Last Week

My good friend Shirley came for a visit, and we had a wonderful 5 days of catching up, painting, stitching, and a wee bit of shopping while out for lunch. Thanks Shirl!  It was so much fun!

On StitchMap, we had a challenge tute for a card holder, and this is what I made:

 I found a cute package in the mailbox .

Thread and goodies from Fox!
Thank you!


I've been tatting with the perle, but can't show any pics just yet.





It was so hot this past week, even the blue heron was trying to chill!
I took this pic on Thursday when it reached 39C!!

This was a blog giveaway from Angela   .







 Lucky me to win these fibers and goodies.

Thank you, Angela! I have a few projects in mind, and these fibers will be perfect!






I treated myself to a few new books to help with my CQing and knitting, and they finally arrived.  I'll be doing lots of reading.

Some garden pics


  ground-covering rose

pink and purple clematis

These ferns grow on the edge of the forest. I love the effect of mottled sunlight flickering across their surface.












My thoughts and prayers are with those families affected by the recent violence in Norway.


Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

My Package Arrived

I was so lucky to win a giveaway from  Diane, a wonderful book, "The Artist's Quest for Inspiration" by Peggy Hadden! You can check out Diane's blog as she is one very talented and creative lady.  My package arrived!
I opened up the large manilla envelope to find:

 something wrapped in pattern paper topped with a lovely tag, with ribbons and laces, and silk flowers.

 Oh, wait! There's a second tag--one I can use for a special gift. Aren't they fabulous? The blank one reads "Seek Joy", but I think Joy has already found me!

 But there was more! Two packages of pretty tags, and a set of Diane's recipe cards!


What's that underneath?

 Ooooh, look! A set of Diane's Christmas cards! I do love snowpeople, so this design is a perfect one.

 All these extra goodies were packed along with the book I won in Diane's giveaway. Talk about generous!

I know I was just beaming while I did the 'happy dance' all around the kitchen.

As an artist, I am often inspired by the everyday. Sometimes, though, inspiration is sought, but not found.                                                   I have been flipping through this book by Peggy Hadden, and I'm sure to find some inspiration in these pages on those days of need.

Thank you so much Diane for all the wonderful gifts! I am blessed.

I hope your day brings you blessings.

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from Suz

I Won! I Won!

Judy and I have swapped postcards. But did you know she also has a second blog?  She has lovely giveaways! So I checked out Judy's Freebies and signed up for the August giveaway, and I won!

I won a Friendship Doll that Judy created, and it finally arrived !   Yay!

Isn't she beautiful?

Here's a close-up of her face. Judy creates the best faces! Fibre hair, gold beaded choker, hand-dyed laces, ribbon, machine embroidery, tulle, beads and buttons, gold dust, and fabrics galore! Wow!

You can see a bit more of the detail on the torso.

I shall be finding a special place in my 'studio' to hang my Friendship Doll where I can see her every time I look up from my work. It shall remind me of Judy's talents, and her generosity, and it shall hopefully inspire me to reach higher. Thank you, Judy!

Do you have a talisman that inspires you and sparks your creativity?
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz