WIPocalypse 2012

Saturday, January 19, 2013

The Official Grow Your Blog Party post

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Thanks for visiting! If this is your first visit, I'm Sara and this is my blog. I originally started this blog October 2006 for stitching but it has slowly grown into a mix of stitching and family posts as my family has grown. I live in northern Indiana in the United States with my husband (Erich), 4 year old son (Joshua), and dog (Leland). I do work almost full time hours as a retail pharmacist so blogging time is sometimes scarce but the goal is to get here at least once a week and I almost always bring a picture or two with me. Speaking of pics...

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Josh and Daddy 5/20/12


7/27/09


So that's me and Josh on vacation last year, Erich and Josh at Wrigley Field last year, and Leland who spends lots of time napping and looking for snacks or someone to pet him. They're not new pics but at least now you know what we look like:)

Because I often refer to our process and never-ending paperwork, I should probably fill you in on the fact that our family had a bit of a non-traditional start in that Josh was adopted from Russia. He came home 2 1/2 years ago at about 19 months old but it feels like he's always been here. We are actually in the process of adopting again (from Poland this time, long story). We have just had our paperwork sent to Poland and are anxiously awaiting the call that we are to be parents again. I am very much looking forward to the international travel because my mother's family came to the US from Poland a few generations back. We expect to travel to Poland twice for a total of about 7 weeks to finalize things but don't have any idea of time frame until the Polish authorities match us with a child which could be soon or more than a year from now. The hurry-up-and-then-wait roller coaster of international adoption can be frustrating sometimes but we know the result is worth every bit and then some so we will patiently wait until it is our time again.

Counted cross stitch is my main hobby and I tend to pick larger projects over smaller ones. I do like a variety of designers. My favorites include Teresa Wentzler, Chatelaine, Mirabilia, Dragon Dreams, Ink Circles, and Heaven and Earth Designs. My main focus at the moment is a HAED Pirate Dragon for Josh. I'm hoping to have it finished and framed by the time the next adoption is finalized so that it can hang in his bedroom after we do some moving around and redecorating. I do usually have several projects on the go at once and they are listed on my sidebar.

Most of my stitching takes place at night after Josh is in bed though as he gets older he is more willing to work on puzzles, color, or build Lego castles next to me while I stitch particularly if the project is something for him. He loves the current dragon project and the fish in Fish City. I tend to stitch with the tv on in the background. When Josh isn't around it can vary quite a bit- Top Chef, The Amazing Race, Downton Abbey, Dexter, Lost, Revolution, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Glee, Game of Thrones (yes I did read the books and have pre-ordered Season 2), Desperate Housewives, No Reservations reruns, the list goes on. I'm pretty sure my viewing patterns confuse Netflix when it tries to make suggestions.

To help keep my posting somewhat regular (and because its fun!) I do participate in a few SALs- TUSAL, the WIPocalypse, and IHSW (when I remember and am not working-hey, that SAL is this weekend too, recap post coming on Monday). There are links to these on my sidebar too if they are new to you and you'd like to join in the fun.

As for a giveaway, I'm kind of doing this last minute so I don't want to commit to stitching a gift if I won't be able to finish in a reasonable amount of time. I'm going with a mystery stash and possibly some other small treats thrown in kind of thing instead. I've got an idea but probably won't put it together completely until one of the boys picks a winner out of the hat for me so I can pick things more to the winner's taste. Want to enter? That's easy- comment on this post and you're done. Please leave me a blog link/email address or have something available in your profile so I can get in touch with you if you win. I'll post a winner late on February 1 after I get home from work.

So that's what you can expect around here. Thanks again for visiting, hope you come back, and good luck!

21 comments:

Virpi said...

I have been your reader for some time already. I wish you get more readers through the grow your blog party =D. I would like to enter the giveaway.

Hazel said...

Nice to see some pics!! This blog party thing is a great idea. Going to check it out and yes of course I would love to enter your giveaway. xx

Pam Seavey Schaffner said...

Great to meet you by way of this Grow Your Blog Party. Hope many more will join me in following you. -- Pam

The Sage Butterfly said...

So nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog party. I knit, crochet, garden, quilt, write, photograph. I am very glad to meet more bloggers through this party.

Kay Eyles said...

Great to meet another cross stitcher, I really enjoyed seeing your Mirabilia angel from last year.
ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Karin said...

Great story, Sara. I know we've "known" each other for a few years through the TWBB and other stitching venues, but nice to catch up on what's going on in your life.

Erica said...

I've enjoyed your blog for many years. My only addition to what you've written - your family did have a very traditional start - it started with two people who love each other and decided to grow that love by adding a child to it. Now you're multiplying it by adding another. Sounds pretty traditional to me! (FWIW, I am an adoptee myself).

Keep posting about all the wonderful things in your life - your family, your needlework and all the other great things out there! :-)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

hi. nice to meet you & glad for the blog party. i wish you a good weekend. please stop by my blog when you get a chance. going to look around your blog a bit now. take care. ( :

Astrids dragon said...

How did we miss each other before this?! Looking forward to following you and reading your past posts!

Debbie said...

Nice to meet you Sara. I lookf forward to seeing some of your stitching projects.

Mary-Grace said...

I hope the blog party helps you grow your readers. I am your stitching opposite as I like to work on small, quick to finish projects. :D
Mary
Here's a link to my blog:
http://marygracescrossstitch.wordpress.com/

Donna Heber said...

Hi Sara,

It is so nice to meet you. I'm still making my way through visiting everyone from Vicki's Grow Your Blog party. I hope you will stop by to say hello.

hueisei said...

Nice to meet you at the party!
Beautiful blog and I love your mystery giveaway...
I am looking forward to more inspiration posts from you :D

pippirose said...

It's so nice to meet a fellow stitcher. I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog.
As for the mystery giveaway--I'd love the chance to enter.
:o)
Rose
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Precious Crafts said...

Hi, just found your blog from Random Rambling and I hope join the next IHSW. I love reading about your experience and hope Josh will get his new brother/sister soon. The Pirate Dragon looks set to sail on Josh's walls soon too! :D

Kathy H said...

Glad I found your blog. I am looking for more inspiration for cross stitching. Looking forward to following your blog.

Angela CG said...

I found you thru GYBP and am enjoying what I see so far.

Angela
stitchinginthezoo.blogspot.com

lynda said...

I've found your blog through the blog party too...? Nice to meet a fellow stitcher! Your son is adorable and the same age as my grandson...such a fun age! I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog. I'd love to be included I your giveaway too...thanks!

WW said...

I love that you have a picture of yourself in front of the Mystery machine.

Linda said...

Hi Sara. I just found your blog thru the party and became a follower. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

Linda
http://bengalcatlover10.blogspot.com/
bengalcatlover10@yahoo.com

Sara said...

A couple days late but let's call this giveaway closed. Winner to be announced in a few minutes in a new post. Thanks for playing and visiting!