Two Exchange Updates

Despite my hectic schedule, I have managed to do some stitching. But first, let me share with you an exchange that I received over the weekend. Sylvie sent me this delightful little pinkeep, stitched over one, for the ABC Exchange on the SBEBB. isn't it cute? Along with the pinkeep, she sent a french pattern and some Vicki Clayton silks. What a great exchange from Sylvie!




Today, I received word that Marie received the needleroll that I sent to her for the Potting Shed Exchange. As Marie said in one of her posts, it's an "oversized" needleroll. The design is from Lizzie Kate.



Lots of rain here tonight complete with thunder and lightening. Hopefully the grass and other plants and trees will benefit from this spring storm!

I'm Baa....aaack!

Hello dear stitching friends! Wow, it's been a long time since I last posted. After three weeks of entertaining visitors, traveling for work, and attending a needlework retreat, I'm finally back at home and slowly trying to get back into my stitching routine. It's probably going to take me a little bit; lots of laundry and house cleaning to catch up on. I've slowly been starting to visit some of your blogs - WOW, you've been busy!

Just after Easter we had a nice visit from some very dear family members - they drove all the way from Prince George, British Columbia. It was so good to see them, we enjoyed visiting with them.

As soon as they left (literally within two hours), I was on a plane for Minot, ND. Did some work there for three days, came home, did laundry (I'm always doing laundry), caught up with my family and then headed out for Fargo, ND to the Nordic Needle Retreat. After the four day retreat I was back in Minot for four days. It's good to be home!

I'm sure you'd enjoy hearing more about the relatives and would probably like to know what in the world I was doing in Minot, but I think I'll share more information about the Nordic Needle retreat instead. :) My sister-in-law went with me and we had tons of fun! There were about 60 stitchers at the retreat, two from as far away as New Zealand, one from Israel, and three from Bermuda. The remainder came from various parts of the United States. The retreat started on Thursday and ended on Sunday (four glorious days). The staff at the Nordic Needle is the friendliest bunch of people I have ever met; they are so accommodating - truly special people!

Made lots of stash purchases at the Nordic Needle - here are two of my favorite. I discovered a new (new to me) brand of overdyed perle cotton. It's called Leah's Threads, and they come in #3, #5, #8, and #12. Look at all the yummy colors I brought home with me. I'll be using these for Hardanger
projects.


My other favorite purchase was a kit that I have been pining for ever since it came out. The retreat attendees received a coupon for 30% off the purchase of one kit - I used mine to purchase "O Beautiful" from Shepherd's Bush. This will make a great summer project!


I have many more stories to tell, but I think I will save them for another day.

Have you visited Becky's blog recently? Check out her finish for Quaker Sampling from With My Needle. Isn't it gorgeous?

Greetings from the Mostly Absent Stitcher (and Blogger)

Hello! Hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend. I'm sorry for being mostly absent lately - life just seems to be getting in the way of my hobbies. Fortunately, all is good. I started a new job two weeks ago (which I am thrilled about!), we're expecting a visit this week from some relatives we haven't seen for years (they live in British Columbia), the Nordic Needle retreat is less than two weeks away (can't wait), and then I'll be doing some traveling for work this month. To say that I am "busy" would be an understatement, but like I said - these are all good things to be busy with. Needless to say, I will probably not be blogging much over the next two to three weeks. I'll try to keep up as I can!

Several exchange updates for you today!

I received this lovely needleroll from Katrina - the whole package had a patriotic theme (love it!) Katrina spoiled me good. I especially like the wooden thimble and laying tool - she said that a friend made several of these for her. I'm touched that she is sharing a set with me!



Chris received this needleroll from me - it's a design from Heart in Hand. I went with a bunny theme for my package - sent her a kitchen towel, some DMC fibers, and some Lindt chocolates shaped like carrots.



Finally, I recently received this spring quaker from Julianne. She stitched the Quaker Rabbit from The Workbasket and mounted it on this box. The inside is lined with coordinating fabric and it was filled with goodies!




Later this week I should be able to share with you a picture of the Spring Quaker piece I am sending out today. Other than that, I have no other updates to share!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hippity Hop Easter's On Its Way...

In my last post you saw the Easter exchange I received from Rachel; I learned that Chris (SKSMom) received the Easter exchange piece that I sent to her. I stitched this Lizzie Kate design and finished it into a flat fold (wish I had taken a picture of the coordinating fabric!) Also sent an Easter themed kitchen towel, the little wooden bunny in the photo, and some chocolates.



Lots of new visitors to my blog recently - thanks for stopping by!

Lots of photos!

Lots of stitching updates today!

First, I received my Easter Exchange from Rachel on Friday. It's so beautiful - she stitched a Prairie Schooler design and finished it in the shape of an egg-shaped pinkeep! Look at how cute she personalized the backside! And she spoiled me with lots of goodies too! Thanks Rachel - I love it!





Second - I've made great progress on Home of a Needleworker. This is a SAL that I am doing with others on the Friends Gather board. Not too much more to go now.



Finally, I stitched this freebie from Glory Bee during the week. Oops - I just noticed that I still need to fill in the hearts!



Thanks for stopping by!

PIF Gift Received

Heather contacted me and said that she received my PIF gift today. She seems to be very happy with it - I'm so glad! If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you know that Hardanger is my second love! I've sent two of five PIF gifts out now , so I still have three more to stitch and then send.

Home of a Needleworker Update

I love Friday nights! We spent last night at home watching the Univ of Minnesota vs Wisconsin Men's Hockey game and I got some stitching done. I didn't post a picture last week, so the progress made on the house is two week's worth of stitching. I don't know if I'll have this completed by the end of March, but I think I'm making good progress!

Game Board Revisited

I haven't been very regular about stitching on my Game Board Sampler from The Drawn Thread - despite my best intentions! But I added three squares tonight - two motifs and one house. I love this piece.




Be sure to visit the Game Board Sampler Blog. There are quite a few of us working on this one.

Winter Wonderland Exchange Received

Fanny Rosa in Iceland received today the snowman I stitched for her on the Winter Wonderland exchange. I was beginning to worry - it was mailed almost four weeks ago and I was afraid it might be lost! The design is from The Trilogy and it is called Winston the Snowman. I finished it as a flatfold!



I've been working on LHN Home of a Needleworker - have about a fourth of the house completed. I'll post a progress picture soon.

Looking forward to the Nordic Needle Stitchers Indulgence retreat next month - there are still a couple of spots left. Anyone interested?

PIF Gift

Was I ever surprised to find a package from Barbara in my mailbox today! Before Christmas I signed up for Pay It Forward on Barbara's blog. Today I received a lovely tea envelope from Barbara and inside were some heavenly smelling packets of tea! The design on the front is so appropriate - it reads "Time for a tea party!" Barbara did a great job stitching and finishing this gift for me. Hugs to you Barbara and many thanks!



Sorry for being so quiet lately. It seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day for everything I would like to do and blogging is at the bottom of the list. On the stitching front, during the past week I finished my second PIF gift (it will get mailed on Monday), and I finished the stitching on two exchange gifts. I'll probably do the finishing on those next weekend. Tonight I'm hoping to work on LHN's Home of a Needleworker so that I can keep up with Vonna, Myrna, CathyMK , Carissa and the others who are in this Friends Gather SAL with me.

(Edited to add pictures!)

Have a good weekend - thanks for stopping by!

Home of a Needleworker SAL

I made good progress with Home of a Needleworker (LHN) this week. Our "official" SAL night is Wednesday, but I didn't have time to stitch until Thursday and then a little bit more on Friday night while watching the U of M Golden Gopher Men's Hockey team beat Michigan Tech. Sorry for the wrinkles - I stitch "in hand" and I didn't take time to press before taking the picture!



My redwork exchange was received by Andrea in the U.K. this week. The design is from With My Needle and was in the Just Cross Stitch 2006 Ornament issue. As you can see, I finished it into a pinkeep. Sent lots of fibers to Andrea as well as an Altoid's tin (chocolate covered mints) and a Whitman's tin (asstd chocolates).


I've been busy this weekend working on my second PIF gift. Tonight I plan to stitch two or three more squares on my Game Board Sampler (The Drawn Thread) too! Thanks for stopping by!

Stitching and Exchange Update

My Game Board Sampler from The Drawn Thread has been dusted off and progress was made. I stitched three new squares on Sunday evening while watching the Academy Awards. I'm now working on my fourth - I do like this design. It's going to take awhile to finish, but it will be worth it. Check out the progress others have made on our Game Board Sampler SAL blog.



I was stunned yesterday when I opened my SBEBB Redwork exchange package from Isabelle. She stitched and finished the most beautiful bag for me! The stitching is beautiful and her finishing is superb. She stitched our names and and countries on the backside. Truly a special gift! Along with the bag she sent some fabric for future finishes and some very pretty French overdyed thread. Thank you so much Isabelle!



As for our weather - we are experiencing another snowstorm; it started snowing last night and the snow will continue through tomorrow. Most activities have been cancelled for this evening and everyone has been advised not to travel on the roads unless absolutely necessary. It sure will be nice to have a night at home!

Happy Stitching!

Two Posts in Two Days

You're going to think I'm running a fever - two posts in two days! Truth is, I am kind of run down with the "crud"; it's forced me to slow down and stay home this weekend. Actually, it's a good weekend to be at home. We are finally receiving some snow here in Minnesota - about 12 inches so far and it's still snowing! Here's a picture of the trees behind our deck.



This weekend is the Christmas Ornament SAL and I was so excited to have time to participate. I received this lovely pattern from Barbara and have been looking forward to stitching it. The design is from The Needle's Content and it's called Christmas Ornament 2001. I used the indicated WDW fibers and stitched it on a piece of 28ct linen (Desert Sand) from my stash.



I'm hoping to spend some time this afternoon/evening stitching on my Game Board Sampler from The Drawn Thread. It's been neglected for a few weeks. Kim recently finished hers and it looks fabulous!

Have a great day! Thanks for visiting!

Needlework Update

My oh my, it has been a long time since I last posted! I haven't completely neglected my stitching and I've got the pictures to prove it!

First, let me share with you an exchange piece that I received in the mail today from Dawn. This was for the Winter Wonderland exchange on the SBEBB. Our stitched design needed to include a snowman - as you can see, Dawn stitched this colorful snowman and finished it off into a bag! She did a great job finishing!



Second, here's a birthday gift that I sent out earlier this week to Jenn. Jenn was my assigned stitcher on the Stitching Bloggers Birthday group. The pinkeep is a Lizzie Kate design (one that I am particularly fond of; I've stitched it before!) I also sent Jenn the latest Britty Kitties chart (released at Nashville) along with a few other goodies.



Third, on the Friends Gather Board, I challenged my fellow stitchers to stich up one of the LHN/CC Thread Packs during the month of February. Last weekend I stitched up "Peace" (it's from the Scripture Thread Pack series). Not sure how I'm going to finish this one - I'm thinking maybe into a pillow.



Finally, I joined Myrna and Vonna in stitching Home of a Needleworker by LHN. This is my progress after one night of stitching (a long night!)



As soon as I finish up some other updates on the computer, I'm going to be reunited with my stitching chair and try to stitch up this month's Christmas ornament for the ornament SAL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Needlework Smalls Exchange Received

Christine recently received the needlework smalls piece that I stitched and finished for her. I wasn't quite sure what to send and then settled on this design from Samplers and Such - it's been in my stash for a long time! This was my first tin topper finish too!

One More Post for Today

Check out the beautiful needlebook that I received from Patti today. This was for the SBEBB House Exchange. The design is stitched over one and it is amazing! Patti finished it with lovely coordinating fabric and silk ribbon. I love it! Of course there were a few other goodies including the LHN/CC Threadpak "Cherries", a Prairie Schooler chart, a project fabric, and some lovely fabrics! Thanks Patti!

Just When You Thought it Couldn't Get Colder...

Yes my friends - the temperature today dropped to 17 degrees BELOW zero! I heard on the radio that we have gone 63 hours with subzero temperatures. It's cold. Although the heatwave has started - the temperature climbed to a balmy zero at 4pm today!

I learned today that Leena received the SBEBB House Exchange that I sent off to her last week. As I told her, I really had a hard time parting with this one. I love LHN designs and this one is no exception. Plus, it was my first ever flat fold! I don't know why I've not tried this finishing technique before! I'm glad that Leena is happy with it.


Little House Needleworks - Woodland Sampling

See, I really have been stitching...

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It's a good thing that I have a lot to do inside today, because going outside will not be fun. It's 8:30am Sunday morning here in MN and the temperature is minus 11 degrees Fahrenheit. For my international friends I did a quick conversion, that's minus 23.89 Celsius. Brrrr!

I have a project photo to share - Cari received the From My Heart exchange package that I sent to her.

Some of you have seen this Hardanger suncatcher/ornament design before - it's one of my favorite designs to stitch! I made Cari a heart shaped scissors fob too. Hope she likes it.

Have lots of housework and laundry to do today (it's okay though - remember, I like to do laundry!) Hoping to get some stitching in tonight during the Super Bowl game.

Have a great day!

Two Exchange Gifts Received

Yesterday, I received a package from Julianne for the USEBB Valentine Exchange. She sent this beautifully stitched pin cushion. Julianne did a great job on the finishing. Along with it, she sent some red print fabric, a Lorri Birmingham scissors fob kit, and a birthday cross stitch card kit. Thanks Julianne!



Today, a package from Judith was waiting for me when I arrived home. Judith had my name for the SBEBB Needlework Smalls exchange. She stitched this biscornu for me and said that it was her first one! She did a great job.

Tagged

Recently, Rachel tagged me - I need to tell you six weird things about myself. Well, this should be easy...

1) At work, my closest friends call me "Bette" - I will answer to Bette too!

2) Note that "Bette" is spelled with an "e" and not with a "y" - just another weird little thing.

3) I love to do laundry.

4) I hate to cook - my sister-in-law wanted to buy a sign for my stove that read "For display purposes only" - she didn't buy it because her mother thought it would be mean. My family and I thought it would be perfect for me!

5) I don't drink coffee, but I love coffee flavored things - coffee flavored candy, coffee flavored ice cream, etc.

6) I'm a neat freak - everything must be in its place.

So there you have it. Six weird things about me.

Over the weekend I completed the finishing on three exchange gifts; they are now in the hands of the US Postal Service. I'm trying to finish a Hardanger curtain panel now - will try to get a picture in the next day or two.

Oh, and by the way - I have an ornament finish to share too, the SAL was this weekend. I'll try to snap a photo tonight.

Have a good day!

Frustrated

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still around - just haven't had much time for blogging. I've done a little bit of stitching, but can't show pictures yet.

Have you seen the new designs from The Cat's Whiskers?

And what do you think about the LHN/CC/Kelmscott Designs collaboration to be released at Nashville?

Pay It Forward #1

I mailed out my first PIF gift this week and forgot to take a picture of it! Drop in at Katrina's blog to see it. As many of you know, I enjoy stitching Hardanger too, so I sent Katrina a small Hardanger doily, stitched in shades of pink (Needle Necessities overdyed pearl cotton) and used the leftover fabric and floss to make her a small scissors fob.

While you are there, take a look at her first finish for the year. She personalized the Bent Creek Spring Snapperland by adding a cute little old lady to the chicken coop block to remind her of her grandmother!

Quaker Exchange Received

I thought I was going to be better about blogging more regularly in the New Year; that hasn't exactly happened yet, has it?

Helen received the Quaker exchange that I sent to her. It's from the With My Needle "Quaker Schoolgirl Needle Necessities" booklet using Ackworth Quaker motifs. I used an antique white Belfast linen and Crescent Color's Blue Moon thread. Pretty cute, don't you think?

First Finish for 2007!

As promised, here's a picture of peaches. I had stitched all but the large cat and the border last fall, so this was quite easy to finish the other night. Not sure if I'll make this into a little pillow or a pinkeep - it's going into the finishing pile for now.

LHN/CC Peaches



I also worked on DT Game Board Sampler today. I hope to stitch two squares per week. Today I stitched the little robin and the house to the left. A group of us have a SAL going - let me know if you would like to join us!

The Drawn Thread - Game Board Sampler


Planning to work on my SBEBB house exhange piece tonight. Today I mailed the Winter Quaker exchange piece and my first Pay It Forward. Forgot to take a picture of the Pay It Forward piece!! Once it is received, perhaps the recipient will post a picture on her blog!

Off to stitch some more. Have a great evening!

A Few Final Pictures

I realized that I had a few more pictures of finishes in December that I had not shared with you (they were gifts). I was pretty busy stitching ornaments all month!

This ornament that I sent off to my cousin. It's the Sweden Heart Ornament from Victoria Sampler:



And, here's the LHN ornament from one of the recent JCS Ornament issues:



Last night I finished "Peaches" one of the LHN/CC collaborations. I had started it in October and then put it aside with all of the holiday stitching that needed to be done. Will try to post a picture tomorrow night. Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome 2007!

We're enjoying a quiet day at home today. The winter storm warning only amounted to about two inches of snow, much of which has melted today with the warmer than normal temperatures we're experiencing here in MN.

I promised to share some pictures with you - on Saturday, I received a package from Barbara. Barbara sent bookmarks for my local EGA's service project - Bookmarks for Literacy. The bookmarks will be given to adults who are learning to read. Our final turn-in is at the January meeting - I'll update you later this month on the total number of bookmarks we collected. As you can see in the picture, in addition to the four bookmarks stitched by Barbara, I managed to stitch two additional Hardanger bookmarks. Thank you Barbara for contributing to this worthy cause!



Barbara also had my name for the SBEBB Winter Quaker exchange. The only requirement was to keep with blue and white colors. Barbara stitched this lovely scissors fob - I love the reindeer design!!! Then she spoiled me with several other goodies. I'm particularly taken by the pattern for an ornament from The Needle's Content - I won't be waiting until next Christmas to stitch this one!





I've done quite a bit of stitching in the past few days - stitched and finished the Winter Quaker exchange for my exchange partner, also stitched and finished the first of my five Pay It Forward gifts. Looking forward to getting both of these mailed during the week.

This week a group of us is re-starting our Drawn Thread Game Board Sampler SAL. You may recall that several of us were working on this last year about this time. Things kind of fizzled out in June. Well, we're back at it again and even more determined to make good progress on this project. If you are interested in joining us, just send me an e-mail.

Best wishes to all of you in 2007! Happy Stitching!

Happy New Year!

Many of you have already rang in the New Year! Here in Minnesota we are still anxiously waiting. We're under a winter storm warning so it is a perfect evening to be at home. We usually watch movies or football and snack on tasty hors du oeuvres all night. I'll be stitching, so I'm happy!

Check back tomorrow for some pictures - I received some bookmarks and a lovely scissors fob from Barbara.

Wishing you all the best in 2007!