surprised!

Mother’s Day was wonderful! First of all, my boys gave me a new camera on Saturday.   Jerry and I went out for a bit and I took about 300 photos you can see my favorites here.

Then for a really tiny thing that was a BIG surprise, Amber gave me a kitten!!  This is Yzma.  She is pouncing on a beanie baby if that gives you an idea of how tiny she is. Her name is from Emperor’s New Groove (a Disney movie) and is pronounced like ‘Eezma’.

I did get a bit more stitching done on a few projects out on the deck Sunday afternoon before we had BBQ.  Don’t you love the detail with the new camera??

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Hope you have a sweet Mother’s Day!

~~Mother’s Day special continues at the webshop.

 

cottage

I’ve finished up the Cottage Garden thread pack from County Cottage Needleworks and Crescnet Colours. I love the pretty colors in this little pack. Stitched on 28ct Country French Cashmere linen using the colors in the thread pack. I’m thinking of finishing this as a little hanging pillow with some fun trims.

I’ve made a little more progress on Home of a Needlworker (too!) from Little House Needleworks. I’m stitching this on Cream Cashel linen using Belle Soie Silks from Crescent Colours - I love how this is turning out and have this little spot on the wall picked out for it.

A quick note about Villette, I’ve read it twice and listened to the audio book - I highly recommend hearing this book as well as reading it. The language is beautiful. I have the version narrated by Karen Cass. I bought the book because I didn’t actually own a copy of it. I’ve been re-reading my favorite parts all week. I like this version of the book because it gives translations of the French phrases, I can only read the most basic phrases, there a several that are beyond my VERY limited ability to read French - that is another reason why I enjoy listening to the book.

Gladys has honored me with a very nice award! Thank you so very much Gladys!

Two other things I want to share with you -

In honor of Mother’s Day weekend I’m having a shipping special and Belle Soie Silk sale at the webshop!!!

and

Here is a photo of the model I was stitching for The Sampler Girl last month - Lavender House which Tanya made into a little house pillow - cute fabric!

 

Rocky Mountain Wednesdays

A very grey day, with a bit of rain. During the afternoon Jerry hiked up one of our favorite spots in RMNP, the alluvial fan. You can read more about it here. I was so excited to see TWO moose (mooses, moosen?) this evening! I’ve only seen moose a few times and never had an opportunity to take a photo, these aren’t great but I thought I’d share them with you.

A perfect ending to a grey day!

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accomplished

I’ve got my mom’s pillow ready to mail, I hope the mailman gets it there by Saturday - I’m really bad about getting family gifts out on time - so I feel like I’ve almost done a good job this year, we’ll see when it arrives.

A few more Online Needlework Show designs to share. I think these will stitch up quickly. I think I might stitch one or two. I will be adding these to the webshop.

Kellen’s big accomplishment - he earned his Timothy Award at AWANA. This represents LOTS of work. You can read more about it here, good job Kellen!!

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a bit of stress

It has been a crazy few days here. Ethan ran a 103 temp for 2 days with strep throat, he is definitely on the mend now, but Jerry and I shared a couple of sleepless nights up with our little guy. I did finish my final exam on time in the midst of this. Friends from out of town surprised us with a visit, and my website crashed. I think that covers it.

My server is working on the problem (something is wrong at their end) in the mean time I’m shopping for a new server. Please contact me at petermkp@gmail.com if you need anything.

Some stress relief - stitching & sewing, and a little book shopping in Boulder. First of all I’m making a frog pillow for my mom (mother’s day gift). She doesn’t read this so I’m safe sharing. This is an image I printed onto the fabric with my ink-jet printer. I ironed the fabric to freezer paper and then ran it through the printer. She collects froggie things so I though I would make her an little elegant frog pillow.

Second, a bit of stitching! I actually sat down and stitched for about 2 hours this weekend, it has been ages it seems since I’ve even had time. Cottage Garden (from Country Cottage Needleworks & Crescent Colours) is pictured on a table cloth I’m making with some April Cornell fabric. Some other sewing has been going on for a certain designer - more on that in a week or so after she gets to see her new pillows. These little Prairie Schooler birds were the squares I sent Vicki last month in the Fair & Square exchange, and here is the book I picked up while Jerry and I were out browsing at bookshops today. A little cocoa and animal crackers and I should be completely de-stressed!

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eTroubles

There is some sort of technical problem at my website which is also effecting my marykathryn@ehandcrafts.com email. If you have been trying to reach me I apologize for the difficulties. We are working on a solution here.

To contact me, please use my petermkp@gmail.com email address until we solve the problem.

:0)Mary Kathryn

 

may day

Yes! Those are flower petals with snow on my back porch!

This is a Stellar’s Jay. I’ve watched these birds fly down and steal food from picnic tables, while people are sitting there eating!

This is a Country Cottage Needleworks Design and can be found in the August 2006 Just Cross Stitch Magazine. The fabric shown is on the back of this pillow.

A few Online Needlework Show treats!

Happy May Day to you!

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Rocky Mountain Wednesdays

A really beautiful day! The weather man says snow and 30 tomorrow!

Prize #4

Okay - to the prizes, here are the winners who were randomly drawn (trust me)!

Prize #1
Pretty Pin Pillow with some coordinating silk from Dinky Dyes, linen, and jobelan fabric.

Jane who left comment #36

jane Says:
Happy blogiversary Mary Kathryn - I too love reading your blog and seeing the pics of the beautiful area in which you live. Keep up the good work and here’s to the next 2 years

Prize #2
Scissor Fob by me and a pair of Dinky Dyes Swan Scissors

Aussie Michelle who left comment #29

Aussie Michelle Says:
Happy Blogiversary!!!I love to read to site and watch all the amazing things you do. I hope you find your sewing machine of your dreams in the very near future.
Enjoy your party!
Aussie Michelle

Prize #3
A selection of Lizzie Kate Snippet designs

Lynda who left comment #6

lynda Says:
Happy blog-iversary! I always enjoy reading your blog…it’s usually the first one on my list to check. Please enter my name into your drawings…I have a Janome machine, but it’s a
much more basic one than that model I think! Hope you find something you like.

Prize #4
Cottage Garden Gingham Pillow

Becky in OK who left comment #105

BeckyK in OK Says:
Happy Blogaversay. I enjoy your blog, especially the RMW photos. I’d love to be included.

Please email me at petermkp@gmail.com to claim your prize ladies!

Thank you to all for your comments, they are such an encouragement to me!

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my spinach puffs are burning!

Party Food!

Actually Tyler made Kung Pao chicken last night - and decided to add extra Kung or maybe it was Pao, anyway we were all in tears and running for water! Our second dinner choice was shrimp that I put a little cumin and paprika on and cooked in a bit of oil.

Jerry brought home strawberries and we are having them with dip tonight - Sunday night is Family Pasta Night, Amber and Eric brought berry cheesecake for 2nd dessert - we have a theme going on.

I’ve been testing the Singer Simple - a really nice little machine! I can’t get the button holer to work quite right. The work light is very weak and I am getting used to not being able to adjust the needle position, but otherwise I’m very impressed. I took apart a quilt I had pieced (with charm packs) and made it rectangular to cover the cedar chest (just trying it on for size in this picture, it isn’t quite finished). This is where Ethan keeps his toys - inside, on top, and underneath, actually they were pushed under when I asked Tyler to clean and vacuum the living room - we’ll have a redo on that tomorrow.

Finally, thank you so much for all your wonderful posts for the drawing - I feel overwhelmingly appreciated. Here is a little sneak peak at prize number 4. Please comment to the Kuczotopia post to be entered in the drawing, entries close at 5pm (mountain time) Wednesday, April 30th.

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