Quote of the Week

"It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret."

-- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Countdown!

Christmas countdown at FlashBannerNow.com

Quote of the Week

"I know it's hard and I know it hurts. But you can do it."

-- Jillian Michaels

Congrats to Biggest Loser Season 8 winner Danny Cahill who lost an amazing 239 pounds.

Quote of the Week

"More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them."

-- Harold J. Smith

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people and an estimated 33 million worldwide live with HIV today.

Fair & Square Exchange

I got those gorgeous squares in an exchange from my partner, Lynda A. from Oregon. She obviously knows I'm a big fan of Little House Needleworks and these are just perfect for my collection. Peace is from the chart "Lucy Fairchild" from LHN's Dear Diary series. Thanks Lynda.

Small finish and a thanks!

My latest finish is this ornament from an old Just Cross Stitch magazine.

A-maze-ing Heart

Designed by Sandra Cox Vanosdall

of The Sweetheart Tree

I participated in an ornament exchange and received this beauty from my partner, Wendy C. Thank you so much Wendy, I will treasure it for a long time.

Quote of the Week

"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude."

-- E.P. Powell

Weekly Update

My little finish of the week is Give Thanks by The Sisterhood.

I received this cutie from my partner in the LHN Exchange, Mary Jo and I already have it hanging on my little ornament tree. Thanks so much Mary Jo.

As for my latest acquisition a picture is worth a thousand words.

Quote of the Week

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

-- Nelson Mandela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAI!

I want to take this moment to wish my daughter Sarai a very happy 30th birthday. Little did I know how that little girl who arrived to this world on Friday, November 9, 1979 would affect my life. These lyrics* say it all...

There's a hero

If you look inside your heart

You don't have to be afraid

Of what you are

There's an answer

If you reach into your soul

And the sorrow that you know

Will melt away

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

*Heroes by Mariah Carey

It's done, It's done!!

I started this mystery SAL by Periphaeria Designs back in April of 2008. Every other month a piece was released and I tried to wait patiently for each new installment. So thrilled to finally have this done and I'm so happy with the way it turned out. Now to select some really special fabric to have it finished into a pillow.

With a new finish behind I went back to working on Colonial Women by LHN. It's a little slow going since I am working this piece over one on 28 count evenweave but so far I'm loving the results.

Quote of the Week

"A champion is someone who gets up, even when he can't."

- Jack Dempsey

1000 Posts

My friend Kim has reached a milestone by posting 1000 posts to her blog. She has an awesome giveaway in honor of the occasion so stop by her blog and check it out.

Kim's Northwoods Discoveries

Finished Ornaments

Over the weekend I picked up these ornaments from my finisher. I'm always surprised and thrilled by her choices in finishing and I love every one of them.

Lord is my Shepherd

by Diane Willilams

Joy of the Journey (Leisure Arts)

Abecedaire by Clarelis

Un papillon sur l'épaule

Joyful Blessings

by Blueribbon Designs

Quaker Snowman

by Midnight Stitching

Joy Snowman

by SamSarah Designs

**Unknown**

Old Glory

Exchange from Jill

Fair & Square Exchange

Quote of the Week

"You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile."

-- Brian Tracy

Weekly Update

After seeing this stitched I just had to stitch it for myself. This is one of the three snowman which is part of Stitchy Kitty's design, Snowman Trio. Of course I had to start with Milly first. Hope to do Willy and Chilly soon.

This piece I stitched for my partner Linda B. as part of the Fair & Square Exchange. It's a complimentary design from the Gift of Stitching Magazine which I've had in my stash for a while. I used DMC Variations 4200.

Giveaway!!

My friend Kathy is celebrating the first anniversary of her blog and she is having an awesome giveaway. So stop by, read and enjoy!

Kathy's Stitching and Other Comments

Quote of the Week

"Everything in your life is there as a vehicle for your transformation. Use it!"

-- Ram Dass

Finishes

I finished this cute reindeer by The Workbasket which was offered in "Christmas Tree Ornaments" the proceeds of which will benefit UNICEF. In addition to this design there is a chart by Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks and by Sof from Swappons. For more information check out blog de gigi .

Joy in the Journey (Diane Williams)

by Leisure Arts

I did this piece for a LHN exchange which I finished into a pinkeep. Now that my partner Mary Jo has received I can share it with you. Love how it turned out.

Las Vegas, NV

The pictures say it all! I will post more to my photo blog soon.

Through Our Lens

Trying to catch up...

Wow, it's been a bit more than two weeks since I last posted an update and sure wish I could say it was because I was having fun. I did have a bit of relaxation since my husband and I did spend a week at a resort in Las Vegas. The weather was wonderful and we had fun doing our usual explorations of the various casinos, shopping, sight seeing and taking photographs. We even squeezed in a visit to the Ethel M Factory and I shopped at Stitcher's Paradise. Unfortunately on day 6 of our 12 days off I came down with the flu and spent the last three days of our Vegas visit in bed. It wasn't pleasant flying home on Friday and I immediately went to bed and didn't leave the house till Thursday when I returned to work.

Here's the goodies I bought:

Quote of the Week

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." -- John Quincy Adams

This month...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I'm sure we all know of someone who has lived and/or died of this dreaded disease. I lost two special ladies to breast cancer and this year I've had a cousin diagnosed as well the sister of a dear friend. According to reports an estimated 192,000 people in the US will be diagnosed this year. Early detection is a key factor. So if you have a history in your family get tested. While mammograms are uncomfortable, it can save your life. Check out these sites for more information.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Click to Give @ The Breast Cancer Site

Mid-Week Update

Yet again I'm a little behind in posting my weekly update. Where do the days go?!?! I've been working on some exchange pieces so at the moment I have only one small finish that I can share. This is from the current Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. I still need to make a list of the ornaments I'd like to get done from this magazine and hope to work on that while I'm on vacation next week.

Christmas Forest

by The Workbasket

I also did a little stash enhancement and got the latest designs from Little House Needleworks, Country Cottage Needlework as well as two from Lizzie Kate.

Quote of the Week

"Life is what we make it. Always has been, always will be."

-- Grandma Moses

Call me Granny

My son and DIL are expecting their first baby in May of 2010. To say that I am excited is an understatement. I've waited a long time for this moment considering my first grandchild will be 13 in January. Now to plan my stitching and crocheting accordingly. Wooohooo!!!

WHAT ARE GRANDMAS FOR?

Grandmas are for stories about things of long ago.

Grandmas are for caring about all the thing you know...

Grandmas are for rocking you and singing you to sleep.

Grandmas are for giving you nice memories to keep...

Grandmas are for knowing all things things your dreaming of...

But, most importantly of all, Grandmas are for love.

-- Author Unknown