Giveaway Time!

Thanks to all of you for your recent comments and welcome to all my new followers. Yippee, I made 200! I'm amazed that so many find my posts worth reading and I'm so fortunate to have made so many blogging friends through your comments. Before I post about my giveaway I'll show a few pics so you can see what I've been up to. 




May and June have been extremely busy months for us. This is the time of year when my hubby's choirs wind down and there are lots of year end potlucks and parties. The bell choir that Bob directs played during the village garage sale in the neighbouring village of Winchester. This is the last time that Bob performed with them because he has now resigned to pursue other endeavours next year.
I'll miss hearing them and they're always so fun to watch.

Winchester United Church Senior Handbell Ringers

Bob, doing what he does best!

Then came the proms. Yes, that's plural. I only have one niece but she managed to get invitations to three different proms! I considered myself lucky enough to get just one invite. My sister sent me these pics of my niece in the two different dresses that she wore.

My niece Dana and her Mom, my sis, Lana

Back view of the dress

This next one is from her own prom.

Don't they make a cute couple?

Following the prom came graduation. Dana's brother and my nephew graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Congratulations Andrew! One more year and he'll have his Nursing degree!

Andrew and family

My Mom was also able to make the graduation. This is amazing because just a few short months ago she was unable to walk because of her back. 

Andrew and Grandma Joy

Mom will turn 82 in August. She sure doesn't look it, does she?

Life has been hectic and there hasn't been a heck of a lot of room for stitching. Finally things are slowing down and I'm able to pick up needle and thread once more. My friend Pam came over last Friday evening and we stitched for a couple hours. I was also able to put in several hours waiting during some of Bob's rehearsals.

Magic Garden Sampler is getting close to a finish now. Only the side border remains.

I pulled out my Canada Day stitch for last year since our July 1st celebrations are almost here. I haven't got it framed yet but I found an easel to put it on to show it off. This one is an adaptation of LHN America.

I've also started stitching another small for Canada Day. Hopefully it will be finished by tomorrow. I'm proudly using my patriotic O Canada scissors from Dinky Dyes. The fob was made by one of our Tuesday night stitchers. It's hard to make out but in the second picture you can see that the charms are little beavers which is our national symbol.

So that's what has kept me tied up for several weeks now so that my blogging has suffered. I did promise you a giveaway in honour of my 5th blogging anniversary. I will also add one for my 200 followers and my 300th post. First prize will be a stitched item made by moi. The second and third prizes I haven't fully sorted out yet but they will be made up of some finishing fabric, scissors, and floss. I know many of you may be away celebrating the upcoming Canada Day and 4th of July so I will wait until Monday, July 9th to draw the winners. You need only comment on this post but, to make it interesting, let me know what your favourite summer pastime is. 
Mine is cottaging in the Muskoka's. I was introduced to this lovely area by my husband on our honeymoon and we've returned there each summer since. We spend most of our time on the water, boating in and around the various islands. This shot was taken from the back of the boat as we made our way through the lake.

Good luck to everyone entering!!