Halloween Exchange for Mercy

I received a sweet email from Mercy that she has received the HoE Halloween Exchange that I sent to her:
Hocus Pocus Pinkeep
Lizzie Kate
Weeks Dye Works 30 ct Guacamole Linen, Weeks Dye Works Floss, JABC buttons

And the rest of the goodies for her... so glad you like it Mercy - it was fun to draw your name and to stitch for you!

It took me over 3 hours to get home tonight in the pouring rain. It usually takes about 30 minutes, but I decided to stop at the rehab hospital and visit my mom for a bit (which was great, because her case manager came in and we had a good aftercare planning chat and some new ideas have come up that mom likes a lot) - so now I headed into rush hour traffic...oh, and a huge accident backing everything up. My right foot/leg is all crampy now. So... I have tons of emails I cannot get to right now, as well as some HoE members signing up for an exchange... I promise to do that all tomorrow for you ;-)

Stitched on today: Started SBEBB Autumn House Exchange

A little more...

A bit more of A Quaker Christmas... not too very much, as I was a bit distracted with surfing the internet and such to learn more about how today's political, um,.... fiasco.... will affect my already empty wallet...

Anyhow... I am so focused on this, but I really better decide on what to stitch for the Autumn House Exchange... and get it stitched up really soon too...

Stitched on today: Finished a Christmas ornament, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas **Mailed off CE Autumn Exchange and a gift today

Stickin' With It

I chose to continue to work away on A Quaker Christmas again tonight. Thanks for the votes of confidence on getting it done by the end of the year. I will, as long as I just don't let myself get too sidetracked.

Someone asked if there is a DMC conversion for this sampler. No, it is charted only for Crescent Colours floss. But as it is only three colors - green, gold and red - it should be easy to choose colors that would work ;-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a Christmas ornament, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

A Quaker Christmas Again

I cannot show much of what I stitched on today. I had plenty to work on as it rained all day (again). But late in the evening I did pull out A Quaker Christmas, still trying to make sure it gets done by New Year's Eve, at least :-)

Stitched on today: Finished CE Autumn Exchange, started a Christmas ornament, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

Halloween Exchange from Annette

I received my HoE Halloween Exchange from Annette today - she sent me this biscornu that she designed... what a neat finishing technique - there are four seperate pieces on top and four on the bottom (I forgot to take a photo of the bottom, but there is a spider in each of the four areas on the bottom) - so cool! And she sent me great goodies too! Thank you so much Annette, I just love it!

Is anyone interested in a pair of the newly released Gingher Roberta scissors? My DH just got his order in today from his source, and he has 4", 5" and 8" pairs all in stock right now. You can visit his online store, and then click on Scissors in the menu that comes up on the left on the site - all the sizes and low, low prices will come up for you :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and started CE Autumn Exchange **Mailed HoE Halloween Exchange

Great Exchanges Today!

I came home from work today and there were two big boxes sitting on the kitchen counter. DH announced that there were "lots of gifts" for me to open... there sure were! Two exchanges arrived today!

The first one is from Becky. Becky did quite a few personal Halloween exchanges this year, and I was lucky enough to get to do one with her. She has mailed early - I will get mine to her by our October 10 date ;-) Wow, Becky stitched me this fantastic box! Better pics of it are in her blog. The lining fabric is adorable. She also sent the goodies you see here too. Thank you so much Becky - what fun!!
And, more fun - I received an SBEBB Autumn House Exchange from Edgar today too. Just look at this pretty needle roll. This is SWEET!! Thank you so much Edgar - that is one of my favorite PS designs (and we all know how much I love PS!!). And... typical Edgar, sent tons of goodies to spoil me... pretty fabric, Belle Soie silks, pretty spools of ribbon, a packet of California Poppy seeds, a California magnet... and what I have been told are very yummy chocolate mints (yes, DH had tried them! Edgar knew he would!!). Thank you so much Edgar!! Edgar has drawn my name in exchanges many times this year... 3, I think! Poor Edgar, he must think I am the only person on the planet to stitch for lately! I hope to get his name soon to spoil him too, although I do get to stitch him an ornament next month for the Christmas Ornament Swap ;-)

Wow... I gotta go back to my secret stitching. I am not time with my gifts and exchanges, but the list is looooooong right now! See ya!!

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift

Think Pink Exchange from Cathy

Am I a lucky girl or what? I just received this fabulous SBEBB Think Pink Exchange from Cathy today. I was at a much less than stimulating conference today on Mindful Eating (what is that, right?? LOL) when Mike met me for lunch, and thoughtfully brought the mail along with him. After having a nice Chinese lunch with him (which I did not eat mindfully, despite the speaker's instructions to do so!), I went back to the car and really enjoyed exploring this exchange from a dear friend. She spoiled me rotten. This little Cure pinkeep by M Designs is just gorgeous! Thank you again Cathy, I love it all - you made my day! {{{HUGS}}}

All of the goodies she sent are amazing too - two charts off of my wishlist, pretty pink beads, buttons and pins, a cute glowing pink ribbon body pin (LOL), Almond Roca (for Mike), an adorable yearly planner, a cute memo pad with magnets, Belle Soie silk... wow, so much!!

Now I gotta go start an important gift... so bye :-)

Stitched on today: Finished HoE Halloween Exchange, and started a gift

Think Pink Exchange for Michelle

I received a really nice email from Michelle today to let me know that she has received the SBEBB Think Pink Exchange that I recently sent to her. I have been assigned to stitch for and send to Michelle quite a few times in the last couple of years ;-) I had to really think about what I have already stitched for already - mostly everything - but not a scissor pocket yet. I had pink on my brain, for sure, when I made my choices...


Red Desert Scissor Pocket
The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio
28 ct Bo Peep Pink Cashel Linen, Victorian Motto Sampler Thread - Antique Pink

The rest of the goodies are sent are here too - gee, could I have just made it look any more like I just dumped them on the carpet and snapped the camera?? Sorry about that! Anyhow... glad you like it Michelle, and as always, it was fun to stitch for you again :-)

Now off to sneak in more time on my HoE Halloween Exchange...

Stitched on today: Stitched on HoE Halloween Exchange

More Crazy Exchanges

It was a busy day in the world of Crazy Exchange for me. One that I sent out was received, and I was blessed to receive one today as well :-)

First, I heard today that Iris has received the exchange I sent off to her a few days ago - this one arrived in Belgium much quicker than the last one did. My photo is not so great - it was a very overcast, dark morning when I was packing it up before work... I think the photo in her blog is better...

Fall Floss Ring Tag
Homespun Elegance
32 ct Natural Pearl Linen, DMC Floss

And, today I was pleasantly surprised to receive an exchange too!

I received this beautiful exchange from Laurie - what a surprise! The little autumn banner is adorable (and so well done)... plus a cute Halloween kitchen towel, a jack o lantern votive screen (it is hard to see here, but so cute!), some pretty autumn trims for finishing and a whole lotta tea! Love it all! Thanks so much Laurie - this was such a treat! The little banner is already hanging in my dining area ;-) I will begin to dream up what to send to you soon :-)

Off to do some secret stitching now...

Stitched on today: Stitched on HoE Halloween Exchange **Mailed out a gift, and mailed Marie's Neighborhood Round Robin to Nicole today

Down to the last page

It's time to put a little extra attention on to A Quaker Christmas. I really want to get this one done this year (I did already stitch the year on it), and I am signed up for lots of exchanges that need to get done in October... so this one is going to get focus over all of my other WIPs now, that is for sure. I just have the one last page to stitch now ;-) I didn't realize how dark the left side of the photo is until I took it off of my camera.

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started HoE Halloween Exchange, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

Finished Marie's Spooky Neighborhood Round Robin

I finished up my block on Marie's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight. I used parts of Two White Houses by LHN, a Frankenstein trick or treater from Brightneedle's Spooky Halloween, a spider from Jeannette Douglas' ornament in the latest issue of Just Cross Stitch, a witch from Drawn Thread's Halloween Spot Sampler and bats from Drawn Thread's Happy Halloween! I hope that Marie will like my block.

Here is how her RR looks now. I will get this in the mail to Nicole on Monday.

Stitched on today: Finished Marie's Neighborhood Round Robin

Crazy Exchange for Pascale

I learned today that Pascale has received a new Crazy Exchange that I had sent to her... I was getting concerned because it took a little long to get to Belgium, but all is fine with it now. I saw on her likes/dislikes list in the group that she liked autumn/Halloween, as well as Debbie Mumm...
Bats 2 Us Floss Ring Tag
Helga Mandl Designs
Kiwi Illusions 28 ct Pumice Lugana, DMC Floss

... and the little goodies I sent along with it... glad you like it, Pascale!

I worked for a while this evening on Marie's neighborhood round robin. I am working to finish the LHN Two White Houses part so that I can go back to adding more Halloween elements, especially up in that sky area... :-)

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and stitched on Marie's neighborhood round robin **Mailed my SBEBB Think Pink exchange today

Prairie Schooler Exchange for Paula

I heard from Paula today that my HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange for her has arrived safely:

Four Seasons Mattress Pincushion
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Clay Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

I am so glad that Paula likes her exchange, and am honored to have sent her her first ever mattress pincushion. I am also so pleased she likes my design choice, as well as all the little extra goodies I chose for her ;-) Enjoy Paula - it was such a pleasure to stitch for you!

Stitched on today: Finished SBEBB Think Pink Exchange

Mailbox Goodness

My mailbox has been filling up with pretty gifts and exchanges over the past few days. I plan to work a bit on my SBEBB Think Pink Exchange tonight, so I will show my goodies instead of my own stitching.

I received this pretty Crazy Exchange return exchange from Annemiek a couple of days ago. Today I realized that while I had posted the photo in the exchange blog, I had forgotten to put it here. She stitched this sweet floss ring tag using, I think, Lizzie Kate's ABC Crazy. It is so perfect and well done! She also sent me lovely blue flower threads and some tea. Thank you Annemiek!!

Today I received another wonderful package - this is a Crazy Exchange return exchange from Janaina. Janaina stitched me a fantastic Christmas ornament, and I am so excited that this will be on my tree this year. Her stitching and finishing are so beautiful. And she sent me bobbins and fabric... and a magazine that I look forward to reading tonight. Oh, and what looks like some yummy candies that are in the refrigerator right now, per Janaina's instructions ;-) Thank you, Janaina!
Also today, I received some gifts from Carol - she sent me a small teardrop punch, as she knew I could not find one here - aw, how sweet was that? She also sent me a set of her own hand made floss tags and a set of really pretty counting pins. Like the others have, Carol totally spoiled me rotten! Thank you Carol!!

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB Think Pink Exchange

Frankenstein Goes Trick or Treating

I know this is blurry and dark - I took it with the flash off because you sure cannot see the little guy when the photo is overexposed... I stopped working on the LHN parts of my block tonight and added my first Halloween element... a little Frankenstein trick or treater from Brightneedle's Spooky Halloween. I used the called for fibers (a mix of Olde Willow Floss and DMC) and I think my dye lots are yucky. They are so light compared to the photo on the chart :-( Ah well... here he is - with darker facial features because those didn't show at all using the Ashe floss... I still have a long way to go to fill this whole block in.

Oh, I almost forgot - some of you asked about the portion at the top of the RR - Marie stitched all of that herself. I know it is a Judith Kirby design, and I think it is actually two seperate charts. I have stitched the left side years ago that I gave to a friend... I am pretty sure the right side was not in my chart.... but if you Google Judith Kirby, you should find this.

Stitched on today: Started SBEBB Think Pink Exchange, and stitched on Marie's Neighborhood Round Robin

Marie's Haunted Neighborhood

I started Marie's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight. Hers is gorgeous. She has a Halloween theme, and while there are not many Halloween House charts, it is fun to be creative. I am starting off with an autumn house (part of Two White Houses by LHN) and then will Halloween-ify it with a couple of other charts. I am really looking forward to it - the ideas are flowing here :-) I hope Marie will like it too ;-)

Thank you to those of you who left sweet feedback about Morning Berries. It sure was a fun stitch! I hope to get it framed at Christmas time (that is the next time DH grabs my stitching to frame).

So glad to hear that some of our stitching pals are doing pretty well after Hurricane Ike, but still waiting to hear from a few others... keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Stitched on today: Started Marie's Neighborhood Round Robin **Mailed out HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange and a new Crazy Exchange today

Morning Berries is Finished

It's a quiet, rainy day here, filled with baseball, NASCAR and football on TV... as a result, I have this to show now (still overexposed, but on a clearer day I hope to get a better photo of it outside):

Morning Berries
Little House Needleworks
Lakeside Linens 32 ct Vintage Maple Sugar Linen, Crescent Colours Floss

Stitched on today: Finished Morning Berries, and stitched a new CE Exchange

Almost there...

I have been quietly stitching away on Morning Berries for the last couple of days, and now I am quite close to finished - it's a fun quick stitch, that is almost as fun as was reading Nicholas Sparks' Nights in Rodanthe the past few days ;-) Sorry about the crooked photo and the wrinkled fabric... watch for a finish soon!

I hope all of our friends in Texas are doing well... the photos from Hurricane Ike look horrible!

Stitched on today: Finished HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange, and stitched on Morning Berries

MAW Exchange for Melissa

Melissa has emailed me to let me know that she has received the MAW Exchange that I sent to her a few days ago. Melissa had wished for, I believe, either a strawberry emery, a scissor pocket or a mattress pincushion. I told her I would be happy to make a scissor pocket for her, and she accepted my gesture. I asked her what colors she likes. She said "lime green." Well, OK then! I surfed ONS sites to choose the limiest green I could find... had to go by colors on a monitor, and I hope this choice worked for her...


Alyssum Scissor Pocket
The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio
32 ct White Belfast Linen, Carrie's Creations Floss in Irish Kiss

Stitched on today:

Things to share :-)

I received such a sweet return exchange from Pascale (Crazy Exchange Group) today. She says this is her first ever biscornu. Well, I say she has quite a nice road ahead for her making biscornus - it is lovely! And I just love, love, love Barbara Ana's designs so much. And the feathers for future crafting use... too cute! Thank you so much Pascale.

I heard from Leena this morning that she has received a little birthday gift that I had put together for her. Like many of us, Leena loves Mary Garry - and I am glad she likes her little gift. Leena is such a love :-)

She Who Sews Floss Ring Tag
Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

On a personal note, my family member who has been ill had what appears to have been a successful surgery today. She wanted me with her in the recovery room today and I got a real look into the inner workings of a busy city hospital, for sure! Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. The road to recovery and rehabilitation is still long and rocky, but she is on her way now... and thanks my friends for their thoughts and prayers as well.

Stitched on today: Stitched on HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange, and on Morning Berries

Shepherd's Bush Exchange for Margaret

I heard from Margaret earlier today that she has received the SBEBB Shepherd's Bush Exchange that I sent off to her. I was happy that it only took one week for it to arrive in Spain. She was so cute in her email - so tickled to receive her first exchange. I am so glad you like it all, Margaret.
Be Happy Pinkeep
Shepherd's Bush
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, Crescent Colours Floss, JABC Buttons

...And the rest of the goodies I sent to her ;-)

Stitched on today: Started HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange today