Start of Lent

My husband just celebrated his birthday as well. So many reasons why we both love February. Celebrating life with food, laughter and love is invaluable and the best gifts ever. Cheers to Mr. D!!! 

Well, after all the celebrations we are now offering our time and energy to our faith in Lord Jesus. Lent has already begun. Just like last year, I started a list of sacrifices that I can offer or share to others everyday for 40 days. Last Wednesday, a very dear person came to Church with me. She offered to drive me to Church so I invited her to join me. She is not a Catholic but she was deeply honoured to be seated there beside me... listening and acknowledging. Thank you Lord. 

This morning I received a very beautiful handmade "temari" from a very good friend. 

Shani made this herself. Mind you she is a newbie on this kind of craft... but look at how lovely her 1st piece is. I'm greatly honoured of being given a good luck charm for my birthday. Thank you sweetie! 

Do you remember the Worldwide Round Robin I joined last year? It was a success right? So then I joined another one this year. We started 1st of February and I have new group members of 4. We have a group page solely for our RR. 

These are the borders I stitched for my RR piece. The stitch count I'm in is 75x75. My green hand-dyed fabric is from Kelly aka Stitchnmomma from Etsy on-line shop. Her fabrics are awesome and affordable. She has good customer service and her products are all handmade. Go and check her shop now and you won't regret it. 

My theme is "letter A". I have always wanted to stitch the first letter of my name. I want the piece to look so girly so I used some flowery borders. There are a lot of French knots used. I love stitching these knots. 

I received an RR piece from South Africa. This was my 2011 RR group. And it will be the last square that I'm going to stitch. I just need to kit up my design then I'm ready for it. I'm sure I can finish it this week. 

I would like to show you the #2 order I finished for one client. 

I'm on to #3 order... then I can sew the pieces to make into lovely decorative pillows. 

Have a nice weekend everyone.... And in  your spirit. 

Happy Hearts Day!

Earlier on before my birthday, I have received a divine gift... but it was also taken away from me that same morning. It crushed me but I still thank God for answering my prayers. He has reasons and He knows best for everybody. I have to move on and celebrate life. Thank you Mr. D.

My birthday was not a blast but a blessing. I was pampered by everyone around me especially by my husband. Dinner was great at home when prepared with love and devotion. And of course, shopping makes my world go round! The best part of that day was when hubby asked me, "Are you happy?" I answered in a milisecond, "Yes. Thank you." 

Hmmm. It is Valentines Day after all so let me feel like Ana Scott for one day. Say cheese!!! 

This is my Valentines Day gift to my awesome husband. I hope he will love this just like the first framed heart stitch work I gave him last year. I decided to make it my hearty tradition for him every year. It will be a challenge and a routine that both of us will cherish. 

This is the finished piece of one of my Crazy Challenge projects (day 9 to be exact). It's called Alphabet Sampler by Better Homes and Gardens. I call it Heart ABC. The pattern is a freebie from the website. I re-started this last Feb 10 and finished it today, Feb 14. I made my own colour conversion to personalize it. The fabric is 28ct evenweave from Dove Stitch, hand painted purplish colour. 

I framed it myself. I bought a black 12x12 wall frame, alphabet sticker, black foam board and mat from Hobby Lobby. The colonial green mat was cut there too. I designed the mat this way so that my needlework would send some message to hubby... it reads (which I hope he will know), "AGD loves Travis". I do hope though that the stickers on the mat won't look so elementary. Well, this is actually my first attempt to do things on a mat to put colours and send messages to a stitched work. 

Yay! Honestly, my plan was to use the lacing technique on framing as you can see my piece is quite small so it wouldn't be possible. I then used some double-sided tape on the foam board. It worked! I was so gentle. And it was no-sweat! 

Time to spread some love everyone! Happy Valentines Day to all of you!!!