Blogging Blues

Sorry for being such an absent blogger lately. There just aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I would like to do. So, I guess we have a little bit of catching up to do.

Earlier this year Ronel and I connected via blogging. She was interested in joining some of the stitching exchange groups online and contacted me for more information. We ended up doing a personal exchange in March and have kept in touch with each other ever since. Recently, we decided to do another personal exchange. Ronel's package arrived this week and she really spoiled me with an exquisite set of smalls. (I apologize that the pictures are dark; I'm never home when there is daylight!)



Ronel is a very talented needleworker. She sent me some beautiful stumpwork with our last exchange and now with this exchange, ribbon embroidery. A beautiful needlebook, pincushion, scissor fob, and threadkeeper. The stitching is beautifully done; her finishing is perfect.



Along with the set of smalls, were a few other goodies, but I must point out this wonderful embroidery book that was published in South Africa. The fibers she sent me are from Chameleon Threads, also from South Africa. The designs in this book feature these threads. Thank you Ronel, for this wonderful gift!



Ronel also received her package from me this week. I wanted to do something special for her too and decided that I would stitch a needlebook and fob for her this time, but rather than using a cross stitch design, I would do something with Hardanger. The needlebook and fob design is from the Nordic Needle; I did make some minor changes to the pattern. I think it turned out quite nice and I hope that Ronel enjoys using it. Along with the stiching I sent the JCS Halloween and Ornament magazines (I know how hard these are to get overseas) along with some other goodies.




Finally, here's my latest start. I'm working on the Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler from Shakespeare's Peddler. I'm stitching on the suggested fabric using the threadpack that came with the pattern (Sampler Threads). I'm stitching mine on 36ct. fabric.



I have more updates for you, but I think I will save them so I have something to post tomorrow! Thanks for visiting!

A PIF and a New Scissors!

Happy Sunday! Thanks to all who visited and for your kind comments on my last post! My mom and I did go the German Mass last night and then to Oktoberfest for a little while. We both ran into some old friends who we hadn't seen for a long time, so I'm glad we did it. One of the organizers of this festival used to work with me (many years ago!) and the group really does a nice job of creating a festive, Oktoberfest atmosphere - just like in Munich!

In my inbox this morning was an email from Nic; I was so happy to see it. You see, several weeks ago I sent off two PIF gifts, one for Joan and one for Nic. Of course, Joan received hers right away. Normally, mail to the UK takes about a week, but there has been some strike activity within the postal system there. We feared the package might never make it, but it arrived yesterday. Whew! So now I can share a picture with you. I stitched the same thing for both Joan and Nic; this is one of my all-time favorite designs from the ornament magazines!

Roz Watnemo - Nordic Needle
Stitched on white Congress Cloth
Threadworx Pearl Cotton

My mailbox had some goodies in it yesterday too -- check out my new baby - Mia! Do any of you remember when last year I said that I thought it would be cool if Gingher came out with a designer scissors in Christmas colors? I think they must have been listening because this scissors reminds of a Christmas plaid fabric with red, green, blue. Of course, I'm kind of partial to the color red anyway, so I love these scissors! (If you are looking for a pair, check your local JoAnn Store or go to joann.com!)



Pictured with Mia are a couple ornaments I've been working on in between samplers. This of course is a Mary Garry pattern from the 1998 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine!

That's it for me today. On the stitching front, I'll be working on my Fall Seasonal Exchange for Brigitte. On the TV front, we'll be cheering on the MN Vikings (football) this afternoon and the MN Twins (baseball) tonight! Hope you find some time for stitching today too!

Looky What We Got Last Night

It was inevitable; it just seems a bit early this year. You hope and pray that you won't see any of that fluffy white stuff until at least November. But alas, it is October 10 and we got snow. At least it was only a dusting! It's been cold here all week with temps in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Pictured with the snow are our labs Zeta and Maggie, Zeta is the chocolate one and Maggie is the yellow one.


As the Spinster Stitcher would say, I have another "FEE NEE" to celebrate. Last Saturday, I picked up the fabric at Stitchville and a couple of the threads I was missing and promptly began stitching this one. At first, I didn't think I was going to like it so much, but now that it is finished, I love it!

Primitive Needle - Earth Sampler
36ct PTP Ale
Gast and WDW Fibers

So for today, well, I have a whole bunch of laundry calling my name, as well as dusting and vacuuming. Just a normal Saturday, ho hum. They are celebrating Okttoberfest in St. Paul this afternoon and evening, so I think I will take my mom to the German mass and then we'll go listen to the Bavarian Musikmeisters for a little while.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.

A Wonderful Weekend!

Hello Stitching Friends! Yes, it's too bad that the weekend is coming to a close because it was a terrific weekend.

Stitching friends are the best friends! On Saturday morning, I met my friend Judy at our not so local LNS. Judy and I first met about five years ago at a Nordic Needle retreat. We met again two years later when I attended my second Nordic Needle retreat. I'm not as faithful as Judy is in attending the retreats, so we haven't seen each other for about three years, but we stay connected via email. Judy was making a trip down to the Twin Cities and it worked out that my morning was free, so, we met at Stitchville! It's a little over two hour drive for her and about a 45 minute drive for me. We had a great time checking out all the market designs and other goodies. About 90 minutes later, with purchases in hand, we then went out for lunch and had a nice visit. It was great to see Judy again (thanks Judy!)

Since it has been a little more than a week since I last posted, we have some catching up to do! Let's start with the Mary Garry design "Peace" that I was working on. It's now finished! This was a relaxing design to stitch. I really like the Belle Soie silks!

"Peace"
Mary Garry
36ct PTP Shale
Belle Soie Plush Plum

Last weekend I whipped up this hardanger beauty! It's a gift for someone (who I don't think follows my blog.) This actually was one of the classes at a Nordic Needle retreat that I attended. I didn't take this class, but the kit included the coordinating mat and I thought it was a good buy. I believe this was designed by Roz Watnemo of the Nordic Needle.

Design by Roz Watnemo
Nordic Needle Retreat/Class Kit
22 ct Jobelan
Watercolours/Wildflowers Fibers

Finally, today I had time for some finishing. I stitched these ornaments two years ago and attempted to finish them last year, but alas they never got finished. This year they are going to be finished and given as gifts. Here are the first five (although I think I actually finished six today!) and I have six more that are stitched that need to be finished yet. What do you think? Cute?

"Joy" by Lilybet Designs
Misc fabric from stash
ST Grape Leaf and DMC fibers

Other than stitching, it's been a busy weekend here in the Twin Cities for sports. The UofM Gophers played arch rival Wisconsin Badgers in football yesterday. Unfortunately the Gophers lost but it was a great game. Every game is great this year in their new outdoor, on-campus stadium! Today, the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals to force a game with Detroit on Tuesday night to determine who the American League Central champion will be. Tomorrow night, the MN Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Monday night football. If you've been following football at all then you will understand the significance of this game! Long time, Packer quarterback Brett Favre plays for the Vikings now! And finally if you haven't had enough sports yet, the UofM Men's Gopher hockey team kicked off their season today with an exhibition game; the home opener for the NHL MN Wild is on Tuesday night. Whew!

Well, if you are still with me -- hope you have a great week filled with lots of stitching. Thanks for stopping by!