Grow Your Blog Party!

It's party time!  This is the second year that I have participated in Grow Your Blog.

About Me!
My name is Joy and I have had this blog since 2009.  I started blogging when my new husband and I worked opposite shifts and I needed something to do to pass the time since I couldn't spend time with him.  Since then, I have had two children, went through a major layoff and got my master's degree and state teaching certification.

What I Blog About

• Cross Stitching - This is probably the number one topic on my blog.  I have been doing Counted Cross Stitch for 14 years or so.
• Stitch from Stash - I am currently participating in a group called Stitch from Stash hosted by Mel at Epic Stitching.  We stitch on a budget of $25 per month.  This is only for cross stitching materials, not yarn for knitting or crochet.
• Ornament Box Project - I am working on cross stitching an ornament for each of my daughters for each of their Christmases until they turn 18.  It's definitely a work in progress
• Yarn Projects - I crochet, knit and loom knit so I share that as well.  I am a member of Ravelry (username: gadgettrek)
• Reading - I found a reading challenge on Facebook that I'm currently working on.  In addition, I have set a lifelong goal to read all the Newbery books which has its own separate blog (neverendingbookquest.blogspot.com).  I am a member on Goodreads.

I don't really do giveaways because the last time I did one, my husband fell off a ladder at work and all my extra spending money dried up.  I took a financial hit the time before when I had a giveaway.  So, I figure they are bad luck.  My apologies to anyone who is still waiting on stuff from me.  Now that I'm out of college, I will try to get it sent out.