Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Plum Cottage happenings

 

Good morning Folks ~ Hope your week is off to a good start. Sunday morning I was awakened by heavy rains pounding the cottage. We needed it, I just hoped there would be no leaks, no flooding and was glad when the rain slackened. It was much needed and so good for all growing things.

This cold is almost gone. Thank you for all of your kind thoughts, prayers and good wishes.

Yesterday afternoon I felt like trying a new beading project. I took a shell we found at the beach and after watching some you-tube videos on beading around cabochons, I gave it a try.  I didn’t have the .006 Wildfire beading wire so just used sewing thread for this first practice attempt. I listened to a wonderful 5 hour long piano you-tube collection by Brian Crain. I hummed along as I stitched and was filled with love and peace. My DH loved to hear me humming while sitting in here in my little creative space stitching and told me so. A sweet memory locked in my heart.

Now here’s a pic of my first attempt. I could not find my ‘mistake’ last night, so just finished it off. Well, looking at the blown up pic this morning I certainly saw it. I need to set up my late FIL’s magnifying glass (again) to use while stitching, especially this fine work.  I was going to take a picture of the side so you could see the beading from that angle, but my batteries needed charging.

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I’ve ‘lots’ more shells to work with and I’ve seen a lacy beadwork I want to try next.

***

Below is an unwanted visitor.  This is around 7 p.m. I do NOT like these guys at all. They wreak havoc all over and are NOT welcome here, but alas, I get them.

(Notice that my orchids are fading away. Someone asked if I grow these orchids, yes I do.  They just grow like a weed outside with no extra care from me.

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The next morning, after the heavy rain, I looked out of the window and saw beautifully orange tinted clouds. So I grabbed the camera and headed out. I headed north down the driveway, and when I looked at the sky to the west, this is what I saw. I was thrilled.

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Walking further north, here was the view. It is just a partial rainbow but still beautiful.

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My last post was my 1,000th so I thought I’d have a give away and here it is. One of my beaded and silk ribbon embroidered felt hearts.  It is roughly 4 inches by 4 inches. It’s just a small way to say ‘thank you’ for the love, support, friendship and prayers these past almost 7 years.

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This is open to followers and continental US residents only.  I will use the Random number picker online.  The final date to enter will be midnight Sunday, 19th April 2015.

With that, I’ll close. I need to go hang out a load of laundry while the weather is good. Then I’m off to run a couple of errands.

Have a good week and remember to count your blessings.

FlowerLady

23 comments:

Morning's Minion said...

I've been reading, but unable to comment on your posts for some time. Have updated Java which seems to have been the issue. As usual, your photos of the garden are inspiring, as is your continued creativity.
Blessings on you--and hope your lingering cold has gone.

Jane said...

Oh what a beautiful rainbow! Those darn racoons are real pests. We were being bothered by woodchucks until a gray fox took up residence in our back yard. No more woodchucks! Glad that you received your bear hug! Here's another for good measure!

Bear hug
Jane

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Those stinking racoons eat the fish in our pond. I have to avoid certain bird feeders too or they trash them.

Lovely stitching around the shell and a nice give a way too. We are finally getting spring weather in Northern Indiana.

best wishes, Rainey for a lovely day.
xx, Carol

Susan said...

Hi Lorraine, So glad to see a new post from you. I was getting a bit worried. Love your new shell beadwork. I've never seen that done before. Did you notice in your 2nd sunset photo, if you look at the bottom right, above the cluster of trees, the clouds seem to form a face. Those are awesome shots! Glad you are on the mend. Any news on the job situation?

RockWhisperer said...

Oh, gosh, what pretty sky pictures!

So sorry about the raccoon. We don't have them yet but our woodchip guy told us he has them. I sure hope they never find us!

I guess my eyes aren't as sharp as your because I don't see a thing wrong with the beaded shell.

Have a lovely day and enjoy your rain. Hugs

crafty cat corner said...

I just love the beaded shell, its the fist time I've ever seen one done and of course you know full well that I want to do one now. lol
I can imagine how some of then that you make are going to look, so pretty.
The sky is wonderful, sadly we don't get such vivid skies over here. Some red sunsets and sunrises but nothing very spectacular.
I don't know if I'm eligible for the little heart but if I am I'd like to go into the hat, it would be a privelige to own something made with your hands.
God Bless
Briony
x

Nancy J said...

Was that a racoon? Lovely skies, and your heart, such delicate and lovely stitching. Shell and beads, I had to look so closely to find the gap, but another beautiful finish. Your DH would be so happy to know you listen and hum along.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love your rainbow/cloud shots. We need a good rain over here.It would help to wash the winter dirt away and cause the grass to green up.

Deb J. in Utah said...

The beaded heart is beautiful. Please enter me in your give-away! Thank you so much. All of your pictures in this post are great but I especially love the rainbow in the clouds. Very dramatic. Have a great day!

Debbie Harris said...

Look at that gorgeous sky! What a blessing to wake up to that. :-)
Your beaded shell turned out lovely.
You must enjoy your garden immensely?!
To think that you have orchids that grow like weeds. Lovely weeds I'd say. :-)
We have those squirrels here too and their not to bad out side, but they get in our walls to have their babies. Quite the ordeal getting them out.
Lorraine, that is a beautiful give away that you are passing on to someone. So sweet of you.

Bless you, Debbie

jerilanders said...

it's a happy day when a squirrel sits in your bird bath!

Leslie Kimel said...

So glad you got rain. It's been such a dry spring.

The beaded shell is really pretty. Do you have any plans for how you will use it?

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I think you did a great job of beading the shell for your first attempt. I have yet to try that but would like to.

Where I used to live I fed some outdoor cats. One night I heard a noise, thought it was one of the cats and flipped on the light to find a raccoon family of 4 finishing the cat food leftovers and rolling the bowl around. And they were huge! I opened the door and they just looked at me. When I yelled at them they left but kept looking back at me. I had possum's too on occasion.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I never thought about you having racoons. We see them around here. They're in town and boy are they chubby. They can be a mess.
Glad you are feeling better and got the rain you needed but not too much.
All your hand work is beautiful. A lovely prize for some lucky person.

shadesofidaho said...

Congratulations on 1000. You have done such a lovey job with your Blog. I just never could get the hang of it.

AAARRRRRRR Sorry about the coon. We have then here too AND the black and white stinkers. They know I will not hurt them so they have become very bold trying to steal the porch kitty food. I do go out there and yell and stomp my feet at them.

Always a pleasure to visit you and Plum cottage.

BernieH said...

Well I couldn't spot any mistake on your lovely shell. Maybe my glasses need replacing. It looks beautiful. We're waiting and praying for some heavy rain here as our wet season failed miserably. I'm not looking forward to the coming dry season, as it will be a tough time for all the plants in the garden. Loved seeing that partial rainbow. They are a true gift.

Rebecca said...

I'm counting (my blessings)!

When the snow melted here, it became obvious WE have pests, too--moles (or maybe voles). Apparently they've been active under the snow. About every 2-3 years we have this trouble.

Congratulations on your 1,000th post! Where HAS the time gone?

Cheryl said...

Oh dear. We have had a few visitors like yours on our back porch. They come for the cat food that we keep there for our stray cat (who won't come in the house!). It is a little unnerving to look outside the back door at night and look one in the eye!

I loved hearing of your sweet memory as you crafted.

Julene said...

Isn't is amazing what we see out our front doors! Love the raccoon visitor! Your felted piece is lovely!

Debbie Harris said...

Hello Lorraine,
I tried writing you back to your lovely letter but for some reason when I reply to you it is going into my spam???
Well, you brought tears to my eyes and I very much appreciated hearing from you.

You are just lovely!
Debbie

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Hi FL, Have to get in on the beautiful piece of beadwork you did! I thought raccoons are only night time visitors. We had one during the day that had distemper or rabies. The poor thing was very disoriented. Glad you are feeling better! Spring is really here in the 'Burgh! xo LVL

Becky said...

What a lovely little heart! We've been having that rain fall today - made for a pleasant nap this afternoon after a 5 1/2 hour shift of none stop running around at work.

GretchenJoanna said...

The burning clouds are glorious!