Go Vols!!!

I’m home from my vacation. I had a really nice time seeing family and friends. I also got to see the AMAZING game between Tennessee and Memphis on Saturday night. Tennessee went into the game ranked #2 in the country taking on the #1 and undefeated Tigers from the University of Memphis. It was an amazingly fast-paced and very close game between two great teams which are both from my home state. The lead changed several times throughout the course of the game, but with under a minute to go, the Vols took the leader for one last time. We ended up winning the game 66-62 over the Tigers. What a thriller!

Here is an awesome photo of JP Prince taken by Sports Illustrated photographer Bob Rosato.

I guess all that’s left to say is …

We’re #1!!!!

Yep, for the first time in the history of the men’s basketball program at the University of Tennessee, they are ranked #1 in the nation. This naturally leads to lots of excitement as we head into March Madness. The Vols have made 15 NCAA tournament appearances, but the best we’ve ever done in the past is making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Hopefully this will be the year we can go all the way!

Birthday Dovos

I decided to treat myself to a new pair of Dovo scissors for my birthday. I freely admit this was a total impulse purchase. I went over to the LNS to pick up something else. As soon as I walked in, the owner let me know she had gotten in a new order of Dovo scissors since she knows how much I love them. As soon as I picked up this pair, I knew they were mine. I love the matte gold finish!

As you can also see in the photo, I picked up a copy of Blue Mountain Bunny from The Sweetheart Tree. This will definitely be going high on the New Starts wish list as soon as I finish my WIP Killer challenge.

Speaking of which, I’m this close to be done with my 2nd finish for my challenge. This piece is called Stitcher’s Chicken from the former design line of Sisters & Best Friends. All I have left to do is add another felt flower, a few beads, and a couple of buttons.

On a final note, I just wanted to add that I’m moving away from the tiny thumbnails in my blog and will be posting larger versions of my pics now. You can still click on them to see a larger version if you want though. I just thought it would be nicer to have larger thumbnails here in my blog. I’ll save the tiny ones for when I’m posting to message boards.

Happy stitching!

Fair & Square Round 5

I received my squares today from Malinda for round 5 of the Fair and Square exchange. Her stitching is wonderful! She also included a LHN chart (Two White Houses) and some Belle Soie silks from my wish list. Here’s a photo of what she sent:

She used elements from a Blackbird Design called “Be Kind and True“. Thanks so much, Malinda!

Happy Birthday to me!

I just had I just HAVE to share photos of the beautiful bourse my dear friend Terri gave me yesterday. It’s actually a birthday gift, but since I’ll be out of town when my birthday arrives next week, she gave it to me now.

This was the first bourse she’s ever made and I think she did an amazing job!! She said she used the bourse tutorial from the Focus on Finishing blog. The first photo shows what it looks like closed. The second photo shows all the goodies that awaited me when I opened it. The last photo shows the beautiful initial she stitched inside as well as a closer look at the goodies she included. As always, just click on the thumbnails to see a larger view.

She also wrote me one of the most creative cards I’ve seen in a while. Here’s what she wrote:

Melissa -

I agonized over what to get you for your birthday. I figured the best way to go would be food. So! I’ve prepared you a wonderful cranberry salad from a recipe I found. Next is a cheesy lasagna made with an elegant eggplant. Dessert was tough. At first I thought “healthy” like fresh raspberries, but I wasn’t sure they were in season. Knowing your fondness for cheesecake, I settled on a carrot cake version, and I’m even providing espresso with a great creme de menthe.

Doesn’t that make you hungry? I hope you don’t mind my diet version of the above menu.”

I chuckled at first thinking the “diet version” was that I wasn’t getting any of that yummy sounding food. She then gave me the bourse and I just about cracked up when I realized all the foods were references to the colors of the silks she included. The fibers in the bourse are Belle Soie Cranberry, Lasagne, Elegant Eggplant, Fresh Raspberries, Carrot Cake, Espresso and Creme de Menthe. Isn’t that so clever?!!

Thank you SOOO much for such a wonderfully creative gift. She also wrote some really nice things about our friendship on her blog that left me all weepy. I’m really grateful to have her as such a wonderful friend in my life!! Love you, Terri!!

Am I Evil?

Just a bit, perhaps …

You Are 44% Evil

You are evil, but you haven’t yet mastered the dark side. Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

More new LHN designs to love!

Hoffman’s just released the photo of one of Diane’s Nashville releases. I LOVE this piece, too! So, this is another new Little House Needleworks design definitely going on my “must have” list.

There will be another new design debuted on Diane’s site at 5:00pm MT. I can’t wait to see what that one looks like, too! Nashville releases are always so exciting.

Edit to add the other Nashville release. Love this one, too!

10 Random Things

I was tagged by my good friend Kris, so here are 10 random things about me.

1. I have lost over 100 pounds and actually kept 75 of it off.
2. I sponsor 2 girls in India through Children International.
3. I worry too much about what others think of me.
4. I once appeared in a TV commecial with Richard Petty & Johnny Cash.
5. I came in 2nd place in a state typing contest in high school. (107wpm/1 error).
6. Someone very special to me gives me lots of cute bunnies — last count: 12
7. I have finished well over a dozen 5k races.
8. My favorite flowers are carnations, especially pink ones.
9. I’m an avid cross stitcher and have even done professional model stitching for a few designers.
10. My favorite soda (which I drink FAR too much of) is Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi.

So, there you go. I’m tagging Terri, Darla, and Jennifer. Normally I would also tag Tracy, but Kris beat me to it.

Home of a Needleworker (Too)

Ok, here is another new design that is DEFINITELY going on the wish list! This is a recent release from Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks called “Home of a Needleworker (Too)”. I have the original “Home of a Needleworker” stitched and framed already (you can see it here), but I LOVE this updated version, too! My original one is currently on loan to my LNS as a model, but when I get it back, I think these would look awesome to have hanging together.

Diane is also supposed to be updating her website on Friday with her Nashville releases. I really love her designs and can’t wait to see the latest releases.

Happy stitching!

Blue Mountain Bunny/Hannah Beeby

Oooh…I think I’m going to need this one! It’s a new Nashville release called “Blue Mountain Bunny” from The Sweetheart Tree. The name comes from the Blue Mountain fiber by Dinky Dyes used to stitch the piece. Yep, this one is definitely calling my name.

In other news, I signed up for the Hannah Beeby 1816 SAL that Terri is pulling together. I’m starting to think about fabric/fiber choices. Vikki Clayton has a variegated silk called “Examplar Moon-Called Sea” that is really calling my name. I ordered a skein each of about 5 colors that I really liked so I could do a toss with them to see which I like best. The SAL doesn’t start until the last full week of March, so I still have a bit of time to make a decision and then purchase the fibers.

OTOH, I have some “Snoqualmie Falls” over-dyed cotton floss from the now defunct Needle Necessities that I’ve been looking for a nice project for, too. I have a quarter cut of 36-count Tundra from Lakeside Linens that it looks really nice on, so I might just use that and actually stitch from my stash for a change. Here’s a floss toss I did with the NN on Tundra:

Thoughts?

Happy stitching!

What are you made of?

Thanks to Terri for sending me the link to today’s Frazz comic strip! I love it.