Liebster Award - WOW!

Just WOW! I've been trolling many blogs since I began posting here and have spotted this award on several occasions. Never once did I think I would receive it so soon in my blogging career. So a big THANK YOU to Tracey over at More than Just Cross Stitchin'. This is just amazing.

Also I have to note that I've just been blown away with the support and the new followers to my blog. It a big step from what I thought would happen considering I never thought I would have many followers (and so soon!) when I started this blog. I just thought my posts would simply just be 'out-there' and I'd be posting for my own benefit, to see my progress and keep motivated. So the response so far really is amazing to me - thanks soooooo much for welcoming me so warmly to the blogging world and to the online cross stitching community!!!!

Now for the award conditions:

 Liebster is a German word meaning favorite, dearest or beloved. The Liebster is awarded by bloggers to other new bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers, to help spread the word about their blogs and to help them gain wider recognition.

The Liebster award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting:

1. Choose 5 up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.
2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blog so they know about the award.
4. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.

Now to choose 5 more wonderful blogs... Picking from my somewhat limited list here they are:

Nurdan - Nurdan Kanber's Workshop

Gracie - Needles Pins and Dragonflies

Chris - Tot Hill Farm Stitches

Margaret - Margaret's Blog

Milly  - Milly's Stitches

Was it ever hard to just choose 5... from what I could tell none of these have received this award yet and are certainly worthy of it. If they have already ... opps ;) Either way, these blogs are just lovely.

5 Random Facts:

1. I stopped cross stitching for about 10 years. SHOCKING I KNOW. I began cross stitching when I was roughly 13 and used to spend many an hour at my grandmother's on the weekends just stitching and watching as many documentaries I could. Being at my Nan's was probably my favourite childhood memory and I had many a sleepover to say the least. I really don't have an explanation for my stitching hiatus, perhaps it was a combination of becoming a teen and being involved in so many other things on the weekends... Getting back into stitching and rediscovering my love for it 6 months or so ago has been great. I now have more time and funds to produce lovely finishes on my works, where they used to just stay rolled up in the bottom of cross stitch bag because my childhood allowance always went toward movies and clothes... 

2. In March 2010 I moved from my beautiful Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to Bologna, Italy to pursue a Master's in Development, Innovation and Change. I never expected to come back actually despite loving Newfoundland(NL) to the core. Job prospects in NL weren't exactly that great and I though I'd end up getting an internship over Europe somewhere. When an internship opportunity popped up back home I snatched it up in a heart beat! I stayed in Bella Italia for just shy of a year and it remains to this day THE experience of my life and has helped shape who I am today.

3. I would love to eventually own my own business. Not sure what it would be but it appeals to me... except maybe the risk. Risk unfortunately really is a pre-requisite to starting up a business...  ONE OF THESE DAYS :)

4. I LOVE to cook. Actually I'd say I have a passion for it. Anything from cooking up some simple French Toast to making my own pasta from scratch (Italian influence here I think ;) ). If I find myself with nothing to do I generally head to the kitchen and make something. I love trying out new recipes and cultural cuisine from all over the world. One of my favourite things to make however has got to be rustic style bread. Expect to see some of my creations on here at some point!

5. I'm signing up for pottery classes - yes! I have not the first clue about pottery. But, as with just about everything I do, I dive in head first and then see what happens. Oh and my boyfriend and mom are going too! How great is that?!

Whelp! I'm beginning to realize I have a talent for rambling haha.

Not much to update you all on in terms of progress on "Oh Christmas Tree" as my life has been contracted by my brother to help finish off his house. I don't get to do as much stitching as I'd like in the evenings but this is the final push to get my brother into his house. I have however started the sleeve of the arm of the girl... currently a floating head in the pics below. A couple of weeks more and I expect to have significantly more free time. 

Ciao for now!

Melissa