Meet Oscar & Midnight.. Rescue Cats!

Hello!

Meet Oscar!  He is Oli's little brother... He is a rescue cat! 

Many of you might already know this but we are a huge cat family!  We love cats!  Oscar is our 4th cat!  I had no desire to get another cat but I have a big soft spot in my heart to save/rescue cats!  Typically, I do not even go into places because I hate to see them homeless...  My husband snapped a pic of these cats that needed homes and he sent them to me so of course, I had to go in and see them.  I know better- I can't resist!  So there he was amongst the cutest little kittens and a couple large momma cats.  I figured most would pick the babies... He was the only older kitten in the bunch!  He is 3.5 months about in this picture and we have had him for about 1 month.  The moment I picked him up he purred and continues to be just the biggest lover and best cat one could ask for! 

It took less then a day for all the cats to accept him. It was meant to be!

I know I am going to be one of those old ladies who they call - Cat Women! LOL! 

Then less then a week later... this little black kitten shows up in our backyard.  I don't know anything about how it got to our home... My heart sank.  I knew I had to save him... as  you can see he was tiny and so thin.  I was also so bummed because I could not keep him as our city has a limit.  However, I did end up taking him until I found another home for her.  In the meantime, Grace named her Midnight... Luckily we found her a forever home with a lovely quilter & her husband (she also loves cats and has 3 cats)!  So you know she going to be well loved!  We still get regular updates and pictures sent to us from her! 

 Midnight is so blessed and we are thankful to her new owners for spoiling her! 

I would love to see pics of your cats!  I should figure out a way to post onto this post?!?! 

Everyone is asking about "Oliver"!

Oops.. I had the next 2 blog posts scheduled for this weekend and I didn't press "publish" so you didn't get these... So now you will! :)


WOW!  I can not tell you how many emails I continue to get about my sweetheart Oliver!  If you click the "labels" on the sidebar you can read all about how very, very sick he was once we got him!  The good part of the story is my husband got him for me for Christmas... and it was love at first sight!  I have to say he is an amazing cat!  He is my "BIG" baby boy!  He is just momma's boy!  He loves to curl up in a ball and snuggle with me... He loves to "babysit" the guineas... He loves to play fetch... and all he needed was a momma who never gave up (and spent all her wool money on him at the vet!!!)  But he is soooooo worth it!  I love my Oli! :) 

...Maybe tomorrow I will introduce you to his new brother we just rescued!?!?! 

Baby Oliver!

Big Boy Oliver!

Market Tidbits

Hello!

As many of you know... I have been spending most of my time (until recently) with my mother, Linda.  She had been sick for quite some time and was diagnosed with inoperable/non-curable colon cancer.  I can not believe how crappy cancer is and how it has touched every aspect of our lives.  Since we are still on this journey, and my heart is heavy, I won't talk much about it,...but I will give you a brief update as I receive so many calls, cards and emails from you all letting me know you are thinking of us and praying for us... for that, we thank you and will be forever grateful!  Basically, after fighting for her life... we, as a family, decided it was time to get mom back home to Roseau where she could enjoy her last weeks (or whatever time is left) being surrounded by our friends and family.  I have to admit - getting her up to the Roseau care facility was a hard task, but it has truly been a blessing.  They really have been soo good too mom (and all of us).  I am just happy she is comfortable and enjoying her days of comfort care...  The girls and I just got back from spending another week up there with her.  We had a great time, created more memories... and really have learned to appreciate the simple, little things, that are ending up to be the big things!  I love my momma... it is sad....

On the flip side - I will attempt to get back to blogging and give you the low down of these last months with BB in the next few posts.  Let's start with market...  It was back in May (what feels like a year ago! LOL!)  I did not expect to get the new designs completed, go to market in Portland, have my husband drive out there (without me!) while I ended up flying in and out so I could be with mom during a very difficult time for her.  Well - thanks to some amazing friends who stepped up and lent a hand and a fabulous husband... we did the impossible!  We made it to Portland and I even had patterns completed for close to 70 new patterns!  Who hoo!  Blood, sweat, stress and tears went into those patterns.  Even at market.. I was a wreck!  I think folks thought GW and I were fighting since I was crying all the time at the booth!  LOL!  But, luckily for my - I have some of the best shop owners and designer friends who picked me up and helped me press on thru market!  BLESSED! :)  And - I bet you are wondering why you have not seen them on my site yet, or are unable to order on there... I am simply prioritizing!  That has been put on the back burner.. but you should see them soon on my NEW website!  Those patterns really became my saving grace... I sure hope you find some that you love!  Here are a few pics that I stumbled upon as my pics are still on my cell phone...



OK - this is a start!  It feels good to be getting back in the groove!  I really missed being back in the studio, creating & blogging!  Have a great week... I will be back with more pics and news this week! :)

New Year~Gratitude

Happy New Year!  I hope this note finds you doing well and enjoying 2013.  I had the pleasure of spending time with my in laws and extended family on Christmas Eve and being a host on Christmas Day for a couple of school classmates and their family…  After a few days of Holiday fun, much needed rest, {and after receiving my 3^rd set of Matchbox 20 tickets for this year!} we rang in the New Year in a (sooo much needed) simple way… with just the 4 of us!  It was low keyed, but together as a family…

I also wanted to thank each of you {again} for your business throughout the past year.  I know there are many designers out there and only so much time and money to be put into one of your favorite past times.  Know I appreciate you for purchasing my patterns, but more importantly for the joy you bring to my days, like today, when I spoke to all of those who were so excited and eager to sign up for the club(s)!  I have a gift, and I choose to share it with you because I wouldn’t want it any other way!

As some of you know, this year has been very challenging for me on a personal and professional level.  There have been days when I almost threw in the towel… For those of you who do not know… I am A ONE WOMAN SHOW at Buttermilk Basin {but have great friends who lend a hand when I need them}!  Without getting into the specifics – I honestly TRY to do it all…  Some days I ROCK at it and some days I don’t.  One minute I am spending 4 hours at the hospital with my mom then juggling to get my work done... the next moment I am a mom to my darling young girls!  Some days I may even be “burnt out” and find it hard to get motivated {but I DO} – even if you don’t see it happening.  I work when I am sick {like right now} and I lay awake at night thinking about all the things I did or did not do.  My to do list and opportunities (blessed) don’t end….  I am NOT perfect by any means and make mistakes.  But through it all, YOU support me and encourage me.  Your emails and stories INSPIRE me to PRESS ON!   I love hearing about how it helped relax you while you were in the hospital recovering, or how it helped heal your soul as you were grieving or how special your day was when you taught your granddaughter how to stitch one of my designs.  Those are the reasons I do it…. for that, I thank you! AND - I thank you for your patience, your understanding and your kind words as I simply do the best I can with what I have to work with during these crazy hectic days of my life here at the Basin! 

Speaking of blessed… I thought I would share this little treasure with each of you… I have set goals, have a list of things to work on, and will continue to be grateful for my wonderful life!  And… this is where I am doing each day of the year!  Don’t  you just love it!  You can find it on Etsy under the seller Iloveitall!  Happy New Year...let's make it a great year!

Greetings Everyone!

I hope this note finds you thankful for all your blessings and excited for the Holiday Season that is all to fast approaching!

I would like to start by thanking each of you so very much for being patient (and still having faith in me -) that some day I would get back in to the "blogging" world!  Well, tonight is the night! (I know, can you believe it! Lol! ;)

For the most part, I have been busier than ever (which is good) and as of last Saturday have filled all my shows and teaching/speaking commitments for the year.  It feels good - REALLY good!  I am one of those gals who does not like to be over committed... and this year, I felt I was.  Hence, lot leaving much room open for being creative and holding any exciting events at the shop.  However, I feel VERY fortunate and would not trade in any of my experiences from this past year (ok, maybe just one...LOL!)  I am a very lucky gal living my creative life that I have always DREAMED of doing!  I love what I do and get to be surrounded by so many passionate people who inspire me!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your emails, calls, cards & notes (you spoil me!) and also for your patience as I get the last of my "ducks in a row together" before I start of another exciting year! MUCH to be thankful for!  I am truly BLESSED!