I Keep Forgetting to Tell You . . .

Probably, I am not telling anyone anything new here.  That's usually the way it is with me - new knowledge just comes to me late and then I'm like all excited about it and when I talk about it, turns out, everyone else already knows.  Like Downton Abbey.  I still remember the Spinster Stitcher rhapsodizing about Downton Abbey and then when I finally caught up, I wanted to rhapsodize about it too.  That time though, I remembered before I said anything that everyone already knew about it so I kept my mouth shut.  But, just in case you are not in-the-know and perhaps even more behind on new news than I am (pretty hard to do that), here goes -

First - In the Company of Friends.  I ordered their Honeysuckle Cottage gift set for my stitchy friends to have as Christmas presents this year.  I thought that the set was extremely reasonably priced at under $40.  This set has sold out - so, why am I telling you about it?  Not necessarily about the set, but the product.  ItCoF has a wonderful product.  I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the quality as well as the packaging.  Things that were delicate were packed up inside the main box with bubble wrap and tissue and the whole thing was wrapped twice in bubble wrap so that the boxes arrived safe and sound at my house.  I really felt that I got an incredible bargain for my money.  And my friends - they were just stunned.  I can honestly tell you that they don't think I spent under $40.

Go and check out their site and find something wonderful for yourself.  I really regret that I did not order a box for myself.  My one friend says that she will sit down in the evening and just take all the pieces out of the box and admire them; it's like a jewel box for stitchers.  Keep your eyes peeled on this site for new items.  They usually announce them on their blog, so if you're not a follower - be one!

Second - The Prairie Schooler.  Every now and again, I go to the site to see if they're offering a download of a new freebie.  The freebies come from the minicards that they produce.  I have never been lucky enough to shop at a stitch shop that gave out (or even sold) these little gems to customers.  I have taken to schlepping around ebay, whistfully looking at the cards available there for WAY more money than should be paid.  Well, apparently the divine ladies at Prairie Schooler have picked up whisps of my whistfulness because low and behold, the last time I checked the site, they are now offering the minicards FOR SALE!  I wrote a check that day and sent it out to them ordering all three sets.  In the return mail I got something wonderful!  Not only did they send the three sets of minicards I'd ordered, but they included a freebie bookmark card (with freebie chart on it) and a card of all their availabilities that showed pictures of the spring designs!  Newest designs are August, January, 3 Billy Goats Gruff and - this one's for you Glenna - BUNNIES!  They're too cute!  And I was just being even more whistful lately wondering when she was going to come out with the January design!  It's like we're connected!  And even better - they have a fourth set of minicards!  Yes, I've already sent in my order for that one too.  I am just in hog-heaven! 

Third - Well, I can't remember third at the moment - that happens sometimes!  I got so excited to tell you about one and two that I forgot 3.  Anyway, your good thoughts and great wishes seem to be doing the trick - I am actually beginning to feel better.  Have a heck of a hoarse cough that comes from somewhere down by my left pinky toe, but hey, that'll be gone by summer - right?  Anyhoo - sorry for no pictures - hope you enjoyed.

Oh! Oh!  I remembered 3!!!  Downton Abbey - I haven't watched this past Sunday's show yet.  Hopefully tonite!  But, I saw last week's preview.  So I was thinking that this is what's going to happen - Lady Grantham is going to get the flu - and Matthew is going to get married to the pretty redhead - and he's going to get feeling back somewhere below his spine - then Lavinia, isn't it?  She's going to die in childbirth.  Meanwhile - badd Mr. Newspaper man - is going to marry Mary and they're going to set up shop in the new house with Carson.  badd Mr. Newspaper man is going to beat Mary and Carson is going to have apoplexy because he can't do anything about it.  But then, after Lavinia has conveniently died in childbirth, Matthew is going to beat the living begeezus out of badd Mr. Newspaper man - killing him - and Carson is going to swear it was an accident and they're all going to go back and live happily at Downton.  Whatever is going to happen to Edith - who can't seem to make up her mind whether she wants to be bad or good or what (maybe she'll learn to fly as well as drive a tractor and go to Canada to search for Patrick?) and the other sister - Ophelia?  who is so hot for the chauffeur I can't believe she hasn't lit up the filmstrip yet - I don't know.  Bad lady's maid is going to confess her sin of the lye soap when she thinks Lady Grantham is dying - but doesn't - and she'll be out without a reference - and the nasty little bugger is going to be found out to having murdered the Turk and Anna and Mr. Bates (goodness, I love that man in Candleford!) are of course going to get married now that the wicked Mrs. Bates is dead (killed by the lady's maid, of course!).  And finally, just for the record, I think that Lavinia is prettier than Mary and I just adore Maggie Smith!

Whew!  There, that was number 3 - talk to you again soon!