Positive Tip

I get a News letter from Jon Gordon Positive tips. I have to share . A good idea for starting the New Year. How being Positive can work out for us even when it seems like everything is going to hell in a hand basket. Check his stories out at- http://www.jongordon.com/blog/
If it is warm enough I may just have to jump in the Lake LOL! The gulf. It would be a custom to start ever year To take a leap of Faith. I have a friend that walks on hot coals Ummm. I like my feet.

Handmade Gift"s

I have been revisiting my passion to embroidery lately. A good friend of mine wanted pillow cases for her Daughters , and brought me the materials. Well I had to take it further and try monogram by hand. I had been studying, Mary Corbet over in her web sight Needle'n Tread.com. and got the great ideal to monogram there initials I consider my self a beginner as you can tell, by all all the mistakes. They loved them thought and everyone is wanting there own for spent the nights. they are fun to do and work up pretty quick take on a folk art look I sure do need to practice. I will have more to show off latter.

Visions Of Sugarplums

Sugarplums

3/4 c whole almonds or pistachios
1/2 c each finely chopped dried figs, dates, apricots
3 TB orange liqueur or orange juice
2 tsp grated orange zest
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves

Combine the ingredients in a food processor and pulse til the nuts are about the size of peppercorns and it begins to stick together. *

Form into 3 cm (1 inch) compact balls ~ around 32.

Place about 1/3 c sugar in a small bowl. Roll the sugarplums in the sugar, place on a piece of waxed paper. Chill til firm, then store in a container. Keeps 1 week at room temp., and two in the fridge.

An excellent and delicious post-run energy snack.

2 Sugarplums = 100 cal

I was plundering around and found this on Craftzine

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/arts/

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On My Tree

Some hand made ornaments thew the years.
The ribbon bird I learned to made when I was about 15 year old. A sweet Japanese lady show me how. I wish I could remember her name. I can't believe I payed attention enough to learn how. I have been making them every year sense. the one below is made with a hazel nut for the head, pine cone for the body, and leaves from my yard. The two in middle I made my first Christmas away from home out of stuff I had . My tree was a plant I had in my Apartment . The bird feeder one my dear friend Gween made I thought it was clever I am no much on plastic canvas but these are cool the little cups are from Sacrament from a church with bird feed inside. .

Origami Crane

Making Origami Cranes For Asian Theme /Christmas tree for a friend . I used 6x6 in square of Gold wrapping paper. Turned out nice. I am still working on taking better pictures maybe my eyes are out of focus. Getting in the mood now to decorate getting a late start.

Slow Going on Denim Quilt

Not very good Pictures . maybe you can tell whats
going on. I am sewing the seems down to frame the picture in the fabric. And embroidery around I am looking for B- C etc.. may be a balloon, cat. I did not like the ones I had more later..