I am so happy it is March!  The days are longer and there promises to be good weather coming my way.  Thank goodness because those gray days in January and February really have a way of wearing a girl down.

I thought I'd share a few goodies that were sent my way last month.  Things that made me smile big...

Meg sent me not one, but two (!) of her fabulous decoupaged buckets.  I love them so!  The one on the left is going in my sewing room and the one on the right I am going to use for Easter and most likely will stay out all year long.  They are so beautiful - I knew they would be.  That Meg has incredible style and great talent.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Meg!  Your package will be on its way in the next couple days - I promise!

Stay tuned, there is more to come.

Here's what I scored at my local craft swap last week.  There were 8 people so we each made 7 of one thing....

Decoupaged plate by Lynette

Accordion photo album by Marcia

Front of Marcia's photo album shown with Suzanne's felted bowl

Tote bag by Brenda

Paperweight by Shawna

Rhinestone embellished umbrella by Laura

Tie-dyed tank by Cynthia

Good stuff, huh?  I already have my craft picked out for our next round in hopes that I can get it done early this time....keep your fingers crossed for me.

Looking back at these photos, I think I must favor framing things on the right....something to work on.

Meet my bird pillow:

I made this in my sewing class yesterday.  On Friday morning, I was unsure where I was going to put a new rose pillow.  I thought about making it for the window seat on our staircase landing, but couldn't find any fabric I was crazy about.  I thought about making it for one of the girls, but I was pretty sure the ribbon roses wouldn't hold up to being thrown on the floor and jumped on.  So the guest room it was.  It's all a bit humorous seeing that the guest room isn't even painted and has nothing in it that looks good with this pillow.  But when I get finished, I am sure it will fit right in.

I decided to embroider the bird to add a bit of interest to the insert.  I had planned on framing the image with some gingham ribbon, but my instructor suggested the Freshcut bias tape. Perfect, I thought.  I then added the ric rac.  The little ribbon roses and leaves set it all off.  I am thrilled with the end result.  I love my new pillow!

Here's a peek at the back.  Since the day I learned to put a zipper in a pillow, I haven't done it any other way.  It is surprisingly easy, looks professional and allows me to change it or clean it without any hassle at all.

So now that the pillow is finished, time to paint the room.  I'm off to spackle some holes before the Oscars!

Here's today's work in progress spurred on by the need for a little hand work before (another) sewing class tomorrow.

This little bird was adapted from one I saw last year in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine called Embellish.

Have a great weekend....spring is on its way!

After I finished procrastinating on Tuesday, I got busy.  I started cutting fabric, laying it out and actually sewing.  By Tuesday night at dinner time, I had one of seven crafts finished.  I was a bit concerned that I would run out of time, and briefly thought about changing course, but forged ahead anyways.  Once I figured out how to do them in an assembly line fashion, it went much faster.

Notice the wool floating in my coffee?  I don't recommend that - not so tasty.  I was in such a frenzy that I was throwing things without knowing or caring where they landed.  I was up at 6:30 crafting until I had to get the kids ready for school and did not stop until 7:30 p.m. with the exception of a 1 1/2 hour break to work on the playground at Jane's school and about 40 minutes for dinner with the family.  At 7:32 I got in the shower and was at the restaurant by 7:55 with wet hair and completed crafts - only 25 minutes late!  I couldn't have done it without Fatty's help, either.  He rescued me by taking the kids to soccer - what a guy.

I made patchwork scarves from Denyse Schmidt's Quilts.  I've been wanting to make this project and was finally able to when the wools at my local fabric store were on deep sale - about $4 to $5 a yard.  Woo hoo!  I paired them with some cotton prints from my stash and some bits of leftover silk.  Ta da!  Scarves.

I didn't get to take photos of them individually (no time for that!), but here is one.

I will share the goodies I scored sometime soon.  I need to take the pictures, clean up my mess, do the laundry and squeeze in a nap.  Not necessarily in that order.

Do you ever have something you really want to make, but can't get yourself to make it?  That is how I have been feeling the last few days.

I sorted my wools, piled them up and there they have sat untouched for several days now.  It's like I am afraid to cut.  I don't have much fabric to spare so I guess I am just scared that I will mess up.  But, I have to get going - the craft swap is tomorrow.  Tomorrow, people!   I've had three months to get the job done and I only have myself to blame.

Do you think procrastination is genetic?  I'm beginning to wonder if I have some small, unknown gene that won't allow me to get things done with time to spare...

Enough chatting.  I have work to do.

OK - I am back with more words.  Thanks for bearing with me as I posted photos last week.  I actually enjoyed looking at my life and seeing how all the little things come together and make up my day.  That said, I did not get as much accomplished as I had hoped.  Life itself just got in the way.  The unexpected happened, you know.  Like that broken furnace....who plans for that?

I did get some crafty things done.  I made this t-shirt for my friend Lynette's birthday.

Those flowers came straight from a fat quarter of Heather Bailey's Freshcut.  I did not set out with this idea in mind.  It just kind of came to me.  And I like how it turned out.  So much so that I am going to make one for myself.  In fact, I already have the shirt.:)

Just in case you think we've gone to the beach (wouldn't that be nice?), this is a photo from last summer. This is Kate when she thinks she is being clever.  Tonight, after being "in bed" for an hour (she was goofing around and playing in her room, but I generally choose not to fight that battle), she came downstairs.  Here's our conversation:

Me:  Go to bed, Kate.
Kate:  Mom, I need to tell you something.
Me:  Make it fast.
Kate:  Well.....it's a few things.  It might take a little while.
Me:  Get going then.
Kate:  I love you...  And you are pretty...  And you have beautiful hair...  And I like your earrings...  And your sweater...  And I really, really like your......(long pause, thinking face).....couch.
Me:  My couch?
Kate (giggling):  Yes, the couch. (fit of giggles ensues).  Goodnight Mom.
Me:  Goodnight Kate.  I love you.
Kate:  I know that Mom.

She cracks me up.  Daily.