2 Great Give-aways

Just a quick post to let you know about an impressive give-away from Barbara at To Stitch or Not To Stitch Please check it out.  I enjoy reading her blog also.

Also the Dixie Sampler- is giving away a Basket of Cheer.  Check it out also.

I'm still stitching on my model trying to get it done asap.  Need to take a few days off for Christmas so I must
get it finished soon.  So I won't take up much of your time today.

Until next time...

Finally...!

Things are just beginning to settle down a bit so I will try to catch up here.  My trip was lots of fun.  The weather was fantastic--mild during the day and only cool at night.  I so love listening to the waves rolling in.  We kept the door to our room open for most of the time.  I got lots of stitching done.  I have managed to finish the stitching on the Christmas stocking and now I am trying to get the finishing part complete.  I am hoping to have this done this weekend so I can get it to her.  I am also working on a model which needs to be finished by the end of this month.  February market will be here before we know it!  

My son, Jason, is working like mad.  His regular hours are 4 days of 10 hour shifts.  But with the holidays he is working 6 days of 12 hour shifts.  He is so tired but at least he is getting quite some overtime!  He was planning to help me decorate a bit but I have just said forget it.  Christmas will be small at our house anyway.  With only the two of us there isn't much reason to go overboard.  We will celebrate the birth of Jesus and forget about all the other bit.  A nice dinner and sharing each others company is enough for me.

My Stitching Sisters will be visiting my house the weekend following Christmas for our get-together.  That is when we will have lots of fun, stitching, laughing, eating, laughing, and catching up.  I can't wait for that.

Well I must get back to my stitching projects.  Until next time....

Recipes for Disaster

Things are finally getting back to normal.  My trip was great and I will tell you about it tomorrow.  I got a lot of stitching done and quite a bit of reading also.  Therefore today I will leave you with my latest book review.

Today's Book Review:    Recipes for Disaster by Sheryl  Browne 

If you like to cook and love a little delectable romance, this book is perfect.

Lisa wants to impress Adam.  Adam wants to impress Lisa.  The problem arrives when each thinks the other can cook but, alas, neither one of them can.   Lisa, unselfishly, commits herself to catering a major event, hosted by her prospective mother-in-law!  Chaos and calamity follows.

Add in a spoonful of courage from Lisa's best friend, Becky, who really is the behind the scenes cook, a generous cupful of a scrumptious photographer, who has his lens focused on Becky, and a sprinkling of a mischievous Jack Russell and a parrot named Flint,  and, well... you can understand where the book gets its title. 

The book uses multiple narrators, who tell the story from their unique perspectives.  Recipes for Disaster uses humor - from the first page to the last page. It is humor that pulls you in, and keeps your attention.

Not only are the characters creating all kinds of delicious foods, making the finished product sound so real, the author is very generous, and gives the reader all the recipes, with very detailed instructions. If you love cooking, baking, and trying new recipes, this book is for you. If you like reading a novel with a strong plot, this book is for you. This book is such a good blend of fiction and food!
Just one comment about the cover of the book - it is distracting! But, distracting in a good way! (hmmm, hmmm)

Until next time....

War on Christianity...

I just read a friends blog today and found it absolutely wonderfully written....Something I have been wanting to say but could never have said it so eloquently.  So rather than ramble about it here.  Please go here and read this for yourself.  Becky's blog  

I will return tomorrow with my normal nonsensical ramblings.  Until next time...

Getting Ready to Go...

I am frantically trying to get ready for my retreat this weekend.  But so far I am not getting much done.   I have managed to get some laundry done but I still have to do one more load before I can begin to pack.  I have yet to get my stitching together and I still have to run to the pharmacy to pick up my meds and get my flu shot.  Whew!  What else?  I have cleaned my bathroom and stripped my bed  but I  still have to cleaan my kitchen and have the dishwasher ready to run a final load before I hit the road.   I know how tired I always am when I return from a trip so I like to at least have a clean bed, bath and kitchen on my return -- the rest can wait till I rest up.  I cannot wait to get away for a few days.  It seems I have been in this house for so long I just need a change of scenery.  Jason will keep things as I leave them so no worries there.  He usually does all my errands for me so he deserves a break as well.  I am not sure I will have a chance to post again before I leave so I will add my latest book review now.

Book Review:    The Celibate Mouse by Diana Hockley

Shell-shocked from a tragedy at work and an acrimonious domestic upheaval, Detective Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott flees town to recuperate, but fate has other ideas.

Her plan to house-sit for relatives in a rural community is shattered when Susan witnesses a very public murder within an hour of her arrival. Things turn sinister after an encounter with an elderly lady; a hint of a long ago murder is not a secret with which Susan wants to be entrusted.

Enter Detective Inspector David Maguire whom she has not seen for thirteen years and who is assigned to the case, which sends her into a further tailspin. Against her better judgment, Susan is drawn inexorably into the investigation, surrounded by menacing strangers whose private agendas threaten her safety, and soon, her life.

My thoughts:
This is another enjoyable read.  I really like the way this author treats the narrative and uses the viewpoints of several characters to reveal the story.  This is the sequel to The Naked Room which I reviewed a couple of days ago and I enjoyed it just as much as I did that one.  I suggest you read both these books if you enjoy a good mystery. 

I will be gone until November 17th.  I will tell you all about it when I return.  Be good while I am away.   Until next time...

Birthday surprises...and book review

Yesterday was truly a wonderful day.  After Jason and I returned from dinner I found a birthday cake and a lovely gift at my back door.  The cake was from my Chaplain and the gift was from my local  brownie troop.  I really made me feel special.  The rest of the evening was spent stitching and reading.  Which reminds me I need to do another book review.

Recently I finished the Naked Room by Diana Hockley.

When classical pianist Ally Carpenter goes missing during a night out with friends, the implications stretch far beyond her disappearance. Veteran detective, Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott, believes that sexual predators may have abducted Ally. However, after two women with connections to the Carpenters are murdered, she realises there may be more to the crime than at first thought.
While Prescott puts all her efforts into solving the crime, those close to Ally battle their own turmoil. Friendships become strained and secrets come to light as Ally's terrified mother, Eloise, is forced to confront the lie she has perpetuated for 26 years. Cellist, Briece Mochrie―determined to discover what has happened to the girl he loves―is swept into a dangerous undertow of murder and revenge. The kidnappers have their own agenda; Ally's life is on the line.

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book.  The characters were well developed and the plot well written.  I especially liked how the author portrayed each scene from several view points--from the victim's, the killer's, the investigator's and the friend's and family's. 
 If you like mysteries, I highly recommend this book. 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today has been a lovely day with lots of surprises.  I have received so many emails, cards, and phone calls wishing me well that I feel so special.  My dearest friend called me first thing this morning and started the day off with a smile.  She says she has me a gift but is not going to tell me what it is.  We will celebrate it this weekend when she comes down.  She and I will be going on our stitching retreat together this weekend.  The retreat is always my gift to myself.

Then my son gave me a big hug and gave me the new sewing machine I have been lusting after.  It isn't a really fancy or expensive one but it is certainly a few steps above my 40 year old Singer that I can barely work with any longer.  I cannot wait to try it out.  Oh, it is the Brother CS6000i. 

I also got a lovely surprise from Luke Young, one of the authors for whom I gave a review.  He was having a contest to promote his new book and offered a Kindle Fire as the prize providing 100 reviews were given.  If not then the prize would be $5 for each review written.  Well, I just got his email saying that  I won!  I didn't get the Kindle Fire but I did get a nice cash prize so now I can buy more books or stash.  This was certainly a nice birthday surprise.  Thank you Luke!

Jason is taking me out to dinner this evening so I still have more to look forward.  Until next time.... 

Where did October go?

Wow!  I seem to have lost the entire month of October! 

Things have been going at a rat's pace around here. I have been trying to get my house cleaned up before I leave on my yearly retreat next week.  I hate leaving a messy house.  I'd rather have a clean one when I return!   I have also been trying to finish up a couple of Christmas pieces including a Christmas Stocking for my newest grand-niece.  She must have her stocking to hang with the rest!  And, of course, I have been working on my designs.  Still much to do before I can start the model stitching on them but I am making progress.  I have also read a couple more books which I will review here in the next couple of days. 

Nancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a very special give-away for Christmas.  Check it out on her blog here: Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe 

November is going to be another busy month but I will try to keep you all updated.  Until next time....

Book Review: Robyn's Egg by Mark Souza

I finished reading Robyn's Egg and have included the following review.  

Today's review:

Others have stated that this book is similar to other futuristic novels such as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984.   I am new to this genre so the originality aspect is not a factor for me. 

Moyer Winfield wants more than anything to make his wife, Robyn, happy. All she wants is a baby. Unfortunately, we learn that the Winfields, as well as the rest of Mark Souza's dystopian world, is infertile. Their only hope for having a child is to pay a small fortune to Hogan-Perko--a company that not only clones children, but seems to have their hands in everything else, too.  But is this true?  Are people being manipulated?   Moyer and Robyn experience many trials and struggles while searching for the truth.

I found this book to be really interesting and thought provoking. I can imagine our world exactly like Moyer's world and it scares me. It makes me truly grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy. I cannot even imagine wanting a baby so much and not being able to have one (even by adoption) but I know there are people out there who do.

I found this book to be well written and the characters to be well developed. At first I felt that Robyn was very selfish and inconsiderate of Moyer's feelings but as the book progressed I found both of them growing and changing. I really enjoyed reading this and I know that other people who enjoy this genre will enjoy it also. I look forward to reading more books from Mr. Souza.

Thoughts of Chipper and my Braves...

Today was the final home game for Chipper Jones before his retirement and it was an emotional one.  You all know that I am a huge baseball fan and the Braves are MY TEAM!!  Chipper has been a part of that team for the last twenty years and this is his last season to play.  It has been a great year for him and the entire team and we are headed for the playoffs!! Go Braves!!    He has been a part of this team for so long and it is the only team he has ever played for.  The opposing teams, the Braves team, the management and the fans have really treated him well and given him the praise and ovations he fully deserves. 

But Chipper will be missed next year.  I for one am sorry to see this season winding down.  I have hopes that in a year or two we will see him once more in a Braves uniform as a coach.  I fully understand his reasons for retiring and his need for time with his family.  But that doesn't mean I like it!  Sorry, Chipper,  I do wish you the very best

Now go get them in Pittsburgh and get ready for the post season.  This year feels like a World Series year to me!

We Love you, Larry Wayne Jones! 

Small finishes

As promised I scanned the two smalls I finished yesterday.  The book mark is simply some small free motifs I used to audition some colors for a sampler I planned to do.  this was stitched in a Light red variegated silk from Hand-dyed Fibers and is stitched on 32 ct linen.  Not the best scan but here it is...
                         

In 2004 I attended "Stitchin' at the Beach" in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The retreat was lots of fun and our teachers were wonderful. The Dragon Ladies--Teresa Wentzler of TWDesignworks, Karen Black of Black Swan Designs and Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams were our teachers.  This little pin cushion was a small bonus design given to us by Jennifer.  As I said yesterday, I stitched it there but then put it away and never got around to finishing it off.  I don' know what happened with the scan.  The fabric does not have brown edges!  It is all the color of the middle.  But at least you can get an idea of how I finished it.  All I have left to do is add the stuffing and close it up.  Just looking at it reminds me of the workshop and the fun we had--even in the middle of a snowstorm!  I shared that with you back then so I won't go into it again but it was a challenge, to say the least.

 

I haven't been able to get anything done stitching-wise today but hopefully I can get back to it tomorrow.

Until next time...

Lost is found...and another review

While searching through my drawers and bins of stash I found a bin of finished but unfinished cross stitched smalls.  Some I had forgotten about and some I had lost and could not find where I put them.  So I have decided to finish up some of them.  Today I finished a pin cushion/ornament (if I add a hanger) which was a bonus design from a stitching retreat I went to several years ago.  I did the stitching at the time and then put it away to finish later.  Now it is finished.  I also finished up a bookmark from a piece of fabric that I used to try out some floss colors.  I think I will be giving this to someone who is as avid a reader as I am.  I will be finishing up a couple of more things tomorrow if all goes well.  I will try to get photos tomorrow as well.


I just finished reading The Great Gift by Misty Wright.

Alyssa is 26 and doesn't like the way all men mistreat her. She decides a change is needed and applies to be a jillaroo on a cattle station named The Oasis, which is located in outback Australia.

She meets a cowboy, Kent, who is a rodeo champion. They agree on a bet. Eventually both want out, but neither wants to be first.

Through a series of adventures that stretch from the city to a fast-flowing river in the outback where Kent must save Alyssa from drowning, love germinates in the middle of a storm.

In her heart, Alyssa is a woman who adores the city's nightlife, but as the sun sets on each day, the Australian outback becomes more enticing and the excitement of the city fades. Then she saves The Oasis.

Love is growing between Alyssa and Kent, but then Brandt, Alyssa's obsessive ex-boyfriend, tracks her down.

My thoughts:
When I started reading The Great Gift I got very confused. I could see no connection between the first chapter and the rest of the book. When Alyssa's story was being told there was no indication that the story took place forty years or so in the past. I spent much of the time reading trying to figure out just how it all connected. It wasn't until the last chapter that this was revealed and I was quite surprised to discover that Jake and Bernice were the children of Alyssa and Kent. How did Jake not recognize his own father at the funeral--even though it had been twenty years since they had seen each other. I know I would have recognized my father even if it had been fifty years!

My other biggest complaint was the speed with which everything happened. Even with *love at first sight*, physical things tend to be a bit slower. Kaite and Mitch engaged after only one day! Alyssa and Kent together almost as quickly. I feel that Misty found a unique and interesting plot concept for her book and I think if she had taken a little more time to let the characters and relationships develop that this book would have been much more enjoyable.

I also really did appreciate the fact that she refrained from all the explicit sex that so many authors find necessary today. In spite of the weakness of some areas of the story I did enjoy the book and look forward to reading more from this author. I think as she matures as an author, Misty will be great.

At the moment I am reading a book which is totally out of my *normal*.  It is called Robyn's Egg by Mark Souza.  I will review it as soon as I finish it.

Until next time...

Broken Dreams

As I was getting things listed on Etsy I ran across a sampler that I stitched many years ago and I was once more struck with the verse and it meaning for me.  So I thought I would share it with you.  I hope you enjoy it.


Broken Dreams

As children bring their broken toys
 with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
 because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
 in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
 with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
 "How can You be so slow"?
"My child," He said, "What could I do?
 You never did let go."               

 Author unknown

Book Review and more...

Book review for today:   The Florida Chase by Paul Moxham

When a father does not return home as scheduled, his two college aged sons begin a search. From Pittsburgh to NYC to DC to the Florida Keys the search leads the young men through break-ins, hurricane, fire, flood, snakes, alligators, and capture from would-be assassins. Never giving up hope of finding their father they follow the clues until they reach the end of their journey. The suspense keeps the story moving and the reader interested. The surprise ending brings the story to a valid conclusion.

It is obvious from terminology that the author is not American even though the story is about Americans. But the book is very enjoyable--especially for the younger readers. A bit of proof reading would also do much for this book.  But I would still give it 4 stars.

I look forward to reading more stories from Mr. Moxham and hope to read about Australia in one of his next works.


I have been very busy this last week.  I am working on my designs for Nashville as well as trying to get a Christmas gift finished.  I have also been doing a bit of cleaning out--as in organizing and de-cluttering.  I have been thinking for a long time that I need to do something about all the finished and u-finished (as in stitched but not framed, etc) projects that I have.  I have my walls filled with my stitching and still have a closet floor filled with framed pieces I have no where to hang.  I also counted 47 pieces that have not been framed or soft finished hanging on pants hangers in the closet.  How many more there are in drawers or project bags is yet to be determined.

At any rate I have decided to sell some of them.  So I have opened an Etsy shop. You can find it here  My Etsy Shop   Please check it out and tell me what you think.  I haven't worked with Etsy before so don't know if I have everything done correctly.   
I will be adding more things as I find them, especially the older things.

Until next time....

Release Day

Today is release day for my fall designs.  If you want to take a look at them just go to Lady K Needlearts and see what I have been up to.  I hope you like them.  If so please visit my shop at MadStitcher.com or go to your Local Needlework Shop.  I have worked so hard on these and while I really like them I can only hope you do as well.

I began reading Friends with Partial Benefits yesterday and I am not so sure I should review it here.  Let me just say if you enjoy very explicit scenes you will enjoy this one.  'Nuff said...  I will be moving on to another book in the morning.

Until next time....

Book Review

Yesterday I promised to give you a review on the book I was reading well....Here goes:


Last Plane out of Paris  by Paul Moxham

I really, really enjoyed this book. The plot was interesting and the characters seemed very real. I really had trouble putting it down.  It is about two British soldiers in 1939 sent to France to rescue a French airplane designer whom the Germans want to work for them.  The French resistance is called in to help with the rescue and the adventures begin.  Through plane crashes, bad weather, kidnappings, enemy troops, and attempted assassins these brave men are determined to succeed in their mission.  I found the story to be fascinating.  There may have been some historical inaccuracies, but these didn't bother me. However, the atrocious grammatical errors in this one almost did me in. A good proof reader would have done wonders for this book. I liked this book so much I really wish I could give it a higher rating but just can't get past the lack of proofing.

Next on my list to read is  *Friends with Partial Benefits* by Luke Young.  I'll let you know what I think.

Until next time...

I Love my Kindle

When I was given my Kindle for Christmas year before last, I had no idea just how much I would enjoy it!  It has become one of my favorite toys.  Not only can I buy books to read on it but I can get free books!  Being on a tight budget really needs this feature!  I can also carry my entire library around in my purse.  I don't have to decide which books to take with me on a trip or worry about what I will do if I finish a book while at the doctor's office and still have hours to wait.

Over the last year I have gotten back into reading a lot--as I did when I was younger.  I read at times that I don't have time to do my stitching.  And I do my stitching every evening but have time to read an hour or so before I go to sleep.

Over the next few weeks I will share with you some of my favorite titles and authors.  If you enjoy reading as much as I do, I hope you will find some new authors or titles that you will enjoy.  If you have a Kindle, go to Amazon  and check out the free ebooks.  They have a list of 100 free books each week and they usually update it on Thursdays.  Not every book is changed but I usually find new ones I want to read.  They have everything from cookbooks to how to books to romance to mystery/thrillers.  At the moment I am reading Last Plane out of Paris by Paul Moxham.  I will give you my review tomorrow.

Until next time...

New Finishes

Well, it certainly has been a busy summer for me.  Sorry I haven't written in a while but we have been trying to get the house in order.  And I have been trying to get my designs ready for release.  Check out Lady K for a sneak peek at the latest designs which will be released later this week!  I have also been trying to finish up a couple of consignment pieces.

I managed to get Heloise de Cornu finished for Carol.  Here is a photo of this one.  It really turned out beautifully. She should be receiving it today so I hope she likes it.

 

I also managed to finish Quaker Heart from Suthern Stitchin' as a thank you gift for a lady who has really given me much support during these last few very difficult months.  I plan to give it to her for Christmas.  

Lots of things have been going on so I will try to get you all updated over the next few weeks.  

Until next time....

Things have been really hectic around here.  My son and I have been busy trying to do some home improvements.  He has been building me a porch railing and wheel chair ramp so that I can use my chair more freely and get outside more often.  He has also been doing some more painting and yard work.  I am beginning to see a huge difference.  Here is a *before* and an *in progress* pic.  I will try to get a good *after* photo when it is complete.

There will be a lot more greenery added when this is completed.  Shrubs across the front along with some blooming flowers around the steps and hanging baskets on the porch.  I can't wait for the mess to be gone and the work all finished.

I have been busy, as well, stitching a consignment piece and model.  I will try to get a photo of the consignment piece later this week to share with you.  You will have to wait on the model until it is released.  I am also working on a couple of new designs which you can read about over on the Lady K Needlearts blog.  

Happy Mothers Day to all of the mothers and acting mothers out there!

Until next time....

Happy Easter!

What's in YOUR Easter basket?













Have a Blessed Easter Sunday!

Until next time....