The Stitcherhood

and here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/christmas-feather-tree-p-119.html

PS - Thanks again for all of the wonderful supportive comments!

THEY make ME smile!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T16:54:00.000-06:00

Wishing you all the very best of everything!

: )

New Design!

2011-12-15T08:43:00.003-06:00

Hi my friends!

Thank you all sooo much for the kind words of encouragement! All is going well with me. Getting back to work and back to my routine at home (WooHoo!).

I am offering my first design since coming home! This will be my only Christmas release for 2011, unfortunately. I had so many planned... but what can you do, right? Sometimes your plans just don't work out.

Oh well... I have too much to be grateful for to worry about it too much. : )

I am extremely happy about this design that shows a lovely Christmas feather tree adorned with red ornaments. Says "Merry Christmas" and has a fun red border. Primitive and Sweet! Simple and Beautiful!

Hope you all are well and if I don't talk to you in the next few days - Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all my VERY BEST!

Maria

Available here:

or here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88726006/pdf-e-pattern-emailed-primitive

2011-11-19T11:33:00.000-06:00

Hello friends!

I am so sorry to be missing for so long... but I assure you that I do have a good excuse. I lost a month!
On Friday October 14th - I went to bed just like normal, but woke my husband up around 5am with the worlds worst headache! I knew it was severe enough that I asked him to take me to our local small hospital where they immediately did an MRI only to discover that I has a massive brain aneurysm that was bleeding into my brain!

They called a Columbus hospital (the closest big city to us) and asked them to send the life flight helicopter.
As soon as I arrived at Riverside Methodist Hospital - they deposited me into ICU and proceeded to do a 10 hour surgery on my brain.

They shaved my head - I look so silly (spooky), and I have a giant incision along the right side of my head that will hopefully soon be covered by hair. (For those of you that know me.... I have always had long hair, so it is odd to have hair that is only about an 1/8th of an inch long... and it's cold!)
Prior to the surgery - I am told that they had to bring my body temp down to 16 degrees Celsius, stop my heart, ... and drained a large portion of my blood to prevent further rupture and bleeding ....

It took me 2 to 3 weeks before I knew what was going on! I awoke in the hospital in completely unfamiliar surroundings! Wondering... what the....? What happened? It felt to me like my husband and kids were gone. My house was gone. My dog & cat were gone. My clothes and possessions were gone. Everything was gone and I didn't know WHY. All I wanted was to go home. I was SO homesick! I had no memory of the last 3 weeks... to me it was still Oct. Little did I know that I had missed Halloween, the leaves turning, etc. A whole month had gone by without my knowledge.

Luckily my dad (living nearby) visited often. My nurses were wonderful. My surgeon was amazing. My husband (my hero!) & kids drove 4 hours to visit me as often as possible. I had many friends and family pulling for me! Thanks to you all! : )

So, I finally made it home! I am told that, alone, is a miracle. I still have physical therapy to deal with - but I am looking forward to anything and everything as long as I can be home!

I want to thank my doctor for his skilled hands, my nurses for all of their time and energy & caring natures : ) even in the light of my "ornery" behavior, my daughters and husband for sticking with me and keeping the home fires burning beautifully! Thanks to all of my family and friends for their prayers, well wishes, cards, love, good vibes, warm thoughts, well wishes, etc.

If I really am the miracle they say I am through all of this... I have no doubt that it is a direct result of all of those good wishes & prayers so please keep 'em coming as I am far from done with all of this! : )
Thanks again... and MUCH LOVE to you all!

Maria Warmke / The Stitcherhood

PS - I am slowly getting back to stitching (Christmas is coming!) but it is very slow as I only have 1 good eye at the moment. However - it is just so wonderful to be back to stitching, no matter how slow. LOTS to be Thankful for this year! : )

I LOVE this conversation...

2011-10-10T21:19:00.002-05:00

Hi Ladies!

(my apologies if there are men on here.. if so...

let me know! You deserve a medal!:))

I am sooo pleased to see the conversation going on here!

Missy choose "Bloom" as her free pattern.

I had so much fun with this free drawing,

and love to see

the spark of conversation it spurred....

I think I might do this again next week.

However...

Unfortunately, for ME,

I have 2 days of 3 hours each of dental procedures

coming up this week

(ick....eeeew... owww.)

but after that... I'll be back and spunky!

Hope you all have a spectacular week (free of dentistry)!

And the winner is.....

2011-10-09T13:42:00.000-05:00

Heeeelllllooo!!!

: )

It was so good to hear from you all!

Glad to know you're still there... makes blogging much more fun!

So, I took all of the names from all of the comments

and stuck them all in a basket.

I picked on out of the basket...

and the winner is....

Missy !

Congratulations...

I will send you an email to see which design you want.

For all the rest of you... don't fret...

this was so fun I think I'll make a habit of it!

Happy Sunday to you all!

((( Helllloooo!)))) Is anyone out there?

2011-10-07T23:12:00.000-05:00

Okay, my peeps...

I am not always so good at regular posts...

and I apologize for that.

BUT

I've not heard a single peep from any of you!

You still there?

According to Blogger, there are 187 of you...

so speak up!

Hmmm....

In order to spark some kind of life here....

I am going to offer a FREE PDF design of your choice to be emailed to you.

Pick ANY design from my collection on my website -

www.thestitcherhood.com

In order to win this PDF design... simply comment here with an email address.

I will put all entry's into a hat on Sunday, 10/16, and pick one.

Thanks Ya'll and Happy Fall! : )

~Maria

New Design!

2011-10-06T12:03:00.000-05:00

Hello my Friends!

I have a new design ready....

It's a companion to my last release "Be Witched".

Both available

in PDF format on my website :

or in leaflet version in my Etsy shop :

Re-done and Ready!

2011-09-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

Hello!

Thanks for your patience on this.

I had spotted a goof in this design

(luckily BEFORE it went into circulation! : )

So I pulled it and completly re-did it.

I changed a few things... and I think it is even better now!

Coming soon... a matching "Be Jolly" design for Christmas.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Available here:

My website in instant PDF format -

My Etsy in leaflet format -

http://hoffmandis.com/index.cfm?page=ffdet&desID=STITCHER

2 new patterns! Woo Hoo!

2011-09-18T15:52:00.003-05:00

Hello friends!

I have 2 new patterns that have just been released....

The first is my version of The Samplermakers Autumn Challenge.

We were all given several Autumn motifs and then were to use those

to make our own design with them. It has been so

fun to watch everyone's different designs!

Notice the new look?
Whatchoo think?
: )

Available on my website: http://www.thestitcherhood.com/patterns/

Or in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/stitcherhood

I had one all finished... and then found a goof, so I
have pulled it and will repost after it is fixed.
At least I caught it BEFORE it went out all over the place! : )

More finishes...

2011-09-11T18:55:00.002-05:00

I got a lovely email from Janice

with some photos of her finishes.

Thought I'd share them with you all.

Thanks Janice!

aren't they wonderful!

~ M ~

Finishes to share...

2011-09-05T12:31:00.000-05:00

Hello all!

It's a cozy rainy day here.

Love having a Monday off!

Susan was so thoughtful to share some of here finishes with me.

They were so creative - just beautiful!

Had to share them with you too.

I've been meaning to add a "gallery" to my website for finishes,

but haven't gotten that done yet - so until then, I'll share them here.

Thanks Susan!

If anyone else every wants to share their finishes - I'd be thrilled!

Have a great day!

~ Maria

Aren't they great!?

Big Cats and Big News

2011-08-31T12:05:00.002-05:00

Hi friends!

You all sure are quiet lately...

cat got'cher tongue?

On to the news... maybe not THAT big...
but I had to get your attention!

I can't decide if I am proud of...

or horribly embarrassed by....

the new "Friday Feature" on Hoffman's website.

Hmmmm.

Maybe a bit of both!

: )

~ M~

New Design!

2011-08-29T16:05:00.000-05:00

Offering a new Halloween Design!

Available here in instant download version:

Or here in paper pattern version:

: )

~ M ~

I'm Back! (Warning... LOTS of photos! : )

2011-08-26T12:31:00.001-05:00

Hello my friends!

I missed you!

I am back from a marvelous vacation...

my youngest is back in school....

my oldest is on a trip to Nashville with her friends...

I have the 400 loads of laundry from the trip done...

the fridge has food in it...

the house is clean (sort of)...

and I am ready to get back to designing!

Couldn't resist adding some (many) photos of our trip to Lake Erie.
(Click pictures to enlarge... much better that way. )

Most of the days were like this....

BUT...

There was one particular evening/night that was QUITE stormy!

Can you believe that???

THAT is a tornado (waterspout) right next to our cottage!

Scary.. but still kinda beautiful.

All in all.. a great time!

Now back to reality.

: )

~ M ~

Happy! Happy! Happy! Happy! Happy! Happy!

2011-08-05T20:37:00.002-05:00

Turning right!

~M~

They're Here! My 100th design!

2011-07-21T18:50:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

The 2 new designs are ready (with more in the works)!

So excited that these are my 100th and 101st designs!

Take care all!

: )

Available here in PDF instant download format:

Available here in leaflet format:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/july-4th-70-p-77.html

Finishes..... coming soon!

2011-07-18T18:25:00.004-05:00

Hello friends!

Hope you are all doing well and staying COOL!

Today it was 94 degrees with 97% humidity!
Ick.

I feel the need to grow gills just to breath ...

I'm tempted to cut off all of my hair as it has frizzed into a giant round mass!

It is so humid that the tree covered hills in the distance look blue...

I'm guessing from all of the water in the air!

My only hope is that I hear thunder rumbling far off in the distance.

Maybe it will rain and cool things off a bit! : )

I've been trying to stay cool by stitching some fall / Halloween designs....

dreaming of crisp, sparkling days and cool nights!

Here are 2 of them that will be released this week.

Stay cool my friends!

~ M ~

"All Hallows Eve"

"Owl Hollow"

PS - Since I wrote this post a few hours ago...
we had a 15 minute MASSIVE storm....
explosive thunder and striking lightning....
LOVE IT!....
and, yep, it IS cooler now!
Hope you all cool off too!
: )

~ M ~

Please remember that all contents of this blog,
including text and photos,
are copyright protected.

Thanks!

July 4th Celebration!

2011-07-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July to you all!

To celebrate....

I have put 2 of my July 4th holiday patterns on sale just for today!

Enjoy... and have a safe & happy holiday!

~ Maria

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/expressions-july-p-107.html

Question for you all....

2011-06-21T23:39:00.000-05:00

Hi My Friends!

I have a question for you all....

I am being considered for an ornament in the

"Just Cross Stitch" magazine ornament issue.

Hopefully the "Halloween" issue,

OR... the "Christmas" issue.

This would be huge! : )

I have a design ready and stitched....

but I was wondering if any of you would be willing

to take the finished stitched piece from me

and make it into an ornament for me?

I would be happy to pay -

or to trade in free designs of mine -

but I would need the finished ornament back

with simple directions of how it was made into an ornament

by October 1st!

A simple felt backed ornament with hanging

ribbon would be wonderful!

Whatever,,,,

Anything easy....

No need to be too fancy.... just simple and easy to follow.

The finished piece must fit - fininshed -

into a sandwich sized baggie.

My stitched piece allows for plenty of room for that.

I think I could give you credit for the finishing in the article...

but I am not in charge of what actually gets printed...

so I can't guarantee that that.

I will if I can!

Anybody interested?

Smiles....

Maria

They're ready! 3 New Designs!

2011-06-17T12:08:00.000-05:00

Available on my website:

http://www.thestitcherhood.com/patterns/

or in my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/stitcherhood

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! : )

Sneaky Peak...Part 2

2011-06-07T20:42:00.001-05:00

Remember the strawberries?

Here are the grapes!

: )

Another Sneaky Peak...

2011-06-02T16:50:00.001-05:00

Hello my friends!

Sorry I've not been posting lately...

been crazy busy around here!

My daughter graduated from High School...

... WHAT?!?!

Where did the time go??.....

Have had tons of family in town...

Now my (soon to be) 6th grader is done for the summer!
Ahhhh.. no more 6am wake up calls!
Happy! Happy!

Below is a sneak peek at a strawberry design that I am working on....

also will have some Quaker motifs included and

also one with grapes to match.

Remember the new "eXpressions" series from my last post?

It included "Halloween" and "Christmas".

I hope to have - within the next week...

"Valentines" and "July 4th" in the same series.

I know... I know... I'm all mixed up in my holidays...

Just going with what moves me at the moment.

Hope you are all well!

: ) Maria : )

3 New Designs!

2011-05-18T08:59:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

Happy to announce 3 new designs available!

Available on my website in PDF format:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/

or in leaflet format on Etsy:

Sale! : )

2011-05-16T10:05:00.002-05:00

Hello all!

I am offering... for a short time...

ALL 93 of my designs

in instant download PDF format for just $3.00 each.

I am thinking of decluttering my website
and some designs may become out of print
in order to make way for new designs... So...

Any design!

Every design!

$3.00

So stock up for Summer Stitching...

or Halloween....

Christmas....

never too early to start!

Enjoy!

: )

Available here...

Upcoming Designs

2011-05-14T09:02:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Here are some pictures of a few new designs that will be available soon.

These belong to my first "series" called "eXpressions"

and feature small designs that can be used as pinkeeps, cards, ornaments, etc.

Whadaya think?

Here is "eXpressions : Halloween"

and this one is "eXpressions : Christmas"

Prom 5/7/11

2011-05-08T20:36:00.003-05:00

My beauty-full daughter, Jess, and her best-est buddy Todd!

Senior Prom May 7, 2011!

Happy Mothers Day!

2011-05-08T09:44:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T07:45:00.000-05:00

Funny Bunnies!

Thunder and Lightning... very, very frightening!

2011-04-19T15:20:00.003-05:00

Craaazzzy day!

I woke up this morning to MORE rain....

thunder....

lightning....

all of which I usually love.

I was sippin' my coffee and checking my computer

when I heard the loudest Crraaaccckkk I've ever heard....

I nearly jumped out of my PJ bottoms!

Lightning struck an old favorite giant sycamore tree just outside of my little studio.

Seriously, that lightning was roughly 14 feet away!

The tree seems like it will be okay (thank goodness)

BUT

it knocked out a few circuit breakers...

killed our cable, phone, and internet

(time warner has been here all day,

and obviously we are just about back up and running)

The TV's were playing in strange colors for a bit,

but have seemed to have healed themselves.

The only fatality was my lovely MP3 player

a constant companion & friend for years.

May she rest in peace... I loved her well.

Could have been worse though. Jeesh!

Stay dry & safe!

~ Maria

More Giggles....

2011-04-16T13:22:00.000-05:00

Giggles

2011-04-15T10:22:00.001-05:00

It's a Secret.....

2011-04-07T20:13:00.000-05:00

Working on some new ideas.....

stitching.....

tea dyeing.....

no hints...

you'll just have to wait n see!

: )

~ M

Beautiful Gift!

2011-04-02T14:12:00.000-05:00

Remember "Pay It Forward"?

I have send patterns to those on my list, & was astounded when I received my gift...

I just had to share a picture (not the greatest - sorry - my camera is acting up)

of my beautiful "PIF" gift from Betty of "Primitivebettys".

I was so delighted!

This wonderfully generous and talented lady sent me these....

Her new pattern, "Spring Tuck Pillow", which is just wonderful

& a tiny pin keep that she stitched for me by hand that says "Easter"

and has the most adorable bunnies on it!

I will treasure this always...

Am I a lucky girl, or what!

Have a great week-end!

Maria

They're here!

2011-03-26T18:22:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all having a great week-end!

I am pleased to announce that I have four new designs available!

I know.... I know... it's about time!

: )

~ Maria

"Birds of a Feather"

"Irish Blessing"

"Live Laugh Love"

"Alphabet Sampler"

All available on....

My Website -

Etsy -

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/norwalk/news/2011/feb/28/woman-trapped-car

Enjoy!

~ Maria

Welcome Spring... I missed you!

2011-03-20T18:39:00.001-05:00

I love your....

Sunshine

Color

Growth

Warmth

I Soooo Missed You!

LOVE,

~ Maria

Happy Saint Patty!

2011-03-17T17:50:00.001-05:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to ye!

Here's a few giggles for you...
while you drink your green beer!

Written by kids....

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

~ You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports,
she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the

chips and dip coming.

- Alan, age 10

~ No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry.
God decides it all way before,
and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.

- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

~ Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.

- Camille, age 10

~ No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.

- Freddie, age 6

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

~ You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be
yelling at the same kids.

- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

~ Both don't want any more kids. - Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

~ Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other.

Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.

- Lynnette, age 8

~ On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them

interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

~ I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure

they wrote about me in all the dead columns.

-Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

~ When they're rich. - Pam, age 7

~ The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- Curt, age 7

~ The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have

kids with them. It's the right thing to do.

- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

~ I don't know which is better, but I'll tell you one thing. I'm never going to have
sex with my wife. I don't want to be all grossed out.
- Theodore, age 8

~ It's better for girls to be single but not for boys.
Boys need someone to clean up after them.
- Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

~ There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
- Kelvin, age 8 .

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

~ Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
- Ricky, age 10

New designs delayed.... opps.

2011-03-14T16:10:00.003-05:00

Hello my friends!

My love affair with technology has it's serious highs and lows.

Here I was yesterday....

Here I am today.....

Never mind that I started as an old man & turned into a duck....
you get the idea.

My 2 new designs are being slightly postponed.

Hit a snag, but they WILL be ready soon, I promise!

So sorry 'bout that!

: )

Maria

PS - Here are the sneak peek pictures again just so you know what I'm rambling about!

"Birds of a Feather"

"An Irish Blessing"

Pay it Forward!

2011-03-12T09:08:00.001-06:00

Hello friends!

I am seeing all kinds of great blogs doing this....

and thought it was such a wonderful idea!

The first 5 people who leave a comment here will receive a free pattern from me.

THEN - follow the rules below.

Please make sure to leave your name and email address so that I can contact you.

So simple and fun...

and a great way to "pay it forward"!

: )

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS...

THE FIRST FIVE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT
ON THIS BLOG POST WILL RECEIVE
A GIFT FROM ME.
IN RETURN, YOU MUST FIRST WRITE A BLOG
POST ON YOUR BLOG EXPLAINING
PAY IT FORWARD 2011.
THEN, SEND OUT A HANDMADE GIFT TO THE FIRST
FIVE VISITORS WHO LEAVE A COMMENT
ON YOUR POST. TAKE YOUR TIME....
THIS SHOULD BE A FUN, JOYFUL EXPERIENCE.
NO PRESSURE... JUST ENJOY THE
PROCESS OF MAKING AND GIVING.

Spring is coming!

2011-03-09T08:26:00.002-06:00

I found the first flowers in the yard yesterday!

The warmer weather and sunshine was coaxing them out...

back to rain today!

BUT....

Spring is on it's way!!!

Sneaky Peek

2011-03-05T15:28:00.002-06:00

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

It's raining.... again!.... here in Ohio.

Ick.

But my daffodils are popping up

and I hear spring peepers in the pond near my house!

I've been keeping busy with my stitching.

Here are some sneak peeks at my 2 news designs

to be released next week....

"Birds of a Feather"

and

"An Irish Blessing"....

Yoga Cat!

2011-03-03T10:04:00.000-06:00

~ Smiles! ~

Maria

SUCH Sad news...

2011-03-01T12:11:00.000-06:00

Hello all,

I am hearing terrible, sad, awful news from several sources that

Lisa, designer of "The Primitive Needle",

has passed away.

I didn't know her personally,

but have long been an admirer of her designs and amazing talent.

What an incredible loss for us all...

Please send prayers, positive energy, white light, and strength to her family.

~ Maria

Sources:

http://debatstitchesnthings.blogspot.com/2011/03/tragic-loss.html

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000325944463

http://witchstitches0.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-lisas-daughter-mariah.html

Hi!

2011-02-26T17:30:00.003-06:00

Hello!

It's been 18th birthday central around here.

She is a senior in high school, taking college classes and has her first job...

so her birthday was soo busy we decided to celebrate over the week-end!

It stinks to become an adult when the world doesn't just stop for your birthday anymore!
: )

It has been great fun!

I wanted to share a bit of exciting news! My designs are now available on 2 new websites!

The first is wholesale site for shops, called "Independent Creative Group", or "ICG Crafts":

http://www.icgcrafts.com/the-stitcherhood-mrl-m34f1.aspx

and the other is a website to purchase PDF patterns (E-Patterns) called "Patterns Online.com)

http://www.patternsonline.com/Patterns/List.aspx?DID=192

I haven't gotten them all loaded yet... but am working on it!

Hope you all are having a fantastic week-end!

~ Maria

Happy Birthday!

2011-02-23T09:01:00.001-06:00

My daughter turned 18 today!

Don't know whether to laugh... or cry.... freaking out! : )

So proud of you sweetie!

Much Love!

Happy! Happy! Happy!

2011-02-17T09:03:00.000-06:00

It's sunny and warm today!

Spring is right around the corner...

Sooooo happy!

~ M

Valentine!

2011-02-14T17:26:00.002-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

XOXOXO

~ M

Giggles for all you snow birds....

2011-02-10T08:42:00.001-06:00

It's so cold.

4 degrees this morning.
I love winter until New Years Day...
then I'm totally over it!!
Months and months of cold and skies so gray they match the cement!
I kept complaining to my dad about the weather.

He sent me this little story....

Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveler

December 8 - It started to snow. The first snow of the season. The wife and I took our cocktails and
sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. So romantic, we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9 - We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape.
What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did our driveway and the sidewalks.This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!

December 12 - The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not
to worry- we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14 - Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes
everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way.

December 15 - 20 inches forecasted. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska , after all.

December 16 - Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt.
The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17 - Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5
hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should have bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20 - Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of the damn stuff last night. More
shoveling! Took all day. The snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22 - Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today,
and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think he is lying.

December 23 - Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the
front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24 - 6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a
heart attack. If I ever catch the jerk who drives that snow plow, I'll beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just shoveled! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas Carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25 - 20 more inches of the damn slop - Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil.
I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26 - Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really
getting on my nerves.

December 27 - Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting
for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28 - Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The wife is driving me crazy!!!

December 29 - 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30 - Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now he is suing me for a million
dollars. The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted.

December 31 - I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8 - Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

: ) Hee Hee.

2 New designs!

2011-02-02T12:52:00.000-06:00

Thought I'd share the pics of my 2 newest designs.

: )

~ Maria

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/enchanted-88-new-p-96.html?osCsid=298f51523275b38072963088514faf36

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/tis-a-gift-89-new-p-97.html

Gift of Stitching Magazine

2011-02-01T08:11:00.000-06:00

Hello friends!

Hope you are all doing well.

Most of the country is having some major icky weather....

and for once...

it skipped us!

We ended up in a tiny pocket of warm air (if you can call 34 warm) and only got rain!

Yipee!

Not sure how that happened because it seems that in every direction there is ice or snow or both!

But, we lucky this time!

Hope you all have a chance to check out the Counted Wishes festival....

I have TWO new designs featured there!

http://countedwishes.com/

AND -

I am SO excited to announce -

for those of you that subscribe to

"Gift of Stitching" Magazine -

I have a pattern featured in this months issue!

http://www.thegiftofstitching.com.au/

Stay warm and safe! : )

Maria

Counted Wishes Cross Stitch Festival!!!!!!

2011-01-31T08:26:00.000-06:00

It starts tomorrow! WooHoo!

Feb. 1-7, 2011 at http://countedwishes.com
The online Spring Showing

by talented Cross Stitch Designers,

featuring:

Beautiful new designs,

Show Specials,

Grand Prizes,

A Goodie Bag Page of Samples,

and some fun and relaxing Games to try!

I have a question....

2011-01-30T20:19:00.000-06:00

Hey stitchers! : )

I have a question for you all.

I need some ideas... so put you thinkin' cap on!

I am thinking of offering some sort of "subscription" for my designs.

Something like....

Discounted patterns in PDF format

automatically emailed to you every month for a small yearly fee?

A brand new design automatically emailed to you each month?

A discount on your choice of current designs?

That sort of thing.

Any ideas?

What would entice all of you?

Thanks bunches!

Maria

PS - The person with the winning idea will get a free emailed PDF design of their choice...

lets say, by Feb 14th (Valentines Day!) : )

Hee Hee Haa Haa

2011-01-27T11:18:00.001-06:00

My brother sent this to me... had to share...

Why women lie.

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, 'My dear child, why are you crying?' The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family. The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with sapphires.

'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'No.'

The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a golden thimble studded with rubies.

'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'No.'

The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble.

'Is this your thimble ?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'Yes' The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.

Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, 'Why are you crying?' 'Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!'

The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney. 'Is this your husband?' the Lord asked.

'Yes,' cried the seamstress. The Lord was furious. 'You lied! That is an untruth!' The seamstress replied, 'Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt.

Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney.

And so the Lord let her keep him.

The moral of this story is:

Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

: )

Then he sent these to me. Doesn't he understand I'm trying to work???

-Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
-Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
-Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't..
-If God is watching us, the least we can do is be entertaining.
-I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.
-A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.
-A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
-I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess" on it... so I said "Implants?"
-The shinbone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.
-The sole purpose of a child's middle name, is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
-A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Baby, it's cold outside!

2011-01-22T18:23:00.001-06:00

We got nearly 7 inches of snow...

and this morning it was minus -4 degrees!

~~~ Brrrrr ~~~

So, here's what fuzzy does on days like this....

Sometimes I wonder if animals aren't much smarter than humans...
and maybe more flexible than most.

Stay warm! Curl up in a ball... relax and enjoy!

~ M

Grrr....

2011-01-20T14:28:00.002-06:00

Here we go again....

More snow!

Grrrrr.

Counted Wishes Festival - Coming soon!

2011-01-19T09:58:00.000-06:00

Hello all!

Here is a link to the Counted Wishes Festival...

Feb. 1 - 7, 2011

Thanks!

http://countedwishes.com

MLK, Jr.

2011-01-17T20:45:00.002-06:00

Let's all please take a moment to remember...

a man of Peace...

a man of Equality....

a Great man!

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above

the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns

to the broader concerns of all humanity"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thank you!

~Maria

Gifts from a friend!

2011-01-17T13:42:00.001-06:00

Hello!

I just had to share pictures of these beautiful bags that I received in the mail from Myra.

Aren't they amazing!

They were made out of fabric that looks like an antique cross stitch sampler...

with zippers to keep everything secure....

AND, she added a tiny lock and a tiny key as zipper pulls!

Love them!

These bags will be my constant companions as I rarely leave home without a

design-in-progress, and these shall hold all of my stitching materials.

Thanks so much Myra!

: )

Maria

Valentine Freebie!

2011-01-14T18:30:00.000-06:00

Hello Friends!

Well, we survived the snow storm.... just barely!

My girls had school on Monday.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday were all snow days (and I'm still sane!)

Today they went back to school (with a 2 hour delay).

Good thing... as we were out of milk, bread and most essentials

despite my store trip when I heard of the comming snow storm.

So, back to reality!

Our next holiday is Valentines Day.

I'm offering my Valentines Freebie.

Enjoy!

Happy week-end!

First 2 designs of 2011!

2011-01-11T07:14:00.002-06:00

Hello!

I am home today with my 2 girls.

They have canceled school due to a huge snow storm that is apparently headed our way.

I have never heard of them canceling school before a storm arrives...

should be interesting!

I think I'll just settle in and work on my new designs.

Anyway...

Here are my first 2 new releases of 2011!

Available Here:

Website PDF -

Paper Pattern -

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/merry-year-p-62.html

Hope you all have a snuggly, warm day!

~ M

Counted Wishes Festival - Feb. 1-7

2011-01-08T18:06:00.001-06:00

Hello friends!

This year,

for the first time...

I am participating in...

Soooo excited!

This is something that I have always wanted to do....

a sort of "New Years Resolution"....

to get myself "out there"

I so hope you all will all join in.

Spread the word...

this is a special show for designer directly to customer.

No "in-between"!

I will be releasing a "brand-spankin' new design" just for the festival!

The Counted Wishes Festival is a unique Needle Arts online show featuring a wide variety of artwork

from many independent Cross Stitch Designers.

We offer you what's "New & Different" in Designs!

Some of us have been in the Design business many years, while others are fresh, new faces.

Each one of us brings to the Festival our unique artwork expressed in Cross Stitch Design.

You'll find wonderful new designs, as well as some of our old favorites.

We also feature Show Specials,

Grand Prizes,

A Goodie-Bag Page,

Cyber-Classes,

and Fun Games.

Please join us ... Feb. 1-7!

You'll love it!

Christmas Morning Pic

2011-01-07T08:02:00.002-06:00

I was just emptying my camera in order to photograph some new designs....

and found this pic that I had forgotten I'd taken Christmas morning.

See him? Sneaky little beasty!

~ M

PS - In the left upper corner you can see the window to the deck...
with snow from a white Christmas...
and a bowl of oats left for the reindeer!

Just above the fuzzy cat,
you can see an picture ornament of my Jayne by the lake.
We made photograph ornaments this year for family
and they turned out so well, we made some for our own tree.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T13:18:00.000-06:00

Hope you all have had a great 2010....

and wishing you an even better 2011 full of happiness, love, prosperity and lots of stitchin"!

As a special thank you, I am offering just one more $1.00 design...

Available here:

Wishing you all the very best!

: )

~Maria

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T10:16:00.000-06:00

Hello my friends!

One day to go!!!

Today, Christmas Eve,

I thought I'd offer TWO $1.00 designs.

and

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/ho-ho-ho-51-p-57.html

and here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/believe-55-p-61.html

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Maria

New $1.00 Design

2010-12-21T13:03:00.000-06:00

We're almost there!

Christmas is almost here!

And the $1.00 sale is almost over!

Here's a new one. Enjoy!

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/silent-night-p-58.html

New $1.00 Design

2010-12-18T17:04:00.000-06:00

Here's a new one...

: ) ~ M

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/christmas-gifts-p-25.html

Snowed In!!

2010-12-16T12:52:00.000-06:00

We are snowed in!

After a crazy week...

Monday was a snow day,

Tuesday was a 2 hour delay for school due to single digit temps. & negative wind chills...

Wednesday was a 2 hour delay for school due to single digit temps. & negative wind chills...

Today was yet another snow day!

(with a level 2 snow emergency to boot)

Here is what the table on my deck looks like with 6 inches on snow on it!

Crraaazzzy.

: )

~ M

10 Days!

2010-12-15T19:16:00.001-06:00

Yep, just 10 days till Christmas!

I think I might be more excited than my girls!

Here is the new $1.00 design for today.

Enjoy and stay cozy & warm!

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/woodland-christmas-p-24.html

Last 2 Releases of 2010!

2010-12-13T17:25:00.001-06:00

Hello My Friends!

Here in my part of the world... we got 3 inches of snow

(Snow Day!)

and tonight it's windy with a high of 10 degrees!

Ick.

It is, in fact, so cold, that my girls already have a 2 hour delay for school tomorrow!
wind chills are supposed to reach minus 12!!!

Gonna snuggle up with my girls,

drink lots of hot chocolate and watch

"Emmit Otter's Jug Band Christmas"

a childhood favorite of mine and a

tradition of ours since they were tiny little girls (now 17 & 11)!

Anyhoo...

Here are the last 2 releases of 2010!

and

Available here:

My Website -

My Etsy:

http://stores.ebay.com/stitcherhood-cross-stitch-designs?_rdc=1

My eBay:

Hope you are warm & cozy where you are!

: ) ~ M

New Design For December Sale!

2010-12-11T17:00:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone!

It was 30 degrees here today

and it felt like heat wave after the temperatures

in the teens that we had last week!

Hope it is nice where you are.

Here is the next design.

Lois suggested that I add the Witch Stockings

to go with the last design, Santa Stockings....

so here you go! Enjoy!

~M

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/witches-stockings-p-19.html

New Design for December 9th SALE!

2010-12-09T10:32:00.000-06:00

Hi all!

Here is the next design in the December sale.

Enjoy! : )

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/santas-stockings-p-21.html

December 7th Design!

2010-12-07T09:08:00.001-06:00

Heeellloooo!

Hope you all are staying warm.

We hit 17 last night!
Brrrrr.

Today's $1.00 December Sale Design is:

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/hocus-pocus-p-44.html

Submitted with Smiles & Shivers....

~ M

December 5th Design!

2010-12-05T09:15:00.000-06:00

Hi!

More snow here.

So cozy and pretty... have my tree lights on.

Will have to do some stitchin'!

Today's $1.00 design will be #60 "Love Always"

Available Here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/love-always-p-67.html

Enjoy.... and stay warm, my friends!

~ M

New Design for December sale!

2010-12-04T08:24:00.001-06:00

Hello!

Hope you are all enjoying the week-end!

The next design in my $1.00 December sale is....

#57 "Cookie Couple"

Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/cookie-couple-p-63.html

Enjoy! ~ M

December Gratitude Sale!

2010-12-02T19:10:00.002-06:00

Hi again!

I just saw a friend/designer doing this on her blog...
and I thought....

"Brilliant!!!"

I am soooo grateful to you all!

I so want to give back, especially at this time of year.

So...

I am going to be offering $1.00 PDF designs...

...a new one every few days - or maybe every day if time allows...

through my website - www.thestitcherhood.com .

Keep checking back to see changes.

We all spend so much time during the holidays taking care of others.

This is my way of saying "Take care of yourself too!"

Except for a few of you lucky folks,

we have a loooong winter to come.

And if we are blessed, we will have time for stitching!

So, today... I will be offering:

My design # 47 "Be Thankful" for just $1.00.

Enjoy, my friends!

~ Maria

PS - Available here:

http://thestitcherhood.com/patterns/be-thankful-47-p-48.html

First Snow!

2010-12-02T10:28:00.001-06:00

Hello My Friends!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I had 12 people in my house (ranging in ages from 2 to 83) for three days!

Wheew!

I used EVERY dish in the house, not just once, not twice, but 3 separate times!

BUT - we had such fantastic fun!

Two days later - I was reluctantly thrust back into reality

when I went in for minor dental surgery.

Eeeew. Ick.

You may remember a post way back about my teeth not obeying.

Actually they are being out-right disrespectful!

Well... over the last few years... my teeth & I have had a "falling out" (no pun intended! : )

so - this is my way of apologizing for being MIA lately.

But, I am back up and running...

(actually, I avoid running whenever possible as I usually have scissors in my hand)

and I am working on some new designs!

I did want to share a picture of my front yard yesterday.

We had our First Snow on December First!

Very fitting.

Our first snow is usually melting within hours - but this one is still here today!

Hope you all are warm, cozy & happy!

Maria

House on Snow Hill

2010-11-20T20:07:00.000-06:00

Hello my friends!

I've had Christmas and Winter on my mind.

Easy to do when it is getting so chilly here, I expect snow any day!

With thoughts of ...

Christmas lights

Santa

delighted children

stockings

candle light

pine boughs

friends

family

wood smoke

sugar cookies

Christmas carols

snow

hot chocolate...

here is the bigger & better version of "House on Snow Hill!

Available Here...

Etsy -