Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Presents for Your Loved Ones (or You!)

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Every once in a while, I treat myself to a little something. The challenge is to get something for a wee amount of money. Do you do that, as well?

Yesterday, my little treats arrived.

First up: This is both a personal and business-type treat.

My business cards from Moo. Have you visited Moo? They offer business cards, mini cards, Christmas cards…you name it. I ordered the mini cards about a year ago, and though they are lovely, they’re just too small for me. This time I went with a regular business card. The process couldn’t be easier. I uploaded a favorite blog header photo and the rest was a breeze. You can put what you like on the back. I included my blog URL and the URL of my future Etsy shop. The card stock is of a great quality; thick and durable. I ordered 50 cards for $21.90, but they have all sorts of quantities.

These would be a great stocking stuffer for you or someone you love. And Moo has no idea I’m writing about them, I’m just pleased as punch by the quality.

Next up: While reading one of my favorite blogs, Pretty By Hand (you should see the wonderful quilts and embroidery created by this blogger,) I came across this post. It was all about the pin toppers created by talented Gigi Minor of Pinks and Needles. I was instantly smitten. What’s a pin topper? Here’s the one I ordered:

A little bluebird. She makes these. You should see the amazingly scrumptious pin toppers in her Etsy Shop. They are so lovely, so whimsical that I dare you not to fall in love with them.

Little bluebird is flying right over the pincushion I bought from Betty. I can tell you right now: I will be ordering more of these. She has cupcakes, flowers, a little sewing machine….I want them all.

Oh drat, there’s a dog hair on the pincushion. But then, there are dog hairs everywhere here.

I’m thinking these would also make excellent stocking stuffers or gifts for someone who loves sewing and needlework. Or they could be a special treat for you.

Last, but not least: Many of you may already know of her blog, but for those of you who don’t…stop everything and read Susan Branch’s blog. Yes, that Susan Branch. Writer, illustrator, and nester. She writes the most wonderful posts – all about food and home and the seasons and pets and everything that makes a house a home. You really feel like you’re sitting by the fire in her home, chatting away.

I’ve known about Susan for a long time, but when I first discovered her blog, I did that thing you do when you are instantly entranced by someone. I went back and read every entry. I even bought 2 of her books because I now have a big old crush on her.

Give yourself a little present. Make a cup hot chocolate and settle in with her wonderful writing and illustrations. And make a cup for me!

Smooth Sailing

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During this time that my Mom has been in rehab and, soon, a nursing home, my Dad and I have talked on the phone several times a day. Mom will never be back in the house she and Dad shared. That this is terribly sad is an understatement. My Dad is heartbroken. So our calls cover everything: the good, the bad, the sad, the heartbreak.

Dad worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company for over 40 years. That probably accounts for the fact that he hates to talk on the phone. If Mom was home and well, these phone calls would not be happening. One nugget of good that has come from all of this is our talks. We’ve come to know each other on a deeper level. I’ve shared things with Dad that normally wouldn’t come up in the course of a one minute “Hi Dad, how are you?” conversation. And he’s done the same with me.

The other day, he told me a box was coming in the mail. Yesterday, it arrived. Packed carefully inside was this:

A beautiful wooden boat with cloth sails. Maybe a schooner? Here’s the story he shared with me. When Mom and Dad retired to their beautiful home in Northern Michigan after living downstate in Dearborn for nearly 40 years, they visited Mackinaw Island. This move ‘up north’ had been a dream of theirs for a long, long time. They had finally done it. When Mom saw this boat, she bought it for my Dad and gave it to him with the words, “There will be only smooth sailing ahead.”

That was 25 or so years ago. Dad gave this to Don and me with the wish that there be only “smooth sailing” ahead for us. I cannot put into words how deeply this touches me.

I really love this little ship. Welcome to Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

Thanks, Dad.

By the way, the whole time I have been taking pictures of the boat, I have been straddling this:

When Riley sprawls, he sprawls. He has yet to get up for the day. Typical boy; he likes to sleep in.

Have a lovely Friday.

Craft/DIY: Crochet Snowflake Garland

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Last year I shared a pattern for a crochet garland. Whenever you see a photo of the white cabinet in the living room you see the garland, which is hanging on the cabinet door.

That was right around the holidays and I remarked how much like snowflakes these little flowers looked. So yesterday I played around a bit with yarn and hook.

Sweet little yarn snowflakes. As I begin this post on Wednesday evening, I’ve made about 9 or 10 or them. By the time I post tomorrow, I’ll have made more.

I’m back on a sunny Thursday morning. I did indeed make more snowflakes, while watching Dial M for Murder on TCM. Alfred Hitchcock and crochet = perfect evening.

I count 14 snowflakes. But you can make as many as you want. Lots more and you’d have tree garland. Or you could hang each snowflake separately, with different lengths of ribbon, and place them in a window. If you have some butcher’s twine in that yummy red and white combination, you could use that as the base for your garland. It would look very Christmas-y.

Simple. And sweet. The birds approve.

I used Sugar ‘n Cream yarn in white. You can find it at Michael’s and most likely Hobby Lobby and Joann’s. I chose it because it’s the next best thing to Peaches n’ Cream. I used Peaches n’ Cream for the aqua garland because I had a lot on hand and the yarn itself is rather stiff which makes it perfect for this kind of thing. Sugar n’ Cream is less stiff, but still works. It’s also very inexpensive.

If you’re interested in trying this, here’s the link for the pattern (which is based on this pattern.) You can make your snowflakes any size you want – I ended up making 7 loops on these. The snowflakes should look folky and handmade, so have fun!

And by the way, I’m not ‘officially’ decorating yet. Just playing. Decorating will not begin for at least a week!

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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