yup...another one complete

Can you believe it? Another one!



Last night while waiting for the election results to come in, I worked like a crazy woman to complete this final rug to take to the show on Saturday!



I really love the fabrics in all of the burgundy rugs I've completed! They just go so well with everything!



If you're in the area, stop by the Woodlake Apples and Arts Craft Show this Saturday, November 12, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. I'd love to see you!!! It's at Woolridge Elementary in Midlothian!

Have a great Wednesday!

golden shells

My Mom asked me to make one of her friends a Thanksgiving/Holiday wreath
with shells on it. They live at the beach, of course!



I honestly love this color combination with the shells!



It's very festive and could stay on her door from now until after the new year! It's holiday neutral! Simply Fall!



Hope you like it!

mountain bike monday - Spot comes out of the doghouse!

He's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Well, it's been a long while since Spot was out on the trails! We were trying to think back to when we got MUTT. I think it was in the early Spring sometime! Actually, this is when the blog comes in handy! It was in April. So, it's been a while since Spot was out!



Back when I got MUTT, Dynamo had to strip most of Spot's parts off to build him up. So, Spot sat in the garage in pieces. Building bikes up takes time and money! And, remember...the lighter the components, the more expensive! So, my Stan's Crest wheels went on MUTT and the wheels that came with Spot orginally went back on him. And, let's just say...they are a little heavy! I can definitely tell the weight difference between Spot and MUTT.



So, out on the trail Spot and I had a little talk before starting. We agreed to be patient with one another. If you'll remember...my Spot is a belt drive single speed. So, that means one gear! And, after riding with 9 gears since April it was a little difficult at first.



Some of the hills that originally gave me trouble, but hadn't for a while, did. But, I am a better rider now, so I did notice that I attacked the hills differently...I knew when to stand, and I felt more powerful than when I first took Spot out a long time ago.



I did a lot of talking to myself and Spot. Amazingly...I rode faster than on my geared bike. That always happens. So, I've confirmed my conclusion that I always knew. GEARS MAKE ME LAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I knew that I had gotten a little slack on the flats...not pushing as hard as I could. I knew that I was loafing a little. Yes, because I didn't have that "I feel like I'm gonna throw up" feeling inside often. But, yesterday I remembered what that feeling felt like and I knew I had to shape up.



But, my ride was still pleasant and fun! My legs aren't too sore today, but I know that in order to continue growing as a rider and getting stronger and faster, I am going to have to get out there and ride Spot more often. I think I need to alternate between him and MUTT.



If you'll remember...last winter I was riding 30 miles on Spot. Yes, one gear...30 miles! Off road! Gears have ruined me. And, imagine if I had 30 gears like some people. I only have 9 on MUTT, which is too many for me! I think I'm going to change out my back sprocket on MUTT to make the gearing a little tougher. Correction...I'm going to ask Dynamo to change it out!

The simplicity of yesterday's ride was awesome. I caught myself several times moving my thumb to shift, but then realizing quickly instead of shifting I had to pedal pedal or stand! There's no resting on a SS! It's just easier to keep pedaling and keep the momentum going. Otherwise, the big 29 inch tires will feel like a ton of bricks to get moving again!



Many thanks to my Dynamo for getting Spot back out there! He's quite the bike builder! We did build Spot up piece by piece. As it always goes in the swapping of parts...I ended up with a sweet component for my MUTT....I got Dynamo's fork from his MCR!! He says I always make out good in these exchanges. It used to be that he would be able to sell things as he swapped, but now that we are both riding, I'm always willing to take the "hand-me-downs"! So, finally, we have all 6 bikes ready to roll! Remember...there's a bike for every purpose. And, the MCR frame will be going up for sale soon too...so we'll be all set...FINALLY!! Rome wasn't built in a day!

shells please

I decided to combine some shells with my latest Christmas wreath!



The ribbon I chose to use was not traditional in color so I decided to step out and add some shells to attract some sea lovers!



And, the shells came straight from one of our many shell hunting excursions while visiting Mom and Dad Chieppa in Florida! No, I didn't find the starfish, but they are real and I bought them at a great little shop on Anna Maria Island! I have a slight obsession with shells and sand dollars. I just can't seem to get enough of them. It's a little ridiculous. Right, Mr. C?

What could it be?...another rug?

Yes...that's right...another completed rug! Am I insane? I really love making these things!





They all just turn out so differently. I really enjoy seeing how they come together.



What do you think? This one is 20 x 33 inches.

free motion stitched pins

Here are some free motion stitched pins that I'll have at the Craft Show on November 12th!



The holiday poinsettias are so pretty. The free motion stitching on the petals really accents the design.



These flowers are great on your winter coat or a suit jacket! They give some pizazz to a plain color.

mountain bike monday - some fall riding

Yesterday was a little chilly when we hopped out of the car to head out onto the trails. When we started I wasn't too excited. Sometimes you have those days where you just aren't all there! But...after we got started and I made it up the first couple of big hills I decided that it could be a good day if I wanted it to be. Plus, it made it better when Dynamo told me we could just take our time and enjoy the ride.



Riding is like anything else. It's 80% mental and 20% physical. For me at least it is. Some days I feel as if it's 100% mental. My mind has always been my worst enemy. If you've ever read Joel Osteen's book, Your Best Life Now, you know he talks all about the power of positive thinking. There is a real power to thinking positively.



All through school I was a softball pitcher. I'm used to having to talk to myself and pep myself up. So, on the trail there are many times when I'm talking to myself, my bike, or both. It's something about outwardly expressing what you're thinking that seems to make it happen. This is why I name my bikes too! Yes, if you talk nicely to them they will respond!

I'm a big quote person too! I love to read quotes and would have my entire bike plastered with quotes if I could. It would look like those cars with thousands of bumper stickers on them. The main quotes that I'm going to put on my handlebars are going to be 1. Just Pedal Damnit! and 2. You can do this!

More choice phrases would be:
If this was easy everyone would do it.
Life is what you make it!
We are what our thoughts make us!
I'm gonna live longer because of this!
Be grateful you CAN do this!
Enjoy this day!

It was a beautiful day and I had to shed a layer of clothes a couple of miles in. Dynamo volunteered to hold my shirt for me. He is a minimalist, so he has very few things in his Camelbak! Unlike me who has, Ibproufen, trail maps, tissues, camera, knife, phone, chapstick, and girl items. If you need something, it's likely that I have it!. Tools...no! Camera....yes! I carry the essentials!



Some of the re-routes on the trails posed new challenges for me. I think after I see them a few times, I'll feel comfortable enough with the lines. Dynamo was showing me a line over some roots in the above pic.



He can go over any obstacle so smoothly and without much effort. Me...I'm like a bull in a china shop! I keep telling myself to "be light on the bike." "Be one with the bike!" One day it might sink in!

Until then, that's what practice is for right? We finished up the Lakeview Trails logging around 13 miles.

Hope your weekend was enjoyable! Mine was!