RAK'in Robin

Earlier this year Robin (no blog) gifted me with not one, but three OOP Blackbird/Loose Feathers charts that have been on my wish list.  (See here and here.)  She was more than generous and I felt the need to repay her kindness.

So, needle in hand I created this:

And after a quick lesson on my sewing machine I turned that into this:

Rose Garden by Blackbird Designs

Robin sent me the sweetest thank you note.  I've already put it in my 2011 stitching journal to remind me of the generosity and camaraderie of fellow stitchers.

Happy Stitching!

Mid February Update

 Just a short note to let you know how I'm doing.

Things are pretty rough at work.  The IRS just released many of the forms that we have been waiting on, but there are still a few more that we need.  So, that just adds to the pressures of the season.  I've been working 60 hour weeks and I don't see things letting up anytime soon.  So, that means that my stitching is practically on hold except for the little bit of time I manage to squeeze in on Sundays.

Even with my lack of stitching, I've managed to finish stitching my exchange piece for Friends Stitching Through the Seasons.  I've got to get on the ball and "finish" my piece since it is due to be mailed out on March 15th.  That is less than one month from now!  (Can you hear the panic start to set in???)

Many of you have asked how my Crazy January Challenge is going.  I've managed to put two more needles into Mouline Rouge since you saw her last.  It wasn't much, but I can tell the difference.  I'll post another picture of her once I manage a few more needles.  I've also managed to work on #11 in my challenge, the L*K flip-its.  I've gotten further on the border and I've finished the first flip-it "Dream".  Pictures soon......I hope!

Speaking of pictures, take a look at these! I arrived home one day (after a long and craptastic work day) to find this.......

 

Such a lovely RAK from Terri at Dixie Samplar Designs!  It was full of wonderful goodies and a stitched gift as well.  Thank you so much Terri!  You really made my day.  I can't wait until the end of tax season so that I can dig into the new patterns that you sent.

Here are a few close ups of my new goodies:

Many thanks to Terri once again......she was more than generous!

That's all for now.  I'm going to try and get a needle in before I fall asleep while sitting up on the couch!

Happy Stitching!

Bragging Just a Little

Take a look at these beauties!  Such wonderful homemade pin cushions, don't you think?

One of my stitching buddies made these.  She RAK'd each of us with one this past Saturday!  I'm so proud of her.  I have to brag on her.  She is such a talented lady!  This one with the purple pins in it is mine.  I have to say, she knows exactly what I like!

Happy Stitching!

Delayed Thanks

Back in July I sent a RAK to Sherry.  She had been on the lookout for a Flower Frog and had been unable to find one.  I looked at my stash and knew that I had the perfect frog for her so I sent it off with nary a thought. I knew it was meant for her.

Well, out of the kindness of her heart Sherry sent me a lovely thank you note and this..........

Summer at the Shore by Country Cottage Needleworks

I've been so caught up in all that has gone on the last two weeks that I've neglected to show her the appropriate thanks.  So, Sherry, this post is for you!  Thank you so much for the chart.  I will cherish it and your blogging friendship.  Right now I'm keeping your lovely note with the pattern.  Once I've stitched it up I will attach it to the back of the frame to remind me of the wonderful stitching and blogging bond that we share.  I'm happy that we have been able to become blogging friends.  If you are ever in my neck of the woods, drop me a line!

Thanks again!

Happy Stitching!

Safe Arrival

It turns out that my RAK arrived safe and sound and is now happily living with Nataly.  She just sent me a lovely e-mail telling me how surprised she was and how exiting it was to be the recipient of a RAK.  Well Nataly, I'm so glad that you like it.  And, it is just as exciting for me as the sender!

So, if you are like Nataly and you are interested in becoming a RAK recipient, just drop me an email with your snail mail address and your blog address.  You never know when you might find a RAK in your mailbox!

Happy Stitching!



P.S.  It is not necessary for you to be a follower in order to join in on the RAK fun, but I would hope that you might just want to follow anyway!

I've Decided

After writing yesterday's post, I think it is much better to give than to receive.  So, in that spirit I've started this little goodie from the 2010 JCS Ornament Preview Issue.......

'Tis Green

by Lori Markovic of La-D-Da

28ct Solo by Silkweaver

Limited Edition Belle Soie by Crescent Colours

The picture is very deceiving and the colors are much more vibrant in real life.  I'm thinking that I may turn this into a pin cushion.  I've seen it all stitched up that way on other blogs and it sure is lovely.  Plus it would make a great RAK (hint, hint to those of you who emailed me with addresses)!  So, I'm putting aside the "regularly scheduled stitching" in order to continue with the giving.

Speaking of giving, don't forget to check out my sidebar for various giveaways.  I just put one there from Fiona.  She wants to celebrate 100 followers.

So, I'm sticking with my theory........it is better to give than receive!  Try it sometime!

Happy Stitching!

RAK, Stash & Vacation Day 3

It was another hot, humid and busy weekend around here, so there is much to share on this Monday post.

Late last week I send off a RAK to Sherry over at Isn't It All About Me?.  Sherry has been in search of a flower frog and hasn't been able to get her hands on one.  Well, with all of my recent frog acquisitions, I decided that I would send her one of the ones in my stash.  (It is the frog from this previous post.)  I have to say, it's so nice to be able to RAK.  I know that there will be many more RAK's in my future and I have started making plans for them already.  So, you never know when or where the RAK monster will hit!

On Saturday I went with a couple of friends to a not so local LNS.  It was supposed to be a 45 minute ride up, but it turned into a much longer one than that due to traffic.  Good thing there was great company and conversation!  Of course, we finally arrived and were more than ready to shop when we got there.  This is the first time I've been to a LNS since my trip to Arizona.  While it is nice to fondle all the goodies, I really didn't need anything.  But who cares about need?  When it comes to stitching stuff it is all about stashing!  I ended up with two older books from Blackbird Designs (A Fine Collection and Peppermint & Holly), some great 40ct Lakeside Linen (Copper, Autumn Gold, and Winter Sky), a new to me Bent Creek, a Just Nan (with fabric) and a Little House Sampler.

Don't you just love this Bent Creek?  I've never noticed this Row, so I'm guessing that it is an older one.  As soon as I saw it I knew that it had to be mine.  With my love of all things beachy I'm pretty sure that I this will be at the top of my "want to do now" pile.  However, once I get it stitched and framed, I will have to take it off the wall and hide it whenever my parents or my MIL comes to visit.  Otherwise I may end up with a missing piece of stitching!

I have to blame Maggee over at Stitching Devotee for the last part of my stash acquisition on Saturday.  I had seen this lovely LHN's Summer Sampler on her blog.  Her finish is perfect.  (You can see it here.  Didn't she do a fabulous job?)  I already have the Winter and Autumn Samplers in my stash, so you know I had to get the complete set after seeing her grand finish.

Moving on........I thought I'd share some more about our Outer Banks vacation.  On Day 3, Hubby's 90+ year old grandfather drove three hours to vacation with us for a couple of days.  Shortly after Grandfather arrived, he and Hubby headed out to play 18 holes of golf.  (Yes.....you read that right.....three hours of driving and then 18 holes of golf!)  That meant that MIL and I got in more shopping.  This time we headed to The Christmas Mouse, the Cotton Gin (one of my favorites) and a few other places.  Later we went to dinner at Lone Pine.

Over at Lone Pine, there is a nesting pair of Osprey.  You can get a real good look at them from the restaurant's deck.  But, by the time we got there it was so dark that we couldn't see them.  We vowed to come back before it was time to go and take some pictures.

But, since this post is a little long, you will just have to stay tuned for those pictures.  Oh, and as for a picture of my stitching on Day 3.....well.....there was no after dinner stitching that night since we didn't get back until after 11 PM.  After all, Hubby and Grandfather had to be up early the next morning for an 8 AM tee time.  Nine holes don't you know!

Happy Stitching!

P.S. for Claudia........your box will be in the mail this week!  Hopefully tomorrow!

Bach's New Home

Yesterday I mentioned that Bach had a new home.  Well, my lurker was kind enough to send me pictures of where he now resides......  See him there on the left?  He fits just perfectly in that spot, don't you think?  And, look at that organ!  What a beauty!  It belongs to the husband of my "lurker".   Boy, do I wish I could hear him play.  Seeing the organ really makes miss those days of junior high, high school and college wind ensembles.

I'm just so glad that Bach found his home.  I know that he will be well loved!

Happy Stitching (and lurking)!

More Kindness and Vacation Day 1

While I was reading earlier this morning I came across a few passages that I thought I would share in light of all the RAK's.  It read "Kindness is the mightiest force in the world......."(*).  Then I also found this, it reads "It is by continuing to give of ourselves that we continue to receive.  In helping others, we continue to enrich our own lives." (*)

That explains this package that arrived in yesterday's mail:

A BBD's pattern that was on my wishlist!  Remember when I said "Don't Count Out Lurkers" and I mentioned that I found a home for the stitched Bach piece that I purchased at an Estate Sale?  Well, the piece arrived safe and sound.  It has been lovingly reframed and it has a special place on a special wall in its new home.  As a thank you, my "lurker" sent me America the Beautiful.  Oh, I love it so!  Thank you so much!  This is just a reinforcement of everything that I have been working so hard for in the past six months!** 

In other happy news, I thought I'd share about my vacation.  Day One we got up early and headed to the OBX (Outer Banks, NC for those of you who have never heard the term "OBX" before).  We were there well before noon so there was lots of daylight left to burn. Hubby decided he needed "alone time" and went to play a round of golf.  That ment that MIL and I went shopping.  I love visiting all the little shops in Duck. (Yup, Duck is the name of the town!)  My favortie shops have artsy things and handmade jewelry that you just don't find at home.  I didn't buy anything for myself that day, but I did find a Hanukkah gift for my mom and step-dad.....handmade, of course.  (I love it when I can get ahead of the game!)  After a fun afternoon of shopping, I was able to sit down and put a needle into my new start, Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl while watching some fireworks out of the sliding glass doors in the great room.  See, I told you I was going to have a 4th of July start!  And with fireworks to boot!

Day Two tomorrow!  That is if I can remember to grab the memory card out of my good camera!

Happy Stitching!

(*) Both quotes were found in ODAAT.
(**) I've been dealing with much more than I let on in my blog, but one day I will let the words flow in hopes that I can give hope and help to others who may find themselves in similar situations.

Estate Finds and Promised Pictures

Happy Monday everyone!  A new week is upon us already.  Can you believe it?  I'm still trying to recoup from my week of vacation.  I arrived at work to a loaded desk with lots of things to go through.  At least I know I'm still needed here at work!

As is typical of a Monday, I thought I share some of my recent estate finds with you.  Hubby and I managed to go to one Estate Sale before we went on vacation.  It was in a real nice neighborhood that was near our home.  (That is another thing that I like about Estate Sales.......we get to look at neighborhoods that we might not otherwise find......it will be helpful when we are ready to move to a larger home.)  The house was large and had lots of antiques in it.  In my opinion, they were overpriced, but then what do I know.  While I was in the sun room picking out a couple of clear glass flower frogs, Hubby was in the kitchen seeking out Ball Jars.  He found one of the bicentennial jars and so it got added to the collection.  We are now up to 3 old Ball Jars!  And, luckily enough, I had a great purple glass votive holder that has now become the base to one of the flower frogs that I bought.

On the way home from the Estate Sale, Hubby saw a sign for a Garage Sale in the neighborhood behind ours.  Can you believe it, he wanted to stop?  I think that I have created a monster!!!  I'm not as fond of Garage Sales, but you never know what you will find when you stop at one.  (Some of the Garage Sales I have been to have been better than some of the Estate Sales I have been to.)  Luckily enough, I found a nice frame to add to my collection.  The inside measures about 6x6.  Not too shabby for 50 cents!

This past Saturday I had to go Estate Sale shopping on my own since Hubby had to work.  I only hit one sale since I had other things that had to be done around the house before I went to visit my BFF for some stitching time in the afternoon.  Anyway, as I'm walking through the house I was becoming more and more disappointed.  After all, who are these people didn't know their cross stitch designs from their needlepoint?  They deal with estates every day, don't they?  And, all the items seemed to be way overpriced, especially for quilts that were thread bare!  Just because it is old or says "antique" doesn't mean that it has to be overpriced.  Soon I found myself down in the kitchen/dining area and what do my eyes fall upon but this:

Is that not the most amazing flower frog you have seen????  It is made of pottery!  I couldn't find a signature on the bottom, but there were marks on the bottom where it had been in a kiln.  And to boot I found a black glass frog and another clear frog in a configuration that I haven't seen yet.  I HIT THE FROG JACKPOT!!!   I've got quite the collection forming.  Now I will just be on the lookout for colored or unusual frogs since I have plenty of the clear glass ones.  I'm so excited and I can't wait to see if there are any good Estate Sales around next weekend.  I think I'm hooked!

Here is my first self-framed finish.  I spent the last part of my evening last night putting this bad boy together.  Whew!  What a task!  All I can say is "I love my framer" and I will never complain again about the cost of framing.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't too hard, but it was very time consuming.   I think I will continue to try and frame many of my small pieces, but I will be sure to send the bigger ones to my favorite framer.  (She's awesome!)  If you look close, you may be able to see where I "puffed" the piece instead of putting it behind glass.

Now I Know My ABC's

Blackbird Designs Reproduction Freebie

40ct Vintage Basketweave by Lakeside Lined

Colors were changed to the Crescent Colours Cottons that I had on hand

The frame was purchased at an Estate Sale

Here is the other thing I promised you.  Pictures of the RAK that I received from Faye over at Carolina Stitcher.  Thanks again Faye for the lovely gift!  I hope you don't mind, but I'm following in your footsteps with the RAKs and the pins.  I even tried my hand at creating a few pins last night and I think that they turned out well.  I will be sure to share pictures of my pins soon.

Stay tuned this week, as I have some vacation pictures and stitching to share!

Happy Stitching!

Now What?

First of all, I would like to thank those of you who have already sent me your snail mail address so that I can pay it forward!

However, I now have a delima. I went out earlier today a picked up an address book so that I could have one that was dedicated to my blogging/exchanging/stitching buddies. I now have several names and addresses to put in my new book. But, I don't know how! Ok, yes, I do know HOW.....just put pen or pencil to paper! LOL!

I just don't know the best way to organize it! Should it be alphabetical by last name? (I don't really know you all by your last names and I don't want to lose you on the sea of pages) Do I alphabetize by first name? (This might be better, but some of you use nicknames) Or, do I put you in there by your blog name? (I don't think this works either since some of you are lurkers, not bloggers)

Now do you see why I'm stuck? HELP!!!!!!

Kindness Begets Kindness

Wow, what a response to the DMC question! I'm so glad to see that I am not alone in my feelings. I thought it was just me, so I dug back into my stash of DMC and there really is a difference. The old stash is much softer. I'll bet something in the process had changed, be it dye or how the threads are manufactured. That will teach me to go out and buy new threads when I have perfectly good threads stashed at home!

I know I haven't posted much this week, but I have a good reason. Hubby and I took the week off and we joined his mom for a week of vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The OBX is a great place to take your family! We love it here and we spend as much time as we can on the wonderful beaches. The whole week was full of sights and adventure. I will update you on some of the fun things that we did and some of my stitching during this coming week.

But, I digress.......

Here is the real reason for my post today. It seems that the "RAK" bug has bit! I've noticed that there have been so many of us that have received such joy from these wonderful Random Acts of Kindness. Including me! Faye over at Carolina Stitcher sent me the most wonderful hand made pins. (Sorry, no pics today as my computer is acting up and I am blogging from my iPod.) THANK YOU FAYE! You are AMAZING!

So, since kindness begets kindness, this is what I'm going to do. I want to perform a true stitchy RAK. But, how is it going to be random and how will I be able to send it to a random
stitchy blogger/reader if I don't know your address? It wouldn't be much of a RAK if I email you and ask for your address, would it?
So.......if you would like to be RAK'd, send me your address and be sure to include the name and www of your blog if you have one(my email is in my profile). You won't know when and you won't know what it may be. How fun is that?

Well, I'm off to the store to pick up an address book! Happy Stitching!