jan 19 - little by little

It was so nice to have an extra day off this weekend. Time flew by though, as it usually does!

Happily, I was able to get a little stitching done yesterday and finally have my first finish of the year...a small block for the block exchange with the Stitcher's Timeout group. This month's theme is "green", so I stitched this freebie design that I had in my stash. Unfortunately I can't remember where it is from...I know it was from one of the French blogs, but can't remember which one. Maybe someone can help me out? It is stitched on a piece of green evenwweave with Belle Soie silks in "Collard Greens".



My sister called last night and she and my niece are planning a trip out here next month. They will only be here for a long weekend but it will be good to see them both. They live in New Jersey, and we haven't seen each other since my nephew's wedding almost two years ago. Of course, the real reason they are coming is to see the little guy, but who can blame them?



Thanks for visiting!

jan 15 - Totally Useless

The New moon is upon us again, and that means another Totally Useless SAL update. The first for 2010, and frankly, mine is pitiful!


I started out so well on New Year's Day with my stitching, but ever since then I have been in such a slump. The first week I was so tired every day after work that I fell asleep in the chair every night. And this week hasn't been much better.
I have started my block for the STO block exchange. This month's theme is "green"...but I haven't made too much progress. I hope I can finish it in time.
There is lots going on here at the library but I don't want to go into it all right now. Suffice it to say that it is keeping my mind busy and scattering my concentration.
I have been reading though...so that is some bit of escape! And I know that my stitching mojo will return...just hope it is sooner rather than later!
I hope you are all having a wonderful day.
Thanks for visiting!

jan 4 - how to get the 3 columns & more giveaways

To anyone wanting to get the three column template, please visit Kristi's blog and go to the January 3 post. She was kind enough to answer my query...and if I could follow the instructions, anyone can!

While you are there, check out her giveaway...and then you can check out these too:

First up is Julie's:



Next is Karen's:



Have fun!
Thanks for visiting!

jan 3 - thanks and a giveaway

Thanks so much to Kristi for walking me through the process of changing my blog to three columns! I've wanted to do this for so long...


Kristi is also having a wonderful giveaway on her blog, so please stop by and check it out.

No stitching today...I've been playing around on the computer all day...haven't done that in a while! Back to work tomorrow...after 2 short weeks what is it going to be like to actually work a full week again?
Thanks for visiting!

jan 1 - 2009 wrap-up & a new start

When checking through things, I realized that I actually got quite a bit accomplished in 2009...stitching-wise.

There were 2 round robin groups that I participated in...in one groups we all did the same design...Quaker Friendship Sampler...it was such fun seeing how different everyone's looked depending on our color and fabric choices. I haven't received mine back yet, but I will post a picture when I do. The same group will be working on another Quaker design this year. The second group is one that I have stitched with for many robins...there are six of us in the group and we all choose our own designs and go from there. This year I asked everyone to stitch one of the Charles Dicken's mittens from Cross-Eyed Cricket. I am anxious to see those.

I also stitched 2 blocks for exchanges with the Stitcher's Timeout group; four exchanges with the Year-Long Prairie Schooler exchange group and six sets of squares with Fair & Square. There were three ornaments exchanged with the Christmas Ornament Exchange group; tow other ornament exchanges and three I stitched for myself. There was also a bookmark exchange, a floss-tag exchange, a Quaker exchange (I stitched a needlebook for this one) and a "stitcher's room" exchange where we stitched something for our partner to keep in their stitching are...I did a small Shepherd's Bush pillow for this one.

My largest finish for the year was the Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler, but I also completed "Alla Turca" (Pelin Tezer), "Lo How A Rose" (Bright Needle), "Mildred's Garden" (Blackbird Designs), "Ladybug Ladybug" (LHN),"Daisy Sampler" (CCN) and Bent Creek's "I Do" (twice...for two separate wedding gifts),"Peacock Heart" and the little freebie sampler from Blackbird Designs.

On the reading front, I finished at least 43 books...either reading or listening. I've started keeping track on "goodreads" so I can have a more accurate list of what I'm reading in the new year.

I received my last ornament exchange for 2009 from Jennie. I don't know who the designer is but he is a really cute Santa and was a nice addition to my ornie tree.

I also heard that Carol received her ornie for the current round at the Christmas Ornament Exchange group. It is a Workbasket design from one of the JCS ornie issues.

We had a quiet New Year's Eve. We went out for Mexican food and came home and watched some tv. Thursdays are UFO night at Friendly Stitchers so I actually decided to pull one out and stitch. This is Midnight Stitching's "Quaker Winter Slumber". I think I started it in May but put it down for some reason. Anyway, here is what it looked like when I started

and here is how it looked when I fell asleep stitching a couple hours later.


We're such party animals in this house...we were in bed way before midnight!

And finally, at Stitchers Timeout, we have a Jan.1 project SAL. Last year, my project was Beatrix Potter and I managed to finish it before the end of the year (yeah!). This year I started "Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow" in between taking down our Christmas tree and decorations and watching the Oregon Ducks lose the Rose Bowl game. Here is my progress so far:

Sorry for being so wordy...if you made it this far...thanks!

And thanks for visiting!

Dec 31 - Happy New Year!

Well I can't believe another year has flown by! I hope that all my blog readers have a very happy and safe new year's eve and a 2010 that is filled with happiness, health and many blessings...and as much stitching time as you desire!

I haven't decided whether to make too many stitching goals this year...I think my main goal will be to try and stitch every day and to enjoy every stitch I make.

Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and for all your comments. It is always a joy to read them. And thank you too for sharing your blogs with me. I am amazed every day by all your talent and I love reading what you all have to say.

Here's to many more days of sharing and friendship...happy new year!

dec 24 - Merry Christmas!

I just want to wish everyone a very happy Christmas. I hope you are all safe and warm and cozy wherever you are, and that you are able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and for leaving comments when you can. I am very grateful for each and every one of you.

Thanks for visiting!

dec 19 - another wonderful giveaway

Please stop by Micki's blog...she is having a wonderful Irish Christmas Giveaway.

And you can listen to some wonderful Carole King music while you're at it!

thanks for visiting!

dec 19 - only six more days

It's less than a week until Christmas and I am still not really ready. I know that all will be well whether I am ready or not though!

I wanted to share photos of two recent exchanges that I received. The first is a beautiful potholder stitched by Maria for the Year Long Prairie Schooler exchange. I have never received a finish like this and it is just lovely. The design is from one of the "Two by Two" patterns.

These adorable squares arrived today from Milly for Round 16 of Fair & Squares. I love Lizzie Kate designs, and the colors are so vibrant. You would now believe how perfect her backs are as well...how do you do that Milly? Amazing! I love these and might just finish them in a cube for this Christmas.

Thanks again to Maria and Milly...and thanks for visiting!

dec 16 - last TUSAL of 2009

This is the last New Moon of the year which means the last Totally Useless SAL posting of 2009.


It's been fun seeing everyone's cool containers filling up all year. There will be another SAL in 2010 if anyone wants to join up. I have another identical container, so I think I will use that and see if it fills up any faster this time!

Thanks for visiting.

dec 14 - some great giveaways

Here are some great giveaways for you to check out:

Patti is offering this adorable stitched pillow:



And Karyn has this giveaway at her blog:


Please pay a visit to these great blogs today!

Thanks for visiting!

dec 16 - some stuff to share

I'm sorry...I know I have been very bad about blogging these last several weeks. Time just keeps getting away from me. We were on vacation from work last week...stayed home and relaxed, which was very much needed. We put up our Christmas tree and got the house decorated. Did a little bit of shopping and some cards. I still have some stuff to do though. I've decided not to get too stressed out about anything this year. It all seems to work out in the end no matter what anyway!

I did manage to get some stitching done as well. And I have two finishes to share! One is "Alla Turca" by Pelin Tezer.


This was a mystery SAL design with the Stitcher's Heaven yahoo group. I stitched it on a mushroom evenweave using Carrie's "Banana Split" thread. I was very good about keeping up with this one and then almost to the end I ran out of thread! Ugh...don't you hate when that happens? Anyway I got some more but when it came I was busy with other stuff and out this piece aside. But I got it out this week to finish and I love the way it tuned out. The thread color is a mixture of so many of my favorite shades and I really like it.

The second big piece that got finished this week is my "Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler"!


This was also done along with a SAL group...thanks so much to Hazel for organizing this! I stitched mine on bay rum jobelan using Carrie's thread in "Koala Claw" and the bit of accent color is from The Dye is Cast - "Strawberry Cream". I had hoped to finish this one by the end of the year and am so happy that I did.I don't think I would have finished either piece if I hadn't been spurred on by everyone's encouragement in the SALs. Sorry...the photos don't really show the true colors, but you can get the idea!

Thanks for visiting!

dec 16 - some stuff to share part two

I have been very lucky to have received some wonderful ornaments this season.


This first one was stitched by Julie for an exchange with a yahoo group I am in. It is a reindeer design from The Workbasket. I love Quaker designs and this is one I had actually stitched for someone else but never got around to stitching for myself. I love the little bell she attached around his neck!


The next ornament was sent by Andrea. I was lucky enough to win one of her giveaways this season. This design is from Glory Bee and since I collect snowmen it was a perfect choice!



This ornament has been a really popular one. It is a Prairie Schooler design that was featured in the November issue of The Gift of Stitching. I have seen it stitched on many blogs, and this is another one that I stitched and sent off in an exchange too. I love this design and Carol stitched this for me for the current round at the Christmas Ornament Swap blog. She did a beautiful job stitching this and I love her finishing with the pretty little beads all around.


This last ornament was sent by Jinger as a thank you for a pattern I had sent her some time ago. It is a Lizzie Kate design and is so cute.

Thanks again to you all for these lovely ornaments! I have a small tree filled with stitched ornies and these have all been added and look so festive.

Thanks for visiting!

dec 1 - already????

Like so many others, I am amazed that it is December already. And I sit here with nothing ready for Christmas and no ideas either! Well, maybe one or two ideas but that's it!

Hubby and I spent several hours in the emergency room last night. He was having trouble breathing and had a bit of pressure in his chest. Of course, he just wanted to take a nap! But they did lots of tests and blood work at the hospital and everything checked out fine. He's going to see his regular doctor today and taking a couple of days off. We both think this has plenty to do with stress...he's taking on some things at work that are very stressful and I think he just has to slow down some. He thinks going to the ER was a waste of time, but at our age you can't be too careful!

It looks like my older daughter and her husband are splitting up. They have a very complicated relationship...they are really very good friends, but he is a very unemotional person...never talks or opens up about important things...thinks everything is always "just fine"...and she is totally the opposite...very emotional and sensitive to things...she needs someone who can show their emotions. We'll see what happens...So much for me thinking this coming year was going to be a calm and peaceful one!

On the stitching front, some of my little packages are reaching their new homes.


This is an ornament I stitched for Ruth as part of an exchange on the Friendly Stitchers yahoo group. It is "Winter Greens" by Little House Needleworks, stitched over one on 25ct evenweave with different GAST, Crescent Colours and Carrie's Threads. It's hard to see the lighter green color in the picture but it does show up well in real life! There are a few gold beads on there as well.


This ornament was stitched for Julie for another exchange with our Stitching Buddies group. She loves samplers, so I chose this design by The Workbasket. I think it was from the 2001 or 2002 JCS Ornament issue. It has lots of little cranberry and gold beads as well.


Finally, this is the square I stitched for Milly in Round 16 of the Fair & Square exchange. She loves Little House designs and I was afraid that she might have already stitched this for herself, but she hadn't, so I lucked out! It is the little companion piece to one of the "Dear Diary" designs - Lucy Fairchild. There was also a name square sent, but I don't have a picture of that one!

Well, I'm off to buy some DVDs for the library. Thanks for visiting!

nov 30 - another year older

Yesterday was my birthday...another year gone by so quickly. It was a good year though...lots of changes, both at home and at work. And lots of good times. Hopefully the coming year will be full of good times as well!
I was lucky enough to have 5 days off for the Thanksgiving holiday. My daughter was here from Boston, and we got to spend time with her and her sister and our grandson as well. And I even got a little bit of stitching time in there!


This is an extremely bad scan of my progress on Beatrix Potter this month. My camera did not want to play nice this morning! Anyway, I got three large and two small motifs finished (one of the small ones is hiding to the left). I have 5 more motifs to stitch and then she will be finished.

Thanks for visiting!

nov 30 - another great giveaway!

Please check out Jennifer's blog for information on her great giveaway!

Thanks for visiting!

nov. 22 - where has the time gone?

I can't believe how long it has been since I have made a proper post here at my blog. I vaguely remember trying to post every day in October and I was good for awhile, but then everything just got away from me and I have been in limbo ever since!
I am very late with this, but here is my TUSAL for this month. This jar may actually be full by the end of the year!


And I have been doing some stitching, but it has all been for exchanges, so I can't show any pics yet. I'm hoping to get most everything in the mail tomorrow though, so I should be able to post some pics soon.

One exchange that I can show is from the last round of the Christmas Ornament Exchange that I am participating in. I received this lovely ornament from Faye...it is a Quaker Christmas design from The Workbasket. I have actually stitched this for someone else and have always been wanting to do one for myself...but now I don't have to! And Faye has finished it beautifully. Thanks again Faye!


And I heard that my partner received the ornie that I stitched as well. It is "The Merry Stitcher" from Homespun Elegance. I stitched it on a neutral linen using the threads called for. The only one I replaced was the Whisper thread because I didn't have that on hand.


My daughter is flying in tonight from Boston to spend Thanksgiving with us. I think she really wants to see Asher and the furbabies the most, but I'll take what I can get!
Thanks for visiting!

nov 10 - some great giveaways

Please take a minute to visit the blogs in my "giveaway" link in the sidebar. There are some great giveaways here and wonderful blogs to visit. Have fun!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 26 - almost forgot...

Don't forget about Missy's "13 Days of Halloween" giveaway. Stop by and check it out!
Thanks for visiting!

oct 26 - a bit of progress and a blog award!

I recently received this blog award from Lynn.


There don't seem to be any guidelines for this award, so I will just pass it along to all the wonderful stitchers whose blogs I read on a regular basis. I can't tell you all how much enjoyment I get from reading your blogs and how much inspiration I get from seeing all your wonderful stitching. Thanks to everyone for sharing!
We had Asher for the weekend so I didn't get much stitching time but I did manage to finish two more motifs on my Beatrix Potter sampler.


I think I have ten more to go and then it will be done!
Well...back to work!
Thanks for visiting!

oct 23 - the rains are here

Well, it looks like the rains have come...just as they do every October. That's ok though...after all the heat we experienced in Arizona last weekend I almost welcome somewhat chillier temps! Just wish I didn't have such a chill here at work.
I am still trying to catch up with emails and blog-reading. Being away from the computer for three days really makes things pile up.I was reminded of an exchange that I totally forgot I had even signed up for - duh!I'm not sure if Asher will be with us this weekend or not, so maybe I will have some time for stitching after all.
A friend's grandson is in the hospital...his breathing keeps stopping and they don't know why. He is Asher's age...just a baby...so this is very frightening. If you have any prayers to spare I know the family would appreciate them.
A reminder that this is day 5 of Missy's Halloween giveaway.
Thanks for visiting!

oct. 22 - it must be fall

A reminder that today is Day 4 of Missy's "13 Days of Halloween" giveaway.

It's getting cooler and damp around here. I can't wait to get home and have some soup. I made a big pot of clam chowder last night so it's all ready to go. Yum!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 21 - giveaways

Today is day 3 of Missy's "13 Days of Halloween" giveaway. Go check it out here!

And there is also a wonderful giveaway going on at Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe. Lots of fat quarters to give away. If you love fabrics, you'll want to check this one out too.


Thanks for visiting!

oct 20 - TUSAL and a reminder

I'm finally getting around to posting a picture of my TUSAL...I totally forgot about it with all the craziness from the weekend. I think I'm about at the halfway point of this container!

Don't forget about Missy's giveaway!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 19 - Missy's giveaway!

It's the start of Missy's long awaited Halloween giveaway. Visit her blog for all the details!
Thanks for visiting!

oct19 - back home

We finally fell into bed after midnight last night after a very busy weekend. We left Friday morning for Phoenix...arrived on time...only to find that they had "lost" our rental car. They found us another - a Suburban,which seemed huge, but we were the designated drivers for the weekend, and when we finally dropped the bride and groom at the airport it turned out that there was barely enough room for all the luggage anyway!

On to Tucson...in rush hour traffic... so it took about 2 1/2 hours...and before we got there our plans had already been changed for us. Instead of going to our hotel to relax for a bit we ended up at BILs house where we had to quick change and get to the restaurant for dinner...where we had to wait for almost an hour to eat.

Saturday morning we were up early to go and sit and wait some more...the wedding wasn't until 4:30. The wedding was held at a golf resort and the rooms we had were very nice. The wedding was held outside...the reception inside, thank goodness. Did I forget to mention that the temperature in Tucson that day hit 102? We're Oregonians...we don't do 102!

Anyway it was a very nice wedding and it was great fun spending time with our relatives from Maine. We don't get to see them often enough and we always have a good time when we are together. The bride was lovely and her toast brought a tear to my eye. Hubby and I danced and had fun together.

So I guess I am glad we went. Sort of....

We called my BIL (the one who got married) "the general"...

can you guess why? He micromanaged and dictated our every move from the time we landed until the time we dropped him at the airport. When he called to wake us up on Sunday at 5:30 when we didn't have to leave until 7 I thought I was going to really lose it. But we got them to the airport, with all their luggage, on time.

Then the rest of us, who didn't have to be at the airport until later, headed off to the Desert Botanical Gardens to relax a bit. It was very warm but we really enjoyed ourselves. We took one of those tours and the docent was very informative. Of course I had my camera safely packed away in my suitcase so there are no photos! BIL called us from the airport to say their flight was delayed 2 hours....after all that rushing around! Maybe he should have called the airport to check but I think he was too busy hustling the rest of us around! I think I must sound like a real complainer but you really had to be there to fully understand just how annoying one man can be. But we all have lots of stories to tell now!

So back to the airport around noon for the flight to Maine and then Jeff and I were there until 8 when we finally took off for home. Quite a long day! I thought I would get lots of stitching done with all that waiting around but I was so tired that I didn't get much done at all...just a little on my Beatrix Potter sampler. It was so good to get home to our furry family...our dog walker stayed with them for the weekend and they all had great fun.

And I am lucky enough to have today off so I am going to go make a huge mug of tea and enjoy it!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 16 - flying the friendly skies

We're off to the airport in a bit...flying to Arizona for a family wedding. My husband's brother is getting married. Oh if only we could sit down with a large mug of tea and chat...I could tell stories. SIL and BIL from Maine are also here and it will be really good to see them. We haven't seen them since the family reunion in 2008. I think I might have more fun if 80% of our time wasn't going to be spent in cars and airports but what can you do? I have Monday off to re-group. Sorry...do I sound like I am complaining? Maybe because I really do not want to be doing this.

Flying is not my favorite thing to do...in fact, it is one of my least favorite things to do. So I am feeling a bit stressed right now. I have some books and some stitching to occupy my mind and hubby of course. Luckily it's a short flight. It's supposed to be 99 degrees in Tucson today...hope we can handle all that sunshine!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 15 - new stash for me

Last Sunday was the annual fall open house at my LNS - Acorns and Threads - in Portland. I may have mentioned before that I must really get serious about stitching from stash and not bringing any more new stuff into the house until I make a real dent in what I already have. The best laid plans...Anyway, I was actually very good on Sunday. I had a some things that had been pre-ordered for me from Market, so I just picked up a few threads, got on line, got my bag and got going! I was tempted by some other things (and did order a pattern for an upcoming round robin) but other that that I was a good girl! It's not that I am lacking for new things to stitch! Here are some of the pieces I have picked up over the last several weeks.


Does anyone want to stitch a long with me?
Thanks for visiting!

oct 14 - a quick check-in

I went back to work today and ended up going home early 'cause I still wasn't feeling too great. We have so much stuff to get together before Friday...we're headed to Arizona for my BIL's wedding. It will be a very fast trip, much of which will be spent either in a car or in an airport. Can't wait! I'm hoping to do lots of stitching,and then I'm off on Monday and hope to get a start on Christmas in Hawk Run Hollow then.

Thanks for visiting!

oct 13 - the rains have come

Still not feeling well so I stayed home again today. I woke up to a rainy, slightly blustery day. I think I will just stay cuddled up in a corner for most of the day!

We had an exchange on Friendly Stitchers called "My Stitching Place" - stitching something that our partner could put in her stitching corner. I heard from Sharon that she received her exchange so I can show a picture now.


I stitched "Be Calm" from Shepherd's Bush and made a little hanging pillow. It is stitched on a piece of Silkweavers fabric...a minty green color with the recommended threads and buttons. Sharon likes green and purple so I thought it would be nice for her and she does say she likes it, so I am pleased!
Well, back to bed...thanks for visiting!

oct 12 - it's no fun feeling sick

and it's also no fun watching a baseball game in a parka and ski cap! I mean, come on...that just isn't right! I remember a few years ago when the start of the Mariners season was postponed because of snow in Cleveland (I think it was!) There should not be snow in baseball!
Anyway, I was up and down all night with a very nasty stomach bug and chills. SO today I stayed home from work. Still not felling great but I do feel lots better than I did last night!
Maybe I
ll get a bit of stitching done later....
Thanks for visiting!

oct.11 - making pancakes

Asher spent the weekend with us and was a joy as always. He loves his grandpa's breakfasts and likes to help. Here they are mixing up the pancakes. I didn't get a chance to take an after picture...the one with the blueberries all over his face!
Thanks for visiting!

oct 10 - fair & square

I received these pretty squares from Karen for round 15 on the Fair & Square blog. She stitched the "ABC Floss Tag" from Milady's Needle. I love the colors she chose. Maybe I'll even make a floss tag from these! Thanks again Karen!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 9 - so glad it's friday

This week seems to have flown by, but at the same time it felt like Friday would never come. Have I finally completely lost my mind???
Work-wise, this week held way too many meetings and lots of discussions but I don't feel like I accomplished as much as i should have. I can't believe I'm already planning orders for next year's summer reading program...we just ended this years!
I didn't get much stitching done...I can't even remember if I got any stitching done! I know I have been reading more this week. And I did finally get some real letters written...long overdue.
Asher will be coming over tonight and with us until Sunday afternoon. He is always so much fun to have around. I'm taking him with me to Acorns and Threads on Sunday for open house. It's so fun to spend time with him because everything is so new....so much to see and touch and do...so much to put in one's mouth!
Speaking of putting stuff in one's mouth...if I don't stop eating so much I will turn into a giant sized something. Do you know the story of the very hungry caterpillar? Unfortunately I don't think I will turn into a beautiful butterfly...even if we do go to Sweet Tomatoes and I eat those very green leaves. Help!
Time to go home...I'm listening to a very entertaining book...The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz...so the ride should go quickly even though it is Friday commute day.
Thanks for visiting!

oct 8 - fair squares and floss

Sherre was kind enough to send me a list of the DMC needed for Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow, so I have been pulling that tonight. I'm only short about a dozen colors and I can get them tomorrow. The fabric came in today's mail, so by Sunday night I will be ready to go. I can't wait. I am really looking forward to stitching this piece.
I saw that Karen received her round 15 squares, so I guess I can share a picture of what I stitched for her. This is an LHN design called "Be True". It was really a fun stitch. I hope she likes them!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 7 - malware???

Lately I've been getting a strange notice when trying to get into some blogs...that they may be infected with or by "malware". I have no idea what that is, but I have been having trouble with the email I use for this blog...lots of wonky messages being sent etc...and I wonder if one has anything to do with the other. I'm wondering if anyone knows what this means? I am so hopelessly un-techie it's really sad!

Thanks for visiting!

oct 6 - this and that

I took a little break from stitching last night and tonight and read a book from one of my fave series..."Death of a Rug Lord" by Tamar Myers. This is from the Den of Antiquity series. I love these cozy series and the main character in this one - Abigail Timberlake Washburn - owns an antique shop in Charleston. I just got the newest one from the library and knew I had to catch up. Now it's back to stitching...a small Halloween piece called "Spooky Tree" from Trilogy.

So much to do...so little time...

Thanks for visiting!

oct 5 - groovy giveaways

I am shamelessly borrowing an idea I found on Terri's blog. I have added a list in my sidebar for some of the wonderful giveaways that are being offered throughout blogland. Please visit these blogs for all the information. You'll not only find some great giveaways but also hopefully discover some wonderful new-to-you bloggers. Thanks for the idea Terri!
Thanks for visiting!

oct 4 - a quiet sunday

Today has been a pretty quiet day. We had Asher last night and most of today...he helped grandpa make blueberry pancakes this morning. Wish my camera had been working so I could take a pic. Maybe next weekend!

I managed to finish up a wedding sampler for my BIL and future SIL. The wedding is on the 17th so I am way ahead of the game. It's a Bent Creek design called "I Do" that I have actually stitched once before for someone else's wedding.

So now I am off to watch the last Mariners game of this season and then take a nice long hot bath.

Thanks for visiting!

oct 3 - scissor obsession

I have been stitching since I was in college with short breaks here and there, so that has been over 30 years, and up until a short time ago I was content to have one or two pair of fairly inexpensive scissors. And then I discovered Ginghers designer embroidery scissors. It all started very innocently. I purchased the "Emma" scissors because I thought they were so pretty and I had a coupon. Then they put out a pair called "Sarah"...and well..that's my daughter's name so I had to have them, right? And then I was hooked. I realized that Joanns always has 50% off coupons so if I planned things right....so along came "Criss". Last week I saw a post on Jill's blog that she got the "Elena" scissors, so I grabbed my coupon and rushed to Joanns and found that they didn't have the Elenas, but they did have these......"Mia". I love plaids so these are just perfect.


I went to Mike and Carol's online store just to look around and saw the Elenas there,

and then I had to give in and finally get the "Freedom" scissors as well.


So I think I now have another official obsession...and I can't answer the question "why do you need so many pairs of scissors?"...but I just know that I do.
Thanks for visiting!

oct 2 - wonderful mail

Since I didn't post yesterday I thought I would double up today to catch up. As luck would have it I had 2 wonderful surprises waiting for me when I picked up my mail.

A short time ago, Lynn had a giveaway on her blog and I was one of the lucky winners. She sent me three beautiful flower pins and the teeniest little coffee pot. The photo does no do them justice. They are so delicate and perfectly fashioned. Thank you so much Lynn!

I also received an exchange from Sharon. We had a "My Stitching Place" exchange over at Friendly Stitchers and Sharon stitched me a gorgeous puffy pincushion. Again you really can't appreciate how lovely this is from the picture. The colors are so delicate and the stitching is beautiful. The backside is a pretty green sateen type fabric. Sharon also included some Thread Gatherers silk, ribbon and a cute little flower basket charm. Thank you so much Sharon! This will hang right beside my stitching chair.


What a perfect start to the weekend!
Thanks for visiting!

oct 2 - Blogtoberfest and some giveaways

I have been sorely neglecting both my own blog and others lately and I apologize for that. Can't believe it's a new month already! And time for "blogotberfest"! This is all new to me, but it's not too late to join in and you can find some details here. Sounds like a blast...I just hope I can keep up!

Here are two more giveaways that I came across this morning. The first is a great Halloween giveaway to be found here. If you like Halloween and/or BBD designs...check this one out!


The second is a wonderful giveaway found here. A great selection of terrific giveaway designs.

And now I must get back to work.
Thanks for visiting and hope everyone is having a great day!