Back to the drawing board...er, embroidery hoop.

Well, my dear Toshiro didn't turn out as great as I had hoped. I believe the problem was the size in which I tried to make him. The more detail I tried to add, the more detail was lost. His face was only about an inch tall, so every stitch made a huge impact.

Here's how he looked when I finally threw in the needle:

He was so tiny that I decided to turn him into a new pin back button for my cork board. Here he is with another fabric button I made for my friend, Kerri. She loved this material after she saw it on Driscall, so I thought I'd give her a bit she could wear.

Oh, and here's Driscall, the Precarious Pup.

 

Inspired by my favorite snack, Driscall's strawberries and my homemade whipped cream cheese, this lil guy was reworked several times before he looked exactly as I pictured him in my mind. The first time I finished him he looked like a deranged cartoon bunny! I had tried cat eyes from the doll making supplies at Hobby Lobby (my favorite place right now), but I prefer the old school buttons eyes. He also had thinner, pointier ears, and a flat nose. I really like the way he turned out. Hopefully someone else does to!

Patiently awaiting his forever home.<3

...Now I need to make a trip to my favorite place for a larger embroidery hoop. I  wont let you down again Mr. Mifune!

Oh Mifune, how I love thee..

Let me count the ways:
I love you as a ronin
I love you as a detective
I love you as a samurai lord
I love your bushy eye brows
I love your hair when it disheveled
I love your hair when it's slick and smooth
I love your deep voice
I love the way you crinkle your nose in disgust
I love the wisdom in your eyes
I LOVE YOU, MIFUNE!

So, I hope your spirit will be with me as I embark on my latest embroidery project. I hope it does you justice. If I can not do a good job, may I commit seppuku with my never-used knitting needles!

Once again I'm going pattern free. Instead I drew directly onto my fabric with a fabric pencil while looking at this photo:

 I hope this ends well. O_o

Here Kitschy Kitschy....

I wonder if anyone is reading my blog these days...

 I'm sharing some of my kitschy goodness, just in case you're out there. All of these came from Linger Longer in Dewey, OK. It's my absolute favorite place to go treasure hunting. 

 Pussy Cat Figurine

Sparrow Wall Hanging

 

 Deer Figurine

*Sigh* Today has been tough. I'm completely on edge and a little bitchy. I think I'll be able to get through it without completely biting anyone's head off though. Jonas came along and left this posted here...


love you mom!


Thank God I have these kids in my life. I am so blessed.

Panda-monium

Sorry for the cheesy pun of a title, I just couldn't help myself. Yesterday evening we had a birthday party for my middle monster, Eli. I can't believe he's already three! Here are a few pics...I wasn't super happy with how they came out, but what can ya do?  Everyone had lots of fun, and that's what counts! 

My cake wreck attempt at making cupcakes look like a panda face. 

They tasted better than they looked.

The Birthday Boy

Jonas getting his nom on.

Cole stuffing his face...literally. 

The boys' cousins McKenzie and Ainsley.

Our panda party favors. I helped Jonas and Elijah make these, and Cole even helped stuff a couple! All of the kiddos went home with one of these little guys tied to a paw print balloon.

The stuffed panda that I made for Eli's birthday.

 I think Jonas likes it more than Eli does. Eli wouldn't even touch it after I gave him a box of matchbox cars. And, with all of the good stuff he got, his favorite toy was a cheap magnetized fishing pole. After cake and ice cream he even brought it out to the pool for a little deep sea fishing. 

The boys made a new friend as well. After we got home Eli wouldn't stop asking about "Wuby". That little girl is going to be one tough chick!

Through the snakey woods...

Jonas made a pair of snakes for Eli and Cole (with a little sewing help from mom).

The Ever Changing Life

Each new day brings changes to my life. New heartaches, new hopes, new goals. I'm trying my best to stay positive. One of my favorite quotes says, " Learn from the past, live in the present, and plan for the future." I can not change the past, or the hearts and actions of others, but I can be the best version of myself.







The Hedge Monster
by Margo Fallis





There’s a monster in our hedges that comes out only at night.


I’ve seen it and can tell you it gives me an awful fright.


The leaves begin to rustle and the branches sway about


And then the worst thing happens, the hedge monster jumps right out.


Its toes are made of hawthorn and are long and bent and brown.


They’re thorny and have prickly leaves that hang and droop way down.


It’s legs and arms are holly with red berries in the fall


And the monster’s head is squished up branches of boxwood four feet tall.


It wanders through our garden and chases the snowy owls


And then into the chicken coop stealing feathers from the fowl.


When the moon is full and the shadows dance and swirl


The hedge monster’s appetite is for a little girl.


I stay in the house at night and never go outside


Because the hedge monster will get me, so in my bed I hide.



I'm not one to put stock into anything horoscopes say, but today's was strangely accurate.

Aquarius

Don't base your love on credit, or when you try to get you-know-who to pay up, the check could just come back marked insufficient funds. In other words, if someone has repeatedly proved untrustworthy and unreliable, why are you keeping them around in your life? Do you still secretly believe that somehow it's your fault that they can't be counted upon? What a load of hooey. You deserve better, and you know it.

A Woven Kind of Love

I'm in love. It's not an exclusive love, but it's pure all the same. Michael Miller, Heather Ross, and just about every Kokka fabric ever made holds a special place in my heart. These are some of the fabrics living on my bedroom desk at the moment.