It's about time

I post an update of stitching and stuff isn't it? My last update was, what, two weeks ago?
They last two weeks started with another snowstorm. Then Rory and I attended three dog shows. (a second place and two fourth places) We had a house full of people and dog company for a day. I had a pretty lousy week of migraines (two of them!) which equals four lost days. (Gosh I hate those things. ) Along with all that I mailed out my two exchanges and made some nice progress on another wip, Simply Live. I am also stitching on two more exchanges and a gift. No photos of those yet. So without further ado here are some photos of our busy two weeks.

Rory and company playing chase in the snow.



Rory and his "cousin" wrestling on the deck.


Digging for snowballs



My Stitch Red for your Heart HOE exchange. This is what I made and sent to Sheril. This was my very first pin keep. It isn't perfect but the fob I made came out good.

This is what I stitched for my partner, Brenda, in the Lizzie Kate Exchange blog round three.


My progress on Live Simply. Aren't these colors gorgeous?

So that about sums up my last two weeks. I hope the next two are a little more restful. No dog shows until at least the end of March.

Don't forget to sign up for Rory's First Birthday giveaway. Go to the previous posting to leave your comment to enter. All the wonderful comments that have been left so far have moved me so. Stitching people and bloggers are such warm and loving people. You all are fabulous. Oh, and Rory just loves all Birthday hugs. I am also finding your ONS favorites interesting. There are a couple I haven't heard of. It is fun looking through all of the new websites. Thank you all.

Until next time............

Love and stitches

Kathy

and Licks from Rory too

A Special Giveaway

March 5th is my little boy's Birthday. I can't believe my Rory will be one already. In some ways it feels like he has been part of my life for ages and in other ways it's like I only brought him home a little while ago. What a difference he has made to my world. Just like with a child, whether you feel up to it or not you have to get up every morning and feed him, take him out and entertain him.

And the rewards? Unconditional love. Companionship. And never a day without a smile.

So in honor of Rory's first Birthday I am holding a special giveaway.

I am sure most of you (if not ALL of us) have been eagerly awaiting all the new things from the Nashville Market. All those who attended and picked up all kinds of wonderful new things for us to buy are busy updating their web sites or rearranging their store shelves. Just waiting for us stitchers to come and empty our wallets and bank accounts. I know I can't wait to go see some of these fabulous treasures at my LNS. She is having a Market Day this coming Saturday. My calender is marked!

So what does this have to do with a giveaway you ask? Everything!

The giveaway prize is a 25 US dollar gift certificate to the online needlework shop of your choice. Maybe you will spend it on some of those fabulous new things from the Nashville Market.

To enter you need to leave a comment on this posting only telling me which ONS, online needlework shop, is your personal favorite and why. Be sure to leave your email address if it isn't part of your profile. And the full name of the shop so I can locate it online.

That's it. Easy peasey.

Oh, and if you would like to wish His Royal Higness, Prince Rory, a Happy First Birthday I will pass on the message. Especially since he will be helping me pick the winner of the giveaway on Saturday, March 6th. I will announce the winner here on Monday, March 8th.

Until next time...........

Love and stitches

Kathy

and licks from Rory too

Before the madness begins

I thought I would post a quick update on our goings on. The weather people are predicting a Nor'easter for tomorrow with up to 12 inches or more of snow. Great. Not. Especially since Thursday Rory and have a dog show. As well as Saturday and Sunday. And these are specialties with lots and lots of other Irish setters so Rory needs to look his best. And be on his best behavior. I know. Not an easy thing for him. Sigh. He tries.

The first photo shows one of the Robins sitting outside my kitchen window early Saturday morning. No, they don't mean spring anymore. More and more the robins winter here on Long Island. But it was still neat to see him there.

Saturday also brought me a package in the mail. My exchange from Michele on HoE too. The most exquisite pin pillow I have ever seen. I only wish my camera could really show you how gorgeous this is. The heart is inset in a satin fabric with a beautiful lace on the back. Isn't it stunning? Michelle's finishing is just perfect! She included a few extras. An adorable ladybug pin, a beaded fob, a small box of chocolate Texas Pecan clusters, a hanging metal Valentine and sparkly hearts for my cell phone. :) I love everything. Thank you so very much Michelle.

On Sunday Rory and I attended a fun match show at a local dog training facility. More practice for us both. He did well and we came home with a couple more ribbons. Since it was close to home I invited my nieces to come and one of them took a short video of us in the ring. It is an absolute hoot. Only one small problem. it is on facebook and I don't know how to download it here. But if you are on facebook with me and want a laugh just click here.

I have finished stitching my two of my exchanges and need to get the second one in the mail. I just need to finish the finishing. I should have time tomorrow if the weatherman is right. Then I have two more to stitch so no stitchy photos from me today.

I'll leave you with one of my tired little boy at the end of our busy weekend. And if you are in Uniondale, NY, over the weekend stop in at the Nassau Coliseum and you can watch me run in circles. Wish us luck.

Until next time..............

Love and stitches

Kathy

and licks from Rory too

A mid week update

Rory and I are back from our travels. It was a really nice weekend. I had a wonderful visit with my brother, sister-in-law and niece. I only have a few photos and as soon as my brother sends me the ones on his camera I can post those.

The two dog shows went well. And it was so nice having family come watch. Rory did just as I thought he would. Basically second place. But that's okay. He behaved and was such a good boy and that was what I wanted. He will always be number one to me no matter what any judge says.





Actually Rory behaved fabulously all weekend. For his first visit to someone elses home he was much better behaved than I expected. Let me tell you he can be full of surprises. Like the one he gave me Thursday evening while I was getting everything packed in anticipation of Friday mornings departure.

I had let him out around 7 PM for a quick potty trip outside. it was only 15 degrees and windy. In other words COLD!! After a few minutes I went to check on him. Hmmmmmmmmm. I don't see him and he isn't coming. Okay. So I call again and he finally comes where I can see him. He has something in his mouth. A toy? No, he is close enough that I can see he has a squirrel in his mouth. And it isn't a fake one. YUCK!!!

I spent the next 25 minutes or so chasing him, calling him, cajoling, begging pleading with him. All to no avail. I then went back in the house and grabbed some food to try. I threw chunks of warm french bread pizza that I had made for my dinner at him. That worked. So I quick grab the carcass. Not a pretty sight. It must have been left by the neighborhood feral cats since it, well, wasn't whole. DOUBLE YUCK! It probably took me another hour just to warm up and stop shivering from revulsion and cold. Just another day in the life of Kathy and Rory.

As for stitching I have been getting some done. The two exchanges are finished and I have two more to do. So no photos of those yet. I have made some progress on Simply Live. This photo is awful. Sorry I tried about 6 times to get a decent one but I hope you get the idea.


And just to keep on the stitching topic I took a photo of one of my older pieces. This is one of my earlier ones. It is hanging on my brother and sis-in-law's wall. See the date? 1991.






Until next time................

Love and stitches
Kathy
and licks from Rory too

PS. The photos with the white background were taken at our local Petco. Didn't they turn out fabulous?