I Won!!

Some time ago I purchased several tickets in a raffle. First prize was a beautiful quilt. There were several other prizes of which I didn't pay too close attention to as I never really expected to win and it was for charity so I would've bought the tickets anyways. I didn't win the quilt. I was, however, fortunate enough to win one of the other prizes, this lovely pillow! Isn't it gorgeous? It looks like a Prairie Schooler design but I can't find which one. Anyone got any clues? I love the fabric too even if it wouldn't have been my first choice. All in all, I'm very pleased!!

Over The Week-End

I was away over the week-end! Oh joy! I was at another stitcher's get-together at Vicki's near Portland. The weather was perfect! The stitchers at riot! The food plentiful and yummy! Thank you Vicki, Randy and Donna for providing such a wonderful week-end!

For those of you not in the Northwest, these GTG's happen every-other month. Gals come from all over. Usually we have a designer or two or three. There are always freebies and often charts and flosses for sale. Randy's pool table is turned into a showcase of finishes. But, the best part is always the stitchers. In every room! It's often difficult to stay seated 'cuz I NEED to check out what everyone is working on. I almost always get more stitching done here than at home just because it's unlimited, uninterrupted stitching time.

Esther had fabrics for sale at ridiculous prices. Had to get me some! Lynda had her entire line of charts with her. Got some more! Made a side trip to Acorns & Threads for a chart and ended up with several linens and a half dozen charts. (Who could'a predicted that?)

Other side trips I HAD to make were at Michael's, Joanne's and the Crafter's Warehouse. And yes, I did pick up a few things that weren't exactly stitching related, but, then again, maybe they are in an indirect fashion.

My stitching progress:
I was able to find a GAST floss that I think will work so I can finish my "Rememberance" piece. Whew!
Started Prairie Schooler's Country Wise
Started Heritage Sampler band 1 from Aury's SAL

Unfortunately, none are far enough along to photograph. Sorry!

And to leave you on a bright note: I received my copy of JCS 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue while I was away.

I'm A Winner!

This past week I received two very special packages in the mail.

First, I was RAK'd by Angela (Thank you, Elaine, for showing me how to do the clickable thingy here!) Isn't this a beautiful piece with seed beads in the flowers? I love her finishing! Thank you Angela!
Next, is a frog. Not the stitching kind! This was offered by Robin P in exchange for scissors. She loves scissors and I adore flower frogs. Perfect match! Such a beautiful soft green! And it's much larger than I had imagined. Can't wait to put flowers in it. I sent her some 4" pink Breast Cancer scissors.

I'm So Proud!

My friends, I'm just bursting my buttons with pride tonight! I visited my doctor today and I have successfully lost over 40% of my excess body fat! I've lost nearly 40 pounds too! Guess all that swimming is helping! I'm gonna pat me on the back! Yea!

Fortune Cookies Do Come True!

This is almost unbelievable! Last week DH took me out for Chinese dinner. My fortune cookie predicted this: "Be prepared to receive something special in a large package." DH, of course, asked me what I had ordered now. Nothing! I've actually put myself on a stash diet.
Welllll, then comes a notice from the post office that I have a package to pick up. Our delivery person knows we are almost always here so we wondered why she hadn't brought it. DH again asked what I had bought. Nothing!
I go to the P.O. and there is this very large box for me from my granddaughter! Inside is a Valentine and a smaller box from Williams Sonoma. Inside that is four beautiful mugs with painted roosters on them. How perfect!
I love roosters and have them in my kitchen. Erica had bought me a rooster table cloth from WS for Christmas and her mom got me a beautiful pasta bowl.
Am I the most loved grandma in the world? You bet!
And, fortune cookies do come true!

I've found another on-line treasure!

PBS~PaperBackSwap http://www.paperbackswap.com is a website I found out about through Elaine's blog. When you sign up, you register a minimum of 10 books that you want to get rid of. For those, you get to choose 2 books to be sent to you. They have thousands! You can register as many books as you want. When someone wants one of your books you get an email. There is a link to print out a wrapper. It is printed on 2 sheets of regular computer paper. Their name and address and yours are already printed on there. You can either have an account there for postage or, like me, just take it to the post office for mailing. It costs a little over $2 to mail a regular paperback. For each book you mail out to another person, you get to choose another one. If you join and want to add me as a buddy my nickname is "omashee"

Home from Alabama

Guess it's about time to share about my wonderful visit with Erica, my grand-daughter, and the light of my life. It was sooo very difficult to leave. I'd move to Daphne in a heart beat if Jim would go. Like that'll ever happen! Darned camera isn't downloading so photos will have to follow.

We had such a wonderful time although Erica had finals to take. Her mom, Patti, was home on leave, recovering from surgery. We were able to do some shopping and find some fabulous buys. On "Black Friday" we took it slow and steady. I spent more on "ME" than I can ever remember. With Patti in recovery mode and me with my back, we were quite a team.

I had gotten some serious cortisone-like shots in my back prior to traveling. The trip there was a breeze! Great flights, on-time connections, and little back pain (I didn't even wear a pain patch). Well, that didn't last! The return trip was chaos! Broken planes, rerouted schedules, pain patches at two levels on my back! Ouch!Fortunately I was able to make the last flight of the day into Redmond.

Our Thanksgiving was very quiet! We went to Cracker Barrel to eat as Erica's half-sister was working there. Then Erica joined her boyfriend's family for their dinner. I tried to stitch a bit. The frogs were out in full force!

I was so thankful to have this time with Erica and Patti. My visits are always so restful and I truly enjoy all the "girl time". I have been blessed in so many ways. I pray that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Silent Auction for Breast Cancer Research

A quick reminder that the 11th Annual Silent Auction for Breast Cancer Research is this Saturday evening, November 22 from 6 - 8pm. I've gotten several e-mails from them showing the beautiful items donated. All hand stitched! Please take a look and support this cause if you can! http://www.atticneedlework.com/cancer.html

Leaving Town

I'm off at oh-dark-thirty tomorrow morning for Alabama to spend a few weeks with my grand daughter, Erica. I'm so excited! We always have such fun. It's kind-of a tradition that we spend Thanksgiving together.

The getting there and back aren't my favorite things. Air travel has become such a pain. But, an adventure it will be! Last May I got stranded in Houston and spent the night at the Airport Marriot, arriving a day late for Erica's graduation! Taking a different airline this time so we'll see how off schedule their flights can be.

Have been working hard at getting the worst of my Christmas shopping finished before I go. Whew! We've got Jim's eldest son & family coming, that's five extra people!

I'm going to try my darndest to keep up with my e-mail. Don't know if I'll do much posting here tho.

Great News!

I just found a great site I want to tell you about. http://www.atticneedlework.com/cancer.html
This is where the 11th Annual Silent Auction for Breast Cancer Research is held. This year it's on Saturday, November 22d from 6 to 8pm. That's a very small window of time so I want to get the word out. The site allows you to take a look at the past years items for auction and there are some really beautiful items. Let's all do what we can to support this effort, PLEASE!