Beautiful Christmas Ornaments For Me!

I received some really fabulous mail yesterday and today! As a result, two very pretty new Christmas ornaments now adorn my Christmas tree - and I really love them and want to make sure their makers know that ;-)

Yesterday I received this teeny, tiny, sparkly, gorgeous JBW ornament from Tessa for the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. I did not remember to take a photo of the back - she personalized it in the sweetest way! It is stitched all over one, and boy does it sparkle with beads for snowflakes and then beads all around the edge... ending in a beaded tassle (I really need to practice and learn how to make such a great tassle!). Thank you so much Tessa!
And, today I received this pretty ornament from Lynda for the Christmas Ornament Swap. I have always liked this particular design by The Workbasket, and it is great that now I do not need to stitch it for myself. Turns out, if I have my rounds figured out correctly, that Lynda and I had each other for partners this time around in the swap ;-) Thank you so much Lynda!!




Currently Stitching: Stitching an ornament for my tree

Snow Bird Ornament

I finally stitched an ornament for my own Christmas tree! Well, actually... that is not true. I do have Lizzie Kate's Joy on my tree, which I stitched a couple of years ago... so, OK, I finally stitched my second ornament that I am actually keeping for Mike and I! I have wanted to do this one forever, and I love how it came out. The photo is the best I could get. It is dark out already, and I had all the lights on in the foyer and held as still as I could to get this...

Snow Bird Ornament
La-D-Da
2004 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue
Lakeside Linens 36 ct Meadow Rue Linen, Crescent Colours and GAST Floss




Currently stitching: Starting another Christmas ornament

Beautiful Ornament from Margaret

My dear friend Margaret sent me this beautiful, gorgeous little ornament this week for Christmas - and I am in awe! It is stitched on 36 ct and is so tiny and delicate, so perfectly finished... and she made a little beaded hanger for it.... Margaret is soooo talented, and I am so honored to have this lovely for my tree! I cannot stop looking at it! Thank you Margaret! As you know, I will cherish it forever! I am blessed to have four of Margaret's beauties now on my tree - woo hoo!! Margaret is such a true and dear friend, she really stuck by my during this difficult year. I look forward to going to Celebration of Needlework with her again in May and "catching up"!





Currently stitching: I am stitching an ornament for my husband

It's that time of year again...

Ah, it is that special day of the year today - the day I look forward to and savor for as long as I can! Today I shall finish my Christmas cards, and then... off to hang all these special cross stitched ornaments on my tree! I will see if I can get a decent photo of the tree this year, but that is always a trick for me. We display our tree in the upstairs landing/open foyer of our two story Colonial house... tricky, tricky lighting issues for me. This is my basket of treasures, and they mean more to me than I can ever, ever begin to say! A peek into the background shows there is snow on our back porch already!

I also want to share a photo today of the pretty Christmas Exchange I received from Carolyn. She stitched me this stunning redwork snowflake and made it into an absolutely perfect circular pinkeep with a pretty beaded edging. I adore it!! She then went nutty and sent me so many goodies - FQs of red and green holiday fabrics, holiday socks, a bead box, a JBW chart, and a Whitman's tin (I do have the chart this calls for!!) that is filled with Threadworx flosses, JJ needles, a needle threader, a pretty fob made from holiday fabric (that matches the back of the pinkeep), red beads... and a tool that I cannot identify but want to use - LOL - it is a green plastic box with what looks like a dry sponge in it.... someone tell me, how do I use it??

**Edited to add: OK, I went and took photos of the tree - remember, I warned you that I cannot take photos of my tree with any kind of talent... if you sent me an ornament and do not see it, don't fret - it is there! I just couldn't get a picture of it!

My tree holds only ornaments made by my friends, except for only one that I made myself, or are store bought ornaments given to me by stitching friends... the sole exception is 4 silver and 4 gold bells that I have had forever and will always be on my tree...

I had to go downstairs to the front door to get a photo of the back of the tree... there is lots of space here for more ornaments too ;-)

And... I also wanted to add that today's mail brought a lovely Christmas package from my dear friend Katrina - she stitched a JBW ornament for me, and sent me another of her fabric ornaments too! I love those!! Plus other treats - thank you so much, dear friend!




Currently Stitching On: Stitching on a Christmas ornament

Christmas Ornament for Lynda

I received a lovely email from Lynda today, letting me know that my ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap arrived safe and sound! Yay - took longer than I thought it would... of course, it is that time of the year!

Christmas Eve Deer Ornament
Prairie Schooler
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2009
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

**Attn Readers! This week's Freebie Friday book is Debbie Macomber's Home for the Holidays! Don't miss out - how fantastic is that?? Convenient link for you here...



Stitching on: Stitching on a Christmas Ornament

Christmas Gifts for Rosalie

I received an email earlier today letting me know that Rosalie (no blog) has received a little package of Christmas gifts that I sent to her for a small Christmas Exchange Group. I was getting a little worried - she lives quite nearby in Maine, but it seemed to take a bit longer than I had expected for my gifts to arrive... but now they have, so I can share:


Red Desert Scissor Pocket
The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio
28 ct Clay Cashel Linen, HDF Silk in Crushed Berry, and Dinky Dyes Silk in Bush Christmas

And... the rest of the goodies I sent to her... sadly, my ability to take photos this week has been awful. The weather here has been predominantly dark, gloomy - even flew in from my FIL's funeral in Buffalo, NY last night to our first snowfall... brr... So, here I present yet another super blurry photo. I really should work on getting better photos!!

If you like to read... please don't forget to check Harlequin's daily specials - a discount or free gift every day for about another week... they call it the 12 Days of Christmas... have gotten some great deals so far!


Stitching on: Stitching on a gift

Friends Ornament

I have another ornament that I stitched for a friend to share tonight. The photo is a little dark - most of the mornings this week have been dark and rainy here. The morning I took this photo (Monday), was one such morning...

Friends Ornament
Lizzie Kate
28 ct Clay Cashel Linen, GAST and WDW Floss, Charm from Flip It Chart





Stitching on: Stitching on gifts - mailed Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap, and mailed Christmas Exchange this week

Christmas Stitching Ornament

I heard from a dear friend of mine that my little Christmas gift for her has arrived safe and sound! It had a long, long distance to travel, so I am thrilled to learn all is well with it, and it was well received!

Christmas Stitching Ornament
My Mark
2009 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue
Wichelt 32 ct Bonnie Blue Linen, DMC Floss

More Christmas Ornaments!

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends!

I have some more Christmas ornaments to share today!

I received this sparkly beauty from Ronel for the FTT Christmas Ornament Exchange earlier this week - was waiting for a sunny afternoon to take a good photo, but we have had cloudy weather with sprinkles most of the week... at least it is still mild here, so I won't complain. I had to give in and take a photo of it on my kitchen counter this morning, as I have been dying to show it off. It is so pretty - thank you, Ronel!

And, my final PIF for the year has now arrived at its destination! Edda emailed me yesterday to let me know that the Christmas Ornament I stitched for her has now arrived safe and sound in Iceland. I was a little worried about how long it would take, as I noticed well after I left the post office the day that I mailed it that the receipt said Ireland on it... did not know if the clerk had the right bar code on the postage tape, and whether or not this ornament would end up south east of Iceland for a little while... probably did not, though, as it did arrive in decent time!

Holiday Wreath Ornament
JBW Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads

I hope my US friends had a nice Thanksgiving - Mike and I enjoyed a nice time at my mother's house with her new husband, my siblings and my nieces today... plenty to give thanks for yet again!

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Stitching on: Stitching on a Xmas gift and on my Christmas Exchange

Gift for Sandra

I heard from Sandra this evening that she has received the little gift I stitched for her in reward for having been the original 1000th poster to the Freebie Gallery (after broken links were removed). Keeping with getting that old Christmas spirit charging up, I chose to stitch her a Christmas ornament. Since this was a Freebie Gallery gift, I felt I just had to stitch her a freebie!

Joy Ornament
Lilybet Designs
32 ct Willow Green Belfast Linen, GAST and DMC Floss, Dress It Up! Star Button




Currently Stitching: Stitching on Christmas Swap

Christmas Ornament for Hazel... and one for Becky... and one for Andrea too!

**Edited to add - OK, two more ornaments I recently stitched and mailed have arrived at new homes today too - so here they all are... (I know - so much from me all at once!)...

I just heard from Hazel that she has just received the Christmas Ornament I sent to her for the Friends Through Threads Christmas Ornament Exchange. I was so pleased that the ornament arrived in the UK in just a little over a week's time - much improvement in the UK postal service now! Yay! Here is what I chose to stitch for Hazel...

Prairie Schooler Santa Ornament
Prairie Schooler
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2008
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Hazel wrote that she was really pleased with the ornament, and I must say that I was thrilled to receive her name for this exchange. Glad you like it Hazel - Merry Christmas to you!!

I heard from Becky that she received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. I stalked her blog a little to decide what to stitch for her, and I noticed she recently had a birthday giveaway of a reindeer kit... and mentioned she loved reindeer... so I stitched her a reindeer (of course!!):

The Stag Ornament
Helga Mandl Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, DMC Floss, Bead-It Beads

And... then I also heard from Andrea that she received the PIF that I sent off to her as well... yet another Christmas ornament, as I really have been wanting to work up that Christmas spirit lately...

Holiday Heart Ornament
JBW Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads and Dress It Up! Star Button

Glad everyone said they were pleased with their tree gifties... now one last PIF out there waiting to be received.... but it has to travel a bit to Iceland... so stay tuned!

Stitching on: Stitching on Christmas Exchange for private group

beCause It's Pink Exchange for Kim

I was so relieved to receive an email from Kim this afternoon letting me know that at long last, my HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange for her finally arrived in the UK. I think it got itself all tied up in the backlog of the UK's postal strike, but it appears that arrived safe and sound anyhow!

Pearls & Rosebuds Fob
The Drawn Thread
28 ct Cameo Rose Cashel Linen, DMC Floss

... And the rest of the goodies for Kim - DMC marblized scissors, pink floss, two pink fabrics, assorted gold tone charms, a pack of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and a pink flowered bookmark... hope you enjoy, Kim!




Currently Stitching: Stitching a PIF

Christmas Ornament for Edgar

I was thrilled to get an email this evening from Edgar letting me know that the ornament I sent to him for the Christmas Ornament Swap somehow finally found its way to San Francisco today! The mail from me to Edgar is rarely more than two days - but this little guy took at least two weeks to arrive... but alas, after some panicking and a decision today to start stitching a new ornament for him (which will become a PIF really soon now for someone on my list!!), it did arrive! And as always, Edgar was so kind in his words to me about it :-)

Peace Angel Ornament
Prairie Schooler
32 ct White Belfast Linen, DMC Floss and RG Petite Treasure Braid

Whew, that is a relief! Now if the HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange I sent... um, three weeks ago??... to the UK would just arrive... all would be right in my swapping world again!!

Glad you like it Edgar - this design screamed out to me to stitch for you!

Stitching on: Finished my FTT Christmas Ornament Exchange today, now stitching on a PIF

PIF for Wendy Jo

Wendy Jo emailed me this morning to let me know that the PIF I sent off to her has arrived. With Christmas so close now, I chose to make her a Christmas Ornament - this is one I have admired in one of the past JCS Ornament Issues, so I chose to make it for her (I just love JBW Designs):

Peace On Earth Ornament
JBW Designs
2006 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue
28 ct Natural Cashel Linen, GAST and DMC Floss

Glad you like it Wendy Jo! Now 2 PIFs down, 2 to go!




Currently stitching: Stitching on a small gift

Stunning Ornament from Tracy

I received the most fantastic treat in the mail today! I am the extrememly lucky recipient of this stunning, delicate and perfectly stitched little stocking ornament made by Tracy! I am over the moon with it and just cannot wait until I can display it in about a month... thank you so much for this fantastic treat! (This was for the Christmas Ornament Swap. run by BeckySC)...

And, I really need to say thank you to all of you who sent such kind words and condolences to Mike and I regarding the sudden passing of his father last week. I know I have not been around the blogs or stitching groups much at all lately. Life took such an unexpected turn for me in 2009. I have felt so detached from this world of stitching and stitching bloggers, and for a while I was so depressed over it that I pulled back even further. It warmed my heart more than any of you can imagine to know that so many of you took just a moment to let us know you care. Thank you - I cherish you. Even those who did not stop by, you are forever in my thoughts. {{HUGS}}

Stitching on: Stitching on a small gift, and mailed a PIF today too...

Sad News... and Pretty Exchanges

I figure I will start with my sad news first... as some of my stitching friends are aware, Mike's father was very recently told he had Stage 4 Lung Cancer. He was too far gone really for chemo, but he did at least try it, with no positive effects. He went very rapidly down hill from there, and after Mike went down to Florida last week to say goodbye to him and celebrate his father's last birthday with him, my father in law passed away on Sunday night. This is a very painful time for us, and we will miss him very, very much. RIP Arnold Sutcliffe, 10/22/37 - 10/25/09. We love you very much.

In the midst of all of that, I received this really pretty beCause It's Pink Exchange (HoE) from Sharlotte. Sharlotte had a really unique idea. She stitched me a lingerie bag. Pretty! She also sent me a handmade bookmark (since I am also an avid reader, this is wonderful!), a set of pretty pink emery boards (also soooo me - I have long, natural nails that always need refining), a pink Sharpie pen, and two skeins of floss. What a treat! Thank you Sharlotte!

And, today I received a Halloween Exchange (HoE) from Terry. She stitched an ornament and a fob using Blue Ribbons Designs charts - on the prettiest orange linen. And... so cool... a Halloween Needle Minder! Great exchange, thank you Terry!!

Currently Stitching: Stitching a gift - also mailed my Christmas Ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap yesterday

PIF for Susan

My PIF that had gone missing for a while came back to me, and now has been re-sent and received by Susan in TX (cannot find her blog link anywhere!!). Finally - at last - and I still have a few more to go before the year ends!!

Garden Alphabet "S" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss




Stitching on: Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap

Halloween Exchange for Stacy

I heard from Stacy last night, and she let me know that she has received the HoE Halloween Exchange that I sent off to her:

Fraidy Frog Fob
Just Nan
Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue (September 2009)
Silkweaver 28 ct Solo Lugana, DMC Floss

And... the goodies!

Also, some really good news (to me it is!) - the PIF I sent to Susan came back to me today! Susan was living in Chicago and I sent it to her there, not knowing she had moved to Texas. I have her new address and it will go home to her tomorrow, first thing!




Stitching on: Stitching on HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange

PIF from Joke... and Gingher Elenas for Sale

I cannot believe it is over a month since I have blogged. Life does continue its hectic pace. I am late in sharing this lovely PIF that Joke sent to me. I think it is so cute! Thank you so much Joke! (You can see I took the photo outdoors and there is some leftover "chipmunk food" in the photo - this is exactly where a certain little chipmunk in our yard likes to snack every day on our porch!). I am so sad, though, that a PIF I sent a good month ago to one of my girls on my list has gone amiss... she moved and I did not know it. It is somewhere in the postal forwarding system, and has been for weeks... I do pray she receives it soon!

And... Mike asked me to tell you that he has the new Gingher Elena scissors available in his store: Mike & Carol's Internet Store . He has 4", 5", 8" and 8" left-handed for you - super low prices too! **The 4" Elenas just sold out...for now... please feel free to place your order now, though, as a new shipment is due here on Wednesday and Mike will fill your order as soon as FedEx drops them at his door

Hope you have all been well!!






Stitching on: Stitching on HoE Halloween Exchange