The Bluebird is Ready to Fly!!

Thanks to all that entered my first giveaway. 

The bluebird is finally ready to fly and will be taking off as soon as I receive the landing destination.

I tried something new, a beaded hanger.

And if you opt not to use the hanger, it can be draped towards the back:

There were 49 sweet comments and the random generator picked number 18.

So, congratulations Myra, you were the 18th comment!!  I sent you an email.  I want to make sure I have your correct address and I'll get this in the mail asap!

Thanks again to everyone!!

Finishes and a Giveaway Reminder!

The last two weeks have flown by!!  We've been busy with baseball tryouts, baseball practices, scouting activities, school, etc.  A taste of spring followed by another bout of snow.  Then rain and wind and more wind!  The gardens are really going to need a good spring cleaning (as is the house - but who's keeping track?)

Here are some of the little things I have been working on for St. Patrick's Day.

From Heartstring Samplery:

I believe this next one was from The Sampler Girl:

And the next pictures are from Jennifer at Feather's in the Nest.  She's been so generous to share her designs with us!

I only used one color of yellow on this and added beads to the borders and the flowers.  I am keeping a watchful eye out for my daffodils!

There is still time to enter my giveaway, just see my last post!  I will be drawing a name tomorrow and will post the winner's name in the evening.  Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by!

Truly Thankful Valentine and a 100 Followers Giveaway!!

I made it!  I finished stitching this a couple of weeks ago, bought the frame soon after, and then nothing. Today I sat down and put it all together so I can say I had it finished in time for Valentine's Day!

I changed the year to reflect the year my husband and I were married and I also put in our initials. 

 I just love this white bird!! 

Here is another picture with a little more light. 

I love the frame and thought it was perfect for this piece.  You can click on the picture to enlarge the detail.

I have already ordered Beth's next Truly Thankful edition.  If you haven't seen it, pop on over to her blog and check it out!

I am really in the mood for spring and I thought of this piece that I stitched last year.  It was a freebie that, if I remember correctly, came from Gazette94.  If you haven't seen this site, there are many wonderful patterns!

I love the details on this.  Especially on the bird.

I matched it with this fabric I had on hand: 

I haven't put it all together yet, but I have decided that this is what I want to offer as a 100 (now 100+) Followers Giveaway!  I may add some other little goodies in with this as well.

I'm keeping this simple.  If you are interested in having this little bird bring some spring your way, just comment on this post only.  I will leave this open for two weeks and draw a name on February 28th - my mom's birthday!

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!

Birthday Boy and Some Small Finishes

Where does the time go?  It was just yesterday that he was a baby.  Now he is 11! 

We celebrated his birthday early, as my parents came down on Superbowl Sunday.  He requested a pound cake and yes, there are only two candles - but they are supposed to be an 11!  His brothers, of course, were teasing him that he was only two. 

On his actual birthday, we headed off to one of our favorite pizza places per his request and headed home for yet another cake.  One must have cake on their actual birthday!  This time, he chose another favorite - chocolate with chocolate icing.  We were joined by some of our good friends.  They have shared every cake since we moved here 7 years ago.  He's trying to keep his brothers and friends from blowing out his candles! 

He's growing, changing and maturing....but there is still enough little boy left to be excited about his birthday Legos!  Wish him luck - his baseball tryouts are on Sunday!

I busied myself today with some small finishes.  The fabric that the pieces are sitting on were used on the backs.  You should also be able to click on the pictures to enlarge them for a better look.

These were freebies from Jennifer.

I added a heart with our initials on one side and the year on the other. 

This one is from Christine.  A fun one to stitch up!

This one is from Carol.  Another quick stitch.

This is from Beth at Heartstring Samplery:

And one more - just because I am anxious for spring!

One final shot of them all together!

I have some other pieces that I finally have the frames for and I will try to get them together this weekend. 

Thanks for stopping by and for all of your wonderful comments!

Place of the Beluga

Whapmagoostui in Cree, translates to "Place of the Beluga". This is where I traveled to for two weeks in the summer of 1990.  (A fact about myself that I shared a few posts back)  It is the northernmost Cree village located on the Hudson Bay and the Great Whale River in Quebec, Canada.  The village is only accessible by air and, in late summer, by boat. 

I was one of five students, along with two professors, that took the journey.  Driving for two full days and flying into the village on the third.  We were each dropped off at a home and expected to live with and learn about the family, their culture and their environment.  It is an experience I will never forget.  Someday I will have to take my negatives and have my pictures put onto disk so I can share them with you.

For now, I can share some pictures of the gifts that my family made for me.  The grandmother I lived with was Mary.  She presented me with these on my final day after working on them during the time I was there:

I can still smell the smoke from the tanning of the caribou hide.  The fur is from the beaver.  And just look at that beading!!

One of her daughters made this - again, on the caribou hide:

And I'm sure you will appreciate what the back looks like:

Other items from her daughters and granddaughters included the following:

The backs of the barrettes are finished with the caribou hide as well.

A beaded key chain:

I love the double row of beads on the edge.

And beaded earrings:

See the backs?  Yep.  That's the caribou hide again!

When I do get around to having my pictures put onto disk, I may just share a picture of myself in a traditional Cree Dress!  That place, the stories, and the people who shared their lives with me for those two weeks will be with me always. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed seeing my treasures!

TUSAL Update and Followers!

Remember this guy? 

Well, I think he looks even colder now after our latest round of ice!

I do hope that everyone who was hit harder than our area is staying warm and safe!  I am more than ready for spring!  Let's hope that  Punxsutawney Phil was right in predicting that an early spring it will be!

Here is my February TUSAL update, along with some Valentine stitches from last year:

Be Mine was from The Sampler Girl.  The other two are from Primitive Betty's.  The older framed piece was stitched in 1991.  I believe it is a Prairie Schooler Design.  Can anyone confirm that?  I know I have it somewhere buried in my stash.  I remember that it was my first attempt on linen and that I stitched it over one!  (Okay, I'll admit that wasn't on purpose, I just didn't know about stitching over two!)  And, if you look closely, you'll see an older picture of my boys and one of me with my husband from many moons ago!

I have been working on more Valentine's things to finish and frame.  I hope to get to them soon and when I do, I'll post some more stitchy pictures.

This weekend, my niece is participating in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics.  Please see this post if you want to read more about it:  Polar Plunge  I admire any one that will brave the cold temps and water for such a cause!!  I believe it takes place nationwide on the same weekend.

Finally, in case you didn't notice, I have reached 100 Followers!!  I plan on having some type of give away to celebrate.  But what to do?  Do you prefer a little something made by me, fabrics, threads, scissors, trinkets?  If you would like to help me out, include some of your favorite things in your comments!  When I get some ideas and decide what to do, there will be a special give away post. 

Thanks again for stopping by, for all of your support and for your wonderful comments! 

Edited 2/4/2011

***The design I thought was possibly a PS - well, I was wrong.  It is a Sheepish Designs!!***