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!

Tough Weekend

After spending 1 week in the hospital and 1 week in a Transitional Care facility, I brought my mom home on Friday afternoon. She made it to the door of her house and collapsed. She had a massive heart attack. I called 911. I gave her CPR while waiting for them to come--which took 7-8 minutes. They got her back and rushed her to the hospital. She is on a ventilator and in a coma. It's not looking good and I still can't believe all of this has happened. It has been only 5 months since my dad passed away.

Please pray for my mom and my family. The doctors are watching her condition until tomorrow to make further decisions.


I did receive my FTT fall exchange from Moni.


This acorn is a Prairie Schooler Design. It is wonderful!

She also sent me a very generous piece of some beautiful linen, a pack of variegated flosses, a small container (great for beads or buttons), Hedgehog buttons--a family of them, a keychain with an owl on it which she made at a workshop at her local quilt store, a great pattern (how did she know I wanted one of these designs?), all of the felt decorations in the picture and the fabric in the background.


Thank you Moni!

Ackworth Friendship Squares...and more!

I stitched my last Ackworth Friendship square today. YAY!!! I am so glad to be done with another project. I must say I liked having a designated day to work on a particular project. I may have to continue that.

Here is square #12.

We each stitched our own front and back square. Here are mine.

I had to stitch 2 squares for each of the other 5 girls. We each picked out our own color of fiber. The following pictures are squares for Lori, Chris, Jackie, Joan and Cathy.






Yesterday, my husband took me to the Stitching store, which was a nice treat. Some of my purchases I can't share as they are for a gift. Here is what I got for myself.

Yes, I got another scissors. What is it with us stitchers that we just can't have enough scissors? After all, we only use one at a time--for the most part. I have admired this one on other blogs for quite some time. It is the Tutor Rose scissors from Kelmscott.


I heard today that Moni received my Friend Through Threads Fall exchange.



This is "Pumpkin Etui" by hearty-craft.blogspot.com. It is stitched on 32ct. Belfast Raw linen with dmc as charted except outside border, it is Silk n'colors autumn bouquet.

Here is the entire exchange.



That's all I have for now. Thanks for visiting and have a great week.

A Few Things to Share

I heard from Nancy K. that she received my Fall Fair Squares. Here is the front square...


And here is the back square...


Does anyone recognize the design? It is part of Carol R.'s "Sew Autumn". The thread is Silk n'Colors "Autumn Bouquet". I love how it turned out. I wonder what Carol will think?

I got 2 new pair of scissors today! There was a "pink" exchange over on the HoE and Margaret gave her partner a pair of scissors with the pink ribbon pattern on the handles. I inquired about these to her and she graciously sent me a pair. I will be going to the LNS to get a few things in return for her. Thank you Margaret!!


The other pair I order from Joann's on-line with a gift card I got for my birthday. They are like scissors you used in school, rounded tips and everything--except they are Gingher's. I just had to have them.

After quite the day, I am going to honker down, stitch and sip hot drinks!

Have a great weekend!

November Goals

With everything going on, I forgot to do my goals for November!

First, October Goals:

2009 Christmas Challenge (October)--DONE
1 Pink Stitch--DONE
Finish Part 5 of Isa Vautier's SAL--DONE
Fair Squares Fall Round--DONE
HoE beCAUSE It's Pink Exchange--DONE
FTT Autumn Exchange--DONE
1 Christmas Gift--DONE

YAY! I completed all of my October goals.

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

A Special Surprise

I received a special birthday surprise in the mail from my friend, Lynn.

Lynn says she started all of this back in March so she would have plenty of time. When I opened the package, here is what I found.



Isn't it beautiful? It is so nicely done and I just love it.


And, of course it was filled with lots of goodies. A pin cushion and a pinkeep, both made by Lynn, and a bunch of my favorite fibers--even some pink ones!


A little pouch and a beautiful needlebook. Wait until you see all the french knots inside the needlebook!



And here is what was inside the little pouch.


One of her famous fimo creations--a small teapot and an even smaller teacup. They are so cute!

This is truly a box of treasure. Everything is so detailed. The way Lynn uses crystals and charms gives everything that extra special touch.

Thank you so much Lynn! I absolutely love all of it. You are a good friend.

What a Weekend!

It has been quite a weekend, and it is not over for me yet as I don't go back to work until Tuesday.

We had to take my mom to the ER on Friday night and she is still in the hospital. She now has Atrial Fibulation and will be getting a pacemaker. But early this morning she decided to get out of bed by herself, which she was instructed not to do and fell. She has a fractured C2 vertabrae on her right side of her neck and will have to wear a neck brace for 3 months. YIKES!

I did manage to go over to my friend Joan's house (Minnesota location) and stitch for awhile on Saturday with the girls. They had birthday cake (yum) and presents for me! Oh boy!

Cathy gave me a Shepherds Bush kit and a pink ribbon magnetic pin that lights up alot!


Thank you Cathy! I think everyone knows how much I love getting "pink" stuff and I do like Shepherds Bush stuff.

Lori gave me 4 bottles of my most favorite Coffeemate, Peppermint Mocha. Girls, if you have never had this you must try it. It is delish! Unfortunately it is only in the stores this time of year for the holidays. I highly recommend it.


Thank you Lorus! I already cracked one open this morning. Aaaahhhhh. Love it!

Joan gave me a beautiful Just Nan peacock pattern and the fabric and floss for it. I think I will be making the needle book. It has a lovely peacock charm. Joan also gave me 3 skeins of silk and a very large lobster clasp. I need to find out where she gets these.


Thank you Joan. I love all of it. I can't wait to stitch the peacock and use those silks. They are yummy colors!

Chris made me a special fob for my Mia scissors. She stitched the 2009 Prairie Schooler Santa on 40ct (over 1). For the back stitching, she had to "split" a strand of floss otherwise it was too thick.


This is really something. Here is a picture of the fob with the ornament that I had already made.


Thank you Chris. This is a treasure.

Thanks to all the girls. For the great afternoon/evening, gifts, birthday cake (you know that is a food group, don't you), food and fun! I appreciate all of it.

When I came home last night, I had a special surprise waiting for me.


Simba, my niece's cat, was waiting for me at the top of my steps. We take care of him about 2 times a year while his mom and family go see Mickey Mouse. They are leaving on Wednesday for 10 days. He is a really good cat and we enjoy his visit which is really a vacation for him also. LOL!

Today I finished my 11th Ackworth Friendship square.


I only have 1 left. YAY! These have been really fun to do but I am grateful for another commitment to be almost over.

Well, I just watched the Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers--YAY and now I am going to watch the World Series.

Thanks for visiting and I appreciate all the wonderful comments.

Happy Stitching!