I'm so very thankful....

I don't often write about my personal life on my blog. I kind of like to keep my little world all to myself. But I can't write about what I'm thankful for without starting with my family. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Each and everyday I wake up with a smile and a heart that is filled with love. I have just about everything a woman could ever want, unless of course you are a women who love shoes. Me, I wouldn't trade my big warm slippers for a pair of high heeled pumps any day of the week.

I have an awesome husband. We were married 2 years ago in a little park near our old home. Our immediate family and friends were there to share our day with us. My little sister became ordained so she could officiate our ceremony. Our mom's were our witnesses. Since both our father's have passed, my sons gave me away. It was wonderful.
Here is a picture of me and my wonderful husband Paul onour wedding day. I love and cherish him and our life together more than I can say.


When I moved a few months ago, I told you that I had a new sewing studio. My hubby just finished my wall to wall, ceiling to floor shelves. They are to die for! I have so much to do, I haven't had to the time to organize my things on them yet. But when I finally have the time to lavish on them, I will be in sewing heaven. Here is an in-progress shot. We just put them up. I am still organizing. I'll give you the money shot once I have everything nicely organized.
Oh...I happy for my shelves, but I'm grateful for my husband Paul. He spoils me rotten and he is an incredible man.


I have a beautiful grand daughter, Brooke. She brings so much love and giggling to my life. How is it that a 2 1/2 year old can turn me upside down and inside out with joy with just her smile. Here she is in her "That's it, Take me to Grandma's!" t-shirt.


I have 2 sons who are all grown up. Jim is married to Ashley. She has such a heart of gold and her smile lights up the room. I can see why Jim adores her. They are so happy and that makes me happy.


Brett is the father of Brookey and Sam is her mom. I always wanted a daughter and now I have 2!

Samantha is an amazing mom and she is a warm and lovely young woman.


My growing family is amazing!

Of course, I cried during grace. I just have way too much to be grateful for this year. I really couldn't ask for anything else.
Paul laughed at me as I cried tears of joy as the door closed yesterday after a day of love and laughter. My heart is happy!

My extended family is big and beautiful. I am one of 7 kids. My mom is truly the best mom that ever was. She taught me that I could do anything with a little imagination. My father, whom I miss more than I can say taught me that with hard work and a tenacious spirit, to never give up to always give my best. Here is my ever-growing family as of last year.


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and your Christmas or your respective holiday is joyous.
I am also very thankful to share my work with you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you Elizabeth!

I always say that I meet the best people through my Etsy shop, Fiberluscious. Its amazing how generous they are in spirit, support and in encouragement. In September I met Elizabeth. She is the editor of Needlepoint Now. I felt incredibly honored to have someone who world revolves around stitching ask me to create an embroidered pincushion! One is for herself and the other was for a gift she wanted to give. I was a bit nervous, as I always want to do my best with each new project. She chose my humble little emery strawberry in fabrics from my civil war reproduction prints.

She asked me if I wanted to write a little something for her "What's New" section. I really feel like a beginner most days. I've only been stitching for 5 years and to tell you the truth, so much of my embroidery is freeform. I use about 5 stitches in ways they probably were never designed to be used! I pretty much just follow my heart. How could I pretend to be an expert!

To my great surprise, she went ahead and decided to just feature my strawberries in her December Newsletter and Christmas edition- one of her biggest issues yet!
Find her newsletter here- http://www.needlepointnow.com/wp-content/uploads/NN_NWSLTR_Oct13.pdf

I had no idea. All I knew was that suddenly everyone wanted a strawberry. The orders just kind of began rolling in. I"m currently filling over 15 orders from the last 5 days! Oh my. Its a great thing that I had a few designs in my shop. So I am not only creating berries like Elizabeth's. I'm have a bunch of black wool stumpwork berries to make.

If you want to see many more of my strawberry styles, check out a post I did in February of this year. Just click here.

Well, this is why I haven't written for you in such a long time. I'm so busy making beautiful things for my beautiful clients. I miss our chats as I always get such uplifting and fun comments from you all. It can be kind of lonely here without you all!

I have to tell you that I am a sucker for anyone who wants to give handmade for a gift. I think there is nothing more personal than something created specifically and lovingly for someone you love. Don't you agree? If so, you may use this coupon code for 10% off this holiday season- FiberJoy10. Its good till January 1st, 2014. It can be applied to your entire order. I even will provide a gift box if you tell me you need one. (I think I may be a distant descendent of Santa, That is if he is Polish and Irish!)

I do have a wonderful surprise for my next post!
I am working with a customer of mine who also has a beautiful shop on Etsy. Her name is Cynthia Crane and she has a shop featuring ceramics. So how do you mix a potter and a stitcher? Well, that's easy. She makes adorable buttons. We will be creating a project together! Click on her name, Cynthia Crane, to see her adorable Etsy shop.
Here is a peek at a few of her items.
Here is a cute little ornament. I ordered a mug for myself!



This is a mug much like the one I ordered. Isn't it adorable! I originally thought it would make a great gift, but it will be tough to let it go!

here is her website- Cynthia Cranes Art and Gardening Its so sweet and she has a free desktop calendar for you to download!


She is sending me a few buttons to stitch onto one of my pincushions. She also promises to offer a set of buttons for a giveaway! (I kind of felt like Oprah there)

So watch for our giveaway. I'll be creating a pincushion adorned with one of her buttons. She will be giving away buttons for you to adorn your own project!
Sign up for my newsletter if you don't want to miss it!
Until then- happy sewing!