Saturday, January 31, 2009

Pink Saturday

Hello blogland friends!
It's another pink Saturday with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far. I've been looking at some Valentine Day fabric lately and thought I'd share those this weekend.
ENJOY!
Sheri

Roses! My favorite!
Wouldn't this be adorable for a little girls room?
Or maybe this one? How sweet! And...How can you go wrong with cupcakes? :)


YES! I just had to include this! Check this out! For you little "princess!" :))

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Crows and Tulips

I seen to have gone crazy lately. I don't know what my new obsession with punchneedle is! Maybe it's quick and gives me the satisfaction of finishing it within a few days, working on it a few hours after work at night. My attention span has never been that great. :) I wish I didn't have a full-time job sometimes. But in this economy, I am grateful to still have one. Prim Rose Hill is just a little supplemental to help us get out of debt...I hope to take it full scale one day...one day... :)

So I guess I'll be spending the weekend making these into pinkeeps. But I have one more I want to finish before I get started on the "finish-up" of stuffing and sewing. I like to put steel wool into them to keep pins sharp. I have always heard and read that the poly-fil actually dulls your needles. Nothing worse than a dull needle! So that's about all I've been doing the past week...what about you?

Hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!
SHERI

Monday, January 26, 2009

Monday: The Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY MONDAY, JANUARY 26...

Outside my window...it is blowing snow flurries.

I am thinking...of something really warm to wear to work today! (Our office stays so cold).

I am thankful for...a warm house today & my loving husband always.

From the kitchen...I smell coffee and bagels.

I am wearing...a wild animal-print robe (don't laugh) with white ballet-style slippers. :)

I am creating...another punchneedle pinkeep (with a spring-y theme! How cheery on this cold winter day).

I am going...to work soon, then to the bookstore later--one of my fav places. :)

I am reading...Mary Janes Farm's latest issue & also Handmade (lovely Australian sewing/craft/decorative magazine).

I am hoping...that spring will come early this year!

I am hearing...music in the background, my kittycat meowing.

Around the house...the cat runs and plays! :)

One of my favorite things...an afternoon nap on rainy or cold day.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finish this pinkeep and start yet another; work on some valentine's; writing my new secret pal from MJF; start adding some things to our eBay shop.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Want to join? See Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Welcome to another Pink Saturday

Hello again! It's another Pink Saturday! You can join in on the fun by visiting Beverly's site.

I had such a wonderful and delightful first Pink Saturday last week. I met some incredibly awesome ladies here and I think Saturday has become my favorite day of the week!

Today I thought I'd share my pink candle collection. I love candles in general, but if they're pink, that's just icing on the cake! :)

Hope you're having a fabulous Pink Saturday! Please visit soon again!
Hugs,
~~Sheri~~

A friend gave me this one, many years ago.


I wish Avon still sold these candles!
Another one of my favorite breast cancer awareness candles.
And what's a birthday without pink candles? ;)

Friday, January 23, 2009

Easter Punchneedle

Hello! Well, this is what I'm working on now. I did finish the shamrock, so I'm hoping to get it made into a pinkeep or ornament this weekend (haven't really decided)...although I guess I could do a "combo" of both. :) I'm trying to get a few things made for our Etsy & eBay shops. I have so many fun designs waiting to be made!

As you can see in the center of this cool-green-swirly pillow, it will be an Easter-themed pinkeep and I think it is so cute! Definitely makes me think of warmer days. I do like how it's been made into a pillow here too. It's a sweet design by Pine Mountain Designs.

It's a warm 51 degrees today! Can you believe it? Just last Saturday we were experiencing -6! I am soooo ready for spring! I'm afraid we really haven't gotten into our bad weather here this year. We always get a few light snows and a few ice storms before it's over.

I hope you're having a terrific Friday and I'll see you tomorrow for Pink Saturday!
Hugs,
~~Sheri~~

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tea Cup Giveaway

Just wanted to share the exciting giveaway over at Rose Haven! Jan is having a weekly tea cup giveaway for the next 15 weeks! WOW. Isn't that exciting? Oh, how I love tea cups! Got my fingers crossed! :) Come on over and join the fun!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Punchneedle Revival...

I have done a few punchneedle projects in the past, but none that I was "so serious" about. I used to do them years ago (don't want to show my age here, haha), but it seems like in the past year I would start them & finish, but never really "make" them into anything. (So consequently I have these "swatches" of punchneedle collecting now...LOL) I had to start a new pattern after seeing some inspiration on Flickr and posting it last week. :) And they are the perfect size for someone like me who has such a short attention span :) --it will probably finish to be about 4" X 4". Being Irish & St. Patrick's Day on the way, it is only natural that I should start back my hobby with a shamrock. I love this simple little Erica Michaels pattern. I'm thinking it will become a pinkeep. I'm about 1/2 done on the punching, so I'll keep you posted. Hope you're having a warm and fabulous Wednesday!
Hugs,
~~Sheri~~

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tea on Tuesday: Gougeres


bhg.com
**A gougere is a French puff pastry flavored with Gruyere cheese. Pipe the little morsels with a pastry bag or dollop the dough from a spoon. Yum! :)

Ingredients:
* 1-1/2 cups water
* 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 5 eggs
* 1-1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (6 ounces)
* 4 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
* 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* Cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:
1. Lightly grease two baking sheets; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt. Bring to boiling. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Cool for 10 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute after each addition. Stir in Gruyere cheese, mustard, white pepper, and the 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

2. Preheat oven to 400F. Using a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip, pipe batter in 1-inch mounds about 11/2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. (Or use 2 teaspoons batter for each puff.)

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm. If desired, sprinkle with additional cayenne pepper.

Makes about 60 gougeres.

Make-Ahead: Bake gougeres as directed. Cool on wire racks. Place cooled gougeres in an airtight container and store in the freezer up to 1 month. To reheat, place frozen gougeres on a baking sheet and bake, uncovered, in a preheated 350F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated.


Nutrition Facts:
* Calories 43,
* Total Fat (g) 3,
* Saturated Fat (g) 2,
* Cholesterol (mg) 25,
* Sodium (mg) 44,
* Carbohydrate (g) 2,
* Fiber (g) 0,
* Protein (g) 2,
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

~~yummy recipe and photo from: bhg.com~~

Monday, January 19, 2009

Thank You from my heart

I was so overwhelmed with all the kind words from my first Pink Saturday! I awoke Saturday morning at 6am to no electricity and -6 temps! It normally doesn't get tha cold here in VA. Thanks goodness we had a wood stove we could dust off and atleast heat the house. Oh, yes, then we discovered the water pipes had frozen too! :( So I was trying to leave comments from my Blackberry Saturday afternoon, but my fingers quickly wore out. LOL. So today, I am spending the day trying to catch up and leave comments.

I received so many kind words and I am so honored to be a part of this warm community of bloggers. Thank you, thank you! Hope your weekend was fabulous and warm! :)

Hugs,
~~Sheri~~

Thanks Glitter Graphics

Saturday, January 17, 2009

It's my FIrst Pink Saturday!

I have joined the Pink Saturday fun!

I love pink teacups!And I love making pink cupcakes!
I wear only pink-color nail polish!And I love crocheting in pink!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Inspiring me....Russian Punchneedle

Please click on photos to be taken to owner's page on Flickr for more info! Thanks!


DSC01738
Originally uploaded by virginia.margaret

More punchneedle
Originally uploaded by Eleanor and Ruby


IMG_2384
Originally uploaded by betseysen



Sheep Punchneedle
Originally uploaded by needlepointernc
**all photos posted directly from flickr.com **

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

TA-DA! I finished it!

I hope you will excuse my photo. :) I didn't noticed that I crumpled my crocheted "throw" at the bottom. As I shared a few days ago, this was originally supposed to be a shawl/wrap, but after completing it, it was a bit small for a plus-size person. So...I just kept going! And ta-da! My first project where I had to actually follow directions. Sadly, I do not follow directions well, so I will be needing some more practice. I like the zig-zags though & even though I didn't think I'd like the colors, once I saw the yarn, I liked the little "flecks" of color that runs throughout each one. Of course, my husband, forever "Mr. Positive--Look on the bright side" said: "Hey, look, you can spill food on it and you won't really notice." Oh boy...what a nut. :) Next, I have an afghan I want to start!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

My shawl became an afghan :)

I've been working on a wrap/shawl since the holidays ended and when I was finished I decided to keep going! :) I thought it would make a nice afghan.

Actually I didn't realize how small it was...should have guessed by the size of the model, but being a plus-size it just didnt fit right on me. So...I thought, hmm...I do like it and it's really warm. I think I'll just keep adding onto it and make a throw out of it. I might finish it one day soon. LOL. It's really great (and easy!) to work on while I'm watching re-runs of House. :) Oh, don't even get me started on how addicted I am to that show!

So here's how it looks so far. Couldn't really get a decent picture of it, but hopefully you can get an idea. I will post a better one when I am finished.

Hope you're having a fabulous Sunday!
SHERI

Friday, January 9, 2009

Updating my other blogs...

HELLO! I am still around...just taking a few days to update my other blogs. You know how it is, you get tired of looking at the same old, same old and just have to make some changes. Kind of an early spring cleaning. :) I'm tired of winter and cold! Is it spring yet??

Come visit me at:
Tea at Prim Rose Hill
OR
Tea-licious Recipes from Prim Rose Hill

Yes, I am a tea lover, can you tell? :)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Crochet: Think Spring!

photo by Lori Zeller
Floral Lapel Pins

Designs by Lori Zeller

Flower pins are back in style and with these simple patterns you can make any number of them to match your wardrobe!

Skill Level: Beginner

Size:
Pink Flower: 1 1/2 inches in diameter
White Flower: 1 3/4 inches in diameter

Materials:
* Crochet cotton size 10: 30 yds white, 20 yds pink, 5 yds each mint green and green
* Size 5 steel crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
* 2 (3/4-inch) pin backs
* 2 (5/8-inch) round flat white buttons
* Hot-glue gun
* Tapestry needle

Gauge:
Rnd 1 = 5/8 inch in diameter; 5 dc = 1/2 inch
Check gauge to save time.

Pattern Notes:
Weave in loose ends as work progresses.
Join rnds with a sl st unless otherwise stated.

Pink Flower
Rnd 1: With white, ch 6, join to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), 17 dc in ring, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3, fasten off. (18 dc)
Rnd 2: Attach pink in any dc, ch 1, 2 sc in each dc around, join in beg sc.
(36 sc)
Rnd 3: Working in front lps only, ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sl st in next st, sc in next st, [sc, ch 4, sc] in next st, [sc in next st, sl st in next st, sc in next st, {sc, ch 4, sc} in next st] rep around, join in beg sc. (9 petals)
Rnd 4: Working in rem back lps of Rnd 2, sl st in st behind first sc of Rnd 3, sl st in next st, sk next st, 8 dc in next st, [sk next st, sl st in next st, sk next st, 8 dc in next st] rep around, ending with last sl st in 2nd sl st of rnd, fasten off. (9 petals)

Leaf
(Make 2)
Rnd 1: With green, ch 9, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, [sl st, ch 1, sl st] in last ch, working on opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 4 chs, join in top of beg ch-9, leaving a length of cotton, fasten off.

White Flower
Rnd 1: With white, ch 6, join to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), 17 dc in ring, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (18 dc)
Rnd 2: Working in front lps this rnd only, ch 1, sc in same st as beg ch, ch 2, [sc in next st, ch 2] rep around, join in beg sc.
Rnd 3: Sl st into ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, [3 dc in next ch-2 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp] rep around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (9 petals)
Rnd 4: Working in rem back lps of Rnd 1, sc in first st, ch 3, [sc in next st, ch 3] rep around, join in beg sc.
Rnd 5: Sl st into ch-3 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-3 sp, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp, [sc in next ch-3 sp, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp] rep around, join in beg sc, fasten off.

Leaf
(Make 2)
Rnd 1: With mint green, rep Rnd 1 of leaf for pink flower.

Finishing
Sew leaves to back of each flower as desired. Glue a button to center of Rnd 1 of each flower. Glue pin to back of flower.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Ah, yes...All good things must come to an end..

Remember when you were back in school, and the end of your Christmas vacation finally came around and it was back to school? Noooooooo!!! I don't wanna go!!! Well, that's how I'm feeling today! I have sooo enjoyed being off work for the past two weeks. It just makes me realize how much more I can get done when I'm at home and not working. Well, until we hit the Mega Million, I guess it's back to work for me. :) Hope you're having a fabulous day!

Here's how I really felt this morning:

GO AWAY...COME BACK AROUND NOON...PLEASE!


Sunday, January 4, 2009

Little Tokens of Love--A Valentine's Swap

Hello my crafty friends,
Is it too early to be thinking about Valentine's Day? Never! :) Here's a sweet swap going on at PrimandWhimsey.com. Sign-up deadline is Jan. 15.
Enjoy!
SHERI :)

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Janurary 2009 calendars

Hello friends in blogland!

There's something about a new year...and I have always loved calendars in general. Maybe it's the dreaming of the new year and wondering what that years holds for me. It's like a fresh start, a clean slate. Anything seems possible. I love calendars and always have several in the house. Do you have a favorite style of calendar?

 Please click on photos to be taken to owner's page on Flickr for more info! Thanks!


roses 01 january 09
Originally uploaded by fotoproze




art 01 january 09
Originally uploaded by fotoproze



1_3
Originally uploaded by stolto


calendar (1)
Originally uploaded by pinkliliboo


2009 Shinzi Katoh - Bee Desk
Originally uploaded by macsauer


January 2009
Originally uploaded by h.koppdelaney
** all photos posted directly from Flickr **

Friday, January 2, 2009

New Year Resolutions

Years I ago I used to make New Year Resolutions. You know the type--THIS year I will lose the weight, THIS year I will become healthier, THIS year I will exercise...yes, most of my resolutions revolved around looking better and feeling better. The only one I have ever kept for more than 10 days was to take a multi-vitamin everyday. :) I do still take one everyday.

So this year, I decided to make a few new ones...and let's be realistic! How about some Arts and Crafts Resolutions?

For THIS year 2009:

1. I want to continue to learn to crochet, starting now on a wrap/shawl, and on to afghans and granny squares.

2. I want to learn to sew aprons and participate in an apron swap.

3. I want to get Prim Rose Hill Studio up and running on Etsy and E-bay, starting with my punch needle pinkeeps.

4. I want to get back into my decorative painting on a regular basis.

5. I want to be better at blogging! :)

6. I want to learn more about ATC's and how they're made.

New Year Resolutions



So leave me a comment....what New Year Resolutions are you making?
All the best!
SHERI