Updated Comfort Doll Blog

Just wanted to let all who are interested, the Comfort Doll Blog has just been updated. Lots of new dolls and letters from Shelters.
I am shipping out the 20th,21st and 22nd dozen this week. July will mark our 1 year Anniversary and quite possibly 24 shelters we have contributed to reaching 24 states and New Zealand. That just amazes me how you all have found this cause worthy enough to spend your time creating so many dolls. It now has a life of it's own thanks to you,the donors and those spreading the word on your blogs and web sites. I can't thank you enough for all you have done to make this work and continue to grow. Warm hugs to you all.

Sharing the new pendant

Saturday I learned something that I should have realized. It is terribly difficult to bead a necklace in a moving vehicle. I can sew beads in a car, but stringing beads just doesn't get it. After 15 minutes I gave up on it and just sat back to enjoy the ride.

However,I did finish my pendant today. I know you may think it is not great or fancy or special in any way.It may not do justice to the beautiful porcelain piece,but it is special to me because the silver dragonfly is from a very special friend and I chose the lace design porcelain for myself with the dragonfly piece in mind.
The green pearls are from another friend, and some of the seed beads are from yet another dear friend.

As you may know, I enjoy creations that hold meaning. Although I rarely plan a project, I do try to add meaningful items into everything I create. Jewelry is no exception.I like knowing people I care about had a part in my projects. This allows good energy and thoughts of those friends when you see or use the item.
I do not care for large jewelry pieces. Nothing fancy for me, yes, my DH is a lucky man and he knows it. No huge jewelry purchases in this house :-)
Anyway, simplicity is what I enjoy. This necklace is actually busier than I prefer, but I think it will be just right with a Tee.It lays nice and makes a "quiet" statement. I really love the lace porcelain piece. Thanks Susan!!!!!!!

Wonderful weekend

I hope all mother's had a wonderful Mother's day. Mine couldn't have been better if I planned it myself. My guys surprised me with two Adirondack chairs. It was a very sweet gesture and the thought behind them were so much more appreciated than the actual gifts.

You see, a few weeks ago I finally got up the courage to throw away two terribly weathered and broken down Adirondack chairs. I could not bring myself to toss them out for several years even though they were no longer useful in any way except to house wasps under the seats. Why did I keep them? They were the last items my father made for me. He loved to play in his wood shop and produced many bird houses,gingerbread trims, and those two chairs for me. Unfortunately the chairs did not last long,even when stored for the Winter but I could not dispose of them.
I know material things are not what matters, but those chairs were the last things made by his wonderful loving hands, and they were made for me. Every year I would take them to my beach area and arrange them on each side of the Chiminea so I could sit with a small fire in the evening with coffee or wine and dream. When he first brought them to me he had such a big smile on his face and was so proud to know they would be used often as he placed them in the little sandy area I call my beach.
Each year I would plant a few tall grasses and perennials until I had enclosed the area from three sides.This made it private from the road. It was to be a little haven for me to escape to when I just needed alone time, or to read.
My husband knew the chairs had to go and they meant a lot to me so he never touched them, even when I told him it was ok to toss them out. He waited for me to do it. He is a wise man you know. I took them out of the beach and near the pool entrance where they sat for a week. Then off they went piled on my wagon one at a time . Yes, I shed a tear or two as I remembered the day they had arrived. My mom sitting in one chair, dad in the other. I wish I would have taken a picture.
As soon as the new chairs get stained, they will be placed on the beach beside the Chiminea hidden by the now taller grasses awaiting my evening visits. I will have mom over for wine and light a fire some evening, and perhaps a friend or two will stop by for some catching up. I will make new memories and I will always remember how sweet this mother's day gift was. More than anyone knows.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with my mom and brother's while DH went to visit with two brother's and his mom.From all the laughter and sunshine being spread inside mom's house, you couldn't tell it was a cold ,windy,and rainy day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Good morning! My days have been devoured by odd jobs outdoors and I think I am now ready to sit back and enjoy the many hours of work . The weather has not quite settled into the steady warm days but then I don't expect that until June.

I found the perfect porcelain piece for a necklace from Amy Munson's mom who does beautiful work so I gathered a beading project to take on the trip down to Purdue to retrieve my sons belongings from his apartment. I hope to share the finished pendant with you in the next few days. Probably not until Tuesday since tomorrow is Mother's Day bringing many activities.
I wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!

Tutorial on adding a clasp to eyeglass case or pouch

I have been often asked about adding the clasps to my eyeglass/neck purse cases so here is a tutorial. It is easier than you think. I hope you find these directions complete and clear.

#1 Gather your finished pouch,clasp,beads,matching thread and beading needle. If you are working with light fabrics and beads, use white or matching thread,if working with dark, use black or matching thread. This way your beads blend right in to the clasp much nicer.
#2 CQ pouch is sewn together and ready to fit clasp and sew up side seams.As you can see, I sew my front CQ and embellished piece to my plain backing and then add lining before adding clasp. If you want my pattern, you can email me for address and send a self addressed stamped envelope. I am always happy to share. I guarantee my pattern will work perfectly with the 3.5" Bucilla clasps.

#3 Lay opened clasp on top of pouch and make sure it matches up with clasp holes before sewing up sides of pouch.
#4Using hidden stitch, sew both sides of pouch starting at bottom and working your way up to where the clasp will open wide without stress on seams. Firmly but gently pull tightly after each stitch to close sides securely together.
#5 Pouch is ready for pressing and clasp addition.
#6 Starting at either side,bring beading needle from inside of clasp,through fabric and out the front hole.
#7 Add a bead and continue to other side filling each hole with a seed bead.
#8 Finished beading one side. Knot off a few times from inside corner.

#9 The inside of your pouch will have a finished seam and at this point you can call it finished.

#10 I like to add a matching trim covering the area where seam meets clasp for a nicer finished appearance.

Beach jaunt and beautiful day!

I walked through the garden this morning to see if there were more blooms to share. I found the Georgia Bluebells,Bleeding Heart,and of course the newly planted pansies and the daisy like flower which I just purchased as well were perky and begging to be photographed. I picked a bouquet from the flowering trees and took off to pick mom up for a beach jaunt. It was sunny with a touch of coolness in the air, a perfect beach morning. Doesn't that water look inviting?
After the stroll along the shore, we decided to walk the dunes a bit. Here is mom trekking her way up the hill.
We then walked along the road back to the car to see the progress they are making on the old homes.
The National Lakeshore is rebuilding the original homes along the lake front which were floated over from the Chicago fair on barges in 1933. I went to school with a girl whose family owned the round house in the 70's. It was called "The house of tomorrow".
Here is the sign in front describing the process. Mr. Bartlett,a developer, purchased five homes and moved them across the Lake to Beverly Shores where they are currently being refurbished to original condition.Aside from the round house there is a Steel home, Florida tropical house,Cypress log cabin,and a home made from stone cladding which did not handle Lake Michigan's harsh winter's very well.

Remember my "Pink Lady" house I shared last year? Well, it is the Florida house, and the home I always dreamed of owning when I was a little girl. I stood on the shore staring at it many times imagining what each room looked like. Today they were pouring concrete for a new lower patio out back. As I watched I felt sort of sad to see it being "disturbed". I do hope they keep the paint pink. When they allow tours, I will take pictures to share.
As if my morning weren't blissful enough, when I returned home, my son was there. He just graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Computer and Electrical Technology. Home for the Summer,and DH has already talking him to taking a trip to ride the ATV's. This part of the barn houses DH's toys. It also has a family of four Fox pups living under the floor.
It was a beautiful day filled with my favorite things and people. I think I could consider today Mother's Day!

A little weekend stitching

I had a nice visit with mom this morning then went to my brother's house to cut his hair and grab some fresh organic asparagus for lunch. On my arrival home I was greeted with the smell of fresh cut grass which DH was just finishing up. They should bottle that scent.

It was sunny but nippy and windy out so I opted for gardening of a different sort. I decided to finish a few eyeglass case orders due next week.

Still working with flowers only without the dirt ,yet still including a few creatures. The topiary is punch needle with silk ribbon Fargo roses. This order was for a black and pale pink case with a Topiary and garden theme.
What would a garden be without a dragonfly?
The other is Navy blue with a friendship theme.
Nothing great, but keeping the fingers nimble. I looked out the studio window a few minutes ago to a great surprise. The very dark purple Lilac bush that I "begged" from a stranger and which I have nurtured for five years has got it's first blooms this year. I wasn't sure if it was birds I saw or real Lilacs,but sure enough, I see 6 black/purple Lilacs at the very top of the bush. I have white and two shades of light purple Lilac trees, and always wanted a dark purple and pink. I heard there is a pale yellow Lilac, does anyone know if this is true?
Well, I am off to press out the wrinkles in the cases and wrap them for delivery. I hope everyone is having a great weekend.