Scissor Fob Exchange for Sandra

I heard from Sandra right before I went to bed last night that she received my Hooked on Exchanging Scissor Fob Exchange yesterday. It only took two weeks (exactly) to reach Barbados. That is pretty good, considering how laid back life is in the Caribbean :-) Sandra writes that this is her first scissor fob, and I feel so honored to provide her with her first. I am also pleased she likes my choices for her...


Petite Exemplary No. 1 Fob
Ewe and Eye and Friends
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC and GAST Floss

The rest of the exchange that I sent to her included a half yard of fabric with daisies and bees (Sandra requested floral fabrics and fabrics with bees on her wishlist), a pair of gold Mundial stork scissors, three skeins of variegated floss, a small Halloween Mill Hill kit (also saw she likes Halloween), and a spool of sheer cream ribbon for her upcoming finishings. Enjoy Sandra!

I had forgotten that I picked up Celtic Winter from the framer last Friday. It was ready a week before that, but when I went to pick it up, there was a large dent in the gilt on the frame. The framer was so sorry she had not noticed it, and she took it right back to reframe it. It took Mike and I a lot of discussion to decide how we wanted her centered in the frame. I like how it finally turned out...

Celtic Winter
Lavender & Lace
Silkweaver 28 ct Blue Diamonds Reflections Lugana, DMC Floss, Petite Treasure Braid, RG Wisper and Mill Hill Beads
Stitched as a SAL with Katrina J. in 2005-2006

Now, I have to say that I feel terribly guilty and at a loss. I have been a terrible blog commenter, and I don't know what I am going to do. I love my blogging friends and reading everyone's blogs. But... well.... doing so and commenting often affected me professionally! I was finding myself sitting in my office and not doing any paperwork and just surfing blogs... and that is a baaaaad thing. My job as a psychotherapist in private practice entails a lot of paperwork. Documentation is key to success, reimbursement and good ethics. So, I really cannot ditch my paperwork. It was hard to catch myself back up. I don't want anyone to think poorly of me or to think I am not interested in you any longer. That is the furthest thing from the truth. I do find pockets of time to read, but commenting is at a minimum. Even my dearest online friends hear from me much less now... since I realized how destructive this has been to my work. My sincerest apologies. I don't know if it will get any better - the paperwork will always be there. But I will sure try! I appreciate all of you that visit and comment in my blog. I have considered shutting my comments section off, but was advised by one of you not to do that... I was told you would all understand. I will still visit you, and will comment whenever I can. I use my free time in the evenings to stitch and run HoE, of course, so commenting needs to come from other pockets of time as I find them... thank you, friends! I do love you all, even if I don't get to comment as much as I want to!

Now I am off to do more secret stitching... it's my "half birthday" today :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and started a PIF **Mailed out a new Crazy Exchange for ???? today

Valentine's Day Exchange for Ina

Ina emailed me this morning to let me know that she recieved the Valentine's Exchange that I sent to her for the Crazy Exchange. Yes, Ina again :-) I drew her name for two seperate exchanges this month. Her email is very sweet and I think she likes what I sent to her.

Valentine Pinkeep
Glory Bee
Free chart available here
30 ct Natural Linen, GAST Floss

This is the back of the pinkeep - I love this fabric, but am sorry it is a little out of focus

And, this is the entire exchange that I sent to her. Enjoy, Ina! Happy Valentine's Day to you all (a little early).

Now I will disappear and start a gift for a special stitcher...

Stitched on today: Started a gift

Crazy Exchange from Edda :-)

The postman delivered another surprise for me today. Edda chose to send to me in the Crazy Exchange. And she stitched the sweetest little mattress pincushion using her own color scheme. Her over-one stitching is just perfect, and her colors are lovely. Then... she also included some skeins of hand dyed fibers, including one similar to Caron Wildflowers that is dyed in Scotland. And pretty striped fabric too. Thank you, Edda! I just love it all. And, I already have a couple of ideas spinning in my head for my return exchange for you.


I chose to keep working on A Quaker Christmas tonight... after I finished a new Crazy Exchange, that is :-)

Stitched on today: Finished new Crazy Exchange project, and A Quaker Christmas

Exchange Sent/PIF Received

It was a good mail day today. First, I received an anticipated email from Ina (no blog) when I got to work this morning. Ina received the HoE Scissor Fob Exchange that I sent off to her a while ago. It took a slow plane to The Netherlands, but it is safe and sound with her now. Thanks for letting me know, Ina!


Garden Alphabet "I" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Natural Belfast Linen, DMC Floss
I remembered to take a photo of the entire exchange before it left here... along with the fob, I sent Ina a pair of Mundial gold lion's tail scissors, a half yard of fabric, a small HIH chart, and a Mill Hill bead kit (I saw in her profile on Crazy Exchange that she likes autumn themes). I am glad you said you liked the exchange, Ina. I had great fun putting it together. Enjoy!!

I got mail today too :-) I received this lovely PIF from Joanne. She sent me a pinkeep using a By the Bay Needleart chart that I have long loved, and it is so nicely put together. And.. wow, Joanne! She also sent fabric with the names of flowers on it (she must know I love gardening) and two skeins of yummy Milady's Teal floss by Crescent Colours. I feel very spoiled! I see your name is coming up soon on my PIF list too, Joanne :-) I hope I can send you a package you will enjoy as much as I am enjoying this one. Thank you so much!!

I was so happy to learn that I am not the only one who is disappointed with the novel, Atonement. I saw clips of the movie on You Tube today, and they do look more appealing than is the novel (how rare is that?). I do like most of the characters, but I just cannot get into overly dramatic little Briony. She is more personality disordered than cute - LOL. Oh well. I will probably watch the movie on cable someday, and I will finish the novel. I never leave a novel unfinished.

I am blogging early. I feel cold today, although it is 40F. I am going to relax, do my treadmill... all the usual stuff... then see if I can get more done on my new Crazy Exchange project...

Stitched on today: Stitched on Crazy Exchange project

Amish Angel Ornament

I haven't really stitched much today, and what I have stitched I cannot show yet (a new Crazy Exchange project). I have been wrapped up in other things, including reading Atonement by Ian McEwan, and really struggling to decide if I can even find this main character, Briony, to be remotely appealing. I like other characters, though, and I plug ahead.. But, I did get some photos of the Amish Angel ornament today... so that will be my entry for the day...


Amish Angel Ornament
Told in a Garden
Free chart available here - listed as 1986 Christmas Angel
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, RG Petite Treasure Braid

Nice to see there are so many other Garth Brooks fans out there :-)

Stitched on today: Started a new Crazy Exchange project

Who is Garth Brooks?

I finished my Amish Angel ornament today, but it was already dark out when I was done, so I will wait and take a photo of it tomorrow in natural light. I did get right back to work on A Quaker Christmas again. Sorry my photo is out of focus.

Carol R. stated that she did not know who is Garth Brooks... Garth is one of country music's top stars. He has been in retirement for the past several years, choosing to live a quiet life raising his children. He has recently returned, and I found his new song on You Tube, in case Carol, or anyone else, wants to learn more about Garth :-) (And yes, his concert was truly short last night and the commercials were in abundance... but it was a charity concert, so I guess the charity did need to get its message in as often as it could).

And... one of my favorites, The Dance...


Stitched on today: Finished Amish Angel ornament, and A Quaker Christmas

PIF for Robin

I heard from Robin today that she received the PIF that I finally stitched for her :-) She has been on my list for some time now, so I am happy she now has her gift. I really had no idea what to stitch for Robin. Her blog didn't shed a lot of clues. But, finally, on a super cold winter day, while watching both the AFC and NFC Playoff games (aka last Sunday), I settled on stitching this little fob, and I am glad that Robin is pleased!

Winter Fob
Trail Creek Farm
Chart available here
32 ct Cream Belfast Linen, GAST Floss

Tonight I really wanted to settle in and watch Garth Brooks' mini concert on TV... so I stuck with something small and easy. I want to stitch at least one Christmas ornament a month this year, so here is my start - Amish Angel by Told in a Garden. This freebie just kept on surfacing up to the top of my pile of freebie charts, and I decided it was time to stitch it. I hope to finish it into an ornament tomorrow.

Stitched on today: Started Amish Angel ornament **Mailed out CE Valentine's Day Exchange, and sent Secret Snowdrift chart to Melissa

Christmas in January

It will still be Christmas for quite a few months, actually, as I continue to plug along on A Quaker Christmas, as I did for a little while again tonight. Boy, Edgar sure is right - the rhythmic up and down of the needle is so soothing, isn't it? I especially find that to be true with Quaker samplers...

I am sort of struggling along a bit today. Yesterday I had the Tdap vaccination (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and now my right arm is soooo sore and it radiates down to my wrist and up towards my jaw - not severe, but a bit persistent. I know this is totally normal, but also quite annoying, especially when trying to stitch.

I had really been hoping to be able to show some of my recent finishes by now. My January finishes file is rather large, but most of them are in the hands of the postal service (one goes out tomorrow), and I just have nothing still to show... oh well, soon, I am sure :-)

Stitched on today: Finished Crazy Exchange Valentine's Day Exchange, and A Quaker Christmas

Moo :-)

My Houses of Hawk Run Hollow now has bits of a cow on it - LOL!!

And... it is HERE! My copy of A Cross-Stitch Christmas containing Lo, How A Rose by Brightneedle arrived safe and sound today. Thanks again to the tremendous help from the stitching blogging community :-) I hope it won't be too long before I can stitch this one :-)

I had my physical exam today, and while I still need to have bloodwork done, it looks like I am pretty healthy and am going to be around for a while. I saw a new doctor today and am very impressed with him. Thanks for the well wishes on last night's headache - it was a whopper, but I awoke with a clear head. Whew!

Stitched on today: Stitched on CE Valentine's Day Exchange, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Serenity

Really quick update on Serenity tonight due to a pounding sinus headache... made progress here and there, though :-)

Stitched on today: Serenity **Sent out SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange and a PIF today

Tragic Day in Lawrence

I arrived at my office this morning... wondering why an intersection I travel through near my office was blocked off... I couldn't really gawk, so I travelled on to my office. A little while later, I found my answer on CNN's website. At 2:30 AM this morning, an entire block of the city (16 buildings - commerical and residential) of Lawrence, MA burned down. Nobody was killed and only one person was injured, but 180 or so are displaced... this is an area/neighborhood where a great many of my therapy clients live. I am bracing for dealing with grief for many months to come. It could have been worse, but it is still so very tragic for these low-income families who already had so very little video .

Chris received her little birthday gift that I made for her today - on her actual birthday, which is quite impressive, thank you postal service! Chris sent me the most wonderful, grateful email. She was so happy to have been thought of on her birthday. Aw, happy birthday Chris!! It was my pleasure - I very much enjoy doing exchanges with you :-)



Garden Alphabet "C" Fob
Prairie Schooler
Silkweaver 32 ct Belfast Solo Linen, DMC Floss

It's my favorite, so of course, A Quaker Christmas came back out again tonight. There is an error in the border of the motif I am working on at the moment. I didn't manage to catch it in time, but I left it in. It truly does not bother me, and I like little quirks in my samplers :-) Thank you to a dear friend, though, for giving me a little heads up email to be careful on this motif - LOL!

Speaking of samplers - if anyone is at all intersted... I started up a new blog tonight - Gallery of Samplers. Much like The World's Largest Collection of Smalls blog, this new blog will give us a place to post our samplers. I didn't know if this would appeal to anyone, but if it does, let me know and I will add you as an author to the blog :-)

Stitched on today: Started Crazy Exchange Valentine's Day Exchange, and A Quaker Christmas

Spring Ride Revisited

It was a busy day around here today - no time on the internet, just enjoying the NFL Championship playoff games. Congrats again, Patriots! Anyhow... the games gave me time to stitch a PIF, and then I pulled Spring Ride back out of hiding. I was able to finish the mini page on the chart that completes the upper portion of the flowers on the left side :-)

Brrrr... it's cold!

Stitched on today: Stitched a PIF, and Spring Ride

Serenity

I realized today that I had not worked on Serenity for a couple of weeks now. It was a bit of a busy day here, but I did find time to almost finish the large swan motif...

Stitched on today: Finished SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange, and Serenity

I am so relieved!

I am so relieved because Janaina finally received the Christmas Exchange (from Crazy Exchange) that I sent to her (via Priority Mail!) back on December 4, 2007! It took six weeks to get to her, but at last, it is safe and sound in Brazil! Who knows where it has been hanging out for so long.

Greetings from New Hampshire Ornament
Lindy Jane Designs
32 ct Natural Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

The photo is terribly blurry as I took it with the flash off (for unknown reasons), and did not realize the photo was blurry until after the package was all sealed up... but here are the rest of the goodies I sent her. There is a much better photo (several of them, actually) in Janaina's blog. I am so happy you like my choices, Janaina! Christmas in Brazil is so tropical, and I thought an ornament with the wintry touch of New England on it would be unique on your tree... sadly, it will have to wait until Christmas 2008 to be used. Thanks for being so patient, Janaina! Now, if only the birthday package I sent to Tannia on the day after Thanksgiving (November 20 something) would arrive in Australia... that would be a good thing!

I got up early this morning and finished up Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin. I used elements from Christmas Day by The Prairie Schooler. Lauren's theme is Winter, or as I call it, Lauren's Winter Wonderland.

Here is how her entire round robin is looking now. I love it. I mailed this off to Annemarie this afternoon - three days late, sorry!!! Now, after having finished 2007 with stitching the Frosty Friends exchange, and starting off 2008 with more wintry stitching - Winter House exchange, Winter Quaker exchange, Lauren's Winter Wonderland... I am really looking forward to not stitching tons of snow for a while now...

So... I started the SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange project today - so different and colorful! I am enjoying it so much that I am now going to disappear and continue to work on it! I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

Oh! I almost forgot! Scissor fobs are beginning to arrive at their new homes in the very first exchange run over on Hooked On Exchanging, and they are real beauties! I am so proud of the stitchers in this exchange! If you want to join up, just let me know. There will be a couple of new exchanges opening soon, and many more will be run in the future :-)

Stitched on today: Finished Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin, and started SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange **Mailed Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin to Annemarie today

Winter Quaker Exchange for Pat

I received a lovely email from Pat today, and she let me know that she received the SBEBB Winter Quaker Exchange that I sent to her. I forgot to take a photo of the entire exchange, but I do have a photo of the wintry biscornu that I stitched for her. I hoped the little crystal beads on the edges would look like ice crystals, and a snowflake button. Pat and I both live in very wintry, snowy, cold climates...

January Quaker Biscornu
The Workbasket
32 ct Antique White Belfast Linen, DMC Color Variations Floss 4010, Winter Sky

I made a good bit of headway on Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin again tonight. I expect to finish this tomorrow and get it right off to Annemarie, who is anxious to receive this one now :-)

Stitched on today: Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin

Winter House Exchange from Marie

I received the most beautiful SBEBB Winter House Exchange from Marie today. I was so happy to see her return address on the package ;-)

I received such generous goodies - a cute JBW chart, pretty snowflake fabric, NN floss, needle threader, and snowman buttons... and she stitched me this amazing scissor keeper that has a pouch on back... and thread rings on the bottom... see photo below...

Isn't that neat?? Thanks so much Marie, I just love it.

A quiet night here... I finally started Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight. The fabric is powder blue - you cannot see that in the photo. Her theme is a winter neighborhood, and I am adding various elements for Christmas Day by The Prairie Schooler. I should have this done in another day or two - after I dig out some more DMC 642 and 367, that is!

Stitched on today: Started Lauren's Neighborhood Round Robin **Mailed out my Scissor Fob Exchange today

Newly Framed

I got three of my pieces back from the framer today. Mike took four in for me as a late Christmas gift. We had to wait until our preferred framer had some time. The fourth one, Celtic Winter, is still there, but will be ready soon... My photos are not very good, as I only just now remembered to run upstairs and snap a few (against furniture) because I really wanted to share them tonight... here they are...

Victoria's Quaker
A Mon Ami Pierre
Stitched in 2007 as an SAL with Karen and Tannia
I love how this came out - the frame and the linen and the silk together, it is like a big caramel and chocolate candy. I cannot wait to go hang this in my bedroom

And A Forest Grew
Rosewood Manor
Stitched in 2007

Legends of the Dragons
Black Swan, Dragon Dreams and Teresa Wentzler
Stitched in 2005 as an SAL with Nikki

I got a wonderful treat in the mail today - or rather, my cats did! Sandy in Canada (I don't think she has a blog) sent these to me. I sent her a card of gold rose buttons last year for a biscornu she was making, and she decided to return the favor (not necessary!!) with these wonderful little catnip mittens. She sent one for each cat!

I have two quick shots of the earliest takers - here Beau is wrestling with one...

...and Ava is enjoying hers too. As you can see, both cats were busy licking their mittens. Thanks so much Sandy!! They all say thank you in their special way too :-)

And, finally, a little bit more of A Quaker Christmas to show. I was busy finishing my fob for the Scissor Fob Exchange tonight... but did sneak in some time on this one... my current favorite :-)

Stitched on today: Finished fob for Scissor Fob Exchange, and A Quaker Christmas

Needleroll from Bianca

The snowy day was brightened by lovely mail! Bianca (from Crazy Exchange) sent me this lovely needleroll as a return exchange. I think it is magnificent! Thank you Bianca. I truly do love needlerolls. Her work is so beautiful! Isn't it so pretty?

And... back to Houses of Hawk Run Hollow.... finished the verse in this house block now :-)

Not a lot to say today :-) Hope everyone had a good day!

Stitched on today: Started Scissor Fob Exchange, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow **Mailed out two gifts today

PIF for Karin

Karin has received the PIF that I stitched for her and sent off while I was on Christmas vacation. Aw Karin, you are too kind! She said the nicest things in her email to me, but dear Karin, the pinkeep has its flaws. Thanks for being so sweet!

Winter Cardinal Pinkeep
Waxing Moon Designs
30 ct Natural Linen, GAST Floss

And... that is what I will share for today... a bit more secret stitching. And, we are on the storm watch for a big one overnight and during the day tomorrow - most schools are already cancelled while the flakes have yet to fall... we did enjoy our break from the snow and week of warmer temps, though.

Stitched on today: Stitched a gift

Exchanges Sent and Received

The postal service certainly has been very busy today - I received two SBEBB exchanges today, and one that I mailed out arrived safely in the UK this morning as well!

Today I received the Specific Designer: Little House Needleworks Exchange from Yasmin. This is actually her replacement package, as her original, sent out in early November, is caught up somewhere in the postal system. I told her I truly did not mind waiting for it to find my house, but Yasmin chose instead to stitch a replacement. This was so worth the wait!

Yasmin made a pretty mattress pincushion using one of my favorite LHN designs. She subbed out the flosses as she did not have the Crescent Colours floss, and I must say she really did a great job with her colors - I really love the pink! Her stitching and finishing are just so perfect.

... and she personalized the back for me - I love that! I really should remember to personalize the ones I send out more often...

She sent me goodies too! She sent some tea bags from Malaysia. I am going to enjoy one tonight, for sure. And she sent me adorable fabric and two skeins of the much coveted hand-dyed floss by Aniza. I love it all, Yasmin. Thank you so much :-)

And then, I also received this beautiful and overly generous SBEBB Winter Quaker Exchange from Edgar this morning as well. Just look at this beautifully stitched pinkeep. It is so classy, I just love it. I wish I had taken a photo of the back as well. His fabric choice is just perfect. I feel so honored to now own a piece of his fabulous stitching!

Edgar was so generous in his package to me. Not only did he send the wonderful pinkeep, which I shall cherish forever along with Yasmin's pincushion, but he also sent me the gorgeous Italian Christmas ornament book I had on my wish list! I was really just hoping my DH would see that there and get it for me - but Edgar took care of it. I cannot wait to sit down later with it and a cup of coffee (or maybe Yasmin's tea) and read it! Still there was more! Edgar sent me SB's Friendship Roll kit (I love it!), some Vikki Clayton silks (always love those) and some chocolate-covered Altoids too! Yay! You spoiled me rotten Edgar. Thank you, thank you!

As I said, the postal service also made a delivery across the ocean this morning too - Stephanie has received the SBEBB Winter House Exchange that I posted to her on Monday. Once again, the trustworthy and tiny post office in Raymond, NH came through again - fast service!!

Winter Sampler Pinkeep
Lizzie Kate
32 ct Driftwood Linen, GAST and DMC Floss

I chose to send her a Drawn Thread chart off of her wishlist (thank you Amy for your sale at Down Sunshine Lane for that one!!), some denim blue felt to go with it, some spring-like DMC floss, a beaded scissor fob (made by Mary Kathryn), some In the Clouds lugana by Sugar Maple Fabrics, and some yummy bubble bath from Bath & Body Works...oh, and Valentine's Day sweets! Glad you like it all Stephanie. I was so thrilled to get your name from Becky for this exchange :-)

OK, blogging early today so I can now sneak off and stitch on a gift!!

Happy 43rd Birthday to my sister, Kathryn, today!!! :-)

Stitched on today: Stithced a gift **Mailed out one HOE Scissor Fob Exchange, and mailed out SBEBB Winter Quaker Exchange today