Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.
~Rainer Maria Rilke
Everyday there is a new plant peeking out of the ground, others stretching to new heights, an explosion of colors all around me....oh, how I adore Spring. And March Madness....as in NCAA basketball tournaments. Seriously. Die hard fan of college basketball. Especially the ACC, and specifically the Duke Blue Devils.
Despite the warmer weather calling me outdoors, I do come in for the games I need to watch. Which is most of them! And blessings heaped upon blessings, my Dukie boys are still in the dance!
As if all of that isn't enough, I was also blessed to win Cherie's {Humble Pie Designs} recent giveaway! {check out her She Art she has posted on her blog...next class begins April 11th!}
Amy Barickman's scrumptious book she was most generous to donate to the cause...
Lots of special little touches in the box as well....
It's filled with articles from days gone by...Department of Good Looks makes me smile. When stress has the better of you, it's time to melt into the mattress of the couch. Such timeless wisdom...
Speaking of stress, and the NCAA games, and not being someone who sits still very well....
...I've been reading through this book while watching the games. This little illustration from the book sort of jumped off the pages to me. Sparked an idea to keep my hands busy...inspired me to stitch some little embroidered flower medallions...
....lots of stitching going on during the games...the little flower pieces are stitched to a 100% cotton batting...the quilt squares, if you will, are pieces of vintage wallpaper first glued to a sheet of paper {also did a linen backing version} and then stitched...
Okay...and maybe I pop a few of those healthy ALMONDS {covered in sugar and chocolate} into my mouth as well, to relieve stress, of course.
I'm a big fan of cheetos and nacho doritos too but those leave orange fingerprints on handwork...m&m's don't!
Also tucked into the box was this pattern of Amy's...I'm pretty sure I could see myself melting into the couch in a pair of those jammie bottoms...
Good thing all my little ones are old enough to drive themselves to where they need to go these days. Cuz back in the day when I was the driver to all the practices...
....and my gardening time was interupted to make the next run...
...i can't tell you how many times they'd ask if I was going to change into normal shoes before we left. They'd be asking the same question if I ventured out in these fun jammie bottoms as well....
What's wrong with these garden boots?! Why didn't they want their mother to wear them out in public?
Oh well. You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Unless of course, you put a sweet package in their hands like the one I received from Cherie! Cherie who is always such a bundle of warm encouragement and talented little creator of all things artsy! Thank you so much {and Amy too!} for such wonderful gifts.
Xo and many warm blessings, Sue
GO DUKE!
so many blessings....
and such fabulous photos....
love...and happiness... xxo, Kim
Posted by: Kim Klassen | Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 09:25 AM
Yes, yes, yes. Go Duke! I am not loving the start time of this game. How in the world will I get up to go to work in the morning?
I am not getting at sitting to watch television either. Thank goodness for dvr allowing me to fast forward through anything we record. But, no dvr for my boys. I'll be watching them real time. And, I will be thinking of you - like we're watching and being a nervous wreck together.
Now, go outside and play in those darling boots. What do our kids know anyway?♥
Posted by: | Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 02:50 PM
it's clear you are having a really good time on all fronts dear Sue
what a fun post!
your french knot flower medallions are so sweet!
you inspire me again and again!
lucky you in the midst of spring loveliness...we had a hard frost last night...brrrr...poor cherry blossoms
oh and your Maidenhair Fern is so pretty...I used to have one and thought the dark stems so pretty with the delicate tender green
so much fun!
you've made me hungry too ;)
oxo
Posted by: ~*~Patty | Friday, March 25, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Sue you are just too sweet. Really! So are your medallions and those rockin bee boots! Thankyou for continually blessing me with your words and works of your hands! I couldn't think of a finer recipient of Amy's good gift. Enjoy the game(s) .....GO SUE, I say......and now just when i was bitten with the beading bug, I am now bitten by your stitching bug too!
XOXO
Posted by: Cherie Wilson | Friday, March 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Go Duke!!!! I love those flowers stitched on the batting! Those are wonderful! I've been meaning to pick my embroidery up again...have done none of it this calendar year. I think I know what I'm gonna do!!! Love your blooming tree picture, too.
Posted by: Linda Jo | Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:44 AM
What a great package! Now, what are you going to do with those beautiful patchwork pieces and lovely flowers you are stitching?! (more of a UConn fan myself...)
Posted by: jill | Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 05:39 PM
those little quilted pieces are awesome...I love how you stitched them...just beautiful..! and your photos are gorgeous..!I found you through...?..I cant remember..Lol..anyway nice to meet you..!
Posted by: robin | Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 09:29 AM
I say......and now just when i was bitten with the beading bug, I am now bitten by your stitching bug too!
XOXO
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