Wednesday, July 21, 2010

"Boo" to You!

Hi Everyone,
Christmas in July seems to be popular right now but I'm in a Halloween stitching mode! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas but I also LIKE Halloween. I'm an "Autumn baby" so maybe that's why? I just bought this new design "Candy Corn...Boo to You" and it's different from anything I have for Halloween....I'm sure you'll agree, it's a necessary addition to my "stash." :) Stay tuned for the finish as I have opted to change the fabric and some of the floss. I hope we like it!

Speaking of "Boo"....here is a picture of my 8 year old lab. She's a real buddy and a good pet. Now that all of my children are off to college and work, we are constant companions. (She knows who has the treats!) As silly as it sounds, she is well trained but hates her leash. Despite that pitfall, she does cute tricks...maybe I can take "my puppy" for an act "on the road." (lol) On second thought, we're happy at home! Having a pet is a blessing...they add so much fun and love to the family! They seem to understand more than we realize, don't they? Their love is simple, unconditional and genuine....

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I truly appreciate your kind emails and comments and "welcome" all my new stitching pals.

Boo and I wish you all a relaxing, cool weekend filled with happy things and stitching!

Hugs and Stitches,
Mary

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Friendships, Stitching and Sharing




Hi Friends, I am so grateful to receive all of your welcoming comments and emails about my new blog. I'm trying to respond to them all but in the meantime, please know how much I appreciate your kind thoughts, inspiration and support.

I have also had the opportunity to follow wonderful blogs that are new to me..all from your friendly comments left on mine :) Thank you!

I would like to thank Carol for introducing me on her blog. She is a dear friend and was the first person to inspire me to start a blog. Then my boys jumped on the bandwagon to help me (I'm glad they did...I had no clue where to start!) and the rest is history.

I had admired a piece that Carol had posted on her blog and within a few days, I received mail from her with the chart to share, including the fabric along with a gift of LK Land That I Love complete with floss. How thoughtful... I was so excited to receive this treat! Thank you, my dear friend.
I would also like to send hugs and big thank you's to Mary Anne, Nancy and Myra, 3 of my very first followers...and supporters! Stitching friends and family are the BEST!!

I hope you are all staying cool. The weather here has been unrelenting. I can't remember a day when it hasn't been in the upper 90's for several weeks.

My youngest son is heading for college in August and we are planning a "graduation/going away" get together for him and his friends....complete with a moonbounce. Oh, just the thought of bouncing on a HOT day ......but these are the days we'll all remember (with so many happy memories!)

Hugs and Stitches,
Mary

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Happy Birthday Daniel!


23 years ago today, I became a Mom for the first time, Wow...does time fly. My son means the world to me and has grown to be a wonderful young man.

I finished this design in time for Daniel's 11th birthday as the frame is dated July 1998. I signed the back with happy thoughts for my husband and 4 children. What a colorful, fun and sentimental design! It's stitched on the perforated paper that was included in the kit and has stood the "test of time." I have long since preferred to stitch the Mill Hill kits on 28 ct. linen but I never tire of the beads!
This frame has a special place on the table for our birthday dinners. Maybe an heirloom to be?? One can only hope! (I HOPE the paper that it's stitched on holds up over the years!)

Happy, Happy Birthday to my buddy with all my love. May God bless You Daniel, and may the year ahead be filled with happiness and good fortune. Enjoy your day :D
Love you, Mom xoxoxoxoxo

To all who may be celebrating a birthday today, I wish you a Happy Birthday and a Happy Year ahead :)

Hugs and Stitches,
Mary

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Souvenir de France


A trip to France $$$$$$
A beautiful French Souvenir $$$
WDW Kohl Floss w/blending filament $2.50
Blackbird Designs and Mom's stitching - Free

Heartbursting Pride in a wonderful son, elected President of Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Language Honor Society....PRICELESS

Congratulations Bill!! xoxo

Hugs and Stitches,
Mary

Deepest Love



I do LOVE this pattern. I just happened to be in my LNS the day the girls were unpacking it and it captured my attention. It's different and the designer (Turquoise Graphics and Designs) is new to me as well. I started this a few months ago and put it aside because I ran out of Gold Leaf (ST) and it took some time to match the dye lot....many skeins were darker than the original one I bought and I had too much done to change anything. I did choose to change the red and pink that the chart called for and am so pleased with my result. The center was rather tedious to stitch as the colors changed frequently and the pattern was close together. Now that I'm nearing the end, I do still LOVE it. This will probably be framed..so all I need to do next is to pick a special place to hang it!


Thank you all for your kind, encouraging comments. I look forward to hearing from you :)

Hugs and Stitches, Mary

Saturday, July 10, 2010

HELLO AND THANKS....MY FIRST BLOG!

I am now a "blogger"thanks to my family for their support and in particular, to dear Patrick for his "more than patient help and advice." Love you all xoxo


Carol, your inspiration, friendship and encouragement helped to make this a reality!

Speaking of "firsts," this was my first finish that was not in a frame....so many years ago....I remember finishing it the night before the class as it "had to be completed" by class time. It was only 14 ct!!! Still, I had 4 children under the age of five..so stitching could NOT be one of my priorities at the time. I was happy with the results just the same...and it hangs as a reminder of "my happy, busy as a bee times" that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!

More to come.
Happy stitching and thank you for visiting :)