▼

Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Blog


Good morning/afternoon/evening to all the cross stitchers and bloggers out there in blogland!  Welcome to the Grow Your Blog party hosted by Vicki of 2 Bags Full blog.

My name is Debbie and I live in Sunny Southern California, so I use the nickname SoCal Debbie.  I used to be a one-at-a-time stitcher but after joining the Crazy January Challenge in 2011, I went crazy for cross stitch!  We started 15 new projects in the first 15 days of January.  Then in 2012, 2013, and now 2014, I was in the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge and started something new every day in January!  I haven't finished them all yet, but I certainly intend to some day.  All of my current WIPs are listed on my WIPocalypse page.

This is my very first cross stitch project that I made in the 1970s when I was 11 years old.
Truth & Honor
I didn't stitch anything after that until high school, when I started this needlepoint project, Stained Glass Nativity, in 1980.
Stained Glass Nativity
I started Universal Unity, a Dimensions Gold Collection kit, in 1997, but sadly, it sat unloved in a box for 15 years until I picked it up again in 2012.
Universal Unity
These are my two oldest WIPs and I really hope to finish them this year!  The rest of my WIPs were started in 2011 or later and now I stitch every day.  No more waiting 10+ years in between!

Here are some of my favorite finished pieces:

My first big finish in 2011 was A Paris Kiss, a Vervaco kit from Belgium.  This was my first time stitching on 28 ct linen.
A Paris Kiss
In 2012, I finished my first Ursula Michael design, Trick or Treat.  There are many more of her designs in my WIP list now.
Trick or Treat
In 2013, I finished Cut Thru' Igloo by Bothy Threads.  Check out the Cut Thru' SAL page on my blog and also our Facebook group to see lots and lots of other Cut Thru' designs.  I have 2 more started and 3 more in my stash for the future.
Cut Thru' Igloo
Thank you so much for visiting my blog today!  If you'd like to watch my progress and cheer me on, please become a follower!  I'd love to help out another stitcher to add some much-needed stash to her supply by offering a $20 gift certificate to 123stitch.com.  Please leave a comment if you'd like to be entered in the drawing.  Anyone can win anywhere in the world!  I will choose a winner on February 15.

I can't wait to visit all the other blogs in the Grow Your Blog party!  Happy Stitching, everyone!
at

48 comments:

  1. LindaJanuary 24, 2014 at 11:12 PM

    It was so neat to see your awesome projects on one post. Love your first cross stitch project. I can't find mine and I thought I knew where it was.

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. LindaJanuary 24, 2014 at 11:15 PM

    Forgot to mention that I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  3. LumiruusuJanuary 24, 2014 at 11:57 PM

    Hello Debbie I remember still that I found Your blog we both had joined Crazy January Challenge. I participated twice and still love to have some of the projects kitted and waiting for me to stitch them. Greetings from Finland !

    Maija

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2014 at 1:18 AM

    love to cheer you on, great stitching you have done

    ReplyDelete
  5. ChristineJanuary 25, 2014 at 2:31 AM

    You've done some lovely stitching. Good luck with the UFOs

    ReplyDelete
  6. KateJanuary 25, 2014 at 4:51 AM

    Debbie, I am a follower and enjoy seeing your projects.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LauraJanuary 25, 2014 at 5:31 AM

    I've been a follower of you for a while now, and I enjoy seeing your progress! Love to be entered in your drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KatieJanuary 25, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    I'd love to be entered. I'm so thankful we have became followers. I enjoy watching your beautiful stitching progress. I just love how the internet connects people we would not have met otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Joyce Clark FrankJanuary 25, 2014 at 6:33 AM

    Love your blog and enjoy seeing your progress. Of course, I would love to be included in the drawing. Grow your Blog party is fun. I have also joined the party.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJanuary 25, 2014 at 6:44 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. TiffanyJanuary 25, 2014 at 7:24 AM

    Wonderful cross stitch pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  12. gracieJanuary 25, 2014 at 7:44 AM

    Glad to read all about your projects. Good luck with the challenge...you can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. JulieJanuary 25, 2014 at 8:44 AM

    mmmm now which of those projects you've shown is my favourite..... bet you can't guess lol

    Good luck to all your visitors who come and enter your generous giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Donna HeberJanuary 25, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    Hi Debbie,

    I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. You are very talented! Your nativity cross-stitch is amazing! I use to do cross-stitch years ago, but have moved onto other hobbies ... LOL. I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

    ReplyDelete
  15. BiancaJanuary 25, 2014 at 11:42 AM

    Debbie, it was so neat to be able to see your very first cross stitch project! It is such a cute pattern. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Thanks for the offer :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. LynneJanuary 25, 2014 at 12:39 PM

    Hi! I've stopped by from the Blog Party and I'm so happy to have found you. I'm a cross stitcher too and have a blog at http://ravelldsleave.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. JanJanuary 25, 2014 at 3:05 PM

    I love looking at your very first project. Looks like we started stitching at roughly the same age, I was around 9 at the time back in 1966. Kind of wish I'd stuck with it between then and my late 30's. Anyway I'd love to be entered in the drawing. Happy Stitching!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. xstitchlibrarianJanuary 25, 2014 at 3:42 PM

    Hi Deb, please enter me in your give-away. I love watching the progress of your projects.

    ReplyDelete
  19. lyndaJanuary 25, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    Hi Debbie, just stopping by to say hi from the party...isn't this fun? I always enjoy reading your blog, and would love to be entered in your drawing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Aunt MartiJanuary 25, 2014 at 5:09 PM

    Debbie, Welcome to the big beautiful Grow Your Blog Hop! I volunteered to help Vicki as a GYB party volunteer. Vicki will stop by sometime I am sure, but with more than 600 blogs participating, it will take her time to visit everyone so she asked for volunteers to help today. I offered to help. I am so happy I did because I have found your blog. Your cross-stitch work is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. CJJanuary 26, 2014 at 4:09 AM

    HI Debbie -

    Love watching your progress. So I guess you are doing 30 CJC starts this year. I stuck to 15. I think we should start a CJC blog, the Yahoo Group is gone and I do not Facebook.

    CJ

    ReplyDelete
  22. Christiane GarciaJanuary 26, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    Your stitching is beautiful from the start! I love the igloo. It's really lovely!
    I would like to join your draw.
    I wish you a great week
    hugs

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    Hi Debbie...
    I came via the blog hop and found your lovely blog.. yay! I'm excited to see another stitching blog.. :D
    I've followed you via GFC, many greetings from Singapore and thank you for a chance to win in your Giveaway.. :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    HI what a neat post+blog!
    Love your xst work!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Love to enter your giveaway!
    Happy Stitching!

    cobaltt16@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Emily CJanuary 27, 2014 at 5:45 AM

    Hello. I love your Universal Unity cross stitch. I love tigers and just about anything with them in it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ann C.January 27, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Hi Debbie,
    I'd love to be entered into your draw.
    Happy Stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Dirty Martini QueenJanuary 28, 2014 at 3:51 PM

    Hi Debbie from a new follower and a fellow stitcher. I love all your finishes and it was great to see so many of them at once.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  28. PamelaJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:27 PM

    Oh my gosh, your world is beautiful - especially Paris Kiss - it's stunning. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  29. LorraineJanuary 29, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    Gorgeous stitching.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Spice up your LifeJanuary 29, 2014 at 5:41 PM

    Greetings from NJ! I am so amazed with your blog. So lovely! I am a cross stitcher myself and your blog just blown me away. And thanks so much for your generosity of the give away!

    http://spicesofyourlife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sarah and DanJanuary 30, 2014 at 10:47 PM

    My goodness, your fingers must never stop moving to have finished so many cross-stitch projects!

    ReplyDelete
  32. SherylFebruary 3, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Hi Debbie, Returning your visit. I´m still making my way through the GYB list. Your work is lovely and I will follow your progress on all the new projects. be back to read more.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tricia February 6, 2014 at 5:34 PM

    I had to laugh that you were a one-at-a-time stitcher until the CJC... me too!! : ) My WIPs list isn't nearly so long as some, but definitely more than I can work on at one time! :)

    Tricia

    ReplyDelete
  34. KatrinaFebruary 6, 2014 at 7:40 PM

    I'd love to enter that competition, can't resist the chance to get more stash (lol). I've recently started following these cross stitch blogs and very much enjoy yours as there's a good variety of projects to be seen! :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Southpaw StitcherFebruary 6, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    Hi Debbie, I do love the Universal Unity piece. You've gotten a lot done on it, and it will hopefully be finished in no time! Thanks for your generous giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Stitching NoniFebruary 6, 2014 at 11:38 PM

    Hi Debbie, love following your blog!
    There is always some lovely stitching here to drool over o)
    Would love to be entered into your giveaway. I have posted about your giveaway on my blog as well :o)

    Fireflies & Cats in the Garden

    Hugs x

    ReplyDelete
  37. AriadneFebruary 7, 2014 at 12:31 AM

    I will have to look in my chest of drawers and find my first cross stitch piece. Yours is lovely! I just found your blog through Fireflies and cats in the garden.
    ariadnesky(at)hotmail(dot)com
    AriadnefromGreece!

    ReplyDelete
  38. KimMFebruary 7, 2014 at 4:51 AM

    Debbie - you know I follow and love your blog. I'd like to be included in the give away. Many thanks,
    KimM

    ReplyDelete
  39. PreetiFebruary 7, 2014 at 5:20 AM

    Hi Debbie, I am your follower and admirer of your projects :) I thought I had been to this post and commented earlier but I missed it. Better late than never ;) sure Iwould like to be a part of your giveaway celebration.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2014 at 7:05 AM

    Hi Debbie,
    I would love to be entered in your drawing. Your projects have inspired a few of my own. So Thank You!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  41. Jacklyn CornwellFebruary 7, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    That is a wide range of stitching.

    I used to cross stitch until about 20 years ago and quit. Then my sister Tracy got me started again when she sent me all my boxes of thread and a piece I did over 20 years ago, an illuminated manuscript. I was reminded how much I enjoyed it and how good I had become, but my skills were rusty and so were my needles. I got back into it, found the companion piece to the illuminated manuscript and stitched and framed it for a friend for Xmas last year. She loves them and I am back to stitching full time. I don't know why I ever stopped.

    Congratulations on getting back into it with a bang, Debbie.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Patty AntleFebruary 7, 2014 at 9:41 PM

    I loved seeing your cross stitch projects. I have done it in the past and it is a very relaxing thing to do. Nice to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thoughts from the Stitchy SideFebruary 8, 2014 at 3:42 PM

    I would love to be added to your giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Judy Cooper Textile ArtistFebruary 9, 2014 at 5:29 PM

    Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Very nice to meet you. Your stitching is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  45. macmillanmarieFebruary 12, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    Your work is lovely. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Lija BrokaFebruary 13, 2014 at 4:44 AM

    I did not know why your nickname is what it is ... I always assumed it would stand for so called (random thing that came to mind).
    As always it gives me mixed emotions to see all you wips ... it makes me feel better (having less wips I can say you are still normal to have only so and so, I lost count, wips), but mostly jealous (I wish I could have started all my stash ... I want I want). I really rarely get a kick feeling that I want start something new (yet since I tend to start big things I ended up with quite a few wips), then there is the case of storage, frames etc. Now I want to start something (look at what your stash made me feel!)

    As already said 'Universal Unity' is one of the three of your wips that I favour. I love the 'Paris Kiss' finish too!

    Lija
    http://stitchingincrossesandmore.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  47. WendyFebruary 14, 2014 at 2:48 AM

    nice to meet you! wow, that is an old WIP! good luck getting them done.

    ReplyDelete
  48. nicolesenderFebruary 14, 2014 at 8:54 PM

    Greetings from the Pacific Northwest. I enjoyed visiting your blog. Your cross stitch is breath taking!

    ReplyDelete