I promised that if you stopped back today I would have some pictures for you. Here you go!

First up, here's the floss tag I received from Patti - isn't it great? I'm not sure where the design is from, perhaps Blackbird Designs? As you can see, Patti included some gorgeous silk threads and ribbon. Thanks a bunch Patti!



Second up, here's a progress pic of my BOAF Friendship Sampler. This shows the additional stitching I did last weekend. Hope to get some stitching done on it tonight and tomorrow, then I'll try to post another update. I love this sampler. (Forgive me, I didn't take time to press out the wrinkles!)


Hope you are having a marvelous weekend wherever you are!

I'm a Putz

Well, I've been putzing around on the computer here most of the night. I should have been sitting in my chair stitching, right? Since I was gone most of the week I needed to get caught up on emails and other stuff. So here I am, three hours later, still putzing around.

Here's what I have for you tonight -- I stitched this Shepherd's Bush design "Land of the Free" and finished it off into a pillow for Goldie as part of a Patriotic Exchange that a small group of us participated in. You can't really tell from the picture, but the blue fabric has flags in it and the contrasting fabric also has tiny flags in it. Turned out pretty cute IMHO!

Check back tomorrow for more updates. I've got a floss tag to show you and promise to post an update on my BOAF Friendship Sampler progress. Until then, happy stitching!

Patriotic Exchange

Thanks everyone for your kind comments on my last post. I think I may have found the link to the Quaker freebie -- try clicking here. (I hope it works!)

Yesterday, I received a delightful exchange from Goldie. A small group of us decided to have a Patriotic themed exchange since we're approaching the July 4th holiday here in the U.S. Goldie stitched and finished a beautiful tin for me -- she did a great job; it is beautifully done! The design is a Victoria Sampler freebie entitled "Together We Shall Overcome" and it includes a little bit of hardanger along with the cross stitch!

Inside, there is a magnet for needles. Goldie included some buttons and a charm.

Here's a picture of the entire exchange. Thanks Goldie!

I didn't have much time for stitching last night, so no updated pictures for the BOAF Friendship Sampler.

I discovered a wonderful blog this morning as I was surfing the net. The blog is called The Painted Quilt. I need to go back and read Kaaren's older posts, but two of her recent posts caught my eye. First of all, she has a needlecase tutorial posted. I might just give this a try. Even cuter is the sewing box she put together - go to the June 8 post to see this one. Kaaren is offering a couple of giveaways for the 4th of July, so if you would like to play, do stop by. Even if you are not interested in her giveaway, do check out her blog - it's delightful!

Have you seen the new sampler from La D Da? This is going to be a must stitch for me! I think it will nicely complement La D Da's Quaker Alphabet that I stitched earlier this year.

And what about the new designs from Midsummer Night Designs? I better get stitching!

Greetings and Salutations!

I'm reminded of the father of one of my best friends from college when I hear "Greetings and Salutations!" Whenever I called over to her house, that's how her dad, we called him "Wif," answered the phone. He was one of the kindest, gentlest men I ever met. He died about two years ago; I still think about him every once in awhile.

It's been awhile since I posted, sorry about that. Life just gets in the way sometimes! I do have a few pictures to share though.

First up, is a floss tag that I made for Jeanie as part of the Tiny Treasures exchange. Many of you will recognize this design; just about everyone was stitching it about a year ago or so. It was a freebie online - I wish I could remember the site or the author's name so that I could give proper credit! Anyway, I stitched it on some white linen I had in my stash. The blue thread that I used is some thread that Aniza sent to me as part of an exchange some time ago; I think she dyed it herself. As you can see, the back of the tag is personalized!

(Jeanie, I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your pictures from your blog; they are so better than the one's that I took!)

Before I move on to another photo, I need to give credit to Mama Joan; she always puts the grommets in my floss tags for me. I know, I know, I should be able to do this myself, but she's so good at it! More about Mama Joan later in this post....

On Wednesday night, I took a class at a local quilt shop (for anyone who might be local, it was at Rosebud's Cottage in NSP). We made this felted wool strawberry needlebook. Cute, huh? The smaller pieces were already cut for us; we just had to cut the larger ones and then do the stitching to finish it. I really enjoy classes with smaller projects where when it's time to go home your project is finished! It was a relaxing evening!


Now, back to Mama Joan. She hasn't posted to her blog in awhile; she's been kind of busy. Mama Joan and her hubby moved to South Dakota last week; they both have new jobs there. I'm going to miss Mama Joan. A small group of us always stitched at her house on Friday nights. For now, our weekly stitching nights are over, but I'm sure we'll still get together from time to time. Since I wasn't at Mama Joan's last night, I had to do the next logical thing -- I went to Stitchville (our LNS) after work! I want you all to know that I exercised great restraint while I was there. I only purchased two cuts of fabric and some fibers.

Here's the project that I started when I got home - This is an oldie but a goodie from Birds of a Feather called Friendship Sampler. I'm stitching it on 36 count Picture This Plus "Legacy" and I'm using one strand of floss over two threads (two strands of floss looked too heavy to me). As you can see, I'm just getting started!

Terri at Chocolates for Breakfast is also stitching this one right now. Check out how vibrant the colors are!

Well, that's it for me. Today I will be working on finishing an exchange that needs to be mailed out. It's going to be really HOT here in MN so I won't mind being indoors at all! Have a great day!

What Have I Been Stitching?

Don't have too much to share, but I can show you an ornament that I recently stitched for BeckySC. This was the final exchange in our monthly year-long ornament exchange. It was great fun!


This design is from Plum Pudding Needlearts. The chart is called Candy Cane Wishes and includes three ornament designs. I stitched this on some miscellaneous 32 count fabric from my stash with mostly DMC. I used WDW Hazelnut for the Gingerbread man. The back is personalized with our initials.

I also stitched my patriotic exchange - still need to do the finishing on this one. Then, this past weekend I started stitching "Stripes" from Shepherds Bush. This is a kit that I have had in my stash for quite some time. It's about 1/3 of the way done. I might go back and re-do some of the words with the darker colored silk when I'm finished...

Not much else going on around here. It may be June here in Minnesota but we've had no summer to speak of yet - cold, rainy - granted, we do need the rain! We had the third dryest Spring on record.

That's it from me tonight!

A Most Wonderful Gift

Today I received a wonderful gift from one of my team members at work who just returned from a trip to Taiwan. It was sweet of her to think of me while on vacation. She knows that I am fond of cross stitch and other types of needlework and so she brought me this wonderful pincushion. Isn't it cute?


Now here's a little story for you -- about 6 years ago, I was in Tokyo for a business meeting. It was a short trip, but before leaving to come home I did a little shopping at a gift shop and found a pincushion exactly like this one. When I got home I gave it to my sister-in-law as a gift. Since that time, I have often thought about it and wished that I had purchased two of them. In February 2008, I had the opportunity to travel to Tokyo again and while it was also a short trip, I still had time for a little bit of shopping. I searched high and low for a pincushion like this one, but couldn't find one.

My team member at work didn't know this story, but I shared it with her today. Needless to say, I was thrilled with her gift - it is a most wonderful gift!

Is it June Already?

How can it be June? What happened to May? I don't know where the time goes.

I've been busy stitching exchanges that need to go out in June. Some of these will be mailed this weekend so once they are received I will have pictures to share. Once my commitment stitching is done then I'm going to stitch red, white, and blue projects until the 4th of July. Two weekends ago I went through my stash and found several patriotic projects all kitted up, so I'm ready to go!

Here's an exchange that was mailed in May and I just received word that Suzanne received it. The theme of this exchange was Blackbird Designs and I stitched this sweet design called Tulip & Star Pinkeep from the With Needle and Thread book. I used the WDW threads that the pattern called for; the fabric is one of my coffee dyed pieces (32 ct). The fabric in the background is from the Blackbird Design Chelsea Boutique line for Moda; I used it to finish the back of the pinkeep. I think it turned out quite nice - it was hard to part with it, but I know Suzanne will give it a good home!

Last weekend I decided to do some real sewing. I've had this fabric and pillow pattern for about 5 or 6 years. I went through a phase where I thought I was going to be a quilter and spent lots of time visiting quilt shops and buying fabric. I never really got around do doing any actual quilting but I've collected lots of nice fabric. Anyway, the fabric has a sewing theme. Here's the pillow and then a close-up of the fabric.


Well that's it from me. Hope you are all having a wonderful week. Chat with you more soon!

This and That

Not much stitching going on; no pictures to share. Just surfing blogs today!

Yuko is offering a beautiful spring pinkeep as a giveaway. Hurry over to her blog; it ends soon!

Red, White, and Blue Finish

Celebrating another finish! Tonight I finished the Glory Fob from Shepherd's Bush. This has been in my stash since 2006? 2007? - can't remember exactly when, but I've had this little kit for quite awhile. The only thing I can't figure out is why I didn't stitch this one sooner!

Glory Fob from Shepherd's Bush
Fabric/Fibers - kit
pictured with Gingher "Glory" Scissors

Back to work tomorrow - bugger!

Happy Memorial Day and Thanks...

Today is a national holiday in the U.S. We honor and give thanks to our servicemen and servicewomen who have defended and protected our country in times of war and peace. God bless all of them!

Long Weekend -

Well, DS and I were going to go to the lake today to join DH and DD and at the last minute our plans changed. Not for a bad reason or anything, it just seemed like most of the weekend was gone already and we could accomplish so much more here at home. There will be more lake weekends...

I do have some stitching to share! First, an exchange that I received from Wendy Jo. The theme was Blackbird Designs. Wendy Jo stitched this wonderful pinkeep. The pattern is in the book, Thank you, Sarah Tobias and it is called Autumn Tulip. As you can see, Wendy Jo made a matching scissors fob. She also sent the scissors, some wonderful 32 count fabbies (nice neutrals!) and some needles (can't have too many of those!) It is a wonderful exchange!


I finished up my Blackbird exchange piece today and it will be mailed on Tuesday. Hopefully it won't take too long to get to its destination and then I can share pictures with you!

Next up - the ornament I stitched for Amy for this month's ornament swap. I really liked the ornament that I stitched last month for Julianne and so...I stitched it again! This design is from the Nordic Needle and was featured in one of the JCS Ornament mags (2003, I think!)


That's all I've got for you tonight! I'm heading to the stitching chair now!

Not Much to Share

I've been in a bit of a slump lately; but I did finish my ornament for Amy (May's recipient!) this week. As soon as she receives it, I will post photos.

I thought some of you might appreciate seeing some of the tatting I received from my mother for Mother's Day. She tatted this purple heart and this multi colored bookmark. She said that the thread used for the bookmark is called "jelly bean." As you can see, she's into using buttons with her tatting!


Spent some time yesterday and today cleaning through my stash. Ugh! I've posted a list of some patterns that I am willing to trade or sell. Many of them have never been used; a few of them are gently used. Shoot me an email if you are interested. The list is posted here.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.

Spring Exchange

A small group of eight of us decided to exchange each season of this year. We're sending Spring gifts now, and mine arrived yesterday from Monika in Germany. (You saw the biscornu that I sent to her in my previous post.)

As you can see, Moni stitched up one of the Workbasket monthly designs (I think this might be May?) It's stitched with soft colors and is finished into a beautiful little pillow.

In addition, Moni sent this little pocket which was filled with thread and buttons and things. The edging is hand crocheted -- did you crochet the edging Moni? The button used to close the pocket is really pretty.

Here's the entire exchange - some lovely linens, a pattern, spring stickers, etc. - many wonderful things. Thank you Monika for this great exchange!

Here's another WIP that I finished last week. I started this project earlier in the year and then got busy with other things. I'm slowly working through my WIPs and UFOs.

Goode Huswife - Three Crows
32 count Sand linen
DMC fibers

And this UFO was started about two or three years ago. I didn't finish it because I'm not particularly fond of stitching over one! But this was a small project and I knew I could do it! I still have to add the beads and then of course, do the finishing!

Cure Tree from M Designs

Essy's Friends (retired kit)

Well, that's it for me today. Stitching on an ornament for an exchange tonight! To all the mother's out there -- Happy Mother's Day!

And We Have a Winner...

We did this the old-fashioned way. All the names went into this basket and my DH drew one name out...



Rachel is the winner of the La D Da chart and thread! I've already sent you an email Rachel. Please send me your address and I'll get this sent out to you.

A small group of us have been doing seasonal exchanges this year. My partner for Spring is Moni in Germany. She emailed me to say that she received the Spring Biscornu that I sent to her. This is a Barbara Ana design -- so cute!


Thanks for all of your kind comments on my recent finishes!

Another Finish...I'm on a Roll

With everything that's been going on around here, it's amazing that I am able to get any stitching done! After our guests left last weekend, I crashed in my stitching chair and started something new. I bought this chart and the fabric (40ct R&R Cappucino) a few year's ago while visiting Shakespeare's Peddler (she was still in Fargo at the time). Sadly, it sat in my basket waiting to be stitched for quite a long time -- but now, here she is:

Goode Huswife

Dutch Strawberries

40ct R&R Cappucino

DMC Fibers

The finished piece is quite small - it measures about 3" x 4" -- it would be perfect for a pinkeep, but I think I'm going to hold off -- I'd like to get this one framed.

Last night I picked up Goode Huswife Three Crows again (you might recall my start on this one a few months ago). I'm going to try to finish this one up over the weekend - it's close.

Tonight we celebrate my DH's birthday - the big 5-0!

Two Finishes!

There really hasn't been much time for stitching lately; we had houseguests (my cousins from Canada) all week and were busy visiting with them and other family members that stopped by...but today has been my day to stitch! It's been raining outside all day (we really need it) so there's no guilt feelings for not starting to work in the yard!

My first finish is a piece I started about 2 or 3 weeks ago. It's from La D Da and it's called Quaker Alphabet. As I think I mentioned before, the picture of the design did not appeal to me, but when I saw the stitched model at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison I totally fell in love with it! I stitched it on 35 count Straw by Weeks Dye Works and used the recommended fibers - Belle Soie Creme de Menthe and Noir. I love it!

Then, I couldn't help but not jump on the Blackbird Designs freebie/contest bandwagon. Here is my version of Petites Lettres Rouges. I like some of the quirky problems with the pattern so I didn't make too many changes. I added my grandmother's name and the year she came to America from Hungary. This is stitched with DMC 115 on some of the 28ct cream Belfast that I coffee-dyed. It was a fun stitch!

Giveaway --- If you would like to receive my gently used chart for Quaker Alphabet including my leftover silk, please leave your name on this post. I will draw a name next weekend. (You will need to supply your own fabric and Belle Soie Creme de Menthe; there's more than enough Noir to stitch the letters!)

That's it for today. I pulled out two new projects to work on and have couple of exchanges for May that need to get started. Until next time...

So Far Behind!

The past two weeks have been CRAZY at our house..we hosted Easter dinner for my family (15 people, I think?) This week we have relatives coming from British Columbia; they will be staying with us for five days. I'm very grateful for this time with family.

So, what have I been stitching lately? Let's start with the ornament that I stitched for Julianne on the Christmas ornament swap; April was her month to receive. She indicated that she loved Christmas greens and reds and that made me think of this ornament -- it's from the 2002 JCS Ornament Magazine and it's a design from Nordic Needle. I finished it off as a small stuffed pillow with beads around the edge and some personalization on the back. Cute, yes?


Next up are two sweet fobs that I stitched to coordinate with the Gingher Sarah scissors that came out last year. The design is a freebie from Debbie Draper called "Love" which can be found here. I chose thread colors which coordinated with the colors of the scissors -- the lighter middle is CC Persimmon, the darker middle is WDW Grenadine , the blue is ST Morning Glory, the green is ST Spring Grass. I stitched them on some 28ct white linen and finished them as tiny biscornus. What do you think?

Here's my current WIP. I would have never purchased this pattern based on the picture but I saw the model when Mama Joan and I went to Madison and fell in love with it. Wanna guess which design this is? I'll give you a clue, we went to Madison for a class with Lori from La D Da....

That's all I got! Hope you have all been well. I'm going to try to pop into some blogs now and see what I've been missing. Have a nice weekend!

Happy Easter!

Wishing you and your family and friends a Happy Easter!

I promise to have stitchy pictures soon...

Dirty Trick

Yes, Mother Nature played a dirty trick on us last night. We woke up to find snow everywhere! The pictures below are of our deck and the trees behind. I think we got about two inches of the fluffy white stuff. Can't complain, other parts of Minnesota have had it worse!

I can now show you a picture of the biscornu I sent out for the Tiny Treasures exchange. It went to Patti in the U.K. This was my first experience stitching on black!

Bumblehearts Biscornu
Periphaeria Designs
28 count Black Cashel
DMC fibers

Needleroll for Ronel

Over the weekend I shared with you the beautiful stumpwork bag, nametag, and scissor fob that I received from Ronel. Today, Ronel emailed to tell me that the exchange package I sent to her arrived! I stitched this Minnesota needleroll for her -- I thought it would be something she would remember me by!

Here's close-up picture of the nametag and the scissor fob. Please visit Ronel's blog for better pictures, plus she just posted a picture of a beautiful scissor pocket that she recently finished!