Time for an Update!

It seems I haven't been around much, but really I have been! Posting on my blog is just usually at the bottom of my list!

For the past year, I participated in a Seasonal Exchange that BeckyS organized. Every season we sent a stitched piece off to our partner - my partner was Simone. This was my last season to send to her. I stitched this Mary Garry design and modeled it after a piece I received from Nancy K last year. As I explained to Simone, I took some liberties with this exchange. The piece is titled "Raining Pins & Needles" - it has a needlework theme; not exactly a Spring theme, but "rain" does fall in "Spring," right? Unless of course if you live in Minnesota because it is snowing here today! It's finished as a pinkeep. What do you think of the cool ABC fabric on the back? I sent a few other goodies along including a pair of the much sought after Emma Ginghers.



My friend Joan (aka Mama Joan) celebrates her birthday year round. It's a good thing, because I'm not very good about getting things stitched in time for birthdays! The pinkeep that I made for Georgie was so cute and I had extra linen and fabric left over, so I had to make one for Joan too! She didn't mind receiving it a month late!


My Fair & Square for Round 6 were mailed last weekend - maybe I will be able to show those to you sometime soon. They had a long way to travel!

This week I became acquainted with a new stitching blogger, Amy. Amy's blog is called Cross Stitch and Cupcakes. Check it out!

Have a great Saturday and thanks for stopping by!

Pinkeep for Georgie

Georgie received the pinkeep that I stitched for her on the HoE Pinkeep Exchange. The design is from mary Garry and it is in the 2000 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine. Colors were changed from the Christmas green and red to a softer green and rose; I stitched this on a piece of Chestnut colored linen.

Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

Over the past few days I spent time stitching on Kathy A's Neighborhood. Considering that we still are having snow days (7 inches one day last week and another storm coming this Friday)in MN, it was a pleasure to stitch on something that was "warm" and "sunny". Kathy's neighborhood has a summer, beach cottage theme. She is looking for bright colors and pastels. I stitched the first block in the middle row - it's the Whalehouse pattern from Bent Creek with color and design modifications. I hope Kathy likes it; I think her neighborhood is off to a great start!


Here's the whole neighborhood so far:

Scissors Fob Received

A scissors fob that I stitched finally reached its destination. This was a replacement for Carol R in the Hooked on Exchanging group; the original stitcher did not follow through. As some of you have figured out, I've been on a bit of a Mary Garry kick recently!

I've been RAK'd

Myrna sent me a package of goodies last week - a knitted dishcloth (too pretty to use), a marking pin, and a scissor fob (it has my name and the year 2008 stitched on the back). Myrna and I got into this whole blogging and exchanging thing at about the same time (we have history!) Aw, this was so sweet of you Myrna!

Lots of Catching Up to Do!

So many things to share with you - I've had so many things going on lately that it has been a struggle to keep up with everything. Here are some of the lovely exchanges that I have received over the past week:

Tea Time exchange (SBEBB) from Jean:


Pinkeep exchange (HoE) from Edgar:


Biscornu exchange (Hoe) from Sharon:



Here are some of the exchanges I've stitched and mailed recently:

Biscornu exchange (Hoe) for Jill:



Earth Day Fair & Square for Tracy:



Whew! I'm working on a pinkeep exchange and two RR's, so I'll have more pictures for you soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Earth Day Fair & Square

Over the weekend I received my Earth Day Fair & Square from Tracy! She was very prompt about getting this package mailed (what a good exchanger she is!) The squares and goodies are wonderful - thanks Tracy!


And today, I am starting a new RR -- this one with a Little House Needleworks theme. I am very sad however - life has been so crazy here that I was only able to get my basting done. I have a very sad looking RR right now. The good news is that by the time it comes back to me, it will have all but two squares filled. I told my RR friends to surprise me! Can't wait to see the progress on this piece.

Here's a picture of my sad looking LHN RR and basting plan:



If you'd like to have a look at some of the other starts from two of our LHN RR exchangers, check out these blogs: Joanne and Nicki. Joan has a great start too - she needs to post a picture on her blog!

Tea Time Exchange for Donna

I haven't been posting much lately; lots of family events keeping me busy! Sorry!

Donna received the Tea Time exchange that I sent to her. This Mary Garry design was quick to stitch so I couldn't resist stitching it twice - a scissor fob and matching pinkeep. The pinkeep has a little pocket in the back (for a tea bag or other stitching accessory!)



Simone also received the Winter Exchange (Seasonal Exchangers Group) that I sent to her. This is the second time that I've stitched this LHN design (Woodland Sampling) for an exchange. As you can see, I finished this one into a little pillow. One of these times I need to stitch it for myself!


I have some Fair & Square blocks to post pictures of too, but I'll save those for tomorrow -- too dark now to take a picture!

I've been doing some stash cleaning - go to my wishlist to view the charts/kits that I am parting with. All are new and have never been stitched.

Have a nice weekend!

Seasonal Exchangers - Winter

A package from Carolyn arrived this week - such a big box of stuff, wow! The stitched piece is amazing. She finished it onto a photo album cover and let me tell you, her finishing is superb! Carolyn also spoiled me with lots of other goodies (not all of which are in the photo below!) Some of them have been put to use already - like a cute Winter Welcome sign (hanging outside my front door), chocolate (consumed by son), and lotions, bath beads, body wash (tested by daughter!) Carolyn did a great job pampering me with this one (everybody needs a little pampering in the winter, right? Thanks Carolyn!

Fair and Square Blocks

I snapped up some photos this morning and thought I'd post this quick before I head out to work. A wonderful package arrived yesterday from Lisa - in it were the squares she stitched for me, a BBD pattern, some Moda BBD fabric, some needles and a wonderful hand made card. The squares are wonderful - I believe the design is from With My Needle. The card is amazing -- Lisa is a true artist! She put a picture of the square that she stitched on the front of the card; inside are remanants of what she used to stitch the square along with other stitching related stuff. It's really cool! Thanks so much Lisa!




Lisa also received the package that I sent to her. Here are the blocks that I stitched for her (pattern is from La D Da):

Belated Valentine's Day Wishes

Happy Valentine's Day to all my stitching friends! I know this note is a little bit late; I was in Japan all of last week and returned on Thursday. Hope your day was special!

Today I have a couple of exchange updates for you. My Valentine's Day exchange from Carla arrived while I was away. She stitched this new Lizzie Kate design and finished it as a pinkeep. It's beautifully stitched and finished! She enclosed other great goodies - a couple of charts, some ribbon, a candy flower, and some wonderful smelling soap. Thanks Carla!



And, I learned yesterday that my scissor fob for the HoE exchange finally made it's way to Karen in Australia! I used a Prairie Schooler design and was rather fond of how it turned out. Guess I'll have to make another one!



I have several other exchanges that I've been working on and will probably be able to share pictures soon. I've been working my way through the various ONS sites to check out the Nashville releases. Do you have a favorite?

My First February Post

I know it has been a long time since I have posted; sorry about that. I've been able to do some stitching, but can't show you too much right now. Here are some exchange updates...

Fob Received from Down Under
Alison had my name for the HoE fob exchange. She stitched a small design from The Drawn's Thread Wildflower Garden. I have always loved designs from The Drawn Thread so this is just perfect for me.

Alison sent other goodies - a candle made in Australia, some chocolate, some beautiful threads from Needle Necessities. I love it all! Thank you Alison!




Valentine's Day Exchange for Su

Su received the Valentine's Day exchange I recently sent to jer. I couldn't resist stitching up this beautiful Hardanger suncatcher ornament and matching scissor fob. (Please be sure to check out the photo on Su's blog - she is a real artist when it come's to taking pictures!)



Package from a Dear Friend
Barbara was one of the first stitchers I befriended when I joined the blogging world. Recently I sent her a Carriage House Samplings class piece that I had obtained at the Hands to Work retreat. I knew that Barbara would thorougly enjoy this stocking as she has stitched at least one other and has the other patterns in her collection. She sent the following to me as a thank you. I love both the French magazine and the designs from The Needle's Content. Hugs to you Barbara.


Collection Complete
I have to share that I have managed to complete my collection of Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazines. I recently purchased 1997 and 1998 issues on eBay. Yay!



I am going to be away for a few days; need to do some traveling for work. Hopefully I will get some stitching done while I am away and then I'll have more to share with you! Have a nice weekend and a good week!

SBEBB Winter House Exchange

The following parcel arrived from Cheryl in Scotland on Thursday. She stitched this design from Country Cottage Needleworks and finished it into a wee little pillow! I'm thoroughly enjoying the British counted cross stitch magazine and will put the fabric fat quarter and beads to good use. Thanks Cheryl!



Here's what I sent to Terry for the Winter House exchange. This is Star Light, Star Bright from Little House Needleworks finished as a flat fold.


Sent my Valentine's Day exchange off today and I'm finishing the scissors fob that I stitched for Hooked on Exchanging. Have a nice weekend!

It's A New Day

In the wee hours of the morning I was reflecting on how last week was such a crazy week on all fronts.

Family - it was the first full week of school for the kids since holiday break; basketball, hockey, pep band, and studying for upcoming semester finals.

Work - it was the first full week that I've worked in about four weeks due to the holidays and some time off taken before Christmas. That explains why it just never seemed to end!

Stitching - too much unproductive time spent online; not enough time spent stitching!

Today is a new day and it's the start of a new week. Family life will still be hectic this week as semester finals are on Wednesday and Thursday. I need to make sure my kids are well fed and rested so that they do well. As for work, it will be another busy week I'm sure, but maybe I can try to be a little more organized and manage my time a little better. Stitching - well, this week's resolution will be to spend less time online and more time stitching. Sorry friends, but hopefully by the end of the week you will benefit when I can post the results of more time stitching!

I did have time to work on some Hardanger last night while watching the football game. My hardanger tip for you - only cut threads when your mind is clear and free of distraction! I haven't done this for a long time, but I cut the wrong threads! Sometimes I am able to salvage the piece, but this one was a total loss; good thing it was a smaller piece. I'll just have to start over!

No other pictures to share right now, although an exchange that I sent out last week should be received soon.

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful week!

Fair & Square Blocks for Darla

Darla received her Fair & Square blocks earlier in the week. The design is from Prairie Schooler - Up on the Rooftop. I stitched these on one of those cold evenings between Christmas and New Year's Eve - this chart just sort of seemed appropriate!



No other stitchy news from me this evening. I did some finishing on an exchange piece that needs to be mailed tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!

Fair & Square and Birth Sampler Progress

Today, I received these wonderful squares from Darla on the Fair & Square exchange. This sweet, colorful design really perked me up after a long day at work! Darla also sent a long some fibers from Carrie's Threads and Six Strand Sweets which I will enjoy trying out someday soon. Thanks Darla!



On Saturday evening I finished filling in the banner and added the little bird to the left on the La D Da birth sampler. I'm finding it a bit difficult to read the words "I Love You" but I will reserve final judgement until I'm finished. It seems like when I have something dark behind this piece, then the words are okay. (I apologize for the wrinkles!)


Not much else to report on. We've had a nasty cold bug working its way through our house and I think I'm next in line....

New Year's Day Stitching

What a wonderful, relaxing day we had! My mom came and ate dinner with us (remember the ham and cheesy potatoes I talked about earlier?) No other guests, so it was a perfect day for lounging around the house.

I started a new project for the New Year - I'm actually hoping to finish this one rather quickly. A good friend at work had a baby girl in October and I've been wanting to stitch a birth sampler for her. This design (Gabrielle Rose) from La D Da seemed perfect. I think I made a pretty good start on it today.


I'm using Lakeside Linen 36 ct Light Examplar (man, is that nice to stitch on) and DMC threads, one thread over two.

Have a nice evening and a good day tomorrow!

Happy New Year 2008!

Happy New Year everyone. May 2008 be a happy and prosperous year for you! I have some finishes to share - yes, I was busy stitching my little heart out last night.

Here's a piece that I started at the Hands to Work retreat in October. It's one of my two Blackbird Design classes. The piece is called Autumn Tulip Pin Keep. It's stitched on 30ct R&R Irish Creme with WDW and GAST threads. If I have time later today, I'm going to try to do the finishing on it.


I also finished my square in Judith's neighborhood. These houses were designed by Maryse and the patterns can be found on her blog. I chose to stitch the November house because my birthday is in November. Don't compare this photo with the previous one - I was color challenged (or maybe just pattern reading challenged?) when I first started stitching this piece - all is fixed now! Carol, this will be making its way to you soon - I'll send an email when it is posted.


A few more blog updates and then its off to the shower. We're having ham and cheesy potatoes for dinner today along with more hors du oeuvres as we watch the Rose Parade and the football games that will be on TV.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year Holiday - enjoy your time with family and friends (or however you choose to spend it!)