Give Away and Give Alike

GIVE AWAY:
As I stated at the end of my last post, this week I have a give away.  As next week is Halloween, I am giving away a Bat Thread Keeper by Bloom Woodworks.  The bat is approximately 7" x 3" made of walnut, and coated with polyurethane.

Bat Thread Keeper by Bloom Woodworks

THE RULES:

1. Contestants must have a mailing address within the continental U.S.  (Future giveaways may expand to other countries).
2. Contestants must be FOLLOWERS of this blog.  If you have only signed up to receive emails, you will need to also sign up to be a follower.
3. Contestants must leave a comment to THIS POST. 
4. Cut off date for entry comments is Wednesday, October 31, 2012 (Halloween Day!)
5. Contestants must be willing to send me their email address (I will not be sharing or selling this info, only contact you regarding an address to mail the thread keeper).

Each post will be assigned a number; the winner will be selected by their number using www.Random.org.

GIVE ALIKE:

I would like to give you all the opportunity to give to a worthy cause.  On November 11, 2012 I will be participating in the iWalk of Animals World Wide Walk for the Houston SPCA.  If you are a fan of Animal Cops: Houston, this is that SPCA.  I am a volunteer there and currently work with the large dogs.  If you would like to walk yourself feel free to sign up by clicking the logo above, OR you can donate to support me and my dog, Logan, as we walk by entering participant name: Brenda Johnson.  Any amount is appreciated.  

A photo of my very enthusiastic co-walker:

Logan

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 Brenda

Hi! My name is Brenda and I'm a Shopaholic

As I posted last, I hit the Going Out of Business Sale at Creative Stitchery & Frame in Richmond, TX this week.  I hit it hard.  I hate that they are going out of business, but it is time for Chris to retire and I don't begrudge her the opportunity to enjoy the freedom and relief from stress that I have had since quitting work.  The doors will close December 22, 2012 or sooner.  Of course they have cross-stitching supplies on sale, but they also have some pre-made frames, hand-dyed wool and felt, punch-needle supplies, and supplies for embroidering with ribbon and beads.

A fellow stitcher from the store had a gift shop that just went out of business as well and her items are in the store too.  So, I stocked up on some birthday gifts I was behind on while I was shopping for myself.  I can't post those photos because I don't want to blow the surprise for my friends - oops, now they'll know I gottem' dirt cheap, ha!

Various threads, findings, and Boo-Boo Stick

Skip the pumpkins, I want my Christmas present!

I have just discovered what I want for Christmas this year.  Usually I don't figure it out until I get done shopping for everyone else's gift, about one or two days before Christmas, and then get upset with the DH for not reading my mind and running out to get exactly what I wanted before I knew I wanted it.  It's a wonder he puts up with me sometimes.

Anyway, about my early epiphany...I just stumbled across the Lap Stitch Dutch Treat frame for perforated paper by Images Stitchery Designs.

Lap Stitch Dutch Treat Frame for Perforated Paper

As I have mentioned before, I love Brooke's Books Publishing designs, but I have had difficulty working with the paper freehand because of arthritis.  I am hoping this frame will solve the problem and let me zip through her work much faster than previously.  It's on order through my local cross-stitching store and I'm very excited to try it out. I can't wait until Christmas!! Yippee!