Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Back finally...and with a giveaway!

Well what can I say except I've been extremely busy the last couple of months with no time for blogging.  In the space of 8 weeks I had relatives in town 3 times, took 2 trips to Las Vegas and a trip back to visit family in the Midwest.    I won some money in Las Vegas (yahoooooo!), saw the Rolling Stones concert there at the MGM Grand, and came down with a bad cold and double ear-infection that turned into bronchitis for a few weeks.  Thankfully I'm almost back to my normal health now and things are starting to calm down.  I've also been going through a lot of stress at my job as we are in the middle of a big layoff.  About 240 of us had to post for 100 positions and I won't know for a few weeks what my situation will be.  I'm gone through sadness, anger, depression, and most all the emotions associated with that sort of thing, having been at the company over 17 years.    At this point I'm mostly in "acceptance"....fortunately I'm not desperate for this job at this point in my life so I'm not even sure I want to stay there if I'm offered my job back.  It may be time to move on with my life ...time will tell.

I did promise a giveaway back in March so I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to it.  I have a pile of miscellaneous stitching items....many patterns, some fabrics, a few small kits, a ring of about 45 silk fibers from Vicki Clayton, and I'll be throwing in a couple more surprises once I visit my LNS this week.   A few years ago I bought a bunch of Vicki Clayton's Hand Dyed Silks but I find I really never used more than a couple of them so hoping someone else can find them useful.   Some of the  patterns included are ones I've already stitched, or they were duplicates I had.    To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post asking that your name be entered in the drawing.  If your email is not in your Blogger profile be sure to leave it in your post so I can contact you if you win.   Last day for entering is Monday June 10th.

Vicki Clayton silks

Giveaway pile

Even though I've been so busy I have been stitching as much as I could fit in.  I have a couple of finishes finally - ta da!  First up is Jenny Bean's Humble Servant Sample by Shakespeare's Peddler. I loved stitching this one, it was done on 40-ct Vintage Navy Bean fabric by Lakeside Linens with 1 thread of overdyed cottons over 2 thread of linen.  

 
 
 


I found the little proverb on the piece especially meaningful to me as I was stitching it the week my department announced the big layoff.    "Ye Shall Reap What Ye Sow"....well corporate America  I hope you are listening.  When you don't want to employ your country's citizens and only want cheap offshore labor it may come back to haunt you someday.   Americans need jobs in order to buy your products.    It hurts to know that 120 of my colleagues will be losing their jobs.   I've been through 6 or 7 layoffs in my years at this company so they can outsource more jobs and I've just about had it.

I also finished Baby It's Cold Outside by Heartstring Samplery. 


I loved seeing so many of you stitching this piece last winter and I did an SAL with my cyber-stitching friend Cindy.  We had fun and this was a pretty quick stitch overall. I used a red thread from Victorian Motto instead of what was called for in the pattern (GAST Pomegranate)  as the overdyed floss I had was a bit to pinkish for the house. I hope to drop this piece off for framing soon so I can enjoy it this winter.  It reminds me a lot of red farmhouses and barns in a Midwestern winter, which is where I grew up.   I do miss snow in the wintertime!

Once I got these 2 projects done I felt free to start up something new.  I have so much kitted up that it's hard to just pick one project  but I decided on Halloween Rules by Lizzie Kate.  I've been stitching on it about a week and a half and working on the second 'rule'.  I'm using a 32-ct mottled gray linen.  It's fun and a no-stress piece which is perfect for me right now.



And of course I've continued adding to my stash.  After 20 years of visiting Las Vegas almost yearly I finally got around to visiting the cross-stitch shop Stitcher's Paradise.  It's not far off the Las Vegas Strip and well worth a visit if you're in town.  It's a small store but jam-packed with lots of goodies.    They have lots of great models all over the shop and beautiful cube finishes that were really inspiring.





I also got to squeeze in a trip to the Country Cupboard stitching store in Orland Park Illinois when I was in the Chicago area. I'd been there a few years ago but enjoyed my repeat trip and I happened to get in on their 30th anniversary sale.  Having a shop celebrate 30 years in the needlework business is really something so I salute them!  I wanted to get to the Inspired Needle but could not fit it in this time. So I've been picking up patterns and fibers mostly.  I finally caved in and bought all of the CCN Santa's Village charts that are out - I told myself last year I wasn't going to be tempted but once I started seeing some of the great stitching on your blogs I was hooked!  I've been collecting the threads required and now just need to find some linen for this piece.....I'm thinking of doing it on 40-ct light blue linen if I can find something.   I also got some of the Sheep Virtues kits by LHN, and some other miscellaneous things I can't even recall right now. 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway if you're interested!   Until next time.........

69 comments:

  1. I woul love to win your give-away; please enter my name in your drawing. thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  2. I would love to be entered!! Thank you!

    Your finishes are beautiful.

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  4. WOWZA! You have been a busy gal! Great to hear from you!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for either a new job within the company or here's to a new one!! Either way, it seems to always work out in the end. Congrats on 2 great finishes. They turned out super!! The shops you mentioned are great-- glad you found some new stash and time for a new start!! Well worth the hard work. I would love to be entered into your giveaway. Sounds like a great bunch of goodies! Thank you!!
    Have a great day :)

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  5. Jeanne, I just found your blog and am loving it. We must have the same taste in designs as I just LOVE the sampler, I have Baby It's Cold Outside AND I have been keeping my eye out for the LK Halloween Rules.
    Please enter me in your giveaway, it is incredibly generous.
    Have a great day!
    Paula

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  6. Oops, meant to ask you what fabric you used on Baby it's cold.
    Thanks.

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  7. Your finishes are beautiful! Please enter me in your give away.
    Thanks.
    judyblount@nc.rr.com

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  8. Lovely to see a post from you Jeanne.
    Sorry to hear you've been sick - hope you are feeling better.
    I will keep my fingers crossed that you get to keep your job. At least then you can be the one to decide whether you stay or go.
    What beautiful finishes you have shared today. I love Jenny Bean very much.
    What a wonderful pile of goodies you are offering. I'd love to enter please.
    Margaret

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  9. I am sorry about the junk at work. It sounds like you are keeping such a good attitude though.
    I would love a chance to win such wonderful goodness! I do not own silks. I have always wanted too though. =) Thank you.

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  10. Jeanne, love your finishes! I have completed Baby It's Cold Outside but love your floss change for the barn etc. Looks Great! And you have been busy with the Shakespeare Peddler finish!!! I have that in the stack. ha!!!

    Would love to win your giveaway as it is some great goodies. Good luck with the job...sometimes it is a sign that change is necessary. pjstitcher @ mchsi dot com

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  11. Love baby its cold outside ... I understand about the job I am going through a similar situation ... just remember when changes are before you sometimes your heading for a brighter future .... And a Giveaway ... oh yes - please include me :)

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  12. Looks like a great give away and glad you are back!!! Dianntha

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  13. Wow, love your blog and looking at all your incredible handiwork!

    I would like to be entered in the drawing, please.

    My email: debbyetate@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  14. Wow, sounds like you've been quite a busy lady lately! I'm glad you are feeling better. I'm adding that Las Vegas shop to my "to visit" list. It looks like a fun place to me. Please throw my name in the hat. I'll cross my fingers and maybe I'll get lucky. Stay well! Hugs!

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  15. Your stitching is beautiful! I especially like Baby It's Cold Outside! I may have to try that one myself! I'd love to enter your generous giveaway! What a beautiful stack of FUN! Thank you for the chance!
    Frances
    fnelson1@comcast.net

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  16. Jeanne - I'm so glad to hear you made that Stones concert - I'd love to hear your review of that. Glad you had some fun trips this spring too. On the other hand - I'm very sorry to hear your company is having layoffs and you might be affected. I'm glad you have made peace with the reality of what could happen. Like you said - we all all tied to these decisions that are made at a corporate level that affect us all. I work for a family who has been in the car business for 4 generations - it's really sad to see how hard they struggle to keep people employed and keep the doors open. I would encourage everyone reading this to find a privately owned car dealership if possible and support them with your business. It means so much to us all. Please enter me in your awesome giveaway. Thanks mel

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  17. You've certainly and some busy times! Most sound so fun ~ sending good thoughts and prayers for the not~so~good....
    Congrats on your finishes ~ I enjoyed stitching the Humble Servant and yours looks lovely! Love Baby It's Cold Outside ~ that one is on my list. Cute Halloween piece ~ sometimes it feels so good to have those fun, no stress pieces, doesn't it? Looks like a great bundle of goodies in your giveaway, please count me in!

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  18. It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Vegas, but not the cold/ear infection thing. UGH!! But how much fun to see the Stones. I saw them years ago and they put on a fantastic show!! I hope that things work out with your job the way that you want. Sometimes things like this are a sign that there is something better waiting for you!

    Your finished pieces are wonderful and Stitcher's Paradise looks just as it's name - a Paradise of stitching things.

    I'd love to be entered into your giveaway. I've used Vicki Clayton silks in the past but I haven't used them for quite a while. The whole package looks like a wonderful treasure trove!!

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  19. Glad you are feeling better and crossing my fingers for you about the job situation.
    Please throw my name in the hat for the giveaway.

    Debbie

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  20. Funny that no matter how busy life gets we still manage to work in a little stitching time!! Congrats on your finishes! I have both of those in my 'to do' pile too!! I would love to be entered in your giveaway. HDF if one of my favorite silks! Laura

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  21. So glad you're feeling better. hope things work out well for you with work, whatever happens .
    Love your finishes , Jenny Bean is gorgeous , and I am really going to have to get that HS chart.
    I'd love to be entered for your give away please . Thank you .X

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  22. I'm so sorry you were sick. And I'm really sorry to hear about your situation at work. It seems like such a common thing now, sadly. And I'm scared for my son -- I saw something on TV about the lost generation -- this one -- and that this generation is going jobless and education is just getting more expensive. It's just scary.

    I love your stitching finishes. They're wonderful. Love that lizzie Kate you're working on too!

    I hope things work out for you at work. I'll be sending good thoughts.

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  23. Your stitching finishes are beautiful! I LOVE "Baby It's Cold Outside."

    Thank you for your generous giveaway! I would love to enter for a chance.

    Praying that all works out for the best! Hang in there!
    Pam

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  24. I love your Jenny Bean sampler. Looks super. I purchased the 'Baby It's Cold" piece, but haven't had the chance to start it yet. Yours is very nice. I would love to enter your most generous giveaway. Wow! What a prize!! I love Vicky Clayton's silks, and one can NEVER have too many. My thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    -Sherry-
    whiskeywarden@roadrunner.com

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  25. The giveaway is amazing, please enter my name for a chance. Good luck with the job, and glad to hear you are feeling better. After having experienced that bronchitis myself, I know just what you went through!


    capecodgirl565@yahoo.com

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  26. Please enter me!!!! Thank you.

    Jennifer (Texas)

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  27. Sorry forgot my email.

    buysse@mac.com

    :0)

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  28. Gorgeous stitching! Congrats on your finishes, and I love your LK new start. I got sucked into the CCN Santa project as well, but I'm woefully behind. I hope your job situation works out in whichever way you feel is best for you.

    I would love to be entered in your generous giveaway!

    Kellieps3 at gmail dot com

    Thanks so much!

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  29. I would like to be entered in the drawing. Thanks :-))

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  30. Wow you sure have been busy. I hope you enjoyed your stash enhancement to the LNS you visited. I love going to the shops in person to see all the great stitched models! Please enter me for a change in your VERY generous giveaway!

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  31. I would love a chance at your giveaway. Sorry bout your job, do what is in your heart.

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  32. All such lovely finishes, especially love the Heartstring Samplery design its one I would love to do myself.
    I haven't had the opportunity of using silks in a design yet, so I would love to be entered in your giveaway please, it looks like a lovely collection of goodies.
    Thanks for the opportunity.

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  33. Great stitching. I love your Halloween Rules. I would like to be entered in your great giveaway. Thank you.

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  34. Love all your stitching! You've been a busy lady! Best wishes on your job situation. It's tough seeing all the jobs being sent elsewhere.
    Please enter my name in your nice
    giveaway!
    gailxs at Hotmail.com

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  35. I enjoyed seeing your finishes! Hope to stitch Baby It's Cold Outside too someday. Hope you're including it in the giveaway. Please include my name for a chance to win. diana.h@comcast.net

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  36. What beautiful stitching! Congratulations on your accomplishments. I'd love to be entered in your fantastic giveaway. Thanks for the chance, Jane

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  37. What beautiful stitching and such a generous giftaway. Thanks for the chance. So sorry things aren't calm with the work situation. I'll keep you in my prayers.

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  38. Hope you feel better soon! Sorry about the job situation - been there in my house, and the thoughts and emotions you described sound familiar. Beautiful finishes...and fabulous cross stitch shop
    ! :)

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  39. Nice to see a new post from you! Hope you continue to feel better. So sad about the job situation; I can relate. We have less orders this year than last and having been laid off twice in 3 years, it niggles at the back of my mind. Great finishes too!

    I'm not entering your generous giveaway though, I already have enough stash:))

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  40. Great finishes! Sorry to hear about your job situation, it is a sadly familiar story.

    Please enter my name for your giveaway

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  41. I hope your job situation is resloved soon, and that things turn out well for you.
    Great finishes, love Baby It's Cold Outside!
    Please enter me in the giveaway.
    Thanks!
    Marilyn
    Murf_2@ameritech.net

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  42. Great update! I am so sorry about the job situation. The outsourcing is just crazy.
    Lovely finishes. These are some of my favorite designs.
    Great looking shops too. Thanks for sharing.
    Please put my name in the hat :)
    Thanks!

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  43. Wow, you had a great time in Vegas, winning money and a visit to Stitcher's Paradise!

    Jenny Bean is gorgeous! Love Baby It's Cold Outside too!

    Wonderful giveaway! Please enter me in the draw, thank you for the chance!

    Hugs,

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  44. sooooo pleased to hear you are feeling much better ... there is nothing worse than feeling yuck ... gorgeous stitching on the jenny bean sampler and the babay its cold outside too ...
    paws crossed that your job is safe or that you find a good alternative :)
    fantastic giveaway you are doing and if you don't mind posting over the pond then I would love to be given the chance to enter :)

    had a wee drool at the shops .. I am going to one of our best ones tomorrow :) love mouse xxxxx

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  45. Congrats on winning in Las Vegas! That must have been exhilarating. Sorry to hear about your job situation. Hopefully you will get a call back soon. I know how that feels as I just got laid off too but got called back. Lots of emotional feelings. Jenny Bean is beautiful! Love Baby its Cold Outside!! Such a great design! I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Those silks are divine!!

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  46. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway, please - thanks for the opportunity! Your stitching is lovely, and very inspiring as a couple of those projects are in my to-do list. I'll be keeping fingers crossed for your job situation.

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  47. So good to get caught up on your life, Jeanne--it sounds like work has been a real rollercoaster. I hope things work out for you one way or another. That must make the whole work environment very stressful...

    Glad to hear you had a nice win in Las Vegas--woo hoo!! And how nice to find some stitching time amidst all you've had going on--I do think that is what keeps me sane sometimes! I love your finishes--especially the Jenny Bean. Such fabulous colors.

    Oh, my--I would love to enter your giveaway--so many goodies in that pile of lovelies! Please throw my name in the hat--thanks for the chance :)

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  48. So glad you are feeling better. I love your Jenny Bean and the Halloween Rules is super cute. I wish you the best in your job situation. It's a tough place to be in - I wish I could give you a hug. But you really do seem to be doing well. I would love to be entered into your drawing. Have a great weekend! Thanks.

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  49. Please, ma'am! I adore Vikki's silks. I would L*O*V*E to be entered, thank you!!! I follow your blog via Google Friend Connect.

    Terri P
    pr4gatheringroses AT gmail DOT com

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  50. Yes, please enter me in your giveaway! I would love to win those beautiful silks and patterns. Thanks

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  51. What wonerful finishes. I LOVE your Jenny Bean! Nothing like a LNS to visit wherever you are. I love your floss bags. I had mine all in them at one time but never could keep them straight. Now they are strung on hoop rings also. EVen my GAST and Weeks etc. My boss is on her way to a quilting week over! They head to the mtns for a week and sew, eat and talk. A girls heaven for sure! The Caddy Paddy Jr is awesome. A gift for many friends this year. Thx for sharing!

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  52. Thanks for the chance to enter!

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  53. I would love to enter!
    Amy

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  54. Love all your finishes! I would love to enter your giveaway! Thank!

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  55. Thank you for the nice array of prizes. Count me in!

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  56. Lovely embroidery, and I would love to be entered in the give-away!

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  57. Hi your blog verry beautiful,


    marylin from FRANCE

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  58. So sorry to hear about the things going on at work. I can see where that would be enormously stressful. Ugh!

    I'd love a chance to be entered into your give away!

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  59. Hello! I just happened on you Blog, via another Blog...I used to have a Blog, but have sadly, sadly neglected it for many months.....
    I'd love to enter your giveaway, but I am in Canada, and also, new to your Blog, so if you'd rather go with someone else, I certainly understand....
    my Email is
    LNMGoulding at aol dot com

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  60. Wow you have been busy. Love your finishes. I think I have to do baby it's cold outside.

    Would love to be entered in the giveaway.

    I looked back on some of your old posts and was inspired to get some more organizing done with my charts.

    Kathy

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  61. So sorry to hear aboutyour work situation, but how I admire your calm, reasoned attitude about it all. It's positively Zenlike! Peace and good will!

    Pkease enter me in your drawing; thanks.

    Pam

    orlythe@gmail.com

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  62. So sorry to hear aboutyour work situation, but how I admire your calm, reasoned attitude about it all. It's positively Zenlike! Peace and good will!

    Pkease enter me in your drawing; thanks.

    Pam

    orlythe@gmail.com

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  63. Please enter me in your contest. Thank you!

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  64. I would love to have a chance at winning your draw. Please enter me, thank you so much. Irene xxx

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  65. What an awesome giveaway please enter my name in for a chance to win.
    Thank you
    Happy Stitching
    Denise

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  66. Please enter my name in the giveaway. Thank you for such a generous giveaway and chance to win!

    greyowl60@yahoo.com

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  67. I can tell that job or no, you will keep busy.
    Wow, that is a lot of company and trips!
    Please enter me in your giveaway.

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  68. Ten minutes ago I didn't even know you existed and now I'm entering your drawing. I was doing research for the Seven Sisters Quilt and found your blog via that search. I can't believe how productive you are. You put me to shame. I'm dying to know what the rest of the Halloween rules are. Guess I'll have to check back and see it finished.
    My email is Queenofdreams@gmail.com. Jobs come and jobs go. I'm sure you'll end up exactly where you need to be when all is said and done. Blessings, Fayme

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  69. I missed this by one day, what a lovely giveaway. If it's not too late - momoshari@yahoo.com

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Thank you for stopping by - I love hearing from other stitchers and crafters. If you have any questions be sure to leave an email address if you don't have one in your blogger profile so I can contact you. I appreciate your visit! (I've had to turn off allowing anonymous comments due to spammers)