A little birthday gift for Karen

I sent a birthday package a while back to my friend Karen - I figure she has received it by now, although I cannot seem to reach her through any of my email accounts lately. I realized I have stitch a great many items for her, but had not yet stitched her an initial fob. So, I did this year. I sent her other treats, but here is the fob:
Farmer's Alphabet "K" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

I do hope Karen did receive her package and that all is well for her. I am sure I will hear from her at some point ;-)

Stitched on lately: Stitching on a Christmas Ornament for Amy for Christmas Ornament Swap, and stitching on HoE Just Nan Exchange

SBBC Gift for Rachel

I heard from Rachel today that she has received my birthday parcel. I was her partner for this year in the SBBC (Stitching Bloggers Birthday Club). I chose to stitch a scissor pocket for her and to send her matching scissors to go with it - I changed the colors up as I did not have the called for fibers:

Bianca Scissor Pocket
The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio
32 ct White Belfast Linen, Caron Waterlilies in Hyacinth and Moss

...And the rest of her goodies. Glad you like it Rachel - I had great fun making it for you!!

My DH still has plenty 4" Sarah, Freedom and Roberta Ginghers available - if interested, details are available in the posting below this one - and many, many thanks to the very many of you who have purchased already! We cannot thank you enough! If you can think of anything else he should carry in his online store, let me know!

Stitched on lately: Started Christmas ornament for Amy for Christmas Ornament Swap

Awesome Retired Gingher Scissors - CHEAP!!

My DH has a nice stock right now of awesome retired Gingher 4" scissors available in his store... and they are nicely priced! Did you miss out on either of these when they were out in Joann Stores last year? No need at all to miss out now!

DH sells these for $22.99 a pair, but wants to offer you a special price of $21.99 for reading about them here in my blog ;-)

Available are:

Gingher 4" Freedom Scissors

Gingher 4" Sarah Scissors

He also still has the recently retired Gingher 4" Roberta Scissors available, same price

To obtain yours, simply visit his store at: Mike and Carol's Internet Store and use the shopping cart system - simple!

Thanks - we hope someone will find a treat there that they wanted ;-)

Birthday Gift for Katrina

I heard from Katrina today that my little birthday parcel for her finally has arrived in NZ. I sent her a few goodies, and the stitched part of her gift was:

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

Happy Belated Birthday, Katrina!

Also... Mike wants you all to know that he is now down to his last two pair of Gingher 5" Roberta Scissors. These were retired some time ago, and unless he stumbles across more somewhere, this is it - so grab them now if you have been thinking about them: Mike and Carol's Internet Store :-)

Stitched on lately: Stitching on a gift

HoE Woodland Exchange for Maria, and a gift for a friend

I read today in the HoE II blog that Maria has received the HoE Woodland Exchange that I sent to her. I had a lot of fun making this - it is a tiny mattress pincushion, using a portion of LHN's Woodland Sampling chart...
Woodland Sampling Mattress Pincushion
Little House Needleworks
36 ct Flax Linen, DMC Floss

... And the rest of the goodies I chose to send to her - I hope she likes it!

I also got an email this morning that my old friend Brenda, who does not blog, has received a little gift that I sent to her too...

Garden Alphabet "B" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Stitched on this week: Started stitching a gift

Woodland Exchange from Chris

I received this HoE Woodland Exchange from Chris - she stitched a pretty pinkeep for me, and also sent me a UK stitching mag, some Anchor Marlitt floss, some Jayne's Attic hand dyed evenweave, a little dog kit...and some Cadbury Eggs that just never made it into the photo ;-) Thanks Chris!

Stitched on lately: I just managed to finish my HoE Woodland Exchange late last night and will be mailing it today (the deadline day!)

Autumn Exchange for Cathy

I heard from Cathy today that she has received my well-overdue Autumn Exchange - whew! I was quite late with getting this out due to my nutty work schedule of late. Autumn?? Well, it is autumn in Australia - weird stitching autumn in spring :-) I noticed everything I photograph on this windowsill is coming out looking quite crooked lately - must be me (has to be!) and my body angle?? Yikes!

Autumn Tree Pinkeep
The Trilogy
32 ct Natural Pearl Linen, WDW and GAST Floss, Buttons by The Trilogy

... And the rest of the goodies for Cathy - now to really start thinking about my upcoming Winter Exchange for her - I surely don't want to be late with that!!

Stitched on this week: Started HoE Woodland Walk Exchange

Finished Terry's Halloween RR

I finished up Terry's Halloween RR tonight, just in time for the next mailing date, which is Tuesday. I apologize that my photos do not show her fabric off well - in real life, her Silkweaver belfast solo is very vibrant. I took this photo under lights in my finished basement without using my flash, and the end result is that her fabric looks gray/lavender rather than lilac/peach/gray... Anyhow, her RR was starting to look a lot like a Halloween neighborhood to me, with a resident witch, so I chose to continue that theme and stick with the same colors the other stitchers have been using (the design I originally planned to use was far too bright). So, I chose this:
Happy Halloween
Shepherd's Bush - in All Through The Year, 1996
Silkeaver 32 ct Solo Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Here is how Terry's RR is looking as of tonight - it goes off to Edgar in the morning. I sure hope Terry likes my addition - I had great fun stitching this little design.

Stitched on today: Finished Terry's Halloween RR

Christmas Ornament from Amy

I received my final ornament for this round of the Christmas Ornament Swap today. This one is from Amy - the first one she sent to me was lost in the mail, never to surface at all. And Amy is so sweet, she chose to stitch me a second one, and it was so worth the wait! This is a Mary Garry design, and I believe it is from her Skating Party chart. So nice! Thank you sooo much Amy. This was great fun, and I am so happy I signed up for a second year in this swap. Now it is Amy's turn to receive next month and I am already dreaming up what I may stitch for her...

Stitched on this week: Still stitching on Terry's Halloween Round Robin

Christmas Ornament for Julianne

Julianne is the lucky recipient in the Christmas Ornament Swap this month, and she sent me a lovely email this morning to let me know that she has received my ornament for her. I really love how this one came out, and I am so glad that she likes it!

Cranberry Christmas Ornament
Prairie Schooler
JCS 2007 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Stitched on this week: Started Terry's Halloween Round Robin - mailed Autumn Exchange to Cathy K. on 4/13/09

Spring Exchange from Cathy K.

I received this lovely Spring Exchange from Cathy earlier this week, and just managed to take a photo so that I can share. I am not at all sure that Cathy is even receiving my emails right now (I have many email issues lately!!), and I really want to thank her for this pretty exchange. She stitched me this great pinkeep and the absolutely adorable little biscornu (Cathy, I really love tiny biscornus - thank you!!) - plus, as always, all these fabulous extras!! Thank you Cathy!!!! (My exchange for Cathy - Autumn as she is in Australia) is three weeks late, but finally leaving here tomorrow - whew!!).

Stitched on this week: Finished Christmas Ornament for Julianne for Christmas Ornament Swap (DH has to buy a mailer for it tomorrow, though), and finished Autumn Exchange for Cathy K.

Belated Birthday Gift for Joan

Joan has let me know a few days ago that she received my little birthday gift for her - late, late, late - I am so late with everything these days. I noticed last night that now that the baseball season has started up again, I actually find myself stitching! I cannot read or do office paperwork during games... but stitching works! Maybe I will catch up soon??
Farmer's Alphabet J Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Stitched on this week: Stitched on Christmas Ornament for Julianne for Christmas Ornament Swap, and stitched on Autumn Exchange for Cathy K.

Biscornu Exchange for Cari

I heard late last night that Cari has received the HoE Biscornu Exchange that I sent to her. I was not in this exchange, but was the coordinator. Cari's sender disappeared from the blogosphere and Cari never received an exchange, so I put one together for her.

Love Biscornu
Debbie Draper Designs
28 ct Light Mocha Cashel Linen, Valdani Floss in Waterlilies

...And here is the rest of the stuff I was able to gather up for her... glad you like it Cari, and yes, the Valdani floss is excellent to stitch with!

Stitched on this week: Finished a gift for a friend

Gorgeous Drawn Thread Exchange from Brigitte

Oh my gosh! I was so spoiled by Brigitte! This most amazing exchange arrived safe and sound today, and I am over the moon! She stitched this gorgeous pocket for me using parts of Sunflower Bell Pull, and I assure you that my photos do not do this any justice! It is prefectly stitched and finished... what a treat!

Plus... wow, two generous cuts of belfast linen, a chart I have long wanted off of my wish list, a yummy chocolate bar that DH took (but I shall break off a chunk for me) and some lovely notecards!

Oh Brigitte, you spoiled me beyond belief. I cannot wait for our next exchange!

Christmas Ornament for Jill

Jill is the lucky recipient for the ornaments in March for the Christmas Ornament Swap, and she has let me know that the one I sent to her has arrived safe and sound. I decided to stitch this one for her:

Candy Cane Wishes: Noel Ornament
Plum Pudding Needleart
28 ct Cafe Mocha Country French Linen, DMC Floss

Jill has already received a couple of other really beautiful ornaments, and I hope she enjoys receiving them this month as much as I enjoyed receiving mine last month.

Stitched on this week: Stitched a replacement for the HoE Biscornu Exchange (original stitcher disappeared) **Mailed HoE Biscornu Exchange (replacement) today

Winter Quaker Exchanges

Two blog entries in one week... maybe things are looking up for me again? I am sure trying, at least ;-)

I sent off and received for the HoE Winter Quaker Exchange this past week, and wanted to share them...

I received this really cute quaker snowman ornament from Ellen (oops, sorry - her blog is still empty!). I just love it, and cannot wait to put it on the tree this Christmas. So nicely stitched up and assembled too. She also sent some goodies - a beautiful skein of ThreadWorx floss, a magnetic needle case and a pad and pen for my purse... but I already stashed those away. Thank you so much Ellen, I love it all!

Also, Shay let me know that she received the HoE Winter Quaker Exchange that I put together for her too. Like Ellen, I also chose to make a Christmas ornament for this exchange.

Quaker Christmas Smalls Ornament
Milady's Needle
36 ct Flax Linen, Crescent Colours Floss (my own conversion to Bandana, Cupid, Sassy Brass, Balsam Fir and Milady's Teal)

...And my little goodies for her too... glad you like it Shay - it was a treat to stitch for you again ;-)

I had also sent a birthday gift to dear Anne at the very start of February, but it only just arrived in Melbourne a few days ago... but at least it arrived safely. Here is the stitched part of what I sent to her.. happy belated bday, Anne!

Garden Alphabet "A" Floss Ring Tag
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Stitched on this week: Started Christmas Ornament for Jill for Christmas Ornament Swap

Drawn Thread Exchange for Kerstin

I know... I am still pretty much the "missing blogger" right now... we were away over the weekend in Buffalo, NY for DH's cousin's wedding - a very fun time (I love the paternal side of his family so much!), but our flights coming back were both delayed and we got in well after midnight. After a long day at work today, I am just beginning to catch up. I have a couple of exchanges to share, but for today, I will start with this one. I got an email on my phone from Kerstin while I was in the airport, letting me know my Drawn Thread Exchange for her arrived safe and sound in Germany - after looking through all of my charts, this one just called to me the loudest... yep, another early Christmas ornament!!!.
Home For the Holidays Christmas Ornament
The Drawn Thread
36 ct Flax Linen, DMC and Weeks Dye Works Floss

... And the rest of the goodies for the exchange. Glad you liked it, Kerstin! And fun meeting you too ;-)

Stitched on this week: Finished HoE Winter Quaker Exchange, but mostly was just travelling...

More ornaments!

Two more lovely ornaments arrived this past week! I feel so spoiled!

I received this beauty from Carolyn - I love the red in it. Carolyn writes that this is called Christmas Redwork Ornament by Historic Stitches. I love it!

And from Vonna... oh my gosh, a Mary Garry ornament. Vonna does know how much I love MG - thank you Vonna - this is gorgeous!!

I will surely love these forever :-)

Stitched on this week: Finished Drawn Thread Exchange and started HoE Winter Quaker Exchange **Mailing DT exchange today, as soon as the snow slows down enough to get to the PO ;-)

Late Birthday Gift for BeckySC

Why did it take me something like forever to stitch this ornament? What is up with me lately? Everything is taking me forever - especially these bees! BeckySC has sent me a sweet email this week to let me know that my rather late birthday gift for her has been received. Yep, another Christmas ornament, well after Christmas! With Becky's love of bees, I just could not resist this one! A very simple design, so I finished it simply...

Bee Merry Ornament
Barbara Ana Designs in 2008 Christmas SAL Book
Wichelt 32 ct Silvery Moon Linen, DMC Floss and DMC Color Variations

Stitched on this week: Started Drawn Thread Exchange

Finished Hannah's Halloween RR

Last night I was able to stitch up Hannah's Halloween Round Robin - which should have been stitched and mailed by Feb 24th... four days late... She did not specify Prairie Schooler designs, just Halloween designs. But I noticed everyone else had been using little PS motifs and I thought they looked good, nicely balanced. And her colors matched so well this way, so I added the little jack-o-lantern from Pumpkin Patch. I hope Hannah likes it. I will mail this to Edgar tomorrow (unless the snowstorm they are forecasting is as bad as they say it might be - if so, it will go out on Tuesday).

Goal Review Time:
February Goals:
1. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow - yes
2. Start a unique project that I haved planned - no, I haven't quite figured out my starting point
3. Stitch and send Hannah's Halloween RR to Edgar - yes, finished and ready to mail
4. Stitch some Christmas ornaments - yes, one
5. Stitch some gifts - yes, I stitched some gifts
6. Start working on Autumn Exchange for Cathy K. - no, not yet

March Goals:
1. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
2. Start a unique project that I have planned
3. Stitch some Christmas ornaments
4. Stitch some gifts
5. Stitch and send Autumn Exchange to Cathy K.
6. Stitch and send HoE Winter Quaker Exchange by 3/12
7. Stitch and send a Christmas ornament to Jill for the Christmas Ornament Swap
8. Stitch and send Drawn Thread Exchange by 3/16