Falls Creek Falls Hike

On Feb. 18th Scott and I took on a challenge... a very strenuous hike to see Falls Creek Falls near Cleveland, SC. It was SO worth the hike but we were sore for days afterwards... but still so worth it!

Crafts & Cats

This tiny album is made from a full 12"x12" sheet of cardstock that has been folded according style in such a way it creates page pockets to hold small tags. So much easier than they look and the perfect size to carry in your purse. Or they could be cute displayed in a bowl or basket. 

"Relative STrangers" with facial features added. These were a lot of fun to create... perfect bit of silliness to round out an afternoon.

Howie getting some love from Scott; he is such a huggable lump of fur.

Tippy and Cally nap together all the time.

I won these dies in a second chance drawing. One says "Happy Valentines Day" and the other is a simple row of hearts. The heart on white is a delightful little paper bag and the rose is the handmade card from Diane ; the gal having the give-a-way.

Lots of Projects

Frolic block for a quilt block swap

 The above block is quite complicated and time consuming. Each one takes me about 3 hours due to all the careful pressing that has to be done. I still have 4 more to sew before the weekend. The original due date was the 1rst of March but several of us needed more time so I changed the due date to my birthday (March 8th). I think the next block we do will need to be something just a little easier.

The next project I want to share is an explosion box using a new variation I found on You Tube as a tutorial. I really love how this one turned out and I do believe it will be what I make for siblings gifts next Christmas.

Tippy - "Little Man" just chillin. He sleeps like this quite often.

"Relative Strangers" in water color awaiting their facial features.

 While we were at our house in Cayce the weekend before Valentines Scott surprised me with a dozen beautiful red roses on one of his trips out for "supplies". I managed to get them back up here to the cottage and am letting them dry in the hopes I can use them in a project or two in the future.

 Here is a picture showing the kitchen with all the rounded gingerbread trim removed from around the cabinets and it just makes it look so much bigger and cleaner. I will be scrubbing the cupboards down and staining  the insides next week to give them an even cleaner appearance.

 Scott completed  the sheetrock work in the den and we have bought paint to get that room completed as well. There is still a bit of "mud" work to do but only about a days worth. These two rroms will be done soon. YEAH!

 

 A weekend breakfast; we only eat grits on weekends anymore and not every weekend. We enjoy them so much when we do eat them as a treat as the grits are one of those things that shoot our glucose levels to the moon.

My hobby room is nearly all packed up now. As you can see I had plenty of help getting it to this point too. Piper tries to climb in a tote to come home with me all the time. I do miss the little spoiled brat. The cats here would rather be outdoors hunting than with me. I do have worries that they will up and leave us this Summer.

February's Beginning

 I joined an ugly fabric swap in February. We each had a partner that we would send an ugly fabric fat quarter to and they in turn would turn it into something lovely and send it back to you. My partner sent me the fabric that is on the inside of this basket. I had fun creating the fabric basket for her and she is using it now to hold their mail.

The cats are endless entertainment here at the little cottage. I just love their interpretation of Ying Yang PLUS 1... not sure what the addition was that they added but it made my heart happy.

Cat Happiness = TOGETHERNESS

 Scott and I decided to check out the Doodle Trail that runs between Easley and Pickens, South Carolina. We only walked a short distance on the Easley end. I think it would be a  lot more fun on bicycles.

I have wanted to stop and get some pictures of this old cement factory so was thrilled to discover it was on the walkway. I just found it interesting and contained so many Artistic possibilities.

 

Tippy giving Howie a gentle hug.

My second "Pussy Cat" Hat. I made one for my Sister-in-law, Adele

Mermaid tails on ATC's - Artist Trading cards. One I kept and the other was swapped with a lady in France.

This is the one I received from Sylvia in France.

 I made a few flowers and butterflies to set aside for future projects. I love how these little blue flowers turned out.

An "Angry Bird" that someone stamped out and mailed to me that I colored.

Good Grief!

So much for getting back to daily blog posts... sorry I have been so awful about getting something up on here. I guess I should just go back and finish off January and then handle February in a couple other posts. Hmmmm.. ok so at the end of January I cringed as the new President took office and have been starting everyday since with a full body cringe. I am going to leave it at that on here.

We made the decision to remove the gingerbread scallops from around the top of the cabinets. It has really made the kitchen look even bigger than it is... you will see more in a future post.

Bernadette

 I took Bernadette to the groomer as her coat was so thick and matted and since it was still quite chilly we bought her a sweater which she did not keep on for long. I'm sure she has felt so much better.

One Sunday when we got back up here we found this fella stuck on the porch. We had no idea how long it had been up there but it looked stuck and tired. I propped the longest narrow board I could find up near it and came back inside. After a little while we heard the board bouncing about and when I went to check the raccoon was gone. He must have been glad for the helping hand or board.

Tippy - aka "Little Man"

The cats have so enjoyed the little space heater on chilly mornings and evenings. They take turns basking in it's warmth.

Howard - "Howie"

Tippy and Howie