Is it Monday already?

Where did my weekend go?  I set out on Friday with this grand plan of getting so much stitching done...and I failed! :(

I did get some stitching time in...so I guess all is not lost.   I was able to spend some time on Coral.  I wanted to finish page 1 by today, but alas........ just not enough hours in the day!

Here's what Coral looked like before the weekend:

And here's what she looks like Monday morning (sorry it's so blurry, the lighting was bad!):

I did however, get most of my Christmas shopping done (just 2 gifts left to get!)......and I did it all online!!  What did people do before the internet? 

At this rate, I'll have to delete some of those items on my list for the 2012 WIPocalypse....knowing I won't get to them!   I won't delete just yet (I'll probably just keep adding!)

I know I mentioned a week or so ago that I started a new diet.  Thanksgiving celebrations steered me a little of course, but I'm back in line.  I've lost about 12 pounds so far, so I'm happy!!  Here's hoping I can keep on track through the holiday!

My oh my.....my giveaway just puts a huge grin on my face!  I love that I keep seeing new followers and new sign-ups!  I've updated the list on the thread and I'm officially over the next addition mark (85)....I just haven't taken any pics of the new items.  I'll get those taken and uploaded as soon as possible!!   I wonder if I can hit 100 followers before the giveaway is over!

Anyhoooo.....just a quick post on my weekend work....I'm off to stitch!   Happy Monday to everyone!


-lesli

Black Friday Shopping?

Black Friday?  For any followers who aren't familiar with this term...here's my stab at an explanation.  Black Friday is the Friday following Thanksgiving.  It's the day that all of the retailers offer big specials and sales to start the Christmas shopping season.  I've seen other descriptions on why it was labeled "Black"....but the one I'll use is that it's the day that retailers are able to turn their books to black....meaning, they've been in the red all year for their budget and with all the sales they'll make on this day, they'll finally turn a profit. 

Anyway...... enough education! :)   I hope everyone was able to spend time with their friends and family on the Thanksgiving holiday.  And if you don't celebrate this day, I still hope you spent time with friends and family! 

Did any of you go shopping today and brave the crazy crowds of people?  There were people at local stores here that have been camping out in tents for days, waiting for the sales!   I completely can't figure out why they'd do it, but to each his own.....and if any of you did go shopping, I'd love to hear about your adventures!

While all the hustle and bustle goes on around town, I'm inside with my family....watching movies and.....STITCHING!

Here's what my two current WIPs look like now.....and hopefully I can post an update on Monday with some major progress over the next 3 days!

I haven't worked on Angel of Hope since the last update I posted, but here's a picture of what she still looks like....I'd love to get her done before December starts!



And this is what Coral looks like today.  If I can just get page 1 done over this weekend, then I can focus the rest of the month on Angel.

And a close-up:

Has anyone joined the 2012 WIPocalypse that's being run by Measi?  I joined and I'm starting to put my list of projects together in my head.  What is the WIPocalypse?  Starting in January, you'll post a list of all the projects/pieces you want to finish by the end of the year.  You can adjust that list, add/delete, throughout the year...so don't think you have to have set items now.  Then, on every Full Moon, you post your progress photos, even if there's no progress to your site and update Measi.  The best part - for each Full Moon that you post an update, your name goes into the giveaway drawing that she'll be having on New Year's Day, 2013!  Visit Measi's blog for more info and to sign up! 

Now just prior to Turkey day, I was so happy to see that I had 56 followers!  What a surprise to find that over just a few days I'm already up to 84!  That means....new items for the giveaway!  For getting to 65 and 75, I'm adding 2 new items to each of my drawings.

New items for my main drawing:

Cute holiday gift card kit

3 skeins of DMC cotton floss - your choice of colors (winner can let me know what they need!)

And new items for my additional drawing:

22 count fabric in rust - 12"x12"

Janlynn's Chart - Celestial.  The picture is small.. a beautiful image of the sun/moon, planets and all of the signs

I know I've stated it before....but I'll say it again :)   Thank you to all my followers!   I love seeing all the work/updates you post to your blogs and I sincerely appreciate when you take the time to read my updates and post.  I look forward to getting to know all of you!


-lesli

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear........

Fifty-Six followers!!

Just imagine my surprise when I logged in tonight to see that many new stitchy friends!!  :)

I'm so excited!!    I didn't have time to take any new pics of my stitching progress, because I'm so anxious to post this update with my new giveaway additions!!

I honestly didn't expect to have this many new followers so quickly......so to celebrate hitting 50, I'm going to add a second drawing....so there are now two chances to win!!    I'll continue adding items for every 10 new followers....but now I'll add an item to the "main" drawing as well as the "additional" drawing!

Here's the two new additions (for hitting 45 and 55) for the Main drawing:

Weeks Dye Works, hand over dyed floss in Peach and Lagoon

So pretty!

A Betty Friess Baumer chart - Williamsburg Garden Dance

Such a cute little country piece!

And for the Additional drawing:

Lavender & Lace, Fairy Dreams by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum

I love the colors in this one!

If you haven't entered the giveaway, now's your chance!  Here's the thread:  My First Giveaway

Also - if you have entered my giveaway, please take a quick moment to follow that link and scroll to the bottom to make sure your name is on the list!!  While you're there, check out the linkies to all the wonderful stitchy blogs from all my wonderful followers!

I'm on vacation the rest of this week, so I'll post a stitchy blog tomorrow!


-lesli

Another Giveaway addition and this week's update

I can't believe I'm up to 39 followers!!  This means I get to add another stitchy item to the giveaway loot!

I'm adding a cute Flip-It chart from Lizzie Kate:

It comes with this cute little charm for the bow on the wreath!

If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, there is still time!  Click here to enter!!  
I've added a growing list of names at the bottom of my giveaway post, of everyone that has entered.  This way I can use a random number generator to pick the winner.  Please check the names and make sure you're on there!

I'm so excited to share that I've joined the 2012 Heaven and Earth Designs BB SAL!!  They gave us 6 beautiful designs to choose from, and here is the one I decided on:

SK Blue Moon  (SK stands for Story Keep)

Our first page of the SAL won't come until January....so I have some time to get my other WIPS completed...I hope! :)

Just some quick updates on my two current WIPS.....

Angel of Hope - Finished her sleeves and now I've started on her beautiful dress

Coral - Didn't get much more done on this one this week.  This will be my focus over the weekend.  My eyes are still adjusting to the 22 count, but I'm really enjoying it!

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Unfortunately, I started coming down with a virus a few days ago, so I plan to spend my weekend getting better.  What better way to recuperate than to stitch!!  I'm hoping my next updates show a bunch of progress!


Wishing all my fellow stitchers a WONDERFUL weekend!


-lesli

My Giveaway Update - New item added!

As promised.....  here's a snapshot of what I've added to my "prize loot" for my first contest:

Since I've had 16 new followers since my contest started, I'm adding some Anchor #8 Perle Cotton floss in Nutmeg and Spice colors.

Check out my prior posting here so you can see the rest of the giveaway items!  There is plenty of time to enter...just make sure to post your entry on that thread instead of this one.  :)


My first HAED...my first HAED!!  I finally did a few stitches!  I've been so anxious to get one of my Heaven and Earth Designs started, so I put my Angel WIP down for a few moments to get this far on my Coral piece:

Here's a close up...the x's are so teeny tiny on 22 count!

I'm getting the hang of the thread gridding, I think.  It's so helpful and I haven't had to frog on it yet!! Maybe I'll have to change my frogger blog name!!  (I doubt it, I've already had to frog a bit on my Angel piece!)


So on a side note - I started a new diet today!  Yes, I know....just before the holidays!!  :)   I'm determined to see it through.  Hubby and I are on a 90 day challenge to lose the flab.   I should get much more stitching done during this time....my hands will be less busy stuffing my face!


Anyhoooo.......  Thanks again to those of you that take a moment to read my posts and comment.  I love all the virtual friendships I'm developing!!

Have a great stitching week!!


-lesli

Good-bye's and Hello's......

After a two-week stay with us, my parents flew back home this afternoon.   My kids weren't too happy to see them go, and neither was I!!   We had a wonderful time while they were here, with way too much spoiling going on!!   It was a sad good-bye but we're so thankful to get to see them!


Now for the hello's......HELLO to all my new followers!  I'm up to THIRTY already!!  I just about fell off my chair today when I saw that!!

Thirty total followers means that 15 joined after my contest announcement, so I'm adding 1 more item to the prize stash!   I haven't had a chance to snap any shots, so I'll load a picture of the new item ASAP.

If you haven't already entered, take a moment to enter my first giveaway here.  I'm purposely running it for more than a few weeks, so the goodies can increase!  (contest ends 12/03/2011)


I was able to get some stitching time in during my family's visit, so here's an update on what my Angel of Hope piece is looking like:

Progress as of 11/05/2011

I also started a bit on my two Heaven and Earth Designs pieces.  My progress on Cathedral is going slower than I'd like, but the piece is so big its difficult not to get frustrated. 

I've finally found all my floss for Coral and finished the gridding the other night.  Hoping to kick that one off this week!

Here's how Coral is looking so far:

My first official HAED!  :)

I'm hoping to finish both Angel of Hope and Coral in time for Christmas, to give them as gifts.  Wish me luck!!

Now to get caught up on everyone's blogs from the last two weeks!!



-lesli