Loose Feathers Patterns

Good Morning!

I just listed several old Loose Feather patterns on ebay if anyone is interested.

Two Hearts #34 (new) - with Fabric

Beyond My Heart #32 (new) - with Fabric

Moonlit Garden #22

Where My Heart Bloosm #29

Rites of Spring #30 (new) - with Fabric

Stitching update coming soon (including my March Ornament).

Enjoy your day.

Cari

A Spring Giveaway

from my dear friend Deb at the Thread Gatherer. Isn't it just beautiful! Stop by and visit her blog, she is one amazingly, talented woman.

Enjoy your day!

Cari

Thank you!

As of 8:59 Friday evening, I officially began Spring Break – whoo hoo! NINE DAYS OF FREEDOM – well almost, three classes are still in progress but 3 versus 6 seems like a piece of cake. I have a long list of things I plan to do while I am off. Top of the list is clean my house! Because of my knee fracture, I cannot get on my hands and knees and scrub my floors so, I have a girl coming on Monday to make my house sparkle! I have emails to catch up on and blogs to view, I am going to overhaul the closet in our master bedroom, I have to input my portion of our tax stuff into the computer, I’m going to listen to lots of books, go for long walks, spend time with friends, watch lots of movies, and make lots and lots of x’s.

Speaking of x’s, here is my progress on the Yellow House Sampler

First, I have to thank my brother Shawn for fixing my blog as it was hijacked a couple of weeks ago. I added a counter from the Google choices – well it had a virus. Whenever anyone would enter my blog, it would automatically re-direct them to a site trying to sell something. Shawn is an absolute computer genius! He found the problem and fixed it quickly – THANKS BIG BROTHER!

Secondly, I have to thank the talented and generous Jolene of Dip Diddly Designs who honored me with a blogging award. I confess that I don’t feel very worthy of it as I have not been very attentive to my blog or to others. Along with myself, the award was given to Terri, Deb, Loraine, Yuko, Staci, and Kellie – what an honor to be listed with these six amazing women, congratulations ladies!

There are stipulations that come with the award:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award – check.

2. Paste the award on your blog – check.

3. Link to the person who nominated you – check.

4. Tell 7 interesting things about yourself – check (not sure they are interesting, but there are seven).

5. Nominate 7 blogs and post links – check.

Seven random things about myself:

Ø I am currently taking 9 classes this semester – complete insanity. But, this means I will graduate in May with my BS in Business Management. I will begin my Master’s this summer and my goal is to complete it in a year, Lord willing.

Ø I live in a house that was built in 1895 and each room has a fireplace. In my bedroom my favorite place to drop my jewelry was onto the mantle. Well, sure enough my favorite necklace slipped behind the fireplace mantle one evening. I took a wire hanger and tried to slide the necklace out. First I came out with someone’s checkbook, next a photograph of a bride the back was dated 1898, a $20 bill, another $20, and another $20, a $10 (none of this was money we had lost), a postcard from 1910, a few hand-hewn (handmade) nails, and lastly my beloved necklace.

Ø By the time I graduated high school, I had moved 14 times. I never attended one school more than two years. No, my father was not military, he worked in the grocery business and when he received a promotion, it meant moving to a new area to manage more stores. I was born in Michigan and lived in Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia.

Ø I have four brothers, no sisters, DAVID * JASONN * SHAWN * BOBBY.

Ø I love shoes, especially high heels and wear them most of the time. (of course, the fact that I am only 5’5” is a motivator)

Ø My previous job was managing four departments. One of these departments was Production. I would frequently help out which meant lots of running around. I would often kick my heels off to allow me to move faster and give my poor feet a break. Unfortunately, my employees got great amusement out of hiding my shoes. One afternoon after completing a huge order, I walked over to the table where I had kicked my shoes off, slipped my feet back in and as I began to walk away, I realized everyone was watching me and, I realized I couldn’t move – they had velcroed my shoes to the carpet.

Ø My favorite snack foods are chocolate and popcorn – not necessarily together. And, I am a coffee snob.

Now comes the hard part, choosing only seven blogs to nominate, I did choose seven that were not on Jolene’s list but it was still hard as I love so many blogs, here goes…

v Siobhan – Notes from Blue Hen Hollow

v Lois – Of Needles, Pins, and Stitching Things

v Margaret – Days of a Sampler Lover

v Laurie – Corgi Cottage

v Tanya – The Scarlet House

v Melissa – Words and Blooms

v Kim – Threadheads Unite

Take a few moments to visit these talented women, their work will inspire you.

Thanks to everyone who stops by for a visit, your comments mean so much!

I’m off to get all dressed up as we have two wedding to attend this afternoon.

Enjoy your weekend!

Cari

And the Winner Is....

Laurie in Iowa! Congratulations Laurie! Will you please email your address to me and I'll put it in the mail this week.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my last post. I have met so many wonderful ladies during my short time in blogworld.

Happy Stitching

Cari

Gifts Galore

Smokie wanted to model the gifts. This bench is her favorite sleeping spot.Those of you that follow Alma's (Blackbird Designs) blog know that she recently has an amazing giveaway and I won, I really won. I was quite shocked and excited. The box arrived on Monday and it was full of wonderful items. The pincushion bottom is a wonderful piece and it includes a free pattern.
Bluebird pincushion ~ Bird in Hand pincushion

Next is Blackbird Designs new book, Honeysuckle Manor. It is full of wonderful patterns.And lastly are two Blackbird leaflets and a Stitcher's Journal. Snow Garden ~ Valentine Rose

I received so many wonderful items that I wanted to share. So, I am having a drawing for all my followers. Up for grabs is "Snow Garden." Just leave your information on this post by the end of the day on February 28th and I will draw a name on March 1st.

Thanks Alma & Barb for the wonderful giveaway -
your generosity and your talent are amazing!

Lastly, is my February ornament (it's your turn Siobhan). Siobhan, Lois, and I are stitching ornaments together, our goal is one a month. Lois finished BBD Merry Christmas Stocking, it is beautiful! My finish is by Midsummer Nights Designs and it will find its way to Deb sometime soon for her to work her magic.

Jingle, Sparkle, Joy
Midsummer Night Designs
DMC & random fabric

I have to tell you how sad I am - I always google my blog when I want to check it (it's supposed to help it somehow, the more searches. the better). Anyhow, to my shock and dismay someone has started a new website and a new facebook account using my name, Serene Stitches. I am really upset about it and while I understand I don't own these two words, I kinda feel that my identity has been stolen. Has this happened to any of you? (boohiss)

On another note, after this week I only have two weeks left in this sub-term, hooray! I have a week break and then I begin the next sub-term. I actually filled out my graduation application yesterday - it was quite exciting and it is actually beginning to feel real.

I hope you have a wonderful week full of stitching time.

Cari

Movies I have seen: Expiration Date; Definitely, Maybe; Nothing but the Truth; Arthur; People Will Talk.
Books I have listened to this week: The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks; A Share In Death, Deborah Crombie; The Body in the Library, Agatha Christie; The Mirror Cracked Side-to-Side, Agatha Christie.

Living in a Snowglobe

Yep, it snowed again - I feel like I am living in a snow globe and someone keeps shaking the darn thing. I know you northerners (I say that affectionately as I am one by birth) are tired of us southerners whining about all this snow but it really has been an unusual winter. Well, I made it through last week, finished all my homework by Saturday, and I spent a relaxing Sunday at home.  In honor of Valentine's Day, I had a chick flick marathon - "Did You Hear What Happened to the Morgans?", "Leap Year", and then I went to see the new Travolta movie "To Paris, With Love". It was a fun and relaxing day - which is exactly what I needed.

I ordered this in December and it just arrived - it was the Kit-of the-Month at Shakespeare's Peddler and I just love the fabric that came with it. Aren't the scissors wonderful! They were an unexpected surprise from Deb - I was so delighted to receive them and I love them - thanks again Deb!

Lastly, this is my paltry progress on The Yellow House - if you want to see the whole thing all stitched, stop by and see Deb's amazing finish. I have been switching between this piece and Liz when I can steal a few moments.

The Yellow House Sampler
Sheepish Designs
Lakeside Linen Light Examplar & DMC
Have a great week!

Cari

Current movies: Leap Year, From Paris with Love, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, The Jacket, Edge of Darkness, Rendition
Books I listened to this week: Andrew Jackson by Robert Remini; The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger; The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze; Illusions by Jill Gregory; Christmas In the Plains by Jimmy Carter; Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert MurdockCurrently listening to: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

*Sigh*

I confess to be out of words as I just completed my 8-page mid-term - my brain and fingers are exhausted. My other assignments this week were 9 discussion boards, two mid-term exams, a paper on Iago (Othello) and well, I am grateful this week is over! Only four more weeks to go in this sub-term. The Olympics have been great background noise as I type away. Go USA Go!

I am so sad at the state of my blogging these days, but there has not been time to stitch and thus, nothing to show. I have been visiting your blogs but not much commenting from me and I am sorry for that. I also owe quite a few people (Deb and Melissa and Elke) reply emails. I am most grateful for all of you who are still checking in and for leaving comments - you all are the BEST!

Ha, I just remembered I do have something to show - I borrowed the picture from Deb - a FINISH. This is my sweet little La D Da piece that Deb so wonderfully finished and stuffed with crushed walnuts. I can't wait for this to arrive in the mail - she does amazing work. Speaking of which, Lois your ornament is gorgeous!

Well, as PP would say, 'That's All Folks'!

Happy Stitching,

Cari