Chocolate Butterflies

For my girlfriend's wedding, I made chocolate butterflies to top the cupcakes. Thanks to the book: Hello, Cupcake!

It was a great book...I used the modified cake recipe and it tasted great. It was a fabulous wedding and I was so glad to be able to celebrate their day with them. I am so happy for them!

I also got my hair cut this past week...and love it!

Well, my three kitties are ready for bed...have a lovely week...
Paula :)

Sneak Peek & crash & Burn...

Here it is...the companion piece to "My Chair" called..."My Desk". Isn't she lovely? Cathy did a lovely job stitching her and Stitch Niche in Arlington did a lovely job stretching and framing her. Nice when it all comes together. This is going out to the distributors as I write and also to some shops... If you are interested in this pattern, contact your local Needlework Shop! It is stitched on Picture This Plus cashel chime fabric with DMC floss.

And now to the crash & burn...remember yesterday how I mentioned that we got rain? Well, that is great except when you ride a road bike (bicycle) and you get ran off the road...the mud just grabs your tire and you -well stick, stop, fall...and with clips you are pretty much just riding it down. As fun as that may sound, it can and usually does hurt. It usually happens where there are lots of witnesses. So, my baby was hurt (my bike)...see picture. Lucky for me the only thing that hit the concrete was the corner of my handlebar...now off to get new grips. A little bit of mud, which did not allow for me to insert right foot into right clip the rest of the way... But the bright side is that other than a couple of well placed bruises (no picture or further comment here) I'm fine. Okay, the pride was wounded a little too...but got lots of sympathy from the troops. They are a great group to ride with and yes I just kept smiling. It was a beautiful night and enjoyed it despite the mud and the over agressive rider. I forgave him...

Well, I will leave you with this...Mr. Gray and his comments on the above incident. :)

Happy Stitching!

Paula

There's a mouse on his back!

As promised, a photo of Mr. Gray's back...it so looks like a mouse with a nice long tail, huh?

Have a lovely weekend! We got a nice bit of rain this morning that was so needed. It has been so hot and dry.

Happy Stitching!
Paula :)

I've been Creating

Hi,

Well, my major accomplishment was really finishing my first sock. I am half way done with the second - yes I am at the heel turn!!! I broke 2, yes 2 knitting needles finishing the toe. I guess I was knitting a little tight!!!

Then in the spirit of being green...I decided to make some grocery bags. I just love Valori Wells' fabric! While reading her blog I found her tutorial/pattern for these bags. They are absolutely wonderful, made out of her home decor fabric to give a little more strength, long handles, and a nice rectangular flat bottom - while being completely lined. She calls it her grocery tote! What I love is that when I take them to Whole Foods I get a credit of 10 cents per bag each time I shop! :) Plus, I am not polluting. These bags are so nice and roomy and can really carry the goods! I know because I have packed cartons of milk in them! Plus, they work great in a pinch to put things together to go to the post office. Love that! Thanks Valori! Go check out her stuff, very cool! :)

I'm knitting while watching the olymics. Just wish I didn't have to get up so early in the morning...just want to stay up and watch...and I'm not a big TV watcher...but this is very amazing!

I will leave you with one last picture, my son's cat, Mr. Gray. :He is the son of the Queen, Miss Knickers. The Royalty runs in the family. I will try to get a photo of his back. I swear his white marking on his back resembles a mouse! :)

Happy Stitching!

Paula :)

Bathing is So Overrated...

When you look this good, who needs to bath?
I guess this is a little telling of the condition of my porch...I suppose I should sweep it or something. Hard to believe we had snow last Monday and Thursday and now we are at 75 degrees. Wow! Well, I have a hot date with those tennis shoes in the picture there...off I go. I have passed the 80 mile mark, I let you know when I hit the century. :) Have a great week! ~Paula

The Queen, herself, actually

Nuff said.

Yes, she rules my world. :) (from the top of my pillows...silly girl.)

Paula :)

A little Tease

I know it isn't fair...but I just cannot keep it to myself much longer! I know it is only a few more days to market...my house could tell you that if it spoke. My help is sleeping on the job. See exhibit A.

This is Knickers...and I have just asked too much from her I guess. She is staying near me so at least my activities have not kept her from her beauty sleep. A cat must have its sleep!

Okay, okay, the tease...what has colour (you know me by now), wires, and hangs...well here is a little picture of one of my latest designs being released at market this weekend... Ta Da!!!!

I hope that will keep you for a day or so... Happy stitching, knitting, sewing, painting, crafting, for it is so wonderful to create!

~Paula :)

A Little Cookin'

Here is a little colourful stir fry. I mixed zuchini, carrots, onion, and shrimp...a little soy sauce.

I have been in the process of cooking more and eating healthier and oh what a difference.

Another dish was a little piece of Yellow Fin Tuna seared on each side with salt and pepper with stir fry green beans with yellow bell pepper and almonds!

Then we cannot forget about the cats...they have been having fun. Here they are relaxing...and little bit on top didn't make room for her mom (below). Too funny. Hope you are having a nice weekend! ~Paula

Miss Crystal's special outfit and My Real Chair with my real cat

Here is the fun outfit. There are a lot of details, which I will show in some close up pictures. The top features lime green piping above the wavey striped ruffle. The neck and arm openings are encased with bright yellow biased tape, resembling more piping.

The pants feature multicolored rick rack! It is suttle on this outfit, but by itself it is amazingly bright!

Miss Crystal loves pink...I hope she has much fun her new summer outfit! In the mail tomorrow and on their way to giving a few smiles to the new owner!

My Knickers perched up top on "my chair". The inspiration for the cross stitch piece shown.

Hope you enjoyed some pictures...some new cross stitch release coming soon...Paula