Wonderful Mail!

Yesterday, the mailmain delivered a birthday gift from my dear stitching friend, Marie! What a surprise - I used to stitch a lot of bday gifts for stitching friends, but life circumstances changed dramatically and now I rarely ever have a chance to do that anymore. I absolutely never expect to receive gifts, and yet... look at this stunning surprise from Marie. I adore it - the colors are amazing and the stitching and finishing are perfect! Thank you, Marie, for the treat! I will email you today - I got in so late last night from a dinner with my mom, her husband and his family that I was not at all focused until this morning :-)
And then, the mailman brought another treat today! I received this adorable HoE For the Birds Exchange from Erin today. Isn't this sooooo cheerful! I love this little SamSarah design and the finish so much that it now sits in my hutch in my dining area and is so perky! I am so lucky! She also could not resist making me one of those fun fobs she has been making with her husband's grandmother's beads - she said Happy BDay in my card, so must be for that! I was admiring the one she had in her blog recently, and now I own one! See, I am soooo lucky! Thank you Erin.... gulp, now I better kick it into high gear to get my exchange out in time.... :-)




Currently Stitching: HoE For the Birds Exchange, and Family Reunion Sampler

Belated Birthday for Katrina

I heard from Katrina a few days ago that she has received my belated birthday package... it is actually my second package to her, but package number one, sent to NZ in early April, is yet to arrive... so I made a second gift and added new goodies.... and those have, at least, arrived!

Dear Friend Needlebook
Elizabeth's Designs
28 ct Putty Cashel Linen, DMC Floss




Currently Stitching: Family Reunion Sampler

More Family Reunion Progress

I have a little more progress on Family Reunion that I can share... not a lot of new motifs, but did start to personalize a few more motifs in the past week or two. I posted this over on Facebook too - this way the family can peek and see if they can find their initials yet - it has become a bit of a game for them ;-)

Happy Fourth of July to my American pals!!

Happy Belated Birthday to Karen

I got the official word today from Karen that my belated birthday package for her has arrived safe and sound in Australia... I am almost exactly two months late in getting this to her - thankfully, she is a great sport! I sent her a bunch of goodies, and stitch her this piece... her initials are on there, but cannot be seen in any of the shots I took...




Sweet Baby James Needle Purse
Indigo Rose
28 ct Antique Ivory Cashel Linen, DMC 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

ABC Exchange from Suzanne

Today I received this lovely mattress pincushion from Suzanne for the HoE ABC Exchange. It is one of my favorite freebie charts, and she finished it simply perfectly. I love it so much - and truly admire anyone who makes a mattress pincushion - the counting involved for the finishing is mind boggling... and Suzanne willingly boggled her mind for me! I appreciate that :-) Thank you so much!!




Currently Stitching: CaHORH, Family Reunion, a gift, and starting a Christmas Ornament... mailed off a gift to a far away place today too :-)

Family Reunion Sampler Progress

I figured it was time to show a new progress picture of Family Reunion. I have a new SD card for my camera now. I started adding a few family members' initials here and there... I still am not sure how I am going to work it out and make them all fit... it's a fun, quick stitch!

Oh... free shipping at eharlequin runs to the end of the month!



Currently Stitching: CaHRH, Family Reunion and two gifts...

Retired Gingher Scissors Available Now!

Mike has some amazing deals on RETIRED 4" Gingher Designer Scissors!

Currently available: Alyssa, Mia, Freedom

Gingher Elena also still available.... Grab your pair of Freedom Ginghers in time for Fourth of July

He is offering 5% off to blog readers onky - use coupon code FRIEND on his site....Mike & Carol's Internet Store

Early Christmas Exchange from Margie

I received this awesome HoE Early Christmas Exchange from Margie yesterday - I am absolutely thrilled. I have always wanted this BBD ornament, and now I have this one, so perfectly stitched and finished. Thank you so much Margie!

I have been working away on Family Reunion, but had to put it aside to stitch on a belated gift for a little bit... hope to post an update soon. My memory card on my digital camera failed, so I have to use my iPhone for a bit... not loving the FR photos it has taken so far, so here is to hoping I get a new card soon ;-)




Currently Stitching: CaHoRH, Ramily Reunion and two gifts...

Family Reunion Sampler

A week or two ago, I started a new project... and it has really gotten me back into stitching again! Whew! I decided to stitch Family Reunion by Rosewood Manor. This is not a good photo - I took it outdoors with my iPhone... not great. I am stitching it on Lakeside Linens 40 ct Maritime White linen with the called for DMC.... now the challenge is how to fit in all of Mike's ginormous family onto the sampler... thankfully, in this instance, my family is very small, so we will fit... I managed to stitch in a few initials as I have been stitching along. I think I am going to need an Excel spreadsheet to figure out where to fit everyone. I am so grateful to Facebook for this. Facebook has put me in touch with many of Mike's relatives and they were all quick to give me the info I needed for the sampler :-)

Currently Stitching: two gifts, Family Reunion and CaHOHR

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

Celebration of Needlework 2010

Yesterday I attended Celebration of Needlework in Nashua, NH. I was fortunate enough to be able to take a class with Jeannette Douglas again this year. There were fewer teachers there this year, and fewer vendors - a sign of the economy? The mood remained very upbeat, so I figure all is still pretty much well with the Celebration crew... and I surely enjoyed it yet again this year.

Here is Ms. Jeannette herself, chatting with students in class...

... and here is my progress on the class piece as of late last night - I did three bands in class, and then four more when I got home. It is a long band sampler that she finished as a bellpull to be rolled and tucked away in the box. I could not afford to also take the finishing class that was held today... I actually plan to just frame mine when done. It's called Royalty ABC, and I will try to remember to post more progress pictures as I have them.

I have definitely been more in a stitching mood again - whew! That was a long dry spell, and I hope it stays picked up for me again!




Currently Stitching: Royalty ABC, CaHORH - mailed off my HoE Early Christmas Exchange yesterday

Lazy Days of Summer Fob

I was digging around in my stash the other day, and again came across this wee chart that was originally part of a kit - I think I got the chart only on ebay... anyhow, felt like a good time to stitch it up!

Lazy Days of Summer Fob
Earth Threads
32 ct White Belfast Linen, DMC Floss




Currently Stitching: CaHOHR and starting Christmas Ornament Exchange - ready to mail Christmas Ornament Swap ;-)

We have Gingher Charlene Scissors Available Now/SOLD OUT

Looking for a pair of the Joann's Exclusive Gingher Charlene 4" Scissors? We have them now - in limited supply! Grab your pair at: Mike & Carol's Internet Store - no longer accepting PayPal, however credit cards welcome!


***SOLD OUT***

Another Christmas Ornament, and an Easter Exchange Arrived

I stitched up another ornament for my gift basket a few days ago - finally!

Sugar Plum Tree Ornament
Rosewood Manor
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, December 2007
28 ct Vintage Country Mocha Cashel Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads

Today I received my Easter exchange from Gaby. I apologize that my photo is blurry. I didn't realize it until I downloaded it. She stitched a super cute design of a bunny running with an Easter Egg - she wrote that it is from a German magazine. I love the design. She made it into a large hanging pillow with a pair of yo yos stitched on. She also sent a tiny beaded ornament of a chick in an egg... and other treats as seen above. Love the handmade German Easter card - thanks Gaby - hope you are feeling better now.




Currently Stitching: CaHRH

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

I've been spoiled rotten!

The mailman delivered a very heavy priority mail package this morning. I have been utterly spoiled rotten by Janet for the HoE LHN/CCN Exchange. This was Janet's first exchange, and she went over the top, way above and beyond! I apologize straight up for the poor photo quality. I should have gone out to the porch to take photos, but we are having a bit of a windstorm here this weekend, so I used the kitchen table instead....
Janet stitched me an album! I will describe it more below - along with it some 36 ct linen she hand dyed for me, the latest issue of SANQ (I had just let my subscription expire due to the economy) and a really pretty chart I had not yet seen that is dedicated in the memory of Kris Stott - it is chock full of great charts for smalls - by many of my favorite designers! She also enclosed a pen from her ebay shop ;-)
Inside the album... many pages full of goodies! Here is the inside cover and an example of a page - she included John James needles, a pretty pair of Premax scissors and several skeins of overdyed floss.... and some on later pages that appear to be ones she dyed herself for her shop and they are super nice! In the album are two more patterns for me -which I love!! See.... SPOILED! I cannot thank Janet enough. I cannot wait to use this - in fact, I will tonight! This will be an heirloom!




Just finished my Easter Exchange today - in time for the mailing date on Monday ;-)

Currently stitching: CaHRH, and going to start another Christmas Ornament for my gift basket...

Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow Update

I figured it is time to show an update of CaHRH. As you can see, I am still working the first block I started. It is a very dense block. I have been able to put spurts of time into it, but no consistent schedule. I am enjoying it, though! I have been busy with stitching my LHN/CCN and Easter Exchanges of late. Have been ill with stomach issues - in the hospital recently, recovering well now. Sure hope to post my next CaHRH update soon!

My Witching for Stitching RR came home last week - I hope to get a photo this weekend to share. It is so cute!




Currently Stitching: CaHRH, and LHN/CCN and Easter Exchanges

Christmas Ornament from Meghan

I received this really pretty Christmas Ornament yesterday from Meghan for the Christmas Ornament Swap. I had no idea Meghan was only 17 - can you believe it?? What a pretty ornament, and so well done - I am so thrilled with it! I will love being able to display it on my tree. Thanks Meghan!

Christmas Ornament for Rosalie

I just heard from Rosalie tonight (no blog) that she has received the ornament that I stitched for her for this round of the Christmas Ornament Swap. Rosalie wrote on her preferences list for the group that she loves items stitched in red - so I made this for her:

Noel Ornament
Gazette94 - scroll down a bit for the freebie chart
Wichelt 32 ct Chantilly Country French Linen, DMC 115, Jewelry Maker Beads

Glad you like it Rosalie!

I have put a few more hours in on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow, so I will get a photo this week to post my progress :-)

Currently Stitching: Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow, and starting Easter Exchange

A New Start - and it's a big one!

Well... here I go! I started something - finally - and it is a big something! Karen gifted me with this chart, and then talked me into starting it with her... Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow... it's been so long since I started something big.... gulp! This is Monday's and tonight's progress so far...

I did do a little more on Gingerbread Garden Sampler - will do a little more, and then show it!




Currently Stitching: Stitching an ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap, started Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

Finally Finished Something!

I finally finished something - it is not a big thing, but it is a finished thing. It took me longer than it should have, but at last, I have a new ornament finished for the basket!

Snow Merry Ornament
Homespun Elegance
JCS 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue
R&R Reproductions 28 ct Flax Fields Linen, Weeks Dye Works and DMC Floss
Snowflake charm ordered from Down Sunshine Lane




Currently Stitching: Gingerbread Garden Sampler, and about to start an ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap

A second Christmas!

Christmas came yesterday for the second time around for me. I received the most amazing, HUGE, box of gifts from Karen - they had been jammed up in the post. The box was chock full of treats from The Host by Stephenie Meyer, to Just Nan charts, a Sweetheart Tree Kit, a Cat's Whiskers Designs chart.... to these three amazing stitched items! The sweet SB ornament is in my ornament basket waiting to be hung in December... the needleroll takes pride of place in another basket... and wow, look! I cannot recall its name, but she stitched Just Nan's bee with its own little roll in it... all are sooo perfect! Thank you so much Karen! Karen is such a dear friend. I will cherish all of these forever.
Now I am off to drink this.... a large cup of Van Houtte's Spicy Mayan Chocolate coffee (K cup) - I can't wait!

Oh, I did make a little more progress on Gingerbread Garden Sampler, and have a Christmas ornament close to finished.... so I will share some of my own stitching again soon ;-)

Currently Stitching: Gingerbread Garden Sampler, and a Christmas ornament

A little start for 2010

I did manage to start a new project for the new year. I am hoping that I will be able to move along steadily with it, and keep focused. I have some busy days ahead, but plan to find pockets of time to devote to this.... Gingerbread Garden Sampler by Victoria Sampler ;-)




Currently Stitching: Gingerbread Garden Sampler