STITCHNMOMMA

Freebie Friday 1/27/2012

2012-01-27T10:57:00.003-05:00

Have you checked out the free item I've giving away over on my Facebook page today????

Live, Laugh, Love

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Yay! I got my piece finished up last night. This is the scrabble-inspired piece I was working on over the IHSW.

The pattern is now available in my shop. Just click on the picture and it will take you through to the listing.

I'll also be listing my finished model for sale in the next few days if you're interested in that. It would make a great gift for a Scrabble enthusiast.

Next up on the stitching schedule...a horse for a Round Robin I'm participating in.

Emailed Newsletter Now Available

2012-01-25T10:01:00.001-05:00

Well I’ve been talking about starting a newsletter for thepast year, and have finally done so. Thebeginning of the year I took the plunge and started setting everything up.

I’m on Facebook on a regular basis since that’s where morepeople seem to be, and neglect my blog more than I probably should, but amtrying harder for 2012 to have read-worthy posts.

I’ll use my newsletter to announce new patterns, fabric ofthe month and VIP only sales.

If you’re interested in any of these, feel free to sign up here

And for those of you that are curious, I'll be finishing up my Scrabble-inspired piece tonight and will have the pattern available in my shop in the next few days.

Happy Stitching!

Stitching Progress

2012-01-23T05:48:00.001-05:00

It's bright & early the Monday morning after our IHSW. I know I'm supposed to be posting pics of what I worked on over the weekend, but can't do that. Why you may ask? Because I decided to work on a Scrabble-inspired piece that will be a new pattern in my shop and am at the point that I have all the words done, which I don't want to reveal until the piece is completely finished. Here is a picture of where I started on Friday night:

Since I took this picture I was able to get all of the words done, more of the white backstitching that will separate all the different spaces on the "board", as well as more of the individual blocks. When I went to bed last night I had only 21 more blocks to go and am hoping to have it completed by Wednesday or Thursday night of this week with the pattern being released in my shop by the weekend.

If you're interested in seeing other pics of my WIPs (works in progress), I have an album I've been doing on Facebook titled 365 Days of Cross Stitch - 2012. I may not post my pics each day, but do take them and upload them just as quickly as I can.

Until we meet again...Happy Stitching!

SURPRISE SALE!!

2012-01-18T14:19:00.000-05:00

I've decided to run a SALE!!!

Use coupon code JUSTBCUZ for 25% off your entire order in either of my Etsy shops:

www.stitchnmomma.etsy.com

www.buttonsbystitch.etsy.com

Hurry and don't wait BCUZ you never know when it might end! <3

January International Hermit and Stitch Weekend

2012-01-18T10:55:00.003-05:00

So I heard about the IHSW from another stitcher last month and decided to schedule them on my calendar this year. My goal is to have a MINIMUM of 12 new patterns released in my shop this year and I won't be able to do that without dedicated stitching time.

Wondering what the IHSW is? Check it out this link for more info and be sure to check out my blog after Sunday night to see what I was stitching on over the weekend.

Reality Check

2012-01-17T08:19:00.000-05:00

As I'm becoming more involved with online cross stitch groups, I see more ladies posting comments about how they'd like to have their own business. As you all know, this is my dream also. I DO already have a cross stitch business, but I would love for it to be my sole source of income and my ONLY full-time job (because I do have another one...the one that pays the bills).

Thinking about this this morning I decided it was time for a reality check, not only for me but for all these other ladies also, to put things into perspective.

As a single woman supporting a household and maintain my same standard of living (which is not extravagant and currently paycheck-to-paycheck) I determined at my current pricing I would need to sell the following:

500+ cross stitch patterns PER MONTH

375+ piece of hand-dyed fabric PER MONTH

1,000+ sets of buttons PER MONTH

various combinations of any or all of the above

Running a business I've already figured my supply costs along with fees to Etsy, PayPal, etc. But what you really don't think about when you're all excited about being able to have your passion as your sole source of income...you'll no longer have employer sponsored health insurance (much cheaper than buying your own), you'll no longer have a 401k with employer matches, you will now be responsible for paying 100% the taxes your employer pays (social security at 100%, unemployment taxes, etc.).

So, how many of you are totally depressed now that your dream may never be your reality? NOT ME! I will NEVER give up on my dreams. One of the things I did when I started making "lifestyle changes" about 2 years ago is got my one and only tattoo...Vivi Con Passione...live with passion. Cross stitch is my passion and even if I never get to have it be my sole source of income it will always be a source of happiness in my life.

I Want Your Photos!!

2011-10-19T09:29:00.000-04:00

As stitchers we all love to ooh & aah over any type ofneedlecraft we can find. I’d love tostart a “Stitchers Gallery” photo album of your finished pieces on my Facebookpage.

So as a special incentive, this is what I’m going to do foryou…

If you send me a picture of your finished piece that iseither one of my original patterns, or any other piece that has been stitchedon hand-dyed fabric you have purchased from Stitchnmomma, I will give you a$5.00 gift certificate that can be used off your next purchase in my Etsy shop.

Simply email me a .jpg file of your completed piece to Stitchnmomma@hotmail.com and I willreply back with your gift certificate number.

So, who’s in??? WillYOU be the first person to send me a picture?

I can’t wait to see what you’ve all made!!

A Lonely Mailbox

2011-10-14T11:49:00.002-04:00

Well I won't be getting any letters from my son in the Army for awhile.

Why, you may ask?

Because I picked him up from the airport last night for a 30-day medical leave. Unfortunately he shattered his ankle during basic training and had surgery to put in some stainless steel...6 screws and 1 plate.

So, in light of the fact I won't be running any sales for a while like I said I would when I get a letter, I'll be doing a sale this entire weekend to make up for it.

(sale valid 10/14/11 thru 5am 10/17/11)

Use coupon code HOOAH in either my Buttons By Stitch or Stitchnmomma shops and you'll receive 25% off your entire purchase.

This is a great opportunity to grab those items you've been thinking about but haven't yet purchased. I'll be doing a craft fair on October 22nd and 90% of my stock will be going with me and some of those items won't be restocked in my shops once they're gone.

Also, in my Buttons By Stitch shop, if you purchase any 2 or more sets of buttons you will automatically receive a set of 6 mini-note cards for FREE. This will be an everyday promotion in that shop and no coupon code is necessary with no expiration date for the promotion.

TGIF my Stitchy Fans!

Relay for Life Fundraiser Items

2011-10-03T19:31:00.000-04:00

In case you hadn't heard already, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I think it's great to have a month dedicated to it, however, breast cancer is something that is around every day of the year and we shouldn't forget it.

This picture shows some of the items I've made for an upcoming craft fair. There is a (l-r) cross stitched pink ribbon key chain, a pink ribbon jumbo paperclip bookmark and a cross stitched pink ribbon magnet.

All profits will be donated to Relay for Life.

Also, if you're looking for inexpensive and unique items to sell as a fundraiser for your Relay for Life team, these would be perfect. I'm already working with one team on their order(s) and am in talks with another. Just drop me a line for wholesale pricing.

Remember...THINK PINK!

Guess What!!!

2011-09-24T12:40:00.000-04:00

I got another letter in the mail from my son today. So y'all know what that means....IT'S A 24 HOUR SALE!!!!

Use coupon code HOOAH for a 25% discount on your purchase in either of my Etsy shops:

www.Stitchnmomma.etsy.com

OR

www.ButtonsByStitch.etsy.com

And for those of you that are on Facebook more often than looking at blogs, you can follow my fan page as I also post all my sales there:

www.facebook.com/Stitchnmomma

Vote for Me...PLEASE :)

2011-09-23T16:38:00.001-04:00

I'm currently in the running to win some free ad space on The Handmade Gift Guide. To win it I need your help.

Please vote for my Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Wall Art (item #4) by using this link:

http://www.thehandmadegiftguide.com/p/vote.html

All you need to do is click the "vote" link BELOW my orange & white ghost. Voting ends on 9/29/11 at 11:59pm.

Thanks all my lovely stitchy fans!!

xoxoxo

Letters from the Army...

2011-09-22T19:48:00.000-04:00

* 24-HOUR SALE *

I'm super excited to have finally received the first letter from my son that is currently stationed in Ft. Benning, GA for Army Airborne Infantry OSUT training!!!! 2 weeks of not communicating with your only baby is a looooong time!!
:)

As a special gift to all my customers, and to help me earn extra funds to travel there for his graduation, I'll do a 25% off sale every time I get a letter from him.

So use coupon code HOOAH (it's an Army thing, lol!) for a 25% discount in either of my Etsy shops...

www.stitchnmomma.etsy.com

OR

www.buttonsbystitch.etsy.com

This coupon code will be active for 24 hours only - until I get the next letter and do it again

Looking for my Winners...

2011-09-10T17:56:00.001-04:00

Several months ago I did a post on Guess the Pattern and Win. I'm looking for 3 of my winners. I need the following people to please email me at stitchnmomma@hotmail.com so I can email you the coupon code:

Irene M.
Freddysmama
Whataboutphotos

Thanks!! :)

stitchnmomma's photostream

2011-09-09T09:42:00.001-04:00

stitchnmomma's photostream on Flickr.

It's a Big 4-0 Sale!!!

2011-09-07T07:59:00.002-04:00

I'm 40 today!! Woohoo!!!

Help me party it up in style with some sales.

Save 40%, yes that's right, 40% off your entire order (excludes shipping) with coupon code FAB40 at either of my Etsy shops:

www.stitchnmomma.etsy.com OR

www.ButtonsByStitch.etsy.com

That coupon code will be good for today only, so don't pass it up. ♥

Where Has the Time Gone???

2011-09-06T13:55:00.001-04:00

Wow! I can't believe it's been more than 5 months since my last blog post. Time has just flown by! There's been so much going on I don't even know where to begin:

Closed my ArtFire shop
Opened a new shop on Etsy
Discontinued some of the lines I was carrying in my Stitchnmomma shops & started some new ones
New Patterns
Changes in my personal life
And the list goes on & on & on.....

Needless to say, it will give me plenty to blog about in the future. Look for posts coming from me on a regular basis again as I catch you up with everything that's been going on and bring you some new & exciting stuff in the world of Cross Stitch.

And to all my loyal followers & fans (it looks like I've only lost 3 or 4 of you)...thanks for sticking in there with me!!

Happy Stitching!

INVENTORY CLOSEOUT - Fabric Covered Buttons

2011-04-01T06:15:00.003-04:00

What once was hot, now is not. :(

After much contemplation, and a huge lack of sales, I've decided to discontinue the entire section of fabric covered buttons I have listed in my ArtFire shop. There is currently 55 different fabrics available of buttons that are ready to be used.

I will also be setting up listings this weekend of pre-cut fabric circles that are perfect for making your own buttons, so be sure to look for those too.

And for those of you that entered into my "Guess the Pattern" post that I recently had, don't worry, I'm still busily stitching away on that piece to finish it up. I sat it aside for a few days to get done a custom order with a quick deadline. I have everyone's entries and will be announcing the pattern and winner(s) in the next few days.

Happy Friday!!

P.S. This closeout is NOT an April Fool's Day joke.

Guess the Pattern and WIN!!

2011-03-18T09:35:00.005-04:00

So I've been teasing my readers for months now on this new pattern I've been working on. I took this picture last weekend and have made significant progress on it since then. I'm hoping to have it completely finished and listed in my shop in the next 7-10 days. Yay!!

Here's how you win...

If you are able to guess what the pattern is I will provide you with a coupon code for $5.00 OFF any $10.00+ purchase from my ArtFire shop. You can buy whatever you'd like; patterns, magnets, craft supplies, whatever. :)

There's no limit to the number of people that can win. I'll provide a coupon code to each person that guesses correctly and you can enter up until my next post when I announce the winner(s) and show the finished product.

Sorry Emma and Leah ~ you lovely ladies aren't eligible to win since you both already know what the pattern is.

Happy Stitching!

St. Patrick's Day Sale

2011-03-16T07:23:00.003-04:00

30% OFF GREEN ITEMS in my Artfire shop today and tomorrow only in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. If there is the color green in the item (or grouping of items) then it qualifies for the discount.

Just use coupon code GREEN30 at checkout and the discount will be automatically applied to your order.

And remember, you can always find all my current coupon codes for both my Artfire and Etsy shops in the discussions tab of my Facebook fan page.

Buttons, Buttons, Who's Got the Buttons?

2011-03-13T17:19:00.006-04:00

I haven't been doing very well this year with one of my few resolutions...releasing one new pattern per month. However, I HAVE been busy.

This picture is a sampling of some of the buttons I've been stitching lately. Some of them are still available in my ArtFire shop and some have found new homes. These are all 1-1/8" buttons. They can be used with the wire shanks left on the back to be sewn onto a project or I sell them for other uses...I can glue magnets to the back, attach them to hairpins, or just about anything else you can think of. I can also stitch them on many different colors of linen fabric.

If there's something you're looking for and you don't see it in my shop, just drop me a line and I can create a custom listing just for you.

Happy Stitching!
:)

P.S. Don't forget, for the entire month of March 2011 all of my FABRIC COVERED BUTTONS (excludes hand stitched buttons) are on sale in my ArtFire shop when you use coupon code BUTTONS20 at checkout.

Newsletter Update and Coupon Codes

2011-03-04T09:03:00.003-05:00

My intention was to start a monthly newsletter in January, but so far time has not been on my side.

One of the sections I plan on having in the newsletter will be a monthly coupon code for great savings. In the meantime I've decided to start a topic on my discussion tab on my Facebook page that will give all of you a continual and current listing of coupon codes that are available in my ArtFire store. This way you can easily find them without having to scroll through weeks or months worth of Facebook postings.

Here's a link for the tab...
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=130090270346128&topic=335

And for those of you that don't use Facebook, here are all of the current coupon codes...

BUTTONS20
20% off all fabric covered buttons (excludes hand-stitched buttons) thru 3/31/2011

FREE SHIPPING
Free shipping on your order for the next 4 customers

SUPER 50
50% off your entire order for just ONE lucky customer

Coupon codes will need to be typed exactly as shown above to get them to work. I would suggest copying & pasting them just to be safe.

Happy Shopping!!

Another New Start

2011-03-01T09:54:00.003-05:00

March 1st and so much to look forward to...
Winter is almost over, we're getting more daylight in each day and soon I'll be able to take my various WIPs onto my back deck to stitch in the fresh air!

With today being the 1st if a new month it's time for me to start yet another new pattern as I continue my version of the Crazy January Challenge 2011.

I originally had on my list to stitch a Celtic Cross, but considering it IS March I decided I would switch and do a Celtic Shamrock. This pattern is one of my designs that I'm still working on finishing, so I may not get started on my stitching tonight, but will certainly try. Either way, I'll have pics to share with you of whatever I get stitched in about the next 10 days or so.

Happy Stitching!
Kelly
:)

Stitching, Stitching, Stitching...

2011-02-13T20:31:00.006-05:00

I've been busily stitching and trying to keep up with my Crazy January Challenge 2011 along with custom orders and an occasional new item for my ArtFire shop here and there.

So far I'm 2 for 2 with starting a new WIP on the first of each month. This is the piece I started on February 1st. It will be titled "A Sunset Stroll". Unfortunately I don't want to show the pattern that I'm stitching it from because it will be a gift for someone that may possibly see my blog posts. I didn't get as much done on it as I would have liked, but if you keep reading, you'll see I've made progress on quite a few other items. I'm stitching this on what I'm calling a "butter yellow" linen. The fabric was part of a linen destash given to me, so I'm not sure of the exact name of it.

I showed you this piece in my WIP post last month. Needless to say, it's done completed as I had hoped, however I have made some progress on it and love the way it's coming along. Since this will be the next pattern released in my shop, I'm still keeping it a bit of a secret as to what it is. I had a guess last month of ocean waves, but that's not it.
This next piece isn't a WIP, but is a custom order I just finished last week. It's a photo of a brown bear that has been stitched into a 3" x 3" magnet. This is currently a reserved listing, but I can always stitch up another if someone is interested in it.

And last but not least, I just finished this piece today, and just in time for National Flag Day in Canada, which is February 15th. It IS for sale in my ArtFire shop.
Hopefully by the time I do my next WIP post next month I'll have my blue mousepad / secret pattern finished along with more goodies that will be for sale in my ArtFire shop. Until then...Happy Stitching! :)

CALL FOR HELP...

2011-02-09T13:52:00.006-05:00

As a parent I can't even imagine the heart break that a fellow artisan, Cindy that owns DesignedByLucinda, must be feeling right now. She lost her 11-year-old son last week in a tragic fire at their house in the early morning hours, along with all the family pets and worldly possessions.

Even though I no longer have an Etsy shop, I will donate 20% off all proceeds from ANYTHING sold in my ArtFire shop thru 2/28/11 to the fund that has been set up to help the family. Proof of donation will be posted the first week of March here on my blog.

If you want to help without making a purchase from my shop, you can contact me and I can point you in the direction of several other efforts that are currently underway.

Many thanks to all for taking the time to read this and act in anyway that you can. :)

Ahhh...Fresh Pattern!

2011-02-01T09:18:00.004-05:00

Well today is officially February 1st so that means the start of a new pattern as the continuation of my version of the Crazy January Challenge 2011.

I've changed the order of the patterns I'll be stitching. Instead of starting the Celtic Cross I'll be starting A Sunset Stroll tonight after work. I'm all set to go also...I already had the fabric and I went to JoAnn's on Sunday morning and picked up the floss colors I didn't already have on hand.

I'll have another blog post next week to show you the progress I make on A Sunset Stroll as well as some other WIPs and finished custom orders.

I'm really enjoying seeing the blog posts from others that are participating in the Crazy January Challenge also. Although I do have to admit, there's days I feel like I'm getting nothing done compared to others, but then I stop and look at the custom orders I'm making for my ArtFire shop and think it's not so bad. And, we won't even talk about the amount of hours I've spent shoveling snow this year that could be precious stitching time...lol!

Hope everyone has a great day and I'll be back next week with all kinds of wonderful pics for you.

Happy Stitching!
:)

Work In Progress Wednesday - 1/12/2011

2011-01-13T09:41:00.010-05:00

OK, I know today is technically Thursday, but I had all intentions of doing this post last night until I got home and had to spend 90+ minutes shoveling out my driveway (even though I had already done it in the morning before work) and then was too tired & cold to do anything but veg-out in a hot tub and then in my recliner with an afghan.

Today I have 3 different pieces I'm going to share with you.

The first is "Winter Freeze" and this is the first piece I've started as part of my Crazy January Challenge 2011. Once it's finished it will be one of the patterns that I release for sale in both my ArtFire and Etsy shops. It may not look like much, but I did get about 5% of it finished during the 1 week I stitched on it. The stitched area once finished will be 8" x 12". I tried to get the colors as accurate as possible. I'm stitching the piece on Charles Craft Polar Ice Aida cloth. I've had it for awhile and have been waiting for just the right pattern to use it with.

The second piece I'm going to share with you I'm going to leave as a little more of a mystery and not show you what the finished piece will look like. I'm currently stitching this as a mousepad that will be for sale and I will also release the pattern to go with it. I'm hoping to have it completed and listed within the next 30 days.

The third piece isn't a WIP, but it is a completed custom item. I'm so happy with the way this giraffe magnet turned out that I just needed to share it with everyone. This is a reserved item, but if it's something you'd like to buy, just drop me a line through my blog or ArtFire shop and I can do a custom listing and then get stitching one just for you. :)

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my WIPs and I promise to be a better blogger in 2011 and keep you posted on the patterns I'm working on, etc.

Happy Stitching!

Crazy January Challenge 2011

2010-12-31T16:04:00.003-05:00

So I've decided to participate in the Crazy January Challenge 2011 that I found on another stitcher's blog. With the fact I'm no longer just stitching for myself and need to keep up with orders & new patterns in my shop, I'm going to tweak the way I do the challenge a little bit.

The original challenge calls for you to pick 15 different cross stitch patterns/kits and start one of those each day for the first 15 days of January. You will then have 15 different WIPs (work in progress) to stitch and to try and get them ALL completed by the end of 2011.
This is the way I'm going to do the challenge...

I will pick 12 different pieces.

I'll start one piece on the 1st of each month and work on that piece consistently for a minimum of the first week.
After that 1st week I will go back to orders or the next pattern that is closest to being finished and released for purchase in my shop.
Sometime between the 8th & 15th of the month I'll post a pic of the progress I've made on each one of my challenge pieces (unfortunately with it being winter it is dark when I leave for work & dark when I get home so I generally have to wait for weekends to take pics during the daylight).

This is the list of the projects I'll be stitching and who the designer is:

Winter Freeze by Stitchnmomma
Celtic Cross by Stitchnmomma
Steps of Santorini by Stitchnmomma
Sunset Stroll by Stitchnmomma
Ironwork Gate by Barbara & Cheryl
The Red Cart by Stitchnmomma
Birch Allee by Stitchnmomma
Crashing Wave by Stitchnmomma
South Battery View by Barbara & Cheryl
Friends are Flowers by Stitchnmomma
The Great Wilderness Afghan by Miranda's Needle
The Long Road Home by Stitchnmomma

You may have noticed that most of the designs are my own. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone and participate in the challenge as well as work on some of the new patterns I'd like to release.

I'm looking forward to the challenge and hope you all enjoy the pictures I'll be sharing along the way.

Happy New Year to all of you!!
:)

Vote 4 Me...PLEASE!! :)

2010-12-30T10:53:00.002-05:00

I'm hoping for some help from all of my great followers.

I've entered for the chance to win 1 month of free advertising on The Handmade Gift Guide.

I'm #30 of the 32 entrants. It's very simple, just click this link, scroll down to you find my Radiant Rose piece (#30) and click the vote button directly above the picture. Voting ends at 11:59pm on Sunday night 1/2/2011.

Thanks for your help!!!
:)

ENTER TO WIN....

2010-12-20T12:16:00.004-05:00

With the ever changing and expanding world of social networking, I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the various forms, so based upon popular demand I've decided to start a monthly newsletter.

If you'd like to receive this newsletter, simply email me your first & last name and your email address to Stitchnmomma@hotmail.com Your email address will be kept private and I'll never sell or share my list.

In addition to having a new newsletter to announce my new patterns, categories, share works in progress, etc. I thought I'd have a NAME THE NEWSLETTER CONTEST. The winner will receive a gift certificate to my ArtFire shop. If you'd like to enter, just post a comment here or on my Facebook fan page with your newsletter name. Make sure I know how to get in touch with you in case you're the winner. The winner will be announced in the first premier issue the first week in January.

Can't wait to see the names you all come up with and good luck to everyone!

Looking forward

New LOWER Pricing!!!

2010-10-21T10:26:00.003-04:00

As I'm spending more time focusing on my Stitchnmomma shop(s) I'm finding new pros & cons of different websites.

Today I'm excited to announce I will have LOWER PRICING at my ArtFire shop than my Etsy shop. Why you may ask am I doing this? Because unlike Etsy, ArtFire doesn't charge their sellers any fees so I'm passing this savings along to you!!

Stop by and check out my ArtFire shop as I'm adding new items every few days that will make great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.

Etsy vs. ArtFire - A Buyer's Opinion????

2010-10-18T18:47:00.003-04:00

We all have our personal preferences when it comes to where we shop. I'm looking for the opinion of buyers out there. Do you have preference between Etsy and ArtFire?

I have accounts on both sites, and I feel there are pros and cons to both of them:

Etsy - I've had my Stitchnmomma account for about 18 months now and have had the privilege of 135 sales to date. Granted many of them have been custom or reserved listings, but they are sales none the less.

ArtFire - I've also had my account about 18 months and am still waiting for my first sale. I do have some items listed on ArtFire that aren't available on Etsy.

Etsy - the buyer must have an Etsy account to be able to purchase

ArtFire - as long as you have a PayPal account or a credit card, you can buy whatever you want without having to set up an account with them.

Etsy - is becoming over-saturated in many categories and the choices can be overwhelming

ArtFire - is the new up & coming site for Handmade items with a smaller selection but crafters that are just as dedicated.

I could go on & on with pros & cons from the SELLER'S point of view, but I won't get on my soap box.

If you have an opinion as a BUYER please share, I'd love to hear it.
:)

MAKING IT STIFF

2010-10-12T10:20:00.002-04:00

To make it Stand,
You Wet it !

To make it Wet,
You Suck it !

To make it Stiff,
You Lick it !

To Get It In,
You Push it!

Damn!!!!

Threading a Needle when you're AN OLD FART is a BITCH.

To Blog or Not To Blog?????

2010-10-11T14:33:00.002-04:00

That is the question.

Should it stay or should it go?

Any thoughts?

SHOP CLOSING SALE

2010-10-02T06:18:00.003-04:00

♥♥♥♥♥ SHOP CLOSING SALE ♥♥♥♥♥

I will be closing my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow shop on Etsy & everything must go.

I'm currently offering a 20% discount on ALL items.
Discount excludes shipping charges & refunded automatically through PayPal within 24 hours.

I have well over 100 items that were already made & ready to list, so as items are selling I'll still be listing new so I can get rid of the large amount of stock taking over my house.

I will be keeping my other shop, Stitchnmomma, open so you can still find me there.

Thank you to everyone for your support.

FREEBIE FRIDAY - 10/1/10

2010-10-01T08:47:00.001-04:00

"Freebie Friday" is back for Round 3. Every Friday through the end of the year, I will be running a special in one of my 2 Etsy shops. Yay!!!

Today's "freebie" will be in my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow shop, and here's the deal...

********** FREEBIE FRIDAY **********

Buy any 2 BARRETTE or SNAP CLIP LISTINGS Get 1 FREE!!!

Free Barrette/Clip(s) must be of equal or lesser value and will be refunded via PayPal

Offer Expires at midnight EST on FRIDAY, October 1st...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HairTodayYoursTomorr?section_id=7121627

*****************************************

Don't forget to share this amazing deal with your friends!!

I have plenty of barrettes & snap clips to relist as they're selling.

FREEBIE FRIDAY - 9/24/10

2010-09-23T21:53:00.002-04:00

"Freebie Friday" is back for Round 2. Every Friday through the end of the year, I will be running a special in one of my 2 Etsy shops. Yay!!!

Today's "freebie" will be in my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow shop, and here's the deal...

********** FREEBIE FRIDAY **********

Buy any 2 HAIR PIN LISTINGS Get 1 FREE!!!

Free Hair Pin(s) must be of equal or lesser value and will be refunded via PayPal

Offer Expires at midnight EST on FRIDAY, September 24th...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HairTodayYoursTomorr?section_id=7121633

*****************************************

Don't forget to share this amazing deal with your friends!!
I have plenty of hair pins to relist as they're selling.

FREEBIE FRIDAY!!!

2010-09-17T05:41:00.004-04:00

Starting this morning, every Friday through the end of the year, I will be running a special in one of my 2 Etsy shops. Yay!!!

Today's "freebie" will be in my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow shop, and here's the deal...

********** FREEBIE FRIDAY **********

Buy 2 Scrunchies Get 1 FREE!!!

Free Scrunchie will be refunded via PayPal

Offer Expires at midnight EST on FRIDAY, September 17th

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HairTodayYoursTomorr?section_id=7121638

*****************************************

Don't forget to share this amazing deal with your friends!! I have plenty of scrunchies to relist as they're selling.

My First Cross Stitched Bookmarks

2010-09-09T19:50:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited! I've finally finished the first 4 bookmarks in my new series of modern squares that I've designed. I'm hoping they'll be a big seller at my first ever craft fair I'll be doing the end of October as well as on Etsy for the Christmas season.

I've listed the first one in my Etsy shop and you can find them here. I'll list them one each day until I get the first 4 listed. I'll do the same as I finish the 2nd group of 4 and then the 3rd group of 4.

They will all be based upon different types of yummy dessert foods, each with different exciting color combinations. Hope you stop back to check out the next 8 in the series!!
:)

I've Been Feeling Creative

2010-08-30T18:45:00.002-04:00

The holidays are right around the corner (only 117 shopping days left - LOL!) and people will soon be looking for gifts to give to their loved ones.

Not only do I want to have both my shops well stocked for the holidays, but I'm doing my first craft fair on October 30th! For any of you that have sold at a craft fair before, I'm sure you understand the anxiety I'm going through right now...

Will I sell anything?
Will I have enough stock?
Will people like my items?
What do I make?
How should I do my display?

And the list goes on & on!!

The good thing is, I've been feeling very creative lately. Maybe it's the new "stress free" environment I've been living in (if you can call an 18-year-old son stress free), but the ideas have just been flowing.

This past weekend I designed a series of 10 cross stitched bookmarks. I already have the first one fully stitched and am working on the 2nd one. I'd like to have at least 3 or 4 of them finished before I start listing. Stay tuned to see listings of those in my Etsy shop in about the next 2 weeks.

In addition to the bookmarks I'll be making other items, but I'm going to tease you and not tell you what those are yet!! :)

Happy Stitching!!

AND THE WINNER IS......

2010-08-21T07:38:00.003-04:00

First, we need to get the list of entrants out of the way so you can see how I got the numbers for the random number generator that I'll be using for determine the winner. Because I was getting so few entries on my blog, I did open it up for people to leave comments on one specific link only on my Facebook page. Some of the entries did come from there. Please remember the rules clearly stated you must leave a comment on my blog or the one FB link for an entry into the giveaway.

1. Kippyssomature - blog follower (comment left)
2. Kippyssomature - FB fan (comment left)
3. Kippyssomature - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)
4. SafferyMoore - blog follower (comment left)
5. SafferyMoore - FB fan (comment left)
6. SafferyMoore - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)
7. SquishyProducts - blog follower (comment left)
8. SquishyProducts - FB fan (comment left)
9. Zemphira - blog follower (comment left)10. Zemphira - FB fan (comment left)
11. Purplecatscorner - blog follower (comment left)
12. Purplecatscorner - FB fan (comment left)
13. BeadyEyedMonster - blog follower (comment left)
14. BeadyEyedMonster - FB fan (comment left)
15. BeadyEyedMonster - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)
16. Jen - blog follower (comment left)
17. Jen - FB fan (comment left)
18. SharonKay - blog follower (comment left)
19. Bawissa - blog follower (comment left)
20. Bawissa - FB fan (comment left)
21. Veedubz - blog follower (comment left)
22. Veedubz - FB fan (comment left)
23. PurpleCatsCorner - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)
24. LeahJane - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)25. TheCountrySeam - blog follower (comment left)
26. SweetandSassyCards - blog follower (comment left)
27. SweetandSassyCards - FB fan (comment left)
28. BabyNest - blog follower (comment left)29. Teresa - purchase made (comment left)
30. Teresa - purchase made (comment left)
31. Teresa - purchase made (comment left)
32. Teresa - purchase made (comment left)
33. Teresa - purchase made (comment left)
34. SoonerDesigns - blog follower (comment left)35. SoonerDesigns - FB fan (comment left)
36. Sooner Designs - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)
37. Emma/SovereignSea - blog follower (comment left on FB)
38. ExperienceDesigns - Tweeted the giveaway (confirmed)
39. Rachel Riches - FB fan (comment left on FB)
40. Noelle Sousa - FB fan (comment left on FB)41. Lissa Mersnik - FB fan (comment left on FB)
42. Cilicia Steidl - FB Fan (comment left on FB)
43. Lou Back - FB Fan (comment left on FB)
44. Emma/SovereignSea - FB fan (comment left on FB)45. Kristi Mott - FB fan (comment left on FB)
46. April Wallace - FB fan (comment left on FB)
47. Shaza Mc - FB fan (comment left on FB)

So those are all the entries. Now for the random number generator. And the winner is......

drum roll please.........

#21 - Veedubz - congratulations!!!! I'll be sending you an email shortly with details on how to claim your $20.00 shop credit.

Have a Happy Period

2010-08-18T14:30:00.003-04:00

I have seen this before and laugh every single time. Whether this is an actual letter (as it claims to be) it's still very true. Men...take heed!!!

This was just too funny.... This is an "actual letter" from an Austin, Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. This was PC Magazine's 2009 Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.
But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'

Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything
mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullsh!t. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always. . ...

Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

Green...my favorite color

2010-08-16T12:26:00.003-04:00

I guess there is something to be said about my favorite color being green...

GREEN

You are a very calm and contemplative person. Others are drawn to your peaceful, nurturing nature.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

Your score was 87/180.
3,240,747 people have taken this quiz.
And 1,123,590 got Green like you.

IT'S TIME FOR THE GIVE AWAY!!!!

2010-08-13T17:52:00.007-04:00

I surpassed the 100 "fan" mark on my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow Facebook Fan Page so now it's time for me to do my give away. Yay!!!

ENTRY DATES: Friday August 13th to Friday August 20th, 2010

THE PRIZE: A $20.00 "shop credit" to my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow shop where you can choose the hair accessories that YOU like vs. what I pick to give you

HOW TO WIN: Each person can get up to 8 entries in the giveaway drawing:

Follow this blog = 1 entry

Become a facebook fan = 1 entry
www.facebook.com/HairTodayYoursTomorrow

Tweet about my giveaway = 1 entry
Be sure to put @Stitchnmomma in your tweet so I can see it

Purchase 1 or more items from Hair Today Yours Tomorrow = 5 entries!!
Purchase must be made 8/13/10 thru 8/20/10 to count towards the give away with a note posted here that you've purchased

Entries will be taken from all comments that are left here on my blog.

Most importantly - don't forget to tell me how to contact you in case you're the big winner.

Good luck to everyone and I'll post the winner next Saturday, August 21st!!!
:D

P.S. For all you cross stitch fans, I'll be doing a give away for my Stitchnmomma store in the next 4-6 weeks, so stay tuned for that.

My 1st Giveaway!!!

2010-08-09T20:50:00.000-04:00

When I get to 100 fans I'll do my 1st give away.

Are you a fan??

www.facebook.com/HairTodayYoursTomorrow

Maxine On Minorities

2010-08-05T10:59:00.004-04:00

Hair Today Yours Tomorrow is Featured

2010-07-26T11:26:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to have my first "real" feature on my Hair Today Yours Tomorrow shop.

You can find the feature here on the Handmade Gift Guide. If you have a moment, please check it out. Be sure to read to the end because there's a special discount on there!!

Guess What's New????

2010-07-21T10:28:00.003-04:00

I know I've been MIA for a little while now. I have been SUPER SWAMPED!!!

I've had lots of orders I'm working on for my cross stitch store, have been trying to learn the social media addiction of Facebook for promotion purposes (I posted the link to my fan page previously) and have opened my second Etsy shop... Hair Today Yours Tomorrow that has handmade, affordable hair accessories for all ages.

In the interest of saving time and trying to keep myself sane I will most likely be posting for both shops here, as well as various tidbits I want to share.

Hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to hearing from you all!!

:D

Facebook Fan Page

2010-06-18T10:00:00.002-04:00

I've finally done it!! My son has started setting up my Facebook fan page for Stitchnmomma. This will be a work in progress as we all know how long it takes to upload pics, etc. Please stop by, check it out fan/like me and give me some feedback on it.

Thanks!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cuyahoga-Falls-OH/Stitchnmomma/130090270346128

P.S. I also just heard I need a minimum number of people that like/fan me to get a shorter URL, please help me with this!

:D

My Private Collection

2010-06-13T14:15:00.011-04:00

I've had many discussions on various forum threads regarding the pieces I've stitched for myself that are currently hanging in my home. Some of these have taken me YEARS to complete, in between working on various other projects. Today I thought I would finally share them with you. None of these are for sale, as they all mean something to me. The price would definitely have to be right for me to ever part with them, and there aren't too many collectors that are willing to pay HUNDREDS of dollars for a framed cross stitch.

Please excuse the quality of the photos. Once a piece has been framed and is behind glass it becomes more difficult to photograph.

This first piece is one of the first full cross stitches I've ever completed and the first one to be framed. I'm sure everyone can tell that it was a birth sampler I stitched for my son. I started it when I was pregnant, and we just won't discuss the fact that it wasn't finished until 1996. It used to hang in my son's room until he was about 11 and then decided he was too old for it and took it down. As I have no place to hang it at my new house, I keep it safely boxed with other valuables to one day give back to him when he's married & has kids of his own.
This next piece is the first one I ever designed with my PC program for cross stitch design. As you can tell, it's very simple. I was just trying to learn how to use the program, etc. It may be simple, but the quote from Charles Dickens is one that I try to live by daily. This piece is also one of the patterns I have available for purchase in my Etsy shop. If you click on the picture, it will take you to the shop where you can see much better pics of this piece.
This next piece is one I thought was appropriate not only for my husband, but one I stitched on our vacations at a fishing lodge on the French River in Ontario, Canada. They writing on it says "Early to bed, early to rise. Fish all day and make up lies." Now tell me, what fisherman doesn't that saying not fit?!? One of the things I really liked about this piece is the wood looking frame I chose. It just reminds me of old driftwood you would find on a beach somewhere. Rather appropriate for a fishing theme.

Until this year, I had been a member of the Stan Hywet Needlework Guild. This piece was the 2nd piece I entered into their annual Stitchery Showcase. Needless to say, when I walked down the stairs into the auditorium and found that I had received a blue ribbon, I cried like a little baby! I was completely overwhelmed, as there was approximately 80 entries into my judging category, and I took first place. The title to this piece is Harmony & Tranquility and it currently hangs in my dining room.

When you talk about YEARS to stitch a piece, this is another great example. It took me over 10 years to finish this one. Granted I lost the original set of directions and eventually had to write to the company to get a replacement so I could finish it. I originally started stitching this piece to hang in my bedroom 2 houses ago. I had no clue when I finally got it done it would be the perfect piece to hang above my couch in the living room. When I was in The Guild, they liked for you to have a minimum of one entry per year. This was one of my entries. I was cutting it really close to deadline to have it to the framers. The last thing I had to stitch was some leaves that were done with the lazy daisy stitch, which I had never done before. I took an extra piece of fabric and did them over & over until I felt comfortable with them and they looked like the pictures I had seen. When it came time to do them on my actual piece, it was like I was back to square one and had never made them before. I got to the point I was so frustrated and was out of time, I just took the picture that came with the kit and back-stitched leaves on to look the same. This was one of those times that evidently the judges had never seen this pattern and didn't realize I should have used lazy daisy stitches because I earned a blue ribbon on this piece also!
My last piece I'm going to share with you is also one of the patterns I have available for sale in my shop. I love sunflowers! They are always so bright & happy looking and there is something about them that brings a smile to my face. This piece didn't receive ANY ribbons when I entered it into The Showcase, but that's OK. It hangs at the bottom of my stairs and I see it every morning when I get out of bed. What a way to start the day. If you click on this pic, it will take you to the item in my shop where better pics are also available.
I think this is probably the longest blog post I've ever done. I hope you've enjoyed getting a look at some of the pieces I've enjoyed stitching that hang in my home for me to share with my family & friends on a daily basis.

I'm Baaaacccckkkk!!!!

2010-06-05T19:24:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to announce I've reopened my Etsy shop tonight. You've already seen some of the new items I'll be listing, with even more to come. I'll be listing them 1 or 2 a day until I get them all posted.

Stop by and take a look when you get a chance.

And as a little teaser...I'll be opening a 2nd Etsy shop around July 1st that has nothing to do with cross stitch. Stay tuned...

Store Re-Opening Sneak Peak

2010-05-31T22:54:00.004-04:00

I've been getting quite a few questions lately regarding when my Etsy shop will reopen and what I'm going to have for sale. So tonight I thought I would answer those questions for you.

First, my shop will be re-opened no later than June 15th. You can sign up here to be notified when I'm back open for business.

As far as what I'm going to have for sale...well...of course I'll have more magnets as well as other creations that are in the works. This is a sampling of 3 of the magnets I've completed that will be for sale:

While I'm sharing photos, I wanted everyone to see this custom order I completed and shipped out on Saturday. It is a magnet of Super Mario that will be a boy's birthday present. Now hopefully Canada Post will come through and deliver it on time!!

So in the next two weeks I'll have more items I'll be finishing for my shop re-opening, more custom orders I'll be working on (pics of those in a future post) and working on finding the perfect spot to take pics and when to take them in my new house, as I'm still struggling with that.

Looking forward to sharing more items with you, so be sure to check back here and in my shop on June 15th!!
:D

In Memory of Iris

2010-05-23T16:21:00.008-04:00

Even though my Etsy shop is currently in vacation mode, I've still been busy stitching away. Yesterday I finished a custom order for an absolutely lovely lady on Etsy named Gleeza.

The order was for 7 blue iris magnets. The magnets will be given to some of her family members in memory of her grandmother, Iris. Iris passed away several months ago after a long, full life. She would have been 90 this May 30th. Not only was her name Iris, but the blue iris was her favorite flower.

I'm extremely honored that Gleeza asked me to make these to help commemorate what would have been her grandmother's 90th birthday. I've included some pictures to share with you all. I'm still working out where & when to take pics at my new house, so unfortunately the pics may not be the greatest.

Here's to Iris!!!
:)

"Mature" but not Sexual Etsy Treasury

2010-05-20T21:46:00.003-04:00

There has been such an uproar in the Etsy forums the past few days regarding the "mature" treasuries that are predominantly displayed on the first page of Treasury East, that I had to do my own non-xrated spin on a "mature" treasury.

Please check it out, and since T-East treasuries don't expire, you'll still have time to look.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bf584f0cb026d91c5a31532/hows-this-for-mature

Thanks for looking!!
:D

FREE Cross Stitch Patterns

2010-05-12T16:34:00.003-04:00

I am constantly searching for new patterns I can get for free to stitch things not only for my self but to sell in my Etsy shop.

This link is for one of the sites I go to on a regular basis. There are hundreds of all different types of patterns and there are new patterns added every day. It's really worth looking at.
http://cross-stitchers-club.com/?code_avantage=gfhjrw.

Plus, if you click on this link, you'll automatically receive a gift when you subscribe. Remember...the subscription is FREE!!

What an Awesome Card!!!

2010-05-05T08:37:00.004-04:00

Well, I'm all moved and am working on starting a new chapter in my life.

I went home at lunch yesterday with a couple of ladies from my company that are only in town once or twice a month so they could see the new house I've moved into. I noticed when we pulled in the driveway my mail had been delivered and there was a package sticking out of the box. Of course, when you aren't expecting anything you're even more curious than normal as to what the package may contain. I looked at the name and return address and didn't recognize it, but went ahead and opened the package anyway.

I was pleasantly surprised (to put it mildly) to find this awesome new home card made specifically for me from Polliwog123!

Not only is this just an amazing card, but she created the card based upon pics of the actual house I had emailed to some of my Etsy friends once I knew where I was moving. She has all the little details down, including placing the house number in the correct spot above the door. And the heart-warming messages that were included from Suzanne (Polliwog123) and another wonderful Etsian just about put me in tears.

I love to share the great items and sellers I find on Etsy and I can honestly say, if you are looking for a card, you definitely need to check out Suzanne's shop!! Of all the cards I've personally bought and received from Etsy sellers, this is the best quality of all of them.

I'm still alive...

2010-04-06T16:44:00.002-04:00

...even though I haven't blogged in awhile.

I have a lot of changes going on in my personal life and unfortunately my blog has been pushed to the bottom of my to-do list.

I'll be back with regular posts again sometime after May 3rd.

Thanks for patiently following, and if you're looking for any deals, everything in my Etsy store is currently 50% OFF!!!

:D

Get Out of the Car!

2010-03-12T09:28:00.002-05:00

When Girls Don't "Put Out"

2010-03-05T06:26:00.000-05:00

When girls don't put out!!
This was written by a guy...it's pretty damn smart.
(Source: Unknown - a various email I received)

Girls -- Please have a sense of humour!

I never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.

FOR EXAMPLE:

One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says, 'I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me.'

I said, 'WHAT??!! What was that?!'

So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear...

'You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man.'

She responded to my puzzled look by saying, 'Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?'

Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.

The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfit s. She couldn't decide which one to take, so I told her we'd just buy them all. She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said, 'Lets get a pair for each outfit.'

We went on to the jewellery department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings. Let me tell you... she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis

I think I threw her for a loop when I said, 'That's fine, honey.' She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation, she finally said, 'I think this is all
dear, let's go to the cashier.'

I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, 'No honey, I don't feel like it.'

Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled, 'WHAT?'

I then said, 'Honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman.'

And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, 'Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?'

Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either....but at least that bitch knows I'm smarter than her.

Alright Ladies. Forward this if you agree. Hell even if you disagree, forward it anyway.

Men, forward this if you have BALLS !!!!

IndieSpotting

2010-03-02T09:44:00.004-05:00

I'm soooooo excited! My Radiant Rose has made it to the IndieSpotting website!!!

Check out this link...it is currently in the bottom left corner, but I'm sure it will move to another page tomorrow

http://www.myshoppingconnection.com/indiespotting/2010/index.php

Thanks for sharing in my excitement!!!
=D

Diary of a Snow Shoveler

2010-02-24T15:29:00.006-05:00

December 8 - 6:00 PM It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9 - We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a lovelier place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!

December 12 - The sun has melted all our lovely snow.. Such a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry- we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14 - Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15 - 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska , after all.

December 16 - Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17 - Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20 - Electricity's back on, but had another 14 inches of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The dam snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22 - Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plough on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the butt hole is lying.

December 23 - Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24 - 6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25 - Merry fricking Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn slop tonight - Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26 - Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27 - Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28 - Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. My WIFE is driving me crazy!!!

December 29 - 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30 - Roof caved in. I beat up the snowplow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his BUTT. The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted.

December 31 - I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8 - Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Funny Friday - 2/19/10

2010-02-19T05:29:00.003-05:00

Better than a Flu Shot!
Miss Beatrice, The church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married. She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all.
One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed himinto her quaint sitting room. She invited him to have a seat whileshe prepared tea...
As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cut glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom!
When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat..
The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and itsstrange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.
'Miss Beatrice', he said, 'I wonder if you would tell me aboutthis?' pointing to the bowl.'Oh, yes,' she replied, 'Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you know I haven't had the

Work in Progress Wednesday - 2/17/10

2010-02-17T05:34:00.008-05:00

It's been a few weeks since I've done a WIP post, but have made some significant progress on projects since then.

I FINALLY finished the custom doxie sweatshirt I've been working on for months. My heartfelt thanks go out to the very patient buyer!!!

I've made several different magnets. Some of them were for custom orders and some are available for purchase in my shop. I have more I'm working on. These are much easier to carry to and from the office and work on when I can get 15-30 minutes of stitching time on my lunch than toting around the larger projects.

Here's a blast from the past...the mouse pad I started months ago! It was put on hold for other custom orders and I just pulled it back out 2 days ago. I'm considering it one of my "larger" projects so I've only been stitching it at home in the evenings. Not to mention, it's on my favorite new medium...vinyl aida!! Hopefully by the time my next WIP post rolls around I'll be finished with it and it will be posted in my shop.

I've included links in all the pics that will take you directly to that item in my shop for those that may be interested in getting more information.

Stay tuned as my next WIP Wednesday post will be in the next 2-3 weeks.

In the meantime, feel free to check out my sister's new shop, LisasLivables, that she is working on stocking.

Vegas Trip - Day 1

2010-02-13T08:07:00.017-05:00

As many of you may know I took a trip last weekend to Las Vegas. Not only was it my first time in Vegas, it was my first ever "Girls Trip"!!! No kids & no husbands...and we had a blast!!!

We decided if we were going to have a wild weekend we should start it out right...drinks on the plane starting at 9:30am as soon as the first beverage cart came around. I must say, I think it has been about 20 years since I had a drink that early in the morning. Thankfully the sensible mom in me made sure I had breakfast at the airport. I'm not too keen on flying, but it was a great flight and the smoothest landing I've ever experienced. Thanks to the great pilots, whoever you are!

We had scheduled shuttle transportation, but didn't end up needing it as our old boss (who recently purchased his own restaurant franchise in Las Vegas) picked us up from the airport.

First stop...Firefly* Tapas Kitchen and Bar. That was another first for me. The food was awesome and the 2 pitchers of Sangria weren't too shabby either. Found out I rather like the Sparkling Peach Sangria...I think I know what I'll be making this summer.

After spending a couple of hours at the restaurant it was time to check in at the hotel. We got great rates at The Flamingo. Even though it's one of the older hotels, it's centrally located on The Strip and when you're only there to shower and 3-4 hours of sleep a night, who needs a fancy hotel room?!

Unfortunately it rained the entire weekend, so I don't have near as many pictures as I'd like and some of them are a little dreary. And no, I'm sure some of you will be asking...we did NOT go see the Donny & Marie show!

Even though it was raining, we're in Vegas and there was lots to do. We took advantage of some girl time to stroll The Strip and see some of the great casinos/resorts along with doing some window shopping at places we could never dream of being able to afford!

One of the items on our "must see" list was The Venetian. Since Italy is not only my dream spot on where to vacation, but where I want to live, we figured it would be as close as we were going to get for awhile. It amazes me how several of the resorts are designed to look like you are outdoors of whatever city they are representing (Venice, Paris, Rome, etc.). And what is a trip to Venice without a gondola ride on the canal??? (thought I'd have a little fun with this photo since I really HATE having my picture taken and use the cartoon feature on my camera).

After a quick trip back to the hotel room for dry clothes (it was down pouring by the time we came out of The Venetian) and a quick power nap it was out on the town for the night. We were able to catch the tail end of the fountain show at The Bellagio, went to Paris for dinner (at an Italian restaurant...wtf?) and then spent quite a bit of time in the piano bar. Let me tell you the guys playing those dueling pianos were awesome!!! They perform there every Friday night. I just wish it were local, as I would go see them often!My first attempt at adding video to my blog has failed. I'll try again and hopefully I'll be able to share the video of the fountain show at the Bellagio.

That is all I'm willing to share of Day 1 in Vegas, because we all know the saying..."What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!".

Stay tuned for Vegas Trip - Day 2.

Funny Friday - 2/12/10

2010-02-12T05:33:00.003-05:00

Sick of angel emails?

Ok BE HONEST...how many of you REALLY ENJOY getting little angel love notes from every person in your address book? You know the ones with "I love you so... here's an angel" .. and some mushy poem crap....

And like the cute wasn't bad enough, they then THREATEN you with bad luck if you don't send it on to others!!

So here's my version:

Take the fairy dust:

Add it to one of those angels

And POOF!!!!...

He's good luck because he probably made you smile.

When you're finished trying to see up his loincloth,

(AND YOU JUST LOOKED AGAIN, DIDN'T YOU??),

why not send this on to some of your girlfriends to make them smile, too?

One for the girls :

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my shape to keep.

Please no wrinkles, Please no bags

Please lift my butt before it sags.

Please no age spots, Please no gray

As for my belly, Please take it away.

Keep me healthy, Keep me young,

And thank you Lord, For all you've done.

Foot Note:

One saggy boob said to the other saggy boob:

'If we don't get some support soon, people will think we're
nuts.'

ETSY ARTISTS EXPOSED

2010-02-08T06:33:00.003-05:00

I made it back from my weekend girls trip to Vegas to find that VickiDiane was able to get an Artists Exposed treasury for the I Buy You Buy thread I paricitipate in daily. If you have an opportunity, please stop by and get a peak at some of the great Etsians you probably see in the forums on a daily basis.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=111649

It expires on Tuesday 2/9/10 at 4:45pm EST so you have until then to see us all
:)

Funny Friday - 1/29/10

2010-01-29T08:51:00.002-05:00

My 1 day employment

So after landing my new job as a Wal-Mart greeter, a good find for many retirees, I lasted less than a day......

About two hours into my first day on the job a very loud, unattractive, mean-acting woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.

As I had been instructed, I said pleasantly, 'Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?'

The ugly woman stopped yelling long enough to say, 'Hell no, they ain't twins. The oldest one's 9, and the other one's 7. Why the hell would you think they're twins? Are you blind, or just stupid?'

So I replied, 'I'm neither blind nor stupid, Ma'am, I just couldn't believe someone slept with you twice. Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.'

My supervisor said I probably wasn't cut out for this line of work.

VEGAS, BABY!!!!

2010-01-25T05:18:00.004-05:00

Need spending $ for girls trip to Vegas in 11 days!!!!

25% refund via PayPal on all purchases (excludes Clearance items)

Use promo code "VEGAS"

Help a girl out =D

stitchnmomma.etsy.com

Funny Friday - 1/22/10

2010-01-22T09:11:00.003-05:00

WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrong with you.
This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my Husband (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a..m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god - with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring! Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for me that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other shit too.

THURSDAY: Asshole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes. He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny bitch to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY: I hate that bastard Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little aerobics instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY: Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I didn't show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY: I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun - like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with M&Ms!!!

Work In Progress Wednesday - 1/20/10

2010-01-20T06:03:00.010-05:00

I know it's been a long time since I've done a post. With the holidays over and life somewhat getting back to normal it's time to resume them.

I decided I would start with a sort-of Work In Progress post. I did a lot of custom items over the holiday and have received several requests to see pics of them, so I'll start with those.

One of my orders was for custom daddy's and mommy's first christmas ornaments. I was so excited to get them packed & shipped I forgot to take a picture of the mommy one. It is similar to the daddy's ornament, just in pink.

I had another order that was for a quantity of a MINIMUM of 6 smiley face magnets. Smiley is currently available in my shop, it was just the quantity that made it custom.

One of my most time consuming orders was a mouse pad of a co-workers dog as a Christmas present for her husband. The picture is of the insert only that goes inside a mouse pad sleeve. I learned two things from this order: 1) I need more time than 17 days to stitch one (I pulled 2 all-nighters in there and went to the office with NO sleep) and 2) I need to charge more money - ended up making $0 after the cost of supplies. But it was still a great project to do and am looking forward to more of them.

I made some conversation heart magnets for my store and ended up getting a custom order for some others. These are fun and I like the fact they are smaller so I can take them to the office and stitch on my lunch hour.

And last, but definitely not least, we have the lovely Hannah! She is the doxie sweatshirt that got put on hold over the holidays (thank you VERY much to the gracious Etsian that is very patiently waiting for it!!!) She is now the focus of all my night time stitching and I'm hoping to have her done this weekend. She has all of her body, including the shading details and now I just need to finish her head. I'll post a picture of her in a future post once she is fully completed.

Sty tuned for more blog posts on a regular basis once again.

It's Almost Over

2009-12-18T05:45:00.002-05:00

I'm sure by now you've noticed I have taken an unpublished hiatus from my blog. I ended up with several custom orders for Christmas (thank you!!!) but didn't realize the amount of time some of them would take as they were projects I had never done before. As a result I've spent almost every single waking moment I'm not at the office doing nothing but stitching. I have one last project to finish before Christmas and hand-deliver it next Thursday on Christmas Eve. After that I can go back to normal posts.

Hope everyone is well and enjoys their holidays!

Tweet, Tweet

2009-11-27T18:18:00.003-05:00

I gave in and have now joined the twitter revolution so I can further promote my cross stitch creations.

If you are interested in following me my user is:
www.twitter.com/stitchnmomma

Thanks!
:)

Well, it's finally here...

2009-11-27T09:38:00.003-05:00

...our 1st snow of the season...yuck!!!

I let our dogs out around 6:00 am and there was light rain. I let them back in and went to chat with my Etsy friends on the computer. I came back upstairs from the basement at 7:15 am and this is what I found...

Can't wait until the day when I can move somewhere that there is no snow!!!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2009-11-26T07:10:00.001-05:00

Featured Etsy Items - 11/22/09

2009-11-22T08:14:00.009-05:00

This week I'm dedicating my featured items post to another member of the Bringing Unselfishness Your Way Team...AngelicFolk. Unfortunately she had an accident in the past week or so where she broke her arm and is currently unable to do any additional sewing or even much time on her computer to promote her own shop, so I thought I would help her with a little promotion, as her shop is a large source of income for their family.

She currently has 28 different items listed in her shop. They range in price from $6.50 to $300.00. Below are some items have I picked that span the price range. If you click on the pictures it will take you directly to that item for sale. Even if you don't see a particular item you like out of my selection, please take a moment to visit her shop and look at everything. Thank you!!!

Women & Public Bathrooms

2009-11-17T19:27:00.003-05:00

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.

Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern 'seat covers' (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR! ), yank down your pants, and assume ' The Stance.'

In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold 'The Stance.' To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, 'Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have known there was no toilet paper!' Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. 'Occupied!' you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT .

It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, 'You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get..'

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too. At this point, you give up.

You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks. You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting. You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, 'Here, you just might need this.'

As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, 'What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?'

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door!

My Etsy Angels

2009-11-15T09:22:00.018-05:00

If you follow my blog you may be aware I have been dealing with some major financial issues lately (just like many others out there). I'm dedicating my normal Sunday post of Featured Etsy Items to the ones I'm calling my "Etsy Angels". These are all people that have either purchased from me this past week or have spent hours selflessly promoting my shop when they very well could have been promoting their own.

I've included one of my favorite items from each of their shops. Even if it's not an item that you particularly like yourself, please take a moment to click on each picture and see what else they have available in their shops. You just might find something you like. If you buy something from their shops, please let them know you found them on my blog.

From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank each one of my Etsy Angels. It is people like you that make Etsy such a great community to be a part of!

Work in Progress Wednesday - 11/11/09

2009-11-11T05:49:00.010-05:00

First, let me say HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY to all those in the armed forces past & present that are the reason why I wake up in a free country every day!! Me & my family truly appreciate your service and the sacrifices you have made!!!

My little fingers have been stitching madly the past 2 weeks. I've made what I feel is great progress on both the custom dachshund sweatshirt and the mouse pad I've been working on.

I have also made a couple smiley face magnets for my shop. This item has already been sold & relisted once (click the picture and it will take you to my shop). I have another smiley I want to do, but it comes with a twisted sense of humor. As I can knock those out in a few hours it will probably be in my shop in the next week or so.

As I've been stitching quite a bit lately, by the next WIP post in 2 weeks, the sweatshirt WILL be done (I'll post a pic of the finished product) and I will be working on other custom orders I currently have lined up...Christmas Ornaments and a photo mouse pad. I don't want to give too much away now just so you'll have to come back and look again in 2 weeks...LOL!!

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Holding off a HOUSE FORECLOSURE sale

2009-11-10T19:55:00.006-05:00

I'M HAVING A MASSIVE SALE!!!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

We are so far behind on our house payment that the bank sent a 'recovery agent' to the house tonight to take pictures and try to get some $ from us, so....

I will refund 25% of your entire order (excluding shipping). Just type "house payment" in notes to seller at checkout.

I've added a few new destash items tonight and will be adding more, so be sure to check back frequently as I'm furiously digging through my closets & craft stash. I will be adding them as quickly as I can take pictures and get them listed.

stitchnmomma.etsy.com

THANKS FOR LOOKING!!!!!!!!

For a Good Cause!!!

2009-11-09T11:11:00.001-05:00

Here is a great product with proceeds going to a great cause!!

Click on the picture and it will take you to the shop where it is available. Thanks for looking!!!

Featured Etsy Items - 11/8/09

2009-11-08T07:49:00.015-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a week...I've been extremely busy stitching. Stay tuned for my "Work in Progress Wednesday" post in a few days and you'll see why.

For my featured items this week I thought I would choose a topic that I think about on a daily basis...Italy!!! I would absolutely die to live in a small town in Italy. One of my friends even made me a cute little pottery jar that is red, white & green and says "Italy Fund". It sits on my desk at work and collects all kinds of change. Someday I WILL make it there!! Until then, please enjoy some Etsy items with an Italian theme.

Simply click on each picture and it will take you directly to the Etsy store where you can get more information or buy it. If you make a purchase from one of these shops, please let them know you found them on my blog.

Featured Etsy Items - 11/1/09

2009-11-01T06:58:00.015-05:00

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." - Flora Whittemore

Step through these wonderful Etsy doors with me and discover something new.

Simply click on each picture and it will take you to the Etsy shop where it is available for purchase. If you buy an item from a shop shown here, please let them know you found them on my blog.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN - Ghoulish Cakes

2009-10-31T06:28:00.031-04:00

These were sent to me in an email this week. I'm not sure of their source, but I thought it would be something fun to share today, being Halloween and all.

WOULD YOU EAT ANY OF THESE HALLOWEEN CAKES?????

Need I say more????????

Work in Progress Wednesday - 10/28/09

2009-10-28T05:32:00.009-04:00

I've been slacking! It's been 5 weeks since my last "work in progress Wednesday" post. I thought I should probably get back to showing you some of the items I'm working on.

First up is a custom order dachshund sweatshirt. Yes, I do take custom orders. I have about 1 week's worth of work on this project and figure it will take me another 1-1/2 to 2 weeks to get this finished. So far I have done the collar (with a metallic dog tag) the nose and am working on the body. Due to the bulkiness of the project I only work on it at home. It's too difficult to pack up and take to the office to work 15-20 minutes on my lunch.

Next up is a mouse pad. This item will be for sale in my shop. What I'm stitching is the insert to a fully usable mouse pad. I have several other ideas for mouse pads I'd like to get done, so once this is completed, stay tuned for more.

Lastly, this isn't actually a "work in progress". It's a finished piece but I've never shown it and it sold out from my store in only 4 days. I've purchased the materials to make more and will be working on them soon. If you would like a reserved listing, just contact me either through my blog or Etsy shop. If you click on the picture it will take you to the description of the item.

In the last 5 weeks I've also stitched several other Christmas Ornaments that are for sale in my shop. And if you're looking for a bargain, check out the items in my 50% OFF CLEARANCE section. All of my Halloween items that haven't sold yet have already been moved there.

Until the next time...HAPPY STITCHING!

50% OFF HALLOWEEN ITEMS

2009-10-26T19:53:00.006-04:00

*** HUGE DISCOUNT ***

50% OFF ALL HALLOWEEN ITEMS - PRICED TO SELL

Click on pictures to take you to the item in my shop

Featured Etsy Items - 10/25/09

2009-10-25T09:10:00.015-04:00

With Halloween being less than 1 week away I thought I would do today's feature on some of my favorite HALLOWEEN/SPOOKY themed items I've seen on Etsy.

Simply click the picture of each item and it will take you directly to the shop where it can be purchased. If you buy an item, please let the seller know you found them on my blog.

Thanks for supporting handmade!!!

Secret Ghoul Gift Exchange

2009-10-22T05:43:00.005-04:00

Some of the members of BurningMoon's Under $20 BNR thread decided to have a Secret Ghoul Gift Exchange. It is just like a Secret Santa at Christmas only this was Halloween themed.

The person that sent me a gift was BeadingbyBawissa. I received a cute bear wearing a candy corn necklace and beaded candy corn earrings (that she made and are available in her shop), some window clings, stickers and a couple of note pads. It was a really nice gift!!

Below are a couple of pictures of what she sent me. Thanks Melissa!!

Over The Top Blog Award

2009-10-20T18:20:00.003-04:00

Okay, so my blog was tagged with an over the top blog award from Deelights. I apparently have to answer these questions and tag three other blogs.

1 Where is your cell phone? Sitting next to me
2 Your hair? Brown
3 Your mother? Motherly
4 Your father? Quiet.
5 Your Favorite food? Anything
6 Your dream last night? ????
7 Your favorite drink? Sweet tea
8 Your dream/goal? Retirement!!!!
9 What room are you in? Basement
10 Your hobby? Cross Stitch
11 Your fear? Heights
12 Where do you want to be in six years? Living in Italy
13 Where were you last night? Home.
14 Something that you aren't? Thin
15 Muffins? Mmmm....blueberry!
16 Wish list item? To have my bills paid off
17 Where did you grow up? Same town I live in now
18 Last thing you did? Checked on the teenage lovebirds
19 What are you wearing? Dress clothes from the office
20 Your TV? Turned off at the present moment
21 Your pets? 2 dogs and 1 rabbit
22 Friends? Few but precious
23 Your life? Busy.
24 Your mood? Stressed
25 Missing someone? Always.
26 Vehicle? 2005 Chevy Cobalt - in the body shop
27 Something you're not wearing? Shoes
28 Your favorite store? Jewelry store
29 Your favorite color? Green
30 When was the last time you laughed? Today.
31 Last time you cried? Long ago.
32 Your best friend? Local - Bev; Long distance - Jeannie
33 One place where you go over and over? Work, work & more work
34 One person who emails you regularly? My hairdresser...love the jokes!35 Favorite place to eat? Any place where I didn't have to do the cooking

And the three blogs I am tagging are

DogDazzle

HaveFaithBelieve

SmileyMoos

Featured Etsy Items - 10/18/09

2009-10-18T17:38:00.011-04:00

I thought I would so something a little fun today that might bring a smile to everyone...ANIMAL NOSES! Some of these are note cards and some are prints, but all of them made me smile when I saw them. I hope it does the same for you.

Simply click on the picture and it will take you directly to the Etsy shop where it is available for more information and/or purchase.

Let's Help One Another

2009-10-13T12:41:00.003-04:00

I'm promoting this bracelet I saw in an Etsy forum thread today. I think it is absolutely beautiful!

Click the picture and it will take you to the Etsy shop.

Do you "HEART" my Items????

2009-10-13T11:50:00.002-04:00

Here's a great deal for any of my followers that have "hearted" my Etsy items in the past looking to buy in the future...

I'm having a MAJOR case of the "etsy lack-of-sales blues" today.

I REALLY, REALLY want a sale today!!!The next person that buys from me I will EITHER refund 40% of the item price OR free shipping, whichever is more.

Just type "ETSY BLUES" in notes to seller at check-out.

Featured Etsy Items - 10/11/09

2009-10-11T08:30:00.009-04:00

Since we are in the middle of the college football season and my favorite team, THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES, had another resounding win yesterday (YAY! Go Bucks!!!) I thought I would do a feature on my favorite OSU items found on Etsy.

Click on each picture and it will link you directly to that Etsy store. Many of these shops also have items available for other colleges/universities or will customize an item for you.

ORNAMENT SALE

2009-10-10T07:11:00.014-04:00

Sorry for the time lapse since my last blog posting. I've been a little overwhelmed the past 2 weeks and something had to give, so unfortunately it was my blog. However, I'm back and WILL have my normal Sunday post tomorrow of Featured Etsy items.

Currently I'm running an ORNAMENT SALE in my Etsy shop!

Buy any 3 or more ornaments, and you can mix & match between Halloween and Christmas and I will refund 20% of the purchase price via PayPal. I've been adding at least 1 new ornament per week, so keep checking back for new selections.

If you click the pictures below, it will take to directly to that item in my shop.

8 HOUR SALES FRENZY!!!

2009-10-03T18:09:00.004-04:00

BurningMoons Under $20 BNR is having a 8 Hour Sales Frenzy tonight and I'm participating in it.

My sale is 25% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE (excluding shipping) during this sale only when you join the BNR.

Now's the time to buy those items you've hearted at a great discount. Stop by my shop and see the selection.

EBAY Retirement Sale

2009-10-02T07:48:00.005-04:00

I'm currently having an EBAY "Retirement" Sale. I've sold on there for years, but the fees have become way too high to make any money. At the end of my sale I will officially be "retired" from doing business on that site.

If you'd like to stop by and check it out I will be listing items on an almost daily basis through 10/15/2009, with 40 currently listed as of this morning.

You can choose from clothing, AVON items, PartyLite candle items, there will be some china along with other misc. items. All great deals!! Anything that is not sold will be donated to Goodwill after the end of my sale.

My EBAY username is also STITCHNMOMMA. I've included a picture of a screenshot below if you aren't familiar with how to locate a specific seller on EBAY or you can simply click the link I've embedded with my username.

Thanks for looking and I hope you find some great deals that interest you!!

I Laughed So Hard I Almost Peed My Pants!!!

2009-09-28T18:33:00.004-04:00

OK, I hear my Mom's voice over my shoulder telling me it's not nice to make fun of other people, but sometimes you just can't help but laugh and wonder what they were thinking!!!

The picture below brought to us by the great people at http://peopleofwalmart.com is a great example of one of those times. And even if the picture itself isn't funny, the captions that go with them typically are.

The website has 30 days worth of photos (237 of them!!) and can really make you wonder.

Hope you enjoy and don't think I'm a bad person for needing a good laugh sometimes too!!!

This man is becoming a legend on this site! But when you start to accent the undies with a flannel vest, HOT DAMN!! How could you not be legendary?Pennsylvania

Featured Etsy Items - 9/27/09

2009-09-27T08:20:00.040-04:00

This week's feature is dedicated to items from BURNING MOON'S $20 & UNDER BNR. For those of you that aren't familiar with a BNR it means "buy & replace". You buy an item from a shop on the list, take one of their "hearts" and you will then be placed on the list for people to buy from you. It is a great way to get your Etsy shop promoted along with meeting new friends.

If you see an item you like, simply click on that picture and it will take you directly to the shop where it is available for more information or purchase.

Cool Rides a Woman Can Love

2009-09-25T12:35:00.005-04:00

MSN had a post this morning with some really cool rides for us women. Take a look at these beauties

Foot Fashion - Part 2

2009-09-23T05:58:00.007-04:00

Here is the next segment from the crazy shoes (if you can call them that). Again, the editorial with each photo is what was in the email I received.

Did they borrow this idea from Hannibal Lecter?

Now, I must confess. These might surprise us. They look springy.
You could pogo your way to where you're going.
Learning how to stop might take some experience once you get hopping.

I hope this is a joke. I've never fancied myself looking like one of those half-horse kind of people

If the designer was going for the "big foot" look, they missed.
Looks more like Hobbits' feet. Do they come with flea spray? (And for those of you trying to look closer, yes, that is a Krispy Kreme Donuts logo you see on the shoes!!!)

I hope the lights work on these. You could see where you're walking in the dark. That would be cool.

There is still 12 more pair of "shoes" left to feature...so stay tuned for the next post!! :)

Featured Etsy Items - 9/20/09

2009-09-20T07:09:00.009-04:00

This weeks feature will be PAINTINGS, PRINTS & PHOTOS. So let's get right down it.

THE BRIDE by NomadicDragon

BLUE OCTOPUS by AcrylicandSteel

DOOR IN CARTEGNA by YessysDesigns

PUMPKIN PATCH JACKOLANTERN by Caseynrbq

OLD LATCH ON GREEN DOOR by KNPhotography

WET NOSE by PnsNNedls