If you have been following my blog for any time, you know that I have a soft spot in my heart for Mutts. A daily comic written by Patrick McDonell of the antics of Mooch the cat, Earl the dog and their surrounding cast of characters. My day starts out with my tea and Mutts, each and every day without fail. You will find a handful of my favorites ones clipped from the paper and cleverly framed and hung about the house so I can enjoy them always.

This was originally published after 9.11.2012,  but I came across this on Facebook yesterday with these wonderful written words…

“This strip originally ran on September 11, 2002. Though Hurricane Sandy is a very different event from 9/11, it seems appropriate to repost this now. Our hearts go out to everyone dealing with aftermath of this storm. Not just in Manhattan, but also the outer boroughs, Long Island, other parts of NY, CT, DE, MD, VA and of course ALL of Jersey — where our hearts lie.

Sending wishes of peace and healing to all who’ve been feeling the effects. May we come together and grow stronger by helping one another.”

I am one of the lucky ones as I sit warm and comfy in my house with my felines and the Mac. Not so much for many people on the East Coast as my heart and prayers go out to you. I had a conversation with my sister yesterday as I don’t remember these weather patterns happening when I grew up in NY.

On another sad note, Estelle Kreinik, co-founder of Kreinik thread company recently passed.

She is pictured here with her son Doug, who runs the family owned company today. Stop and think, what would our stitching lives be without Kreinik? Just think…just think of the last time you stitched anything at all without a bit of sparkle in your canvas from the Kreinik threads? I speak for many of us by saying thank you! Thank you for making our stitching just a little more enjoyable. To the Kreinik family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

The blogless time that we spent together… and not sure if that really is a word or not? Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead came and went. While searching for inspiration about the Day of the Dead, I found this great explanation. Did you also know that it is celebrated both on November 1rst and 2nd?

“The belief is that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them”

Ofrendos or beautiful altars, pan de muerto, buckets of marigolds, favorite foods and toys for the angelitos are just some of the many traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead. The presence of the sugar skulls being the most well known.

Sugar Skull Tradition

Sugar art was brought to the New World by Italian missionaries in the 17th century. The first Church mention of sugar art was from Palermo at Easter time when little sugar lambs and angels were made to adorn the side altars in the Catholic Church.

Mexico, abundant in sugar production and too poor to buy fancy imported European church decorations, learned quickly from the friars how to make sugar art for their religious festivals. Clay molded sugar figures of angels, sheep and sugar skulls go back to the Colonial Period 18th century. Sugar skulls represented a departed soul, had the name written on the forehead and was placed on the home ofrenda or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art reflects the folk art style of big happy smiles, colorful icing and sparkly tin and glittery adornments. Sugar skulls are labor intensive and made in very small batches in the homes of sugar skull makers. These wonderful artisans are disappearing as fabricated and imported candy skulls take their place.

This is one of my favorite sugar skulls that has been done on canvas. Original artwork by Manuel Salas and perfectly transformed onto canvas by Peggi of Tapestry Fair.

It would be hard to select just one! I have seen many of these being stitched and each one just keeps getting better and better.

Well it is time for me to get motivated and decide what to do with myself today. I do need a thread run as wouldn’t you know…I am out of white Splendor! Now how can that be? Oh well it is a good excuse to head down to La Jolla, breakfast at the Cottage and a little retail therapy.

and until next time…keep on stitching