Honoring a friend, a finish and a giveaway!

Hello friends! Temps have been in the 100's crazy...too hot and I'm so ready for Fall's cooler weather. Just isn't happening yet here in Northern Calif!
Hard to believe it's already the middle of September. Only one day it was cool and I actually got a little bit of Autumn decor done.

But first there's no way that I cannot comment or reflect with a heavy heart, about a precious sweet friend of our blogging community who is greatly missed - Debbie Bryant of Debbie's Cross Stitch blog.
I know that you have already learned of her passing. Honestly I think I put off this post just because her passing is so darn unreal to me. Debbie had encouraged & inspired me with my stitching and that you can never have enough wips. I joined her Bothy Threads Cut Thru SAL Monday. I only knew Debbie thru our blogging/commenting. Back in spring of this year she had asked me if I would make a zipper pouch as a bridal gift for one of her daughters friends. That led to lots of texting back and forth between us. I even sent her photos of fabrics while I was at our quilt shop downtown. Oh that was a fun day. It was like she was shopping with me but thru texting. All had worked out and she was so pleased with the pouches. She is already being greatly missed!
My heart and prayers are for Debbie, her family and her friends which includes all of you too.

Linda (Stitchin with my Furbabies blog) had a Saturday SAL since 2012 with Debbie. And Linda asked if we would like to join her. As soon as I had read about that - I decided to join Linda and stitch on a project every Saturday in Debbie's memory. For my project I decided on this beautiful chart Linda had gifted me last year....

 Good Morning by Joan A. Elliot - Imaginating, Inc.

16ct Adia Fiddler lite, Threads - DMC 

Started project - Saturday August 30th, & stitched on Saturday Sept 6th 2014

 Progress from this weekend - Sept 13th

I just love stitching with all these fall colors for this project. And it warms my heart to be honoring Debbie's memory in Saturday's SAL with Linda.
Thank you to Linda for this lovely SAL.  You can join in on this SAL too. The information can be found on Linda's blog HERE. I too will join with Linda for January's Crazy Starts 2015 in Debbie's memory also,

 Gingerbread Tree Etui by Victoria Sampler Designs

Tree #2  progress

 Keep Me Sampler by Moira Blackburn

Vickie had sent me this beautiful chart which my name had been drawn in honor of her reaching 300 followers. I LOVE the charting for this design. The charting is very large and makes it so easy to read. I love the beautiful willow tree, the pretty border and the darling house. I am so looking forward to stitching this.
Thank you sweet Vickie!!!

 And the week before I received  Uncle Sam by Bent Creek from Vickie.
Yes my name had been drawn for each drawing she had!!! I started stitching Uncle Sam on Sept 11th and finished/completed Sept 12th. I stitched him on 32ct flax linen, 2 over 2 and All DMC threads were used except WDW Pea Coat for the dark navy. For the background I used DMC variegated #4145. I made the cord with DMC #221 & 3865.
I love how this turned out. I forgot to stitch a red star like Vickie had. The tag finishing idea I was inspired by Vonna's Santa's ornaments. The mini flag fabric is a civil war reproduction (I think) and the backing a red mini stars fabric.
 
Now that I have stitched this I would like to give it to you! If you are interested please just leave a comment telling me you would like this chart! I will draw a name if more than one person is interested on Sept 19th.

One day last week it was cool. I actually got a little bit of Autumn decor done. 

The large elf doll is "Jack Frost"!

 Last Friday night I needed to pick up another DMC #221 to make the cording for Uncle Sam. So I hurried off to Joann's before they closed. I grabbed my 3 DMC threads and I was leaving the thread aisle when a lady who walked by me stopped and said "OH you do embroidery?" She had seen the threads in my hand.  I said "I do but I mostly do cross stitching". She then told me " Oh you need to go over right there against to the wall they have lots of stitching stuff on clearance"! OH OH!!!   Here's what came home with me.....

A lap stand for $1.97 and 2 sets of  scrolls .97 cents each!!!!

 Pink 14ct Adia for .50 cents, 16ct adia cream for .50 cents, 2 Punch needle sets .97 cents each,
8" hoop for .50 cents, and a package of 2 lace sachets for .50 cents. Okay I go to counter to pay and the sales lady asks me if I would like to sign up for text messages from Joann's and I would get another 20% off my entire purchase only for this evening - I SAID "YES". I needed to purchase a bag for .10 cents so My total was $7.95. Wasn't that great? I've been wanting a lap stand and I couldn't pass up one for a total of under $4.00. I haven't put it together yet but I will let you know how it works out!

2014 JCS Christmas Ornament Magazine finally arrived in the mail. I selected my top 3 ornaments:

 Little House Needleworks - Snowy Days!  This is one of Vonna's model's stitching & finishing's - how cool is that? LOVE IT VONNA! I actually saw your finish in this magazine after I completed my Uncle Sam.

 Shepherd's Bush Printworks - Hark

The Victoria Sampler - One More Stitch!

There are lots of really cute & beautiful ornaments I like in this issue. Just to inform you too my Nannie (101 yrs old) is not doing well. Too much to share but one of the most crazy things is that at 101 yrs old she has been diagnosed with cancer (only 3 weeks ago, or just a two days before I learned of Debbie's passing). I mean really??? Who gets cancer at 101yrs old???? Anyways she is one tough, strong lady and such a great role model of strength of mind. 

With my love and Appreciation - Annette