Two weeks --- Really????

I didn't realize it had been two weeks since I posted last. But given how busy last weekend was, I guess that makes sense! I had Friday off for the Veteran's Day Holiday and gave thanks to those active duty and veterans that I know - as well as my prayers for those I don't and their families.

I also had a couple friends over for a stitch day. That's always so wonderful, friends, good food and stitching - it doesn't get any better.

Saturday I attended a local craft fair that I've gone to over the years. My favorite things to shop for are jelly, fudge and bread - all for me! Hmmmm, I don't think that is the focus of most craft fairs! Then an appointment in the afternoon. Sunday was church and Sampler Guild of the Rockies in the afternoon. My goodness I was tired by the end of the weekend.

On the stitching front, I've been working on a piece that will be for another birthday present - so I won't be able to show you a picture until we've celebrated. I'm still working on the finishing, but hope to be done today or tomorrow. I do have another project that I try to work on at lunch, but that's the scissor case that I showed a progress picture of a couple of weeks ago. http://mountainstitcherontheplains.blogspot.com/2011/10/update-and-oldie.html

I also am so excited that I am going to visit my son and his family over the Thanksgiving holidays. I haven't seen them in over a year which makes the visit even more exciting!

Since I don't have any current stitching pictures to show, I think I'll share with you pictures of some of the projects I have on my list for next year. I must be nuts, but I'm going to do another New Start Challenge in 2012 - oh my! (And I have only fnished 7 of this year's 15!!!) So here are a few of my favorite ones that I'll be working on, including the fabrics.

The first one is the James Wilson reproduction sampler that I purchased from the Haselmere Museum. They have this still available as well as another reproduction sampler chart - I haven't purchased that ......... yet!! The next one is a Lizzie Kate design (she's so much fun as a designer) and I can so totally relate to the sentiment!! "Housework never killed anyone, but why take the chance" - so me!!!! The last one is Little House Needleworks Liberty. I've had this in my stash for a while and just love it - I'm so excited to be able to start on this one in January.

I hope all my stitching buddies have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving with family and friends. It's such a special holiday in that there's no stress, no presents - just family, love and food. While I will be separated from some of my children, I will be with another one. When they are in different locations, this is the price a mother pays!!!

Hug your family and friends today, tell them you love them -- and make time for stitching!!!

Debby

Birthday finishes!!

I spent the day stitching with my wonderful friends! We stitched, had a great lunch, stitched some more, opened presents - the 3 birthday girls - had red velvet cake and then stitched some more. It just doesn't get better than this in my opinion!!!

Here are pictures of the 2 birthday presents that I've been teasing you with the last few posts. I'm pleased to say that the birthday girls loved them.

The first box is a Blackbird Design from A Stitcher's Journey - Birds and Berries. This is the top of a box where the top opens up and there is a small drawer in the bottom as well. As I seem to do lately, I used stash so I don't know what the fabric is although I'm sure it was a 28 count and WDW and/or GAST. I finished the edge with beads.

The second box is for my friend who just loves Hummingbirds!!! I found the design on Patterns Online and it's by Laura Kramer Doyle, one of her Snow Globes. I loved using the opalescent fabric for this, the sparkle made it fun! It's done on another piece of stash fabric and the called for DMC floss, covering a box with a hinged lid and finish edging of beads.

I leave you with one more picture - one of my birthday presents from one of the gals; it's a Lizzie Kate design that I love and done with over dyes, but I'm not sure if they were the ones called for or if she changed out the colors.

I also received a hand crocheted doily that's just beautiful, cookies, candy, a portable light, another piece of lace and many other things. It was such a wonderful birthday indeed.

Please have a wonderful week and I hope stitching will be a part of your time! Thank you so much for your visits and I love reading your comments. Hug your family and friends this week as well.

Debby