2009 in Review

Well 2009 is coming to a close. I don't know about the rest of you, but for me the whole year went by really fast!

I'm joining in with the fun over at Su's and posting my 2009 Stitchy Review.



I completed 16 projects in 2009. Not terribly impressive on it's own, but throw in the fact that my biggest project this year was the LadyBug and I think I have a reasonable excuse for not being more productive.

My favorite finishes of all this year were my exchanges with dear sweet Ranae and Vonna. Thank you both for the wonderful exchanges. I enjoyed them more than I can say!

Giveaways!

A few giveaways to let you all know about (of course, I'm hoping to win...)

Tea Rose Home is giving away a removable chalkboard here. Love this!!!

And Someday Crafts is giving away a diaper cake here. This would be the perfect gift for DH's super sweet cousin who is expecting baby #2 in April!

So go and enter if you're interested. But just be aware that I plan on winning both of these! :P

Christmas, a New Year, and a New Look

We had a wonderful Christmas this year despite LadyBug's fever late Christmas Eve night and on into Christmas day (it figures, right?). As you can clearly see, my bugs were spoiled (again) this year. I guess it pays to be the only grandkids on both sides...



Besides the festivities, I have a finish to show you (and just in the nick of time, too)! I put the year on this one months ago. But it got set down and, for some reason that has yet to be determined, it didn't get picked back up. Please tell me I'm not the only one to forget a WIP! It narrowly escaped needing a do-over on the year until I realized it was sitting there unattended and picked it up to finish it! Phew. So here it is in all it's finished BBD glory. The fabric color is off completely. It's actually a winter white in person.

Something Sweet by Blackbird Designs
Thread: recommended CC, WDW, and GAST
Fabric: 28 Count winter white linen
Started: 6/6/09
Finished: 12/30/09

And in case you haven't noticed yet, I went ahead and made myself a fresh new blog layout to ring in the new year! I'm loving the clean white background.

Wishing you all a blessed 2010!

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

As I am certain you are already aware, I have been a very good girl this year. Besides the fact that I bit the bullet and went back to school (and managed straight As my first semester despite the fact that I was taking the dreaded Statistics), I have been lovingly caring for my sweet miracles, keeping the house in only a minor state of disarray (hey, you have to admit it could be worse...), and learning new crafts!

As I am sure you are also already aware, my craft stash buying privileges were unceremoniously revoked by my husband (I think Mrs. Claus would agree that this is laughable...as if he has any real power) until I have depleted the supplies I already have. Since this can simply not be accomplished fast enough, I come to you Santa. You are my only hope of acquiring any new lusciously lovely fabric to satisfy my cravings! I was recently bit by that relentless quilting bug, and without new fabric to caress this holiday season I fear I might have a meltdown!

So I would like to present to you my Christmas wish list:

Blush FQ Bundle:

Simple Abundance Jelly Roll:

Moda Bake Shop Honey Bun Box:

Eden Layer Cake:

Any one of these would make me the happiest little crafter in the world! And the hubby couldn't object :)
All my love,
Kim

PS: all you crafters out there should create your very own Santa Wish List from the Fat Quarter Shop too!

Lovelies!

*Disclaimer: poorly lit photos that don't do a bit of justice to their subjects. My apologies*

My life has been hectic lately to say the very least. But I do believe that by the end of Friday, I will be able to finally slow down. Last week I was up to my ears in finals preparations. My first semester back at school, and I'm proud to report I got 3 very high As! My highest course grade was 107.4% , my lowest was (as of right now...it may yet be curved a little) 98.5%! A pat on the back for me! To celebrate, we took the bugs to Chuck E. Cheese's. Cuddle Bug has been begging for months to go since he saw a sponsor "ad" on PBS Kids. It was a huge hit! He had a blast and LadyBug was entranced by the lights and sounds.

This week I've been working hard on Christmas details. Last night I was up until 1am making cookies for Cuddle Bug's preschool Christmas program. Welcome to motherhood, my dear :)

In all the mayhem, I didn't get to mention that I got the most amazing exchange package from sweet Vonna! Vonna kindly agreed to exchange a Christmas ornament with me despite the fact that her stitching and finishing are perfection and that hardly seems like a fair trade! All I can say is that the ornament she sent me is absolutely stunning. I gasped when I opened it! I don't call this beauty "it," I call her "she" as she is much too lovely and special to be an "it." She's a beautiful PS angel and she is front and center on my Christmas tree. Just today she was complimented by a friend who stopped by for a brief visit.


Vonna also included 2 precious stuffed dogs for the bugs! That made their day Vonna! And for me...oh heaven as if the incredible ornament wasn't enough, Vonna included the chart for LHN's Poinsettia House and the specialty fibers, fabric, and piecemaker needles to complete it! I have big plans for this chart next week when DH is home on vacation. And Vonna says the piecemakers are absolutely divine to stitch with so I am very much looking forward to giving them a try!



Thank you Vonna! I feel so unworthy to have something so special in my possession. I will cherish this beautiful angel always!

Here's a peak at what I sent Vonna (and some candy thrown in for her bugs):


I also got a wonderful little Christmas surprise from Staci! I am now the proud owner of Staci-dyed fabric! I literally jumped for joy upon opening this! Staci, you are too sweet for words! Thank you for thinking of me :)


I am always so overwhelmed by the friendship and generosity among stitchers. I know it is said often, but stitchers truly are some of the most generous and wonderful people in the world!

Round 3!

It's Wednesday night, and that means it's time to announce the third winner of my reindeer ornie giveaway!

Last night's winner, LinenStitcher, chose gift #1. Monday night's winner, DaisyGirl claimed gift #2. So that means tonight's winner will get the reindeer behind door number 3!

And package #3 goes to...



Carol! Congrats Carol! I sent you an email :)

Thank you to everyone who wished me better with my cold. It's starting to clear up and I'm feeling much better today than yesterday. And I am happy to report that despite my being under the weather, I was very productive!

Yesterday, between bouts of nose blowing and mucousy coughing, I finished up a personal exchange. That's headed to the post office tomorrow. I was also reminded on Monday night that I had not (as previously thought) crossed everyone off my Christmas list! I somehow managed to forget my bugs' Godparents. No biggie. I quickly remembered seeing this last week and bookmarking it. $4 worth of mugs from Target (90 cents each, hard to beat that!), a little over an hour of my personal time, some polka dot fabric I have in abundance thanks to my sister, ric rac and cellophane bags I had on hand already, and some ingredients from the pantry yielded these:



Not too shabby. And that price tag! Yes, each of those cost me less than a dollar out of pocket. Not bad for a day's work :)

I hope your Wednesday was a good one!!

Another Day, Another Winner!

Well, wonderful DaisyGirl selected gift #2 for her win in yesterday's drawing. That leaves 1 and 3 still up for grabs.

Today brings us another winner!

A reindeer ornie goes to....


LinenStitcher! So you get your pick of package #1 or package #3.


Tomorrow will be the final drawing. It's not too late to enter if you haven't already. Just head over to this post and comment for your chance to win! I won't be drawing the final name until late tomorrow night since I have a biology lab tomorrow evening.

I hope everyone's week is off to a great start! I have caught a miserable cold and have been living in my pajamas. The house is a mess, and Cuddle Bug has been watching movies to keep him occupied. I have been stitching my misery away, but I can't show it here since it's for a personal exchange. I love exchanges! They make me happy :)

Hugs to you all!