We Have A WINNER!!

The Winner of the Bringing Home the Tree Ornament is:  (Drum Roll Please!!)

                      Valerie of Yorkies Primitives

Congratulations Valerie....I'm happy he will be on your tree this year..

Little Dresses for Africa

I have been blessed in so many ways.  I always feel as though I need to give back. Recently my dear friend Jacky decided the same thing.  She read of an organization here in Connecticut that was very involved in trying to clothe little girls in Africa.  The organization asks for donations of pillow cases so that simple dresses can be made from them and sent to Africa.

"Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit 501c3 organization, which provides relief to the children of Africa.  Simple dresses are made out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and school in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy!"  So reads the first paragraph of their blog:  http://littledressesforaftrica.org/blog/

If you take a moment you can learn about this wonderful organization and about all the ways you might help.  Can you just imagine the face of a tiny girl who is given her very first dress.  I can and that's why I feel so strongly about this mission of hope and love.  It is one small step but it fills my heart with joy.

The pattern for the little dresses can be found here:

 www.nancysnotions.com/text/pdf/LittleDressesforAfrica_pattern.pdf

Tree Shopper Mouse Give Away

Bringing Home the Tree

As many of you know I lost my older brother last week.  He owned a tree service and I wanted to have a give away to say farewell.

My Tree Chopper (Bringing Home the Tree) is the most popular male mouse I have ever created.  He wins out each and every year. I think he reminds family's of that time of year when they go in search of that perfect tree to trim.

I am giving him away to someone who leaves a comment below. .  If you would like to have him for your tree this year simply leave a comment and an email address where I can reach you.  Of course I'd love to have you follow me but certainly not just to win this mouse.  I write this blog simply to share something with each of you...not necessarily always a tutorial or pattern, sometimes I post just to share my happiness or sorrow.  Take a look at some of my previous postings and if you have enjoyed then definitely sign up to follow me. This blog, however,  might not be your cup of tea.

I will select a winner on April 15th.

Good luck.

Simple Sunday

It's not sunny here today.  It is not warm.  I should be complaining about the lack of both...but I am not. I am happy with the day just as it is.

A good friend asked me to breakfast.  I mean how many days has it been since you had a pancake stuffed with whip cream, peaches,and strawberries?  It had been a very long time for me.  I guess that's why it tasted so yummy.  The conversation and decaf were excellent as well.

Next came a visit from my granddaughter Phoebe who wanted to show me her new toy.  It was probably the last toy I would have selected for her.  It was a toy SHE selected all by herself.  If  Phoebe had an alternate name it would be "all by myself".  She has been the most independent of all of my grandchildren since the day she was born.  As soon as she could walk she completely dressed herself...I mean you should have seen some of the "unique" combinations of clothing Phoebe came up with.  Well you are probably wondering just what the toy was that Phoebe selected.  It was a doll's head with platinum blond hair and four tubes of coloring with which to "paint" her hair...including one to put sparkles in as well. My first thought was to say "Yuck".  But I didn't I just thought it while I happily helped Phoebe cut all those awful wires and tape that held the "head" securely in the packaging. I smiled. I complimented her choice and I simply shared her joy. I surrendered my "judgement" and what joy I was able to feel.

Try this strategy out sometime.....I wish you the same joy I felt.

                           I'll be back tomorrow with a fun post...I promise you.

A Happier Day

At 6'4"David Ernest Moody, Sr  was a bit of a Mountain Man.  I was born on August 9.  David's birthday was August 16th.  When he was 12 he received a bike and I was his early birthday present. My parents raised sheep and my father built a little wooden wagon to be attached to the sheep with a tiny seat so David could lead the sheep around and give me a ride.  Later he taught be how to ride the bicycle that my father made me out of plumbing pipe - I always blamed that bike for my big calves!! He went to school to be a machinist but that position was not for him.  He needed to be outdoors. After he married he worked construction and landscaping. When his children were grown he started two businesses. One was a welding business.  The other was a tree service.  He excelled at both and worked at both until he was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer on Christmas Day of 2011.

As the  years passed each of the four children in my family of origin went their separate ways.  I hadn't seen him since the execution of my father's will in 2006...6 years ago.  He had decided he didn't want to continue a relationship with his siblings.  Sad.

I received word of his passing on Thursday evening.  I won't get to go to a wake or a funeral.  My friends won't be able to gather and comfort me.  I am sad about that.  I will honor David's wishes though.

Today I needed to comfort myself by writing these words and publishing these pictures of a happier day.  David gave me away at our September 16, 1972 wedding.   It was a happier day.

Yes I crocheted my gown.

Rest in Peace David

August 16, 1937 - March 27, 2012

Today Was A Sad Day

...but there is tomorrow to look forward to.  Be back then.

Cross Stitch Help

4 things every cross stitcher should know

As seen in Cross Stitcher

Cross stitching, like everything else, is a learning curve. We've asked some pro stitchers to tell us the clever tricks they've picked up over the years. Read on to discover what they wish they'd known before they first picked up a needle. Prepare to be inspired!

Even with all the good advice in the world it's impossible to get things perfect first time, and it can take a lot of trial and error to work out the best methods for you. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves along the way! Half the fun of stitching is experimenting with different techniques and ways of doing things,

• "Always use an embroidery hoop or frame even if your project is very small. Your stitching tension will be so much better and you'll have something firm to hold on to as you work, meaning you don't need to handle the fabric with your fingers so much.”
Debbie Cripps, designer

• "I wish I'd known sooner about the 'using three strands when working on coloured fabric' rule. I didn't realise how much intense-coloured fabrics suck the colour out of your threads. Three strands makes all the difference!”
Emily Peacock, designer

• “I've learned to always work in really good light and use a thread sorter if possible. This is important with designs that have similar shades of one colour. I know I've come back to my stitching the morning after on a few occasions only to find that parts have been stitched in the wrong shade! A thread sorter saves a lot of unpicking.”
Joanne Sanderson, designer 

• “I wish I'd known more about handling metallic threads. I've found that knotting them to your needle really helps. Loop the thread and pass the ends through the eye of your needle and back through the loop. It makes everything stress-free!”
Nina Jackson, stitched

I adore Cross Stitcher Magazine ....that is the one that is always encased in a plastic slip so you canNOT look through it before you purchase it (Yuck!), it is published in GB and it is really pricey. Many times I simply do not have the price !


The Making Spot however is an online arm of Cross Stitcher that is emailed to you and  gives you the opportunity to purchase individual projects found in Cross Stitcher.  Sometimes it even gives you FREE advice.  That is what I have reposted above.  I hope there is a tip there that will help you...I found TWO that will help me. Who knew to use 3 strands on colored backgrounds?  Not me.


Oh and one more thing before I go:

This is the MOST INCREDIBLE story you will ever read.

It is available for pre-order now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

It is also available for Kindle and The Nook or any E Reader.

It will be available on April 3.

I have been reading the NieNieDialogues.com now for 5 years. I never miss a day.

Stephanie Aurora Nielson is an inspiration for me.