Some special treasures, first a gift, then some finds!

I hope that this finds you, my blogging friends, staying cool, wherever you are! I think that this summer will stand out in our minds for it's extreme heat and humidity! I know that last night, was so unsufferable to even sit for a few minutes on the front porch. I didn't even attempt to go for my nightly walk, because I just knew it wouldn't even be healthy for me! Now that said, I go every night, and usually don't even venture out until sometime between 9 and 10 pm, because of the heat. I try to walk at least 2 miles, and sometimes 3 miles, and when I come home, I definitely need a cool down period. But last night? No maam, wouldn't even attempt it! And I missed it...I just hope tonight isn't a repeat, but I am thinking that it might be. I love the changing seasons, and I don't want to wish my life away, since it is moving swiftly enough, but I can't wait for Autumn!!! Stay cool, wherever you are!

I got such a lovely thank you gift on Monday, from Faye. She sent me this sweet pin pillow, complete with special pins that she made herself! Isn't it the prettiest thing? I will treasure it, Faye, thank you ever so much. I don't have many smalls in my collection and each one I get is a special treasure to own! Also when saying your prayers, if you would add dear Faye's mil Ada, to your list, she is in need of them! Thank you and I know Faye would and does appreciate those prayers!

On Saturday, I decided to treat myself and make a trip to the antique mall that is about 5 miles south of me. I enjoy going once in awhile to see what treasures they might have. Love to have company along, but love to go alone too, because sometimes I just take my time and find more things, you know what I mean? I never fail to bring something home, but this trip, I was able to find some great things, that I have a picture of below:

The drawer is from an antique sewing cabinet and was in great shape, so I couldn't pass it up! Not sure yet what I will use it for, but I can bet I will find a good use for it soon! I love drawers, boxes and cabinets!! Another weakness I have is for glass canning jars...this one was a super buy and it said Drey (I don't have many that are from that company) and it is a larger size, then the quart sizes that you see everywhere. I wish I could tell you what size it is, but I am horrid with measurements, anyone help me out? Is it a quart and a half, maybe? I know it isn't a gallon size! Anyway, I love it!! I only collect the smaller pint sized antique canning jars and they are hard to find. As is this size. Also got lucky and found a couple more flower frogs, now I have four of these! Last but certainly not least, I found five, count'em five antique sewing machine oil cans!!! I was jumping for joy at the find, and the price was right, $4. each!!! Yay!!! I had a great time!!!

I do have a couple of stitchey pics to share, of a couple of my wips! Haven't had as much time as I would like to stitch these days, but I do try to put in a few stitches each day!

This is a really lousy picture of Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers #9 Sunflower House, my progress as of the end of July! A fun stitch, stitching it with the recommended colors of fibers on Old Mill Java by R&R! A slow stitch, since I have some obligation stitching to complete, but I have been enjoying every stitch.

Also another slow wip:

PLEASE do forgive the wrinkle down the middle!!! I needed to bring it upstairs and set up the ironing board, and I was just too lazy busy to do that! This is Beatrix Potter Sampler, not quite in her full glory, but one stitch at a time will bring that to pass. Just not sure what year that will be...She is stitched on 32 ct French Vanilla linen from R&R with Used Brick Crescent Colours fibers. I love how it is looking so far!!

That is about it for now! I am heading out for some early errands, before the sultry heat is in full swing! I want to thank you all so much for coming to visit, and reading and commenting! You all just make my day! If you aren't a follower yet, then I would be thrilled if you become one today!

Today, whatever you do, do with love and gusto!! And try and have some stitchey fun too!

Love, Jan

Birthday Wishes and Pictures to Share!

It's Monday, the 26th of July and all day it has been my daughter's 31st birthday! I had a bit of a birthday celebration at the house yesterday afternoon! With the exception of my youngest daughter and her wee family, everyone else was here, even my parents! So it was a great day, full of celebration, fellowship, good eats, that left me with a satisfied heart at the end of the day! Happy Birthday to my dear Megan Brooke!! May you have many, many more birthdays, my darling one! Momma loves you enough!!!

Many of you have been experiencing a heat wave like we have around here of late! In fact, the entire summer has been a hot one and very humid! I have been trying to walk every evening, and sometimes with the horrid heat being so bad, I am unable to do that, which I need to do, and have grown to look forward to. So, guess I am really looking forward to Autumn...hope we have an early one!

I had a friend visit a few weeks ago, and she sent me this ever so sweet pincushion as a thank you gift! I was thrilled, it is Blackbird Designs Bird In Hand! Isn't it lovely? Thank you so much, Kathy!

 She also finished this little design that I had stitched, by Lizzie Kate, Work, Pray, Trust! While she was visiting, we went to Joann's and picked out fabric and trim and she created this little cutey for me!

Another special friend, Lizzy, blessed me with this Sweet Friendship stitched piece, which I had framed! I am so pleased with it, thank you so much, Lizzy!!!

I am so blessed with such special friends, my cup runneth over!!

Also back from the framer's is Little House Needlework's Brave Hearts, stitched on 40 ct Vintage Pearled Barley by Lakeside with the recommended Belle Soie Silks. A fun stitch, that I started a couple years ago and just finished, about time, huh? I love the molding on this one too!

Another small finish, that I stitched a couple of months ago and just got in a frame is Shakespeare Peddler's Count Your Blessings:

In other stitching endeavors, I am working on a bit of secret stitching, and also Sunflower House by Blackbird Designs. Also trying to get some ornaments stitched, before Christmas creeps up and I won't have anything stitched for friends or family! Must keep up the momentum! Here is one I just finished, designed by Brittercup Designs and titled 'Mine'...I think it was the title that enticed me, so cute!

Other then designing and I just had a recent release, Road Home, if you haven't seen it yet, please visit Tree of Life Samplings blog! I have three more I am working on now, and will most likely, by that I mean, I hope, will be released pretty close together, we shall see!

Thanks for your visits and especially for your ever so sweet and encouraging comments! Keep them coming, they mean the world to me!

Till next time, have some fun with your stitching!

Love, Jan

Announcing the Winner(s)!!!

First of all, thank you all so much for participating! And my goodness, over 200 followers now! I just hope that you enjoy your visits and I don't bore you to tears! I would hate to lose you, now that I have you...isn't there a song from sometime or other, saying those words? lol

And thanks all for your birthday wishes for my Sweet Allie Bug!

I won't pitter patter around with you, I will just get on with the announcement and congratulate, FIRST of all, Faye from Carolina Stitcher! Just let me say what a joy she is and has such a wonderful blog, I really enjoy visiting her, so if you haven't yet, stop by and check out Faye and her blog!

Faye said:

Oh Jan...how sweet to have a giveaway to celebrate the first birthday!! Count me in for sure,.YOU were one of the first blogs I started following and always look for your posts!!
Again, congrats!!! Faye

Thank you so much, Faye and when you get a minute, dahlin', would you mind sending me an email with your mailing address? I want to get you your VB filled with goodies sent to you as soon as I can!

I can't help it, I was just so overwhelmed with the many, many comments, that I had to draw two more names...not for the VB bag filled with goodies, but for a little something else...something else, that has not been quite decided yet, but if the following two faithful bloggers would kindly email me, I would appreciate it! Don't forget to send me your snail mail address!

Terri from Chocolates 4 Breakfast

Terri said:

Add me to the list of those so happy to see a post from you, Jan! Sounds like you have had a very busy summer. I'm sorry your parents have had some health issues but I now they are blessed to have you there.


Allie is so cute and I know how much you must be enjoying her! Happy Belated Birthday, Allie!
I would love to be entered in your very generous drawing!
Thanks, Jan!!

Marsha from Littlebit

Marsha said: I just don't seem to have the knack for winning a giveaway, but what a nice one this is. Um..does the little Allie Bug come with it? :)

YOU, my followers, commentors and visitors make my days full of joy and complete! Thanks for your lovely, lovely comments!! And thanks for taking part in my giveaway, Allie Bug and I are so glad that you did!

Much Love, Jan

Egads it is time for a Giveaway!!

I always have such good intentions of posting, but time gets away from me, so again, my apologies for not checking in sooner, and especially for not visiting your blogs! I really miss reading all that you are up to! I hope to get to visit very soon! In the meantime, my summer has been a busy one! My father was very ill, and he was in and out of the hospital for the better part of six weeks, but fortunately, he is on the mend now! My mother is now experiencing some health issues, but you know, when you still have your parents with you, and they are well into their 80's, health issues are to be expected! A burden, but the blessing of having them still, far outweighs any inconvenience!

I really didn't mean to get into all of that, but thanks for giving me your 'ears'!

My precious granddaughter had her first birthday on July 2, 2010! And I want to have a giveaway to celebrate her first birthday! This is what I am offering, a Vera Bradley cosmetic bag, which if you didn't know already, makes a great 'pack and carry bag' for those stitching gadgets! I have stuffed it with silks, fabric, scissors and other sweets for stitchers! Here is a pic of the bag and it's contents:

And another angle:

And a pic of my beautiful, precious and happy granddaughter, Alexandra Catherine, that I affectionately call Allie Bug, on the morning of her birthday:

I have been stitching...not alot, but do have some things to share, and I will do that asap! I miss sharing my stitching with you all!

For the giveaway, please post to this thread, and if you are not already a follower, please follow! Also if you care to post about this giveaway on your personal blog, and that would be great, please leave two comments on this post, so it will be easier for me to 'count'! And do so no later then July 17, 2010! I will post the winner on July 18, 2010! Best of luck, I know you will enjoy the goodies!!

Until next time, I remain forever grateful for your posts!!

Love, Jan

FYI, I am having another great giveaway over at my design blog: Tree of Life Samplings Be sure to visit and have a look-see!

Also, my friend Deb from The Thread Gatherer is having a wonderful giveaway, as well! Be sure and visit! Click on the link to get to her blog!

Deb's Fabulous Giveaway