Let me tell you about the book I just read.

I just finished the third book in Cleo Coyle's Coffee House Mystery series, Latte Trouble".  If you love a cozy mystery and enjoy a good cup of coffee you will want to check out this series.   The main characters have been consistent throughout each book which makes me want to read more to see how they develop and evolve.  At the end of each book are coffee related recipes that just seem yummy.  Cleo Coyle also has a webpage dedicated to the series and coffee.  You can even sign up to win free coffee.

Last night I started Murder Most Frothy -- the forth  book in the series, so far so good.  I have book 5, 6, 7 & 8 on my Paperback Swap Wish (PBS) List -- why buy new when you can get a used book for free.  I just posted this book on PBS if you are interested check it out.

Have a great MLK Day.

See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #15

Can you hear me breath a sigh of relief?  I made it to 15 January with my 15th project started on time.  I am very proud that I completed this challenge, now the real challenge begins, to get these 15 projects completed plus my 6+ UFOs done in a timely manner.  Thankfully soccer season starts soon and I always stitch while I wait for my kiddo at practice.  It's going to be a good year for stitching at my house.

This is Windows of Joy by Primrose Needleworks.  The pattern was published in the December 2007 issue of The Gift of Stitching.  I am stitching it on a scrap of oatmeal 14 ct aida with DMC threads. 

See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #14

This is Snow from Bent Creek.  This pattern has been in my stash for a long, long time.  Looking at it makes me feel the chill of winter--just like today, although no snow for us in North Texas.  I am stitching this on pale blue 14ct aida with a mix of DMC and specialty threads. 

See ya!!

CJ 

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #13

I have admired this pattern for many, many months and I kept going back and forth about including it in this challenge since I had so many great patterns in my stash.  But everytime I visit the Freebie Gallery Blog I see this pattern and I just love it.  So here it is on 16ct aida using Cranberry thread from The Gentle Art.  Not sure how I am going to personalize it at this point--at least it is started.

See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #12

Plum Berry Sampler is my choice for project #12 -- can't believe I have made it this far.  I am stitching it on even weave with DMC floss.  The best thing about this challenge is I told myself I will only use what is in my stash -- no new purchases, no floss, no fabric, no patterns.  If I don't have the right color, I pull out my DMC color chart to find a suitable sub.  

See ya!!

CJ 

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #10 & 11

Here are projects 10 and 11.  They are the same as project #9, name tree ornaments for my two daughters.  I just love these name trees and M Designs does a great job cretaing them.  I think I will have to get one for my brand new nephew. 

See ya!!

CJ

First Finish of 2011

WooHoo!!!  I have finished a stitching project for 2011 and it is still January--boy, I am on a roll.  This is a Brush Stroke Butterfly stitched in shades of purple and blue on 14ct white aida for the Quilts for Older Children and Adults Yahoo Group.  Tomorrow this will be sent off to Pennsylvania to be included in a quilt.  Now I just need to finish my two kitties.   This is the first time I have scanned stitching into the PC vice take a photo.  Not sure if I like the scan.  Well at least I can put this in the finish column.

See ya!!

Cj

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #9

Here it is!! Project #9.  This is a name ornament for my son.  I am stitching it on 16ct white aida with Carrie's Creation Thread called Holly Days.  This will also require lots of beads when the stitching is finished, hum--not sure what color to use at this point.

See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #8

Number 8 was not originally on my list but as I viewed other blogs participating in this challenge I found it difficult to resist this free pattern.  I really have an affinity to stitching word trees so I decided to go ahead and stitch up Holiday Spirit by Robin Shappell.  It is a lovely little tree that I am stitching in green and red on oatmeal aida.

Enjoy!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #7

I have made it to project #7, I 've reached the top of the hill.  This is another VeeandCo Name Flake for my oldest daughter.  I am stitching on 28ct Laguna with Purple Pansy floss from Carrie's Creation Threads.  Hurray me!!!

Enjoy!!


See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #6

For my 6th project I am making a Name Flake from VeeandCo for my son.  The fabric is 18ct hand dyed aida from Enchanted Fabrics, I can't remember the name.  The floss is DMC 517.  The snow flakes will be done with silver beads.  These are so easy and quick to stitch--you will get to see another tomorrow.

Enjoy!!

I really appreciate all your comments.  Thanks for stopping by.


See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #5

Here is project number 5 for this Crazy January Challenge.  It is the Winter Soapbox from Bent Creek.  I just love this pattern and I am so happy I found it in my stash.  I managed to get his hat stitched up. 



Enjoy!!

See ya!!

CJ 

TUSAL Jan New Moon

Here is my entry for the TUSAL.  It is not very full, I have only bee collecting since around Christmas time. My little jar is plastic, I decided on plastic with a  lid because I keep it in my stitching bag and it gets moved allot and I have three kids, two dogs and a husbands--I think you know what I am getting at.  It is just safer this way.   In it's former life it was a Blossom and Buttons Jar from Making Memories in the shade of Mocha--how exciting.  I took the picture early this morning in my kitchen as I was drinking my tea.  The jar still has a label on it that I plan to cover with  a stylish new ORT label--be looking for that next new moon.

Not only is this a TUSAL, but I have a house full of Totally Useless Calenders -- not one of them has the phases of the Moon on them.  How crazy is that?  Guess I need to go calender shopping today.


See ya!!


CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #4

This is an Armadillo from Aury.  I have had this pattern for several years and I am finally getting around to stitching it up.  It will be for my son, he has a fascination with animals.  This is being stitched on 14 count hand dyed fabric from  Enchanted Fabrics and Cafe Ole floss from Carrie's Creation Threads.  

Enjoy.

See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #3

I am a day late posting my third project.  IT is "The Red Noel Ornament" by Maryse DuPont of Les Grilles de Maryse.  It is in the November 2008 edition of The Gift of Stitching.  It was not on my original stitching list but I thought if I am going to get any of these projects done they need to be fairly small since I do have a of UFOs and some charity stitching to do as well.  I decided to turn this around a bit instead of stitching red on white I am stitching cream colored floss (DMC 543) onto hand dyed 16 count aida, called Blood Moon from Enchanted Fabrics. 

Enjoy.

See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #2

Here is my second project a Name Flake from VeeandCo.  I plan to finish this into some type of block.  I am stitching this on pink 32 count even weave using thread from Carries Creation Threads called Berry Swirl.  I will add beads, but not sure what color,  perhaps a dark pink. 

Unfortunately, Blogger is being a pain and I cannot upload my picture.  I will have to give it a try later.  

See ya!!

CJ

FYI - We had mountain lion sightings in our neighborhood over the last week.  I guess I need to keep the dogs in--scary!!

Crazy January Challenge 2011 - Project #1

I joined Minna's Crazy January Challenge to start 15 new projects the first 15 days of January.  My projects are listed in the sidebar and here is a  picture of my first project.  I am stitching an Alphabet Kitty letter Q to be made into a quilt that will be raffled to support the St Francis Animal Rescue Center in Rock Hill, SC.  It is stitched with DMC on 14ct white aida. This is just one of the many charity projects hosted by the Yahoo Group, Quilts for Older Children and Adults.

Happy 2011!!

See ya!!

CJ