Friday, January 11, 2013

Whew, busy and some finishes!

Whew. I don't mind holiday time but I'm always happy to see it go away, if only because life can go back to a schedule and make more sense. It's always such a whirlwind in December.

So what have I been up to? Well I've been up to stitching! Finally. :)
I also got the nasty flu/bug that has been wreaking havoc on Calgary (and around North America from what I  hear) but I survived so life moves on. lol.

I'm proud to say I actually have some finishes. One you've seen 5 like it before, and one that I didn't even post a progress photo of. I know, slap my hand and tell me to post more often! I'm working on it. Truly I am.

First up we've got the May Cottage from Country Cottage Stitching's SAL last year. good thing the apocalypse didn't happen or my cottages wouldn't even have made halfway in the WIPocalypse challenge! However, I did get to 50% just after new years. Here's May (I adore the blue in here):

And in the holiday theme of things I did up a little ornament for my Mom who is obsessed (and I mean obsessed) with tropical locations, especially Maui. So when I saw Mill Hill had a bead and button kit this year that was "Maui Santa" it was clearly meant to be. This little guy did get cut out and backed onto felt boarding but I forgot to take a picture afterwards amid all the insanity. But all the stitches and beads are on him here:

I've been working on Dragons and am hoping to have a 'halfway' through the current page update for you very, very soon.
I also have a baby sampler that I need to get really moving on (as the little guy is already born), my commission cat piece is moving along, nevermind the billion other things I keep buying and stashing.

We've been quite busy as of late house hunting.As this is the first purchase for my common-law man and I into real estate it's been a bit of a roller coaster. lots of things to do learn, lots of big decisions to make and a ton of time! But we've seen a couple dozen places now, have a good idea of what options are out there and just waiting now for that "right" listing. We had one in our grasp on day 2 of house hunting but didn't really realize what a gem we were standing in until someone else bought it (on the market for 3 days and sold, crazy!) It was a cute little 100 year old house with some upgrades but kept the character and feel of 100 yrs ago. Needless to say I loved it (might still). However we are seeing condos with character that are recently build or upgraded from the 50s or 70s. Location is key for us as well as the place not looking like a cookie cutter (and of course price, the all mighty dollar). If price were not an option I'd have a gorgeous heritage home that was upgraded, big and on the outskirts of downtown (what Calgarians call the "beltline") but money is a driving force so we are waiting and looking knowing that the right place will come.

I hope everyone is doing well. I've had a few new items trickle into the store recently. There will be a huge new release section up very soon (hopefully this weekend).
For anyone curious I am not doing a "goals" list this year as with the store and freelance work it is hard to judge time for stitching these days. So I will just keep plugging away and make it less of a competition for myself. I think in the last few weeks when I gave up on the 'list' it worked much better.
Thanks for dropping by! 

Sunday, December 9, 2012

WINNERS of 2012 Biggest Giveaway

Sunday is the new Thursday just so you're aware. I really do need to stop giving myself deadlines that I then move on myself. Better late than never my Grandma always says.
So without further adieu here we go.


The Winners of the Epic Stitching 2012 Biggest Giveaway
  

There were 96 individual entries into the contest (some people had the max # at 10 entries!).

Using Google's ever famous random number generator the following numbers were selected:
HAED #1   = 65
HAED #2   = 19
Stash Giveaway = 51
Epic Stitching Gift Card = 88

So there you go!
Wait... you want to know which number you were too?!?
Okay I guess I can help with that. :)

HAED Pattern #1 = 65: Debls
HAED Pattern #2 = 19: Joy
Stash Giveaway = 51: McKenna
Epic Stitching Gift Card = 88: Stacy

Each of you will be sent an email regarding your prize shortly (or you can email me).
If I am unable to connect with someone or they decline a redraw will happen.

Thank you so much to all of you for participating. 
And thank you to all of my new followers and to the many of you who have been around for years.
I appreciate all the support in my many different endeavours!!

 
Coming soon: 
Just Nan Sampler is framed. Pics to come!
Dragons update. I'm about 1/2 through the latest page, so it will be a sneak peek
Cottages update. May is almost done! (man am I behind)
A Mill Hill Santa ornament. A new little project that is a holiday gift for my Mom.

Be back very soon!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

WOW!

There are somewhere in the ballpark of about 200 entries into this contest!
You guys are awesome and really flatter me with your strive to win!!! :)

I need a night or two to double check everything, put the final list together (with numbers) and then run the random number generator. It will all be absolutely legit. I'll make sure my snake Cronus watches for anything fishy. And if not him then I'm sure one of the other two (who watch me write all these blog posts) will step up if needed.

So I will be back, absolutely no later than Thursday night (this week) to post the winners.

Thanks again everyone. You just make me smile with your excitement. :D
 Mel.