Overwhelmingly Blessed...

I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed today. There must be some sort of friendship intuition happening for me this week, because I have been surprised (and choked up) multiple times this week. Most of you know I have been busy training for the Komen 3-Day Event (60-miles in 3 days) taking place in San Diego this coming November...I am so excited to be walking 60-miles with my fabulous Twinkle Toes teammates to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and education. You, my friends, have overwhelmed me with your generous donations and messages - my heart is full. To date my fundraising efforts have reached an incredible $5765...that is 77% of my goal, with 99 days to go...I am so unbelievably touched by your outpouring of support and encouragement!

I am also choked up about two surprises that arrived on my doorstep this week. First, I received a brand new pair of shoes...yes, I said shoes (aren't they AWESOME?!)...and I honestly can't tell you how much these were needed. These shoes are usually good for 350-400 walking miles...and my current pair had approximately 600-650 (maybe more) miles on them...and yes, I was planning on replacing them in the very near future, but these shoes come with a price tag and I have been saving my pennies. About a week and a half ago, after a 10+ mile walk, I removed my shoes to have a large open blister on the back of my foot...I had completely worn the material down on the inside of the heel of my shoe and had no idea how bad it was rubbing until I took off my shoe to find a blood soaked sock. Needless to say, I had to take a week off training to let it heal. So, when these new shoes arrived on my doorstep, I squealed like a little girl - they came when I needed them the most...and left me completely speechless. Then today, I received another surprise in the mail...an aerosol spray of TRISLIDE. I have not tried this product before, but I am always up for anything that will stop hotspots and blisters from forming on my feet. I usually use Body Glide, but can't wait to try this TRISLIDE and see how effective it is!...what an extremely thoughtful gift. I also received an e-mail from a dear friend asking me what was on my list of needs for the walk, because she wants to send me a care package...seriously, I am so very thankful. I am truly touched by all the love and support coming my way...

When I started this journey, I knew it would be challenging, I knew it would be costly (shoes, airline tickets, gear, hotel, the list goes on and on), and I knew it would be time consuming (my average walks are 2 - 3 hours)...but I knew in my heart this was something I needed/wanted to do. I had no idea how I was going to raise the required funds to walk or how I was going to afford the needed gear and travel...but with the love and support of my friends, my goal has become obtainable. You are all incredible...and so very special...thank you.

For those of you wanting to know more about my exclusive needlework design for this worthy cause ("Red Rosies and Pink Posies"), it will be available until November...and you can read all about it here:
http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/red-rosies-and-pink-posies.html

I'm now off for a Thursday evening walk...I must break in my fancy new kicks and try out the TRISLIDE...I hear the fresh air calling my name...

Brightening Up Winter

View from my deck door...

I should have never posted I have "spring fever"...because what happens??...it snows for two consecutive days...making my fever increase by several more degrees. I was supposed to visit my dear friend Kimber yesterday - but awoke to 6 inches of fresh snow...and all sorts of weather advisories and traffic accidents...and forecasts for 24+ more hours of snowfall. I promptly (and unhappily) canceled my road trip and made plans to stay safely home - even though I have 4-wheel drive vehicle, I rather be safe than sorry. To deal with the snow, ice, wind, cold temperatures and basic gloom - I decided to surround myself with the beautiful colors of spring. The first thing I did was settle in with a hot cup of tea and one of my absolute favorite magazines - Mollie Makes - it is now available for my Nook Color which thrills me! I also did some planning for some Etsy projects and worked on some class kits. In the afternoon, I did some new cross stitch charting...including an ornament for the 2013 Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue and some fine tuning for the New England Stitcher's Retreat project in progress.

An assortment of bright and cheery Riley Blake Fabrics I am playing with...
"Sunny Happy" Skies by Bella Blvd.

Mail delivery has been a little "hit or miss" during inclement weather this year, but to my surprise, the mailman delivered a couple cheerful packages today. I received a fabulous birthday package from my dear, dear friend Ruth which was a complete ray of sunshine - it included 72 rolls of bright decorative ribbon, bakers twine, and jute - 24 ribbon spools of each (5-yards per spool)....you should have seen my eyes light up when I saw this fabulous assortment - my jaw hit the floor! The package also included a very fun birthday mug filled with K-cups and specialty hot chocolate packages...and a lovely "sisters" plate with easel. Such a cheerful, thoughtful, and timely package!!

Also in the mail - a little surprise from California - including this adorable fluffy chick...seriously - how cute and "springy" is this??!

Last night, my husband needed me to venture out in the VERY nasty weather to take him to pick up a rental car for a business trip...so we ran some errands and had a nice dinner out (it was actually relaxing - with all the snowfall the city was extremely quiet!)...and we finally went and picked up my new walking shoes! I am so thrilled to have a good pair of shoes for training and I am saving my pennies for a second pair...I am guessing I will need at least two more pairs for my Komen 3-Day journey. What a difference a GOOD pair of shoes make  - and aren't they bright and cheerful?! The color is listed as "Black with Electric Pink and Apple"....and since the walk is for breast cancer, they just *had to* have PINK...

Just a few things that are brightening up my gloomy winter days...if you are in the path of winter weather, I hope you have some bright and cheerful items/colors to lift your spirits...

Friendship and Fabric

My last week has been consumed with model stitching - I finished up a pair of winter designs for Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine...stitched and finished some needlework smalls for an upcoming class...and got quite a bit completed on a model for The World of Cross Stitching magazine. After taking the entire day off on Monday for a road trip with my girlfriends, I have been frantically trying to complete my ever-growing to-do list...but what's new?! I haven't had a single moment of time with my sewing machine, which is making me cranky...so that may happen later today...I have a huge pile of items cut and ready to sew for my Etsy shop.

I did have the most special mail day on Friday...a (complete) surprise package arrived from my very dear friend Robin - Robin is one of those friends that makes me smile on a daily basis, even though she is miles away. Her friendship is a true blessing and (although she may not know it) she has taught me many meaningful lessons - she truly brightens my days with her beautiful spirit. Robin's package included a lovely handmade card...an adorable pattern for cinnamon roll pincushions (which I have never seen before)....and two cuts of "perfect for me" fabric - both with birds, of course! The seagull fabric is Sandy Shores by Whistler Studios from Windham Fabrics (Sue Donnelly, if you are reading this, it brings me back to our drive along the ocean shore and your hysterical laughter as I took millions of photos of the seagulls)....and the fabric panel is Feather Your Nest by Diane Knott for Clothworks. I am definitely looking forward to trying out the "On A Roll!" pattern (Susie C Shore Designs) and finding the perfect use for my new stash of fabric! 

Well, I think I will try to get in that quilting time this afternoon - the house is quiet and I really need some alone time with my sewing machine...my days are just better when I can play with fabric and thread....

Oh Happy Day!

I received the most wonderful surprise in the mail today - a lovely package from Paola in Italy....and it was filled with the most gorgeous assortment of her Puntini Puntini pins, buttons, tags, and thread winders...need I say it was the greatest mail day EVER?!....I am still over-the-moon with excitement! I was giddy as I opened the envelope - there were 7 cards of her amazing pins and a little organza bag filled with her perfectly detailed buttons, tags, and thread winders. I slowly open each card of pins and admired them one by one...then I promptly opened the bag and drooled as I placed each piece on a linen covered table. Paola - I am in awe of your kindness, talent, and creativity...you totally surprised me...your package made my day/month/year. I will cherish these special gifts....and I am already inspired for future projects...thank you so very, very much - my heart is smiling!

Those of you who frequent my blog know I am a huge fan of Puntini Puntini decorative pins, buttons, tags, and thread winders - they are something special - they truly make me happy! I use them often in my pincushions and as embellishments for gifts. To find out more, visit Paolas websites filled with eye candy:
http://www.puntini-puntini.blogspot.com/

http://puntinipuntini.splinder.com/

...and to purchase her pins, buttons, tags, and thread winders...along with her needlework designs in the United States, visit ABC Stitch Therapy:

http://www.abcstitch.com/designers_php/designers.php?category=Puntini%20Puntini

Friendship Across The Miles

Well, it is almost the new year...and I am bringing it in, as usual, with a terrible cold/flu...I have been fighting it for weeks and somehow right after Christmas it surfaced at maximum strength. For the last several days, I have been pretty miserable (that explains my lack of posts, tweets, and returned emails) - today has almost been tolerable and I am hoping to have shaken it off by the start of 2011! Before we make the move into the new year, I do have a couple more holiday things I wanted to share with you...

Back in the Spirit of Cross Stitch and CATS Stitching Festival days - back when they were held in Des Moines, Iowa each year...we're talking about years ago...during one of the needlework classes, I sat next to Lee and her husband Harmon (this was back when I was taking classes, before I was teaching them). Lee is from Detroit, MI and we had an instant connection - she was such a sweetheart and we enjoyed sitting together at several classes/events. We exchanged contact information and birthdays and have kept in touch all these years. On special occasions, Lee and Harmon always send me the most beautiful cards in the mail and tuck-in adorable little treasures. This year, they sent me the cutest hand crocheted Christmas tree - complete with little jeweled ornaments and a gold star on top! It was made by one of their friends and was such a heartwarming enclosure. To think we met over our mutual love of needlework, became friends across the miles, and have kept in touch all these years is a tribute to what friendship is all about. I hope one day Lee, Harmon, and I will be reunited...but until then, Lee and I will keep up our long distance friendship with cards and notes and fond memories of our special time together.

I also have to share what my sweet friend Merry did for me. She had no idea that I have been really sick for almost a week...but she must have sensed I needed her...because I received a wonderful envelope from her in the mail this week. What was in it?? - a pair of cuffs she knitted especially for me - I knew she was working on them, because she asked me for my palm measurements, but I had no idea they were done and on the way! I absolutely love the dungarees blue she used - it was the perfect color choice for me...and they fit, well, "like a glove". Also included - a fun floral pink folder (shown in the photo) with several quilt and sewing patterns and some gorgeous pieces of fabric. How is that for a "care" package??...and she didn't even know I needed one.

Finally, as I mentioned before, my husband and I really don't do Christmas gifts for each other - we usually just get a couple things we need/want for our home - this year, a new Keurig Platinum Brewer and a Dyson Ball vacuum. But, my husband threw me off a bit...about a week before Christmas, he came home with a surprise gift for me. If you follow me on Twitter, I posted a photo of this wrapped mystery gift and asked for guesses...and several of you guessed correctly! It was a NookColor - really the only thing I mentioned I wanted - I am so super excited - and although I haven't felt well enough to do much reading, I have managed to almost finish one book and have perused several magazines (which are awesome on a color eReader!). It was a grand surprise and I am still giddy about it. I did make him a little something special for Christmas - a new large fleece blanket and matching over-sized pillow - both in camouflage fleece for his "man cave". They were a huge hit - especially with Simba who has been caught curled up in the center of the big fluffy pillow...and burrowed down in the blanket.

All in all it was a magical Christmas and I feel extremely blessed. Now, if I could just beat this darned cold/flu for the New Year...

Tomorrow, tune in for a sneak peek photo of "Turn The Page" - my new bookmark sampler that will be released at the TNNA Needlework Market in February....

Spreading Out The Joy

Remember yesterday when I said "it is the season of surprises"? Well, today, another HUGE surprise arrived (I am feeling VERY spoiled!). While I was out running errands before the blizzard is in full swing, my dear friend Mary left the most amazing surprise box at my front door! I have been feeling quite under the weather with another (or maybe the same) head cold and was having quite a rough day - only to come home and find this over-the-top surprise. Mary and I both have hectic schedules and haven't had a chance to get together this holiday season - but that sure didn't stop her from sharing the Christmas love! I arrived home to find a great plastic storage box (which will now be a home for in-progress quilt blocks) filled - yes, filled with small wrapped packages. Now those of you who know me or follow my blog, are aware I absolutely adore tiny packages - in fact, stockings have always been my favorite, as my mother would wrap everything when she filled mine - to me there is so much excitement in seeing an array of small wrapped presents. Although I thought momentarily about opening a gift a day...or saving these packages until Christmas, the little girl in me had to open all of them immediately (and there was A LOT to open)!

Mary actually stitched me "The Queen Bee" by JBW Designs - which is perfect! Many of my friends call me "B"...and honey bees have a special place in my heart, as my grandfather was a beekeeper - she knows all this and cross stitched this design especially for me...a truly touching piece. Plus, she knows how much I love to sew, quilt, and create and is letting me decide how to finish it - which is a gift in itself - I already have a ton of ideas!

This fun surprise box was filled with things I love (a TON of thought went into it!) - fabrics, tea, miniature rick rack, ornaments, a journal, a book, stationery, and multiple other treats...to be honest, I am overwhelmed....she must have started collecting items months ago...

I have always said I have the most thoughtful and giving friends - they just "get me"...my quirks, my hectic schedule, and my control freak perfectionist personality. I truly feel like a little kid this Christmas - I don't ever remember a year where there were so many treats and surprises. I am truly thankful for my many blessings.

I hope you are receiving an abundance of surprises this holiday season...and have the chance to celebrate the great gift of friendship...

Terrific Treats!

Yesterday was a busy but bountiful day! I started out my morning bright and early, getting a bunch of work accomplished before taking Simba to the groomer at 9:30AM. His groomer just happens to be about 30 minutes away in the city where my dear friend Merry lives - so every time he gets groomed (once a month), we have a chance together. After dropping off Simba, we met at the local quilt shop and did some retail therapy...then headed to a little Japanese restaurant we both thoroughly enjoy for some hot tea, soup, and sushi. We talked for what seemed like hours, even though we just saw each other last week. She had another little unexpected gift bag for me, with several things she had collected with a friend: a gorgeous piece of a favorite sampler fabric, an adorable owl fabric, some frog items - and her very last jar of Hot Pepper Jelly (my favorite of her jellies!). Christmas is year-round with her - she spoils me rotten!

After picking up Simba (and my husband who was having some work done on his car), I returned home to find Travis had cleaned the garage (that was a shock!) - and he actually did a little organizing instead of just getting things up off the floor. After admiring his hard work, it was time to get focused - I had a HUGE pile of work to get done and I felt like my day was flying by...I was at my desk for quite some time - only to look at the clock and realized it was after 6:30 PM. I could hear the mailman delivering mail (his truck is super noisy) - we are the last on his route, so our mail arrives quite late every day. I ventured out into the cold to find the most lovely surprise in my mailbox - a package from Ruth! Ruth is part of my stitching family - she attended the Stitcher's Hideaway Retreat (Mystic, CT) in October and we immediately hit it off - I never expected in a million years to receive a package from her and I couldn't wait to tear it open! What I found inside immediately made me smile - a pine pillow (I think I mentioned here before how much I love the scent of pine)...and it is a special pine pillow - the fabric print looks almost identical to the miniature Maple Leaves quilt I recently finished - it is absolutely perfect! This amazing package also contained new K-cups for me to try (woo hoo!) and chocolate (a kind I have never tried before and it is delicious!), a fun snowflake pin, and a very thoughtful card. I think Ruth is one of Santa's elves in disguise - this little box truly brightened my day - it was fabulous! Thank you so much Ruth - I am enjoying everything you sent...and I can't wait to see you next October at the New England Stitching Retreat....

I hope you are enjoying surprises this holiday season...or sending some yourself!