3 New Patterns!

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I have just released 3 new patterns!! Stop by and check them out. Also, if you tried to purchase a pattern from me in the last several weeks and were not able to, the problems are fixed and you should be able to do so now!!!

www.cindymaedesigns.com

Finishes and Pictures to Prove it!!!

Sorry it has been so long since I have been on here to make a personal, non-business related post. BUT, guess what . . . I have pictures to share of some finishes from the last few weeks. I finally finished "This too, Shall pass". The piece of material that I used was a bit short on one side to put the tall flowers on each side, so I changed up the border a bit and left the tall flowers out. I think it turned out cute, what do you think?
I had been wanting to stitch up this gorgeous little Biscornu since I seen it but just never done it. So, I finally stitched it up and finished it into a scissor fob and I love it!!
I found this great big bright flower button and decided to use it on the back to give it some more character.
I stitched this one up . . . well just because I like it. Not sure what I will do with it, but it was a fun little stitch.
This is another Biscoru that I stitched and finished. I am still trying to figure out my preferred way to attached the cording and this was not it! LOL
The 28th of April was my baby girls birthday. She is now 15 years old and I just can not believe it. She is such a beautiful young lady and since homsechooling she is really coming out of her shell and it is just simply fantastic! I am so proud of her and who she is! I love you Candice Mae and thank God you are my daughter!
Well that is about it for now. Not much else been going on, well at least not that you all want to hear about! LOL Hope you all have a wonderful week full of many many blessings!!!

Hello everyone, just wanted to let you know that there are 2 new releases at my shop!

Stop by and check them out! For all you Quaker fans, you will like this update!!!

New Poll

Please take just a moment to answer the question in the poll over to the right!

Thanks a ton!!!!

Guess What . . .

For today only, April 23, 2010 you can buy 1 pattern and get 1 pattern free at Cindy Mae Designs!!! So stop by and take a look!!! Why the 23rd only? Well . . . because it is my birthday and I thought that offering a sale would be a great way to celebrate with all of you!!!

Hope you have a wonderful and Blessed day!!!

My How They Grow...

My baby boy is now a whopping 8 years old!!! They passed the law last year about the booster seat for kids under and certain height or 8 years old. So, he was so excited not to have to use that booster seat today and then when he got in the car and buckled up for his ride to school, he complained that the seat felt weird! LOL
Here is a great pick of my toothless wonder!!! 1 of those teeth has come in a little since this picture was taken!I wanted to let you all know that I have a new freebie offered at Cindy Mae Designs. If you usually stitch up a little something for that special teacher near the end of school, this one is perfect for you!!! Don't forget Mother's Day coming up. I offer a Mother's Day Sampler for mom, second(step)-mom, and mother-in-law.

Also you gotta make sure and stop by Vicky's blog and check out her Birthday Giveaway!!! She will be turning the big 40 and is having a wonderful giveaway to celebrate!

I stitched up and finished a Biscornu this past week, well actually 2 but not happy with one of them. I will try and post pics tomorrow of them both. Hope you have a wonderful and Blessed weekend!

Guess What . . . I've Been Stitching!

Hello all my wonderful stitching friends in blog land! I hope that you are all doing well.

Guess what . . . I actually have a stitching update photo! I have stitched more in the last few days than I have in a couple months! I have found some relief for my hands that seems to be working really well. I started using the Wal-Mart brand of Arthritis Pain Medicine and it seems to work great. Either that or they have just gotten better all the sudden! Either way . . . I am not complaining at all! LOL So anyway, here is an progress photo of my current project. Sorry that these pics don't get any bigger but the pic is taken with my camera phone!Almost a year ago I started the ATC Birthday Exchange Group. The group has come upon the last birthday of the group which happens to be me! My birthday is not until the 23rd but I have already received my first ATC. Dawn sent me this Gorgeous ATC and she used one of my freebie designs for it! I love it and will treasure it! Thank you Dawn!
Well that is about it for now! Hopefully things will start becoming "Normal" (at least for me) and I will start having more time for blogging and visiting you all because I miss you all so much! I hope you all have a wonderful and Blessed weekend!

Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head . .

You know, when it rains it pours! It seems like it is just one thing after another lately! This past week we have been working on replacing our sewer line. We had a HUGE sewer problem and it was not pretty site at all! My 2 nephews, sister-in-law, husband and myself got it done though. My nephews were just awesome and both are such hard workers! Still have some dirt to fill in, but at least it is all working again.

I have only put in about 20 stitches in the past 2 weeks! It is really sad!!!! I hope to start having more time to stitch . . . starting NOW would be great! I am also really missing blogging and reading blogs on a regular basis. I feel like I am so our of touch with you all! I miss you!

Anyway, I will stop whining now! LOL

Hey, have you heard about Earth Hour? " • Earth Hour is World Wildlife Fund's global initiative where individuals, schools, organizations, businesses and governments turn off their lights for one hour to cast a vote in favor of action on climate change. By voting with their light switches, Earth Hour participants send a powerful, visual message demanding action on climate change. It is the largest climate event in history. In 2009, more than 4,000 cities in 87 countries went dark. Here in the United States, and estimated 80 million Americans participated, along with 318 cities and 8 US states."
CLICK HERE to join in and take part in this awesome event to help out planet!

Also, I invite you to take a look at the top right of this page and click on the "Fresh Air Fund" button. This is a great program for inner city kids and chance for them to get away and experience another lifestyle. Check it out!

Well that is about it for this time around! Have a wonderful and Blessed Weekend!!!

New Web Site

Cindy Mae Designs now has a new and improved web site along with two new releases! Stop by and check it out!!!

Checking In!

Hello all my dear stitching friends. I hope that you have had a wonderful and Blessed week and weekend!

This week was a bit of a tuffy around here. My great uncle passed away Wednesday morning and we had his funeral on Friday. He lived a long and wonderful life. He was 96 years old and one of the most sweetest and God fearing men I have ever known. The service was very nice and I enjoyed seeing some family that I don't normally see. It is sad that it has to be something like a death in the family that brings us together but that is just the way it is sometimes. Anyway, I know that Uncle Cecil is in a much better place now with no pain and he is with his wonderful wife now.

On a happier note, I have done a bit of stitching the past couple weeks and even though it is not a lot of progress, I will show an update pic anyway.I have not done any stitching on my Christmas Designs SAL though. I have made a couple decisions about my stitching this past week. Except for the ATC Birthday Exchange, I will not be participating in any exchanges for a while. I will also not be participating in any SAL's either. Since I don't have a lot of time to stitch and many times my hands are just hurting to badly when I do have time, I can not allow myself to have any deadlines right now. I do not want to commit to something that I can not stick to! ATC's are so small and simple and fun, they will not be a problem.

Speaking of the ATC birthday exchange group . . . it is sign up time for the next year's round. We will begin in May 2010 and run through April 2011. All that you are required to send to each person is an ATC that they must receive in time for their birthday. You can visit the group blog for more info! There is a post to leave a comment on if you would like to join the group for this next year and anyone is welcome to participate!!

Let's see . . . . . what else . . ? Oh ya, that is right! Tomorrow is the last day of the special at Cindy Mae Designs. Make sure and take advantage of this special offer before time is up. If you spend at least $10.00 in purchases of either patterns and/or cording, you will be entered in a drawing to win a $20 gift card to 123stitch.com! So make sure and make that purchase in time to be entered in the drawing.

Well, I do believe that is all I have at this moment. I will stop rambling your ears off! LOL Thank you all so much who leave comments every time I post, I truly appreciate it. I appreciate all of you who just stop by for a visit without comments as well. Thank you!

More Snow in Texas!!

Yep, we had more snow here in West Texas. We actually got more this time around than the rest of the times. We were actually able to go out and have several snow ball fights, make snow angels and build a snow man and there is still snow on the ground! John was out of school due to the weather and we decided that as long as John is still in public school, Candice will follow that schedule including bad weather days. So they were both excited to have no school today. I must admit, Dad and I were excited to have them home today. We all love the snow so much! Anyway, here is a couple pics of our snow art from today! LOL
I want to say thank you to those who left comments on my last post and wished me well on my hands. You mean so much to me and your comments are true blessings in my life! I will be going to the doctor soon and will keep you all up to date about it. I have several theories running around in my head after doing research and we will see what the doc has to say about it all!

I received my LK exchange package from Jan today! She stitched up and finished this lovely Christmas Pinkeep and I just love it! I can not wait to put it on display at Christmas time. Thank you Jan!As for me and my stitching, I have not gotten hardly any done this past weeks time, so there is nothing to really share there. I am hoping that I will have more time to stitch this week and my hands will allow me to stitch during that time! LOL So, I guess that is about all for this time around! Hope that you all have a wonderful hump day and rest of your week!

New Releases (Patterns and Cording)

Check out my shop to see my new releases for February! I have released 4 new patterns as well as 4 new blended cording colors!! Stop by and check them out.

Included in the patterns is the Easter Quaker Ornament Set and a Mother's Day Sampler.

Picture Heavy Post

I hope that you had a wonderful Valentine's Day that was full of romance and relaxation!!

I know, I know . . . I have not updated in what seems like forever nor have I stayed caught up leaving comments on your blogs as I said I would. I try to stop by and visit quickly when you update your blog but just don't always have the time to leave those comments. I know it sucks; as I love getting comments and I have seen my own drop down lately. I start to think that no one wants to visit me anymore but then I think about how it is with me and I just have to realize that we all have life other than our blogs! LOL

Homeschooling my daughter is going great but it takes time and planning and then of course doing the work. I am LOVING it though and she says that she is as well. I feel more connected to my daughter than I have in a very long time. I love being more involved with her life. Education is a HUGE deal in our lives and being such a huge part of that huge part of her life is absolutely wonderful! Did that make sense? We are already looking at home school for my son next year!

I have seen women who blog about their home schooling in the past and seen them talk about always searching online for more info and things like that. I always thought to myself . . . "well what else is there to look at once you have a curriculum". Well, I have already figured that one out. I am totally addicted to shopping online and trying to find new FREE things to use for my daughter and for my son next year. As well as things to add to my daughter's education now. There are SO MANY resources out there to explore. YES, I will admit that is part of the reason that I don't have as much time to blog. LOL

Ok, so now on to stitching news! I actually have some! First of all there will be several new releases coming to Cindy Mae Designs this next week! There will be at least 3 new designs as well as 4 new Handmade Blended Cording colors!!!!! So be on the look out for that! If you want a notice in your email box within just a few minutes after they are released, visit my shop and sign up for the newsletter!!

I found out that Jan received her Lizzie Kate Exchange from me. I used one of LK's newer freebie releases and stitched up 'Whatever' and made it into a pillow. I received a great surprise from my dear friend, Lisa. She sent one of the model pieces she stitched to me and added in a great Valentine Surprise. The pics shows part of what she sent. The little box had candy in it but that did not make it to the picture appointment for some reason! I love it all, Lisa! Thank you!
I have been getting a little stitching done myself. My hands hurt me so much lately that I don't get a lot of stitching done. But I will be going to the doc for that sometime soon and hopefully get some relief! Anyway. The first pic is "This Too Shall Pass" by Count Your Blessings. I am stitching this one just because I really want to! I have not stitched anything just because I darn well wanted to in so long and I am really enjoying it. The second pic is of my Christmas Designs Stitch Along (which I am doing an ornie a month) for January. Yes, you read that right . . . I said January. LOL Since I did not get that one don, I will stitch two this month.
Let see, what else! Oh, I do have a couple pics to share of a few of our Zoo members! I am not even going to list our animals as it is getting to the point of being embarrassing! LOL Between dogs, cats, hamster's and birds . . . we do have quite the zoo! Anyway, here are a few of them!

Ratty Cat
Belle
One of our newest members of the family, Skittles. (Chinese Dwarf Hamster)I will stop all this rambling on now! Hope you are have a wonderful and Blessed week!!!

Finally, Pic's of Stitching!

I want to thank you all so much for your kind words and words of encouragement about the decision to home school our daughter. Let me tell you, the first week went awesome! We learned a few things and have made a few changes, but it is going well! My daughter has had a great attitude improvement as the stress of everything has been put to rest and she has not been sick!!! So, so far, I am thinking even more so than before that this is absolutely the right choice for our family.

Now I want to truly apologize to you all about my blogging habits here lately!! I am not going to lie, I have not even had a chance to drop by and visit you all, let alone leave any comments. But I have just cleared my list and hope that I am able to stay caught up, at least mostly!! LOL Hopefully, I will be able "get caught" with you all through your next several post!

I received a great package in the mail today from Ellen for the Valentine Holiday Exchange. I just simply love the Biscornu that she stitched. It is simply gorgeous and she does just wonderful work. She included some awesome extra's as well. Thank you so much Ellen, I love it all!!

I heard from Becky K that she received my Holiday Exchange package today! This what I sent her. By the way, Becky, I am using your pic because it looks better than mine! LOL

I would also love to invite you to visit my husband's new blog. He just got a new camera and he just LOVES it and has started a photo blog. You can GO HERE to visit him. There is only a couple pics at this time, but he will be adding more all the time!!

Well better go for now. I promise I will do my best to do better with my blogging and visiting you all!! You all rock and mean so much to me!

Lots to talk about!

Things have been really busy lately in my life. On the stitching front, I have been getting a bit done. Almost have all my deadlines met! I have been designing quite a lot too. As a matter of fact, my model stitcher's are stitching them faster than I can design. I am NOT griping though!! I am also working toward releasing several new colors of Blended Cording within the next couple weeks.

Guess what else. I am going to be published this year 2 times in The Cross Stitcher. I am so excited about it. As it stands now, I will be in the August and October issues.

We have also made the BIG decision to start homeschooling my daughter. She is in 9th grade and has been wanting this for a couple years. We have finally decided to make this decision due to her health and stress levels. School is so stressful due to all those darn tests that they make the kids absolutely goes insane over. It seems that all the school system is worried about is their scores on the state tests and not about the quality of over all education. The pure pressure is horrible as well. Every week there is a new girl showing up pregnant at school and there is so much drama. Candice has always been an excellent student but her grades have suffered way to much to keep her in those circumstances and let her future suffer. I have joined the local home school group and they are amazing!!! This group is going to be such a huge support system for us. Now that I have talked to other parents who home school and have gotten a curriculum together, I think this is going to be an awesome experience for us all!

I have such great kids. My son is a bit crazy at time though! It is a wonderful thing when your kids let you know that you are doing a good job. My daughter is always telling us that we are the best parents ever and we are "cool". She says that most of her friends wish their parents were like us. And a couple have actually asked if they could live with us and they are serious!! LOL She always tells us that she knows she can talk to us about anything and most of her friends can not do that with their parents and feel comfortable doing so. And NO we are not the type of parent who tries to be "best friends" with our kids. Our kids know that we are the parent and that is that. But we are close family and it is a wonderful thing!

There is a Christian song out that talks about there not being any such thing as perfect people or a perfect life. My son (7 years old) always says "YES there is, because I have the perfect life!"

Now, to me . . . both kids are saying that even though we struggle financially and have a hard time making ends meet at times, our kids know without a doubt we love them and respect them and will ALWAYS take care of them no matter what!!! They understand that material things are not what it is all about, LOVE is what makes our family work and work so well. We don't get hung up on what other people think about us. The only one we have to please is GOD and that is what we strive to do better each and every day!

Well, I think that is enough rambling for today. Sorry I don't have any stitching pics, but I will soon, once people start receive their packages from me. Thank you all so much on your comments on my new releases. I hope those who have purchased them enjoy stitching them as much as I enjoyed designing them!!

Sweet Treats and Faith Fish

I have just released TWO more patterns. The first is a set of Faith Fish and the second is Sweet Treats! Click HERE to see the purchase page ( you will have to scroll down a bit)!!!

Valentine Quaker Ornament are HERE!!!

April has had a bit of stress the last couple days trying her hardest to get these sweet things finished up and photoed for me! She done an amazing job on it all!!!

The Valentine Quaker Ornament Set is here!!!! CLICK HERE for the purchase page!!!!

Catching Up!

I am really sorry that I have not blogged much lately, including commenting. I have been a bit busy. Some of my creative juices have been flowing a little and I have been working on a couple designs. I have also taken the Stitching Bloggers Yahoo group back. I started this group a couple years ago and at that time was not able to keep up with it. I passed it on to Sharon and now she has decided that she was ready for a break and asked if I would like to take it back. We are up to 123 members and it would be great for even more stitching bloggers come to join our little family. So, drop by if you fit this group and join us!!!!

Aside from that I have not been feeling very well lately. I have been having this nagging nauseous feeling that just don't go away. If I wait to long to eat it happens, if I eat it happens . . . so I am darned if I do and darned it I don't!!! Think I might go get checked out if it don't clear up soon. I have been taking some antibiotics and they are almost gone so I guess it is time. I really thought it was just a UTI, but now am wondering. These antibiotics usually knock a UTI out pretty quick for me. Anyway, enough of that stuff!!!!

I have a new freebie on my freebie blog. Remember the bell that I designed and stitch for my moms birthday card, well I decided to share it with you all!!!

I have not stitched much but I do have a finish for this year and a new start! They are small ones that are for gifts for the winners of my giveaways so I can not share any pics yet!

I have decided to extend the sale going on at my shop. I think that I will go ahead and let this sale run through January. Remember, if you purchase $10.00 or more you receive a free Grab Bag. Check the site for more info!

Also just to give all my blog readers and customer's a heads up, the Valentine Quaker Ornament set will be released by the 15th of this month!!!!!! April has been a busy bee trying to get them all finished up for the big release. Let me tell you, the ones she has finished so far are absolutely perfect. I love the way they have turned out!!! I hope that you do as well!!!

Well that is really about it this time around. I do want to show you a pic of our Ratty Cat. He is stalking my daughters birds!! LOL I told my husband that it looks like he is cleaning up getting ready for a meal!!! LOL

Have a wonderful and Blessed weekend!!!!

Welcome 2010!!

Ok, it was really strange typing that number in for the title!! LOL I do hope that you have all had a wonderful new year and that it has also been a very safe one!!!

Thank you to everyone who has left comments on my recent ornie finishes. I appreciate it so very much. I love those comments. Who don't??? Thank you to all those who visit and don't leave comments to!!!!

I received my final ornament from exchanges on Christmas Eve and forgot to post it with my last post. So, here it is.Penny Stitched this cutie for me. Look, it is just too cute. Thank you so much Penny, I will treasure it always!!

I also want to let you all know about a New Year Sale that I am having.Through January 10th, if you purchase at least $10.00 worth of Cross Stitch Patterns and/or Handmade Blended Cording you will receive a FREE grab bag!! Each grab bag includes 5 yards of Handmade Blended Cording (1 yard each of colors made exclusive for Grab Bags) and 3 pieces that are perfect for hangers on ornaments and such.

I would love for you to check it out!! Well, it is very late and I must get to bed before I fall over. LOL I hope that you all have a wonderful and great and awesome and spectacular weekend!!!!

Happy Stitching,
Cindy Mae