TuSal, Remembering, and announcing a giveaway...

Yes, it is full moon again and I should be ashamed of my little ort contribution since last time. I have as many strands from linen as I do threads. Oh well, there's always September.

On this day in 2005, there was another storm and her name was Katrina. It hit my hometown on the gulf coast on the 29th which led to my Mother's death on Sept. 7th. So, as I watched the news of Irene, I kept remembering that other storm and the impact it had on me, and I thought of those in harm's way this time and prayed for their safety. God bless any and all of you who were impacted by this storm in any way.

OK! to the giveaway!

First up is Barb Adams & Alma Allen's new book "A Schoolgirl's Work, Samplers from the Spencer Museum of Art. The book is beautiful; the stories and pictures of old samplers and the 11 beautiful projects they added just for us.

Next up is the brand new Limited Addition Santa from Prairie Schooler. Kit is complete with thread and fabric, needle and never been opened. The 2004 Santa just happened to be one I have two of :)

Then, there is my favorite scissor/flower frog. It is one piece, no chips anywhere...the picture doesn't do it justice.

And what in the world is that little bit of stitching???? It's the hand stitched piece that comes with the package but that's all the stitching done on it so far. It's on a 40 ct. piece of Zwiegart solo  and it seemed to fit the fall just around the corner.

That's it for now. All you have to do is comment on this post only. If there is something in the package you don't want, just tell me and I'll draw another name. If you do want to post it on your blog, please do and tell me and I will add your name twice.

Oh yes, Shepherd's Bush Passion Fob kit was on the list and I forgot about it. It is a beautiful little kit brand new and sure to catch the eye of someone :) Also, the giveaway runs until September 12 with the drawing on the 13th.

I thought I'd celebrate 100 followers but it just didn't happen. Then I thought I'd celebrate blogaversary, same thing, then birthday and good news on hubby, same thing, 46th anniversary, nope. So, this giveaway is in honor of my Mother.....how's that? She was unique, and maybe there's something in this package unique. I'm known to throw little stuff in when I'm packaging up. Giving is the most fun!!!

bye for now,

Babs

Tusal, Polly wolly doodle all day, serial starter, etc.

I will start with my orts for you, Daffy Cat, I guess since this is the day for that ...look real close and you can see that not much happened in May. It seemed I had a book or needle in my hand every day, but it doesn't seem as though I was doing anything with them, lol. The little doily and the homemade flag thingie we found at a little roadside flea market.

We spent a day at the hospital last week; Herman is going through a lot more tests and I just wish they'd stop cause they find something different every time they look. DD Tami was with me and gdd Sarah and they ran over to the lns to get me some threads.  They also picked me up a Shepherd's Bush pin cushion, the next LHN ornament; and the Peaceful Garden by The Stitching Parlor which happens to be something I've wanted but couldn't remember the name or designer came in the mail cause Lizzy has it stitched on her blog and I FOUND it just blog hopping one day.

Remember Polly Wolly by La D Da? It's almost there and hope it will be a Friday finish this week. I LOVE this little piece...the song goes round and round and....It will be a challenge finish on the "new" side with Minna.

I've been putting a few stitches in Strawberry Garden, one of Blackbird's Loose Feathers designs. I saw it done on someone's blog and of course I had the chart and just had to start it. I'll remember who it was :)

Then I fell in love with the Funky Flower Gardners over at By the Bay with Donna and wanted to have my own gardens. I opted to split my flowers on two pieces of fabric and this first one is Victoria started on Queen Anne's lace and could Not get a realistic look but you got the idea.

And then, Brenda Gervais over at With Thy Needle and Thread went and started a mystery sampler that promises birds. No way could I pass this up, but got to get going on it before next installment.

There are so many stories of faith and good will toward man here. People from all over the country have come to help and then there are those who headed for Missouri. My heart cried when I saw that devastation. and then the flooding in Mississippi, my home state; the flooding in Louisiana where I moved from to come to Alabama. I know people in all these places, but they're all bouncing back.  I heard a man on local news yesterday who was working with men to build a church which was totally destroyed here...he said "Working with a bunch of Christian men is just different than your regular construction crew". 
Love you all....DJ, you need NOT to come to Alabama or anywhere else; You have worked so hard to recover and with the heat and mosquitos and other critters, and standing water, etc. etc. please don't take a chance with your health at this stage of recovery. You said you could "only pray", but prayer is job 1 and many forget that.
hugs,
Babs  Do you see why I said serial starter in title?

I Been Thinking

Years ago someone gave my husband a little plaque which said "Sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I just sit".

Well, I been doing a lot of sitting and thinking recently and this is what I've decided. I have only one stitching obligation left to do and that is a Christmas ornament for a stitching buddy in England. The JCS ornament issue this year is one of my favorite so far and I would like to stitch a bunch of them. So, when I clear the area to do Leah's ornie, I think I'll just finish out the year stitching ornies. I still have some LHN's to do, but I think I can get quite a few done.

Anyway, that's what I'm thinking today.

Here is a picture of the Halloween Revelry pillow I did for sweet friend Julie Buck of In The Company of Friends. She's a designer herself so that was a little intimidating, but she's also a beautiful soul so I knew she'd like whatever I did for her. This is taken from The Primitive Needle's sampler and stitched on PTP heritage. "Juliebee" as we call her in our yahoo stitching buddies group likes witchies.

And here is my little finish for the week. I can take credit for the mistakes but not for the beautiful colors; it's Shepherd's Bush My Pins kit.

Thank you for your comments and hopefully, I will get better at having something for you to comment on :) It's been a strange year both personally and on the stitching front. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Hugs,

Babs

Friday finishes and other things

It's been a while, and looking back I'm not sure why I haven't checked in sooner.

Maybe it's because chemo was winding down and my heart and mind was on getting through it without any surprises.

God willing, he's had his last treatment; will go for bloodwork and consult with Dr. Becdash on the 5th and then make plans for returning to work. He came home from Philly, ya'll, on February 17th and he's been here since. He's feeling ok, but he's so run down...his appetite seems to have come back, though. He's proud to show me he cleaned his plate for the last few evening meals...it's been a struggle getting him to eat.

Not much stitching since my last post except for the halloween exchange piece I work on a little bit every chance I get. Can't show that cause it's a surprise and I know she will check my blog when I post :)

But I can show some of the recent finishing on some not so recent pieces.

This is my oldest piece; it's Northanger Abbey by The Sampler Girl I stitched back in 2004, but just made it into pillow this week.

Next comes Say Grace also by The Sampler Girl; it's not quite as old but done in 2009 . I loved this piece the minute I saw it.

Then there is Land That I Love I already shared with you, but now a part of my patriotic scene. Wow! one stitched and finished in the same year :)

Last and least, but not my least favorite for sure is Blackbird Designs which I finished right after I showed you the WIP of it, but too lazy to post.
Oh yes, the little sheepie piece was stitched by dd Tami and was supposed to be pin cushion but decided to frame it. I love all things sheep!

I've read a few books, (listed on the right) but the biggest surprise of September was my Kindle! Baby brother Ed and his wife Twila bought me a kindle just because...the best kind of gift, huh? Everyone is always calling and asking about Herman, but then one day Ed called and said he wanted to know how his sis was doing. Before we'd hung up the phone (he lives in Kansas), he had ordered the kindle and the cover. He called this week and asked if I'd figured out how to use it yet. I told him Sure! you just order a book and read, right? I LOVE it!

Tomorrow, Herman and I are going to try something we haven't done in awhile. We are going to drive to Chattanooga, TN to see the model train display at the Hilton. In case I haven't mentioned before, Herman is a model train (HO & N scale) enthusiast and Luke has come a lot to "play" with him during all this chemo stuff. He will be nine years old this week. Last picture, of course, is Luke, the only grandson that carries his grampa's last name. He tells people that's why his grampa loves him so much.

That's about it for this afternoon. Maybe I'll have some pics of the day trip tomorrow.

BIG thanks and hugs to all of you who have prayed us through these months. It means a lot to me. Just in case ya'll don't know....DJ's (you know, Tickled Pink) birthday is the 18th of this month a day after my hubby's. She'll be one of those "landmark" ages, but she thanks God for everyone of those days and years and gives Him the glory for walking alongside her and even carrying her through this year of surgeries and chemo, setbacks, struggles, tears and laughter...always laughter with DJ. She has been an inspiration for me dropping in via snail mail or email just when I need it the most.

I know she's been an inspiration to many of you and now is a really good time to let her know :)

Love,

Babs

So little to show & tell

It is so hot and humid in the south, there's just very few ways to amuse one's self when there's no air to breath and no energy either.
But I managed to mow some on Saturday while it was still in the low 90's, go to church on Sunday while it was in the high 90's, cook chicken stew for hubby yesterday and have done absolutely nothing today and it's almost noon!
On the stitching front, I've delighted in this little piece by Little House Needleworks called Simple Joys. Thing is, this is my second start on it. I actually had to trash the first one cause I cut the fabric too close...I forgot to measure and measure again before I picked up the scissors. I had started it on a bigger piece of fabric and waited to get a bit done before trimming the fabric down. I was so mad at myself that I threw the other one in the trash or I would share with you. Second start is from the middle outward instead of top left corner where I usually start. I love these purple flowers :)

And then, here is my last finish that I forgot to share with you. This
is Land That I Love by Shepherd's Bush. Thought I'd get it finished
into a pillow before showing it, but the sewing machine is in yonder and I'm in here :)

My 45th wedding anniversary will be Friday...45 years! That really is a long long time. My big brother ran into an old friend of mine at highschool reunion last weekend and I've really been walking down memory lane since talking to him (brother).
She and I were friends all through high school when we thought the most important thing in the world was a boy friend. I have not talked to her since the birth of my youngest child in 1977. I moved away from home town a few months after birth of first child and lost contact with just about everyone but a few friends and family.
I've written her via email this morning and hopefully will "talk" to her soon. So much has happened in both our lives, to catch up would be almost impossible. She knew my husband while he was still just my steady boyfriend.
I have enjoyed reading the blogs I follow. Even if I fail to leave a comment, please know that I check in on you every time you post.
Til next time, God bless and keep you safe and well.
hugs,
Babs

A Patriotic stitching frenzie

Nonnie (me) & granddaughter Annie

I know this isn't much to show, but wanted to let you know what's been going on around here. July is my birthday month and I've always shied away from all the patriotic stuff that comes out every year around July and the 4th. But something happened this year...maybe cause I'm turning 63 soon and my country doesn't look the same anymore, or maybe I'm ashamed of always giving the patriotic pieces I stitch away. Whatever the reason, I do feel so patriotic, and I am so proud of being an American, I just feel like doing something about it.

My daddy served in WWII; my little brother served in Vietnam; my two other brothers served in the military in their early years. Maybe I'll just stitch all this in their honor and the honor of all the others now, which includes my granddaughter Annie (above picture), my niece Jenny, my geat nephew Carlie Ryan and his wife Ariella. Hats off to all of you then and now and those to come.

This first piece, hard to identify right now is Shepherd's Bush Land that I Love.

Here is Shepherd's Bush Tiny Flag which hopefully, will be a pin cushion in the next couple of days...maybe?Finished pieces today include Blackbird Designs little July stocking which started this whole thing.

And then, Shepherd's Bush Be Brave pillow. It looks a little squshed or lop-sided, but this is the first scan. When I get them all displayed, it will look better...I think.

I have this old timey table that I'm converting into my patriotic place, and hope to have a picture of it for you this week.

Bye and hugs for now,

Babs