Another YearI’m wishing you another year
Of laughter, joy and fun,
Surprises, love and happiness,
And when your birthday’s done,I hope you feel deep in your heart,
As your birthdays come and go,
How very much you mean to me,
More than you can know.By Joanna Fuchs