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!)