You Make Me Feel So Special...

Thank you all for the nice birthday wishes. Tomorrow is the big day. I'm planning to work as usual, but one of my very best friends at work is taking me to a concert tomorrow evening - the St. Olaf Christmas Festival. This festival can often be seen on public television and is quite famous nationwide. It's very difficult to get tickets but I've got connections - my friend is a graduate of St. Olaf! It will be a grand evening and I am really looking forward to it!

Another surprise in the mail today - Carol sent me one of her special scissors fobs! It's a Brightneedle design and her stitching and finishing are both perfect! The little charm where the ribbon is attached says "Made for you!" She stitched our initials on the back. I'm honored to have received this from Carol. I enjoy visiting Carol's blog and am always amazed at the projects she's working on and how quickly she manages to complete them. Thanks Carol!



It's been a busy week thus far, but tonight I will finally have time to get a little bit of stitching in. I have a needleroll that I'm working on but can't show it to you yet - it's a gift for a special friend.

Hope you have a great evening!

Stitching Friends are Special

This past year has really been fabulous - I have enjoyed getting to know so many stitchers out there. Your friendship and your encouraging words are always so appreciated.

Another friend honored me with a gift today - look at the beautiful bag that Karen stitched for me! This is the front side; the backside includes Karen initials and "06" to mark the year. The bag is beautifully lined with coordinating fabric; in the bag were the lovely gifties you see pictured. I am touched by Karen's kindness - thank you!



I have another picture to share with you - I had received Myrna's name for the Pinkeep exchange on the US Exchange Board. She received the pinkeep yesterday. As I told Myrna, I was in the mood for something kind of whimsical, therefore the wild colors. I think it turned out pretty cool and I think Myrna likes it!



Hope you are all having a good week. Is it Friday yet?

Nordic Needle Retreat

Is anyone out there in blogging world planning to go to the Nordic Needle retreat? You can find out more information about the retreat by clicking here.

I went for the first time two years ago and had a blast. I'm planning to go again next April. It's a four-day retreat and they really do a nice job. Three classes are included in the cost materials for the classes are extra). I'm planning on taking the classes on tassel making, canvaswork, and intermediate hardanger. Last time, the participants came from all over - including Canada and Bermuda!

It sure would be fun to meet some other stitching bloggers there!

An Exchange, A Gift, and Other Updates

I'm sorry that I haven't been too regular about posting lately - it's just that time of year! We have several birthdays in our family at this time of year; there are the holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's; the kids are full swing into their sports now (hockey and basketball); and so there just aren't enough hours in the day with everything that is going on!

Thank you to those that signed up for my Pay It Forward challenge - I believe I have five now - Heather, Katrina, Mary Kathryn, Laurie, and Angela. Angela - please email me (tadten at msn dot com) your snail mail address! I'm anxious to get started on these after the holidays!

Yesterday, I received a lovely pinkeep in the mail from Marie as part of the USEBB Specific Finish exchange. We decided to do pinkeeps this time. Along with the pinkeep Marie sent some recipe cards, some floss bobbins and numbers, and a wonderfully scented candle. Thanks Marie!



When I arrived home last Wednesday, there was a package from Becky in with the mail - of course I immediately thought that Becky must have had my name for the pinkeep exchange. To my surprise, it wasn't an exchange at all, but rather a birthday gift from dear Becky! (Officially, my mid-life crisis starts next Thursday, Nov 30 when I turn 45!) Becky sent a beautiful needlecase and a Quaker sewing case. They are both stitched with the same autumn colors and are truly works of art. Thank you Becky!



I am blessed to have connected with Becky about a year ago - and I am also blessed to have so many other new friends as a result of blogging and the exchange boards. Thank you for being one of them. Have a great weekend!

Joining the Bandwagon

Well, I'm jumping on the Pay It Forward bandwagon. It's a cool idea; I don't know why it took me so long to decide to join in. Anyway, I signed up to receive a handcrafted item from Barbara, so now in return I will share my love of needlework with five of you. Here's how it works:

Pay It Forward

The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of needlework made by me. After you comment, please email me your snail mail address (tadten at msn dot com). I'm going with a 365 day deadline, but will try to get the items out much sooner than that! There is a catch, of course, the way this works is that if you sign up, you have to blog this as well and continue sharing.

Anyone out there interested?

Thanksgiving Exchange Received

Myrna was the recipient of this Autumn themed pillow that I stitched for the Thanksgiving Exchange. I thought that the fabric really made the design pop!

Thanksgiving Exchange from Myrna

I received a package from Myrna on Friday; this was the Thanksgiving Exchange on the USEBB. I love the way she finished this piece. Here's a picture of the front; please go to Myrna's blog to see a picture of the back. The verse on the back reads "Thankful for Stitching Friends". Myrna has become a great friend, as have many of you this past year, and for that I am truly grateful. In true Myrna fashion there were lots of other goodies in the box which I will very much enjoy. Thanks Myrna!



Have a great Sunday!

Don't Worry - I'm Still Here

It may seem as though I've fallen off the face of the earth - not true...today I was busy recording a CD (not me alone, but with the two choirs that I sing with at church). We're using the CD to raise funds for a new organ. At any rate, there were rehearsals all week and today was an exhausting day. I'm going to try to read some blogs and hopefully will post a real stitching update for you tomorrow! If you are reading this, I hope you are getting lots of stitching done!

Autumn Quaker from Cari

I received the most delightful package from Cari today! I love receiving from Cari because she does the most beautiful stitching over one.

In her package is a beautiful scissors fob with a Quaker design stitched in WDW/Chrysanthemum on Antique Ivory Linen. Also enclosed is a matching Gingher Lanell scissors and some gorgeous fabric from Lakeside linens.

It's just beautiful Cari - I love it! Thank you!

Bookmarks for Literacy

My dear friend Lelia sent these bookmarks to me. They will be going to my local EGA chapter's outreach program - Bookmarks for Literacy. (More info on this program on my posts for Oct 15 & 17). Aren't they beautiful? The one in the middle is a Prairie Schooler design. I'm hoping Lelia will tell me how the outside two were constructed - I may try to make some of these myself for the program. Thank you Lelia!