Exchanges Received

The proof is in the pictures - yes, I have been stitching and now I can show you the pictures to prove it!

Toni was my exchange partner for the 4th of July Exchange on the USEBB. I stitched this Lizzie Kate design and finished it into a cube finish (Heather - see what you started?) I really enjoyed stitching and finishing this one.



You are probably tired of seeing my PIF gifts by now, particularly since they are all similar! Gift number four made its way to Laurie this week and she told me that it now resides in her glass curio cabinet along with her other Hardanger pieces. Enjoy it Laurie!



Today, my biscornu and Fair and Square pieces will be mailed, so hopefully you will see some pictures of those next week. In the meantime, I am working on my Neighborhood RR and two other small gifts that I will show you soon.

Have a great weekend and Happy Stitching!

4th of July Exchange

Look what I received from Goldie in the mail today - a box standup finish, the design is called Liberty Homeland Angel and its from Just Nan! It's so nicely stitched and finished. Thank you Goldie! She sent many other wonderful goodies including "Flag" from Shepherd's Bush, some fibers, a cute fat quarter of fabric, some pencils, and some red, white, and blue confetti!




My 4th of July exchange package has arrived at its destination, but it may be a few days before it's opened. I'm also still waiting to hear on the PIF gift I sent out this weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped in locating Angela for me - we've connected!

The only other news I have to share is this - I finished my first biscornu last night. How cool is that? It's being sent to a very good home. You'll have to wait a couple of days and then I will share a picture with you.

Paging Angela

Just a quick post tonight - I'm looking for Angela. She was the fifth and final person to sign up for my PIF challenge. She left this message on my blog back on November 21:

I don't know if I am still in time but i would love to sign up for this lovely scheme. I don't have a blog but i'm going to see if I can find a way of doing something similar. I love your blog. it's always so inspiring.
Many thanks Angela

Angela never sent her address to me. So, if anyone knows Angela or if they know how to get in touch with Angela, could you please help me get connected with her? I'd like to fulfill my commitment to her. Thanks!

Hello - It's Me!

Wow - 11 days have gone by since I last posted. Time sure is flying by quickly!

I haven't been on the computer as much as I would like; my right arm and wrist are giving me trouble again and so stitching has won out over computer time (can you blame me?) I have been reading your blogs; I just haven't been leaving messages.

On the stitching front, I finished the stitching for the Biscornu and the 4th of July exchanges. This morning I did the finishing on my 4th of July exchange piece and will be sending it off today. I also will be mailing out my fourth PIF. Almost finished with my Fair and Square exchange square too. My next project will be to finish up the house I'm stitching for my Neighborhood RR - this needs to be sent off to Carol by July 15. There are lots of fun neighborhoods being assembled right now. You can see progress reports here and here.

Before I go, here's a picture of the cute little glass snail that Su sent to me along with the Garden Exchange that she stitched for me. He sits on my window ledge above my kitchen sink. A daily reminder of the friendships I've made through my blog and stitching exchanges!



Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Garden Exchange from Su

Oooh, I was so excited when I saw that the package in today's mail had come from Su! She had my name for the SBEBB Garden Exchange. Su's stitching and finishing are exquisite. She selected a design from Homespun Elegance and finished it unto this delicate heart shape.


Su also sent some buttons and a glass snail. The snail is so cute - I forgot to take a picture of him. Will post it tomorrow! Thank you Su!

I thought I'd share with you a couple garden photos - the Lupines and the Columbines are in bloom!

See - I really have been stitching!

It's always busy at the end of the school year; so many banquets and other activities. Summer sports are underway too - softball, baseball, and lacrosse are played at this house during the summer. Just two more days of school left; needless to say, my kids are very happy!

Despite my infrequent stitching posts, I do have some stitching to share with you today. Two of my exchanges were received yesterday.

Scissors Fob exchange on the FGBB - As some of you know, if I can incorporate a little Hardanger into my designs, I will. This fob design is from the Cindy Valentine Apricot Elegance needlecase/fob set that I stitched last year. For this version I used some of the new Leah's Threads purchased at the Nordic Needle retreat; I really like these threads! Beautiful shades of purple and gray on a soft gray fabric. This fob was stitched especially for Sharon!



Garden Exchange on the SBEBB - recently I received a cube finish from Heather for the Potting Shed exchange. It was so cool that I decided to try this finishing technique. So I had to find a design that was square - this block from Lizzie Kate fit the bill. The finishing was quite simple and I think it turned it pretty cute! This box finish now resides with Nancy.


(I'm sorry, the photo is a little fuzzy!)

My fourth PIF gift is ready to be mailed; it will probably go out this weekend. I have two more exchanges to finish up and then I'm going to take a little break (but not for too long!)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

How's Your Weekend Going?

Just wanted to drop in and say hi. I hope to have some stitching pictures soon. I mailed two exchanges today - SBEBB Garden Exchange and FGBB Scissors Fob Exchange. As soon as those packages are received then I'll have something to show for the stitching I've been doing recently.

I do have one photo to show. Earlier this week Vonna sent me one of her handmade beaded scissors fobs! Isn't it pretty? I took the photo before attaching it to one of my favorite pairs of scissors. Thanks Vonna; I'll thing of you everytime I use those scissors!



Thanks for stopping by. Have a nice weekend!

Trip Around the World

I enjoyed stitching this needleroll for my good friend Barbara for the "Trip Around the World" exchange. It's the second time I've stitched this Minnesota design from Eventide Designs; the Silkweaver solo fabric was just perfect. Now I need to stitch one of these for myself!

Barbara also received a Hardanger scissors fob to honor her upcoming birthday! Happy Birthday Barbara!




Check out Carol's blog - she stitched the New Hampshire version for her exchange partner!

That's all for now. I'm finishing up a couple more exchanges that must be mailed this weekend. Happy stitching!

Stitching Update!

I haven't had many updates to post lately, but I can share that Aniza received the pinkeep that I stitched and finished for her.



The design is a freebie from Papillon Creations called Ole! I used a beautiful hand dyed silk from Dinky Dyes called Rain Forest on some fabric from my stash.

I also sent this cute little fob to Vonna earlier this week. The design is from Prairie Schooler (an old one - leaflet #17! I used fabric and fibers from my stash.




Well, I think that is all I have for now. I have one exchange in transit and two that I am going to finish this weekend for mailing next week. It's a long weekend here in the U.S. as we pay tribute to the men and women who have died in military service. Monday, Memorial Day, is a holiday.

PIF Gift Received

Not too much going on here since I last posted; I finished stitching two exchange gifts, but you'll have to wait to see these photos.

On Saturday, I send out my third PIF (Pay It Forward) gift and it arrived today! I forgot to take a photo, but there's a great picture on Mary Kathryn's blog, so please check it out!

We're expecting thunderstorms this evening. We need the rain badly, especially in Northern Minnesota where the beautiful and scenic Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters area are on fire. It seems like many places in the U.S. are having trouble with wild fires. Praying for rain....

Lots to Share

Wow - lots to report since my last update!

Let's start with the RAK I received today from Jenna. Jenna knows how much I like Cindy Valentine hardanger designs. Out of the blue, Jenna sent me three of Cindy's patterns. Williamsburg Autumn, China Rose, and My Sweet Heart. I love all three, but will probably stitch Williamsburg Autumn first. A few years ago, I stitched the companion piece, Williamsburg Winter, and its one of my most favorite Hardanger pieces! Thanks Jenna for your kindness!



Also in the mailbox today, was a pinkeep from Simone for the pinkeep exchange on the SBEBB. I think that Simone must have been studying my blog, because she stitched "Summer Scene" from The Drawn Thread. Isn't it gorgeous? She also tells me that this was her first pinkeep - it's perfectly finished. Along with the pinkeep was a beautiful piece of hand-dyed fabric and some floss (one of them also hand-dyed) - the colors are gorgeous. Hmmmm - I think I'll have to come up with something special to stitch using these!



Lastly, I have a Happy Dance! Woohoo! Over the weekend I finished Home of a Needleworker from LHN. Isn't it great? Last night I also finished my third PIF gift; can't post a picture yet though.



Thanks for stopping by to visit.

ABC Needlebook

I just learned from Isabelle in France that she received the needlebook that I sent to her for the ABC exchange on the SBEBB.

I stitched a design from The Drawn Thread called "Too Tiny Samplers" and then did a buttonhole edge around the design so that I could easily finish it off. Using the letters from the alphabet, I stitched our names on the back. Turned out pretty good I think!

Here are some photos that I took, but be sure to stop by Isabelle's blog - her pictures are much better!




One of my favorite blogs to visit - she does the most amazing over one stitching!

Another Surprise in my Mailbox!

How excited I was to find a package in my mailbox from Heather! I had sent Heather a PIF gift earlier this year and I enjoy visiting her blog - in addition to stitching, she makes the most beautiful quilts!

Anyway, Heather received my name for the Potting Shed exchange on the USEBB! She stitched Garden Spot from the Trilogy and finished it into a cube (her finishing is superb!) In addition, she stitched a Friendship Bag (pattern is on the Victoria Sampler site). Several goodies were included - the one I'm especially fond of is the chart for CCN's Geranium House along with the threads! Thanks Heather, you made my day!




Here's a stitching blog that you need to check out - Homespun Hearts. Isn't the chatelaine in this post just beautiful?

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!