Lots to Share!

Good morning my blogging friends! I have been too busy to post this past week, and I have missed sharing with you all! I think that is a pre-cursor to the way I may be for the next month, a little hit or miss. With my clinical test date quickly approaching, I am spending more time with my books, less time with my computer. A necessary evil for now, hoping it's a temporary thing!

First thing I'd like to share is a thank you! This weekend I received a wonderful package from Tricia at The Stampers Stitches. She had a giveaway on her blog, a chart she wished to pass along. Not only did I receive the Shepherd's Bush chart, she also send floss and the cutest handmade card!

If I had the supplies on hand, I probably would have started this pattern this weekend. Good excuse to do some shopping! Isn't this the cutest card too! As a cardmaker myself, I know the time and love that goes into these, and I love, love, love receiving handmade cards! Thank you so much Tricia for this happy mail.

Next to share is my work in progress, Joy in the Journey. I was moving along quite well on this piece, when I found a mistake!

At the bottom on the right side, there is a flower on a stem, just above the heart. I had one too many stitches on the stem! This caused all of the outer green row to be out one stitch too far. Of course, I found it when I got to the stop of the piece, and it wasn't lining up. I pulled out the flower, but I couldn't decide if I wanted to pull out all of the green row, or somehow adjust my stitching to make it work. I got so frustrated and put it down. Instead of working this out, I started another piece! Which I also made a counting error in it, and quickly put it down. Had a little bit of the flu this week, and I'm going to blame my mistakes on that! I haven't stitched in several days now and it's driving me crazy! So, what do you all suggest, pull out the green edging, or make it work?

I decided to turn my attention to my scrapbooking since the stitching wasn't going well! My customers have been so wonderful, encouraging me to amp up my business, and they are helping me along! One customer put my name out through her friends, to be a vendor at a local event in February. Another customer has booked me to host a scrapbook retreat in Terre Haute this summer! I am excited about both opportunities, but the timing is scary due to my school obligations. I know that I am blessed to have so many positive things happening, so I am not complaining! I have one group of customers that comes to my house every month to scrapbook, so I have to start getting ready for that. I designed the pages we will be creating that night. This is the first time I have played with paper since making Christmas gifts, and it was so relaxing. This is what my girls will be making

I apologize for the less than perfect pictures. My good camera wasn't working, and had to use the camera on my phone. These papers are from the Close To My Heart Clementine pack. I usually make the bare bones layout, and encourage the girls to add their own embellishment flare. Some like to add a lot of sparkle and bling, and to some, the flowers added now are too much. For myself, I would only add a title and call it done. We all have our own tastes. For me, I love the blue and brown, but overall, this pack is a little feminine. Having all boys, I'm not sure I can come up with pictures to add on here. I have a pile of layouts that are too feminine for my boys. Maybe I can sell some of them at the vendor event this month.

Well friends, that covers quite a bit for today! Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a wonderful day!