Recent Ornament Finishes

I have some Christmas Ornament finishes to share... glad to hear that the last of my ornament gifts arrived safe and sound near the end of last week... Marie, Margaret and I exchange ornaments annually, as do Katrina and I... here is what I made for them:

Star So Bright

Knotted Tree Needleart

2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue

36 ct Vintage Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen, CC, WDW and GAST Floss

Stitched for Marie

O Holy Night 

Knotted Tree Needleart

2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue

36 ct Vintage Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen, CC, WDW and GAST Floss

Stitched for Margaret

And for my tree, since DH loves the movie...

Bedford Falls Oranament

The Sampler Girl

36 ct Vintage Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen, CC Floss

It is almost Christmas Eve in many places where this may be seen...  please have a joyous and safe holiday....  see you on the other side of Christmas, my friends :-)

Beautiful Ornaments from Friends

Over the past couple of days, I have been the very, very lucky recipient of these beautiful ornaments from two more of my friends. Marie, Margaret and I exchange every year, and have for quite some time... this year's offerings for me are:

This JBW cat designs from Margaret. How cute is this? Margaret comes up every year for Celebration of Needlework and visits with me. She has been to my home and has seen my brood of kitties... this one sure looks like she had my Angus in mind. And the finishing is so perfect, as always. Another ornament to treasure, thank you Margaret... for the ornament and your neverending friendship.

And... from beloved Marie, this lovely winter scene. I need to figure out what pattern this one is... I know I have seen it, but where and by who? LOL It's a real beauty. Along with some fun goodies, Marie has sent me yet another treasure. Thank you too, Marie, not just for these gifts, but for your enduring friendship as well.

I truly am blessed.  Holiday Wishes to you all!

Pretty Needleroll Ornament from Katrina

Received this beautiful LK needleroll ornament from my dear friend Katrina last night. I love it, and have caught myself admiring it several times now...lol. It says Rejoice along the right side, and capturing a decent picture of that was difficult... a sweet treat for my tree that I will cherish forever! Thank you, dear friend!

Stitcher's Choice Ornament from Jayne

Received this CCN ornament from Jayne for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange a few days ago.  The colors are lovely and she did a really beautiful job with it.  It is up on the tree and am enjoying it a great deal. Thank you Jayne, Happy Holidays!

For Karen and Brenda...

I received lots of good news yesterday, with ornaments shipped off having been received at their new homes.... always such a relief! First, Karen let me know that she received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange. I made her a tiny one, as I have noticed in recent years that her Christmas trees have been quite wee...

Joyful Ornament My Big Toe Designs 2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue R&R  Reproductions 40 ct Creme Brulee Linen, WDW Floss   Karen also received my annual Christmas Ornament that I make for her...

St. Nicholas Ornament The Prairie Schooler R&R Reproductions 40 ct Creme Brulee Linen, DMC Floss   And...my old, dear stitching friend, Brenda (no blog, darn, not yet at least...) has received a little something I stitched for her tree too...

Seven Pines Ornament Little House Needleworks Freebie in LHN Blog, forgot to grab the link 36 ct Dirty Edinburgh Linen, CC Floss

Great Mail Day!

It was snowing pretty heavily this morning, then it morphed into flurries, slush and next... ice.... heard the roads were bad, so why bother going into the office? As an extra treat, the mailman brought me a bundle of gifts today... and shortly DH will put the lights on the tree and my baskets of cross stitched ornaments will finally be hung... look, new ones arrived today just in time for that!

First up is a super adorable ornament from Ariane for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Ornament Exchange. Love it! Thank you so much Ariane. Such a pleasure to have you join our group so recently.

My dear, dear friend Karen also sent a package which contained this really cute CHS ornament which she says is a belated bday gift... and she sent me the full alphabet chart too, something I have coveted for the longest! See - she is a dear, dear friend. Wow!

And... she stitched this ornament for my tree this year... Karen does know I like my coffee....lol. I can now take this off of my "to stitch" list...thank you Karen, love them both, and you, so very much!

SV is Finished!

Put in the last stitch last night.  It is a dark, rainy autumn morning and I must be off to work very, very soon...  so this is the beset I could get to share right now....  when it is framed, will hope to get a better photo that will show the snowflakes better.

Halloween Exchange and Gifts for Friends

I received this really cute Prairie Schooler Halloween Tree ornament earlier this week from
Becky. This was HoE's first Halloween Tree Ornament Exchange that will be running six times a year. I just love how Becky finished this with blanket stitch!!

Earlier today I finally received the good news from Katrina that the Christmas ornament I sent to her back on (I checked my receipt last night) November 1, finally arrived safe and sound in New Zealand! Whew!!!!
St. Nicholas Ornament Prairie Schooler 36 ct Sand Edinburgh Linen, DMC Floss

And, great news from Andrea yesterday... she received an ornament I had stitched for her as well... hers arrived much quicker. Just waiting on one more overseas ornament to muddle its way through the holiday postal system now.
Holiday Spirit Ornament Samplerbird Stitchery Unknown Linen from Stash, CC Jelly Roll Floss and Mill Hill Beads  

I am so very close now to finishing Santa's Village.  I had to take a day off to rip out a misplaced cafe table and some other parts...grrr.... truly want to get on it tonight, but still have three more ornaments to stitch. Therefore, going to take the responsible route, listen to my AudioNotch recordings for 90 mins (they are a therapy program for my tinnitus - must say I see some slight improvement and it is still early days), visit with Mike (DH) and start one of those three ornaments tonight.  Perhaps there will be a good movie to watch too.