Ellie's Gift, MNO, RAK Updates and Travel Plans

Ellie F was the winner of the February Week One Giveaway. As a 'thank you' to me, she sent this adorable little felted bird - and the wool is made from her sister's sheep - how cool is THAT?! Thank you, Ellie - I love it. It hangs on my lamp in my office.

I finished the next block in Ele's ABC SAL:

I want to thank everyone who have RSVP'd to my birthday party. I'm so very excited about all this - it almost makes my head hurt. I've already stitched 4 RAKs, one is completed and ready to launch next week. Here's a peek:

Someone suggested there be an easy way to look at the 60 RAKs....So...... I've created a page at the top of my blog called "60 RAKs". Once the party goer receives her RAK, I'll post a picture in a blog post, but also on that page so you can keep track of what-went-to-who.

Now - travel plans. My blogging may be more than a bit sporadic over the next three weeks, as I leave for Singapore to hug my daughter, GS and SIL in a few days! I'm more than a little anxious about the long trip, but so looking forward to spending time with them. DH will be here at the farm looking after the dogs and getting a jump start on his garden. In preparation for my travels, I've selected four stitching projects to take with me - all will be RAKs.

Soooooo - here I go - off into the wild blue yonder!

Christmas Ornament SAL - March

Just finished my ornament for the Christmas Ornament SAL. March's theme is "Santa and his Helpers". I struggled finding a pattern I really liked....and found Laura Rimola's "Miss Santa" pattern in the December 2014 "Just CrossStitch" magazine. I love, LOVE her designs, so this was a definite "GO!". The pattern is stitched on 32 Ct linen.

Miss Santa - 3 x 4.75 inches 

Hmmmm.....what to stitch next? Oh yes.....maybe an RAK?? If you missed out letting me know you're coming to my 60th birthday party, check out my post from March 8th....and send me a note if you'd like to RSVP.

Christmas Ornament SAL - February DONE!

Here's my February ornament for the Christmas Ornament SAL. I stitched it on 28 Ct Blue Whisper Cashel. The design is by Belinda of Blue Ribbon Designs. It appeared in the 2015 "Just Cross Stitch" Christmas Ornament magazine.

Off to start March!

Celebrating Sixty: 1956 - 2016

I've put out some teasers in some of my posts over the past few days about a "stupendous idea" for celebrating my 60 years on this wonderful planet. Here goes:

Vintage Card compliments of The Graphics Fairy

This is my motto:

I truly believe that we each put a bit of ourselves in the pieces we make. Whether the items are stitched by hand or machine, baked or broiled, glued, stranded or beaded...some of ourselves reside in each and every work we do. 

With that in mind, here is how I plan to celebrate my 60th year - and celebrate my friends.

I will send 60 handmade RAKs to my friends throughout the year

 I ask two things:

 - Please comment on my blog if you'd like to help me reach my 60 RAK goal. 

AND

- Please spread the word to your followers and friends so they might join the fun. Feel free to grab the button at the top right of my blog to help spread the word.

Some of you may think I'm absolutely and utterly bonkers. I've given this a lot of thought - and what makes me happy is giving to others. I can't think of a better way to celebrate this momentous milestone.

February Week Five Giveaway......and the Winner is.....

Once again, DH came to my recuse and drew the name for this week's giveaway.

Barbara from The Flashing Scissors.

CONGRATULATIONS, Barbara ~ Please send me your address and I'll pop your gifts in the mail.

A  H-U-G-E THANK YOU to all my  bloggy friends who participated and made my third bloggy anniversary month one to remember.

Speaking of remembering...

I have a stupendous idea to celebrate turning 60 years old this year (my birthday is in July).

Stop back next week for the 60th Birthday celebration 
announcement! 
WATCH THIS SPACE.....

Christmas Ornament SAL Progress and FNWF

My Stitching Sister, Kaye, of Kitten Stitching, hosts a Christmas Ornament SAL....you are challenged to stitch a Christmas ornament each month for a specific theme. For FNWF, I worked on January's ornament (the theme is music). Yes, I'm a little late....here's my progress....so far -

 It's a bit more detailed than I'd thought. Eventually it will look like a stained glass window.

If you're interested in joining the SAL, pop over here or click on the Christmas Ornament SAL icon to the right of my blog page. I've got some stitching to do to catch up, but I will ;0)

P.S. Don't forget to sign up for my final February Giveaway - the drawing is Sunday at Noon CST.

ALERT! I have a stupendous idea to celebrate turning 60 years old this year (my birthday is in July).

WATCH THIS SPACE.....

I hope you will help me make this a stupendous year and one to remember.

Smalls SAL Checkin - A Little Late...

Wow - it's been a whirlwind around here lately....and I have a feeling things are going to shift into WARP speed (for those Star Trek fans) in no time flat.

The lovely Heather from Stitching Lotus hosts the SMALLS SAL. It's not too late to join in on the fun. So - here are my Smalls for February -

Here is a tiny needlepoint fire screen. It measures 1.5 inches x 1.75 inches. I made it from a fantastic kit by Janet Granger.

The lovely Jo from Serendipitous Stitching clued me in on the Concern Project, "Stitch for Syria". Click on the link above ("Concern Project") for information. It's a lovely design and stitches up in about an hour. It measures 2 inches square. I used 28 Ct linen and DMC 121 variegated floss.

I'd be remiss if I didn't include my three smalls from Ele's ABC SAL.  I'm ANXIOUSLY waiting for the next block -