Nothin' Shaking Here

It's been a pretty uneventful couple of weeks around the old homestead - busy, but uneventful.  A little stitching, a little quilting, and a lot of running.  The stitching....well, I'm going to save that for next week (fingers crossed) as I'm hoping that my oldest WIP (well, actually the second oldest) will finally be finished, released from its scroll rods and I can display the sampler in all its full glory.  But we'll see.....I'm not known for being the quickest stitcher.  So in lieu of any in progress stitching, I'll show you one that I picked up from the framers not too long ago:

The Apple Tree Sampler

Hawkins House

DMC threads and 36 ct. Buttercream Linen

This one was another fun one with the funky colors.  When I look at it I wonder why I can't seem to stitch more of the smaller pieces because it's so nice to have a quicker finish and then you can move on to something else.  But truth be told I do more frogging on a smaller piece than I do on a BAP.  I don't know why that happens, but I do!!!  

I did manage to get the last Farmer's Wife blocks done and probably just in a knick of time because I'm sure the next batch will be showing up any day:

Seasons, Rosebud, Railroad, Shooting Star 

That Shooting Star block was a real persnickety one and I'm not sure that I'm all that happy with it because my points aren't the best, but I think that I may be calling that one a wrap.  We'll see.

One of the things that has been keeping me busy this past couple weeks are all the errands and things that us moms (and non-moms, too) do.  One of those errands was to take Mr. Bailey to the groomers.  He's never been before. Probably not a good thing.  I didn't realize that a dog needed to be groomed as often as they recommend.  Live and learn, and this was a real learning experience.  But I had been holding out on taking him in because it was so darned cold around here and if that dog could, he'd spend his entire day menacing squirrels, birds, dogs, etc., outside.  So I held off, but it was time.  This is my canine dust mop before his grooming (holding one of his favorite treats):

Looks a little shabby, doesn't he?  I can't tell you the number of times I had to cut that hair over his eyes.  But he was getting difficult to brush and we had a rather warm day last week and he looked miserable, so it was time.   Unfortunately, I didn't recognize the poor boy when he was finished!  This is what I was shocked to see after his wash, cut (no color), manicure and whatever else they do at an appointment at the Urban Dog Spa:

Seriously, it this the same dog?  OMG!  I was positive that they had given me the wrong dog.  From going to a fluffy furball, to something that when he's standing, looks like a greyhound with a poodle's head!  Although as you look at that picture don't you get the thought that he knows that he looks pretty dapper and is ready to show his new coiffure off to the ladies in the neighborhood???  Either that or he's thinking, "What the heck did you do to me?"  Unfortunately, it's so short that I have to dress him in my daughter's sweaters to take him for a walk so his lady friends can't see his handsome self.  But seriously, it's taken me a couple days to realize he's my dog.  I know he is because he comes to the name Bailey, loves to chase me around with his toys and when my back is turned he's helping himself to treats in the pantry.  So I know he's mine, but it's just such a shock to see him!!

The only other interesting things that have happened around here was that I picked up a couple more pincushion dolls in the past couple weeks.  One was a doll that Terri had brought as an auction item for the Kindred Spirit's Guild annual auction.  Seems that whenever she brings one of these things for some of our different Guild events,  I fight other women walk away with it:

Isn't she pretty?

Then a couple days later I took some things over the Salvation Army to donate and for some reason can never withhold making a quick dash through to see what they have.  Imagine my surprise when I came across this pretty box:

And inside the box was this:

How could I pass it up?  The lace around its neck looks like someone replaced what used to be there with some more run-of-the-mill type lace, but somewhere in my stash I have some old lace from my other antique jaunts that I can put around it to keep it more authentic.  Anyway, a very surprising score from the SA!!

Well, that's about it for me.  It's been busy and not real crafty.  Maybe I'll have more time this weekend.  My son is off once again to Grand Rapids for the Business Professionals State Competition, and having one less body around usually means a little less hectic weekend.  Fingers crossed his team does well.

Thanks to everyone who leave such wonderful comments and a big welcome to some new people that have become followers.  I'm so glad you stopped by, and whether you leave a comment or not, it's wonderful to see you and to discover your blogs (if you have one).  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!