Happy Easter 2026

 Happy Easter 2026

The Easter Basket I made for my daughter this year is even more special. The theme this year is all about "the baby boy!"

Here comes the SON!

2026 Easter Basket

 2026 Easter Basket

This year's Easter Basket is especially SPECIAL!

I'm going to be a GRANDMA!!!

💖💖💖

Our Family is joyously expanding.

Not only is my daughter expecting but my daughter-in-law is also expecting.

Two healthy baby boys are due to arrive in the Fall.

I started making this year's Easter Basket as I knew my daughter was expecting but, long before I knew my daughter-in-law was also expecting. 

I am doubly blessed and so incredibly grateful!

Long COLD Winter = Lots of Creative Crochet

 Long COLD Winter = Lots of Creative Crochet

Balloon Animals

Cave Man

Colorful Bunnies

Baby Bumble Bee

And, Jellyfish too!

All Has Been Merry and Bright

 All Has Been Merry and Bright

End of 2025 Vibes

I've enjoyed a very quiet and peaceful holiday season with all of those whom I love. It has been spectacular! 2025 has provided so many wonderful God given blessings. A new job that I love. Good health, real peace, and happiness.

I am blessed beyond measure and I am truly grateful!

Ending 2025 in a quiet and peaceful place. My prayer for 2026 is continued peacefulness, good health, and profound happiness for each of us.

Happiest of New Years to you all!

Getting Ahead of Myself

Getting Ahead of Myself

Another Easter Basket with a different theme. 

Recently, I purchased a crochet pattern from ALL FROM JADE  , this pattern designer has some of the cutest patterns. If you crochet I hope you will check out her Esty shop. You will not be disappointed.

I purchased the Jellyfish pattern and it is a great pattern, the instructions are spot on and written so well. I just couldn't resist not starting another Easter Basket with her jellyfish as the theme.

I have included the Red Heart yarns that I used for the jellyfish and for the basket that I have crocheted along with the link to Jade's pattern.

This one has been a lot of fun crocheting. I may just keep this Easter Basket for myself. It's just so stinkin' cute!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail and his Entourage

Here Comes Peter Cottontail and his Entourage

This year has definitely been the year of yarn arts in my journey of textile artistry as opposed to my quilting passions.

Why? I haven't a clue ... it has just seemed to work out that way this year.

I began working on my daughter's 2026 Easter Basket a few weeks ago, in the midst of wrapping Christmas gifts I began crocheting the coming year's Easter Basket.

Yeah, yeah ... I'm all over the place.

Every year I choose a theme for the Easter Basket and this year I decided on an actual Easter theme ... an Easter Bunny

But once I got started I realized there is rarely just one bunny and decided that Peter Cottontail surely has an entourage of colorful bunnies.

I still have to crochet the basket handle and a few extra details to my design.

Peter and his Entourage

My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

 My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

The Advent Calendar by Stitch Supple Co.

Happy Birthday to me!

#62

Are You Ready to Rumble ...

 Are You Ready to RUMBLE ...

#iceicebaby

I rounded out the Thanksgiving weekend with a great evening with friends at a Knoxville Ice Bears Hockey game. 

Festival of Tables

 Festival of Tables

What a blessing, I spent a wonderful evening with friends in fellowship at East Maryville Baptist Church.

Me and the ladies

The tables were decorated differently by members of the church and they were all so beautiful and thoughtfully decorated. We were asked to vote on our favorite tablescape and it was so fun walking around looking at all of the tables and talking with everyone.

The gentlemen of the church served us an amazing and delicious dinner ... and I chose carrot cake for dessert. It did not disappoint.

It was a wonderful evening from beginning to end. Sherree Bowen the guest speaker was so uplifting and encouraging. And, I enjoyed seeing and spending time with sweet friends.

It was a powerful evening.

Inspiration and a Super Moon

 Inspiration and a Super Moon

Fall gloriousness continues, thank goodness, it's time to finish up some homemade gifts for the holidays.

I made a few candles earlier in the year and I really enjoyed it. Which has inspired me to make a few for the holidays.

I saw this cute little mug rug on instagram and I'm considering making a few of these.

They are so cute!

Earlier in the month we were blessed with an amazing and truly beautiful Super Moon and somehow this was also very inspiring for me.

All Hallows Eve

 All Hallows Eve

The veil is thin, time to honor our loved ones who have passed, and to carve a pumpkin or two.

I spent an evening earlier in the week at my daughter's home carving pumpkins. We shared dinner and a tasty pumpkin roll dessert, champagne cocktails, and a great time carving our pumpkins.

Here we go ...

Pumpkin guts .... hahahaha!

Pumpkin roll ... tasty dessert

Here they are ...

Carved pumpkins ready for Halloween

Lots of Thrifting Lately

 Lots of Thrifting Lately

No ... I'm not really a thrifter, I only say that because I'm not really a shopper. Shopping is not my idea of fun. I am an online shopper but as of late I have become a brick and mortar shopper. For several reasons but mostly because I am working toward handmade and/or thrifted Christmas gift giving this year.

Note ... I don't know how it is in other places but in my area thrifting is NOT always cheaper. Goodwill and KARM in my local area are pricing items OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH, in my opinion.

That being said, I have still found some good deals. I can't show you all of the items I have purchased as ... they will be Christmas gifts and/or part of Christmas gifts.

Goodwill

$1.99 - Santa mug - this will be part of a Christmas gift.

KARM 

$3.99 - 6 brass switch plates purchased for my daughter. Not a Christmas gift, I'm always on the lookout for decorative switch plates and such for her to upgrade details in her home.

FRIENDS

 FRIENDS

I really enjoyed the July 4th holiday weekend from start to finish.

 I kicked off the long weekend with a delicious Mexican dinner with a life long friend. Great food, conversation, and company.

The frozen mango margaritas were pretty darn tasty too!

Local Thrifting Event

 Local Thrifting Event

Social media does have it's usefulness ... I enjoy the EVENT Suggestions of upcoming happenings in my area.

That being said, yesterday I spent a nice afternoon browsing all of the booths at the Bargain Hunters Antique & Flea Market. I also went to Nostalgia's 2nd location which is in the same center as the Antique & Flea Market.

Anything and everything could be found here!

As you know, it is my mission this year to have a handmade Christmas. Handmade and thrifted. What I mean by thrifted, is that I need a few unique containers, vessels, and/or box type items to contain the handmade gifts.

Celebrating With Family

 Celebrating With Family

Celebrating July 4th out on my brother's farm. It was an amazing cookout and fireworks show with family and friends.

Note ... I only have 2 pictures because I was enjoying the celebration, my family and friends, the fireworks and the food.

As it should be ...

It was a wonderful evening!

Christmas Gift Giving Prep 101

 Christmas Gift Giving Prep 101

Homemade Vanilla

Several years ago I made homemade vanilla to give as gifts and it was a big hit. Since then I've been asked if I had anymore vanilla, so earlier this month I decided to make another batch.

As with the Cherry Bounce, vanilla takes it least 6 months to cure. This batch will be ready for Christmas gift giving.