TUSAL Update and Followers!

Remember this guy? 

Well, I think he looks even colder now after our latest round of ice!

I do hope that everyone who was hit harder than our area is staying warm and safe!  I am more than ready for spring!  Let's hope that  Punxsutawney Phil was right in predicting that an early spring it will be!

Here is my February TUSAL update, along with some Valentine stitches from last year:

Be Mine was from The Sampler Girl.  The other two are from Primitive Betty's.  The older framed piece was stitched in 1991.  I believe it is a Prairie Schooler Design.  Can anyone confirm that?  I know I have it somewhere buried in my stash.  I remember that it was my first attempt on linen and that I stitched it over one!  (Okay, I'll admit that wasn't on purpose, I just didn't know about stitching over two!)  And, if you look closely, you'll see an older picture of my boys and one of me with my husband from many moons ago!

I have been working on more Valentine's things to finish and frame.  I hope to get to them soon and when I do, I'll post some more stitchy pictures.

This weekend, my niece is participating in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics.  Please see this post if you want to read more about it:  Polar Plunge  I admire any one that will brave the cold temps and water for such a cause!!  I believe it takes place nationwide on the same weekend.

Finally, in case you didn't notice, I have reached 100 Followers!!  I plan on having some type of give away to celebrate.  But what to do?  Do you prefer a little something made by me, fabrics, threads, scissors, trinkets?  If you would like to help me out, include some of your favorite things in your comments!  When I get some ideas and decide what to do, there will be a special give away post. 

Thanks again for stopping by, for all of your support and for your wonderful comments! 

Edited 2/4/2011

***The design I thought was possibly a PS - well, I was wrong.  It is a Sheepish Designs!!***

Polar Plunge!

With three boys and a neighborhood full of kids, there are many times throughout the year when we are asked to participate in a fundraiser either by buying or selling.   There is one, however, that is extremely near and dear to my heart.   These are my nieces:

  The younger of the two, on the left, has Williams Syndrome.  This will be the fourth year that her older sister will be taking part in the Polar Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics of VA.  She started doing this when she was just 15!!  This picture was taken at last year's event - looks pretty cold to me!!

Below is a copy of her email that she recently sent out.  I have always passed the information on to my friends per her request.  We are very proud of her for her efforts! 

Thanks for any help you may be able to give in helping her reach her fundraising goal. 

Baby It's Cold Outside!

That means it's time to go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean!

That's right....our annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Virginia is coming up.  For anyone that doesn't know (or anyone that's forgotten since last year's email :P), the Polar Plunge is Special Olympics' most important fundraiser.  Thousands of us get together to raise money and take a nice, icy dip so that our athletes can continue to enjoy participating in sports ranging from bowling to wrestling and ensures that they all have crazy fun at State Games and dances.

75% of the money donated in our team goes directly to our local area in Fredericksburg while the remaining 25% goes to the State's funds for Special Olympics.  Anything at all that you can donate is EXTREMELY appreciated by all of our athletes and their families.  I work with an incredible group of athletes and volunteers and SOVA wouldn't be anything without them and your support. 

To get to my personal fund raising site, just follow this link: www.firstgiving.com/karagerenser4
 Thank you so much for your donations and support through the years.  And don't forget to tell ALL your friends!!

-Kara Gerenser