First, my friend Cathy, had a birthday. I made her something I had wanted to stitch for a very long time.
It is a "cotton wagon" and was in an old Just Cross Stitch magazine, I think 1996. Cathy does quite a bit of hardanger so I thought she would enjoy this.
Ornaments...
I made a few ornaments for Christmas this year. This first one was for my son. Last year I made him a set of 12 and will make one every year out.
This is from the 2010 Just Cross Stitch ornament preview issues. My friend, Joan, made this and I thought it was so cute. My son liked it too!
This next ornament I made was for my good friend, Viki. We have known each other all of our lives as we grew up next door to each other.
This is in the same magazine as the above ornament. It turned out very cute!
This last ornament is for my godson (nephew), Jacob. I make him an ornament every year. I stitched the Lizzie Kate 2010 Santa. Here is what it looked like after the stitching was complete.
I stitched it as charted and thought that it might just be a bit too big for the traditional square ornament. I got a little creative, as creative as I get, and came up with this.
I sewed some Christmas fabric to the ends, sewed up the side seam stuffed alot and tied ribbons on. I was very pleased with the turnout.
Exchanges...
I had a personal exchange with Kathy A. in which I posted what I received earlier. Here is what I sent her.
Kathy collects nutcrackers so I went with that as my theme. Here is a closeup of the scissor holder I stitched.
This is a freebie pattern from DMC. I used my own fibers though.
This past year I participate in a seasonal exchange on the Stitching Friends Through the Seasons blog. Winter was our last season. Karen D. had my name and I had Faye R.'s name. Here is what I sent Faye.
I stitched the Lizzie Kate 2010 Snowman and finished it as a pinkeep.
The knitted piece is a coffee wrap to keep your coffee nice and hot!
I put everything in the snowman tube, wrapped it in plastic and mailed it. I thought it would be such fun to receive it that way.
I just received my exchange today. Karen knows me quite well and really spoiled me. When this exchange started I had requested Shepherds Bush designs as I didn't have as many of them as I would like. All 4 seasons she delivered.
This is so cute! I just love it.
Karen also sent me some linen, a purple needleminder which she made, magnets, a frogging tool, an ort catcher (which she also made), a purple sock with lots of candy canes and the Recipes for a Cure cookbook that the Attic Needlework sold (which I really wanted!). Thank you so much Karen, for all my exchanges. You fulfilled my request quite well.
Last but certainly not least, I was one of the winners of the new fall line of fabrics from Blackbird Designs. I received them in the mail today.
These are just beautiful! They are going to make very cool pincushions. Thank you Blackbird Designs!
Well, I think that is it. That was alot. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Happy Stitching!
JillMN
