November Gifted Gorgeousness

Welcome to my November Gifted Gorgeousness post.  The lovely Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching hosts this challenge, that we stitch on or with things that have been gifted to us or that we are gifting to others.  You can find out all the information on her blog (click here).   I've not had a lot of time lately to stitch, lots have been happening here at DJ's Digs.  I was able to finish up Moana, a gift for my oldest Granddaughter (did I say oldest?  Why YES, I did!)  While her parents were waiting the arrival of their second child, they moved Little Miss Sassy Pants out of the nursery, into her own room.  She has a new bed...and a new dresser!  So I stitched this over one to make it small enough to sit on her dresser, eye level so she can see it up close.  This was by Neni Designs.  She loved it so much, she ran upstairs to her room to put it on her dresser, then sat on her bed to stare at it for a while.  I got lots of hugs and thank yous!  She's such a sweetie!!  

I have been working on gifts for a few people this past 30 days or so.  I will be sending these out soon!  First is Merry Ewe by Plum Street Samplers.  It was too big for how I had intended it to be finished so I'm exploring new ideas...hopefully by next GG I'll have it fully finished and on it's way.  

Next is To My Friend Pinkeep Stack by Stacy Nash, only I don't think I'll do the whole stack right now...lol.  I just thought this was lovely and hope my friend likes it.  This is another I'm not sure how I'll finish...I'll have to put my thinking cap on soon!  

Next up are Mr. and Mrs. Gobbleton.  This pattern was a gift quite some time ago.  I had hoped to fully finish them in time for Thanksgiving...I still have hope...lol.  I thought I would stitch them separately, then put them in tart pans.  They are too small for the pans I intended, and too big for the white ones...so I had another idea, but time wouldn't permit me to get them fully finished for today.  Soon!!  I hope to get them done before Thanksgiving!!    

Next was Tie One On by Just Nan, the full kit was a gift from a friend as well.  It was stitched and fully finished in a day!  I love how it turned out!  

And last, though truly the best gift, was the birth of our youngest (so far) Granddaughter!  She was born YESTERDAY!!  Just in time for the GG post...lol.  We still don't know her name but we are so thankful she is healthy and HERE!!   I have a video of how her big sister came to share the news, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to load it on this blog.  Let me just say, it is the cutest video!  Anyway, here are my two beautiful Granddaughters!  My heart is full!!  

And that is all I have for this GG post.  I promise I will be getting those giveaways out in the mail soon!  I just need to get my act together, sometime after Big Sister goes home.  Her parents and sister are still at the hospital...so I'll be letting the winners know when I drop them in the mail.  Happy Stitching!!    

Getting a little finishing done!

Just a quick update this morning as I'm off to help the kids get their house ready for the new baby.  Only 5 days to go!!  

I had hoped to get this finished off for Miss Sassy Pants for her new room but I just couldn't get enough stitching time.  I found the frame during our vacation...so here she is...Moana is framed and ready to go!  

I had another little finish last night as well.  I've been slowly working my way through the letters to Merry Christmas by Owl Forest.  I had already finished the M and the E and last night I finished the first letter R.  These are so cute, and this one is one of my favorites...I live the little Santa and the reindeer.  Stitched on 32 count Summer Khaki over two they sure stitch up quick!

I doubt I'll get them all done before Christmas, but with a little luck I'll have them ready for next year.  I hope you all have a productive stitchy weekend!  The skies look a vibrant blue this morning, I hope it's a great day to get a lot of stuff done!  I don't know what I'll be stitching on tonight...but I have a couple of things kitted up and ready to go...so stay tuned!  Happy Stitching! 

The Giveaway Reveal!!

Hi everyone!  I'm so sorry for the late reply to the giveaway.  Things have been a little wild around here.  We went to Ocean City last weekend for the Ocean City Running Festival to watch our guys run the 5K.  It was pretty cold that morning, but the rest of the time there the weather was much warmer.  

That was the 4th 5K for DS this year so he received a special medal for that!  

While we were away, this sassy little miss picked the winners of the giveaway.  So...without further ado...here are the winners and what they have won!  

Just Nan Tie One On  AND Heart of Spring goes to Katie  

Stoney Creek Noel Banner goes to Catherine  

Needle Love Co Stocking Stuffers goes to Shelly  

Blackbird  Designs Sewing Club AND Margaret and Margaret Doxology Sampler go to Robin 

Sampler Company Motifs Source Book go to Mouse 

Would the winners please email me their addresses to tickledpinkone@gmail.com and as soon as I can (we are about to get really crazy here in the next few days) I will get them in the mail to you.  

Ok, now that the business is out of the way...I'll let you know what I've been working on!  While I was away, I was able to finish up Moana by Neni Designs.  

I love how this came out.  I also found a little frame, so hopefully the next time you see this it will be fully finished and displayed in Little Miss Sassy Pants new room.  

Why does she have a new room?  Because we are awaiting the arrival of a new family member.  None of us know if it's a boy or girl but we are anxiously awaiting their appearance.  Unless they decide they are ready sooner, they should arrive by November 14th.  Can you sense the excitement?  So this little trip was the last trip for the 5 of us together.  Next trip will be super busy with a little bundle of joy along for the ride.  

We stayed a few extra days because we just love Ocean City in the off season.  The businesses are less busy, and have time to be more friendly.  We moved to a different hotel after the kids left, and were surprised to find ourselves on the 12th floor (the top floor).  We had a beautiful sunrise one morning...  

Then a foggy sunrise the next morning...  

And the view from the 12th floor lobby was of the bayside on the opposite side of the building.  

We had breakfast a few times at Layton's...their doughnuts are to die for!  The last day there, we were waited on by two guys who were so funny, they left us in stitches!  

We enjoyed Dumser's Ice Cream (made in house and super creamy), 

and a grand burger from this place.  If you've been to OC, you'll recognize this fella.  

We spent a little time on the boardwalk, 

and played some mini golf.  

And of course we found a new to us Ice Cream spot to and from OC.  

Our new favorite halfway stop is now Vanderwendes Farm Creamery with the ABSOLUTE best Ice Cream I've ever had (especially since they had Maple Walnut!!)  Little Miss loved seeing the cows!  

And of course, no stop to OC would be complete without a little stash enhancement at the Salty Yarns.  My goodness, they are chock full of goodies!  I got a little trim....

a little fabric...

and a whole lot of patterns.  

And while I'm working on Merry Christmas letter R right now, 

I think I'll have to stop and work on one of the goodies I picked up...as well as a Birthday gift and a Christmas gift for my pal in Great Britain.  So much to do....so little time!  And that is all the news I have for this post.  I hope you all are doing well and enjoying some stitching now that the days are cooler but shorter.  I'm certainly having troubles adjusting to the time shift...I love the fall, but the early nights throw me off.  Anway...Happy Stitching!

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!!