The Beginning

Last December when Patrick and I were visiting my family in Phoenix, my mom and I rummaged through her craft room. I borrowed some cute embroidery projects, coveted her fabric stash (super cute vintage fabrics!), and she gave me a cross stitch that I did as a kid. It most likely is the first cross stitch I ever did.

I remember in 2nd grade we had an after school project where my friend's mom taught us how to stitch. We had a simple little apple pattern where we did a running stitch in red around the border of the apple. I remember being excited about learning a new skill and wanting so badly for mine to look perfect. I chuckle now...I still feel that way when I start a new project. Anyway, that's the first time I remember stitching.

The cross stitch was probably sometime after that, so I was anywhere between 8 and 10, I'd guess. Here's the little beauty:



Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do with it. I could frame it, put it in a quilted/pieced block and frame it, put it on a pillow (the cats would mess it up, scratch that idea), who knows. I do want to put it up somewhere, though.

Another side note about the saying on the pattern: Make your own sunshine. ... I realize that even when I was a young child, I always understood that people are ultimately responsible for creating their own happiness. We choose to be happy...or not. Regardless of the circumstances, happiness is still a personal choice. My mom did such an incredible job teaching that principle to her children. Some of us absorbed it better than others, and I consider myself very blessed to understand it. I love my mom! :)

THE Lotus

Okay, I think I've finished the lotus flower embroidery I've been working on. I think it has turned out pretty well. I must send my thanks to Lost, for through watching season 3 on DVD, I have been able to finish this last masterpiece. It's been fun.

Isn't she pretty?!?! Now I need to figure out what to do with her. Granted, she's on the kitchen towel of creation, but at the same time, I'd love to use her on a card or something cool. I'm damn proud of how she turned out!!! I love it! :)

Thoughts

I just wanted to write down some thoughts I'm having...

I watched the morning session of General Conference today (yesterday, technically), and it was a really great session. Thomas S. Monson makes a great president and prophet. :) The two words that stuck with me the strongest from the whole session were by President Monson, "Come back." It resonated and still resonates in my heart and mind.

I love Spring. I love Easter, especially the meaning of the holiday. I'm reminded of the Atonement and how much Christ loves me. It's the time of year when I always feel like starting over, beginning again, resolving to do a little better.

The stagnant feeling I've had for so long is getting old...and stinky. I have so many dreams, hopes, plans, and beliefs about my potential. Why am I choosing to NOT tap into that positive energy and potential?? I need to let go of the burdens and beliefs that are holding me back. I know there is a greater me, not to mention a greater us with Patrick and me. I really don't want to have the pattern of stagnancy become as permanent as it did with the old ex. It becomes comfortable, then uncomfortable, yet a deep pit that is incredibly difficult to escape. With the ex I felt resentful that I had to be the pioneer in foraging our spiritual ground. What I didn't realize, and what I desperately need to remember is that I'm foraging my own spiritual ground. That's what matters most. Patrick will do the same as he is ready, and his readiness is not mine to own. It is solely his. So I guess what I'm saying is that I acknowledge my ownership and accountability for where I stand spiritually...in the past, here in the present, and in the future. No more blaming, no more hiding, no more waiting.

I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me. And I love Him.

I was crafty today!!!

I've been wanting to put up a "Love Ribbon" for awhile now. I found a great vibrant orange ribbon that matched the decor we're shooting for in our living room, bought some medium sized clothes pins, painted them a vibrant blue, and made some fabric pinwheels from fabric my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas (Thank you Ashlee!!!), and topped it off with some cute yellow and red buttons. I put it up over the entrance into the dining room, and I am so extremely pleased! Here are some photos:


I really think it adds good energy to our home to have love notes up on the wall. I love it. And, it feels good to have a crafty day!!!

P.S. Thanks Jana, for helping me paint the clothes pins!!!!! I love you!!!

BIOPHILIA

...the innate affinity humans have for other living things...



I was reading through my Fitness magazine today and there was an article about how getting outdoors is good for your physical and emotional self. I couldn't agree more! I am so thrilled that Spring is at the door and Summer right behind her!

Just a couple days ago I bought a book of 24 day hikes in the Salt Lake area. I'd love to knock out at least 12 of those this year. I sorely miss hiking and being in the wilderness.

How Could I Forget????

Last week I stopped by Heindselman's in Provo, UT and fell in LOVE with the store! They have all kinds of great craft supplies. I went there looking for Sublime Stitching patterns and found a few of them there. I'm excited to see what I can come up with using these new treasures! I found the cutest little embroidery needle holder...a wooden vile, painted black, with a floral design carved into it. It is so dang cute. A completely unnecessary, yet oh-so wonderful purchase. I also picked out a handful of Anchor brand embroidery floss. The ladies at Heidselman's were so cute...they were working on their current knitting projects when I came into the store. And they were so helpful. I accidentally left the embroidery needle holder on the counter, and without even calling, they sent it in the mail to me!!! The customer service there is superb! I'm not in Provo often, but when I am, I'll be sure to stop by. And when I'm not, they have a 1-800 number to call to order products...and they'll mail it to me in Salt Lake City. I love this place. I just wish their website was a little more helpful, but that's okay. I'll just call the cute little old ladies and chat with them. :)

I'll post pictures of my treasures when I find my camera.

Idea for my sewing book/bag!!!

I think I've found some good inspiration for a sewing book/bag!!! I found it on my daily email from Craftzine.com. (I love that daily email!!!) It's made by Elsie Marley



Tomorrow I plan to go to my local D.I. (Deseret Industries) to find a sweet old book that I can transform into a little case for my sewing supplies. I think I want a separate book for patterns, iron-on-transfers, and other things I cut out of my tissue boxes, calendars, etc. that inspire me. I can't wait to start working on this.

And I need to make a pleated purse to post on here too...Betty Ninja has motivated me. :) And there's no better time for a new purse than Spring, right?!?!


Oh! I starting working on a new little embroidery of a lotus flower, inspired by the last box of Yogi Tea that I bought. I swear, there are so many cute designs right now on clothing, packaging, etc. I'm loving it.

Embroidery stuff, plans, practice, etc.

I've been working on developing some of my skills with different embroidery stitches, and it's been a lot of fun. I bought a little gift set at Wal-Mart that had some Jasmine tea, a cute teacup, and a little calendar. The calendar and the box it all came in had the cutest floral design on them. I used the floral design from these to inspire a floral design to embroider. I'm really happy with how cute it looks!! Here are two designs:


I don't love the French Knots in the petals, but I wanted to experiment with that. That's been my focus...experimenting and developing my skills. I want to feel more confident when I do embroidery on REAL projects! :)



Last summer after we found my awesome bike at D.I., Patrick and I would ride around and hit up a bunch of yard sales. I found this embroidery work at a huge yard sale and bought it, because it's cute and has a great example of using various stitches to create a great piece.

My bike:




The piece I bought:


I'm also a tea lover. I opened up a box of Yogi Tea and noticed the awesome design they have inside the box. I want to tie this into an upcoming project:



Such a cool lotus design!!! I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something.

And last of all, I really need to put together a cute little bag to hold my embroidery floss, current projects, needles, scissors, etc. This is my current "sewing bag." So sad...


So...I'm keeping my eye open for a cute design somewhere. If you know of any, please send them my way!!!

New Printer!!!

I'm so excited...I finally bought a printer! I know it's not the most exciting news in the world, but I'm pretty stoked, nonetheless. It's a wireless Lexmark X4580. Sending a job to print from the couch is pretty cool! :) And now I can finally print Barnes & Noble coupons!

I missed having a printer!

I love Paulo

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."
— Paulo Coelho