More beautiful ornaments

My happy month as the receiver in the Christmas Ornament Swap continues! Heck, February has been just awful for me.... sooooo much of it related to this horrible economy and my being a provider for state insurance... well, so stressful, to say the least... my stitching pals have been the bright light in my dark month!

I will cherish these forever!

...This one is from BeckySC....

...This one is from Staci....

...And this one is from Edgar...

Aren't I just amazingly lucky??!!! Wow!!

KarenV - got your emails :-) I will reply, just so swamped with the other issue right now - not sure why my ISP is blocking you, but I doublechecked and you are on my safe sender list... sigh.... always great to hear from you!

Stitched on this week: Finally finished a gift for a friend, and started Hannah's Halloween RR (plan to finish tonight) **Mailed said gift today

Stunning Ornament from Jill

I received this stunning ornament from Jill yesterday for the Christmas Ornament Swap. I just adore it. I believe she wrote that the designer is gazette94 and she did not know what fabric this one. Looks like mulberry to me, which is one of my favorites. I just love this delicate ornament, which is, of course, absolutely perfectly stitched and finished by Jill. I surely will treasure this forever, thank you Jill!

I also heard today that KarenV has received the wee birthday gift I put together for her. I was rather disappointed in how this one turned out. My eyes have been so tired and blurry, and I wish I had pressed the fabric better at finishing time :-( I hope Karen will do so with a low setting. Should work out better... I am sorry Karen! I totally missed that with my tired eyes!

Quaker Tree Floss Ring Tag
The Workbasket
Lakeside Linens 36 ct Pearled Barley Linen, Valdani Floss - Spring Leaves

Stitched on past couple of days: Started a gift


*Thanks for the concern from several about my eyes! I have an appts coming up in about a week. I think I just need a stronger prescription. My last was about two years ago

Some Exchanges to Share

Over the past few days, I received an exchange and one of mine was received... both involving, as serendipity would have it, myself and Karen K.... The first is the one I received from Karen and is for the HoE Valentine's Day Exchange.

She stitched me this really lovely pinkeep using a Lizzie Kate chart...

... and she utterly spoiled me with all of these goodies! Karen is such a great friend. Thank you so much!

The exchange that I ended up sending to her was for the SBEBB Frosty Friends Exchange (which was fun, because she does not get a whole lot of snow in Australia - though she is in the mountains and does, at least, get a little in June/July!) - I made her a very early Christmas ornament...

Snow Ornament
The Drawn Thread
Wichelt 32 ct Silvery Moon Linen, DMC Floss

...And the rest of the goodies I sent to her!

Stitched on this week: Finally finished a gift **Mailed said gift today

More Ornaments :-)

I was such a lucky girl this week! I received two more ornaments from the Christmas Ornament Swap - and I love them, of course! I feel so detached and maybe even estranged from the stitching blogger community, but have decided to get more focused again. Unfortunately, focusing is exactly the issue. My right eye is way off and I realized while trying to read last night that it is why I am so exhausted and cannot accomplish my stitching! I covered my left eye, and not one letter was clear on the page with my right. OK, gonna make that eye appointment today! I am overdue for an exam anyhow!

So, about those pretty ornaments...

I received this sweetie from Cathy - it is a Val's Stuff design, and I think she said it was in one of the recent JCS ornament preview issues. So perfectly stitched and finished - and will look awesome on my tree! Also, Joan stitched up this Glory Bee ornament for me - one of my favorites! I have this same one from dear Veronica too, so now my tree can say Merry Christmas on two sides ;-) Joan finished it with an entirely beaded hanger, which is stunning! I think you can see just a touch of it in the photo, but I could not get it to stand up for the camera.

Thank you both soooo much! I will surely always cherish these!

Hoping everyone is well!

Stitched on this week: Stitching on a bday gift that will be quite late for someone... hope to work on it more today!

Christmas Ornament from Julianne

I am participating in a private Christmas Ornament Swap with several other US stitchers, and this month is my month to receive. I received my first ornament a couple of days ago from the lovely Julianne - she stitched me this wonderful Prairie Schooler Santa. I just love it, thank you so much Julianne!!

Stitched on this week: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, and started a gift today

Blackbird Designs Exchange for Brigitte

Brigitte has received the SBEBB Blackbird Designs exchange that I sent to her. I could not resist this design - I was hoping she would not mind a very early Christmas ornament for the exchange. She assured me it was absolutely fine with her. Whew! I have wanted to stitch this forever now, so I was glad to have the perfect opportunity to do so.
Christmas Ornament 2004
Blackbird Designs
2004 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue
Lakeside Linens 36 ct Meadow Rue Linen, GAST Floss

... And the rest of the goodies I chose for her. I haven't had a chance to reply to your email yet, Brigitte, but I did get it when I arrived at work this morning. You are very welcome, and I am so glad you enjoyed the exchange.

I received a plethora of emails asking if I am OK since I have not been blogging daily. Thanks for the concern, and I am truly OK. Just very busy and not so very hot to blog every night, that is all. Work is busy and I am struggling to get creative there in order to face cutbacks due to the poor economy... I have been reading a lot more and stitching a bit less... and well, just a little tired ;-) But all is fine, thanks!! Guess my style in 2009 is going to be a bit different, at least for now...

Stitched on this week: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow and stitched a gift **Mailed SBEBB Frosty Friends Exchange on Monday, and mailed a gift today

Just Goals

Not a lot to share today - busily worked all weekend on the last SBEBB Exchange... sure going to miss that board now... however, it is goal review time...

January Goals:
1. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow - yes
2. Stitch some Christmas ornaments - yes, I stitched one
3. Stitch some gifts - yes, I stitched two gifts this month
4. Finish Nicole's NRR and send it home to her - yes, and it is back home with Nicole now
5. Stitch Vonna's Halloween RR and send it to Edgar - yes, and Edgar has received it
6. Stitch and send Christmas ornament to Cathy B. for Christmas Ornament Swap - yes, and Cathy has received it
7. Stitch and send SBEBB Blackbird Designs Exchange by 1/16 - yes, and am just waiting to hear that it has been received
8. Stitch and send HoE Lizzie Kate Exchange by 1/19 - yes, and Sadie has received it
9. Stitch and send HoE Valentine's Day Exchange by 1/24 - yes, and Karen D. has received it
10. Stitch and send SBEBB Frosty Friends Exchange by 1/31 - not quite - I actually just finished it tonight and will mail it tomorrow

February Goals:
1. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
2. Start a unique project that I haved planned
3. Stitch and send Hannah's Halloween RR to Edgar
4. Stitch some Christmas ornaments
5. Stitch some gifts
6. Start working on Autumn Exchange for Cathy K.

Stitched on this weekend: Stitched SBEBB Frosty Friends Exchange