Yeow!

Found out today that Erin has received the Halloween ornament that I stitched for her for an exchange...

Yeow! Ornament Prairie Schooler 2012 JCS Halloween Special Issue 32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Red Berries for Becky

Lynn W. (cannot find blog link!) has finally received my ornament for the latest round of the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. The USPS did not run late... I did :-( I had such a brain cramp, mishap, oh boy, whatever one might choose to call it... on getting this ornament done. I think, bottom line, is that August is not a good month for stitching! So much to do around here. And, the original ornament I started for her just did not speak to me at all, so at 80% stitched, I put it aside and started anew! And, that seemingly took me forever too. All these beads, I went with a simple pillow finish. It is truly delicate, and I am very glad she told me it was worth the wait!

Red Berries Ornament

Rosewood Manor 

The Gift of Stitching Magazine, December 2006

36 ct Sand Edinburgh Linen, DMC Floss, Unknown Beads from my stash...

Way Overdue To Post...

I realize I have not posted to my blog in quite some time. I have been stitching, just not getting things photographed and put up here on my blog. I severely sprained my ankle on June 21 while at a marina in Portsmouth, NH. We were set to go boating to Boston with our friends/neighbors for my DH's birthday. Despite what turned out to be a serious injury, I proceeded forward, took the longish boat ride and we stayed at a super nice hotel right next to the marina. We went and had a fabulous dinner at a famous steak house next to the marina, and my neighbor bought us all a horse and carriage ride since I could barely walk... in the AM, we boated home and I got medical attention... the orthopedist says this will likely not be healed until well into September. The swelling has finally gone down for the most part, bringing the pain level higher (I would imagine the very torn ligaments are healing and I feel it more without the swelling around them??)... anyhow, doc says I am on track.

I did not receive an ornament in a recent HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange.  My partner apparently had a crisis in her family and dropped out of sight. Marie noticed this, and she angel stitched this super cute, super long and skinny santa for me...  I laughed for a good five minutes when I saw it.  I love it. Thank you so much Marie.  As always, you sure did not have to do that :-)

 

Marie also is a very good friend, and she sent me the pretty little box for my bureau for my birthday.  It is chock full of little stitching supplies like fabric, floss, beads and such.  I just don't have any idea how she gets all of this done!  Thank you so much Marie, what a treat.... someday you will remind when your birthday is....hint, hint

And, I recently heard that Kim received the biscornu thatI stitched for her for the HoE Biscornu Exchange...  I did not have the supplies called for by Victoria Sampler (who ever does??), so I changed the colors to reflect the season of spring, the time of Mardi Gras (and matching the theme of the  irises on the tuffet).

Jazz Tuffet Pincushion

Victoria Sampler

32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, Glissen Gloss Silk in Mardi Gras, RG Petite Treasure Braid, DMC Floss, Beads leftover from a JN sampler, and Swarovski Crystals from an HoE exchange

I have tons more to share... I am caught up on Once Upon A Time Sampler... errr, sort of.  The August part just came out and I need to start that.  I am also working away on A Year of Celebrations...  I hope to get pics up soon....

Bonus Time!

Last night, I finished up the third block on Anniversaries of the Heart. This one is a bonus chart that BBD supplied to be placed here in the center of the top row. No personalization for this one. I noticed as I was stitching it that the lower case alphabet is missing a couple of letters...lol Guess that is fine, artistic license for BBD! I absolutely cannot tell much difference between the CC Cinnamon Toast and the CC Jakey Brown in the alphabets... might be my skeins, or just might be that way with those colors? On to the next block later today...

I heard yesterday that my dear friend Karen has received the little Halloween ornament I made for her. She and I decided to do our own personal Halloween ornament exchange... I chose one of my all time favorites to stitch for her...

Witch's Pantry Plum Pudding NeedleArt JCS 2012 Halloween Issue 32 ct Cameo Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

A reindeer for Marie

Marie has just written to let me know that she has received the Christmas ornament that I just sent off to her for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Exchange... so glad she likes it. The chart is OOP and after I stitched it and had it ready to ship, I found myself wondering if she already may have this one.... shhhh, I am not going to ask her ;-)

Dash Away All Ornament

The Sampler Girl

32 ct Precious Metals Belfast Linen, CC Floss

Christmas Star Ornament for Melissa

I have heard that Melissa has received the latest HoE Christmas Ornament round from me. We were to select either an LHN, CCN or Just Nan Christmas ornament to stitch. I chose a JN freebie from very long ago that I have always wanted to stitch. Lacking enough petite gold beads to stitch it, though, I chose to use RG Petite Treasure Braid and use xstitch where the beads would have been.... I like the final effect.

Christmas Star Ornament Just Nan 32 ct Antique Blue linen, DMC Floss, RG Petite Treasure Braid    

Stay tuned for a huge update on Santa's Village sometime this week ;-)

Candy Cane Cottage... Distractions.... Friendship Exchange

At last, Candy Cane Cottage.  This one seemed to take me forever, even though it is a small cottage.  I feel myself dragging a little bit with this project, and need to get myself back on track.  I know that the main factor really is that my medical condition that was discovered 2 years and 4 months ago at this point, just is not truly improving.  My doctor did make what he calls a "radical" treatment change last week, but in all honesty, I feel no radical change (although today is not so terribly bad)...  my 50th bday is in two days and I told him I just wanted to wake up on that day and not have to think or worry about how I feel or what I have to deal with.... he grimaced and offered no hope of that... so, onward and keeping positive thoughts for myself, working towards acceptance.

And here is a general idea of how Santa's Village is looking now....  8 down, 4 to go!  The next is on its way to me now, so maybe I will get a start on it during this week off that I have.

Other than dealing with my pain and medical issue, I have had another serious distraction... my Kindle Fire HD just calls out to me every.single.day.  I have some awesome reads loaded up and deciding between reading and stitching, or just focusing on self care and good sitting position (neither stitching nor reading afford me that) so that I feel better are real daily challenges for  me :-)

Oh, and I learned earlier this week that Linda O. has received the HoE Friendship Exchange I stitched for her...

A Friend Pinkeep Prairie Schooler 32 ct Vintage Country Cream Belfast Linen, DMC Floss    

Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament for Lynn

I received a nice email from Lynn today, letting me know that the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament I stitched for her has arrived safe and sound at her home.... really hope she enjoys, I had a hard time parting with this one. I have wondered for a while now how the center portion of this cute sampler would look as an ornament. Now I know, and I love the results!

Merry & Bright Christmas Ornament Erynne Chard - free chart found HERE Silkweaver 36 ct Solo Linen, WDW, CC and DMC Floss Oh, and Happy Weekend to all - about to go enjoy my first taste of Moonshine - woot!!!!

Hometown Christmas Ornament for Gabi

At long last, my HoE Hometown Christmas ornament has arrived safe and sound with Gabi in Australia...

Greetings from New Hampshire Ornament Lindy Jane Designs 32 ct Taupe Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Kreinik #4 Braid So very glad it survived its extra long journey half way around the world.... the little gold bead on the ornament shows approximately where I live...

HoE Ornament Exchanges

I sent off two HoE ornament exchanges on Monday, and both arrived at their destinations today....

First is one I stitched for Lisa - her partner bailed on the group and left Lisa hanging with nothing.  Same person also failed to thank her sender for stitching for her.... this is no young woman we are talking about here, it is utterly shameful.  However, while I have no idea how to resolve the issue for the lady who stitched for the person who up and disappeared, I loved stitching a replacement for Lisa... the theme was Christmas Birds.  I had this chart and supplies tucked aside to stitch for myself, so I just grabbed it up and made it for her...

NoelBalades et Broderies par Carmela32 ct Smokey Pearl Belfast Linen, CC Floss I also heard from Becky today that she received the ornament I stitched for her for the Blackbird Designs Ornament exchange.  This is the same design I did stitch for myself a couple of weeks back.... but for Becky I made the ornament a little smaller and tied it with a cranberry bow instead... same blackbird fabric in the back... hope she likes it!

Peace OrnamentBlackbird DesignsJCS 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue32 ct Antique Almond Belfast Linen, WDW, GAST and CC Floss It's almost the weekend - enjoy everyone!!

Valentine Exchange for Roberta

I have heard that my HoE Valentine's Day Exchange was finally received a few days ago by Roberta.  It took an absolute long time to go from NH to GA, but alas, she tells me it has arrived and she is pleased. What a relief!!  I had the most fun stitching this design...

Be Mine Pinkeep
The Primitive Hare - free chart available HERE
28 ct Potato Annabelle, HDF Silk in 1231/33/35
Stitched one-over-one

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. My tinnitus and other symptoms are abating a bit after a whopper of an adjustment to my orthotic by the neuromuscular dentist on Thursday morning... hoping this progress will continue.... also, just loving the "winter that wasn't, or at least is yet to be" here in New Hampshire :-)

HoE Words of Christmas Ornament Exchange for Erin

I heard today from Erin that she has received the HoE Words of Christmas Ornament that I stitched for her. I have always wanted to stitch this particular design, and was thrilled to get a chance to use it for this exchange.
Joy*Love*Peace Ornament
From Merry's Heart (Merry Cox)
Just Cross Stitch 10th Anniversary Christmas Ornament Collection
30 ct Medium Exampler Speckled 739 Jache Linen
TG SNC Silk, Carol Waterlilies and Weeks Dye Works Floss

... and the psychotherapist in me just LOVES this Angry Birds cartoon... :-)

Quiet ear! Yes, almost completely quiet! Last night my chiropractor adjusted by Axis (C2) vertebrae instead of my Atlas (C1 vertebrae) after I told him my ear screams the day after C1 ajdustment.... every.single.time. We opted to go one vertebrae lower this time, and we either got lucky for now, or we found the track we need to be on! Unfortunately, caught a nasty head cold from my clients this week, though.

And... tomorrow is my first day with my first client in my new New Hampshire sublet office - wonder if the couple will show??

Currently Stitching: Christmas ornaments

Red Exchange for Lucy

Lucy let me know today that she received the HoE Stitch Red for your Heart Exchange that I sent off to her... I had such a devil of a time finding a chart for this exchange. I thought it would be easy, but somehow got all mired up in things... finally I was cruising Oakhaven Designs blog and figured I would try this freebie as a needlebook.... Lucy wrote kind words, so I am glad she likes it!

Happy New Year 2011 Needlebook
Oakhaven Designs
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Currently Stitching: a Christmas ornament, Winter at Beacon House

Rudy Ornament for Ina

I received word this morning that Ina has received the ornament I made for her for the HoE Reindeer Round Exchange... I stole the finishing technique from Lynn's blog (she had a tutorial, so I doubt she minds - LOL)... and here it is:

Rudy Ornament
Glory Bee
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Natural Light Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Bead

Happy Friday to all!

Currently Stitching: HoE Stitch Red Exchange, Winter at Beacon House

Reindeer Ornament for Cindy

I heard today that Cindy has received the little ornament I made for her for the HoE Reindeer Round for the perpetual Christmas Ornament Exchange in HoE. I loved how this came out, and then made one using its companion chart for myself. Once I get a photo of that, I will share it... for now, here is the one I sent to Cindy...

Holly Reindeer
Daffycat Designs - design available HERE
36 ct Flax Linen, DMC Floss

Currently Stitching: Starting a new sampler tonight ;-)

For the Birds Exchange for Joke

I got word from Joke today that she has received the HoE For the Birds Exchange that I sent off to her.

Bluebird Needlebook
Blackbird Designs
R&R Reproductions 40 ct Mockingbird Linen, HDF Old Maid of the Sea silk floss

ABC Exchange for Janet

I found out that Janet has received my HoE ABC Exchange. I signed up for this exchange after eyeing a chart she sent me in an earlier exchange and I just knew I wanted to use it for this exchange. As irony would have it, Edgar assigned Janet to me as my partner! So... I stitched for her a needlebook from the chart she had actually sent to me...

From the Heart Needlebook
Bent Creek
In Kris' Stitches From the Heart Leaflet
Lakeside Linens 32 ct Vintage Examplar Linen, Weeks Dye Works Floss




Currently Stitching: CaHORH, Family Reunion, a gift and a Christmas Ornament

All about Christmas Ornaments...

Today's entry has a lot to do with Christmas Ornaments :-) I was recently in two exchanges involving these delightful things... so no time to waste... here is stuff to show!

Today I received this stunning ornament from Marie for Becky's bi-monthly Christmas Ornament Swap - I always admire her work so much, and this one sure does not disappoint. It is a Prairie Schooler design all stitched over one... and she even personalized the back in such a nice way (but I forgot to photograph that part). I am pretty much speechless over this! Thank you so much Marie! I sure will always cherish it!

For the HoE Early Christmas Exchange, I stitched this one for Faye:

Star Topiary Ornament
Hillside Samplings
2000 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Natural Light Linen, GAST and WDW Floss
I stitched this one for Roberta for Becky's Christmas Ornament Swap. Roberta listed PrimitiveBetty as one of her favorite designers - well, that one was a new one for me, but I found this freebie online, so I gave it a go:

Silent Holy Night Ornament
PrimitiveBetty
32 ct Willow Green Belfast Linen, GAST Shaker Threads and WDW Floss

And... new books deals for May!



Currently Stitching: a gift, CaHORH and Royalty ABC

Easter Exchange for Meghan

I received an email from Meghan today letting me know that she has received the Easter Exchange that I sent to her. She is so cute - loved her email, she is busy picking out a prom dress... remember those days?? She put some good photos up of what I sent to her here. It was fun putting goodies together for her! Glad you like it!

Spring Has Sprung! Box
Brightneedle
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Petite Beads

And speaking of high school and things from so long ago... I have not seen an old high school friend of mine since June of 1981... which was when we graduated from high school... we recently reconnected on Facebook, and her father passed away. He still lived locally, so Lee and her family came up for the funeral. Of course I went... and here I am with her three really lovely daughters (and one sleeping granddaughter) at the funeral home. I rarely have any pictures of me, and my Facebook friends have seen this already... for the rest of you... well, here you are...I am the one furthest back in the photo in the beige sweater...the one who most obviously graduated from high school in 1981 :-)


Currently stitching: Stitching a Christmas ornament, and working on CaHRH

LHN/CCN Exchange for Lillie

The HoE LHN/CCN exchange I stitched for Lillie has made its long journey to Malaysia, and now I can show it to you... I really loved how this one came out, and parting with it was a little trickier than usual! I had no idea what this would turn out to be... I loved the design, so I chose it. Lillie strikes me as a very sunny person, so I wanted to go summery/sunny for her. Then I suddenly felt a compulsion to stitch it one-over-one... but how to finish it?? A fob? Nah. A needlebook? Oooo, cool idea... but uh-oh - I should have started elsewhere on my linen so I would have a linen backing for the needlebook, so... pass.... then, OK - found good cotton fabric for the back and the sweet satin rose... and voila - a pinkeep! I sent her plenty of goodies - I think those can be seen on her blog or the HoE blog... the photo I took of them is far too blurry to bother to post :-)

Spelling Bee Pinkeep
Little House Needleworks
32 ct Confederate Gray Belfast Linen, Crescent Colours and DMC Floss
Stitched one-over-one

Currently Stitching: CaHRH and preparing to start another Christmas Ornament