Two Beautiful Exchanges Received

I am so glad that I signed up for Becky’s Ornament Exchange; it is an ongoing exchange that runs for an entire year. My second ornament arrived from Donna this past Friday and I must say that it certainly made my day! I truly love the design and the finish on this one. I love how Donna tucked some tulle and adorable Christmas lights into the cone shaped ornament!

2009 Ornament Exchange from Donna

Thank you so much Donna, I can hardly wait to hang this beautiful ornament on our Christmas tree.
Here is the ornament that I stitched for Tracy:

2009 Ornament Exchange for Tracy

Designer: BBD

Design: Quaker Medallion Strawberry
From JCS 2006 Ornament Edition

After spending the entire weekend scrapbooking, I was glad to get home and feast my eyes on Cross Stitch. Waiting for me was a large envelope from Kerstin who was my partner in the final round of FTT Seasonal Fall Exchange. I was so excited when I opened the package and found all of this:

Kerstin stitched a fun design on some ginger type fabric then finished it into this great little pillow. She sent me two pieces of neat cross stitch fabric in my favorite fall colors, a large cut of cotton fabric that compliments the cross-stitch fabric perfectly, two skeins of hand dyes threads (such gorgeous colors) and two new patterns for my stash. What a way to finish this year long exchange with a very talented group of women. Thank you so much Kerstin for this amazing exchange, I love everything that you sent and I adore my new decorative pillow.

I must thank Cathy for organizing the FFT Seasonal Exchange and for inviting me into the group. It was one of my favorite exchanges and I feel so blessed to have received beautiful exchanges from four talented, generous and sweet women. Thank you to Kerstin, Brigitte, Moni and Gaby!


Here is the Exchange that I sent to Kerstin:

2009 Seasonal Exchange Fall for Kerstin

I must confess that I stole the finishing idea from Brigitte who sent me this beauty:

2009 Seasonal Exchange Winter from Brigitte

I do believe that I taxed my brain a bit too much this weekend trying to figure out color schemes and page layouts for my scrapbook. I am also feeling a bit sleep deprived so I must end now so that I can rest and maybe stitch a bit.

I will share a Scrapbook page with you before I end:

Have a great week~

Until next time...

Unexpected Surprise

When the mailed arrived this past Saturday there was a box that I thought probably contained one of the exchanges that I was in. Always excited about the prospect of a new hand stitched treasure, I set out to open it. Flipping the box over I noticed that the return address was from Leena, this peaked my interest. Upon opening the box, I surprised to discover this beautiful gift:

Friendship In All Seasons

Designer: The Trilogy

Stitched by: Leena

Leena stated in her note that she wanted to thank me for stitching for her during the year long Seasonal Stitcher’s Exchange. Leena, you certainly did not need to do that but let me say that I am thrilled to receive this. I have admired Leena’s work on her blog, secretly wishing that someday I might be the owner of a piece of her handwork. What a great day… my wish came true! This is such an appropriate design and so beautifully stitched on 40-count linen!

Leena your stitching is gorgeous I truly love this little box!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this treasured gift and for your friendship.

For those "Gadget Queens" out there I have selected another "Must Have Gadget" and will be posting a Gadget Give-A-Way in the near future so stay tuned....

Until next time...

Three Exchanges In One Day

Today was a busy mail day around here. As I headed out to the post office to mail my SBEBB ABC Exchange, I noticed two boxes in my garage. I quickly ran them in the house and ran back out again. After completing a number of errands, I anxiously arrived home to see what was in those boxes. Before entering I picked up my mail and what do you know another exchange! Once inside I set out to discover the mystery of the exchanges. In box one I found a fabulous Spring Exchange from Julianne. She stitched me the Country Lark Design by JBW; it is wonderful would you agree? I love that she finished it as a flanged pillow and am impressed with her selection of fabric, it coordinates perfectly.

Designer: JBW
Design: Country Lark
Stitched by: Julianne

In addition, look at all of these extras! Julianne, you are so very generous and I appreciate it more than I can say.

Seasonal Stitchers Spring Exchange

Thanks Julianne for the Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring exchanges that you stitched for me. You certainly do beautiful work, in your stitching and finishing. I appreciate all of the time that you spent this past year stitching for me; I will treasure each piece!


The next box that I opened happened to be the Hooked On Exchanges Freebie sent by Veronica. Is this piece amazing or what? What a gorgeous scissor case with some lovely scissors as well.

HOE Freebie Exchange

Design: Berthi's Birdbath

Free Design here

I love the fabric selection for the backside as well as the perfectly matched cording. I wonder if Veronica has one of my Must Have Gadgets?

Veronica thank you so much for the scissor case, I am grinning from ear to ear. Again I was spoiled with so many fabulous extras. I do not have either of the charts that you sent and am so anxious to stitch from them. One of the charts is titled, "Whitman's Tin Sewing Set" and Veronica even included the tin, thanks so much. The note cards are so pretty, with so many exchanges I am always in need of these.

HOE: Freebie Exchange
From Veronica

I discovered Veronica’s Blog today and I was quite impressed she is a multi talented person that enjoys not only cross stitch but quilting, hand embroidery, knitting, spinning, weaving and thread painting. Curious about thread painting? Check out this piece, it is adorable. It did not take me but a minute to add her blog to my sidebar. :)

My final package of the day came from Ruth. She is my Fair & Square Partner for round #7 and she sent me these beautiful squares. (Sorry, I have tried and tried for a better quality picture with no luck)

Fair & Square round #7

From Ruth

Do you see what I see? Now, what are the odds of receiving the same design, from two separate exchanges, on the same day? LOL Yes, it appears that Ruth and Veronica selected the same design to stitch. The colors are completely different, the flower is different and Ruth stitched side borders. Both are gorgeous and I am delighted to have them.

The signature block is just as beautiful. She stitched the basket design from Papillon's Mystery Sampler which is a wonderful sampler offered in The Gift of Stitching Magazine.

Ruth also included some Sampler Threads and a beautiful fat quarter of fabric. Thanks so much Ruth, your stitching is perfect and I do love the design.

I must end now so that I can work on my blocks for Ruth.

Until next time...

Seasonal Stitchers Exchange

I sent off my last exchange for the 2007-2008 Seasonal Stitchers Exchange. Leena posted that it arrived so I am free to share pictures.

Designer: Workbasket

Design: Quaker Cat and Mouse

Our final exchange was suppose to be a “Spring” exchange but knowing how much Leena loves cats, I wanted to stitch her this design. I did ask her in advance if she would mind if I stitched something without a “spring” theme and was glad that she did not object. I love this design but once I completed the stitching I had no idea how to finish it. I had already sent Leena a pinkeep, flat fold, and stitcher’s caddy. I visited quite a few blogs in hopes of seeing a picture that would help me with a finishing idea. To my surprise I saw this same design finished as a tote bag (sorry, I can't remember the blog) and I loved it. Being a quilter I have done quite a bit of sewing, and have a huge stash of fabric! Although I have made tote bags before, I have never used the fancy tote bag handles and was lucky to find a pair that coordinated so well.

Seasonal Stitchers Exchange

For Leena

The ’07-08 rotation of the Seasonal Stitchers Exchange is over and I must say that stitching for Leena has been a true pleasure! Leena, I am glad that I have had the opportunity to get to know you and I am so happy to have you as an online friend, you are very sweet!

Fortunately, Becky has been kind enough to run this exchange again and I am truly excited. I have been paired with Vonna who I consider my very 1st blogging friend! I am thrilled and honored to stitch for you Vonna and look forward to mailing out a Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer exchange to you!

PLANTING PROGRESS

I have been saving my coffee grounds and sprinkling them on my plants. Surprisingly the plants are looking good however saving my coffee grounds makes me realize that I drink much too much coffee! Oh well the plants need it! I was surprised at how many people commented that they too feed their plants coffee grounds, tea bags, even eggshells…I am a stitcher, quilter, crafter, but not a very good gardener so this is all new to me. Here are a few pictures of my plants, remember now I do NOT have a green thumb!

I would list the plants in this container but I can't remember what they are! When I went to the local garden center I had a worker pick out the plants for me...I think she did a great job! :)

Thanks for taking the time to drop by, I enjoy and appreciate each and every comment!

Until next time...

Seasonal Exchange

I just love the Seasonal Exchange, it allows you to stitch for the same person four times during the year; Fall, Summer, Winter, and Spring. I have had the good fortune of receiving amazing exchanges from Julianne. I just opened this "Wonderful Winter Exchange...."

• Seasonal Exchange ~ Winter
• From: Julianne

What a great box for storing my small stitching project! Julianne's stitching is absolutely flawless and her finishing is beautiful. She also included a magazine, recipe booklet, beautifully scented soap, a cute little Santa kit, some variegated floss and an organizer that is just perfect for my many small leaflets. Many thanks Julianne for this wonderful exchange, you always seem to stitch the perfect gift!

Leena has received the Winter Exchange that I stitched for her so I am free to share pictures of that. I used a Prairie Schooler design and finished it off into a stitcher's caddy, take a look...

Seasonal Exchange ~ Winter

Stitched for: Leena

Stitcher's Caddy

It is hard to believe that there is only one exchange left (Spring). I am so happy that Becky will be running this exchange again. Thanks Becky for all you do to make your exchange groups so fun and very successful. :)

I have just returned from Vermont and do hope to stay home long enough to complete the college quilt top that I am making for my son. I need to get this done so that I can drop it off to be quilted~ I will snap a few pictures of the top and post them soon.

Until next time...