Happy Halloween and Last Chance for the Giveaway!

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  And Happy Halloween!  I've had a crazy day so this post is a little late in the day but I'm expecting the doorbell to ring any minute with little ghouls and rowdy spirits asking for tricks or treats.  Hopefully I'll get pictures of our little one out trick or treating tonight.  

I don't have any Halloween stitching this year, but next year I should have a few things, as I just got a couple of patterns recently.  That's me...always a day late and a dollar short!  LOL!!  I showed Little Miss a picture of what I'm stitching for her.  I'm soooo close, but still have a two colors left to fill in...sadly they have the most stitches as it's her hair.  Anyway, I thought I would show you what I showed her last night.  Here is Moana stitched on 28 count over one.  Whew...I truly am a glutton for punishment...lol.  I really thought this pattern was good...making her look 3D!  

Ok, this is your last chance to enter in the giveaway again.  I'll have my lovely assistant (Little Miss) pick the winners and I'll let you know at the end of next week who the winners are.  If you see your name, please email me at tickledpinkone@gmail.com with your name and address and I'll get them in the mail as soon as I can.  Good luck everyone!  Happy Halloween and Happy Stitching! 

George and Martha Gobbleton

As I was looking for other charts, I ran across A Gobbleton Couple by Aury TM and thought I would quickly stitch them for Thanksgiving.  I was able to finish stitching them so thought I would post them here real quick (and give you another chance to enter the giveaway) and tell you about a new start.  Here are George and Martha Gobbleton, stitched separately on 28 coffee dyed fabric over one.  I thought they came out really cute.  Now to decide how to fully finish them.  I'm thinking tart pan...but we'll see what I can scrape up in my stash.  I'll let you know when I decide.  

I also wanted to give you a heads up...I've decided to let my adorable granddaughter choose the names when the giveaway ends...so I'm preparing a basket with the names in them.  We have a weekend planned with her the first weekend in November so that is when we will choose the names.  I'll post the winners here when I have them, and you can send me your address through my gmail address.  I'll let you know when they go in the mail.  

I have a new project in the hoop.  I may be sorry I started this one...lol.  As you all know grandbaby number 2 is due in November and Little Miss Cutie Pie will be moving to her new room.  She loves anything Moana so I thought I would stitch something for her to hang in her room.  I found this pattern...  

And started stitching it yesterday.  Um...I know call me crazy...I'm working on 28 count white over one.  There are over 10,000 stitches in this pattern.  UGH!!  I may not have it finished in time for the move to her new room...but I'm going to try.  It's full of confetti.  Wish me luck!  I think she will really love it though!  

Ok I guess that's all for now.  I hope you are enjoying the fall colors and cooler weather... I know I am!!  I had a little ladies day out with my friend Marie yesterday.  I don't know what it is about her, but she makes me belly laugh so hard.  It was just what I needed.  I hope you have friends like that, and see them often.  Do take care, stay healthy, and Happy Stitching!!

IHSW October

Hi and welcome to the October International Hermit and Stitch Weekend!  How ironic that it fell on the weekend of my Birthday?  I was afraid, originally, that I wouldn't get much stitching done.  Little Miss Cutie Pie needed a place to go because her daycare was closed Friday, so she came to stay with us for the day.  

She is a busy little girl, but we love having her visit.  And though I was busy, she took a 2 hour nap, and I was able to get quite a bit done while she slept.  Saturday was the Baltimore Runfest which we usually participate in.  While the boys went and participated in the 5K, I begged off because my knee has been acting up, so I had the whole day to stitch, and of course Sunday was a stay at home day as well.  So...let me show you what I accomplished!  

First off, I finished Noel, which you saw from the previous post.  I had to show that as soon as it was finished....I never dreamed I would finish it this year!!  

Next in the hoop was Starry Stable - Nativity SAL by Tempting Tangles.  I am stitching this on 32 count light blue over two.  I was able to finish part 10.  Only two more parts to go, I can't wait to see this finished, and with a little luck I'll have it done in November!  

As I was looking for charts to give in the giveaway, I found this little kit that was all ready except for the metallic thread.  Even the frame was present!!  This is Tie One On by Just Nan.  I couldn't wait to stitch and finish it which I did in one day!!  I love how it turned out!  

Next I pulled out this cute pattern for Thanksgiving.  I decided even though the original was stitched on one piece, I'm going to stitch them individually and finish them off in tart pans.  This is George and Martha Gobbleton by Aury TM.  

Such cute little quaker turkeys!!  I started with Martha and with a little luck I'll finish her today and start on George.  I'm excited to have these ready at the beginning of November.  

And that's all I have to show today.   I've decided to throw in Tie One On (just the chart) and Noel Banner in the giveaway pile too!  So...don't forget to comment!  Happy Stitching!

NOEL is finished!

Yesterday was a wonderful day!  It started off with breakfast being delivered.  You may not think this was the best breakfast, but I love McDonald's Egg McMuffin with a Mocha Frappe.  It's a treat to receive one and that's what the kids brought me yesterday morning....along with my granddaughter to spend the day.  We had a wonderful day, full of painting ceramic Christmas ornaments, singing, dancing, playing with Bluey and friends, napping (when I had time to work on my Noel Banner), imitating animals, and lots and lots of laughter until it was time to go and meet her parents.  One last slide on the slide in the neighborhood playground halted the tears then off to meet Mom and Dad for a quick trip to pick up their tags for the marathon this morning.  

We made a side trip to Little Italy in Baltimore to have dinner at Chiapparelli's Restaurant.  Little Miss A was so polite she made the waiter smile and the ladies at the table behind us laugh and coo at her antics.  They all sang Happy Birthday to me and as we left, the ladies wished Little Miss A a Happy Birthday...to which she replied...It's not MY birthday, it's Gigi's!  Then off to Vaccaro's for cannoli chips and dip.  Yummmmmm!!  

We got home just in time to see the season premier of Fire Country which we watched while I finished stitching Noel Banner by Stoney Creek.  If you count the letters individually this was my 99th finish of the year!  I'm looking forward to fully finishing it in the next few days so it will be ready to hang this Christmas.  I'm beyond thrilled to have it done as I never dreamed I would have it finished in time for Christmas this year!  

I had kind of challenged myself to fully finish anything I stitched this year.  I'm doing fairly well, except for multiples of things (like the 12 days of Christmas stockings and the things I hope to finish into pin drums and stand ups).  I'll need a little courage to tackle those but I'm determined!  Anyway, here it is...the stitching and attaching beads and buttons are finished.  I have the Bell Pulls...so that will be next on the agenda.  Wish me luck!  I'll be adding these patterns to the pile for the giveaway!  

That's all the news for today.  For those who wished me a Happy Birthday yesterday, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Now I think I owe my husband a backrub, as he was up at O'dark thirty today to participate in the Baltimore Runfest 5K with our son this moring.  I usually go with them but my knee has been acting up, so I begged off this year.  They were home before 10 and DH is tucked up warm in his bed...lol.  I'll make sure he is properly made the conquering hero when he wakes up!  Til next time...Happy Stitching!! 

October Gifted Gorgeousness

Hi Fellow Stitchers and welcome to the Gifted Gorgeousness post for this month.  The lovely Jo from Serendipitous Stitching hosts this, and anyone is welcome to visit and participate at any time.  Just (click here) and it will take you to her blog.  You can read the rules (basically it's anything stitched with the word "gift" attached to it.  So...let's get started!  I have a lot to show this time as I'm getting ornaments ready to give out at Thanksgiving so I've been stitching and finishing like a machine!  LOL!!  

First up is a little ornament I made for my best friend from grade school.  She likes to give a penguin ornament to a relative so I told her I would make her one.  This is Have a Cool Christmas by StitchyFish Designs from the 2023 JCS Ornament Issue stitched on 36 count white opalescent over two.  

Next is also a gift for a friend, it's called Winter Cross Stitch #12 by The Floss Box.  Stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki over two.  

Next is a gift for my Granddaughter's cousin, Hello Snow by Jennifer Redmond from the 2024 JCS Christmas Issue stitched on 40 count white over two.  

Next is a gift for my Granddaughter's Great Aunt, Tis The Season:Bonus by Wrought Iron Stitching from the 2024 JCS Christmas issue stitched on 40 lambswool over two.  She makes us a batch of fudge every year so I thought a plate of sweet treats would be right up her alley!

Next is a gift for my Granddaughter, Fa-La-La-Mingo by Hands on Designs stitched on 40 count Nora over two.  We visited the zoo for her birthday this year, and she loved the flamingos!

Next is a gift for a friend, Christmas Ornament 98 by Crossed Wing Collection from the 1998 JCS Ornament Issue stitched on 40 count legacy over two.  

I finished stitching this piece a little while ago...and finally found a frame I liked for it!  This is called Violets by Riolis.  Violet was my Grandmother's name, and they were her favorite flower.  They were the flower from the Sorority I belonged to while in college and violets have a special place in my heart...so it needed a very special frame.  The Riolis kit was a gift from a friend in an exchange.  I can't wait to hang it on the wall!!

Next is the Nativity Band Sampler By A New Creation Studio stitched on 32 count black over two.  The set of Bell Pull hangers were a gift...so I guess technically it counts...lol.  I loved stitching this and am anxiously waiting for Christmas so I can hang it up!

Next is a freebie that was offered through Herschners called Irish Blessing.  It was stitched on 32 count ivory over two.  I can use the same set of Bell Pull hangers on this one too!  

I have been sorting through my stash and found duplicates of some patterns and some that I know I will never stitch again so these will be some of the giveaways being offered.  

Not too many people have commented so your chances are pretty good!  Remember, those who comment on any post (only once per post) and mention they have or will have their breast exam this year in ONE of the comments during the month of October will get a ticket each time they comment.  So get those exams done and remember, I had NO cancer in my family until I was diagnosed at a fairly early age for breast cancer (I was in my 40's).   If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.  Early detection can be a life saver!  Take care of yourself!  Happy Stitching!   

Small update

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  I was hoping to do a few more updates than I have been doing, but you know...life.  Just a little note, we are still in the month of October, and still promoting Breast Cancer Awareness.  Again, if you have commented on this post or any of the posts in October, you will be entered in the giveaway.  I have found two patterns I'm willing to have in the giveaway, and may find more, once I get a chance to go through my charts.  One is Blackbird Designs Sewing Club book.  I happened to pick up a second book so I might as well share it.  The other is a Just Nan pattern Heart of Spring.  I have used the embellishments that came with the pattern, but they should be easy to replace.  The pattern is still in great shape and you can see the design a few posts back as I finished stitching this in August.  Once I have all the patterns ready I will post pictures.  

I started this post to update on my stitching.  I have been working on the Noel Banner by Stoney Creek and were their free monthly books offered a little while ago.  I have finished two more letters, O and E.  I'll show all three that I have stitched so far, but I've decided to put the last letter, L, on hold until I finished up some Christmas ornaments that I need to stitch and finish before the middle of next month!  

I have been keeping up with Tempting Tangles SAL of Starry Stable-Nativity.  Only three more parts to go!  

Last is the most recent Christmas Ornament I have finished.  This is called Winter Cross Stitch #12 by The Floss Box.  It's been stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki over two.  

I received the most recent JCS Christmas issue.  I'm a little disappointed as I prefer to find smaller ornament size patterns in this special issue.  I think a lot of designers have stopped sending patterns for this issue which is really sad in my opinion.  While they weren't being paid for their patterns, they were receiving free advertisement.  Oh well...I did find a few that I hope to stitch and I will be stitching one for the next post in fact!  

I guess that's all for now.  If you have posted and mentioned that you have had or will have your exams, you may post again but don't have to mention about your exams in comments going forward.  Thank you to all who have responded!  Take care, and Happy Stitching!  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  It's October already, can you believe it?  And each year I try to have a give-away to promote yearly exams for breast cancer.  As many of you know I am a 14 year survivor of Breast Cancer.  Mine was caught very early because of my annual screening.  There was no history of Breast Cancer in my family when I was diagnosed at the age of 49 so it came as a total shock to me and my family.  I have had my annual visit this year and even had an MRI to make sure things are going smoothly!  This year may be a little different as October came upon me really fast this year.  I haven't thought about stitching anything until today...but it's not totally out of the question.  I do plan to have a give-away, but here is what I'm thinking.  I've been rummaging through my patterns and have found a few doubles.  What WAS I thinking?  LOL!!  One is a Blackbird Designs book.  As soon as I have a day to put my thoughts together, I'm going to take pictures and post them.  Whoever comments on any post (including this one) and tells me they have had their yearly check up for breast cancer during the month of October will have a "ticket" to the raffle.  Your name will go in a bowl and my wonderful husband (or as my friend calls him Mr. Magnificent) will choose a name.  I don't know how many patterns I have, but I may choose more than one name.  So...who's in?  Thank you to the special people who follow me and comment regularly, I appreciate you more than you will know.  So keep watching for future posts and Happy Stitching!!