The Grinch has finally left my house....

Christmas has been one of those things that we had decided to bypass this year since money is so tight But.....today we were gifted with a tree! Seems like that's all it took to bring the holiday spirit to our household. So, we put up the tree and got the boxes of decorations out of the garage. The kids decided that we were going to decorate the whole living room and not just the tree. In the process of all this holiday cheer, I thought to myself..."self, you should put some pics of the things you've done on your blog." So without further blabbering, the following few pics are some ceramic houses that I have painted in the past......

The final little house at the end of this pic is the very first one I ever did...maybe 20 years ago and it never was stored away properly so it's yellowed with age and grime over the years but I had to put it up anyway just for nostalgia....at least that's what my daughter says...LOL!

This next pic is a doll that I made about 10 years ago. My mom and I had entered a Holiday Bazar that year and I made a few of these to sell. This was my last one so I kept it for myself. I can't believe it's held up all this time!

This next pic is a gingerbread boy & girl that I had made at the same time I made the dolls. I have no idea why I made them at the time, guess I thought they were cute. I never even display these anywhere, but my youngest son decided he was putting them in this corner and that's where they were staying..his contribution to the decorating....LOL!

This next pic is of my gingerbread village. I got this about 4 years ago when I found them at walmart. I didn't have the money at the time to purchase them and my daughter knew that I really liked them so she got me all the larger pieces for Christmas that year. After the holiday I went to the sales and got the little pieces for 90% off! I don't think it's a complete set, but I love it anyway.

And next we have my 3 wonderful kids. They so did not want a picture taken, but I made them do it anyway....LOL, all of them refused to smile except my daughter and she was being dorky....so this is my revenge. I told them if they didn't give me a good pic I would post it on my blog for all to see.....so here it is: LOL...take that kids, see mom can get revenge! heheh

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season and staying warm and healthy! Hugs to all!

A few exchanges and a BIG RAK!

We recently did an exchange in my group KraftersKorner for a Christmas ornament...my partner, Mary A, sent me this cute little snowman ornie. It's done on plastic and backed with felt...this has got to be one of the cutest ideas I've ever seen! His skinny little arms and legs are made from white cording...I just love it! Thank you so much Mary!
Next is another exchange I received from Katie from another one of my groups, the stitcherhood. We did a card and floss exchange and she sent me this cute little card and even made it into a ornament so I can hang it on my tree. The picture just doesn't do it justice! Katie's stitching is perfect! I just wish mine would look as good as hers! I love this little mouse and he will have a branch just for him on my tree. Thank you Katie!

Next is a huge surprise from my friends Carrie and Rog. Some of you may have heard that my family has been going through a rough patch financially and Carrie graciously offered to help with my sons birthday this month because I am unable to do anything for him this year. Well, Carrie and Rog sent him a big box filled with a sweatshirt and tee shirts all with a rock star theme, which he will absolutely love! And a big stack of his favorite books too! He will have an awesome birthday!

But there was even more in the box.....I recently had to pull out of two exchanges due to our financial situation. Carrie sent me a card and inside was a wonderful note that brought tears to my eyes. She said she didn't want me to go without an exchange and sent me one anyway. I was in shock! The picture does not show everything she sent, but needless to say....I was literally brought to tears by her generosity. The blue velvet stocking was filled with all kinds of goodies including some six strand sweets floss and mill hill charms, a 2010 calandar and lots of other items.

Carrie, I don't know how you always know when I'm feeling down, but you never fail to amaze me. I am so blessed to have found such a wonderful friend and I thank God that He's brought you into my life. If the world only had more people like you and Rog and your generous hearts it would be a much better place. Thank you for being my friend and giving me a shoulder to cry on. You are an angel in disguise.

Hugs to all and happy stitching!

My feeble attempt at an ornament..

The Gift of Stitching Magazine is running a contest. You stitch up the pattern in any manner you like, using any threads you like and show off a pic of it. Well, here's my pic:

I made it a two sided ornament, one green and one red. I used Caron Wildflowers thread in "Holiday" on 14 ct aida and made a loop hanger with some cording I had on hand. The pics just don't show the detail in it very well. I think it's cute and it will be going to a wonderful friend for the holidays.

I love the little pattern and have a ton of ideas rolling around in my head for it so you may see it make an appearence again in the future....maybe for valentines day.

Hope everyone is having a great week! Happy stitching!

Has it really been over a month???? Geez....

Wow! I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted an update! So much has happened since the last time. I finally finished my super secret stitching project, but can't show any pics of it or say much more about it. When the entire thing is completely done....I'll be posting a HUGE blog update about it.
In the meantime, I stitched up this little card for an exchange. I wasn't sure I would like the burgandy cardstock, but it's growing on me. Hope my partner likes it!

This next little piece is what I call..."the worlds ugliest scarecrow"..... trying to find a scarecrow to fit in a certain size square is pure headache! This is the only one I could find that would fit the space I had and I honestly hate it! Anyway, I stitched him up since it was the only one I could find that would work.

Next.....was a wonderful surprise I received this week in the mail! My friend Carein sent me the cutest little birdhouse! Her and her hubby have a small business making these and other cute things. (Wildwood Products) The picture just doesn't do it justice. It is beautiful craftsmanship! I am just amazed at what they can do with a piece of wood! My hubby quickly fell in love with it and hung it in my dining room so everyone can see it. I'm sure I'll be getting lots of compliments on it and everyone is going to want one! It truly is a unique treasure and I'm honored that Carein thought of me to send one to. I love it!

Here we have my 2 goofy boys.....hubby happened to go into our local convenience store the other day and he found some old style coca cola bottles. I had no idea they still sold them! He picked them up and brought them home for the boys. They couldn't believe they actually got to drink "antique" coke! They honestly believe that the coke was at least 100 years old...LOL! It was quite amusing to listen to them talk about how the taste was so different from now days....LOL! I wasn't about to tell them it was probably made within the last month! hehehe

On Sunday my hubby's grandmother came to visit us for a few hours as she was passing through town. We haven't seen her for at least 5 years so it was a wonderful afternoon. The kids had a blast talking to her and listening to her tell stories about when their dad was little. She's in her late 80's, so I'm VERY thankful that the kids got to spend a few hours with her. My daughter took off with her in her bedroom and spent at least an hour in there chatting with her and showing off her wedding dress. I have no idea what the heck they were talking about but when they came out of the room both were smiling like they had some big secret..LOL!

Not much more to report in my neck of the woods. I've got lots of projects to finish soon. I have an ornament I need to get done for an exchange and I really want to get some of my UFO's done before the end of the year. Hope everyone is having a great week! Hugs to all!

Stitching like a mad woman and a new kitty....

I've finally gotten my stitching groove back! The following 2 pics are of a RR that belongs to a friend..she had a few squares that needed finished so I offered to do a couple for her. I really enjoyed stitching on this.

Next is another RR piece with a halloween theme. I've stitched this before, but I thought I'd pull it out again because it went perfect with the others that were on there. I hope she likes it, it was a quick and easy one to do.

Next is a RR piece for myself. I found this freeebie online and thought it would be perfect as a pillow. So I've put this at the top and hopefully the other ladies will put some random cute things below and it will be a great little pillow for the holiday next year. This was done on some purple 14ct aida that I dyed myself a while back. It's more of a lighter purple, but I thought it was perfect for this RR. And if you read the previous post....this is also the one that the cat got revenge with! LOL

Now for the non-stitchy part....this little guy was brought home by my daughter when I sent her to walmart to pick something up. She came home and had this cute little ball of fluff. I could have just throttled her, but then I loooked at that cute little face and fell in love. He's half ragdoll and half persian and we've named him Garth. I've convinced my daughter that I'm keeping him! He's the most lovable little guy.....he loves to be held and hates being put down. He's a definate lap cat. LOL

Anyway, not much of an exciting update..but at least I'm stitching again! Hope everyone has their needles smoking! Hugs to all!

Cats CAN and WILL get even!

My Brother in Law came for a visit this past weekend and brought us a baby kitten. This is a wonderful addition to our family because my hubby had to put his cat down in March after 14 years. Kitty is 6 weeks old and has no name yet, but here he is.......

Now, here's the getting even part: We have a cat, "Cosmo" (who would not let me get a picture) and he's been an only cat for quite a while now. He belongs to my daughter and her fiance so they will be taking him with them when they find out where they will be stationed. He does not like the new kitty. He turns his nose up at him and walks away. He hisses, bats his paw the whole bit. Well Cosmo has been hiding from us since the new kitty came and last night I found him in my craft closet......howling away for being locked in there! This is what he did to get revenge......

See the shredded pattern?!! And I was going to work on this today! I can't even piece it back together enough to use it...darn cat! I guess he really got his revenge.....

I have no stitchy pics to show at the moment, but I'm working on a few things. I've got a friends RR that I'm working on and my super secret project that no one has seen yet. The shredded pattern was suppose to be a RR but looks like I'll have to find something else to do up real quick. The pattern was a freebie, but darn it, I don't have any ink in my printer to get it printed out. (Mom is sending me the pattern, thanks mom!) I've got probably about 16 different projects on the go at the moment and not a finish in sight! I've got to quit starting things! LOL

The kids start school September 8th....I can't wait! They are driving me nuts lately. My youngest got him self grounded to the house for 3 weeks and he's bored as heck! Last week him and his friend took off a sewer grate and 'accidentally' dropped it down the city sewer! The city had to be called to come get it out and put it back on. Anyway...he got grounded, darn kid! I think it's worse for me to have him in the house all the time....and he thinks he's being tortured. LOL!

Anyway, hope everyone is having a great summer! Hugs to all!

I'm Ebaying Stash!!!

Some of you may have heard that I've recently become the owner of an LNS closeout. I've decided to sell most of the items on ebay. I would like to invite everyone to check out my auctions and get some amazing deals. My ebay id is: xfrazzled1x
I've only got about a dozen items up so far but I will be putting new items on daily until it's all gone.

Here's a sneek peek of what's to come.......

I have alot of charts/leaflets and more bolts of fabric...mostly 14 ct aida, white, ecru and fiddlers. If anyone is interested in fabric from the bolt please feel free to email me for details.

Hugs!