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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Downton Abbey, Irish Stitching, Horn Books, Thread Keepers and March Give Away!!!

OK - I'm a "Downton Abbey" fan.  Love it, love it.  Take the quiz here and find out which Downton Abbey character you are.  I never take quizzes like this, but couldn't resist. I was told I was Anna - which character are you?

My mother was very proud of her Irish heritage and passed along that pride to me.  She loved St. Patrick's Day and would fix corned beef and cabbage, creme brûlée - and, of course - Irish Coffee.  This will be my first St. Patrick's Day without her but, rest assured, I will be making her traditional feast in her honor.

I seem to be on an Irish kick and have been stitching a bunch of Irish-themed patterns.

This is called "A Little Irish Sampler" from The Sampler Girl.  


This a freebie from The Primitive Hare.


This is a free pattern from Plum Street Samplers.


This is another freebie from lesfilsdhelene.over-blog.com.  It measures 1.75x1.5 inches.


OK - I sent Hubby on a mission to make some wooden thread keeps using his new scroll saw.  I designed them, he cut and stained them - aren't they CUTE?!?!?!?!  I have other thread holder designs ready to be cut, so watch this space ;0)


I've become fascinated by horn books.  They date back as far as 1450 and were used as a primer for children.  It had letters of the alphabet and was mounted on a piece of wood, bone, leather or stone.

Well, I got it in my head I just HAD to design one - Hubby made these - they measure 5.25x5.5 inches. Including the handle, the horn book is 8.5 inches from top to bottom.

Here's my first horn book design - simple, sweet and a wee bit Irish.


I haven't charted it yet, but will soon, so be on the look out for another free pattern from me.  I have some ideas for more horn book designs.  Next project will be a smaller one, possibly doubling as a thread holder?   Hmmmmmmm - what fun!!!

Look at the amaryllis!!  They were a Christmas gift in 2012 and have come back into bloom like no tomorrow.  Isn't the color GORGEOUS?!?

ANNOUNCING THE MARCH GIVE AWAY

At the beginning of the year, I vowed to have a give away each month.  This month I'd like to do something a little different - share and share alike, as it were.  So, here we go!!

The give away for March will be your choice of:

 A wooden thread keep and a beaded scissor fob - for you and a friend.


Rules are simple:
Be or become a follower of this blog - one entry
Send someone and they become a follower - an additional entry
Blog about the March give away on your blog - an additional entry

The winner's name will be drawn on St. Patrick's Day (of course).  I will contact the winner and they can tell me their preference for the fob and thread keep - and what friend they would like to have me send their give away stash.

Keep yourself surrounded in stitches - Cheers!

29 comments:

  1. I am glad to know you will carry on the Irish Feast tradition. That amaryllis is gorgeous! Such a nice, rich color. You AND your husband have talents!! Please include me in your March Giveaway. Thank you Kim.

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  2. Such a nice giveaway! I am a follower!AriadnefromGreece!

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  3. Very cute thread keeps! I am a follower! Thanks! Phyllis

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  4. You and hubby did a fantastic job on the wooden pieces. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

    Linda

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  5. Oh my! What beautiful wooden hornbooks your husband made!! I look forward to your new March Design as well. Please include me in your March Giveaway.
    I am a follower and I will post on my blog here:
    http://time2xstitch.blogspot.com/

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  6. Ok, you are so lucky that your DH is into wood working and can make these! Fantastic! Love your Irish stitching too! Love the giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

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  7. Wow, all of that is amazing. Both you and your husband are really creating some great stuff.

    And thank you for linking the freebies. :D

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  8. Gosh, I forgot to mention that I'm a follower. Please enter me in the giveaway. I will be posting about the giveaway on my blog tomorrow morning (stitchinglotus.ca)

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  9. Wow! I am loving all the goodies your husband is making! Sweet stitches ~ you've been busy. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway!

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  10. Hello :)
    I am an anonymous follower of your blog (I follow all blogs anonymously)
    Can you please include me in your giveaway?
    Thank you!

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  11. What a fantastic giveaway, love your stitching and your amaryllis is gorgeous, I have one but mine isnt flowering yet. x

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  12. Great finishes for St Patrick'd Day!! Love your joint work with hubby for these thread holders, they are fabulous! I already won your last giveaway, so won't join this one :) Good luck to everyone!

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  13. Lovely things Kim : ) I really love those hornbooks! Would your husband consider selling some? Please do include me in your giveaway : )

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  14. I love all of your wonderful St. Patrick's Day stitching.
    What a wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance.

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  15. I'm sure I could talk him into making some to sell. I have ideas for different designs for the horn books, will post them soon - if I can convince Hubby to play with his scroll saw - HA!

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  16. That new scroll saw is a blessings - what beautiful work has been wrought...Put me down for the purchase of some hornbooks and thread keepers when available. You are such a generous soul, Kim, with your freebies. I see the Irish gene there. Please include me for this giveaway. Have
    a great day.

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    1. Your name is in the hat - for the thread keeps, do you have a particular design in mind? I have Hubby making several more - a tea pot shape, a dog, a poodle, a heart and a butterfly. I'll post when they are done…..

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    2. Would like a tea pot and a heart. And keep in mind I see a hornbook or two in my future.
      Many thanks, Kim.

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  17. I am a new follower and found this via Silverlotus...i would love to win that adorable thread keeper. What a kind soul you are! Love your workand charts.

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  18. Your stitching is lovely and your hubby is sure talented with the scroll saw! Wonderful and generous giveaway too.

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  19. I'm a follower and would love a chance. Thanks!

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  20. Wow, Kim! A giveaway every month?! You are amazingly generous! I'd love the chance to win and I saw your giveaway mentioned on Brenda's blog, Time 2 Xstitch. I'm already a follower.

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  21. I have never seen "Downton Abbey" but I took the quiz and I am BATES! I love all your St. Patrick's Day stitching and thanks for the blog links!

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  22. Hi, Kim, I am a brand new follower of your blog and would love to enter your give-away. Brenda sent me your way. I look forward to following you.
    Melinda

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  23. Hi Kim, I am now a follower as an acquaintance mentioned your blog! I'm glad to see you are a Downton Abby fan too! I just love that show! I'd love to win a thread keeper and fob! Thanks for the drawing!
    Tedra - Phoenix, AZ

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  24. What lovely finishes by both you and your hubby:). The giveaway is so generous; please include me. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. My friend posted this on her facebook and I took the quiz and got the Countess! She's my favourite character next to Anna so I was pretty pleased. Love all your Irish stitching. The Sampler girl freebie is one I've been meaning to stitch and haven't yet. It's a lovely finish! I stitched the other two, Slah and PPS's Got Luck. Great little designs for St. Patrick's Day!! I would love to be entered in your giveaway! Hugs!!

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  26. gorgeous stitching :D I love those horn books, they look gorgeous.

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  27. Please count me in on the fun! Your stitching and thread keeps are so pretty, Kim! Thanks for the chance to win one :)

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