**UPDATED** Progress and bounty;with pics

I am thrilled to have completed another little gift project. Now how to FINISH it. I made this for my husband's cousin who is due any minute with her first baby, Ryder. Need to get this finished and on it's way to Alabama.


 



It has been snowing at the Governor's Palace (block2) on my Christmas at HRH. I am anxious to get to block 3 to get in some ice skating on the pond. BUT I have a couple more baby gifts to roll out. My third and FINAL Bent Creek Farm Book and a little something for my friend at work who just learned they are expecting a girl, due in May.



 My newest addition to my snippet jar/dish collection; I think this is my favorite!

 

 

 I got a very fun phone call yesterday while I was home nursing off that FUNKY feeling, which is feeling moe like a sinus infection vs the FLU! Thank goodness. Any way my GF called to see if I was free next weekend to attend a HOOK-IN on Saturday. I am so excited as this will be our first! There will be a handful of venders and about 75 hookers. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's projects and getting tips from the PROs.

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So without further adieu.... Here is the wonderful bounty I received from Arizona Stitcher's blog give-a-way! I was thrilled to win Bringing Home The Tree, I've been eyeing this one to add to my stash. Believe it or not I have even opened the chocolate bar, DARK CHOCOLATE, my fav! Thank you Shelly for such a delightful package which included some fun holiday fabric and a finger towel, the linen for the pattern, ribbon and chenille trim, cute Santa tissues, a sweet journal and an adorable red bird pin cushion.



Speaking of give-a-ways I am looking forward to sending out the random, surprise packages to the few that responded to my last post. I still have room for one more if you would like to participate.

In closing I will share a picture of Jack the Barn Cat. We have come along way building trust...he now waits by the garage entry door and will come into the garage to eat. The last couple of times he has come in with me only 3 ft away, last night he came in while I was turning to back up to give him room. He will chat to me when I talk to him. His little meow is a bit of a squeak. So sweet.

Chewie likes to keep a close eye on him when he is eating. She seems very interested in him, without stress. One day at a time. If you all remember my cat-venture last summer when I captured a skunk twice, second time I was less fortunate and was sprayed. But all of that was in an attempt to catch Jack as he was injured with his front foot missing. I am happy to say he appears to have healed very well and has plumped up since I started seeing him again this summer. I truly believe he does not belong to anyone as I have watched him return to the barn after every visit AND he still has a full set, if ya know what I mean. We need to FIX that. More on Jack to come....

Going to work on the snow at the Governor's Palace while my head is not throbbing. Have a fabulous weekend, be it stitch filled or fun of any other kind.

+*+*+*+ Keep on Stitching. P.J. +*+*+*+

 

P.S. Blogger must be experienceing the flu bug; can't add pictures. I will update the aqua blocks with pics ASAP.  All this time and no pics, dang disappointing.

Spreading Kindness...paying it forward

#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^*#%^* I am taking part in the "Creative Pay It Forward" that Carol has posted on her blog, Colorado Stitcher; was also posted by Peggy Lee at Kentucky Sampler. What a wonderful idea; I am excited about participating in spreading kindness. To quote right from Peggy's post:  The first five of my friends to comment will receive a random gift from me sometime during the year...maybe something handcrafted, maybe a book, baked goodies, a surprise! Your gift will arrive whenever the mood strikes me without warning. Here's the only requirement: You have to post this on your blog as well and commit do doing the same for five of your friends. Please email me with your address if I don't already have it. The first five people who leave a comment saying you are interested in joining me and who also posts about it on their blog will get a random gift me from me sometime during the year.  I have been thinking on adding a give away sometime this year, besides my blogavesary; this could not have been timed any better. Keep on stitching. P.S. I will be posting about the giveaway I received from Arizona Stitcher and a small finished project. Stitching Room pictures pending the arrival of THE RUG.

A Jar O' Cheer for the New Year

We are starting 2013 with this empty jar and will fill it with notes and snippets of good things that happen throughout the year. On New Year's Eve we will empty the jar and reflect on all the good things that have happened this year.



Things Simple or Supercalifragilisticexpialidosious will fill our Jar O' Cheer!

May your New Year be filled with happiness and peace. Thank you to all my followers and your wonderful comments throughout 2012, look forward to sharing with you in 2013.

Keep on stitching! P.J.

The Stitching room

January will make one year since the Navy Girl left the home port. I wanted to wait to make over her room until after her first visit back home since joining. She came home in October for a short but fun and love filled visit. I asked for paint and this gorgeous rug from Pier 1 Imports for Christmas for the make over.

I originally wanted khaki for the wall color; I've had black drapes in mind for over two years(yeah I've been planning for a while). We bought the drapes and sheers on clearance this past summer. I asked my husband for his thoughts on the wall color. He did not care for the khaki/ tan idea and neither did the Navy Girl. When you see the before color you will understand...she likes color.

 

Before...

Carolina Parakeet

 

Several years ago hubby and I picked up a certain creamer as an inspiration to the color we wanted in our dining room (yet to be remodeled); well he brought it in from the hutch and said you should paint it this color. I immediately loved the idea.



We took it to the store to match it, I choose something with a bit more blue than green in it and he picked the trim color to match. So with a gallon each of Georgetown Blue Ivy and Cream Ware we set to painting last night and finished this morning.



 

 

 



I am in love with this room!!

I already took a bit of time to stitch in there tonight. Just need to hang things on the walls and wait for the rug to arrive next week.

 

Finale pictures will be posted along with a peak in the cupboard.

 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year; cheers to 2013!

Keep on Stitching!

P.J.

*#* Nor'easter on it's way *#*

We are in for a wallop of a storm today. I am hunkered down to work from home today. They are predicting 10-18 inches in our region. Looks like I should get a fire started in the fireplace with the possibility of power outages. Safe travels to those whonare traveling today.

Finished my PS snowman on Christmas day; just in time for the snow!



 



I found this fabulous fabric at the Goodwill; a yard and a half of this for ONLY $1.99. At the time I was not sure what I would use it for but knew I was not passing up that bargain. It will make a great backing for my PS Snowman balsam pillow. The dark brown matches his hat perfectly!



Now I need to eat my breakfast and head upstairs to work. Have a terrific Thursday.

I will be posting soon on something fun we are going to try at A Stone's Throw....you may have seen it out on the net.

Keep on stitching! P.J.