No Idle Hands

It's thankful Thursday and today I wanted to share two projects with you that hubby and I have been working on. I am thankful for having hands that work! With getting older, one thing that comes along is stiff hands, so I'm glad we can still be creative. My beloved has always been gifted with wood and also art; he so enjoys making things with his hands. He has long been interested in Marquetry-the art and craft of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form a decorative pattern, design or picture(Wikipedia). It can be used for furniture, chests etc. Recently he bought a new(used)scroll saw and has been playing around with it. He drew the flower by hand and then inlaid the lighter and darker wood. I love it! As you know this summer I made a sew along bag-it was a tough project for me, but I love it and use it every night when I'm quilting.  It's got plenty of space and it is darling; I may make another one, but because it is so handy. I went a bit out of the box with color choices-I usually am very traditional-but I truly love the way this turned out! It is so fun. I am so very thankful for my best friend Barb who gave me the pattern and encouraged me to make it.  She also made one for herself.  I think we'll be looking for projects to do together on our trip to New England in October.

This bag is much simpler, but I thought it would be a fun gift for friends.  I may make two sizes or just tuck a little something special inside.  I am finding out just how much of a perfectionist I am, especially when it is a gift for friends.  I know you are reading this Barb and this is not one of your birthday presents 8-)
It is fun to play with different fabrics-these are lined as well.  I have never mastered zippers, but I think this project may help me get better in my technique.
I am thankful that we each have individual passions and giftings.  I am thankful that we can enjoy our days making and creating.  I am thankful that we can afford our hobbies, be it golf, wood working, quilting or traveling.
I am thankful that blogging started so many years ago and gives us an outlet for writing, sharing and getting to know friends who we may never meet in person.  I have just heard from a friend from the time when our girls were in grade school.  My oldest daughter had a very close friend and we knew the family. With several moves etc, I had lost touch with the gal; she found me and now we are getting reacquainted with each other via emails.  It is so fun to see what has happened during the last 25+ years.  Our technology makes life so much easier, so today I'm also thankful for it. I am thankful for all the friends and bloggers I've gotten to know over the years....you make life richer.
I hope you have a great day!  Try to do utilize some creative juices today!
Blessings~
Noreen

A Fun Kid's Craft

Happy Friday to you. Can you believe it is already March?! The week has been good but busy, I've been reorganizing my sewing room and it feels good. I am not done yet, but hope to get it finished by this morning. In order to do this, I needed more plastic bins for fabric and had to take all my fabric out, cut some pieces to square them up and iron them before placing them in the bins. Oh boy, what a job; I also weeded out fabric that I have no use for-I will give it to friends or donate it. Last night I was invited to a craft night, free of charge, for adults at our local library. Trust me when I say I don't need any more crafts-love to do them, but been there and don't need to go back. However, two neighbors were going so I went; it was a fun evening out and the crafts are cute. I am giving them to both families and granddaughters today-like I said I just don't need more things. Both of these crafts would be so fun to make with children or grandchildren. The first one was simply a large plastic egg-I think the supplies came from the dollar store. We added in spanish moss, rocks, plastic eggs and silk flowers. Close it up and tie a ribbon around it.

This is the craft I preferred, the supplies were a small wreath and you wrap burlap around it-bad idea for me, because I'm allergic to burlap. Then add some green yarn, silk flowers and a butterfly. Use a ribbon to hang it up.

This afternoon I have a tea with both daughters and their girls-should  be lots of fun.
I hope you have a great day and wonderful weekend!
Joy to you!
Noreen