tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28126161836184780702024-03-13T21:57:01.963-07:00My Grace TimeBerlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-50806124721269275532016-02-25T19:30:00.002-08:002016-02-25T19:30:43.147-08:00Finally a finsh!!One of my projects this year is the PalkoLap SAL. It's in four parts. The first part was sent to us on January 16. I finally finished it!! I was going to stitch it in 3 shades of purple. However, while looking for threads, I came across a skein of Dinky Dye's Kalamunda. <br />
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I love the colors in this thread, so I decided to do the entire piece in that one color. I quickly messaged Queen Deb, owner of my favorite LNS, <a href="http://www.stitchesnthings.com/">Stitches N Things</a> and asked her if she had any in stock. I only had one partial skein and I knew that that was not going to be enough!! She had 3 skeins on hand and sent them off right away. Here is my finished Part 1:<br />
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Not much else going on this week. We went back to Steger last week for my nephew, Luke's birthday party. Isn't he a handsome guy?</div>
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We sign the papers on our new mobile home next week and start moving in Thursday. Mariah will continue at Barnwell until we get moved & then she'll be taking the rest of March off. April 1, she starts homeschooling again and has decided that she's really looking forward to it!</div>
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That's it for now. What's everyone else up to?</div>
Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-41946802049420316742016-01-17T12:05:00.000-08:002016-01-17T12:05:03.859-08:00Happy Sunday!Hello, my lovelies!! We woke up to snow this morning! Just a dusting, but the most snow we've seen so far this winter. And it's cold! 14 degrees! Not as cold as a lot of friends and family have it, but still cold.<br />
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Stitching: I can't show you guys what I've been stitching on this week because I'm working on the model for <a href="http://myrtlegrace.com/">Myrtle Grace Motifs</a>. Tomorrow I start working on the <a href="http://palkolap/">PalkoLap SAL</a>. She sent out part 1 yesterday. I'm going to be doing mine in purples. <br />
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Home: We're getting closer to moving! The utilities are turned on in the new place in our name. The owner has to fix a couple of pipes that busted, and move the rest of her stuff out. We should be able to start moving in by the end of the month!<br />
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Job: I've given up on being able to find another position at my current company with earlier hours. Last Friday I updated & posted my resume on CareerBuilder. On Saturday, I received an email from a headhunter for Edward Jones. I had a phone interview on Thursday and Monday I have an in-person interview. It means much better hours & more money too! I will have a life again!! :)<br />
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I'm also selling for 2 different companies that I LOVE the products for. The first is <a href="http://americanserenade.com/">American Serenade Coffee, Tea, & Wine</a>. Our coffee is awesome. It is single origin, farm to roaster to you. It's not roasted until you order it! The price is a little bit more than you pay for a good coffee in the grocery store, but works out to .29 per cup. There is NO bitterness or acid after drinking it and the flavors are amazing. If you are a coffee lover like me, try it!! We even have samples that you can order to try it before you buy a full bag.<br />
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The second company is <a href="http://www.sparklyexpressions.com/#1016">Sparkly Expressions</a>. We sell accessories, scarves, jewelry, purses, boot cuffs, jeans, and lots of other stuff! It's a girly website and I am having a lot of fun with it! If you like to accessorize your outfits, need a gift for a friend or loved one, or just like to shop in general - check it out!! <br />
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School - Mariah is doing a Victory Lap at school this Friday. The teachers nominate students who have exhibited above & beyond in one of the B's - Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe, Be a Learner. Her reading teacher nominated her for raising her reading lexile 21 points. The entire school, along with the parents of the students who were nominated, line up through the school while the kids run a lap. We cheer & high five them. I'm actually taking time off of work to go see her.<br />
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Well, that's it for this week. How's everyone else doing??Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-49275128292572847652016-01-10T11:59:00.002-08:002016-01-10T11:59:41.621-08:002016!Happy New Year, everyone! Wow! I started off the new year with a very nasty cold - so bad that I had to take 2 days off work and pretty much lost those 2 days. I'm feeling better now, but Rich & Mariah have both caught the bug. Hopefully, it'll work it's way through the house soon!<br />
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In the meantime, I've gotten a good start on my new stitching project for this year. My new project for this year is Lizzie Kate's 'Boo Club Double Flips'. <a href="http://www.lizziekate.com/lizzie-F82-spooky-treats.html">Boo Club</a> Here's my progress so far after 1 week (with 2 days sick & no stitching):<br />
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I'll be rotating this with a model for <a href="http://myrtlegrace.com/">Myrtle Grace Motifs</a>, a new SAL from <a href="http://palkolap.blogspot.com/2016/01/1058-words-sal2016-informaciok.html">PalkoLap</a> (I'm doing mine in purples), and a CAL from <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/mooglycal2016-block-1/#more-17957">Moogly</a>. It's going to be a very productive year!<br />
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On the home front, we are in the process of buying a newer mobile home. There's one down the street from us that is a size between a single & a double wide. It is 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. The kitchen is huge with a marble topped island. We have several people interested in buying ours and if everything goes right, we'll be moved into the new one by Valentine's Day!<br />
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Jobwise, I'm floundering. I'm praying for a solution and ask that my friends & family pray with me. My department has gone to later hours and that makes things difficult for me with Rich & Mariah. There is so much that they can't do on their own & need me to help with. Me not getting home until 7pm or later makes getting dinner, homework, etc, really late! I have found a couple of positions that I can do from home, and am very interested in one of them. Once we get moved and I can set up an office in the spare room, I may try that on. I love working at my job. I put in 104 hours in volunteer time last year, most of which was done AT the office! There aren't many companies that offer that kind of perk. We have a Faith group that meets once a week for prayer and worship, and I really need that. We have great benefits & I work with a great group of people. I just need something with earlier hours!!<br />
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School - Mariah is doing great in middle school. She loves it, but it will end soon. We've been told that the district has redrawn the boundaries and 6th graders and new students will be going to a different middle school. Mariah can stay in her current school because she's already there. If they keep her program the way it is, she will stay. If it's going to change, then, we're going to go back to homeschooling. <br />
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Her counselors and her state caseworker and I have talked at length about this. The public high school is a lot more geared towards college prep. We know that Mariah will not be able to go to college. First, she could not do the math that she would have to do for a degree. Second, the course load would overwhelm her. She would have to split a 2 year degree into at least 6 years. In addition, she needs so many support classes that she has no electives whatsoever and is missing a couple of core classes, such as geography & writing. So instead of public high school, we have worked out a program where she can not only earn a high school degree, but also experience in a career that she wants. She will be doing <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/">time4learning</a> 3 mornings a week for her core work; a local co op 2 mornings a week for art, music, & drama; the Rec Plex 2 afternoons a week for swimming & basketball; and volunteering at the local pet shelter for career training. Once she turns 16, she will be able to work part time either at the pet shelter or a nearby pet store. The co op has proms, school pictures, picnics, etc, so she won't be missing out on any of the fun parts of school. We actually think she will get a more well-rounded education with this program than by going to the high school!<br />
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Well, that's all for now. How is everyone else doing?? Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-24914103031771371122015-01-01T08:02:00.003-08:002015-01-01T08:02:41.649-08:0020152015. Wow. I can't believe 2014 is over already! I don't know about you, but it seems like just yesterday that we celebrated 2014 New Year's! This year, I'm setting some very simple, realistic, achievable goals.<br />
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1. I have 2 stitching projects that I want to finish - Fright Night Friends & the Mystery Christmas SAL. Fright Night Friends needs to be finished AND made into a quilted table runner by June so that I can enter it into the county fair this summer. <br />
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The Mystery Christmas SAL needs to be finished by June so that I can make it into a quilted duvet cover for our bed next Christmas. </div>
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#2 - Lose 75 lbs. Over the last few years, our family has been under TONS of stress! As a result, I have put back on 50 lbs, and have developed high blood pressure that I need medication for and Type II diabetes. I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!! Mariah has been having more and more episodes where she has a meltdown & throws a temper tantrum over the littlest things. I know that part of it is she's 11, the hormone thing, and being in public school with other kids. I spoke with her pediatrician and he recommended putting her back on medication. NOT an option! Rich has also put on about 30 lbs. over the last few years. So, for all our sakes, we are going back on her ADHD diet - fresh fruits and veggies and lean meats. One day a week will be a whatever you want day. Most weeks that will be Saturdays so that we can do it as a family, but there will be times where it will be an individual choice. I may have a party at work or an order out day, Rich may have something that he wants to do, Mariah may have something special at school. We've also joined the Rec Plex, a local recreational complex with a track, pools, cardio room, weight room, ice rink, basketball court, and lots of classes. We're all going to have fun, but we're going to get healthy!!</div>
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#3 - Get our own place. Due to circumstances that were mostly beyond our control, we have been living in Value Place for the last six months. While the place is nice, safe, and very clean, it is still a small studio apartment for 3 people. By June, I want us to be in our own place, whether it's an apartment, a townhome, a house, or a mobile home. </div>
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#4 - Read 100 books. I'm joining a stitching challenge to help out with half of this goal. The other half will be books that I choose to read from the library! https://meganskitchen210.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/wpid-28ac88647e7b7abd3a1faa0284636e4c.jpg</div>
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That's it! 4 simple goals. Anyone else??</div>
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Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-63650094087763371402014-12-28T14:10:00.001-08:002014-12-28T14:29:03.579-08:00Last post for this year!Wow, it's hard to believe that 2014 has almost ended. So much has happened this year!<br />
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I've spent the last year participating in a Stitching from Stash challenge. We had a monthly budget & needed to stick to it if we could. I managed to spend almost NOTHING for the entire year!! This month, I did need to buy new needles, a total of $9.47. I almost bought a pretty floss organizer to use with my bigger projects so that I don't have to carry around 50+ bags of floss with them! That was $7 so I spent a total of $16.47 on tools for my stitching. I think I did pretty well this month!<br />
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I didn't have a lot of finishes this month. I did do an ornament for an exchange. <br />
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I hope that you all had as wonderful a holiday as we did!! Until next year, enjoy the rest of the holiday season!!</div>
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Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-20292699910782091472014-11-30T17:48:00.000-08:002014-11-30T17:48:21.010-08:00November Stitch from StashWell, it's that time again - time to update you on my stitching this month. I've been very hard at work, however, most of it I can't share with you yet!<br />
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1. I've been working on a couple of models for Myrtle Grace Motifs. They're really nice, but I can't share until they are published. Ironically, the designer lives just a few miles from where we moved from in IL!<br />
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2. I finished an ornament for an exchange this weekend, but I can't show it until the recipient gets it! I can show you the one I received in the exchange.<br />
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Didn't Lori do a beautiful job? She not only made the snowman ornament, but the bag it was in & sent a cute little Santa pin too!<br />
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ALL of my stitching this month was done with $0 SPENT!!! <br />
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Well, till next month, happy stitching!Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-29283464316315687252014-10-01T05:06:00.000-07:002014-10-01T05:09:37.029-07:00September Stitch from StashI did it again!! I managed to go a whole month with NO BUYING STASH!!! I have started & finished several new projects. I finished the model I was stitching for X's & Oh's. Can't show you a picture yet, but as soon as its published I will!<br />
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I made this pumpkin cocoon for a coworker's newborn. We have 4 more coming between now & February so my crochet hooks will be smoking!!<br />
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This is a RR I was working on. I did the bottom quarter of this one. I can't wait to get mine back & start on a new round!</div>
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This is the StitchinMama Mystery Christmas SAL. I'm working on it on Sundays & this was the first Sunday. When it's finished, I'm going to use it as the center panel for a Christmas quilt.</div>
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These were the towels I got back from another RR I was in. I love them!!</div>
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My stepmother was busy too! She made me this beautiful tablecloth. Look at the satin stitching on those grapes. She did an amazing job!!</div>
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Well, that's it for this month!! Have fun looking at all the blogs in our</div>
<a href="http://epicstitching.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page.html">Stitch from Stash challenge</a>!!Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-87034904957049212612014-09-30T06:34:00.003-07:002014-09-30T06:35:46.278-07:00The Well Planned Day planner is my favorite planner!! I love that I can fit ALL of our family's needs into my purse - school assignments, dr appointments, grocery lists, you name it - it's in there!!! I love it so much that I have become an affiliate for them!<br />
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Right now, <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">there is a new offer for you - when you purchase a Well Planned Day Family Homeschool Planner - or - a My Blog Plan you can add a Well Planned Day Wall Calendar for just $.99! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://hedua.com/cart/index.php/wpd/wpd14-15.html?id=115&account_id=136&store_id=1%22%20title%3D%22wpd2014_404x404%22%20width%3D%22404%22%20height%3D%22404%22%20%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E&acc=02522a2b2726fb0a03bb19f2d8d9524d"><a href="http://hedua.com/cart/index.php/wpd/wpd14-15.html?id=115&account_id=136&store_id=1%22%20title%3D%22wpd2014_404x404%22%20width%3D%22404%22%20height%3D%22404%22%20%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E&acc=02522a2b2726fb0a03bb19f2d8d9524d%3C/a%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href=" https:="" null="" www.blogger.com=""></a></a>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-77749527724646432692014-08-31T15:50:00.002-07:002014-08-31T15:50:11.638-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBf6wNheyqQ/VAOmjPh27nI/AAAAAAAADMY/AvO8fKQpZZ4/s1600/Rock%2BCrok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBf6wNheyqQ/VAOmjPh27nI/AAAAAAAADMY/AvO8fKQpZZ4/s1600/Rock%2BCrok.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Rockcrok's are awesome!! You can use them in the microwave, on top of the stove, in the oven, in the freezer, or on the grill. But- you think they are too expensive at $95 for the 2 qt one?? Well, such a deal I have for you!!! From Sept</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> 1 until Sept 15, for every $65 purchase, you not only get your choice of any one of 6 cooking tools, but you also get 1 ticket to win a free Rockcrok!!! Book a party & you get another ticket! Sign up to be a consultant & you get another ticket!! On September 16, I will draw the winner's name. So, who wants a Rockcrok now???</span>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-71090431117931245772014-08-30T12:29:00.001-07:002014-08-30T12:30:29.205-07:00New Year!: Good morning, everyone! I am so excited! The next ...Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-67944629494059159382014-08-30T12:28:00.000-07:002014-08-30T12:28:07.406-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Good morning, everyone! I am so excited! The next 4 months are big ones at Pampered Chef. We have lots of new products to introduce to you! We have new cookie baking workshops & dinners done workshops. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">So, to get the season started, th</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">e next 4 people who book parties for September will get our new Holiday Cookie Collection recipe cards</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"> & our new small bamboo Snowflake spoon, </span></div>
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as well as our September hostess reward - 60% off one of our dinner essentials!!<br />
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The party can be live, Skype, Facebook, or catalog. Email me with the date & time!! krmattox@yahoo.comBerlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-71106337280054891652014-07-31T05:55:00.001-07:002014-07-31T05:57:28.483-07:00Back to school!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow, this year is just flying by!! We've had another great month!<br />
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First, stitching. Not much news there. I'm doing great on my Stitch From Stash challenge. $0 spent again this month!!! I'm working on a model for X's & Oh's & she sent me all the supplies so that was easy! Check out all the other blogs in the Stitch From Stash challenge. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4C-hD7CO4ss/UrEwJd-UwAI/AAAAAAAACXs/4gpT9Eqa_kI/s1600/SFS2014-button.png">http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4C-hD7CO4ss/UrEwJd-UwAI/AAAAAAAACXs/4gpT9Eqa_kI/s1600/SFS2014-button.png</a><br />
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After 4 years of homeschooling, Mariah has chosen to go back to public school. On the one hand, I'm happy for her. She'll meet lots of new kids & hopefully make lots of friends. With me working full time, it takes a lot of pressure off of me to homeschool her in evenings & on the weekends. On the other hand, I'm worried for her. I remember all the nightmares we had before & am praying non stop that the school will work with her this time. We picked up her schedule last night & she's excited because, in addition to all her other classes, she has piano keyboard every afternoon! She also signed up for a reading club that meets once a month. </div>
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Well, that's it for now. How did YOU do?</div>
Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-9522761184602643242014-06-26T05:17:00.000-07:002014-06-26T05:17:04.594-07:00Stitching this monthWow, it's hard to believe that another month has gone by. This year is just flying!! A coworker pointed out yesterday that it was exactly 6 months until Christmas. I told her she was evil!! :)<br />
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I've had another great month stitching from my stash and managed to spend $0 AGAIN!!! That is not easy when there is an LNS, Michael's, Hobby Lobby AND Joann's within minutes of you!!<br />
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I did have another finish this month. I'm in a RR in my Happy Stitching Niche group. I finished this piece for Sue. <br />
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Currently, I'm working on a model for X's & Oh's. <br />
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If you'd like to take a look at some of the other blogs participating in the Stitch from Stash project, go here <a href="http://epicstitching.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">Stitch From Stash</a><br />
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Until next time!!<br />
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Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-35943316715028947162014-05-29T05:11:00.003-07:002014-05-29T05:11:59.927-07:00Stitch from Stash - May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe it's already the end of May! Lots has happened the last month with home & work. I've put most of my stash up for sale. I have another huge load to put up this weekend. We've moved out of the apartment and for the next week we'll still be at Red Roof Inn. After that, we'll be moving into Value Place for a few months. Hopefully, we'll be able to find a house by the end of the year!<br />
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My stitching has been great! I spent $0 again this last month!! I've been working on a RR piece for one of my groups and almost have it finished. <br />
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I'm also working on some crochet pieces, but no pictures yet. How's everyone else doing??</div>
Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-21886422361679430882014-04-28T04:07:00.001-07:002014-04-28T04:07:34.224-07:00Stitch from Stash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is going to be a very quick update. I SPENT NOTHING LAST MONTH!!! I'm so proud of myself. I even won a chart in our challenge that I can't wait to stitch for myself. It's a Wizard of Oz chart and absolutely adorable! May will be different though. I have 2 babies to make samplers for and have very specific ones in mind. The fabric & most of the threads will come from stash but I'll have to purchase the charts. Faith, a very dear friend whose blog <a href="http://faithnchls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Faithfully Stitching</a> always inspires me, had a very good idea. Since we are saving $25 a month by stitching from our stash, she is putting into a special account to use for Christmas. I think I'm gong to do the same! We'll have a nice little nest egg for Christmas presents, not a lot, but enough to do something special for the 3 of us. Well, that's all for now. Sorry this is so short, but we are in the process of moving & only have 2 days left. If you want to check out all the other blogs in this challenge, click on the button on top or follow the link here: <span style="background-color: #dd934a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">http://epicstitching.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page.html</span>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-78510302303984450252014-04-21T04:35:00.000-07:002014-04-21T04:38:26.041-07:00Easter weekend<br />
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I hope everyone had as glorious a weekend as we did!! We started off Thursday evening with unexpected company from out of town. Art lives in a motor home and every November travels from Wilmington, IL to somewhere near Dallas, TX for the winter. In April, he travels back. He had stopped for a few days on the way down and stopped Thursday on the way back up. He had only planned to stay one night, but decided that since he didn't have to have the tow trailer for his car back until Sunday, and I had Friday off work, he would stay Friday night as well! We had a great time catching up and can't wait to see him again in the fall. <br />
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Saturday, Mariah & I went to the roller rink & then the library. We had the pleasure of seeing a special performance on Saturday morning. There was a 10 yr old girl who is training for National Roller Skating Champions there. She & her coach (a 10x winner) had been there for 3 days working with the girls in the Skate Club. At the end of the lesson time Saturday morning, she did one of her routines and was amazing!! Mariah was inspired - until she learned how hard she would have to work to get that good!!!<br />
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Sunday morning we were up bright & early - 4am for me, 5:30 for Rich & 6 for Mariah. Doesn't she look pretty in her Easter dress? She's getting so grown up! I baked a sausage breakfast casserole to take to church and we went to the sunrise service at 7am. Afterwards, we had Easter breakfast. Everything was very good and the sanctuary was beautiful with all the lilies & Easter drapings. We went home afterwards & Rich & I laid down for a nap. Mariah woke us up at 11:30 and we went to Bob Evans for dinner. We enjoyed it so much that we decided that that would be our new Easter tradition. When we finished dinner, Mariah & I decided to go geocaching. There was one close by and although we got within 9 ft of it, we never did nail it down. We decided to search for it another day! We came back home & watched 'Percy Jackson & the Sea of Monsters', 'Dallas Buyers Club', & 'Captain Phillips'. All very good movies <br />
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I did get a lot of stitching in this weekend. I finally finished my February ornament. The only reason I can think that it took so long is that it was very monotonous - all shades of brown. It did come out very nice though!<br />
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I got started on my March ornament. It's Eeyore sniffing a butterfly! I have it in my purse and worked on it at the roller rink, library, and Bob Evans.<br />
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I also pulled out Fright Night Friends. The top picture was from the last time I worked on it. I came pretty close to finishing 'O'. A couple of more evenings of stitching and I should be able to move on to W!<br />
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Well, that was our weekend, how was yours??<br />
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<a href="http://laurelsstitchery.com/" target="_blank">Laurel's Stitchery</a>, one of my favorite shops, had a sale on Kreinik this month and I needed several spools for the UFO I'm working on. Fright Night Friends takes LOTS of Kreinik, especially since I've decided to do the lettering in purple braid. So, I spent a total of $15.21 on spools of Kreinik and now I have enough to finish it! I hope. <br />
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Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-5798844266675175492014-01-26T19:03:00.000-08:002014-01-26T19:03:43.628-08:00Update on UFO goal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today, I finished my 2nd UFO for this year. It is version 2 of Mary's Sampler by Plum Street Samplers. I really enjoyed this piece, both versions. I hope she does another one like it soon!</div>
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My next UFO will be Fright Night Friends by Stoney Creek. Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-80527216236246473862014-01-21T19:16:00.002-08:002014-01-21T19:16:44.002-08:00Stitching from Stash updateThis year, I decided to take a stab at reducing my pile of stash and UFOs. To help with that, first I made a couple of resolutions - stitch 12 ornaments this year and finish 10 UFOs. I also joined a group that's spending the year putting ourselves on a stash diet. <br />
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So far, I'm doing great! I stitched one ornament<br />
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finished one UFO<br />
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started and finished a quilt square<br />
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and almost have a 2nd UFO finished! All of this was done from my stash, with only 2 skeins of DMC thread purchased that I was missing. I have spent a grand total of 70 cents!!Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-21334684481948543862014-01-20T04:59:00.001-08:002014-01-20T04:59:14.507-08:00My weekend<div id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_56" style="font-family: 'lucida console', sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_96">It was a pretty darned productive weekend! </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_104">Saturday morning I did my drug testing for Citi. They've hired me on permanently and my start date is January 27. I'm so excited!</span></div>
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<span>My friend, Belinda came over with her sister, Kathy. They do quilting and we're wanting to do a craft show together so we were talking about a lot of different options. They brought me 2 gifts. The first was a quilted bag that they are selling. It's an emergency car kit and is filled with things like nuts, cheese & crackers, lotion, wipes, etc. Things that you may need in the car and not necessarily have in your purse. It's really nice and they're selling them for $30 each. I will take a picture and post on my blog later.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_113">The 2nd was a floor Ott lamp. Belinda had ordered a table lamp from Joann's and when it came, the manufacturer had packaged it with the floor lamp free. She had no need for a floor lamp and new that I was wanting a new one. So, she brought it over to me! I love my new lamp!!</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_126">I had a couple of finishes this weekend. I finished a quilt square for a friend. This is a very special young woman who had a big cancer scare. She was a member of one of my stitching groups so we decided to make a quilt for her.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_136">I worked on my crocheted slippers, got down to 1/2" of being done & ran out of yarn!! Guess they'll have to wait awhile! </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_110_1390220639290_145">Today I'm going to be working on Mary's Sampler version 2 and then a crocheted ruffle skirt after that. We're going to be going on a virtual tour of Martin Luther King's home later today. If anyone else is interested, here's the link http://www.nps.gov/features/malu/feat0001/BirthHomeTour/</span></div>
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Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-49561379333212334352014-01-12T08:31:00.002-08:002014-01-12T08:33:08.696-08:00My first UFO finish for 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of my goals for 2014 is to finish 10 UFOs from my UFO box. This is the first one. It is Mary's Sampler version 1 from Plum Street Samplers and done as a SAL. It is the story of Mary's part in Jesus' birth and along with the sampler, the designer posted the Bible verses done very nicely. <a href="http://www.plumstreetsamplers.typepad.com/plum_street_samplers/page/2/">http://www.plumstreetsamplers.typepad.com/plum_street_samplers/page/2/</a></div>
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I was doing well on this, finishing each section within a couple of days of release, until the last section was released. On Version 1, it is the border. It took quite awhile to get it done. Version 2 is not only the border, but 2 additional parts that need to be stitched. </div>
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The finishing will be to frame this on top of a 3 ring binder covered with Christmas fabric in coordinating colors. I will then print out the Bible verse pages that go with it, basically telling the story of Jesus' birth, and place them inside the binder in page protectors. This will be a Christmas gift for a loved one this year. I've now killed 3 birds with 1 stone - </div>
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<li>1 of my 10 UFOs finished for the year</li>
<li>My first Christmas gift almost finished</li>
<li>Entirely done from my stash - no items were purchased to make this project.</li>
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How are YOUR goals coming along for this year??Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-53235332340888261622014-01-07T04:59:00.002-08:002014-01-07T04:59:22.258-08:00My first finish for 2014I've finished my first ornament for 2014. It is the Amaryllis Artwork's ornament from the 2010 JCS Ornament issue (love my cd!) titled North Star Mandala. I love the way it came out but I still have to figure out how to finish it. Anyone want to volunteer to do it for me?? <br />
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<br />Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-44748184192509856842014-01-01T06:09:00.003-08:002014-01-01T06:09:56.771-08:002014 is here!!2013 was a good year, all in all. There were many ups & downs. We moved from Manteno, IL to St Charles, MO. I'm now working full time and Rich is staying home with Mariah. Mariah has joined a homeschool co op for art & drama classes. She's doing great with her homeschooling. <br />
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2014 is a new year. I always try to set goals to meet for each year and this year is no different. I'm going to post them here and give you an update on the first of each month. <br />
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1. Lose 75 lbs by 12/31/14.<br /> 2. Learn to cook Asian food from scratch.<br /> 3. Take 3 accounting classes through MIT.<br /> 4. Read 50 books.<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 5. Save $4200.<br /> 6. Stitch 12 ornaments.<br /> 7. Finish 10 UFOs.<br /><br /> What are your goals for 2014??</span></div>
Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812616183618478070.post-74479913518555087342013-12-15T11:06:00.001-08:002013-12-15T11:06:18.424-08:00Only Believe!Wow, I can't believe that it has been almost 2 months since I posted here. A lot has happened and I will catch you up in a different post. For this one, I want to introduce you to a wonderful author and his books. A couple of months ago, I read a book called 'The Reason'. I had heard from a couple of other friends that it was a great book. I went to the library and the waiting list was already 20 people long. Ok, it'll be a couple of months, I thought. A week later, I got an email from the library that my book was waiting for me to pick up.<br />
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It took me 2 weeks to read it. Not because it was a slow book, but because I just didn't have much time between working, Mariah's schoolwork, the shop, etc. One night, Rich was at the church for dart ball, it was nasty out, and I was just not feeling like stitching or crocheting. I picked up the book - and was blown away. I finished it in 2 days - work interfered!! The last night I sat up in bed reading and crying my eyes out.<br />
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'The Reason' is a deeply moving book. The characters are people that you want to know. You are amazed and wonder how in the world you could ever have doubted that God exists. Your heart is wrenched out and then made whole. <br />
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I love to read, but it isn't often that a book moves me and affects me in the way that this one did. <br />
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After I finished it, I looked up the author on Facebook. William Sirls has a FB page and hugely interacts with the 4,578 fans who currently have Liked his page. I thanked him for his book and asked when the next one would be out. I discovered that not only was the new one in the works, but that he was looking for people to help him pass the word around about his books. I jumped on the chance to be a part of his Street Team and a few days later received an email saying that I had been blessed to be chosen. As a part of the team, I was given an advance copy, signed by the author. I was also given 2 more that had been signed with the names of the 2 people that I had chosen to give them to. The new book, 'The Sinners Garden', was mine to read and review!<br />
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Like his first book, William's second book was a book of faith. It differed from 'The Reason' though. While 'The Reason' was a 'slap you in the face book of miracles', 'The Sinners Garden' is much more subtle. Again, the characters are people (and dogs) that you want to know - you want to keep reading to find out what happens to them. You want to invite them into your lives. They are people that you already know. However, this book makes you take stock of your life. It makes you think hard about the path that you have chosen and why. About how you might choose differently, both in the past and now. It makes even the most faithful question if they are faithful enough and in the right ways for the right reasons. </div>
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Both books are perfect for book discussion groups. There is a section in the back of each one that has questions for discussion. They make you think and wonder.</div>
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Do yourself a favor - read these books. Whether you buy them, get them from a library, or borrow them from someone else. Read them. Think about them. Discuss them. Don't just put them on a shelf. Share them. Then come back here and we'll discuss them. Hopefully, we'll get a lot of people with their own opinions, good or bad. Discussion is open, flaming is not allowed! Hope to see you soon!</div>
<br />Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08310222620043170017noreply@blogger.com1