nimbleknot

It's a Country Bear

I finally finished her. Fran and her cardinal. Or is it a chicken? I dunno. Either way...it's a bird on her head.

I like Fran. For some reason her head is bigger and her face is more dainty. I made her nose and mouth a tad smaller. Her bird is made on a pinhead out of polymer clay with glass eyes. So whoever buys Fran can move the bird to her hand, her toe or on the cupcake.

The rain has not stopped. We have had 35 consecutive days of rain. If we have five more I am building a boat. It's just not funny anymore. The rain pattern is supposed to last until October. I laughed when I heard that. However, if you would have told me back in April that it was going to rain almost everyday from then until now I would have laughed too. Like I said, it's not funny anymore.

The frustration has made me irritable. When I get irritable I look for things to make me un-irritable. Some people eat. Some like to shop. For me...I go one the hunt for a new craft. I could continue to work on my dollhouse. Yea, that one. Funny, it's sitting on my coffee table full of plastic Marvel and Star Wars heros. My son has taken it over. He thinks it's his. It is the center of his Marvel town. If I tried to take it he would fight me to the death with his light saber.

So in my quest to get un-irritable I ordered some supplies last week. For my new craft project. They arrived yesterday. In this box. From the UPS guy.

Recognize the label? I can't wait.

Ever Have One of Those Days...

...one of those weeks...one of those months...? I am telling you, it's been downright depressing here in Texas with all this rain. I don't think I have seen two sunny days in a row since May. I hate to complain, the rain is good, but COME ON! I've had enough rain. Our local weatherman called it, "The summer that never was." I can honestly say I miss the heat and humidity.

This is my favorite shirt to wear when I am feeling blue. I think it's quite appropriate. But guess what, when you're feeling bad, what do we want to do? Yep, EAT. So I made these things called Hello Dollies. I cannot tell you why they are called Hello Dollies but their taste packs a punch and will definitely make you feel better in a hurry.

They are sitting on my favorite plate. It's a plate with two poodles on it having malts. I bought it at a quilt store of all places. I know y'all have probably seen these treats before but I'll share anyway. I saw a guy on a talk show rattle off the recipe a long time ago. I don't even know if I got all the ingredients. But this is what I caught and this is how I've been making them forever.

Hello Dollies

1 1/2 packages of graham crackers-crushed
8 T margarine melted
12 oz. chocolate chips
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans

Combine the margarine and crushed graham crackers into a pliable meal. Grease the bottom of a 9x13 glass pan and press the graham cracker crust on the bottom. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the crust covering it completely. Spread the chocolate chips and nuts over the top. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

They are so close you can taste them can't you? Go ahead, smell the screen. You can also add coconut or marshmallows to the topping which is REALLY sinful.

I brewed myself a pot of Starbuck's Gold Coast and ate the whole plate. After I ate that I was feeling pretty good. So good in fact, that I actually started sewing.

So this photo right here proves I HAVE been making things. This is the way I do it: I needlefelt the bear...I make the body and limbs then stop. Then I decide what sort of color scheme I am going to do. After I decide that, I go back to the bear and add the color, string the joints and make the outfit. So I am very near completing another bear, finally!

Thanks to everybody that stopped by while I was on hiatus. And thank you to everybody that left comments. I read them all and appreciate every word. Oh yes, I am working on a new banner too. I was working in Photoshop so much this evening my fingers cramped so I had to stop. So bear with me, it will all come together shortly.

P.S. Go see Hairspray, it's fantastic.

WIP

Did y'all think I hung up bear making? I didn't. I promise. But I did have hand surgery three days ago. One year ago today I had a mountain bike wreck on my vacation. It didn't appear to be anything beyond breaking my hand. So much for looks. I've had surgery, 7 months of occupational therapy, and many many injections. I also know my huband and friends are sick of hearing about my hand. And last Friday, another surgery. So if my writing seems a little "off" it's because of narcotics. If it were up to me I wouldn't be taking them because I have already had the post-surgery narcotic stomach revolt. My body is prone to heavy scar tissue, which is my enemy in this particular healing process, I have to move and massage both my incisions. Yes I know, ouch. I have an incision in the palm of my hand and the knuckle. Therefore making bears is going to be slow. BUT! I decided to dig up this little guy and work on him in the meantime.

I never finished him. I don't know why because he's actually got a cute face. Not sure if you can see the detail or not. His features are subtle but I think with some color he will definitely come to life. I am going to remove his arms and reshape them a bit. I want his palms and shoulders to be a little more pronounced.

I will re-string the arm joints since you can see here they are just tacked on. I do like the ears though, nice and thin. I am going to re-shape the bunny a bit too, a little more here, a little more there. I will have to decide whether or not to make a dress. Perhaps an apron is in order? And most definitely a carrot.

This guy sure liked the carrot I gave him. His name is Zeke and was in a pasture down the street from my father-in-law's house. Says nobody rides him. If I lived near Zeke, I would most definitely ride him.

He asked me if he showed me his teeth, would I give him a kiss? I think those are worth a smackaroo.