End of 2014 and a GIVE AWAY!!!!

It is really hard to believe that today is the last day of 2014 and to think, I was sitting on Main Street of Magic Kingdom this time last year.   I had one stitching goal last year and that was to spend the year working on Sistine Chapel...well..that went in the toilet since I cut up the project and called it quits!  I think this year I want to work on my HAED - Faery Tales and my Disney design - Preening Pixie.  That's it....not a lot of goals!.

I have to give a shout out to Faith over at Faithfully Stitching.   I used to read blogs all the time because blogger had a feature that showed all the new posts in one spot.  When they took it away, I got really bad about checking others blogs. Faith published a post on Facebook and it when I popped over, I saw she had a button called Bloglovin'!  I clicked it and it is just like the blogger feature!!!  I signed up immediately, found some friends blogs and now I get a daily email telling me who has posted!!!  I can go there and read them!!  It is awesome!!!!!

Faery tales Progress as of 12-31-14

Here is my beanstalk that I have been working on this Christmas break...I love how the colors are changing on the bottom...

My new Planners for the year.  The black one is my stitching journal for the year and the red polka dots is my personal calendar.  A personal goal I have is to stop eating out every meal.  So I hope to keep track of where my money is going.  I actually have 3 planners...one is for my Thirty one business!   

My DH has excellent taste in jewelry.  This is my Christmas present.

Hosted my ladies tea with my Cross Stitch group....here is my China.  I LOVE IT!

.

The boys loved Christmas morning!  We can't buy them chew toys or bones anymore because they will fight over them and it isn't pretty...but they love boxes and paper!

Gibbs new trick when he thinks you aren't paying him attention.  He jumps on arm of chair and starts staring. He doesn't stop until you stop what you are doing and love on him.

Tusk on the other hand give you this look....

This is me with my Brother, Grandpa, Sister and Dad.

1

Giveaway!!!!  Brand new Magazines!!  I bought them and realized I already own them!!!  UGH!!!  so I am giving them away.   There is a 2012 Christmas Ornament preview issue, 2012 Annual Halloween issue, and July 2008 Cross stitcher and Needlework.  To enter...leave your name, and email or blog address so  I can get in contact with you.   Tell me which one you would like to win.  I will pick 3 winners!  Send your friends if you want!  I will pick a winner on Sunday, January 4th.  

2015 TBR Challenge

Another Reading challenge!!!  This one looks like fun!  Just check them off as you go!

2015 Foodies Read Challenge

                                               http://irbratb.com/2014/11/23/foodies-read-2015/

Since I love to read, I was searching for a reading challenge for this year.  I found this Foodies read challenge and I am so excited!!!  I love to read cozy mysteries that have recipes in them!

I am going for the Cordon-Bleu Chef= More than 19!    This will make me search our new books and possibly try a new cookbook or two.
 

Guidelines:

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2015.

You don’t need a pre-selected list of books.

It’s okay to cross over with other challenges.

Any book format is allowed (print, audio, ebook)

Levels:
Short-Order Cook: 1 to 3 books
Pastry Chef: 4 to 8 books
Sous-Chef: 9 to 13 books
Chef de Cuisine: 14 to 18
Cordon-Bleu Chef: More than 19

Final Stitch from stash

I started this challenge in hopes that I would have some finishes from my stash this year.  Lots of ups and downs with me saying...DO I really need that Disney kit???   I  enjoyed this challenge and plan to continue it into 2015.  

I am working on Faery Tales from HAED this week.  I set a small stitching goal that I am going to put 1,000 stitches in a day.  I know..that is a lot but I feel with school, I haven't had much of a chance to stitch.  I want to finish 2 pages by the end of Christmas break.  Fingers crossed that it will happen!

Next year, I plan on working on this HAED along with a Disney Kit that I have in my stash.   I just love this is my Stitch From Stash design I am going to work on next year.

I borrowed this picture below from Faith's Blog.  She has some amazing designs she is stitching also!!!

What a week!

In case anyone is wondering....if you get food poisoning it feels like death!   I  was a lucky person to get this last night.   Mark and I picked up Outback takeout and I got so sick from eating their food.  Normally, I love their Guacamole Crab Stack but never again!!!   The cold tile felt so good but Brigen thought he should help me out and lick my face while I lay suffering.  He just wanted to help me feel better.   Cold Sprite is amazing when you are feeling bad...not sure why but it tastes so good!!!

I did a little stitching this week.  I worked on my Faery Tales and now I am stitching a new story.  I am in the process of stitching a beanstalk.  I also started organizing my floss from all my finished projects.  I had a lot of floss. It took me 3 days to finally to get it all wound and organized!! 

I ordered my husband a TV for Christmas.  I ordered it from Sam's and had them ship it to my house.  I thought it would come in cardboard box with a label on it....Nope....This is how it was left on my front porch. I am just thankful we live in safe neighbor hood and it wasn't stolen!  Mark was home to bring it in the house.  So his surprise was ruined...TV is now set up in our bedroom.  Now, I have to find him another gift!!! 

Faery tales and New bags!!!

I can't believe that is it December. Where does the time go???  Since I decided to stop working on Sistine chapel and I am still feeling great about that decision. (see below for more)  I have been working on my HAED -Faery Tales.  This design  is 40 pages and it is fun to stitch.  I am a weird Haed stitcher because I don't stitch the pages in order...I stitch the first page -first row....then first page -second row and so forth.  

Sistine Chapel - I had several comments that I should put it up and would get back to it later..others told me they were glad for me and the last group said I should finish it anyway.   I have to say..I like my cross stitch patterns to go in order and not have to try and fix thing.  This patterns was way to confusing so I am happy with my decision!  Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.

Check out my new purse!!!!   Isn't it amazing????  I did a little Christmas shopping for my family this year from Thirty-One and bought myself a couple of presents....the first was this new Canvas Crew bag in pink!!!!  I decided to personalize mine!!!

 I also bought myself a new Large Utility tote in Sketchy Dot purple...Can you guess how I am going to use it???  I love it!!!!!  If you are in need of a new stitching bag...let me know!  I can help you out!!!!

November Stitch From Stash

I was not a good stitch from Stash canidate this month!!!  I did pick up an Old UFO from 2007 and started working on it.  This is my HAED - Faery Tales design.  I am on page 4 of 40.  Love how the castle is looking.  

My purchases...I haven't purchased anything in a couple of months.  A friend of mine called me a couple of weeks ago to tell me about this cute little Disney Cross Stitch kit at Barnes and Noble.  It comes with 12 small patterns and 11 skeins of floss.  Had to purchase it!!!  It was $13.02 with tax and after coupons

Black Friday, Joann's had a 50% off coupon on a regular priced item...I bought the Large Lady and the Tramp kit for $21.00 but with tax and shipping it was $30.00.  So I did go over budget this month...but isn't my new stash pretty????

Sistine Chapel is No More!!!

So tonight I was working on my Sistine Chapel.  I had decided to start a new section to see if I could fix the mistake I made on the last section.   As you know, I had emailed the designer and her response was "Focus on ensuring the adjacent scenes are aligned and it'll work itself out with the background."   As a math teacher, I just can't do that.  It has to add up for me and all be equal!!!  If you look at the first picture,  this is as far as I got before I made the decision to stop.

See the pink section all by itself?   The open space to the below it should be 18 squares however, mine is only 15!!!!  I don't know where I went wrong.   I have decided that as much as I loved stitching this pattern, I am done!  I like things to add up when I do counted cross stitch!    

I felt a huge relief when I made this decision.  I am going to happily work on my other UFO's and to start making a dent in my collection.  What do you think of my decision???  Would you continue working on it or just say, I am done!

As you know, Christmas is coming and I do sell Thirty-One products!!!  We have some wonderful stocking stuffers for $20 and under if you are needing some personalized gifts!!!  

Augusta is FINISHED!!!!

Did anyone feel the earth shake last night???  It was me dancing all over my living room!  I finished my Augusta the 13th hole!!!  This is it right off the qsnaps.  I started it in 2007 but got bored stitching trees so I put it up for a few years.   However, I decided this year that it was my oldest UFO so it had to be finished.

I do have to wash this piece.  How do you wash your pieces.  I am thinking of washing it in the sink with Dawn dish soap.   Any other good ideas????

Now..my next oldest UFO is the my Faery Tales from Heaven and Earth designs.  This design is 49 pages and it so pretty!!!  

I have 3 pages completed!!!!  This is my next UFO project.   I hope to have it finished by Dec. 2016.

October Update - Augusta

Check it out!!!! Augusta is two pages away from being finished!!!!  I am so excited!!!   I am so ready for this to be finished....

Look at my early Christmas present from the best uncle in the world!!!!  It is a Disney Tree where Mickey spins around the castle and the trains go in circles, the princesses dance.  It is just amazing!!!!  I love it!!  It plays Christmas songs and lights up.  I am in heaven!!!

Just wanted to show you a cute picture of Gibbs.  He has now decided that he can't lay on the couch unless he has a pillow.  My baby is not spoiled in the least.  Bert has been up to no good this week.  He has killed 3 chipmunks this week.  I know he just wanted to play with them but I think he scared them to death!  Poor little guys!!!

Augusta Update

I have been working very hard on my Augusta pattern this week.  I have 5 Half pages to go and this design will be finished!!!! 

I had to take a sick day this week.  I finally gave in to my allergies!  They are horrible.  I did wind up taking a 5 hour nap...that was nice.  I have to go back to work tomorrow and I think I could use another day off!  I am loving all the new fall shows that are coming back!  I have to say that Castle was one of the top ones I was waiting on...then I was so confused on the episode.  

I went to my LNS and the owner has decided to turn the store into a crafters mall where crafters rent out a seciont of the store to sell thier crafted items.  So I blew my SFS budget for October  I spent $39 and bought 2 fat quarters of fabric and 3 magazines.  I know for certain that I don't have the one in the first picture...

Now these two...wasn't sure if I have them or not...if I do then I will be having some type of contest next week..stay tuned!!!

Modification to my September SFS...I won a $100 GC to Amazon a few weeks ago. I had a balance of $72 on it.  I  bolt of 28 count Monaco cloth. There are 10 yards of fabric on this bolt.  I plan on using this fabric for my Disney Dreams Kits.  I don't really care for the fabric that comes in the kits since it is Aida...I love aida but not for these kits.  They have too many half and quarter stitches!   

Bolt of fabric:  $92.00 - GC of $72 = My cost:  $20.00 

Stitch from Stash September and Disney

This is my Stitch from Stash September report along with a little Disney mixed into the post. I am still trudging along on my Augusta design.  Do you realize I started this in 2007...got bored and stopped working on it???   I decided it was time to finish plus, I got tired of  DH asking about his golf piece!  I have 1 whole page and 4 half pages left.....So happy to have this finished!!

Sistine Chapel Decision --- I heard from the designer who told me to work other sections of the design and make my mistake fit.... that makes me nervous....but I am going to work a few more scenes to see what happens.   

I have been learning about Essential Oils.  I went to a class in late August and became hooked!!!  I ordered the whole kit just to get the discount but now I find that I am actually a consultant with this company along with being a Thirty-One Consultant...not sure how that is going to work??  However...I LOVE my oils.   I have been using the one for pain on my dog because of his sore hip...and he is doing better!!!  This thrills me!!!  I use my Peace and Calming in my classroom...things are great!!!  Do any of you use essential oils?? Do you have a favorite?

It seems we are in for another snowy winter...all the persimmon seeds have small spoons in them which means a wet snowy winter.    In case you are scratching your head this is what I am talking about.  See those spoons in the seeds????   That means snow..lots of snow!!! UGH!!!!

So,  I was in Sams the other day (Sams is like a Costco) and saw Mickey Footed Jammies!!!  I just ha to have them!!!  They will keep me nice and snug this winter!!!!  I bought the red ones...the solid black Minnie's would show all my doggie fur!!

                                         

Yesterday,  We drove to the Tulsa State Fair to see Disney on Ice - Let's Celebrate!   Loved it!!!  Here are just a few pictures of the show. Ice skaters just amaze me!!!

Sistine Chapel Uh-Oh

Before I get into my UH-Oh...let's start out with great news...I got my biopsy results back and I do not have skin cancer on my nose!  I was pretty certain that it wasn't nothing but it is better to be safe than sorry.   When I went back to school on Monday it was a great teaching moment.  My kids pointed out that I had a red scab on my nose so I had to tell them what happened.

I got some stitching mail this week!!!!   I had run out of certain DMC colors to finish my husbands Augusta 13th hole golf project.  So I ordered them from 123stitch.  I spent $7.50 (rounding up) on DMC now I can finish his present!!   

Need Advice please!!! Please send me your suggestions!!!!

 Below is my Sistine chapel.  I checked and double check the stitching when I started the new scene.  I finished one page and then moved to the second page...The first page was the border and brown left triangle portion...the next page was the colors, rest of the triangle and the devil.  however....I am off by 2 rows!!!  I have no idea how this happened!  I have emailed the designer for help because the book said that the devil sections may not line up correctly.  So would you move to a different scene and then work your way back down to see if you could find your mistake or rip out two pages and start again???? 

This is  a better close up..see were the purple lines start on the top right???  they should be 2 rows up!  UGH!!!!

Sistine Chapel -Jonah Scene

I had to take a sick day today because I had to have a small cyst removed from my nose.  The last thing I needed to do was to go to work with a band-aid on my nose.  My High School kids would have a field day with that!!!!  So I took a sick day...which I am glad I did.  I did not realize how much pain I would be in after the numbing medicine wore off!!!  I should have the results from the biopsy in a couple of weeks.  The doctor doesn't think it is skin cancer but they are checking just to be on the safe side!!

I spent the afternoon napping and got some stitching done as well.   I finished another scene on my Sistine chapel.  Below you will see the Three completed scenes and then the one I finished tonight.  I have 42 scenes to go and only  322 pages left!!!    My next scene is 12 pages long....sigh.....

So excited that the new fall Thirty-One catalog has come out.  Check out all the bags I won for my fall home shows!!!  I worked my behind off but I won over 22 bags!!!  LOVE them all!!!  I have provided a link so you can see the new catalog.  We have a new feature on website that lets you see what your personalization will look like before you order!!!!

https://www.mythirtyone.com/vickiehartwell

School is going well just a little busy.   I am on the evaluation schedule that the principal has to observe me several times so I have seen him more this year than in the past years combined.   All is well though.....I have decided there is no need to stress over his visits...all will be fine!

Not sure if  have told you guys what Bert my cat has been up too....but he has managed to catch and bring into my house 3 LIVE bats!!!!!  I have let my Dear Husband deal with those critters. I haven't figured out how or where he is catching them especially since the cat is declawed!!!!!!!