Houses of Hawk Run Hollow Update

I knew it had been a while, but I was suprised to see that it has been over a month (Feb 19th) since I last stitched on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. Now, how am I ever going to finish this one this year if I don't keep active with it? I went right back at it tonight.

Today was an extremely rare sick day for me from work. I awoke with a terribly sore throat, congestion and nausea. I am OK - much improved during the day. I enjoyed starting a birthday gift for a friend and watching Enchanted and Atonement on DVD. Atonement was much better as a movie. Although one of my dear friends loved the novel, I felt the writing style really bogged the story down. That had little impact on the film, and I enjoyed it quite a lot, although it was truly a shorter story - of course! Friend who liked the book - I think you will enjoy the movie too... (and Enchanted was as wonderful as I knew it would be).

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Crazy Exchange for Wendy Jo

I just read a few moments ago that Wendy Jo (no blog, but known to many of us) has received the little Crazy Exchange that I put together for her - she sounds so excited :-) Welcome to Crazy Exchange, Wendy Jo - I will answer your email tomorrow when I have a little bit of time...

Garden Alphabet W Fob
Prairie Schooler
Silkweaver 32 ct Solo Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

The entire exchange for Wendy - some hand dyed lugana by Enchanted Fabrics, variegated DMC Floss, and Estee Lauder lotion....

I worked on A Quaker Christmas for the past two nights now... and here it is, starting to grow pretty well now! I noticed the letter Q is charted for the gold color, but that didn't seem right to me, and I peeked at the cover photo on the chart.. nope, red. So, I thought about it and went with the red :-)

Spring is just over 24 hours away, and we are still in winter's grip here...

Stitched on today: A Quaker Christmas

Memories is Finished (+ Exchanges and a Gift)

Memories
Just Nan
28 ct Silvery Moon Cashel Linen, DMC Floss
Stitched 2/25/08 - 3/17/08

Along with my finish of Memories, today was a BIG mail day...

I received this wonderful Winter Exchange from Sharon for the Seasonal Exchangers group. And, as usual, she spoiled me! She stitched the cutest flat fold using a chart by by JABC.... she calls this "Winter with Attitude," and I just love it - plus, look at all the treats!!! Thank you Sharon!!
Then, I also received this pretty SBEBB Tea Time Exchange from Cheryl - she stitched me this cute pincushion and also sent some wonderful goodies too - thank you Cheryl :-)

At the other end, one of my gifts that I sent out back on February 11th has arrived safe and sound with Anne in Australia - what a relief! Here is the stitched portion of what I sent her for her birthday. Unfortunately, I did not notice that I had not pinched the beads in the border into alignment before I took the photo! And, I see that the biscornu got a bit squished on its journey to her post office box too (I see that in the photo in her blog) - I hope she can squish it back together...

Italian Ice Biscornu
Just Nan
32 ct Natural Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads on border

OK, then... now I will work for a bit on A Quaker Christmas - there are enough photos in this post, so I won't likely photograph that one tonight...

Stitched on today: Finished Memories, and stitched on A Quaker Christmas **Mailed out HoE Biscornu Exchange today

Found my way to the bottom....

I found my way to the bottom of Memories tonight. I am far from done... a little more of this white lace work with perle cotton and then I get to add some roses. And then, of course, add the embellishments. But that won't take me too much longer - then back to Spring Ride on Sundays, I think.

I finally finished my biscornu today for the HoE Biscornu Exchange - it is pretty colors on black jobelan, and neither Mike nor I could get a decent, focused photo of it today. I had the same problem with the Heartfelt biscornu on black linen a couple of weeks ago. Hmmm. I figure I will try one more time in morning light before work tomorrow, before I package it up and mail it off to its new home. I hope to get at least one decent photo of it before it goes.

Oh, and I got my confirmation letter yesterday for my classes at Celebration of Needlework in May. I was able to get into both classes that I wanted - excellent!!!

And... thank you all for your kind help with ST's Victorian Floral Needle Roll. The ebay seller has stepped up and is sending me a new chart in the AM. Sandie Cox Vanosdall, the designer, is out of charts, but is willing to help me out if I return the defective one - I will do that if the ebay one does not arrive. However, I received some lovely offers from my friends - thank you, dear ones! I appreciate you all :-)

Stitched on today: Finished biscornu for HoE Biscornu Exchange, and stitched on Memories

Spring Quaker Exchange for Becky K.

The postal system within the United States is still pretty quick. Becky has let me know that she has already received the SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange that I sent off to her only a couple of days ago. I chose to make her a wooden box, and when I first saw the design, it felt very spring-like to me. As I was stitching it, it felt more summer-like. However, we do get our perennial strawberries (see strawberry in bottom left of the design) in early June here, which is late spring, so I have decided to roll with this design being a "Late Spring Quaker" exchange! The camera seems to have picked up a crease in the linen that was not so obvious in real life - dratted camera :-)

My Pink House Box
Blackbird Designs
Silkweaver 32 ct Solo Belfast Linen, Weeks Dye Works Floss

Above is the entire exchange that I put together for Becky. I was hoping she was a gardener. Nothing makes me think of spring more than gardening and flowers. But, alas, she is not a gardener. She sweetly said she could plant the glads amongst her bed of irises, though. They are easy enough - just make sure to put the bulbs with the points facing up :-) I hope you enjoy your exchange!!

Well now, I am off to work on the biscornu for the HoE Biscornu Exchange... still! I chose one that is two-sided and on black jobelan... a bit tedious, but worth it! I would love to finish it this weekend and send it on its way on Monday!

PS - I was wondering if anyone has Victorian Floral Needle Roll by The Sweetheart Tree? I would love to borrow the chart, if at all possible. I just bought it on ebay, and was putting supplies together, ready to start earlier today... only to see that the backside of my chart is not printed - stitch diagrams and the directions for various bands on the NR are missing from my chart. I emailed the seller to see if I could swap it for another she has, but no reply as of yet... How frustrating. Any help would be so appreciated!! Thanks :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on biscornu for HoE Biscornu Exchange **Mailed out a new Crazy Exchange today

Winter Exchange for Myrna

Myrna has let me know that she has received the Winter Exchange (Seasonal Exchangers Group) that I sent off to her - just in time for spring ;-) I was a little concerned that my fob was a bit wee for a seasonal exchange, but it is made with just as much love and caring as a larger item would be - and Myrna has let me know that she likes it :-) Thank you Myrna!! Lucky Myrna... she is off at stitching camp this weekend taking a class with Betsy Stinner!!!

January Snow Fob
Twisted Threads
Stitched 1-over-1
28 ct Graziano Natural/Cream Gingham Linen, GAST Floss

...And the rest of the goodies I sent. Myrna says she brought the chocolate with her to camp - I would have too!!! Gosh, I hope she has a great time!

OK... I am off to do exchange stitching again tonight! Thank you all for the wonderful comments about the Teapot Needle Roll! I really wanted to make something special for Su :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a Crazy Exchange, and stitched on biscornu for HoE Biscornu Exchange

Tea Time Exchange for Su

I received a lovely email from Su this morning, and she let me know that the SBEBB Tea Time Exchange that I sent to her arrived safe and sound :-)
Teapot Needle Roll
28 ct Natural Linen Banding, DMC Floss, 24kt Gold Charms

And here is the entire exchange that I sent to her. I am so glad that you like it all Su! It was great to receive your name for this exchange.

I am off to go stitch on my HoE Biscornu Exchange ;-)

Stitched on today: Started a CE Exchange, and stitched on HoE Biscornu Exchange

Joy

Duma Key was fun last night, and I did finish it. Warning to anyone who plans to read the book - don't read the link for "Duma Key" in my blog entry from last night - it is a total spoiler!

I am going to go start my biscornu now for the HoE Biscornu Exchange - I finally found just the perfect one to stitch for my partner. I finished a wee Christmas ornament last night, and got a photo of it today. I didn't care for how it photographed at all - the ribbon looks loose in the photo, but it is not. The ornament also is centered straighter than I think it appears... always so critical of myself (aren't all/most stitchers?) - but anyhow... I will share it:

Joy Ornament
Lizzie Kate
32 ct Olive Green Belfast Linen, GAST Floss

Stitched on today: Finished SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange, and started biscornu for HoE Biscornu Exchange

Leaving Duma Key

I spent just a couple of hours with Serenity tonight. I am just dying to go upstairs now and finish reading Duma Key - I have been reading little bursts of it at bedtime for a few weeks now, and I am down to maybe 20-30 pages to go and it is getting quite exciting. I won't be able to sleep if I don't go and finish it now!! I am even recording Jericho on the DVR to watch at another time (I usually cannot wait for this show to come on) - See ya tomorrow!

Oh, someone asked again who designed Serenity - it is by Examplar Dames.

Stitched on today: Finished a Christmas ornament (waiting for daylight to take a photo), and stitched on SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange and Serenity

A Postal Surprise!

Well.... I do think that perhaps the postal service is trying to make amends with me right now! They have a long way to go to do that, but today's huge postal surprise did go a long way towards making some progress. Yasmin sent me an SBEBB Little House Needleworks Exchange from Malaysia back on November 11, 2007. After we waited for a few weeks, and there was no sign of the exchange, Yasmin stitched me a beautiful replacement - which did arrive in good time. Today... well, I will show you!

The original exchange from Yasmin showed up in my mailbox, totally safe and sound. The envelope was in great shape, the address was written absolutely perfectly, and Customs did not open the envelope... it was probably just lost behind a counter, in a drawer or some such thing in some part of the postal service all this time! What a treat to get this - I just adore it! Thank you Yasmin!! (Aren't you just totally relieved now??).

I am participating this year in the Crazy Exchange Birthday Exchange, and I was assigned to send to a lovely quilter in The Netherlands, Caro. I was thrilled to get Caro's name. She sent me the loveliest Christmas quilt wall hanging for the Christmas Exchange last year! Now it was my turn - I chose to send her something using my craft (cross stitch) that she can use for her craft (quilting) - the end result is this pincushion:


P is for Pincushion
Prairie Schooler
28 ct Potato Annabelle, DMC Floss

Then I visited my local Joann Fabric Store and picked up little doo dads that a quilter would enjoy - red fabrics, thimbles and betweens needles... and some yummy Estee Lauder lotion too. I received such a sweet email from Caro today - you are so welcome Caro, and so glad you like your gifts! Happy Birthday :-)

Stitched on today: Started a Christmas ornament, and stithced on SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange **Mailed Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin to Annemarie today

End of Weekend

What a nice quiet day - far away from the computer and just relaxing! I did get some stitching done, too. One more band down on Memories, only two to go :-)

I will catch up on my email after work tomorrow afternoon ;-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange, and Memories

Finished Judith's Round Robin

I was able to finish up my block on Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin today. And now I will be mailing it off to An on Monday.
Here is how Judith's really sweet neighborhood now looks with three houses in it. I really love this RR - great choice Judith!!

And, that is it for today, because I am now going to do some exchange stitching ;-)

Stitched on today: Finished Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin, and started SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange project

So close.... (and, postal shock)

I have come so close to finishing Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin tonight... soooo close. I had hoped I would, and then planned to even put it in the mail to An tomorrow. But it is too late at night to stitch the clouds and little border of cherries. I don't want to mess up. I will finish tomorrow and DH will post it to An on Monday.

And, speaking of the post office, DH says that one of the clerks at the post office has alerted him that there will be yet another postal increase very soon - didn't they just have one?? This one annoys me more than they usually do, as the service has gone downhill drastically and rapidly, in my observation. As you know, I have several packages in the post for weeks (and months) now that have not reached their destinations - even using Global Priority Mail, which is so very not cheap! And, I am not alone. The HoE Scissor Fob exchange has up to six packages lost and/or delayed in the post... that is a high percentage for that group. I see in many blogs that they are frustrated with slow and inconsistent postal service as well, yet the USPS has the guts to raise the rates again. Sigh....

Stitched on today: Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin **Mailed Winter Exchange to Myrna today

Judith's Neighborhood is Under Construction

At last! I know she wasn't worried about it, but I finally have Judith's neighborhood round robin underway! I was able to get out and pick up the DMC colors that I was low on or missing tonight. Judith has asked us each to stitch one of the freebie monthly houses by Maryse - since I am only the third to stitch on her RR, there were nine choices for me still. I surely did not want to stitch any snow... The June house jumped right out at me. I love the strawberries and cherries in this block. So, off I go! It is a quick stitch, and with any luck I will have it done this weekend and able to post ahead of the mailing date of March 15th. Judith, your neighborhood is going to be so sweet!

Stitched on today: Finished Winter Exchange for Myrna, and started Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin

Moving Along...

I really should be working on Judith's Neighborhood Round Robin, but I lack several DMC colors for it and have not gotten out of work early enough for the last few days to go pick them up at the store... so, back to Memories again tonight! Three bands left (and most of the beading)...

I will pick those DMC up either tomorrow or Friday (my day off) at the latest, Judith, and there will be no problem with getting your RR off to An in plenty of time :-)

**Hopeful wishes, good thoughts and prayers for Patrick Swayze...

Stitched on today: Stitched on Winter Exchange for Myrna, and Memories

Quickie Update

Just a quick update... I worked on A Quaker Christmas tonight, but now am tired and am going up to read Duma Key for a while, and try not to think about the icy roads that will be a large part of my commute tomorrow...

Stitched on today: Stitched on Winter Exchange for Myrna, and A Quaker Christmas

Biscornu Exchange for Pixie... and lovely RAK's

I recently signed up to do a biscornu exchange run by Laura, and Pixie has let me know today that she received it...
Heartfelt Biscornu
Periphaeria Designs
32 ct Black Belfast Linen, The Dye Shop Floss - Magenta & Purple People Eater

Here are all of the goodies I sent to her. I read in her blog that she likes fairies. I searched for a while, but could not find a fairy themed biscornu. I am glad that Pixie wrote that she likes my choices. It was fun to stitch for her :-)

I also recently signed up for a drawing in Mylene's blog for a Valentine's Day scissor fob... and today I received this adorable little biscornu fob! Both sides are beautiful, but I forgot to photograph the other side. How sweet, thank you Mylene! I love the bookmark too!

And... a total surprise! Red sent me this wonderful beaded scissor fob with a rubber scissor tip! I am so tired that I cannot locate her blog link right now - sorry Red (Sue)!! Oh, I just love it! You are the sweetest!!

I worked on Serenity again tonight, and I kept my promise to myself to work on the border for a while this time :-)

Stitched on today: Started Winter Exchange for Myrna, and Serenity **Mailed out CE Exchange and SBEBB Tea Time Exchange today

Exchange Stitching

I had a busy stitching weekend, but cannot show much. I finished one exchange yesterday, and another today. Nice to have them both off my plate! And I will get them both to the post office tomorrow. I think I was supposed to start back on the Spring Ride SAL tonight, but I didn't really have time after I exercised, did laundry and other such things... so I did a little more on Memories. I love the over one verse stitching - very pretty :-)

***Thank you BeckySC for the NN 139 - you are wonderful!!! I sure do appreciate it!

Stitched on today: Finished SBEBB Tea Time Exchange, and Memories

Can anyone help me?

Hello dear, ever helpful blogging friends! I am seeking two lengths of Needle Necessities 139 (Mountain Spruce) or its ThreadWorx equivalent... does anyone have any they can spare? I will be happy to trade for it. I could have sworn I had at least half a skein of it, but after spending a couple of days tearing through my stash, it has become obvious that it is missing. Please let me know - I would appreciate it so much! Thank you :-)

I was busy today stitching (see photo below to see why today was a good day to sit inside and stitch...) - I stitched on two different exchanges, and I cannot show them yet. But later this evening, while watching (and enjoying) The Astronaut Farmer, I spent some time on Memories again. These colors are so vibrant. I cannot recall the last time I stitched anything this bright, but it really is so yummy in person.

A couple of people have asked me if I am using the silk or DMC for this sampler. Oh, I am trying to save for my retirement - DH and I are in our 40's, you know... no silk for this one, just DMC and perle cotton on Silvery Moon Cashel linen... still very pretty!

We won't be barbequeing here anytime soon, will I? This is my back porch at 10 AM this morning. As you can see, we haven't been getting any break from the snow - not really since early December. A warmer week is forecasted. That is, the 40's, not very warm weather, but maybe warm enough to put a dent in this huge pile of snow?? (OK, no need at all to leave me a comment telling me how warm it is by you - I already know the odds are that it is warmer by you than by me! Thanks.)

Goal Review Time:
February Goals:
1. Continue to work on Serenity -yes
2. Continue to work on A Quaker Christmas -yes
3. Continue to work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow -yes
4. Continue to work on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace -no
5. Stitch and send Winter Exchange to Myrna -no, and this is a major priority for early March now!
6. Stitch and send Biscornu Exchange (Laura’s Group) to Pixie -yes
7. Start Judith’s Neighborhood Round Robin (due to mail 3/15/08) -no, need to do in early March
8. Stitch some gifts -yes, I stitched five gifts this month
9. Stitch at least one PIF -yes, and Joanne has received it
10. Continue to work on Spring Ride SAL -no, this SAL was put on hold in February, but I believe it restarts now in March
11. Stitch an ornament -yes
12. Stitch and send CE return exchange to Edda -yes, and Edda has received it
13. Start SBEBB Tea Time Exchange which is due 3/8/08 -yes, I have started it and am on track with it

March Goals:
1. Continue to work on Serenity
2. Continue to work on A Quaker Christmas
3. Continue to work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
4. Continue to work on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace
5. Stitch and send Winter Exchange to Myrna
6. Stitch and send Judith’s Neighborhood Round Robin to Annemarie by 3/15
7. Stitch at least one PIF
8. Continue to work on Spring Ride SAL
9. Stitch two ornaments
10. Finish and mail SBEBB Tea Time Exchange by 3/8
11. Continue to work on Memories
12. Stitch and send SBEBB Spring Quaker Exchange by 3/21
13. Stitch and send HoE Biscornu Exchange by 3/21
14. Stitch and send out Crazy Exchange
15. Stitch some gifts

Stitched on today: Finished Crazy Exchange project, stitched on SBEBB Tea Time Exchange project, and Memories