This isn't the greatest of photos, but it was a fantastic moon - the Blue Moon of May... When I noticed it shining through the tree leaves, I HAD to go inside for the camera. The way the clouds were surrounding it, allowing it's beautiful glow to reflect from them. Does the moon call to you? I LOVE the crescent moon, but sometimes a full moon just draws me in.
Several have commented on the motif in the middle - Sphinx or Tut ?? - well, I can't clarify it for you! My intention was to make a curved seam there with the soft, gold fabric. It was too much of a curve for what I intended, so I was folding it to see what could be done, and it draped in such a way that it made me think of this, so started with the face, then the band at the top, and finally the earring. It's a total accident that turned out well enough for me to leave it.
The pyramid is a velvet triangle that I ran across while 'auditioning' fabric. I did a buttonhole stitch around the edges, attached it to the block, then buttonhole stitched with a copper colored metallic thread to make the blocks and angle. I traced the ankh from a graphic shapes book onto tissue and stitched through that. The snake was an after thought to help balance the pyramid. I found a listing of hieroglyphics to 'spell' out the word Egypt and free handed them in chalk to stitch.
Thanks for your kind words!!
Here's my Egyptian block. JK and I must have had some of the same ideas, hu?
JK over at the CQ for Newbies group has started an Egyptian swap, and I made a block last night to embellish. Here's how it's started...
Apparently I'm not the only one who is creative in this neighborhood... See what I found when I went out this morning? Evidently my yard wasn't the only target, just the most copious!! They left the rolls here, so they must've been easier to handle by the time they got this far.
You can also see that my poor gardenia is in sad shape from the Easter freeze!
This evening I'm sharing a few photos of a few blooms around the house and my veggie garden. It's actually a small garden, but more than I'll need so I can share the bounty.
The roses were just beginning to bloom when I snapped this shot on Mother's Day, May 13.
This is the first time my Spanish dogwood bloomed. I planted it two (?) years ago.
This is the season's first 'red' peony - it's really bright pink. There are several more buds ready to pop!
Today the roses are in full bloom - such a deep wine red, and look almost like velvet. Is this the Knockout rose I hear so much about?
Here's my little veggie garden with tomatoes on the right. There was a sprinkle of rain late yesterday, but you can see that it's time to get the soaker hoses in place for this SC red soil.
then two rows of green beans...
two rows of corn... and squash on the left, 
and then there are cucumbers. The ones on the end were plants, but the little seeded ones have just about caught up! Do I need more fancy fabric for my stash? No way, BUT do I look like someone to turn down a great deal? No way! If you DO need stash, or if you WANT more stash, take a look at Karen South's summer sale. I requested/paid for mine on Sunday, and received them yesterday, Wednesday. They're beautiful, and exactly what we discussed! Karen's quite easy to work with if you have special requests, too!
I've finished The Gunslinger - The Dark Tower I by Stephen King. It's not my typical genre, but son and Lesa loved it so much that I decided to give it a try. Both of them said the first book was kind of slow, but I didn't think it especially so. I'm intrigued enough to get the next in the series to see if it keeps my interest. You'll note that the photo is from an online standard photo.
I have been looking for the source for the name of my blog. I read it once, and partially remembered that it was from an old quilt or other stitching...and finally, I found the one I remember on Patricia's Quilter's Muse:
I have been tagged by Ati for the Seven Things Meme. I've been watching this go around in the blog rolls I travel, and it's fun learning new things about those whose blogs I read often. Some folks enjoy telling about themselves, and others, like me, find it rather difficult.
1. I've lived alone, or as a single parent - son or Pixie, for 26 years - and love it! There are times when a companion would be nice; like lawn mowing, home keeping, etc., but that stuff can be 'hired' and I don't have to pick up their socks! I have been called a hermit because I can stay alone for unknown amounts of time. I don't care for parties, social gatherings, etc., but do manage family things - for a short time.
2. I don't feel like my imagination tells me a 53 year old woman should feel - although I do love needlework - embroidery, tatting, crazy quilting. I was disappointed to hear, on Grey's Anatomy the other night, that she was dried up and should be doing needlework. Pllleeeaase!
3. Both my parents are living, and my mom still works at Walmart as a greeter. I get my desire to retire from my dad :-)
4. I rarely listen to music and the house is usually quiet unless I'm actually watching TV - or decide to jump up to the computer, like now...
5. I record my favorite TV shows so I can scan through them without watching commercials. DVR is the best thing I've ever subscribed to. My favorite shows? Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, CSI, 24, NCSI, House, Boston Legal, The Riches, The Closer, Nip/Tuck, American Idol (though this year wasn't the best), Dancing with the Stars, Medium, and home improvement/real estate shows if there's time left over.
6. I have several tattoos - and want another.
7. I started back smoking -- after several years. Truth be told, that's probably most of the reason I've lost some weight.
So there you have it... now, let me decide on a few I haven't seen or noted a request already ... and don't feel pressured. If you don't want to do this, that's fine! Tag; you're it...
Did you think I'd ever finish this little pillow? I was beginning to wonder myself! It is finished. 
I found one of the school's logos online, printed it on fabric, then attempted to applique it onto the black velvet center. It is surrounded with a bit of tatting and beads.
Rete over at Arts & Quilts has decided that since May begins the second quarter of the year, she plans to take action, and invites others to join in with her.
I decided to check back on my New Year's Check List and update:
1. Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) that will be a year long project offered by Sharon Bogon - her site is down for the time being. She will offer a new stitch each Tuesday and we will work and play with the stitch to find all the variations of the stitch. (REMOVE)
This one fell through. I did them for a while, then it wasn't exciting to me any more. I do still watch the list of blogs - which is how I came across the one that led to this post!
2. Completing the Newbie Group 1 Birthday swap (Finished)
This one is complete - well, I'm the May person and haven't received mine, but it IS only the beginning of May!
3. The Chains of Hearts (CoH) group that is an 'as you complete' group. There are many with whom I have not swapped and would love to. (On Hold)
I'm still a member of this group, but have gone on Digest mail. I had hearts available, and I suppose everyone who wanted to swap with me did. That's OK - haven't been doing a terribly lot of CQ this year anyway. My craft of favor comes and goes :-).
4. The Newbies Share Our Hearts (SoH) group that is a monthly heart (On Going)
This one is still on my list - May 15 will be here before we know it, won't it?
5. Finish the Travel Quilt (On Going)
I've worked on it some, but not as much as I should. It is still a goal.
6. I'm thinking of joining the 25 Tatting project (Finished)
Did join, and have completed.
Additions:
7. CQ'd pillow for Graduation: May 5 (Finished)
8. Garden theme block for CQ for Newbies: May 25
9. Tatted bookmark for Needle_Tat Group: End of May
10. Tatted bookmark for PalTatters group: June
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