Good news about the giveaway!

The items on order for the giveaway should be arriving next week. I was crossing my fingers as the Nordic Needle box of scissors was on backorder but good news is I'm extending the chance for giveaway until Dec 14th and on or about the 15th will draw a lucky winner of these beauties and I hope so much you enjoy them this year!!!

I've been so busy today that I literally just sat down from this morning at 6am.

I'm having trouble with my new progressive lens glasses and had to take them back to get different lens ordered for them today. Until then, my basket of readers are within reach.

I'm in one of those "cleaning moods" and have to take advantage of the sorting and donating, and cleaning, even silver and closets.....don't know what's got into me lately. But it's so much less stressful when I can actually find things...LOl

The high temp today was 30 degrees. I had a chance at lunch to run an errand and the car said 25 degrees at 1pm and the wind was blowing...........needless to say getting out the scarves and gloves tonight.

My day off this week is Thursday so I definitely want to finish up Miss Abbie's sampler and then back to work on several other WIPs I have STACKED in my basket(s).

I missed Frosty the Snowman tonight......oh, I love to watch that program every year. I'm sure it will be on again before Christmas. This was definitely a day that I could relate to Frosty. COLD!

Finished your shopping yet?

I am just starting here and there to pick up a few things. Planning a Christmas Eve Party as usual. I love the magic in the air on Christmas Eve, even as an adult. I like to make apple cider and bake cookies then. It's been kinda tradition that I choose to keep through all times.
 Skip the dinner that night, just munching on goodies. I'm fortunate this year to have the whole day off on Christmas Eve and it's  a Friday!!! YEAH!

I know there are alot of people not so much in the spirit of Christmas this year and I can relate to some degree but trying hard to stay positive and enjoy the season and of course, the real reason.
I also have to count out my Christmas jar and find a anonymous family that may need something extra special sitting on their doorstep Christmas morning. We started this tradition last year, after being inspired by the book, The Christmas Jar. It really helps the heart when we give to those who appreciate and need something special. That's the real spirit.

Well, here's to a nice, warm evening for you.

Stay safe,
Jennifer

The Weekend of Christmas Spirit scattered through the house

What a productive weekend!  So happy we put out our Christmas goodies. We arranged them differently and this year, I didn't put the village out.......yet. I'm sure I will have to as I haven't missed one year in 15 years to do that.

Well, many of the Sampler Girl designs from last year peaked out to be placed around. And then there's Abbie, peaking through at times during her many naps in her Christmas pompom dress to keep the spirit light.

This elf is TIRED. Heading for bed for the workweek.

Hope your Monday is fully of brightness!

Sunday thoughts

 And Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

The Virtues of Grace finished

The Virtues of Grace

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2010

fibers--Week's Dye Works

32 count Lambswool linen

mother of pearl vintage buttons

framed by Me and Thee

December 2010

I designed a sampler this weekend in remembrance of my maternal grandmother, Grace Gordy Coleman. Her birthday would have been this week and she had all the virtues of her name, plus many others. I got to spend 8 years with her and I watched her go through at the end of her life a diagnosis of brain cancer, surgery, radiation and chemo in a 3 month period of time when the angels accompanied her to Heaven. I believe this to be one of the reasons I went into the medical field as I watched her suffer so much at the end and this was in the 70's.

 Ironically, she also died at the end of December. I called her "Mama Grace". These virtues were "in her fiber" every day and what a role model she was! She introduced me to many things including shopping for the matching purse, shoes, and outfit, the "powder compact" to primp with, and lotion.......many of the things I enjoy today too. When she spoke, she meant what she said. There was no guessing with her. My step- grandfather, who is also deceased, loved her like I've never seen a man love a woman and in retrospection years later as I grew to be an adult, I found out that her first marriage was the opposite. She had many struggles but grew positively from them. She was well-respected in the very small town she lived in and I accompanied her to church on weekends I stayed with her.

On visits with her, I would sleep with her and she would say prayers with me and I believe we blessed so many people before I finally went to sleep until I was silly. She had patience with my nightowl nature which has stuck with me through life.She encouraged my love for music and we would dance at all kinds of music in her living room. She was in no way perfect but she lived the virtues of grace. When she died she left her rings and watch with my stepfather on her death bed and asked they be given to me when I became an adult.

I treasure them now and wear them almost daily as a reminder of strength during trying times.

 I hope you have someone who made you feel special too, even if for a short while. That's what life is all about. Not perfection, but the "fiber" that is in our being from one soul to another.

Progress on Forever Hope and other new starts

Christmas this year is keeping it simple. Very simple. Welcome newbies!!!!!!!  I love reading your comments and wished I could make all those wishes come true for you at Christmas. Rest assured I will be praying for each and every one of you. Thanks for spreading the word about the give-away. The more, the merrier, right?  These items are on order and just got a note that there is a slight delay so this may not get out as soon as I wished after the drawing. I tried to put a rush on it. Will see what happens, but anyway, there are lots of things to stash from this Santa to you.   ;)

Giving is the best part of the season for me, always has been, always will. Those that know me best, know this. It puts joy in  my heart to put a smile on your face!

Well, getting out the Christmas decor little bits at the time this week. What doesn't go up by Sunday probably will not as my work schedule is busy. No complaints though here as I am thankful for a job.

Since I got this:

stitching has slowed a bit. I've designed more than I've stitched and there are only so many fingers to stitch up all in my stash and what my mind creates to paper.

However, remember this one Forever Hope 1819?

Here's my last progress pics:

and now a few more stitches to this:

working on the house. You know building a house is more than I thought imaginable!  :)

Then, I designed a little one in memory of my deceased maternal grandmother, Grace.

Her birthday would have been this week. She passed away when I was only 8 but had probably the best positive influence in my life than any other family member. She was one of a kind and miss her alot. She left her rings and watch to me and when I wear them, I feel more courage and strength remembering her, that she is a part of me and loved me alot. She was assertive yet not aggressive. She was graceful, just as her name. She had much class and would give a helping hand to whoever she could while taking good care of herself. She was exactly everything her name stood for.

So, I started stitching this little pillow keep last night:

using Weeks Dye Works Ocean and Pecan as fibers.

Stay tuned for other virtues in rememberance to her.

I wanted to also show you what I found in a thrift store about 3 weeks ago.

The frame is about 6 x 8 and it's old.....OLD. I got it for 2.00!

It's actually in good condition for it's age and I was doing a happy dance in the box outside that it was put in as junk.

 I love junkin' it. ;)

Take a look-see.

The front has a picture like this:

and it looks like an opera scene.

The back looks like this:

It has an old wire hanging and the paper backing is very fragile. I will remove all of this to use for a frame for a stitching finish but before I do look at these:

Handwritten on the back,

and then this stamp in the middle as if it was a Christmas gift to someone.

1909

Have you ever seen a stamp like this one? Any stamp collectors?

So far I don't know what I will frame with it but the picture will be removed along with the backing.

If only the paper could talk about the gift and the heart of the giver and the receiver, the meaning, the time of year, and where it hung special in the home. Oh, how I wonder.

Well, I'm fixing to head over to get my Kindle and put it on the read-to feature for the rest of the book I'm reading. I'm 75% finished. I've got so many more to read/listen to!

Abbie sends her love too.

She says, "kissie,kissie"

Till later,

stay warm

Christmas Giveaway 2010 begins

About 13 more minutes and Dec 1 will officially be here.


I hope you are happy with this giveaway!!! I would love it if it were for myself and I try to pick the best of the best that I can do at the time.


Here is what's listed in your Santa box you'll be getting.  No worries, Santa baby, paid good attention to the poll from the readers.



First is  Merry Christmas, Ella Vaughn by Blackbird Designs

PLUS  ALL THE FIBERS TO COMPLETE IT

• 1 X Gentle Art--Picket Fence
• 3x Gentle Art--Shaker White
• 1 x Weeks Dye Works 1219
• 1 x Weeks Dye Works 1232
• 1 x Weeks Dye Works 1230
• 1 x Weeks Dye Works 1233
• 1 x Weeks Dye Works 1266
• 2 x Weeks Dye Works 1332
• 1 x Weeks Dye Works 1333

PLUS The fabric to complete it:



            R & R Garden State Java 30 ct 13 x 18



PLUS  Blackbird Designs Book!!!   Honey Suckle Manor

PLUS  Claus Goldline Wood Box  Scissor Set by Nordic Needle--
 

Hope  you will be please and excited to receive these if you are the lucky winner! I'm as excited as you are!

remember

• make sure you are a followerer of the blog, newbies or oldies
• international accepted
• I will pay shipping
• make 3 separate postings only on this post if you are interested in 3, stating it one that you are a follower, 2 that you shared it on your blog, and 3 what you want Santa to bring you this year!!!!!

Enjoy, it's officially 12:11 am now.......welcome December!

This giveaway will close on Dec 7th at midnight.