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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Grow Your Blog Party - 2015

This is a first for me - participating in the "Grow Your Blog Party" hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full.

OK - here goes - My name is Kim and I'm NUTS about NEEDLEWORK!

Why do I blog?
I am thoroughly amazed at the connection stitchers have to each other.  The people I've met through my blog are amazing.  They are like family to me - sharing our woes, pain and joys. Such creativity and open sharing of ideas and projects! Reading other blogs inspires me to create more and more.  Sometimes I feel like my head will explode I have so many ideas running around in there.

My motto is "The work of the hands brings forth the spirit of the heart." I love making things for others.  When I share the work of my hands, I feel like I'm giving them a part of me. Our home is decorated with many things I've stitched - from needlework miniatures to a large tapestry.  When I look at each piece, it brings back memories of when I stitched it.  Some of those memories make me smile - others a tear.  But it's all good.







One of my other passions is painting porcelain. I paint in the 18th century European style, meaning the paint dries before I fire it in my kiln.  I LOVE Limoges boxes.  Here's one I painted:
I also love to paint portraits on porcelain tiles with an open medium (the paint won't dry before it's fired).  Here's the portrait I did of my daughter on an 8x10 inch tile:

Needlework, painted porcelain, blogging.  Love it all.

Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you love to create. I will choose one lucky person who leaves a message - a SURPRISE GIFT will be given. Please, PLEASE make sure I can contact you. Sometimes I get lovely messages from people who are "no-reply" and I feel awful I can't reply to them.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit. I'd love to hear from you!

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65 comments:

  1. AriadneJanuary 24, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    Hi! I already follow and read your blog!And you mine!So I completely agree with what you say about blogging!I love it too! I love to create with cross stitch, with felt, with paper, or simply by acting or teaching!ariadnesky(at)hotmail(dot)comAriadnefromGreece!

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  2. butterflyJanuary 24, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    What a beautiful picture of your daughter you really have so much talent.

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  3. cuckiJanuary 24, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    helllo dear,
    I love your blog so much...
    Great post.
    Big hugs x

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  4. Anna van SchurmanJanuary 24, 2015 at 2:03 PM

    You have great talent in painting. Beautiful work!

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  5. VickieJanuary 24, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    You do such gorgeous work Kim. You already know what I like. ;)

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  6. DebSJanuary 24, 2015 at 2:52 PM

    The portrait of your daughter is beautiful and so is the porcelain box. Cross stitch is my favorite but I also do needlepoint, beading, sewing and a bit of knitting. My mom was always working on some sort of project and because of her influence my hands are rarely idle.

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  7. LindaJanuary 24, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    Your painting is gorgeous Kim. You should become a professional. I love to cross stitch, crochet and do jigsaw puzzles.

    Linda

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  8. Lisa VJanuary 24, 2015 at 7:15 PM

    You are so talented Kim.

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  9. Teresa S.January 24, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    You do beautiful work on everything you love-stitching, painting porcelain and blogging! I'm glad you are here!

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  10. Peg - Happy In QuiltingJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:16 AM

    Wow Kim that painting of your DD Is awesome....enjoyed reading your story x

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  11. Christine MJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:47 AM

    Hello Kim. The portrait you did of your daughter is absolutely amazing. I love seeing your beautiful stitching and other projects.

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  12. JoJanuary 25, 2015 at 5:49 AM

    What a great job you did of your beautiful daughter. You should be very proud.
    I love making my quilts and then giving them to special friends for special occasions. I also love making my own cards too

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  13. AntheaJanuary 25, 2015 at 6:21 AM

    love your new-look blog Kim... I hope you have a lovely time with your darlings

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  14. CYNTHIA CRANEJanuary 25, 2015 at 7:02 AM

    Hi Kim! So glad to meet you! Your painting is absolutely exquisite. I am eager to take up stitching again soon so I'm delighted to follow your blog to admire all of your lovely work and be inspired!

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  15. FilJanuary 25, 2015 at 7:23 AM

    Good morning Kim - oh your painting is simply wonderful - I'm so envious of people who paint. I'm just starting to put some of my needlework around the house - you've inspired me to get on with it.
    I'm visiting on behalf of Vicki at 2 Bags Full - this is going to be such a fun day getting around so many blogs ... Enjoy it. It's my first time taking part too :)
    Fil

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  16. ChristineJanuary 25, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    Wow, that painting of your daughter is stunning

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  17. Ann C.January 25, 2015 at 8:17 AM

    Thank you for stopping by today and following my blog. I am now following yours. The painting of your daughter is beautiful. Happy Stitching!

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  18. craftingpawsJanuary 25, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    Hi Kim, thank you for stopping by my blog!
    Your work is amazing and I am definitely looking forward to seeing more!

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  19. rosey175January 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM

    I've loved your painting since finding your blog; that teeny Night Before Christmas ornament still amazes me. As for my own creations, I guess I love to create happiness! Okay, maybe that's a little cheesy. So, video game related items through needlework maybe. And daffodils.

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  20. Tami Von ZalezJanuary 25, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    Welcome to the party - amazing portraiture!

    Dropped by from GYB.
    http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com/2015/01/grow-your-blog-and-repairing-vintage.html

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  21. KatyJanuary 25, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    Wow, what talent! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog for GYB! I'm definitely a new follower and am looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful work!

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  22. Joyce Clark FrankJanuary 25, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    Enjoyed your blog. Your talent shows very nicely. I am part of the Grow your Blog for the second year. What fun!. I would love to have a chance for your give a way.
    http://joycesloveoflife.blogspot.com

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  23. GillJanuary 25, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    Lovely to meet you Kim!
    I love your motto and your porcelain painting is fabulous!

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  24. JoyJanuary 25, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    Hi Kim

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Your tins look interesting. I've only ever stitched a heart shaped tin. It was fun but hard to mount.

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  25. MariaJanuary 25, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Hi Kim I'm visiting from GYB. I've never come across anyone that paints on porcelain. You are so talented, that little box is so pretty and the portrait of your daughter is gorgeous and on such a small piece too. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  26. SherylJanuary 25, 2015 at 3:12 PM

    Amazing painting of your daughter, really beautiful work.

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  27. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    Hi Kim,wow that painting you did of your daughter is awesome she is so pretty and you are so very clever my friend xx

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  28. HollyMJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:14 PM

    I love to give handmade gifts as well.
    Your painting is beautiful. Can't believe the portrait of your daughter!

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  29. Judy Cooper Textile ArtistJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:22 PM

    Hi, Kim, I just joined via bloglovin. Your work is lovely. You did a great job of your daughter's portrait. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  30. Emily CJanuary 25, 2015 at 8:10 PM

    Hello from Pennsylvania. I love quilting and sewing.

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  31. Cathy January 26, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    I've enjoyed looking around your blog. You do such beautiful work! I'm now a follower and will be back often to see what you've created. Thank you for following my blog.
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

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  32. D1-D2January 26, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    The portrait is beautiful, the blending of colors makes it look so real.

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  33. ClareJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:21 AM

    You are such a talented artist such beautiful work, thanks for visiting my blog
    Clare x

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  34. UnknownJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Hello. So glad to meet you through "Grow Your Blog". Love your work. Your daughters portrait is absolutely beautiful!
    Kim - I love hand stitching :)

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  35. KayJanuary 26, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    How lovely to meet you today on the blog hop. The painting is just amazing, you certainly hav many talents. I love to cross stitch and read, they keep me sane. x

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  36. MaggieJanuary 26, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    My goodness, the portrait on porcelain is fantastic!!

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  37. Threads of InspirationJanuary 26, 2015 at 2:31 PM

    Your painting and needlework is amazing! Enjoy the blog party!

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  38. Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra StitcheriesJanuary 26, 2015 at 3:03 PM

    OMG Kim that portrait of your Daughter is beautiful! I love to create meals from a recipe and of course love to create a special quilt!

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  39. Sarah Goer QuiltsJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Your work is beautiful. That portrait is amazing!

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  40. CarolJanuary 27, 2015 at 8:48 AM

    Your new blog look is wonderful, Kim!! As is your work--I'm in awe at your painting... Such a beautiful daughter, too :)

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  41. Dreaming of VintageJanuary 27, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    Hi Kim! Thanks for coming over to my blog to say hi! Wow, you're a talented lady! Your creations are gorgeous! Now a follower!
    Kelly

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  42. Elizabeth EdwardsJanuary 27, 2015 at 4:19 PM

    i love your work. my mom & i have done a bit of cross stitch. it works on your eyes though. i have not done as much as i have gotten older. mom has stopped completely. i thank you for stopping by my blog ... i hope you are well & having a great week!! i love working on my photography skills, writing, blogging, or my reading skills. i love reading. ( :

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  43. Summer January 27, 2015 at 11:15 PM

    SO happy to have found your blog, your crafts are amazing! I love them all but the painting and the blackwork are to die for! you're a very gifted lady!

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  44. Julie's LifestyleJanuary 28, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    Hi Kim, I'm visiting you today via the GYB party and thanks for stopping by and joining my blog yesterday! I love your blog and the wonderful creations that you make! You are so talented and I love the painting you did of your daughter! I love to crochet and donate what I make to my church crochet group that I belong to. We make hats, blankets and scarves that we give to the poor, homeless and to hospitals. I also crochet all year long for our annual Christmas Fair that we have at our church. I do hope that we can become new blog friends through this GYB event. Thanks.
    Julie at Julie's Lifestyle

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  45. Sue KosecJanuary 28, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!

    So that you know, I've become a Follower and when time permits, I'll be back to see what other beautiful things were made by your hands!

    What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, check out A Country Chic Retreat and SuZeQ Creations, my personal blog, in Section Fifteen I'd love for you to follow and subscribe to.

    Happy crafting!
    SuZeQ

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  46. DebJanuary 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    WOW! What beautiful work! Your painting is fabulous!

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  47. LindsayJanuary 28, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    Beautiful projects and love the box, had to look twice at your daughters portrait I thought it was a photo!

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  48. Cheri the Quilting NannyJanuary 28, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    Hi Kim... visiting from GYB...I love to sew....anything and everything, but at the moment, I am quilting! I love your little boxes!
    Cheri, the quilting nanny

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  49. HeatherJanuary 29, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    Hi Kim! I love creating quilts, cross-stitch landscape art, and scrapbooks. I love that your blog chronicles your array of talents! Oh yeah, I'm visiting via GYB.

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  50. NaomiJanuary 29, 2015 at 1:49 PM

    Hi Kim. That portrait of your daughter is absolutely amazing! I have not had any experience with porcelain at all but your work is beautiful. That little fairy is darling as well--it's been years since I cross-stitched--but your work is inspiring me to try my hand at it again. :)
    Naomi
    http://sewknitcreate.com

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  51. Niky SayersJanuary 29, 2015 at 3:31 PM

    Oh my, firstly what a beautiful blog! I love your motto and feel the same way about each of the pieces I make! Your work is amazing so beautifully neat and your painting is phenomenal. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

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  52. SheilaJanuary 29, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    Kim you are a very talented artist , your daughters painting is amazing ! I am now following so I don't miss any of your wonderful stitching and painting . I love to quilt , fibre art , embroidery as well as anything else that comes my way . Thanks for following my blog :-)

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  53. MokkiJanuary 31, 2015 at 6:10 AM

    Your portrait is really good. It looks very lifelike. I like the way youve turned your needlework into 3d items too. I love to embroider, crochet, make jewellery, sew! So many things!

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  54. Astrids dragonJanuary 31, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    Wow, your porcelain piece is lovely, and the picture of your daughter is beautiful! Of course your stitching looks great too!

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  55. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    Oh Kim, you are so talented and really an artist! I found your blog via GYB-party and was looking around and aaaaahing and ooooohing... gorgeous work. I'm crazy about wool - especially knitting - but after a surgery I had last year I can do that so much; no I'm sewing & quilting more but for 2015 I hope I can improve my embroidery skills a little bit. Kind regards from Germany, Annett

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  56. Carole @ From My Carolina HomeFebruary 1, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    Wow, your work is gorgeous, you are one talented lady! Visiting from GYB.

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  57. LyndseyFebruary 1, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    I love the portrait of your daughter, great work. I wish I had more time so I could keep reading and seeing more of your work. I'd better pop back another day!

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  58. Magpie's MumblingsFebruary 1, 2015 at 5:26 PM

    I had to read what you said about the painting of your daughter twice to be sure that it was painted - I really thought it was a photo! Scrolled down to see more of your beautiful needlework too - wow!! Thank you so much for having us over for a visit.

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  59. KlikFebruary 2, 2015 at 6:21 AM

    Hi Kim! My name's Nataly, I'm from Russia and I like stiching :)) Nice to meet you :)

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  60. UnknownFebruary 4, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    Hi Kim. Congrats on your new addition!! Grandchildren are amazing! Am proud Nana to 7 grandchildren and 2 greats myself. :) You are such a talented painter! The portrait of your daughter is awesome! Became a follower, can't wait to see what you do next.
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  61. Arianna M.February 5, 2015 at 12:52 PM

    That portrait is amazing!

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  62. AppleApricot WenFebruary 6, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    Hello Kim, so nice to meet you! I'm in awe of your needlework and paintings, stunning work! And lol, yes I totally have the exploding head full of inspiration and ideas from other blogs too. It's so inspiring to see what others create. I will most certainly follow your beautiful blog. Through bloglovin cause I already reached the maximum amount of blogs one can follow through GFC, can you imagine?! Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog :) I will visit you again soon. For now, wishing you a beautiful day ~ Wendy of Apple and Apricot blogsvanwendy@live.nl

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  63. afistfuloflemonsFebruary 8, 2015 at 6:21 PM

    Hi, I love to create via embroidery and knitting. I only recently learned how to do both and I'm hooked!
    - afistfuloflemons @ gmail.

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  64. nicolesenderFebruary 14, 2015 at 1:55 AM

    I like to create baby hats and quilts! Greetings from the Pacific Northwest!

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  65. Carol D.February 14, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    Visiting from GYB party. Yes, still trying to get around. Love your needlework and so impressed with your new mini pillows. But the painting of your daughter!!! No words to express what a treasure and beauty that is.

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