Friday, March 14, 2014

Flowers, an embroidery tool, and a gift box

 

Good morning Friends ~ Here it is almost the middle of March already. This month is zipping by. Next week I turn 65. Yikes!  Where have the years gone?

We had hot and humid weather earlier this week then another chilly front moved in and it was in the low 50’s last night.  Wonderful weather for us that’s for sure.  Summer’s heat and humidity will be here all too soon.

Amaryllis blossoms ~ These are always a treat every spring. These bulbs aren’t even in dirt, they are just piled into a planter box.

03-13-amaryllis2

03-13-amayrillis

This is a buddleia.

03-13-buddlia

These are ‘fleabane’ I think.  A sweet little ‘weed’ that I always am made happy to see each spring.

03-13-fleabane

This is Prosperity rose.

03-13-prosperity

An unknown rose.

03-13-unkn

My new embroidery tool, is a universal floor stand for holding the hoop as I embroider.  It is so nice and made really well.  I had gone to Michael’s and saw this and after having seen them online I added it to my cart.  There was a price tag in front of this where it was stacked, with another one behind it.  Well, when I got to the check out counter and the guy rang up my purchases, I said ‘WHAT?’  He said well this, pointing to the stand, it $55.  I said well I can’t do that, you’ll have to take it off the receipt.  A lady at the next check out lane handed me a printed coupon for 40% off one item, so, I thanked her and used it and I am glad I did. I might have gotten it a little cheaper online, but would have had to pay shipping.

I brought it home, took it out of the box, impressed with the hard wood, very well cut and smoothed.  All of the parts were there, even in the little hardware bag.  Then I proceeded to put it together which took around 45 min. to an hour, I didn’t really time myself and did have a big of a time trying to get a bolt through 4 pieces of wood. Smile My dear husband would appreciate the craftsmanship in the making of this piece. It is going to make embroidering so much easier for me.

03-10-craft-stand

craft-stand-instructions

03-10-craft-stand3

03-10-craft-stand2

03-13-latest

Beads in creamy colors ~ faux pearls, abalone, and Fresh water pearls.  I bought this storage unit at Walmart a week or so ago and just got around to putting these into them from larger jars.  I really like this and may get a few more.  I have it standing on end instead of laying flat.  Good way to see what’s in there.

03-13-cream-beads

I knew a package was coming from my dear friend Maggie, and when I got home from work yesterday there it was on the other side of the patio’s entry gate.  A big smile broke out on my face. She had told me she had made me something, but, she didn’t mention what else she had put into the box, oodles of delicious fabrics. My brain is working and my fingers are itching to create with these beauties.

03-13-maggies-box

03-13-maggies-box2

03-13-maggies-box3

Isn’t this a sweet pincushion Maggie made for me?!?!? I named her ‘Miss Molly’ and she’s going to do very well holding needles for me.

03-13-mouse-pincushion

03-13-mouse-pincushion2

Here she is this morning, next to a smaller ‘mouse’ pincushion given to me by another friend, a week or so ago. Now I need to get pins and needles sorted into both of these. Maggie suggested the dish Miss Molly is sitting in would be a good place for my mall scissors, I also put in some small glass tubes of beads that I had just lying on my work surface.

03-13-mouse-pincushion3

The old partitioned box above holds a bear, little dogs and a couple of other goodies from my dear husband’s childhood. I also have beads stored there too, and a layer of ‘dust’.

Another ‘leak’ has sprung in the last bit of old pipe which is under the concrete floor of bathroom.  The rest of the floor in house is wood with crawl space underneath. So, dear brother-in-law will be back down God willing, on the 22nd to take care of this. Not sure how it will be done yet, but I know he’s thinking about it.

My washing machine made it, barely, through the last load of wash I did, clothes were spun well, and the tub is loose and off kilter, which makes me think it’s a new belt I need.  I’m going to call an appliance repairman who was recommended to me by a widow friend who said he’s really good and fair with prices. I just need to do some rearranging in the little wash house so that he can get in there and move the washing machine to get to the belt.

I hope you all have a good weekend.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

***

Every day may not be good,

but there's something good in every day. 

Author Unknown

35 comments:

lil red hen said...

Good morning, Flower Lady! You've chosen the perfect name for your blog; you certainly must have a green thumb. I can't imagine having such a beautiful amaryllis, and in no dirt at that!

The mouse, holding pins and needles, is so cute. And, enjoy your new stand; a wonderful addition to your crafting area.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi there, Love your Amaryllis. That color is awesome.

Sorry to hear about another leak and about the washing machine problem. Hopefully both can be fixed easily... OH---don't we all just love life's little problems like that?????? Gads! ha

Love your new stand for your embroidery... That is SUPER.

Have a great weekend...
Hugs,
Betsy

L. D. said...

Your blog is always interesting, creative and lots of great flowers.

Julie said...

Love your new stand. The mouse pincushions are so adorable! Love how you have the shelves for your little animals! Good luck with the pipes and also the washing machine! Love that quote by the unknown author at end of your post!
Have a great weekend!
Julie

Lona said...

Hi Lorraine. Oh your pin cushion is so sweet. I love it. That stand looks like it will be such a big help while you work.I love your pretty amaryllis but I cannot keep the things and get them to rebloom for me so I gave up on wasting my money on the things. Hey we have one thing in common... I will be 65 in April so we are the same age. We are not getting older but better girl. LOL! Have a good week.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Hi Lorraine, I love your pin cushions. What sweet friends you have. And I commend you for getting your embroidery stand put together. It looks complicated but so handy now that it's done. Love your garden gems too. Have a great weekend.

flowerlady said...

Creative as usual and lovely photos, hope you have a lovely birthday xx

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Amaryllis are so pretty. Sounds like they're easy peasy for you!
What cute pin cushions. Fun to have them keep you company as you sew. Your new stand looks good.
Here's to getting the washer going and that last bit of pipe fixed!

M.K. said...

That's an adorable little mousie -- what a sweet gift! And the fabric is very elegant and lovely. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Now you have a third hand to help with your hoop work -- so glad you got that coupon!! Michaels sends out those coupons regularly via email to their customers. If you've never given them your email address when you check out, it's really worth it. I get lots of coupons that way. I used to print them out and carry them to the store with me, but later I realized that if they have your email, they can look up on their check-out computer and see if you have an "outstanding" coupon to be used. And usually the checker will dig around and find a 40% off for me to use. Always ask if they have a coupon you can use; they often do!

shirley said...

your garden flowers always look so healthy and colourful.

I like your frame,you will get a lot of use from it.

Miss Molley is cute and the design is great.

Ruth Hiebert said...

i hope you enjoy that embroidery stand. i have one,that I have used a lot when did more of that kind of work.

It's Just Dottie said...

I have many amaryllis in many colors and soon they will bloom,also. My birthday is the week after yours , I will be 69. That is hard for me to believe . I still feel young!!!
You are amazing my friend .
Hugs, Dottie

Unknown said...

Hi Lorraine,
what a cute little pin cushion your friend made you and handy too. Sorry to hear you have another leak, hopefully it can be fixed without to much disruption of your household. Have a blessed day!
Teresa
sugar, spice and whatever's nice

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hope you get your washing machine fixed soon. Appliance problems can be very frustrating! I love your embroidery stand! What a handy thing! You will love it. Very thoughtful package from your friend.Have a good weekend and Happy Birthday next week!

Sunray Gardens said...

Lovely blooms and looks like you are staying real busy. The stand should be a great help to you.
Cher

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Your photos are gorgeous and the mouse pin cushion is so, so adorable! I like the embroidery stand. I have never used one but can imagine how helpful it would be.

So nice visiting with you!
Kindly, Lorraine

sharon said...

hi lorraine..you will probably have to splice the pipe and go up through the cieling....wiht PVC and then youll be good..yes those are some pretty fancy fabrics..I have a new arm for my computer

gld said...

Good job with putting together the stand! When I open those packages and see all the pieces and the screws I just cringe.
We have to get used to it; everything comes that way today.

Bless your BIL.....again. I hope the fix isn't too difficult.

and the washing machine......hope it is a simple and inexpensive repair.

Morning's Minion said...

I so enjoyed these photos. Your creative gifts show up even in the way you arrange your tools and supplies. Often the 'makings' for a project are almost as attractive as the finished work.
We share a birthday week--and yes, where have the years [the decades!] gone? I'm 5 years older than you.
Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

Hi hon, Love your post, especially the gorgeous flowers. Johnny and I always planted flowers. He and I both loved roses (red ones), but planted a variety because color so dresses up one's day- one's world.
I've not been able to write as I was because I've had problems getting mail in and out. Soon as it gets fixed I'll write a catch up letter. I can tell by this post that you're doing well. I know, like me, you still have those missing your loved one moments. But overall we're both doing pretty good, don't you think?
I pray for you every day. Miss our emails. Looking forward to when I can write you again. Take care. Love you.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Oh Rainey, I hope you have a lovely birthday...do something special for yourself.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Rainey, it's cold, sleety and windy here; spring is only a hopeful wish. Your flowers are beautiful. Dave and I always talked about having a home repair service for older folks, widows and widowers...the service could only be used if one was a senior - 60 or above. It seems there's a real need, all over the country.

Maryann said...

I always enjoy your flower photos Lorraine. Our daffodils are finally blooming but our temperatures are up and down like a yo yo. Cute little pincushion and love the fabric. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

camp and cottage living said...

Lorraine
Both of your mice sure are sweet!
And I think your stand will work well for you. Your handiwork is so pretty!

Joy Junktion said...

What a dear friend you have to send you such a sweet gift! The pincushion is adorable. Your flowers are beautiful, as always! Sorry about the lead - sigh!! Enjoy the weather and make it a super week. Blessings, Cindy

jerilanders said...

Wonderful things to see today Rainy. Love it! That embroidery frame looks like a great item and thank goodness for the kind lady with the coupon. Let me know if it holds the fabric super tight? I'm looking at one on another blog made specifically for rug hooking and needle punch. Don't you love pincushions?! Me too. I see a little wind up bear in your cubbyhole of toys.. I think I have the same little bear, but mine has ceased "moving". I love your antique Oriental rugs.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

I enjoyed seeing your lovely blooms. Your new stand looks great. Your pincushion is very cute. Hugs Judy

KathyB. said...

Your new needlework stand is going to be a blessing for you if you can get it put together ..but of course you can ! Your needlework is exquisite and I like the way you've organized your needlework supplies.

The gift was very thoughtful and I love your pincushion !

Your flowers are so beautiful. We don't get outside blooms like yours in this neck of the country and amaryllis blooms indoors here or not at all.

tina said...

What a nice buy and it was lovely the lady gave you a coupon! Those can really help out.

Julene said...

What a good find and price! Love the mouse pin cushion! It would brighten anyone's day! Happy Birthday this week!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Love your new stand! It will be so helpful when you want to stitch!Beautiful blossoms.

Here I Am Carrie said...

What a treat all that beautiful fabric. I have an old used washing machine here at our desert home for the winter. During every spin cycle I have to sit or lean against it to keep it in place or shaking the house to pieces. I have a picture right next to it that I look at while doing this. It reads Live Laugh Laundry...... Happy Spring to you..

Hill Top Post said...

Your gorgeous flower pictures are a sight for sore eyes (sore from too much winter). You have such a lovely blog, and I am enjoying taking a look back. Happy birthday!

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Lorraine, your flowers are lovely, especially the amaryllis! I have never seen an embroidery stand, but it seems to be a cool tool to have, if you enjoy doing this craft. Sorry to read that you have another leak underneath your house and that your washing machine is out of order. Hope you are able to get the help that you need to fix both soon. Warm regards,
Christina

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Lorraine, Happy birthday! What a cool gift to yourself! When I saw those directions, I was very proud of you, because I am not sure if I could have put that together.

Your pin cushions sure are sweet! I'm glad to see you are having blooms your way. It's spring! Tomorrow it is supposed to get into the 60s here, but then the next number of days are supposed to be cooler. I plan on doing more clean up in the flower beds.