Birthday Giveaway Reminder

Just a little post to remind everyone about my birthday giveaway.  If you would like to join, be sure to make a comment on the birthday post.  The giveaway closes tomorrow (Friday) at Midnight (EST), so don't delay!

Good luck!

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!

A RAK and a Birthday Giveaway

I know, I know, two posts in one day!  What can I say?  I'm hoping that this will be a good week!

Remember Friday's post?  Well, here is the finished project.  Not too shabby if I do say so myself!  Hubby even got into the act with this one and he picked out the button.  I don't know about you, but I think he did a great job. 

'Tis Green by La-D-Da

2010 JCS Ornament Preview

Stitched on 28ct Solo by Silkweaver

Limited Edition Belle Soie by Crescent Colours

This little pillow was put in the mail this morning, so I hope it goes by "pony express" instead of "snail mail" if you know what I mean.  I hope that my RAK recipient enjoys it.

Now, onto other business..........  While I was Estate Sale shopping this weekend, I picked up not one, but two self contained glass flower frogs.  So, in celebration of my birthday this Thursday, I'm giving you the gift! (You can also check out another photo of this frog on the earlier post.)

Here are your rules:

1. Make a comment on this post only if you wish to participate. 
2. For a second entry, let others know about my giveaway.  You may either blog about it or post it somewhere on your blog.  You must comment a second time telling me that you have done this in order to get the second entry.
3. For a third entry, in a separate comment, tell me about your most cherished birthday gift.  You must comment a separate time in order to get this entry.

Unfortunately, due to the high cost of postage, I can only award this prize to an address in the U.S..  However, if you live outside the U.S. and you would still like to participate, I will send you an alternate stitched surprise if your name is drawn.  This way everyone still has a chance to win!

The contest ends at Midnight EST on Friday, August 13th.  I will draw the winner over the weekend and announce it on Monday, August 16th.

Good luck!  Happy Un-Birthday to all of you!

Happy Stitching!

Seek and Ye Shall Find

*****WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY POST TODAY!!*****

Happy Monday!  I can't believe that we are back at the beginning of the week already.  Time is just flying by so quickly.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I wish it would slow down for an instant or two so that we can enjoy it that much more.  However, I really did enjoy my weekend, even if it flew by.  There wasn't too much in the way of stitching time, but there was plenty of quality time spent doing other things that I liked to do.

I'm going to be a little backwards today and tell you about Sunday first.  (Karen, I'm still being a tease and the piece de resistance is at the end of the post! LOL!)

Sunday was a wonderful day, even if Hubby was raring to go at 7:30am.  (So much for sleeping in!)  But, early to rise means breakfast at our favorite local diner.  As we were eating I started telling Hubby about the
Estate Sale that I had been to the day before (that was still going on) as well as a few Antique stores in the area.  I also told him about another sale that I missed that was right down the street.  I guess I peaked his interest, because he was raring to go.  So, after filling our bellies, we headed out for an Estate Sale/Antique Store Marathon.

First stop was the Estate Sale down the street.  Let me just say that they either had a raging sale on Friday and Saturday, or there wasn't much there to begin with.  However, Hubby was able to dig through the scraps that were left and he came up with a couple of items.  Not a bad haul for $4! After all, the box of blades would be at least that much.

Just look at this level!  It's made out of wood, unlike the aluminium levels of today.  Plus, it says "Sears Roebuck and Co".  Not something you see that much anymore.  As an added bonus, the level still works great.  (Yes, of course we tried it out first.)

Next we headed to some Antique stores as well as the sale that I was at the day before.  At the sale I picked up this great little wooden bench that had caught my eye.  I'm glad that I didn't buy it the day before since it was 50% off on Sunday.  I told Hubby that it was meant for me to have that bench since it was still there.  He just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.  As for the Ball Jar lids, I got those at one of the Antique stores that we rummaged through.  Hubby had to climb over a bunch of junk to reach them.

Here's a close up of the two frogs that I found yesterday.  The one on the left is clear glass and it is self contained.  The middle will hold a candle, but I think I'm going to find a way to make a small pin cushion that will fit in the hole.  The one on the right I found in an Antique Shop.  It is made out of "Vaseline Glass" which contains Uranium.  Apparently, it also glows neon green under a black light.  I just liked it because it was different than all the others that I had.  I have to say, I'm becoming quite the frog collector!

Now, here's where things get interesting.  (Yes, Karen, this is what I was teasing about on FB.)  On Saturday, I went on a ton of errands by myself because Hubby was working a double shift.  I took my wedding rings into the jewelry store for their check up and I had to kill some time while waiting.  So, I went over to an Estate Sale that looked promising.  As I'm walking through the house, it was easy to see that this family had a needlewoman (or man) in their midst.  There were small cross stitched pieces, mostly on aida or evenweave, as well as a few needlepoint pieces.  I felt so horrible about seeing all of that on the wall and knowing that it would not be loved.  I really wanted to buy it all up, but the prices on them were so ridiculously high.  It broke my heart to see them there!

So, I'm walking down the hall with my heart breaking about those lovingly stitched pieces when I see this....................

I couldn't believe my eyes!  Here was this grand piece hanging on the wall in the hallway.  It was almost as if it was sitting there waiting for me.  I kept running my hands over the frame while trying to decide if I should take it off the wall.  I was kind of afraid, because of the cost.  While it was 25% off, it was still more than I would normally spend.  But, it called out so strongly that I decided that I would endure Hubby's wrath for overspending.  I just figured that I could call it an early birthday gift to myself since my birthday is this week!

Here's it is a little closer (I kept the pictures large, but you should still be able to click them to see detail):

I just love the middle portion of the piece with the house nestled in the trees! 

This is a snap of the bottom of the piece.  I think that it was supposed to be a rose or a flower of some kind.

Along the edges you can see dark blue threads.  I'm wondering if this was mad into some kind of a purse or handbag at one point.

I'm just so thrilled with my Estate Sale find!  It really made my day....and my weekend!  I would really love to be able to get in contact with someone who could give me a little insight into this piece.  I wonder if it is really worth anything.  I'd love to find someone who could appraise it.  I checked into a few people, but no one has experience in this arena.  Antiques Roadshow, where are you when I need you?

Happy Stitching!

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!

Is It Better To Give......

......or to receive?  I've always been of the opinion that it is much better to give.  That is the main reason that I decided to RAK, PIF and join exchanges.  I love to see/hear the joy that my stitching brings to others.  It is even more fun when I can combine my love of stitching with one of my favorite designers........Blackbird Designs!

A few months ago, I was so excited to see that there was a Round 5 to the Blackbird Designs Exchange.  I jumped at the opportunity to sign up and I eagerly awaited the name of my exchange partner.  In this round, I was honored to stitch for Ma Teakettle.   I received a beautiful email from her last night thanking me for her exchange.  Ma, you are so very welcome.  I really enjoyed stitching this for you!

Pin Box, Floss Tag and Double Sided Scissor Fob

from Honeysuckle Manor

stitched on 30ct Creek Bed Brown by R&R

GA Threads: Uniform Blue and Parchment

Also included were a set of handmade pins similar to those pictured above

(thanks to Faye for the pin making instructions!)

Yes, giving is a wonderful thing!  But when you receive something so beautiful, it sure does make you wonder if it really is better to give......

You see, I came home yesterday to an unexpected package in my mailbox.  It was my turn in the Blackbird Exchange!  I was honored to have Mare stitch for me.  She made me this beautiful bag from Souvenirs of Summer using a piece of 28ct fabric from her stash and DMC 4210 (Radiant Ruby).

See what I mean?  Isn't it beautiful?  I have some great ideas on how to make it part of a patriotic/summer display in my house next year.  In the meantime, I have it hanging on the door knobs of the DVD cabinet.  This way I'll be able to see it from my Happy Chair!

So, now that you have seen both sides, which do you think is better..........giving or receiving?  Tough choice, huh?

Happy Stitching!

What Happened to........

..........my weekend?  In a blink of an eye it was gone and now we are back to Monday!

..........my summer?  It's already the 2nd of August.  I don't know were the summer has gone!

..........my husband?  We went shopping, yes, shopping over the weekend because he has gone from a 36 waist to a 33 waist.  So, not only has he lost weight, but he has also gained the ability to go shopping with me for extended periods of time.  He hates shopping!  It's amazing how much better you feel and how your life turns around when you can get an illness under control.

..........Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl (my current work in progress)?  This happened:

Seaside Memories

by: The Sampler Girl

Stitched on Lakeside Linen's 40ct Vintage Sea Storm

As you can see, it has gone from a work in progress to a happy dance! (Sorry for the crappy snaps, but today is real cloudy and this was the best I could do right before heading off to work.)  I finished it up last night after making some changes to the year and the area where the initials are.  The design had a place for a family of four, but since it is just the two of us right now I had to modify it a little.  I just added a few more birds in the empty spaces.  I really enjoyed this piece and it will be a wonderful reminder of the time we spent down there this summer.

What's next?  Well, I've sent off my Blackbird Exchange stitching this morning, so I should be able to show pictures of that in the next few days.  In the meantime, I'll be working on stitching a private exchange until my model stitching arrives.  I hope to have the private piece finished by weeks end, but you know how that usually goes!

Have a great Monday!  Happy Stitching!