Halloween Exchange

Lookie, lookie what was in my mailbox today - from Becky! She had my name for the SBEBB Halloween Exchange.

First, this beautiful Halloween Primitive Bag. As I told Becky in my e-mail to her, I have never stitched or received anything quite like this so it is really special to me. Its also going to remain in my stitching/computer room after Halloween is over!



As if this wasn't enough, Becky also sent lots of goodies, Silkweaver fabbie, some beautiful autumn shades of floss, various ribbon, pillows for finishing, and other Halloween decorations. Thank you Becky!



My package was sent off today and has a ways to travel but should be received within the next 4 - 6 days. I hope my exchange partner likes it and I will post a photo as soon as she has it.

Hopefully you are enjoying a beautiful Autumn weekend as we are in Minnesota. The weather is perfect! Happy Stitching!

Happy Dance!

This was a quick stitch! I started it on Sunday evening and finished it on Monday evening. This will be a gift for a friend whose son is serving in Iraq. I'm planning to get it framed before I give it to her.

Birds of a Feather - Pray for Peace

35 count white linen

Stitched with one strand of floss over two threads

Used recommended overdyed threads (Weeks)


I was surprised to find a package from Lelia in my mailbox the other day! She sent me a lovely piece of cream Belfast linen. Hmmmm, what shall I do with it? :)

No Pictures.....Yet....

Hi everyone. Hope you are enjoying a fabulous weekend. It's been raining here the past few days, but this morning the sun is shining! Hopefully it will be a beautiful fall day!

Not too much to share - I've been busy stitching and finishing exchange gifts for October. In fact, I was on a finishing frenzy yesterday - finished four, count 'em, FOUR exchange gifts all due to be mailed in October.

Halloween Exchange on the SBEBB

Needlework Smalls on the SBEBB

Autumn Exchange on the USEBB

Fall Quaker on the SBEBB

I had one little mishap with my Autumn Exchange - it was supposed to be a needleroll but when I went to finish it I realized that I had stitched it the wrong way on the fabric! Stupid me! We need to reinvent the phrase "measure twice, cut once" to something like "study pattern twice, stitch once". All was not lost - I just had to use a different finishing technique. Talk about turning a lemon into lemonade.

My personal favorite is the Fall Quaker on the SBEBB - the theme was "pink" to mark Breast Cancer Awareness in October. I tried a new finishing technique and it turned out fabulous! The finish incorporates some "breast cancer awareness" fabric with the little pink ribbons - it is sooooooo cute. I may have to make another one for myself.

Wish I could share pictures, but you will have to wait. Many of these do not get mailed until October 15th. I have a couple more exchanges to work on during the next few weeks and I'm also working on ornaments for Christmas gifts
- those I can share pictures of as I get them finished.

Thanks for stopping by - especially all my new blog readers. Have a great day!

Redwork Exchange Received

Wow, it's been eight or nine days since I last posted. No worries, we just have been overwhelmed with the start of school, kids activities, projects at work and the like. I really haven't done much stitching except for upcoming exchanges; you can anticipate more photos next month after gifts are received.

I learned that Ana received my Redwork exchange gift. I sent her this pretty little heart pillow. This design is available online on the Piecework website. It is called Cross-Stitch Heart with Quaker Motifs, the design is from Janice Wood. I used linen and thread from my stash.




Have a wonderful weekend!

Wait...Stop...There's More!

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I completely missed the strawberry that Nicki also stitched for me on the redwork exchange. I was so completely amazed by the lovely box that I completely missed the strawberry!

This picture of the box is at a slightly different angle (now you can really tell that it is a box!) See the pretty strawberry? Thanks again Nicki!

More Exchange Updates

I received this lovely box in the mail today from Nicki as part of a redwork exchange on the SBEBB! (It's hard to tell that it is a box in this photo, but trust me, it is!) The design is the Secret Garden from Blackbird Designs. The box is lined with beautiful red fabric - wish you could see it, this picture really doesn't do the piece justice!

Along with the box came red buttons, red fabric and some red floss! Many thanks to Nicki. Hopefully my redwork piece will arrive at its destination this week!



Chris just notified me that the scissors fob I stitched for her arrived safely. You may recall that I was the very lucky recipient of a scissors fob from Chris! I'm glad I had the opportunity to return the favor!

I stitched the scissors fob from the Cindy Valentine Apricot Elegance ensemble. As you can see, I stitched Chris' fob in blue using Needle Necessities overdyed pearle cotton. The initials are C on one side and C on the other side (for Chris and Cathy!) You will need to visit Chris' blog to see a photo. Apparently I forgot to take one before I sent it off!

Happy Stitching!

Just Can't Stop

I am absolutely, positively, completely possessed about pinkeeps! I just can't stop!

Finishes Galore!

Happy Saturday!

I'm sorry - there haven't been too many posts from me lately. Most of my stitching is for exchanges; you will get to see them eventually! It's been a busy week with the kids starting school and my mother needing some help towards the end of the week.

Here are some recent finishes! I'm getting more and more brave with how I finish my stitched pieces!

First, here's the most recent LHN pillow called Season of Growth. I think this is probably my favorite so far. The fourth design in this series is available now, but I haven't purchased it yet.



Second, this was a complimentary chart from Brittercup Designs. My daughter actually did the stitching, I just finished into a little pillow/ornie for her room. She changed the thread color from black to more of a chocolate color (we have a chocolate lab/chesapeake bay retriever mix).



Next, here's an ornament I stitched up a few weeks ago. This is a Homespun Elegance design from one of the JCS Ornament issues. (First time I've ever finished an ornament like this with cording!)



And last but not least, here's a LHN design I finished a few weeks ago called Blossoms and Blackbirds. I mounted it to some foam core board (similar to a pinkeep finish, just thicker). I'm not very good at making bows!



Well, must get back to the laundry and other household chores that are waiting for me!

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!