Peanut's Place to Stitch

December 21 Christmas is almost here!

2011-12-21T05:54:00.001-08:00

Just peaking in like the grand daughter is... to say HI and to show you a few finishes that I have done! Since this picture was so adorable I had to put it in here...

Here is a picture of how I finished the grand daughters ornament! It is her first of hopefully MANY MANY ornaments. I hope she thinks it is fun and playful!
and another shot of it...

Here is what it looks like from above... showing the entire ornament!

This is a picture of my Daughters ornament! I thing it is a little more plain that I had hoped but the gold is very shiney! It was fun! and I still would like to find a small button in green for each side of the ornament to attach to it! I am still looking!

Here I was trying to help you see the shine on this ribbon... but it is not showing like it should!

The ornaments this year were FUN... and seriously helped me to feel like it was Christmas... I know that Abigail was a present from God to help me get through the end of the year! She doesnt even know that she helps me but she does... and I try so hard to tell her about her Great Grandpa and how much he would have LOVED her... I used phrases that he would and tell her they are his... He is still here and is carried on with that precious baby girl!

Just a Small Quick Update!

2011-12-20T11:27:00.000-08:00

I am sorry... I have not been posting... life has been so busy. I have been trying to hang on with both hands and see where the ride ends up!

Oct 30th we lost my papaw... He was my dad and my grandpa all in one. He is the one person in my life that I always knew he loved me with his soul! God sent him just for me! He was an Awesome Dad.. Grandpa... friend... and I am going to miss him so much! He has battled for so long now... and it has been so hard to just see him this way! Sometimes I think I did not visit him just to keep my heart from hurting so much!

On to stitching things... I am working on a shop model for a friend ... Terrie at The Stitch Store in GA. I am stitching LHN- Colonial Welcome.

Then for myself... I have stitched 3 of these little deers... sorry but I do not even know who or where this chart is from. It is a freebie that I had and fell in love with it! It is a BLAST to stitch... and I changed the colors for our little grand daughters ornament. Abigails First Christmas! I am making ornaments for my kids each year for the tree... and Abigail will have a hand made ornament to take with her when she puts together her first tree as an adult!

My Son and my Daughter had the Red and Green Ornaments matching...

but just changed the names on each.
My grand daughters was stitched with HDF silks and was in a bright pink and a dark purple... her favorite colors seem to be the pinks and purples.

AND YES... this is stitched with a signature of Moo Moo... that is what my precious Son has everyone calling me... BUT i think I have the good end of it... My husband is called POO POO... giggle... like Moo Moo and Poo Poo... giggle... makes me laugh each time I hear it!
OH and the most fun thing to tell you about!!!!!
WICKED!!!
I finally made it to a show. Everything about this was just Magical!!! I LOVED it... laughed...almost cried... and loved the play on how this could have been! GA Linda was great... My daughter and I went together and had a blast!
Tickets... Near $200
Dinner... Near $60
T-shirts for both ... over $100
Memory... PRICELESS!!!!! This is the Stage Set up!!! and the view from our seats...

Sorry! I can not get these blasted Pictures to rotate! I have tried everything! Still you get to see this amazing sign... where ALL wanted a picture as a keepsake!

What a wonderful cast! They did a PERFECT job!

I am thankful to be able to go to things like this!

Just a quick update... will try to post more later! Take care and if we do not talk before...

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year!

Giveaway to show you!

2011-10-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

Please go to this site... and look at her AWESOME giveaway... It is her 3 year blog anniversary...

http://cadurst.blogspot.com/2011/10/little-happy-dance-and-give-way-details.html

Thank you for looking and have a great weekend!

Finishing progress

2011-10-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Today at lunch I worked on the finish work for the finished ornament that I have. I completed all of the beadwork trip and have just the remainder side to completed and it is ready to display.

Last night I twisted the cord with a charcoal grey and a bright rayon metalic yellow... and then I am using purple beads to accent...
The back fabric is just FUN!!! and playful!

In this pic you can see the little flower like knot that I am placing on each side. Then I am adding the small tassels. It is just such a FUN piece.

This has been such a fun fun piece!!!!

Thank you for looking!

Quick update: new start and 2 finishes!

2011-10-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

NEW START:

Hallow Eden - Plum Street Sampler

Always start out with the best thing! A NEW START!!! This piece is so cool to stitch!!! I just loved stitching this S -snake! I have a fear of snakes but he is a cutie patootie! I usually do love stitching Plum Street Sampler charts though!

FINISHES:
This is Lizzie Kate Fresh from the Garden Needlebook and pin cushion. I did get the kit of the pre-made pieces to go with this ... and LOVE the way they turned out!!! I had a blast stitching this and it went so fast!!!! What a fun piece!

This was a piece from the JCS regular Halloween Mag Issue... It is by Brittercup Designs... called Stitchy Kitty. I found this fun scrap of fabric at Keepsakes cross stitch shop in Ohio. This was just PERFECT for this piece... it has that spotting that lays in just the right places! I am in the process of finishing this piece now! I will post pics of it when it is completed!

This is a pic with it besides the mag pic of the finished piece... How fun is this ! I am not crazy about Cats (was attacked as a child and had a Rabbies scare) but this is soooooooo adorable ... I had to stitch it!

I have so many that I want to start now... so I hope I will get so start some of them and of course finish them too!

Keep crossing those stitches!!!

Tracy

Abigail is here!!!!

2011-08-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

Abigail Francis is here... she made her long awaited arrival... August 16th. I have several pics of the first week of her life... I was the birth coach... so that was the most exciting thing ever...I was able to cut the cord and connect with her and her mom that way! What a huge blessing.
Her first foot print...

Here is a pic of her on the warming table!

This is Mom and Abz all ready to go out to lunch the other day! Red Lobster was where we were taking her to eat!

Here she is right before her first doctor check...

We had to take her back up to the hospital a day after her release for a nurse visit... and she got all dressed up for the occasion!

She is soooo adorable !!!

While we were in the hospital... a older couple brought around a gift/snack cart... this Monkey was on that cart... and it caught Abigails Eye!!! Well that was it! She had to have him!!! and he was sold!

This is her being a model... The hospital photographer came around to take the most adorable pics of our litttle princess!!!! As you can see... we have been so busy and so exhausted that there has been no time for cross stitch... but that will come soon!

Terri- Dixiesampler give away

2011-08-10T05:40:00.000-07:00

I will be sure to post more later about the updates... No baby yet! I am sure I will have so many pics for you to update you... We have been spending so much time walking and helping Megz get through this part of the pregnancy... Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Giveaways!!!

http://dixiesamplar.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-blog-autumn-challenge-at.html#comments

and another giveaway...

http://happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com/

Please go and check these blogs out!

Keep Crossing those stitches!
Tracy

Summer Updates Saturday 07/09/2011 (heavy pics)

2011-07-21T06:01:00.001-07:00

Saturdays Adventures!!!!

Today we left for Work early Meghan went into work with me for a little bit! Then after we headed to that LOVELY bag sale... just $15 more dollars.... After we went to Hobby Lobby... Then to get Chick-Filla for lunch and over to Babies R Us!!!!!

My pics are in backwards though... so this is the Babies R Us shopping.... She really wanted this little soothing sounds stuffed toy for Abigail! It has music, the heartbeat, and white noise. This is so cool!!!!

Here is what all we bought at Toys R Us! The little thing on the side is a Bag Holder... so that if you change a diaper while you are out and it is a stinky one... you place it in these little baggies and it takes care of holding that smell inside! Meghan just HAD HAD HAD to have this... she thought this was just so cool!

HOBBY LOBBY

I ordered a few frames ... I laced my pieces... and I watched them while they assembled the pieces and made sure they were so nice to my work! But here is the result!

Quaker quaker piece!

Shepherds Bush Kit... I just love this little witchy girl! and the pics do NOT do this frame justice... it is just gorgeous! With charcoal flecks in it! It is just perfect for this piece!

I think that they turned out WONDERFUL!!!! I am so Proud of them! and that is 2 more of my goals of getting some of my finishes that are in my bin FRAMED!!! I had a goal of One a pay period ! I wanted them all hanging in my house...But SOME are finished other than a frame!!! So ...at least I am 2 more towards my goal!

OK... Here we go again! This time is was only $298 worth of clothes for $15 but still it was a TON!!! and we bought shoes Galore!!!! That took up a ton of space in the bag! I have a few pics for you to be able to see some of the goodies!!!!!!

Here you also see some of the shoes!!! Meghan and I BOTH have a shoe thing! WE LOVE SHOES!!!!

Look at the Franky-Stein sockies... and then the little Minnie Mouse sockies!!!

Swimsuits of all sizes and cover ups too!!!!

These are Socks... and stockings for the fall! They are so FUN!!!!

We had bought a plain white Bassinette... but then Stephy found us this one... and we were able to trade them for the difference. This one is the cadilac of Bassinette's. It has vibration... music... toys... and several crib sheets!!! It is ADORABLE!!!!

You have heard me talk of Grandma 2 being Stephy... This is Meghans call on calling her Grandma 2. She is the mother of Meghans long time boyfriend Justin. Stephy has a connection with Meghan and has always been there for her to support her. Stephy and I both joke about Meghan and Justin being in an arranged marriage. We are hoping that these two kids can work things out. So Grandma 2 works at Once Upon A Child and she had these two little outfits waiting for Meghan and out little peanut(that is what she calls her)!!!

Look at this one... I will have to try to get the other one to post at a later time the picture is not wanting to upload. It is a little yellow elephant outfit! and They are adorable!!!!

Thank you for sharing in my excitement, and for looking at my pics. I will post more later! Have a great day!!!

Summer Updates! Friday 7/8/11(heavy pics)

2011-07-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Good Morning all! I thought the easiest way to catch up on some of the busy things we have been doing is to do them in sections by the weekends... that way you all can see everything that we are doing!

Friday after work my Daughter met me at work and we drove to ONCE UPON A CHILD resale shop. They were having a "bag sale" $15 a bag all you can fit in it! WOWOWOWWWWW!!!! Working for YEARS in retail I know I can fit a TON in a bag! These were tiny Walmart style thin plastic bags!!!! so we started to see what all we liked first and then if we could find things that she would be able to use in larger sizes too!

We originally went to Once upon a child to get a Diaper Genie... and we DID get that... we ended up getting it so very cheap! WOW!!!! So here are some pics from our adventure!

Tons of clothes and jeans for Abigail! These were one of the cute ones!!! Look at the little flower on the belt!
This is another pair... They are Apple Bottom Jeans! and They are ADORABLE!!!!!

This is a little soft rainbow hedgehog that Meghan found it is a rattle and is made of polar fleece and is sooooooo soft!!!! Abigail is going to LOVE it!!!!

Here is Meghan afterwards in Abigails room going through things and seperating the sizes! We have to get the baby detergaent tomorrow so we can start the cleaning process!!! We are getting everything ready for our lil princess!!!!

Just to give you a bit of a breakdown.... as they scan the tags and process the sale they add all in the bag and give you a total of the items before it goes to $15 for that bag. Today we found drum roll please... $392 worth of clothes and the total was.... $15 We were so tickled!!! and all around us was having fun watching us push these things in that bag!!!

Thank you for Looking!!! Have a Great day!

Framed Finish

2011-06-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

One of my goals this year is to finish some of the UFO's that I have. Another Goal this year was to either finish or frame the completed pieces that I have. I am trying hard to get a few done each time I get a little extra.

This is Sheepish Designs

Betsy 108 Exemplary

I had the frame made at Hobby Lobby and I laced and completed the actual framing. I was scared about this when I went to get the frame the piece looked so close to the edges of the laced work and I did NOT think it was going to look right... But WOW the pictures do NOT do it justice... this is a LOVELY piece... and everyone that was there in the shop that day started to talk of how perfect the frame was for that piece. I am so tickled with this framed finish.

Thank you for looking and have a great day! Keep crossing those stitches...

Tracy

Today in Kentucky!

2011-06-23T11:36:00.001-07:00

Today is just gorgeous!!!!!

The gauge at the bank stated 80 degrees... but WOW it is just wonderful. The sun is shining... every once in a while it will pop behind a cloud and will look like rain... and around 11:30 this morning we had a brief like 3 minute shower.... but by my lunch break at 1 it was so sunny and with wind is pretty strong... it is a cooler wind blowing so I was able to get a Frappe... and sit in my car with the windows open and stitch what a WONDERFUL lunch hour! We have 4 blue jays that like to play in our front area where we park and they bounce between the limbs of the tree and sing... so lunch was so much fun today... Here are some lunch pictures...

I am working on Holy Moses by Silver Creek Samplers Over 1 with 1 thread of the DMC is calls for. This is a 25 count Potato fabric...

As you can see I was too caught up in those cute little blue jays and had to do some frogging... WOW frogging when stitching over one... is not fun!!!! OH and imagine that... I had to Frog my Frog!!! Giggle... it is the plague of frogs that I messed up on those darn frogs!!!!

Here is my Yummy Frappe... WOW these are an addiction!!!

See ... now here you can see that I am in the car... and there are my two lunch time friends... What a great day! Back to work all ... Keep crossing those stitches!!!

Tracy

More pics of all the work!

2011-06-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy getting everything ready for our new little family member ... she is due to be here around the first of August... We have had several dear friends helping us to get ready for her... and here is some not all of the hard work that we have been doing...
We have the Living room and the downstair hallway painted... we still have to do the coblestone at the fireplace...Here is the start of the living room NOT all of the Cross stitch is hanging here yet!

Here is the hallway and shows the coblestone up the one wall.
Now to more of the Paint Abigail's room day pics... This was the group of pics that I wanted to post the pics that were missing from the last post...

This is the paint fight I was talking about... They were having so much fun!!! They were cracking Stephanie and I up so bad watching them... You can see by the picture that I took it thru Abigail's screen window... How fun... Of course when Meghan grabbed the entire gallon of Paint and took aim on Justin... WOW... I had to say... WOOOOOOOOOOOAH!!!! Gettum Megz!!!

Here is her room right after the paint was finished paint is not even dry yet!!! It is so bright and cheerful!!! I just LOVE being in this room!!!

This is all for right now... I want to add a post in a little bit showing you all the adorable things that we were able to find on out trip to Gatlinburg and London KY for Abigail... OMG there was so many things we bought... she is not even here yet and already needed her own suitcase... when she is here she will need a TRUNK!!!! Giggle!

Thank you again to all who helped us get as far as we are and have taken the time to help us welcome out new little bundle of Joy!!!

Lots of Pics- Abigails Room Getting ready

2011-06-21T06:24:00.001-07:00

It has been sooooo busy here... Baby Abigail is JUST ABOUT HERE!!!!! We have been painting and tearing out walls... and getting prepared for her arrival.

I want to start off with a finish that I have just Mailed out to The Stitch Store in Buford GA. This was SUCH a Cool stitch piece... I had a blast stitching it and it was easy to stitch. The fabric she sent had a hue of pink in it... and was stitch over 2 with 2 threads of Old Red Paint Floss.
Then we go to ABIGAIL's FIRST Cross Stitch piece... This was picked by Megz on the Girls Trip to Columbus. Debbie Stitched it , Megz picked the frame... I painted the frame... and then laced and framed the piece... WELCOME ABIGAIL! Even with Cross Stitch. I WONDER.... Could that toy group "Lamaze" have a Q-Snap and safe needle for infants... giggle!!!

AND DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

OK more drums... this is the big work!!!

ABIGAIL'S ROOM

(so far)

Her changing station... with Swing and Bouncer. We have been able to suite the bedroom with swing ... playpen and bouncer and then also the living room with all 3 so she has her basic care and entertainment needs in both areas...Her Bed... and playpen... and Megz Glider... Her Bed is one that has the conversion kit for a toddler bed.. then a youth bed... then a queen size bed adventually. It is a very nice bed.. and OH MY GOODNESS it is so heavy!!!!! But we wanted her to have a GOOD bed to rest safe and sound. Our precious lil Abz.

Jungle Jill is the theme that Megz picked out for Abigail... and you can sorta see here too the monitor that she was able to buy... It is a Motion monitor ... if there is any stop in movement while the baby is sleeping the alarm goes off to check on her... WOW that is so cool!

Look at the Mobile... it is a Giraffe Head that holds it... that is so adorable!!!

Look at her closet ALREADY... Clothes Galore!!!!!! and Toys Galore!!!!! Wow!

Thanks goes out to all that have given up precious time to help us get everything ready for our lil baby girl!

Meghan and Abigail had several friends that stopped by to help Meghan get the room painted and cleaned and ready for her baby furnature!!! Her is a few of them... These girls came over the evening after we painted and helped with mopping and cleaning everything up real nice and getting it all ready to move things into the room!

OK... so here we go... THIS IS THE BIG PAINT DAY!!!!

This is Stephy... she is Justin's mom and has been appointed by Meghan to be Abigail's other grandma. She has already spoiled Abigail so much... and think of so many nice things that have helped support Meghan through everything that she has gone through. Stephy We all love you dearly and THANK YOU so much for EVERYTHING!!!!!

While Stephy and I are painting away... we sent Justin out to start on the doorway trim... and we hear laughing and squealing... and giggles galore... OK so the laughing was Megz... the squealing and crying like a girl... was Justin. They had this HUGE paint fight... Stephy and I was cheering fromt he upstairs window.... It was so much fun to watch... they giggled and laughed... and she swatted him with paint... there was paint all over the place.

Here is the end result!

We vacationed over Memorial Day week... We went to London KY to stay at Levi Jackson State Park. One of our favorite state parks. We went to Gatlinburg for a day... shopped and ate too much... and then back to the campsite. We went to Cumberlin Falls for a day ... the water was seriously HIGH!!!! and then back and one day we went to the flea market there in London... we found ALL KINDS of goodies for Abigail... Here is some of Megz favorites!!!

Here is Jake and Meghan at Cumberlin Falls... You can sorta see that the water behind them is running fast, high, and muddy.

Here is Me and Meghan at the falls... and WOW look at that Water GO!!!!! It almost did not have any place to "fall" the two sections that are usually greatly divided were almost completely together. It was very strange to see.

MOTHER'S DAY 2011

Meghan's First Mother's day!

For this mothers day... Her dad and I gave Meghan the designer fabric to cover her glider to match her baby room. Then her Mamaw worked her sewing magic and covered the seat part of the rocker. This turned out just AMAZING!!!!!!

Happy Mothers day Sweet Baby Girl... and to many many more mothers day's to come!!!

See ... I think she liked it!!!!

At the End of April... My Best Friend(sister) Debby, Meghan and I took off for a weekend Road Trip!!!! We headed for Columbus... and had a blast!!!! Here we went out for Debs Birthday... RED LOBSTER!!! YUMMY!!!!!

Megz and Laughing at everything and then at nothing...

Here is the reason for Columbus... CROSS STITCH...

Cross My Heart

The shop is WONDERFUL and the workers are so helpful and want to help you ! We had a great time and it was so refreshing to once again be in a brick and mortor shop.

Thank you for stopping by to catch up with my life some... and I hope to post more pics soon... I have so much I want to show you ... so many exciting things going on ... just those exciting things do not leave a lot of time for me to post and tell you all about them.

Keep Crossing those stitches!

Cross stitch project and Abigail's things!

2011-04-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Holy Moses

Silver Creek Designs

Last Saturday when Meghan and I headed for the Zoo... we stopped and found her crib, and then started for the Zoo and it started to STORM... so we went to Keepsakes in Cincinnati... There I bought the 25 Count Evenweave in Potato so that I could start this project.

We ended up at JoAnn's too and bought the flosses needed so I could start it.

I worked on it this weekend... and Look!

This is fun... but it is gonna take quite a while to finish!

Friday while we were out... we went to Babies R Us... and I found the SOFTEST Fuzziest TURTLE blanket... it was so awesome... Abigail had to have it! That is all there is to say about that... I spent a pretty penny on this lil blanket... but she Had to have it!

I also wanted to show you the set that Meghan has chosen for the baby room... It is called Jungle Jill... and has all the Jungle Animals... It is adorable!!!!!

That is all for today... I have had to split it up in sections... but I wanted to show it all to you!

Have a great day... Take care... and Keep crossing those stitches...

Tracy

The rest of the day... Eat at Joes

2011-04-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

EAT AT JOES CRAB SHACK

We wanted to sit outside... it was warm... but then the storm clouds rolled in...and the wind... and then the rain... then everyone outside... ran for inside... YEAH!!! fun... fun...

Here is Jake in the wind.. his bib was a cape... and he was SUPER CRAB!!!!

Strong defined super hero chin shot!!! What a clown! OK before.. he was just HUNGRY!!!! please FOOD!!!!

Here we are look behind us... at the river ... that is very very high for this area!

While on the Newport Levy... they had balloon clown guys... and Jake got Meghan a lil doggie... and Ta Daaaaa.. We found gummie sharks... her favorite.. she CRAVES these things... and she said they were the freshest she has had in a long time... she just went nuts over them...

Here is Meghan and Jake with the city line behind them... the river is so muddy and so high from all the rain.

This was such an awesome day for me... I had a blast!!!

The Newport Aquarium Part 2

2011-04-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Penfuin Exhibit is just so Magical... and they have added a new area to it... and this is just so pretty... We have fice different types of penguins... and they are all so pretty. We are said to have a new one... but he wont be out for another month or so... Here is the interactive performance that they have for the kids... it is pretty cool!

OK... well... spider????? or Crab???? he is wierd looking isnt he.... wow!

This was so pretty and so brite... and orange... pics dont do justice.

I love the sea horses... they are so cool!!!

We have divers in the shark tanks and here you can see that they have one diver talking to the group and another as a body guard so that the sharks dont get to frisky... What an awesome experience.

I had a blast!!!

Thank you for looking ladies!

Newport Aquarium April 15th

2011-04-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Newport Aquarium

Friday, April 15, 2011

Friday was the kids last day of Spring Break, so I took off work and we headed for the aquarium. They have a few new exhibits there... one is ...

THE MIGHTY MIKE

14Ft American Alligator

Here he is in all of this glory!!!!

Then there is the Frog Bog...

Which I am sure is going to be Abigail's favorite place. There is tunnels and all kinds of learning exhibits... that are built low to the ground and close to the small ones eyes... It is so nice...

They have these Giant frogs in the center... that have buttons on their backs... when you push them... they make the sounds that they make... You can pose on them... Here is Meghan and Jacob on the frogs... They are so nice... There were several small schools there that day and the leaders in the school were NOT watching the kids...so that was a mess.

Here are a few of this exhibits STARS.... Aren't they cute little guys!!!!!

Piranha

Here is Meghan's best Piranha face...

Here is Jakes best Piranha face....

This is one of my favorite pics... This is the little mud skipper... Isnt her a cutie pie... He looks like he has a smile on his face... He is a Happy Skipper.

FINDING NEMO!!!!!

Dori!

Here is Nemo... he is rubbing the ANNNNnneeennnnomy!!!

THEN...

Ta Daa...

The GREAT Giant OCTOPUS!!!!!

Wow he is a big guy... but he is sooooooooo pretty...

These are shots of all of us petting sharks in the shark petting area... WOW that is amazing... It is like Sand paper... Just like wet slimey sand paper

This little guy liked to sleep on his belly... and was in almost like a trance... it was wierd to see and to pet him like this... but he seemed to like it!

What a fun day... Memories with my kids... they are the best things in life!!!!!

Thank you Jake and Meghan for making my day so much fun!!!!

Zoo Visit April 10th

2011-04-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Meghan and I went to the Cincinnati Zoo on Sunday April 10th to see the new baby Giraffe!

At this time they did not have a name for her... and for BONDING purposes she was going to stay with her mother inside seperated from all.

When she was born... she stood over 6 FT tall and weighed over 145 lbs... LOOK how cute she is!

Iwanted to get some pics of Meghan pregnant for our scrapbook so some of these shots show this very well...

The flowers were in full bloom and several professional photographers were taking pics. They were gorgeous...

Quick update and a pic of Abigail Francis

2011-04-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

OUR PRECIOUS ABIGAIL FRANCIS

She is 23 weeks now... almost time to meet her... She is starting to respond to us when we talk... giggle.. so when I mention for Megz to get something to eat for Abigail... if it sounds good... she will kick Megz til she goes and gets it! Giggle... Grandma has already started tee hee...

Grandpa has started too.... He ran to walmart for a few things and had to bring Abigail something small back... she is not even here yet and grandpa is already spoiling her.... these little blocks are cute soft and some are rattles and some crinkle... and crackle as you touch.... they are cute and with Meghan deciding that her room is going to be Jungle Jill (see picture at side)at Babies R Us ... this will be perfect for her room!!!!! Look... COCO (the 13 almost 14 baby... the dog!)

OK... LOOK what Grandma Found... GIGGLE... Now we need a coat to match... This is adorable and is soooooooooooooo like Meghan!

Last Saturday Meghan and I headed for the Zoo to see the new BABY Giraffe... It started to STORM BAD... So we went to our cross stitch shop... spent money and it was still bad so we went and got food... and went shopping and headed for home..

Sunday was GORGEOUS... so we headed to the Zoo and after about a 45 minute wait... we saw the new baby .... OMG se is ADORABLE. At a little over 6 ft tall... and over 145 lbs she is so sweet... Here is a picture of me and Meghan. If you look... you can see the new baby giraffe's dad in the background.

THE CRIB HAS BEEN BOUGHT!!!!!!!

Yeah... Abigail has a place of her own now to sleep... This is a Stanley crib and adjusts to a toddler bed that looks almost like a day bed... and then to a full size bed with head and foot boards. It is a medium toned Cinnamon finish... and is so pretty. She also has a changing table that matches... I was so very excited about this because it is Abigails first piece of furniture in our house. Yeah!!!!

Oh it is just so pretty! Meghan said it was PERFECT and that made me feel even better! I want more than anything for her to feel all is just Perfect for Abigail! Especially with the circumstances being what they have been... I am so excited to get to see and hold Abigail... I could just POP!!!! Hey better me than Meghan... Pop that is! Giggle!

These pics were of it at the person's house that we bought it from... They were so very nice... and Helped us load it out and all... WOW it is SOLID!!!! It is a Heavy Bed!!!!

I hope to have pics of some cross stitch for you either later today of sometime this week.... I have to take a few more pics and load the pics from the camera... Then I will share.

Please continue to pray for Meghan as she prepares for Abigails arrival.

Thank you so much ladies!

Take care!

2011-03-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies...

AWESOME NEWS -

UPDATES ABOUT MY GRANDCHILD

I want to start out with AWESOME NEWS ... we found out that all is very well with the grandbaby... and that it is gonna be a .... drumroll please.... G I R L !!!!! Megz says that the name is going to be... Abigail Lynn Francis. She is ADORABLE already!!!! We have ultrasound pics galore... and in one of them... she is shaped like a little bunny... it is so cute. Mez is just as cute as she prepares for her... we went out the night after the ultrasound and HAD giggle to buy a few things for her... She is gonna be sooooooooooo spoiled... it is NOT going to be funny!!! http://weenut-scraps-from-mom.blogspot.com/ This is Megz blog... and it has one of the ultrasound pics on it there... She has Megz little nose... I can NOT wait to see our precious Abbs...

On to stitchy stuff...

A FINISH: Last weekend I finished this one...it was one of my UFO's i had in my basket... I started it last year... and just put it up... I have a goal to finish 4 UFO's this year... This is UFO #1. Megz is here with me while I am typing... she just giggled... and said "4 UFO's... snicker... that is Funny! " SmartARRRRSSS. She made comment that several of the 4 would be ornaments... HEY... Ornaments count! Giggle...

Anyway... This is a chart by Sheepish Designs... Betsy 108th Expemplary. I stitched it with the DMC flosses that it calls for. On the sheep... I switched out some of the colors and did a LOOP stitch to make the sheep look fluffy!!! I love it! I am so glad that I finished it... I hope to get out this weekend to find the PERFECT frame.

KITTED AND READY TO START

SOON I HOPE!

The first one is Hallow Eden by Plum Street samplers.. I have bought the Crescent colors it calls for to stitch it with. I have a WDW fabric to stitch it on! I am excited about starting this one!

Lizzie and Kate

Halloween Rules...

first 3 releases... I am stitching this on a 25 count fabric over 2 threads to be able to make a large banner style hanging... I have the DMC flosses gathered for this so far.

FUN STUFF!!!!!

NEW STASH...

This first group was bought at Keepsakes in Cincinnati... This was a road trip for my best friend ... my daughter and myself. We always have a ton of fun going to Barbara's shop! I fell in love with the model she had stitched... and had to but everything for this progect... now to start it!! Just 10 stitches... and it is started! LOL!

First pic... Look at my cute little stork scissors... My daughter found them... and we all fell in love with them ... so 3 pair goes in the bag.... They are SHARP though... wow! they hurt when they poke you! This is a picture of all that I bought... Look at the pre-made needlebook and the little pin cushion ... TOO CUTE!!!!

I also bought some fabric for my hoot chart... How fun!!!

The Owl Chart was NOT bought in this trip though... I just took it to get the fabric for it!

This is the stash that I bought from Terrie at The

Stitch Store... http://www.stitchstore.net/OK... Well... I will keep you all informed on my progress on each of these.

Keep Crossing those stitches!

Tracy

Tattoo Pictures

2011-03-03T16:40:00.001-08:00

The Amazing Bob!!! My new best friend. Thank you Dude... This is the most AWESOME tattoo... This was started right before Thanksgiving, and near 28 hours of sittings later... Here is the result. THis is WAY better than I had expected it to be. This is AMAZING!!!

I have had several people stop me to see the entire tatt... and I just can NOT wait for warmer weather to be able to show this off even more. The thoughts of my next tattoo is already in the making...

I am thinking... A religeous twist on Davey jones locker.. with a Mermaid and a clamshell with a pearl. Sea creatures... This is so amazing!!!!!

Thank you ... Thank you Bob!

This was to be a mommy owl protecting her little owlets... The one with the mohawk was my daughter Megz... and the other little owlet is my son Jacob.

The leaf on the forarm catches everyone's eye. I have had several people ask to see this and it was that Red leaf on the arm that caught their eye.

The Jack Skellington is a tattoo that my daughter and I share together... we both got this on her 16th birthday! and he incorporated the two and meshed them together sooooooo well...

Thank you so very very much Bob... My shoulder is PERFECT and is now Complete. On to the next location and tattoo!

LOL!!!!

NEW CAR- New to Me anyway!

2011-03-01T17:33:00.001-08:00

I have been waiting for almost 3 years now to get a Durango back again... Here it is... It is a 2006 Dodge Durango

4.7 V8 cyl

4 WD (for the snow)

Electric everything...

3rd row Seating

Dad calls it the "Booooog Mobile"

It is used... but is in GREAT condition.

Dad already has the money set aside... Next addition for this one is... Tube Step bars... a sunroof... and fog lights on the lower spoiler on front.

I am so excited about this ... It is SWEET!!!!!!

My waiting Paid off!!!!

I have a good man that likes to take real good care of me!

Thank you Baby! I love my Red Monster!

Updates... a Finish... Stash...WIP ... UFO's.... Alot of Pics

2011-03-01T15:40:00.001-08:00

I am probably going to have to do 2 posts... but want to get some GOOD NEWS and some Upbeat Posting in for a change... I want to start by showing you the Christmas Gift that My Dear Hubby Gave me for Christmas.. .I have wanted one of these caskets for a LONG LONG time... Now I have to choose the Chart to go inside this beauty.

My DH had a small plate made for the front that Says...

"MERRY CHRISTMAS PEANUT 2010"

Peanut is my nickname that he gave me back when we were first dating... it has stuck with me for 20 years now! He thinks of everything! I think he is a keeper.

Look at how the inside is made... This is SOOOOOOOOO NICE. What a treasure to pass down thru my family.

This Box was made by Barbara and Her Husband who own Keepsakes Cross Stitch in Cincinnati, OH

http://www.yourkeepsakes.com/

What an AWESOME job they did... Thank you Sweetie... and Thank you to Barbara for helping him with this Heirloom!

A FINISH:

This is Boris by Plum Street Samplers. This is a Shop model Stitched for Terrie at The Stitch Shop in Buford, GA. This went out in the mail today towards GA. This is a FUN FUN FUN stitch... and is absolutely gorgeous finished. I also did Olga too but this has already been sent.

WIP's and UFO's:

Blackberry Lane Designs

The Journey to Bethlehem Ornament...

I am doing this over one on 28 Count Monks Cloth, and am Very impressed so far at the coloration that has been chosen. I cant wait to see more of this completed.

This is Paridise Lost

My best friend and I have been working on this one for quite some time... I love the verses... and the bottom pictures... I am hoping to get this one finished this year.

Close up of the bottom section of this piece...

This is a Lizzie Kate Snowman Ornament... I have just started this one... and try to stitch it in between and at work.

STASH:

I have just used some bonus money and bought some charts that I have been wanting... Look at the goodies... Yeah!!!!!

I am going to post another post in a few minutes showing you some more things... There are too many pictures in this post already. I will be right back!

Updates... and more prayers

2011-02-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

Another day gone... I am checking them off these days. Yesterday was busy for me though. I had to go to the DR office. After having a bit of trouble with passing out. I had to be seen. They have ruled out a heart attack. But not ruled out a mild stroke. They sent me for a head CT but the blurred vision, jaw pain, confussion, dizziness, numbness, blurred speach at times and red when I blink has them concerned. They mentioned an anurizm(i know i spelled that one wrong) as another possible trouble. I told them I thought it was just stress. After me telling them HOW all of this has happened... they said they did not know how I was still standing. They placed me on blood pressure medicine... antidepressants, and an anxiety medicine. WOW... I came home with a bag of meds.

Today is her brothers turn... He is a mess... He is still crying A LOT!!!!! He gets angry and says he doesnt ever want to allow her to hurt him in this way. He said he trusted her to love him... and to not destroy him... and he wanted to be an uncle... he wanted to be proud of her. He wanted to love her forever. Now he said she has done this ... and the BF has told him what he has. He feels the BF sorta again threatened him with calling the police on him. This has just torn him up... and he tells me that if Meghan can not see this for what it is ... then she must not love us... maybe her love was all a lie too. WOW... 14 and dealing with this much. This has me worried... but Megz BF was so nasty with him... and told him that she DID NOT CARE to talk to him... and how he and all of us had better not attempt to contact or see her in any way or he was calling the police and pressing harassment charges against us. WOW and my daughter chose them as her new family. This is the family that allowed the conception to happen while they were right there with them.

See we have been for a year now... having troubles with my baby girl... the Drs have told me that it was due to the petuitary troubles that she was having. She has been lying so much. and this has been so hard to deal with. When I would call and talk to the drs though they would tell me that it was pretty normal and that as her levels started to correct that I would see her go back to her normal self again. She didnt give herself the time to allow this happen. She has lied about the silliest of things. But a lot of the lies have surrounded BOYS. I have found out she was in a way committing to BOTH boys at the same time... up to a dance that she had. I remember there was a "to do" with the baby daddy about the ex boyfriend and him saying some things about being a rag doll... and being used. I didnt know the full details. I was trying to get her to come clean with all of this so that she could start over with the baby daddy and be on a TRUTHFUL side... if there is to be anything long lasting that is what needs to happen. Or the guilt is going to eat away at their relationship and at her. This just was so upsetting to me! The day she found out she was pregnant she was eating lunch with me and telling me that she was hoping that after graduation that her and the ex boyfriend could get back together. She said he would have to straighten his ways some... but she had HOPES. She told me that she did not see the baby daddy as lasting too long. He was not what she wanted. I was the one that told her to give him a chance...and see where it lead. SHE was the one that told me that she didnt feel for him the way she should. Just hours after finding out she was pregnant... she told me that she LOVED the ex boyfriend from a year or so back... and LIKED the baby daddy... and she has messed up her chances to get back with the boy she really likes. That was Raw... that was truly how she felt. WITHOUT the baby daddy and his family influencing her. This is something I told her she needed to listen to... That she wanted to be with the boy she LOVED not obligated to a guy she got pregnant by. We have a Psycologist appointment set for Megz... to try to confirm if this is truly Petuitary issues or something more. She now will not make this appointment. All of this work to try to get her help and it just slides out of our hands.

ABOUT this relationship... What a huge devastation. EVERY time we see a glimmer of light. She was talking of some slightly positive things...about the baby daddy. We just wanted to chaperone that first couple dates with them... because there were SEVERAL things that Megz needed to tell this boy to come true with what all she had been doing. She had been talking to the OLD boyfriend about dating ... there is a few other things that she needed to come true with him. I was actually concerned that all of that was not fair to him... to think that he had this girl that was so true to him.. and she was at home talking to the old boyfriend about how her and the baby daddy was not going to last long and how she did not thing that he was all that.... and they were just "EXISTING!!" she had no real feelings for him. That is not fair to the baby daddy at all. I was so worried that because he had been so abusive in a previous relationship and his mom had even told us he was just like his abusive dad. I physically saw him raise his hand to the ex girlfriend. I was so worried that when she told him this... he would hurt her. SOOOOOOOOO worried... and that is the ONLY reason that we were going to chaperone for a bit. But we had this glimmer given to us just days before she left that said Maybe this boy is not as bad as we thought... and MAYBE he has changed the abuse, and the satanic beliefs and please allow us the chance to see this... and try to like this boy. We want that. I hade even told my DH that in comparrison... if the edges could be worked out with the baby daddy... he was WAY more marriage material. I will be honest... I do not care much for him because of how he has treated Megz... but even though I think she would battle a lot with him... I do not think he would be a Terrible person to be with. I just think he is constantly going to need to be on his meds... and seeing an actual therapist not just a social worker of sorts. He does though seem to be somewhat soft... and that MIGHT mean he is going to TRY. That is what you want most for someone ... so that it can be 50/50 in the relationship. He seemed to try... he just has a TON of baggage. This is Baggage that he SERIOUSLY Needs to get these things worked out for HIM... Not to BE WITH MEGZ. And Megz has some things she SHOULD get taken care of before she can truly commit to someone. She is showing that she is NOT ready to commit. I enjoy talking to this kid when he is not telling ME what to do... and trying to FORCE that he is always right... and that me being 41 years old doesnt mean a thing. He is not very respectful... I guess his mom didnt teach him to be. Well but he DID warn us of this... He told us SEVERAL times that we would not like him for long... NONE of the other parents have liked him... so we wont either. The trouble with all of this is that NOW... with him starting this cycle all over again... and it escalating... to her moving out in the way that she did... WOW... I just dont know where to go from here... I dont know how this can ever be corrected with him... how we will be able to come up out of this hurt. I want to try... I wanted so bad to like this boy... and wanted him to PROVE us wrong. My husband even knowing that this boy had been severly abusive with the previous girl... even told him ... PROVE US WRONG. Do you know how hard that is to do? How hard it is to even THINK of your precious baby girl being out with a boy that Worships Satan... and has admitted to hitting a girl on a regular basis... has told us that he has 2 other girls that have claimed RAPE on him. That is Unbelievabley hard. In this day and age... so much bad happens... and you try to protect your kids the best you can. So that you are not burrying them. That is one of my biggest fears with all of this. We have seen first hand the temper ... and I am scared cold that she is not going to make it through this. I guess we failed Megz... I guess we should not have been allowed to have kids. I thought that if I could help her thru this...and just ease up with this relationship some... that she would be able to make a better decision about this boy. We needed to see SOMETHING good in him... We want him to come and hang out with us... Before Last week and Megz move out... I even told the girls here at work ... that the silly thing was... I missed him a bit. That being as ODD as it sounds. He is fun to be around when he is behaving... He was a lot of fun when we took him camping. I am wanting to TRY to see something good in this boy. I want to all be able to be happy. I just needed to ease back into this... so that I could get over all the threats and names that were called.

You know I had dreams too... I wanted to get along with the kids spouses... I wanted to plan a wedding for my dd. To help her pick a wedding gown... to help with the special things that goes around this. I wanted to celebrate the fact of handing her over to a good guy that loves her... (not controls her there is a difference) Heck... I was soooooo looking forward to seeing her graduate... and wearing that cap and gown... to helping her get an apartment... and be able to stand on her own. To helping her financially get thru college she wanted to become a NURSE. She would make such an AWESOME NURSE. We wanted to be there for all of this. That is Gone now... We have a car for her... all she has to do is go to college and she gets it. It is a $12,000.00 car. Used but in Great condition. and would have been HERS. ALL she had to do was go to college. Instead she is talking of draining the last little bit... around $700 to get a car that the BF is going to have to work on to get it in shape. WOW... I would have LOVED to have a $12,000.00 car when I was 18 . And not to mention... think of how safe that would be for this baby.
What a wicked few months... what a week. I am so devastated by what she has done... and HOW she has gone about it. And that small and becoming even smaller piece of me is still sorta worried about what this boy will do to her when he wakes up and realizes what all she has been doing with the lies. I hope the best for all of this.... and would love to one day see things work out. You can NOT start a relationship on this many lies, this many threats... and this much drama. A relationship is hard to begin with .
Have a good day all... Thank you for your kind words... and for your prayers.

Still Looking for this

2011-02-12T19:02:00.000-08:00

I am looking for this Chart....

I would love to stitch this... But do not want the pretty little pins... I know I have asked this before ... BUT ... IF anyone has this completed and has the chart only that they are willing to sell me ... Please let me know. I would LOVE to stitch this.

No news to tell any of you about my baby girl... Thank you for all your kind emails and notes...

I am just at a loss... Totally at a loss. I didnt thing a persons eyes could cry this much... I didnt thing a person could shake this much... I did not think that any of this would ever happen to me. We have had such a close family. So much closer than most. I know some say God doesnt give you anything he knows you cant handle... but I guess he never said he would never give you something that would kill you! I am still having the panic attacks... I have passed out once... and I have continual headaches. I need to go to the Dr but I can not lose my job. I have already been told that if I was going to be taking more time... I would have to do FMLA because it was not fair to the other workers there. I wanted to be at her first baby dr appointment... I just want so bad to be near her. I feel I am never gonna get 2 have her back again. I just dont even know how to come up out of this. We have devoted 18 years to her... and just over night... she decides that we are not good enough. WOW... that hurts so bad! I guess I have been replaced... she has a new mom... and has picked this one... and I need to just accept that all the many memories were just ... ... ... not good enough! That I was not good enough... That what I THOUGHT we had was all a LIE!!! How??? WHY??? I am sorry ... I am rambling.... My heart is aching so badly tonight! It is hard for me to even breath. I lay in bed and wonder how she is... I walk and cry.... I drive and cry... I shower and cry so hard... I shake from the inside all the time... my heart just shoots pain... my chest is sore... my lungs are sore... my kidneys hurt when I lay down. I am dehydrated... I just feel like I am slowly dying ! I am trying each day to find something good... and it is now where... I just cant breath... I need to breathe.... and can not! This is so wrong... Why would a kid do this to their parents... WHY??? My son is my big concern now... He is NOT doing well at all... He is crying all the time too... and then he tries to be angry at her... and tells us he does not want to even see her... then I catch him sitting in her room... then he goes back to being sad... He is having troubles sleeping... and is sleep walking... He is so very devastated by all of this... My husband just sits... he just sits and then he will cry... and He has been having such health troubles the past few months anyway... I am worried I might lose him too. He is a severe Diabetic... and has a leg that is dying... He has some kidney troubles and some heart troubles because of the diabetis. He has already had one small heart attack years back... I am just scared. He tells me he draws strength just know that I am here for him too... but this is too hard... This is not what we had kids for... this is not what kids should do to you! Please keep us all in your prayers!

Take care... until next time!

Tracy

My Heart has left my BODY!!!!

2011-02-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Ladies... this post is NOT going to be a GOOD one... I am sorry up front. You have seen my post about what has been going on in my life lately... Well a new chapter came crashing down on me yesterday... I dont know if this Chapter will have an ending for me... I dont know if I will make it thru this one. My doctors office today is concerned with the symptoms that I have been having that I mite have had a mild stroke. I am trying so hard to not lose my job... I am here at work today... but will probably goto the Hospital this evening to be evaluated!!!

My heart has been RIPPED from my chest. I have lost my daughter. We were always so close... like frick and frack... we hung out all the time.
Yesterday ... I get a call from my mom that Meghan text her from an odd number and told her that she wanted her to know that she was moving in with this boy at his parents house. She is wanting to play house. I rushed home... She did not say goodbye to her brother at all. He searched the house ... searched his game area... his comics area... the area in his bedroom by his TV, even in his bathroom. NO NOTE. He just sobbed... and cried.. he is 14 and is a big boy... and to see him this upset just ROCKED MY SOUL!!!!! My son is especially hurt... they have always been so close. He just cant even breathe ... and is crying in hs sleep... I have called his doctors to try to get some help thru this... and I am trying to make it thru work to get to the hospital to get help! The big thing is that this boyfriend is NOT even allowing her to speak to us. Girls... PLEASE ... PLEASE.... PLEASE..... Please..... put me in your prayers. and Meghan too!!! My precious baby girl... Jacob and Megz Senior Dinner dance night...
Mom and Megz Senior Dinner Dance Night

Megz at Macy's Her Nickname is "chicken" so this hat was just PERFECT for her. I should have bought it for her... But I didnt. Now I regret that !

This is the Hardest one...

This is Me and My Precious baby girl... I just can NOT even Breathe... I have loved her with my very SOUL. We share a birthday together ... she was born on my birthday. Last year for our birthday... we went together to Eat and Joes Crabshack. What fun! and YUMMY too. We snapped this in the parking lot after we ate. She had broke up with the BF she loved so much... so we were trying to make the best of the birthday. I guess it was our last together.

The Sweetheart Tree- A Welcoming Sampler

2011-02-03T10:20:00.000-08:00

You girls know that I stitch shop models for Terrie at The Stitch Storehttp://www.stitchstore.net/
This is one that I sent off over the holidays. I have also stitched Olga and am stitching Boris now from Plum Street samplershttp://plumstreetsamplers.typepad.com/plum_street_samplers/2010/06/olga.html

I will try to post pictures of his finish soon too. I am about 1/2 way thru on Boris... and am trying so very hard to allow him to help me WANT to stitch again!

Thank you all ... have a great day and keep crossing those stitches!

400 Followers Give Away

2011-02-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Yo girls have got to go look at this blog... and see this give away. Her blog is awesome to watch! http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/stitching-pouch-tools-giveaway.html

Long Time... So much going on.

2011-02-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Hello all... I am sorry it has been so long... It has been such a worldwind around here.

I dont even feel as if I have celebrated Christmas. I have not posted yet because the tears are still burning so bad in my eyes. Some days I dont even feel I can see thru all the tears. I still am having so much trouble with stress that I have chest pains, blurred vision, pain radiating down my arm... and a lack of will to do much of anything! I am hopeing that even writing and blogging will start to help me come up out of all of this. So ... Lets get you all caught up.

December 15th My DD (18 years old)and I had planned a "girls day" we planned to have our yearly female dr visit... lunch ... an a movie... some shopping... just to celebrate being a woman and make this day a fun preventative experience each year. At the conclusion of this dr visit, I find out that she is pregnant.

Hold the presses... this is NOT THE BAD PART!!! That is the GOOD part... My precious little girl is going to be a mom and I am so excited about this... I know that Megz is going to make an AWESOME mother. She is such a good person, and is going to make a great mother!

She is pregnant by a guy that she has know for 2 1/2 months(when she found out she was pregnant)... in my opinion he is abusive at BEST... Swooped in on her literally days after she had broken up with the boy that she LOVED with all her heart and wanted to marry. She was so Vulnerable. In our opinion this JERK has mistreated her... told her what to wear what not to wear... who she can hang out with... He is so controlling. He has tried to ruin school dances by not wanting to take her ... and then when we pay for them ... he will complain for days about going. He went to the one dance... and LOOKED like a JOKE!!!! He was in trashy shoes... wrinkly clothes... and he had even told her he had a tie to match her dress and all. It seems as if He just doesnt care what she wants... SHE has busted him in SEVERAL untruths. We are Christians.. and serve the Lord, and we have just recently found out ... he is the opposite in his beliefs and serves something else. I think that He is cmpletely discusting... He is not good looking at all, and is dirty all the time(works in a garage... but can not even as much as change before coming to sit on our furnature).

WOW... I just feel so overwhelmed by all of this. Megz is beside herself with all of this. Her heart wants to like this boy she wants to try to see if there is anything between them... he is the father of the child she is carrying... but at the same time... she sees that all he and his family have done is just rediculous(I have not told you all of the many details) . Some of the names he has called me are so bad... and she is so very upset that he would do this to me. If he is so fast and easy to do this to me... I am concerned about what he will adventually find easy to do and say to her. I am so very hurt but what all he has said. She is angry with him for the things he has done ... She has told him for now because of his differing beliefs... and all this other garbage... She has broken up with him.

She is upset with us and feels that all we say is judging her. That is the furthest thing from my mind... I am so not upset with this baby... but am about the boy that is this precious little baby's father.

The EXTEREMELY sad part to all of this. She has for several weeks now ... been talking to an ex boyfriend and has made the comment that she loves him and likes the babys dad. That says soooo much. I think that she jumped into this relationship... and now it is hitting her hard that they have very little in common where it counts most.

She is so confused and her heart is so broken. We are all so beat and exhausted about everything. Our family has just been through it all so bad. We have not celebrated Christmas even yet. We have given gifts... but not celebrated. I am excited about a baby but fearful of what this baby will mean to Megz. Her health has not been good and I am scared she will have several complications thru the delivery.

Here she is almost a year ago... and look how happy she was... and here were are one year later... and you would not believe the difference in her. It is just astronomical...
http://weenut-scraps-from-mom.blogspot.com/

Her dad and I had such grand dreams of her meeting and marrying this guy that loved her with all his heart and the grand kids and what this would mean to all of us. I have just been so devastated for her that this is her only chance at a first pregnancy and all of this bad has to be there. I wish I could just make it STOP... but when I try to get her to make a decision about things and put the bad part of this to rest so that we can get on with the celebrating a baby... she gets angry and says she will in her time. She is just so hurt.

She does not realize that it is just a blink of the eye and she will be in labor. She is almost 14 weeks now... so she is almost half way thru this pregnancy. She needs to relax and just focus on her and this precious little one.

Please pray for all of us... for healing ... for the endurance... for the confidence for Megz to stand firm in her beliefs. For good health, for a safe delivery, for a healthy child. Prayer is what we need most through all of this. I am so tired of hanging on by my finger nails... and am so exhausted. In one of my bible studies by Beth Moore... she had suggested visually seeing yourself when you go thru hard times climbing like a child into Gods lap. She would go thru the details of feeling his robes as his arms wrapped around you to hug you and his hands as they wiped away the tears... like a child. We come to HIM. I have tried to visualize this for weeks... I just cant seem to get to this point yet. Please Pray for HIS guidance thru this... and for him to allow my baby girl to climb into his lap and see that all will be fine. PLEASE pray that she will feel this rest and in HIS arms she will be able to see that she will be fine and that he has a plan for this.

Thank you so much for all your emails of support... I will post another day with stitch news! I promise!

Take care!

Long time since last post- loads of pics!

2010-09-19T14:50:00.001-07:00

Hello.... everyone! Life has been soooooo busy with the new job... Daughter starting her Senior year... dd old bf troubles... and new bf, and still wanting to be with the old bf and OMG! I am sooooooooo gladddddd I am not 18 years old again! WOW!

I will start out my post with a demo that I stitched for Terrie who ownes The Stitch Store. http://www.stitchstore.net/
This was Rosewood Manor's Lighthouse Biscornue... and WOW I do believe it is the Largest Birscornue that I have EVER stitched!

It has a little pocket built in for these tiny cute lil scissors!

This is a pic of all the pieces before they were assembled and it took almost an entire bag of stuffing to fill this biscornue! It is so large but absolutely gorgeous!

Then...

Here are some Flea Market Finds from our camping trip for July 4th weekend! we went to Rough River area and had a blast!

Love these little chickens... I have a 3 of the large ones and if they were not soooooo expensive I would have an entire kitchen full of them. I LOVE them!

This is a picture of the ornament that I stitched for the last ornament exchange. The person I sent it to decided not to post a picture of it so I did... wanted all to see... and the pics do not do it justice ... the metalic fabric is catching the flash!

I will probably have to close this one and open another and post the rest of the pics another day. It will only allow me to post so many at a time! So I will show you more here in the next few days!

Have a great night!

and Keep crossing those stitches!

Updates... Tons of Pics

2010-05-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

Life has been WAY TOO BUSY here the past few weeks... well over a month... Preparing for Prom... and starting a new job. Buying a New camper and getting it ready... and everything else that life hands us. I have been working on a few ornaments for exchanges that I am a part of but can not yet show you them. I have also been working on The Lighthouse Biscornue By Karen Kubla as a shop model ... so I can not show you this one either.

BUT... I CAN show you a little of my life...

First of all... I was at Michaels the other week and look what I found in the Clearance Section...

Each of these were marked $19.99 I could not believe it... and Grabbed them QUICKLY... The replacement bulbs for my lights are more that that ... So I had to buy these... I just could not believe it!

NOW...

PROM !!!!!

Megz and her Date AJ... They looked soooooooooo nice! and the flowers that he brought for her were absolutely PERFECT!!!! What a night to remember...

There were SO Many pics... I just included a few...

This last shot shows the make of the dress ... it was a Mermaid cut and Laces up the back WOW it looked so nice on her... I almost cried!

I dont think that there is any way I could post a finished piece along with these pics... NOTHING I do in life will EVER Equal my baby girl... and my little Man(my son) ! My kids are my life... and I THANK GOD daily to have allowed me to take care of them. God Has blessed me with the very best kids and I am so very very very proud of them...

NOW...

For introductions into the Cloyd Family...

THIS... is ELVIS... aka "stinky" and is already a Camera HAM! He is just a few months old and is eating is weight in Crickets and Meal Worms each day! He hangs on EVERY word Megz has to say!

Here he is ... On his favorite STICK with his 2nd Favorite Lady! He is such a HAM!!!!!

LOOK at the Pose ... He needs a Bow TIE and he could have taken Megz to the Prom... and would have had a blast running ALL over the place.

Will Post more later! Take Care all!

Keep Crossing those stitches!!!

It has been such a LONG time!!!

2010-03-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

I want to start out by telling you ... I GOT A JOB!!!! that is where I have been... Wow be unemployed over a year and try to go back to work... SPOILED is what I have been! so the last 2 weeks I have been so tired that I have been going to bed around 830 or 9 each night... I just have NOT been able to keep my eyes open! BUT... I think I am gonna LOVE this job! I am working as a front desk receptionist for a local company, but am back up in AR and AP. I am LOVING the work! Learning a lot ... more and more each day... but so enjoying it all!

Now for a little of my stitching updates...

The projects that I have in my rotation right now...

an easter project that I need to finalize and send out to my exchange person... this week.
Prairie Schooler - A B C's
Barrick Samplers - Hannah's Ship

CHS- Penn. German Stocking... (no pic for update yet...)

I have just completed 2 DEMO stitching projects that I sent out to
The Stitch Store (Buford GA)

Country Cottage Needleworks Liberty Lane
Lizzie Kate- Pic Below...

I am also Becky's Ornament Exchange
This What I recieved for Round one of 2010- From Lynda

It is a Primative Betty's Freebie!!!! But I am so very proud to add it to my little collection of ornies... What a Talented group of stitchers are there! Thank you so very much Lynda... I love it!

Thank you to all for their kind words and their support while I have been unemployed and trying to get a job. This has been such a challenging year... and I feel now like I am in a better place than I was originally at the company that I was laid off from! That is AWESOME!!!!

Thank you God for EVERYTHING!!!!

"Un" Random RAK

2009-12-12T11:23:00.001-08:00

I have to post today to show you this lovely present that I opened today! You know there are some people that you know are brought into you life for so many reasons. This present was given to me by a Dear friend BeckySC. She is such a GIVING person freely giving us her time, her support, her work on all of the exchange groups, stitch assistance, her blog gives us inspiration, and she offers this all FREE with NO strings attached... to a Stranger who needs her. This is a trait that I hope I will one day excel at too. This is the reason behind why I called this post "UN" random RAK... Because this is not a random thing for her... she is constantly all year blessing people.
She is a Blessing to have as a friend, and has been there for me through so much this past few months. Thank you Becky for this, for all that you do ... and for This WONDERFUL gift!

Now... to share with all of you the goodies that I received from her:

I know she has this on her site... I think it is a Ewe and EYE design. I just fell in LOVE with it the very first time I saw it!

Isnt this little guy adorable!!! like a marshmallow

Thank you so very much... I am so lucky to have a Becky Piece to grace my collection! and it is So perfectly stitched and finished! Thank you for this wonderful gift... it has Made my day!

I THANK MY GOD upon every remembrance of you...Phil. 1:3

Keep crossing those stitches!

Holiday Season- Exchanges - Lots of PICS

2009-12-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

Not that I know that my ornament has arrived safely I can show what I stitched for the Round #3 Ornament Exchange. This was to be sent out on January 1st but I wanted Julianne http://juliannep.blogspot.com/ to have it for her tree this year! Side #1

Side #2 This is it being held up and shows how the 3 sides go together. The Third Side is to each stitchers creativity. I just placed my initials... the year... and that it was for the Ornament exchange It is By Cherished Designs and is in the JCS Ornament Issue. It is so nice to stitch and to have fun with. A little bit of a challenge getting all the pieces stitched and stuffed and tasseled and all... but a ton of fun!

I can NOT wait to see my ornament!!!! I will keep you all updated!!!!

The SECOND Point in this post is The Gifts between Friends Exchange that I was a part of:

This is what I sent out:

I sent this to BeckySC
http://beckysc.blogspot.com/

THIS is what I received:

This arrived from Marie P http://creativethread.blogspot.com/

Thank you again so very much... I just love everything.

These Exchanges were a TON of fun and I have already signed up for the Easter Exchange. I will definitely do the Next ornament exchange. This is so worth all of the time that I have put into it! Thank you to Becky for Leading the exchanges and to the many stitchers that go into making them "Tons of Fun"

Decorating the Tree

2009-12-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Day after Thanksgiving... My family sets up the tree. With me being unemployed again this year... It is a tight year... but I am trying to hold onto as many of the old traditions that I can ... It would not feel like Christmas without them!

This year is was My daughters Boyfriend, DD, DS, DH and myself. We watch Christmas shows while we set up and decorate the tree. It is Fun! Here are some of the Silly pics of the progress. Funny thing... I did not take a Finished pic of the tree... Maybe I can in the future posts.

As you can see... in the TV ... We are watching the MUPPET Christmas Carol show... I love that show... Whenever I think of it I think of the Rats asking for one lump of Coal to warm the fire Please... and Scrooge saying how would they like to be on the UNEMPLOYMENT line... They snap into Beach wear... and sing... "we're havin a Heat wave... a Tropical heat wave" I laugh so hard every time!

Every year The Kids talk of this weeks before Thanksgiving... They seem to REALLY enjoy decorating the tree... Maybe in the years to come this will expand to their families and we will be able to keep this tradition!

I am ending with a picture of my DD and her Boyfriend. They seemed to have a lot of fun... Dinner, Movies, decorating a tree, wrasseling, Goofing off... and CREATING MEMORIES!!!!!!

Thank you for Joining in on our day AJ !!!!! We hope you join us for many more!

A Request- Can anyone Help!

2009-11-22T20:20:00.000-08:00

Well maybe I am on a "Wish Granted" HIGH... But I am hoping that one of you girls will help me! I have wanted this chart since I have first seen it!

With Me being unemployed and the job market being what it is... I do not see this chart as something that I will be able to get any time soon, and maybe NEVER! The price is way out of my budget ball park even for a Christmas Gift. The DH and I have vowed not to buy for each other with the cash flow being low. We are focussing on the Kids and the family! There will be time when we are financially better to get things for each other!

I emailed Silver Needle since this chart is one of their exclusives to ask if they would be selling this as a chart only or Chart and beads together... to make it affordable and they stated that they were NOT and that I could hope to find the Chart for re-sale or to be gifted with it! They did suggest that I try to go in together with several friends and seperate out the supplies best we could and to pass this chart along to each other when finished. This would be near impossible to split up like that... and several of my stitch friends do not want to buy this for the simple reason that it has been made so un-affordable for all. So much effort to try to get it... and no one is interested.

So... Here is What I am asking you all... Would any of you have this chart ONLY not the kit... I could never touch the expense of this kit! If you are finished stitching this kit and are wanting to SELL the chart portion ... would you please email or post to this so I can get in touch with you! I really REALLY really like this chart... and it is so sick in the head to want something this bad ... It is SOoooooooooooo pricey!!! and I just can NOT afford this kit right now... but Could possibly afford the Chart. I will at a later date buy some fancy pins for the top!

Please help!

This is a Silver Needle Exclusive...

Merry Fifteen By Just Nan

http://www.silversites.net/just-nan-crossstitch.php?Reloaded=True&osCsid=d36c9949aabce9c9a9c9ddaa7128c69a

Look at all the cute little guys on this biscornue... I have thought of what all I could sell even to try to gather the money to get this kit... but it is a "WANT" and I promised myself I would focus on the "needs" for now!

If any of you could help with re-selling this chart ... or even an exchange for something I might have if you can give me a wish list... I will see if I have anything that we could exchange... please let me know! I would be forever in your gratitude! I have an email button in my profile please email me or comment to this post!

Thank you for listening and looking at my wishes!!!!

Wishes do Come True!!!

2009-11-22T19:54:00.000-08:00

I Have been involved in a Christmas exchange group and have to show you the WONDERFUL gifts that I received from Marie P. at http://www.creativethread.blogspot.com/

I say Wishes do Come True because I had just posted my want for one of these cute little Annalee Elves... and here it is! Thank you so much Marie. I just can not tell you enough how much I love this little elf! With me being unemployed I just do not have the spare cash to invest in "wants" instead of "needs" You have granted a huge "WANT" for someone that you have never meant! This is HUGE. I just can not believe that I have it !
As if this little elf was not the big blessing for the gift... she also stitched me this WONDERFUL candle mat! Look at this ... I took several pics of it and could not truly capture how adorable and how well it is finished! Wow! I feel like Christmas has arrived!

She listed this as:

Chart By: Prairie Grove Peddler

Titled: Little Candle Mats- Snowmen

stitched on : 30 Ct Alma

Here we go again... There is MORE...

See now I am Bragging... (giggle... but I love it all so much!) Look at all my goodies together...

My Annalee Elf, my wonderful Candle mat with a yankee candle and a glass candle holder, Red Pearl Pins, Dmc Needles, Snowman Fabric, Red Sampler Floss, and a Snowman Kleenex holder filled and ready to go!

THANK YOU ... Thank you!... Thank you!

Marie... Thank you from the very bottom of my heart! You have blessed me a great deal today! I hope that I am able to bless my recipient like this.

Mixture... Ornament Exchange... and Winning

2009-11-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

This post is a mish mash of things... that I have not been able to post until now...

This first is the Ornament that I made for this segment of the Ornament Exchange... I know that this person has received this ornament so I can show everyone my finish!

I fell so in love with this little stocking... that I really battled sending it out to her. I have already started one for my tree! ;)

This went to Carole... and I thought of her each time I picked this piece up to stitch it and wished her the best of days! This was stitched on a Mystery Scrap of fabric with Mystery HDF silks. Mostly silks from the Detrius Bags that I have received!

Designer : Hands To Work

Chart : Christmas Stocking Ornaments

This next one was the ORNAMENT that I received ... Marie sent me this lovely little package... I was so excited to get it out of my mail package...Look at the cute little Snowman card on it!!!! AWE... I love it!

OH... But wait... This is even BETTER.... THIS is what was INSIDE that cute little package with that cute little snowman card... Creme de la creme... Look at this ornament!!!!!
Designer: Blackbird Designs

Chart: Quaker Medallion Strawberry

This pattern featured in the 2006 edition of JCS Christmas Ornaments.

LAST but certainly NOT least... is a Winning! On the HDF sight Barbara posted a contest with 3 LOVELY thread counters... I WON one of them... and is was the EXACT one that I wanted!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Look at this lovely counter...

I have taken soooooooooo many pictures of this and can NOT get the TRUE quality to shine thru. This picture does NOT do this piece justice... It is just lovely with little leaf beads... and the colors are so delicate... and so pretty... It has 2 needles at the other end one for counting the fibers in the fabric and the other to place in the fabric every 1- stitches... to be sure that I keep my place. I have already had the chance to use it and LOVE IT!!!!

Thank you so much Barbara for this lovely prize!!!!

October 30 - November 1 - Halloween 2009

2009-11-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

This Halloween My family went to Big Bone State Park for their Halloween Fest. In the past they have had so many activities... and planned so much fun things for us to learn. Like one night late... a bon fire and an OWL walk, another night just smokes by the rec center... then there was the Ghost Walk that we always did... for SEVERAL years we have looked so forward to this event!

THIS YEAR however... there were NO special events that were like this... the "ghost walk" this year... was every one meeting in the rec center.... and watching a lap top of the findings that they had in the past there at the park. My dd and I both stood there waiting all bundled up for the long walk thru the park... and everyone left and there was NO WALK... I do NOT call this a GHOST WALK... I call this BORING!!!!!! But here are some of the pics that we took of the night!

On Friday before we left ... it was 73 degrees and we were packing ... I went over to my mom's house and as I opened her screen door... I was stung by a bee... I am allergic... so this was not good!!! I was swelling and feeling pretty bad. But determined with Benadryl that I would not let this ruin my time! Then the DH locked his Keys in his truck at work... so we got off to the park about 2 hours later then we planned... WOW ... what a day! That night was High winds... and hard rains... and brought in with it a COLD FRONT.

The next day temps were in the 30's another COLD camp trip!!! BRRRRRR!!!!! Campfires are so awesome when it is cold like this though!!!

My DD had to work that day but was off in time for the park trick or treat event! Here she is dressed up at her work that day!!!!! Isnt she a pretty lil pirate!!!

After the trick or treat here are my lil monsters (well not so lil anymore!) going through their candy... what a HAUL!!!!

Because of the cold weather... my dd took off the lil pirate costume and went as Medussa with snakes in her hair and a pink toga over her winter jacket!!!!

My DS went as a BONE MAN... with a bone mask and all!!!!!

OH... and the DH ... he went as a evil CLOWN!!!

These were our pumpkins that we carved earlier in the day on the back of my DH truck tailgate... all lit up to greet the little guys as they came around for their candy... we sat right in front of this tailgate in chairs... It was fun to see all the costumes!!!!

This is a pic of my DS earlier that day... carving the pumpkins... See if we had smell-o-blog software... or feel-o-blog ware... you could see that the hand in the front has some of the pumpkin guts all over it.... he was trying so hard to SLIME me with that stuff!!!!! How fun!

Here he is being a good boy and keeping the pumpkin stuff to himself!
Happy Halloween everyone!

October 16-18 Camp Wildcat! pics galore!

2009-11-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

I have not been able to post in a while but still want to share some things with you ladies...

October 16-18 we camped at Levi Jackson State Park in London, KY (one of our favorite campgrounds) We attended the Civil War re-enactment of Camp Wildcat ! WOWOWOW!!!!
If you have never been to a re-enactment... and you like history... you need to go! It was soooooooooooo Cold the day we went.. Cloudy and a high of 31 degrees... and we all had a blasst!!!!

Several large cannons on the South and the North side started out the battle... this was not that far away... and was so intense... to feel that cannon fire in your chest go off...

This is the memorial stone that is laid now to mark the area the stone next to it lists the many men that laid down their lives at this battle. It is so sad to think of this!

This was the North starting their battle with cannon fire

This is a Northern troop caught to far over in the Southern battle line as they chased him out... That horse is just absolutely gorgeous!!!!

OK... here is My lil baby... trying to keep warm with a cup of Hot Chocolate!!!! They fooled us and put them in Starbuck Cups... Wow that made me want Starbucks even more!

Showing the men fallen in the battlefield

North is making their way up into southern field area

The start to the end of the battle... the sound of them honoring the brave soldiers for both North and South forces that bleed and gave their lives that day so many years ago!

This is a picture of the Southern camp hospital... this table showed samples of actual instruments that were used.... down to the way the pain killers were made...Horse hair for stitches... ect...

Look at those Bone Saws.... WOW!!!!

This was down the main fair of the Southern Camp... those preparing and warming before the battle!

There was a position for all... young and old. This lil fella was so cute!!!!

Again... This battle was both educational and very entertaining... they celebrated the spirit that we had and the lives that were sacrifices that were made there on that very spot! That you to all the re-inciters that are part of the London, KY chapter that worked hard on making this battle what it was!

Awesome Giveaway to announce!

2009-10-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

Ladies... Please go to this link and check out the GORGEOUS dog Rory... and also the wonderful giveaway that she is having!!!!!

http://kathystitchcomments.blogspot.com/2009/10/to-thank-you-with-special-giveaway.html?showComment=1256816035443#c1881535011561017974

The names for this giveaway is going to be chosen by Rory on October 31st.

Good Luck to all!!!!!

Wish list wants

2009-10-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

Girls... I have to show you these cute little elves... I LOVE them and want one so bad!!!!
I hope I can get a job before Christmas to be able to get one to put in my house for Christmas. I wanted one for Halloween too but that is NOT going to happen!

Here is the link...
http://www.annaleegallery.com/product.html?t_q=502808

This is the one that I just Love!!!! But it is soooooooo hard to choose!!!! They are all sooooooooo cute. I see a lot of the girls that are displaying their cross stitch work with these little elves holding them! It is simply ADORABLE!!!!!!

Oh look at this one!!!!!
http://www.annaleegallery.com/product.html?t_q=502009

I hope one day soon to get one of these little guys!!!!

Giveaway News ... You have to look!

2009-10-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

I am starting tonight girls by giving you a link to another blog that I visit daily and ask you to look. She is doing a give away and it is AWESOME! It is a Breast cancer Awareness giveaway... please go and take a look:

http://feathersinthenest.blogspot.com/2009/10/october-give-way-breast-cancer.html

FINAL RETREAT DETAILS...

OK girls... I have to tell you the stories of the WAY HOME from the retreat!

So we leave the Cavalier ON TIME just like we planned... and drive for maybe 45 minutes... and we are at a stop!!!! COMPLETELY!!! We sat in a Traffic Jam for 3 hours... and then finally found out that there must have at one point been an automobile accident! We traveled a little under 10 miles in almost 3 hours... WOW !!! Now we are behind...

The next even was in Virginia... where we were behind a truck hauling Cows... and was talking of COW subject... like "Happy Cows are in a Happy Trailer! " and What conversations they were having in the back of that truck... when all the sudden... out of the back of the trailer came this RUSH!!!!! and Gush!!!!! It was Cow PEEEEEE and was Spraying all over my car... SHEWIE!!!!! Oh we laughed so hard... What if our windows were down... that would have been so Gross... OK well about 10 minutes later a fella on a Motorbike...decided to get in behind this trailer... OMG... we laughed sooooooooo hard ... he had no bug guard... so if those cows decided to go to the potty again... he was in for a YUMMY event and some strange looks at the truck stop later that night. Oh we wanted to follow them to find out what happened but they both turned off together!!!! That would have been soooooooooo funny...

NOW... we are back in line and heading the course for our trip home... in West Virginia now... and all the sudden out of NOWHERE jumps out a BLACK BEAR... Yes... a BLACK BEAR... Looked to be fairly young... and a little thin... But he acted as if to Swat the car in front of us and then leaped over the back of the car... and over the guard rail as if it were NOTHING!!! OMG!!!! I have NEVER in all my years seen this happen. How cool was that!!!

As Dusk approached ... we saw all kind of deer... and even Coyotes that was as usual very fun... I love the wildlife.

In the darkness and winding thru the hills of West Va... many hours later... We are cruising fairly good beside a big truck with 2 carriers ... so it was a BIG truck. The front cab tires hit a Skunk... rolled him over into my lane... and wouldnt you know we hit him too... and he SPRAYED my car like crazy... Well goodness you would too... if you were just hit by a truck... rolled under a SUV and hit again... Poor fella... But now My car had Cow pee and skunk spray all over it! WOW!!!! what an interesting smell... when we stopped to get gas... YUCK!!!!!

OK then we hit Winchester KY and it is SNOWING!!!!! WOW ! We arrived at home around 2 a.m. and I was NEVER so happy to see our area!!!! What a trip!!!! But it is all good for some laughs!!!

Mor Pics and stories from the Retreat!

2009-10-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ok Ladies... as Promised... more tales of the R&R retreat!

This is me and my DD on the Beach... the wind was blowing pretty good but the temperature is lovely... the waves and the water was awesome!!!!

On to some more of the kits given at the Retreat... On the left of this Picture is the gifted kit that The girls from Blackbird Designs gave us. The first night we had a special get together and they talked of many different ways to finish our pieces and even crafty ways to take something that we had stitched and make more items out of it! It is a LOVELY kit and even has the lighthouse that we visited the day before that is at Ft Storey.

On the Left side of this picture is the kit that was given to us the second night as we all gathered for a "circle of friends" gathering... What a blast... finding out how all the retreats have been together... and how this circle of friends that we have been such a part of had grown and become the awesome group of people that it is today! Each person had helped with this... and it had a cute little acorn charm that Charland made for it! WOW is it cute!!!!

Below is the Retreat Piece that The Shepherd's Bush Girls brought for us. They also gave us a gorgeous hand made box and during the class they told us that theyhad brought us gifts...
They gave us the cutest little pair of scissors... with a beaded fob... Mine had a birdy on the bottom... and then they brought us a craft project... we made a little accorn pin cushion of wool... it is adorable!

This is a picture of one of the parting gifts from the retreat... Last year they gave us a Mermaid Necklace that Charland had made especially for us. This year the accorn with the circle of hearts in the center! Oh it is LOVELY!!!!!!

OK... so I have to put this little birdie pic in here... cuz he is a cutie Patootie... and also because He was probably standing when I started this post... and now is tired... and sat down!

This is the Welcome Sign of the Cavalier Hotel !!! see... Dying To Stitch! That was us!!!!

After going to the shop and buying so many goodies... we went across the street to Ruby Tuesdays and had the Best Lunch!!!! This is us as we first got there!

On the Beach There was a Ginormas (this is a word tonight! lol!!!) statue of Neptune with all kinds of sea life around him...

Here is my DD posing with one of the tiny little guys!
And Below is a Pic of us with King Neptune and all his creatures!

SHEW!!!!! I think that is it for today... I do however want to tell you all about our trip home still ... more for tomorrow's post!!!

Have a great night!

Keep Crossing those stitches!

Dying To Stitch Retreat Post 2

2009-10-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ok Ladies... These pics are a little out of order ... but I am just wanting to get them on here so that you can share in the fun time that was had by all that were there! So here goes...

This is Barb and Alma- BlackBird Designs and they are showing the WONDERFUL project that they had for the gals that took their class... Oh I loved all of the projects so very much! These girls are a HOOT!!!! They are so funny and you can just see why they are as close as they are... Their stories are so wonderful... and the way that they take a piece stitched... and show you so many different ways to change it and use it and add this or that to it to give it a different look! It is WONDERFUL!!!!

This is my best Friend Debby and my DD stitching together at the welcome and make it take it time! The room was so awesome... the sun was out... it was bright... and you could see ocean from all around you! It was just Lovely!
The day before it all got started ... we went to the Dying to stitch shop... and bought some things that "wecould not live without!" giggle! If you have not been to their shop... it is a MUST SEE!!!!! They have so many models... and samplers Galore!!!! It is a very tempting and enabling place. Then there is a bead shop next door and a few doors down there is a Quilting and fabric shop that is just as bad... all those lovely Blackbird Stockings... well look no further... they have the PERFECT fabric for each one of them!
After the shop and some lunch at the Ruby Tuesdays... We went to the hotel and checked in and then was off to Fort Story... It was interesting getting in but worth the time we had in there.... This is a pic that shows the 2 lighthouses... the black and white one is the Newer on and is ran by the Coast Guard... you are not able to go inside of it... but can go up to it. The brick on is further out and you can go into it ... 6+ floors of steps and a terribly straight up ladder later ... the view is AWESOME!!!! The Brick lighthouse is the first place that the settlers stepped onto shore from their journey to the new world. It is very exciting to see. The small cross in this pic is a memorial site!
This is just a closer View of the Fully Functional Light house there at Fort Story!

OK... well this is the Horseshoe Crab that we Named Phillip. He was a good ole crab! and we had to take a moment of silence... and to memorialize his life! giggle... He was if nothing else very educational. He was a very pretty crab as far as crabs go!

This is Jeanette Douglas... and she is a HOOT and a Half... I just love her dearly! She had a Beautiful Kit for the girls that took her class and also had an exclusive accessory chart to go with it. LOVELY things... and in this accessory kit was a sissor fob... I thought this was soooooo cool... She included a Canadian Quarter... and you were to place an American Quarter in it too as a weighting system... that was the Circle of Friends Continues!!!!! WOW how smart!

OH and she showed us how to make FREE Fireworks... HOW FUN!!!!! 1...2 ... other side... 1...2... up above ... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

See ... Fireworks!!!!

This was one of my projects... I took the track that Had Charland and Shepherd's Bush... so on the Second day I had my class with Charland and Sidney(her daughter) as usual... Charland is a WONDERFUL teacher... She tries to remove all anxieties that a stitcher might have. She is so comforting and I feel as if I have sat with a loving mother and learned so much each time I take her class.

I nearly Cried when she showed her project at the reveal... This is so perfectly what I am into at this time in my stitching cycle! I love the Colors... the fabric... the flosses used... the way it is finished and of course I love the charm. I took several pics and none really do it justice! Thank you so much Charland for this LOVELY piece... I am stitching it and will cherish it always! What a treasure to add to my collection!

This is just the other side of the piece...

This is the Package that it came in and shows the pieces all together! Isnt it lovely!

Finally for this post I wanted to show the Group picture of the Designers and the Dying to Stitch Girls... and to be able to thank them...

BlackBird Designs- Barb and Alma

Jeanette Douglas

Charland and Sidney

Shepherd's Bush- Teri and Tina

Dying To Stitch- Ann, Pat, and Bindy

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Thank you for your hard work... for the many calls... the planning... the dealing with the hotel that could not have been more perfect... the kitting... the designing... the sewing... the boxing... the behind the scenes issues that were dealt with and taken care of so that we had this wonderful time. Thank you for all the thoughts that went into this lovely retreat.

Thank you Teri and Tina for the many extra gifts that you gave us in our class...

I just can NOT thank everyone enough for this awesome retreat!

I must also add that there were MANY girls in the Dying To Stitch shop that assisted with getting things completed... Fabric cut... and the little boutique ready and staffed for this event! Thank you to them also!

First Retreat Post

2009-10-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we left Kentucky around 6a.m. headed for Virginia Beach, VA and a Retreat with the R& R girls at Dying to Stitch. Myself, my daughter my best friend Debby, and a close friend Patti hit the road. We arrived in the Va Beach area almost 900 miles and many hours later... that evening around 6 p.m. We stayed a few miles from the Dying to Stitch shop the night before to get sleep and get started on this wonderful retreat... I will post more about my goodies in another post... and also about the beach and the findings and the excitement that happened while we were there. This is just a start and would be WAY to large of a post if I did it all in one post! so here is the start of the postings...

Upon arriving at the Cavalier in Va Beach... this welcomed us...

(there were 2 weddings that same weekend... and WOW were they lovely! Congradulations to these 2 couples and their families. They looked like they were having a BLAST!!!!) When we signed into the retreat... this was the bag that Ann, Pat, and Bindy gave us. It had out opening project, schedule, and another cute little project with it! I LOVE this bag and would gladly buy more of them! They are so nice with a handle on the top and zip closed! Thank you ladies for thinking of this WONDERFUL greating bag!
This is the View of our hotel from the beach... YES... ON THE BEACH... I am standing in the ocean taking this picture! If you look at the building our room was the 2nd room from the end towards the beach... on the 4th floor... it was WONDERFUL!!!!! we woke up to the sound of the waves... we were able to clearly watch the dolphins play in the ocean... they would hop and bob up and down. It was adorable!
At the end of our opening make it and take it project the designers came in and displayed the weekends projects... this is Blackbird designs showing their project.

This is the view from our stitching table... it was a GORGEOUS Room... hotel and view!

Here is Patti working on her Make it and take it! Beside her is one of our new friends made ... that I hope to keep in touch with and see again soon!

Will post more later !!!

Some Starts... and Some Finishes!!!!!

2009-09-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Fall is HERE...

STARBUCKS is now serving PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE. It what seems like a short minute... the leaves are starting to change... and some are even falling off the trees. We had a cold snap last week... and it was a wakeup call to mother nature that another season of warm was drawing to a close.

But Did I tell you.... STARBUCKS is once again serving

PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE!!!!! YES!!!!

I met my friend yesterday and we stitched at Starbucks while my daughter was working I have some photo's to show you for today. Guess what I had to drink???? WOW you gals are good!!! How did you ever know!

FALL... It is usually my favorite time of year... the cooler weather... the leaves falling... it has always been my favorite time to stitch... not to mention that halloween charts are my Favorites!!! then there is the fact that the breeze of winter is close behind. This year has had so many thing take place... I have not been able to stitch and enjoy it! This year has been filled with trouble... the last year hurricane storm that hit my area doing so much damage brought with it nothing but bad! It all started a few weeks after the storm hit. It ranged from damage to our house... downsizing at the company i worked for meant lay offs for me and several friends (we are all STILL unemployed) then making new friends only for them to leave the area, and the loss of an old friend who died fairly suddenly. The loss of what I THOUGHT was a friend... or maybe that one is for the best... I found out her true side... and would not have chosen this type of person as a friend anyway. The list goes on and on... but needless to say ... I am finding it hard to stay focused on and excited about my stitching. That upsets me... it has always been my way to release... to wind down from the day... and to let the stressers of the world... float away. I have also not been able to camp much this year. At our frist big trip my daughter was rushed for an emergency surgery... and this has set our year behind a bit. We were not able to do some of the things that we had planned this summer ... and cancelled several camping trips. I feel like all I want to do is park the camper at a local campground and stay in it away for everything for a few MONTHS... well maybe not Months... maybe YEARS!!!!! ;)

Dont get me wrong... I stitch... just dont enjoy it as much as I have in the past... it is linked to so much bad that happened to me this year... and that leaves it hard for me to right now to even do! I am sure time will heal all... it usually does! But lesson Learned... and I will not go back down that road agian! Some people are not worth the heart ache!

This year has also meant the loss of a dear stitch buddy that was fairly close to my age... and that has made my heart very heavy too!

I did stitch this weekend... with my dear Friend (sister seperated at birth) Debra ... at Starbucks... and have some pics to show you all!

WOW... did I tell you all... Starbucks is once again serving Pumpkin Spiced Latte???

This was what I worked on at Starbucks...

a stocking from the 'Tis Halloween Book from Black Bird Designs. This was a FINISH!

Just Nan- Halloween Tin - BOO!!!!

This was last years Tin... and was very easy to finish... and looks so cute.

I did the finish work on it Friday- I didnt feel like stitching...

but wanted to do something stitch related.

Above is a pic of the top of it

Below is a pic that I think shows off the cute tin that goes with it!

I finished stitching this piece on Thursday

and now need to finish it into the long cube like I had planned!

La D Da

Something Wicked I know it is not much of a post today... but I wanted to touch base and at least show you what is going on in my world!

Of Course I CAN!!!! Pictures GALORE!!!

2009-09-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday... I spent the entire day in the company of some LOVELY canning ladies her in my area. I took a Day long class on Canning... the Do's and Dont's. Basic principles on Freezing... and Drying foods... It was from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. and we shared a wonderful lunch and I will do this again if I can!

It was offered throught our local chapter of Home makers... and our County Co Op Extension center!

Here is a picture of the 2 projects that I did... Tomatoes... with the basic Boiling Canning method... and Carrots with the Stem or Pressure canning method... this picture also shows the wonderful binder they gave us for instructions on each subject.

I HAD A BLAST!!!!! and I really needed to have a good time yesterday! BAD!!!

I have had a stitching friend burn me so incredibly bad this past month that is has tortured my very SOUL. I have had a TERRIBLE time even stitching... and really dont know what I am going to do about it! It had to do with some stitching that I did for her and her not appreciating it... and the things that were said and done were just OUTRAGEOUS. I have a good group of ladies that I hang out with and they have followed these happenings... and have come to my aid... with kind words for me... and with suggestion on how to handle things... but I am just very lost with all of it. I hope to be able to pull myself up out of this and brush myself off and continue stitching. I tried to pull out a fun project... but the WANT to stitch is just not there right now... resembles .... bamboo shoots under the nail... WOW!!!!

I started this little chart from La D Da... and it has been fun! that is what I am focussing on right now... FUN!!! Here is my progress...

I also wanted to show you ladies a few pics of one of my birthday gifts... Just nan Tin... it is a new release... and WOWOWOWOW!!!!

It is ADORABLE!!!!!!

Look how nice the tin is ... the colors are so vibrant on this tin!!!!!
This next part of the post... I am going to BRAG for a bit and then post a finish... Now that we know both have been recieved..... I can safely do this.....

My daughter and I both signed up for the Round 3 Prairie Schooler Exchange and these were pics of what we stiched... assembled... and sent out!

This first picture is of my 17 year old daughters project. I am soooooooo very proud of her. She has only been stitching a short while... but has become VERY addicted to it! This is the flat fold that she sent out to the person she was assigned... and I thought she did a SMASHING job!!!

WAY TO GO MY LITTLE CHICKEN!!!!!!
I have several Pictures that are if the project that I have completed for my exchange person... but when she posted and had assembled them all together... I loved the way she did it... so I am using her picture to show them all at one time!
Thank you for posting this LOVELY picture!

I wanted to end my post today with a picture that several friends have send me... they are claiming that this is me in the morning.....

WOW!!! I look AWESOME
... and a 2 fisted cup of coffee... does not sound too bad right now! Have a Great day Ladies!!!!!

Another Giveaway...

2009-09-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Girls... Take a look at this giveaway and at the Awesome Blog. I have been following her blog for a while now...

http://threadgatherer.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-anniversary-giveway.html

Good Luck!

WIPS and Mary Progress!

2009-08-21T05:29:00.000-07:00

Picture to the Left:
This is a WIP it is Goode Huswife - Ida Mae Crow... and is a Very fun stitch piece... This is not one that I work a lot on ... it stays in my car and is available to work on while I wait for my daughter to get out of work or if I have to wait for an appointment ... it is there for me to stitch on!

A Finish:
Picture below is another of the Blackbird Designs Stockings - May Basket. These are so fun to stitch and do not take a lot of time to complete. The finishing was tough for the first few but now they are rather easy!

Last... My Mary Progress update... I would be further on this piece... but I headed to Starbucks to stitch the other night and walked right out of the house without this piece... Guesh!!!! This piece is a BLAST to stitch...

It is hot and VERY humid here in Kentucky this week... and wouldn't you know it... my air conditioner... went on the fritz... Hopefully the DH can get it fixed today... last night was just NASTY! The luxuries that we grow accustomed to and soon find it hard to be without!

Tonight I go to the Tiara Club stitchers group... with all that has been going on... I have not been able to go to very many of them and am VERY excited to get to go tonight! Should have more progress of projects to show you some time this weekend!

A blogiversary/1000th post giveaway package!!!!

2009-08-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Look what I found as I was looking thru my blogs for the day!!!! What an awesome 8th year giveaway!!!!
This blog is awesome to read so enjoy!

Here is the Link to find out more!!!!!

http://www.thedailymel.com/

Good Luck everyone!

Pictures... and updates!!!!!!

2009-08-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Today is the dreaded first day of school for my kids... I have the most AWESOME kids and I almost Cried watching my teenagers get on the bus this morning. So it has been a bit of a hard day for me here in KY. I can not believe it ... it seems like just yesterday... They wer in diapers... and carrying a sippie cup... and here we are... WOW!!! Time Flies!!!!!

I want to show you a few charts that I bought with my birthday money... Carriage House - Noah's Stocking... and Fredrika... she is just LOVELY!!!!

I have a few others ordered but they have not arrived as of yet! I expect they will be in at some point this week.

I am involved with the Prairie Schooler Exchange... (the link is on the side bar) and I recieved my gift today.... the most perfect gift... at the EXACT time that I needed my spirits lifted! It is so ironic... I heard about this exchange from Janet who is on the HDF site with me as Sonniedg... she gave me all the information for it.

Guess who this is from... WOW... you are good!!!! That is Right... Janet!!!!

I could not have picked a better exchange person... Look at this little beauty!!!!
I also wanted to update you with my progress as of 2 weekends ago with my Mary Quaker SAL (link also on side bar) I am meeting with my best friend tonight to stitch some more and hopefully will have updated pics for you tomorrow!

Have a great day !

The Big 40

2009-08-05T09:15:00.001-07:00

The Big 40

Last night My husband along with the assistance of my best friend completely SURPRISED me with a 40th birthday party. I have never had a surprise party so this was a complete BLAST for me!!! Wow... so many of my friends showed up!!! It was so good to eat dinner and be near all of my friends and to know that they all cared to be there with me to help celebrate this day! It was awesome!

On August 4th ... 17 years ago ... I was given the very best birthday gift that could ever be given... My precious baby girl. All else pales in comparrison. She is and always will be a Gift from God, and I amso very thankful that He has allowed me to be a part of her life, and to share this very special day together like we do!

We Had the party at a Local TGIFridays... and we had a blast! Great service and loads of fun!

My good Friend Patti Made me this Floss holder for my birthday... Oh my goodness... it is just LOVELY!

My Good Friend Rita gave me a cross stitch chart that I have been wanting to get so bad https://www.stitchingbitsandbobs.com/cgi-bin/Store/showimage.cgi?TheCatWhiskersDesignStudio0IDontDoFrogging1400

I can not wait to start this one!

The girls that I use to work with bought me a Starbucks card... Yummy!!!! That is my favorite place to hang out! I love the Chi Tea Latte's!

My Husband and my kids gave me so much with this party... but I opened from them a talking Peanut stuffed toy from the Jeff Dunham Comedy Show. This is one of my favorites!!! and the nickname that my husband gave me years ago was Peanut... so it could not be more perfect!!!!

This was part of my table setting! Very correctly placed!!!

Even the girls at Starbucks after the party helped me celebrate with a VENTI chi tea!

Thank you goes out to EVERYONE that helped me celebrate a huge milestone in my life... My Big 40!!!!!

And a HUGE special thank you to my Dear Husband Mark, my kids, and my best friend (sister) Debra for all their work and the love and care that went into this very special night for me. I love you all so much!

Some pics and some catch up news

2009-07-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

Starting with some Catch up news...

Sorry that I have not been posting for a while... over the July 4th week my family took a vacation to Gatlinburg and my daughter had to have Emergency Surgery. This has been our focus since then... getting her well again and back to normal. She is doing very well and although she is still healing... she is almost back to normal! YES!!!!!

I have been stitching models for a cross stitch shop for a little while now... but with the economy being what it is and sales being down... the shop models are put on hold for a bit. So I am focussing on some of the things I want to stitch.

Just this past weekend my best friend, my daughter and myself went to Louisville KY for a weekend trip. What a Blast and tons of excitement! There was a Storm on Saturday late in the evening and all of the electricity in the hotel went out.... It was a Beautiful place and a lot of the visitors came out into the atrium and sat and just talked... It was all good and loads of fun. Even though with the lights out for a while I lost some stitch time!!! :)

I bought each of us a little sheep Ty Beenie from Mcdonalds... and our little get away rememberance They made GREAT pin cushions... and we decided to take pics of them all over... My daughters is not in these pics ... she left hers at home... and wants to dye him black so that he is the black sheep of the bunch!!!! Here is a pic of my little Sheepie with my Mary project!!!!!

This is a pic of out sheepies in front of the fountain in the atrium.

This is a pic of where we were stitching on the last day... it was a WONDERFUL place to stay! Everyone was so friendly and customer service was the best I had seen in a long time!

This is a pic of the atriun and out floor is just above the tree... it was such a wonderful place!

On Saturday....

We visited a Lovely little Shop where the women were soooooo helpful... WOW awesome customer service ... how refreshing!!! You girls should go and check them out either online or if you are in the area... It is a Cute little place... and they really make you feel at home!

http://www.needlenestky.com/

These are pics of the goodies that I bought... the best part is that most of the top charts were bought on the sidewalk sale she was having for 50 cents... That is Right... 50 cents WOWOWOWOW!!!!! I was a happy camper!

This is 2 New Charts that I had to treat myself too... I love them BOTH!!!!!

I will let my sheepie close this post out with a pic of my Mary Progress... I am back to stitching on this now since I am stitching my personal things now!

I will try to keep everyone posted as much as possible!

Take care!

Some Finishes To Show...

2009-06-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

I have been a bit busy with finishing some things..... and wanted to show you girls some of them!

Blackbird Designs

Pins and Needles

Blackbird Designs

Monthly Stockings

I just have a few more to finish - these are a Blast to stitch!

Front side of my 15 sided biscornue

WOW this one was a challenge to assemble... but it has turned out so pretty!

The opposite side on my biscornue and the brown furry background is my little girly CoCo our Chocolate lab! She was a little bothered by the whole modeling thing... so we didnt get to many pics of her. She wanted this as a play toy! Not Good!!!!

That is all for now ... but hope to share more with you in the next few days.

Take care...

Keep crossing those stitches!

My First Post

2009-06-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog and I am hoping to get to
post as much as I can here to be able to show the projects that I am working on:

This first pictures (above) is where I stitched... A local Starbucks... with my best Friend.

The picture at the side is where I was at when I stopped!

I also want to show both of our work together from that evening...

I have had a ton of fun so far on this piece and hope that I will be able to try to keep up with everyone on it! I am stitching it on 32 count lt mocha linen and using Hand Dyed Fiber silks (not the listed conversion though) that I have chosen to be close to the DMC colors that the chart calls for.