Beautiful Gifts

The mailman has been a wonderful friend of mine lately! Today was no exception. I received the stitched part of my birthday gift from Annemarie today. Oh my gosh! It is gorgeous!!!! Sorry for the blurry photos - I took them late at night with no flash, so the camera had some difficulty with focusing (or rather, I did):


Isn't it just amazing? Oh thank you so much An!!! What I love the very most about this gift is just how much thought and personalization An put into it!

And... more gifts! Sue sent me Papillon Creations' Flamenco off of my wishlist, simply because I gave her some info on needlework shops in NH for an upcoming trip that her friend is going on! Oh Sue, you did not have to do this! I just love it and sure do appreciate it!! Then my dear Karen sent me HAED's Story Keeper chart because she was thinking of me (as you know, I use that design as my icon here on Blogger) - oh Karen! Thanks!!! Last but certainly not least is a little giftie from my DH - now that he is selling QSnaps he decided to give me a 17" x 17" set. Yay! Mine was old and the parts that snap on were cracking. This one is amazing! He then also gave me an 8" x 8" because the one I use at work was also cracking. I love you Mike!
And... a quick update on Cathy's Neighborhood Round Robin. I remembered to pick up that skein of DMC 3012 today (easily one of my favorite DMC colors), and now the house looks more like a house :-) Someone asked if I am the last to stitch on this RR. No, actually, this is a brand new RR that started on July 15th. I am only the second to stitch on it (the other is Cathy, it's owner). Also Jenn asked what else I will stitch on this... nothing, the house totally fills the block (note the sparkly purple basting on the fabric).

Here is Angus playing with my QSnap. I caught him doing this while I was photographing my gifts and Cathy's RR just now... as you can see, he is doing pretty well right now :-)

Thank you all for the sweet comments on the exchanges I received yesterday! Yes, you are right, they are both wonderful! I am blessed :-)

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Cathy's Neighborhood Round Robin **Sent off my Quaker Alphabet Exchange today

Beautiful Exchanges

What a fantastic day! The mailman brought me not one but two exchange packages!! (Well, actually, he did only bring one, and the UPS man brought the other)...

I found out today that Sharon is my Seasonal Exchange partner (a by invitation only exchange group) - yay!!!! I couldn't be more thrilled! Above is the beautiful cube it that she made for me! It is simply stunning!!! I just adore it! Thank you Sharon!!!
And, as you can see, Sharon totally spoiled me with a lot of goodies! She sent me two Yankee Candle plug in room fragrance units (which Mike and I are already enjoying), LHN's Curly Q Ewe off of my wish list, some great charts by The Trilogy and JBW Designs, a huge collection of hand dyed silks and cottons, a thread skipper by My Big Toe Designs (I must learn more about this) and a tin of chocolate covered Altoids! Wow!! I am truly blessed!

The blessings continued with this lovely What's The Buzz exchange package from Chris :-) Chris stitched a pretty Prairie Schooler pinkkeep for me, and included some adorable Mary Engelbreit bee fabric (same kind I sent to Becky - LOL!!), a Mill Hill bee treasure, a bee hive button, a gorgeous bee kitchen towel and some vanilla honey tea! Thank you, Chris, for the lovely exchange. I love it all! And lastly, here is a little update of Cathy's Neighborhood Round Robin. I worked on the roof tonight, as I need a skein of DMC 3012 before I can do much more of the lower part of the house. I will pick that up tomorrow :-)

Stitched on today: Finished Quaker Alphabet Exchange, and Cathy's Neighborhood Round Robin

Redwork Exchange for Amy

I read on the USEBB that Amy received my Redwork Exchange for her today... so, since I am going to devote my stitching time tonight to my Quaker Alphabet Exchange, I will share this with you tonight (as always, I did not take a photo of the entire exchange, only the stitched item):

Thistle Square Needleroll
Periphaeria Designs
Riviera Natural/Burgundy Linen, DMC 814

Mike has some new needlework items for sale. If anyone is interested, he is now selling Q-Snaps. We have no idea yet what they will cost to ship, especially outside of the US. You can ask for them directly through me. I can get the prices from him. He has 6", 8", 11" and 17" sets. He also pre-ordered the new Gingher Bianca scissors and will have them later in September for you!! As well, his ebay store has fun Olfa rotary cutters, small crafting irons and such... You can see it all here - you can always buy direct and not through ebay, if you prefer. He is working on setting up his online store now.

Stitched on today: Quaker Alphabet Exchange project

VQ Update

A break from exchange stitching tonight! Back to Victoria's Quaker. I just love working on this one, and it is moving along so quickly!!!

And, that is pretty much all I have today :-) I hope everyone had a great day!

Stitched on today: Victoria's Quaker

What's the Buzz Exchange for Becky

And... no HOHRH tonight either! I have this one last exchange to crank out by the end of the month, and God Bless It, I am doing it right now!! LOL. After this, I can get into my usual rotation/routine again for a bit :-)

In the meantime, dear Becky has received the What's the Buzz Exchange (SBEBB) that I put together for her. It was sheer pleasure to have drawn Becky's name for this exchange... I mean, it's not like she likes bees or anything like that, right??

Dizzy Busy Bees

The Sweetheart Tree

Zweigart Vintage Country Cream Belfast, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads

I nicked Becky's photo of all of the goodies off of the bulletin board - hope you don't mind Becky... I always forget to take a photo of all of the goodies before I seal the package!!! I tried to stick with a bee theme. Now, it sure it not easy to choose bee related stitching items for the Queen Bee, as she has them all. But, she likes it all, so whew! I always feel intimidated stitching for Becky - we all know how skilled she is!!

And... lucky me! I received my first exchange today from the Crazy Exchange group! I received this adorable quilted needlebook and skein of VC silk from Susan!! I don't have a link to a blog for her yet.... isn't it sweet?? Thank you Susan, you made my day!!!

A few of you ladies have recently left me comments wondering how to make scissor fobs. I used this link my first time around, and wow, it is so easy and the photos and instructions are so clear... so have at it stitchers, I cannot wait to see the fobs you make now! The same woman (Annette) has a fantastic biscornu tutorial (she has a link at the top of her page), which I also used my first time around. There you go, you are all set now!!!

Back to my secret stitching now.... ;-)

Stitched on today: The Mermaid and the Sea, and started Quaker Alphabet Exchange project **Sent off my Redwork Exchange today

Sorry SAL Mates...

Today was not much of a stitching day. Or a blog reading day. What little time I do have, I am putting into working on my Redwork Exchange, and therefore, no Spring Ride tonight. I will do my best to be working on it again next Sunday, though!

In the meantime, Michelle has e-mailed me to let me know that her birthday gift arrived. I had to send it belated, but I did, however, stitch the entire fob on her actual birthday... that counts, right?
ABC House Fob
The Prairie Schooler
Lakeside Linens 40 ct Mocha Linen, DMC Floss

Hope everyone has had a nice weekend!!

Stitched on today: Finished Redwork Exchange project

A gift and an exchange

No forest tonight. I need to spend time working away on exchanges. I fell behind the eight ball earlier this month with my finishing boo boo, so now I am busily getting my Redwork Exchange started, and still have the Quaker Alphabet one to do too.

However, Heidi has finally received my little birthday gift for her. It took a little while to get to her because I had her old address. Oops!!!

Quaker Series Fob
Whimsey & Wit
Silkweaver Solo Belfast Linen, GAST - Currant

And, I recently joined Crazy Exchange, which is primarily European stitchers, and is quite fun - pick anyone you want from the list and stitch a little something. That person will then stitch or make you something within a month. I chose Anke in The Netherlands as my first person (I like her name), and today she received this:

Violette de Parme Fob
Reflets de Soie
Taupe Cashel Linen and DMC Floss

And Anke's initials centered on the back...

Thank you all for kind words on my exchange for Myrna. I really appreciate them! It was my second ever mattress pincushion. This time I used a much stiffer fusible interfacing, and I really like how it worked out. It made the cashel very stiff and really gave the mattress a nice firm effect.

Stitched on today: Started Redwork Exchange project ***Sent off What's The Buzz Exchange today

Summer Exchange for Myrna

I spent the day today finishing up my project for the What's the Buzz exchange. Since I cannot show it to you yet, I am happy to have learned that Myrna received my Summer Exchange today :-) This is the project I had been working so busily on... it's my second effort piece, after I cut the fabric for my other project too close for finishing... sigh....

Birdhouses and Sunflowers
Shepherd's Bush, in All Through the Year leaflet, 1996
Clay Cashel, Needle Necessities and DMC Floss
Finished as a Mattress Pincushion

...and the back with personalization...

And finally.... the whole exchange. I nicked this photo from the exchange group- it was taken by Myrna, hope she doesn't mind but it was a good photo, much better than mine. This is everything I sent her. Myrna does not eat candy, so I sent her sweet scented body lotion and a Yankee Candle Car Jar ... and treated her cats to some new mice too :-)

Stitched on today: Finished What's the Buzz Exchange project

A New England Chowder House

I started working on Cathy's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight. She has asked each of us to stitch a house in her neighborhood that also has elements from the area in which we each live. Since I live in New Hampshire, which is in New England, I could not resist stitching a chart that has been in my stash forever. I just love this chart, but never had a purpose for stitching it, until now. I am stitching the Chowder House by The Cricket Collection (in the Kiss The Cook leaflet from 1990). Little weather worn shacks like this are frequently seen all along the New England/Atlantic Coast and islands. It is stitching up quickly, as I just love working on this Lakeside Linens Vintage Light Examplar that Cathy is using - soooo nice!!!

Stitched on today: What's the Buzz Exchange project, and Cathy's Neighborhood Round Robin

Secret Stitching

I am blogging early tonight because I am going to be doing some secret stitching tonight - finish a birthday gift and hopefully also work on my What's The Buzz Exchange. I can share this, though. I just realized tonight that Leslie received her little birthday gift from me already. Since I have not been able to get to blogs often, I totally missed that she received it, apparently, on her actual birthday on Monday!! Yay!

Happy Birthday Fob
Brightneedle
40 ct Lambswool Linen, DMC Floss

Mike has a question for some of you... we know that several of you own online needlework shops and shops of other sorts. Mike is setting up a shop, and he wants to know if anyone can help him with getting a "shopping cart" - he is looking for one that is easy to use. Any recommendations would be so appreciated!! Thanks so much!

And, if you are in mood for a giggle and a smile, I have something for you:

This sweet (but not shy) little girl is a cancer patient. Last Friday, the Red Sox hosted a telethon for the Jimmy Fund (for cancer research). They played a double header (two games) on Friday, and in between games they had this little girl visiting with some of on the on-air talent. Check her out! She will give you her very best Boston accent at the end of this short video - LOL!! Best wishes Lexy! You are too, too cute!

Stitched on today: Stitched a gift, and What's The Buzz Exchange project

A different kind of scissor fob

Here is tonight's progress on Victoria's Quaker. It really just was easy going tonight. I found it funny that I stitched a scissor fob tonight. Not my usual scissor fob. I have stitched an awful lot of those. Rather, this time I stitched the image of a scissor fob on the sampler - that must be a first for me!

Nice to hear from so many of you. I promise to be back to blog reading more consistently as soon as I can. I did check in sporadically tonight - kind of a roll of the dice, as there are so many to read. Will try to do that again tomorrow :-)

Stitched on today: Started What's the Buzz exchange project, and Victoria's Quaker **Sent off Summer Seasonal Exchange today :-)

Almost a house

The large house on this block is almost done now :-) Not a whole lot of time working on HOHRH tonight, since I spent the earlier part of the evening finally finishing the Seasonal Exchange project! I fell so far behind the eight ball this month due to my error on preparing the finishing on my original project on Saturday. I had spent well over a week stitching that piece. Now I have 11 days to stitch three more exchanges, and one (belated) birthday gift. Plus, progress on Isabelle's wedding gift was completely stopped and needs to restart. I usually don't let myself feel overwhelmed, but wow, this has been a busy month!! No complaints, really, just sharing, by the way!

So, how is everyone?? I didn't read any blogs today. My work project has been granted my full attention (as it really needs to and should) - I didn't even use the internet for non-business purposes today. Hi to you all! I look forward to catching up with you and hope everyone is doing great!

Stitched on today: Finished Seasonal Exchangers Summer Project, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Flowers

I decided to restart my Seasonal Exchangers project today. I mindlessly did not leave enough room to finish the original design. Well, it could be finished, but not as nicely as I want it done. I got up really early this morning and dug around in my stash. I found something I like and got a whole lot done on it today. I just need to personalize it and assemble it tomorrow.... I did find some time later tonight for the weekly Spring Ride SAL... more flowers :-)

Stitched on today: Started new Seasonal Exchangers project, and Spring Ride

A Big Tree

I reached a milestone tonight on And A Forest Grew. I finished up the big center tree and all of the verse. Now it is downhill, or rather, smooth sailing, from here!

I have been asked if 18th C. Band Sampler, aka Long Dog Mystery Sampler, is still in my rotation. Yes, in a sense, it is. However, round robins are eating up a lot of time right now, as are exchanges and gifts... so I have not been able to fit it in for a while now... but I have not quit on it, that's for sure :-)

Stitched on today: Finished Crazy Exchange project, and And A Forest Grew

More birthday gifts!

The mailman delivered some treasures today! Belated birthday gifts! Look at these - Debby sent me a gorgeous needle case that is made by her hubby! It is amazing! I have been admiring these on her blog and had been planning to buy one - now I have one! Oh, thank you Debby! Mike is really impressed too. It is so well made, please let him know I love it!! And, Leena sent me this pretty little humbug! Oh, I adore it!!! Leena caught on recently that I love lavender (oh, I sure do!!). The whole theme of the humbug is lavender, including the dried lavender inside! It is so fragrant and just wonderful! Thank you Leena!!! The humbug is being modeled on the special ebay purchase from Mike that I was telling you about - he got me a pair of Gingher Penelope 4" Scissors! Yay!!! They are so pretty!! They came a couple of days ago, and now the humbug gives me a great reason to remember to post them. He's watching for some other retired Ginghers for me too :-)
And... I spent a little time on Dawn tonight. Not much time, though. I was busy working on my Seasonal Exchangers project, as I really want to finish it and post it off soon. But anyhow, Dawn is growing - lots of work with the Petite Treasure Braid blended with DMC tonight... :-(

It's the weekend! How nice - hope everyone has a good one!

Stitched on today: Seasonal Exchangers project, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Ready to Go!

I finished Annemarie's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight! Yay!!!! Dawn had to wait for another week - or maybe until tomorrow night, actually... hmmm.... Anyhow, I am thrilled to announce to An that her treasured RR is heading home tomorrow! I packed it back up in the envelope it has clearly been traveling in for some time now - it looks like an envelope from Dianne - very purple - LOL! Mike will bring it to the post office tomorrow and send it on its merry way. I had great fun stitching this, and I really love how the little owl turned out :-)

And, for those who are curious, here is how An's entire RR looks right now. Her theme, since some have asked, is for each of us to add something quirky to our blocks. Clearly I chose monkeys as my quirky touch - if you look closely enough, you will see that the entire group showed a good sense of humor. An says her block, which she will finish now that it is home, will have an elf in it - I cannot wait to see that! And she is going to add the stitchers' names and details in the upper two corners. OK, time to say good bye to this and send it home.

Helen has received my little birthday token today. It arrived late, but not terribly late, and an extended birthday is always fun! A few of my gifts are arriving late this month - what a month it has been for me stitching-wise! Anyhow, I digress. I must say I was utterly intimidated to stitch for Helen! Her finishing just blows me away. So, silly me, I tried a different finishing style for this fob - the one Cynthia Zittel used on the chart, rather than the whipstitching I usually like and much prefer. I was very nervous about this, but Helen did a wonderful job of soothing and reassuring me - thank you Helen!! So, here it is:

Spring Scissors Keeper
The Drawn Thread
40 ct White Linen, Needle Necessities and DMC Floss

OK, now I have to say - I read several blogs today at work, but could comment very little. I was one handed at all times - eating my Cranberry Walnut Chicken salad with one hand while reading, scrolling... and then writing treatment progress notes with one hand while reading, scrolling.... And, for the next few weeks, it will only get worse. I have a huge project at work that I learned about today - from now until September 18th, I have so much to do at my office that I fear my blog reading will have to be primarily done at home (which is my stitching time). I hope nobody feels I am ignoring them. I will be reading as much as I can - you know, doing the one handed thing like I did today! (I wonder how many progress notes that I wrote have some comment about stitching in them by mistake/distraction??).

Stitched on today: Seasonal Exchangers project, started Crazy Exchange project, and Annemarie's Neighborhood Round Robin

Not there yet...

I am so relieved that at long last my little birthday gift for Kathy has arrived safe and sound in Canada!! Her birthday was a few days ago, but the post just could not get this to her in time. Kathy is such a sweetie, and I really was getting a little nervous about this one!

Nature's Alphabet "K" Fob
Elizabeth's Designs
Silkweaver Belfast Solo Linen, DMC Floss

I went right back to working on An's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight - Mermaid Heaven is waiting for me, but this is a real priority right now. Not quite done yet... I did get the second monkey stitched. Melissa, I also noticed that the two monkeys appear to be different colors in the photo on the chart.... but after also thinking about it for a bit, I did end up stitching them both with DMC 3790, as charted. I used the two different browns on the steps, but you cannot even tell. In the chart photo, they are dramatically different. Go figure - LOL!!! I look forward to seeing what you decide to do with yours. Meanwhile, An, I hope this is on its way home to you by the end of the week!

Stitched on today: Seasonal Exchangers project, and Annemarie's Neighborhood Round Robin

Victoria's Quaker Update

Oh my - I am really enjoying Victoria's Quaker! This one is so fun with all of the needlework motifs interspersed amongst the classic quaker motifs - time just flew tonight :-)

The daylily season is slowing winding down now... but I do have quite a few photos stored up from recent weeks... like this one :-)

Stitched on today: Seasonal Exchangers project, finished a gift, and Victoria's Quaker

Monday Update

It's Monday, it's Houses of Hawk Run Hollow night. I kept plugging away still on House 5. It is moving along well now, and when it is finished I will have seven of twelve blocks finished. I am not sure how the white birds (doves?) at the bottom of this block will look in the end, as the two colors that will be stitched around them to provide background are also pretty light. Ah well, this is my pastel version :-)

Thank you so much Heather!! We just traded charts - I recieved Secret Snowdrift by The Trilogy (I fell in love with this when she stitched it a while back), and I sent her my extra copy of SB's Happy Heart! Great trade! Somehow, even though we live in opposite corners of this wide country (New Hampshire and Oregon), the post only takes about two days between our houses! Amazing! I wish mail to Canada was as quick!!

Also, huge thank yous and hugs to Deb - I received a beautiful belated birthday package from her today full of lovely stationery items! I will try to take a photo tomorrow to share the pretties. They are so cool!
Taken 7/24/07.... not sure what this pretty daylily is. I bought it on ebay a few years back. When it bloomed, I saw that it was not the cultivar I bid on (big surprise - happens all the time on ebay, sneaky sellers) - but I do love this one anyhow! It blooms under my laundry room window. It is so tall you can see the blooms above my windowsill. Despite it being an ebay bust, it turned out to be one of my favorites :-) I wish I could remember what I thought I was getting - LOL!

Stitched on today: Seasonal Exchangers project, started a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Spring Ride: Finished Page 8

For my dear SAL mates, Karen and Kathy, as well as anyone else who is interested, here is my progress for this week on Spring Ride. I finished Page 8 (which was where I started) and have moved over to page 7 (which I also partially stitched already anyhow). Now that I am not working on ecru/peach colors in her dress right now, I am really loving this project so much! The textures are amazing - one strand over two on belfast linen... and the Anchor Marlitt also gives such a nice texture too. I really look forward to next Sunday when I can stitch more flowers again!! I can see that Karen is loving this too. It is so fun having SAL mates who also love the project - gives us lots to chat about and great photo updates too.

For Debs, who left me a comment earlier tonight, I can get you the Twilight freebie, but have no idea how to contact you. My email address is in my profile. Please drop me a note and I will reply to you there :-)

My DH won something for me on ebay today! He was watching it and made sure to be there when the auction ended! It is very cool! I cannot wait to show you when it arrives!! He is so loving :-)

Oh gosh, another weekend over!! Where is summer going??

Stitched on today: Seasonal Exchangers project (slow going, so I am going to bring it to work this week and see if I can speed up my progress) and Spring Ride

AAFG

It's a busy weekend, but I did find time tonight to work for a bit on And A Forest Grew :-) Now, to find time to catch up on blogs... sigh...

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! The weather is so beautiful here!

Stitched on today: Started Seasonal Exchangers project, and And A Forest Grew

It's all about the lawn

All about the lawn... that is what I worked on all evening... the lawn :-) Hopefully soon that will be finished and I can stitch the other monkey, as well as a little something else - then this goes home to An :-) (Sorry about the overexposed photo).

Mike emailed me this photo a few days ago. He took the photo with his iPhone. He was in traffic and was following this truck for a while... he found it funny, so I figured I would share it with you too.

Becky emailed me the names for three upcoming exchanges today - woo hoo! Now to go read up on their blogs and see what I can learn about them for what to stitch and what goodies to send - cool!!

Thank you all for your kind comments about my first mattress pincushion - they mean a lot to me. It is always good to get feedback when trying a new technique.

I am behind on blog reading again... I am so sorry...

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Annemarie's Neighborhood Round Robin

My First Mattress Pincushion

OK, my mattress pincushion was received by Deb today, so now I can show it. Deb has been ill for a few weeks and is recovering now - these are my get well flowers for her. It's my first, so it is rather basic - I have seen many that have the edge embellished with pins or with ribbon.... I was just feeling that I would be lucky to get it firm and finished off well. I think I did OK :-)

Flowers for my Friend
Elizabeth's Designs
Sand Cashel Linen, DMC Floss, Weeks Dye Works Floss
Last night I had mentioned that I had received an amazing box of gifts from dear Karen - I unpacked it all tonight to show it. I am overwhelmed by all of this. Karen made me the cutest bag that will, of course, be used to store a small project. She also made me a felted pin and her husband, Bren, made me a pretty silver bracelet! On top of all of that, she also sent me (gulp) Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Secret Garden, two Long Dog and one Papillion Creations chart, and a fat quarter of pretty Kiwi Antiques linen! Oh Karen, you went over the top and really spoiled me! Thank you - {{{hugs}}}!!! And, she also enclosed Bine's round robin in the box, so I am good to go with that too ;-)
Speaking of round robins, no Dawn tonight. I know that An is really looking forward to getting her round robin home soon. So, I went right back to work on it again tonight for her. She has been having a rough go of it lately, and I want to cheer her up and get this home to her! I am going to leave my grass above the sun, as it looks OK... I have noticed it lines up well with Dianne's house on the right, so all will be well. And, Becky has let me know that she has received my RR from Su - Becky is stitching an empty block for me because a stitcher had dropped out of our group at the start. Thanks Becky!!!! Please, no rush! Thanks :-)

Stitched on today: Mermaid and the Sea, started a gift, and Annemarie's Neighborhood Round Robin

Monkey Business

I have a new update of Annemarie's round robin tonight - the first monkey is stitched :-) He gave me troubles, of course - monkey business! My floss started knotting up - ugh!! I am working on the grass tonight too. There is a sun from another block that is invading upon my grass area and I am a bit stymied right now as to how I am going to work around it without my grass looking too stupid...hmmm....

I just received the most lovely gift today from Patti, my Birthday Sister. Isn't this sweet - first the front, then the back. Thank you Patti! I will email you tomorrow - I am on my laptop and don't seem to have your email on this computer. I just love it!! It is very special to me. Patti and I have existed and walked on this earth for exactly the same number of days - I think that is so cool!
And from my DH, more gifts. He gave me this pretty Olfa rotary cutter today. He knew I really wanted one. He also gave me a beautiful heavy pair of Gingher pinking shears - also knowing I really wanted them. I didn't get a photo of those as they are already up in my stash room. He is selling both of these items regularly now on ebay if you like them (ID is michaelsutcliffe). I cannot wait to open these up and start cutting fabrics!!

I received a big box of birthday gifts from Karen a few days ago - I am so overwhelmed that I have yet to unpack it all again and photograph it - sorry Karen, you do know how much I love it all! I will do that very soon. I am off work on Friday and have no excuse not to take care of this!

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Annemarie's Neighborhood Round Robin