Best Actor!

HURRAY!

Congratulations Colin Firth! 

BEST ACTOR!   

Thinking of Spring & A Giveaway

While looking through my photo hard drive I found this lovely photo I took of a pink peony blooming in  our front yard several years ago.  It makes me think of Spring...well, actually it makes me long for Spring.  

And speaking of Spring...
I'm having another giveaway!

CSN stores contacted me about hosting a giveaway...and I can't think of a better way to thank YOU my readers.

If you are not familiar with CSN stores...you can basically buy anything and everything from them.  They sell everything from wood swing sets to tableware to rugs.  CSN has over 200 websites with really anything you could ever want.

With Spring just around the corner maybe you need a new swing set for your kids...check out all the different wood swing sets available through CSN...I'm sure you can find one your kids will love!

All you have to do is just leave a comment here at this post and you are entered to win a $20 gift certificate (to be emailed to the lucky winner).  I'll use a random number generator to select a winner.  You can use the gift certificate at any CSN online store!

Don't forget to give me your email address if it isn't posted on your blog.

The giveaway will end Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at midnight.

Sorry...but the giveaway is only OPEN to US and Canadian readers.

Please leave a comment by midnight next Tuesday in order to be entered in the contest.  At that time I will randomly select a winner and will email the lucky winner of their victory!

Good Luck!

Please join me for:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Cielo at The House in the Roses for Show of Your Cottage Monday

Welcome to Beverly's Pink Saturday .  Click on her link to see more PINK!

REDnesday - Sunshine & Shadow Throw

Sunshine & Shadow Throw

My newest crochet project is my version of Melody Griffiths'

  Sunshine and Shadow Throw

shown here on the cover of her book Crocheted Afghans.   

I LOVE the COLORS in this afghan plus the pattern is soooo striking.   

I'm working the blue shade rows now.  I'm using an H hook and Loops & Threads Silky Soft acrylic yarn in similar shades - black, soft aqua, red, magenta, lavender, perfect blue, soft blue and orchid.   I didn't have the bright lime colored yarn so I used soft aqua.  If I don't care for the soft aqua squares I can alway cut out those squares and insert lime colored ones later.  

I use the "join as you go" method to combine the granny squares!

I had a hard time deciding on which afghan to crochet as Ms. Griffiths' book has such beautiful, stunning afghans to choose from...you can bet this won't be my last one to crochet.  

Take a look at her book (here) ...I highly recommend it. 

The colors are even more striking in person!

Black yarn is still a pain to crochet...I crochet those squares during the day when the light is better.  

What do you think of this afghan?   

I'm loving it! 

There are more REDs to enjoy with our host, Sue, at 

It's A Very Cherry World

(here) 

for REDnesday!

Mosaic Monday - More Creative Crocheting

Courtesy of Flickr

1. The Edge, 2. Spring Time Hexagon, 3. Missoni Coat WIP, 4. Crochet: Sweet Meadow Rose, 5. Snow Day Shawl, 6. DSC00760, 7. Crochet Art Project, 8. African Flowers for a Warm Winter, 9. Layer flowers

Look at the beautiful crocheting from other talented members of Flickr!  

I wish I could crochet faster because I would love to make everyone of these projects.  Maybe this will inspire all the crocheters out there and if you don't crochet hopefully this will inspire you to learn. 

Just click on each legend to see the full size photos!

My latest crochet project is coming along and I will be able to post about it soon. 

Please join Mary at The Little Red House (here) for more Mosaic Monday!

L.O.V.E. at Teacup Lane

I'm so blessed to have the L.O.V.E. of a wonderful, kind, sweet man for 40 years!

We had a lovely Valentine's Day...spending the whole day together.  

Hubby took me out to lunch and surprised me with a beautiful gift (...sadly no candy as I'm counting calories).   

What a wonderful RIDE it has been!

A beautiful sterling silver PANDORA charm bracelet!  

For many years I viewed the PANDORA charm (bead) bracelets in the magazines where the ads featured the VERY expensive 24K gold charms...way too much money to spend I would say to myself.  I'm not into jewelry the way a lot of women are...but I always liked the pretty colorful beads in these bracelets.  

But then recently I discovered PANDORA does have less expensive charms...and cute ones. 

Hubby surprised me with a charm bracelet...he picked out the charms!!...one charm with red hearts and the other with my birthstone.   It's so pretty!  And comfortable to wear too. 

 

Now I can have fun adding charms to my bracelet!  

The first charm on my wish list is the....ta da...Teddy Bear!   They have both a Teacup and a Teapot charm...and a Rabbit charm!!!!  And they have Christmas charms too.   This is going to be fun!

Thanks Sweetheart!

I Love You!  

Please join me for:

Make It My Day at Backyard Eden
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Wendy at The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday
 Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Cielo at The House in the Roses for Show of Your Cottage Monday

Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  

REDnesday - Christmas Inspiration

Christmas!  


Now is the Time to Be Inspired!

I love this book...it is fill of beautiful Reds!  

If you are a quilter you will love this book.  

It's fill of 15 patterns to make quilts, runners and even red embroidery work.  

The author, Nancy Martin, shares her love of quilting with her love of decorating.  

Take a look at her beautiful home all decorated for Christmas!

I never get tired of looking through this book.

I have been contemplating crocheting a RED and WHITE throw and Ms. Martin's quilts are an inspiration for me.  

I found this delightful book on Amazon if you are interested in purchasing it (here).   

Let me go back to daydreaming...in RED....of course!

There are more REDs to enjoy with our host, Sue, at 

It's A Very Cherry World

(here) 

for REDnesday!

Sandy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm spending the day with my Sweetheart.

Mosaic Monday - Valentine Hearts

Courtesy of Flickr

1. ALL MY HEART, 2. Heart of my Heart, 3. Vintage Crepe Paper Rosettes - Glittered Red and Pink Hearts, 4. VaLeNTiNe hEArT paTTeRNs, 5. Beyond the Square - Motif 65, 6. Hearts, 7. VaLenTiNE hEArTs!, 8. Hooked on Crochet, 9. sachêzinho

I thought I would share with you some favorites from Flickr showcasing Valentine Hearts, plus colors of Red and Pink.  These crafters/crocheters are so talented! 

Just click on each legend to see the full size photos!

Please join Mary at The Little Red House (here) for more Mosaic Monday!

Be Mine!

Vintage Valentine Cards

Courtesy of Two Crazy Crafters

Golden Tapestry Jewelry Box

My Golden Beauty!

My Golden Tapestry Jewelry Box from Marshall Fields.  

Back in the late 1970s my college roommate and her hubby stopped to visit with us while we lived in the Chicago suburbs.  Leaving the guys at home we went shopping at Woodfield Mall and while in Marshall Fields we saw two jewelry boxes... one in a blue tapestry fabric and another in gold.  Of course they were expensive so we just ooh'd and aah'd and went home all excited telling our hubbies all about the beautiful jewelry boxes.  

Well, bless his heart, at Christmas my sweetheart surprised me with the golden tapestry jewelry box.  It sits on our dresser and has a few little worn spots but otherwise is still beautiful after all these years.  

Please join me for:

Make It My Day at Backyard Eden
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Wendy at The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday
 Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Cielo at The House in the Roses for Show of Your Cottage Monday

Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  

Fun Fur Hat

Fun Fur edging and a Snowflake

I added some Lion Brand Yarn Fun Fur and a white Snowflake courtesy of Attic24 pattern (here) to this cute hat.  

This hat was super easy to crochet.

Oh, yes, we still have snow on the ground here.

This is the first hat I have ever crocheted.  

Unfortunately, I don't have the source for the free pattern I think I got it off Ravelry. 

I finally finished packing away all our Christmas decorations yesterday.  That's a load off my shoulders.  Now I have to polish my silver pieces...they are long overdue.  

But...first I think I will watch some Upstairs Downstairs on DVD.  After all I am retired and deserve a break.