RR Finish

Yesterday, I completed part 3 of  a Round Robin hosted by the Stitchers' Village.  This project was small but the back stitching was a bear.  The design is from a British stitching magazine not sure which one, it is a series of six cute little kitties.  I quite am happy to send this little kitty on to the next stitcher.  

See ya!!

CJ 

What a bargain!!

Last week I walked into Michaels with a 20% off coupon that included sale items and I walked out with a brnda new Ott Lite.  Originally priced $59.99, on sale for $19.99, with additional discount I paid $15.99.  Now I call that a bargain.  This lamp is sitting on a table by my stitching chair and I love it.  Stitching is so much easier with a good light. 

See ya!!

CJ 

A personnal note!

My heart is filled with joy!  This is not something I would usually share with my blogging buddies, but I need to share this with you.  After 22 years my hubby and I have finally found a church home.  For years we never looked and decided that our fundamental differences would keep us at home on Sunday.  That is what happens when a Catholic marries a Baptist. 

We had children late in life, I was 40 when we brought our first baby home from China.  We knew they needed to be raised in the Church--which church was the question.  Finally the kids were asking (actually demanding) us to find a place of worship.  At this point we knew something had to be done, we needed to make that step.  We are also certain there was some divine intervention on behalf of one neighbors who has been praying for us to find a church since we moved here 6 years ago.   

On Easter we went to service at our neighbor's church.  Immediately upon entering the sanctuary we felt at home.  We experienced a feeling total calm and comfort, alsmost like going home--I have not felt this way in a church for many years (actually since my teenage years).  My hubby actually enjoyed the service and wanted to learn more.   Fast forward to Sunday, 12 June, we arrived a little early and had a chance to visit with the Pastor with questions about baptising our children. (Something I have wanted to do since we brought them home.) My oldest two decided they could not wait, they wanted to do it right away (this is the short version).  By the end of service we had become members (no longer visitors) of the First United Methodist Church and our children have been baptized.   That was truly a spontaneous moment--not our intention when we woke up that morning.  In the end a wonderful day for the entire family. 

Hubby and I were both active duty military and we moved every 3 years.  It has been difficult to feel totally settled and connected since we moved so much.  Now that we are retired it is time to truly settle down and make roots, I think we have finally done it.  We feel more grounded and connected to our community now. 


CJ

Thinking of You - Starburst Card

Yesterday I saw a starburst card on Julie's blog and I knew I had to make one.  Thankfully she had the link to the tutorial on OWH Stars and Stamps that I missed last week.  I was so busy last week I barely read any blog updates--hopefully I can catch up this week.  I loved making this card and I plan to make lots more.  The designer paper is one I have had for a long time waiting for the right projects.  Honestly, it is not one of my favorite paper packs (impulse buy) but it works really well for this card.  As for the card base, I have finally found a use for the Soft Suede cardstock I have had for over 2 years. 

Card Recipe:


Stamp: Sentiment Stampin Up Whimsical Words
Paper: SU Soft Suede and GinaK Heavy Base Weight Ivory, Designed Paper K&Company Classic K Charlotte
Ink: SU Soft Suede
Other:  Modern Label & Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals, Stick-on Blingy Brads, Sticky Strip and Elmer's Tape Runner, Michaels Gossamer Ribbon, Fiskars Paper Crimper


Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.


See ya!!

CJ

Crazy January Challenge Project #9 Finished

Les Petites Lettres Rouge by Blackbird Design has now landed in my stitching completed pile.  That is two projects in one week for me.  I am very happy to be done with this one.  It took me a few months to decide how I wanted to end it and what little extras I wanted to add.  In the end I am very happy with it and look forward to framing it up and hanging in my bathroom. 

Thanks for stopping by.

See ya!!

CJ

Friend Card

Hey there!  Here is a new card I put together using Stars and Stamps Sketch # 72 for the their Second Million Challenge.  Can you believe it?  Over one million cards made for OWH to send to our troops.  I am hoping to send off a box of 50 cards for the June challenge. 

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Card Recipe:

Sketch: OWH Stars and Stamps Sketch #72

Stamp: Sentiment Stampin Up Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Card Base GinaK Heavy Base Weight White, Designed Paper received in swap

Ink: Stampin Up Early Espresso

Other: Two Step Bird, Modern Label and Word Window punches, Dimensionals, Stick-on Brads, Sticky Strip and Elmer's Tape Runner

Enjoy.

See ya!!

CJ



Bent Creek Snow & a Swap

 I started it in January as part of the Crazy January Challenge and after putting it down for several months I picked it up and finished the stitching last night while watching an episode of Swamp People--first time I ever watched it and boy, what people are willing to do to make a living.  Oh, I am so happy to move to my pile of stitching finishes that just need to be assembled into something useful.  I think I will frame this one.  It is stitched on 14ct light blue Aida--not a very good photo.  I promised myself this year to use what I have in my stash and not buy any new material.  So far so good. 

If anyone is interested the pattern and would like to trade another pattern for it just drop me a note.  I am willing to trade for another Bent Creek, LHN, or JBW Designs just to name a few.   

Enjoy!!  Thanks for stopping by.

See ya!!

CJ

One more Coffee House Mystery completed, two to go!!

Love, love, love a good Coffee House Mystery and Cleo Coyle's, Espresso Shot hit the mark.  An absolutely entertaining and enjoyable book.  Cleo and her new love finally got together, hope it works out for them.  Her ex is remarried, but not out of the picture.  Now I just have to wait for the next two books in this series to pop up on PaperBackSwap. A cozy mystery is just what this mom of three needs at the end of a busy day--great way to clear the mind.  At least that is how I like to de-stress. 

Once Espresso Shot was finished I picked up Monica Ferris's Framed in Lace, the second installment in the Needlecraft Mystery series. Main character Besty Devonshire somewhat reluctantly solves her second murder mystery.  While not very exciting, this series is a fun read.  The stories are centered around people who visit a particular needlework store "Crewel World" and the story includes lots of needlework talk and a free pattern.  The author is very eclectic, loves to cross stitch--my kind of girl-- and loves to wear hats.   The free pattern I adapted for a card exchange, you can see it here.

Anxiously waiting on my bookshelf are three books from Cleo Coyles' Haunted Bookshop Mystery series written under the nome du plume, Alice Kimberly.  I am so excited to start reading The Ghost and Mrs McClure, but that will have to wait until I am finished with Lowcountry Summer by Dorthea Benton Frank. Hubby bought this book for me on Mother's Day and this time he got it right, I feel in love on page one.  The main character Caroline is totally captivating--I will be reading more by this author.  

Thanks for stopping by.

See ya!!

CJ

TUSAL June New Moon -- AKA The ORT Report

Here is my monthly "ORT" report.  I did stitch a bit last month, but not as much as I would have liked.  Actually finished two projects, one RR for the Village Stitchers RR group and then the butterfly card.  No picture of the RR piece cause my wonderful children had my run off with my camera.  My little jar is pretty packed, I keep squishing the threads down so I can make this last to 31 December. 

Happy June to everyone, it is already stinkin' hot in North Texas. 

See ya!!

CJ