Some Fun Stuff

Gentle Friends, you know I love fun mail deliveries....  and I do love me some Christmas, (I'm really a 10 year old kid trapped in a 50 year old body)... and I do love Converse sneakers!!  

Well, yesterday it all came together.....

...... and in the box......  not a fox with sox, nor a fish on a dish....  but these super shoes....

...  the book I took down from the "Christmas Collection" bookcase, but the shoes, the shoes are super de duper!!!  Along with "A Christmas Carol," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a favorite book of mine from childhood!  I saw these shoes a couple of years ago and when I found them on the Converse site, on sale for a great price, I placed my order.  I usually do not like high top sneakers, but these only come in high top so that's what I got.  Although in the book it says..... “Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store.” ... for me it came through the mail!!

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Since this is also Thrifty Thursday I have a snap of the stuff I picked up over the weekend.....

.....  Smokie was all involved in my taking pictures and you can see his little hoof - top left....  now the stuff from left to right... a nice, old hat pin holder, when I took it up to pay for it I asked the clerk what he thought it was.....  his answer "a salt shaker"  but he asked how do you get the salt inside??  I explained what it was and he was amazed that one would have to use a hat pin to hold down a hat.....  after a few minutes I think it sunk in that fashion dictated large hats and one had to anchor them down or lose then to the wind....  I am just amazed sometimes!!  

I also found a great super copy of "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote, this version still retained it's original red slipcase, I also found a Lucky Charms bowl/mug, and a book of English silver marks.  I picked up a 2 disc DVD of Anchorman, an older Bunnykins bowl and a copy of "The Ledger Book of Thomas Blue Eagle" - another Blogger wrote about this book HERE, click over for more details.

That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Some Fun Stuff

Gentle Friends the weekend seemed to fly by!!! and we are back at Monday, again!  The last two days the weather by the Bay was almost perfect - Saturday I almost broke a sweat as it got into the mid 70's, and with all the heat I almost had to take off my sweat shirt....  but with a little brisk breeze, I kept the sucker on.  Sunday was perfect, bright, sunny and cold wind a blowin', my kind of day!!  After early Mass, we stopped off for bagels and then it was home and sweats - and some fun house work - but back to Saturday...

We stopped off for breakfast at the Red Cafe, down in the Mission....

....then it was off to the grocery store, the Safeway on Potrero Hill.    After that we did our usual thrifting and Estate Sales, mostly a bust but we found a couple of things....

I picked up the great Gullah sea-grass basket for a $1, I am sure they didn't know what it was or where it is from.  Being from the South and visiting Charleston many times I have seen these my whole life - and know that they can be really pricey.  Rico found the Virgin of Guadeloupe figure and the little old saying I was not going to pass up!!  It now hangs in the kitchen.

We also got some great mail from a friend of ours in north Dakota...

he sent us these really super coffee mugs - the Warholesque Chihuahua's are really fun!!  They are made by Kish Serrano of Paw Palettes you can click on over to see the other breeds she has transformed from the Masters, such as Picasso , Degas and others.

There you go sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Some Great Mail

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends thanks so very much for all the kind comments about ATS and what seems like an never ending stitch!!  Not having worked on ATS for a couple of days seems odd, but I know that it is waiting in the Basket when I finish up other pieces.

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The mails, while I was away brought some really fun things.....  and in no particular order.....

A while back I won one of the Gift-a-ways that Nancy over at "Victorian Motto" was having, she is so nice and her things are just gorgeous!!!  It arrived and was a real treat to open...

Not only was there a super chart, but the package was filled to overflowing with her lovely hand dyed floss and finishing trim... and those beautiful buttons and bits. 

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Another package arrived from my stitching friend Vera...  she has been knitting and sent me a super felted Fall bowl...

It is a wonderful vibrant orange and I filled it with some sparkly Autumn bits, it really adds to our Seasonal display!!

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I also got  most of the charts I had on order from various places including the Bay of evil....

You can see the November Cottage, need to trade out a couple of colours there, and the new release from Heartstring Samplery "Baby it's Cold Outside" what a great song and wonderful interpretation!!

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I also had a sweet surprise from another Stitching friend, Valerie - she remembered how much I love Old Hollywood and sent me ....

A Hollywood Trading Card of one of my favorite musical Stars!! Jane Powell!!

Here's a clip of her in that super musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" - 1954 - 

I have never seen Hollywood Trading cards... now I need a whole set!!!
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That's about it for today sports fans.  I think I will leave you with another snap of Florida taken about 45 minutes after yesterdays snap at the beach.

 I took this while stopped and waiting to make a turn looking west across a swampy part of the Tomoka River along US 1/Old Dixie Highway.  This oncoming storm is what got me off the beach and heading for home.

Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!

Take care,

edgar

A Super Mail Delivery

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends another the weather is cool verging on cold here in City - at about 54 degrees with a light wind driving into work this morning was nice!!!  I do love the cold weather here, and I know we will get a few hot days in September/October - I am glad that when it gets "hot" it last for only a few days!

The mail yesterday brought a wonderful package from Italy yesterday.  I won a Gift-a-way over at The Grey Tail - Chiara's stitching blog.  She sent so many treats........  here's a snap....

From l to r - some great stitching post cards, three types of Italian honey (I do have to have my honey, and I love trying new types!!) a can of tasty Espresso, The Italian Kitchen in Italian,  piece of 28ct band, a super Black Sheep thread winder, some spaghetti, two stitching booklets, two PS Santa Cards and some Limited Edition GAST Floss.   So may great things, Thank you so much Chiara!!!!!

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Last night I started to work on one of my Exchanges, so no snaps.

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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by!!  Do stop again.

Take care,

edgar

Weekend Treats

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends your great comments where so nice to read this morning!!!  I do appreciate you all and love reading such nice things.

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The weekend unfolded into two sort of lazy "do what I want to" kind of days - I had some "might do" or "could do" plans but instead threw them into the bin and stitched, watched a bunch of flicks and cooked - I did get the vacuum pushed about and a couple of loads of laundry done, ironed and put up - and we did make a trip to the grocery store and farmers market- but none of that really cut into some quality "me time."  I basically stitched for both days - but none can I show as all of it is for two upcoming Exchanges.

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So, what can I show you ...

here are some flowers Rico picked up 2 weeks ago - still looking pretty damn good! (This snap was taken on Saturday) He added some vodka and sugar to the water and it really has extended their life.

I got a great present in the mail on Friday - I'm doing a little favour for a sweet Blog Friend and she sent me a "A Present for a Deer Friend" - from "In the Company of Friends."  They have some great things I have admired for a long time!!

I opened the box and out popped a lovely little note card and wrapped prezzie (isn't that super paper, I do love toile)...

Inside I found this darling tri-fold needle-keep with two marking pins, two needles and a gorgeous mother of pearl ruler - all of the pieces that "ItCoF's" do are hand made and just so sweet!!  At some point I'll show you what I am doing...  but not at the moment.  It is a bit too soon!!  :)

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I did get in the kitchen and rattled some pots and pans....  making....

cabbage rolls - hot and steamy right out of the oven...  and....

... some, cranberry/white chocolate chip cookies - I'll get those recipes up in the morning.

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After Mass yesterday we headed out to Trader Joe's and the Mall "Farmer's Market."  With it being winter there market was on the small side, but still vibrant...  I got some snaperoos...

.. aren't these unusual - they are a hybrid between a cauliflower and broccoli - of course I bought one and will steam that sucker up tonight... how can it be bad being made from two super tasty veggies!!

... there was lots of root and winter type things to be found....

...  and of course citrus - the Meyer lemons are pouring into the market - just lovely for pie and lemony things - and the little satsumas are super tasty - we got some and they are great!

The pretzel lady was there and so we needed a couple of these also - really delicious!!

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I think that about wraps it up for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Some Super Mail

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends   - Happy almost weekend dancing.... 

..........woo hoo!!!

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The last couple of days have brought some great mail - Birthdays are great and prezzies make it that much more special....  from my sister and her family.....

some gigantic Shari's Berries - so delectable!!!

......the mail also brought some great Birthday cards, and great PS pyn pillow from Vera - I just love this chart from PS, I have stitched it a few times for others but never got around to doing one for myself, now I have this great piece!!! and a GC to NIAH from Dale!!  Thank you guys so much!!!

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I was the winner of Kathy's Feel Good Drawing" over at Kathy's Sit and Stitch - and this wonderful package arrived - 

"Snowflake Serenade" from CHN, and great cut of linen, some floss - and  - a really cute scissor fob with a little de-frog froggie charm on the end - I attached it to some scissors I had it it looks great!!!  And, if that was a great package Kathy also included a really cute Birthday card!!  Thanks so much Kathy!!

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That about wraps it up for today sports fans - thanks for stopping by, do stop by again!!

Take care,

edgar

Blogging Friends and Christmas Treats

GR&DF again I must say how wonderful it is to open up the Blog and find such nice comments - thank you so very much!!! This morning starts off a week of wet weather here in the Bay area and the warm thoughts and kind words are such a tonic it warms me through and through!!

Today's post is a total reflection of how wonderful the Bloggers I have met are and what a joy I find in all the super folks I have met through my scribblings. In no particular order let me begin.

Setting the stage for this buddy..... I carry on with many readers of this Blog through emails, comments and snail mail. A few months back one of my email buddies asked to borrow some Blackbird Design charts I had that where OOP and pretty hard to find. I am all for sharing and helping others. I have had lots of kind help from stitchers and friends and I personally want to PIF in any way I can - so of course it was not problem to make a loan of the charts. In our emails we discussed my crazy stalker like obsession with BBD. I also found out she was attending a workshop that Barb and Alma where giving. I was totally green with envy - and green ain't my colour!! Well, yesterday the charts came back perfectly - as I knew they would, but along with the charts came....

all these lovelies... a box of cheese straws - now I am a drooling nut for a cheese straw!! Also included was a wonderful ornament made from a project at the workshop AND a super bird card - now its not just any bird card but a card with a personal note from both Alma and Barb to little old me!!!! This was so unexpected - and so wonderful!!! Thank you Yvonne!!!!

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I am also a member of the HOE - and I took part in the Christmas Ornament Exchange. My ornament came yesterday from Gaby in Germany. Here is snap of the darling piece she sent me...

It is hard to see but there is a tiny tree charm in the middle. I just love the carol "O Christmas Tree" - this is so special and such wonderful reminder of that great old song, thank you very much!! It looks super de duper on the tree!!

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I also received a package from a Blog-Buddy - she does so much for everyone and is such a kind person!! I am a nut for a few designers, BBD, Sheepish and Prairie Schooler - dear Becky knows this and she sent me....

.... a gorgeous PS Ornament - I love PS and I love my a PS Santa!! Thank you so much Becky!!

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Another Blog Buddy knows I am collecting Sheepish Designs and found one for me. Dear Karen sent me this wonderful chart...

Like a squirrel gathering nuts - I am a chart gathering maniacal squirrel - Thank you Karen for adding to my ever growing "hoard" of SD!!

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I wanted to wrap up this Christmas themed post with a little progress snap of "Christmas Rules" by Lizzie Kate....

It is still a great Christmas stitch - Rico made a comment about it last night.... loosely quoting.... "that's pretty cute, but a bit on the bright side for you, its not gray or black!!" I beg to differ, but I do stitch other colours than grey and black... there have been quite a few dark greens and deep reds lately - even a medium blue!!! :)

I'll try and get a some more weekend stuff up tomorrow. Thanks again for stopping by dear friends!! Do come again!

Take care,
edgar

My Mailbox Runneth Over

GR&DF thank you so much for your kind comments about yesterdays post. It warms the heart immensely to read so many nice things.

Yesterday the mail was just super de duper!! I wanted to thank those responsible for the euphoria I am feeling this chilly Tuesday Morning.

In no specific order......

A while back Marie P was in a HOE Exchange and made a spectacular ornament - she used a Prairie Schooler chart I did not have and I was blown away - In her recent travels North she found me a copy of the PS Chart AND made little old me a spectacular Ornament.....

and here is a close up of the ornament...

Marie's stitching and finishing are perfection - you know how I love Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Music - this combines two wonderful aspects of the season in a really lovely way!! Thank you so much dear Marie!!

The next package caught me completely off guard - from Donna in TN - she has followed me and this Blog for the longest time - with always an encouraging word about my adventures in life - here is a snap of the package ....

I thought to myself "what could this be??" - I am between exchanges - so that couldn't be it... I opened up the card and her dear note explained that this special gift was for the the BOD being good to her in the past, her enjoying my little postings and for the little things I do here at BlackSheep - how super sweet is that!!!! - and - opening up the wrapping revealed....

.. this super creation - with a saying I so like!! Isn't it sweet! The sheep, bird, bees and house are so cute. I do not know the designer, but the great stitching and super finish make this a very special piece - Thank you so much dear Donna.

An last but certainly not least - once again reinforces the super heart and generosity of this stitching community we are all a part of - from Nancy - a reader of the BlackSheep - so very kindly offered me something I have been waffling about for the past few years...... here is a snap...

Her copy of ATS - this spectacular monster of a piece is something I have loved since I first saw it out there in stitchy land. I have hesitated off and on about getting a copy knowing that it would be a bear to finish, but what a challenge. Nancy has already finished it and has it framed - what a kind and generous thing to do. Now I need to start thinking about working up the courage to get it together to do it!!

I am humbled by such sweet gestures and kind gifts!! Once again I have to say what a great group this stitching community is!!

There you go sports fans. Thank you so much for dropping by - and for you kind comments. Stop by again.

Take care,
edgar

A Prize Arrives

GR&DF thank you again for stopping by and commenting - yesterdays comments where very nice. I love the acquisition of fun new stash and the shimmery colours of silk. The Belle Soie Ring had a skein of each of the colours I have so far collected - I added 12 new colours to this ring.

The mail brought me the prize from Sharlotte's Drawing - it was a mystery what would come - and what arrived was super!! Here is a snap -


It is a wonderfully finished Patriotic stocking from BBD. I really like these stocking and have all the patterns, but am just to ill at ease with the finishing to attempt the stitching of one - oh well some day I am sure. Thank you so much Sharlotte!!

Last night we ran out to the Mall to get Rico a new shirt and tie for an upcoming work event. While we where out there we stopped off in the "food court" for dinner - and had a yummy but not the healthiest dinner at Hot Dog on a Stick - love the limeade and fries. We also got a cheese on a stick - pepper jack - and that was another stingy deliciousness!! I also picked up one of my favorite mags -

Just a bonanza of royal info and fun facts every month - I know I'm crazy but it is so interesting - what about the current scandal with Sarah that's going on now????

The flicker last night was "Never so Few" - 1959 - starring Frank Sinatra, Gina Lollobrigida, Peter Lawford and Steve McQueen. Set on the China-Burma Border during WWII Sinatra plays an OSS (Office of Strategic Services) Officer in charge of Kachin Natives that harass and disrupt the Japanese. Here is the trailer for the film -



The trailer makes the film look exciting with a story line. In reality the story is very disjointed and bounces back and forth from jungle warfare to Gina's heaving bosom cloaked in gorgeous but not very period gowns. I was amazed at director John Sturges attempt at showing as much cleavage as possible - I guess it was a deflection for the deplorable dialogue and love story bits. This was a pretty bad film all around and lasted for just over 2 hours - I would skip it.

That's about it for the week - thanks for stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,
edgar

Some Lovely Mail

GR&DF thank you so much for your kind get well wishes - I am feeling better. Probably sitting still last night and having hot soup and going to bed earlyish has done a world of good. What is left now is a raspy cough and a stuffed up nose - but I guess it could be worse.

Yesterday when I came in there were packages waiting and then the mail brought more lovely things - so where to start......

I received from my SBBC partner Su a wonderful package -

She stitched up and lovely bag, strawberry and reindeer pyn pillow. The finishing is perfect as is the stitching. Included in the package is some very pretty linen, fabric a cute pair of scissors and a wonderful little Pin Wheelie project. Thanks you so much dear Su!!!

I also got a package from Valerie -

She included some chocolate, licorice (a favorite) and some lovely HDF silks - how sweet was that!! Thank you dear Valerie!!

Another package from a great friend of many years was from Daytona Beach - I am sure I have mentioned this company before...... Angell & Phelps - she sent me a box of their tasty truffles....

This little chocolate place has been around since 1925 - and is a Daytona institution and my favorite candy. If you ever get to Daytona Beach, Florida you should stop by their shop on Beach Street and pick some up!

There was also a package from Vonna - a while back in the throws of cleaning out the guest room closet I came across a piece of needlepoint I did a really long time ago - I thought to myself if anyone could make this into something nice it would be Vonna.... and yesterday this arrived.....

Her finishing is just gorgeous and how she made my little piece of needle work into a beautiful pillow I haven't a clue. This piece brings back so many memories - it was the first painted canvass I had ever done and the first piece I had to decide what coloured wools to use and the first time I had ever used a metallic thread - I couldn't be happier and would highly recommend Vonna and her super finishing!!!!

Last but certainly not least of the mails - I received the Shepherd's Bush chart - Hallowe'en Night - I won in Becky's Drawing over at Stitching Smalls with Friends -

She also included 4 Bats and a Cat - how great are these Hallowe'en pieces!! I know that Hallowe'en Night will be the next Shepherd's Bush piece right after I finish Sail Away.

That's about it sports fans - Thanks for dropping by!!

Take care,
edgar

A Marketing I did go and some fun Mail

GR&DF once again I am overwhelmed by your kindness and sweet words!!! I am so happy that my Birthday Gift-a-way is going over so well. Don't be shy you lurkers out there just comment on yesterday's post HERE that you want to be a part of the drawing - only 17 days - tick, tick, tick......

I have so many people that are close to me that have Birthdays in October - both family and friends - and it is All Hallow's Eve - or Hallowe'en------ oh so spooky!! I think that having such good times and memories surrounding October that it must be where my love of the fall comes from. These special months at the end of our year move so quickly and then its Christmas!! That special high point is now ONLY 99 Days away!!! I just can't believe it! The older I get the quicker the years seem to slip by - I can still remember when I couldn't wait to be "grown up" and living my own life!! Now I look back and see the decades that have passed since I graduated from High School - has it really been that long??? Oh well - all you can do is remember.... to stop and smell the roses!

The mail brought two super things I had been waiting with baited breath for -

My copies of JCS 2009 Ornie's and the BBD Hallwe'en Booklet!! How great are these - so much inspiration and fun stitchity things!!! The JCS issue as always has some things I want to stitch and some things I wouldn't stitch if a gun was held to my head!!! :) There is a great reindeer ornie I think I will need to stitch for myself for sure!! The BBD Booklet has some really cute stockings - especially the candy corn and the house one now how cute are they!!

Yesterday was a Wednesday Farmers Market Day - and since we were there on Sunday the shopping was on the lite side - but as always I had to get a bag of Kettle "Krack" Korn. I think I have a bad addiction with this stuff!! I got some fallish type shots .....

The flower guy had these lovely marigolds and other fall coloured flowers - marigolds are one of my favorite flowers and I love all the different variations - I know they are not to every ones taste but to mine little eye they are just gorgeous!!


I just loved the way these apple pears looked and the golden autumn colouring was super.


The pomegranates were the first I had seen at the market and the little apples - or at least they looked like little apples - made a nice shot. Those apple things where really small - almost the size of lady apples but not the right colour, there was no signage so I am not sure what they are, but they looked mighty like apples to me.


Now, this snap looks very fall to me - all pumpkiny and potato filled. I did pick up some of those lovely little red ones - and will mix them with some fingerling we got on Sunday - they will do a nice roasty potato thing in the next day or so.

There you go sports fans - thanks for stopping by!! I thank you once again for commenting and do appreciate them all!!

Take care,
edgar