Happy New Year!

 

Since the first New Moon of the new year is fast upon us, I thought I had better post my last TUSAL pic from 2013 before it is too late! This past month has been a very stressful one for my family...and things are still not totally resolved....but with the new year I am determined to try at least to get things back to normal...or at least a little bit!

So this is my 2013 TUSAL...it looks like I did lots more stitching than it feels like I did! I am going to use the same container for 2014...I love the rounded shape. It will be fun to compare this to next year's.

No real stitching goals for the new year...I have joined the Stitch From Stash SAL and am going to try and not buy anything new this year. I have so much...in fact, I may be posting some (or lots) of stuff for sale sometime soon. When going through my patterns, I found so many duplicates (ugh!) as well as things I know I will just never do. Tastes change...and I am one of those people that tends to jump in and then later wonder why I ever bought that one in the first place! So, no hopping on every new bandwagon that comes along...and this year I am going to stitch for the joy and pleasure it brings me...no deadlines, no trying to keep up...just re-discovering why I love stitching so much in the first place.

My wonderful hubby gifted me with a new laptop for Christmas, so I hope to keep up with my blog on a more regular basis this year as well. This is first and foremost a stitching blog, but I'd like to maybe expand that a bit...who knows...I have lots of stuff going around in my head right now...don't want to bore anyone though!

The older I get, the more time seems to fly by, and there is so much I want to get done. Right now I am feeling very overwhelmed, but also very grateful. This past year has been one of real highs and real lows...unanticipated happenings...fun times and sad times...I know that many of you have had rough times this year as well, and I hope that 2014 brings more good than bad into everyone's lives.

Thank you to all of you that follow this blog. It means so much to me that you take the time to read and comment on what I have to share. I hope to spend more time visiting with all of you on your blogs as well, and getting to know everyone better. I wish you all a safe, healthy and happy new year.

Thanks again for taking the time to visit.

A little late TUSAL

 

Where did this month go? Sometimes I just feel like life is passing by so fast, and other times I wish that some of the life things that are happening would just go faster and be done. It hasn't been a very happy time lately.

Anyway, here is my little collection of orts for October...just a couple of days late.

 

I feel like I have really been neglecting my blog lately and I do appreciate those of you who still take the time to visit...thanks!

Thank you! Thank you!!

I was a first time participant in Terri's Harvest Exchange this year, and this week, a wonderful package arrived in my mailbox from April.
What a super surprise! April stitched both a Pine Mountain pillow design and an adorable ornament for me. She also included some fabric, ribbon, threads, the cutest finishing fabrics for the season, and an autumn design kit from Mosey 'n Me. I can't wait to stitch this one...it is so cute!

Thanks again April for  a great exchange, and thanks to Terri for organizing all of this. It was lots of fun!

Thanks for visiting! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

a sad day

Like many of you, I just received word that Cathey has passed away.
Even thought I didn't know her personally, she touched my heart.
We have all lost a beautiful spirit today, but we can take comfort in knowing that Cathey is with the other angels and is no longer suffering.
Rest in peace, Cathey, and know that your family will always be in my prayers, and that you will always be in our hearts.

Another late TUSAL

Another very meager collection of orts for this month's TUSAL. I did finish three exchange pieces that I can't show yet. Life has been throwing lots of curveballs lately. Maybe this month will finally calm down...maybe!

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

Pumpkins for Cathey

 

 Thinking of you today, Cathey!
 Happy blogoversary!

a TUSAL and a finish!

The sun is shining now, but you never would have thought so earlier this morning! We have been blessed with a beautiful summer...until this week. The skies opened up and the most torrential rains just poured down on us. I slept through a thunder and lightening storm the other night. Thunder and lightning are not all that common here. Anyway, it looks like things have cleared up...at least for the time being!

Another month has passed and that means another TUSAL post. Most (if not all) of these threads are from the finish below. My stitching time has been pretty limited these past months. Things just seem to keep happening and my mind can't seem to focus. So here is my little bowl of orts for the month:

And this is the piece I have been working on for the past couple of weeks. It is a Christening gift for my niece and her precious baby girl. The pattern is called Sweet Sweet Babe from Sam Sarah Designs. It is stitched on a French Vanilla lugana from Sassy's Fabrics, using the called for Weeks and Gentle Arts threads (except for one which I didn't have...and since I was in a rush I replaced it with something from Crescent Colours!) I hope she will like it!

We are off on vacation starting tonight. Hubby and I are going for pedicures this evening and then on Sunday we are flying to Hawaii for a week! I can't wait! There is a lot of stuff happening in our family right now, but we both need to just get away and this will be the perfect escape. I already found a stitching shop that I am hoping to get to, and I plan on bringing some stitching and reading as well. Sun, sand, warm breezes...just what the doctor ordered for this tired couple!

Thanks for visiting...I know I have been neglecting my blog lately, but hopefully things will get better soon! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Another TUSAL

Let's try this again!
My camera card does not want to play nice with my computer, so I tried to do this from my phone and ended up posting to the wrong blog.
These are my meager threads from the past month...you can see that there was not much stitching going on around here!
So let's see if I can make this work. ...
Thanks for taking the time to visit!

We have been enjoying some warmer temperatures here...not unbearably hot like in some places...and since we don't have much humidity, it's been really nice...and the evenings are wonderful. I'm so glad the weekend is upon us, so we can really relax and enjoy.

I managed to get some stitching done this week. I stitched up the last two blocks for our Stitchers' Timeout block exchange. The themes were Halloween and Snowmen, and here are scans of my efforts.
This is Scaredy Cats from Val's Stuff

  
and this is Snowmen also from Val's Stuff

There has been some family stress happening...my oldest daughter has applied for a new position and is waiting to hear about that., and my youngest has not been feeling well and is starting to imagine all sorts of things are wrong with her. She is trying to get new insurance so that she can get to a doctor and find out what is really happening. So any good thoughts or prayers you can spare would be much appreciated. I (of course) tend to worry myself sick over this kind of thing...but I guess that's just what moms do!

Work moves along. We had some people in to do some  geo-testing to see what is really under all that grass behind our building and how costly it may be to dig into whatever it is. They weren't here as long as planned though, so maybe that's good news! Also, we have had a horrible odor off and on in this building for the past two and a half years. It comes and goes, but we haven't been able to figure out the cause. We have had all sorts of tests done, but no answers. This week we had another person come in and take samples and stuff. I'm calling her the "smell whisperer"...I only hope they are able to find out what it is. Our patrons come in from the fresh air outside and gasp. Everyone has heir own ideas of what it could be...you don't even want to hear the suggestions! Anyway, I hope something positive comes from all this testing.

Before I go, I wanted to share a photo of these beautiful flowers that my dear hubby sent to me at work the other day...just because he knew I have been trying to deal with a lot of stuff lately. He's a sweetie for sure!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned. I am hoping to kick back and do some stitching.
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit, and for your comments. I really do appreciate you all.

a late TUSAL and a bit of catching up...

I'm hoping that someone is still around reading this blog...I wouldn't blame anyone for deserting the ship...it seems I have been very negligent with my posting, but a few big things have passed, so hopefully I'll be more present in the future! I must warn you that there are quite a few photos (they've been sitting here since Monday, but...) this time, so I hope you'll stick with me!

First up is this month's TUSAL. I did have the photo ready on time, but no time to post.

Most of these threads are from the wedding sampler I stitched for my daughter Sara and her new husband, Kevin. She picked out the pattern last summer. When I finally got around to stitching it, I couldn't find the pattern. So I bought another copy. And then...you know what I'm about to say...yes...the original turned up...in it's "safe" spot. By then we were way to close to the wedding, and I knew I would never finish in time. So it became a late gift, but they have it now and both of them like it, so I'm a happy mom. The design is Starfish Wedding by Ursula Michaels. I thought the blue frame was a perfect fit. Sorry for the glare...this photo is not very good.

The wedding was on June 1 in Quincy, Massachusetts. It was a wonderful wedding with lots of friends and family. Sara and Kevin planned everything and it all turned out exactly as they hoped.
Here is a pic of the happy couple...I forgot to upload a photo of Sara's bouquet...it had brooches mixed in...very heavy, but beautiful. Maybe I'll add a photo later!

And this is our family...Asher did a great job walking his grandma down the aisle. He didn't want to wear a tie, but looked so cute all dressed up in his tux...just like grandpa. That's his mom, my daughter Shannon, in the purple dress. If you click on this pic you can see the bouquet a bit.

And another pic of Asher at the reception. He was like a little whirling dervish...didn't stop dancing all night...until he collapsed and fell asleep shortly before we were going home!

The other big event in June was the 100th anniversary of our library building. We had events all week, culminating in a dedication ceremony and outdoor celebration on the Saturday. Lots of activities, music, fun...and cake! This is the beautiful cake that was made for us by a local bakery and we had no idea what it would look like until it was delivered. We were all speechless. And it was as delicious as it was gorgeous!

When we were in Quincy for the wedding, we stayed on a few days to babysit our fur-grandbaby, Coda. He is the most special dog. And now he has a new little brother, who is too adorable for words!
This is Coda in front, with Clarence in the back.

And finally, this is a block I just finished for a block exchange we have at Stitchers' Timeout. The theme was fruit and I stitched this Prairie Schooler pineapple.

And if you are still with me...thank you! I fear I have rambled on a bit too long for one post, but I decided to just jump in and do it this time!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit. See you next time!

last TUSAL of spring

Well, this is the last TUSAL post of the season...crazy how time is flying by! I have only just got my stitching mojo back since our return from Boston...actually I wanted to stitch so badly while there, but alas, I had nothing with me to work on!...so this little offering contains threads form the past few days. I am working on a wedding sampler for my daughter, so I must get back to that. Also stitched a small freebie and a couple of ornaments for an exchange.

So. lots of news and photos coming soon, I promise. This will be a busy couple of weeks at work, with lots going on, but I will try to get back to post again in a few days.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit...I know I haven't been a very good blogger lately! Hope you are all enjoying a sunny day!

TUSAL & a shoe victory!

 Another New Moon...another TUSAL offering. Not too bad considering I only stitched this past week. Getting back in the groove though!

 

After Jeff's eye apppointment (he had to get another shot in the eye...ouch!) I decided to go out and try to find some shoes for the wedding. One of my co-workers had a cute pair of sandals on this week and I thought something like those would be perfect...patent leather and they were even the right color...but she bought them two years ago, so I hoped to find something similar. Off to DSW, where after much searching, I found a cute pair of wedges that I thought might be ok...I sent the photo to my daughter and she liked them, so I bought them and headed out. Once in the car, I started thinking that maybe they were a bit too casual...my dress is a little sparkly, and these shoes...while really cute...are canvas. So I headed across the road to Nordstrom Rack and searched through their shoes. Just when I had given up and was ready to leave, I looked up, and there on the top shelf of clearance shoes was the exact same pair of sandals my friend had...in the right color...and more importantly, in my sizre! I couldn't believe it, so I tried them on, sent the pic to DD (who loved them) and bought them in a flash. Still can't believe my luck...they were the only pair like them too!

And before I go, this is the little patriotic square I stitched for the block exchange at Stitchers' Timeout. It is an old freebie from Heart in Hand - Freedom.

I hope all you moms have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

finally.......

It's been a month of no posting, and way longer than that of no stitching...but I think I am finally getting back in the groove!

Everything has been so busy...life is just flying by and I feel like I am on a merry-go-round. Our daughter's wedding is just three weeks away...so hard to believe! I was back in Boston a couple of weeks ago for her bridal shower...and yes...we did find a dress for me...thank goodness! It is short, so hopefully I can find flats or low heels to wear...I do not fare well with high heels at all! We had a great weekend, but all too short. I was very proud of myself for going alone though...I am really not much of a traveler!

Thank goodness for the Friendly Stitchers' Round Robin group! It was decided that the time was right for our next robin, so I had to sit down and get my piece started! I got the border stitched and sent it on it's way. This time I chose Plum Street Samplers' Halloween Hornbook Sampler. I am looking forward to this round. Everyone always chooses such wonderful pieces for us all to stitch on.

I also realized that I had a block to stitch for our Stitchers' Timeout block exchange, so I am working on a small patriotic block. It might even be finished by tomorrow so I can post a pic along with my TUSAL report. I was afraid my orts bowl would be empty this month, but there will be something to show after all!

I did have a piece picked out to stitch for my daughter for her wedding Actually she picked it out when she was here last summer. But, guess what? Well, probably no surprise....but I can't find it anywhere! It is a fairly simple design, and I could probably finish it in time for the wedding...if I could just find it. Why do I always put things in "safe" places and then forget where they are?????

So it's back to work I go...lots of summer reading stuff to get together before June 1st!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit! Once the next few weeks are over, I think I'll be more relaxed and able to post more often! Hope everyone reading is having a wonderful day!

fly by TUSAL

It feels like the New Moon came awfully early this month...or maybe I have truly just lost track of time!
My orts for this past month....a rather pitiful offering, I must say!

 

 
It is obvious that not much stitching has been going on around here. Sad...really sad!

Thanks for taking the time to visit...I hope to get back into the swing of things soon!

I'm late, I'm late....

Once again, time has slipped away from me. These last few weeks have really gone by in a blur. Work has been crazy with planning our upcoming 100th birthday celebration and summer reading, and we've had special programs these last two weeks as part of our annual Community Wide Read. I have to say that I was really pleased with our author visit. After reading her book, I wasn't really sure if I liked Cheryl Strayed or not, but after her visit to the library I was really impressed. She was wonderful and everyone enjoyed her presentation.

Also in the mix of the last few weeks was a week long visit from my daughter. We had a good time and got a few last minute wedding things taken care of. I stillhave not even begun to look for a dress for mysef and I am getting just a tad stressed out about it. And don't even tal to me about shoes! I cannot wear heels, but I am also short...so I am afraid I will just look like a little dumpling instead of the mother of the bride!

So I am very late with my TUSAL photo. I was on a roll at the very start of the month, but everything went downhiill fast, so there aren't many threads to show.

 

I also sent out my last exchange for awhile yesterday. It's not that I don't love exchanges...I do! But I have two wedding related pieces that I really want to finish (well, start and finish!) and time is running out! So for now, I can show what was sent and received in the WInter Exchange at Stitched with Love Exchanges.

June sent me this wonderful package

 

and I just love everything she sent. Here is a close-up of the stitched piece...

 

And here is the package I sent to Mindi. She loves red, so I sent her lots of red things!

 

I stitched A Stitcher's Companion (also in red!) from Blackbird Designs and finished it as a small pillow.

 

I've decided on a Halloween and a Christmas ornament to do for this month, so hopefully I'll have a couple of finishes to show soon. And now, I just have to choose a WIP to work on this week with Friendly Stitchers...hmmm...what to pick???? There are so many to choose from!

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and visit!

a late wipocalypse

Wow...I hadn't realized how long it has been since I have posted. I think these past couple weeks have been a blur. We are really busy at the library planning our budget for the next two years, as well as getting ready for our Community Wide Read programs this month. We chose Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed as our book, and she will be coming for a program this month, as well as us having a few other peripheral programs. And then we are also planning for the Carnegie's 100th birthday celebration this summer, and summer reading. I guess it's no wonder the weeks are flying by!

And I have also missed the official WIPocalypse posting date, but I did get some stitching done this month. I am participating in two ornament SALs...one for Halloween ornaments, and the other is for any kind of ornaments we choose, but I think mine will mostly be for Christmas.

The theme for our Halloween ornaments for February was Black Cats, so i decided to stitch the Black Cat ornament from Blackbird Designs. it is part of the Casting a Spell booklet. I used the called for colors, but substituted black for the cat, since the design called for that dark dark brown like the fence.

The Christmas ornament is a design from Lizzie Kate called Merry.  It is from one of the Tiny Tidings leaflets, but I can't remember which one right now.I love these little ornament designs. They are quick to stitch but also fun.

I've also been trying to finish up things already started, and the first one I finished was Coverlet Birds from The Scarlett House. The fabric is actually more of a pale bluish green color, and I changed the threads as well. I love this design, and I'm not sure how I will finish it yet, but I am glad it is stitched!

The second design is from Patty C.and is called Let's Stitch.  It is the pattern that was chosen for 2013 SAL blog that I am a part of. We are stitching designs from different designers, one every two months. I changed all the colors in this one, using mostly different shades of purple, and it is on a hand dyed purple fabric. Again, I am not sure how I will finish this one, but I love how it turned out.

It's hard to believe it is March already...we are supposed to have mild temperatures for the next week...I hope so! My daughter will be visiting from Boston this week, so I am really looking forward to that.

Thanks to everyone who stops by to visit,and thanks also for your comments!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned.

daybook for february 13

for today...

outside my window...the sun is peeking out
i am thinking...of all the work still to do
i am thankful...that my daughters are both happy and healthy
in the kitchen...wonton soup for lunch
i am wearing...a dress!
i am creating...more clutter than I can handle today
i am wondering...what the furbabies are up to at home
i am hoping...that my hubby's eye treatments will work

i am looking forward to...a weekend of stitching
i am learning...to slow down
one of my favorite things...eos lip gloss

Please visit here to read other daybook posts and learn how to join in with your own.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

TUSAL and a little Valentine's stitching

 

It's time to post our TUSAL photos...where did this month go?

Mr. Owl is guarding this month's orts...

Asher was here this weekend. He was fascinated by the pictures of all the snow at his aunt's house in Massachusetts. She lives in Quincy and they got 30" and lost power for awhile. I really really do not miss all that East Coast snow! We get a lot of rain here, but at least you don't have to shovel it!

Somehow, even with running all over after the little one, I managed to get a little bit of stitching done.

I finished up I Will Stitch You in My Heart from Heartstring Samplary.I have had this one since it weas first released, but somehow just never got around to stitching it. I don't know why...I love this design! Stitched on a piece of neutral evenweave with the DMC called for. I only made one change...using a red for the two hearts.

This next piece is a freebie from Jennifer at Feathers in the Nest. I stitched it on a rose colored evenweave fabric with a pink variegated thread. I think this is really cute...Jennifer always offers lovely little freebies on her blog. Thank you, Jennifer!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful relaxing weekend! Thanks for taking the time to visit!

catching up

We had a  Valentine exchange at Friendly Stitchers, and my package had to travel all the way to Saudi Arabia! Well, it finally arrived, so I can share what I stitched for Denise. The design is a freebie  from a blog (unfortunately I don't remember which one), stitched on a neutral evenweave with one of the DMC variations threads. I added a bit of lace and finished it as a pin pillow and added a couple of pins. Denise likes it, so I am happy!

We are also doing WIP Wednesdays, and I decided to finally get some of those languishing pieces finished. The first one I finished is Waiting for the Harvest from Blackbird Designs. This was one of my crazy January starts from either last year or the year before...I can't remember. It is stitched with a pretty Waterlilies silk that someone sent to me in an exchange, on a mushroom colored fabric. The fabric is more brown than it looks in the photo. I haven't decided how I am going to finish it yet, but at least the stitching is completed.

So now I will be working on finishing Coverlet Birds, from Scarlett House. I loved this design the first time I saw it, and I don't know why I didn't just stitch it right up, but...anyway, this is my progress  so far. I will keep you posted on how it progresses.

And finally...my start on my sampler for the Scarlet Letter SAL. I wanted to start this on January 1st, but didn't get to it until Super Bowl Sunday! The design is the Abigail Gould Sampler, and here is my small start. I think I will continue to stitch on this one on Sundays. We'll see how it goes!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

daybook for february 6

for today...

outside my window...the sun is trying to peek through

I am thinking...about several people who have left us way too soon

I am thankful...for my husband's sense of humor
In the kitchen...something simple for dinner, I hope
I am wearing...red!
I am creating...lots of cross-stitches


I am wondering...if I will ever get warm!
I am reading...Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley

I am hoping...to stay on schedule today

I am looking forward to...seeing my grandson this weekend

I am learning...all about e-books today


I am pondering...why does my dog always seem to get under my feet?

One of my favorite things...my husband's home made chicken soup...yum!

Please visit here to read other daybook posts and learn how to join in with your own!

Thanks so much for visiting!

GYOB giveaway winner!!!

The winner of my giveaway is...Deborah!,,
Congratulations! I am emailing you for your address.
Thanks to all who entered and commented...the party was lots of fun and it as been great getting to know lots of new bloggers.
I hope you'll keep coming back!
Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting!

ornament SAL

I've joined the Ornament SAL this year...hoping to keep up with Christmas ornies at least, and maybe a few others through out the year. I'm a day late posting this, but couldn't get the sewing machine out yesterday! The design is from JBW Designs...A Very Merry Christmas. The fringe looks a little bit wonky, but it does look better in real life!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

a fun giveaway!

If you are a fan of Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks, you should stop by Heather's blog right away. She is having a very generous giveaway of some wonderful charts!
Good luck!

Thanks for visiting!

daybook for january 30

for today...

outside my window...things look gloomy
i am thinking ...about all the things I want to stitch
i am thankful...for a family that is always here for me
in the kitchen...there are leftovers for dinner
i am wearing...ski socks (and my feet are still cold!)
i am wondering...if I will meet all my deadlines this week
i am reading...An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor
i am hoping...that my daughter gets her health issues figured out soon
i am looking forward to...a lazy weekend
i am learning...that I have to slow down some
one of my favorite things...perlier honey body cream with virgin bees-wax

Please visit here to read other daybook posts and learn how to join in with your own.

Thanks for visiting today!

helping friends

Some of you may already know about our friend Gaynor's goal to raise funds so that she can participate in a walking event sponsored by the Irish Cancer Society. If you don't  know, you can read all about it here...she does a much better job of explaining everything than I ever could!

What you may not also know is that Nancy from the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe has found a way to help Gaynor reach her goal of raising 3200 euros. She is having a fundraiser on her site for the next three months. You can read about it here.

This is an amazingly generous and wonderful thing for Nancy to do.

Gaynor continues to be an inspiration to me and others, and I hope that you will all read her story and consider donating directly or participating by buying one of  Nancy's  kits.

Thanks for visiting, and for being a friend.

January WIPocalypse

Last year, even though I posted each month, I never really worked on any of my older works in progress.Almost everything I posted were new starts and sometimes, finishes. This year, I've decided to really try and get to some of those UFOs and WIPs that have been lying neglected for awhile.

The first project I am tackling is Waiting for the Harvest from Blackbird Designs. This was one of my Crazy 15 starts from 2012 (or was it 2011???) and I have no idea why I just let it sit. It was going to be my take to work project, and I actually did do that at least once or twice, but then I hardly ever have stitching time at work, so it kind of fell into the basket, never to be seen again.

This is where I left it off last January:

And here is my progress after working on it for a few evenings this month. Wednesdays are WIP days at Friendly Stitchers, so I am trying to at least work on WIPs then. I'm about 2/3 done.

Everything else I have worked on this month has been for exchanges, and I have shown pictures of the ones that have been recieved.

On to February...Thanks for visiting!

Sharing time!

A few of my secret pieces have arived at their new homes, so I can finally share them with you all!

We had a Christmas/Winter exchange at Friendly Stitchers, and Libbie and I were partners. She said that she likes reindeer, so I stitched this design from Lizzie Kate for her. It is one of the Christmas Rules Flip-Its.

And this is what I received from Libbie...all the way from Australia! It's from the Gazette94 blog. I love it. Thanks again, Libbie!

I showed you the beautiful ornament that I received from Tami in our Valentine exchange, and this is the ornament I sent to Diane. It is a freebie from a blog that I have had in my stash...if anyone recognizes the designer, please let me know. I can't seem to find it. It is stitched with one of the DMC color variations threads.

And, finally, this is a little pillow I made for Mouse to thank her for loaning me a pattern a while back. It is a design from Homespun Elegance which was in the latest issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine.

I hope everyone is staying warm and comfy wherever you may be!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

what a wonderful mail day!

It is always such a treat when a little parcel shows up, but today I found three in my mailbox! And it's not even my birthday!

First, I received the last robin that I will be stitching on with the Friendly Stitchers group this round. It is a Just Nan design for Sally, called Miss Kitty's Dragons. I'm hoping to get to it this weekend.

I have belonged to the Stitching Buddies group for many years, but haven't participated in an exchange in a long long time. So when a Valentine exchange was mentioned, I signed up, And yesterday I got the most wonderful pillow ornament (along with a sparkly pair of socks, a box of candy and two beautiful vintage-y valentines). My partner was Tami, and this is the beautiful Jane Austen inspired design she stitched for me...I really love it! Thanks so much, Tami!

Lastly, there was a package from Gaynor. She has been stitching up all sorts of wonderful creations and giving them away in exchange for contributions to the Irish Cancer Society. You can read all about it here. The heart is a cute little pocket for stashing scissors, threads or whatever, and the owl is just precious. I thought it was going to be a small little pillow, but this guy is large! I'm hoping that Asher will help me give it a name when he visits this weekend. Until then he (or she) will remain nameless as he/she sits perched on my stitching lamp.

I've been mostly stitching on exchanges, so have nothing to show...but today I have picked up a Blackbird Designs piece that has been a UFO for awhile. I'll show pics on Saturday's WIPocalypse post.

Thanks so much for visiting...I'm still working my way through all the blogs from Saturday's party!

Daybook for January 23

for today...

outside my window...it is raining again, but not as cold as predicted, so no ice
i am thinking...about what to stitch next
i am thankful...for the blanket I brought today to keep me warm
in the kitchen...eggplant parmesan
i am wearing...not enough layers
i am creating...an exchange for a friend
i am going...stir crazy
i am wondering...if i will ever get this office cubby of mine uncluttered
i am reading...The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
i am hoping...for a smooth drive home
i am looking forward to...a new project runway season
one of my favorite things...cuddling with my doggies

and here is equal time for our other furbaby....

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Thanks for visiting!

January IHSW & Growing Your Blog

This was a fun and productive weekend...it was really cold here, but sunny, which made the cold more bearable! I was even able to get some stitching done too!

We are doing a round robin with the Every Stitch Counts group and I stitched my square on Sue's piece this weekend. She has asked us all to stitch a square from A Sampler Story by Brenda Keyes. I will stitch with orange every chance I get, so I chose to do this square, I love this design and have it in my stash, and have stitched some of the squares for gifts and exchanges in the past, but never the whole sampler. Maybe I will put it in my "to be stitched" pile finally!

I also stitched my Christmas ornament for January. I am going to try and keep up with stitching one a month again for this year. The colors in the photo are not at all true. The fabric is more of a bright dark green and the thread is a dusty green...I think it is a sampler thread but not sure...the label was gone. Maybe the colors will look more realistic after I finish it! The design is A Very Merry Christmas from JBW Designs.

I joined another SAL blog this year...we are stitching small designs every two months from different designers. The first design is from Patty C. and it is called Let's Stitch. I have changed the fabric and thread colors and am about 1/3 done. I love stitching this one. Patty's designs are really fab! Not sure how I want to finish this one yet.

I also started stitching on an exchange piece for Stitched with Love exchanges, but can't show that one yet or give any hints. You'll just have to be surprised when the time comes!

I would have got more stitching done, but Saturday was Grow Your Blog Day and I ended up spending way too much time on the computer scrolling through lots  and lots of wonderful blogs! There were a few stitching blogs that I was already familiar with, but oh so many more! I have not even begun to scratch the surface and I'm looking forward to finding lots more blogging friends. I even see that I have gained some new followers from this. It is a really fun experience. Thanks again Vicki for all your hard work and for hosting this wonderful party!

And now I should probably get back to work. Welcome to any new followers and thank you all for taking the time to visit!