Mandevilla X amoena "Alice du Pont"

 

I have been wanting to paint for a long while now. I decided this was a good time. Mandevilla is one of my very favorite plants. I always have them blooming on my back deck in the summer and fall. I hope the bright colors bring a smile to your face! By the way, the blooms smell like Easter Peeps candy!

These other pictures are of my bedroom and the Rhubarb Pie tatting I have in there.

 

 

 

Tatting Chic

If you have read Tatting Chic's blog today, you know that we had our first phone conversation yesterday evening. It was so nice to hear her voice and be able to share without waiting for return emails. She is just as sweet as I knew she would be and it seemed like we had always been friends. It is so great to have good friends with whom we can share our thoughts, loves, and even our troubles. It won't be our last conversation!

Tatting Chic is a very talented lady in a lot of ways. Not the least of which, is her ability to write both funny and inspiration blog posts. Please go visit her at the above link if you are not already a fan.

Easter goodies

 

My Easter goodies were a little late, but that's okay. I ordered them late! Everyone kept raving so about the Lizbeth thread, that I had to order some. The colors are beautiful. I haven't tatted anything with it yet, but I will soon. I also wanted the Christmas Ornament Collection by JoAnn Stearns that Tatskool mentioned. It, and Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns by Monica Hahn, are both full of beautiful patterns. I don't purchase many books, but lately I have three new ones, including Tea is for Tatting by Martha Ess. I have lots to do!

Oh, I really didn't WANT anymore shuttles, but I had to get to the free shipping cut off. Yeah, right! You believe that don't you? I love Lacis shuttles and pink seems to be my color of choice lately.
Thanks Handy Hands for the quick shipment!

Celtic Teapot by Martha Ess

 

Martha's book, "Tea is for Tatting", is wonderful! I had so much fun tatting this Celtic Teapot. I learned new things and hope I got them right. I think there are a couple of places that could have been smoother, but I'm pleased with it. I'm not altogether pleased with my color choices, but I think it will work in my bedroom with all of the Rhubarb Pie. The light pink and green are Flora size 20. The darker rose, almost red, is a hand dyed solid from Marilee's Rhubarb Pie.

If you haven't ordered the book, I hope that you will have the opportunity to.

The Renee Award

Thank you for this lovely award, Tatting Chic. I love it!


Here's what Bella has to say about why she created this award:

"This one is meaningful to me in three profound ways. Firstly, it was created in honor of Renee, one human being who has made such a difference in the lives of many just by being. Her honestly, wit, intelligence, and grit are a tremendous source of inspiration. She can elicit raucous laughter and guffaws in her banter, and then turn right around and offer the most heartfelt, gentle words of wisdom and emotional support. She is a spreader of love, simple and true. And her love is infectious.

Secondly, this award was created in collaboration with one of my best friends, Ces. She is, in Renee's own words, truly original. She is an incredible artist, both in pen and ink and paint. She is fiery passion with a gentle hand. She is laughter, fun, joy, intellectual stimulation, a sister. The concept and design of the award belong to Ces.

Thirdly, this is a brand new award, and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow. I hope it finds its way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns..."

What a Beautiful World

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD

 

Oh, what a beautiful world today.
The sky is blue with clouds puffy gray.
The grass is greener with each passing morn.
Nature is busy being reborn.

The cherry trees all pink and white seem to
shine with God’s heavenly light.
Azaleas in every color are lacey and bright and
make me ache to paint them just right.

The Dogwoods are blooming as if to say,
“We know that Easter is on its way.
We usually bloom too early but waited this year.
We wanted to be sure the message was clear.
He came to die to save you from sin.
To wash away your transgressions and leave
you cleansed.”

 

Their blooms bear the mark of our Savior’s pain
to remind us all that for us He came.

 

He knew He had but a short time to stay
as His mission was planned to take Him away.
He tried to teach us as much as He could, how
to be Christ like, honest and good.

All we can do is strive each day to follow His
example and never forget to pray.
We make mistakes, each and every one, but
God’s work with us is never done.

He’ll not forsake us and always speaks true.
We just have to trust Him to bring us through.
May you each find peace in this blessed spring
and all the joy that your faith can bring.

Laura Blanton
© April 7, 2009


To all of my Christian friends, a very Happy Easter and
the peace of Christ.
To the rest of my friends, may you find joy and laughter
during this glorious Spring season.

Martha's teapot surprise!

Look what I received in the mail from our lovely Martha Ess. One of her teapots. The one I named! English Country Garden! It was in the sweetest note wishing me well with my operations that are approaching. A prayer in each stitch! For what more could I ask?

Martha's work is as near perfect as I have ever seen. I am really overwhelmed with this lovely gift. I will have to get it framed and take it to the hospital with me. I'm sure it will be the only teapot I'll see while I'm there!

I hope you have all noticed that the book is ready to be ordered. I ordered mine this morning.

Thank you again, Martha. You are truly a dear.