tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141598302024-03-13T13:19:11.909-04:00JOANIE'S WORLDJOANIE'S World
Stitching and Horses.
What more could a girl want?Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.comBlogger527125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-3590831374472945442017-02-07T15:41:00.001-05:002017-02-07T15:41:35.019-05:00Quick PostHello again!<br />
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I am doing a drive by post...I feel the need to connect even though there's not many out there that still read this little blog. I wanted to share a finish with you. May I present:<br />
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Little House Needleworks</div>
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Loving You</div>
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I have only been able to concentrate on smaller things, I still have a lack of focus. But this little piece came out just darling. I used Weeks Dye Works Linen in Red Pear with the called for thread and JABCO buttons. I backed it with Weeks Dye Works Merlot wool. I think I overstuffed it but I also think its adorable. I took my time finishing it using Vonna's wonderful floss tube <a href="http://handsondesign.biz/valentines-stitches-complimentary-charts-from-hands-on-design/" target="_blank">videos</a>.</div>
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Hands On Designs has some sweet freebies for Valentine's Day...check it out! <a href="http://handsondesign.biz/valentines-stitches-complimentary-charts-from-hands-on-design/" target="_blank">Hands on Designs Valentine Freebies</a></div>
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Right now I'm working on Be Mine. Very quick stitch. I am debating on how to finish it.</div>
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I joined Stitch from Stash on Facebook and also Year of Wips on Facebook. I haven't done well on the Stitch from Stash side where you limit your purchases to a set amount each month. The goal is to stitch from your stash. DUH. I have been stitching from my stash but I haven't exactly been good about my *ahem* stashquisitions. Actually, I'm out of control. And I know why.... Completely stressed from my job, limited time to be creative, and when I am creative, I'm thinking I should be doing something else which leads to GUILT. I feel like I'm on a rat's wheel to no where so, the answer is:</div>
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<strong>RETAIL THERAPY </strong></div>
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<strong> IT is the cure for what ails ya, I'm telling you.</strong></div>
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The Year of Wips is coming along better. I have finished up a few pieces that were "this close" to being done. Now I have the projects that are 50% or less completed to work on. Here are some of the completed items. There are a few more but I can't seem to find them on Facebook to add them here. I will post them when I do.</div>
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Prairie Schooler </div>
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Santa 2009</div>
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Prairie Schooler </div>
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Clear Moon Frost Soon</div>
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Well, I think that's all for now. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and are <strong>STITCHING ALL THE THINGS!!!!</strong> </div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-12262746388956966172017-01-23T22:45:00.000-05:002017-01-23T22:45:55.333-05:00Late to the PartyHello all! <br /><br />Gosh, 8 months!!! Geez, time really goes by quickly. I blinked and now we're in 2017! <br />The last time we visited, our family was counting down the days to our most excellent vacation to Tybee Island, Georgia. My goodness! It was heaven!<br />
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Four days of bliss with our son, daughter-in-law and our grandkids! We can't wait to go back!!<br />
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A lot of stuff went on after that, I left my job to return to the job that I absolutely loved. It's kinda like the twilight zone...I feel like I never left that job but it was 5 years. Leaving the job in Cortland was very bittersweet, I miss the people but I don't miss the job, There were some animosity from my ex-boss, we had a love / hate relationship. But that's behind now and I'm concentrating on getting my feet back underneath me and doing a great job at with my current employer. <br />
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Our holidays were quiet, starting a new job meant that I worked in between Christmas and New Year because I had no vacation. It wasn't too bad, very quiet. The holidays in general were quiet, the kids were in Georgia, they planned a Disney vacation, so Mike had no leave to spare. We will see them in a few months and get to spend some Southern Spring with them.<br />
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Well, also there was much stitching! I joined a Facebook group, Year of WIPs and I have to say, I've concentrated on completing some of my stitching that got put aside when something else captured my interest:<br />
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Little House Needlework</div>
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Loving You</div>
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Prairie Schooler</div>
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Clear Moon Frost Soon</div>
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Stacy Nash</div>
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Merry Christmas December 25</div>
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Plum Steet Samplers</div>
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Goodness & Plenty</div>
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Prairie Schooler</div>
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Pligrims</div>
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Prairie Schooler</div>
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Santa 2002</div>
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Prairie Schooler</div>
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Santa 2010</div>
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Prairie Schooler<br />Merry Christmas</div>
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Prairie Schooler</div>
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Santa 2009</div>
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Some of these pieces were WIPs and some were new starts. And I am happy to say, 2017 seems to be a good year so far for stitching. I have been concentrating on smaller pieces, since my thyroid incident, I don't have much concentration. </div>
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Classic Coloworks</div>
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North Woods Express</div>
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Hasslemere Museum</div>
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Mary Gibson's 1824 Sampler</div>
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I've started some new stitching too, I just finished Hands On Design's "You Have My Heart". I am in love with smaller bowl fillers and want to display them for the upcoming holidays and seasons.</div>
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I have been debating with joining the Floss Tube bandwagon but I can't quite pull the trigger. I don't know how much I would be able to share and I'm not exactly sure if I would like how I look on video. I like the media, I feel that it's like visiting but I'm not quite convinced that I would "like" me. What do you think?</div>
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Oh well, thanks for hanging with me...hopefully it won't be another 8 months! </div>
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Take care....Happy Stitching!</div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-64073092926289740202016-05-15T14:36:00.001-04:002016-05-16T12:25:23.446-04:00Oh the things that happen in a month's timeHI everyone...I know that I said I would post more often and here we go, a month later. Damn life, gets in the way of all the fun.<br />
<br />
The biggest news is that I lost one of my horses last week. We had the vet humanely euthanize Joey on Mother's Day. (Great day, that was). A few weeks prior, he got really depressed and we watched him for awhile. He would brighten and then seem to get deeper in his funk. We noticed he was moving a little bit funny, he seemed to step on himself a little bit so I got a recommendation from our farrier for a vet. I called her out on a Thursday to do an examination and it wasn't positive. Cutting to the chase, he developed some neurological problems. He didn't know where he was in space, whether he was up, down or sideways. That was why he was stepping all over himself. As she put it, I had a whole horse from the ears forward. His neurogical symptoms were severe. She thought it could be a few things, Lyme Disease, EPM or he broke a vertebrae in his neck causing pressure on his spinal cord that affected his hind quarters. We decided to put him on bute and have him tested for lyme, which came back negative. We never did get to test for EPM but that was a long shot because our other 2 horses exhibited no signs of the disease and they eat the same food and sleep on the same bedding. Our guess is that he injured himself or his vertebrae was compromised by his age. He was 29.<br />
To make a very long and painful story short, he got worse as the week passed and on Saturday, Dave found him laying in his stall. He had fallen down and couldn't get back up. He finally got up after much exertion and Dave and I had THE DISCUSSION. Both of us agreed that if he fell down when Dave wasn't home during the week, I couldn't handle it by myself. So we decided to wait until Monday to do the right thing. On Mother's Day early morning, David found him again laying in his stall. He never got back up. He tried but he didn't have the strength. So we called our friend out to help us, called the vet and then had to find someone with an excavator to dig a grave. Fortunately, someone was willing to do that. So at 2:30 PM on Sunday afternoon, after many, many tears and saying good bye to him, I let Mighty Joe Navajo pass peacefully away. <br />
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<br />
I miss him more than I can tell you and his death has really played a number on my head.<br />
I get that he was just a horse. But he was MY horse and until you bond with such a creature, you will never know how big of a hole you have in your heart when they are gone. I miss his nickers when I would come into the barn and he would lay his head in my arms every morning just to say hi. His neck was big enough to cry onto and his ears were big enough to listen to all my secrets (which he never told a soul). He was gentle, kind and honest. He took care of my son who was just 4 years old when he rode him in big shows in Syracuse. He took care of me when I was scared and so was he when we tried new things. He always gave me more than I asked for and I hope that I did the same for him.<br />
<br />
Anyway...I'm in a small stitching slump now, I haven't picked up a needle since the first part of May. I started another small, even though I have eleventy dozen WIPS. I get excited when looking at all of your beautiful work and reading all of your stitchy posts but I am "MEH" when it comes to my own stitching.<br />
I'm thinking seriously of selling off most of my stash and just keeping what I think I want. I don't know what to do.<br />
<br />
So, I'm going to take some pictures of what I've stitched and post them. Maybe that will help. At least I will share them with you instead of sad news.<br />
<br />
<br />Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-67245566196458732512016-04-10T17:24:00.001-04:002016-04-10T17:24:59.763-04:00Hello Everyone!Geez, Louise! It's been a LONG time, hasn't it?<br />
<br />
Well, let's just say time, life and a lot of navel gazing got in the way of my little blog. I'm still here and I'm still in my crazy life but THIS year has been a whole lot different than before. <br />
On my birthday, WAY back in June, I decided that I was going to make some changes, take a break and evaluate my life and that's exactly what I did over the last so many, many months. And I gotta tell you, 58 was a rockin' year for growth. You could say, that Joanie, GREW UP!<br />
<br />
And during this year, I've stitched and stitched and stitched. I have tons to share with you so stay tuned. Cause I'm BACK.<br />
<br />
And it feels really, really good!Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-32721504768880326642014-12-31T16:13:00.000-05:002014-12-31T16:13:58.647-05:00Good-bye 2014, Hello 2015!!Hello everyone,<br />
<br />
I know it's been a long while since I
posted and I am not even sure that there's anyone interested in my blog
anymore, but I thought I would at least put up a post and tell you
about 2014.<br />
<br />This year was a very interesting year indeed. <br />
<br />
We were blessed with a new grandson in July. Bryson Michael was born on July 28th! He's now 5 months old and is such a joy!<br />
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Our grand-daughter, Alena, is 2!<br />
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She is quite the busy little lady!<br />
<br />
The
DH took a job 3 hours from here and commutes home on the weekend. So, I
am managing the homestead by myself during the week and commuting 90
minutes a day for my job which sure cuts into the stitching time. It
really was hard for about 6 months trying to come up with a rhythm. But,
I am getting better at managing my time so I have picked up a needle.
Mainly, I've stitched small things, ornaments, bowl fillers and the
like, I've stitched Little House Needleworks, Prairie Schooler Santas
and some Lizzie Kate. Time is such a premium during the week and I may
stitch an hour or two during the week so I do find a little time during
the weekend to stitch, usually Saturday and Sunday nights. I miss
stitching larger projects but I find it more gratifying to stitch
smaller things that seem to show some progress.<br />
<br />
The
biggest thing I did during 2014 for my stitching is Stitching from
Stash. I was really good this year and didn't purchase too many
things. I challenged myself to stitch from my vast (ahem) collection
and I was so happy to do it! I have many beautiful things kitted up or
purchased that got put aside because of shiney new patterns. So when I
got that "itch" for a new purchase, I just went up and did some stash
fondling and found many treasures that I'd forgotten about. Now, I will
be purchasing some things in 2015 that I can't resist, thread, fabric
and my Prairie Schooler patterns. I also will keep an eye on my
favorite designers to see what they have to offer in 2015. So, I'm not
turning in my stash horder badge just yet!<br />
<br />
For
2015, I will continue to Stitch from my Stash and I will once again
mainly stitch little things. I do have a couple of larger projects in
mind, I started Mary Gibson last year and will continue to stitch on
her and I have Jane Harris and Seven Sheep waiting for me. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone that continues to visit here. I hope to post more this year coming and take pictures too. <br />
<br />
Wishing you all the very best the New Year has to offer you and I hope that you are blessed beyond measure!<br />
<br />
Joanie Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-43166536004350378392014-04-15T13:33:00.001-04:002014-04-15T13:33:28.269-04:00Yikes, Stripes, Running Out of Time!!! The Stitching Bucket List<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa at Words and Blooms posted something that made me take pause and think. She asked this question:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Paula and I were chatting
about a stitching "bucket list". Let's say you have 20 good years left to do
stitching and you could stitch one big thing a year. <u><b>What would be your
top 20 items?</b></u> I would love to see this on your blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I got thinking about my Stitching Bucket List. And like Melissa, I went on a treasure hunt through my piles and piles of stitching goodies and came up with this list. I know it will change but many of these samplers have stood the test and stay right up there with the latest and greatest. There are many more that I would love to stitch but these are on the "A" list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are my 20 in no particular order. </span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ann Hull</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anne Grimshaw 1818</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rebecca Robinson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Plantation Sampler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">1837 Crown Sampler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ann Grant</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Seven Sheep Sampler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anne Priest 1841</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">JoAnn Woodward</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">A Yuletide Sampler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jane Harris</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jane Pattison</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mary Gibson 1824</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Francis Eden</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hannah Pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Isabella Gray 1838</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Isabella Fox</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Weeping Tree Sampler</span>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucy Redd</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ann Sims</span>
<ol type="1">
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of these samplers reside in my stash and some are WIPs. I am hoping each of them will grace my walls. It's been a dream of mine to have a whole wall of samplers.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I better get busy! I only have 20 good years left!</span> <br />
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-19966988135361538712014-03-31T19:00:00.003-04:002014-03-31T19:00:29.653-04:00Drive-by PostQuick post -my Stitching from Stash report from March.<br />
<br />
I purchased one item...the Seven Sheep Sampler from The Scarlet House. Grand Total 22.00.<br />
<br />
Not too shabby since I could have spent a lot more.. ;)Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-39646779669619948682014-02-05T13:04:00.002-05:002014-02-05T13:04:41.563-05:00You Know...I Really Hate To Pick Just OneThe only downside to give-aways is that I can't give everyone the prize. It actually bothers me to chose just one winner. I wish I was rich enough to buy each of you this chart. But unfortunately, my name isn't Trump or Gates. So I have to choose (which sucks big time).<br />
<br />
SO, the big winner is <b>The Queen Bee.</b><br />
<br />
Please email me with your address and I promise I will get the goods to you right away. Well, when the snowstorm stops...we are getting hammered with snow. I think we are over a foot now.<br />
<br />
Thanks for playing everyone...there will be another chance when the blog-o-meter hits 200! <br />
<br />
<br />Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-25422497048566032692014-01-27T12:48:00.002-05:002014-01-27T12:50:11.941-05:00BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!! (Giveaway)Well, in honor of the Arctic cold and the saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", I've decided that I am going to hold a small giveaway. Don't worry, when I hit 200 followers there will be another.<br />
<br />
The cold just won't quit so I decided that I should just play along with it. I'm offering "Baby, It's Cold Outside", the linen and the fibers (and maybe a surprise or 3) to a lucky someone in order to maybe warm them up a little.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I know that it certainly warms me up to share with you.<br />
<br />
No strings on this giveaway...international stitchers are welcome to play. Reply to this post only and leave me a way to contact you if you don't have a blog.<br />
<br />
I will pick the lucky winner on Sunday, February 2nd, Groundhog's Day! (The little varmit had better see his shadow THIS year as I don't think I could stand another 6 weeks of this Winter)!!!<br />
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STAY WARM!!!!<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
<br />
Joanie<br />
<br />
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-9274889120240088132014-01-25T16:14:00.000-05:002014-01-25T16:18:42.522-05:00Stitching From Stash - January UpdateI've joined "Stitching from Stash" in order to curb my spending and well, stitch from my stash, doh! We have a spending limit of $25.00 a month. I've seen posts on other participant's blogs and they are doing so well. Me? Not so much.<br />
<br />
Here's my January <strike>update</strike> <i>confession</i>.<br />
Bless me Father, for I am weak. This month I spent 28.00 and change on stash. Sigh. <b><span style="color: red;">OVERBUDGET</span></b>.<br />
I have been lusting after LHN's Snowman Trio for a while now. I kept telling myself that I didn't need another snowman pattern. I didn't NEED anything. Well, a bad day at work and an equally bad day at home (the dog left me multiple stinky deposits throughout my house because she got into the garbage) prompted me to visit Anita's Little Stitches site. Lo and behold, I purchased the pattern and a few things more since you must buy $25 from her site. So...this is what I bought:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>LHN Snowman't Trio</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KuXRd8wPw20/UuQj22OCI-I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/vMuzL_DkGkM/s1600/snowmen+trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KuXRd8wPw20/UuQj22OCI-I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/vMuzL_DkGkM/s1600/snowmen+trio.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>JBW's A Very Merry Winter. </li>
</ul>
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<br />
Yes, another snowman pattern that I saw on Stitching Dream's blog and fell in love with.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Threadwork's Primitive's Beggar's Christmas (I love the tree)</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>2 balls of Valdani thread for a couple of With Thy Needle and Thread patterns and </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Piecemaker's needles (my fav)</li>
</ul>
<br />
Maybe next month I will be better. Sigh. <br />
<br />
I did stitch from my stash though, if that's a consolation. I stitched Lizzie Kate's January Flip It's Bits but I'm gonna make it into an bowl filler.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I worked on A Needleworker's Sampler from With Thy Needle and Thread and I stitched up 2 Christmas Ornaments from the 2013 JCS ornament issue. I am happy that I stitched from my stash. Now I just have to work on that spending thingie.<br />
<br />
Other than that..are you staying warm? It's brutal in Upstate NY. Today the highs were in the 20's but it's going to be Arctic-like Monday through Wednesday. It's so hard to work outside in this weather. My horses are stuck in the barn, everything is frozen and it takes an extra 20 minutes to switch out water buckets. I hate 4:15AM when it's this cold out. Even the dog hates to go outside to go potty. I'm ready for SPRING!<br />
<br />
Heads up...if you stuck with me this long, I am going to have a give-away...I'm approaching 200 followers, so when I hit that number then I will be doing something special!<br />
<br />
STAY WARM!! I'm off for hot cocoa and my afghan.<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
<br />
Joanie <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-26828757125480297032014-01-05T18:15:00.004-05:002014-01-05T18:15:56.272-05:00Good Sunday to YOU!Hello there!<br />
<br />
I hope you are having a great day today. It's been a nice weekend so far. I went shopping and bought SHOES!!! Yay!<br />
<br />
I finished up another ornament. It's Hot Cocoa from the 2013 Christmas Ornament issue. It's cute, I stitched it with good ol' DMC on 28 ct mushroom lugana. Now to finish it. I really like how Vonna from <a href="http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Twisted Stitcher</a> finished her ornament but I'm not sure. I don't often stitch from that magazine but I have every ornament issue from 1998. I will have to stitch more from past issues, really the ornaments are darling. The photography and sometime the finishing doesn't do the design justice I think. Just a tweak and a mediocre ornament can be elevated to something lovely. <br />
<br />
Tonight starts Downton Abbey! How many of you will be watching? I went out and got some of the "dirt" on this season. It looks to be deliciously angst filled!<br />
<br />
Well, I want to stitch this evening away, on what, I'm not sure. I signed up for the Snooty Parrots SAL and I am waffling on starting another WIP. I have so many going already that I feel so guilty starting another one. What to do, what to do!??? Football is on TV...looks cold in Green Bay. My Steelers didn't make it to the post season so I can just enjoy watching the game. <br />
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I will leave you with a couple of pictures that I took this morning of
our barn and yard and the views surrounding us. The snow was so pretty. It's raining now and I
know that it's going to be brutally cold on Tuesday. I keep telling
myself only 10 more weeks and the weather will be getting warmer...I can
last...right? <br />
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Well, my needle and fabric are calling. Now to decide just what to stitch!<br />
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Have a great evening!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Blessings,</span></i></span><br />
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Joanie<br /><br />
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<br />Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-6490164221749920372014-01-01T11:45:00.000-05:002014-01-01T11:45:24.553-05:00Welcoming 2014!Happy New Year everyone!<br /><br />I hope that this year brings good things to all of you. I can't say that I am sad to see 2013 leave the building, there were a lot of good things (my granddaughter, the Japan trip, meaningful employment for the David) but not so good things too (the usual financial burdens, my thyroid, David moving away during the week for his new job and losing my sweet Mother-in-law in October). Most of all, it was a struggle interspersed with unbridled joy. But such is life.<br />
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I did stitch a lot this year and I will take some pictures later. I got on the ornament bandwagon a few weeks ago and stitched a few between Thanksgiving and the New Year. I decided that I want a Snowman Tree for next year, I love those frosty fellas and I have thought and thought about putting up a special tree each year so next year, I'm gonna do it. I know that there is a clamor out there for a Prairie Schooler Santa Tree and I am tempted to stitch Santas too. I have discovered that there is a lot of instant gratitude when you finish stitching up an ornament in a week or so. <br />
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I did decide that I would once again stitch from my stash. I joined a stitch from stash blog that allows only a $25 purchase a month. That's good for me. I do binge around Market time and Prairie Schooler patterns are a must. I am in love with Brenda Gervais designs, as well as, Plum Street Samplers too and I have made an effort not to just buy, buy buy. I have a WHOLE room full of patterns which I love so why not let them see the light of day? I filled a box full of kitted BAP patterns and I will chose one to do this year. I will choose a Wip and fill in with ornaments. That's my plan. For now. HAHA.<br />
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Anyway, today is low-key, David is heading back to his apartment early, there's a big nor'easter headed this way poised to dump a foot or more of snow on us over the next couple days. He wants an early start and I can't blame him. I hate to see him leave, we had such a lovely Christmas together. <br />
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So...here's to the promise of a New Year! Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-42226298136317073582013-12-24T13:19:00.005-05:002013-12-24T13:19:36.729-05:00A Very Merry Christmas to you!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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May the Jolly ol' Elf leave you your heart's desire under the Christmas tree.</div>
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And may God Bless each of you, my dearest stitching friends. I love all of you!</div>
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From our house to yours....</div>
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!</span></span></span></i></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-51775781102026592542013-11-29T14:22:00.001-05:002013-11-29T14:22:58.463-05:00Black FridayHey there! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving was very quiet, just David and me. It's been that way for a few years now and although I do miss the bustle of family, it was very nice just to have a fairly unstressful day. I roasted a turkey breast and made all the trimmings. I like making that meal so it was a joy to do. It came out very well and we will have leftovers for a few days. <br />
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I have been working on With Thy Needle and Threads, Needleworker's Sampler. <br />
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I've changed it up a bit and I am pleased with what I've done so far. It's really unusual for me to change up a design but something about it just didn't work for me. I realized that the house and the basket of fruit above it wasn't centered and being a symetrical type, I move them over and then the fun began. Now things didn't fit like they did before and well, the top half of the design is now "re-designed". It's ok though. It's good for the brain to shake things up a little. I added a lady friend to the left side of the house and gave the man a doggy friend. I moved some of the pinwheels and will go about re-planting the flowers. I will have to move the woman holding the needle in the next band too so she's centered under the house. After that I think I will leave the rest of the design alone. <br />
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I did go out this Black Friday. I was very surprised how easy it was to find a parking spot and that the mall wasn't terribly busy even with all the doorbuster sales. Maybe they were busier on Thanksgiving Day (GRRR...nothing is sacred anymore) and I got what I went for which really was for me. I needed jeans and a suitcase. My trip to Japan is almost here and I had to have a bigger piece of luggage than just the carry-on. I wandered around but nothing drew the money from my wallet. Which really is a good thing cause my wallet is pretty light.<br />
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I've joined the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/snootyparrots/"> "Snooty Parrot" SAL </a>on Facebook. Terri from Chocolates For Breakfast is hosting it. It starts on January 4th. I'm waiting on threads and we are 100 strong! A beautiful sampler for sure. It pushed out a couple of samplers I thought about starting at the beginning of the year. Oh,wait, I always start a little something Christmas Day so just maybe....who am I kidding. I know I will but what is yet to be decided.<br />
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Anyway...that's all from Chez Doghair...I'm covered in it. And it's time for a nap. All that shopping just did me in. <br />
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Have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for stopping!Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-80698143424811306302013-11-03T22:03:00.001-05:002013-11-03T22:03:03.728-05:00A Post - WooHoo!It's been 5 weeks. Geez Louise! I don't even know where to begin. <br />
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First of all, I have been stitching. I started (and finished, *GASP!!*) Cross Eyed Cricket's, Be Ye Thankful. I stitched it on 36 count mystery linen with the recommended DMC. I think I 'm going to frog out some of the yellow that just fades into the fabric. And I would like to get it framed before Thanksgiving, but I am not sure I can. If I can't, it it will go into "the box" with all the other finished but not finished pieces.<br />
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I actually stitched an ornament from the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue, Lizzie Kate's cute little witch. It's also in "the box". <br />
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And I actually finished finished October's Wordplay and December's Word Play too! OMGosh. And there's another that I finished but for the life of me, I can't remember what it is. I blame my forgetfulness on my thyroid brain. No focus.<br />
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I am working out of my WIP box but I desperately want to start either A Yuletide Welcome or another Christmas piece. But I'm holding strong and working on those pieces that I've begun. <br />
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My David has taken a job out of town during the week. He is 3 hours away and has taken an apartment. He comes home on the weekend. (I can't wait until Friday at 6:30PM!) So I am now caring for my 3 horses and the 4 cats and the dog. Barn work at 4:45AM my friends! And again in the evening. Not much time to do anything in the evenings. I am getting better though, I'm getting into a rhythm so it's getting better. And I'm not collapsing at 8:30 like I did the first week.<br />
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Dave's Mom passed away this week, so we high tailed it to Pittsburgh for a whirlwind funeral and all the stuff that goes with it. The funeral was a lovely tribute to a wonderful woman who accepted me as her daughter and treated me as if I actually was. She never had a bad word to say about anyone and I can honestly say that I KNOW with my entire being that she's in Heaven with our Savior. She was 89 and God was gracious and took her home quickly. No suffering and no lingering. <br />
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And the biggest news is that in a month, I will be in Japan for 10 days visiting Mike, Jenna and my sweetie pea, Alena! She's 11 months old now and I will be there for her first birthday! I can't wait!!<br />
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So, that's the news. I hope not to be away for so long. It's just been a wild ride these last few weeks!</div>
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<br />Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-46313299637551872202013-09-27T19:54:00.001-04:002013-09-27T19:54:19.901-04:00Pumpkins for Cathey!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Blog Anniversary to <a href="http://pumpkinpatchandco.blogspot.com/">Cathey</a>! Sending you hugs, prayers and best wishes to you! I will be adding you and your family to my prayer list.<br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/">DaffeyCat</a> for such a brilliant idea! <br />
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-32218186662068214652013-08-04T08:23:00.001-04:002013-08-04T08:23:10.695-04:00It's been a long time!Hi all!<br />
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Well, well, well....a long time has past since I posted on this little piece of cyberspace. I guess I just didn't have much to say so I didn't say anything. LOL. And today, I really don't have a lot to say either. <br />
I've been stitching but I don't have anything to show. My camera takes such sucky pictures, and I was waiting to finish True Virtues before I posted but let me tell you, we all would grow OLD before that happens. I am 80% done with it and I love her but she seems to be the sampler that Just. Won't. End. So she's back on the end of the list for a little while cause now I'm working on my favorite time of the year pieces, Halloween and Christmas and I picked up another WIP to work on, Cricket Collections, Be Ye Thankful. It's moving right along. I also stitched a little witch and will be starting on October's Word Play. <br />
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I've been thinking about what I want to stitch next year already. I think I will continue stitching WIPs and I want to stitch Christmas samplers. Also, I've come full circle and want to stitch repro samplers. Samplers are my first love, it's what drew me into needlework. I have a ton of them just waiting to be stitched and most of my WIPs are samplers. <br />
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I've been watching for Market Releases and I've fallen in love with Plum Street Samplers, Yuletide Welcome and Threadwork Primitives, Beggar's Night. I have pre-ordered them and I am waiting to see what With Thy Needle and Thread comes up with for Christmas...her Noel sneak peek is calling my name. <br />
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Our sweet Alena is 8 months old now and she's pulling herself up and talking a blue streak. Mainly she says RAWR, RAWR, RAWR and DADADA but she's so funny to hear. I can't wait until March when they come back to the States for good.<br />
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So again, thanks for hanging with me. I hope to blog a little more now that the summer is winding down. I am glad that you are part of my life. Thanks!<br />
<br />Have a blessed Sunday,<br />
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JoanieJoaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-53146660647087410752013-04-15T20:38:00.000-04:002013-04-15T21:28:00.409-04:00I Don't Know What the World Is Coming To...........My heart is just saddened by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon. Wow. I just don't know what to say! It just boggles my mind why anyone or any group would want to harm folks out to just have a nice time. Innocents. All of those victims and their families. Just innnocent. Senseless death and harm. Certainly, the Devil is having a field day here in the good ol' USA. I usually don't voice my conservative opinions here but I will say this as a Christian...we've turned our back on God here, in our schools, at our work and in our families and I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the state of our country and our world.<br />
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So, my heart and prayers are going out to those who were harmed or killed and to their families left to pick up the pieces.<br />
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Enough.<br />
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Connie, you will be pleased to know that I am rockin' True Virtue. I stitched the verse and I'm tickled pink at it. You are right, she is a piece that is just a joy to stitch and I don't know why I put her down. Well I do know, JCS is not known for doing a terrific job of proofing their patterns and the color key had the wrong symbol and one color was left off the color key. I stitched the entire top of rice stitch grapes using the wrong color. And I have to frog them all out. ALL. OF. THEM. I got discouraged so I banished it to the "Land of Misfit Projects". And I did stitch an entire alphabet in the wrong color (my mistake this time and no, I'm not frogging it, it looks just fine). I'm a little hung up on the 4 sided alphabet, I'm going to have to do some research on how to properly stitch the letters (if you've got tips and hints, please share!). So I'm going to wait until most of the stitching is done and then stitch the satin stitch border, the algerian eye vowels and the 4-sided stitch alphabet. And probably the queen stitch flowers too. I want to put the sampler on a roller frame to do this band and the border so I can have even tension. <br />
I did have a visit with the frogs this weekend on True Virtue but not so bad that I couldn't take care of it. Now, I had a major frog infestation with WTN&T's April Word Play. I am using a piece of linen that is made up of thick and very thin linen thread. I accidently crossed stitched one of those threads together with the other two (Instead of going over 2 threads, I went over 3). And I was 75% done with stitching it and I caught the error. I actually pulled a "Marly" and burned it in my fireplace. I couldn't face ripping out the bunny in the wagon and the center section of words plus the bee skep, at least 50% of the piece. I was so mad and burning it was a fitting thing to do in my opinion.<br />
Health-wise I am not much better, the pendulum has swung the other way. The autonomous toxic nodule covered my entire left lobe of my thyroid, it measured 4'' by 3" inches by 1" covering most of it. The radioactive iodine killed it and most of the lobe. And my right lobe hasn't woken up yet from being suppressed for so long. I've gone from subclinical hyperthyroid to hypothyroid. And I'm tired all the time. So, the doctor has prescribed a dose of synthyroid that's going to take the edge off the hypothyroid symptoms but will still allow him to monitor my hormone levels to see if my right lobe has come around.<br />
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Well, don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin...and I hope that the weather gets better soon so I can take some pictures.... I know this gets boring but I did want to check in.<br />
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Take care kids, thanks for coming by!Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-76401786279594040112013-04-08T19:28:00.001-04:002013-04-08T19:28:31.814-04:00Movin' to BloglovinCome follow me on Bloglovin<br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2789527/?claim=3k66295j7ax">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-14142470529493925852013-03-03T18:07:00.002-05:002013-03-03T18:07:26.197-05:00A finish times 2! :)Hey everyone! I hope you all have been good and are having fun. I am most definitely ready for Winter to go away. It hasn't been bad snow-wise but it sure has been cold. And I most definitely hate cold. Especially days on end where it didn't rise above the mid-20's during the day and stayed in the single digits at night. <br />
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It's been an interested couple of months. In January, we lost our hot water heater (well, not exactly) and along with it we replaced our furnace with a new propane furnace. We heated our home with fuel oil and the price of oil was over $4.00 a gallon. Each fill up was just under a thousand dollars. It was getting pretty expensive to keep it up on one salary. To make a long story short, we called the hot water heater guy out who informed us that it wasn't the heater at all but we ran out of oil. He recommended that we replace the heater anyway because it was ancient and half filled with sediment. So we called out the furnace guy who gave us a pretty good deal on replacing both. Hot water rocks! And we should cut our heating costs a little bit because propane is 25% cheaper than fuel oil. We shall see.<br />
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I found out that I have a toxic nodule on my thyroid which besides sucking out all the iodine my body produces, it sucks the life out of me. So later this month, I will take a dose of radioactive iodine and hopefully (crossing my fingers) it will kill the toxic nodule and won't harm my thyroid. I just want to feel better. I have zero energy, am completely irritable and I find that I am just not myself because of it. Say a prayer that this works. <br />
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The boy child has deployed for 6 months and Jenna and little Alena are in Japan. It was very hard for him to leave them. <br />
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Alena is 3 months old already.<br />
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On the stitching front, I have been busy! I want to show you that I can finish things, so here's what I've done this last month.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iptE4UcCCzVXkZUMd4Pzkz-KNV-Vxzk7YmSGKRZm8GrOAXIOziYXTQYQ4agKumRmMe34r5l4y6WNjeKTlWJO-LafcIphxS_u2qjoT_DnZ3Br3w83o3ZgIoueg22D1Pyy4mRE/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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I broke out the sewing machine and got my creative on! The pillow came out a little longer than I hoped (I am math challenged, so the David tells me) but it looks cute as a bolster on the bed. This is a With Thy Needle and Thread pattern, </div>
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And With Thy Needle and Thread's February Wordplay which doesn't Blogger doesn seem to want to right itself. Sorry.</div>
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I also finished December's Wordplay and started on April's version. I also worked on Baby It's Cold Outside but didn't take a snap because it's really wrinkly. And I stitched 2 LHN Christmas Ornaments, the Saltbox house and Snow Cold. </div>
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So that's what's going on in Joanie's World. I want to say hey to my new followers and a thank you to all of you who visit.</div>
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<br />Stay tuned for a March giveaway...you know there's a pot of gold at the end of the stitchy rainbow...just sayin'.</div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-8619620972395614802013-01-03T20:35:00.002-05:002013-01-03T20:35:56.557-05:00The winner is....Hey everyone!<br />
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I really wish I could give all of you these patterns. I always feel bad that there only is one winner when I do this. But, I feel really good sharing them with you.<br />
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So the winner is....<br />
PJ!<br />
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Email me at <a href="mailto:mikes1mom@gmail.com">mikes1mom@gmail.com</a> with your address and I'll pop the patterns in the mail to you pronto.<br />
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I've decided to do this each time I finish up something or when the mood just hits (I'm thinking of going wild and crazy around Valentine's Day). It's just something I want to do this year. Share. Be grateful that I can. Makes me happy. :)<br />
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Till next time, <br />
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Blessings,<br />
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JoanieJoaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-28147046505305409832012-12-31T10:31:00.001-05:002012-12-31T10:31:34.179-05:00Happy New Year!Just a quick note to wish all of you a very Happy New Year! It's quiet here at the house, I'm beginning to take down the Christmas tree and gearing up to go back to work after a glorious 11 days off. Wow, did I need the break.<br />
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I got to stitch a lot and I promise that I will take pictures of what I've finished. I finished Prairie Schooler's, Merry Christmas Eve on Christmas Eve. I've started Baby It's Cold Outside and I've finished December's Wordplay. Oh, and I finished Letters For Santa too. Vacations are wonderful, aren't they?<br />
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I've been thinking of next year and what I'd like to accomplish. I think that I'm going to play it by ear, this year, I focused on Wips, which I think I'm going to continue to do. I really will finish, I Sigh Not for Beauty and True Virtue. I thought it would be fun to stitch Christmas designs and ornaments all year or focus on Prairie Schooler Santas. But I love the other seasons, especially Halloween, so I'm not sure I can keep stitching snow in the middle of summer. And I also thought I'd work through all the LHN ornaments (I have like 16 of those). Plus, I have a grand-daughter to stitch for now too. Oh, there's just too many things to stitch, so I'm just going to just "go for it". No pressure.<br />
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I bought a lot of stash this year, only things that I truly love though and that's a big step for me. Gone are the days of buying just to say I have it. I have more patterns than I will ever stitch in my lifetime so a little restraint is a good thing, no?<br />
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Finally, before I go back to taking down Christmas, I want to pass the two With My Needle patterns on to someone. I want to share them with someone who doesn't have them. So comment on THIS POST ONLY if you would like my very gently used Letters for Santa and December Wordplay. I'll draw the name on January 2nd. Letters for Santa is a bit worn on the folds but the pattern is serviceable. Just sayin'.<br />
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Last year, I chose a word to focus on all year. That word was TRUST. I have to say, that I learned alot about myself through that word in 2012, I realize that I am not as trusting as I believed and when my faith was tested, I found that I lacked sorely lacked trust. I've improved and the journey isn't over. But the word for 2013 is GRATITUDE. I take so much for granted and I also found that I'm not grateful for what I have or the blessings I've received. I've found through some soul searching that I feel "entitled" and that's not the attitude I want to cultivate. So, my focus word in 2013 is "gratitude" and by default "thankfulness". <br />
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One thing I know from the bottom of my heart is that I am grateful as well as thankful that I have wonderful blogging buddies who brighten me when I'm down, inspire me when I am low on creativity and share with me a love of stitching. You have enriched my life and for that I am forever grateful and most thankful. <br />
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SO, it's on to 2013. A bright new shiny year. Here's to new beginnings!<br />
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-79880868382288875302012-12-24T12:32:00.000-05:002012-12-24T12:32:00.353-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Merry Christmas!</em></span></div>
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<em>Wishing you all the peace and joy of this blessed season celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior!</em></div>
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<em>Enjoy your family and friends! And may your stockings be filled with stitching goodness!</em></div>
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<em>I am very blessed to call all of you friends.</em></div>
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<br />Joanie</div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-80124976494303522282012-11-26T18:48:00.000-05:002012-11-26T18:48:29.328-05:00Winner, winner, chicken dinnerFirst, I apologize that it's taken me 2 days to post the winner of my Thankful giveaway. I'm stressing over a work project, it's all consuming and fairly frustrating. I ended up working 2 of my 4 days off, only to have my boss not be overly thrilled with either my progress or my work. His procrastination is my emergency. <br />
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Anyway, the winner is................<br />
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JEANNE! <br />
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Please email me at <a href="mailto:Mikes1mom@gmail.com">Mikes1mom@gmail.com</a> with your address.. I'll get the package out by the end of the week....remember work???<br />
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Thank you so much for all your good wishes, wonderful stitching and for brightening up Joanie's world. <br />
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Joanie<br />
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159830.post-45644136661401021092012-11-21T12:59:00.000-05:002012-11-21T13:06:16.086-05:00ThankfulI just wanted to take a minute to tell all of you how grateful and thankful to you making my little corner of the world such a happy place. Thank you sweet friends.<br />
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I wish all of you who are celebrating Thanksgiving a day filled with love and laughter. Eat turkey. And pie. My choice is apple (I like pumpkin too but apple is my fav)! It will be just the David and I along with our fuzzy pet friends. A quiet day but I'm planning on planting my ample backside onto the sofa and stitching most of the day away. I hope to have a finish! Food, the parade and football. :)<br />
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Oh, I also wanted to say that I have a box of duplicate patterns that are up for grabs. Just comment on this post and I will pick a name tomorrow. The patterns are fairly new, all unused or gently used (no markings) from a variety of designers and a variety of subjects, country, samplers, ornaments. I do have cats and a dog, so they do not come from a pet free home. They are smoke-free. <br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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Many, many blessings!<br />
JoanieJoaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749912043612345670noreply@blogger.com21