My Week In Stitches

Well this was a distracted week!  First I had a long weekend for the holiday, then I was sick on Thursday.  I started a Bible study on Wednesday, and somewhere in there I even managed to do some stitching!  No work on Fairy Sisters this week - my contacts are at the very END of their lives, so I didn't put myself through the torture of trying to stitch when I couldn't see.  Instead.........

I finished Irish Blessing!  And I forgot my cardinal rule with this fabric, always photograph under harsh electric light.  Hopefully Jo will be able to get a better shot of it when she receives it!  It's on its way to England!  I will restitch this at some point for myself - I would absolutely love to have some of my work hanging in my house.  And I may rechart the pattern I shared so that it incorporates what I did here.  I'm really happy with the changes I made.  The "braid" in the middle is the blue, pink and yellow together, so it makes a rainbow thread.  It looks really pretty.

Oooh!  I found one I took and put on Instagram after I finished - you can see some of the detail better - it was cut off at the top, so I've cropped it even more to show the braid and the Rhodes stitches:

And here's a sneak peak of the new baby gift - just  a look at the yarn.  This is DK yarn from Kraemer Yarns, Tatamy Tweed.  The color name is Oatmeal. and it's so soft!  I love this pattern, I'm making great progress on it.

Okay!  Off to the post office and the eye doctor!  Have a great weekend!

And The Winner Is.....

Congratulations to Jo! (who can't think of a clever nickname - I love that, it makes me smile every time I see it!) - I linked to one of her many blogs.  She's the one who got me on the Theme-a-licious thing, and apparently Jo's claim to fame in that circle is her ability to "shoe horn" her projects into each theme.  Jo said she comes for the thread, so I'll be putting together her stitcher-friendly package and sending it off - my plan is to send it this coming weekend.  Jo, I've sent you an email to get your address!

Yesterday was my actual blogoversary, which was Labor Day in the U.S.  So no work for me - I celebrated by taking my girls to see Monsters U (it's still playing in the "cheap" theaters).  Mid-day movie, popcorn and soda, then taking the dog to the park - it was a good day!  I even made some progress on the new baby gift!

My Week In Stitches - Wing Work

How is it the end of August already?!?!?!?  I can't believe we're heading into September, fall, cool weather (finally! I'm tired of 95 degrees!), football, holiday stitching.......

This month's Theme-a-licious stitching theme is Wings - which means Fairy Sisters is getting extra attention.  And this week I actually finished this part of Big Sister's wings!

I didn't make as much progress on Irish Blessing as I wanted - I was doing the flame stitches and just didn't like the way it looked.  So (surprise surprise) I decided to change it up.  I always change patterns when I get into the stitching.  On the plus-side, I really like the tweeding of the yellow and blue, and I like the way the Rhodes stitches look:

I'll make a deal with you all:  If I ever stitch a pattern I design exactly as I design it....I don't know.....I'll do another giveaway.

Speaking of which, it's almost giveaway time!  A few people have entered, but there are just a few days left to enter my Blogoversary Giveaway - go here and follow the instructions for your chance to win!  Only comments left on the giveaway post will count as entries, and I'll announce the winner on Tuesday!

It's Blogoversary Giveaway Time!!!!!

Next Monday is my 6th Blogoversary.  To celebrate, I'm giving my followers a chance to win some awesomeness!  What will it be - stash or something handmade?  The votes were mixed, so maybe the gift will be, too!

To enter, all you have to do is:

1. Be a follower
2. Leave a comment on this post telling me "I come for the yarn" or "I come for the thread" - this lets me know what my followers are more interested in!  (Cuz I don't want to be sending hand-dyed fabric to someone who only knits.  That would just be mean.)

Feel free to share this on your blogs, Twitter, Google+, and any other places fiber artists gather online.  Thanks for sticking with me through my silent periods, and my emotional processing, and my lack of progress.  Your encouragement means the world to me!

The giveaway will stay open through Monday, September 2, and I'll announce the winner sometime on Tuesday, September 3.  Good luck!


This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for visiting!

A New Giveaway to Check Out

One of the lovely stitchers I interact with on Twitter is having a giveaway on her blog - go visit Cucki and leave a comment on the giveaway post for your chance to win!  Included in the prize - a Lavendar & Lace Christmas pattern!  The giveaway ends Monday, August 5, so go enter right now!

Guess what's coming?

My blogoversary, in about a month and a half!  I'm thinking giveaway this year!!

If you could choose, would you rather have: something hand-stitched, or stash?  Now's your chance, let me know in the comments what you'd like to win to celebrate my 6 years in the blogosphere!

(Oh, and you know that if the majority chooses hand-stitched there will also be stash thrown in, right?)

My Week In Stitches And Another Giveaway

Progress on all projects this week!

Fairy Sisters:

I can't believe I'm almost done with this page.  Once I got started stitching on it again, it's gone so fast!

15-Sided Biscornu:

I'm also really close to finishing this one - this is block 12 of 15.

Knitted knitting bag:

Left on this - another row of ivory, one of taupe, then finish in the dark purple.  I have an idea of how to do the bottom now - just hoping I can make it work.  I'm also thinking about how to do a strap that will be sturdy.

I'll have to put the knitting bag away again though - I need to make sweaters for the girls for Easter.  I'm not making their dresses this year, but I still can never find sweaters for them!  And they've certainly outgrown the ones I made a couple of years ago.

And finally, there's another giveaway to tell you all about.  The wonderful Julie has set up a giveaway to promote my Finish Friday blog - go read her post for details on how to enter to win either an HAED chart or a $15 gift certificate to 1-2-3 Stitch!  Thank you, Julie, for doing this!

Freebie Friday - Winner!

The winner is...
List Randomizer

There were 9 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Raggedy Ann
2. Pixie
3. Kimberly R.
4. Ashley
5. Liz
6. Blu
7. Karen
8. Robin
9. Tim

Timestamp: 2010-11-19 23:16:59 UTC

Congratulations to Raggedy Ann!  I've been following her on Twitter pretty much since I joined, and she has a great blog as well.  I'll send your e-mail address to the promo person at CSN, and she'll e-mail you your gift certificate code.

For today's freebies, I thought I would share a great cross stitch and needlepoint designer I found (yes, again) on Twitter - http://happythreads.com.au.  Her posts are full of happiness and joy, and so are the freebies she frequently posts.  Here's one I love - a blue sky and a green meadow.  And if you're looking for a quick stitch to put you in the Christmas spirit, here's her newest freebie.  She has designs for sale as well, and she makes gorgeous cards.

Thanks to everyone who entered the CSN giveaway.  To my new followers, I hope you'll stay with me even though this giveaway is over.  There may be others in the future! :)

Freebie Friday - Guest Giveaway

I'm very excited to announce my first guest giveaway!  CSN stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need, whether it be a chic handbag, children's luggage, or even cute cookware!  As I was browsing their sites, I found Christmas decor and beautiful wall art as well.  These sites will be a great resource for your holiday shopping this year, whether you're looking for the perfect gift or the perfect accent piece.  And one of MY readers will win a $45 gift certificate, good at any of CSN's stores!!!!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here, including your e-mail address, please.  Of course, I would love if you would become a follower here and on Twitter, and write about the giveaway on your own blogs.  But I won't make it a requirement this time. :)  This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.  I will announce the winner on Friday, November 19.

Good luck!!!!

I won!

I won Kristine's giveaway over at Creative Crochet - she was giving away 4 books, plus she threw in 4 of her patterns, for a total of 8 winners.  She drew my name for....a bead crochet book!  (I put in at least twice for that one, I really wanted it.)  I've always wanted to learn how to do bead crochet, so I'll be watching my mailbox very diligently.  I've put in for PIF's, and I've received RAK's before, but I think this is the first time I've ever won a drawing like this!

BTW, if you're not following Kristine, you really should be.  She's a Ravelry designer, and she gives incredible tips and tutorials on crochet stitches - and she has 6 kids.  She's kind of a stitchy-blog rockstar, at least as far as I'm concerned.

K, back to happy dancing!

Another fantastic giveaway!

I just entered a giveaway Kristine is having at Creative Crochet for International Crochet Day (which is September 12).  She's offering 4 new books - 3 for different styles of crochet, and 1 for the absolute beginner.  Click on the word "giveaway" and enter!  Drawing will be 9/13.

Giveaway!

Not mine, lol.  I can barely get enough stitching done these days to post updates.  But be sure to check out Blue Ribbon Designs - she's having a fantastic giveaway of a project bag, a tool pouch, and some of her designs.  And she says if there are lots of entries there might be more surprises!  Enter by Sunday!

I've entered another giveaway!

Please take a minute to check out Kristi's drawing for a LOT of stash! And then stay, read, and enjoy her work!

The winner is.........

There were 9 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. amanda
2. robin_titan
3. Rebekah
4. SueFitz
5. Cole
6. FIONA
7. Nita
8. smilen1004
9. Theresa

Congratulations, amanda!!! I'll be e-mailing you for your snail mail.

Now for my recap of my year. I didn't do this last year. Blogging was hit or miss for me. But I've really found a lot of joy in it this year! And I've had a lot to show!

Finish-finishes!!!! - 3 dresses, 1 shirt, 1 little kid purse, 1 crocheted baby doll, 3 scarves, 13 tote bags with stitched pockets, 3 embroidered evening bags, 1 PIF flat-fold, 1 doggie picture, 2 scissor fobs, 2 biscornu, 1 floss tag, 1 Lizzie*Kate picture frame, 3 ornaments and one Family Tree Book. That's 39 finishes - I averaged 3 a month! I can't believe it (not all finishes are pictured)! (The Picasa mosaic idea was blatantly stolen from Theresa)

SAL, RR and WIPs - I started BoInk, I got back into doing lessons for the Hardanger tutorial and posted SAL patterns (I don't feel it's complete, and it's not finish-finished, so it's still a WIP), and participated in the 3 Ladies RR (okay, so I still have Pixie's round 6). Emma's Garden #2 is on it's way to completion - lace and beads remain. I dyed my own fabric in a mix of coffee and tea.

In blogging, I created 178 posts - that averages a little over 3 each week! Most coments were on the Blogoversary Give-Away sign-ups and my birthday. :) I learned how to create a 3-column blog page and change the background at will. My friend Laura made me a beautiful header, and I made my own for the Etsy shop and my gallery blog.

I also moved twice, sent a child off to school, and got a dog. Here's to a more sedate year #3!!

BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!!!!

The little countdown on the side says my blogoversary is in 6 days, so........

It's time to enter! I'm still finishing the pieces. But I'll tell you I'm using some of what I've learned in stitching this year to create them. I've learned so much about finishing techniques this year, and seeing all your finished projects gave me the courage to try them for myself. I'll have to count up my projects/finishes and report on the "actual day" what I've accomplished.

To enter, please leave a comment on this post only, with your e-mail so I can contact the winner! The winner will be chosen on September 2.

Thank you to all my readers for a great year #2 of blogging!

(Also, check out some of the links on the side. The end of August/first part of September seems to be a popular time to start blogs, judging by all the giveaways from some of my favorite stitchers to read!)

Blogoversary

Yes, I'm working on pieces for my blogoversary give-away. No, I won't tell you what they are yet. I've made really good progress on what I think will be the largest piece. So if I continue to use my "WIP" days for this, I'm in good shape!

Up for grabs...

I have 2 2-hole switch-plate covers available. These were left behind by the previous owners. Both are heavy-duty ceramic and are in great condition, just not my personal style. If you want one of these, please leave a comment on THIS post, specifying "lighthouse" or "fish", with your e-mail address so I can contact you for your mailing address. In the spirit of RAK, I will probably include a stitched piece in the theme you choose. Yes, I already have ideas.

Today I'm grateful for...

honest people at Walmart who found a set of keys with the car brand clearly emblazoned on them and still turned them in at the Customer Service desk. Yes, I dropped my keys in Walmart, and didn't realize it until after checkout, after walking out the door, after putting the cart in the cart corral. Fortunately, I only had one child with me, so it wasn't as big of a deal to drag her back in the store to look for them.

Walmart shopping today was for fabric for Hallie's dresses. I got fabric for my dresses yesterday at Joann - loved the Daffodil Dash 50% off everything (even already Red Tag linen blend!). Note to crafters - the Walmart fabric department does not give out empty fabric bolts. They crush them and sell them to a recycler. Green, right? Nope, greedy. I asked for an empty bolt (exactly the right width for my Dove Love finish) and was told "NO". At Joann she gave it to me without question. There's my rant for the day.

And my plug for the day! Valerie of FogCity Dweller is celebrating her 4th blogiversary with a give-away! I just found her blog, and I'm really enjoying it. Be sure to visit and sign up. All you have to do is sign up and post a note on your blog (see, easy, right?).

Okay, dinner time, then more BoInk stitching time! Have a great week!

This May Be Why I Stopped Beading For A While...

A little bit of disorganized stash is enough to sap anyone's creativity! (Yes, you see some baby food jars)

Here's a close-up of my "to be" bag:

That pic really doesn't do justice to the jumble in there. There are things "to be ripped apart" and things "to be sorted" and some things that just need "to be thrown away". Below all the big things you can see are my precious (well, just to me) seed beads, that need to be sorted by color and size.

I found 5 bracelets in this bag, all made by me. I guess I was going to rip them apart and reuse the beads. But now, instead, I'd like to give my readers a chance to give me honest feedback on these pieces. 3 are my original designs. Here's a "group" shot of these bracelets:

All listings have been claimed! Thank you so much!
***The top one is a double-row blue and gold bracelet, measuring 7.25" Jig-wrapped links make this fun and unique; clasps are hand-wrapped loops and hooks
***The middle 2 are called "Crystal Waves" (not my design) - seed beads and 4 mm faceted, woven together, measuring 7.5" The 4 mm beads in both bracelets are a steel-grey - the upper one is monochrome, with blue-gray seed beads. The lower one has emerald green seed beads. Both feature gold-colored (no one's talking karat here) toggle clasps.
***The 4th one is one of my designs - sterling plated 24g wire figure-eights with fire-polished 4 mm beads, measuring 7.75" Again, hand-wrapped loop and hook for closure
***The bottom one is very similar in design to #4 - stainless steel 22g wire figure-eights with lavender cube beads, measuring 7" Hand-wrapped loop and hook for closure.

So this is what I want to do. I'd like to give these 5 bracelets away. What do you have to do? Request one, then wear it, and tell me what you think. Can you close it one-handed, or does it take a small army? Does it snag your clothes at all (I hope not, but 3 of these are wire)? Do you get comments on it? How does it hold up to every day wear? I have individual pics available on request (I don't want to slow the page load any more than I have to). I thought the pictures would be clickable, but I guess they are not. Leave a comment here only, please, to request one of these bracelets, with your e-mail address. I will e-mail you for your snail mail address.

Thanks for your help, friends!