I am still Alive...

Sorry for the absent,,I just have not been motivated to post,,I have been reading everyones blogs just not posting myself..as you will see I have been busy, just not as busy as I wish I could be..again no motivation to do anything,,I am hoping this week will bring on the motivating fairy to me.. Well me and the hubby went down to Cocoa Beach for the weekend and I loved it,,we walked and walked and found some great places to eat,,like like Ryans Village Pizza and man was the pizza every so good..the beach was beautiful and crowded,,we walked down to the Cocoa Beach Pier which was about 2 miles from our hotel..and we even went to the famous Ron Jon super surf shop,,it was a nice relaxing weekend..on the way home we stopped off in St Augustine for lunch and a walk around..I can never get enough of St Augustine,,it is a beautiful city..and the weather was more then perfect.. Well now onto the crafy stuff..I finished Emma Project by The Sampler Girl and I absolutly loved stitching this piece..in the picture you will see an extra heart stitched at the bottom under the word that,,I accidently stitched it under the wrong t,,and I kinda of liked it so it stayed..up next on the stitching front is Besty by Sheepish Design and I am enjoying this one to,,but it will take me a little longer at, as I am stitching it on 36 ct and having a hard time stitching on it,,but I will conquer it,,I am using Needlepoint inc silks and really liking stitching with them..


I finished the scarf I was working on and started another one,,in pink..I am going to be in a craft bazzare this November and it is never to early to get started,,plus during the summer months here in florida I dont want to knit with all the humidty..I am hoping to be working on making some new items for my etsy store this week,,there will be stitch markers and new project totes and new scissor fobs..so keep an eye out for those..until then keep those fingers moving...and have a blessed week..
huggs Devon

I have a question...

I am wanting to do a cross stitch project on 36 ct linen and I want to use Needlepoint silks..the question is do I use 1 or 2 strands of thread??Thanks,,
Devon

It finally showed up..

I had won a giveaway over on Old Ragged Threads blog back in Dec,,and it finally made it way across the big pond,,and all I got to say is wow.. Elise out did herself..I love everything thanks again for having this giveaway..


All the lovely things I won,,there is a pretty smelling soap,needles,floss,towel,kit,beautiful made scissor fob,tea,ribbon,felt,wooden heart,lavendar pouch, and the softess face cloths,,

And it all came wrapped in the lovely box..

New Stash....

I love getting new stash,,especially when it comes directly to my home..I am one of those people that can sit at the computer and order till her hearts content..and one of those special places for me to click away at is Down Sunshine Lane, Amy is sweet and she ships really really quick,,I ordered this on Friday and got them yesterday,,well I know you are dying to see what I got so here it is..

A new knitting project,an update,and a winner..

Hello Monday,,you showed up to quickly again,,boy the weekends just seem to fly by dont they??? Well I did have somewhat of a productive weekend,,as you will see in the pictures..I started a new knitting project another scarf no surprise there huh...this is really a easy pattern,,,found it on ravelry..all it is, is k2,k1b,p1,k2,,repeat pattern for every row..I am knitting on size 8 needles and using a new yarn for me,,it is Amazing by Lion Brand and the colorway is Arcadia,,it looks like it will take 2 skeins of yarn to make along enough scarf..this one is going to my brother..

And here is an updated pictures of my Emma Project pattern by Sampler Girl,,I am really enjoying this one just wish I could find more time to stitch..

And last but not least we have a winner in my giveaway..And it is Linda Pruitt...at Pruitt Hand Crafts..thanks again for everyone that became a follower and I will be having more giveaways during the year..so come on back..

To Show the Love.....

and since it is the month of Love,,I wanted to have a give away...for all my blog readers and followers..to say THANK YOU..and here is what I am giving away...one of my Project Envelopes, a cope of Stitch Sampler book(ended up with 2 of these)and a set of crochet coasters in spring colors..now all you have to do to qualify for this wonderful giveaway is..

1.leave a comment on this post only..(plz leave an email address to get ahold of you at)
2.become a follower if your not already.
3.and it is open world wide.

so simple,,thanks again..and I hope you all have a warm and wonderful week..the drawing will be next monday the 7th Feb..good luck..
Devon

WOW..

3 post in one day,,cant believe it..must have alot to say..well in this post I just wanted to show you all what I just relisted in my Etsy Shop,,it is one of my favorite Project Envelopes I have done..I will be making some brand new ones this week to add to the store,,and tomarrow I will be posting about a giveaway I am having which will enclude one of the project envelopes I just made..so stay tuned and and good luck..

Would you like to meet...

Our 2 four legged kids..these 2 keep us on our toes..because I think the smaller the dog the more they have to go pee...it seems I am constantly getting up and down to let the yorkie(Toby)out..but how can you ignore that cute little face..and then he jumps at the door to be let in not 2 seconds later..what gives..but they wanted to let you all know they have new friends and they have there own blog..so without further adou go and visit Walter And Rupert and here is a parting shot of our furry kids..

Well Well...

it is monday already...boy the weekends just seem to go by so fast..we had a beautiful weather here in north florida for the whole weekend.. my hubby and I went to Amelia Island Saturday and had a lovely time..walked around and looked in the shops,,then we ended it with a beautiful walk on the beach..I can never get tired of walking on the beach,,it is just somethng about looking out into the mass body of water that there is no end in sight to..just beautiful..I did have a productive weekend also, I sewed up one sun dress for my darling grandaughter and cut out another one for her(pictures to come soon),,sewed up a project envelope in which I will be having a giveaway(posting it tomarrow so come back tomarrow)with it..and I have been stitching on Emma which I am enjoying working on it..and last but not least I made up this cute little necklace for little ole me this morning,,I was looking on Etsy at their initial necklaces and wanted one that was personilize to me..and thought I have the supplies to make my own..so this is what I came up with,,my initinal,starfish for the love of the ocean,and my birthday stone..not to bad,,I can see my daughter-law getting one for her birthday next month with her kids initials and birthday stones on it..Well I hope you all have a peachy week,,

New New New...

I just finished up these 2 set of stitch markers for my Etsy Shop

Friday's Favorites..

Books,,I LOVE books,,and if you ask my family they will tell you that I could open my own book store,,of course I dont think I have that many...but I do have a lot..wether it is reading,crafts,decorating or self help I love them..and I hate to give my books away..so what do you love??Do you love books?

A New Project...

This little gem has been calling my name for a couple of days now and today I put all the supplies together and I am getting ready to sit down and start it..I just love Tanya's Jane Austen patterns..they are fun to stitch..so what are you stitching today??

As Promised..

Here she is in all her glory Devon Violet #2,,I like the pinks in this one..also I sewed up some coasters which were a quick little project,,I am deciding which quilting pattern I like ..

I Thought ..

This was a craft blog,,but it looks more like a cooking blog..funny how we go thru spurts of things to do..I have been stitching I finished another violet but it needs iron before I can take a snap of it..but for now you will have to indulge yourself with these delishish items..Pioneer Women comes thru again,,My husband called this morning and was telling me he didnt have anything to eat for breakfast and that all his breakfast bars were gone..so I went looking for something to make him to take to work for breakfast the rest of the week,,and these popped into my little head..I had all the ingrediants on hand and so away I went..the recipe says it makes 12 but I think I could have gotten at least 15,,since I stuffed the muffin tins to the brim they are more like mushrooms then little puffs..but still are delishish..so if you havent tried the Pioneer Womens French Breakfast Puffs you must,,they are Easy,Quick,and very very Good..stay turn as tomarrow Devon Violets #2 will appear..now you all have a warm and crafty day...

Devon Got a New Toy....

Look what came in the the mail for little ole me today...brand spanking new..and works beautifully..my last one was a singer and lasted me for 20 years..so I am hoping this one will stand up to my ole singer..it has been over a year since I have used one and I am very anxious to use this little gem..I have already tried it out and it works beautifully..

In my Etsy Shop,,,

I know I have alot of needleworkers that follower my blog,, and thought that I would share some of my Scissor Fobs to you all..they are very addicting and make lovely gifts. You can find more in my Etsy Shop

Mailbox Monday,,,

These little jewels came into my home this past week,,and I cant wait to try out some of the recipes in these 2 books..also I have see good reviews of Ciji Ware books and wanted to try her..well I hope you all are having a good monday,,it is raining her but that is ok,,because then I can just sit inside and read or stitch...

My Current Read..

I am reading the last installment of the Huxatbles siblings..the son Stephen Huxtable..the other 3 were good reads and I am expecting this on also. These were my first time reading anything by Mary Balogh and I am now a follower of her books..The stories are good and the characters are easy to follow..So what are you reading this week..please share..I love hearing what other people are reading and I also get good recommendations along the way..well enjoy the rest of your weekend, as I will be reading and watching some football..




"In a time unlike any other, a family you'll never forget . . . "Meet the Huxtables--three headstrong sisters and their dashing brother--each searching for love that's always a shocking indiscretion away. . . . In her magnificent new novel, "New York Times" bestselling author Mary Balogh sweeps us into a world of scandal and intrigue--glittering Regency England--and introduces the youngest Huxtable: Stephen, the only son. Here Stephen will risk his reputation and his heart as he enters a scandalous liaison with the infamous beauty intent on seduction. But when passion turns the tables on them both, who can say who has seduced whom? He must be wealthy, wellborn, and want her more than he wants any other woman. Those are the conditions that must be met by the man Cassandra Belmont chooses for her lover. Marriage is out of the question for the destitute widow who stands accused of murdering her husband and must now barter her beauty in order to survive. With seduction in mind, she sets her sights on Stephen Huxtable, the irresistibly attractive Earl of Merton and London's most eligible bachelor. But Stephen's first intriguing glimpse of the mysterious, alluring Lady Paget convinces him that he has found the ideal woman to share his bed. There is only one caveat. This relationship fueled by mutual pleasure must be on "his" terms. As the two warily circle each other in a sensual dance of attack and retreat, a single night of passion alters all the rules. Cassandra, whose reputation is already in tatters, is now in danger of losing the one thing she vowed never to give. And Stephen, who wants Cassandra more than he has ever wanted any woman, won't rest until she has surrendered everything--not as his mistress--but as his lover and wife. . . .

Fish Taco's

Is what was for dinner tonight,,,and I tried a new recipe and oh my gosh...they were so freaking good...my husband who usually turns his nose up to fish taco's ate 4 of them and said they were the best thing he has eaten in while..I fried up Mahi Mahi in butter and seasoned it with Webers N'Orleans Cajun season and then made the slaw recipe that you can find here,, I am thinking we are going to have them for lunch tomarrow to since I have alot of slaw recipe left,,well what are you all making for dinner??

Whats for Dinner???

Well I was in the mood for a big dinner and I made one..this is more like your sunday type of dinner but what the heck,,couldnt wait..plus my daughter had tonight off so I thought I would be nice and make it while she was home..my mom was british so I grew up with all types of british food,,and yorkshire pudding is one of them even thou it is becoming more american then before..the trick is to get it to raise,,I would say about 50% of the times I have made it, it has turned out the other 50% it looks like cornbread..but still taste good..tonight was a good night for yorkshire pudding as you can see it turned out beautiful,,I know alot of people make it in muffin tins but I was taught to make it in a 9x13 pan,,and as you can see it still turns out..well now that I am fat and happy,,I think I will go and watch re-runs of NCIS before I have to tackle all the dishes..hope you all are having a warm and cozy night,,,cheers..
Devon

Can you say YUMMY,,,,,,,,,

I just got done making these pretzels and pretzels bites..and let me tell you they are as good as the ones in the mall,,and very easy to make..you can find the recipe here..

Devon's Violet..

That is what I am calling this series of violets I am stitching,,aren't they pretty,,,violets have alway been one of my favorite flowers.. I remember my mom telling me that growing up in Devon England they would grow wild..This is the first of 6 in which in which I will be stitching..I am going to frame them in little gold frames..they are only 3x3 designs so a group of 6 will look lovely on my wall..and this is the first finish project for 2011...well I hope you enjoy them as much as I have,,Hope you all are having a grand week...cheers..
Devon

The Dark Queen-Book Review

I finished reading the Dark Queen by Susan Carroll. It is not the first book of Carroll's I have read,,and it wont be the last I have been reading her books for years and have liked everyone I have read, this one included.. One of the things I like about Carroll's books are the history she entwines in her stories..along with the plots and characters..In the Dark Queen a island with 3 sisters know as the Cheney Sisters of Faire Isle,,the plot entails the encounters of them and the Dark Queen Catherine de Medici, and the dashing comte de Renard..It has action,history,romance,and a mystical flare to it,,it is the first one of the trilogy of the sisters..so look for the other two to be read this year also..

National Hot Tea Month..

January is National Hot Tea Month, so why not join me in a cup of my favorite Tea (Lady Grey Tea)and have a hot cup of tea..I was just reading up on hot tea and all the benefits tea now have..I read or heard that they are saying Tea is just as good if not better then drinking water because it will hydrate you like water but with benefits from the herbs..I have never been a water drinker but I am a big tea drinker, with my mom being from England I grew up with tea parties and just drinking alot of tea while I was growing up..I always have a big stash of tea in my house..so why not join me in celebrating National Hot Tea Month with a cup of your favorite tea..

Hello Monday...

Well it is getting back to a semi normal routine around here,,hubby is back to work after having a week off..daughter is still out of school and will return next week,,so now I can get back to my routine and maybe relax some..Well the year started off really good,,,my daughter whom I have been pushing to get a job got one on New Years Day,,she is working at a Japanese Restaraunt and seems to like it only after one long day of working there. And I have already finished my first book for 2011, I will be posting a review in the next couple of days..I have been known to post New Years Resolutions but I have changed my mind this year,,I will post things I would like to accomplish this year, that way if I dont succeed then I wont feel guilty about it..some of them are the norm like exercising more, losing weight,spending more time on my crafts,saving money,but this year I want to add making more meals out of the collection of cookbooks I have aquired,and baking new recipes,,I would love to do what Julie did in Julie and Julia I think that would be so neat,,but I dont have the motivation to keep with it..so I will just stick to trying new recipes out of my cookbooks..Well I hope you all have a wonderful year and may your dreams be full field in it..many hugss..
Devon

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I just wanted to drop in here and wish all my friends and family a very HAPPY NEW YEAR..I pray you all will have a happy,productive,healthy,and wonderful coming year..and that you may find your dreams come true ..I am gratefull for all the friends that I have made on my blog and that I will be making twice as many..and that I will have a very productive and healthy year..so here is to 2011,,bring it on...

My Current Read..

Well as the 2010 year comes to a end..I reflect on my accomplishments and to say the least I did finish quit a few projects but one project I am hoping I will do alot better in the coming year is to read more books,,I only finished 19 books this past year and that is a sad number as I have many many more that I want to read..I told myself I was not going to make a New Years Resolution list this year but if I was it would have on it to read more books then the year before...so to start off the reading list I am reading one of my favorite authors Susan Carroll, and I am planning on reading alot more of her books during the year to..so here is my current read,,and the

Synopsis
From Brittany’s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris’s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny–while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen.She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts.Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Merry Christmas

I just want to pop in here and tell all my Blog Families out there that I have thoroughly

LOVE reading and seeing all the beautiful pictures thru this past year..it has become a big part of my life to come on here and read all your blog updates and see what you all are making and the beautiful scenery pictures..I am hoping and praying that coming year will bring you all much joy and excitment, and may you all have a very creative year to share with us all..I think it is just awesome that I can sit in my house and have beautiful friends all around the WORLD..it just amazes me..well I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS,, love you all...

Devon