Check out this Scissors Fob!

On Wednesday, I received a wonderful package in the mail from Chris. In the package was this scissors fob along with some other goodies! The scissors fob is truly amazing - the design is stitched over one! Isn't it beautiful? She also sent a chart from Lavendar Wings "Midsummer Quilt Dream", some cream colored fabric, and three skeins of GAST. Thanks Chris.






My fob and other goodies are going in the mail tomorrow to .... oops can't tell. I'll update you next week after the package is received!

House Exchange for Ana

I'm always relieved when I know my package has arrived - particularly when it is going outside of the U.S. This time, I stitched a gift for Ana in France! I wanted to try a different finish and it just kind of evolved as I stitched. This little scissors case is done on banding and is lined with coordinating red fabric. As you probably guessed, I used elements of a LHN design to complete the front and back.

Front:


Back (sorry, picture is a little bit dark):


Here are a couple of additional pinkeeps I finished recently too! First, LHN and CC Watermelon:



This is one of the recent Essy's Friends kits (design from MDesigns). I stitched it over two on 36 count fabric and turned it into a pinkeep:


I had two unexpected packages in the mail today. One is from Chris - a scissors fob - from an exchange on the US Exchange Board (I may have to wait until tomorrow to get a decent picture in good light.) The fob is amazing - stitched over one. Wait until you see it!

The other box was from Sudberry House. The Shaker clock that goes with LHN's Quilt Time Sampler was on clearance!

Thank you for stopping by.

House Exchange - Spoiled by Andrea

I received a package in the mail today from Andrea in England. She had my name for the SBEBB House Themed Exchange. All I can say is WOW!




Andrea stitched a bourse (drawstring bag) for me. The outside fabric is covered with cute houses, there are four wooden buttons in the corners and the inside design is Acorns and Pines from LHN. Isn't this little bag adorable? Now I have to try to make one of these!

In addition to the bourse, Andrea enclosed a sweet little plaque that reads "Having somewhere to go is Home. Having someone to Love is Family. Having both is a Blessing." She also sent a notepad and the Shepherds Bush pattern - Bluebells. Thank you so much Andrea!



I hope to post the exchange gift that I stitched soon - I think it has been received, just want to be certain before I post a picture.

Have a nice evening and thanks for stopping by!

My Week is Off to a Great Start

Two more finishes to share with you - first a "stitching" finish - Lakeside Lodge from Little House Needleworks...



And a "finishing" finish - Heart in Hand Wee Santa from '97...



Thanks for all of your comments regarding the pinkeeps!

Finishing Frenzy

Lots of progress made this weekend on finishing a few of my stitched pieces. The two pinkeeps are for me; the ornaments will be Christmas gifts.

The pinkeep on the left is one of the LHN/CC Fruit threadpaks (there are currently three available: Watermelon, Pear, and Apple). The pinkeep on the right is DT Too Tiny Sampler.



Both of these ornaments are Glory Bee Designs from recent JCS Ornament issues.



Thank you all for your recent comments. Marie S. and Adele, if you can share any additional information about the Hungarian embroidery, please e-mail me. I changed my profile to include my e-mail; you'll find it there.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Dear Marie S. - this one's for YOU!

After I posted the last time, Marie S. left a comment asking about the tablecloth underneath my stitched piece. Well, here's the answer.

The tablecloth was a gift to me from my mother's relatives when I visited them in 1997 in Austria. My maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in 1906 from what was then Hungary. The area, called Burgenland, became part of Austria after WWI. My mother and I still maintain close ties with our cousins who live on the southern border of Austria (about one hour south of Vienna).

When my mother visited a year later, she asked her relatives to take her to the area that her grandfather's family originally came from in Hungary. Two tiny villages, Himod and Hoevej, are about a 30 minute drive south of the border. It's in this area that two sisters make these beautifully embroidered tablecloths and doilies. My mother met them and purchased nearly everything that they had for sale.

This embroidery is nothing like anything else I've ever seen - there are elements of hardanger, satin stitches, cutwork and the medallions are either needlelace or knit into the cut out holes. It's also unusual for Hungarian needlework which is usually stitched with very bright colors.

Enjoy the pictures. If anyone knows anything more about this needlework, I'd love to hear from you!

Summer Quaker Exchange

Today I received a wonderful package from Laurie in Decorah, IA - she stitched a lovely pinkeep for me using elements from a Carriage House Samplings design. I was tickled to also receive the pattern for And A Forest Grew, some fabric fat quarters, and a package of needlework labels from CHS! Thanks Laurie!



I also want to show you the pinkeep I stitched for Jo for this exchange. Visit Jo's blog to see the pinkeep that she stitched for Laurie. I think we're all happy!



This week I've been working on Lakeside Lodge - it's about two thirds finished. I'll try to post a progress picture tomorrow. Take care.

Blogger doesn't want me to add photos now...I'll try again later! - Later edited to add pictures...

Quaker Garden - Finished!

Last night I put the final stitches in Quaker Garden - doesn't it look great? I used the recommended fabric and fibers to complete this design. Really enjoyed stitching this one. Thanks Karen for organizing the SAL!



During the week, I also stitched one of the new LHN/Crescent Colors design/threadpaks; it's called Pear and this picture really doesn't do the colors justice (they are much more vibrant IRL!) I stitched it on 30ct R&R Creme Brulee - I think I may make this one into a pinkeep for myself!



Just trying to stay cool here in MN. We've had about 17 days now with temps above 90 degrees; yesterday, today, and tomorrow we're in the triple digits. Fortunately, we have central air, so we are surviving by staying indoors!

Have a nice Sunday - and thanks for stopping by!

Not one, but TWO and an ALMOST

It was the annual end of season baseball and softball tournament weekend, so we did not go to the lake. The ball tournaments were short lived as both DS and DD's teams lost their first two games and were eliminated from any additional games.

With extra time on our hands, my DH decided to work on our dining room and kitchen floors. We're replacing the old carpeting/vinyl with wood laminate. Hopefully (fingers crossed) the new floor will be complete by the end of today.

On the stitching front, I have two finishes to share and an "almost finished". I was itching to stitch something from LHN this week, and so last weekend I started "Blossoms & Blackbirds". I'm still debating whether to frame or make into a pillow. I love the blue in this piece...



Second finish - ta da -- "My Sunshine" from La D Da. This was almost finished a few weeks ago, but due to some minor counting errors, the border wasn't exactly the right count of stitches. I had to manipulate it a little bit. If I hadn't told you this, I don't think you would have noticed.



Finally, I was hoping to finish Quaker Garden this weekend, but I'm not quite there yet. Still have the far left section to stitch. I'm putting it away for today, but will probably pick it up during the week and hope to finish by next weekend.



My DD team softball party is today, so we'll be busy with that. Need to do a little house cleaning and pick up my sewing room some. And there's the dreaded grocery shopping...UGH. The temps here in MN have cooled down and it promises to be a beautiful day. Have a nice Sunday! Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog.

Exchange Received and RAK

Today was a "You've Got Mail" day! Yahoo!

First, I received a lovely package from Juanita. Turns out she had my name for the Dog Days of Summer Exchange. I received a needleroll (first one for my smalls collections), some fabric in delectable colors, and six skeins of the new DMC color variations thread. Thank you Juanita!



Notice any similiarities between Juanita's needleroll and the one I stitched for Shelleen? We both stitched the same design! And if that isn't funny enough, Shelleen also stitched this design for Leslie, her exchange partner. I wonder if that's ever happened before? I think we just all have incredibly good taste!

My second surprise today was a package from Tobie. Tobie has become a good online friend. I think that our taste in designers is very similar and I have very much enjoyed reading her blog and watching her stitching progress over the past several months. Tobie sent me this progress bag that she stitched herself along with two charts (Homespun Elegance Enchanted Santa Pillow and Prairie Schooler Pins and Needles). There's also a matching beaded scissors fob! Tobie is very much an accomplished stitcher, this project bag is beautifully done and I will enjoy using it and thinking of my dear friend each time I do!



Well, I'm off to stitch! Have a good evening.

Dog Days of Summer Exchange Received

I had the pleasure of stitching an exchange gift for Shelleen for this exchange on the U.S. Exchange Board. The theme was Dog Days of Summer and I found this design on an older HIH chart. (Katrina, you're not going to believe this, but this was my first needleroll EVER!) I've never made a needleroll before and I decided it was time to try. Heck, it was easy! I think it turned out quite nice!

Quaker Garden Update and other Tidbits

Happy Sunday - it's kind of a dreary day here, but that's okay. We haven't had rain for well over a month so today's showers are very welcome! We had our warmest day of the year yesterday with the temperature hitting triple digits!

This weekend, I've only stitched on Quaker Garden - as you can see, I've made quite a bit of progress. It's a little more than half way finished. Here's an updated photo:



Tonight I'm going to try to finish the third row of the DT Game Board Sampler.

For anyone that's not familiar with how to make a biscornu, there's an online class at the following website: Finishing School. You can order the supplies through Handcrafts Online. I've ordered a few things from Mary Kathryn in recent weeks - she's very prompt about sending her orders out and quite easy to do business with!

Question about stitching lights...do you have a favorite stitching light or model that you could recommend? I'm looking for a floor lamp model. You may recall that earlier this year my favorite aunt passed away. She remembered me in her will and I'd like to get something tangible (and meaningful) that would remind me of her each time I used it. I think that I'm going to get a decent stitching light - I just don't know where to start! Any recommendations you can pass along will help me get started - thanks!

Quaker Sampler Update and RAK!

Progress Report on Quaker Sampler:

Let me tell you, once you start stitching on this one, it's really difficult to put it down! I think I made pretty good progress this week. The most difficult thing with this piece is trying to get a decent picture that accurately reflects the colors of the fabric and the fibers. I think this one comes pretty close!



I also worked on DT Game Board Sampler - completed two more squares. Did not take a picture to share; I'll take another picture when the third row is finished.

Another great mail day ... Anne sent me a package of goodies - check it out. She sent a piece of doctor's flannel (great for use in needlebooks), some assorted silk fibers, thread rings from Kelmscott Designs, and some biscuits! My kids were excited to try these (I think they are fascinated with the fact that they came all the way from Australia!) Thanks Anne! I'll be sending you a proper thank-you shortly.



I think that's it for tonight. I don't expect to get anymore stitching done until the weekend. Have a good week - and thank you for visiting my blog!

Exchange Heaven

Wow! Did I ever have a great mail day on Saturday!

This summer I participated in a For the Birds exchange on the U.S. Exchange board. The only requirement was that the piece needed to include at least one bird in it.

Cari had my name and look at the cute P.S. BlueJay that she sent to me! It's stitched over one and it is perfect. The little pillow is filled with lavender and it smells great. She also sent along some lavender soap and fabric for stitching. Thanks Cari!






My exchange recipient was Angela and I just couldn't resist stitching this design from Brightneedle (it's in their Small Samplings book). It's made into a hanging pillow - I think the fabrics coordinated nicely.




On Saturday, I also received my exchange gift from the Welcome exchange on the U.S. Exchange board. I was stunned - this pillow is truly beautiful. It's a Brightneedle design and it came from CJ. CJ has been really busy lately starting up a new needlework shop in Oklahoma City - Heartland Needleworks - I'm excited for her and wish her much success!




Stay tuned - tomorrow night I'll post a progress report on DT Game Board Sampler and Blackbird Quaker Sampler...

Season of Hope Finish!

Check out the second LHN pillow - these are quick to stitch and easy to finish. I think the finished product is adorable!



Here's a pic of both pillows:



Now I need to order the third one in this series!

July 4th Stitching Update

Happy July 4th to my U.S. friends and Happy Canada Day to my friends in Canada.

We had a fabulous five days at the lake - the weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold. We swam, went boating; DH and DS went fishing - and lucky me, I got lots of stitching in!

There were four main projects that I worked on this past weekend - a Hardanger valance (no picture), and exchange gift (no picture now!), DT Gameboard Sampler, and Blackbird Quaker Garden.

First, let me share an update on the DT Gameboard Sampler. As you can see, I've completed the second row and have started the third. In total, I think I've stitched six squares and more of the right border since my last update.



Second, allow me share my progress on the Blackbird Quaker Garden. Karen organized this SAL which I am happy to be part of - I've been looking forward to starting this one!



Thanks for visiting. I'll be working on catching up on my blog reading now over the next several days!

Exchange Update

In recent weeks I have been busy stitching a number of projects for exchanges on the U.S. Exchange Board. Tonight I'd like to share some pictures with you.

First of all, this is a gift that I received from Laurie in Iowa. This was for the House Themed Exchange. The only requirement was that we include a flag in the design along with a house or houses. Laurie chose a Homespun Elegance design and stitched and assembled this Lavender sachet bag for me. As you can see, she included some goodies, in particular the two new Prairie Schooler charts and some fabric from Silkweaver. Thanks Laurie!




Here's the project that I stitched for the House exchange - the Old School House from La D Da. I made it into a pinkeep. This is the second pinkeep I've made and I'm getting better at them! This was sent to Nancy in California.

Front:



Back:



Of course, I sent her some goodies too - an assortment of DMC floss and a wool felt pincushion kit..



I've been having so much fun with these. Many thanks for Becky to keeping this board open while she's taking care of her mom and experiencing such a hectic summer!

Saturday Morning

Well, it is now Saturday morning and the sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly - go figure! Doesn't matter - I had a lovely and productive evening!

This UFO was started like two years ago. You saw it last when I finished the stitching on it. Last night I added the beads and the star button. This is Wee Santa '97 from HIH.



Then, some of you may recall that early this year I completed the needlecase from Cindy Valentine called Apricot Elegance (only mine is done in mint green!) The stitching has been done for months, but I couldn't get myself to make the cording to finish it off. Yes, I finally tackled that cording last night and here's the finished product:



Will there be more updates this weekend? Watch and see!

Change of Plans

Well, we were going to head to the lake tonight after work but when we realized that a 70% chance of rain was predicted for tomorrow, we changed our plans and stayed home. Sometimes its good to be home. DD mowed the lawn. DH is happy - he got to putz in the garade. DS went to a movie with friends. Me - I'm tickled pink to be fiddling with my stitching stuff!

I finished a scissors fob tonight - it's a Brightneedle design (a freebie I think, although I took it from their book called Small Samplings) called Dearest Friend. When I sewed the sides together I added on a bead with each stitch. This is going to a friend who might check out my blog, so I can only tell you that our initials and the little tulip flower are on the back side.



Hmmmm....now what should I finish?

Stitching Update

Here's my stitching update for the past week:

First, progress on DT Game Board Sampler. Stitched one house and two motifs and some additional lettering on the right side. Second row is almost done!



I also started a new project this week, it's called Lakeside Lodge and its a design from LHN. (Seemed like an appropriate design to stitch on at the lake!)



Please forgive me if I haven't commented on your blog lately - I've had to cut back on my computer time - I think I've got carpal tunnel developing in my right hand/wrist/arm. I'm hoping that if I just take it easy for awhile, it will get better. Fortunately, it doesn't bother me too much when I'm stitching!

Have a great week!