Wordless Wednesday

Crazy as a Loon

Good Morning Everyone!

Seeing how I don't have any stitching to show off at the moment. I thought I would share a story of the picture of the bird I had posted last week.

We were introduced to Crazy a few years ago when we took a trip to Maine where my husband is originally from and where most of his family still are.

Crazy returns each spring and summer to this particular part of the pond. Crazy loves to eat fish. My husband was told that if crazy was at one end of the pond all you needed to do is hold the fish by the tail near the water and Crazy would come for it. Once you saw crazy duck under the water you knew Crazy was on the way. My husband was to put his hand under the water and within a minute or so Crazy would grab the fish be gone. We were a little afraid as you would think Crazy would take your hand along with the fish but it didn't. It was an awesome thing to see.

 

 I asked my husband why they called it Crazy? I figured there was more to this story. It was named after a saying "Crazy as a Loon". I had to giggle. Typical Maine sense of humor.

I know I still don't have any stitching to show. We have new tile at the new house by the inside front door leading down the hallway. We have new tile in the family room, living room, kitchen and dining area. It looks so pretty and I will share pictures soon. The next thing we are having new counters in the kitchen with a new sink installed. Then the Master Bathroom will be redone. I can't box up anything else here at the current house because I'm running out of room. Looks like I have a chance to catch up on some stitching this weekend. I've been really wanting to get back to it. It is my relaxation.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments. It makes my day when you do.

Hugs in stitches,
Carolyn

Wordless Week: Day 6 and Day 7

Wordless Week: Day 5

Wordless Week: Day 4

Wordless Week: Day 3

And the two winners of the Humbug giveaway are....

Good Morning to Everyone,
Thank you to each of you for wanting to take part of my Humbug Giveaway. Now onto the two winners.

I put all the names into a hat and had my husband draw two names last night.

 1. Busyhandscraft...my craft blog

2. Astrids Dragon

I will be sending you each an email to get your address. Thanks again to everyone who took part. Have a wonderful week.

Hugs,
Carolyn

Wordless Week: Day 2

Wordless Week: Day 1

Giveaway for two Just Nan Humbugs!

Good Morning Everyone,

I promised I would have 2 Just Nan Humbugs to giveaway.

The first is for Just Nan Humbug Autumn Glory:

You will get the pattern, directions, beads and a pin. You supply the thread and fabric.


The Second is for Just Nan Humbug Winter Hearts:

You will get the pattern, directions, beads and the pin. You supply the thread and fabric.

These are the rules:

1. Everyone is invited to this giveaway. I will mail to any country.

2. Leave your name and email address on this post telling me which of the two you would like if you were to win.


I will announce two winners on Wednesday May 1, 2013.

Good Luck to All!

Hugs,
Carolyn

The winner of my Just Nan Humbug giveaway is

Thank you everyone who took part in my giveaway.

The winner is.....
Cleejoow!

Congratulations. Send me your address to my email and I will get this to you ASAP. My email can be found on my profile.

I am without a computer for now. It won't get passed the windows page.

I'm writing this post with my phone.

This sucks as I wanted to do another Just Nan humbug giveaway.

I still have two more to give away. I'll tell you what. Later this week I will post both to my blog. Stay tuned for later this week so we can have two winners okay?

Hugs
Carolyn

The Winner Is....And Another Giveaway!

Good Morning,
Thank you to everyone who took part in my Spring Giveaway. The winner is....

Congratulations to Kerryp77 from Ramblings of a Biscornu Addict. Email me with your address and I will get this in the mail asap!

So I am having another giveaway from the same designer. This is Just Nan's Summer Humbug Collection 2010 called Summer Wings. This has never been opened and comes complete with the pattern, Jeweled Butterfly Pin and beads. You will have to supply the fabric and threads.

If you would like a chance to be entered follow these rules same as before. (1)If you want your  name to be entered once leave your name on this post letting me know. (2)If you want your name entered twice become a follower or let me know if you are all ready a follower. (3)If you would like your name entered three times then post this to your blog and let me know you have done so.

As I did before I will mail to the USA and to outside the USA. Good Luck to everyone! I will draw a name on Wednesday April 10, 2013.

Next week I will be having another giveaway for Just Nan's Humbug Collection 2010 Autumn Glory.

Until then keep those needles moving!

Hugs,
Carolyn

Join my Spring Giveaway!

Hello fellow Stitching Pals,

I'm having a spring giveaway. You know that I will be busy with moving into a new home within the next few weeks. I was going through some stitching items and decided to downsize some. Here is the first item up for anyone who is interested.

This is Just Nan's Humbug Spring Frills this comes with the pattern, instructions, cyrstal tulip pin and beads. You supply the fabric and floss. This has never been opened and comes from a smoke free home.



 If you want your name entered once leave a comment on this post letting me know you would like to enter. If you would like your name to be entered twice then become a follower. If you would like your name to be entered three times then please post this to your blog letting others know about this giveaway!

I will mail to USA and any other Country everyone is invited! I will draw a name on Wednesday April 3rd!

Good Luck to Everyone!

Happy Spring!
Carolyn

I have nothing....

Hello Stitching Friends and fellow Bloggers,

I can honestly tell you that I have failed this month of March. I don't have any threads for this months TUSAL.

I didn't even get any stitching done for the IHSW this past weekend. I have been bad.

I haven't commented on any blogs because I haven't even read any.

I found out a few days ago that all the blogs that I had in Google Reader will now be apart of Bloglovin. It is easy to sign up and they will import all your blogs you had on Google Reader. I did accomplish that.

Remember a few months ago I mentioned we were looking for a new home with some land? We found one. We have been doing the paper work and so on. Sign here, initial here it goes on and on. 

This week I will be packing up some things to move on our official move in day. I need boxes and hope I can find some at a decent price through the moving company here in town. I would go look around for some like you could back in the day but everything is different these days. Oh well!

I am sad to say that I have lost my mojo to stitch. I am not surprised as it happens to me once a year. What I need to do is find a few minutes to get off the family tree and playing the Sims3 and do some blog reading to get my itch to stitch back. Right?

 On Saturday March 16th I turned 46. My husband, son and I headed to the mall and did some shopping. We had a great day together. I purchased on Disney's DVD Pollyanna and the original Parent Trap. I love these movies so much. Then we headed to Barnes and Noble book store. I love being in a book store. I loved them even when I was a child. I could stay in one all day if I had the chance. I purchased The Real Jane Austen: A life in small things by Paula Byrne. I started reading last night and I am liking it so far. When I am finished reading it would anyone else like to give it a read? Yes, It was a good day at the mall!

So you know what I've been up to. Looks like I need to get caught up on what everyone else has been doing. Maybe once I see what everyone has been stitching it will get me back in the groove.

Hugs in stitches,

Carolyn

IHSW-February Update

This weekend I completed two items. The first finish is for the Christmas Ornament SAL 2013 This months theme is Reindeer/Candy Canes

This is an older freebie pattern by San-Man Originals called "I Love Candy Canes". I stitched this on 28 count fabric using DMC threads.

The second item I completed is for the Halloween Ornament SAL 2013.This months theme is Black Cats.

This is a freebie by Our Pioneer Homestead called Black Cat Inn. I used 32 Count Belfast-Light Terra Cotta fabric and used Crescent Colours "Blackbird" Hand Dyed Floss.

In the Last couple of weeks I've received some great RAK's from the blog Random Acts of Stitching Kindness. I received this package from Jodi. Look at all these awesome items. These items were on my wish list. I'm going to stitch the pattern for my Aunt in Texas. Thank you so much Jodi!

Then I got this pattern from LisaV. Isn't it the cutest? This was on my wish list. I would like to have this stitched for Easter. Thank You LisaV!

Then I got a Thank You card from Cathey and a small gift inside by The Sweetheart Tree called Seashore Fob.

In December Cathey was commenting on her blog about the new pattern Roses of Provence by Mirabilia that was being newly released. Cathey mentioned she wanted it for Christmas. Anyway to make a long story short I purchased her the pattern and the beads. Then two others pitched in. One purchased the threads and the other purchased the fabric. Another person or Secret Santa purchased her a gift certificate. How cool is that?

I think the stitching world is like no other when it comes to being kind to each other. We are always there for each other in the good and bad times. I love being a stitcher and I am so glad to be a part! Thank you Cathey for the card! Hugs to you!

I hope everyone's week is full of stitching goodness.

Carolyn

TUSAL-February 2013

Hello Everyone,

Here are my Orts/Threads for this month:

I will be back in the next few days to update you on my stitching and other goodies.

Hugs and Happy Stitching!

Carolyn

A Giveaway for a Fundraiser!

Good Morning!

Did you see my post and your wondering about the giveaway? First I would like to tell you about a fundraiser that Gaynor is doing. Gaynor was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year. She has a personal web site for The Irish Cancer Society fundraiser.

Gaynor explains here in her own words....

"The trek is organised by the Irish Cancer Society. It is a sponsored event and in order to take part we each need to raise 3200 euros. The Trek is quite heavy going, up a lot of mountains and it follows the famous Pilgramage walk, I will be walking the last 116 km to Santiago de Compestalla. This page has all the details. http://www.cancer.ie/get-involved/fundraise/challenge-yourself/trek/group.

I started walking under the advice of my oncologist: keeping active helps to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. I was hoping to walk in ireland but the roads are very dangerous: too dangerous for a woman walking alone. I will be walking in a group for the trek which makes it much safer.

The money on the fundraising page ALL goes to the Irish Cancer Society. Any donations which come to me personally are again, ALL handed to the Irish Cancer Society: I obtain receipts which are given to the donors."

Gaynor is also looking for Good Homes for her handmade items in Exchange for Sponsorship Funds for Cancer Society. Please go to this link to see the items she has made. I made a small donation and picked a fabric heart scissor keep.

I made a donation in honor of my Mother who passed away in 2009, My Uncle who passed away in 2010, and all those who are fighting cancer and those who have fought this horrible Disease.

To sponsor Gaynor click on this link.

Nancy from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is once again having a Giveaway to help raise funds for Gaynor. Nancy is always so generous with her giveaways. Nancy goes above and beyond to help others. Nancy has put together some kits to help sponsor Gaynor. If you know Nancy and have ever purchased from her you know her items are special. Nancy is a great designer and she hand dyes all of her items. I have purchased from her and you will not be disappointed. Thank you Nancy for taking part in this special cause that is so dear to many of us!

Hugs, Carolyn

IHSW-January 2013

Hello Everyone,

How was your weekend for stitching with IHSW? Mine was not good.

That darn cold I caught on the 11th kicked my butt last week. The worst part was the dry cough. I always get the dry cough and can't stop coughing for days and I wind up with little sleep. I have no patience as the Cold can last from 7-10 days and the cough can last for two weeks. The cold has left and the cough is almost gone. I am grateful as I get hit with this type of cold/flu every three years or so.

I joined the Halloween Ornament SAL 2013 blog. Each month they have a theme that you stitch along to using your own pattern, Fabric and Floss. Then towards the end of the month you can post your finish. Your not obligated to stitch each month you can choose which month you would like to take part.

January is pumpkins. I chose this design from Just Cross Stitch Halloween Ornament Issue from 2010. The designer is Casey Buonaugurio. The design I chose to stitch is Jack O Lantern. I still need to finish it into an ornament. I have the perfect backing for it.

This was stitched on Aida. I am not sure what exact color it is. It is orange with brown flecks through out the fabric. A long time ago someone gave this color along with purple and green to me. I can't find the name anywhere.

The other little stitching I accomplished was on Blue Ribbon Designs-Beauty in Simplicity.

This fabric likes to wrinkle easily. I have never had my fabric do this. Anyone else this happens to? These are the updates I have this week. I hope to get more stitching done this week. Stay warm, dry and cool where ever you live. I hope you stay healthy and have some great stitching this week.

Hugs, Carolyn

Welcome to the Grow Your Blog Party!

Good Morning to everyone,

A few weeks ago I found Vicki's blog 2 Bags Full. Vicki came up with an idea for meeting new people and to help grow our blogs. Thank you Vicki!

Here is a little something about myself that I wanted to share with you. I am happily married to my best friend and husband. We have been together 21 years and married for 17 years. He is my true love. We have one son 17 years old and two cats.

My favorite thing to do is Cross Stitch. I learned on my own. I ran into a friend from High School and found out she was pregnant with her first child. I went to my local store looking for something to make her. I found a stamped cross stitch kit. I stitched it up and my husband picked out a frame and mat. We presented it to her. The look on her face and admiration of my thoughtfulness was what started me on my journey to stitching. I've been stitching for 20 years.

Through blogging I have met the nicest, warmest, and caring friends. These are the friends that are there for you when your having a great day or a bad day. They are the reason I love my blog. I want to "Thank" each and everyone who stops by and reads my blog. I appreciate your love and support.

Hugs,

Carolyn

I've been RAK'D

Good Morning Everyone,

Are you wondering what RAK'D means? It is known as Random Act Of Kindness. This year I am taking part on Random Act Of Stitching Kindness's blog. It is a great way to meet new stitching friends and to show some kindness. If you are interested then you can click on the link in this paragraph or the icon on my sidebar.

A few months back I had seen a new pattern out by Shakespeare's Peddler called Christmas is Coming. When I first saw the pattern I fell in love with it. I remember hearing/saying this as a child. My wish was granted by Lynn. She was so kind to do this. I'm still fighting this flu bug and yesterday when I saw this in the mailbox it made me feel much better. Along with the pattern she included 2 skeins of Overdyed Floss from a new Canadian supplier one is Jubilee and the other is Moody Blues. I can't wait to try these out. Thank you Lynn!

I don't have any stitching to share as this stupid flu has hit me hard. I have the dreaded dry cough that I always get. I hate it as it keeps me awake. I know I will get better soon. I hate being down for more than 2 days. A girl needs to stitch.

Anyway, this weekend is the first IHSW for 2013. Joyce is doing it again so head on over to her blog and find out all the details. You can click on the link here or over on the sidebar. I will be taking part. I hope you will join in.

I hope everyone who hasn't gotten this flu bug stays healthy. Those who are sick I wish you well.

Hugs!

Carolyn

TUSAL January 2013

Hello Everyone,

Here are my orts for the first TUSAL for 2013. You will see more invisible threads from Spiritdancer. The colored threads are from the BRD-Beauty In Simplicity.

Yesterday I woke up with a sore throat that got worse and some sniffles. Today my head is loopy and I'm tired and a dry cough. I believe I have a head cold. Today I am taking it easy and doing some stitching. Tomorrow I should be back to normal.

Have great weekend.

Hugs, Carolyn

I did it! I am done with the beading!

Hello Everyone, I am doing a happy dance and wondering if you would care to join me? I did it....I finished the beading on Spiritdancer!

It feels so good to be finished. The pattern calls for fringe on the upper part of her dress and along the bottom. My pattern does not show where to place the fringe for the top of the dress. I talked it over with my husband (seeing how this was stitched for him) and we have decided to not add the fringe. The next thing to do will be to frame her. We have a frame that we picked out a long time ago. The one thing we need is a sticky board. I'm not sure if anyone in town will have any. We may have to order it. Anyway, I am glad it is finished. I finished adding the final bead on Thursday January 3, 2013.

I have made a decision as to my stitching for this year. I was all ready to set some goals for my stitching. Then I got to thinking about it and decided to heck with it. This year I'm going to stitch on whatever I may be in the mood for. Right now my heart is set on stitching Blue Ribbon Designs-Beauty In Simplicity. Last year for my Birthday my husband ordered the shaker box, pattern, floss and fabric for this project. Saturday evening I sat down and started a little stitching on it. I didn't get any stitching done yesterday.

I am stitching this on 32 count Navy Bean hand dyed linen and using Weeks Dye Works floss colors.

I was involved in a Christmas Ornament Exchange with Kate. She sent me the cutest stitched ornament along with a stocking she stitched as well. I love them both. Kate also sent along a Santa Chocolate. A Santa card kit to stitch up. Kate is really good at writing stories and if you get a chance head over to her blog The Suddenly Kate Show and have a great read.

Here is the Ornament I sent to Kate.

I was a winner during the 25 days of Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe's giveaway. I won a Christmas Gift Bag. Wow oh Wow! This bag was full!

I have purchased one of her gift bags before and I was not disappointed then. These bags are worth the price. Nancy goes above and beyond to make her customers happy!

I got an unexpected surprise in the mail from Bianca(no blog). She sent me Barbara Ana Designs Live, Love, Meow.

This is so cute and I can't wait to stitch it up. Thank you so much Bianca this was very thoughtful of you!

One reason I am not committing my self to a lot of stitching is we have been in the process of looking at a new home. We are looking at more space and some property to go along with it. We may have found the one. There are still things to consider and so on. If you don't see many posts from me then you will know why.

Until the next post I wish you each a wonderful day ahead!

Hugs in stitches, Carolyn

Beads, Beads, and more Beads will it ever end?

Hello to all,

How was your Christmas and did you get any stitching done? Our Christmas was great and no I didn't get a whole lot of stitching done. I stitched here and there on Spiritdancer.

Here is my latest update...

Before:

After:

I am determined to get this done. It's really hard as I want to get back to Abigail Bragdon 1832 reproduction Sampler by The Scarlet Letter. I started a tiny bit on December 13th. The section calls for me to stitch these letters over 1. I am stitching this on 32 count Belfast Summer Khaki linen. I have never stitched anything over 1. I have been to afraid and said "I will never stitch over 1 if I don't have to." You would think I would have learned this when I said I would never stitch on anything other than 18 count aida fabric. The saying is true never say never at least in my case.

Here is what I have:

I know it's not much but it is a start and this is what keeps me motivated to get Spiritdancer done.

I won't have another update until after the New Year. I want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and a wonderful NEW YEAR!

Hugs, Carolyn

December-Last IHSW update for 2012

Hello All,

How many others got to stitch this past weekend? I stitched some each day. Here is my progress from last week.

Before:

After:

I finished the beading on the chair. I added a couple of more ornaments to the dream catcher. My son brought to my attention that the dream catcher was not complete on the left side. I finished that. I finished adding beads to one of the pots. I started adding beads to the bottom of her skirt.

I was wondering what do you use to put your beads into as you are stitching on a piece? Years ago I found the perfect item for me. It is a paint tray. I found it in the craft section at Walmart.

My other question is what do you store your beads in when they aren't in the package? I use some containers that screw together and a case to store the containers in. I found this at Walmart.

How do you store your big pieces of cloth when your working on samplers or big patterns? Do you use a scroll frame? What if you have more than one project going? My husband came up with a neat idea. We went to Staples office supplies and purchased mailing tubes. The tubes come in three sizes. I love it as the fabric won't be folded with all those lines.

I also found something to store my orts in. What's neat about these plastic containers is that they snap and lock together. Cool idea huh?

We as stitchers can come up with the neatest ideas for storing and stitching don't you agree?

Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful stitching week!

Hugs, Carolyn