Thursday, November 29, 2012

Berries, Birds, and Blooms

As promised, I am back today with the details for my other new release "Berries, Birds, and Blooms". This is another cheerful, sunny design that I hope will brighten your winter days!  This chartpack contains charting for the sampler and four needlework smalls - a scissor fob, pinkeep, floss ring tag, and needlebook....it also includes stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, complete finishing instructions for all four needlework smalls, and an alphabet/numbers for personalization. The models were stitched on 32-count Chantilly Creme hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linens with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (a DMC conversion is provided). I am very happy with the set of needlework smalls and plan to find a small basket to hold them - I want to place it on the table next to my stitching nest. As always, I have put all the details on the Blue Ribbon Designs website - here are a couple direct links...
Complete materials list and specifics:
www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD108%20Specifics.html
Additional photos:
www.blueribbondesigns.com/Berries%20Birds%20and%20Blooms.html

 Automatic shop orders (for both "Berries, Birds, and Blooms" and "Sunflower Serenade") start shipping today and distributor orders will be shipping next week - so look for this new design to arrive at your favorite needlework shop (or online at your favorite webshop) very soon!
(NOTE: before you comment/post "I don't have a local needlework shop" - contact the shop where you purchase your stitching stash (charts and supplies)...it can be a local shop OR an online needlework shop...OR visit the "Locate" page on my website for a list of shops that will be able to assist you.)


Needlework Smalls (clockwise from top left: scissor fob, pinkeep, needlebook, floss ring tag) - Front View

Needlework Smalls - Back View

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you like the two new releases! I am now off to bag and prepare charts for shipment...and of course I have more details to finish for the Mystery Sampler...I would LOVE to do a little holiday sewing, but my sewing/embroidery machine is still waiting for the replacement parts to arrive (boohoo!)....

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Sunflower Serenade

Blue Ribbon Designs - Sunflower Serenade Chart Cover
I'm back to share more Blue Ribbon Designs news with you. Yesterday I shared my big announcement that I have designed a mystery sampler for the Norden Crafts Mystery Sampler Club (thank you all for the very positive feedback!)...and today I am sharing the first of two new releases with you!

I have two new designs ready to start shipping within the next week (Sunflower Serenade and Berries, Birds, and Blooms)...today we will talk about BRD-107 "Sunflower Serenade". This is a Midwest/Kansas-inspired design - it features a few of the Kansas state symbols: the state flower (Sunflower), the state bird (Western Meadowlark), and the state insect (Honeybee). This piece was actually designed for a special class I taught for the Heart's Desire Cross Stitch Camp...but I had so much wonderful feedback, I decided to release it in my regular line. As winter continues to arrive, I thought I would release a couple pieces with a springtime feel to keep your stitching rotation bright and cheerful! This design chart contains charting for the sampler and two needlework smalls - a scissor fob and a pin pillow with a place to attach your scissors....it also includes stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, complete finishing instructions for both the needlework smalls (including a paper template to help you cut the hexagons for the pin pillow), and an alphabet/numbers for personalization. The models were stitched on 28-count Jobelan Bone fabric - but I also suggest a linen: 30 or 35-count Baby's Breath by Weeks Dye Works....and for threads, I used Weeks Dye Works cotton floss - but a DMC conversion is also provided.

Blue Ribbon Designs Sunflower Serenade

Blue Ribbon Designs - Sunflower Serenade Needlework Smalls

You can find all the details and a complete materials list on my website:
www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD107%20Specifics.html 
...and additional photos can be found here:
www.blueribbondesigns.com/Sunflower%20Serenade.html

Automatic shop orders start shipping tomorrow and distributor orders will be shipping next week - so look for this new design to arrive at your favorite needlework shop (or online at your favorite webshop) very soon!
(NOTE: before you comment/post "I don't have a local needlework shop" - contact the shop where you purchase your stitching stash (charts and supplies)...it can be a local shop OR an online needlework shop...OR visit the "Locate" page on my website for a list of shops that will be able to assist you.)

Tomorrow, I will return with all sorts of information about "Berries, Birds, and Blooms"....

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A BIG Mysterious Announcement!

Today is the day! I can finally share with you some details on a HUGE project I have been working on for several weeks. I have been invited by the needlework distributor
Norden Crafts to be their next mystery sampler designer - yep, that's right I have designed the next project for the Mystery Sampler Club!

For those of you who are not familiar with the Mystery Sampler Club...you have to sign up with your favorite needlework shop (you can only get it through a needlework shop - your shop of choice - LNS or ONS) - they will have all the details for the program. There will be three parts to the "mystery sampler" - the first part is scheduled to be released in January - the second part in February - and the third part in March....together all three parts make one large sampler...with a photo of the entire project to be released with the third and final installment (hence the "mystery"). Many of you are familiar with the Lizzie Kate "Very Scary" Mystery Sampler and the With Thy Needle & Thread "Birds of a Feather" Mystery Sampler - this is the very same program.

Still keeping you in "suspense", here are a few details I can share about my "mystery" with you...

  • It has a "springtime" theme...
  • Each chart will contain a fun finishing idea...
  • Collect all three designs to unlock a mystery bonus on my website when the 3rd and final part is released...
  • The first part is set to be released on January 21, 2013...
  • Stitch count for the entire sampler is 150H x 300W - each installment will be approximately 150H x 100W...
So there you have it - the big announcement I have been waiting to share with you - I hope you will join in my excitement and contact your needlework shop of choice for all the details! 

(NOTE: before you comment/post "I don't have a local needlework shop" - contact the shop where you purchase your stitching stash (charts and supplies)...it can be a local shop OR an online needlework shop...OR visit the "Locate" page on my website for a list of shops that will be able to assist you.)

Start out your New Year with a fun, new, springtime project!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Giving Thanks...and a Squirrel Sequel...

With the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, I wanted to do a quick blog post - I have so many things to be extremely thankful for...a loving family, a wonderful husband, AMAZING friends (who accept me, my quirks, and my crazy busy schedule!), a career I find joy in every single day...there are truly too many things to list. I am thankful for all of you who share my passion, encourage me with your comments and emails, and support my designs - you all brighten my days - I am truly grateful for the success of Blue Ribbon Designs.

Today I received a special package in the mail - another reminder of my many blessings - it was a Thanksgiving card (right) from "one of the Enfield squirrels"...and an adorable (let's say) straw squirrel (below). See, it truly is "all about the squirrel". This time I have a pretty good guess who sent it to me - and you know it brought a HUGE smile to my face - thank you dear friend...you are sneaky, but I know where you live! See I am truly blessed with wonderful friends...


After hearing from so many of you about the photo collage I posted for Halloween, I decided to do the same thing with some of my Autumn/Thanksgiving designs. Over the past ten years or so, I have truly enjoyed designing charts and patterns especially for this time of year - I adore the colors of autumn...I thought you might enjoy seeing a collage that includes many these pieces...you can find additional information on each of these designs by exploring my website...enjoy!


To everyone celebrating tomorrow - and to my many international fans and friends - Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Winter White Ornaments

Holiday Cottage - approximately 4.5" x 4.5"
I managed to finish quite a few machine embroidered lace ornaments over the last couple weeks...if you have followed my blog for quite some time, then you know I make these each year to slip inside Christmas cards and tie on packages. This year I decided to make some to put in my Etsy shop...and not only did I make snowflakes, but I made some holiday cottages (gingerbread houses) and some ice skates. I actually got quite a few completed before my sewing embroidery machine decided to act up (it is still unhappy - waiting for parts - a new belt and housing mechanism - boohoo)...and I listed what I have in my Etsy shop last night. These ornaments are made on my embroidery machine...and are technically called "free-standing lace"...they are made entirely of thread! 

For those of you not familiar with an embroidery machine, here is a little idea of how these snowflakes are made - using digitized designs, the machine embroiders the ornaments on water-soluble stabilizer...once the design is completely stitched, you put it in water and the stabilizer dissolves, leaving you with a beautiful piece of lace made completely of embroidery thread. I like to put a piece of white ribbon through the hanger on each snowflake before placing it in a card or on a gift. Each large snowflake can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour to make, so I usually set up my machine and let them embroider while I am working on various other crafts in my studio...each cottage and ice skate take quite a bit longer, as they are larger and quite detailed.  In the photos you can see a selection of my embroidered snowflakes ...average size of the small snowflake is 1.75" W x 1.75" H...medium snowflakes are approximately 2.75" W x 2.75" H...and the large snowflakes are approximately 3.5" W x 3.5" H. The holiday cottage and the ice skate are a little bit bigger at approximately 4.5" W x 4.5" H. Many digitizers offer snowflake designs for machine embroidery, but if you are interested in these particular medium and large snowflake designs, they are designed by Criswell Embroidery & Design - the holiday cottage and the ice skate are digitized by Anita Goodesign....you can purchase digitized designs from both of these designers on a disk at your favorite quilt shop or by downloading them from their website.

Large snowflakes - approximately 3.5" x 3.5"

Ice Skate - approximately 4.5" x 4.5"

Small Snowflakes - approximately 1.75" x 1.75"

A selection of wrapped ornaments...

I have listed all of the ornaments I have completed...and with my machine waiting for parts I am not sure if I will be able to complete more before Christmas - if you have been waiting for these, please do not hesitate. They will be shipped on heavy cardstock and wrapped with GiftGloss to keep them nice, clean, and flat.

On a happy note: I have approved the printing proofs for the new designs and they will be delivered next week - so they should be available around the 1st of December...I will post more details in the next couple days. AND...I am very close to be able to share my big design surprise with you - just be patient a few more days...

It is a beautiful day and after wrapping up just a few more details at my desk, I am headed out for a long brisk walk - my training continues to go well - and a big thank you to those who have already supported my Komen 3-Day walk with a donation - I heart you all!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Pillow Talk

Earlier this week, I finished several pillows to send to my mother for her birthday...I had fun working on three pillows for her...and I am so glad I got them completed before my sewing machine needed to go in for repair.

SIDE NOTE: yep, my sewing/embroidery machine experienced a little hiccup yesterday and had to make a trip to the doctor today - she needed a little TLC...it turned out to be a simple belt issue and I was extremely relieved - I made it home and managed to sew for about 10 minutes before the exact same thing happened again...ugh. My dealer is about an hour and a half away, so I couldn't be more discouraged - the sewing machine tech will not be in until Monday morning, so Monday we have an appointment to head back and have the belt put back in place. Boohoo...my whole weekend without my fancy schmancy sewing machine...good thing I have a big cross stitching deadline to keep me busy!

Okay, enough about that whining - back to the pillows. The one in the top right photo with the tree button is a small pillow - maybe 3" x 3"...my mother has an adorable tiny rocking chair that belonged to my grandparents, so I thought it would be cute to send her a little patchwork pillow to display with it for the holidays. The two larger pillows (below) are 9.5" x 9.5" - the Redwork stitching is actually machine embroidery from an older Inspira Redwork Collection with the cutest designs (I just love them!). After the embroideries were completed, I cut them into 6.5" blocks and added 2" dark red print border strips....then backed them with a fun red and white print (hearts) and stuffed them firmly. I thought they finished up extra cute...and turns out, they matched my mother's living room perfectly. I figured she could use the one with the ice skating mouse during the winter...and the one with the rabbits gathering vegetables in the spring/summer....and if she wants, she can turn one around and show the red heart print for Valentine's Day.




I managed to get quite a few snowflakes and ornaments machine embroidered before the aforementioned "belt issue", so look for those this weekend - I just have to get them photographed and added to my Etsy shop...

My two new Blue Ribbon Designs ("Berries, Birds, and Blooms" and "Sunflower Serenade") that are being released in the very near future are at the printer and I will see a proof on Monday - once they are good to go, I will determine the exact release date information and post about the specifics - stay tuned...

It has been an incredibly busy (and somewhat frustrating) week...and I am now off to my stitching nest...I will be having a late night model stitching marathon!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

In One Year...

Do you know what you will be doing on this particular day in 2013? It always makes me giggle when a receptionist makes me an appointment 8 months in advance and wants to know if I am free at a particular time...well, for once, I know where I will be one year from today...

A couple weeks ago, I decided to make a BIG decision...start a new adventure...and make a difference. I will be walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-day in San Diego, CA - November 15-17, 2013. For those of you who are not familiar with the Komen 3-day, here is a little information -  it's a 3-day, 60-mile fundraising event to erase breast cancer. As a walker, I am required to raise at least $2,300 and walk 60 miles in three consecutive days, creating awareness about breast health with every step. Net proceeds will help support research, scientific programs, and community-based breast health and education programs.  I’m going to be taking this incredible journey to help end breast cancer forever...

This is something I have thought about doing for quite some time, but the idea of trying to raise a minimum of $2300 definitely scared me away - after-all, I rather lick the earpiece of a pay telephone than ask people to donate or discuss money (and that is saying a lot, as I am definitely a germ-a-phobe!). But when two of my dear friends recently walked the Komen 3-Day in Dallas and raised almost $10,000, I was awe-inspired - I just knew I needed to get involved in this incredible event.

Twenty-five years ago, I might have thought I could walk 20 miles a day without training or preparation...but now, I definitely know better! In fact, I started my training a little over a week ago - last week, I logged 28 walking miles and three hours of cardio exercise. So, I am starting early with one year to train and prepare...and I am ever-so-thankful I have a fancy treadmill to assist me when the snow and ice arrive!

I hope you will follow me on my journey - I won't fill my blog with information...I'll still focus on stitching, quilting, crafting, and inspiration here...but I may mention my progress from time to time and let you know when I hit a milestone...or when I need a little encouragement...

My close friends know, I absolutely HATE asking for help and think I can do everything on my own - but this gigantic goal is forcing me "outside of my box"...outside of my comfort zone. Here are just a few things you can do to help me...

  • Check in on me from time to time and send me some encouraging words (I know I am going to need them).
  • Consider making a donation - no matter how big or small - it WILL make a difference.
  • Share my fundraising page (http://www.the3day.org/goto/belinda) with friends, family, employers that have the common goal to fight this dreadful disease.
  • Keep an eye on my Etsy shop - my sales will be helping fund my journey.

We all give in our own way and I am truly grateful for your love and support!

If you would like to learn  more about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day - visit: http://www.the3day.org/

If you would like read more about why I am walking, make a donation to help me reach my goal, or see my weekly training updates - visit:
http://www.the3day.org/goto/belinda

Together we can fight this disease and find a cure...

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

On The Agenda...

It is going to be another busy week here at the Blue Ribbon Designs studio! I have so many projects and activities in the works...but really, when are things ever calm here?? I have a list a mile long...so it is a good GREAT thing my dear friend in California send me an AMAZING journal to keep my thoughts and lists organized...isn't it adorable?! I just love the sentiments, ribbons, and pictures on the cover...and have already filled multiple pages with writing, trying to keep myself on track...

Here is a little bit about what is going on in my world...
I made a trip to the local quilt shop last Friday to pick-up more machine embroidery thread - I have been making all sorts of machine embroidered lace snowflake ornaments to list in my Etsy shop...they are not posted yet, but will be soon - I am finishing up a HUGE batch before listing them. I will post some photos and more details here when I am ready to put them in the shop...


Of course when I visited the quilt shop, a couple other things caught my eye...I just adore the line of fabric Odds and Ends by Julie Comstock of Cosmo Cricket for Moda (the large piece of fabric in the photo)! I have a fun plan for this fabric...and of course I needed a few zippers...and a pattern by one of my favorite designers (Terry Atkinson) called "Popovers" - cute little pouches that will be perfect for the holidays...


My days have been filled working on the printing files for two new design releases - "Sunflower Serenade" and "Berries, Birds, and Blooms". I have finished up the files and the designs are now in printing production. There will be more details posted soon and I will have a release date for you in the near future (patience please). I have also been working on a large new project...and I can't give you any information just yet...but know there is something VERY special in the works and you will be hearing all about it SOON! I also have the class design for the Elegant Stitch Workshop underway...Lois has a "teaser" up on her website, but there will be much more information on this project in the coming weeks, as well....just give me a little more time.

I really wish I had some time for sewing and quilting, but things have been a bit hectic - I do have some fun ideas for holiday sewing and I hope to share some with you in the coming weeks! I am actually going through a bit of sewing machine withdrawal - I am just itching to work on a new project or two....however, that will have to wait while I work on a custom order for twenty-five needlebooks (yes, I really need more hours in each day!)...

So, I am off to tackle more items on my list...and get in my exercise for the day - a power walk (more on that later this week)...plus Simba needs a little attention too...


Saturday, November 10, 2012

"Flurry Friends"

Several months ago, I designed a pair of winter season kitchen towels for Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine. The editor asked me to design for two 15" x 25" White Showcase Huck towels (made by Charles Craft) - each with a
4 1/8" x 5 1/2" 14-count insert panel for cross stitching...they wanted a winter design for the January 2103 issue. I had fun designing these two kitchen towel inserts with a country winter scene...and I just had to add a snowman on each (hence the title "Flurry Friends"). I got my first look at this brand new issue this evening - my designs appear on pages 10 - 11...and the magazine re-titled them "Country Winter" without my knowledge...not really a typical Blue Ribbon title, but I guess I have to roll with it. Of course each design would look GREAT framed on their own - the stitch count for each is 58W x 78H - in fact, they would look fabulous on hand-dyed linen (maybe in a wintery blue or gray) and would be perfect for a weekend stitching project! The models are stitched with DMC 6-strand cotton embroidery floss - but they could be easily converted to your favorite hand-dyed floss. I could see them matted together (sided by side) and placed in the same frame...hmm...if there were more hours in the day, I would have to stitch them again. This issue is hitting mailboxes, needlework shops, and newsstands now...so be sure to add it to your collection...

My "Flurry Friends" designs (aka "Country Winter")
Photo credit: Cross-Stitch & Needlework Magazine (January 2013)

Monday, November 5, 2012

An Artistic Journey

The Enfield Shaker Museum - Museum Store
It is not a secret - after my first teaching trip to Enfield, NH, staying in the Great Shaker Dwelling House (also known as: The Enfield Shaker Museum), I have become increasingly interested in the Shaker culture, history, and lifestyle. Since doing a little research for my first Shaker teaching design, my interest in "all things Shaker" has grown tremendously. Several years ago, my quest for knowledge started at the public library (surprisingly, I did find a few titles)...but over time, I have built quite a collection of informative Shaker books. My favorite titles on the subject are related to Shaker art, drawings, furniture, and style...and most are "table-style" books. On my recent visit to the Enfield Shaker Museum, I picked up a few more books to ship home - now I know I could have found these beautiful hardcover books at a discounted price (or even used copies), but I purchased new books from the extensive collection in the Museum Store - I am happy to support the museum and the artists and writers of these historical books....after all, they provide me with hours of enjoyment and tons of inspiration for future designs.

The first book I selected to purchase and ship home was A Shaker Sister's Drawings: Wild Plants Illustrated by Cora Helena Sarle. The history behind this book is quite interesting...
In the 1880's, Cora Helena Sarle (a young woman at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire) was considered too frail to take part in the rigorous daily duties of the working Shaker Sisters - with her talent for art, the spiritual leader of the community (Elder Henry Clay Blinn), suggested that she use her gift for the good of the communal family. At his suggestion, she began her task of recording all the wild plants, herbs, and flowers around the village - she filled two notebooks with more than 180 exquisite (and accurate) color illustrations (watercolor drawings)....and each drawing is complemented by growing conditions of the wild and cultivated plants. This is a beautiful book featuring Helena's intricate botanical watercolor drawings...is is not necessarily a book to be "read", but a book to "savor"...

The second book I added to my ever-growing collection is Seen and Received: The Shakers' Private Art (The Gift Drawing Collection of Hancock Shaker Village) by Sharon Duane Koomler. This book highlights a collection of twenty-five gift drawings from the Hancock Shaker Village - these notable drawings are of exceptional quality, range and scale...and the images in this collection are representative of the wide spectrum of works created by Shaker artists. This comprehensive catalog contains concise biographies...complete, literal transcriptions of the text in each drawing...and full-color illustrations of all twenty-five of the Hancock Shaker Village drawings. As I study and explore this publication and the wonderful color images, I continue to be amazed - although, at first glance, each drawing tends to look symmetrical, I have found most of the detailed drawings to be a well-balanced blend of symmetry and asymmetry. Many are filed with "spirit writing", texts, and verse...and also include intricate geometric patterns, cryptic characters, traditional motifs and dramatic use of color. For an artist, these works are a definitely feast for the eyes...and I am truly inspired by each and every work...

Looking through both of these books, I find myself excited to design my next class project for the New England Stitcher's Retreat ...inspiration is sometimes found where I least expect it...
I hope you will make a little time to cultivate your special interests and take an artistic journey...

“Libraries are reservoirs of strength, grace and wit, reminders of order, calm and continuity, lakes of mental energy, neither warm nor cold, light nor dark. The pleasure they give is steady, unorgastic, reliable, deep and long-lasting.” - Dr. Germaine Greer

Sunday, November 4, 2012

It's All About The Squirrel

Squirrels in my "Schoolgirl Samplings" design...
Today's post is all about the squirrel - this might sound funny, but I do have a reason for this statement...and I might just make you giggle while I make my point...

Squirrels have been mentioned several times on my blog...mostly when I am traveling and manage to get a photo or two....they are also found in my design work - in fact, there are multiple Blue Ribbon Designs that contain a squirrel or two...and squirrels have been part of multiple classroom conversations during my recent teaching events. In fact, on my last journey, during the New England Stitcher's Retreat, a squirrel pewter pincushion was the gift everyone wanted during the "Yankee Swap" game - that cute little squirrel was stolen quite a few times during the game (can you believe it - someone actually stole it from me! - boo hoo) and was the definitely the most desired gift...we had a lot of fun giggling about that special squirrel. On that trip, while visiting King Arthur Flour (before the Yankee Swap game), I even purchased an adorable little squirrel cookie cutter.


Since September, when I  traveled to Buffalo, New York, squirrels have come up multiple times in conversation...especially after I posted a photo of a black squirrel I took at Niagara Falls State Park. It always interests me to see the color of the squirrels at each of my teaching destinations - here in Iowa, our squirrels are mostly fox squirrels...but as I have traveled, I have seen grey squirrels, black squirrels, and red squirrels...it always seems to become a topic of conversation...one day I hope to see a flying squirrel (a girl can dream!).

A black squirrel I photographed a Niagara Falls State Park...
A squirrel I photographed at Camp Bethel in Haddam, CT (staying at Sue's Cottage
before teaching at Stitcher's Hideaway)
An Iowa Fox Squirrel
So, I guess I should (finally) get to my point - on Friday, a surprise package arrived in my mailbox...it was the cutest T-shirt...of course it has a squirrel on it and the words "The Squirrel Whisperer" - I started giggling immediately - what a delightful gift! It was actually a random act of kindness (RAK), as there was not a card or note enclosed (it came from the manufacturer)...no information, whatsoever (I am not sure if this was intentional or not). Those of you who know me well, know I send personal hand-written thank you notes...and without the information of the sender, that is pretty much impossible...so here I am publicly thanking the wonderful individual who brightened my day and sent me such a fun gift (I hope the sender is reading this)! You made me smile and I am truly thankful for your thoughtfulness and kind gesture - please know you made me so very happy, I adore my new t-shirt, and I appreciate you!


Friday, November 2, 2012

An Autumn Afternoon

To say things have been a bit hectic for me lately would be an understatement - the last several weeks, I honestly don't know whether I am coming or going...and to make things a bit more crazy, my husband has been on vacation this week. He planned to spend the majority of the week in the timber bow hunting...but truth be told, I think his plan is to completely drive me crazy - seems he has been home quite a bit and is definitely hindering my work progress. I really needed a few hours to clear my head today, so I asked him to take me to the Blank Park Zoo - I figured we could get some fresh air and enjoy a sunny, autumn afternoon... and spending a few hours of quality time with him might allow me to focus on work for a day without complaint.

I was a gorgeous afternoon - the sun was shining - it was right around 60 degrees - and there was a light breeze....a perfect day to spend at the zoo! Since it was the middle of the week and children are in school, we pretty much had the zoo to ourselves and enjoyed a leisurely walk through the park. Many of the animals thrive in this fall weather...the exhibits on display were quite active. I loved seeing the wallabies hopping around...and even captured a photo of a mama taking care of two joeys. The penguins seemed to be having the most fun of all - swimming and diving in the water...in fact, they were making me so happy, I had to record a little video (we'll see if this works, as it is my first video...fingers crossed)...


As always, I had my camera along and took these photos to share with you...














It was a wonderful day to spend an afternoon outside of the office...and although I felt a little guilty for taking some time away, it was much needed. I hope you are making a little time to enjoy the crisp autumn air...