Stiching Friends are Special!

It was a challenging week at work; I had worked many extra hours and was mentally and physically drained when I arrived home on Friday night. Lo and behold - there was a package waiting for me in my mailbox!

A package from Marie - I was excited to see what she had sent. Marie received my name for the USEBB Summer House exchange and WOW is the only word I can use to describe the piece she stitched and finished for me! The design is from Lizzie Kate and it's beautifully stitched, but check out the awesome finishing Marie did, turning this piece of stitching into a quilted wallhanging. It is really beautiful! Marie sent other goodies including a pattern from my wishlist - The Drawn Thread "Halloween Spot" - I look forward to stitching this one in the fall. The wallhanging will be hung in my sewing room very soon! Many thanks Marie, I will truly treasure this gift from you.



Today brought more surprises - another package in the mailbox; this one from Helen. I wasn't quite sure what it could be, but I must tell you that the contents nearly made me cry. Dear Helen felt badly that I hadn't received a package from my partner for the Trip Around the World exchange in April. Helen decided that she would stitch a replacement for me - what a dear friend! I must tell you though, she outdid herself with many goodies from the UK including a book of English Teatime Recipes, a pin with the British and US flags on it, a pen, a keychain that is fashioned after a red English mailbox, a towel with British wildlife pictured on it, and more! But the piece de resistance is a wee little needlecase with an English thatched cottage stitched on the front and the British flag and our initials on the back. Thank you Helen for being so thoughtful and kind - I will treasure this and remember your kindness forever!





I am so grateful to have so many stitching friends online. You mean a lot to me in more ways than you could ever possibly know. Thank you for sharing your talent with me, for visiting my blog and leaving words of encouragement, and for being such caring friends! Hugs to all!

Little Critters and Birthdays!

I was so excited to see a package waiting for me when I returned from the lake on Sunday evening. My Little Critters exchange from Svenja had arrived! Inside was this very cute pillow made with ladybug fabric and a cute ladybug stitched design. Svenja also sent more of the fabric, some ribbon, and some cute teenie weenie ladybug clothespins (for crafting). It's all wonderful - thank you Svenja!



Also, I was very late sending Vonna her birthday gift - too many other stitching commitments got in the way - but she received it on Monday. Just one of my hardanger doilies. This one is done on an apricot colored cashel with peach/orange colored threads (Leah's threads). Apparently, I forgot to take a picture, so please visit Vonna's blog if you are interested in seeing it!

Here's a puppy picture for this week - Zeta and Maggie:

Little Critters Exchange

Linda in Iceland received the pinkeep I stitched and finished for her as part of the Little Critters Exchange. Linda indicated that she liked bees and ladybugs; I went with a bee theme and stitched "Bee Happy" from Shepherd's Bush. The coordinating fabric on the back picked up the thread colors and also included some bees. You can see a picture of the entire package on Linda's blog. It was fun stitching this for Linda!

A Fob for a Friend

In May and June we had a little challenge going on the Friends Gather board to see how many LHN finishes we could collect during those two months. Each finish resulted in a chance to win something special from me. At the beginning of July we put the names in a hat and drew one name - Nicole was the lucky winner! I stitched this cute little fob for her; the design is taken from LHN's "A Stitcher's Prayer"

Maggie, our new puppy, is growing like crazy and is keeping us very busy. See how spoiled she is? She had a busy day playing.



I've been busy stitching more gifts and won't have pictures to share for awhile. There have been lots of new visitors to my blog lately - thanks for stopping by!

Hands to Work Retreat

Just last week I found the information on this year's Hands to Work Retreat - you can read more about it here. Just wondering if any of my regular blog readers are planning to attend this retreat? I've already made my plane reservations and sent my money in - I will be there! Can hardly wait until October!

Welcome to My Neighborhood!

My neighborhood RR is off in the mail today to Carol. I'm excited to be participating with the Group 3 stitchers in this, my first ever RR!

I am using 32 ct Vintage Light Examplar from Lakeside Linens. My blocks are 70 X 70 stitches. When it is returned to me, I'm planning to stitch a border in between the squares and around the piece (just didn't have time to do it before sending it off!)

My design is based on elements from LHN's Lakeside Lodge and Even Tide's Minnesota needleroll. I'm asking my neighbors to try and incorporate something in their designs that is significant to their area (city, state, or country). In my square, I stitched my house on a lake (Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes) and included a loon (our state bird).

I can't wait to decide what to stitch in Erin's neighborhood once I receive it!

Fair and Square Round One

The idea of a block exchange really interested me and the Fair and Square exchange organized by Vonna and Annemarie is going to be a lot of fun. (Thanks Vonna and Annemarie!) I received my first block this week from Yasmin in Malaysia.

Yasmin stitched Spot of Spring from The Drawn Thread. She obviously had been studying my blog and knew that I was rather partial to the Drawn Thread designs. Yasmin sent some other wonderful goodies including some overdyed fibers, a frogging needle, and a coin purse made from some Malaysian wedding fabric. It was truly fun receiving this first square from Yasmin! I think I'm going to eventually put mine together into a quilt of some sort.



I also learned that Yasmin just received the square that I sent to her. I used elements from the City Stitcher, Country Stitcher chart from Little House Needleworks. I felt that it symbolized our friendship!



I'm looking forward to the next round for Fair & Square.

Check out the wonderful package I received from Angi today -- a scissors fob (for the Friends Gather Scissors Fob exchange), a Kelmscott Putford scissors (really cool), some fabric and DMC floss. Isn't it great? Thanks Angi!

(For some reason Blogger won't let me add a title to this post. Is anyone else having trouble with this?)

Happy July!

Happy belated Canada Day (July 1) to my friends across the northern border. I've been traveling for a few days and that's why you haven't seen any updates from me.

Last week, Vonna received a biscornu from me as part of the USEBB exchange. You might recall that Vonna had my name for this same exchange. This was the very first biscornu finish I had ever completed, and while it wasn't elaborate, I thought it turned out quite nice. I alternated fabric and fiber colors on either side using a Debbie Draper freebie called Spring Flowers.




Earlier this spring, I moderated an ABC exchange and one of the participants did not receive her package. I stitched this design from the Workbasket for Nancy K using Crescent Colors Tartan Plaid on a piece of 36 ct white linen from my stash.



We've also been kind of busy around here lately - with a new puppy! We adopted her from a shelter. She's a yellow lab/golden retriever mix although we think she's mostly lab. Her name is Maggie and she will be eight weeks old on July 8.



You might recall that we already had a chocolate lab/Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix named Zeta. Zeta was also adopted from a shelter five years ago and we think that she's about six year's old. She loves to play with the puppy sometimes, but then she needs to take a long nap afterwards!


Zeta, Theresa (my daughter), and Maggie

Biscornu from Vonna

Hey - check out the lovely Biscornu I received from Vonna as part of the USEBB Biscornu Exchange! Isn't it pretty? Vonna embellished the sunflower design with beads - it's just a perfect design for summer! She added our initials to the back. Dear Vonna also sent The Sampler Lady pattern from LHN, some mints, needles, notecards - all things that I can use. Thank you Vonna!




Thank you all for your kind comments regarding my hardanger PIF gifts. I really enjoy stitching that particular doily pattern and love to experiment with color. Welcome to all the new readers that have been visiting my blog - your kind comments are so appreciated!

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....