A Finish, A Birthday and A Winner... and a bit of sad news

Well, I've finished stitching another of the LHN ornaments. This one is "Under The Tree". In 'real life' it's really much brighter. Moses & I were competing for the sunshine spot in my sewing room this morning.
My birthday was a fairly subdued day (which I like). Stitched a little, played POGO games, painted the front porch. DH finally realized what day it was & took me to dinner at the Legion (taco night, my fav). I spent the evening with my hospice client watching an old movie. No fuss, no muss! A few birthday cards from special friends but no pressies (we're still paying for our "gift" to ourselves, a big screen TV).

I will be celebrating this week-end when I go to Portland for my stitching group. Man, I miss those girls! I missed July's GTG. There will be stash enhancement!!!

I know some of you have been waiting for this so I won't linger... the winner of my blogoversary/birthday giveaway is Bluladie ... Cathryn, please send me your snail-mail address so I can send your prize. And, for those who are curious, this is what Cathryn won. A Debbie Draper Designs "Pumpkin Band Sampler", 32ct Zweigart Belfast Linen in Light Terra Cotta and the six Gentle Arts Sampler Threads to stitch this piece. Happy Fall to y'all!!


Our dear Matty has gone to Doggie Heaven. I could see the signs last month. But it was such an awful month I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. Matty began to have seizures. I was up all night Friday calming and crooning to him. Saturday I got maybe three hours of exhausted sleep and awoke to the inevitable. He had the worst seizure yet before we could get him to the vet. Proud as ever, Matty walked himself into the vet's. This precious little dog had become so completely embedded in our hearts in the short five and a half months we were blessed with him. A sweeter, gentler spirit I've never known. Our lives have been enriched by his presence. Now if I could just stop crying.

OK, let's give this another try...

Please let me apologise for my previous 'pity party'. Depression is nothing to snicker at and I've had my share. Fortunately I have good friends, doctors and meds. One great place I've found that has really helped me this time around is Pam Kellogg's site. Pam is an amazing and talented woman. Her willingness to share her journey has been inspiring to me (and so much more eloquent than I could've ever said). It must have been devine intervention that sent me to her blog at just the right time.

I won't talk about August here other than to say I had let circumstances beat me down. September will be better! I know this because I have several "me" time activites planned. Got to get back to 'taking care of me'.

As I mentioned before, I have been doing some stitching and have a few completions to share. First is the birth sampler I stitched for DH's niece's baby. It is based on Ellen Chester's design "A Child's Prayer". I modified it, of course, to suit my needs. Stitched on 18ct Celeadon aida with DMC threads. Unfortunately, my photo doesn't do it justice (a bit too blue).

Then, I have finished stitching several Little House Needleworks' Christmas Ornaments. Notice I only said "finished stitching". I am still finishing challenged. Oh, how I wish I had someone talented that way to help me take the plunge. Guess I need to get brave and use some of the wonderful on-line tutorials.

This is "The Merry Skater".
Next is "Red House in Winter".
And finally "Peppermint Twist". I followed this chart to-a-T except I just couldn't put the candy-cane button on it. The button I received was mostly red (Christmas Red) with a white stripe. The chart showed a white button with red stripes. I just couldn't put a bright red button on this lovely subtle shade of red floss. A personal preference.

I've just received the next ornament in this series so I'll have another soon. I can't believe I've kept up with these all year. I love Diane Williams' designs.

Now, since you've followed along this far and since I had a blogoversary September 1st and since my birthday is next week, I'm going to have a giveaway. Let's call it my birthday present to one of my readers. Only one rule: you must respond to this post before Monday, September 13th. I will have DH pick a number on the 13th and announce the lucky winner. Oh, a small hint, as our weather has been perfect Fall weather (I'm expecting an early Winter) that will be the theme of this giveaway.

I'm so Lucky! Again!

Definately have to share this! You aren't going to believe this! Please don't be mad at me! This just happens to be my luck right now and I sure hope it holds for a long, long time. Think I'll run out and buy some lotto tickets.

I found out that I'm the first prize winner of Felicity's Blog Anniversary. A $50 gift voucher from 1-2-3 Stitch. Isn't this fabulous! I'm so excited! I've spent hours looking at 1-2-3 Stitch trying to decide what to get.

I'm So Lucky!

As I mentioned a bit ago, I have been very fortunate this year. For the third time I have won something stitchy. Today these goodies arrived from Deb at Tempting Tangles. Tizzy & Gracie, Deb's cats, chose my name to win Deb's Spring Contest last Sunday. My prize is Examplars From The Heart 'The Virtue Sampler' along with hand painted fabric from Sugar Maple Fabrics and 18 skeins of beautiful silks from Vikki Clayton's Hand-Dyed Fibers. These silks are soooo soft to touch! I've never tried them before & can't wait. Thank you Deb and thank Tizzy and Gracie too. Those cats really know how to pick winners!

I'm determined to finish LHN's 'The Library' before I move on to another project. It's progressing nicely. I've been able to stitch almost every evening for several hours. I'll show an updat photo in a few days time.

Welcome Home Brandon!!!

Jennifer has the most wonderful reason to celebrate. Her son, Brandon, is returning from a year in Afghanistan. She is honoring Brandon by having a very special give-away. Head on over and leave a "Welcome Home" for Brandon.

God Bless America

Gratitude and Stitching

" At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. " - Albert Schweitzer.

Well friends, I have been in a bit of a slump of late. Seeming to muddle through my days and nights. A general funk, I guess, because when I take an accounting I realize I have done quite a lot in spite of my malaise. I shall blame this all on taxes!

I have neglected to journalize my Gratitude. It's not that I've not spent considerable time thinking on the subject. I have so much to be grateful for. This has been an extremely lucky year for me. Matter-of-fact, I should rush out and buy a lotto ticket.

To date, I have won three giveaways this year. Becky's Be Of Good Cheer tin. Cheryl's Oak Basket. And today, Deb's Springtime Contest. I love my stitchy friends! Your teach me, encourage me, share openly, make me laugh, and occasionally, make me cry. You are my connection to the world from this "Oregon Outback".

In spite of my physical disabilities I am getting healthier. I am better today than I've been in twenty years! I am grateful for the help of my class leaders, support group, on-line group and especially my doctors. This past year has been an amazing journey!

Well... for today, that's enough! Lets get on to my stitching update. I'm kind of stuck on LHN's 'The Library'. The brick work was extremely boring as are the book backs. Only one to go. Whew! I really want ot finish this piece. I keep chanting "this will not become a UFO". So many other projects are calling to me.

I'm A Winner

I still can't believe I won this gorgeous basket from Cheryl at Prairie Grove Peddler. But I have it in my hot little hands and it's a beauty. This is how Karen discribes it: "an oak market basket that was made by me years ago. It's about 12-1/2" tall with handle. It has a beautiful color from aging and signed with the number #470 on the bottom. I made over 2000 baskets before I stopped selling them so this was an earlier one."
I would really like to stitch a lid for this basket. But we all know how that goes (at least for me). Great plans - little time. I will try to find a suitable chart but I fear I will get sidetracked by all the other projects screaming at me from my sewing room. It's getting so bad in there I can hardly bear to enter. I think I'll blame all the chaos on the teddy bears (although it definately started before they were allowed in there).

A Great Giveaway

Karen of Sew Many Ways is having her "One Year Of Tool Time Tuesday Giveaway". She is such a creative soul and I love to see what she will come up with each week. You really should check her blog out.

Meet Blossom

See the lovely little lady bear to the right? Her name is Blossom. Blossom is one-of-a-kind, fully jointed, and 6.5” tall. She was created by my very, very talented friend Ginger Brame. Ginger is having a Spring Giveaway and Blossom is the prize. I want her so badly to come live with me so please don't go to Ginger's blog and enter, just go and look. OK?

Sad But True....

Every time I went into the garage I would hear whimpering and sniffling. I knew what it was but had to ignore it. My heart was breaking! How long would this go on? Am I really that cold hearted? Well...

I recently bought a beautiful little hutch from a friend who's wife died last year. It's very sad, but I did not know this woman. I see her husband still mourning his loss. One day he mentioned the hutch and asked if I was interested. Was I ever!! It wasn't exactly what I had been looking for but it's so lovely I had to buy it.

Now, a few of you may know that I "used" to collect teddy bears. I guess, in reality, I still do. I just haven't invested in any bears for years. In fact, since moving to Oregon and marrying DH, very few of my bears have been visible.
Well, that's about to change!!! No, no, I'm not un-marrying DH. And I'm not leaving Oregon (yet).

This where my new hutch comes in. I cleaned and polished to my heart's delight. Then I went to the garage, brought out a ladder, and box by box brought all of my bears into the house. No more whimpering and sniffling! Only tears of joy and laughter! What a glorious reunion it was!! So many bear hugs! For one day I had the party of a lifetime. It was very difficult to choose. I think I chose well. Now my bears can watch me work at my desk/computer and we can chat whenever we like. Soooo, ladies and gentlemen, please meet the bears... TOP SHELF
THE CUPBOARD
BOTTOM SHELF

Now the sad and unfortunate part of this story is that I had to place four 3sq.ft. boxes of bears back into storage that night. We talked at length about all the fussing they were making every time I entered the garage. An agreemant has been made that I will bring them all out for an annual party. Sounds like fun to me!

Quilting Fun!

I have been trying to give myself more time to quilt. Seems with the Olympics and life in general, my quilting has been getting ignored. Sooooo, I've been getting up a wee bit earlier and going straight to my sewing room. There's a QOV (Quilt Of Valor) in the works. I'm not terribly happy with it but I will press on, BECAUSE, I want to make make a Postage Stamp Quilt. The fabrics are gathered. I just want to finish the QOV first and I'm almost there. If you're interested in making a Postage Stamp Quilt, I think I mentioned in an earlier blog entry, Heidi is posting a tutorial. You can also click on the button in my right column to get there. Now, another thing I discovered on Heidi's blog (is she an enabler or what?) is the Friday Night Sew-In. This week she is also having a give-away. Since I usually sew or stitch every evening, I'm joining in on the fun.

It Must Be That Time Again!!

WOW!!! There are so many new giveaways out here in blogland! So many generous, talented bloggers! Guess I should put my thinking cap on, but it barely fits over my serious concentration on winning, wishing brain. Makes for some great reading though!!

Anita has the 'Great Chocolate Cake Debate' going on as well as her very generous giveaway.

Lynn is giving away some beautiful Valentines.

Tia at Camp Follower Bags is so creative and generous! You should see what she can do with BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform)!

Geta from Romania has a blog that I have followed for quite some time. Her quilting is absolutely stunning and she is so generous at sharing her talents.

I know I've missed plenty of the giveaways. Editing is easy! There are also so many talented designers in blogland offering their designs free on a regular basis. Each of them is to be commended for their generousity.

The Ultimate Giveaway!

My blog is mainly about my stitching and quilting. Occasionally I throw in something personal. This is very personal!!
I follow Shelly's fabulous blog "The World According To Eggface". Her blog is a work of art and Shel is the most creative cook I have ever encountered. She is having weekly giveaways this month and this week it's something I've coveted. A Cuisinart 1-1/2-Quart Ice-20 Automatic Ice Cream Maker. Anyone that knows me knows that I am an ice-cream-aholic. Shelly's recipes have literally saved my life! I had weight-loss surgery in 2009 and without Shelly's blog I think I may have died of boredom more than anything else. Check her out! She's so very entertaining and informative whether or not you're on a restricted diet or not!

Out Of Touch! We Have A Winner!

So sorry I've been out of touch for so long again. I've caught 'the crud'. You know, the headachy, runny nose, congested, sore throat kind. Yup, and this mornin' I added another symptom we won't discuss here.

I have however finished a cross stitch piece and a quilt. No photos yet but hopefully I can get some this afternoon. Check back for my next post if you're interested.

I have some unfinished business to take care of too. Back on November 28th I offered up a giveaway. In the rush and stumble of my life I failed to announce the winner. Since there were only six entries I've had DH sing out a number. ONE, yes number one! That's Andie in New Zealand! Congratulations Andie!

The mailman has brought me several goodies lately.
I bought some charts from Sonda's For Sale list. I've met Sonda at our bi-monthly stitching get-togethers. She's a kick!
1. CCN Holly & Ivy Sampler
2. HIH 2009 Collector's Heart
3. Drawn Thread The Button Tree
and she sent me the JBW Designs Blessings chart for free

My name was on the list for several charts by Martina Dey of Stickideen von der Weihenburg. When it came down to my pocketbook I could only afford one right now. So I chose Rose Quaker. The mailman brought Christmas Quaker Bellpull. It's lovely and I'll keep it, but, I was so very disappointed. These charts come from Germany so it just wouldn't be cost effective to return it. I'll buy Rose Quaker later when I can rub two nickles together again.

I know there's more but my foggy mind just isn't working at full speed right now. I've been very generous with myself while I've been doing my Christmas shopping this year. Bought myself both Andrea Boclli's 'My Christmas' and Susan Boyle's 'I Dreamed A Dream' CDs. Also DVD's 'The Sisterhood ot the Traveling Pants' and 'Two Weeks Notice'. I'm really going to enjoy these while I stitch!

I belong to the PaperBackSwap . It's a really great group and I save lots of money on my books. I've recently received three of Monica Ferris' Needlecraft Mystery Series: 'A Stitch In Time', 'Framed In Lace', and 'Crewel World'. I also got Debbie macomber's 'Fairy Tale Weddings' and Clive Cussler's 'Arctic Drift'. The last two are new in paperback and I'm so excited!!!

Well, I'm going to go try to get those photos now. Plus all the other little things like laundry that need to get done whether I'm sick or not. Oh, BTW, it's been in the -20F degrees here and we were without water for several days. Hence the scurry to catch up on chores. At least we haven't lost power yet this season!

'Tis The Season Of Giving!

"Where Women Create" is having 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Each day starting December 1 to December 12 there will be a different giveaway.

And today also starts the SewMamaSew Giveaway. Giveaway Day kicks off a Season of Giving. There are so many lovely blogs to visit. These giveaways stay open through Sunday, December 6.

So lets have fun and start visiting. Surely there'll be something that catches your eye! I love to see what other people create. This is a great opportunity to get to know so many crafty people. There is inspriation abounding out there!

This isn't the first time I've told you about Geta's giveaways. She's got another stunning piece for this month! Check it out!

Post Thanksgiving and Another Giveaway!

I do hope all my readers in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was special though very quiet as none of the grands was able to attend. My Cranberry Pecan Pie was a big hit. I've made my soup and a Shepherd's Pie, a must whenever I cook a turkey. Also, the Christmas decorating of the house was completed before everyone arrived. They were surprised but understood my crazy reasoning.

Our youngest & wife had to leave late Thanksgiving evening (she works retail). It was just going to be guys sitting around watching football the rest of the weekend. I took off Friday morning for Portland with some friends. No "Black Friday" shopping for us! Deb & Roy of Desert Rock & Gem invited me to be their guest at a Gem & Bead Show. Woo hoo! I was so overwhelmed! Next time I hope to have more spare cash and a list of goodies I NEED. We had sooo much fun!

I know what you're saying. Another giveaway! This one is very well worth your time checking out. Rebecca is giving away the most lovely Christmas pillow. Please take a moment to browse through her blog as it has so many lovely things to view particularly if you like vintage, romantic and PINK!

More Giveaways!

You've got to see this! Judith is giving away one of her most beautiful L&L finishes, Angel of Summer! Look at the fabric she's stitched on! She's gotta be outta her mind! Her stitching is soooo beautiful. And while you're checking that out look at all her gorgeous quilting. Such a talented lady!!!

Now, for my giveaway! Very small by comparison! I love this piece, Be True! I love Little House Needleworks! Just leave a comment on this post. As a special thanks to the followers of this blog you'll get an extra chance in the draw.

Geta's Quilting Studio

I meant to post about this for you earlier but, of course, I was distracted. Check this out! Geta is having the most beautiful giveaway and it would look perfect on my table. She has such a great blog with tutorials and "ahem" a monthly giveaway.

Lots of Giveaways!!

I'm a lover and collector of designer teddy bears. Ginger @ bearbits is haveing a Silver Anniversary giveaway. Please go meet Miss Noelle Kringle (but she's mine!).

You'll love this by Jolene at Dip Diddly Designs

April at Itching 2 Stitch has this wonderful giveaway.

Becky Bee's Stitching Hive has the most delicious hand-dyed fabrics and a giveaway.

Now, if you like embroidery you'll love Robin's giveaway.

Check out the amazing quilting and a giveaway at Geta's blog.

Calling All Quilters!!!

Man, you gotta see the awesome giveaway at Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe!