Blogging Award....

Jeanne - Willow Tree Stitcher gave me this award, so here we go (thank you Jeanne!) She has listed 5 Addictions & then nominated 5 people for the award.

Here are 5 addictions~

1. Stitching (obviously!)

2. Stash Collecting :-)

3. I LOVE fabrics... sewing fabrics, have quite a bit but it's never enough!

4. Chocolate

5. A secret one - watching As The Words Turns

My late grandma watched this "forever", and my mom watched it for many years. I have been watching it for as long as I can remember. I record it daily & watch it (or ff through it) on the weekends or if Ray is busy doing other things & I have the TV to myself (which isn't often!) Now, you know my big secret!

As for nominating 5 blogs, this would be so hard for me to do. I read lots and so many of them are just wonderful, it would be hard to chose. I'd love it if you'd accept the award & post it on your blog though?

I hope to stitch as much as possible this weekend. We don't watch football & there isn't much on, so I have a book on CD & I might just put that on & stitch as much as I can. Someone asked about my "pain". I was told several years ago (4-5 now?) that I *likely* have fibro. I have been to several docs, but all they want to do is push pills on me & I'm not up for that. So.... I have learned some stretches, heat, ice, ibuporfen & how to (mostly) suffer in silence. ;-)

Oh, that one little bird yesterday went & told all of his friends about the thistle seed sock because this a.m. we watched at least 20 of the little birdies just go to town on it! We have to run out tomorrow to buy more seed! I'm so happy to see birds again. Today we had some bluebirds in our fountain. Yeah! :-) Ray is going to get the birdbath cleaned out & filled up so they can get it in again. Only the bluebirds get in the fountain. Must have something to do with running water?? See, doesn't take all that much to make me happy! :-)

Thanks for visiting & I hope you have a great weekend. I'll post another stitching update in a couple of days!! Happy stitching!

Another Just Nan Update & a couple of other pics....

I haven't been able to stitch as much for the past week as I'd like, but here's my progress since my last post. This is as of Jan 27th and I think all I did yesterday was the flowers on either side of the box... and as you can see, they aren't finished. I had a migraine on Sunday, and no time yesterday & today to stitch. Oh well.... soon I hope to get back to it! It's coming along.... I so want it finished! The birds & verse are all over 1. I don't mind it.... there are parts at the bottom that are over 1 as well. It's so much prettier stitched (or in progress) than it is in any pic I've seen!

You may notice the q-snaps above.... I've stitched in hand only since 1988. I've had a lot of pain for the past few years though & had even thought I might have to give up stitching. On the advice of several of my stitching Pals, (thanks ladies), I decided to give q-snaps a try starting several days ago. It does seem to help, at least some. Then they suggested a stand to hold it for me... seems it helped all of them with their pain. So I searched & read about many floor stands & showed a few to Ray to see if he could make one. Long story short, he said to order one. Not sure when it will arrive, but I'll let you know how it goes when it's here & I've used it for a bit. Wish me luck & say a prayer that it helps. I want to stitch more than ever, but I need something to help with the pain.

Next is a pic of 25 ct Vintage Country Mocha Lugana that my friend Yvonne asked to see! Another long story short, with the q-snaps, it's really very easy to stitch over one on 25 ct (go figure!) and though I've always been totally devoted to linen, Vonna urged me to give this a try. I did, and I'm 99% sure I'll be stitching Quaker Virtures on this fabric with the same floss as I'd already chosen, DMC 815 & 838. I might, however, switch the brown to GAST Dark Chocolate. We'll see when I get ready to stitch it. Below is a portion of another design in the 815 that I tried to see what I thought, and I like it! Ash Wednesday is coming quickly.... I'll decide for sure by then! :-)

And last but not least is a pic of a bird that Ray saw this a.m. We sure have missed the birds lately. I'm so ready for spring & for all the birds & bunnies to come back - not to mention WARM temps!!!

Tomorrow our stitching/blogging friend Terry is having surgery on her badly broken ankle. Please keep her in your thoughts & prayers that all goes smoothly & that she heals quickly. Hang in there Terry, you'll be back to stitching in no time!

Thanks for stopping by, love to read your comments!! Happy stitching!

One week update on JN Common Ground!

I stitched last night & finished the outer border, yeah! Thought I'd share a progress pic. Not too bad for a week's worth of stitching, esp. since I can't stitch for hours on end. Please excuse the wrinkles... ;-)

Anyway, just wanted to share. Hope to have more to share soon.

Thanks for stopping by & for your comments, they're appreciated! :-)
Happy stitching!!

Make A Wish Exchange from Karen AZ....

I wished for a Mattress Pin Cushion from on the Make A Wish exchange bb, and look at this cutie that Karen AZ made for me! Isn't it cute? It's over 1 & just as pretty as can be. She knows I love red, and rabbits so she combined the two & came up with this sweet little piece! :-) Thank you Karen, it's wonderful! :-) Look at the tiny bunnies on the sides, so cute! :-)

AND it's personalized! :-) Cute cute cute!

I stitched more yesterday on JN's Common Ground. Hope to get more in tonight as well. It's coming along, though it feels like slow going! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are getting lots of stitching time in!

Stitching Update....

I have stitched some on Just Nan's Common Ground over the past few days... here is an updated pic. It's not very straight & the fabric is wrinkled, but you get the idea. I was able to get one pic before the camera batteries went out on me.... figures! Anyway, I feel as if I've been stitching on this for weeks instead of days... it's slow going with all of the color changes, but at least it has some color on it now! Not too bad seeing as how I just started it on Wednesday night. :-)

Nicole came over on Saturday & we stitched & chatted the day away. Renee came by for a couple of hours & stitched with us as well. I enjoyed it very much and hope they'll both come back soon! Nicole has decided on a new project, but I'll let her tell you about it! She had several projects with her & they're all gorgeous... I'm sure you'll be seeing her pics soon. Renee is working on Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist & it's adorable. It's always fun to see what everyone else is stitching! :-)

Thanks for stopping by & I hope to have more progress pics very soon!
Have a great week ahead & happy stitching!

A bit of stitching in the last few days....

I stitched on my Personalized Quaker a bit on Saturday, Monday & Tuesday. I did finish one motif that was started and managed to do a few more small ones. (You can see exactly what I've done if you look at the pic in the post before this one!) I had planned to really concentrate on it for awhile, but Terry & Vonna must have brainwashed me. They keep starting NEW pieces & I woke up yesterday & just HAD to start something new. I can't really explain why as I don't know really, so I'm blaming the Twisted Stitcher & Moondragon... ;-) It can't be my fault..... (no matter what they might say! lol) -- OH! And yes, we're all 3 supposed to start mega large pieces sometime soon too... SEE, it IS all their fault...... ;-) lol

Anyway... I knew what I wanted to start & it was all kitted, so here is the beginning border of Just Nan's Common Ground! I did a bit last night & finished this part of the border tonight (the pic is sideways btw!). The notes in the chart said to stitch this first to make sure it all meets up in the end, and luckily, it did, yeah!!

I have no idea how long it will take to stitch this, but I'm hoping to finish by my birthday (which is mid-March) and I'd love to send it to Jill Rensel for custom mats. Cross your fingers for me!!

My friend Nicole is coming over to stitch on Saturday & Renee might stop by as well. I'm looking forward to it & hope to get lots of stitching accomplished. If you follow Nicole's blog, you know she is one of the fastest stitchers around, so maybe some of that will rub off on me!

;-)

To answer a few questions I've been asked, YES, the new Plum Spooky was too funny! I lol'd a lot, just love "Carl" even though it was pretty silly. But I would love to have seen (read) more Ranger in this one! For the person who asked if they could have my conversion for the LK Double Flips, you sure can, I'm flattered that you asked. I can't find your email, but I'll find my list & post it here for you. The Happy Home Sampler is by Linda Bird & is in the July 2008 issue of Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine. If I missed anything, just ask again & I'll answer asap.

Thanks for stopping by, I love to read your comments! Have a great weekend ahead & happy stitching!!

Finally, pics to share!

I have 3 finishes to share. You might call them "UFO's" that are finally finished... the Lizzie Kate Double Flips were started in Dec of 07 when the first set of charts was released. I finished them in Dec of 08, so it only took a year! ;-) I made lots of color changes & have decided at this time not to use the charms. I may change my mind later. As you can see, I stitched them on banding & will make a bell pull one of these days. ;-)

Next up is a cute design by "My Big Toe".... Debbie sure knows what she's talking about with this design! ;-) I changed the colors again (as usual) and stitched it on 30 ct WDW linen. I think it turned out cute. I started it in Oct just before we left for our retreat. There were four of us working on it (that I know of). I know Teresa & Char (no blogs) finished theirs, Susan probably hasn't yet ;-) . I finished mine a day or two before New Years & added the beads/charm this afternoon. Not sure how I'll finish it yet, but it needs to hang by my computer I think. :-)

And last but certainly not least, this is the Happy Home Sampler that I started last May. I looked back & my only pic/post was May 31st, so it was towards the end of May when it was started I guess. When I picked it up just before the end of 2008, I was to the house, but the trees on either side were done. I ony changed the color of the house on this one. I think it's a cute design!

I'm really tired this weekend but I'm planning to stitch a bit on my Personalized Quaker by Martina Dey. I don't have much done, but hope to remedy that now. I know it won't be finished for awhile as I have some other things I need to get stitched, but I'm ready to stitch with one thread color for a couple of days. ;-) I just went & looked back to see if I could find a pic of my Quaker Sampler & I sure did, from Jan 19th 2008... and I haven't touched it since... SHAME ON ME! Here is the "old pic"... hope to make some real progress over the next week or two...

(and yes, it's still wrinkled!)!

The Barrett-Jackson car auctions start this week, 39 hours of car auctions & Ray watches it all. Well, he records it all & watches most of it. I don't mind as I use it for stitching time. :-) He's happy & so I am. So, I hope to find lots of stitching time to "listen" & watch for the 69 & 70 muscle cars, (my favs) & a 69 (or 70) Mach 1 Mustang is my "dream car"! Love to see those, but hate to see what they sell for, it means I'll never have one! :-( I guess that's what "dreams" are for huh?) I also updated my "things to remember" on the sidebar... some of them are really, really wonderful!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend & happy stitching!!

Quick post - you have to see the new Lizzie Kate Giggle Boxers....

They are as cute as the new Halloween Double Flips!!!
Click here - http://downsunshinelane.com/lizziekate.htm
Don't you think so, or is it just me? ;-)

I have a finish, (woohoo!) will try to get a pic in the next day or two to share!!

Happy stitching,
Amy

GREAT Mail day!!!

I received the cutest gift from a customer today, Andrea from MA, isn't this so sweet! She told me that she was using her empty bottles for small scissors & stitching goodies & made a label for it. She said maybe it was silly & I told her I thought it sounded very cute & I was flattered that she though DSL was her "Pharmacy" so to speak! It's very touching that she thought of this to start with & then she made one for me too, isn't it cute! In case you can't read the label, this is what it says:

Amy Stitches 12/30/08
my address which I've blanked out for posting
Medication: CROSS STITCH
Rx # 1 PRIORITY
Qty: AS MUCH TIME AS YOU NEED
Refills: NEVER ENDING
Dr. Bee Happy
DOWN SUNSHINE LANE PHARMACY
1 Kindness Ave. Relaxation, SC
Phone # - CALL AMY & RAY

She printed this & taped it to the bottle & filled it with chocolates! ;-)

Honestly Andrea, you have no idea how I needed a boost today & this sure did it. Thank you so much for being so kind & thoughtful! Ray thought it was cute too! :-)


AND another goodie in the mail that I bought for myself ----

Any other Stephanie Plum fans out there? Guess what I'm doing tonight!?!!


Hope everyone is getting lots of stitching done. Not much here, but soon!

Thanks for visiting & Happy Stitching!

OUCH! My arm hurts......

I'm telling you, it's something when your stitching friends twist your arms so much that you must give in & join them in their stitching madness... ;-) LOL (yes, that's said jokingly!)! A certain friend (VONNA!) has talked me into not one but TWO new LARGE projects for this year (and knowing me, the next few years to complete them!), and I'm excited about them! First we have Isabelle Vautier's Grand Marquoir - isn't it oh so pretty? I'm going to stitch this one in DMC 115 & I THINK instead of one large sampler, I'm going to do a letter & a motif & make them into a small pillow. When they're all done, I'll have 27 little pillows to put in a basket or scatter them in my cabinet with my willow tree collection (or both with 27 of them!)! Then again, I might do it all on one larger piece of fabric... we'll see... must finish a few more things first! I've ordered 32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast for pillows. I'll make one & see how I like it before I cut all those little cuts of fabric.

THEN, talk about one LARGE project ---- we are going to stitch ByGone Stitches "Quaker Virtues". You can see someone's finished piece here -- click! Isn't it LOVELY!??! I have loved this one since I first saw it, and I can't wait to get started on it, though it will be a couple of months I think. I am going to use DMC 815 as the main color & 838 (yes, brown) as the other color. I think that will work! :-) I'm going to use either Antique White or Cream 40 ct Edinboro for this one.... not sure which yet.

Since I don't want Vonna & I to be the only CRAZY stitchers out there, I invited Terry to join us, and she did... (wonder if her arms are sore too?) lol ;-) Yes, we are totally insane.... nuts, all 3 of us! But boy are we having fun losing our minds. Try it, you might like it! ;-)

Make A Wish Exchange from Jill!

Look at this lovely biscornu from Jill!!! She used a Prairie Schooler design & turned it into a biscornu, which is really smart. I love it, hearts & red, what more can you ask for? I received this last week & kept planning to get it posted, but the camera batteries were dead. Then we bought new ones & I forgot to charge them. Oops! Anyway, thank you Jill for the lovely redwork biscornu, it's wonderful!!! :-)

I've been stitching & hope to have a finish to share in the next few days. Wish me luck! Happy stitching!

Some husbands just don't understand....

Look at the look on his face (and the face of the baby in his lap)! lol
She even has a kitty in her lap....
I thought this was too funny not to share! It's from Life Magazine, here are the details -
Comical stereoscopic of distraught young father holding milk bottle in hand and crying infant in his lap while his spouse calmly does her needlework (captioned on back: When a man marries his troubles begin).
Location: US
Date taken: 1897

Hope you're having a great weekend... I'll be back with a post & a beautiful exchange soon!

Happy New Year - it's 2009!

That means we're another year older & have lots more to stitch, right? ;-) How did 2009 get here so quickly? With all the "going's on" in the US, I'm a bit stressed & worried, but I'm trying to be positive & not let it get to me so much. There isn't a lot we can do to change all the "big" things so I'm going to try to work on what I can change, the small but most important things.

I want to thank so many of you for making 2008 a happy year. I've made lots of new friends and I love hearing from you & reading your comments to my blog. I'm going to TRY to do better about leaving comments too, but no big promises. There are just simply not enough hours in the day to do all I'd like to do. I bet you know how that feels don't you? ;-)

I'm happy in some ways to see the new year roll around. Last year opened my eyes to a few things I'd rather not remember, but I will take them to heart & try to let go. One was how someone I cared about very much just "dumped" me as a friend. I don't know why... maybe she was upset because I knew she lied to me and it really hurt me to the core. She's now a "new person" (but I won't go there!). What goes around comes around, I truly believe that! I have a couple of other "friends" who are too wrapped up in themselves to think about anyone else as well. They contact me when they want something & that's it. That's fine... I KNOW who my real friends are & that's what counts. I'll take my hurts, tuck them away & do my best to let them go (and not let myself be hurt again!).

On the stitching front, I don't have any real "plans" for 2009. I haven't signed up for any SAL's or exchange groups, etc. I am just going to "wing it" this year and do what I want. Let's see how that goes.... I had approx. 79 finishes in 2008, many were exchanges and some were gifts. Very few were kept, which is fine, but I have so many pieces in my stash that I want to stitch. Let's see if I can get any of them done in 2009!

I do know how blessed we are & I'm so thankful for all of it. I wish you a very happy, healthy, prosperous & blessed new year and hope that all of your wishes & dreams come true!

OH, and also hope you accomplish lots of stitching as well! :-)