Birthday Blessings and another crazy finish

Hi there!

What a busy week I've had!!  It was my birthday this past week and I had the time of my life!!  My guys continue to spoil me as well as my family and friends, and I am so grateful to all of them for making my day so special.

First, though...a finish!!  This is another one of my crazies, "Find the Cure" from The Sweetheart Tree.  It is stitched on 32 count linen over two using the recommended thread and pearle cotton they suggested.  The pailettes and ribbon charm came inside the pattern, but I think you can purchase the embellishment kit from The Sweetheart tree separately.  The beads were from Mill Hill.  My hardanger portion of the piece isn't too well done, but from a galloping horse at 100 yards, I don't think anyone will notice.  I'm anxious to get this one framed.  I also have to say here, that it is still Breast Cancer Awareness month, so please do whatever it is you do to get checked for cancer.  There were young ladies in my support group, one in her 20's, a couple in their 30's.  If it is too soon for a mammogram, please do your monthly exams.  If not for yourself, think of those who love you and please be mindful that breast cancer has no age limits!!  At 49 I was considered too young to have breast cancer, but an annual mammogram saved my life.  Ok, off the soap box for now...LOL.

My birthday was made special in so many ways, but Astrid met up with me that morning and took me to lunch where she surprised me with a few gifts.  A necklace, a bracelet that she had made, and a little angel ornament all inside this lovely little bag.  The we hit Michaels looking for some sales or goodies we just HAD to have.  It was so much fun!

Then I ran home, changed  my clothes and my guys took me to dinner at Sotto Sopra, a very nice restaurant in Baltimore.  The service was excellent and the meal superb!  Next stop was the Hippodrome Theater where we saw an off-Broadway production of Wicked!  I LOVED it!!  I had heard so much about this play that I bought the book, but had a difficult time getting started (I was having chemo at the time and my brain wouldn't focus) but now I will have to go back and sink my teeth into it.  In case you aren't familiar with the story, it is the story about the witches BEFORE the Wizard of Oz story takes place...and certainly has an interesting twist.  They also had a few gifts for me shown here, and some gift certificates from my LNS.

My sister also sent me a few things.  While visiting her this summer I watched her chop some items with this Baker's blade.  She made what she was doing look so easy I commented that that would be a handy dandy item for my kitchen.  How thoughtful was that?  She also sent along some earrings and a necklace.  These are my birthstones.  Pretty huh?

Now, if you've made it this far...let's see if you have been paying attention.  I was putting some charts I had recently bought away when I discovered I had a duplicate.  So...is anyone interested in trying their hand at a Drawn Thread design called Box of Stitches?  If so...please make a note in the comments that you would like this chart, and I will have the drawing on Oct. 31st along with the other two little charts mentioned in the last post.  If you don't leave your e-mail address I may not be able to reach you, so make sure it's either in your comment here, or on your blog where I can find it.  I'll see you back on the 31st!  Good luck!