Styling your self!

I had planned to post these pics last night, but after we ate dinner, I didn't feel so good.  I think I ate too many "goodies" yesterday! ;-( First, let me share the lovely gift Karen gave me yesterday..... I ADORE it!  She had stitched the same design (different finish) for an exchange at the Pals Fall Fling.  I went nuts over it then, guess she remembered!  Thank you again Karen, I LOVE it!   And it was packaged so cute I hated to open it - well, almost! ;-)  Karen also makes the cutest cards/tags, and the gingham on the card matches the finishing fabric on the back - too cute!    Isn't it great!! And this is what I stitched yesterday afternoon while chatting Karen's ears off.  I would have had it finished before she left, but I left out 4 stitches in the middle of the scissors - had to rip it out & fix it.  I did that & finished it up within 45 minutes after she left.  It's from Pin Pokes I by Homespun Elegance and ...

Okay, I decided to join in the "Up for a Challenge" blog this year, and according to Karen , who was just here for the day, she thinks I have the right idea!  ;-)  Poor Karen got all nervous seeing all my pile of WIP's/UFO's.   She's promised to *encourage* me this year to get at least some of them finished.  I'm hoping she'll be able to help - though she might have to use some *tough love* at some point - I'm ready though.  I can admit I'm not getting too far on my own with these projects.  :-(  Sad but true..... Here's the list I posted on the "Challenge" blog - If I can finish 5 of the things from my list in 2011, I'll be quite happy! Here's my list - and I reserve the right to edit! ;-) 1. Stoney Creek - The Lord's Prayer 2. Shepherd's Bush - Holy Night 3. Prairie Schooler - Snowflake Tree (from Christmas Trees I leaflet) 4. Rosewood Manor - And A Forest Grew 5. Brenda Keyes - Heaven Doth Ask 6 - 10. Drawn Thread ...

Ray took some pictures of our Christmas Tree this evening.  Yes, it's full, but that's okay, I love it! :-) Pics should be clickable for a larger view if you're interested! We have all types of ornaments on our tree.  Some are older than me and many are handmade.  You'll see lots of brass ornaments that are engraved with our names.  We have one from every Christmas we've been together - since 1985.  There are ornaments I made as a child in school, church & girl scouts, some my mom bought before I was born, some I remember helping her make, etc.  Some were bought at the craft shows we used to do, or given to us by other crafters we were friends with.  The crocheted bells, angels, snowflakes, etc. were made by either Ray's dear Grandmother or myself.  She taught me to crochet not long after Ray & I started dating.  She was a very special lady & we both miss her a lot.  Seeing the ornaments she made every Christmas brings back l...

 The mail on Monday brought more lovely gifts!  Above & below are the goodies that Diane surprised me with!!  Wasn't that sweet of her?  We met in Myrtle Beach in October at the Pals Fall Fling, but we had chatted online a bit before that.  She's a lot of fun & so very sweet to think of me with such a thoughtful gift - and it's all RED!!  (well, almost, but I don't know that Altoids would be edible if they were red!) ;-)  She did a very creative finish - with lots of painting too!  Isn't it great?  Thank you again Diane, I appreciate it so much! And look at this cute ornament from sweet V onna !  Cute huh?  Great timing as I had pulled it out to stitch, it made it here just in time!  :-)  It's now hanging on my tree for all to see!  Thank you again Vonna, it's wonderful & very kind of you to make it for me! This is the amazing "Road to Bethlehem" by Blackberry Lane Designs that my dear friend Char stitched...

Hi & Happy Saturday!  It's cold & raining here.  If the temps drop much, we might have sleet or snow.  UGH!  I know, it's *almost* Christmas, but I don't like cold at all! I wanted to share a few more embroidered pillows/ornaments I've done, almost all are gifts.  I've done a few more that I gave away without taking pics, but I'm sure you get the idea from the many pics I've already posted.... First - more birds...  And more snowmen.... Next are a few zipper bags that I made for a few friends.  Hope they find them as useful as I do!  I just LOVE this back fabric, wish I could find more of it..... And here are some lovely things that were given to me this week.... First, from Jeanne in IL, one of my very first friends on the Internet, (14 years next week) - this came in today's mail!!!  She knitted two cotton dishcloths in my favorite colors and sent me a Willow Tree Friendship Angel ornament!  Thank you so much Jeanne - she ...

Hi & Happy Saturday! I used the random number generator to pick a winner - and for the first time in MY use, it came up with #1, so Nataly, you are the winner!  Thanks to all who entered!  I have more to share today, but I have to get some work done before mail pick-up, so I'll be back this afternoon! Thanks to all who entered!! Have a great Saturday & Happy Stitching!! PS- Marie (NC), will you please email me?  I don't seem to have your address handy for some reason!

I received a big box of goodies from my Secret Santa last week and I wanted to share!  This was via the Cross Stitch Pals group & Toni IL had my name - look at all of this...  just fantastic isn't it? First, the way she had it packed..... isn't he too cute!! And all the "loot".... everything is just great, but you can see that for yourself!!    And my FAVORITE is this beautiful ornament that Toni made....  And the back...  I love it - and it's one that I did not have & wanted!  Wonder if a little elf told her that? Someone must have told "Santa" that I've been pretty good this year to get such a wonderful surprise package from my Secret Santa - I was blown away by all of it.  Thank you again Toni - it's all wonderful!  :-) Don't forget about my drawing - see the post below! Thanks for stopping by & Happy Stitching!!

I have been doing some stitching and some embroidery over the past few weeks. Here are some of my finishes...... First are two ornaments by Jardin Prive' - I like this one so much I've already stitched it twice, once as a gift & once for the exchange at the stitch in last weekend. Nicole has that one and the gift was mailed today! I think they're cute... love this design & I plan to stitch it again! Next is the 2009 Santa from Homespun Elegance, which I stitched for myself. I like how he turned out and he's on my tree! (the red isn't really as bright as it looks - the pic is a little "off"). And here are two things I made as gifts - the recipients already have them!  Lizzie Kate's Ho Ho Ho Scissor Case (and scissors!) Shepherd's Bush "Our Hearts" (the back is stitched too!) Last but not least we I have made more than a couple embroidered ornaments, all have been given away so far & I have several more to finish & get maile...

I thought I'd already posted a link - not sure where my mind is lately! http://downsunshinelane.blogspot.com/ Stop by - drawing later this week for followers!! Happy stitching, Amy

My sister has some items for sale. She is VERY trustworthy - you can check her ebay feedback if you like. She does have pets in the home. If you are interested in anything, please email her - lorievarn@yahoo.com **Postage will be added to the totals. She will accept PayPal or postal money orders. She's very quick to ship & she'll respond to your emails quickly as well. Here is her list - All items are NEW! Pine Mountain Designs "Tie on June" Tie One On Kit -$10 Pine Mountain Designs New Love New Joy Tie One On Kit - $10 Shepherd's Bush Grow Love Kit - $7.50 Shepherd's Bush Snow Child Kit - $18.00 Bent Creek Land Of Liberty Zipper Kit OOP - $15 Mirabilia Christmas Tree 2006 Kit - $36 Lizzie Kate Happy Hoppers Happy Easter Pocketbook Kit OOP - $14 Just Nan Whimzi Limited Edition Horrified Chart & Ornament Frame with Pumpkin - OOP & Rare - $22 Just Nan Ginger Joy Ornament Kit & Ginger Joy Pewter Frame - OOP & RARE - $45.00 The Hearts Content K...

Yesterday was the SC Stitch-In, and we had a great time!  Or at least I did - I think the rest did as well.  We had 16 or 17 - a few had to cancel & we're sorry you did.  You missed a fun day.  We'll do it again in Feb. or March, so watch for a date after the holidays.  Here are some pictures for you.... I don't think there was a time when EVERYONE was seated! LOL  We did have fun though!  There is no telling what kind of pics you might see pop up on blogs - many of acted silly while pics were being taken.  I don't know how much stitching was actually done, but I heard a few comments about me - that I'd gotten more done than expected - that I'd actually threaded a needle - hmmm, I think these gals know me quite well......  ;-) And while we were at The French Hens, Carol, who has a business called "CJ's Creations" based in the cafe was put to work by some of us.  Look at our great new stitching totes - This is Yvonne holding mine...