16 x 20 in.

And last I left you, to get some sleep. And sleep I did get (with the best Sunday afternoon nap), along with this project I completed! my first ever embroidered illustration that I am submitting to the tea towel show today. I can’t tell you how much FUN this was, and also how much time it took. It is all hand stitched and pieced together, one fabric swatch (several from Emily’s fabric gift!), and embroidery stitch at a time. I had an initial image in mind and then I let the overall design grow from there.

Now that I am officially rested and back here at the blog, FIRST things FIRST!
I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased the new book so far!! Your support means the world to me and I can’t wait to get the books out to you!

I also want to wish everyone a happy father’s day! Sometimes I think that my audience here at the blog is mostly the lovely ladies, but I realize that there just may be some dads who are out there reading too and I sincerely want to honor you! All I can say is, Dad’s are the BEST!

Father’s day is always a very poignant day for me, because I’m reminded that my dad is not "here" with me. And in that very same moment I remember that he’s always here with me, and yesterday I celebrated him in the best possible way. My dad had a lifelong love of the ocean, also one of his greatest gifts he shared with me ~ one of the many reasons I enjoy surfing so much ~ and yesterday that is where we were, in the ocean.

Also my thoughts are with everyone out there mourning the loss of Tim Russert, especially of course his wife and his son. Also an only child who lost their dad suddenly during my college years, this is a circumstance I am all too familiar with, and I found myself in tears on Friday night as I watched MSNBC for hours in disbelief while I learned even more about this amazing man’s life. I also watched Tim’s son, Luke on the Today Show this morning. He certainly is his father’s son, embodying so much strength and grace and sincerity at such a delicate time. Even though we may never meet these television personalities, they feel like a part of our extended families, coming into our home almost daily as we trust them to deliver and impart their knowledge to us. And since you already know how much I value authenticity, integrity and a true joyful spirit that loves life, then it goes without saying why I respected and admired this man and journalist so very much.