Easter Exchange

I participated in an Easter Exchange and I received this beauty from Shay…

Gifts From The Heart Easter Exchange
Designer: Lizzie * Kate
Stitched by: Shay

What a wonderful Easter surprise. I am so excited; this is my very first cube. Shay did a great job on the stitching and finishing. She selected an adorable Lizzie and Kate design and used the perfect spring fabric for finishing. This is such a great addition to my Easter decorations.

I was treated to some wonderful extras….

Thank you so much Shay for making this such a special exchange!

To answer MelissaD's question about Threadworx Journal: "Is there a way to get the previous newsletter?"

If you go to the Threadworx link on my sidebar and sign up you will get an automatic response providing you with the link for the Premier Issue.

I spent this past weekend at a Stitching Retreat in San Antonio and had a great time. The highlight of the trip was getting to meet Cindy and her friends but I do not have time to post about this today (I must get ready to head out to a quilt guild meeting). It will take me quite a bit of time to prepare a post about what an amazingly productive stitcher Cindy is. Wow, you will be SHOCKED when I share with you how much stitching that girl can crank out in a weekend! ;)

Keep those needles flying and enjoy the week!

Until next time...

A Visit To New Orleans

My sons flew from the northeast to New Orleans on a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer trip. They have done this a number of times but this is the first time that we were able to meet them there. Now that we live in Texas the drive was a mere 350 miles and well worth it to spend a few days exploring the French Quarters and visiting with them both. I had only driven through Louisiana but never had the opportunity to see New Orleans; here are just a few pictures:

My son warned me that I would not like Bourbon street…he knows me well, I did not but I did enjoy the French Market and the many street performers.

I had the opportunity to stand in an endless line of people at the popular Café Du Monde so that we could enjoy coffee and beignets. Yes, I did indulge but was unwilling to go on camera eating these high calorie treats but I was quick to snap these:

Always clowning around and making us laugh my younger son posed for a picture with his New Orleans girlfriend:

Like any true stitcher, I spent more time packing up my “cross stitch” bag for this trip but I did not work on one thing the entire weekend.

I did learn that my Easter Exchange had arrived so I can share pictures of the Flat Fold that I sent to Julianne:

Gifts from the Heart Easter Exchange

Designer: Nouveau Encore Designs

Design: Easter Tree

Stitched for: Julianne

Finish: Flat Fold

I stitched the same design for my dear friend Paula C. as an Easter surprise:

Designer: Nouveau Encore Design
Design: Easter Tree
Stitched For: Paula C.
Finish: Flat Fold

I am a bit concerned that the ornament I stitched for the March Ornament Exchange may have gone missing in the mail. I mailed it 2/24 and still have not heard a thing so it does not look promising, I will however keep my fingers crossed as the moderator checks into this for me!

That's it for today, thanks for dropping by and please do come back again!

Until next time...

Have You Seen Threadworx Journal?

Have you heard about the new, fiber e-publication (currently complimentary) called Threadworx Journal? The Journal is a bi-monthly publication that premiered in January 2010; it offers both Cross Stitch and Needlepoint.

A review of the Table of Contents is a clear indication that this is much more than a newsletter:

News & Events
What’s New
Book Review
Stash away
Needlework Tech
All About Stitch Guides
Fiber & Color
Quick Stitch Free Designs
Bird Club Series (free bird design in each issue)
Reference

It truly is “A reference publication for fiber, color and stitching”. As I read the first issue, my eyes danced through the What’s New section; 6 pages of beautiful Threadworx fibers. The new colors in Wool, Cotton Floss, Legacy, and Metallic are eye-candy for sure! Reading a bit further, I came across creative pattern designs that utilized these wonderful fibers. Be sure to print out the reference pages they offer a very helpful Fiber Guide detailing which fibers, including number of strands, can be used with various fabrics.

Who is the mastermind behind the new Threadworx Journal? The very talented Beth Hendzlik, the designer of Fanci That cross-stitch designs! Being that I am such a fan of her designs, I was very excited when I met up with her through online blogging! I was honored when Beth asked if I would be interested in stitching the cross stitch model for the Threadworx Journal Bird Club Series. Each issue will feature a Bird Design with Pattern/Stitch Guide and will highlight a particular fiber, February featured the Cardinal and April will feature the Hummingbird.

Below is a picture of the Cardinal design that I stitched. To understand the meaning of “Creating with Fiber” you must look at what Beth did with the design after I returned it to her…it is awesome!

BEFORE

AFTER

Now how great is that? I just love the finished look! Beth added the featured fiber: Legacy fiber, which gives the feathery effect. Detailed instructions for creating this look can be found in the premiere edition of Theadworx Journal.

I love Beth’s idea of making each of the birds into an ornament to display year round. I think one would look so cute perched in my new Feather Tree.

Don't miss out, be sure to take a look at Threadworx Journal and have it delivered to your email. Subscribe here it is as easy as that! I have added this link on my sidebar.

Beth, I wish you great success with your new venture with Threadworx. Your Premiere edition of Threadworx Journal is wonderful; I look forward to the Spring Issue! If you would like to read more about Beth Hendzlink, there is a very nice article in Nuts About Needlepoint.

Until next time...

Another Fabulous Exchange Received

How happy was I to open Joan’s package and gaze upon this?

2010 FTT Pinkeep Exchange
Designer: Mary Garry
Design: Remember Me
Stitched By: Joan S.

Oh, how I love designs by Mary Garry and this one is wonderful. Joan selected a design titled, “Remember Me” and added our initials. Seeing this Pinkeep put a big smile on my face! Thank you so very much Joan for this fabulous exchange!

I sent out two exchanges and will be mailing two more tomorrow. I must wait until they are received before I can share the pictures. I am happy to say that I have met all of my exchange deadlines ~ Wahoo. The question is do I go looking for more??? Hmmmm….

In addition to all of the cross stitch that I have been doing I have been busy with some crafting, here are just a few items that I have completed:

Fabric Easter Baskets

Easter Table Mat

Easter Candle Mat

Pincushion

Thread Holder

Small Americana Pillow

Pot Pinchers (pot holders~I Love these!)

Thank you for your kind comments on my Feather Tree. I must find time to begin the Purple Tree so that I can display it for Easter.

Until next time...

First Exchange of the Year Received

I arrived home after a fun filled weekend stitching at a Quilt Guild Retreat to find a package from Becky K. When I opened the envelope, I found this beauty:

Christmas Ornament Exchange
From Becky K.
Designer: Jeannette Douglas
Design: ’09 Christmas Stamp
2009 JCS Ornament Issue
Fabric: 28ct Opalescent

Becky stitched for me in the Christmas Ornament Swap. Wow, this is truly a gorgeous ornament. It has been beautifully stitched and finished and I simply love the Opalescent fabric; perfect for this holiday design. I love that the backside is personalized:

The beaded trim is such a wonderful accent! Thank you so much Becky for this beautiful ornament, I shall treasure it!

I recently attended a Saturday class at My Little House (Katy, TX) where we learned how to make this little Wool Feather Tree. The class was wonderful, probably because Jan, the instructor/shop owner, is a fabulous instructor and a wonderful person! When I left, I purchased some additional wool to make a few more of these; one will be a purple wool tree for Easter. I am thinking of making a larger Wool Feather Tree to display some of my cross stitch exchange pieces.

Wool Feather Tree

When I walked into My Little House I was in heaven! There is such a wonderful selection of gorgeous wool, a huge array of rug hook and punch needle patterns, as well as some beautiful shop models to inspire you. Not long ago I took my first Punch Needle class with Jan which I enjoyed. I am hoping to attend her regular Wednesday "Hook In" so that I can dedicate some time to my new punch needle project.

The deadline is looming and I am once again stressing over the completion of the next set of Pink and Brown Quilt Blocks! Although we have 2 months to make each set I tend to wait until the last minute to make the blocks. With only 7 more days to finish the 3rd set I am busy trying to complete 5 more blocks. Here is the block that just drives me crazy:

I must end so that I can head up to the sewing room and complete the remaining blocks. Oh, how I would rather sit down and pull out my PS Alphabet SAL or my HAED A Moment To Cherish!

Until next time...

Yikes, it’s February!

Welcome to what is turning out to be my “monthly” blog post! I shall try harder to post more frequently.

This has been a very busy month as I try to keep up with the five exchanges that are due in early March. So, did I tell you all that I was not going to participate in as many exchanges this year? Every December I declare to the world that I will limit my exchanges so that I can dedicate more of my time to stitching the many LARGE projects that I have been neglecting. However, by late January/early February I am busy sending out “sign me up” emails to the exchange moderators! A tally of my yearly exchanges is proof enough that I am not succeeding in lessening my exchange stitching… 2007 total 24, 2008 total 28, and 2009 total 33. On the flip side, I do have an abundance of gorgeous exchange pieces from so many talented stitchers.

I was able to do a bit of “me stitching” on my PS Alphabet SAL ~

Designer: Prairie Schooler
PS Alphabet SAL

I also found time to have one of my older samplers re-framed; yes, I did stitch this in 1985. It was in a frame that went nicely with one of the homes that I have lived in but the frame did not work well with my current Sampler Wall. Here it is newly framed:

It now resides on the Sampler Wall:

I shall leave you with a picture of the beautiful Valentine’s Day flowers that I received from two of the best sons in the entire world! They had these delivered to my door just days before Valentine’s Day, how sweet is that??? It would have been even SWEETER had they been at my front door, but that would have involved airline tickets, vacation days, and missed classes. Thank you both so very much! IL&IMY~

Until next time...

Mystery Stitching Angel

I received a Stitches ‘N Things Gift Certificate for my birthday and I do not know who the sweet stitcher is that sent it to me. The “From” section on the gift certificate is blank and when I phoned the shop they had a record of the order but not the person that placed it. So… to the Mystery Stitching Angel, Thank You! Please, please, please email me so that I can properly thank you for this wonderful surprise? :D

STITCHES 'N THINGS

Fenton, MI

Yes, just prior to the New Year I turned the BIG 50. I cannot say that this milestone bothered me it did not; birthdays never do. I was just so happy that both my sons and my son’s girlfriend were here to celebrate with me. One of the highlights of my birthday was this beautiful Quilt cake:

My DS managed to find a local bakery and send them a quilt picture for "inspiration" ~ I was impressed with the delicious cake the baker managed to create!

Now for some stitching…

I am participating in the LHN Ornament SAL and have completed Ornament #1 Fa La La. Actually, it is almost complete I just need to stitch a yellow bead in the lamp light for the flame.

This is my first 2010 finish and I am happy to say that I plan to keep it. In an effort to get a jump-start on future exchanges, I did stitch it again and hope to do this with all of the LHN monthly ornaments.

Little House Needlework
Monthly Ornament #1
Fa La La

I am almost done with Ornament #2 Pear Tree. I just need to stitch the amber beads, which I will do this week.

Little House Needlework
Monthly Ornament #2
Pear Tree

I am embarrassed to say that it has only taken me 10 months to start hanging pictures on my walls. We resist what we do not like to do and for me it is trying to figure out what to hang where. Here is the start to my sampler wall:

I have about 6 more finished designs that I need to get framed and about 1,000,000,000 on my To Do List.

I will leave you with a picture of the flannel quilt that I started when we had our Vermont house. I wanted to make a Fall Quilt, one that would look perfect on the bed in VT. By the time I finished it we had sold the Vermont house, sold the Connecticut house and left New England for Texas. The quilt is fine for the winter but I must now concentrate on making another quilt for the summer. The idea of a flannel quilt draped on the bed in the August heat is dreadful ~ almost as dreadful as the idea of whipping up a king size quilt in just a few short months!

Until next time...