Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

June Is A Special Time

THERE'S SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE!!!
I have three students to congratulate this year. One successfully completed his first year of High School, another is graduating from High School, and a third is completing her third year in College.

And there are dedicated teachers I need to convey my appreciation for, who not only gave my children life long skills, but the ability to accomplish whatever they put their minds to.

I can't forget to acknowledge those at school who contributed in other ways.  The Admins who kept us informed of events, the lunch lady for her kind words, the counselor for guidance, the fund-raiser ladies, the nurse, and even the truant officer.

We have two wedding to attend this month also.

A new baby definitely qualifies as a special occasion.

And there's always that one person who just needs to know they are cared for just because.

When school is finally over,
I'll hope to have more time to visit with friends.

There's a small quilt I want to make this Summer as a gift.

I have a few people to write who I haven't seen for a while.

My brother needs encouragement
for the great new job he's starting.

I don't have a sister, but I have an awesome sister-in-law who would appreciate a little surprise note.

As the month comes to a close, someone dear always
seems to move away or go on an extended trip.

But the good news is, it doesn't have to cost a lot to express your thoughts with those special to you this month, because all these 12 cards are now
ON SALE at HALF OFF in MY STORE!!!

Happy Birthday PINK SATURDAY

 
Roses are red, well these ones are pink.
We're having a birthday for an event, I think.

It was one year ago a blogger named Bev,
Decided to post an idea in her head.

One fine Saturday PINK is what she posted
The event caught on with others she's hosted.

Now many more bloggers are together in sync,
To Celebrate this Saturday by posting their Pink!

Have you ever tried sending a Birthday card,
To an event for its birthday? Believe me, it's hard.

Now if you're a blogger there's always a way,
To wish an event a Happy Birthday!!!

For this Saturday's post I just want to say,
Happy 1st  Birthday to PINK SATURDAY!!!

But I can't sign off yet without thanking our host,
For all the new friends we've met from our Posts.

To Beverly I give an enthusiastic cheer,
Of "Hip, hip, hurray!" for being so dear.

For the party Beverly made a pretty PINK cake,
Cups of  Raspberry tea I'll be happy to make!
 

All the wonderful PINK posts are easily found,
Listed together at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY EVERYONE!!!

Just Playing Around

With the left over paint I used to create my son's flag and the remaining 5'x20" strip of canvas I decided to keep painting, since the painter's canvas was still on the dinning room table which has been doubling very nicely :) as an efficient table cloth.

First I laid down my favorite color combination, blue and green, horizontally.  Next I created the clouds.

Experimenting with an old course brush I stippled the colors on  to create the impression of a garden.  My daughter, an amazing artist who paints with oils, made me laugh when she said, after I asked her how I was doing, "Well, you can only work acrylic so far, because as you know, it's just plastic."
 
I was just playing around using cheep paint and old brushes, and I had a lot of fun, too!

I hope you are having a  blessed day and can find a bit of time to be creative with whatever you have just laying around!!!  After all, being creative is an attribute we received from God our creator, who made us in His image.

The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. Gen. 2:8 & 9

Shaw Coat of Arms

 

I've been in a creative rut lately. Sitting like a log watching re-runs of "Home Improvement", I asked my family if they had any good ideas of something for me to paint.  My son asked if I could make him a flag of our Scottish family crest (or coat of arms). His class is representing the Medieval period for History Day at school. With some left-over canvas I cut a 3'x5' piece and went to work using Acrylic paint. 

I learned some things, too.  The colors and images have meanings, for example the Lion means Fierce Courage, the Helmet: Wise Defence,  the color Green: Hope, loyalty in love.  The Shaw motto "Fide-Et-Fortitudine" means "Faith and Fortitude", and the slogan "Na-Bean-Ris-A-Chat" means "Touch Not The Cat." 

Dear Friends

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

PS: I especially appreciate Beverly who created Pink Saturday and graciously invited others to join in the fun.  Visit her at How Sweet The Sound for the complete list of fabulously creative Pink Saturday participants. You'll be amazed what else you'll discover, too.

I heard it's hard for some, who have received one of my Teacup greeting cards, to remove the teabag for fear of ruining the card.  Here's a solution: Gently tear the bottom edge of the teabag wrapper and slip the teabag out, leaving the wrapper still in the card, and prepare to enjoy a yummy cup of tea.

Japanese Sencha is a light earthy tea that I enjoy with a little honey.

Last night I found this vintage cross stitch at The Grab Bag Antique Store while at Escondido's Friday Night Criusin' Grand.  I'll leave you with this photo of what was parked out front.  Isn't she sweet?

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

 

Need More Cents

It now cost 44 cents to send a letter, and with the increase comes a new challenge.  By placing the 1 cent stamps closer together horizontally, I was able to leave a narrow space through the center to add a name and address.  I'll send this one to my best Pop, which is what I call my dad.  That way Mom and Pop will have a matching set.  They moved out of the city to a very small town, where I'm sure there will be a fun discussion with the Postwoman.

Good Cents

For some reason we ended up with a lot of 1 cent stamps.  60 sheets, actually.  I didn't know this before, but the Post Office doesn't exchange unused stamps for stamps of a different value.  So I asked the Post Master if I could send a letter using all 1 cent stamps, and he said, "I guess so."  In the little rectangular space left over I wrote my mom's address. She said it arrived with each stamp hand stamped.  Now that postage rates are up again, I consider these good cents.

MOM Upside-Down Spells WOW!

I am blessed by my MOM's handiwork.  As a girl she made all my adorable dresses. For my home she made me this Quilt.

Then from all the remnants of the dresses she made me in the 60's and 70's she made this colorful quilt which I recieved on my 40th birthday.  She knows I love squares.

Yes, I really wore dresses made from these wild prints.

She also knows I love 'tone-on-tone' and made me a beautiful tablecloth with Autumn leaves. WOW, like I'm really going to eat on it!

Recently, with my failed attempt to even understand the instructions of this cross stitch, she took it home, worked on it for over a year and gave it back to me as a gift. 

My mom is truly known for her labors of love, and I am WOWed by her talent.

Baby Birdies

 
The soft peep, peep peeping  heard overhead was so sweet.   A mommy Sparrow finally moved into my son's bird house that went unoccupied for so many years.  I couldn't resist climbing up for a closer peek inside.

Don't you just love Spring?

Garden Critters

This fuzzy Caterpillar was found on my Artichoke plant and this baby Black Widow crawled up for a visit.  Yes, this little white spider is a Black Widow.  I just learned that the newly hatched Black Widows are white with small dark spots, which change to stripes as it molts, before turning black.

When small,  the Black Widow is less venomous, but the adult female is the most venomous spider in North America, 15 times more toxic than Prairie Rattle Snake venom.  The Black Widow is generally shy, but she becomes aggressive when harassed or her nest is disturbed. 

I'll leave you with a prettier picture of small blossoms on my newly blooming Lady Banks Rose vine, which is what lured me into the garden in the first place.

Wool Girl Knocks My Socks Off!

I’d like to introduce you to an incredible gal, Wool Girl, whose goal is to promote exceptional, hand-painted yarns, supporting Indie fiber artists, handmade accessories, and one-of-a-kind yarns.  She has a Sock Club which sends out an amazing kit each month.

 Logo artwork ©Wool Girl, designed by Jean Kreiter, Woolgirl's mother-in-law (how wonderful is that?)

This kit was inspired by the beautiful town of Kinsale, Ireland, filled with luscious yarn and delightful tea themed treats.  Check out what’s all included in this fabulous Sock Club kit:

• 1 skein of ever so fantastic Wasonga 100% superwash merino sock yarn from Curious Creek Fibers in the stunning colorway Old Head of Kinsale, which Kristine from Curious Creek lovingly created. It is incredibly soft!
• The Crooked Brook sock pattern by Anne Hanson at Knitspot.   Georgia wants to try making these.

• StormySeas cowl pattern designed by Lisa Dykstra at A Little Bit of Knit. I want to try to make one of these with its very cute picot edge.

• A lovely tea inspired stitch marker designed by Sunne from Sunneshine Etsy shop.

• A perfect knitting tote with the Woolgirl Sock Club logo embroidered on the front, with a lot of wonderful storage compartments.
• The cutest ever teapot tape measure from Event Blossom.
• A delicious sheep shortbread cookie (yes, it WAS yummy) hand made by Cranberry Sweets.
• A very pretty hand made Kinsale, Ireland greeting card from local designer and artist Willa Landino.
• A mini suitcase which includes two adorable miniature sheep.
  
  
• And one of my “Thing To Do After I Have Tea” notepads for knitters to keep their “to knit” list.
• Also information about this months contest and the winners from last month.

That's a lot of wonderful goodies!! If you are a knitter I highly recommend you paying a visit to the very delightful Wool Girl.  She has knocked our socks off!!! 

Time For Another SALE

Find HALF PRICED Teacup Greeting cards, including Mother's Day, in my STORE.   Thank you Georgia for creatively making this very lovely SALE add.

Beeing Thankful

This little bee paused for a moment just before going into the center of this rose, as if it was giving "Thanks" to its Creator.

Once inside, it buzzed and wiggled in the pollen, like a small child who had the  multicolored balls at Chuck E. Cheese all to himself.   Oh, to be able to say, "I work all day in the center of lovely fragrant blossoms." She was a joy to watch, and I gave "Thanks" to our Creator that she came for a visit to my garden.