Welcome to the Party!

Thanks so much to Vicki for hosting this wonderful Grow Your Blog Party!

And thank YOU for visiting!

I'm fairly new to blogging, so am still learning how everything works.  But I am enjoying meeting new folks and learning about their interests and hobbies. 

So about me...

Basically, I am a basket maker, knitter, photographer with a travel habit.

I love designing and creating unique baskets and jewelry out of long leaf pine needles. Several of my baskets have won ribbons at the Florida State Fair. 

I just completed my latest entry.  I am hoping it will win a ribbon, but regardless, I have a great spot for it on my coffee table.

As you can imagine, baskets take a remarkably long time to make, and most I make to keep or as gifts. But there are a few that I place in my Etsy shop, Pine Designs.  

I went to China a few years ago on a mission trip and that inspired me to turn my basket making into a ministry.  When I do sell something the money is used to help support missionaries in China.  I hope you will visit the shop sometime and take a look.

~

My other favorite pasttime is knitting (and crochet) and, like many of my fellow knitters, I always have a few projects in process.  I am blessed to have three beautiful grandchildren and enjoy spoiling them with a few handmade items.

I belong to a knitting group and we make warm items such as hats, headbands, scarves, etc. to donate each year.  It's fun to share ideas and get new ones!  I try to make each piece a little bit different so no two are exactly alike.

This headband is one of my creations.

And I made it to give to one of you!

It looks white but is actually a cream color.  I enjoy making these since they're perfect for the little nip in the air we get in north Florida.  The flower is tied on and can be removed if preferred. 

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post! 

 ***The winner does not have to have a blog -- anyone can enter -- anyone can win - regardless of where you live.***  

The winner will be drawn on February 1, 2013 and will be announced here!  

~

I've been married for over 35 years and we enjoy traveling.  We are always looking for new places to explore. When we travel I enjoy sharing our adventures and photos to anyone interested or will sit still for a few minutes.  In fact, that's why I started this blog:-) 

The following photos are from our 35 anniversary trip to Europe last year.  You can check out the entire trip in past posts.

Paris

London

Westminster Abbey

Germany

Venice

It was a wonderful adventure with memories that will last a lifetime.  

Now where to go next....???

~

So that's it about me.  Hope you will leave a comment so I'll know who you are and can visit you too!

 

Until next time ~

        Terri

Finished!

Finished at last!!!

After more hours than I want to think about, my pine needle basket is finally done!

It doesn't look that big in the photos, but it is about 14" in diameter.

The two tones are made from long leaf pine needles and the

lighter color is sweet grass.

I used dark brown waxed thread on the pine needles and for the wrapped rows

and a natural color on the sweetgrass.

If you look closely you can see the stitch design.

Different stitches give different results.  I wanted to create a pattern.

The agate center is very eye catching.

Now it's off to the judges at the State Fair.

Will keep you posted:-)

                       

                      Until next time ~

                             Terri



Twas the night before Christmas...

and all through our home

the presents were growing

there's no place to roam.

The teddy bears sit by the fire and wait

to see if St. Nicolas will not hesitate

to visit this house and three tiny grand-tots

and their Nana who loves them, lots and lots!

But lest we forget, in the joy of the day

the reason for the season, asleep in the hay.

from my home to yours ~

Merry Christmas

Terri

Christmas Decorating in the South

Well, it's December.

Time to pull the Christmas decorations out of the cold attic,

make a fire (or turn on the gas),

get a cup of hot chocolate,

and play the first of many Christmas carols

while putting up the tree and deciding where to put what.

The only problem is

it's 80 degrees outside!

The attic is hot as we struggle to get everything out.

And forget the fire and hot chocolate.

Let's fire up the airconditioner and make some iced tea!

But all is ok as soon as the first box is opened

and the magic of Christmas begins.

The heat is soon forgotten

as memories come flooding back. 

Now that I have grandchildren, my decorating has evolved.

Gone are the days of fragile decorations.

The glass angels and ceramic santas stay safe in the attic.

The village and trains are going to stay packed for a few years too.

Instead, my latest theme is teddy bears!

Lots and lots of teddy bears!

Everywhere. 

And, when decorating the tree,

all the fun ornaments are at the bottom

where little eyes can see them and little hands can take them off,

and maybe put them back somewhere else.

Thankfully, gone are the days of worrying about perfection.

Of worrying about what others will think.

Of worrying about something getting broken.

Christmas now is about something more important.

It's about watching the joy in a three year old's face as she walks into the room

and is told she can play with the bears. 

It's about NOT saying "Don't Touch!" when she wants to inspect the ornaments.

It's about seeing the tree get re-decorated, or finding ornaments

in unexpected places

 later in the day.

 

It's about love.

 

Until next time ~

Terri



 



Basket Making Progress

I thought I'd give you a quick update on my

basket making progress.

It's taken me a few weeks to get to this point.

Of course, I've been working on other (many other) projects

at the same time.

Last night I decided to time myself and see how long it takes me to do one row.

Now, this basket is quite large, so each row seems to take longer

and longer to complete.

And if you look closely you will see the design I decided to

incorporate by using a different stitch.

Well, one row took over an hour of uninterrupted work!

I want to make this basket at least another inch or two larger, so estimate

about another 20 hours of work.

The application to enter it in the State Fair is printed and

will be filled out and mailed this weekend.

I'll keep you posted:-)

                        Hugs,

                        Terri