Ornament Swap--Complete

I received an e-mail from Amy the other day letting me know that she received the ornament that I sent her. This is my last ornament to be received for the Ornament Swap that I participated in.


This is "ABC Noel 2007" from L'R de rien. It is stitched on 28ct White-Opal Cashel linen with DMC #115.

I was in such a hurry to get this out, I forgot to take a picture. I had to borrow this one from Amy--Thank you Amy!

This completes my participation in the Ornament Swap.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Ornaments and More Ornaments

I received my last 2 ornaments for the Ornament Swap. On Monday, I received this from Amy.


This is a Shepherds Bush design stitched on 32ct Belfast with GAST. Isn't it lovely? I really like this one. Thank you Amy!

And yesterday, I received my last one, from Carolyn.


This is another Shepherds Bush design from the 1998 JCS ornament issue. It is stitched on 28ct natural linen with GAST. Thank you Carolyn!

And here is my "group" photo.


Aren't they great? I'm really happy with the pine tree theme that I went with.

April is Julianne's month to receive ornaments. She received the one I sent her today.


This is "Peace Angel" by Told In a Garden. It is stitched 32ct Natural Opal Belfast linen with DMC floss and gold metallic as charted. This was a fun stitch and I was pleased with how it turned out.

There is only 2 months left of this ornament swap, May (Amy) and June (Becky). Since we don't have to wait for the month to send our ornaments, I decided to do the last 2 right away. I mailed Amy's and Becky's ornaments today. When they are received I will post pictures and then I will be done with this ornament swap.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stitching!

More Ornaments and an Update

I received 3 more ornaments this past week for the Christmas Ornament Swap I am in.

On Monday, I received this lovely ornament from Julianne. It is a Prairie Schooler Old World Santa.


Isn't it great? It is so nicely stitched. Thank you Julianne.

On Wednesday, I received Staci's ornament.


Staci is so clever. She not only included pine trees in the design, it is shaped like a pine tree. Love it! Thanks Staci.

And then on Thursday, I received Edgar's ornament.


Edgar stitch one over one on 32ct linen. It is so tiny! There is one tiny gold metallic stitch on the top of each of the candles on the tree that sparkle when they light hits them. It is beautiful! Thank you Edgar.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me an ornament this month. I appreciate it.

I also caught up on my Isa Vautier SAL. I have completed part 2 and am anxiously awaiting part 3 which should be out around May 1.


I still am enjoying this very much and can't wait until the next part.

Thanks to all who take the time to read my blog and those who even leave comments. I appreciate it. I know how much time it takes to do that.

Have a great weekend!

Ornaments #4 and #5 and a RAK!

I received 2 more ornaments over the weekend. On Friday night, I received Cathy's and since we get together every Friday night, I got to receive it in person.



I don't know details on this ornament, but it is a Prairie Schooler and he has a pine tree! It is very lovely. I love the jingle bells that she added.

Cathy also surprised me with a RAK! Awhile back, she took a trip to Shepherds Bush--lucky dog! She saw this pattern and of course thought of me!

Can't wait to stitch this up. Thank you Cathy!


And, in yesterday's mail, I received this ornie from Vonna.


This one is a Prairie Schooler also and stitched on black fabric. It is beautifully stitched. Stitching on black isn't the easiest thing to do.

Thank you both for the super ornies. I can't wait to display all of them.

Ornaments # 2 and #3 and More

Yesterday I received my 2nd and 3rd ornaments for the Ornament Swap I am participating in.

This ornament is from Carol. It is "Candy Cane Wishes Noel Ornament" by Plum Pudding Needleart. It is stitched on 28ct. Cafe Mocha Country French linen with DMC Floss.



Isn't it lovely? I love it. It is stitched and finished just beautifully!

This next ornament is from Becky. It is called "Peace & Quiet" from Erica Michaels. It is stitched on 36ct. Meadow Rue with GAST & WDW.



Another beautifully stitched and finished ornament. Just love it!

Thank you Carol and Becky. I will treasure these forever. Can't wait to see what comes next.

A Great Find...
Awhile back I got this great idea to get a large glass jar with a lid to put smalls in. I have been searching but have had no luck. Well, last weekend, I was forced to do some reorganizing as I was looking for a particular project. Well, lo and behold, I found my glass jar--right in my own living room! It is perfect!


Isn't it great? The best part is that it will keep my stitched items DUST FREE! I will have to keep looking because as you can see, I am going to need another one very soon.

Have You Heard?
In the new issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework, May 2009, there is a Reproduction Sampler of Adam and Eve. I had to go to Joann's the other day and picked up a copy.



This is like a lifelong project and I don't know if I will do the whole thing. I like it enough, but I figure I will be able to use the many motifs for different things for sure.

Well, that's all for today. I have been stitching on gifts and exchanges so nothing to share there yet. Have a great day.

Friday the 13th--Unlucky?

Not for me!

Yesterday, in the very, very early a.m. hours, I finished a WIP, had Friday off of work as I was awarded it due to outstanding audit reports, spent most of the day with my son at the Boys high school hockey tournament, and, it was topped off by receiving my first ornament from the ornament swap group I am in. WHEW! No wonder I slept in until 7:45 this morning!

I stayed up quite late on Thursday, actually it was early Friday, when I finished another WIP. What a wonderful feeling! It is "The Tea Room" by Country Cottage Needleworks. I started this at our MLK Retreat in 2008 and hadn't touched it yet. Here is what it looked like when I pulled it out on March 5.


And, here is what it looks like now--finished!


Isn't it lovely? I just love it! I love finishing WIP's. I already know which one I will be doing next month.


My first ornament I received is from my BFF, Joan! And, I got to receive it in person--even better! I had requested ornaments that had some kind of a pine tree on them. Joan came through with flying colors--


Isn't it beautiful! Even the button is a pine tree! Joan finished it like a biscornu, but it does have a hanger on it.

Here is Joan presenting me with my ornament--


Thank you so much Joan! I just love it! I better get my tree out so I can display them properly. I can't wait to see what comes next!


I did have one unfortunate thing happen to me yesterday. I was left in charge of my nephew's beta fish while my sister and her family are on vacation in Florida. My first trip to feed it was yesterday and it was dead when I got there. I know it is only a fish but I felt so bad. Well, I found out that it was 5-6 years old and it was not looking to good when they left. I felt better. It is kind of a funny story now.

I have nothing but stitching planned for today (and maybe tomorrow?), so I hope to get lots done!

Have a great weekend,

Stuff to Share

A few of my stitches were received this last week so I thought I would share them with you.

Janice received my squares for the Fair and Square Round #11. I read on her profile that she liked samplers of any kind and pastel colors. I chose "Remember Me" by Praiseworthy Stitches and stitched itt on 32ct. white Jobelan with DMC Variations #4110.


Jen was the recipient for my Winter squares for the Fair and Square Winter round. I stitched "Winter" by mausimom on 32ct. Lambswool Lugana. The fibers used were DMC white and black, and DMC Variations #4230 and #4240.


Today, Carol let me know that she received my Christmas ornament for the swap I am in. I stitched "Noel" from gazette94. The fabric I used was a remnant from my stash. It is 32ct. and like a Mulberry color. It is done with DMC White.


This one was hard to part with. I will have to make one for myself!

And just now, as I am writing this post, I received my Fair Square Round 11 squares from Janice.


They are beautiful! And purple too! I will have to finish these up into something special. Thank you Janice!

I guess that is it for today. I will be back tomorrow with more to share as I am having sort of a "finishing frenzy" this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by,

I Hate Winter--but Love Exchanges!

Have I ever mentioned that I hate winter? Yesterday was a true testimony for that.

I came home from work and walked down to get the mail. I slipped and fell on the ice and pulled/tore my hamstring. Talk about painful! I managed to finally get myself up and into the house with all my stuff after about 20 minutes. The worse thing was that I could not sit or bend without a very sharp pain. I had to go to the bathroom and the pain was so intense that I thought I was going to blackout. I laid in bed with ice and ibuprofen the rest of the day. I did not go to work and when I got up about 7 a.m., I was able to go to the bathroom with much less pain. And, I was able to sit on the couch and stitch this morning.

I am hoping it will even be better tomorrow so I can go to work and not miss my Friday Night Stitch fix.

On a cheerier note, Cathy B. was the January recipient for the Christmas Ornament Swap group that I am in. The ornament I stitched for her is from the 2005 Just Cross Stitch ornament magazine. It is "Folk Art Topiary" by Brown House Studio. It is stitched on 40ct. ivory with DMC Floss.


It is not your traditional Christmas ornament, but I think it is cute. I hope Cathy liked it.


Ulla finally received my SBEBB Winter House Exchange. A funny thing is that I had Ulla for the summer house too! I sure hope she likes my stitching.

I stitched "Chalet" from Bent Creek's Winter Snapperland. It is stitched on 32ct Country Grain Linen with DMC Floss. The inside is 32ct. Belfast Twilight Blue Linen. I finished it as a needlecase. This is my first needlecase that I have made and I think it turned out pretty good.




I hope Ulla is as happy with it as I am. Here is the entire exchange--


I sent Ulla the Holiday Pack of DMC Floss, Thread Heaven, a wintery thread counter, a skeing of the gorgeous #115 Red Variegated DMC Thread, some wintery buttons and a tuck away pillow.

This is my last exchange on the SBEBB as it is closing. I am OK with this as I am looking forward to doing more "me" stitching.

Well, I am going to lay down for awhile now--I wouldn't want to overdue it!

Have a great day!

I Can Finally Share

Now that Christmas is over and all presents have been dispensed, I can share a couple of ornaments I made.

Every year I stitch an ornament for my godson, Jacob. The past couple of years I have tried to apply it to the year that just past. This year I went with kind of a patriotic theme. I stitched "Snowman's Holiday" by Lizzie Kate and personalized the back.




It turned out very cute and he was quite happy with it. Jacob loves getting his ornament every year and that makes me happy!

Then, in the Christmas Ornament Swap I am in, Joan was the recipient for December. Joan is not a traditional Christmas celebrator so I had to find something different but fit her. Here is what I stitched.


It is a Helga Mandl design that was in the Gift of Stitching called "Cross Stitcher's Tree". I think she was pretty happy with it. If you look at it sideways, it says "Stitch", and that is what Joan loves to do!

I am glad Christmas is over and can get back to "normalcy". Our "picnic" was fun, some even wore shorts!

Have a great day!

More Exchanges Were Received

I heard from Carolyn that she received my Christmas ornament for the ornament swap that I am in. The ornament I stitched is from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. It is "Wish Upon A Star" by Wildflower Stitchery & More. It is stitched on Kiwi Illusions 28ct. Hydrangea Cashel with DMC Floss & DMC Variations


I tried something new on this ornament. The ribbon around the edge is "rouching". I really like they way this looks when it is done. It sounds like Carolyn is quite pleased with it too and I am glad for that.

* * * * * * * * *

I also heard from Keane, she received the Fair Square Round #10 squares I sent her. The design I stitched is by Homespun Elegance. It is called "May Our Handworks…" and is stitched on 32 ct. Ivory Lugana with DMC Floss.

Exchanges Received

I can finally share some of my recent stitching as 2 of my exchanges were received today.

First, Vonna, let me know that she received my Christmas Ornament that's part of an Ornament Swap.


I stitched "A Star On Top" by Blue Ribbon Designs. It is stitched on a 32ct. remnant with DMC Floss. It sounds like Vonna was very pleased.

* * * * * * * *

I also heard from Missy, who was my Halloween Fair Square partner. I stitched the new design from Lizzie Kate called "Hocus Pocus".


Now the Fair Square exchange is a "no goodies" exchange. However, Missy and I agreed we would do a goody exchange on the side.

From Missy's wishlist, I got her "Pretty Pumpkins" by Glendon Place and a pair of hand knitted socks (thank you Mom!). I also sent her a tape measurer with a glitzy cat on it, a thread counter that I made, some candy, a fat quarter of fabric and some homemade floss tags that have ghosts on them. This was a very fun exchange to put together. Missy seems quite pleased with it all.

I'm still waiting to hear from 4 exchanges, one of which I have confirmation that it was delivered 2 days ago. Arrrrggghhh!!!!

Thanks for visiting,