Various Pretty Things

My neighbor gave me these gigantic 

sunflowers.

 He went of town -- we got to enjoy his flowers!

This fancy-smancy yarn was a mutual adventure. My friend Betsy, loved the on-line scarf we saw. (the link was sent to us by my main browsing scout Jo Anna) Actually Betsy did not know how to knit. I told her I could definitely teach her.  But it's a very strange, challenging mesh yarn. (The pricey version is about $18 a skein). Ouch.




Ever intrepid on-line, she found it for wayyyyy cheaper. I knitted this beta version.

The rest of the story......after one quick lesson during the sewing retreat - she is a knitter! OMG, this is NOT a beginner project. Go to Betsy's blog Quilteddogs to see her results. And more to come.

I rediscovered these quilt plates that I once collected. I tired of them long ago and packed them away. Sitting in my sewing room I saw the perfect place to hang them, above the closet. But wow that wall had to be painted. My husband said, "Oh an easy 30 minute job. You can do it."

Not exactly what I had hoped to hear. He is an such an encourager!

Yeah, after a trip Dunn Edwards for more matching paint (a long story) and then spackling; taping edges  -  I was ready to paint. He handed me his nice brush. Due to my lack of skill, pretty soon something like the Tom Sawyer paradigm  took place. Yes,  he took over and believe me it made a big difference. Who knew I could not apply paint without blobs?

Getting the plates straight...was another story. About 4 hours later, all is good! I feel like the whole room got a face lift. Here is a peek an my happy sewing studio mess.

Nancy Ann Story Book Dolls hide out on top of cabinet.