And the winner is......

Virpi!!  She was selected by random.org to receive the stitching magazines I posted for a giveaway.   I have contacted her for her address.  Thanks to all of you who commented on that post. 

See ya!!

CJ

One more Coffee House Mystery put to bed!!

Yep, I have finished my sixth (that's right 6) book in the Coffee House Mystery series by Cleo Coyle.  Thoroughly thrilling and I am happy to announce that Clare Cosi (the main character) finally got her man -- in a lovey sort of way.   I tried to pick up a new book, by a different author--just could not do it with the next Coffee House installment, Espresso Shot, sitting on my shelf.  Oh well!! 

French Pressed is now listed  Paperback Swap for the next happy reader. 

See ya!!

CJ 

Two Cards--Four Challenges

Today I have two cards to share with you.  One is a Christmas Card and the other is just a cute card for Spring.  That is all the cards for this week, I need to get back to my stitching, oh, and the laundry needs some attention.   Enjoy!!

Card Recipe: (All Stampin Up unless noted)

Base - Pear Pizazz (love this color)

DSP - Jolly Holiday

Stamp Set - Holiday Happiness

Ink - Early Espresso (my new fav)

Rub On - Karen Foster

Extra Stuff - Crystal Effects

Challenges:

Christmas Card Challenge

Alphabet Challenge "T is for Tree"

Christmas Card Challenge #16

Card Recipe:  (All Stampin Up unless noted)

Base - Rich Razzleberry (love this color)

DSP - Green at Heart from Basic Grey (if they ever retire this pack, I will be so sad)

Ink and Ribbon - Rich Razzleberry

Butterfly and DSP border are from the last sheet I had of an old SU, sorry can't remember the name and they no longer carry it. 

I will put a sentiment on this card just not sure what yet. 

Challenges:

OWH S&S Sketch Challenge #61

Paper Cutz Challenge #83

See ya!!

CJ

Another OWH Challenge Card - Scallops

This week the Wendesday Challenge from Operation Write Home was to make a card with scallops.  I was having so much fun I made two.  These are thank-you cards that will be sent to OWH for the troops.  I used the same materials for both cards. GinaK Designs Kraft card stock for the card base, Stampin Up Early Expresso Ink, Hero Arts sentiment, and Kioshi Paper Pack from Basic Grey (love Basic Grey paper packs).  OWH card sketch 58 was used for one of my cards. 

Sketch #58

See ya!!

CJ

PS - Don't forget to check out my giveaway posted below.



Three More Stitching Projects Finished, plus a giveaway.

Well at least the stitching is done. I have completed three more projects that makes a total of nine this year and it is only March.  Can you see me dancing "The Happy Dance" under my imaginary disco ball? lol

The first project is something I started in the summer of 2008 while on a trip to Ohio.  Well, I ran out of the speciality floss I was using and it was a limited edition.  Since I could not get the same floss, I was just boo-hooing about the whole thing and put it up.  I did have a great suggestion from Meari to frog the alphabet and find a coordinating floss but I chose to ignore her beyond brilliant idea.  Well, 2.5 years later I finally took Meari's advice and voila, my version of the Alphabet Tree from Blue Ribbon Designs is finished.

Windows of Joy from Primrose Needleworks is next.  This little cutey is on my Crazy January Challenge list.  I made a little adjustment to the pattern and added white buttons vice stitching white snowflakes--the white floss was not showing up well on my fiddlers cloth.  This will make a cute ornament for my tree.   The pattern is from the December 2007 The Gift of Stitching on-line magazine.

Next is Holiday Spirit from Samplerbird Stitchery.  What a joy to stitch, I will be making a few more of this one.  I stitched a yellow vice red star and added a few beads. 

Now for a little giveaway.  I have six copies of The Cross Stitcher, dated  April, June, October and December 2008, February and April 2009, and one copy of Just Cross Stitch dated February 2002 for some lucky person.  If you are interested in the magazines (it is all or none) please leave a comment indicating you would like them with your e-mail if you do not have a blog.  On March 28th random.org will pick a winner.  Once I get the details I will happily send them to the winner.   Remember to PIF or RAK -- it does a body good.



See ya!!

CJ

One Sketch, Three Challenges

This week I decided to participate in a few card challenges.  The first being OWH Stars and Stamps Wednesday Challenge "Going Dotty", Alphabet Challenge "S is for Stripes" and Color Dare CD99 challenge.    I selected OWH Star and Stamps sketch #59 for the cards. 

The OWH Stars and Stamp challenge required dots on the card.  The dots could be embossed or dots on paper.  The Color Dare challenge required the colors basic grey, marina mist and cherry cobbler  be used.  I decided to combine the two challenges, of course I had to use my favorite stamp set Stampin Up "For All You Do" and my dots are embossed using Cricut Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.

The Alphabet Challenge required stripes.  Easy enough.  I used the same sketch, same image, marina mist and cherry cobbler card stock, and some coordinating striped paper from Paper Studio.   Voila!!

Nice way to spend a Saturday morning, being crafty and creative. 

Please say a prayer for all the wonderful people of Japan.  The damage and destruction just breaks my heart.  I lived in Japan for 8 years so it is a place very dear to me and my family.  My hubby and I got married in Tokyo 21 years ago.  



See ya!!

CJ

Another Coffee House Mystery.....

bites the dust (at least in my house) and ends up on PaperBackSwap for the next eager reader.  As usual Cleo Coyle does not disappoint.  I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure as the main character, Clare Cosi, goes digging for trouble.  Trouble that eventually leads her into the arms of the man she is meant to be with, NYPD Detective Mike Quinn.  They are not totally together yet it will happen I can feel it in my bones. Perhaps they will finally get it together in the next book--at least that is my wish. LOL 

I recently discovered that the Cleo Coyle writing team have a Haunted Book Store Mystery Series under the pen name Alice Kimberly.  Fortunately the first two books were avaliable on PBS.  How exciting!!!

See ya!!

CJ

The Blog Hop Winner Is...........

Sue B!!  Sue has won Stampin UpPerfect Punches stamp set plus a few other lovely goodies from me for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.  The bloghop was fantastic.  I have close to 200 visitors and 65 comments.  WooHoo!!  I even picked
up a few more followers.  The best part for me was visiting all the other blogs and seeing great cards.  It got my creative juices flowing.


See ya!!

CJ

TUSAL March New Moon

If you are here for the OWH Bloghop  please scroll down.

Another month has passed and I am a few days late with my New Moon post.  February was a great stitching month for me and I still ahve two finishes to post once the OWH Bloghop is finished.  March looks like it will be another great month for stitching in my house.  Have a great month.

Notice the white floss at the top of the jar, I am working on Bent Creek "Snow" and Mr Frog visited a few times.  Keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't return.

See ya!!

CJ

OWH Bloghop

Welcome to the OWH Bloghop!!  If you came from Christine's Blog you you you are in thr right place.  If this is your first stop on the hop you will want to go to the beginning at OWH so you don't miss a thing.  This is my first ever bloghop and I am so excited to have you stop by today.  Here is the card I made to share with you.  I used the "For All You Do" stamp set from Stampin Up for this card.  I love this stamp set and I have used it quite often.  It is one set I will have for a very long time.  All the products for this card are from Stampin Up.  It is a very simple card and that is how I like to make them clean and simple.  




I was so happy when I found OWH and I am so proud to support them. Being retired military it fills my heart with joy to see all the love that is being sent to our troops. No matter where they are stationed they deserve our respect and gratitude for the sacrifices they make to keep our country safe. 


One of my favorite spots to visit is the OWH Flikr page.  I love looking at the photos of the troops with their cards.  The photos make me laugh and cry at the same time.  I laugh because the pictures are heartwarming and joyful, I cry because I want them all to come home safe and sound. 


If you would like a chance for a little blog candy and some love just leave a comment with your e-mail.  Below is the candy, the love will be a surprise.  On Monday I will have random.org pick a winner. 

If you are making Easter cards for the troops the deadline is March 18th and the deadline for Mother's Day cards is March 31st.


I am so happy you stopped by.  Now it is time to visit Shannon's blog, she is a very talented card maker. 

See ya!!

CJ