They arrived last evening to stay for a few days. So, just in case you might be wondering what she is doing today...hopefully, these pictures will give you a clue. Thank goodness their mother is getting a needed break. I am smiling...it is a happy time here! Oh, did I tell you? It is nap time now. The house is quiet. Judy
Many years ago, my great-grandmother created this masterpiece. It must have taken her so long to do, with all of the other jobs that were required of her at the time.. I have never attempted anything with a needle and thread, but I cannot imagine how much time would be involved in completing a job like this. This framed treasure has a prominent place on our living room wall. Whenever, I pause to look at it, I am reminded of the love and the skill involved as she made it for her daughter...my grandma.
This masterpiece was made for me by my grandma for our wedding gift. I treasure this piece, because I remember how long it took my grandma to make it. She wanted it to be just right. It is so beautifully done. I marvel at the neatness of the stitches. Unfortunately, arthritis has prohibited her from creating any more of these special framed pieces. I am reminded of her love and kindness to me whenever I stop and reflect on this piece. Thank you dear grandma!!
Located in the foyer of our home is another beautiful, framed counted cross-stitched "Welcome" sign. The extremely talented lady that spent hours and hours of time doing this for me, is my dear aunt and friend. It graces the wall of our home and I cannot walk past it, without stopping and surveying all of the tiny pearls that were stitched on. I truly am humbled to think that anyone would take the amount of time that she did, for me. She truly is an artist with a needle and thread. The above photo does not do justice to it. Each and every letter is tiny pearls, sown on by hand.
On our living room wall is another one of my aunt's creations. Another detailed, perfectly done, tiny pearls, and a gold bow masterpiece! Once again, this photo does not clearly show the FINE features of this counted cross-stitched piece. I wanted to share these few pieces with you. In this busy world, it is important to take time to observe artwork done by special people in your world. Judy
This weekend I had some extra time to create a few gifts that I know I will be needing in the next few weeks. I had been at the "Dollar Tree" and I saw these adorable polka dotted kitchen towels. I thought the colors were so perfect for summer and I liked that they were 100% cotten. I was not sure what I would do with them, but I did know that I would find some good uses for them in the future. First of all, I lined some homemade cookies in some plastic wrap and then wrapped them in the green kitchen towel. It creates a fun way to give cookies to friends.
My Amish friends bake DELICIOUS homemade doughnuts, in their home. I put these in a cellophane bag and set them in this blue wire basket that I also purchased from the "Dollar Tree". I used the kitchen towel to line the basket. I will give this to a friend who did a big favor for me last week.
For this gift, I wrapped a loaf of homemade Orange-Cranberry Bread. I folded the towel in thirds and then proceeded to wrap the towel around the loaf and tired it with the ribbon. It easily fits back in my freezer to be used for a future needed hostess gift.
I think magazine subscriptions are a very special gift. Since I was giving a food magazine, I thought this kitchen towel would be the thing to use when wrapping the gift. Paula Deen, is one of my favorite cooks and I am sure that my friend will enjoy receiving this gift. One that will last the whole year through.
One of my daughter's dear friends is visiting in our home this week, from North Carolina. In one of our conversations, she mentioned that one of her biggest weaknesses is homemade chocolate chip cookies. Since I had a few extra minutes while babysitting today, I made some for her.
The recipe that I had copied from the internet, was a quick, easy and so delicious one. I made the cookies bigger than I usually do, because I wanted to try something that I had seen in a previous "Martha Stewart" magazine. It was an article on "cookie gift how-to", using blank CD envelopes from the office supply store. Included in the article were clip-art gift tags. I chose to make my own gift tags,with folded strips of paper, stickers and a "thinking of you" stamp. I took the extra cookies and put one in each envelope and stored them in a plastic container in the freezer. I will use them as little gifts when needed in the future.
I am sure you each of you have you own "best chocolate chip cookie" recipe. I personally have tasted some of your recipes and I know for a fact,they are so delicious!! But, if you happen to want to try this soft choc. chip cookie recipe, you can find it at "allrecipes.com". When I was a little girl, choc. chip cookies and milk just seemed to make everything right. They still do. Why not bless someone's day with a cookie and milk...it might lighten their load. Judy
I had the crystal candlestick holders, I had the mirror, but I needed a tall crystal pedestal plate to set in the middle. I decided to do what I have done many times and that is, to create one myself. I found the sturdy goblet and the crystal plate at the "Dollar Tree". With my trusted, amazing "Goop"(a contact adhesive), I finished my project. Now, I just needed something to set on the pedestal plate to give it the finished look. 
Imagine how very excited I was to find this fresh flower arrangement at my favorite Rt. 322 farm. The two dear ladies that raise the flowers, create so many beautiful, unusual arrangements. When I stopped at their small roadside stand, they had the perfect thing to go on my new pedestal plate. Even the colors of the flowers were perfect!!! 
Now, don't you think the finished product looks good on the mirror? What makes it even better for me is the cost. A total of $ 8.00. Two dollars for the pedestal plate and $ 6.00 for the flowers. The candles lit and the lights dimmed...and the centerpiece is complete. I have discovered many uses for "Goop". It is a very strong adhesive. You never know when you might find a special little blessing along your daily route. Alma and Bertha sure do nice work! 
He loves every minute of this role in his life!! He is a fun, involved, helpful and kind grandpa. I thoroughly enjoy watching each of the grandchildren respond and look up to him. How blessed they are to have him in their lives and how very blessed he is, to have each of them. These pictures tell the story...and I loved capturing the moments. Judy
A dear friend of mine works for an Interior Decorating company. When the wall paper books expire, or are no longer needed, they find creative ways to dispose of them. When she saw this particular book, she thought of me. No one has ever given me an expired wall paper book before, and quite honestly, I was not sure what to do with it. I purchased a plain white, magnetic board at Target, and this is what evolved ...a gift for my athletic grandson, to hang in his room. He has been playing la crosse in school so this wall paper and border were perfect to use in covering his board. I used spray glue as the adhesive. The magnets were purchased also at Target. He will hang it in his room and use it when school starts.
I purchased another plain white magnetic board at Target and used this wall paper and border in the same way. The magnets I used in this one are cut outs from the extra wall paper. I glued them on thick paper, cut them out, and glued them onto small round magnets that I had on hand, from Michaels. I added some touches of glitter and a black strip of paper down the center. I do not have plans for this one although I think it would make a nice, inexpensive gift for someone.
A year ago, I purchased a stack of old, ugly metal trays from an antique mall, for $ 1.00. I took one of them and sprayed it with black board spray paint from KMart. I then proceeded to decorate it with vintage stickers on small round magnets, and a few fancy tart molds that I also glued onto magnets. I set the finished tray on a black stand that I found at Walmart. If you have a vintage kitchen, this may work as a communication board for your family. Actually, this tray could be decorated in many different ways. I have sprayed some of them white and some in bright colors. Sometimes I use old buttons, or vintage flowers which I glue onto the magnets. Sometimes, I just use chalk to write messages on the black board surface. Since reminders are a daily part of my life lately, magnetic boards work for me. Judy
