And The Winner Is...

I use to say that I could not win a cake in a cake-walk, that is until I saw a posting on Cabbages and Kings stating that I had won an amazing giveaway!  Seriously, even thought the post stated my name I was unsure if it was actually me that won.  It finally registered in my brain that I did win all of this...

Designer: Mirabilia

Design: Cottage Garden Fairy

Wow, I think I am still stunned and elated to be the recipient of Kevin's generous giveaway: Cottage Garden Fairy Pattern, 32ct Silkweaver fabric, floss, beads, and Kreiniks metallic threads. Everything needed to complete this gorgeous Mirabilia design is now kitted up ready to be stitched.

Have you been to Kevin's impressive blog?  I am not sure how I found my way to Cabbages and Kings but when I arrived there and realized this was a male stitcher I was so excited.  There are not many men out there that stitch, I only know of talented Edgar, so you can imagine my excitement to see Kevin's wonderful blog. Thank you again Kevin, I look forward to starting this wonderful project!

My HOE Lizzie Kate exchange arrived today and brought a smile to my face.  It is always so exciting to receive an exchange package in the mail!  Here is what I received from Jayne...

2013 HOE Lizzie Kate

Design: Joy (Tiny Tidings XVII)

Stitched by: Jayne N.

How cute is that? I love the "J" stocking and "O" ornament.  Thank you so much Jayne for this wonderful addition to my ever-growing collection of HOE Ornaments.  

Yesterday I had yet another Mohs surgery for basal cell skin cancer (that would be #9 ~ UGH!) This time a spot was removed on my cheek, very close to my ear.  So, I sit here today all bandaged up wishing that I never spent one minute in the sun.  If only I could turn back time but I cannot.  I can however be a constant nag about sunscreen and skin checks (just ask my DSs). I have added two links to my side bar, one for the Skin Cancer Foundation which has a wealth of information and the second is a link to a Body Map which is something that I now use to prepare for my skin check visits.  It allows me to mark areas of concern so that when I arrive at the doctor’s office I can inform him/her of every spot.  I would encourage of you to check out these links, use sunscreen, and schedule annual skin checks. 

I'll leave you with a picture of the graduation quilt top that I recently completed.  It will be shipped to Texas to be machine quilted by MaryLea, a truly talented longarm quilter!

Designer: It's Sew Emma Patterns

Design: Paris Flea Market Find

Thanks for stopping by~Enjoy your day!

Until next time...

Never Forgotten

It's hard to believe that a year has gone by, even harder to believe that she is gone.  I stitched this Little House Needlework design shortly after Misha, our 15 year old Yorkie, died but it was not until a few weeks ago that I got it framed.  

After stitching Dog House Sampler I decided to personalize it and to attached her dog tag but something was missing...hmmmm, her picture!  What better way to memorialize her than to add pictures of her with two of her favorite people.  Having both DSs picture included adds a special *something* to this finished piece...

 MISHA

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Design: Dog House Sampler

We all miss her, including little Lily who use to find warmth curled up in bed with Misha (yes, Misha is squished in that bed)....

Lily now finds warmth sitting on the heat vent (letting her fur blow)... 

Even after a year she is greatly missed...but NEVER forgotten.

Thanks for stopping by ~ have a great day!

Until next time...

HOE Spring Stitching Exchange

Although I was busy knitting scarfs I did manage to squeeze in time for some cross stitch.  I participated in the HOE Spring Stitching Exchange and stitched this little gem:

2013 HOE Spring Stitching Exchange

Designer: Isazabelle

Design: L'oiseau Perche

Finish: Floss Holder

Stitched for: Leigh D

The design is an online Freebie, just click on the link above.  For this exchange I decided to try a new finish, something I had never done and did not have a pattern for.  I have made floss holders but never one like this. It was fun to make and I am happy with the results.    

Now, what did I receive?

2013 HOE Spring Stitching Exchange
Designer: Prairie Schooler
Design: Signs of Spring

Stitched by: Sandra M.

Isn't this beautiful? I received a very pretty Pincushion. PS is by far one of my very favorite designer. Sandra did a beautiful job stitching and finishing this, I truly love it. Thank you again Sandra!

I have another Infinity scarf to share with you.  This is another basket weave design that I knitted using a beautiful variegated shade of purple...

Thanks for stopping by ~ enjoy your day!

Until next time...

He's A Jumper

G at Stratton Mountain

 

Easter weekend was amazingly beautiful on the mountain.  Spring skiing at its finest with warm temperatures, great trails, no real lift lines, and sunshine all day! Our last hurrah of the ski season was the best and I am now ready for all the snow to be gone and the warm temperatures to arrive.

I found a new passion that has been keeping me busy, knitting.  However, as much as I enjoy knitting needles and yarn this will never replace my love for cross stitch, but it certainly has cut into my stitching time.

There are two wonderful yarn shops close by that offer classes. I recently took a class on knitting cables.  This class interested me because I would like to make an Irish Knit blanket, maybe something like this one:

Our Best Baby Knit Afghans

Leisure Arts #3219

The instructor insists that once you know how to do one cable, you can do them all.  Here is my finished class project, a cable knit scarf:

Prior to the cable class I knitted this basket weave infinity scarf for my DS GF:

And this simple design for me:

Now that the sun shines frequently, the snow is melting, and the weather is getting nicer I am less interested in knitting and will be finding my way to my sewing room to work on a college quilt.  In March I attended the AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA and was able to purchase all of the material for the quilt.   Here is the design that I have selected:

Flea Market Find

A nasty spring cold has kept me from working on the quilt this weekend. I really was hoping to make some headway since the graduation party is scheduled for June 1st...June will be here before I know it!

I think I will take some DayQuil and rest on the couch. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...