The Sun is Shining!

I know it's still February, but having blue sky and sunshine today has been a wonderful harbinger of spring.  Caveat:  it's cold!  But it is sunny!  

I've been doing a little hand stitching.  When we were at Bruder Bear's last fall, I made my yearly stop at a wonderful quilt shop in a neighboring town and was attracted to several primitive framed stitcheries.  I tend more to classic decorating items, but I do like a smattering of primitive decorations.  I bought two patterns and settled in to stitch one out several weeks ago.  The process was rather new to me because I had to trace the design on my Osnaburg fabric and it was a learning experience.  I was thankful Dan had made me a light box years ago--it was the perfect thing to use.

The little project is still in progess as a frame needs to be made by my handi-man, who is otherwise engaged with a bathroom remodel, so the picture below just shows the stitched fabric laying on a piece of batting with the buttons in position to be stitched on later.

The pattern was actually created by a lady who works at the quilt shop and she also makes the buttons.  Talk about a crafty lady!  I bought another of her patterns and look forward to starting on it. The colored parts are done with chalk, but I think I will applique with wool instead.  

The pieces of felted wool in the photo were gifts from Ann a few years ago and I think the red will be perfect for the mittens and scarf and the blue for the mug.  Now we'll see if I can be clever enough to do this!

I left my last post with a paragraph about our friend Steve.  We were able to spend a few minutes with him on Friday morning the 12th, and then on Valentine's morning he left us for a new life free from the cancer that had ravaged his body.  We and so many others miss him but rest in the assurance that we'll meet again.

Lifting a coffee cup to you, Steve!  Your super power was indeed love.  ♥