Tomorrow is December 1?

How did this happen? I can't believe how fast time goes. Especially the last month is like a blur. It wasn't enough what I went through with my mom, I ended up with strep throat last week over Thanksgiving:( I am a little behind in my stitching but trying hard to catch up.

I have a few finishes that I can share. First, my November pink stitch. I made one of the Cats Whiskers cupcakes. I received a package of the cupcake bottoms for the beCAUSE it's Pink Exchange from Chris.



This was a very quick and easy stitch but it is very cute!


My November issue of the 2009 Christmas Challenge was a freebie I found here.



This was very fun to do. I love that it's not just another square ornament.

I actually did 2 ornaments this month. I also did this one.


This is a freebie from Aurelle. It is stitched on 28ct. white lugana with silver, with DMC Variations #4210 and #4045.


Over the years of my "stitching career", I had stitched several things for my mom. These are starting to come back to my house. I will start by sharing this one with you.



I must have stitched this about 20-25 years ago. Some of you might remember this doll. This was a pattern in a Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine. Just the face is cross stitched over 1 on 25ct. My mom kept her under a clear plastic protective cover so she is still beautiful!

That's all I have for today. Thanks for stopping and thanks again to all of you who have left the most comforting comments on my mom's passing. I really appreciate it.

Happy Stitching :)

A Couple of Finishes to Share

Today, I finished my October ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. It is the 2009 Santa from Prairie Schooler.


It is stitched on 32ct. Raw Belfast with DMC as charted. The back has the same fabric as shown in the background. I am going to be making a few more of these for Christmas.


Sheril received my exchange for the HoE beCAUSE It's Pink exchange today. I stitched Prairie Schooler's Pink House (Stitch to Win) design, and made a scissor fob and matching floss tag.


The fob is stitched on 40ct. (over 2) and the floss tag is stitching on 32ct. (over 2) with DMC as charted.

I also sent Sheril some pink goodies.


I hope Sheril likes her exchange, it was a fun one.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

Peace

Today I decided to stitch my ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. I chose "Peace Christmas Ornament" by Jeannette Douglas Designs. It is from the 2004 JCS Christmas Ornament issue.


I stitched it on 28ct. Lugana white with silver. I used DMC Variations #4240, Pailettes from The Sweetheart Tree and Mill Hill crystal petite beads. I think it turned out pretty good!

I didn't stitch on "The Branch" tonight, but I see that the last pattern, #5, is out. It is a birdhouse--very cute! I guess I will be going to the stitching store later this week!

I decided to pick up my Isa Vautier SAL and got a pretty good start on part 5.


Only 1 more part to this and it will be done. YAY!!!

Thanks for visiting and for all the wonderful comments that are left. I appreciate it.

Have a good day!






Stitched on Today: 2009 Christmas Challenge ornament and Isa Vautier SAL Part 5
Did Finishing on: 2009 Christmas Challenge ornament

Lots to Share

Today I decided to have a finishing day. It is amazing how much time it takes to finish stuff. It took me about 6 hours to finish 4 pieces.

First, I have 2 ornaments for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. Here is the one for July:


This is from the 2006 JCS Ornament Issue. I stitched it on 32ct. Misty Blue and 32ct. Natural Lite Belfast with DMC as charted and GAST Avocado. I have wanted to do this ornament for a long time and just love how it turned out.

My August ornament is this:




This one is from the 2008 JCS Ornament issue. I stitched it on 28ct. Yellow Dust Opal Cashel and Black with DMC as charted and WDW Bethlehem. This was very fun to do!

The next piece I finished is my pink stitch for August. It is With My Needle's "Quaker Schoolgirl Needle Necessities--Scissors Sheath". I stitched it on 32ct Antique White Linen with Needle Necessities #630.




This next piece I actually finished yesterday. It is for a co-worker's birthday this week. Both of our birthdays this year are kind of monumental so I decided to do something a little special for her.



The front is the Birthday Stocking from Blackbird Designs January book stitched with DMC as charted. The back is A Mon Ami Pierre "Hornbook" stitched with Silk & Colors Autumn Bouquet.

I finished one more item today, however, it is for an exchange so I can't share it just yet. I can however, share something new I started. During our retreat a couple of weeks ago, 7 of us decided to stitch the "Ackworth Friendship Book". 5 of us are stitching 2 squares for each of us and 2 of us are stitching 1 square for each of us.


The one on the left, is the front page of mine. We are doing our own front and back pages.

The scissors in the above picture, was a special gift from Margit. My good friend Joan and Margit do personal exchanges. I have been lusting over these scissors for quite sometime but came to the conclusion that we just can't get them here in the U.S. Joan asked Margit about them and she came through for us. Thank you again, Margit! I just love them.

The other day, I received my LHN Exchange from Angela P. She stitched "Strawberry House" and finished it as a scissor pocket pinkeep.



She stitched it on 28ct Mushroom Lugana with floss as charted. I have this pattern but haven't been able to stitch it for myself yet. Now I won't have to!

Thank you Angela! I love it!

Well, I think that is all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

A Few Finishes

I am still a little behind in my stitching and trying very hard to catch up. I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel. It helps that I cut back a little on exchanges as I just didn't have the time.

Marie received the squares I stitched for her for the Fair Square Summer Round. I stitched Lizzie Kate's "Summer Basket" and is stitched on 32ct. Lambswool Lugana with DMC as charted.


I just love these seasonal basket patterns but am sorry to say that I have only done 1 so far for myself. I will have to get these on my list of "to do's".

Last night I finished my June ornament (here's where I am a little behind) for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. I stitched Shepherd's Bush "Starry Night" from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. It is stitched on 28ct Light Blue Lugana with DMC as charted.


I saw this ornament on someone's blog awhile back and just loved it and knew I had to stitch it.

And today I did my pink stitch for July. I stitched an old freebie of Sheepish Designs called "Maybe Angels". It is stitched on 25ct. Light Rose Lugana with DMC as charted except DMC #48 variegated instead of the red. I have wanted to stitch this for quite a long time.


This turned out quite cute. I love how the body turned out kind of patchworky looking with using the variegated thread. Thank goodness I am current with my pink stitches, anyway.


Be sure to pop over to my friend, Lynn's blog. She is celebrating her 1st blogoversary and look at the gorgeous treasures she has created to giveaway!



Have a great weekend,

An Easy Finish

I stitched one of the new Blackbird Designs stocking ornaments for my My 2009 Christmas Challenge. I procrastinated on the finishing as I wasn't sure if I would get it to work out right. OMG! It was so easy, fast and I love the results!


Of course, I switched 'er up a bit from what the pattern called for. It is from the "March of the Daffodils" booklet. I used 30ct. Northern Cross linen with Weeks Dye Works "Bethlehem" (which is one of my absolute favorite Weeks).

I will be back later with my June goals. Have a great day!

End of Month Update

I have 2 more finishes to share for April. First, my ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge is from Blue Ribbon Designs. It is called "A Star On Top".


It is stitched on 32ct. Lambswool Jobelan with DMC Thread. I have stitched this ornament 2 times now and just love it!


And, my finished WIP for April is the Spring Beaded Pansy Fob by Tomorrow's Antiques. Here is what I had done previously.



And here is the finished fob today!


The front and the back are identical. I have 3 of the 4 seasons done now. I just have summer left, which is a strawberry.

I will be back tomorrow with my Goal Review of April and my new Goals for May.

Thanks to those who commented on my previous post which was very non-stitching related--but fun!

A Good Stitching Weekend

I started and finished 2 projects this weekend. One is for a gift so I can't share it until it is received. The other is my March ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge.

I stitched a freebie design of Danybrod's called Primitive Bird (oiseau primitif). It is stitched on 32ct. Lambswool Jobelan with DMC thread.


It turned out exactly how I hoped it would. It was a little tricky on the finishing, but I used a great little tool by Fiskars called a 12 in 1 Sewing Multitool. One of the tools is a stuffing tool--works great! I got this tool from Jackie, one of my stitching friends, at our retreat. Thank you Jackie! I'm only sorry it took me so long to use it. But I don't think you need it necessarily when you your stuffed shaped is just a square.

Have a good week,

A Finishing Kind of Weekend

While my 2 stitching buds were out battling the elements trying to get to Madison, WI for a class, I was having a little finishing weekend.

I had stitched this design from "The Sampler Girl". It is on 28ct. Natural linen and I picked my own colors. This is a birthday present for my sister.


I think she will love it, her favorite color is purple too!

Next, I FINALLY got caught up with my "Pink Stitches.


On the left is my December pink stitch. This is a design from gazette 94. It is stitched on 28ct. Rocky Mountain Purple Lugana with DMC Variegated #48 and finished as a pinkeep. The middle one is for January. It is a "Snowman's Quaker Christmas" by Midnight Stitching. It is stitched on 28ct. pink Gingham linen with Weeks Bubblegum, DMC White, Black and #720--another pinkeep. The one on the right is a design from Primitive Betty's called "Oh Sweet Valentine". It is stitched with DMC #3805 and DMC Variations #4110. I am very fond of this one as it has a peacock in the stitched design and I was lucky to find some pink fabric with peacocks on it. I am sooooo excited to be caught up on my pink stitches.

Here is a picture of my "pink" basket now.



And, last but not least, I finished my ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. It is the same design as the pink one above with the snowman, except I did it in traditional colors changing the green to DMC Variations #4045.



I only have 1 thing left to complete my goals for February. I better get busy, the next installment of Isa Vautier's SAL is due out soon!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching! :)

Thank You Lisa V.

Lisa V. had me for both the HoE Lizzie Kate exchange and the Winter All Seasons Ornament Exchange. She didn't give me any specifics of either designs. Today the postman brought both of them. First the Lizzie Kate exchange--


And here is the ASOE Winter ornament--


I love the little cardinal on this one. Thank you Lisa.

I finished my January ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. It is a freebie from Plum Street Samplers called "Emmanuel". It is stitched on 36ct. Light Examplar with DMC Floss.