I Almost Forgot...

...to do my blogoversary drawing!

There were 42 entries, printed out, cut up and folded. Placed into this bowl.


Even though my son was hustling to go to work, he was able to spare a few seconds to draw the lucky name.


And the winner is...


Kat, who coincidentally was the first one to leave a comment--weird! Anyway, congratulations Kat! I sent you an e-mail requesting your mailing address.

Thanks to everyone who left comments to participate. I wish I could send gifts to ALL of my blogging friends out there.

Have a great weekend.

2 Years

Today is my Blogoversary. 2 Years. I can't believe it has been that long already--and I wasn't sure if I wanted to start this venture.

Today, I couldn't imagine life without my blog. I have met so many wonderful people through it. People who really don't even know me but yet are so caring, kind, sweet and loving--through the good times and the bad. I thank each and everyone of you for being there when I needed you.

If you remember from last year, I am following the traditional wedding gift list. Year 2 is cotton. Cotton could be a wonderful thing to a stitcher, huh?

I will be gathering a bundle of "cotton" type items and will have a drawing on Friday, December 18th. If you would like to be in my drawing, just leave a comment on this post. That's it.

Thanks again to all of you who have visited my blog, left comments and for your friendships. It all means a great deal to me.

Happy Stitching and Have a Great Day :)

Some Nice Surprises

I have received a couple of gifts in the mail so I thought I would share.

First, last week I received an unexpected surprise from Staci. She sent me one of her wonderful ornaments. Is so cute and beautifully done. Thank you Staci!




Today, I received a beautiful needlecase from Goldie. It is just perfect and I am in need of one of these. Thank you Goldie!




I know it has been said before, but stitching blogging friends are the best! They sure help you get throught some tough times. Thanks again to both Staci and Goldie.

Stitches I Can Share

A couple of exchanges that I participated in arrived in their new homes this past week. First, Ronell received the Christmas Ornament I made for the Friends Through Threads exchange.



This is from Lizzie Kate's January Block Flip It. I have stitched this several times--once as a scissor fob. I just love it. I added some of the Sweetheart Tree's Crystal-AB Paillettes. They are so pretty when the catch the light.

Jenna received the squares I stitched for the Fair Square Round #16.


This Little House Needleworks "Traveling Stitcher". It is stitched on 32ct. Lambswool Belfast with DMC Variations.

That's it for now. I have alot of Christmas stitching still to do so I better get busy!

Have a great weekend.

Goals

Well, with everything that has happened this last month, I did catch up and complete my goals.

NOVEMBER GOALS:
Stitch square #12 of Ackworth Friendship Squares (this will complete this project) - DONE
2009 Christmas Challenge (November)- DONE
1 Pink Stitch- DONE
Start Part 6 of Isa Vautier's SAL- YES
Fair Squares Round #16- DONE
FTT Ornament Exchange- DONE
Personal Exchange with Cheryl- DONE
1 Christmas Gift - DONE

December is going to be tough. I am only going to list what I absolutely have to get done. I have a few gifts to stitch also.

DECEMBER GOALS
Fair Squares Christmas Round
3 Christmas Ornaments
2009 Christmas Challenge (December

I am looking forward to 2010. I am hoping it is a better year for my family. I plan on doing ALOT of "me" stitching also.

Have a great weekend,
Jill

Tomorrow is December 1?

How did this happen? I can't believe how fast time goes. Especially the last month is like a blur. It wasn't enough what I went through with my mom, I ended up with strep throat last week over Thanksgiving:( I am a little behind in my stitching but trying hard to catch up.

I have a few finishes that I can share. First, my November pink stitch. I made one of the Cats Whiskers cupcakes. I received a package of the cupcake bottoms for the beCAUSE it's Pink Exchange from Chris.



This was a very quick and easy stitch but it is very cute!


My November issue of the 2009 Christmas Challenge was a freebie I found here.



This was very fun to do. I love that it's not just another square ornament.

I actually did 2 ornaments this month. I also did this one.


This is a freebie from Aurelle. It is stitched on 28ct. white lugana with silver, with DMC Variations #4210 and #4045.


Over the years of my "stitching career", I had stitched several things for my mom. These are starting to come back to my house. I will start by sharing this one with you.



I must have stitched this about 20-25 years ago. Some of you might remember this doll. This was a pattern in a Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine. Just the face is cross stitched over 1 on 25ct. My mom kept her under a clear plastic protective cover so she is still beautiful!

That's all I have for today. Thanks for stopping and thanks again to all of you who have left the most comforting comments on my mom's passing. I really appreciate it.

Happy Stitching :)

Thank you to all of my blogging friends out there for all of the wonderful comments, e-mails and even some notes on your own blogs regarding my mother's passing. Even my family members that read my blog where amazed.

The blogging world definitely has some of the most nicest, supportive, open-armed and loving people. I have never met most of you, but you make me feel like I am a part of your family.

This past week was the most challenging time of my life. I still can't believe what I have gone through since last Friday. Life will definitely be different. But I will have to push on, one day at a time.

Again, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

End of a Long Week

I received my Friends Through Threads Christmas Ornament exchange earlier this week. It was from Becky K. I did send her a thank you e-mail but I have not had a chance to post it.


I'm sorry Becky, but I can't remember if you told me information on this ornament. You probably can't see, but it has lots of tiny beads on it. When the light hits it just right, it is gorgeous. It is stitched on the fabric with the opalescence effect also.

Thank you Becky! I love it!


I stitched something a little different this past week. One of my co-workers had his 25th anniversary. Because he his a huge baseball (MN Twins) fan, they had a surprise party with a baseball theme. Early last week I had said I would make a homer hanky for him. I had it all charted out and worked on it in between stuff during the past week. I finished it and brought it into work on Wednesday.


First base shows is hire date and the position he was hired for. 2nd and 3rd bases show the next positions and home plate shows his current position. It was quite fun to do and I heard that it was a hit and the party. Congrats John!

Well, I am headed to bed early tonight. It has been quite the day after a very long week. Today was my mom's funeral. Very sad. I miss her so much already.

JOAN KRIEGER

My Mom
September 16, 1928 - November 16, 2009
I Love You Mom!