Mother's Day Giveaway Win One of 5 Prizes

All you prim lovers, check out this wonderful contest at Shaka Studios

Some beautiful things here for any prim or colonial home.

Christie

We have babies again...

This morning we looked out the back window to see the Mama fox and her kits.   We are not sure if she has 4 or 5.  They are so cute and fuzzy.  They have built a den under our shed next to the woodpile.  Hubby walked out and got this picture of one of the babies peeking out.  The next one is the Mama.  We had some babies about two years ago but when we saw them they were a little bigger than these little ones. 

We had a nice Easter last weekend at my parent's house.  Mom always makes such wonderful dinners.  She also made me a cheesecake.  I don't get this cheesecake that often because it has to sit for 7 days after you make it before you can eat it.  We have tried eating it early, but just does not taste the same.  Below is a picture of the table.  My girls spent a few days with Grandma over Spring Break and they helped decorate the table.  The china is my Grandmother's.  Grandma was so pleased to see her china being used. 

While out Easter shopping for my darling daughters, I came across this frog at Hallmark.  His crown is magnetic and when you take it off and put it back on it makes this sound like a magic wand (does this make any sense???  hard to describe a sound).  One of the stitching groups I belong to is called the Tiara Club.  So my little stitching frog with a crown will fit right in as long as he does not cause any stitching problems...tee hee hee.

I also got another wonderful gift from my Secret Stitcher.  She sent me a cute little stuffed bunny wrapped in over dyed threads with Spring/Easter names and this funny card.

On the stitching front, I have been stitching, but nothing to show because it is a secret.  It is a model for Heartstring Samplery.  I am really enjoying stitching it and I know you will all want to stitch one for your very own when Beth releases it. 

I want to welcome my new followers.  I appreciate all of my followers coming to visit my little world. 

Back soon.

Christie

Spring has Sprung

We have been enjoying an early Spring this year.  The past week the temps have been in the mid to high 70's.  I went out this morning a snapped a picture of my weeping cherry.  It is so pretty with all those white flowers.  Don't pay any attention to those pesky yellow weeds in the grass.  Hubby is going to seed, feed and weed the grass today. 

Mom and Dad came over Friday when I was at work and left me a wonderful Spring surprise on my old wooden bench.   The purple pansies are just so pretty and were a welcome surprise.

I have been stitching some.  I have one piece at the finishers that I forgot to take a picture of.  I will snap one when it comes back all put together.  I have started a reproduction sampler for one of the local historical societies.  I also got another model stitching job in the mail.  I wish I could share it with you because I know you will all love it.  Here are two pieces I did in the past couple of months between the bigger project and my health issues.  Please pardon the wrinkles.  Both pieces are Lizzie Kate designs.



I also picked up two pieces from the framers yesterday.  They are pieces I stitched in the past two years.  I am just now getting them framed.  Don't you just love the sleigh cut out in the mat?

 Last but not least, I received the nicest St. Patrick's Day package from my sweet Secret Stitcher.  I got a funny card, 2 silk threads shades in 2 shades of green and a wonderful glass frog with a little legend.  I am just so tickled with the frog and the greens silks are so pretty.

Thanks for letting me share. 

Christie

I forgot...

I forgot to post a picture of the Valentine's gift I got from my Secret Stitcher. 

The candy house had a nice white bow on it, but the kids couldn't resist getting into the candy.  It is a really neat little house filled with all sorts of candy.  It also has a little metal scoop that is a little hard to see in the picture.  I also got some more Belle Soie silks in pretty Valentine shades.  They are so very soft I can't wait to stitch something with them. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day tomorrow. 

Christie

Birthday

My birthday was January 26th, but I am just now getting around to sharing my lovely gifts I received from my wonderful friends and my Secret Stitcher. 

My new glass flower frog came from Marsha.  I am so happy to have another one since I already filled the other one up with scissors.  I have more scissors and needed another frog.  Lisa gifted me the Ouija board flat wallet that had some needles and a skein of DMC floos inside.  Patti gave me the wonderful wooden case.  The wood is paper thin and just too cool for words.  Inside the case was this wonderful pair of purple scissors and a Halloween scissor fob.  Linda and I share the same birthday.  We always send a little something to each other every year.  She sent me the wonderful quick start set. 

When we were at retreat in January several of us were gifted with these neat bowls that Adele made for us.  She filled them with candy hearts, a lip balm and a Hobb Nobb kit.  The candy was eaten, the lip balm was promptly confiscated by my oldest and the kit was put with my stash.  I just love my bowl,

The next two pictures are what I received from my Secret Stitcher.  She sent me the below goodies in a wonderful glass jar.  What wonderful treats and the votive made everything smell soooo good.  I have never tried the brand of needles or the silk threads so I am very excited to try both.  The glass jar will be great for orts. 

Thanks for letting me share.

Christie

Super Bowl Sunday

I have lots of things to share, but will leave that for another day when I have more time to make a longer post. 

I did want to share my favorite commercial from the Super Bowl.  I am sure it was a favorite of all.  My girls and I love the song by LMFAO anyway, but add a red M&M to it and you have a winner!

I also put $4.00 in for two squares on the office football pool.  It is very rare that I ever win anything.  Guess what...I won $40.00 in the first quarter and another $40.00 in the second quarter.  I am sure you could hear my hubby whooping it up across town when I won.  Now to decide if I want to stash shop or save my money until the monthly Antique Mart in Lawrenceburg, IN opens back up for the season in May.  Did you ever think it would be that hard to decided what to do with $80.00???

Be back soon.

Christie

Happy New Year!

I know I have been away for several months.  Between my chronic illness and the holidays I never seemed to find the time to sit and write a post.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.  Other than another trip to the ER the day after Christmas for me we had an uneventful and quiet season.

I have not really stitched recently either.  I did get three ornaments finished to be exchanged at the two Christmas parties with my stitch groups.  Unfortunately I was only able to go to one of the parties as I was ill for the second.  On the upside I have one ornament finished for the 2012 Christmas season.  I plan on putting a few stitches into something today not matter what.  I have not figured out what that project will be yet.  I will let you all know what "blows my skirt up" and post pictures later of what I started.

For now I will leave you with pictures (again sorry for the bad pictures.  We really need a new camera) of the two ornaments I received at our Guild Christmas party.  The first I received from a lady I like to call my second Mom.   The second picture is from my Secret Stitcher.  I was very lucky to receive such wonderful ornaments from such talented ladies.

Here's hoping that 2012 will be a wonderful year full of health, happiness, love and kindness for all.

Christie



Secret Stitcher

I received this last week but I am just now getting around to making a quick post about it.  I belong to the Queen City Sampler Guild.  For the past several years we have been doing a "secret stitcher" program of sorts.   You get a person to send stuff to for a year and a different person sends to you...all secret of course.  We reveal who we are at the Christmas party in December.  I have really had a lot of fun with this.  Below is what my secret stitcher send to me for Halloween.   I was blown away by her gifts.  All I can say is WOW and to whoever you are...THANK YOU!!

Everything was wrapped in tissue paper with the most wonderful ribbon (which I forgot to add to the photo)

Front of biscornu

 Back of biscornu

Needlecase with thread counters

I just love everything she sent.  I always love homemade things.  They are so much more special and mean so much more to me.

Until next time.

Christie



20 years ago.....

today I married my high school sweetheart and best friend.  He is the love of my life.  He is a fantastic man, wonderful husband even when is is annoying the heck out of me or snoring like a buzz saw, and father.

I came home from work today and found this beautiful basket of flowers.  He said he wanted the biggest one they had in the case.  How sweet is that. 

I also wanted to share a picture of my 15 year old.  She went to her 10th grade homecoming dance this past weekend.  She said she did not want a fancy prom dress since she was not going with a boy.  She is not one to smile for the camera so I get very happy when I get a picture of her happy face.   She meet up with a couple of her friends and had a wonderful time.

In case you are all wondering what the heck is coming out of my ceiling, it is a red towel.  We have had a roof leak for a couple of years and hubby cut a hole in the ceiling to try and track the leak down.  We got a new roof this year and they did a couple of other repairs.  We are now waiting a couple of months to make sure the leak is stopped before the folks come back and repair the wall the fireplace is on (replace the drywall and beams, paint etc...).  The insurance company is picking up the tab for the interior work.

Be back soon with another update.

Christie

Some Stitching

I know I promised a post of some finished stitching a long time ago, but I hit some snags recently.  Two weeks ago I had a fever a congestion..2 days off work.  This past weekend I wound up in the ER with severe stomach pain.  I was admitted for an overnight hospital stay.  Had a cat scan and lots of blood work done.  They are not sure if I had a severe attack with my IBS and a touch of the stomach bug, have a bleeding ulcer or something else unknown.  I have been home all week from work and in bed.  Still do not feel great.  Saw the family doc. on Thursday and he said my cat scan show some question and I was anemic and dehydrated in the hospital.  Not sure where the dehydration came from or the anemia.  So he now wants me to go back to the G.I. doc.  Have to make that appointment on Monday.  Not sure how I am going to make it to work next week still feeling this way.

Enough of all that, on with the stitching pictures.

I stitched this little guy at the retreat I went to in September.  He was a quick stitch.  The chart came from the 2011 JCS Halloween issue.  In case you are wondering what on earth is under my stitching it is Indi's kennel.  It sits in the front part of the house and gets the best light during the day.

I started LittleHouse Needleworks "Liberty" in the summer.  I then took a class and did some model stitching so it got shoved aside for a bit.  I am glad it is finished.  It will be made into a pillow some day I hope.  I used the called for linen and threads.

This next one was also a very quick stitch.  It is from Threadwork Primitives.  You can find her charts on Esty.  I used an unknown scrap from my stash.  I used the following threads: WDW Mascara, Terra Cotta and Hazelnut, DMC 828 and 3021.  I really like this one.  My picture does not do it justice at all.

I mentioned that I took a class this summer.  The class was taught by Ellen Chester of With My Needle.   I finished my stitching and sent it of to the finisher.  I got it back a couple of weeks ago.  Below is the front, inside and back of my "Long May She Wave" needlebook.  I just love it.  Ellen had some wonderful history and slides to show during her class.



These next two are not my stitching by those of a wonderful new stitching friend and designer Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery.  I did some model stitching for her this summer and she sent me this wonderful package to thank me.  I was so in awe and never expected her to do this.  I was my pleasure to stitch for her.  The note cards I believe are made from one of her photographs.  She is a very talented lady.  Thank you again Beth.

If you have made it this far, thank you for sticking with me.  I will try to not be so long between posts next time.

Christie