PLUM STREET SAMPLERS

Blog Fodder

When I first started blogging back in 2004, I had intended to write just about my stitching endeavors - sort of a way to keep myself motivated by posting my plans and progress reports. Then I started designing, and it went from my "Cranberry Crossing" blog (the name coming from the primitive/folk art craft business I had for a few years back in the '90's) to my Plum Street Samplers blog, where - again - I had intended to write strictly about my stitching, whether it be my own designs or others I was working on.

Soon, however, I became bored with my slow progress reports, and decided to branch out and start sharing a little bit about my family, although I was afraid it might annoy some people. Seven years later, I'm amazed at how many people have written to me to ask about my family... you show your concern when I express mine, and you share in my joy as well. You have no idea how much that means to me! I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who are annoyed, as I'd feared, but that's what makes us all different; it's nice that everyone is not the same, or there really wouldn't be anything at all to blog about, no matter who you were.

So now I have a stitching/designing/dogs/family/cooking/photography/andsometimesTraderJoe's blog. And I'd like to thank you for allowing me to share it all with you.

Today is my blog's anniversary, so if you're still reading, I'd love to have a giveaway to celebrate! Just leave a comment (and if you don't like comments, your name will do - or you can email me) in the comments box of this post for a chance to receive 3 currently-released Plum Street Samplers charts of your choice*, as well as an e-voucher for any one future Plum Street Samplers release through December 31, 2011.  The winner will be announced this Friday, July 22nd.

*This is the fine print: I'm sorry, but I cannot give away any current or upcoming Just Cross Stitch magazines, nor can I give away anything that is or will be released as a retreat or shop exclusive.

Thank you so much for always taking the time to stop in and see what we're up to. I feel like I've gotten to know many of you, whether it be through your own blogs or emails, and I'm thankful for this new, "modern" way of making friends!

See you soon!

Happy 2 Years!

I began my blogging adventure back in 2004, and this many years later I'm still having an awful lot of fun with it. It's amazing to me that so many of you will take time out of your day to visit and see what's up in this crazy family of mine, or perhaps check to see if - by some remote chance - I've posted something stitching-related. (I actually do that sometimes!)

Two years ago I made the move from my Xanga blog to this one, and to celebrate the anniversary of my "new" blog, I will once again be giving away 5 Plum Street Samplers charts to a random commenter to this post. (Deep breaths, Mom. I realize commenter isn't a real word.)

Here's the don'tcha-know:

1. Simply leave a comment under this post.
2. One entry per person, please!
3. The winner may choose 5 currently-released Plum Street Samplers charts.

Here are some examples...

The winner will be announced on Wednesday!

And speaking of charts, I have to interject a quick correction to the information for Olga: The model info states that I stitched her over 1 linen thread. Not so! (I run for the hills when I see "over one thread," bc these eyes of mine can't manage it on their own any more.)  I stitched it over 2 threads, and I'd like to thank Bonnie for asking the question, "Did you really stitch that over one thread? I'm impressed!"  Sorry to disappoint you, Bonnie. I promise I'll design something for over one thread soon, but it will have to be on 8 count fabric.

Thank you again, with all my heart, for being such kindhearted readers. Your warm comments and sweet emails mean so much, and I'm very happy to have made so many new friendships through this blog of mine.

If you decide to enter, good luck!

A New Blog and a GIVEAWAY!

Mom and I have been talking for quite some time now about how we'd love to start a recipe blog, and we've finally got it under way! It's a very new blog right now, so there isn't a whole lot to look at just yet, but in time we hope to have a nice collection of recipes for all of our favorite things - muffins, soups, pies, and anything else we attempt to make in our kitchens that we'd happily make again.

Since we love to cook and bake according to the season (although I have been known to make my mother in-law's German Pancake Soup in the summer), we're calling our new blog Four Seasons Cafe, and the link is in the sidebar. I hope you'll stop by once in a while with a cup of coffee (or tea!) and see if there's anything to tempt you to make or bake in your own kitchen!

To celebrate our new blog, I'm having a fun giveaway! I've been given the opportunity to award a $60.00 gift certificate to one lucky winner, good for anything at one of CSN Stores' 200 places to shop! Perhaps you might be interested in the corner tv stands from racksandstands.com.... Or what about a cool kitchen rack? There are so many possibilities to spend it on... you could get something from here, or perhaps here, or maybe even here or here!

Here are the rules and the details:

1. To enter, just leave a comment on this blog, or send me an email. I'll be choosing a winner on Friday some time, and if you post about the giveaway on your blog, let me know and you'll have two chances to win!

2. This gift certificate is for a one-time use at any of CSN Stores' 200  online stores, and it may be used toward a larger purchase. Some stores offer free shipping, but for the ones that do not, the winner is required to pay any additional shipping or international fees that apply.

3. This giveaway is open to US or Canadian residents only, as this is where CSN is able to ship.

4. I'm receiving no compensation for this giveaway, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have it!

I leave you with a picture of some baby mulberries growing in my back yard... they'll be making their reappearance on Four Seasons Cafe in the fall - in a pie! (But don't wait that long to visit...)

 

Good luck to everyone, and happy shopping! (And thank you to Jess at CSN Stores!)

Plum Street Samplers Website

*Edited to add: The designs shown below this post are not, in fact, sneak peaks of upcoming designs, but are fragments of existing designs! I apologize for any confusion. 

As some of you may have discovered, I have had www.plumstreetsamplers.com taken down and redirected to my blog right here on Typepad. My reason for doing this was simply to contain everything in one place - my online catalog, photos, updates, and blog. 

I am in the process of uploading all of my designs to the Plum Street Samplers photo album, located both in the left and right sidebars of this blog, but I'm still trying to get all of the information for each design entered. This has been quite a task! I'm also unable to figure out (yet) how to arrange the photos in a more convenient order... right now they're pretty much randomly placed, even though this is not the order I uploaded them. 'Tis a mystery! (That's one of my favorite lines Geoffrey Rush says in the movie "Shakespeare in Love.")

Thank you all so much for taking time to visit my blog as often as you do, and for leaving me such wonderful comments. You have no idea how fun it is reading them (although my poor mother knows, bc I can get quite giddy when I'm feeling flattered), as well as the emails you send to me. I appreciate each one! 

If you have any questions about any of my designs, I'm just an email away. Thank you again!

Enjoy your day!

WOOHOO!!

Well how about that! I got a blog award from my dear friend Kim! Check it out!

Thank you, Kim!

I got one another time from a very sweet lady (Hi, Lani!), but at the time, my computer wouldn't cooperate with the file. :(  Anyway, I am very honored to receive this award, and I'd like to thank Kim, my husband, my children, and my family, who have supported me in this blogging endeavor. Without you, I'd still be sitting on my fanny eating Lucky Charms and watching Dallas reruns. And finally, I'd like to thank the Academy. Thank you all so much!! (cue orchestra music, go to commercial.)

*Fine print:

The rules to this award are as follows:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

Here are my 7 nominated blogs:

1. My sister, Audrey: http://natalieryansmommy.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html  She is the world's best sister and friend, and I adore her - even if I can't keep up with her energy!

2. Tanya, designer of Sampler Girl cross stitch patterns:  http://atthehoneysuckletree.blogspot.com/ Tanya's blog is always so relaxing. She's someone I'd love to have as a next-door-neighbor.

3. Nikki, interior designer: http://nikkicrumpet.blogspot.com/ I love her fun wit, and I think she has to have chosen the coolest dog name for her pooch: Crumpet!

4. Maile, photographer for Relish: http://dailyrelish.squarespace.com/welcome/ I don't recall how I stumbled across this blog, but I think she takes the most amazing photographs - check out her gallery!

5. Karen Russell, photographer: http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/ Her photos are gorgeous, and one day - when I finally save up enough to buy a DSLR - I want to take one of her online photography classes.

6. Kate, photographer: http://katespictureaday.blogspot.com/ I just love her pictures, bc they all seem so quiet.

7. Rechelle, witty wife of a doctor in the country: http://countrydoctorswife.blogspot.com/ She is hilarious!

Again, thank you so much for the award, Kim! :)

Considering Relocating...

I love blogging, and I currently use a Xanga blog that is a lot of fun. However, I think I'm ready for a change. I don't really know why, exactly... maybe it's just a bee in my bonnet. I do love bees in my bonnet.