Happy New Year (a bit belated) and blog event news!

Happy New Year to all of my beautiful bloggy visitors.

I know I am the laziest blogger ever, but hey - it saves you time when catching up on your blogroll, right?
I wanted to let everyone know about the One World One Heart blog event hosted by A Whimsical Bohemian.
This is the 5th and final year of the event, so it is rather bittersweet.  I was a participant in 2009 and 2010, and I will definitely be participating again this year.
OWOH is an international blog event where bloggers of all kinds get together and go on a massive blog hop.  Each blog will be hosting a giveaway, and last year there were over 1000 participants, so it is a REALLY big event.  It is an opportunity to meet artists (and non-artist bloggers) from all over the world, and maybe even win some beautiful prizes!
You do not need to be a participant to enter the giveaways, but you DO need to have an active blog.  It is an event meant to help us all get to know each other, after all.
I am working on my super-secret project for the event giveaway (super secret because if it turns out poorly, I will be whipping up something else entirely).
The event begins on January 30 and runs until February 17.  There is no cost to participate or enter the giveaways.
Please consider joining in the fun.
The short list of rules for the event are on Lisa's blog - A Whimsical Bohemian.

Big hugs! Hope to see you there!

Stitch Witchery - FREE Halloween Witch Embroidery Pattern

Today I am the guest blogger over at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom as a part of the 31 Days of Halloween celebration.
Please stop by for a visit and read my post.
There are also giveaways of some great goodies going on, so don't miss out on that!

As a part of my guest post, I am sharing a new, free hand embroidery pattern.  I want to share it with my readers here as well.

Meet Kamilla.
Kamilla is a sweet little witch who does not understand why everyone wants to call her "wicked".
She likes tea, cupcakes with lots of icing, brooms with smooth handles, and full moons.
She rides her broom sidesaddle because she is a lady.

Download Kamilla Witch Pattern HERE

The link will take you to MediaFire, which I use to host my PDF pattern files.  You will need a PDF reader to view the pattern.  If you require a high res jpg instead of a PDF, please just leave a comment with your email address or email me and I will send a copy to you.

Kamilla would be adorable stitched up onto a trick-or-treat tote bag, a festive wallhanging, a blanket or onesie for your favorite sweet witch, or even just used as a coloring page for the kids!
As always, this design is available free for your personal use.  Please do not sell this pattern in any format, or sell items made using this pattern without express written permission (my email is on the sidebar).
I had actually intended to add a few more stars to the design before I posted it, but then I forgot (ahhh the joys of short term memory loss!).  I think adding a few more stars in embroidery, or even in beads or sequins would be fun.
If you stitch her up or color her, please share a link to your work in the comments below. I would love to see!

Hugs & Happy Halloween/Blessed Samhain/Happy Autumn to all of you!

ps: I want to thank everyone for their well-wishes during my illness.  The flu has finally gone, leaving just a cough in its wake. Still dealing with a toothache, but that gets dealt with in a week :)

Flu. Tiny word for so much misery.

Image from Big Fat Blog

Hi people!

Wait.  That exclamation point implies far more enthusiasm that I am currently capable of feeling.  Let's try that again.

Hi people.

(much better)

I have so many things I want/need to blog about, but it would appear that I have been slammed by that ugly bug. The Flu.  I don't know if it is of an avian, porcine, or regular variety, all I can say for certain is that it sucks, it hurts, and I am feeling quite whiny. I only leave the house a couple of times every month, and yet the stupid bug STILL managed to find me.  

I hope to be back up and feeling alive soon.

In the meantime, I would like to do a little public service announcement, reminding everyone to get their flu shot this season.  Not only does it help protect you, but your loved ones as well.  Needles aren't fun.  This is less fun.

Hugs,

Heidi

PS: If I am not perky in time, please don't forget to check out my October 18th post at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom during the 31 Days of Halloween event over there.  I am sharing a brand new free hand embroidery pattern (perfectly festive!).
See my sidebar for the button.
Also, check out the button for the awesome FREE art e-course Art, Heart & Healing that begins on October 18th.  I am just a fellow attendee.  I want to learn some new techniques and how to color and shade.  Sign up and be artsy with me (and about 700 other wonderful people!).

Are you Pink? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The pink ribbon has become synonymous with the cause that has touched the lives of so many women (and men).
I would like to share this beautiful video compiled by bewellonline from YouTube (featuring the amazing song I Run For Life by Melissa Etheridge) with my readers, and invite you to post the pink ribbon on your blog to help the cause.

See below for the lyrics that accompany the lovely images in this video.

To save this ribbon (transparent PNG), right click on the image and select Save As. Share it on your blog, on your header, in your email signature, forum signatures, and wherever else you can help spread awareness.


For more information about Breast Cancer, its awareness campaigns, symptoms, early detection, treatments, and survivor stories, please visit any or all of the websites below.



Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Pink Ribbon
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Feel Your Boobies
Breast Cancer Care UK


Don't forget to feel your boobies every month. Mark your calendar, sign up for monthly reminder emails, and remind your friends.  Early detection is our best defense.

I Run For Life 

lyrics by Melissa Etheridge

• It's been years since they told her about it
• The darkness her body possessed
• And the scars are still there in the mirror

• Everyday that she gets herself dressed
• Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
• And the fear is now a docile beast
• If you ask her why she is still running
• She'll tell you it makes her complete
• [Chorus:]
• I run for hope
• I run to feel
• I run for the truth
• For all that is real
• I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
• I run for you and me, my friend
• I run for life
• It's a blur since they told me about it
• How the darkness had taken its toll
• And they cut into my skin and they cut into my body
• But they will never get a piece of my soul
• And now I'm still learning the lesson
• To awake when I hear the call
• And if you ask me why I am still running
• I'll tell you I run for us all
• [Chorus:]
• I run for hope
• I run to feel
• I run for the truth
• For all that is real
• I run for your mother your sister your wife
• I run for you and me my friend
• I run for life
• And someday if they tell you about it
• If the darkness knocks on your door
• Remember her remember me
• We will be running as we have before
• Running for answers
• Running for more
• I run for hope
• I run to feel
• I run for the truth
• For all that is real
• I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
• I run for you and me my friend
• I run for hope
• I run to feel
• I run for the truth
• For all that is real
• I run for your mother your sister, your daughter, your wife
• For you and me my friend
• I run for life
• Ohohohoooh
• I run for your mother your sister your wife
• I run for you and me my friend
• I run for life

Sadie Skunk FREE Hand Embroidery Pattern

As promised, I would like to present to you, my crafty readers, Miss Sadie Skunk.  Sadie is the big sister of little Foxy Felix .  She is as sweet as a rose, but be careful.  She is known to put up a stink if she doesn't get her own way.
Sadie (and her brother) would be adorable stitched up on a onesie, diaper bag, wallhanging, quilt, pillow, or tshirt. 

 Sadie Skunk PDF Download

This is a PDF pattern.  You will need a PDF reader in order to view the file.  If you do not have one, you can download Adobe Reader for free HERE
If you prefer a JPG file, just leave a note in the comments with your email address, and I will send a copy to you.

This pattern is provided free for your personal use.  I do ask that you not sell items made with this pattern, or sell the pattern itself alone or as a part of a collection.  If you do wish to stitch it up and sell it for a nonprofit fundraiser, please contact me via email (see sidebar).  I am pretty easygoing with stuff like that.

If you create something with Sadie, I would love to see your work.  Drop me an email, leave a comment, or leave me a note on Flickr