Catching Up

Once a year in January the Thursday Evening Quilters get to-gether for a Hen Party.

We bring something to work on....

  

We just relax....

We show and share...

We discuss  the project...

 AND of course we enjoy a fabulous pot luck luncheon.

This lemon cheesecake was to die for....

the pickled asparagus took my fancy... 

busy busy....and

Smile you're on Candid Camera..

Thanks Ann for a warm and fuzzy day to-gether

MRI Results

Hello dear friends.
I thought I would let you know what is happening around me just now.
I thought I had sciatica which was the source of my horrible pain BUT ....not so!
Turns out the MRI revealed I had inflamation of the spinal column. The doctor wanted to clear it up ASAP so he prescribed the drug I hate most....PREDNISONE!
It was what I had to endure for 2 years when I had polymyalgia rheumatica. I blew up like a balloon..
He assured me I would not be on it long term and it would not affect me that way...whew!, just a week or 2 of a high dose should do  the trick.
All well and good but Prednisone and diabetes is not  compatible and my blood sugar shot up from 5 to 29. I nearly fainted when I saw the numbers. When this happened before I had to go on insulin as my regular metformin does not work to control the blood sugar.
Well after a couple of days on  the insulin my reading this am was 4.2...YEAH!
Looks like things are returning to normal(whatever that is!)
So that is the story to date..I am feeling so much better and no back pain thank goodness.
I am back working in my studio, finishing up some hand applique on a quilt, and then getting ready for a retreat next week... I am so looking forward to that.
I have some other things to tell you but for now I will call it  a day.
Thank you to everyone that takes the time to stop by for a visit and leave a helllo.It makes me feel soooooo good..
Toodlesfor now

Getting an Early Start

Isn't this a beautiful early morning sky......
Well as some of you know I am NOT a morning person... I like to move from chair  to chair with my coffee when I get up and contemplate the day.. I usually come alive and get going by 10 am.
Well since the new year I have tried to get up early and make my mornings longer and more productive....
It really pays off when you get to see a beautiful sunrise!.. Now I am not promising  and it is not a new year's resolution, but I hope to see many more  early morning sunrises....
Have a great day everyone.

Meet Isabella

Here she is at last..."Isabella"

The gold crispinettes hold her braids in place and the fillet lies across her forehead.
A veil is attatched at the back of the fillet.
At her neck is a wimple  made of fine silk.

 Her waistcoat is a soft purple made of silk duppione trimmed in white mink.

          The front has a row of crystal buttons for an accent
           She carries a gold lame bag encrusted in beads and sequins
           I used a special hand made bead on the bottom of the bag.

                  Around her waist is a jewelled belt made up of crystals and beads...

Last year I had the pleasure of taking a doll class from Colleen Babcock, a very well known international doll maker living in England.This was the doll Colleen taught, which she calls "A Stitch In Time"It is a history lesson in disguise, as I learned all the names of her garments, which I had not heard of before, it was such fun.
If ever you get a chance to take a class from Colleen you will not be disappointed.Colleen's Blog is here....check it out
Thanks so much Colleen for this opportunity, I loved every moment. It took me awhile to finish her , but I feel it was worth the wait. She should have a piece of cross stitch of a dragon that she is holding but since I am not fond of cross stitch, I decided to  give her a very elegant bag to carry. I hope you like her..

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

 Thanks you so very much for taking the time to visit my blog.
I love hearing from each of you with all your kind comments. it really means a lot to me.
Lets hope 2012 is full of love and wonderment for all..
HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL
xoxo
Maggie

Tutorial for Paper Christmas Tree

This is the cutest Christmas TreeTutorial (here) made from a paperback book. I am sure we all have a few of those laying around that we have read.
My library offers a grocery bag full of books from their discarded book table for $1.00
I get the hardcovers and use them for my altered journals.I only use the covers so now I have a reason to use the pages.I think you could really glam them up and paint them as well as adding some other bits.
I got the idea from Freda's Blog (here)
Thanks Freda.

Merry Christmas Card from the Robinsons

Hello Dear Friends,

Things are pretty good around here and I am feeling much better.

Thanks to everyone for your care and kind thoughts and prayers.

I imagine everyone is hurrying around in the Christmas rush....so...

I thought it was time you took a break and enjoyed the Christmas card my hubby made up.

It is so cute and a great way to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.

All you have to do is click on the link .
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/5z4MFEHxegJ3Uhue

All Is Well and I Feel Lucky

Hello dear Friends.

It has been so long since I was here.

I want to thank everyone that sent good thoughts and prayers when I was down and out!

I am still waiting for an MRI, but as near as I can figure out from my diagnosis it was sciatica!!!

I never knew such pain in my life.

I am nearly off the oxycotin and am being very careful with my movements. I hope I never have to go through that again..

So.... as I continue to improve I do feel "Lucky"  to have this over with.

I did manage to get through the artist's sales I was committed to with the help of drugs and my walking stick!

They were very long days, but  it was a successful  occasion.

 I see my Etsy Shop is nearly empty...... oh dear... .

I will have to work on that in the new year....I promise

I have had time to sit around and do a lot of thinking and I  am planning some kind of a draw for you faithful "followers" in the near future....
I hope you will stay tuned...
Meanwhile, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful time with those close to you.
xoxo
Maggie

My Blogoversary

Hello Dear Friends...
I can't beleive I forgot it is my Blogoversary! I have been so busy preparing for a Studio sale I guess I just forgot!
I have been blogging since 2006. It has been a great experience for me, meeting so many wonderful talented people from all over the world.
It has been a learning experience for someone like me who said a few years ago, I have no interest in computers, it is a waste of time............now I know how wrong I was..
I must admit I spend a little too much time here, but it is so nice to surf around and visit your blogs.. Always something exciting to see and do..
Thank you to all my followers, you are all an inspiration to me.
Stay tuned as I plan to have a draw for something nice in the near future..
Thanks again,.,., I love you all
Big Hugs
Maggie

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

More Handbags..New Design

I guess you could call me the "Bag Lady"

Here I go again!

I decided to use some faux leather and see how it went.

The red bag is faux leather with an alligator imprint . The fabric is a heavy duck with a giraffe design. I knew when I saw it I had to have it and I thought the red really complimented it..

The interior of the bag is a red silk with white polkadots which I thought was perfect.The bag has two large zippered pockets inside.

 Very roomy and comfy to wear.

The black bag is the same design.

It is black faux leather on the sides,flap closure  and handles,

The rest of the bag is faux mink  very luxurious looking

I used magnetic closures in both bags, they are so easy and look very nice,

 The lining in this one is a brushed cotton flannel with the leopard print, same two zipper pockets..
I may do some for my Etsy shop later but for now these will be for  a Christmas sale next month.
I really enjoyed using the faux leather. Not  too difficult to sew. It just took a bit of time.Hope you enjoyed seeing them.
Let me know what you think. That is always important for me.
Thanks for stopping by.

Birthday Here AGAIN!

Hello Dear Friends...

Thought I would share my Special Day with you..

Since it was my birthday DH  and my daughter Lynne took me out for dinner at one of my favourite places for chinese buffet the Mandarin.

Had a yummy dinner and my favourite wine topped of with

birthday cake and ice cream(of course!) The waiter was so much fun with his comments and to my surprise snapped a picture.LOL

This is the guy "my Robbie" that has put up with me for 57 years.VBG

Our daughter Lynne is the only one of our children that lives nearby and happily she shared the evening.

Gee being 76 isn't so bad after all!!!!