Christmas in July for Joan

I heard from Joan yesterday that she received her HoE Christmas in July exchange. It was sent late, but I knew that Joan would understand.

I chose "Wish Upon A Star" by Barbara Ana Designs, and made an ornament. It is stitched on 28ct. Natural Cashel Linen with DMC Floss as charted. It is very cute and I knew that Joan would like it.


I also sent Joan a few goodies.


When Joan called she sounded very excited--I was glad. I think she misses her stitching friends since moving to Aberdeen.

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,

To My BFF Joan...

Thank You MamaJoan for a Great Retreat!

I would like to award my BFF, MamaJoan, this Stitcher's Award, for hosting our Annual Stitching Retreat this year at her house. (If you click over to Joan's blog, you can see some of our festivities.)

There were 5 of us that attended, however Joan and I were the die-hards that were there the entire time. We started last Tuesday afternoon with a trip to our LNS and went back to Joan's for pizza. All others went home that night. It wasn't until Thursday morning when Lori came, who stayed until Friday evening, then Jackie came Thursday and Friday early afternoon and stayed into the evening each day. Then there was Cathy who joined us on Wednesday evening and came back on Friday evening. I got there Tuesday afternoon and had to leave late Saturday afternoon when my son came to pick me up.

We call Joan's house the "house of everything" as she and her husband, David, have just about anything you might need during your stay. One exception, David did not have a flatbed for us to haul all of our stuff in and out. LOL!

I had a very relaxing 4 days and got lots of stitching done. I will post pictures later. My stitching friend, Chris, will be quite proud!

Thank you, my BFF, Joan, for a great time. And yes, I am still feeling very olympic!