Giveaway Time!

Wow, over 100 followers, I am speechless!  I never even dreamed that could happen back when I started blogging on New Years Day 2011.

Thanks a thousands of times to all of you for following this "just-for-fun" blog!  I am so glad to have met you and I appreciate each and every comment you leave for me!  I get inspired by you every day - I try to keep up with all of your blogs and take a peak at what you are crafting, how you are doing and what is going on in your lives.  Even though I may not always leave a "hi and hello" for you, I am there and I know that the same is true for you!

I may have written about this before, but I am not a real super-duper-happy person in real life.  Don't get me wrong; I would not label myself as a pessimist as much as a realist (spoken like an engineer, I know...).  BUT, I have noticed that since I started blogging, I have gotten happier.  I may even have gotten up-graded from realist to "cautious optimist"... LOL.

Just as stitching has, blogging has pulled me through a couple of less than fabulous times, but even more importantly; it has also given me the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas, joys and wonderful events, content and general silliness (oh, and 15 parrots, 2 bunnies and 1 alpha bunny).  
By writing down and sharing, I have discovered that these positive and fun experiences get reinforced and thus their impact on my life gets even larger. 

The difference between stitching and blogging seems to me that the former is a "solo flight" while blogging is a gigantic cruise with thousands of huts,  each one with it's own party but you are welcome to all of them.  I think that is really cool! 
I believe that this entertaining and interesting TED talk by psychologist Shawn Anchor may explain why I have noticed some positive side-effects from blogging.  Blogging can help cover two out of the five suggested tools to a more positive outlook on life; give three thanks a day and keep a diary.  (Thanks to Hip*Hip*Happy for sharing the video with me!)  However, I do believe that one important tip was omitted; crafting!  I know that for the vast majority of us in the stitching community, stitching has played a major part of our well-being, or what do you think? 
(Oh also, I stopped watching the news years ago.  I may now be a lot more ignorant now than I was in the past, but I am more filled with bliss...)

While we are going down the life philosophy and development path, I have to tell you about a really interesting statement that was made to me a couple of years ago and which I have carried with me ever since. 
One of my colleagues has a girl-friend who works as a life coach.  (I have not really asked her a whole lot about her job, since every time we meet seems to be a formal event, but I am real interested to learn more some day.)  The thing she told me that really stuck a chord is that "we work on developing our strengths during the first half of our lives, while we work on improving our weaknesses during the second half."  I really do believe that this is true!   What do you think?

Well, 'nuf with the blah-blah-blah and let's get on with things - we have much more important items to cover today - giveaway time!!!!
Just yesterday, I stumbled across this really cool design to drool over.  This adorable little piece is called Sit and Stitch and was designed by Brenda Gervais from With Thy Needle and Thread (click for a larger view):

This is what Brenda writes on her blog: "SIT & STITCH is a cross stitch chart for a fun little sewing box chair that you construct from linen-covered cardboard.   The seat cushion lifts up,  revealing a little box  to keep all your sewing needfuls in!  This 9" chair  has a crisply box pleated ruffle and her little wooden legs are old wooden thread spools... how cute is that?   All letters of the alphabet are included so you may personalize your chair!  Also included in this pattern is a sweet coordinating pincushion, complete with cross stitched motifs, old mother of pearl buttons and antique ticking."

I have decided that this chart together with the thread pack from Anita's Little Stitches will be our first prize.  If you are intimidated by finishing work, I will be happy to do it for you (you will have to scrounge up and send over the finishing materials though)!  I have ordered one chart and one thread pack for myself too, so it may be a tandem finish...

The second prize is another With My Needle chart; April Word-Play - the bunny in the cart is just too cute to say no to.

Again, I ordered one for myself too. That bunny needs to live with me!

I hope that all of you find these charts as adorable as I do!

Oh, and give-away rules:
1)  You have to be a follower
2)  You have to leave a comment on this post before the end of Sunday May 29th
3)  In your comment, you have to share 3 things that made you happy today - we wanna' share your joy!

Again, thanks bunches for visiting me today!  That is definitely one of my 3s...   :-)
Happy Stitches,