Tons of Goodies and a Market Giveaway

I promised pictures of the goodies that I was lucky enough to pick up while I was at market.  While this is not everything, most of it made it into this picture.  (Sorry if it is a little dark, we've had rain for the last four days and also got caught in the Tropical Storm Nicole remnants so my lighting is less than desirable.)

Not pictured are some additional charts from Raise the Roof, Miss Crescent's Crowne and Sam Sarah as well as a Jenny Bean T-Shirt from Shakespeare's Peddler.  I also came home with some Crescent Colors Cottons and Belle Soie.  YUMMY!!!  (Thank you dearest Sharon!!!!  Kisses!!!!)

Lately, I've really been into Lakeside Linen and I've got quite the stash to prove it.  However, I've seen many of you using linen from Picture This Plus.  So, since I was unlucky lucky enough to have them just down the hall, I took a quick peek.  After seeing all of the delicious colors I knew I had to give it a try.  I was good and I came home with only one stitcher's half.  I don't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but it is a lovely shade of lilac in 36ct..... (I know, it looks a little grey in this picture, but the color in the picture above shows up a little better.)

This is one of my favorite pieces from the show..........

It is a birth sampler from Chessie & Me.  After I read the saying I knew I had to have it.  It says "When you were born, you cry and the World Rejoices"  "May you live in such a manner that when you leave this earth, the World cries and You Rejoice".  Quite lovely, don't you think?  I thought it was a perfect sampler to add to the stash so that I'll have it on hand when the time is right.

Speaking of the time being right, I think that it is time for another giveaway.  I picked up a couple of goodies from market just for you.......my dear blogging buddies.  It will be a surprise as to what it is, but I will say that I did buy duplicates because I had to have it for my stash as well.  I'm also going to include a few bits of fabric and a chart or two from my personal stash since I had to make room for my new goodies.  (Hubby's orders!)

So, if you would like to join in on the giveaway, please comment on this post only.  To earn a second chance in the giveaway, feel free to post about my giveaway somewhere on your blog.  Please be aware that you must comment a second time to get this second chance since I usually use a random number generator to pick my winner.  Followers only please, as I would love to reward those who faithfully read my blog.

This giveaway will end at Midnight (EST) on October 10th and I will draw the winner on Monday, October 11th.  Good luck to everyone! 

Happy Stitching!

Back From Market

First of all, I would like to extend a hearty "WELCOME" and a warm hug to all of my new followers!  I just love meeting new stitchy people!

I made it back from Market in St. Charles and I'm still all in one piece.  It was a grueling, but fun five days.  I started off with an early morning flight out to St. Louis on Thursday.  Let's just say that the first leg of my journey was almost a personal hygiene disaster while mid-flight.  I should really preface this by saying that I am not a great flyer.....I get motion sickness!  But, even with my handy dandy dose of Dramamine, I was digging in the seat pocket to look for that little white air sickness bag!  I've never been so happy to land in my life!  Thank goodness for the longer layover so that I could put my stomach to rights.

After a short second leg, I made it to the St. Louis airport where I patiently waited for my friends.  I was so excited to see Sharon and Jean Lea.  We had a quick, but heartfelt reunion and then we were off to the hotel.  We arrived early enough on Thursday that we were able to get a jump start and get few things set up in the booth.  These are the racks of floss that Sharon brings to market.  The one on the left is filled with cottons.  The center one has all that buttery goodness that is Belle Soie Silks.  The third is filled with the Pearle cottons.  Just look at all those colors!  There are so many that most of the cottons and silks are double hung.  It's almost like having your own personal rainbow at your beck and call........

On Friday Sharon taught a class and then she was on the panel of a technology forum.  I got to enjoy the class and I was even lucky enough to receive some wonderful kits from Erica Michaels, JBW, Lizze*Kate and Miss Crescent's Crowne.  Then while she was on the panel, I went up to the room and finished setting up.  Here's the end result of some hard work........

On Saturday morning at 9am, we were open and ready for business!  Two full days of selling our new cottons, silks and pearles.  There was also some furious selling of the newest Silk Thread Pack collaboration between Raise the Roof designs and Crescent Colours.  It's called Halloween Town.  You can see it here on Theresa's blog (Shakespeare's Peddler) or here on the Crescent Colours blog.  Speaking of Theresa of Shakespeare's Peddler, here she is in action on Saturday.  Her room was packed every time I walked by!

Luckily, I was able to get out of the room a few times so that I could visit with some of the other designers.  I was even able to pick up a few things for myself as well as a couple of items for a giveaway.  (GASP......did someone say GIVEAWAY??????  Details will be forthcoming.)

Here is a peek into the room of Just Another Button Company.......  Just look at all of those buttons and button kits!

Next door to us was Chessie & Me.  Here's a peek into her room as well.........

Sunday evening was a race against the UPS clock, but we got the booth packed up and shipped in record time!  It was such a fun market and I was sad to leave everyone on Monday morning.  Especially my dear friend Sharon.......it's hard to be so far away.  I'm just so grateful for technology so that we can talk to each other without spending so much money on long distance calls!

I hope you enjoyed the little peek into market.  I hope to have some pictures in the next couple of days of a few of the goodies that I picked up while I was there.

Happy Stitching!

Never a Dull Moment

First thing this morning I went back to the Collision Center to get my car fixed.  Maybe I should say it this way.......first thing this morning I went back to the Collision Center and tried to get my car fixed again.  So, do you want the good news or the bad news?

Bad News:  There was a chip in the wheel.  They didn't figure that out until after they had my car back there for almost an hour.  I'll have to go back next week and get it fixed then because they have to reorder the wheel.

Good News:  I'm also getting a new wheel for the other side.  You see, a few months ago Hubby decided to introduce Mr. Wheel to Mr. Curb.  Let's just say that they didn't like each other very much and Mr. Wheel paid for it with scrapes and scratches that became permanent scars.  So, because I had to come back so many times, all I have to pay for is the wheel on the passenger side and the Collision Center will take care of the labor costs.  Woo-Hoo!

Even More Good News:  I had an hour of uninterrupted stitching while waiting for the car that didn't get fixed.  That hour of stitching is probably the reason I was so nice to the lady when she came out to tell me I would have to wait until next week for my car to be fixed!

I also heard from K-G Knitter today.  She received the giveaway package that she won in honor of my first blogoversary.  Sounded to me like she is enjoying her spoils.  This time I stitched and crafted!  I borrowed/copied (with permission) Faye's pin making technique and I sent a set of counting pins along with my goodie package. 

The pattern that I ended up stitching for the giveaway was Count Your Blessings by Shakespeare's Peddler.  This was the first time that I have stitched one of Theresa's patterns.  I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I have a few more of hers in my stash.  This was also my first adventure in finishing a flat fold.  For my first time I thought it came out rather nice.  I'm sure that there was a small learning curve involved, but Vonna's tutorials are the bomb and I had it done in no time.  I know there will be many more flat folds in my future.

Count Your Blessings by Shakespeare's Peddler

Stitched on 40ct Creme Brulee by R&R

Color changes were made on this design

Backing fabric is from Moda and is part of a Blackbird Designs collection

So, with all the craziness of today, I'm going to delay my pictures from the last day of vacation.  I promise to post them soon.

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend.  And if you are in one of the hot areas of the States like I am, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and seek out lots of a/c.  We are looking at triple digits and high humidity here.......I guess we will be suffering through our outside activities this weekend!

Happy Stitching!

I Stand Corrected and I'm Gonna Keep 'Em!

Many thanks to Nataly and Vonna for whipping me back into shape.  I knew I had seen that pattern somewhere!  Here's the link to the "Ole Pincushion" on Theresa's blog (aka Shakespeare's Peddler).  Theresa is a very sweet lady and she has some really great patterns to boot.  I would be doing her a disservice to not mention them.  So, if you get a chance, check out her blog and her online shop.

As for the Ball jars I picked up at the Estate Sale, I think I'm just going to leave them be and use them as decorative items around the house.  I'm sure that I'll find something to put in them.  After all, as the man said, they are worth so much more with the lids!  Hmmmm, I wonder which aisle in the grocery store would have some lids that I could use for the pincushions........

There wasn't any stitching last night, so there are no pictures today.  Instead Hubby and I met some friends for dinner.  It was a "couples night out" that we had been planning for sometime.  By chance, all of us finally had the same night off.  Mexican food is even better when you can share it with friends!

Hopefully there will be time for exchange stitching tonight since Hubby has cooking duty.

Happy Stitching!