Ahem....Hello???

Hello, all! 

First of all before I get into this post, I want to thank all of my followers for hanging with me!  I see I have new folks following this here blog, so I heartly welcome to you!  I'm glad your here!  And to my old friends,  pull up a seat and visit.  I love that you all are here!

I have pictures of a swap that I participated in on the Samplermakers forum.  Here is the pile o'goodies from Lynn!  I am tickled pink by her generosity and thoughtfulness!  She thought of everything that I like and I just love it all.

Lynn sent me a variety of thread, some very nice vintage-y fabric, buttons, trims, coffee, chocolate (that I ate promptly!) a needleminder, note pad, scissor fob, evenweave and a pattern that I don't have in my stash (Really? Is that possible?  HAHA!)

I have to say, if you don't belong to Samplermakers, run over there right now and sign up.  Hurry, hurry! You don't know what you are missing, the ladies are wonderful, the discussions are great, there's wonderfuls swaps and stitcher's challenges.  Lori from Notforgotten Farm does a wonderful job with the forum too!  So go now, shoo, shoo.  I'll be here when you get back.

Well, on to other things.  I was in slump.  I didn't stitch for a few weeks.  I just needed a little break.  I am back and  I am happy to say that the lovely little Merrily Beams piece is "this close" to being finished.  I can't wait to put the last stitch in her and I can't wait to show you the big finish!  I will have it done in time for my birthday in June so I can honestly say I met a commitment!  GO ME! 

I think part of my slump had to do with my self imposed, THOU SHALT  ONLY STITCH ON WIPS THIS YEAR rule.  Usually, I have a finish or 2 by now but not this year.  Stitching became drudgery.  I'd fondle my stash, visit (LURK) you all and drool over all the fun finishes you post. Then I'd come back to my stitching and let out a big sigh...oh woe, is me..EVERYONE is having fun stitching new things, all I have is this WIP to stitch....BIG SIGH. So I parked the needle, pulled out the Kindle and read 2 books in 2 weeks.  I read, "To Be Sung Underwater" (which I highly recommend) and The Hunger Games (which I blew through!).  And now, the siren needle has called my name and I picked up Oliver and Lisa this weekend and finished up the grassy area beneath them.  All's left now is the bottom border and the personalization.  And then, I think I'm going to work on True Virtue until it's done.  (Hear me, Connie?  TRUE VIRTUE). 
Come June, I will be adding an ornament to the stitching, I promised my soldier some handstitched ornaments for his and the lovely Jenna's Christmas tree. 
By this point, it should be almost Fall and I think I will finish up the Prairie Schooler piece that only has the snow beneath the houses to be stitched.  And then, I will work on I Sigh Not For Beauty.  and stitch some Fall things, cause Fall is my favorite time of the year.

Sound's like a plan, doesn't it?  Let's see if  I can stick to it.

I also have been kitting up samplers.  I've got Mary Gibson, Christmas Garden and 2 more waiting until I lift my moratorium on new starts.  And, I've been buying stash too.  Big surprise..NOT.
Anyway,  I am going to go for now.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me! 
Come back around soon!

Many Blessings,

Joanie