Marvelous Monday Update 1/10/11

SADNESS
Yesterday, the stitching community lost one of its members. Rene (aka Rene la Frog) had been having health problems throughout last year. Right before Christmas she was diagnosed with cancer, and had been spending the last couple weeks in hospice. She touched many lives through her position as moderator of Yahoo stitching groups, her blog (HERE) and by teaching an online Hardanger class. My condolences go out to her family. She leaves behind a beloved husband, children, and grandchildren. She will be missed.


SCHOOL
School starts today. Can you read the enthusiam? lol After this, I'll only have three more classes to go. WOO HOO! Unfortunately, they are all online classes in finance. Wish me luck.


TREASURE HUNTING
I had a bit of time on my hands last Saturday morning. Since it had been a while since I'd visited the thrift stores, I decided to give it a go. The first thing that caught my eye was this spoon holder:


Even though I had broken mine a while back and needed one, I didn't put this in my cart right away. I did go back and get it after making my journey through the entire store. When I got home, I noticed the bottom:


It's a Longeberger Woven Traditions spoon rest! I don't know how much these retail for, but I saw some completed auctions on eBay for about $10. I'd say I got a great deal at 99cents!

As I meandered my way through the store, I looked down and saw this on a bottom shelf:


It's a 7-Qt Hamilton Beach Mealmaker Slow Cooker. It's HUGE! I can put an entire chicken or ham in it. It retails for $40, and I got it for a mere $7.99! There was a lady following behind me, who later in passing asked how much it was priced for and commented what a nice crock pot it was. She practically salivated all over it, lol. When I went to pay for my two "treasures", the cashier told me they had just put the crockpot out the night before. My lucky day! :) Even my Mom wanted it when I showed it to her.


STITCHY STUFF
I received two prize packages in the mail last week. :) Carolyn from Taking One Stitch At A Time hosted a Christmas giveway. She was very generous! I thought I was just getting the Santa kit, but no... Here's what she sent me:

I love the Christmas fabric!
I can see some ornies being made with it.
Everchanging Seasons by Elsa Williams White Christmas by D. Morgan

Both of the above kits are really pretty :)
Thank you very much, Carolyn!

Chris from Tot Hill Farm Stitches also hosted a giveaway that her DH pulled my name as the winner! She also was generous... just look what she sent:



Lots of stitchers participate in the TUSAL. I didn't participate because I didn't think I stitch that much compared to other stitchers. I was quite surprised at the pile of orts I pulled out of my ort bag that hangs on the arm of the sofa.

These are all the orts from 2010.

The only stitching I did this past week was a few hours last night while talking on the phone. Here's an update of Blossom Splendor:


I have put this away, and will be stitching on JG next... as school allows.