October Gifted Gorgeousness

Time sure has been flying!  I can't believe it's the middle of October already!  I usually have a giveaway in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, but it snuck up on me so quickly this year that I really hadn't thought about it.  I will say, please, for your sake, and the sake of those who love you, please get yourself checked.  There was no history of breast cancer in my family, nor did I have any signs that they say could have caused it...so it was a total surprise to me when I was diagnosed.  I'm grateful that they found it early, and it was detected in a routine mammogram.  Thankfully 5 years have passed since my diagnosis, and I'm happy to say I'm doing fine!  Get checked, and then tell the folks you care about that you love them and to get checked.  Life is too short!

I'm thankful for Jo, and her organization of the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL she has been hosting!  It's not too late to sign up, so if you would like to participate, you can see the rules here.  And if you'd like to see what everyone has been doing, you can see the most recent entries here.  It's given me a little nudge to look through my stash, and start stitching those things that others have given me, and to stitch for others!  I have a few things to show you so I'll get started...

I participated in a Halloween exchange with Amy.  She always sends me such lovely items, and so beautifully finished.  I feel like a slug next to her...but she tells me she likes the things I send her.  I'm so glad, because she spoils me!!  This is my gift to her, Spell of the Moon by Blackbird Designs...

And this is her gift to me, isn't he adorable???

In the last post I showed you the teacup pincushion I sent to Marina for a pincushion exchange.  This is what she sent to me....she also spoiled me!!

I've been participating in the Snowflower Diaries SAL.  I'm still WAAAAAY behind, but I got a couple more months done since the last time I posted.  Here is July....

And August....

You can find these patterns on her blog which can be found here.

This is a little freebie I've had in my stash for a while.  I always thought it was so cute, so I stitched it for this Halloween.  Here is Witchy Boot by San-Man Originals.  The pattern can be found on Cyberstitchers.com.

I've been working on this Dimensions Gold Collection kit for my Mom who loves Hummingbirds.  It's caled Sweet Nectar, and here is my progress so far.  

The last thing I've been working on has been put aside for a bit.  This is Royal Garden and it's a DebBee's Designs counted canvas.  This is for me....I fell in love with this pattern and searched for it for a while.  I had to send away for some of the materials because they weren't carried by my LNS, but I have really enjoyed working on it.  I'm hoping I can finish it up soon.  It's really stretching my abilities, I'm learning a LOT of new stitches, but it's been a blast working on it. 

One last thing I need to show you...while I was away I found a picture and directions of a lap stand that someone's husband had made.  I texted the information to my husband and said how great I thought this was.  My husband is really smart, I mean super smart, he graduated Magna cum laude from our college.  But as far as geek, tech, shop stuff, he kinda leaves that stuff to me.  So...when I came back from living with my Mom, he made this...

It works great for heavy large projects I've been working on.  Just the thought that he would take the time and step out of his comfort zone really thrilled me to my toes.  I love this guy so much!!  And the fact that it works so good, and keeps my hand and wrist from aching...just is icing on the cake!  Now THAT, folks, is love in action!

 I guess that's all the news for now.  I hope you are enjoying the fall weather wherever you are, and that you are safe from the storms that have been brewing lately.  I have one more trip to make to NY and then hopefully I'll be able to stay put for a while.  It's been a wild and crazy ride, but thankfully my Mom is doing pretty well and is able to stay by herself now.  I hope she stays that way for a while now...enough is enough...right?