I have been stitching, BUT....

I have actually been stitching a bit lately, but I can't show anything yet. Most all of it has been for exchanges. I finished a F&S exchange that was sent to Christina L in Sweden, and I've stitched the Seasonal Exchange that will go to Nancy soon. I have to do the finishing first. I have also started LHN's My Needles Work and yet another exchange piece. I think I have "startitis". I also need to move JN's Bluebird Box up on my list because I have a new friend who wants the pattern. (Hi Tessa!!). I love it anyway, so the sooner the better!
I've seen so many new things coming from market that I really like, more this year than ever actually. I think my next "for me" project to add to my ever growing list might have to be the new Erica Michaels "My Shade". Isn't it lovely? I have it already, but haven't even looked at the stitch count or the thread list! lol Someday though.... anyone have about 6 hours stitching hours a day to spare? ;-) I have Rosewood Manor's "And A Forest Grew" about half done. I need to get back to that soon as well. My list is growing & growing..... anyone else or is it just me? Have you seen anything new that's a MUST stitch for you, either now or later?

Happy stitching!!!

Prayers/Good Thoughts needed for one of our Blogging Friends....

Our good friend Sandy & her DH (and family) could use your prayers. Sandy took her DH Randy to the ER with chest pains a few nights ago. They found 5 blockages. & he has now had two angioplasties & had 3 stints put in. She said he's in a lot of pain from having to lay flat on his back & not move his leg for the past 2 days. He may get to go home tomorrow. I told Sandy he is lucky, his has his own person nurse (her) to take care of him! Sandy is also struggling with her pain & all, so prayers for both of them would be appreciated! Thanks & I'll update you as I can until Sandy is able to blog again.

Happy Birthday Lisa!!!!

Just wanted to wish Lisa (aka SpeedyGA) an extra special day! We met through Pals approx. 11 years ago. We are getting "old" my dear friend, and so much has changed over these past 11 years, hasn't it? I'm so glad you are happy & healthy & know that you are a very special friend to me.

I hope your birthday is extra special, filled with lots of love & that your boys & Phil do something extra special for you. Know you're often in my thoughts!!

Love & hugs,
Amy

Monday, Feb 18th.... (and Happy Birthday too!)

Where is this year going already? How is it passed the middle of Feb?

I spent Sunday relaxing & stitching! It was WONDERFUL! I did do a bit of laundry & fix Ray breakfast & dinner, but other than that, no work at all to speak of. We went to my parents & picked up 3 Bradford Pear trees & I watched Ray plant them (I'm an indoor gardener, sorry!) and we borrowed a catalog to see what other types of flowers/plants to get. Ray & my dad spent all day Saturday with daddy's tractor working on the yard. Now that the house & done & there should be no more big trucks & all, it's time to work on the landscaping. Ray has lots of ideas, so we'll see what happens. He has planted 9 trees now. Anyway, it was a nice way to spend a day!

On the stitching front, I stitched the F&S piece for Christina L yesterday, still have to do the 2nd piece & hopefully mail it tomorrow. I enjoyed stitching it & will share a pic once Christina receives it. It has quite a bit of pink, but I don't mind stitching with pink. I just don't want to wear it or have it all over my house! ;-) I also have been working on the LK Double Flips off & on for the past week & have 3 of them done. I wonder when the last 4 will be out? These are so quick to stitch... I haven't done any LK designs in awhile. Once the 4th one is done, it's back to a UFO OR I might start something new. I've found quite a few new items from Market that I just love!! ;-)

I want to wish Becky SC a very Happy Birthday today! Hope you have a lovely day Becky. And later this week, my dear friends Lisa & Char both have birthdays. I hope both of you enjoy wonderful birthdays. Wish we could be together to celebrate like in years past.... maybe again someday! Hugs to all of you & hope you all have extra special & happy days!

If you're still reading, we're having a stitch-in on March 8th here in SC. If anyone wants to come, post or send me an email & I'll get the details to you. We stitch, laugh, eat & laugh a bit more. It's lots of fun!

Hope you all have a great week & happy stitching

Happy Valentine's Day.....

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! And a very special Happy Birthday wish to my friend Terry, hope it's a wonderful day for you!

Today is also my 20th wedding anniversary! I can't believe 20 years has passed by so quickly. Ray is a wonderful husband and I am looking forward to our next 20 years together!

The heart above is a beautiful freebie from Kris at Dragonfly Stitches. I used a DMC varigated, sorry, don't recall the number, but it turned out pretty I think. Now just to find the time to finish it!

Hope you have a wonderful day & happy stitching!

My Anniversary Gift... (a bit early!)

On Valentine's Day, Ray & I will celebrate our 20th Anniversary! It's hard to believe that we've been married this long as most of the time, I don't feel old enough to have been married 20 years! ;-) I look it & physically feel it most of the time, but 20 years? How did 20 years pass by so quickly!?!? We are so very blessed & happy, and the best part of it all is we both know it. :-)
Ray has been asking me since Christmas what I wanted for a gift for this special day. Other than chocolate (duh!) I couldn't think of a thing. SO... after some talking & a lot of work on his part, he has built a new bed!! He had actually built our original bed about 18/19 years ago, but since most things in the house now are oak & misson oak style, I wanted a new bed. So he built us a beautiful new bed, isn't it lovely? He just finished it & brought it in this afternoon. The first pic shown it's made up & in the 2nd, you can see the frame. It's solid oak & boy is it heavy!!!!

In the top pic, you can also see my 3 Mirabilia Mermaids that were custom matted by Jill Rensel. I love them, and have 2 more kitted up. Not sure what decade I'll get to them though. You can also see the stained glass lamp that my daddy made about 27/28 years ago. My parents gave it to us in December & I will treasure it always. My daddy is a VERY talented man. :-) And on the left is a very old set of barrister bookcases my mom gave me several weeks ago. She used to refinish antiques & these are in really great shape. They are still almost empty, but sooner or later I will find time to fill them up! lol I'm still "thinking on it" as my mom says. ;-)

Thanks for letting me share. I'm going to go stitch for a bit I think!

PS-Ray is still asking me what I want for our anniversary next week... I keep telling him I have the best gifts of all, but he seems to think I need something else! ;-)