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CELEBRATING OUR 150th READER GIVEAWAY

About Me

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I have collected incredible amounts of cross stitch magazines in my over 30+ years of cross stitching. I enjoy knitting, crocheting and cross stitch. In May 2011 I decided to make my dream of sharing my love of needlecrafts a reality and started the online shop, The Stitcher's Market along with hubby. My biggest hope is to pass on my love of stitching to my children. Let's face it, some one has to inherit all my stash. I am shy, but I truly appreciate everyone's comments and friendship. I am glad to help anyone who needs any stitching information. I love to have giveaways and share other bloggers giveaways, so please stop by often. Enjoy your stay!

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Queen is Miffed!!!!

I took the completed parts of the baby sweater and proceeded to start the sewing portion of the project.... I can't seem to get the seams right!!!! Arrrrrghhhhh!!! It is an excercise in frustration.... so I calmly have put everything into a project baggie (or else I would have tossed it) and will wait a couple of weeks til I can look at it with a new perspective.

Can the sewing of the seams be that hard????? I am obviously not in the sewing seams frame of mind.

Other than that I am looking through baby cross stitch designs that I have in search of a few items that would be great additions to any baby's nursery etc. Not that I have done many at all. This time I would love to make accessories that I can use for the baby.

We have announced the impending arrival to our family even though it is early. One of the reasons being it is going to be a very long and hard road ahead for me and I don't want to be hostage to a superstitious 3 month rule that I don't believe in. Life has taught me that life is precious and that one must celebrate when the opportunity arises.

Our vacation is now 95% cancelled due to my need to be near my doctor's office. That is the common sense approach to this pregnancy. Our child has taken very well to the cancellation. Well, that is how we perceived his laughter and happy attitude to not having to leave the dog behind. Kids......

Two new scissors have been added to my collection. Thanks to my best friend, both the Gingher's Criss 4" Embroidery Scissor and Criss Dressmakers Shears 8" are very happy with their Gingher team mates.

A few French Mags have made their way across the pond to me thanks to my French friend. Love her. A really nice package filled with surprises will be on the way to her shortly. Hope she enjoys them!!!!!

Other than that, I am left to choose what baby themes will be in my cross stitch agenda. Isn't great that there are NINE months to go!!!!!! I have two Baby Afghans in my stash. One is yellow and the other Ivory. Let's see what I do..... you know that if I make one for baby, I will definitely make another for the eldest!!!! I don't have favorites.....

Expectant stitches.......

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Knit One For Baby



Sweetheart Pullover
c. Leisure Arts, Inc., 2007
Time for Baby
Nope, I ain't saying a word.
Lullaby stitches......

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Life and Stitching Update

First off, I don't think that my blogging once a week is working. I must blog more often. I love blogging and I want to do more of it. Okay, here goes how this week went.

LIFE UPDATE:

I joined Weight Watchers so soon I will have a sidebar with my wieght loss totals for the whole world to see. Why?? I have no idea, maybe fill up the blog a bit more?? Make for some good laughs?? Blog my descent into a dark part of my life??

The reason why I joined Weight Watchers was to lose weight, obviously, but, I don't know if it is for me. My first week I lost 1.4 pounds. Okay, I lost something, but it is not as good as I wanted and I was disappointed. Another reason I don't know if it will work is because even though people think I am a people person, I am not so sure that I like being with so many people discussing our wieght and points. Those are my feelings, "results may vary".

A few months ago, I went to my doctor and asked him if he would put me on diet pills. (Hey, I was desperate). He did not laugh, but told me that if I drank water (instead of Pepsi) and exercised a half hour in the morning and a half hour at night, I would lose the wieght. I am thinking the man is right!! This writing down everything I eat and giving it points is not for me. I am not a food addict. I don't eat everything I see or drink alcoholic drinks (teetotaller here) or excessive frozen drinks or massive amounts of anything. It just so happened I was on a medication for 3 months and put on 30 pounds. Yup, 10 pounds a month....can't get them off..... but I haven't tried and my thyroid is fine. (Unfortunately, the meds didn't even work).

So, here is hoping that in the next 11 weeks I lose another 8 pounds.....

Another life update: The laptop is at the repair shop for 3 weeks!! So, as a gift, I received a mini-laptop which I am starting to really like. This one will be for my cross stitching and blogging. It is mine, mine, mine!!!! When the laptop comes back, I will transfer all of my favorites and freebies off it and leave it as the family laptop.
Yes, that means I do not have any favorites stored...... Arrrrrrrghhhhhhh

Vacation is still being decided..... it is between a Disney cruise or DisneyWorld. The dog may stay with Grandma. That is still in the works. Let's see what happens.

STITCHING UPDATE:

No stitching, but LOTS of stashing. I sort of lost control. I admit it. (You see, I know what addiction is.) If it is stitching and it is on sale ... I am there. So, what did I order?

Kooler Design Studio


Winter Sampler Kit
Spring Sampler Kit
Summer Sampler Kit
Autumn Sampler Kit
Provence Sampler Kit
Cinderella Chart (because I have the kit already)



Gingher
Roberta 4" scissors



Martina Weber (Chatelaine)
Evening in the Park (Chart)



Just Cross Stitch
Christmas Ornaments 10th Anniversary Collection Book
July / August 2008 Christmas Ornament Preview



Britain's Cross Stitcher Mag
Issue 213



So, there you have it..... more stash....plus a couple of ongoing trades which are always a sublime experience for me.
Well, that is about it. I hope to post pictures soon of a stitch or two.



Happy stitches......

Monday, May 25, 2009

A Mouse, A Mouse !!!!!! I screamed.....


Where, where???????? He looked.....

In my defense as a first time developer I am always trying to make sure that everything stays clean. So as I opened the gates to my development, happy to see my magical construction team at work after their vacation, I saw a mouse and I just screamed. Poor thing started shaking and quivering and suddenly out of nowhere in a puff of smoke Maleficent appeared.

"My dear, this is Gus. Why are you so terrified of this well meaning mouse?" Speechless I stood, looking at Gus, asking forgiveness with my eyes.

"Dahhling, if you are terrified of Gus, there is no telling how you will be when 'THE' mouse comes to town."

" 'THE' mouse? You mean there are more mice??" I asked.

" Well of course, but there is only ONE mouse, 'THE' most important mouse of them all, the Big Kahuna, the big cheese, the mouse that all look up to. When he comes you will know and he expects to see you HAPPY. For he is a happy mouse."

"How will I know, when he arrives?
"You will know, my dear. Now, I must leave you two alone. Please get to know each other and try not to wake up the neighborhood." And just as she came, in a puff of smoke she was gone.
So that is how I met Gus. Dear, bright and helpful Gus, who loves Cinderella very much, was sorry that he startled me so and thought I had met very bad mice in life. He assured me that all of the mice that would come to my development would be friendly mice and those that were not, he would have at them. Gus is funny too.
I didn't have time to meet Cinderella, but Gus was sure that she liked the Castle, and would most likely come to live there. It is very exciting to think that Cinderella and her Prince Charming are thinking of making my development their home.
Before I leave, here are pictures of Gus in the neighborhood!




All Disney images are copyright by Disney and taken from licensed cross stitch kits and magazines.
Cinderella's coach is c. by Kooler Design Studio.

Magical stitches to all......

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Cross Stitch Stashing


These days I have been on the wagon. I stitched very little and purchased even less. The LNS near me was having a sale and I missed it. So after stashing at a fearless speed for the first few months of the year, April and May went by without much to add.

Although I have to say that I have started to trade again. For many years I traded non-stop until 4 years ago when I stopped because I got tired. This year I have added three wonderful ladies to my trading circle and I am thrilled because friendships have formed and their works inspire me everyday.

Have you noticed my 2009 Finishes have been growing?? Well, yesterday I started and completed another Christmas ornament which brings my total to 6. I am soooooo happy because my goal is to stitch a set of 12 of the same ornament (6 in green and 6 in red). I have ideas on how to finish them, but still need to set everything up. The idea is to use these ornaments on a pine swag decoration.

Okay, okay, you thought I wasn't going to post pictures, right?? You thought I would have another camera excuse.... yeah, yeah.... well SURPRISE SURPRISE....

Joy, Love, Peace
c. JBW 2007 "Christmas Keepsakes II"


Joy, Love, Peace
c. 2007 JBW, "Christmas Keepsakes II"


Here is a Disney Pooh ornament that I stitched in 2005 which has not been "finished"yet. I hope to correct that and have a wonderful ornament to hang on our tree this year.

c. Disney, Pooh Ornament

This is my latest non-holiday finish. It is stitched with DMC Variations. I think that DMC Variations is a wonderful thread reasonably priced thread. The colors are really pretty, even though I really miss the DMC variegated threads. Whenever I see the variegated for sale, I always pick them up.

Rosette
c. Mary Hickmott 2009

Well, there you have it. That is pretty much what I have done these days. As usual, I have high hopes for tomorrow and the rest of this evening.

By the way..... soon, I will be posting a Disney Neighborhood picture.......

Stitching the night away........

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Stitching Goal for Today

It is very simple. I wish to start and finish one snowflake for a very special Christmas stocking. I have the fabric and my plan is to make all sorts of different snowflakes on it.

Will post pic once camera gets new batteries. (Yup, with that camera something is always up).

Simple stitches....

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sad Day For Me

This morning I found out that my grandaunt passed away during the night. She fought a brave battle against breast cancer twice. The first she won for decades, the second time around the cancer was vengeful and although my grandaunt was very brave, her body could not withstand the beligerant unrelenting aggression of the breast cancer.

At the end, the cancer could not conquer her mind. She was brave and positive till the end. May she rest in peace.

I am going to miss her.

Silent stitches....

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO



If your drinking, then no stitching. If you are stitching, then no drinking.
Applies to driving too...... arrive alive.......
Happy stitches....


Friday, May 1, 2009

Cross Stitch Life Update

Not much going on here. Got a few eBay items mailed today and considered posting items on Ebay every week. It's the fees that get me all the time. With the eBay Listing Fee , the eBay Final Value Fee and the Paypal Fee, I am wondering who is making the money there.... lol....

Maybe I will make another blog with items that I am looking to trade and items I am looking to sell. I have seen other bloggers do that. Don't know how successful that is, but I figure I have time to sort all of the details out.

I am sure that the wet flosses are coming out for my flogging since I did not stitch much at all last week. Lately all I have done is stalk the postman since there are so many packages that I am waiting for that have not arrived. All the stalking is driving me batty and I am getting into a bad mood.

One of the items I am waiting for is a scissor I purchased on eBay and a purchase from a cross stitch shop. Half of me thinks that the Customs inspector and my post office are in cohoots to keep my items away from me. Well, when I receive all my items, I promise to post pictures here. This time there will be alot of pictures since I am waiting for alot of stuff.

Today I also posted Shay's floss giveaway win. Snuck by my postman, so I am sure Shay will get the package soon.

Getting back on the Moderate's Stash Wagon again because I fell off and only saw dust for a few months. If I strain my eyes to their fullest, I believe I see the Wagon coming around again. Maybe someone noticed I fell off?????? Don't think so, but once I get on, I am sure I will be lots heavier. LOL....

I am ashamed to say that I have not put a single stitch in my Disney Neighborhood in a few months. Funny thing about me is that I do not show my WIPS to anyone that is known in the flesh to me because I lose my "mojo" for that piece. Well, someone saw me stitching on it and since that day I have not touched it. I know, I know, it is superstitious, but I did lose a bit of my "mojo" for it. Now, it is in full force again and I want to stitch stitch stitch the hours away on my pride and joy.

Working on a small pinkeep for myself. Happens to be the only WIP I stitched on this past week. Hopefully I will get it done soon so I can post a picture of it.

There is also the Christmas ornaments that I am working on. I have 5 already of the same pattern stitched and I am loving them so, because they are simple and once I finish the 12 I will have a set of them. My first set of stitching ever. So that is something to look forward to.

So far, there you have it. I will stop surfing through blogs and start stitching once I sign off. Hope to come back here tomorrow and write some more.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy weekend stitches to all ........