Do You Biscornu....

This is my first attempt at making a "biscornu". It is an eight-sided pin cushion.
The design is by Stacy Nash. I should have taken a picture of the back also, as it has a design on it too. But the front part is much prettier. I made a few flubs and floops, but for the most part, I think it turned out pretty well. I'm excited to have it displayed in my house and am really looking forward to making more!

Loops and braids

Here is the small area rug I'm knitting with potholder loops. These are not the old fashioned loops we used as kids, which were a bit on the spongey side. These are made out of cotton and don't stretch very well. I'm finding it difficult to knit because of that, and also because of the giant sized needles!! I can really only knit about two rows a day, but slowly, it will get done. If (and that is a big if) I should knit another one some day, I will leave out the green and yellow loops. I want a softer look....

Saturday pleasures....

Sitting in front of the open window reading my book
Sipping on a hot cup of coffee
Looking at my sweet cat sleeping on the carpet - surrounded by her toys
Birds chirping outside
A bowl of raisin brand topped with icy cold milk and sliced bananas
The crunch of cherry tomatoes topped with lots of salt
The coolness of the air conditioning as it warms up outside and in...

Witches & Memories....

I keep these two "witches" out on my end table all year long. They hold memories of pleasant times with my best friend Barb and her daughter (my niece) Sara. I got both of them on shopping trips when they came to visit me. The small green one was bought by me when they visited last August. And the larger one was bought as a surprise gift for me when they visited the time before that.

They both make me smile whenever I look at them....

Happy 82nd Birthday Dad!

My Dad doesn't use a computer, so he won't see this, but I wanted to share it with all of you. Today, July 22nd, 2008, is his 82nd birthday! Last year, at this time, he was in the hospital, recovering from quadruple bypass surgery after having a heart attack on July 14, 2007. I'm so glad he will be celebrating it at home this year - or maybe out swimming in the wave pool back at Kings Island in Ohio! This picture was taken at the American Legion in Vienna, Virginia. We stopped by there when my parents were here for a visit. We also went to see the World War II monument in Washington, D.C. right before the official opening. My Dad enjoyed both of these so much. At the big World War II events on the mall in D.C., he "told his story". These stories are being put, eventually, into the Library of Congress.

Quaker samplers....

As I've mentioned before, I love stitching Quaker samplers. This one is called "Quaker Samplings". I'm using DMC #816. I get such pleasure and peace whenever I pick this piece up to work on it.

Summertime and the living is....

well not quite easy, because I hate hot weather. But there have been some pleasures here and there - watching my snapdragons come up in the garden. My Mom always grew them when I was growing up - so they remind me of those carefree days when summers were filled with walks and bike rides - going to the library - playing hide and seek... Another pleasure - looking out my window the other day and seeing a big bluejay trying to fit himself into the small bowl of water I keep on the railing for the birds to drink from. He would stand there - cooling his legs and feet - and then try to get his wings a little wet. After a few times, I guess he was refreshed and flew off.