September Gifted Gorgeousness / Giveaway

On the 15th (or soon there after haha) we are to participate in a wonderful blog game/SAL. The purpose of this is to share the love our stitching community has.

We are to share things we are stitching that is a gift for someone or something we have received as a gift. As most of my readers know my family supports my addiction hobby and I'm lucky to receive a lot of my stitching as gifts from them. Plus my mom steals is gifted anything that is nautical that I might possibly stitch. So I sure never have a hard time participating.

Stop over to Jo's blog to see who else has joined in this check in post.

Let's take a quick look back at my stitching since August 15th.

You've all seen the Nautical Year I'm stitching for mom. I finished up the September piece for her the beginning of the month. Other than that that's the only real gift stitching I've done right now.

So I can't make a post that lame can I?

No I can't! I'll just have to help someone have a reason to post another time in the future. I'll just have to host a giveaway or why not two?!

Please comment if you are interested and make sure it's clear which one you want or if you want to be entered in both. I will have Jeremiah pick a name on my next Monday Update post on Sept 23rd. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. I will open this giveaway up to those overseas too.  Good luck to all those interested!

First Pattern is Lucy Beam Thankful Pumpkins...

I stitched up this beauty in November 2018. This is not my finish just yet though I really hope mine turns out like this. This is the model photo. It was a fun stitch.

Second Pattern is Celtic Pumpkin from "The Sunflower Seed"...

I have not stitched this one. It's not quite my taste. This is the model photo. I can't find a link to where you can purchase this currently so it might be harder to find now. I sure hope someone enjoys it.

Both patterns are very clean and in fantastic condition.

I hope they can both find a happy new home. Good luck!

March Gifted Gorgeousness / IHSW

It's the 15th of the month which means it's time for a Gifted Gorgeousness Update. Another wonderful Jo SAL that has a beautiful purpose. For us to share things we are stitching as a gift or things we have received as a gift. Stop over here to see what others have posted about.

So let's see what I have that fits for this post this time.









The lovely Astrid had posted this cute hedgehog pattern. I commented on how much I love hedgehogs and she offered to send me the pattern...

The wonderful Carol from Stitching Dreams hosted a Giveaway and I was the lucky winner of this pattern...

It will be my first Just Nan pattern.

So I was very lucky indeed this past month. As far as stitching gifts I finished my mom's March pillow and she has it proudly on display...

Other than that I've been busy working on Ocean in a Bottle trying to finish it up.

This weekend is IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). It's the perfect excuse to warn the family, grab the stitching, and spend the weekend doing nothing but stitching. Chores can wait till Monday. They will unfortunately still be there. Look at where I am now on Ocean in a Bottle...

SooooOOOOoooo Close!!!! Just a bit more stitching and that last page of backstitching to finish up. I'm so excited. We do have some shopping plans on Saturday but other than that I will be stitching, stitching, stitching. Have a great weekend and I hope you find crafting time.

Weekend Update

It's not Monday but I'm here finally with a weekend update. I have another finish to celebrate with you that I finished up Friday night...

(Finished #25) October 26th, 2018

October Snapshot from Pine Mountain Designs

Stitched on 32ct Lambswool Evenweave

Threads are Suggested DMC
  Started Sept 29th. Took me 8 Days.

All 12 Months Finished Now Took 83 Days Total

I wanted to do this series for the Smalls SAL in 2017. They aren't as small as they should have been for that SAL. Plus with 2017 being really busy I had 3 that didn't get finished and I added them to my list of Must Finish in 2018 list. This is the last one now. As I said above the whole series took me 83 days to complete. I really enjoyed each one. Now I need to figure out how I want to finish them so I can display them each month. 

This weekend I received a fun giveaway in the mail...

Cross Stitch Angel blog had a fun giveaway for these cute Joan Elliott magazine charts. I couldn't help but enter. She also included two beautiful floss and adorable koala stickers. Thanks! I will hopefully find time to stitch these adorable charts next year for Halloween.

Saturday morning Jeremiah, Fred, and I loaded up and headed north to Michigan City, Indiana. It's about a 3 hour drive. When I get up that direction I just have to stop at my favorite LNS (local needlework store) House of Stitches. It's a fantastic store that I always LOVE stopping at. They have everything you could want and more. I had 4 projects I wanted to get fabric and threads for...

On the left is Autumn Blessing from Waxing Moon Designs. I got a sparkly piece of 28ct Crystal Mello Lugana and the pile of Weeks Dye Works for the beautiful leaves around the border. Next is Thankful Pumpkins from Lucy Beam Love in Stitches. I got a piece of 28ct Flash Lugana and the Gentle Art Sampler Threads it called for. The last one is the one my hubby is so excited about the Beer Dragon from Paine Free Crafts. I got a piece of 32ct Lambswool Jobelan since it's full coverage. I haven't kitted up the DMC for it just yet. According to hubby it must be started soon haha. Yes I said I had 4 projects Santa has the other one so you will have to wait just like I do for that one.

After the stop at the store we went to visit friends. In 2006 we met this family and we became best of friends. Our sons are best friends too. We have done so many camping trips and adventures together. They aren't friends any more now they have become family. Geocaching brought us together and we can't be more thankful for that. Bernice (the mother of the family) had a severe stroke last June and has had a very hard recovery. Now she was getting more sick and after many tests and frustration we found out she has small cell lung cancer which spread to her brain and other multiple places. She was given 2-6 months left to be with us. It hit us so hard. The world just won't be the same without this sweet woman. We decided to treat Damein (their 16 year old son and Jeremiah's best friend) for the night. We took him out to eat a delicious steak dinner. Then we got a room at a hotel with a pool. For a bit they shared the pool with a gaggle of girls but then...

They got one on one time to just be best friends. It was fantastic. Damein was able to reach out and talk about hard things. We felt like we did the right thing to have this time with him. To give him some time to feel the love we have for him. We took him home the next morning and visited with everyone a bit longer. They are dealing as anyone can with this type of news. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts/prayers.

Winners and Progress

It's time to announce the winners for the giveaway I hosted on the 15th for Gifted Gorgeousness. Chart Number 1 was...

I had 5 people enter their names for this one. Mom picked the winner and picked...

Linda from Stitchin with my Furbabies

Chart Number 2 was...

I had 3 people enter their names for this one. Jeremiah picked the winner and picked...

Maggee from Stitching Devotee

Congrats Ladies!! Plus Thanks for all who joined in.

After the July finish in the last post I went to my WIP totes and out popped this old WIP...

Wish Upon a Starfish from Designs by Lisa. I started it for the Crazy January Challenge in 2015. The last time I worked on it was Nov 29, 2015. Just a bit ago. So it was time to break it back out. Here is where I was with it before after 3 days of progress on it...

Here it is today after two more days on it...

I worked across the top to reach the right edge and then started filling in my way back. I'll get some time tonight and maybe Sunday night but....we have fun plans with friends and family this weekend. I also get to stop at my favorite not so LNS tomorrow on the way. Have a great weekend!

February Gifted Gorgeousness and Giveaways

It's the 15th of the month which means it's time for another Gifted Gorgeousness update. The idea of this fun blogworld check in is to post about things we either received as gifts or are giving to someone else. What a fun thing to share about. Go here to find the February post with all the lovelies people will share about today.

Let's see. I'm extremely lucky and have a family that supports my addiction oh I mean hobby so almost every piece I work on can be called a gift. So I only talk about the major ones instead. Since the last check in I finished a major gift...

In August 2012 I became friends with another blogger who loved HAEDs as much as me. Lesli from Fabulous Frogger. She sent me the Hold on to Hope pattern as a RAK when she seen it on my wishlist. I was so surprised and so thankful. Unfortunately it appears she has stopped blogging in Feb 2013. I wish she had a way of knowing I finished her up finally.

This past December I went through all my stash and made a pile of things I didn't want any more. So this year I'm hoping to spread the love and host giveaways throughout the year. What better excuse then Gifted Gorgeousness to continue the love right? Here are this month's giveaways...

Number 1:

I stitched this one in 2014 so the dog button is no longer included. But it would be easy to find any cute button or charm to fill the spot where he goes. You will receive the leaflet only.

Number 2:

I never stitched this one up. Nothing included though just the leaflet.

To enter please comment on this post. Please be clear which number you are interested in. I'm fine with you putting your name into the drawing for both if you are interested in both. Jeremiah will pick the name of the winners on Thursday the 22nd to give everyone a week to enter. If you are a no-reply blogger please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win.

Thank you for stopping by.

Giveaway Winner Announcement

I hosted 2 giveaways for the Jan GG check in. No one was interested in the Cars kits this time. But I had 6 people enter into the drawing for the two Sue Hillis charts...

I wrote the names on pieces of paper and had Jeremiah pick one so you can blame him haha...

The winner is:

Nice gift from your husband.I'd love to see it finished.I'd love the first batch if I win the giveaway,thanks.AriadnefromGreece!

Thank you very much for entering. I will hopefully remember to host another giveaway on Feb 15th for the next GG post. So make sure to come back for that.

Jan Gifted Gorgeousness / 2 Giveaways

In the blog world I'm pretty sure you have heard about the wonderful Jo. She runs this awesome blog which if you haven't checked out you definitely need to. On the 15th of each month she does this fun check in for a SAL called Gifted Gorgeousness. The idea is to share things we are stitching that is either gifts for others or we have received as gifts in one way or another. It's beautiful to see how caring other stitchers are and how lucky we are to receive so many wonderful stitching gifts not only from online friends who we might have never met, friends we've had for years, but also from our families. My family are huge supporters of my addiction hobby.

In this span I've worked on a gift my hubby got me for Christmas...

I love the saying and meaning behind this one. It's very special that hubby thought to get this one for me. Here is my progress on it after 4 days so far...

Now that I shared that with you. I would like to add to the chance of my readers to have something to share for the next Gifted Gorgeousness update. I'm hosting two giveaways.

In order to win please make sure I have a way to contact you. I've noticed quite a few no reply bloggers and I need to have a way to get your contact information to mail the patterns to you. Also please make sure to let me know which batch of patterns you are interested in. If you are interested in both that's fine too. I will have Jeremiah pick a name from the lists of people who enter. I will announce the winner Monday the 22nd of Jan.

The first batch is two Post Stitches Patterns from Sue Hillis Designs...

Both patterns have a charm included too.

The 2nd batch is two Janylnn kits from the Cars movie...

These are never opened complete kits.

I hope someone will enjoy these pieces. I will have a lot more giveaways this year. I have a tote full of things I no longer plan to stitch why not spread them to people who will appreciate them.

New Start and I won!

I didn't want you left wondering what I decided to work on. So I decided to stop by and write a post. Remember my fun monthly snapshots. I am so far behind. I missed July, August, September, and October. Too busy those months. So I was getting ready to start July....July in November? Beautiful patriotic design in the crisp fall month. So I glanced ahead at November...

How cute! Okay I must skip those other 4 months and start this one right away. So start it I did...

I will be going back to finish those other 4 missed months though so don't worry. Just don't know when. I also was reading blogs and seen that I won a giveaway that Jo hosted during the Halloween Blog Hop. Look what I won...

Shepherd's Bush Spooky Night

I can't wait to stitch it up to display for next year. When I do get it finished I will definitely pay it forward here since I was lucky enough to win it from Jo to begin with. 

I have a busy few days ahead. There is a fun fall festival going on in Shipshewana with lots of fun shopping to do. Mom, Jeremiah, and me are going tomorrow. Then Saturday mom and me are meeting a close family friend to go back. I'm sure we'll have a blast. We always do. Sunday I already have plans to park myself on the couch and stitch so hopefully I'll make up for being busy the next two days haha. Have a great weekend!

April Gifted Gorgeousness

The wonderful Jo yet again is gathering us together. This time it's for Gifted Gorgeousness. This is a fun SAL that we share on the 15th of the month (oops) either gifts we are stitching for others or things we have received as gifts. This year I'm working really hard on a gift for my Grandpa. It's our family crest. Here is where I was last check in...

I was able to put only 4 days into it this time around. My life is really starting to get crazy busy now. But progress is progress. Here is where I got on the top banner at least...

I do have a gift received to post. I was lucky enough to win a giveaway posted on Rhona's Blog.

I saw she was giving this chart away and I love dandelions so I entered. Plus the saying is just beautiful. I had no idea I would get an adorable card, fun floss, awesome charms, and a neat floss cutter necklace pendant. Now I just need to find time to stitch this fun chart up.

Giveaway Announcement

Today is the drawing for a giveaway I hosted in honor of my 1,000th blog post. I had 7 people enter. I put the names on pieces of paper and let Jeremiah pick one out. The winner is...

Julie from Julie's Stitchyknitter Journal

Congrats Julie! Sorry to the others that entered and didn't win.




In other news I found out I have a problem. Some people lose their mojo. I've done that before. It's horrible. You just don't feel like stitching. Some people just can't find which project they want to work on. They might even have to shop and buy a new project that will make them happy. My problem isn't one of those...

I HAVE TOO MANY THINGS I WANT TO WORK ON. Haha. I'm serious. I have so many projects I'm literally in love with. Plus I have a STACK of things I got for Christmas I want to start. Plus....PEOPLE (You know who you are!) Keep posting beautiful things that I can't live without stitching. Then even my magazine subscription is out to get me. Look at what's on the cover of the new Stoney Creek Magazine...

Yeah....like I can pass that up! Then on Instagram someone posted this one...

It's nautical and patriotic. Jeremiah LOVES patriotic stuff. Plus come on ocean themed creatures as a flag! So I saw who it was by and looked it up. Guess what it's a freebie. What?!? Yep I have to do that.

Rachel posted this adorable monthly cutie she is making for this year's Smalls SAL. Of course I found the pattern for them too and added it to the pile taking over my life.

This is just the beginning of the ones I've seen. It's torture. There are just too many cute things out there. I need to stop looking. I need to just shut off the internet and never have anything to do with the outside world. Then we made our travel plans and I have so many WONDERFUL trips coming up this year How will I find time? So I told my family Feb and Mar I plan on not doing anything productive other than stitching. I don't have time to do another other than sit and stitch on the 3,000 different projects screaming my name. Starting in April through October we have plans. I'm thankful but now I want NEED to hurry and get those X's in!!

1,000th Post Giveaway

This post marks my 1,000th blog post! I can't believe it! I evidently talk too much haha. I started blogging in October 2004. I did it until August 2005 on this old blog. Then I switched when yahoo and multiply starting having a blog website. I must have been there until June 2007 and then I came back here. (I've always preferred this blogging website.) Bring us till now my 1,000th post!

It's so much fun to look back and see what I've worked on. What I've done. Where we've traveled to. How much my life has changed. What cross stitch patterns I've started, finished, or never seen again haha. I love blogging. I always wanted to keep a journal but I don't like handwriting. I tried. I have lots of different books laying around where I started a few pages here and several there. Typing was fun though. Plus I could add pictures of my stitching, life and fun things I found online. How perfect!

Along the way I've met so many wonderful people. So many wonderful emails we've exchanged over the years. So in honor of all this I'm having a giveaway...

I'm giving away the 4 seasonal charts from Cricket Collection...

 

 

 

I'll share the links to show more info...
Here is Spring. Here is Autumn. Here is Summer. Here is Winter.

I loved stitching these! If you think you would enjoy stitching these please let me know in the comments. If you are a no reply blogger please make sure to get me your email address somehow so I can contact you if you win. I'll have Jeremiah pick a winner Wednesday Feb 1st. So hopefully that gives people time to join in. If you want you can share about the giveaway on your blog but it's not a requirement by any means. This giveaway is available to overseas readers too. Good luck! Wonder if I'll make it to 2,000 posts sometime? Here's hoping I do!

Smalls SAL and Gift Received

It's Smalls SAL Check in Post Day! Here is where you go to see what wonderful pieces everyone has done this month. I missed a few check ins I think but I've stuck with my plan of finishing a Year of Whimsy piece every month. This is the first SAL that I've stuck with the WHOLE YEAR! I'm so glad she is hosting again next year. I already have a monthly pattern picked out to complete next year and I just can't wait!! Anyway here is my Nov Whimsy all finished up again for those new to my blog...

I guess for those who are new to my blog you need to know these are from a leaflet by Dimensions that is now out of print called Year of Whimsy. I've stitched them on perforated paper and cut them out as ornaments. I have them hanging by my calendar on a cork board display. I can't believe I only have one Whimsy left to do. I've enjoyed these guys so much!! Also I wanted to share that yesterday I received an interesting package in the mail with this marking on the corner...

What?!? Then I saw the address and remembered I was awaiting a package from the lovely Jo at Serendipitous Stitching. I had won a giveaway during one of her AWESOME blog hops that she hosts. So I hurried ripped open the package...

My first ever Prairie Schooler pattern. Plus what better choice for me. Look at the fantastic ocean themed options!! Can't wait to stitch them!! There was also a gorgeous handmade card...

Here is a close up of the beautiful stitching done on the front of the card. The two patterns included also go along with the same color type scheme too. Done by a friend of Jo's. How beautiful! What a wonderful package to receive. Thank you so very very much Jo!!! I feel spoiled rotten.

IHSW Update / Winner Announced

First things first I have a winner to announce for the giveaway I hosted. I printed the names off and Jeremiah picked out the lucky winner...

Mii Stitch

Congrats! I look forward to watching you stitch this one up and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Now let's talk about IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). I started my Aquatic Maiden and boy she was fun to work on. I've noticed there are not near as many color changes as on my HAEDs so that's a nice change. But still a lot of different shades of the same color. So I present to you my navy blue blob...

I was able to stitch all 3 days. Friday I got 800 stitches in! Saturday we ran to the store so I ended with 600 in. Sunday we did our putting decorations away fast so I got another 800 in! So 2,200 total for the 3 days. Not bad at all!! I went to take her off my Q-Snaps but she's going to stay on at least another day.

Linking up to the Monday Stitchery Link Party. She has these adorable embroidery freebies each week. It's fun to see what other projects people have been working on. Stop over and check it out.

We have a busy week getting ready for Easter. Even though it's just our household we will make it a special day. Hope everyone reading this has a great week.

Gifted Gorgeousness / Giveaway

It's the 15th which means it's time for a Gifted Gorgeousness check in. We are supposed to share what we've been working on that was gifted to us or is going to be a gift to someone else. So let's see what I've been working on since the last check in...

I worked on my HAED Hold on to Hope. She was a RAK from another blogger who unfortunately doesn't blog any more. Here is where I got on her...

I'm so close to finished with her it's so exciting. I also worked on my Spring Bell Pull which was a gift to myself but then I won money from an online survey and it ended up paying for all 4 seasons completely so it was a lottery gift. Here is where I am on that one...

I finished a piece that my mom bought for me at the PALs Retreat in 2015. This is Seaside Squared by Erica Michael's I just LOVED doing it...

I also finished 1 of 4 Christmas Treasures from Just Cross Stitch Dec 2015 using a Jodyri thread from a giveaway from Tiffstitch. Here is the picture of it...

I've been very lucky to enjoy so many wonderful gifts. I figured it was only right to share with someone else. So I'm having a giveaway. Please let me know in the comment section if you would like to stitch this fun chart...

It's Let's Be Jolly by Ursula Michael. Since Spring starts this coming Sunday I figured it's time for this fun snowman chart to be off to someone else to enjoy. I'll have Jeremiah pick the winner Monday the 21st.