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

Autumn Exchange for Pascale

I found out today that Pascale has received the Autumn Exchange that I put together for her for the Crazy Exchange Board...

A Very Merry Autumn Pinkeep
JBW Designs
32 ct Vintage Country Mocha Belfast Linen, GAST Floss

We were under a challenge to limit how much we spent on goodies in the exchange... thanks to items on sale, I was able to send her a few things. Pascale loves Debbie Mumm, and I was so happy to find some autumnal Debbie Mumm fabric for her ;-) Enjoy, Pascale!

Stitched on today: Stitched on HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange

Autumn House Exchange for Jill

Jill has let me know that she has received the SBEBB Autumn House Exchange that I sent off to her. It took me a while to choose a chart, and then I had this incredible impulse to stitch it over one... thus leaving me wondering for its first two days of stitching just what this would grow up to be... floss ring tag won out in the end ;-)

Autumn Sampler Floss Ring Tag
Lizzie Kate
Stitched 1-over-1
28 ct Natural Cashel Linen, GAST Floss

... And, my goodies for her! Sorry Jill, I realized after I mailed the package that I forgot to wrap the wax tart up in plastic... everything must smell like Autumn Walk now!

Stitched on today: Started HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange

I've got something to show!

I just heard from Edgar that the ornament I sent to him for the Christmas Ornament Swap we are in together has arrived safe and sound. He sounds so happy with it, and that brightened what had started out to be a difficult day for me. Thanks for that, Edgar :-) I chose to send him an ornament in traditional colors that sligthly, kind of had a Quaker feel to it...

Noel Ornament
Catherine Theron
32 ct Summer Khaki Belfast Linen, GAST Floss


Oh.... and more GINGHER ROBERTA SCISSORS are instock now at my DH's online store... get them while you can, there will be a delay of about two weeks between this and next order, suppliers are running low already!!

So glad I had something to show, as tonight is the night to finish off my Halloween Exchange for Becky ;-)

Stitched on today: Finished Halloween Exchange for Becky

Blog Break :-)

I've got nothing today.... I hope all of you are doing well. I am still so far behind in blog reading, but the family medical crisis sure is stabilizing now... hope to be back soon.... and hope to have something to share soon too. Thought I would tonight, but no emails from recipients yet ;-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on Halloween Exchange for Becky **Mailed out SBEBB Halloween Exchange and SBEBB Autumn House Exchange today

Sneak Peek

The only way I can show my weekend's stitching is this way ;-) These exchanges will go in the mail tomorrow, and hopefully I can show you something soon.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Stitched on today: Stitched on Halloween Exchange for Becky

I earned it

I managed to finish up two exchanges today and even start a third, so I figured I earned my chance to work on A Quaker Christmas for a while again tonight ;-)

Stitched on today: Finished SBEBB Autumn House Exchange, finished SBEBB Halloween Exchange, and started Halloween Exchange for Becky

Birthday Gift for Edgar :-)

I received a lovely email from Edgar today, letting me know that he has received and opened my little birthday giftie for him. I wish I had taken a photo of the backside... another smaller motif from the chart is shown on the back. I am glad I saved you a trip to Joann Fabrics, Edgar, by including the bobbins you already needed in the package - have a great day tomorrow - and I am glad you opened it early - no need to be all grown up and patient when it comes to gifties!!

Quaker Boo Floss Ring Tag
The Sampler Girl - chart found HERE
Silkweaver 40 ct Newcastle Solo Linen, GAST Floss

....And back to my secretive exchange stitching again ;-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB Autumn House Exchange, and started SBEBB Halloween Exchange

No An, the sky hasn't fallen....

I know that many of my friends, especially An, are now thinking that the world has ended or the sky has fallen... Sorry, no photos today. All is just fine. Mom is recovering and getting ready to go to assisted living soon. She made good decisions. I am very happy. But... nothing to share. I have a lot of exchanges all due out very, very, very soon - and the one I am doing right now is very dense stitching. So, I am going to keep very focused on it.

I won't have any new stitching to show for a few days, except I have a couple of gifts and exchanges out in the mail - I will show those when they have been received. In the meantime, stitching away on my exchanges.

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB Autumn House Exchange **Mailed ornament to Edgar for the Christmas Ornament Swap today

Happy Birthday Valerie

Today is Valerie's birthday, and she emailed me this morning to let me know that she received my wee little gift for her... I hope you like it Valerie, and have a wonderful birthday!

Halloween Night Floss Ring Tag
Holly House Designs
32 ct Natural Pearl Linen, Weeks Dye Works Floss

Goal Review Time:
September Goals:
1. Finish Halloween Fairy - yes
2. Finish Acorn Sampler - yes
3. Finished SBEBB Shepherd’s Bush Exchange and mail by 9/5 - yes, and Margaret has received it
4. Stitch some gifts - yes, I stitched 3 gifts
5. Finish PIF and send - yes, and Sherry has received it
6. Stitch and send some new Crazy Exchanges - yes, and Pascale B. and Iris have received them
7. Continue to stitch on A Quaker Christmas - yes
8. Continue to stitch on Spring Ride SAL - no
9. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow - no
10. Stitch my block on Marie’s Neighborhood Round Robin and mail to Nicole by 10/1 - yes, and Nicole has received it
11. Stitch and send scissor pocket to Melissa for MAW Exchange by 9/15 - yes, and Melissa has received it
12. Stitch and send HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange by 9/20 - yes, and Paula has received it
13. Stitch and send SBEBB Think Pink Exchange by 9/25 - yes, and Michelle has received it
14. Stitch and send CE Autumn Exchange by 10/1 - yes, and it has been posted to ???
15. Stitch and be ready to send HoE Halloween Exchange by 10/1 - yes, and Mercy has received it
16. Stitch one or two Christmas Ornaments – also send Vonna’s Christmas Ornament Swap ornament this month - yes, I stitched one, but I cannot show it quite yet… and Vonna has received her ornament

October Goals:
1. Finish SBEBB Autumn House Exchange and send by 10/6
2. Stitch and send Halloween Exchange to Becky by 10/10
3. Stitch and send SBEBB Halloween Exchange b 10/10
4. Stitch and send Mattress Pincushion to Andrea for MAW Exchange by 10/14
5. Stitch and send HoE Mattress Pincushion Exchange by 10/15
6. Stitch and send SBEBB Pumpkin Patch Exchange by 10/27
7. Stitch and send new CE Exchange
8. Stitch some gifts
9. Stitch and send CE return exchange to Laurie
10. Start HoE Floss Ring Tag Exchange and have ready to send for 11/3
11. Continue to stitch on A Quaker Christmas
12. Start An's Neighborhood Round Robin to send by 11/15
13. Start Ulla's Halloween Round Robin and be ready to send by 11/4
14. Stitch one or two Christmas ornaments
15. Send Christmas ornament to Edgar for the Christmas Ornament Swap (ornament is already finished and now packaged up, ready to go)

Off to work on exchange stitching...