spotted in Target this morning:

Every year, I head out about 2 am on Friday morning to stand in line at JCPenney. As soon as the store opens, I grab my free snow globe and head to whatever it is I’m after (never more than 3 items) and get in line to pay so I can be out in time to go stand in line at Kohl’s before they open. At Kohl’s, same thing… I hurry so I can get to Macy’s before their opening time!

But my plans have been foiled this year. JC Penney will be opening an hour later than usual, which unfortunately is the same time as the Kohl’s opening… I’ll have to choose one or the other. No matter which I choose, I’m sure to be wondering what I’m missing at the other!

I am aware of stores offering the same deals online, but the level of excitement just isn’t the same. And internet shopping (even at midnight) doesn’t allow me to practice my survival skills.

I enjoyed a relaxing morning of shopping today, before the madness of Friday. And look what I found in Victoria’s Secret– a cross stitch design on underwear:

Unfortunately only available in the “cheekier” style or else I’d be sporting some.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Eve; I’m so thankful for all of you, my blogging friends!

So here’s how I finished the little Quaker guy:

The snowflake frame is from Yarn Tree, and your LNS can order them. I used red wire to make a hanger and added little stars and a “peace” charm. It’s for exchange, and I really hope my partner likes it!

I also stitched and finished this Pine Mountain design. Seriously, PMs are so good for these dark evenings and TV watching, aren’t they? I never used to like them much but they’ve grown on me over the past year and I’m now a Pine Mountain fan… they’re quick, cute, and easy.

I didn’t stitch or finish the acorn tag; I just wanted to make note of this idea for using those Kelmscott thread hoops. Holly had this at the Branson retreat:

I’m almost done stitching this little guy for an ornament exchange.. isn’t he cute?! My friend Marianne designed him and this is my 3rd (or 4th?) time stitching him. I’m sorry I don’t know how/where to get one of these Quaker Snowman Ornament charts for yourself… just contact Midnight Stitching and ask Mar :)

Stitching with Jane Austen is back in stock! Again ;) I posted on my facebok page when I put them up and promptly sold out of them… but I’ve made another batch.

The 2010 sampler calendars are posted on the website! I’m planning to stitch this design a few more times for gifts this year… it’s quick and I figure everyone can use a calendar, so it’s a pretty safe bet they’ll like it, right? I also have the little calendars listed by themselves, in case you need to update one you’ve already stitched or want to stitch an extra one for a gift; the chart includes one calendar pad.

BTW, I use my facebook page to announce updates to inventory, new designs, previews, and anything else newsy, so you might want to become a fan of My Mark if you want the first scoop. I don’t always post the same stuff over here, and I’ll have contests that will be exclusive to my facebook page.

I finally got to see the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and I really enjoyed it. There were some squirmy bits (the water tank scene) and some just plain goofy bits (fight on top of a nuclear reactor) but overall a good way to spend a few hours on a Saturday night.

I don’t have much longer to say that, do I?

Yesterday’s mail brought a few new charts. I don’t have the cat body for that “Meowy Time”, and I’m not going to stitch any of the other months… but look at November:

I couldn’t resist. A turkey under an acorn tree? That’s Fall at its finest.

Time to start the Christmas cards! I usually procrastinate so well that they turn into Happy New Year’s cards instead but this time I’m ready for it. Heck, I think I’ve been ready for Christmas since August this year.

Remember when I posted about the Pride & Prejudice comic books that Marvel was doing? And how I wanted them so badly? I searched high and low and could never find the full set so I went for the hardback book of all 5 issues together instead. And it’s neat. Here’s a pic of the scene where Darcy insults Elizabeth’s family while proposing:

This is a cover shot of one of the issues. I think the headline “what to think when he thinks you’re thinking” is great. This should lead to a spin-off, “what to think when she thinks you’re thinking”…. now that would be useful for a certain hubby I know ;)

If you haven’t tried this tea, you must. It’s fantastic and it induces merriment.

Just 35 sleeps ’till Christmas…

Where the heck does time go?!

I seriously want this… one of Deborah’s new designs.

I love Tanya’s newest booklet… I’d like to start one of these tonight.

I love the way the reindeer is riding IN the sleigh in this design by Pineberry Lane. I’d totally stitch this but on clean, new, bright white linen because I’m not into the dirty stitcheries.

Here’s what I was stitching on over the weekend:

SamSarah, Wild Horses (For Elizabeth, her color choices)

The Sampler Girl, Jane Austen Book Bag (for my stitchbook)

My Mark, start of a new Valentine’s Day design

A special chart I designed for the Branson weekenders… top left blank on purpose ;)

Silent Night; there’s supposed to be a little city scene underneath.

I came home with 2 pairs of scissors to add to my collection… and they’re laying on top of a chart I felt compelled to purchase because I fell in love with those sweet little squares!

Every morning we had a new stack of goodies at our seat. Due to an unfortunate glare you can’t see my nametag very well but it was stitched by our Event Queen, who stitched one for each of us! She also stitched everyone a Christmas ornament… mine is pictured below, another victim of the unfortunate glare.

One of my favorite projects this weekend was this Pine Mountain snowman pillow kit. I think we got about 16 or so projects over the weekend, all completely kitted up and ready to go. I really don’t know why I bother taking any of my own stitching to these Cecilia’s weekends…

How cute is this cow?! He’s one of those stuffable animals, and he came filled with fabric cuts instead of fluff…

When I got home, I dumped everything out onto my kitchen table… easier to sort and put away then digging through bags. I still have a tote bag that’s almost full of threads to organize and ring, but I haven’t had time!

I’ll have to post pics of my finishes & WIPs next time… Have a lovely evening!!

Other exhibitors have been finding out about missed orders… if you ordered from me during the online show and haven’t heard from me it means I didn’t get your order! I’ve sent out all of my invoices.