200 Plus Followers Giveaway

I have reached over 200 followers, more like 231 followers.  I am so honored so many will come read my blog about my life and stitching.  I have met so many people around the world through blogging and it touches me you take time from your life to visit my blog. I really appreciate your visits.

For the giveaway, I will send the winner a  $20 gift certificate from 123Stitch!, my favorite stitching store.  The rules  are:

1.)  Comment to this post, stating you wish to enter in the giveaway with your email address.
2.)   You must be a follower, old or new.
3.)    For an extra entry, answer the following question in a separate  reply post.
If  you could meet and have dinner with a cross stitch designer, who would it be and why? I am anxious to read your replies.
My answer is a tied for Nora Corbett of Mirabilia designs and Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks.  I have always admired Mirabilia designs since I discovered her in 2003. I  have many patterns of her works, and even have couple kitted and started, but sadly have not finished one yet.  I have seen several pieces finish and the do inspire me. 
I was introduced to Little House Needleworks from a stitcher friend through an exchange.  I fell in love instantly. Why I didn't find these patterns sooner, I don't know.  I have been following her blog for over a year and I feel I know her a little.  She seems to be very down to earth person and I would be honor to meet her someday.

I will pick a winner on March 2. Good luck!

Update, winner and pizza!

 I am a little late for this update.  The above picture is my LHN Peppermint Twist as of last Thursday on Feb 2.  I might be able to  finish it off on Thursday if I don't get pick for a jury.

This my Halloween House update as of week before on January 27.  I was too tired to stitch last Friday.  I had went to lunch  with a friend that day and it tuckered me out.   We had went to Friendly's and I had the fried clam strips and a caramel sundae.  We went to the graveyard  to say a prayer for Mom.  I think I might have been emotionally tired because I tried to take a nap but I just couldn't sleep.

Than my round robins came in last week.  The ladies did a wonderful job on each ornament.  I  love them all. What is odd I was suppose to get Vickie H.'s first but I got mine before Vickie's.  I am still waiting for Vickie's so I can stitch her piece.

LHN Snow Bunnies in Just Cross Stitch Christimas issue on Sassy

's Fabbys Cheryl's Bouquet~Vickie H

Dragon Dreams Checking It Twice JCS Christmas 2007 on Sassy's Fabbys Snowflake~Sandy R

Water's Edge Santa and Rudolph JCS Christmas 2004 on Sassy's Fabbys Snowflake~Judith L.

Stitched by Berly  (Kim)  M.  from JCS Christmas 2007 on blue aida

I do have my first finish but I can not show it yet.  It is a bookmark for an exchange. 

Winner

I am sorry announcing the winner.  I put the names in a jar and had my father pick a name.  There  were 22 contestants and Berly of  New Year!   Congratulations Berly! The box will be on your way soon.
No worries for those who didn't win, I will be doing another giveaway this  weekend.   Stay tune!

PIZZA!! 

I watched the Super Bowl game this past Sunday.  It is usually the only football game I watch through out their season.  I am just not a big fan.  By living in Connecticut, there is this rivalry for NY or New England, I really couldn't help to get into the game this year.  I did pick the Giants to win and since my father and brother were hoping for them too, I didn't make a bet with them.  I didn't go to a party but I could have gone to my friend's house, but she is a HUGE Patriot fan so I told her I didn't want to see a grown woman cry when they lose.  I sure was not expecting to be eating my own words,lol.  I made homemade pizza and chicken wings for my own party.  Here is the  pictures of the food I made. 

Pizza with bacon, onions and mushrooms~my favorite toppings!

BBQ Chicken Wings

Pizza~half sausage for Dad, and other half, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and bacon.

 The only thing wrong it was very greasy. I need to find a way to cut that down.  I haven't made pizza in years. 

Many hugs,
Vicky

Back Home and Traveling Stash Box

I am back home and I couldn't stitch for a few days.  I have been either shopping or cleaning, and when I thought about shopping I was too tired.  When I got home, found out my brother bought a Kreuig coffee machine.  I am thinking "Cool a fresh cup of coffee everytime".  The first cup came out perfect but after that,the darn thing won't brew.  My brother cleaned out but nothing. I went to Walmart and got myself a new coffeemaker.  We threw the old one away already.  It works perfect and I found mine favorite coffee flavor on the shelf too, and with my new Dale Jr cup, I am a happy camper in the mornings now.

I did some stitching of my UFO on the last week I in VA.  Here is a picture what I did before I left.

I  worked on LHN Peppermint Twist that Thursday.  I didn't do much. My computer got a virus on Monday night and Thursday I was catching up.  My friend is a computer nerd and he was able to to take the virus out, which I am so grateful.  If he didn't fix it, I would be still be without a computer.

On the train, you would think I would be stitching alot with a 10 hour ride.  I was up at 5:30 and I was tired and just couldn't concentrate until in the afternoon.  I just looked outside and listen to my mp3 and I think I took a nap too.  Last night after chatting with my Stitcherhood group, I got the stitching bug in a big way, and I had to stitch while I watched Top Chef.  Here is the picture after the train and last night. I am almost done with the dragon.  However, I have to put it down to stitch a bookmark this weekend and start on Lavender Blue so I can get the next part on time.

Traveling Stash Box

I have won the Traveling Stash Box in November from Julie and Yes Dear.  With the holidays, getting behind on my stitching in December, and going on vacation, the box has been sitting here.  I am getting tired looking at it or tripping over it.  These are the items that are going in the box.  There are a lot of goodies and anyone who wins will have a hard time choosing.  You get the box, you take out what you want but   you need to replace what you take out.  If you take 5 items, than 5 items need to go into the box from your stash.  If you want a chance to win this box, comment on this post.  I cant afford the international postage rate, so it will be going to someone in the States. I will pull a name on Feb 1.

More pics of my friends' pets.  I miss them so much already,lol.

Zoey

Ryleigh playing shy!

Sammy

Gingy

Halloween House update and exchanges

Dragon Dreams Summer Magic

Most of you know I have been stitching on one of my UFOs, Dragon Dreams and I was able to backstitch the first half of the design. It really made it pop!  I was done on Wednesday night and I had started the other half too.  Not much is done but I will be back stitching it today.  Thursday I needed a break so I started on Peppermint Twist by Little House.  The picture above is what I accomplished. I think every Thursday, I will be stitching on a Christmas related piece.

 This is week 2 on my Halloween House SAL. I, also, stitched it on Saturday.   I just didn't want  to put it away for another week yet. You can barely see the ghost by the green roof, except for the tail.  I am not  sure how much I will get done next Friday.  I will be packing to head back home to cold Connecticut.

 

 

This is my friend's Christmas tree. I love it and it is so pretty.  It is still up, lol.

 A journal and a  day book from Vickie H for the 12 Days of Christmas exchange. The  Jane Austen daybook came from England and so far I am writing in it everyday.

 More gifts:  a scissors fob with a crown at the end, metallic threads, 3 pieces of material: purple,  green and cream with gold speckles, and a few ornament kits with the threads,patterns from JCS 2011 magazine and material.

The last two days I had opened 2 kits: Lizzie Kate Boxer Summer and Sunset Bag Ladies.  It is a kitty pattern and I love it.  Not sure when I will get to it.   The last pictures are the pets, Zoey and Sammy.

Isn't she a little princess sleeping on the pillow, which is  the perfect size for her.

Sammy

Many hugs,
Vicky

New Year 2012

2012 has started and I am  in Virginia, visiting my friends.  This picture is their cat Piper. Isn't she a beauty?  Last time I was visiting,  I forgot at times she was in the house because she stayed upstairs majority of the time. This time she has escaped from the house at least three times this week!  

 This is my last finish of 2011. It was finished on Friday, Dec 30.  I just couldn't sew together until a couple days ago,  I caught my friend's cold and I have been sick all week.   I just don't have the energy to stitch when I want to, so my stitching has been slow.  I haven't even read as  much either.  This ornament is from Leisure Arts Christmas ornament leaflet I got from Elizabeth in my 12 Days of Christmas exchange.  I stitched the snowman on red aida and used 2 threads of red for Merry Christmas.  It is on its way to its new home. 

 This is my new journal for the year. I love it because it says Paris and Eiffel Tower on it.  Paris is the one city I want to visit, which I might do when I turn 50.  I am doing another12 Days of Christmas with my friend Vickie of Reading and Stitching.  Her box arrived yesterday and I opened the first gift that was marked.  It was a Jane Austen day book from England. I am going to try write in it everyday, even it is just mundane stuff.  I could keep track of what I stitch everyday.  I will show a picture on my next post.

Haunted Halloween by Ursula Micheal

 I have joined 2 SALs this year.  This is the first one, Haunted Halloween by Ursula Micheal.  I am stitching this with Linda from Stitching with My Furbabies. This is a little more bigger than I thought it was going to be.  I had to order the materials on Dec 31 and had send to my friend's house so I can start on time.  It arrived yesterday on the 6th.  I started on it immediately and did  part of the roof while supper was cooking.  I'll get back to it next Friday.

This was my new start of the year, Snow by Shephard's Bush.  I thought this was going by my first finish but I ran out of GA Oatmeal thread.  I have some more at home. I will finish it when I get home.  I love how its coming out.  Sorry the picture is bad,  I took a quick one and didnt realize there was a piece of green ort on it until now.

The weather has been beautiful here.  There has only been one or two cold days and the rest of time very warm.  The nights are cold though.

Many hugs until next time,
Vicky

Giveaway

Sarah, from CraftyMoo is having a giveaway.  Click here to check it out.

End Year Giveaway

My friend,  Vickie of  Reading and Stitching,  had done some cleaning and is giving away some of her stash. Click on the name of the blog, and enter. 

2012 Crazy January Challenge

Here is my stitching challenge in January 2012.


The rules:

1.  Have fun!!!
2. Goal to finish them by December 31.
3. No NEW stash buying unless I am at a retreat,vacation or my birthday. NO EXCEPTIONS!
4. I will start when I return from Virginia, around January 22.
5. Have fun!!

LHN Coming to America

Poppy Kreations Red, White and Blue

Vee&Co Summer  In the USA

Waxing Moon Designs Witch's Garden

Imaginating Born Shopper by Diane Arthurs

CherryWood  Design Studios A Stitcher's Prayer

LHN Deck the Halls

LHN Gingerbread Village

LHN Bringing Home the Tree

LHN Thirteen Colonies