My Giveaway

Hope you're having a nice Sunday. A big storm is coming in here so we're preparing for alot of strong wind and rain. They even predict a tornado or two, although I find that hard to believe. We've had a mild winter so far, some rain but as always not enough.

I'm having a giveaway on my  Sweet Home Stitchery facebook page and invite you to sign up. I made these cute spring floral tags to give away. I'd love to send them out to the winner. They're entirely hand stitched and padded with warm and natural batting. These are fun to use, tied to a bouquet, a vase, a lamp, hung on a cabinet or door knob, etc. Plus they make great bookmarks! So I hope you'll click on the link above and sign up by leaving a comment. I like to make things simple.

I've been filling my Etsy shop with new things and loved favorites. I haven't listed this card yet, but will soon.

                                                        This cute little golden yorkie

Plus I just finished another card,

it would be nice for Valentines, don't you think?

Anyway, that's about all for now. We've been trying to walk every day and are up to over 2 miles a day. I thought we were doing good until I chatted with my brother who told me he runs 10 miles every day on the beach. Then again, he's 6 years younger than me. He's on Facebook and shares many beautiful photos of Hawaii and "his" island of Oahu.

January in the Homestead

I've been busy trying to get my little Etsy shop restocked after the holidays. I got a nice sale and sold out of several cards so am working on restocking. This little Matryoska Doll card is the latest, I listed it today.

                       I also got another Shih Tzu puppy is in the shop too, he is a favorite.

            You might wonder where I take the photos, the vintage radio is my favorite location!

                                          and yes, it does work. Quite well, in fact. We bought it from a retired gentleman who refurbishes vintage radios with new parts. They live again!

Our weather is warm right now, in the 70s most days but we are getting rain occasionally. Everyone here hopes for more, of course, with our drought. The water district has cut our outdoor water usage 70%!.
We covered our little new orange tree with shade cloth and it seems to be doing well, in spite of some freezing nights. Alan talked to a landscaper who suggested we use the shade cloth as plastic would get too  hot with our warmer days.
Of course, like many of you, we're getting our seed catalogs in. Such fun to look at all the beautiful photos and seed selections!

The new puppy has grown and doing well. Bella is now around 5 months old and full of energy. The older dogs have accepted her and she's one of the pack now. Kingston who is the elder is her big brother and plays with her. Jackson the rat terrier, also a senior is the Alpha dog and Bella follows him around like a shadow. He's teaching her his ways.

                                                          She's like a miniature pit bull.

Jayden our grandson is now over 4 years old and getting ready for school. Hard to believe!

Here he is holding a fish he and his dad caught at one of our local lakes. I believe this is a sun fish. Yes, Southern California does have lakes. Most of them are man made but we do have one here that is natural, that's Lake Henshaw.
That's about all for today. I hope you will visit my Etsy shop. Our locksmith business hasn't been very busy so my sales help us buy food and other necessities.

A New Year

  Happy 2016!



Opening a new year, I wanted to let you know my friend, Nancy Huggins has a Go Fund page to help she and her husband move out of a meth infested town. Her dogs have been threatened and a neighbors cat was shot and killed. They didn't realize what a bad place it was when they moved in and they're desperate to move into a neighboring larger town with a good law force and more healthy living, both for them and also their rescues.Any donation, small or great is most appreciated.

They want to buy a home, however, they've also been victims of identity theft which takes time to resolve. When it rains, it pours or so it seems. Her husband is also a veteran and in poor health. This stress has taken a toll.

Her Go Fund Page is here  please help if you can!

I opened my Etsy shop and have listed a few new cards. I had alot of fun making these and hope you enjoy them.

The first one is called Rose Trellis and was a challenge.

      It looks absolutely gorgeous and the photo doesn't do it justice.

The second new pattern is a poodle with a continental clip. For fun I made the dog pink.

 A pink poodle!

                   I backed it with a floral pattern and I think she's proud of her new look.

The third new pattern are these sunflowers. Much brighter than pictured and another of my
favorites.  I took the pics last night with not the best lighting. Sorry about that. Taking pics with a tablet is hit and miss. I hope to do better in the future.
Lastly, one that was sold some time ago and I've relisted it.

                     Strawberry Thieves

I'm continuing to stitch more cards, and replace ones that have sold. I have another one ready to stitch, my best seller, The Shih Tzu puppy.

      

That's about all for today. We're expecting a big rain storm tomorrow so I and Alan worked outside this morning to weather proof the patio and backyard. He raked up leaves and I did alot of sweeping. Picked up all the toys that our grandson left and got things ready for the flood.

Wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy new 2016!