it's a prickly pear!

Who knew? Not me...obviously. A very nice woman on flickr, that I found through the Bend-the-Rules Sewing Pool, had a picture of one of these too as well as a shot of the ripe fruit. She says it's yummy. Her kids think it tastes like pear.

bend the rules

I made a couple clutches from Amy Karol's fabulous book Bend-The Rules Sewing. I'm trying to work up the nerve (and find the resources) to try other thing.

This one is exactly the size the pattern dictates. Both fabrics for the bag I bought at Michael's & I had the button fabric in my stash from the tissue holders

This one is clearly a bit larger. The outer fabric came from a table cloth my sister Charlotte was selling at a yard sale. The inner. polka dot fabric was a napkin, on clearance, at Target. Vintage button & hand embroidery. I like it.

Holiday in Corolla, North Carolina

1 week with extended family. It was nice. Beautiful weather for most of the week.

The dogs seemed to enjoy it.

This was in the neighborhood as we headed to the beach...2 HUGH ones. I had never seen anything like it in real life. I just thought they were beautiful. I only wish they had been blooming.

I don't know who these people are, they just got married RIGHT behind us.

too much going on

I can't bring my self to write it all down, maybe someday. Both good and bad. A lot that brings tears to my eyes. And a lot that, for now at least, I can't share. I'm feeling very overwhelmed & sad today. I'm also heartbroken. It sucks.

look!

Look at it. LOOK at it! I think its one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I'm beaming like a parent. Amazed that A) I didn't kill it & B) Its actually blooming! I just can't believe its really happening.

Funny how the things that make you happy change slightly as you age.

Oh, and I did in fact frog my ripples. Only a few rows in and I already like it better.

a good time was had by all

This was very difficult to do. I hate myself in pictures.

friday!

My day started off very stressed but its turn out to be very good! First I get this lovely little package from LeeAnn. Isn't it sweet, so much more than I was expecting! I of course I got the Dogwood tag/cards because I was #2. BUT she also included these other sweet little floral tag/cards, and some little bobs from her collection! I feel so lucky! Thank you LeeAnn I love it all.

(I adore the little daisy pin, its one of my favorite flowers)

Then I see this in my hydrangea this season. This is the first flower to sprout since I planted it 2 years ago. Frankly I was just glad to see it come up again at all. I may have mentioned it before...I kill plants. Unintentionally of course.

I have a big weekend a head of me, that I am so stinkin excited about it I can't even stand it. First the Wine Festival Saturday afternoon then Saturday evening I am meeting up with some old friends. There will be about 6 of us if everyone makes it out. I can't wait! I have also recently reconnected with another old friend via email. We spoke for the first time 10 years today! I'm still giddy from it.

Ah, friends are good. :o)