1-2-3 Stitch!

Today was my last Jane Austen class. It was a lot of fun, and I am sad that it's over. It's given me a lot of good ideas, though! This web site has some really fabulous Jane Austen-themed cross-stitch patterns. (Just do a search for Jane Austen.) This little pillow looks like a fun project.

Embroidered Pillow

We had a Christmas decoration exchange last Friday, and we were supposed to make handmade gifts. I used some clip art to embroider this holly wreath on linen. I thought this little pillow turned out pretty cute.

Penhaligon's Scent Library

We really love Penhaligon's perfume/cologne, so we picked up the scent library the last time we were downtown. It has 10 scents for men and women. My husband has the large size of Blenheim Bouquet - it smells fantastic. Of the ones that I've tried, I really like Lily & Spice - a beautiful floral scent.

Friday Featured Art: White Wash

I have to feature Joe, again, because I just saw this painting on his site, and I love it. It's called "White Wash," and it reminds me of living in Missouri - there was an old vacant white house across the street from us, and I loved to look at it.

Thursday Text: The Mansion

President Monson mentioned a book called The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke during his talk for the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday. It's an interesting old book with a great message for Christmas. This is the 100th anniversary of its printing. You can read an edition with some beautiful illustrations on Google Books here.

Hobby Lobby Flowers

Remember the cute little vase that I got at the barn sale? Here it is with some fantastic flowers from Hobby Lobby. They have really beautiful silk flowers and while they're kind of expensive, they're usually on sale. I just got three and cut off the stems and wired them together. I like how they turned out - I'll have to save up to make some more arrangements!

The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos

Did you see the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday? It was really great. You can view it here. They introduced the new Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos that the Church has been working on. So exciting! Go here to preview.

Needlepoint iPad Case

I saw this cute needlepoint iPad case in Country Living. It's from Lands' End, and if I had an iPad I think this would be a pretty fun cover.

Friday Featured Art: H.M. Brock

In working on my latest class project, I discovered some fantastic tinted line drawings done by C.E. Brock and his brother H.M. Brock. This one is Elizabeth Bennet gazing on a portrait of Mr. Darcy at Pemberley (by H.M. Brock).

Thursday Tunes: I Vow To Thee My Country

I Vow To Thee My Country is a beautiful British hymn set to a variation of Holst's Jupiter theme. You can read the lyrics here. Below is fabulous Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins with her rendition.