RAK ANYONE.

Hi every one , I have stitched another RAK if you would like it leave a comment , more than one I will pull names out of the hat.
It's a bit bigger this time thats why it's not finished but will get around to it this week.
April went by far to fast. And I have been in the garden far too long , but it is lovely to have some sunshine. Have a lovely stitching week.

...magazine rak winner...

hello dear friends,
....cross stitch and needle work magazine rak winner is..
LISA V
..i put all the names in the hat and pick up one..i truly love this old method and its so much fun :)
congrats Lisa..i will post the mag to you tomm morning....
big hugs to all my friends..
love you all
cucki xxx

My first RAK surprise...

I was so thrilled and excited to come home from work to find this great RAK from Melissa waiting for me.

Melissa had checked out my Wishlist on 123 Stitch and chose these Lizzie Kate patterns to send to me - thank you so much Melissa, I am so very happy with your gift.  I am part of the Christmas Ornament SAL 2013 so these Christmas designs will really help me with my ornament stitching.

The lovely Melissa also sent me these cute red and white buttons to help embellish the designs.

Melissa must have also picked up on my love of travel and history because she sent me this great post card of the Gateway Arch which commemorates Thomas Jefferson and symbolises the door to the American West in St. Louis, her hometown.

Melissa, I am so overwhelmed by your generosity,  Thank you again,

hugs,

Taking a hiatus

I'm going to have to take a little break from hosting (not permanently) on this blog.  I will return as soon as I am feeling better.

It would seem that after a year long remission my Cluster/Migraine headaches have returned with a vengeance and I am tired of the pain!  I can't eat, can't stitch, can't read and can't sleep!  I've had this problem on/off for the past 30+ years so it is nothing new but unfortunately when it happens it can be debilitating.  This attack is really, really bad!  I get a headache daily always on the right side of my head, always centered around my eye.  You can click on this link "Cluster Headaches" if you want to know more about it too.

The only thing that works is patience (lots of painkillers) and eventually it will be gone as suddenly as it arrived (which was about a week ago with a migraine first) so looking at my history I have a few more weeks like this.  When I get a bad attack it normally lasts for about a month and the headache is usually bad about 4 times per day.  The pain was so bad I almost went to the ER on the weekend but I know that there is very little else that they can do for me so it's a waste of my time.

I won't be adding any new members during this time.  I'll pop in once a week to see how things are going (if I can).  Unless you have an urgent request, I won't be replying to any emails either.  Thanks for your patience and understanding during this time :)

Lynda made me speechless !!!!!

Hi every one :) just like to say that Lynda rendered me speechless yesterday .... I arrived home from a stitching weekend at Whitby UK (on blog if you want to peep) to find a wee package addressed to me from Lynda ..... 

I opened it up to find ....... The Needleworker  by LHN .... now you can see why I was speechless .... 

THANK YOOOOOOOOOU once again for putting a very big grin on a wee mouse :) xxxxx

a wonderful RAK from Lynda to mouse 

RAK Giveaway....

Hello Friends,
                        i would like to pass on this mag...if someone is interested, please leave a comment here..
If more than one likes it, i will draw a name...
.....i am happy to post anywhere in the world..
thank you :)
................lots of love for you all *.*
              cucki <3

RAK posted...

Hello there!
........... A sweet RAK is flying to a far away land...i hope my sweet friend likes it :)
~big hugs~
cucki *.*

Anyone want a free pattern?

Can I please interest anyone in a free pattern?  The Mar Bek and Victorian Bookmarks are new I just found something else I wanted to stitch instead lol.  The cute moo-cow and wreath have light pink highlighting on them and the purple butterly I made a copy of so it looks like new.  I will mail them anywhere in the world on the May 1st; I just want to give them to someone who wants to stitch them :) <3 Elle

Group Update Time

Hi Everyone

I'm amazed at all the lovely kindness that is spreading around our group :0)  I'm very glad that I decided to set up this blog for us all to enjoy!

We are a 1/4 of the way through the year and I thought it would be a good time to check in with everyone to see how many of us haven't received a RAK so far.  When I started the group I really wanted to try to make sure that everyone was included at some point during the first year.

Can anyone that has not received a RAK yet please leave a comment on this post :)  I think that will help all of us for our future RAK's.  This doesn't mean that we can't send to someone if they have already had a RAK, I just thought it would be nice to see who hasn't.

Thanks,
Angela

**Post dated to stay on top for a week**

WHOOPS I FORGOT TO MENTION

the lovely little bird Deborah sent with her RAK its hand made by her from I think  linen thank you so much for it , its hanging on my welsh dresser cuboard door.
Eileen

Mailed.....

Another 2 stitched RAK's this morning.  The LHN Gingerbread ornament and a Lizzie Kate finish are now on their way to new homes.  Both are going to countries I have always wanted to visit :)  I did forget to take a picture of the Lizzie Kate finish though so I'm hoping the recipient will take one for me too!

I'll have another stitched Lizzie Kate finish to send out next month.  Don't forget to visit my personal blog Hooked on Stitches to enter into my 5 year Blogoversary Mystery Giveaway!

Who likes Prairie Schooler designs?

I'm wondering next who likes Prairie Schooler designs?  I love them and haven't stitched one for ages :)  Please leave a comment if you love them too!  Thanks, Angela

Who likes Lizzie Kate Designs?

Out of curiosity...........is there anyone in the group that loves Lizzie Kate Designs?  Now the real question is "what the heck am I up to?"  LOL :)  It's a secret..........

I GOT MY FIRST RAK!!!!

HI I'm so excited, I came home from the knitting group I run and found my first RAK on the doormat from Deborah. She sent me 2 charts, A CONTENTED HEART by EWE and EYE and O'STARRY NIGHT by Little by Little, some buttons 3 key charms and some puffed flowers, I'm so pleased with it all thank you so much Deborah, sorry theres no photo my camera isn't well!! we are looking into buying a new one.
From a very happy Eileen in UK

RAK sent

Cucki, the travelling pattern is on its way to you and I have included a little RAK with it.  Enjoy xx

New Member Post :)

Hello!
My name is Elle, I currently live near Chattanooga Tennessee.  My mother taught me to cross stitch as a child and have picked it up again in the past couple of years.  I absolutely love the colors; I suspect its color therapy in my case J  I really feel like it relieves my stress somehow… I’m so happy to join this blog as I really don’t know anyone who stitches anymore and I love it and just want to interact with people who love it too! 

Right now I am between careers and am a very blessed stay-at-home Mom.  I’m in my early thirties; married with one little stinker-winker.  My four year old is very interested in my stitchwork and likes to see the projects, magazines and pull the threads through for me.  He’s such a good little helper! 

I traveled extensively as a child and young adult and love seeing new places!  I have certainly missed it in the last 5 years and it is a goal of mine to mark off all the continents someday and all of states-side as well.  I love photography and can be seen quite frequently stalking bullfrogs, flowers, children and the “barn scene” that my parents have created a few acres away from my house complete with a big old barn, horses (yard art lol) and a beautiful orange tractor conveniently broken down next to their pond.  My other child is my golden retriever/horse I adopted; he is the neighborhood pet as well and I have several barn cats and kittens that I cannot resist.   I love little hissy cats!!! It’s so much fun to sit up in the old hayloft during spring and watch the kittens pounce on each other…very peaceful. 

Besides that I love love love to read, spend time in the Smoky Mountains, and play in my “weed garden” ha ha ha (I’m a horrible gardener but it’s such fun!).  I also collect Amy Brown and Stephanie Mui-Pun Law Faery Art and am an avid fan of Louise Hay’s affirmations and books.  Her wonderful positivity has really helped me change my attitude through some incredibly tough spots in my life and I try to use her affirmations daily.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and thanks for taking the time to read a little about me, I know I wrote a lot! J Elle

RAK in the mail...

Hi there!

An RAK is going for a bit of a trip to the other side of the world from me.  I sure hope the receiver likes it.

Melissa

Thanks Angela!

Thanks so much Angela for sending me one of the Tiny Tidings patterns!  I LOVE it and can't wait to stitch it!  :D

~McKenna

RAK Giveaway......

LHN Gingerbread Cookie Ornament

I'd like to send out my last ornament finish as a RAK to a member of this blog that will really love it!  If you are interested in this ornament then please leave a comment and I will send it to someone at random, secretly of course :)

I'll work on some more stitched RAK's to send out soon!  This giveaway will stay open until the end of April :)

Thank you Elena :)

Dear friends,
i had a fun day today...
thank you so much dear Elena for this sweetest rak for me..
i love my sweet gift so much...i love love love love my lovely scissor fob and cutest needle book..
your sweet gift made my day..
huge thank you *.*
~ happiness everywhere ~
smiles and blessings
cucki <3
               

Thank you sweet Angela :)

awww thank you dear angela for such sweet chart,,
i love it so much ..
you truly so sweet and kind.
big hugs ,...with smiles
cucki <3

My first RAK has been sent

I have shipped my first RAK out today, what a wonderful feeling of delight just putting the package together hoping it brightens someone's day.

I've Been RAK'd

I had a lovely surprise after work today.
This RAK parcel arrived from Eileen, and what a lovely treat!

Eileen and I met many years ago through a round robin group and she remembers me well.
Look at the sweet hedgehog pillow she stitched up for me.  She also included some pretty pins with it, a "WADE" hedgehog ornament and a cute little hedgehog notebook.

Thank you Eileen, they were such a lovely surprise.
Hugs
LISA

Thank you Angela

Angela was so sweet to send me some charts from my favorite designers. :-)

One is a Lizzie Kate and the other Little House Needleworks along with a nice note. This is one of my first RAKs thanks so much:-) 

Thanks, Dawn!!

My schedule has become crazy, as baseball is in full swing.  We are currently juggling 6 teams between the three boys ~ yes, we are certifiable and it is a good thing we like baseball!  

I owe a big thank you to Dawn, who has once again RAK''d me!! 

Just look at this sweet scissor fob!!  She apologized for not having a black dog like Panzer, silly girl, I love it no matter what the dog looks like!  And I did have a pair of black scissors to pair it with, so all is good!!

Thanks again, Dawn!  I love it!!  

Now, take me out to the ball~game!

RAK from Eileen

Another beautiful and thoughtful RAK arrived for me today :)

Eileen thought she would put together a little parcel for me since I hadn't been able to stitch.  She included a lovely bookmark, cute pig coaster/cushion, pins for my future finishes, a postcard and then the absolutely gorgeous pincushion.

Here is a closer view..............

I know it's a Plum Pudding Needleart design "A Bit of Blue" because I was just looking at this chart the other day :)  I love the beaded edging on this, it's so pretty and finishes it off lovely.

Thank you again Eileen :)  I really appreciate your RAK!

I am back to stitching a bit more now but my pain is on and off again.  I did just post a finish on my blog this morning that I am very proud of!

Thank you sweet Catherine

Wow just had a package from Catherine full of goodies, thank you so much Catherine

Two lovely kit's , can't wait to start them now.

Butterflies every where.

Catherine stitched me this beautiful heart so pretty.

And what a beautiful pin pillow and pins.

WOW WOW WOW.

Thank you love every thing.

Thank You Angela

Thank you so much for the 'Home Sweet Home' Needleworks chart.  My boyfriend brought it to me today as I am in hospital and it has cheered me up so much.  Thank you xx

I'm Soo Lucky!!

I got such a lovely surprise in the mail today.  I am one of the lucky recipients of a RAK from Elena.
I feel soo honoured that she chose to send me a "trio of beauties".

A little pin pillow, needlebook and scissor holder set.

Thank you soo much Elena, I was soo excited to receive your parcel and over the moon to see the gorgeous set inside.  I shall treasure them always.
Thanks and big hugs
LISA V

Thank You Eileen!

Thanks so much Eileen for all those Joan Elliott charts!  I LOVE them!  I can't wait to stitch them!

Sorry this is late!
~McKenna

Thank you Anne!

I'm SOOOO sorry for how late this is!  I've been sick twice in the past month and I just got home from my first craft fair.....so I've been busy!

Anyway...

THANK YOU Anne for my Mar Bek Angel!!!  I love her!  I can't wait to stitch her!

Again, sorry this was late!
~McKenna