Some Have Pie....

A wee sleepy friend....

January is inching towards it's end.

We haven't had much snow by Upstate standards. 

Snowzilla passed us by.

I was all set too...

with low carb hot chocolate, 

movies and stitching to spend the weekend with.

In the end, 

the stitching was my companion.

I have a thing about "littles"; if I can hang them all the better....

My low carb life is getting back to normal.

 I tried some grains and indulged in a bit of sugar,

but it's time to hunker down and get the rest of my weight loss work done.

I'm about halfway to my goal and doing well.

Surrounding myself with what brings me joy.
Stitching some, just for me.

And so....

as we prepare to say goodbye to January; 

*I am packing up orders every week

*drawing and stitching

*watching "Practical Magic" for the 426th time

*sipping hot tea,while in my comfy clothes.

Some have pie on these cold days that we feel need to have some cozy....

I simply traded the sugar and carbs in. 

Call The Calvary!

Inspired by Calvary

Design idea....check.

Patterning executed....check.

Design pieces stitched and stuffed....check.

Detailing....

argh.

Yes, that is the part that can trip us up and suck the time right out of us.

my original concept

Designing is truly work and yes, 

no matter how long you have been doing it,

 something can trip you up.

Sometimes, you just need fresh eyes and it comes to you when you see it again in the morning,

Sometimes, you have to call in the Calvary

yes, you know; 

we all have that one friend...

The one that can tell you and be brutally honest.

No matter if it's how those pants make you look

 or what details to execute~

they are on it!

Texture, she said...

I loved the black calico. 

It spoke to me...

but how to make it feel the way I wanted.

When you see it, 

you know.

In my conversation with my Calvary, 

she made me think...

there was more to my story to be told. 

While my original concept was for a Ladye's Pinkeep, 

shades of Downton Abbey flooded my head!

What of pinkeeps for the work staff?

With visions of ticking 

and

 echos of patches;

I was off.

A bigger story unfolded 

~ one that may have never been heard, 

had I not called for my Calvary.

New Year, New Life

January can be a cold, cold friend....

but so far, 

our days have given way to more rain than snow.

It was raining before the sun woke up and the pit-pat sounds lulled me through my morning slumber...

Making me want to stay in bed, 

whilst the urge to create nudges me with ideas creeping into my noggin.

Sigh;

so much for staying in bed!

Last Spring, 

I picked up the sweetest,

 tiny canvases. 

I thought I would have time to paint...

silly me.

January, however

is usually best to hold bit of me time. 

That is when I take a deep breath,

and set some color pallets and design plans. 

 I write notes of what pulls my heart...

so I won't get too scattered as the year moves forward.

I try to do a few projects that I find relaxing.

So, the tiny canvases called and I have enjoyed picking up the paintbrushes again...

Like needle, clay and pen, 

they are a very old friend to me.

They will need to make way for a few days however,

as my Early Work offerings call to be completed.

Licensed meetings and outlines have begun...

not to mention,

their projects outlined and supplies ordered.

January is a goode month to get it all together with a clear head...

once February and March come, 

my head will be filled with Spring's callings.

This year will have some big changes for our family...

My beloved is retiring from his job.

That means we will be learning to live a little differently.

He knows that I will always create,

as that is my soul.

We will be learning to balance our life in a manner that befits us.

There will be a new Wee one in late Spring,

and it looks like a Fall wedding...

These are but a few things to embrace~

who knows what the rest of the year will bring us!

Embrace

Ours has been a quiet New year today. 

Milky skies and snowflakes outside...

and the yellow cast of lamps and candles inside.

Cozy~ just as I like it!

I shared on my Facebook last night that I had taken a cue from a beloved friend.

I tried it last ear and loved it.

I am not making a resolution any longer.

They seem to get lost somehow;

at least for me.

I will pick a word...

one word that will be my theme for the year.

Last year, the word was "Blessing"

and in a topsy turvy year of change, 

I found blessings every day!

This year, I chose "Embrace".

Already I am so excited.

There are big changes coming ahead this year in home,
family and my creating.

Some we know, 

as they cross over the year timeline.

Some however...

are just starting to land on my lap.

And so, I will embrace 

the goode days and bad.

for without one, we truly do not know the other.

I will embrace family and friends..

and I will embrace doing what I love full time again.