a little bit of Christmas

It's been so much fun visiting your blogs and seeing all the beautiful stitching, and trees and decorations for the holidays. I thought I would share a couple of photos from our house. If you click on the photos you can get a better look.

This is our tree. It's a little bit bigger than the ones we've had the past few years, and I love it! It's filled with an eclectic assortment of ornaments, some from when my girls were little, some from our travels, some gifts, some new...the star on top was my husband's when he was growing up. He remembers going to buy it with his dad, more than 50 years ago. And it is still spinning! The tree just isn't complete without that star.

This year, I finally bought a small tree to showcase my stitched ornaments. Some of these are ones I stitched, but most are gifts from stitching friends. I had a tabletop tree for years, but I cold never stuff all the ornaments on there. This works out so much better!

And this is our little Charlie Brown tree. I just couldn't resist!

I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful season...thanks for taking the time to visit!

last late TUSAL of 2015

I figured I might as well not break my pattern of being late all year!

Here is froggy with this month's offering...

 And here he is with my jar for the year...I didn't feel like I've had much chance to stitch this year, but the jar is full, so I guess I accomplished more than I thought I did!

Looking forward to next year...and being on time! (If you want to join next year, here's a link to tell you all about it! - thanks, Sharon!)

Thanks for visiting!

ideas for the new year and other stitchy stuff

Stitch from Stash is no more...not that I did very well this year anyway. Last year, I hardly spent anything, this year...well,I spent a lot more! And, even though I know that I have more than I could ever hope to stitch, and even though I have way too many WIPs, I am drooling over lots of new things to buy. Is there any hope left for me? Probably not!

But I do want to have some kind of plan for the new year. I don't think I am going to join the Crazy Challenge this year, but I do hope to finish some of the projects I started over the last few crazy challenges!

I think I might do the same challenge that my LNS (Acorns and Threads) did last year (although I didn't get very far in it last time!) We started a new project for every Saturday in January, and then a new project each first Saturday of each month of the year. So that would be 16 new projects, and since next year is 2016, I though it was kismet! In addition to a January 1st start, that would be at least 17 new projects.

And, I really do want to get through some of my WIPs... I'd also like to get an ornament a month done, a mitten a month, and all the blocks for our Stitchers' Timeout group exchange.
What am I thinking????

It has been so long since I actually updated this blog, that I do have some stitching to show! I finished two more of the Cricket Collection's mittens. The first is called Claddagh Mitten, the second is Ginger Mitten. I really love stitching these...they are so much fun to do.

There is a group over on Facebook called Fans of Blackbird Designs, and we are so fortunate to have access to a lending library of some out of print designs from BBD. The first is Blessings Be Thine (which I believe is being reprinted in a new Christmas book from Blackbird Designs), and the second is called Their Song. I loved stitching both of these, and am currently working on two more!

The last one I would like to share is a design from Carol at iStitch. It is called Stitching Soothes the Soul. I love Carol's designs...they always really relax me when I am stitching them.

I guess I should get back to work...thanks for taking the time to visit today. Hope everyone has a great weekend planned!

  

new birthday club

Nancy, from Victoria Motto Sampler, is starting up a new birthday club for 2016!

I'm sure that many of you have already seen this, but in case you haven't, here is the link:
http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2015/11/victorian-motto-sampler-shoppe-birthday.html

It looks like so much fun! Thanks, Nancy!

stitching from stash

Month: October

Spent: 46.83

Earned: 4.00

Hmmm...a pretty dismal report spending-wise. It went for everything - fabric, threads, patterns. I did finish a small mitten design from Cross Eyed Cricket, and have been stitching on a couple of samplers and round robins. So hopefully I will have more earned for next month.

Till then...I hope the rest of you are keeping to your budgets better than I am!

another late TUSAL

So...once again, I am a week late with my monthly ort collection. Froggy is getting a little bit tired of me! I did finally figure out that I can transfer photos from my phone to my computer at work though...I know, I'm pathetic when it comes to technology of any kind.
But here is Froggy, with this month's offerings...

See you soon...thanks for visiting!

The Enchanting Rose Mug Exchange

This was my first time participating in this wonderful exchange that Stephanie hosts on her blog, The Enchanting Rose. We could choose to send either a teacup or mug to our partner, along with other goodies if we wanted.

Here is the wonderful mug exchange package that I received from Julie in Texas. (there was also a book, but I forgot to put it in the photo) And I must admit that one box of those tasty biscuits was empty by the time the photo was taken as well!

My husband and I have been using the mugs nearly every day, and I know that I will be using the linens for our holiday table this Thanksgiving. And the lovely lacy basket will be the perfect resting place for some of my small stitched pillows.

Thanks again to Julie and Stephanie for such a wonderful exchange experience!

lynda

Stitch from Stash - September

Well, this was not a good month for staying within my budget, that's for sure!

Month: September

Spent: $63.38

Earned: $14.00

Money was spent on some really pretty threads from Shamrock Threads (a new to me company), some fabric from Picture This Plus for Halloween stitching, and a few patterns that I just couldn't resist!

I finished a couple of exchange pieces and one Halloween design...but I'll show them in another post.

I hope everyone had a good month!

~~lynda~~

there's an app for that

I've noticed some chat on Facebook about the app X-Stitch, and just wanted to talk about it a little bit.

The app doesn't have an Android component  (yet!), but I've been using it on my iPad for several months now, and just wanted to say how much I love it! If you are like me, you are always looking for an easy way to keep track of the threads and charts that you have stashed. I've tried making excell sheets, and I also made some google sheets. These all work ok, but you have to put in everything yourself and I just don't have the time or patience for that.

This X-Stitch app makes things so much easier.  There is a simple shopping list page to keep track of all the things you absolutely have to have (because we can never have enough stash, right?) There is also a journal section. This includes a wishlist, as well as a place to keep track of all your projects...kitted, started and finished. There is a place for the name and designer, along with notes about your supplies and just things in general that you  might want to add.

The inventory section is worth its weight in gold. There are over 20 different makes of threads listed. All the colors are there. You just click on the brand, add what you have to the color name and you're good to go. The charts section has almost 100 designers listed. Again, you click on a designer, and then list the patterns you have. Easy peasy!

And something I really appreciate is the excellent customer service the developers of this app show. You can just send them an email, and they will add a designer if they are not already listed, or color names if they are missing from the thread lists. You can also make suggestions for future additions to the lists (like thread manufacturers that are not already included). They are very prompt with their replies too.

I can't remember the cost of the app...I want to say $2.99...but seriously, it is worth every penny and then some. If you are on the fence about trying this, I encourage you to do it. I don't think you will regret it for a minute!

Thanks for taking the time to visit...hope you enjoy your day!

September TUSAL

Hi again,

It's time for the monthly TUSAL (totally useless stitch-a-long) post. Froggy has lots of different threads in his bowl this month...some bright colors from my round robin, and some fall and Halloween colors too.

See you next month!

Happy September!

It's hard to believe that it's already September! This year is just flying by. I don't know if time seems to go faster because we've been so busy, or if it is just that I'm getting older...but whatever the reason, I wish things would slow down, just a bit!

Our summer was unseasonably hot, and we are still having warmer than normal temperatures. And there was no rain all summer! Very unusual for the Pacific Northwest! But this past weekend, Mother Nature hit us with a vengeance...rain and wind, and even lightning and thunder, which we don't often see. It didn't last long, but it will be interesting to see what fall and winter bring in terms of our weather.

I know that I have really been neglecting my blog lately. I think about posting a lot, but it's kind of like reading diet books and thinking that you'll lose weight just by reading them! So I am starting this post (it's September 2, in the morning) and we'll see how long it takes before I actually get something posted!

I haven't been stitching anywhere near as much as I would have liked. Our building expansion project is finally under way (we had the groundbreaking on August 8) and it seems like there is always something to do or a meeting to attend. By the time I get home I am so tired that I usually fall asleep in hubby's recliner!

We do have a new round robin starting this month with the Friendly Stitchers group, so that has got me motivated a little! I decided on a design from Blue Ribbon Designs...A Sampling in the Square. I stitched all the borders, and lettering, so I actually feel like I have accomplished something! This group always chooses such lovely designs...I'm looking forward to the new round.

I thought you might like to see a few little goodies that I have bought over the past few months.

The candles are  from Where Sisters Gather. Jennifer is Beth Twist's (Heartstring Samplery) sister. I love these! They are battery operated and look so pretty when lit up, especially now that the evenings are getting darker. The little crocheted basket is from Nikyscreations and is just perfect to stash my scissors and needle threader when I am stitching.

This pretty little pincushion was purchased from Elegant Stitch, as part of their fundraising effort for breast cancer research.

Two threadkeeps: the one on the left is also from Elegant Stitch, and the one on the right came from Monique at The Primitive Jewel.

Two needleminders: the one on the left is also from Monique. The one on the right was purchased from pinoystitch (an etsy shop). She offers all kinds of needleminders with books, and since The Little Prince is my favorite, I couldn't resist this one!

So, I think I started this post on the 2nd of September. It is now September 11. My laptop was giving me loads of trouble...the dreaded Windows 10 critical error, and I couldn't upload any photos, or actually even do anything at all. It's working as of this morning (yay!), but in the meantime, I ordered a camera connection kit for my iPad and loaded the photos that way. Sorry that they are so large. I haven't quite figured out the editing part! (Apparently a couple of these are two large for my post. If you click on the photo you can see the whole picture! - I'll try to edit these when I get home!)

I am very glad that it is Friday. I mentioned that we have started our library expansion project and the last two days have been nothing but jackhammering...all day! It also just happens to be on the same level as my workspace, so it has been very loud! 

I did do a little bit of Halloween stitching this past week, but I will wait and show that stuff next time.

For now, I hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

stitch from stash report

Month: August

Spent: 20.99

Earned: 0

Last year, when I participated in this, I think I only spent less than $5 the entire year. This year, well, things are going a little differently. This month, I spent money on the Just Cross Stitch Halloween book, and a few prim patterns that I got on Etsy. For some reason, I have an urge to stitch Halloween designs this year. I don't really even like Halloween! We'll see how that goes!

I haven't been stitching much this past month either. We have had really hot days  (and nights) and I have just been curling up with a book most nights. 

I did start working on a new piece for our next round robin round with Friendly Stitchers though. I started it this past weekend...I have decided on a design from Blue Ribbon Designs, so there are lots of borders for me to stitch to get this one ready. I love the design though, and I think it will be fun for everyone in the group to stitch on. I should be done with the borders this weekend, so I'll post a picture then.

We're actually supposed to get some real rain this weekend...we haven't had any all summer, and everything is so dry. The wildfires have been awful. We could even smell the smoke down here in the city and the air was very dense. I feel so bad for all the people who have lost their homes this summer.

So hopefully, there will be some solid stitching time in my future! And some relief for the firefighters too.

Looking forward to seeing how everyone did this month!

it's TUSAL time!

Time for Froggy to show off his bowl of orts. There are not too many in there, but at least I am on time for once!

See you next month!

stitch from stash report

Month: July

Amount Spent: 13.77

Amount Earned: 14.00

I started this second half by spending a little, but earning a little too! I bought two Halloween charts from Midnight Stitching that I am hoping to get stitched before the holiday.

My finish is a piece that I started several years ago. I misplaced it, and then found all the parts, thankfully! It is called Apple Tree Sampler by Hawkins House. The fabric is a little more yellow than it shows in the photo. I'm really glad that I was able to finish this one.

I'm excited to see how everyone else did this month!

late TUSAL report

Yup...late again. I guess i have 5 more months to get it right!

Anyway, here is my pet froggy, with his dish of orts...

\See you next time!

stitch from stash report

Month: June

Amount Spent: $11.00

Amount Earned: 0

Another crazy month. I haven't even had time to update my blog. The money I spent was on some threads for a pattern that I have, and of course, now can't find. Ugh! I have been stitching some, a bit on a friend's round robin, and my Apple Tree Sampler. Also finished a piece, but it was from a borrowed pattern, so I guess I can't really say it was from my stash.Anyway, hopefully next month I will have some finishes to show!

Lynda

Stitch from Stash

 

Month: May

Spent: 0

Earned: 0

 



This has been a crazy month...I've been stitching, but mostly things that are not really old enough to be considered "stash" so they don't count towards earned stitches. But I also didn't have  time to buy anything new either, so I guess I broke even! We'll see what happens this month!

Happy stitching!

it was TUSAL time

And of course, I'm late again. Froggy kept looking at me with those froggy eyes, wondering when I was going to take his picture again. Next time I'll pay more attention!

'Til next time....

if you wait long enough...

and keep looking, eventually lost things become found things!

Some of you may remember that I am prone to losing either my stitching (and having the pattern), or my patterns (and having the stitching). I try to be organized, I really do...I'm a librarian after all! But these things still seem to happen to me more often that I like to admit to.

Anyway, I found one of those stitched pieces that I had been looking for. I was looking for a piece of fabric for another project, and pulled out this piece and there it was...folded with the stitching to the inside so I kept passing it over! I was  (am) so happy because this is a piece that I really want to finish.

It is called Apple Tree Sampler designed by Hawkins House. I started it as a SAL with my friend Babs in January of 2011. The last time I stitched on it was April of that same year. It doesn't seem like that long ago...and I have no idea why I put it aside because I really love it.

So I decided to stitch on it on Tuesdays, since that has always been UFO day ever since I started joining online stitching groups many years ago. I didn't get much done last week, just a couple of small motifs and a start on the tree. But I don't care, as long as I do a little bit each week, it will eventually get finished!

 

Neither of these shows the fabric very well...it's more of a yellow color, and the threads are much more vibrant than they appear in the photos.

 

So...don't give up if you think you have lost something...it will turn up...eventually!

 

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

 

 

 



stitch from stash - april

Month: April

Spent: $26.97

Earned: $16.00

Well, I did spend a little more than I planned on this month. I wanted to get a remembrance design for our Boonie, and then I ordered a pattern by mistake (I think I'll just have a giveaway for that one!). The rest was for some threads that I needed. I tried substituting some that I had, but they just didn't work.

I did get some stitching done...both from my stash and from stash that is not old enough to qualify yet. The pieces I finished that count for this month:

A Lizzie Kate freebie that I have had forever, Friendship Grows. This is for our STO block exchange.

 



This next is another freebie from 2010 by Plum Street Samplers. It is called Be True.

 

 



The last is not a finished piece, but I did finish page one. It is Autumn Quaker Seasons from ByGone Stitches.

 

So that is it for this month. How did everyone else do?

TUSAL - a little bit late

I don't know why I can't seem to get these monthly updates posted on time this year!
Here's my little froggy with his little owl of orts for the month. Lot of pretty colors this time, but they are kind of hard to see...sorry!

 

Until next time....thanks for visiting!

this and that

Well, it has been a busy couple of weeks!

Thank you so much to everyone who posted such lovely comments on my last post. We still miss Boonie so much...I still expect to trip over him when I come downstairs in the morning (he always slept right in my path and I never turned on the lights!) and I miss seeing him waiting for me after work. And eating our first pizza without him was awful...pizza crust was his favorite treat...I don't think I have had any crust in the past twelve years! We got a beautiful card from our vet yesterday which was very sweet...there were a few more tears too, but he will always be in our hearts. Our other puppy (well, he's not really a puppy...he's also 12) was lucky enough to have my daughter's two doggies to play with while we were on vacation, so we came home to a happy boy.

Jeff and I were lucky enough to go to Hawaii for a much needed vacation last week. We stayed on the beach in Waikiki and just relaxed and acted like beach bums for the whole week...it was heavenly! We even got to renew our vows at a ceremony on the beach...it was really lovely.

And now it's back to work...this week has sped by. My director is at a conference so I have been "in charge"...always fun. And it is National Library Week so we all got to wear  library themed t-shirts all week...easy peasy dressing!

If I am correct, this is Hermitting weekend, and I am planning to do just that. I received an out of print Blackbird Designs pattern ...Blessings Be Thine....and I would love to get to it this weekend. I have everything all ready to go...just need to get the time to stitch! So hopefully, I will have some progress to show next week.

Oh...here are a few snaps from our trip...

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and thanks again for your good thoughts.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!



gifted gorgeousness for april

 

Another month has flown by...I'm really happy with my progress on this one...Quaker Autumn from ByGone Stitches. This was gifted to me, and I love it. I'm almost finished with page one of the chart.

 

Thanks to Jo for hosting this fun SAL!

over the rainbow bridge

Today has been a very sad day for us. Last night, we had to let our precious Boonie go. It was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do, but we know it was for the best. Boonie has been a constant in our lives for the past twelve years. He was the most loving, sweet boy and he brought us so much happiness and we will always have so many good memories. His journey was a peaceful one and we know that he is running free again, and chasing after our other furbabies who have gone before him. We miss you Boonie, and you know that you will always hold a huge piece of our hearts.

Thanks for taking the time to visit today.

stitch from stash

Month: March

Spent: $26.76

Earned: $24.00

It's hard to believe that another month is over, but so glad that spring is here! 

I did spend a little bit on charts this month...a lovely new design from iStitch and an older stocking design from Blackbird Designs left over from a retreat that I just had to have ( a mermaid and a lighthouse...two of my faves). I also needed some needles and a hoop and a bit of thread.

Here are some pics of three  pieces that I finished from my stash this month. I've also stitched a bit on some newer things, but they haven't been in the stash long enough (although the fabric and threads have been!)

This first one is Joyful Summer from Country Cottage Needleworks. I started this when waiting in the hospital for my grandson to be born, summer of 2008. For some reason I put it down and finally picked it back up this year to finish. I love the colors in this piece. I used beads instead of French knots where they were called for.

This is another of the mittens from Crossed-Eyed Cricket. It is called Promise of Spring.

And this last is one of the scripture series from Little House Needleworks, called Gentleness. I was off on the centering of this one, so the finishing will be a bit of a challenge! I love that the threads are included with these.

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else has done this month!

TUSAL and a Disaster!

Only one day late...not bad! My little bowl of orts is quite full this month which makes me very happy!

What does not make me happy is the big stitching mistake I discovered this past week. (If you also post on the Get It Done SAL blog, sorry for the repetition!) I started Quaker Christmas II back in December of 2012. I put it away for some reason and started stitching on it again this year, hoping to finish it by Christmas. It is the companion piece to Quaker Christmas from ByGone Stitches, (which I stitched several years ago and which I love). Anyway, I was very happy to finish Page One of the piece this month, and was getting ready to move forward to another page. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go across the piece or down, so I was checking out the pages when I discovered my mistake. My big mistake. I'm sure you can see where I am going with this. I assumed that since the first piece was wider than it is long, the second piece would be the same. I did not check. And of course...I assumed wrong. I could have cried! I guess I should be happier that I had not gone even further with the piece than I did, but still...So now I will have to take out all the stitching I have already done and start over. And I am really not ready to do that right now! Maybe this summer....

So, lesson learned. Always read all the directions on your patterns before you start, and never assume! I know I never will again!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. It was raining a minute ago but now the sun is shining!
Thanks for taking the time to visit!

 

gifted gorgeousness

 

It's time for a gifted gorgeousness update. This pattern is from By Gone Stitches and is called Autumn Quaker. It was gifted to me by Gillie, my Secret Santa from 2013. I started this as one of my January challenges, and haven't made too much progress yet. It's coming along though! Please ignore the wrinkles...I just took it out of the hoop.

 



Thanks for taking the time to visit!

happy saturday!

I cannot believe that tomorrow is March 1! Wasn't it just Christmas????

The sun is shining here in Oregon, the daffodils are blooming, and my grandson is coming to spend the day with us...add lots of cups of tea and some stitching time...what more could a girl ask for?

A wonderful giveaway, that's what. Please hop over to Parsley's blog and see for yourselves!

Thanks for visiting today and hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Lost and Found

I have been trying to organize all my threads...the DMC were really in a mess...if only I would learn to put things away when I am done with stitching a design...maybe someday! Anyway, in between  sorting threads, when my eyes started crossing, I decided to also start to go through my boxes of patterns.

It was like Christmas all over again!I found so many designs that I forgot I had, more duplicates than I care to admit to, some designs that I know I will never stitch, but many more that have gone straight into the "need to stitch soon" basket. I am thinking about making a page here with charts for sale, and maybe having a giveaway or two as well.

But I also found something else that was not so nice. I have at least a few designs that are missing parts. For example, I have one sampler pattern all kitted up. It's one I started a couple of years ago, I think. But the fabric with my stitching on it has disappeared! I know that I have seen it,  maybe in the last year?...but where is it now???? And then I have two prim designs from primitiveBetty that I started...I have the stitched fabric for these, and the cover sheets and instructions for the patterns, but the patterns have disappeared!

And these are only a few...I'm wondering how many other lost treasures I will come across! Not to mention the little bags of threads and fabric that I know were bought for a specific project, but I'll be hard pressed to remember which project that might be...

Has this ever happened to anyone else, or am I just hopelessly disorganized??? I'm a librarian for goodness sake! I get paid to be organized!

I'm sure all the bits and pieces will find their proper homes and everything will re-appear at some point in time...don't you think?

Thanks for taking the time to visit today!

some finishes to share

This past month, I was able to finish the rest of the year's blocks for our Stitchers' Timeout Block Exchange. Sorry for the shadows on the pictures!

The designer for our March block is Little House Needleworks. I stitched Blossoms and Blackbirds on an evenweave fabric with DMC threads.

May's designer is Blackbird Designs. I chose to stitch a block from the Cast a Spell leaflet, the Basket block. It is stitched on an evenweave fabric with a silk thread from Carrie's Creations, Cajun Coffee. It's a really pretty color with slight variations, and the silk is a pleasure to stitch with.

The designer for our September block is Prairie Schooler and I chose to stitch the Angel from the Christmas Past leaflet. This is stitched on fiddlers cloth with DMC thread.

For the November block, we are to choose any ornament from any of the Just Cross Stitch ornament issues. I chose this design from The Sampler Girl...Glad Tidings to You...from the 2011 issue. It is stitched  on evenweave fabric with DMC.

These were all items I had in my stash. My other finish for the month was a design from Lizzie Kate...Life Is Not Measured. This was gifted to me by my Secret Santa this past Christmas, so I didn't have it long enough to count as stash, but I did use fabric and threads that I already had. I substituted a couple of the colors that I was missing. It is stitched on a Lugana from Picture this Plus with Gentle Arts, Weeks and Crescent Colors threads. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.
Not sure how I will finish it yet...any suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to visit, and thank you for all your comments. They are greatly appreciated.

Stitch from Stash

It's time for this month's check-in!

Month: February

Spent: 13.27

Earned: 24.00

This month, I spent money on floss that I was missing,and a new Lizzie Kate design that I don't have yet. There were 12 new starts from stash, and I worked on one WIP (Life Is Not Measured...which I finished, but the pattern was too new to me to count as stash, tho the fabric and threads were!) and one UFO...Joyful Summer.,

I misplaced my camera, so once I find it, I will upload some photos of my finishes!

Thanks for stopping by to visit! I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else did this month!

Late SAL Check-Ins

Yup, it's that time of the month again...time to check in with the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL and the Totally Useless SAL...and guess who's late again?

I've finished three pieces of gifted gorgeousness, the SAL hosted by Jo...two were Valentine exchanges that I couldn't show last month because they hadn't been received yet. The first was sent to Judith in Germany. The pattern is called Patriotic Heart by AuryTM. I changed the colors to something more Valentiney (?) from the red, white and blue called for. Stitched on a bluish/lilac color jobelan with Crescent Colours "Miss Madalynn thread, and made into a small pin pillow.

 

 

This second exchange was sent to Tami in Alabama.The design is Love Never Fails by the Primitive Hare, stitched on a lugana from Picture This Plus (Ancient) with Gentle Arts thread in "Old Brick", and again, made into a small pin pillow.

The third piece I stitched was a design gifted to me by DJ, my Friendly Stitchers' Secret Santa this year. It is from Lizzie Kate, and called Life Is Not Measured. I stitched it on a lugana from Picture This Plus (Mesa) using some of the called for threads, and substituting some others from what I had in my stash. They are all either Gentle Arts, Crescent Colours or Weeks threads though. I really enjoyed stitching this one...not sure how I am going to finish it yet though.

Since I was stitching quite a bit in January, trying to keep up with Debbie's Ultimate Challenge, there are lots of threads in my little ort bowl for this month. I've been trying to stitch at least a little bit each day, and have really been enjoying it again. If you want to join in the TUSAL fun, you can click on the link in my sidebar to find out how.

We'll see you all again next month...hopefully on time!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

Giveaway Winner!!!

I am so sorry for being a few days late with this...I know I said my Grow Your Blog Day drawing would be on February 15th, but time just got away from me!

Anyway, I put all the names in a basket this morning, and the winner is:  

Linda  from Stitchin' with my Furbabies

Congratulations, Linda! I've emailed you, in case you don't see this.

I hope everyone will take a peek at Linda's blog too. It's a real treat.

Thanks again to all who visited my blog on Grow Your Blog Day, and for all your comments. They are truly appreciated.

T.G.I.F.

I didn't mean to let so much time pass between posts, but the flu bug caught me and I have been down for the count for the past while. I finally came back to work yesterday, and am still not feeling great, but at  least the weekend is upon us, and for that I am truly grateful!

I know that some of you are continuing on into February with Debbie's Challenge, but I decided not to. I really want to finish up these projects I started, and I have been stash diving as I've been picking out patterns to do for the challenge and there is a whole pile that I really would love to get to at some point this year. Most of them are ones I forgot I even had!

Anyway, here are my last  6 starts for the challenge:

• Jan 26 - Blackbird's Garden from My Big Toe designs. This one is stitched on star sapphire jobelan with over-dyed threads

• Jan 27 - Another mitten...Promise of Spring from Cross-Eyed Cricket, stitched on an evenweave with DMC

• Jan 28 - Necessities Sampler from Little House Needleworks, again stitched on an evenweave fabric with DMC

• Jan 29 - Goodwill from Little House Needleworks. This is another of the Scripture series. It is stitched on a green linen with the Crescent Colours threads that were included with the design

• Jan 30 - Claddagh Mitten from Cross-Eyed Cricket, stitched on a fabric color called Sunset Breeze with DMC threads

• Jan 31 - Traveling Stitcher from Little House Needleworks. Stitched on Butterscotch Cookie with the Crescent Colours threads included with the design. I have wanted to stitch this one for so long. I am glad to finally have it started!

Someone mentioned that I have a lot of started borders...well, yeah, I guess I do! I usually start my patterns in the upper left corner...it's just easier for me that way.  I'm hoping that soon some pretty designs will emerge!

I hope everyone has a great weekend planned. I think the rain that we have been having the past few days is supposed to continue through the weekend, which means getting cozy with my stitching!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!