Exchange Received and RAK

Today was a "You've Got Mail" day! Yahoo!

First, I received a lovely package from Juanita. Turns out she had my name for the Dog Days of Summer Exchange. I received a needleroll (first one for my smalls collections), some fabric in delectable colors, and six skeins of the new DMC color variations thread. Thank you Juanita!



Notice any similiarities between Juanita's needleroll and the one I stitched for Shelleen? We both stitched the same design! And if that isn't funny enough, Shelleen also stitched this design for Leslie, her exchange partner. I wonder if that's ever happened before? I think we just all have incredibly good taste!

My second surprise today was a package from Tobie. Tobie has become a good online friend. I think that our taste in designers is very similar and I have very much enjoyed reading her blog and watching her stitching progress over the past several months. Tobie sent me this progress bag that she stitched herself along with two charts (Homespun Elegance Enchanted Santa Pillow and Prairie Schooler Pins and Needles). There's also a matching beaded scissors fob! Tobie is very much an accomplished stitcher, this project bag is beautifully done and I will enjoy using it and thinking of my dear friend each time I do!



Well, I'm off to stitch! Have a good evening.

Dog Days of Summer Exchange Received

I had the pleasure of stitching an exchange gift for Shelleen for this exchange on the U.S. Exchange Board. The theme was Dog Days of Summer and I found this design on an older HIH chart. (Katrina, you're not going to believe this, but this was my first needleroll EVER!) I've never made a needleroll before and I decided it was time to try. Heck, it was easy! I think it turned out quite nice!

Quaker Garden Update and other Tidbits

Happy Sunday - it's kind of a dreary day here, but that's okay. We haven't had rain for well over a month so today's showers are very welcome! We had our warmest day of the year yesterday with the temperature hitting triple digits!

This weekend, I've only stitched on Quaker Garden - as you can see, I've made quite a bit of progress. It's a little more than half way finished. Here's an updated photo:



Tonight I'm going to try to finish the third row of the DT Game Board Sampler.

For anyone that's not familiar with how to make a biscornu, there's an online class at the following website: Finishing School. You can order the supplies through Handcrafts Online. I've ordered a few things from Mary Kathryn in recent weeks - she's very prompt about sending her orders out and quite easy to do business with!

Question about stitching lights...do you have a favorite stitching light or model that you could recommend? I'm looking for a floor lamp model. You may recall that earlier this year my favorite aunt passed away. She remembered me in her will and I'd like to get something tangible (and meaningful) that would remind me of her each time I used it. I think that I'm going to get a decent stitching light - I just don't know where to start! Any recommendations you can pass along will help me get started - thanks!

Quaker Sampler Update and RAK!

Progress Report on Quaker Sampler:

Let me tell you, once you start stitching on this one, it's really difficult to put it down! I think I made pretty good progress this week. The most difficult thing with this piece is trying to get a decent picture that accurately reflects the colors of the fabric and the fibers. I think this one comes pretty close!



I also worked on DT Game Board Sampler - completed two more squares. Did not take a picture to share; I'll take another picture when the third row is finished.

Another great mail day ... Anne sent me a package of goodies - check it out. She sent a piece of doctor's flannel (great for use in needlebooks), some assorted silk fibers, thread rings from Kelmscott Designs, and some biscuits! My kids were excited to try these (I think they are fascinated with the fact that they came all the way from Australia!) Thanks Anne! I'll be sending you a proper thank-you shortly.



I think that's it for tonight. I don't expect to get anymore stitching done until the weekend. Have a good week - and thank you for visiting my blog!

Exchange Heaven

Wow! Did I ever have a great mail day on Saturday!

This summer I participated in a For the Birds exchange on the U.S. Exchange board. The only requirement was that the piece needed to include at least one bird in it.

Cari had my name and look at the cute P.S. BlueJay that she sent to me! It's stitched over one and it is perfect. The little pillow is filled with lavender and it smells great. She also sent along some lavender soap and fabric for stitching. Thanks Cari!






My exchange recipient was Angela and I just couldn't resist stitching this design from Brightneedle (it's in their Small Samplings book). It's made into a hanging pillow - I think the fabrics coordinated nicely.




On Saturday, I also received my exchange gift from the Welcome exchange on the U.S. Exchange board. I was stunned - this pillow is truly beautiful. It's a Brightneedle design and it came from CJ. CJ has been really busy lately starting up a new needlework shop in Oklahoma City - Heartland Needleworks - I'm excited for her and wish her much success!




Stay tuned - tomorrow night I'll post a progress report on DT Game Board Sampler and Blackbird Quaker Sampler...

Season of Hope Finish!

Check out the second LHN pillow - these are quick to stitch and easy to finish. I think the finished product is adorable!



Here's a pic of both pillows:



Now I need to order the third one in this series!

July 4th Stitching Update

Happy July 4th to my U.S. friends and Happy Canada Day to my friends in Canada.

We had a fabulous five days at the lake - the weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold. We swam, went boating; DH and DS went fishing - and lucky me, I got lots of stitching in!

There were four main projects that I worked on this past weekend - a Hardanger valance (no picture), and exchange gift (no picture now!), DT Gameboard Sampler, and Blackbird Quaker Garden.

First, let me share an update on the DT Gameboard Sampler. As you can see, I've completed the second row and have started the third. In total, I think I've stitched six squares and more of the right border since my last update.



Second, allow me share my progress on the Blackbird Quaker Garden. Karen organized this SAL which I am happy to be part of - I've been looking forward to starting this one!



Thanks for visiting. I'll be working on catching up on my blog reading now over the next several days!

Exchange Update

In recent weeks I have been busy stitching a number of projects for exchanges on the U.S. Exchange Board. Tonight I'd like to share some pictures with you.

First of all, this is a gift that I received from Laurie in Iowa. This was for the House Themed Exchange. The only requirement was that we include a flag in the design along with a house or houses. Laurie chose a Homespun Elegance design and stitched and assembled this Lavender sachet bag for me. As you can see, she included some goodies, in particular the two new Prairie Schooler charts and some fabric from Silkweaver. Thanks Laurie!




Here's the project that I stitched for the House exchange - the Old School House from La D Da. I made it into a pinkeep. This is the second pinkeep I've made and I'm getting better at them! This was sent to Nancy in California.

Front:



Back:



Of course, I sent her some goodies too - an assortment of DMC floss and a wool felt pincushion kit..



I've been having so much fun with these. Many thanks for Becky to keeping this board open while she's taking care of her mom and experiencing such a hectic summer!

Saturday Morning

Well, it is now Saturday morning and the sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly - go figure! Doesn't matter - I had a lovely and productive evening!

This UFO was started like two years ago. You saw it last when I finished the stitching on it. Last night I added the beads and the star button. This is Wee Santa '97 from HIH.



Then, some of you may recall that early this year I completed the needlecase from Cindy Valentine called Apricot Elegance (only mine is done in mint green!) The stitching has been done for months, but I couldn't get myself to make the cording to finish it off. Yes, I finally tackled that cording last night and here's the finished product:



Will there be more updates this weekend? Watch and see!

Change of Plans

Well, we were going to head to the lake tonight after work but when we realized that a 70% chance of rain was predicted for tomorrow, we changed our plans and stayed home. Sometimes its good to be home. DD mowed the lawn. DH is happy - he got to putz in the garade. DS went to a movie with friends. Me - I'm tickled pink to be fiddling with my stitching stuff!

I finished a scissors fob tonight - it's a Brightneedle design (a freebie I think, although I took it from their book called Small Samplings) called Dearest Friend. When I sewed the sides together I added on a bead with each stitch. This is going to a friend who might check out my blog, so I can only tell you that our initials and the little tulip flower are on the back side.



Hmmmm....now what should I finish?

Stitching Update

Here's my stitching update for the past week:

First, progress on DT Game Board Sampler. Stitched one house and two motifs and some additional lettering on the right side. Second row is almost done!



I also started a new project this week, it's called Lakeside Lodge and its a design from LHN. (Seemed like an appropriate design to stitch on at the lake!)



Please forgive me if I haven't commented on your blog lately - I've had to cut back on my computer time - I think I've got carpal tunnel developing in my right hand/wrist/arm. I'm hoping that if I just take it easy for awhile, it will get better. Fortunately, it doesn't bother me too much when I'm stitching!

Have a great week!

Weekend Stitching Happy Dance

Well, another weekend has passed - this one proved to be productive. I was itching to start something new last week, so on Wednesday night I pulled out Drawn Thread's For Thee. This is an older chart (1998 I believe), but it doesn't matter to me - I love everything by Drawn Thread! I finished it last evening. Not sure whether it will be framed or finished some other way; for now, it's going into the drawer of my ever growing pile of projects that need finishing or framing!



Game Board SALing friends - I just wasn't in the mood to stitch on my Game Board last night. I may pick it up during the week, we'll see.

I'm anxious to see the new designs coming out of the Indianapolis market that was held this past weekend. Not like I need anything more to stitch, but well, you know how that goes! Have a great week!

Today's Stitching Update

Sorry, I haven't been very regular in posting. Work has been busy, the kids are playing summer sports. We go to the lake every chance we get. Fortunately, I have had more time to stitch so here are the updates!

Drawn Thread Game Board Sampler - two more squares finished on the far right!


WIP - this is the Heart in Hand Wee Santa from 1997. I started this about two years ago and am determined to finish it this year. I have some backstitching to do on Santa's face and I need to connect the stars plus attach a star button - he's almost finished!



Finally, I've completely finished the verse for My Sunshine from La D Da. All I have left to finish is the outside border. I must admit, I had some difficulty counting this one - I was trying to do it at the lake and wasn't concentrating as closely as I should have been. Despite a couple minor errors, it looks great - I just might have to fudge the border a little bit! (The fabric looks a bit washed out in this photo - it's more gold in color!)



In addition to these three projects, I've finished stitching three of my upcoming exchanges. I just have to do the finishing. I must admit that I wish I had done the Biscornu Exchange on the SBEBB - the completed projects I've seen on everyone else's blogs are fabulous!

Have a great week everyone!

Catching up!

So sorry, I know it has been a long time since my last posting. Fortunately, I've been stitching, just haven't had much time for blogging!

It's Memorial Day here in the U.S. We went to the lake for the weekend but cut our trip short and came home quite early today - it was just too hot! It's been in the high 90's here and too hot to really enjoy sitting at the cabin. We came home this afternoon and flipped our A/C on. We're all just kind of "vegging out".

Some of the stitching I have been working on is for exchanges, so no pictures, but here are two projects I can show you.

First, my weekly DT Game Board Sampler which I'm stitching with Nicole, Pam, Lelia, Myrna, and Bine. (Hope I didn't miss anyone!) This shows the progress I've made over the past two weeks (four squares!)



The second photo is of a La D Da piece that I started at the lake this weekend. It's called My Sunshine...

Game Board Sampler Update

Hi everyone - I've been kind of quiet lately. Just busy with projects around the house and kids activities.

Today I should be posting my weekly Game Board update but I didn't make much progress on it last night. As soon as I log off of the computer tonight I'm going to stitch on it some, so I'll try to post a picture tomorrow!

Our group is growing - Bine was the original member, then Lelia and Myrna joined us. Nicole is cruising on her sampler and this week Pam joined in the fun. Be sure to check out Nicole and Pam's pictures!

I know that Lelia has a couple of non-blogger friends who are stitching with us. Is anyone else SAL'ing with us that I'm not aware of?

Second Finish in Two Days

I've been somewhat determined to move some of my WIPs and UFOs out! I started this ornament last month but didn't get very far on it. Yesterday, I had time to stitch at my mom's after dinner then finished it after we got home.

This is a Homespun Elegance design from the JCS Ornament Issue (2004 I think!)

Happy Mother's Day

We're getting ready to head over to my mom's to enjoy the day with her, but before we go, I wanted to quick post a couple pictures for you!

First, an updated DT Game Board Sampler photo. If you read my blog regularly, then you will know that I just re-started this beauty on 36 ct linen (the pattern calls for 25 ct linen). My semi-completed version on 25 ct is now in the hands of Nicholas, Lelia's son -he plans to finish it when he has time. We all know what a talented stitcher Nicholas is!

Since you last saw a photo, I stitched a little bit more of the top border, and between last night and this morning completed three squares and started a fourth.
Lelia, Bine, Myrna and Nicole, plus a few other non-bloggers are stitching along with me. (Lelia - any chance we could convince them how much fun blogging is?) Anyone else care to join us?



The second photo for today is a finish -woohoo! I started it in March and have been working on it a little bit at a time ever since. This is Quilt Time Sampler from LHN. It will be a birthday gift for my sister-in-law later this year. I'm planning to get it framed between now and then. (Sorry, the design in the photo isn't perfectly straight!)



Thank you for visiting my blog and thank you for your kind comments. I so enjoy hearing from each and everyone of you. I will be visiting your blog too and look forward to seeing your stitching updates!

DT Game Board Sampler Update

Quick update -now that I'm back into this groove again! Since yesterday was Sunday, I stitched on DT Game Board Sampler. No pics to share, but I can tell you that I stitched Q, R, & S and the inside border along the top. Wonder how my friends Bine, Lelia, Myrna, and Nicole did? If anyone else is interested in joining us on this one, you are more than welcome. It's a no pressure SAL!

Beginner's Exchange for Leslie

Leslie received my exchange gift today so I can post a picture now. I've been wanting to stitch this Hardanger Welcome Heart for a number of years and finally found a good reason to do so. I was worried about the color (pale green on white), but Leslie said that she likes it (whew!)



I had sent some other goodies along with the stitched piece but forgot to take a photo of those...

Stitching Update

Friends - sorry for my lack of blogging lately! It's Spring - and we've had weddings, first communions, confirmations, etc. Last night, my daughter and I visited the school she will be attending next year - they had a picnic for incoming new students. It's just been one thing after another!

I am not going to review April goals - I don't think I accomplished too much! I am also not going to set specific goals for May. My general goal is going to be to finish some projects that are "oh, so close" to being done!

Here's what I've been working on lately:

On Sunday, I re-started the DT Game Board Sampler. I decided to stitch it on 36 ct (one strand of floss over two. I really like it! Here's a picture with the first version on 25ct and the new start on 36 ct.



Sorry for the wrinkles - I work in hand and I didn't have time to press before I took this picture. Now, is anyone interested in my partially stitched version on 25ct? It's maybe finished about a fourth of the way -- I'd be happy to pass this on to anyone who would like to finish it for themselves...

The other project I'm working on is Quilt Time Sampler by LHN. I stitched the two quilts in the middle and the bottom section this week. I still have the top section to finish.



And now a question for anyone who might be able to help me - I'm trying to finish my Apricot (Mint) Elegance needlecase - it's "oh so close!" I need to make cording for the scissors fob and for the case. I used Needle Necessities pearl cotton to stitch this and I would like to use the same NN pearl cotton for the cording - the problem is that the pearl cotton is pre-cut into one yard lengths. When I make cording, I twist the entire length of the thread and then fold it in half - so in other words, I end up with an 18 inch piece of cording and it is not long enough. Is there a trick on how to do this and end up with a longer piece of cording?

Thanks - have a nice day!

Thanks to all who have visited my blog recently - and thanks to those who have left comments!

Cindy - the Hardanger hear scissors fob is an adaptation of a pattern from Pure Heart Designs (Lacy Bookmarks I). There were a series of five hearts that made a bookmark. I just took one of the five hearts to make the scissors fob. Thanks for asking!

Today was a great mail day. As I pulled into the driveway I could see a box sitting on the chair next to the front door. It was a teal colored box, so I knew immediately that it was from Myrna (Myrna had posted a picture of the box on her blog!) This was for the Grab Bag Exchange on the U.S. Exchange Board. Myrna went all out - the theme was "blue" and everything was packed in a blue bag. There were beads, a scissors, Silkweaver fabric, a candle, some chocolates, blue DMC floss, Homespun Elegance pattern, Blueberry lotion - oh my gosh, the list goes on and on. Thanks Myrna - you are awesome! Here's a picture:



As long as I had the camera out, I took a picture of the Hardanger valance I stitched a few years ago. It hangs on the window over my kitchen sink:



Tonight I went to my LNS for a stitch-in. I rarely have time to do this since Thursday nights I'm usually at choir practice - our director and his wife are adopting a baby from Russia and so all choir rehearsals are cancelled until September! I stitched the scissors fob to go along with Apricot Elegance. I hope to finish the fob this weekend!

Take care everyone!

It's Small but it's Still a Finish!

I've been working on finishing an exchange gift for the Beginner's Exchange on the U.S. Exchange Board, so unfortunately you will have to wait for pictures on that one.

Tonight I finished a quick small - a Hardanger scissors fob! It's heart shaped and done on pink Hardanger fabric with some leftover Needle Necessities floss that I had (great project for using up left over fabric and floss!) I used pre-made cording and for the first time ever, inserted a 2006 quarter to give it weight. Isn't it cute? I'll be making more of these!

Stash Enhancing

Unfortunately, this is all I have to post. More stash; no stitching!



Quaker Garden is calling my name! Check out Donna's blog; she has already started it!

My Quaker Exchange for Becky

First of all, thank you for your comments to my "dilemma". I appreciate your honesty. Knowing that others have experienced this too makes me feel better. I think I've decided to start over - I'd like to do it on 36 count with one strand of floss over two - I'm going to check my fabric stash first.

Last week you saw that I received my Quaker Exchange from Becky. Coincidentally, I also had Becky's name and so I was stitching my gift for her! I was a tad bit nervous - not only was the first time I had ever stitched a Quaker motif, but it would also be the first time I had tried one of the required finishes. My motif was taken from the Beatrix Potter Sampler (which I had purchased a few weeks ago after seeing it on several blogs). This particular motif had "bees" incorporated in the design (appropriate for Becky - don't you think?)

We were to use purple fabric - I chose lavender bliss (32 ct Belfast) and use purple or yellow threads. I broke the rules a little bit - when I saw this Needle Necessities overdyed it was perfect for the fabric, so you'll see some pink, green and blue too. (Hopefully Becky will get a better picture of it - the fabric looks pink in my photos!)

We could finish as a scissors fob, needle book or a pinkeep. The design was too big for a scissors fob, so I decided to take a shot at the pinkeep. I followed Karen's directions posted on the SBEBB and they were quite easy to follow. I was quite pleased with my final project and Becky indicated that she was delighted with it!





(Becky- there's one pattern in this photo that you didn't receive because it didn't fit in the box. It's coming to you later this month!)

Dilemma

Have you ever started a piece, made significant progress on it, and then wished that you had done it another way?

Right now, I'm feeling that way about my DT Game Board Sampler. As my regular blog readers know, I started this piece in January (January 1 to be exact!). I am working it on the linen called for on the pattern - 25 count natural Dublin linen. The finished design size will be 192 stitches wide X 192 stitches long. If you are familiar with this piece, then you know that it finishes into the size of an actual game board.

I'm wishing that I had worked this on a smaller count fabric - perhaps 32 count or 36 count. It's unlikely that I would ever use it as a game board and I think it would be really fun to work up a smaller version of this - sort of a "mini game board".

Has this ever happened to you? Would it be silly if I started over? I could always pass the started piece on to another stitcher who would like to have the full size gameboard. Your thoughts?

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to my stitching friends! Hope you have a wonderful day however you choose to celebrate it!

Sorry for not being a more active blogger or stitcher this week. One of my other passions is singing and it has been a busy week for that. I sing in the choir at my church and we've had a number of rehearsals for the various Easter services. Last Sunday evening I sang at Evensong and now since Thursday, there's been a service every evening.

We will spend Easter at my mom's; she's a wonderful cook. My four brothers and their families will be there - unusual that we will all be together on the same holiday! Hopefully, my sister-in-law and I will be able to squeeze in a little stitching time after all the dishes are cleared.

Last evening, after I arrived home from church, I spent a couple of hours straightening up my stitching room - it needed it! Why is it that we experience such enjoyment from fingering our stash? I still have a few more things to put away this morning, but my WIPs are organized. While going through my patterns, I picked out designs for the Dog Days of Summer and For the Birds exchanges that I will be participating in on the U.S. Exchange Board. I also discovered a number of patterns that I didn't even remember that I had (how sad is that?)

It's going to be a beautiful spring day here in Minnesota - wherever you are, I hope you experience a delightful day. I'll be blogging and stitching more soon.

Lucky Me!

Look what I received in the mail today from Becky:




Becky received my name for the Quaker Exchange on the Exchange Place EZ-board. We had to stitch a quaker design on lavender linen with purple/yellow threads. Becky finished it off with some coordinating purple/yellow fabric into a needlebook. Isn't it lovely?

The special handmade gift from Becky was more than enough - yet she also sent me a Kreinik kit "Because Nice Matters" (I'll enjoy testing out those silk threads!) and sampler key chain designs from Milady's Needle. The Busy Bee self-stick notes will remind me of Becky each time I use them and I think the mini memo pad might be just right for making notes on stash to be purchased. I'm touched by Becky's generosity!

I'm in the process of putting the final touches on my Quaker exchange gift for ??? (can't tell - it's a secret). Hopefully by the weekend I'll be able to post an update on my project!