What Month Is it?

It is March, and it is very early into spring here... and a possible "snow bomb" to hit us tomorrow night because... well... Mother Nature is angry with the Northeast US?? I dunno, cannot figure any other logical explanation. Some day, if I ever dig out of the cold and the snow here, I shall wave and say hi to you all..

In the meantime, I received some beautiful Halloween ornaments from exchanges this week...  

This beauty is from Roberta for the current round of the HoE Halloween Ornament Exchange. I think this must be by Notforgotten Farm... just LOVE it!!! Thank you so much Roberta! Wow!

And another BEAUTY from my dear friend Karen - we decided to do our own personal Halloween Ornament Exchange... she stitched this colorful delight for me. I think it is from a recent JCS Halloween issue... I shall say it again... LOVE it! Thank you my friend!!! Cannot wait to hang these for Halloween!!

And on Monday the 17th, the new May 2014 issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework arrived.  I was waiting on this!!  I ran upstairs, pulled the floss, got online and ordered the WDW Boysenberry that I did not have, and worked on this all week as I got a moment here and there... and finished it right before bedtime last night.  I love, love, love this sampler!!!  I am almost half way through now, and no block has been a disappointment!

Happy Spring... to those who have spring weather! We will catch up with you in August, I suspect... 

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

Oh My Heavens!

Saw in my friend Margaret's blog that she has been working on And They Sinned, and I realized that while I put an hour or so into mine at times, I have not posted an update in quite a long time. Margaret is much farther along than I am - take a peek at hers :-) I am a bit mired in the sky/Heavens in the top section. I think I will keep this pulled out and put a little time into it this weekend. Might be time for me to go back to using a rotation with my stitching??

This sampler is great fun, and I really hope that once the blob of the sky/Heavens is finished, I will really love having a whole slew of little colorful motifs to stitch next.  One problem for me, though, is that I am using a skein of GAST Tarnished Gold that is a fantastic color lot... very tarnished.  But it is years old and from Gentle Arts' earlier days (I can tell by the sales tag on the skein - where I bought it has been closed for a looooooong time). Problem?  Some of the threads are much thinner than they should be.  Not sure what happened there.  Half or more of the skein is unuseable.... unfortunate.

OK...  kinda determined to finish the blob here...

More snow today. So exciting.  Who wants Spring anyhow??/ (strong, strong note of sarcasm is required here)...

Valentine Rose

First two blocks of Anniversaries of the Heart are now complete. This second block, Valentine Rose, is dedicated to my husband...

Halloween Time for Melissa

Melissa has received the Halloween Tree Ornament that I stitched for her for the HoE Halloween Exchange... I stumbled across this cute freebie while surfing one day, and here is the result...

R.I.P. Ornament

The Stitcherhood - chart is here 

Kiwi Illusions 28 ct Pumice Lugana, DMC Floss

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time... I was on Facebook and somehow ended up at the page for Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery... how? I have no idea. Perhaps FB decided it was a page I would like and had it in my newsfeed? I can figure no other way... But I visited there, and somehow clicked to join a year long mystery SAL called Once Upon a Time... and here is the first two months (very, very unlike me kind of choice) -

So, this sampler is charted in what I think the designers call a "kawaii" style... may be misspelling that, but I guess from what wiki says it is some kind of new fangled Japanese art style... simple and cute.  So why did I choose this??  I think it has to be my childhood love of fairy tales.  But I always liked the darker elements of fairy tales... no dark elements here... yet!  So we have Snow White and two of her dwarves doing the laundry in January, and then we have the Princess and the Frog Prince  hanging out with flowers and pastries in February... hmmm.... awfully big eyed, little girl looking princesses, if you ask me.  March is different...  no princess in March and a villain shows its face.  Irregardless, I am having fun stitching this up on PTP 40 ct Gold Doubloon linen with the called for DMC floss.  The designers charted this for PTP 28 ct Gold Doubloom opalescent cashel linen... I like the high count fabrics, and felt this does look a lot like a piece of parchment paper, like the page of a fairy tale book. Did not feel like using opalescent, and glad for that choice.  We shall see where this goes.... in the end, I imagine this will hang in one of my therapy offices.  I see quite a few kids in treatment, the little girls will giggle at it...  sigh, sometimes we never grow up ;-)

Sugar Plums from Amy

Just received this really cute ornament from Amy for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange. I really love it. Her fabric trim finishing is just the cutest! Thank you again, Amy!

Snow Garden

Despite having And They Sinned as a major project to work on this year, I have decided that BBD's Anniversaries of the Heart has become a must stitch right now.

I spent the last couple of days starting it off, and tonight I finished the first block, Snow Garden, while DH watched Ender's Game.  It is so delicate!  I am using Lakeside Linens 40 ct Pearled Barley, which is much browner than the same linen was when I stitched Houses of Hawk Run Hollow.  No problem, like this shift in color.

Since I am from a very small family that is also fractured and made even smaller, I will need to really think about each block and how to dedicate it.  This first block has my sister's "pertinents and such" on it, as she has a winter birthday in January.  She has the same initials as the model on the cover of the chart ;-)  She is single with no children, so I added our parents' first initials within the design for her.

I am sure many of my friends, including stitching friends, will soon make their way onto other blocks in this sampler.  Sometimes we have to make our own families.

Now, if I could just find my GAST Picnic Basket I would be all set to do the second block....

So snowy here in NH.... really hope you have better weather than we do.  More on the way for us.  Enough already. 

Winter is Here... And It is Hanging On

Winter is here and letting us know it... two straight days of snow, and certainly not the first storm of the year. We are doing our hearty New England "thing" and doing our level best to just accept it. But since my back porch is looking like this this morning, I was reminded that I had yet to share this... a small ornament I stitched up weeks ago, popped into one of my ornament baskets and forgot about....

Winter Jumble Ornament (select motifs chosen from larger sampler chart) The Drawn Thread 40 ct Dirty Newcastle Linen, Crescent Colours Floss

A Year of Celebrations

I decided to start something fun that will carry me though much of the year...  Hands On Design has a project entitled A Year of Celebrations currently running in Cross Stitch & Needlework.  As each square is only 50x50, I figured I could easily pop this into my life and do this.  I decided to use 40 ct Vintage Country Mocha linen and am stitching it 3x4 on a fat eighth.  She started with the Dec/Jan charts first, so I have December put aside and will have to wait until I at least have September in place before I can place it properly on the linen.  Lots of colors in this one...  WDW, GAST and CC floss.  Three squares done and so far only CC Snowball and WDW Pumpkin have been used in more than one block, so I am wondering how many flosses I will end up needing to get this done.  Unfortunately, this is clearly designed for the Northern Hemisphere, and we will see if July is Independence Day and November is Thanksgiving... which would make this exclusively US oriented...  think international stitchers would have enjoyed this as well.  I love how each block has a little word to describe the month. 

OK, I hesitated but will share this bit of info... I chose this because the colors remind me of this incredibly colorful set of coffee mugs I recently bought for the kitchen.  I am making this small as I just miiiiiight choose to hang it near the mugs.... so, I have heard of buying an outfit to match a new pair of shoes, but a needlework project to match a new set of mugs?  That is how I roll...

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

Halloween Ornament from Amy

I received this really adorable, scary, charming wee ornament from Amy this morning for the current round of the HoE Halloween Ornament Exchange.  I love this little cutie.  It is from Prairie Schooler's Heads Up! leaflet.  She stitched on rather high count fabric, appears to be 40 ct.  I took it outside to take a photo 1) for good lighting, and 2) because I thought it would look spooky hanging on my currently very leafless honeysuckle bush.  But it is too windy outside to do that.  Anyhoo, I just love this great ornament and will cherish it forever. Thanks again Amy :-)

Halloween Ornament for Linda

I saw in the HoE blog that Linda received the Halloween Ornament that I sent off to her. I took this photo mere moments before a surprise snowstorm (over 6") fell on Saturday. Glad I did not wait a minute or two longer... knew I felt a tiny snowflake on my face when I was getting the camera ready...whew! Fun ride to the PO, but all turned out just fine ;-)

Perched on a Pumpkin Ornament

Blue Ribbon Designs

JCS 2010 Annual Halloween Issue

Lakeside Linens 36 ct Vintage Pear Linen, WDW Floss

Scandinavian Stocking Ornament

One last little Christmas ornament that I finished before the end of the year but totally forgot to post...

Scandinavian Stocking Ornament

JBW Designs

32 ct White Belfast Linen, Ateleir a Broder Floss

Recent Ornament Finishes

I have some Christmas Ornament finishes to share... glad to hear that the last of my ornament gifts arrived safe and sound near the end of last week... Marie, Margaret and I exchange ornaments annually, as do Katrina and I... here is what I made for them:

Star So Bright

Knotted Tree Needleart

2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue

36 ct Vintage Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen, CC, WDW and GAST Floss

Stitched for Marie

O Holy Night 

Knotted Tree Needleart

2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue

36 ct Vintage Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen, CC, WDW and GAST Floss

Stitched for Margaret

And for my tree, since DH loves the movie...

Bedford Falls Oranament

The Sampler Girl

36 ct Vintage Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen, CC Floss

It is almost Christmas Eve in many places where this may be seen...  please have a joyous and safe holiday....  see you on the other side of Christmas, my friends :-)

Beautiful Ornaments from Friends

Over the past couple of days, I have been the very, very lucky recipient of these beautiful ornaments from two more of my friends. Marie, Margaret and I exchange every year, and have for quite some time... this year's offerings for me are:

This JBW cat designs from Margaret. How cute is this? Margaret comes up every year for Celebration of Needlework and visits with me. She has been to my home and has seen my brood of kitties... this one sure looks like she had my Angus in mind. And the finishing is so perfect, as always. Another ornament to treasure, thank you Margaret... for the ornament and your neverending friendship.

And... from beloved Marie, this lovely winter scene. I need to figure out what pattern this one is... I know I have seen it, but where and by who? LOL It's a real beauty. Along with some fun goodies, Marie has sent me yet another treasure. Thank you too, Marie, not just for these gifts, but for your enduring friendship as well.

I truly am blessed.  Holiday Wishes to you all!

Pretty Needleroll Ornament from Katrina

Received this beautiful LK needleroll ornament from my dear friend Katrina last night. I love it, and have caught myself admiring it several times now...lol. It says Rejoice along the right side, and capturing a decent picture of that was difficult... a sweet treat for my tree that I will cherish forever! Thank you, dear friend!

Stitcher's Choice Ornament from Jayne

Received this CCN ornament from Jayne for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange a few days ago.  The colors are lovely and she did a really beautiful job with it.  It is up on the tree and am enjoying it a great deal. Thank you Jayne, Happy Holidays!

For Karen and Brenda...

I received lots of good news yesterday, with ornaments shipped off having been received at their new homes.... always such a relief! First, Karen let me know that she received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange. I made her a tiny one, as I have noticed in recent years that her Christmas trees have been quite wee...

Joyful Ornament My Big Toe Designs 2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue R&R  Reproductions 40 ct Creme Brulee Linen, WDW Floss   Karen also received my annual Christmas Ornament that I make for her...

St. Nicholas Ornament The Prairie Schooler R&R Reproductions 40 ct Creme Brulee Linen, DMC Floss   And...my old, dear stitching friend, Brenda (no blog, darn, not yet at least...) has received a little something I stitched for her tree too...

Seven Pines Ornament Little House Needleworks Freebie in LHN Blog, forgot to grab the link 36 ct Dirty Edinburgh Linen, CC Floss

Great Mail Day!

It was snowing pretty heavily this morning, then it morphed into flurries, slush and next... ice.... heard the roads were bad, so why bother going into the office? As an extra treat, the mailman brought me a bundle of gifts today... and shortly DH will put the lights on the tree and my baskets of cross stitched ornaments will finally be hung... look, new ones arrived today just in time for that!

First up is a super adorable ornament from Ariane for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Ornament Exchange. Love it! Thank you so much Ariane. Such a pleasure to have you join our group so recently.

My dear, dear friend Karen also sent a package which contained this really cute CHS ornament which she says is a belated bday gift... and she sent me the full alphabet chart too, something I have coveted for the longest! See - she is a dear, dear friend. Wow!

And... she stitched this ornament for my tree this year... Karen does know I like my coffee....lol. I can now take this off of my "to stitch" list...thank you Karen, love them both, and you, so very much!

SV is Finished!

Put in the last stitch last night.  It is a dark, rainy autumn morning and I must be off to work very, very soon...  so this is the beset I could get to share right now....  when it is framed, will hope to get a better photo that will show the snowflakes better.

Halloween Exchange and Gifts for Friends

I received this really cute Prairie Schooler Halloween Tree ornament earlier this week from
Becky. This was HoE's first Halloween Tree Ornament Exchange that will be running six times a year. I just love how Becky finished this with blanket stitch!!

Earlier today I finally received the good news from Katrina that the Christmas ornament I sent to her back on (I checked my receipt last night) November 1, finally arrived safe and sound in New Zealand! Whew!!!!
St. Nicholas Ornament Prairie Schooler 36 ct Sand Edinburgh Linen, DMC Floss

And, great news from Andrea yesterday... she received an ornament I had stitched for her as well... hers arrived much quicker. Just waiting on one more overseas ornament to muddle its way through the holiday postal system now.
Holiday Spirit Ornament Samplerbird Stitchery Unknown Linen from Stash, CC Jelly Roll Floss and Mill Hill Beads  

I am so very close now to finishing Santa's Village.  I had to take a day off to rip out a misplaced cafe table and some other parts...grrr.... truly want to get on it tonight, but still have three more ornaments to stitch. Therefore, going to take the responsible route, listen to my AudioNotch recordings for 90 mins (they are a therapy program for my tinnitus - must say I see some slight improvement and it is still early days), visit with Mike (DH) and start one of those three ornaments tonight.  Perhaps there will be a good movie to watch too.

A Special Gift From a Friend.... And I Need Help From My Stitching Friends...

 

 

 I have received a wonderful surprise from my dear stitching friend, Andrea over the past weekend. It is always such a treat to receive a giftie from Andrea. Her finishing puts mine to shame, I truly must say. I had actually had an ornament all set to go to surprise her as well.... and it is officially on its way as of yesterday. Andrea has posted that this design is by Soed Idee (a free chart, link available in Andrea's blog) and is called Christmas Wreath. Thank you again, dear Andrea.

I really, really am hoping to get some help from one of my blog readers/stitching friends on this one. I purchased the JCS 2012 Halloween Collectors Issue because the above photo on the cover grabbed me. The ornament, however, is only pictured on the cover, there is not a chart for it in the issue. It is very clearly by Plum Street Samplers. I learned from Googling that it was at one time posted for free on the JCS website. Of course, I missed that. I asked around in a FB group, and it was suggested I email Paulette. I did, but she did not reply. Can anyone help me? Does anyone have this stored in their computer and would be willing to share? I have asked Paulette if it is even a freebie that can be shared any longer. As I said, no reply. I am pretty saddened that I bought the magazine for this and cannot even access the chart. Any real would surely be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

It is bitingly cold in New England now... with a warm up (slight) due tomorrow, bringing with it very heavy rain.  Wish me luck. We will be going to MIL's to take her to lunch in that horriffic weather tomorrow.  Something about it is bugging me....  does not feel like a good idea.  Oh well.  Will have to wait and see.  

Halloween Tree Ornament for Michelle

I learned today that Michelle has received the HoE Halloween Tree Ornament that I stitched up for her. Was getting worried as the USPS stated it was delivered on Monday, but got the news on the HoE blog today that it did arrive. I really wanted to keep this one, so I truly hope she enjoys it...

Spells Ornament
The Stitcherhood
2012 JCS Halloween Collectors Edition
28 ct Potato Annabelle, DMC Floss
Stitched 1*1

Santa's Village Update

At last, a new update on Santa's Village.  I opted not to post when I finished Gingerbread Emporium as I just started stitching along into Elves' Workshop that same night...  I finished up through part 11 as the Red Sox were winning the World Series last night ;-)  Only one more part to go!!  Am ready for this one to end so that I can put some serious time back into And They Sinned...

Hope you are all well.  Cold and rainy here today....Happy Halloween!!!

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 ;-)

An exchange and a RAK from a friend - aka My Very Lucky Day!!!

I had an amazing lucky mail day today!  I received my HoE Runners Up Christmas Ornament Round from my dear, dear friend Marie today.  For this round, stitchers get to choose between Just Nan, LHN or CCN designs - all runners up in polls to choose themes earlier this year.  Marie chose LHN's Sheep Virtues "Hope" for me, I kinda think I know why...  and it is so bee-u-ti-ful! Thank you so much Marie, I shall cherish this and cannot wait to hang it.

Marie also sent along a RAK for me.  She knows I want to start a Halloween Tree, and Marie will soon be running a Halloween Tree exchange on HoE that runs the same as the Christmas Ornament one that I run.... come on over and join us if you are interested!  She stitched this cutie by M Designs from the 2012 JCS Halloween Issue...  and personalized the back, lest I never, ever forget my dear friend.  She sent some WDW and trims as well.  I feel so blessed.

Please enjoy a quick view here of some of the last summer Morning Glories on my porch... fall is settling itself in here in New Hampshire.

OK, time to gather my stuff up and stitch my ornament for the HoE Runners Up Christmas Round too!

Meanwhile, I am slugging along (as in slow like a slug) on SV's Gingerbread Emporium.  My headaches and back pains are tough of late, so sitting and stitching has been difficult, but I plan to get my back adjusted again and forge ahead!!

Happy Weekend, my friends!

Santa's Sleighworks

It took me absolutely forever and a day to stitch the ninth installment of Santa's Village, known as Santa's Sleighworks.  Anything that could get in my way, pretty much did.  We went to Montreal for a bit, and I chose not to bring this along (need my lamp, after all, and well... I was there to sightsee, eat and drink... and walk a whole lot!)...  then I stitched the red part of the sleigh only to see I started one stitch too low and had to riiiiip that out and re-do it.... but alas, here it is. Whew!  The next installment is already ordered and hopefully will be here soon.

In the meantime, stitching away on bits of And They Sinned, and also getting going on my Christmas Ornament gifts!

Hope all is well with all of you.... back to work tomorrow after a week's holiday!

2013 Gingher Julia Scissors Available Here... Great Price

IN STOCK NOW - My DH has these super pretty new Gingher Designer Series scissors available for you now in both the 4" and 5" sizes... totally authentic, prices well below other sites or shops... $26.99 and $28.99 respectively.. check them out here: Mike and Carol's Internet Store - Gingher Julia Link

Note that the link says they are not available yet, but the scissors actually were released early and have been here for 2-3 weeks already.  Just remembered to post the info for you - great for holiday gifts!

2013 Gingher Emily Scissors are also available in both sizes as well...

***VERY SORRY - due to USPS and other international postal changes, Mike can no longer ship internationally. This is very, very disappointing to us, and we are very sorry.  US customers only. 

Prairie Schooler Christmas Ornament from Conny

I have just received a truly lovely exchange from Conny, one of HoE's newest members. She joined our Prairie Schooler Christmas Ornament round, and what a treat - she stitched up this beautiful Santa, used a sweet holiday fabric for the backing, a sweet pair of ribbons and little red bells for her trim. I shall cherish this on my tree every year!

Santas and Snowmen Ornament

Prairie School, Book No. 51

32 ct Zweigart Linen and DMC Floss

Prairie Schooler Ornament for Nicole

I heard from Nicole today that she received the ornament I stitched for her for the HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange.  It was really fun to stitch this Santa from an "ancient" leaflet (copyright 1988) - I truly like their older designs better than their newer ones, in many cases.  So glad Nicole says she likes this one.  Sadly, I realized after I took the pic of the ornament hanging from a huge honeysuckle bush/tree that is against my back porch that some bits from the honeysuckle are on his face in two areas...  if you see them, they are not boo boos - lol.  I just hope I didn't send the ornament to her with those bits of dried honeysuckle plant on it!

  St. Nicholas Ornament

Prairie Schooler

28 ct Riviera French Country Linen, DMC Floss

I also personalized the back a bit for her. The dove and mistletoe are from a different Santa in the leaflet...

Hope everyone is having a lovely late summer (or spring in the 'other' hemisphere) - happy stitching to all... I best get started on more of SV part 9, as I see part 10 is about to be released.... I am lagging behind...lol

Bat Buddy

I have heard from my dear friend Marie that she has received the little Halloween ornament that I stitched up for her new Halloween tree this past weekend. Marie is a very dear friend who is always so kind and thoughtful towards me. She understands my tinnitus as she has it as well. She is always there for me. And, she makes me gifties and I am a bit behind in gifting her! So... I made this guy for her.... now, I have only stitched on perforated paper but once in my life, and that was so many years ago. I found trimming the darn paper to be devilish...

Bat Buddy

Flowers 2 Flowers

JCS 2013 Annual Halloween Issue

28 ct Brown Perforated Paper, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads

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