A new start

Almost three years since I have posted - where does the time go?  I have wanted to post recently, but held back...what if I can't find the time to post?  What do I really have to share?  

I started this blog to share my love of stitching and meet others who were just as obsessed. Stitching was my escape, I could pick up my needle and thread, turn on a good movie, and forget the craziness around me.   Today, I still love to stitch, but I have a very full, happy life, and finding time to stitch is not always easy.  

In the past three years, I have changed positions at the university twice, finished my master's degree, talked about starting my doctorate, adopted a puppy and two kittens, purchased a home, watched hundreds of episodes on Netflix, stitched a little, bought lots of new stash, had my first stay in the hospital, learned to mow a lawn, bought a weed eater, but have yet to unpack it, made new friends and said goodbye to others, travelled, read some great books, acquired a taste for sushi, and been blessed beyond measure!  

I look forward to catching up with everyone, being motivated to stitch more, and meeting new people!

Cari

Sent from my Lily pad

Atanyk

My sweet boy...

Bella

Time on my hands

what a wonderful experience!

My house is clean and organized. I've had lunch dates with friends and some thrifty shopping time. And, I have had lots of stitching time - hooray! It's a wonderful start to my summer.

I started Jean Rattray (another A&E) - it has lots of green and apples with white centers - not sure what that is about.

Jean Rattray
Threads of Gold
40 ct something, recommended threads

I also finished my May ornament (SAL with Siobhan and Lois). This is a Shepherd's Bush ornament from the 2006 magazine. It was a fun & easy project.

Mary & Joseph
Shepherd's Bush
32 ct something, recommended threads

I received a wonderful surprise package from Terri. It was so prettily wrapped and packed in a cute, cute basket (that I failed to photograph). Aren't these strawberries so very sweet - I love each and every one of them! Terri, thank you so very much - it was such a delightful surprise to receive something handmade from you - I will treasure these always!

I received a package from Deb and, once again, she worked her magic. Deb, you are the best!

???
Cross-Eyed Cricket
Recommended Fabric & Fiber

Winter
The Prairie Schooler - 2006 CS Ornaments
Unknown Fabric & Recommended Fiber


And lastly, I was the lucky winner of one of Becky's wonderful giveaways. If you have not visited her blog, please do so. She is a talented woman with a big heart. So many wonderful charts - I am in stitching heaven. Thanks, Becky!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend. To those who have loved one in the armed forces, we are most grateful for their service to our country. My grandfather (WWII), father (Vietnam), and brother (Air Force) served in the military.

Happy Stitching!

Cari

The Big Day

Saturday, May 15th, 2010 - I graduated!

There were over 9,000 graduates of which, 4,400 participated in Saturday's Commencement Ceremony. Glen Beck was our guest speaker. The main ceremony was outside - temps of 92 (nothing like wearing a long-sleeved black gown and black cap in the heat, lol).

It was a wonderful day and my family and friends were all there to cheer me on as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma - B.S. Business Management.

My friends threw me a great party on Sunday - it was very humbling to see all the work they did just for me. I am blessed to have a wonderful circle of close girlfriends - Paige, Elke, Tiffany, Susan, Beth, Linda, Lisa, and Ramona - you are the best and I am so very grateful to call you my friends.

To my blogging friends, please forgive me for being MIA - I owe you lots of emails, thank you's, and catching up to do on each of your blogs. With all my schooling out of the way, I hope to be more consistent with my posting and blogging. I so cherish the friendships I have made this past year through my blog. You all are the best!

I have lots of stitching to show you in my next post.

Have a wonderful day!

Cari

Finishes, Gifts, & Thrifty Finds

Hi Everyone! It's been quite a week and it's only Wednesday. I am running on about 10 hours of sleep over the last two days. Lots of project due as we near the end of the semester. Oh how I love to say that 'end of the semester', whoohoo! No one should ever attempt to take nine classes during one semester - it's been insane. But, I also have to say I am grateful to have all these classes completed.

The series Bones has been entertaining me as I have been working on homework. I just love this show! I started with Season 1 a few weeks ago and am now watching Season 5. I have read several of the books (Kathy Reichs) so it's fun to see the characters come to life.

Staci asked about my scissors in the last post. I found them on ebay. The handles are made of the old Bakelite material. The cream side is showing and the opposite side is a gold opaque color - they are really cool.

I have been very fortunate to win a couple of drawings. The first is a from a new blog I discovered recently. I was so surprised and delighted to win - look at all the wonderful goodies! And, yep, that is a Starbucks gift certificate. Thanks so much Nancy.

candle holders, deco bird, deco tag, pretty notepads, Starbucks gc, and a cute tote bag.

The second item came from the Online Needlework Show. M Designs had a drawing and I WON!!! I had the opportunity to choose my favorite chart - hard decision. I chose this one - I really like the alternate color scheme shown in the corner.

I helped my friend Tiffany (no blog) with her yard sale last weekend and I got some wonderful pieces from her sale though she wouldn't let me pay (love you Tiffany!)

These baskets are so pretty - I've never seen these before.

I love this pitcher. It doesn't have any markings, but it doesn't appear to be old either.

I love milk glass and have several pieces scattered about. Tiffany gave me two lovely pieces. This gorgeous vase and another sweet little hobnob piece.

The little hobnob piece now resides a top the mantel in the dining room. When I first looked at our home, a piano sat in the dining room. When I moved in (and the piano was gone) we were tickled to find a fireplace hearth with the beautiful tiles in tact. But sadly, no mantel. A few months after moving in, I found this gorgeous fireplace mantel in the attic. I stripped it and re-painted it. I have been searching for the missing tiles, to no avail. It's been 10 years, way past time to just settle for finding some different tiles so that we can affix this baby to the wall. It currently just leans against the wall with the top portion just sitting on the bottom, unattached. It's definitely an accident waiting to happen.

And, this came last Saturday as well.....

I am so tickled to own one of these Barnett & Jaffey cases, I love it. And, I owe it all to my friend Terri, "the enabler." Now I just have to find time to fill it up.

My friend Lisa (no blog) gave me these really cool shoes - they didn't fit her. They are JCrew jelly shoes - they don't look like jellies and they are so comfy! She also gave me this can of Vernor's. For those that don't know, this is a Michigan pop and in Virginia, it is extinct. Lisa is from Michigan and goes home often to visit family and she gratefully brings me back a piece of my home state. I am saving it for a movie nite. Vernors and popcorn go together perfectly.

Now to my big news. I FINALLY finished the Yellow House. Another A&E, I am so very happy.

Yellow HouseSheepish DesignsLakeside Linen Light Exampler & DMC threads


Also, here is my April Ornament. Lois, Siobhan, and I are doing an ornament SAL and we have made it thru FOUR months - hooray!

Just Nan Freebie
Unidentified Fabric & recommended threads.

I have started Jean Rattray (another A&E) by but don't have enough to show right now.

Anybody still with me? Sorry for prattling on for so long! Well, back to my homework...

Have a great week and happy stitching.

Cari

p.s. Check out Paulette and Marsha's new blog and they are having a giveaway! I went out at lunch and purchased some fresh blackberries so I can make their blackberry and vanilla muffins - they look yummy!

Finding time to breathe!

Do you ever have one of those days where you have so much going on that you barely have time to take a breath let a lone a bathroom break? Well, my whole week has been that way.

It's been a great week and I wouldn't change any of it, but I am so grateful for a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do but relax, catch up on blogging, and spend some quality time with my needle and thread.

I have had lots of homework, social obligations, fun times with friends, homework, physical therapy and regular work - it's been quite a whirlwind.

Saturday I helped my friend Tiffany with her yard sale - I got some wonderful goodies - pictures later. We had a fun day and she got rid of a lot of stuff - which was her goal.

I was quite honored to receive an award from Jolene. Thanks so much dear friend - what a delightful surprise this was.

Now, I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy and pass this on to ten people.

Things that bring me happiness:

1. My family and my sweet, sweet, Smokie

2. Long talks on the phone with my brother, Shawn.

3. Spending time with my nieces & nephew - Matthew, Ana, Abby

4. The time I spend with my friends - I love girltime.

5. My good health

6. Long walks with a good book playing on my Zune

7. Road trips - to anywhere!

8. Cross stitching

9. The wonderful friendships I have formed thru my blog

10. Antiquing, meandering thru thrift stores, estate sales, etc.

This is always the hardest part as there are so many wonderful people & wonderful blogs - I decided to pass this on to 10 new blogs I have just recently discovered in the past two weeks – hopefully you will stop by and visit them as well…

1. Margaret - A Sampler of Stitches

2. Robin - My Life's A Stitch

3. Edgar - Black Sheep's Bit of the Web

4. Susan - Afford Your Passion

5. Nancy - Nancy's Tidbits

6. Andrea - The Craft Room

7. Carol - Stitching Dreams

8. Staci - Snippets & Stash

9. Corinna - Cup of Stitches

10. Valerie - A Shenandoah Sampler

I also received a wonderful award from Melissa awhile ago but failed to put it on my blog - Melissa you are such a dear friend - thanks for the award! The award rules are to list seven interesting things about yourself and to pass this award on to seven people. Well, I have already done this once and won’t bore you all again but feel free to go here 7 & 7 - Melissa, I hope you don't mind.

Andrea (Deep Fried Cupcakes) won Terri’s giveaway and generously offered one of the charts she received as a giveaway. I was the lucky winner (happy dance) - I was so excited to receive this fabulous chart. Andrea, thanks again for sharing your win - I am most grateful!

I also received a wonderful surprise package from my friend, Deb - thanks so much Deb!

And, I was able to nab one of Tanya's wonderful, wonderful handpainted sets - isn't it just lovely!

Tanya, it is even more amazing in person than on screen.

Stop by and visit with Edgar of Blacksheep's Bit of the Web and wish him a happy blogiversary and congratulate him on his 700th post. He is having a giveaway in celebration of this momentous occasion.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving such wonderful comments - I am truly grateful.

Have a wonderful week and happy stitching!

Cari