To Thank you with a special giveaway

One year ago today I created this blog to share my stitching ups and downs with the wonderful people in the stitching blogging world. I had three comments to that first post from three lovely ladies that I count as dear friends, Mare, Nancy M and Meari. Thank you.

My blog became a way for me to share my love of stitching but also quickly became a way to share the pain and fears I was experiencing while taking care of my Mom. Little did I know that my blog would include the last six and a half weeks of my Mom’s life, her passing in early December and my outpouring of grief and sorrow. (the photo to the right is one of my Mom, me and my Maggie at age 4, Christmas 1998)

This past year has included and continues to include some major readjustments to being alone without my best friend, my Mom. The first Birthday, Mother’s Day, and all holidays without her there. I miss her with all my heart.

But this year hasn’t been all sorrow and tears. Especially in last five months with the arrival of my new pup, Rory. And even more recently the beginnings of Rory’s career in a dog show ring. This marks the beginning of a long dormant dream of mine. To raise and show an Irish setter.

Through it all there have been so many wonderful people who have listened to my tears and brought me comfort with their kind words. Other bloggers who have left comments of praise for my stitching which warmed my heart and inspired me to stitch more. And some fellow bloggers who continue to share my smiles and pride of my beautiful boy, Rory. I hope in the next year to continue sharing with you my ups and downs. And I hope and pray that there will be many more ups than downs. Lots more stitching finishes and more shows and ribbons for Rory.

How can I ever thank you all? Each comment, each private email, each dear sweet one of you? I can never find the right words that express how much you all mean to me. (And I am trying but not really succeeding in holding back the tears.) Just know that each comment, each and every one warms me to my soul.

I know one way to say thank you. I am going to end this post with something good. A giveaway. Not one but two of them! In celebration of my first Blogaversay (and hitting the 100th follower milestone) I will be drawing two names for two separate giveaway prizes.

The first is a selection of at least four patterns and four pieces of fabric. (Click on the photo to see part of the selection in giveaway 1) I will add another pattern or two or some floss or other stitching items but they will be a surprise.

The second will be for the BBD pattern, Awake the Dawning Day, that I just finished and the floss that is left. Except for one color, Weeks Dye Scuppermong, it looks like there is plenty left to stitch the piece again. You provide the fabric. I am hoping that this one will be passed along when the winner here is finished stitching it. I will also include some other stitching items but they will be a surprise.

Included with both giveaway 1 and 2 will be a Christmas ornament that I am working on. That too will be a surprise.

Now for the rules.

To be entered in either giveaway you need to leave a comment to this post. And this post only.
If you prefer either giveaway 1 or 2 then please mention that in the comment. If you don’t I will include your name in both.
For a second chance in the drawing please tell others about the giveaway and post a link on your blog.
For another chance tell me if you are a follower. Or become one.

I will mail anywhere, US, Canada, Europe, etc. And I do allow anonymous comments. So feel free to enter. You have until midnight, October 31, Halloween, to enter. I (with Rory’s help of course) will draw the winners on Sunday, November 1 and announce the winners on Monday.

Oh and the most important rule. Your email address. Either leave it as part of your post or make sure it is on your blog so I can contact you.

Until next time…………

Love and stitches
Kathy
and Rory too

****(edited to add) PS

To anonymous who said "Sorry you didn't like Rich and Spicey..." It's not that I don't like it but I got a second one from someone else. I don't need two of the same pattern. So it will be someone else's gain.