I'm back!

I had to reformat my computer. I sort of knew I had to do this in order to get things in order so I was prepared! I backed up all of my files and although I didn't load them back into my laptop I do have them just in case I need them. The one thing I didn't do was back up my iTunes music :-( I didn't lose much since I had backed it up a month ago...just a few albums that I have on my iPod and can iDump it if I have to. The only problem I have (that's driving me CRAZY) is that my iPhone is no longer recognized...to make myself happy I decided to buy myself a little present! I wanted to do Wii Fit so Tuesday night I made a last minute decision to buy one. My cousin and I have been bowling and playing tennis all night tonight, I haven't set up the Wii Fit yet but maybe Thursday after my test I will.

School has been going ok. I'm doing well in Biology and my computer programming class (surprisingly.) I've been studying hard core for a previous test and have another test on Thursday that I just can't study for it. My brain is fried! I walk around with the book and even sleep with it but every time I crack it open it's like *ugh*

In stitchy news I've been stashing and even stitching! I've had two finishes since my last post *yea* and I went to pick up some framing last Friday to share.

Shepherd's Bush - Best Witches

Stitched on 10ct Tula Fabric

with recommended threadsShepherds Bush - Mermaid Sampler

Stitched on 32ct Meadow Mist Linen

with recommended threads This is the Brightneedle piece I did for Kelly a while ago (the name escapes me.) I pretty much let him pick out the frame for this and think he did an awesome job. It's still here at my house but it will soon go to his house to be displayed. Home of a Needleworker (Too!) framed! I love this piece! I love the fabric I stitched it on and I'm happy I went with the silks :-)

Well it's late and I have to attempt to get some sleep. Thanks for stopping by! TTFN

I have a virus :(

I'm in the process of trying to fix my computer because I ended up getting a virus this week. I feel so dirty saying it...I was going to mail out my giveaway prizes yesterday but I ended up hitting traffic everywhere I went yesterday (like hour long traffic each time) and wasn't able to make it in time to the PO. Monday they will go out except for Linda's...

Linda I tried to email you but it came back to me. I need your mailing address to send you the Just Nan tin and stuff. Please email me - if anyone knows Linda let her know she's won and to email me. If I don't here from her by the end of the week I'll hold another drawing with the same names and choose a new winner.

Wish me luck with fixing my computer...I'm trying to back up my files now but my computer won't recognize my external hard drive, usb's, or any blank cd/dvd's...I'm so sad :-( TTFN

Think Pink

Lizzie Kate - Think Pink

Stitched on

Unknown Linen

with

recommended threads

I just finished this up and I love it :-) I've been wanting to stitch it for a while and finally got the chance to. I don't know what to stitch on next, I have tons of little projects to choose from and I want to stitch something big but right now I don't have much time to. I'm off to kit up the next project so I can stitch on the train tonight!

It's still Monday!

I was so worried I wouldn't be able to announce a winner today on my official Blogoversary, but alas I can! I'm on 2 hours of sleep so if this post makes no sense please forgive me.

Like I mentioned before I started my blog 4 years ago and never thought it would become a permanent thing. I did abandon it (and stitching) for a while when I started working as a nurse but once I found my "groove" I was able to return to both. I love that I have a place on the web where I can just share stuff and I love that people actually come to visit me. I've "met" so many others through this blog through comments and feel like I have lots of friends even though there are some blogs out there that I just lurk on and never comment on and I will try to rectify that! I hope that those that left comments and are "new" to me continue to visit my blog and enjoy it. I've had fun posting give-a-ways and hope that my winners enjoy their prizes once I get them mailed out to them. Thanks everyone for reading my blog and celebrating my blogoversary with me!!!!!

Now the winner for my final give-a-way this month is *drumroll* Linda in MA! Linda if you could please email me your mailing info I'll get this out to you next week :)

I should have had a finish to show you today *but* I've recently acquired many new iPhone apps (courtesy of my cousin who puts the awesome in awesome!!!) and have been totally engulfed with them. I'm going to try to stitch for a little bit while watching Heroes (Sidebar: Peter's dad is freaking sick!) but may fall asleep. Tomorrow is a busy day for me, because I wanted Friday off for Halloween I have to work and go to school *yikes* It's a first for me but hopefully my night won't be too busy and I won't be too tired to go to school on Wednesday. TTFN!

Edited: I knew something was wrong with my post! I forgot to include the picture of the drawing. There were 42 people (someone emailed me to include them) in this drawing so I was only able to take a screen shot with the top half of the list. Number 6 won and number 6 was Linda :)

Last Give-a-way!

I didn't take my own pictures but borrowed from the designer's website again so please forgive me! For my last giveaway I wanted to give something that was exclusive and limited and what I chose is Just Nan's Over the Top Halloween tin and needle book.
I'm kitting it up with everything (DMC floss and 30ct Linen Carrot WDW fabric) so once it reaches to you all you have to do it take it out of the bag and stitch! My actual Blogoversary is on Monday so I'll try to draw a name then. Just leave a message if you'd like to be included in the drawing and good luck! :-)

It's time to announce some winners!

I meant to post this earlier but life got in the way. I'm studying for a mid-term tomorrow and I forgot how time consuming school is. All I want to do is stitch and all I've been doing is studying. Well enough about that! Since I had 2 things to give away I did the drawing a little different. First I separated the names into two lists and then I assigned everyone a number. For the first drawing, Be A Witch, the winner is...Congrats Sherry! The next winner, for Something Wicked, is... Congrats Lisa!!! Just email me your mailing info and I'll get this out to you :) I'll post the next (and last) giveaway Thursday or Friday! And I'll mail all the prizes out the first week of November. I'm on vacation then and should have lots of time to do it :)

Becky received the Halloween piece I stitched for her last week. I finished it the same way it was finished in the picture and I think it came out nice. The bow was a PIA to make but thanks to my mom after 3 tries we got something that was nice enough to give away :-) I borrowed the pictures that Becky took (hope you don't mind Becky!) because my pictures are in my camera and right now I'm not dragging the camera out. I stitched her Cherry Wood Designs "Smell My Feet" on 30ct WDW Chartuese Linen (it's incredibly bright IRL) with DMC floss and here's the back with my favorite Halloweeny fabric. Thanks for stopping by...hopefully in my next Tuesday post I'll have a brand new finish to show!

Drawing is now closed

I have Stephanie as the last person to enter. I'll post the winners later on today after I sort them. Good Luck to everyone!

Another give-away!

Again I was too lazy to take a picture but I'm offering Shepherds Bush Be A Witch with fabric (10ct Tula) and button pack! I'm also offering this... La-D-Da's Something Wicked with floss and I'm trying to get the fabric (35ct WDW Havana) but if I can't you will have to choose your own fabric.

Just leave a comment under this post and on Tuesday I'll choose a name! Good Luck!!
***edited I forgot to mention that I will have 2 winners so please add in your comment which one you'd like to be considered for!***

Second Blogoversary Winner is...

#11! Which is A. (Andrea) Congrats to you!!! Just send me you mailing info and I'll get this out to you :) Let me know what fabric count you'd like.
I'll post the next prize (yes there's another one) Thursday or Friday.

I'm done with my exchanges *yea* so I have lots of free stitchy time which is being hogged up by biology. I have a lab quiz this Thursday and a lecture exam next Wednesday. I sort of forgot how time consuming school is *ugh*

I haven't started anything new but I did pull out an old WIP I have most of her dress done now and her little pumpkin bag. I'll try to post a picture soon. My HoE Halloween partner Jill received the pinkeep I sent to her a while ago and I haven't had the chance to post a picture until now. I stitched her La-D-Da's Trick or Treat from Just Cross Stitch's Halloween issue. It was so HARD to part with it. I'm definitely going to stitch one for myself one day. Here's the side and the back...I love this fabric!! I wish I would have bought more.

Hopefully soon I can show you my last exchange...it was hard to part with that one too!

I've been sick :(

I would have posted my next give away yesterday but I was bed-ridden with a very bad cold :( I'm better now but I have to work tonight so mentally I feel worse haha. I didn't get a chance to go to my LNS to buy the floss and fabric for my next give-away nor did I feel like pulling out my camera so I swiped pictures from Historic Stitches to show you what I have to give next :) This is Witch's Hat Scissors Case by Historic Stitches. I'm including the fabric and all floss to stitch it (32ct Black Linen and 8 DMC flosses) Here's a picture of the back of the scissor case. Just leave a comment if you'd like to win this. I think it's adorable and can't wait for some "me" stitching time to stitch this up. Now I've stitched on black 32ct linen and it's a big PIA, IMO so if you want to include in your comment if you'd prefer 28ct just include it in with your comment and if you win I'll send you that instead.

Now Katica hasn't emailed me with her mailing address so if you know her please tell her to email me. If I haven't heard from her by Tuesday when I draw a winner for this prize I will re-draw another winner for the other 2 charts. Good Luck!

And the winner is!

Lucky number 13...which if you count down is...Katica!!!!! I find it so awesome that 13 would be the winner for a October giveaway. Katica I tried to look up your profile info to link to your blog but it appears you don't have any :o( If you could just email me (mia61075 at aol dot com) your mailing address I'll get your goodies out in the mail for you :o) I hope this picture is better than the other last picture...I took a screenshot with my iPhone...

Also Ulla you won last time and I swear I addressed the envelope for you to mail out but I looked today and saw that I didn't nor did I save your email with your info...could you email me that info again?

Thanks to everyone that commented!!! WOWSA 32 comments!!! I feel like a superstar haha. I'll post my 2nd giveaway sometime this week (probably later on today or Thursday) I left my wallet at home today so I couldn't go out to buy the floss and fabric for the picture after school(I drove home with my fingers crossed that I wouldn't get pulled over and that I wouldn't run out of gas) and right now I have a KILLER sinus headache so all I want to do is lay down and not go back out. *Sigh*

More Pictures and my Blogoversary Month :-)

So the 4 exchanges I'm in have been stressing me out but when one comes in the mail I realize how much fun they really are :-) I still have one to finish up and mail out but have mailed out the other 3 and have received all four! First to show is my Prairie Schooler exchange. This is what I stitched for my partner Becky. I stitched Rain, Rain, Go Away from book no. 139. The backing fabric is the fabric in the background. Here's the entire package that I sent minus the backing fabric.
Next is my HoE Halloween Exchange that I received from Carol. She stitched me Lizzie Kate's Hocus Pocus which was on my list to stitch and now I don't have to! She finished it off as a pinkeep and it's now sitting in my basket of smalls :-) and here's the rest of the package (Kelly already stole the soap and I *heart* the Q-Snaps!)
I did a personal exchange with Becky with a Halloween theme and her exchange also came in the mail this week. She stitched me Lizzie Kate's Bone Appetit and finished it as an awesome box! I can't wait to try this finishing now that I have a model of it in my house. here's the inside and the rest of the package
Great exchanges right???? I love exchanges but because of school as soon as my last exchange in mailed out next week I'm not going to join any for a while. The Christmas Exchange on the HoE blog looks so tempting but I can't do it to myself :-( The only good part is that it leaves more time to stitch something for myself *yea*

Now four years ago this month I started my blog. I've never celebrated my blogovesary but have always wanted to. On Oct 27th I posted my first post and like many others I never ever thought I'd be blogging 4 years later. I just started this blog because at the time everyone else was blogging and I was just following the trend. To celebrate I wanted to give out 4 gifts this month, one for every year that I've been blogging. I wanted to start on the 1st but life got in the way of me posting so I'm going to try my best to still give out 4 but in the end it may just be 3 *sigh* So for my first gift I'd like to give away... If you'd like to be considered for this just leave a comment to this post indicating that you'd like to enter the raffle. The fabric is for L*Ks Hocus Pocus and the buttons for that are included as well. The SamSarah includes the buttons and floss (not the floss in the picture you will get brand new ones those are just there for the picture!) I'll draw a name for it on Tuesday October 7th!

Finally some stitchy pictures!

But unfortunately they aren't of my stitching but of some very nice exchanges I received this week :-)

My Halloween F&S came in the mail this Monday. My partner was Terry and this is what she stitched for me. Aren't they pretty? I've never seen this before and I love it...check out the little spider charm at the corner.

I also got another exchange on Monday, my HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange. Cathy B had my name and look at the pretty pin pillow she stitched for me...and the back...and look at all the goodies she sent me...I can't wait to stitch up that needle roll, I luv Shepherd's Bush!!! And now I have a picture that I've been meaning for the longest to share with you...I should honestly be ASHAMED that it has taken me so long to share this with you. During the summer I joined the Quaker Animal Exchange on the Quaker Inspired Blog, well Donna had my name and she stitched me Quaker Mouse and finished off into the most gorgeous quilted drawstring drawstring bag. Of course I'm never going to use it but do have it displayed in my stitchy corner. The pictures I have do the bag no justice but here it is... and here's the back... Donna I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to post a picture of this...I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful but life and my forgetfulness kept getting in the way of posting this!

Now I must go and update my exchange blogs. School is still great but stressful. All the time I thought I would have does not exist. I can't wait until I go on vacation in November so I can have at least a few days for myself, a day where I can just do nothing!!!!! Right now I go to school Mon-Thurs and then work Fri-Sun *ugh* I thought I would be able to do it (and so far I am) but jeez louise I'm tired!!

And the winner is!

I used the random number genenrator and here's what I got Excuse the crappy picture but I took a picture of the screen with my iPhone but #3 is Ulla so congrats to Ulla! Ulla if you could please email me your mailing info that would be great! There's an email me link on my sidebar underneath my little picture in my completed profile.

In other news I'm playing hooky from class today but not because I want to. There's a very mean fast mosquito in my room that I can't seem to catch. Well the night before it bit my twice in my arm and last night it bit me 5 times! It bit Ana as well but thank God for heartworm prevention so I know she's ok. Now why am I staying home for mosquito bites?? Well after waking up itchy this morning at 5am I covered myself from neck to toe so it wouldn't bite me anymore thinking I was being smart. Well it out smarted me and bit me on my left eye! Now my eye is swollen and I am NOT going out like this. No way no how! I hope it goes down by tomorrow. I feel bad for this mosquito once I catch it...a quick clap between the hands is not something I'm planning for it...

A quick (I think) hello :)

I tried to post from my phone yesterday but for some reason had problems in doing so, so here I am saying hello! I've been wanting to blog for the past week (not much has happened) but with school starting I haven't been able to find blog time in my schedule. Since it's the second week of school I'm finding more "me" time so I can post a quick post. I love school although I have to take this Health class which is totally a waste of my time. I feel bad for saying this but the instructor who teaches it is a big ditz...like ditz with a capital DITZ. Yesterday someone asked about narcolepsy and she says "oh yeah that's like when you're sitting down eating and suddenly fall asleep." In my head I'm like no...that's a scene in Deuce Bigelow. And the cure for everything is "like eating healthy and exercising." Nursing students don't have to take this class so I didn't take it before but other major students do so I'm forced to sit through it if I want to graduate.

I've been stitching...I made sure to find time for that because I have many exchanges to stitch for and *happy dance* I just finished stitching one so that's 2 down 2 more to go. :) I'm going to try and update later on with snippet pictures of what I've stitched so that way my blog isn't "naked." I'm almost ready to start my BIG blog give away! I'm so excited about it that I want to start it now but must wait...or do I? I guess I don't soooooooo if you would like to win this magazine (for those that didn't run out and buy it) leave a comment and I'll draw a name next week Tuesday to see who wins it! Contest is open to EVERYONE no matter where you live so please leave a comment. You never know what may be inside the envelope with the magazine :-) More to come in October!

Edited: Thanks for the comment Shelleen :-) I know that about narcolepsy but my instructor made it seem like it could only happen when you were eating. Trust me she really is a something special whenever someone gives her an example on how to improve your life that's not eating healthy and exercising you can see in her face that it's something she's never thought of. She reads straight from the book and when asked to clarify something she just repeats what the book says. I'm sometimes tempted to ask her to put it in her own words to see if she can...

Stuff...super long and non stitchy

I've been reading on blogs how everyone has had a nice lazy holiday weekend and that made me green with envy! While everyone was relaxing I was at work, working harder than I ever had on a weekend. I have one more night (tomorrow night) until I go on a week's vacation
*yea*

This morning something funny (to me) happened that made me like nursing again. Since we only had 1 aide on the floor, we usually have 2, I had to do my own patient care. Since the aide we had was our "bad" aide it was like we had no aide at all but that's another story for another day. Anyway while I was going to change a dressing on my patient I saw that he was dirty so I figured I might as well wash him and change his bed. He's a cranky old guy who complains complains and complains. As soon as I'm done with everything he starts thanking me and continues to do so until I leave. I started thinking about how cleaning him up made him happy and in turn made me happy and started laughing...it seems that in order for me to feel appreciated by my patients I have to wipe their asses LOL.

Friday wasn't a good day for the dogs. Ana got sick and Kyle had (what we thought) minor surgery. They're both better now but on Friday Ana was vomiting and had a few episodes of loose stools probably from the steak I gave her the night before. I felt bad for her because during lunch I gave her her share of chicken nuggets and she turned her face :( Now that she's better she wants to eat everything again but I'm restricting her human food intake, it wasn't fun running around finding a bag for her to barf in or having people look at us because how do you clean up watery poop off the sidewalk? Before we noticed Ana was sick we had to take Kyle to the vet for an emergency visit. If anyone owns or has spent time with a Bull Terrier then you have to be familiar with their infamous "Bully Runs." Now most dogs do have little "attacks" where they run around the house crazy but Bull Terriers have their own special way of doing it. First off they start of jumping in circles (literally jumping.) Then they start running back and forth slamming into things on purpose. Here's a small example of what it looks like.
and

Well Kyle was running around and spinning when one of his dew claws snagged on the rug :( I was in bathroom but I heard a yelp and Kelly yelling to me that we had to go to the vet. Kyle was bleeding and had pulled his nail out. Kelly carried him the 4 blocks to the vet where we thought they cut his little toe off but they only trimmed the nail, cleaned it, and bandaged him up. When he came out he had the cutest bandage! How cute is it?? I swear the things they come out for pets is just ingenious! Here's a picture of Kyle looking Kyle-ish. I love his ears in this picture. Usually Ana is impartial to him but that night she actually let him snuggle next to her. I have pictures of it put they're in my camera which I don't feel like pulling out to upload pictures from it.

In happy news, I'm still excited about going to school and Kelly bought me an early birthday present Thursday. He bought me an iPhone which I *luv* and can't believe I've been without one for so long. It's the greatest! (excluding the battery life but who cares I can always charge it at work.)

Before I leave I wanted to mention one thing and show one more thing. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer is a good book and I can't wait to move onto the next book. I can't believe I've haven't start reading these books sooner! And for your enojoyment you can watch this...I find it hilarious especially the part where he says "it's me Giraffe." I crack up every time I watch it and now since I have it saved on my iPhone I can watch it all the time :-) Enjoy!!!

All in a Moon Finish :)

Miss Crescent's Crowne - All in a Moon

Stitched on 30ct Geln Ellyn Blen by R&R Reproductions

with

Crescent Colours Floss

This is what I decided to stitch after my last finish. My LNS has the frame and I wanted to try a new framer so I thought this would be a perfect piece to let them frame. I'm not to happy with it because the picture on the chart differs so much from the actual piece. The fabric is more lemon-y on the picture whereas mine is mustard-ish. It's still a pretty piece though and I hope I can get it on my walls in time for Halloween when I decorate.

Thanks so much for comments on my last piece! Someone asked where I bought the pattern from and asked me to post info on it so here it is...I bought it from Creative Poppy and it's by Barbara Ana Designs (all the info is usually posted underneath my finished picture.) I've also never thanked those that gave my blog (and me) awards. I've always meant to but as always forgot. I'm not good with following up and giving out awards but trust me I do thank those that gave me an award from the bottom of my heart! I'm so happy people actually take the time out to read or even just browse through my blog :-) THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Now with that said I do have something special for you guys during my blog anniversary month which so happens to be in October...my favorite spooky month! So please check this place in October for something special ;-)

I may not update for a while because the next 4 things I stitch will be for exchanges :( Maybe I'll just show you guys a portion of what I've stitched. I also won't have too much time for "me" stitching in between exchanges because I'm going back to school this September and I'll be working full time as well. I'm going to major in Biology and perhaps get out of the nursing field. I love nursing but there have been some things going on at work that have me unhappy with it. I figure if things get better then I'll go back to nursing and if not well then I won't. I'm excited to go back to school like you wouldn't believe...I'm looking forward to learning something new :-) Until next time!

Hallowscornu Finish

It's done! I had a really hard time putting this biscornu together. It's not perfect and uneven in some places...I don't know where I went wrong but 1) it's hard working with black fabric and 2) it's so &@^%$)! hard working with black fabric!

Hallowscornu - Barbara Ana Designs

Stitched on 32ct Silkweaver "Frenzy" Lugana
with
DMC floss
and decorated with
Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads (03053)

I don't know what I'll stitch next. I've joined 3 Halloween exchanges *so excited* luckily I already know what I want to stitch for all 3 and I have my Prairie Schooler exchange that I should get started on since that's the first to mail out but at the same time I want to stitch my Sweet Treats dilemma dilemma! I won't choose tonight since I'd like to go to sleep early but I know it's going to be on my mind while I sleep...anyone else think while they sleep?

Today we went to Serendipity3 to eat. My cousin saw it on the travel channel and just had to try the desserts there. The wait was crazy and the place was packed! I finally took my camera out the house so I do have some pictures to share :-)

The outside

The window display My frozen hot chocolate

My cousin and her friend and their ice cream sundae.

Kelly and his dessert...the "Can't Say No" Sundae

And me and my dessert...the Forbidden Broadway Sundae.

We all had burgers and fries, I didn't take a picture of that because if you've seen one plate of burgers and fries you've seen them all. It was nice but I don't think I'll be going back any time soon.

Well I actually just decided what to stitch and its not anything I mentioned earlier LOL. I may change my mind come morning time but I may not...good night!

Hola :-)

I think I may start bringing my camera with me to work. I went to the park in Union Square yesterday and missed so many picture opportunities that by the time I got on the train to go back home I was red with anger! Well not really, but I was pretty bummed that I didn't get a picture of the squirrel eating the cookie (upside down on the tree) that I had given him earlier. I'm usually afraid of the squirrels around my house if they get too close to me but at the park they get even closer and don't look as threatening. As soon as they heard me opening the plastic cookie package I had about 4 of them surrounding me...too cute!

Last week I had a craving for some empanadillas (empanadas is another name for them.) I like to believe that I'm totally incapable of cooking but honestly I can so instead of asking my mother to make some for me I made them myself. Don't they look yummy? I made them with cheese and one of them opened on me while I was frying it so please excuse the cheese on the paper towel and top one. They didn't come out as crunchy as my mumsy poos but she said they tasted good and so did my cousin :-) The best part of making them myself was that I could put as much sugar as I wanted to because there was no one to stop me (aka my mum hehe.)

I'm almost done with my Hallowscornu. I'm so close that I'm thinking of starting something new as my train project and only stitching on it at home. I don't have a current picture but did take one on Friday so I guess I'll show you that one and you'll just have to imagine 2 more corner pumpkins and half of a 4th ghost. I can't wait until it's done...it's going to look so pretty in my basket of Halloween smalls!

I work tonight and tomorrow night so I'm going to end this and go stitch for an hour before my nap. Thanks for the nice comments on my last 2 finishes!

Let the Halloween Stitching Begin!

I don't think I could ever tire of saying I love Halloween :-) I just finished this up and it's 1 of 4 so it's not a real finish but part of a finish.

Cherry Wood Designs - 3 Black Cats (Panel 1)

Stitched on Weeks Dye Works 30ct Carrot Linen

with

GAST and WDW floss

The colors are so off in this picture but we'll have to deal with it. I'm going to alternate stitching the panels since I don't want to get bored stitching one thing for too long. Next up is Barbara Ana Designs Hollowscornu which I kitted it up this Friday. I love Halloween stitching!