I Think I Can, I Think I Can....

.....and I think I'm going to try! 

Lots of stitchers in Blogland have been talking about the 2011 Crazy January Challenge.  I'm sure you have heard about it.  Well, after much contemplation and a kick in the pants from Sharon (see her comment to me about my comment), I might as well just make the leap and take this challenge head on.  I'm only going to pull from my stash for this challenge and I'm not going to buy anything new.  I've got a few ideas on which ones I want to start.  My biggest problem will be paring the list down to 15 projects that can be completed within a year's time.  After all, I have lofty goals.  I'm thinking about making Long Dog's Moulin Rouge my first project.  After all, it's been begging for me to make it a start for some time now.

I guess this means that you will have to keep an eye out on my sidebar for my 15 projects.  I've got a few in mind already and I'm going to put them up there before I forget.  Now, don't hold me to my list until January 15th......I could change projects at any time!

Happy Stitching!

Goals & Giveaway Announcement

I can't believe it......November 30th already!  Good thing I've fulfilled some more of my goals before month end.  I finished my piece for the Blackbird Designs Exchange 6 and it will be going out in the mail today.  ON TIME!  I also finished stitching one ornament (one out of way too many), but I still have to "finish" it.  However, I think I'm going to wait until I get a few more done and have a personal "finishing party" like I did last night.  Last night's finishing party consisted of my exchange piece and three Christmas gifts.  So, I guess I can mark some more off of the list.  YEAH!!!

I can also mark off another unnamed goal.  I challenged myself to blog everyday along with NaBloPoMo and I did it!  Today was the last day.......WHEW!!!  I'm glad that NaBloPoMo only comes once a year.  It is only once a year, isn't it??????

By the way, I'm glad that you all liked my haul from Black Friday.  Especially the Mon Ami piece Noel 2009.  I figured you all might like that one, so I bought a second one for the giveaway.  Now all that's left is to go over to Random.org and pick a number........hold on a sec.......ok.......here we go.......

AND THE WINNER IS.........(drum roll please)

Hillery from North Country Samplings!!!!  (Hillery, I sent you an email......just send me your snail mail info and I will get your prize right out to you.)

Congrats and Happy Stitching!

Holiday Hangover

I don't know about you, but I feel like I've got the worst hangover!  Too much good food and family time over the weekend I guess.  Still, it was nice to spend time with family that I don't generally see.  Of course, we will be getting together again with my side of the family in two weeks for our annual Hanukkah celebration.  Hubby and I will also be spending time with my Father and Step-Mother in two weeks to celebrate Hanukkah with them as well.  I'm sure that the second celebration will not have the excitement of the first.

As an aside, I would like to thank you all for your lovely comments on my memory/memorial sampler.  I picked out some scrapbook paper for the back of the frame over the weekend.  Once that dries I will put on the hardware and find a special place for it in our home.  Right now it is sitting on our fireplace mantel, but I don't think that will be its permanent home.

Happy Stitching!

Memory/Memorial Sampler Revealed

Side Note:  Before I reveal my memory/memorial sampler, I have to apologize for the crappy snap.  I've tried several times to get a good one, but I haven't been able to.  This was the best that I could do and to make matters worse, it's from my cell phone!  I will try again to get a better picture, but I just couldn't wait to show it to you all!

For those of you who are recent followers, here is the back story on my memory/memorial sampler.  Back in mid September I found out that I was pregnant with our first child.  To our dismay, we found out during week 7 of the pregnancy that I had a blighted ovum.  The following week I went in for a D&C.  In the meantime, I knew that I had to do something to deal with my grief.  My way of dealing with things was to stitch.  So, I dug into my stash for the perfect piece to remember my little angel and this is what I came up with........




Blessings & Kind Wishes
by Blackbird Designs

 I stitched it on 40ct Vintage Dk. Limited Ed. by Lakeside Linen with a conversion to Belle Soie.  I also removed the second verse and used the months that I was pregnant instead.  I finished it in just a few days.  Hubby picked out the frame and I did the framing on my own.

Things are much better these days and we are back to trying again.

Happy Stitching!

200 Followers Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget about my giveaway!  The deadline for comments is Midnight (EST) Monday, November 29th.  You must comment on that post only.  Good luck to everyone!

Happy Stitching!

Black Friday Shopping

I don't know about you, but I hate big, pushy crowds with mean and nasty people.  Nothing like having the holiday spirit, right?  So, I'm going to do my best to avoid going anywhere near a mall or a store today.  (Not sure that is going to be easy though since my mother loves to shop.)

Instead, I thought I'd share my mini stash haul from the excursion with my "Stitching Sisters" last weekend.  The first thing I found was this old Sheepish Designs sampler.  Seeing that they are no longer in print, I figured that this was a great find.  If I do end up stitching it, I see a few color changes in my future.....


A girl can never have enough needles either!

 Then I was digging through the holiday basket and came across this A Mon Ami Pierre pattern:



Noel 2009

 Now, this type of pattern is usually not my cup of tea.  I'm dreading opening up the pattern since I believe it is all in French and I took Spanish in High School.  But, it just called out my name.  I figured that I could either stitch the whole thing or I could just stitch the ornaments individually.  (Hence the lovely Treasure Braids by Rainbow Gallery.)  Just as long as there is a stitch count, this girl will manage.

My decision was confirmed when I saw this hanging behing the counter.......

I think I'm going to mix some Belle Soie with those Rainbow Gallery threads and I'll have some great new ornaments for my tree!  Now, if there was just more time until Christmas......I've got too many ornaments to stitch as is!

Happy Stitching!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

From my family to yours.......

Does This Mean My Luck is Changing?

I got an email over the weekend from Belinda of Blue Ribbon Designs.  I was the runner up in her Milestone Blog Giveaway and I won the tan sewing companion.  I'm so excited!

I was under the weather all weekend (and now into this week) with a cold/sinus thing, so winning this really cheered me up.

I guess I'll be stalking the mail delivery truck again this week!

Happy Stitching!

One Step Closer

After this weekend I'm more than just one step closer to my goals for November and December.  Woo-Hoo!

I finally made a finish of LHN's December and it should be on its way (along with September, October and November) to my dear friend Sharon.  Now her set of models for the Monthlies will be complete.  Whew!



"December" on 30ct WDW Mocha

 This finish gave me ample opportunity to work on some other stitchy projects around the house.  I was able to frame my memory/memorial sampler and I'm so very pleased with how it turned out.  I took a picture of it last night under the Ott light, but it didn't turn out.  I guess I'll just have to wait for the light of day instead. 

I also took some time to stitch on one of my Blackbird Designs works in progress.  Remember the Keepsake Box from the 2008 Shepherd's Bush Retreat?  Well, with just a little stitch time during the late Sunday night Giants/Eagles football game I managed to turn my work into this:

Now all I have left is a little bit of fill in on a couple of the flowers, the flower pot and my initials.  I figured that I deserved to reward myself with a little bit of "off goal" stitching since I've been good at keeping my goals so far.  Plus, not only did I finish December, but I finished stitching my Blackbird Designs Exchange piece!  I think that deserved a reward, don't you?

So, here's my piece for the exchange:
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HA, HA!  FOOLED YA!  You don't think I was going to show it before my recipient got to see it, did you?  I couldn't do that!  I'm pretty sure that this person reads my blog.  Plus, her initial is on it and that would have given it away.  So, instead, I'm just going to show you a few of my supplies for the piece instead.  I plan on "finishing" it up this week so that it will be in the mail for our November 30th deadline.

I guess that means that I will have to start stitching on all of those ornaments this week.  Wish me luck!

Happy Stitching!

200 Followers Giveaway

This morning gave me the greatest little surprise.  When I looked at the dashboard on my blog yesterday I had 197 followers.  Now it is up to 203!  So, it looks like it is time for a little giveaway to celebrate crossing over the 200 mark. 

I'm so glad that I picked up a special chart while I was stash shopping with my friends this weekend.  It is perfect for this giveaway.  I think it is full of holiday cheer and it should be enjoyed before the holidays.  So, with that in mind this contest will be open until Midnight (EST) Monday, November 29th.  That way I can get the package in the mail so that you can start some holiday stitching.

Here are your rules, easy peasy......just comment on this post.  That's all you have to do.  If you want to post it on your blog, feel free.  Also, just to keep it fair to those who have been following me from the beginning, you MUST be a follower to win!

Good luck and happy stitching!

Another Magical Number

I just noticed that I'm almost at 200 followers. I can't believe it! So, in celebration, I'm going to have a giveaway as soon as I hit that magical number. I picked up a little something over the weekend just for this special occasion. So, who is going to get me to that 200 mark?

Happy Sitiching!

Exchanging is Awesome!

I know that many of you have been disappointed in the past with some exchanges that you have been involved in.  So, here's the perfect way to combat a bad exchange.........do a private "one on one" exchange with someone that you know.  I did!

Back in May of this year I went to visit my dear friend Sharon.  We had such a good time together like we always do.  I also got to do a few things that I don't get to do while I'm at home, such as go to a Diamondbacks MLB game and (most importantly) visit The Attic Needlwork Shop.  One of the days that I was there, The Attic had a stitch-in that I got to be a part of.  I met many wonderful people including Karen.  Upon my return home, Karen and I befriended each other on Facebook and started email communications.  She suggested that we do a private exchange.

Now, I saw all of Karen's wonderful stitching and finishing while I was out in Arizona.  So, of course it was a no brainer that I would do an exchange with her.  We set a theme and we set a date to mail off our exchanges to each other.  Knowing that sometimes life gets in the way, we were in constant contact about our exchange.  Life happens and our original mail date came and went.  However, we both buckled down and got our exchanges out to each other.

Here's what came in the mail over the weekend:



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Such beautiful presentation!





This was from Blackbird Designs, but I don't know the title of the piece.  However, it was stitched on 35ct Straw using Crescent Colous Capuccino and DMC.



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Isn't this just the cutest little pincushion?  I love the lace!

The background on the front cover is also the backing to my pincushion.

Check out the inside!  And Karen even included a pair of scissors.....afterall, a girl can't have enough scissors!

The back cover even has a pocket.

Karen, I love it!  Thank you so much!

Oh, and just incase you think......"I could never do that!", Karen has her own finishing service.  Check out the blog at Finely Finished for all the details.  I can honestly say that Karen's work is amazing!

Thanks again Karen!

Happy Stitching!





Thankful Answer

My answer to the Thankful SBQ:

My stitching has always been a way for me to de-stress at the end of a busy day. It allows me to take my mind off of things that I may not want to face or think about. It also allows for a decompression period if I need one. But, I've never been more thankful for my stitching than during this whole year and especially these last few months. You see, my husband and I have been tackling some difficult issues (both individually and together) since the beginning of the year. Add to that the craziness of the last few months and you have one stressed out girl. Top that off with the loss of our first child during the 8th week of pregnancy and you have a woman ready to head to the loony bin. Thankfully, my stitching has allowed me to keep my sanity and restore me back to myself. I was able to pour my grief due to our loss into a lovely memory/memorial sampler which I will be framing sometime this week.

Happy Stitching!

When I'm on a Roll......

......my hubby swoops in and throws me all off kilter!  Take the other night as a perfect example.  I had plans for finishing up LHN's December so that I could get the model stitching in the mail. 

Well, Hubby had plans of his own and we ended up cleaning out the closet under the stairs.  You see, we are finally trying to make "my" house into "our" house after 2+ years of marriage.  Actually, what I should say is that he is ready to make it "our" house.  (I've been ready!)  In the last few months he has taken to watching HGTV, rearranging the inside of kitchen cabinets and great room furniture and cleaning out storage spaces in the house.  He made the shed into a nice tool storage area instead of the cigarette smelling "man cave" that it used to be.  He even fixed up the pantry and now it is neat and items are easily accessible.

I have to admit, I don't know how to act. I don't know what to do with this new version of my husband.  I guess I'll just have to take it when and where I can.

I'm just glad that he is working tonight so that I can stitch in peace!

Happy Stitching!

November's SBQ

Lee over at Lake Stitcher posed this month's "Stitching Bloggers' Question":

Tell us about a time that you were especially thankful for your ability to do needlework. Try not to answer in generalities, but rather try to answer with a specific time, event, or happening that made you very thankful that you could stitch. For instance, maybe your needlework got you through a difficult time. Maybe your needlework made a happy time even happier. Or perhaps your talent and skill created a wonderful situation. You get the idea.

What about you?  Are you especially thankful for your ability to do needlework?

Happy Stitching!

I'm a Winner!

Back in October, Nataly had a Think Pink Giveaway and I was the lucky second chance winner.  I have been a slacker and this was the first time that I have taken pictures of all the goodies that she sent.

Got to love the goodies!

She also sent a fabluous scissor fob which can be seen here on her blog.  She is a wonderful stitcher and finisher!  Oh, and Nataly, I even have the pink socks on today!

Happy Stitching!

Who Put The Brakes On?

I was making great progress towards accomplishing my November/December goals unitl last night.  Someone decided it would be funny to throw me for a small loop.  It seems that the word "Decmeber" was miscounted on my piece and now the frogging will begin.  UGH!!!  At least it was only the word that was the issue.......everything else seems to be in it's rightful place.  Thank goodness!

Happy Stitching!

"November/December Goals" Update

Just a quick little update on how I am faring.....

By the end of last week (after kicking out October's frogs) I finished up November.

November
by Little House Needleworks
Crescent Colours Cotton Thread Pack

Stitched on 30ct Mocha by Weeks Dye Works

 And, in keeping in line with the goals, I got a good start on December.  I'm much further now than this picture shows and I anticipate being able to send these models out shortly.


It's the last one!!!

Looking back on my goals, I'm just about done with number three. Yipee!  I also started on goal  number four over the weekend and I picked out the fabric and fibers for my Blackbird Designs exchange. 

Speaking of exchanges, I have received my exchange from Karen over the weekend and boy is it amazing!  Stay tuned for pictures......

Happy Stitching!

New Giveaways

Don't forget to keep an eye on my sidebar.  I'm always posting new giveaways!

Happy Stitching!

To Pin or Not to Pin

Earlier this week I picked up the frame that I had custom made for my memory/memorial sampler.  Now I'm ready to frame it.  Well........sort of......

I don't know if I should pin it or lace it!!  I've seen needlework done both ways.  The last (and only) two times I framed something I used stainless steel pins, but now I'm having second thoughts.

Do you pin or lace when framing?  Do you know the pros and cons for each?  I would love your input!

Happy Stitching!

Happy Mail

I received a little bit of stitchy happiness in the mail the other day.  My favorite shop, The Attic in Mesa, AZ, sent me a few goodies that I have been anxiously awaiting.

As you already know, I absolutely love Blackbird Designs.  I'm in the process of purchasing the whole Anniversaries of the Heart series that they have been working on this year.  I haven't stitched any of them yet because I'm still trying to decide if I want to stitch them individually or stitch them all as one.  At least I'm now all caught up.  I'll be anxiously awaiting the last few patterns.

I also purchased a beautiful pair of Sullivan scissors.  Now, before I go on about these scissors, I must admit that I am a total scissor nut.  After all, how else am I supposed to display all my scissor fobs?  My favorite brand of scissors are Dovo's, but these were so pretty that I had to add them to my collection.  They are much heavier than Dovo's but I think that they are a tad bit lighter than Ginghers.  The blades are very sharp and they have a smooth operation.  They are my new favorite scissor!  (At least until I get a new pair of Dovo's!)  Be sure to take a look at The Attic's October 6th newsletter and then scroll down to page 15 to get a look at all of the different designs available.  Now that I've looked back, I've spotted another pair that I want! 

There was a little more stitchy happiness in the box, but I can't share it right now.  You see, there were some Christmas gifts in there and I know that the recipients read my blog.  I guess I'll have to keep you in suspense!

Happy Stitching!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for this little guy.....

He means the world to me!

Picture Proof Positive

I have more proof that I have been hard at working stitching and finishing.  A few posts ago I mentioned that I took pictures of a personal exchange that I had stitched for Karen.  I got a lovely email confirmation that she received her package.  Here's the big reveal for those of you that don't read her blog.

"Seaside Retreat"
by Blackbird Designs

I thought that this was an appropriate piece for our exchange since she lives in Arizona and I live on the shores of the Mid-Atlantic.  I had a very hard time trying to decide how to finish this piece.  Nothing I wanted to do seemed right for it.  Then I dug into my small (but ever-growing) stash of frames and this one was the perfect match.  This was my second attempt at framing and I think that it turned out nice.  I decided to pin my work on acid free core board and I even "puffed" the piece out from the inside of the frame using quilt batting.  I backed the frame with the scrapbook paper that it is sitting on in this photo.

Here's the details on "Seaside Retreat".......Many of you may remember that I stitched this pattern for myself earlier this year. (See the June 4th and June 7th posts for pictures.)  I had tons of inquiries last time I posted this pattern and I can still honestly say that I am not ready to give up this pattern, especially since I have a feeling that I may be stitching it again someday soon.  The pattern was from a retreat that I attended in 2009 and has not been released to the general public as of yet.  I have heard rumors that Barb & Alma are going to release a book of their class pieces, so maybe this one will be in there.  I stitched this on 40ct Vintage Tundra by Lakeside Linen.  I also used a Limited Edition Color of Belle Soie.  This piece took about two weeks to stitch, but I was also working on other stitching projects during those two weeks.

I'm so glad to hear that Karen is enjoying our exchange!  I hope you like it too!  I'm always open to private exchanges as long as I have the time.

Happy Stitching.

Stop and Smell the Roses

Over the weekend Hubby and I made a quick trip to our local Sam's Club since we were out of chicken and beef.  While walking to the meat department we passed the most beautiful floral bouquets.  Many were done up in the colors of autumn. 

Now, I really do love fresh flowers.  Even more so when they come spontaneously from Hubby!  But, this time I just couldn't resist and I came home with some beautiful peach roses.  Only $9.99 for a dozen and they included the baby's breath and some foliage.  Can't beat that price.

I thought I should share them with you too......can't you smell them?  They are just divine!

Happy Stitching!