I’m obviously loving these Birds of a Feather charts. Or maybe it’s the feeling of not being late for something for a change? Or the ease of simply using the called-for materials instead of re-inventing the wheel every time I stitch? Whatever the cause, I finished Cold as a Lizard last night and here it is! (The fabric is a very light, mottled creamy tan that just doesn’t photograph well, darn it!)
The mailman brought me some goodies yesterday. First up was a mystery packet from Anna that turned out to contain these lovely note cards. Anna had included some information about the artist on the envelope – someone local to her area who painted in Maine – but the envelope was confiscated for the woodstove before I copied the information down. Anna, could you tell me the artist’s name? I love these, and I write a lot of “snail mail” post, so they’ll be both appreciate and useful. Thanks for such a great surprise gift!
I also won an egg calender (I know, it’s a bit much isn’t it, me and my eggs? LOL!) from Fresh Eggs Daily that I’ve done up in a bit of a glamour shot with some squash we’ll be eating for dinner. 
Speaking of dinner, it’s Tuesday – the marketplace day when I sell my eggs and buy local organic goodies that I can’t grow/raise at Chateau Chaos. For the first time since the moult this summer, I’ll be taking in 10 dozen eggs. It doesn’t even touch the grain costs, but it sure is a welcome change from the paltry amounts I had been taking in a month ago! Here are a few of the girls (and a fella) who make it possible:
It’ll be a day of running around and doing errands, so don’t expect anything too ambitious from me for a couple of days. 
January 24th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Oh that lizard is too cool! BOF designs are classic. Sorry the snow is gone?! Ours is too but then it wasn’t much at all though. Where’s our January snow????
Tanya
January 24th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Oh well done – what a truly smashing lizard!
January 24th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
The lizard is adorable. And congratulations on the impressive egg production. Even if it doesn’t cover the cost of the feed, you still enjoy the pleasure of truly fresh eggs in your own kitchen. Nothing tastes better.
January 24th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
You stitched one wonderful lizard! I love the colors in this piece. I think it’s fun that you enjoy your fresh eggs so much.
January 24th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Somedays, just reading your posts wear me out! Love the colors of your chickens and your lizard is adorable. I do the same thing when I’m stitching something for myself, if I don’t agree with colors chosen, I’ll change everything too. But, sometimes, you’re right, just go with what was originally charted to make your day a bit calmer.
Stay warm!
January 24th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Looooove the lizard!!!!
January 24th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Cute lizard! and cute chickens too! Have a lovely day.
January 24th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
What a cute finish! Love the egg calendar and great note cards!
January 24th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Wow! Two BoaFs done. You go girl!! They both look great. Already stitching Easter stuff–I am so impressed. I am still back on autumn. LOL
January 24th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Cute lizard! Those cards and calender are great – do show some more pics from the calendar.
January 24th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Great finish! Love the lizard and what a nice gift from Anna. The chickens are so pretty and how wonderful to be able to have your own eggs.
January 24th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Barbara, I am glad you like the cards. Ben Wolf was a Philadelphia artist who took Maine as a special subject. The watercolors were donated to Bryn Mawr College’s library with the intent that they would be made into cards for sale to support the library. I think the fun fact I included about him on the envelope (because who writes a card to put into a package of cards?) was that during World War II, he was a combat artist for the Coast Guard.
Here are a couple of links to more info: http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/mirabile/mirabile1/wolf.html
http://articles.philly.com/1996-12-07/news/25640935_1_art-classes-philadelphia-artist-fine-arts
Love the lizard!
January 24th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Thanks for the background information. I love the cards and their wonderful Maine feel.
January 25th, 2012 at 1:19 am
I love your sweet finish! And your girls (and guy) are just beoootiful! But I am definitely feeling the pain of free-loading chickens. It’s a good thing I keep them for entertainment value, as well as the eggs!
January 25th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Oh I hear you, Joy! On a good week, like this week, the money I get from selling their eggs pays for slightly more than half the grain they eat during the week. LOL – hardly a money-making venture! But they provide such a lot of relaxation and entertainment, especially in the summer when they’re out wandering around.
And the fresh eggs can’t be beat!
January 25th, 2012 at 3:55 am
Love your finish. Another finish! wow…
January 25th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Glad the chickens are doing their job so well, Barbara–that is a lot of eggs to take in to sell. And what an adorable lizard…(if lizards can be adorable??)…
January 26th, 2012 at 10:57 am
The lizard is cute.
January 27th, 2012 at 8:47 am
Adorable lizard. I always love how you get the fabric ironed so perfectly in your photos! My linens are always a little bit wrinkled no matter how hard I try.
Do the chickens get a commission?
January 27th, 2012 at 8:50 am
It’s the QSnap that makes it look so flat. I don’t iron till I do the finishing.
January 27th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
While I have to congratulate you on your lizard completion, I must say that your Girls (and fella) are way more photogenic
January 29th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Another great finish! I am a fan of BOAF designs, such a shame they switched to needlepoint. Your glamour shot made me smile!
January 31st, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Cute finish! You are doing Easter bags with these BOAF finishes aren’t you? That is a great calendar too!
February 1st, 2012 at 10:38 am
A couple of cute finishes, congratulations
February 1st, 2012 at 11:10 am
Cute finish! Do one of the boys get it? Looks like a boy thing…lol.
It is finally cold here in Holland. We have blue skies and cold days and the skating fever is hitting Holland. It will be a weekend full of skaters but I am happy sipping my Dutch cocoa and watching on the sidelines.
Hugs ~
Heidi
P.S. – You asked about MollieMakes…it has a little of everything. This month there is crochet, stitching, stitchery, sewing to name a few. It really is a neat magazine.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Thanks, Heidi! Always on the lookout for new crafty mags.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:32 pm
This lizard is so fun – and your hen+rooster picture is beautiful!! What a neat photograph.
February 4th, 2012 at 11:34 am
Oh wow, already the second finish of these funny animals. You just have to love them. Enjoy your lovely gift from Anna.