A Wish Granted by Jill

Here is the lovely Christmas ornament I received yesterday from dear Jill. I had put a wish on the MAW BB for a Christmas ornament (I just love, love, love stitched ornaments for our tree - can never have enough!), and Jill scooped up my wish right away. I couldn't get a photo yesterday, because it was too dark out. Isn't this gorgeous? Her hardanger is just stunning. Thank you so much Jill!!

Oh, and Happy Halloween everyone!

Stitched on today: Stitched Ulla's Halloween Round Robin

Pumpkin Patch Exchanges.... and a Winner!

I participated in the SBEBB Pumpkin Patch Exchange this month, and both the exchange I sent and the one I received both made it to their new homes this week, and I did not have a chance to share until now.

I was lucky enough to receive my exchange from Goldie. She stitched me a lovely pinkeep using a Homespun Elegance design (always a winner with me). And she sent me a brass stand for it - very, very appreciated, as this now sits on our fireplace mantle... and a nice pumpkin that now sits with it... and oh gosh, some silks, pretty fabric, a cute pencil, yummy cocoa mixes... and a card with bat earrings! So cute! Thank you so much Goldie!

And, the exchange I sent was received by Michelle earlier this week too...

Scary Crows Mattress Pincushion
Holiday Sparrow - motif taken from larger design
R&R Reproductions 30 ct Butternut Linen, GAST Floss
The wrinkles in the fabric are inherent to this older R&R linen, and cannot be pressed out even with a steamroller ;-)

And... knowing how much Michelle loves Halloween - I consider her to be The Queen of Halloween - I stitched her an extra little item as part of her goodies too...

Boo! Floss Ring Tag
Barbara Ana Designs
30 ct Natural Linen, DMC Floss

... And this is the entire exchange for her... Happy Autumn and Happy Halloween, Michelle!

OK... we have a winner for my blog drawing of the Just Cross Stitch 2008 Christmas Ornament Issue - we had a ton of people who registered, and my DH randomly drew Nicola's name - and I have her address already as she is a member of HoE, so Nicola - congratulations! I will get this out to you as soon as possible! Enjoy!

I received a gorgeous Christmas ornament from Jill today for the Make A Wish Exchange. Wait until you see it! It is white on white hardanger! It was too dark when I got home tonight to take a good photo, so I will get one in the daylight tomorrow to share - thank you so much Jill - I do love it!

Stitched on today: Finished HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange

Happy Birthday Jill

Today is Jill's birthday! Happy Birthday Jill! Jill let me know that she received a little gift that I put together for her. I had issues, issues, issues with the assembly of this box! But... well, I have been told that I have to be less critical of myself, so I will just bite my tongue and not talk about it (although I told it all to Jill anyhow). So, if you see my boo boo, well, I can see it too ;-) Anyhow... glad you like it Jill :-)
Peacock Repose Box
The Workbasket
Silkweaver 32 ct Belfast Solo Linen, Weeks Dye Works Floss

Thank you all so much for the wonderful feeback and comments on my finish of A Quaker Christmas! I was (am) overwhelmed by how many of you left comments - truly a first in my blog. I appreciate all you have to say. I do not know if I will be able to get this framed for the holiday. Framing is so expensive and we are saving in this poor economy, so I might get it framed as a Christmas gift, but not before...

Stitched on today: Stitched on HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange

A Quaker Christmas is Finished

It didn't take very long at all tonight to finish up that final motif, and so here it is...

A Quaker Christmas
ByGone Stitches
Silkweaver 40 ct Newcastle Solo Linen, Crescent Colours Floss
Stitched 12/24/07 - 10/28/08

There is still time to sign up for my blog giveaway... see yesterday's entry for details... and Good Luck! :-)

Stitched on today: Finished A Quaker Christmas, and started a Christmas ornament for HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange **Mailed off HoE Floss Ring Tag Exchange today

Blog Giveaway

It is my turn now to do a blog giveaway. I have an extra issue of the new 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue - brand new, unused, unread.... just leave a comment here in this entry and let me know you want to be signed up. I will draw a name on Thursday so that I can get it in the mail by the weekend... in time for the lucky winner to still be able to stitch up some ornaments for Christmas. Good luck!

And... a little more AQC... looks like I might be able to finish it in just one more sitting now...

Stitched on today: Finished HoE Floss Ring Tag Exchange, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas **Mailed out a gift today

Trick or Treat??

It just doesn't seem right to me to have trick or treating on October 26th from 1-5 PM. But, that is what my town did today. I am sure many others did as well, and I totally get the whole issue of safety and daylight and such... but heck, Halloween is on a Friday this year. Sounds like the most perfect day of the week for me for trick or treating... and WalMart sells those cool light up necklaces for 3/$1.00. It just doesn't feel right. As you can tell, we had our trick or treaters already today. We live in what is basically a gated community, without the gate. We had our 15-16 or so neighborhood kids, as per usual. I wonder what the neighbors would think of moving the event to at least dusk next year? Hmmmm.....

Just one more partial medallion left now... :-)

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

A little more AQC

I spent a lot of time stitching on a gift, but then I did find some time later today to add a bit more to A Quaker Christmas. Just the northeastern most point to work on now (makes sense, I live in the northeast... yep, I am a little punchy right now).

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift and on A Quaker Christmas

Crazy Exchange for Katrien

I noticed earlier today in the Crazy Exchange blog that Katrien has received the little exchange that I put together for her. I am glad it has arrived safely now in Belgium. I saw in her likes/dislikes list that she likes Halloween, so...

October Biscornu
Helga Mandl Designs
Sugar Maple Fabrics 28 ct Howling at the Moon Lugana, DMC Floss

... And just a few little treats with it... I hope you will enjoy it, Katrien :-)

Stitched on today: Started a gift **Mailed out SBEBB Pumpkin Patch exchange today

Small Stuff

Time for another update of A Quaker Christmas. After finishing part two of my SBEBB Pumpkin Patch exchange, I found I had some time left over to do some of the small motifs on the sampler. Getting pretty close now - thanks to my cheerleaders ;-)

Stitched on today: Finished the second part of Pumpkin Patch Exchange, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

About Exchanges

Well... my plans to get a better photo of my HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange from Jill this morning were totally foiled by a dark, dingy morning. I had to settle for using this photo that was taken on my kitchen counter in the dull grey of the morning before I left for work. What a pretty LHN pincushion she made for me. And a stunning counting pin... and what a generous extra - a stitching lamp! Jill said she felt badly reading about my Ott-Lite misadventures recently, so she sent me a back up! Now, how cool (and overly generous) is Jill? Thank you so much - I am utterly blown away!

Then today I heard from Laurie that she received my return exchange for her as part of the Crazy Exchange BB. I was in the mood to continue to stitch on Halloween themed items...
Batty Jack Scissor Fob
Just Nan - in Just Cross Stitch, October 2008
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

... and the rest of the goodies I sent to her. Glad you like the scissors, Laurie... enjoy!!

Stitched on today: Started second part of Pumpkin Patch Exchange

A Wish for Andrea

I heard from Andrea today that she has received the mattress pincushion that I made for her on the Make a Wish BB. I am not entirely happy with the finishing on this one, and I just can't refrain myself from admitting that. I wish I had put 1-2 more layers of batting in it... and I have no idea why it puckered a little along the bottom edge of the front... all seemed to be going well with great tension... so very critical of myself! Must stop doing that!

Evening in the Garden Mattress Pincushion
Indigo Rose - in The Needleworker, Feb/March 2000
36 ct Summer Khaki Edinburgh Linen, Caron Waterlilies, DMC Floss

....back to exchange stitching ;-)

Oh! I received a lovely Mattress Pincushion exchange from Jill today! Wait until you see! I could not get a good photo tonight - it was dark and rainy when I got in from work, but I will show you tomorrow ;-) Thank you Jill - I love it!

Stitched on today: Finished first part of Pumpkin Patch Exchange

Halloween Exchange from Mylene

I gave up on even looking at the mail lately... everything for days now has been addressed to Mike. But, not today! Nope, I got a bank statement from Citizen's Bank... and this adorable SBEBB Halloween Exchange from Mylene. This is the cutest pinkeep - she says it is a freebie, but I have never seen this cutie before. And, of course, it is wonderfully stitched and perfectly finished by Mylene. It sits proudly in my bookcase in the living room right now. I just love it! And the goodies too! She sent me lots of lovelies that I can so easily use... and nice hand cream... and a baggie of chocolates that I cannot show you. Most are in Mike already. He hid the rest :-) Thank you so much Mylene!

Stitched on today: Stitched on Pumpkin Patch Exchange

Honeycomb

Ah, there it is! I have been avoiding stitching this honeycomb-like motif. I just don't care for it... but there it is, finished... easy from here on :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on Pumpkin Patch Exchange, and on A Quaker Christmas

NOEL

Ah, the final red Christmasy word, NOEL, has been added to A Quaker Christmas :-)

Stitched on today: Started SBEBB Pumpkin Patch Exchange, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

Mattress Pincushion Exchange for Laura

I read in the exchange blog this morning that Laura has already received the HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange that I mailed to her.

Friendship Knows No Season Mattress Pincushion
Pine Mountain Designs
36 ct Summer Khaki Edinburgh Linen, DMC Floss

And above is the entire exchange for her. I hope the goodies I picked out will be useful for her. Enjoy!

Back to secret stitching again...

Stitched on today: Stitched CE return exchange for Laurie **Mailed new CE Exchange

Right Back At It

After I finished up this really cute thing that I made for a Crazy Exchange (I love it and cannot wait until I can show it to you), I settled back in with A Quaker Christmas. At some points, my stitching slowed to a stop as the Boston Red Sox mounted an amazing comeback tonight in what would have been an elimination game for them :-) Where this will lead them, who knows... but it was very exciting tonight.

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

Halloween Exchange for Ulla

Another exchange has been received. Ulla has received the SBEBB Halloween Exchange that I put together for her. As Ulla and I are in a Halloween Round Robin together, I worked off of her theme of pumpkins when I chose a present to make for her...

Horrified Fob
Just Nan
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

... And the rest of my exchange for her. The gum is there for trick or treat :-) I hope you enjoy the exchange Ulla, as I had great fun putting it together for you.

Psst... Dragon Dreams fans: Jennifer has put a little freebie up in her newsletter for us, we have to grab it before it is gone :-) Scroll down a tiny bit in the newsletter to get this cutie: Christmas Freebie from Dragon Dreams

Stitched on today: Stitched on a CE Exchange

Halloween Exchange for Becky

A change of pace.... no updates of A Quaker Christmas today :-) I heard that Becky received the Halloween Exchange that I made for her today, so I will show that instead:
Boo Scissor Purse
The Drawn Thread
Lakeside Linens 36 ct Pearled Barley Linen, DMC Floss

Becky asked that the goodies be kept "simple" - so here is the rest of my little exchange for her... hope you enjoy it, Becky ;-)

Stitched on today: Started a CE exchange **Mailed MAW Exchange to Andrea today

It's Growing

Bored with my little AQC updates yet? Sorry... just really want to get it done this year. The big motif on the right side border is growing fast now ;-)

I just put it down early, though, as I see an opportunity to finally go and read some blogs.... oh, Happy Columbus Day to my US friends... it was a nice day off :-)

Stitched on today: Finished MAW Exchange for Andrea, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

Fixing it up

I busily worked away on my MAW Exchange for Andrea today, but then had an urge tonight to fix my boo boo on A Quaker Christmas... back in business now ;-)

Thank you to those who still read, visit and comment in my blog. I really appreciate it, as you know I have been missing from yours for a while now. I am still so very busy and not finding much blog time, but I did make a commitment to myself that if I can manage to finish that MAW exchange tomorrow, I will then devote time to blog reading before the night ends... hope I make it!

Stitched on today: Stitched on MAW Exchange for Andrea, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas

Shepherd's Bush Exchange from Paula

I received my SBEBB Shepherd's Bush Exchange from Paula today. I must admit, I was getting worried about this one as it was really late with getting here. She stitched a very cute design. The cord is very, very, very long, so I have asked Paula in my thank you email to explain how I am to display it. It is a sweet thing, but I think I just don't understand something here. The goodies are fantastic. Thank you again Paula - it was fun receiving from you again - I now have two little SB ornaments from you this year that compliment each other very well.

Stitched on today: Started MAW Exchange for Andrea **Mailed HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange today

Autumn Exchange from ???

I received this lovely Autumn Exchange from somebody on the Crazy Exchange Board today. Unfortunately, the sender did not enclose a note in the envelope, and the envelope was destroyed badly enough to make the return address unreadable. I do know the sender is from Europe, as the postage was paid in Euros. I posted to the board to see who sent this to me and am awaiting a response. Such a pretty needlebook and fob! DH loves the chocolate... the decorative pins, however, were crushed by the postal service. Thank you, (mystery) exchange partner! ***Edited: Mystery solved! Thank you Pascale!!

I never show my stash shopping in my blog... who wants to see how well I can shop? Isn't it more fun to see stitched items? But I did want to show this beauty that came yesterday, as I don't know how many of you know this kit is available on The Drawn Thread website right now... good price too.... the chart only comes out in November, but I wanted the kit because it calls for silks ;-) It is stunning in person!

My little Lily fell asleep watching TV tonight... shame on you, Lily - don't forget you have to turn the TV off before you fall asleep...


Kevin Costner has broken into the world of country music now... Hmmmm..... what do we all think? Should movie actors try to "do it all" and become country music singers too? The mind boggles.... can't say I care much for his voice.

Stitched on today: Finished HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas (but need to frog most of that out... watching Red Sox at the same time, utterly distracted!) **Mailed out Halloween Exchange to Becky today