Elemental Stitches

Recently Finished

Hi again! 

Since I am back in school my posts may get shorter and I might have more photos, but I am going to try and stay on top of posting new work.  I dont have the workload that I had last year so I should have an easier time of it.

Anyway, onto the Tea Towel Tour.  I finished Therisa's towel and shipped it off.  The pattern is from a Japanese embroidery book that I got recently. 

Isnt it adorable!  I already have the next one in the hoop.  Photos of that coming up soon.

Martha's Blog Contest

Just a quick heads up. 

Martha Stewart is having a blog contest and article series on having a blog.  You can enter here and read a bit about what its like to have a blog. 

Have fun!

Bits and Pieces of my Weekend

I had a great last weekend before classes start.  I dont feel ready at all.  It seems like summer should not be over quite yet.  The weather this past weekend was gorgeous!

When the munchkin and I went on our walk we came across some beautiful colors.
Through a gate to the secret garden where we find colorful treasures.

In one of the local community gardens we discovered a beautiful treasure of a wheelbarrow.  Shaded under an avacado tree was this bright blue wheelbarrow which was made brighter by the rusty reds and browns surrounding it.


It is well loved and is still being used by a fresh set of gardeners each spring.  I love those scratches across the metal.  Like the Velveteen Rabbit, being well loved is better then being pretty.  It is it's own kind of beautiful.

More colorful peeling paint.  It seems to be everywhere I look.

More pics from this weekend are in the editing room.  We went to the beach and found some great shells!  Scouring the beaches for shells is one of my favorite pastimes.  This time I found some amazing abalone shell that has already become a new necklace.  I will have some photos of that shortly as well.  See you soon!

Photo Friday

I would love to get back into Photo Friday so here is my photo for this week.
The theme is The Extraordinary.

I Got A Treasury!

I finally was able to create a treasury on etsy!  I have been featured in one once before, but I was never able to create one.  The theme is acorns because fall is just a couple days away!

Acorn Treasury

I hope you find something you like from these awesome sellers.  Happy Shopping!

A Fun Meme about Me

1. What time did you get up today? 8:10am

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds are a girls best friend

3. Latest movie in a movie theater? I dont remember... I need to see a movie

4. Favorite TV series? Grey's Anatomy

5. What did you have for breakfast? Donut - this is not normal, normally it would be a bagel or fruit

6. What's your middle name? Darlene.

7. Favorite food? Roast chicken, the drumsticks are the best part, but only if they were cooked on the whole bird.  Separate them and its just not the same.

8. Which food don't you like? Seafood, its the texture.

9. What's your favorite CD at the moment? I listen to mixes on itunes, but right now my favorite is my country cd with all of the songs I want to play at my wedding (whenever we get to it).

10. What car do you drive? Ford F150- I am a country gal.

11. Favorite sandwich? Club with avocado

12. Which human traits can't you stand?  Drunk people (disgusting to me/degrading to them) and "know it all's" (expecially when its obvious that they dont)

13. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and tank top, in the winter I add a sweater and jacket.

14. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? France (Paris and Provence)

15. Favorite clothing brand? New York and Co.  They have my petite length jeans that fit well (I am hourglass shaped) and awesome basics at good sale prices and great quality.

16. Where would you like to retire? Europe or anywhere with an old house, horses, open land and a long growing season.

17. Favorite time of day? Early morning when everything is fresh and new

18. Where were you born? Southern California, USA

19. Which is your favorite sport to watch? I dont really watch sports but sometimes I linger over soccer and hockey games.

20. Coke or Pepsi? Neither, this stuff tastes like poison. 

21. Soccer or hockey? Your making me choose?  Soccer cause I used to play and hockey because it is soooo exciting!

22. Are you a morning person or a night owl? both unfortunately.  I love staying up late but I love being an early riser. 

23. Pedicure or manicure? Pedicure, I love a footrub

24. Any exciting news to share? I am getting paid this month!  Yea!  We wont be broke anymore!

25. What did you want to become as a child? I wanted to go back to medieval times and be a temple priestess (too many fantasy novels)

26. Best childhood memory? Playing outside without a care in the world

27. Ever been to Africa? No

28. Ever rolled anybody in toilet paper? no

29. Have you ever been in a car accident? yes, sort of.  I didnt hit anything, thank god!  I hydroplaned across the 210 freeway in Glendale, Ca spinning several times across all lanes and back to the emergency lane where I came to a stop after hitting the bushes.  Thank god it was 2am and there was no one on the road except for the 18 wheeler that barely missed me.  I wasnt even speeding, not even close.

30. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.

31. Favorite flower? Peony.

32. Favorite - Hot dog or Chinese food? Chinese

33. Do you own a bike? No, but I want one with a seat for the kiddo.

34. Who was you latest e-mail from? Santa Cruz Freecycles Newsletter

35. Where would you like to shop more if you could afford to? Anthropologie and the craft store

36. Bed time? Around 12-1am.

37. Latest person to share dinner with? My husband and daughter

39. Favorite color? Ocean Blue

40. How many tattoos? One, I will get another eventually

The Rainy Season

I am eagerly awaiting the rainy season.  For the lush growth...

and fabulous fungi.

These photos and more are available in my shop.

Feeling Greatful

Buddha reminds me to:
-think of others
-be thankful that I have basic necessities and a happy family
-try to live peacefully
-to live with respect for the earth and all its beings
-remember that all endings have new beginnings

This photo and others are available in my shop.

Halloween Sketching

Halloween is a serious holiday in our house.  Actually we can just call October one big holiday.   Hubbie starts thinking of his Halloween costume months in advance.  So its not a big surprise that I have been doodling Halloween.

 
Click the image for a larger view.

Thank You Pimpstitch

A big THANKS to Pimp Stitch, a great new embroidery pattern powerhouse, who gave me a free design, Halloween Costumes, and a link on their blog.  Here are some of the adorable Halloween designs that Pimp Stitch offers.

1. "Honeybear", 2. "Batboy", 3. pumpkinpatch, 4. hallowseve, 5. Candy corn Pet detail, 6. Girl in owl costume

Check out their flickr group to see what other crafters have done with their designs.