Sunday, January 25, 2015

GROW YOUR BLOG!!!!

Hello!  I'm participating in the GROW YOUR BLOG event and am so excited to have new blogs to check out, as well as new visitors here!  Thank you Vicki for organizing this!  I am going to have a giveaway on February 15th!!  It will be some type of cross stitch giveaway--haven't decided on the gifts yet!  I hope many of you will sign up on this post for it!  Stay tuned!



If you are new to my blog, let me give a very brief introduction!  My name is Frances and I live in Mississippi.  I love all things "artistic"!!  I am a classical musician, but I have a dear interest in counted cross stitch!  I started this blog almost a year ago, after enjoying the blogs of many other cross stitchers out there in blog land!  My favorite stitching items are ornaments.  I guess I like them because they're small and finish up rather quickly.  I also enjoy making them into little "pillow ornaments" and it's fun to select other fabrics, trims, buttons, etc to turn them into fun seasonal decorations.  I keep a tree up all year, and decorate it for every holiday or season!  It's just a lot of fun!

If you saw my previous post, you know that I just fixed my Mardi Gras tree.  If you didn't see it yet, just scroll down and see!  It was a fun time putting this tree together!

In fact, we spent the weekend in New Orleans and I've just come back in the door to make this post!

Here are a few photos of the fun and crazy things that go on in New Orleans.  I'm originally from Southwest Mississippi and we went to New Orleans very often.  I understand that some of you who live far away have probably not visited yet!  If you haven't, you must head South and check it out!


Here's our first view of the New Orleans Skyline from the car!  And below are views from our balcony at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, looking at Bourbon Street.


I particularly liked the decorations on the top balcony of this building!  Probably an apartment.


I actually did a little shopping and found a couple of needlework stores, but they were mostly needlepoint and yarn shops.  However, I was able to pick up a couple of "local color" cross stitch patterns--about Mardi Gras!  Gotta get those done quickly to add to my tree!  Don't you love the way they wrapped up my chart???  It is so cute and special!   This was a small chart from The Quarter Stitch.  I'll get to it quickly!




Thank you for visiting my blog!  Please come back again!  I'm going to put a post with my Valentine tree on here shortly!  It's all pink and red and full of hearts!!!  I can't wait to look over your blogs and see many blogs that are NEW to me!  Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you back here soon!

Frances


38 comments:

Beth said...

We had a VERY good public schol music program back in the day. I began the viola in thurd grade and played through college. Several of my high school orchestra classmates became professional musicians. Me, I was the weakest link, but have a lifelong love of music as a result.

CalamityJr said...

Looks like a great get-away. It will be fun to see your new Mardi Gras stitching!

Felicia said...

I can't wait to see your Mardi Gras stitching!

marly said...

Never been to New Orleans and being a homebody that likes things quiet, I'm intimidated!

Jayne said...

I love the Mardi Gras tree, I tend to display ornaments all year round that I receive in exchanges. Enjoy the party.

Good Golly Ginger - Katie Dold said...

Hello Frances! It's so nice to meet you. On behalf of Vicki @ 2 Bags Full, welcome to the 2015 Grow Your Blog hop! Your cross stitch is beautiful, and I can't wait to see more. Have a lovely day!

maggiegracecreates said...

I love your blog. I came over from Vicki's and I've added you to my bloglovin feed.

Shirley said...

Hi Frances, I have the honor to officially welcome you to the GYB Party for Vicki. I am sorry that I am a little late this evening, but one of my grandsons was playing in a basketball tournament. He ended up playing 2 games this afternoon. Of course, grandma goes and watches. I loved your Mardi Gras tree. I have been to New Orleans quite some time ago. Enjoyed seeing it. We have a son who lives in Louisianan.I have never been at Mardi Gras time. I have enjoyed reading your blog. Have fun blog hopping. Shirley@shirleystitches

Pamela said...

Hello Frances, I love cross stitch too (especially ornaments) although I haven't done any in quite some time. I really enjoyed reading your blog.

SUGAR MOON said...

We have visited NOLA over spring break for the last four years. I absolutely love it! Enjoyed your blog. Will follow and be back to visit later.

Measi said...

Hi Frances - greetings from a New England cross stitcher. :) I enjoy ornament stitching, although I admit to having a strange attraction toward the huge pieces that seem to take months (cough... years) to complete. :) I'm following you via Bloglovin', and I look forward to seeing what you're working on!

Kathy H said...

I am just getting back to cross stitch so am looking forward to following your blog.

Lacie Rose said...

I've never really done much cross stitching. Though I think I should try it. My mother-in-law does it she makes such beautiful stuff.:) Looking forward to you updates!

I'm Lacie Rose from https://rainbowsnsunshineshop.wordpress.com/ I saw your blog on the blog party page. :)

SueFitz said...

Look forward to see what your finishes might be this year.

http://suefitz-fitzsstithing.blogspot.com/

Kathy L said...

Would love to visit New Orleans some day

Vickie said...

Hello Frances. I am glad you were able to get back to New Orleans.
I look forward to seeing the Valentine tree.

Cozy Expressions said...

Hi Frances! Returning your visit to my blog and Oi a, now following you! Have a wonderful day :)

Sandi said...

What beautiful things you make! I used to cross stitch a lot, but haven't done any for years. Yours is inspiring. I love New Orleans. Only been there twice, but I will never forget it. Thanks for coming by my blog.
Sandi
VictorianGypsy

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Lovely cross stitch! Thanks for sharing.

Astrids dragon said...

What fun, I love NOLA! My brother and family lived near there until Katrina, then they moved to Baton Rouge. We still visit there and can't wait to go back again. I bought a pattern from the Quarter Stitch and am embarrassed to say I haven't stitched it yet! Looking forward to following your blog.

Daniela Bencúrová said...

I love your beautiful trees !!!
I have never yet seen:-)
I look forward to Valentine's Day:-)))

lynda said...

Hi Frances...Visiting from the blog party...I love your Mardi Gras tree! I'm looking forward to spending some more time at your blog. And I'd love to be entered in your giveaway! Thanks!

Kay said...

Mardi Gras is something we don't have in England, this is one of the wonderful things about Blogland, that we get to see cross stitching and other cultures too. x

Ariadne said...

I am a follower so I am just saying hi! I am participating in Grow Your Blog too!AriadnefromGreece!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

It was such fun to see your Mardi Gras tree. I love the idea of having a tree up year round and changing it with the seasons. Thank you for inviting us to visit!

Carol said...

Loved reading more about you, Frances--I'm glad you started your blog last year :) It's always fun to see your decorated tree and your lovely ornaments!

Annette-California said...

Oh wow New Orleans! Did you get to have beignet donuts? Lovely photos and so looking forward to seeing your Valentine tree! love Annette

Sheryl said...

Hi Frances, Interesting photos and post as always. Have fun with the blog hop, I´m making my way through the list.

Anonymous said...

those buildings look great don't they! GYB

Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That) said...

It looks like a lot of fun I have never been New Orlean
Hope some day I will.
GROW YOUR BLOG
Laura

KimM said...

Hi, Frances! I've never been to New Orleans, but it certainly looks like a great place for a vacation...especially if there are stitchng shops ;0)
I'm a follower, just popping in to say "Hi" as part of the GYB party. This is the first time I've participated in it - isn't it amazing how many creative ladies are out there? I'm having a blast visiting them....
Warmest regards

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Love your Mardi Gras tree! And that cross stitch mask is really cute. I might be able to do something small like that now. I used to do a lot more cross stitch, but the charts got so small! Visiting from GYB.

Sarah said...

You make lovely things! Nice to meet you during the blog hop. sarah@forrussia.org

Unknown said...

What fun to keep a tree all year!! I might have to give that some serious thought. :) I love all crafts also and x-stitch is one of my favorites. My dear Mother gave me her love of crafting. I just recently am trying my hand at quilting. :)
craftyccain@gmail.com

Rachel said...

I like how you display your little pieces all year round on a tree. That's a really fun idea! When I get some time I would like to find some small cross-stitches like your ornaments that I can stitch up fast (so as to hopefully avoid getting stuck in the middle this time) to display. ;)

Lija Broka said...

Welcome to the party! I cross stitch too ... have you found tried your hand at biscornus? they are amazing and fun to stitch. I am having a giveaway myself so come on over (Stitching in Crosses and More ...) if you have a spare moment.

Lija Broka said...

Welcome to the party! I cross stitch too ... have you found tried your hand at biscornus? they are amazing and fun to stitch. I am having a giveaway myself so come on over (Stitching in Crosses and More ...) if you have a spare moment.

lisa said...

Hi Frances...I am also a cross stitcher and this is the first time visiting your blog!! Love the Valentine's tree!! Can't wait to see your upcoming seasonal trees! Thanks for sharing with us. Lisa K from Verona, NY