A Birthday Gift from Kansas and Minnesota

Julie sent me a lovely birthday gift and most has a Kansas theme. She stitched a Lizzie Kate (lives in Kansas) piece called "Friendship Grows" which is exactly what ours is...growing. If you remember Julie and I were going to meet in Sioux City but...snow got in the way. Why does it think it needs to snow in Iowa in December anyway? LOLOL She also sent some chocolate (made in Kansas, which isn't pictured because..I was eating it as I read her card), she also sent a pretty note pad and then she sent me chicken poop! Its a lip balm. Its made there in Kansas. I actually started to laugh when I opened it because when my stitch group went on our roadtrip back in July of 2009 I had actually purchased a few tubes of this for gifts as I thought it was just too funny to pass up. It actually is really good too.

Thanks so much for a lovely package Julie...I love it.


Yesterday I received a package from Cathy B. She sent me such a darling pendant (it was made by Deborah Thorpe of Midsummer Night Designs) that can either be used as an ornament or worn as a necklace and I will be wearing it!! I just love stuff like this. Cathy thank you so very much, the pendant is lovely and I will definitely think of you each and every time I wear it :)


On the stitching front I have been stitching snowmen. Nothing to show as I haven't done the finishing part. I hope to work this weekend on the finishing. That seems to be the part I don't like the best unless its in the way of a pinkeep. But I really want to make an effort to use that sewing machine I bought a couple of years ago and make pillows and even try some cube-its. I know I am in a "rut" with pinkeep finishing so...I need to try new ways! Wish me luck!

Hope everyone has been busy with their needlework..I have been visiting blogs and looks like alot of gals have been doing alot of the 15 project challenge and I am so proud of them and will be cheering them on! I tend to be a one at a time stitcher. Anyone else like that?

There is a cross stitch market coming up...I am anxious to see what new things will be debuting at market. Like I need more..although is it really about need? :)

Happy stitching to you and thanks for visiting.

Hugs,
Wendy Jo

Gifts From Friends, An Aunt and Gift for my Aunt

Today is my 44th birthday. Wow how did that happen! LOLOL

I have some lovely gifts from some very dear friends share with you:

First up from Staci: She sent me some pima cotton and silk spa cloths and some wonderful smelling lemongrass soap, plus some teas, chocolate and hot cocoa. Thanks so much Staci. I used one of the spa cloths and the lemongrass soap this morning...love it!


Next a gift from my sweet friend Pam. She and I recently reconnected and she sent me a lovely pattern book by Little and Little called The Counting Book. A really neat quaker pattern and a zipper pouch that will be put to some great use. Thanks so much Pam. I love my package.


I also received a lovely package from Margaret. I met Margaret through Pam and she is so sweet as well. She loves Mary Engelbreit like I do..so I received some Mary Engelbreit things, some hot cocoa by Tastefully Simple that is delicious! Plus a candle and other goodies. Thanks very much Margaret for a lovely gift.


Over the past year my Aunt Kathy and I got reacquainted after 30 years..she is part of my dad's family and it was really great to get back in touch with her. She had given me a Willow Tree figurine called "Care and Prayer" at Christmas time. I had always loved these when I have seen them in various stores but never had one until my Aunt Kathy got me one. I was so touched that she got me one. So, yesterday I went up to see her, she only lives 15 minutes away and she is a golfer so...I had just the perfect pattern to stitch picked out for her...Lizzie Kate Summer Crazy pattern that had a small pattern in it called "Gone Golfing" as she LOVES her golf! I told her in a card I wrote to her that it fit her to a "t". She got a kick out of that. I am so glad you like it Aunt Kathy..it was a joy to stitch something for you :) I also made her a magnet for her refrigerator because I know she also loves her coffee. So...she was one happy gal..so of course, I was happy as well :)




I want to say thanks so much to all my friends that have e-mailed me and sent lovely gifts for my birthday. I truly feel very blessed to have some of the best gal pals a girl could ask for.

For my birthday, Rex and I will go this weekend out to dinner and a movie. I have been wanting to see "How Do You Know". We both love Reese Witherspoon and it looks like it might be a good one.

Thanks for stopping by and happy stitching to you.

Hugs,
Wendy Jo