Bring on December

Happy December friends and family! Wow - where has the time gone??...this year has passed by so quickly...this time last year, we had just learned we would be moving out of Iowa - and now, here I am writing this from Kansas...it's been a whirlwind. I hope you have been enjoying the season, keeping warm and cozy, and finding a little bit of time to do the things you enjoy!

I have been stitching, sewing, quilting, and needlework finishing - happily creating almost every single day. I have finally completed all the orders that "had to be done before Christmas"...now I am working on all the "no holiday rush" projects, which lets me breathe a sigh of relief (even though the piles are high)! I finally took some time and re-organized the upstairs sewing studio over the last couple days - it *needed* to be done (oh my goodness - it was somewhat disorganized chaos!)...next up will be the basement warehouse/cutting/shipping area. I am still trying to get everything the way I want it after the move...the dream is, one day, I would really like everything in one big studio area....but I am not complaining - I have wonderful spaces!

First up today - I am having a Holiday Shop Sale (today and tomorrow, which is Cyber Monday)...Visit either https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com or https://blueribbondesigns.com to save:
20% Off All Single Blue Ribbon Designs Cross Stitch Charts, Pincushions and Pin/Button Packs! PLUS: All orders of $40.00 or more (before shipping/sales tax) will receive a free gift - my "Woodland Tree Farm" cross stitch chart. In addition: FREE shipping in the United States with $35 purchase. I know that is a lot of information - but if you have been waiting to purchase any favorite designs, now is the time to stock up!

Next up today....some fabulous needlework finishes! These were all stitched by the same talented person...they are not my designs or stitching...this is just my custom finishing work. I truly enjoyed finishing each and every one of these special pieces...and I still have a pile to complete for the same client (guess what I will be working on later tonight)...

Love My Stitching by Hands On Design
My style large project bag...

Ye Old Crow Sampler by Heart in Hand

The Embroideress Stocking by Kathy Barrick

Forever Friends by Summer House Stitche Workes
Limited Kit - A Little Help From Our Friends Stitching Circle from Silver Needle

A Nordic Mitten by JBW Designs

Queen of the Needle by With thy Needle & Thread
Finished as a needlebook...

Queen of the Needle by With thy Needle & Thread
Finished as a needlebook...INSIDE

Finally today - a little about our Thanksgiving holiday...
Many of you know that my husband is in management for UPS, so there is never any traveling for us during the holidays...as he works seven days a week and is on call 24-hours a day. So, for me, the holidays are a little challenging - especially this year, being far away from all my loved ones in a new state. Last weekend, we made the trip up to Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving with Travis's parents and to celebrate Friendsgiving with our "neighborhood gang" family (see fun photo below - I'm chuckling as I type this remembering how much work it was to get everyone in the picture and we still didn't quite accomplish our goal - these are my people!!💗)...it was a quick, but much needed road trip - I truly cherished the time with family and dear friends! I even got to see my BFF Mary for a big hug and a quick walk around the block (she lives just a few houses away from my in-laws!). That short trip gave me enough joy to get through this holiday season! Oh, did I mention we took the dogs with us??...yep, they rode in the back of the Jeep with the seat down...

My fabulous Iowa "neighborhood gang" family...💗

I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving and made a few fun memories! We were actually at home in Kansas for a quiet day - we went to the gym for an early morning workout, then had homemade pizza and wine for our Thanksgiving feast...and watched a movie with the dogs kids. After getting to celebrate early, this was a pretty perfect way to spend the holiday...

Thanks for visiting today - I am headed back to my CLEAN sewing studio to get a little weekend work done and some orders ready for shipment tomorrow. Take a little time to find joy during the holiday season rush!