Gifted Gorgeousness in January!

So...here it is the 15th already, and time for another Gifted Gorgeousness entry.  We have Jo, over at Serendipitous Stitching to thank for this event.  Here is where we showcase things we've stitched that were given to us, or we are giving to someone else.  You can sign up to participate on her blog here.  And if you are interested in what others are stitching, you can see all their work when they link up on this post.  It has given me incentive to search through my stash for things others have given me, or I've won in a giveaway, or that I'm stitching for someone else, and post them once a month.  Thanks, Jo, for keeping us all enjoying our stitching!

I finished up something for an exchange I'll be participating in in a few months.  This year I'm stitching from stash, and had everything I needed already, so I just sat down and in two days had stitched this.  I will show it to you when my partner has received her gift.

I also finished up In the Land of the Free for an auction that will take place in August.  I will be getting that framed pronto...so I will show it again after it's been framed. 

I finally had a moment to start the Linen  and Threads Mystery SAL which started this month.  You can find information about the free SAL here.  Then if you decide you want to join, they have a Facebook page all set up.  I had to finish up a WIP so I could start this one...haha.  I actually finished a WIP AND two other pieces before I started this...and as you can see if you click on the link, that I'm a tad bit behind.  I hope to catch up sometime this week...wish me luck!!  All the materials I had in my stash, and since this is a free SAL, I count it as a "stitch from stash" item AND a Gifted Gorgeousness as well.  I found the thread in a container I bought  at a flea market, and it is Bucilla thread.  I'm not sure but I think they don't make the thread anymore.  I may not have enough to completely finish the SAL, but as the designer so aptly explained, back in the day when young girls were learning to stitch, they used whatever they had on hand.  It didn't necessarily match, nor was there any rhyme or reason to the colors they chose. I have to say, this is the first time I've used Bucilla thread, and I LOVE it!!  I can't determine if they have stopped making it, but I can't seem to find a place that sells it, so I'm at a loss.  What a shame if they have gone out of business, their thread is a joy to stitch with.  I'm stitching this on 28 count black over one.  Yes, you might say I'm certifiably insane, but all I ask is if you insist on locking me up in the rubber room, please bring me my stitching!

I've been trying to put at least one length of thread in this piece, Leave a Light On.  This was a gift from DH for my birthday last year.  We had all the thread and the fabric ready to go on January first, so I hope I'll have time to finish this year.  This is stitched on 28 ct over one on Navy.  I am not sure I like the hand dyed fibers so much, this seems to be coming out a bit stripey.  But, it's been a fun stitch so far!!

That's all I have time for today.  And I was asked if I survived Friday the 13th.  The answer is yes, but if DH keeps doing things like he did last night, I may not last much longer.  We had lunch with DS and his girlfriend after church today.  He asked me why we left the door unlocked last night.  He got home around 1 AM and DH had gone to bed and hadn't locked the door!!!!  (Just so you know, there have been thefts and things in the neighborhood, and even if I'm home and awake, I usually keep our door locked at all times!!)  Jokingly I told DSGF that if she doesn't hear from him she might want to check on us....and I'll be checking the lock frequently from now on!!  LOL  That's life in the burbs around here anyway...