Playing "Catch Up" - F&S from Hannah - VoHRH

I just returned from Vermont where I spent 12 days house hunting and stitching, more stitching than house hunting...that is always nice. I had the opportunity to play “catch up” especially on my VoHRH. Having missed the January 1st deadline for block #3 I was finally able to complete it on Jan. 20th. I wanted to try to complete a second block before February 1st so I started on block #5 and will finish that tonight. After stitching and re-stitching this brick house I could not bring myself to start on the house in block 4! Not sure what the problem was but I struggled with all of those bricks!

VoHRH Block #3

VoHRH Block #5

VoHRH as of January 29, 2008

Hannah, my Fair & Square partner for round #4, sent this wonderful exchange a few weeks ago. I was in Vermont thus unable to post pictures. I just love this block, I have all four charts of this Bent Creek Wonderland and have wanted to stitch them. I was treated to two fantastic Workbasket leaflets; I love all of their designs and happen to be stitching one for an exchange right now. Hannah used the instructional link that I posted for the “tissue holder” and did a great job making one for me. She also included some adorable snowman buttons and some piecemakers needles. Thanks Hannah, you made this such a special exchange!

Fair & Square Exchange from Hannah

I was also able to complete my "Hello Neighbor" Round Robin and will be sending it off tomorrow. I am anxious to see this neighborhood grow, and thankful that I was able to join this group!

I will leave you with a few picture of winter/summer in Vermont…

Vermont - Pond in the winter and summer

Vermont -Apple Orchard in the winter and summer

Many thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to stop by and visit. It is always so nice to read your comments!

Until next time...

Wonderful Winter House Exchange, VOHRH, NRR

I would like to first thank everyone for the many birthday wishes and I do hope that Vonna reads the comments to my last post so that she can see, as Harmien so accurately stated, that she truly is the Queen of Stitchy Blogland!

What a great mail day, I received an amazing Winter House Exchange (SBEBB) from Mindi. She stitched a Prairie Schooler design, one of my all time favorite designers! The design is the January block from the Summer and Winter book. The minute I saw it I thought of Vermont, a house surrounded by pine trees and a deer running through the front yard. Yes, that would be Vermont! Mindi did an amazing job on the beautiful pinkeep, her stitching and finishing are just perfect. Take a look at this beautiful treasure…

SBEBB Winter House Exchange

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Summer and Winter

Stitched by: Mindi

Mindi also treated me to some very special extras. First, I must compliment her Dad on the beautiful wooden floss holder, which he made!!! My mouth dropped open upon seeing it and my eyes popped when I read that her Dad made it. Honestly, I have always wanted a wooden floss holder and am ecstatic over receiving this beauty; a huge thank you to Mindi’s Dad.

Wooden Floss Holder

Beautifully Handcrafted by Mindi's Dad!

I received some beautiful silk ribbon, in my favorite color and two skeins of Dinky Dyes Silk! They are perfect for a project that I have in mind and I can't wait to stitch with the silk! Now, if only there was a way that you could smell the beautiful scent of the Saffron and Sage hand poured candle the Mindi included, oh how I love scented candles! She aslo included some tapestry needles, lip balm, and delicious chocolates. As you can see I could not resist and gobbled up two pieces. Many thanks Mindi for making this such a special exchange, one that I treasure!

SBEBB Winter House Exchange

From Mindi

Like many others I thought that this would be my very last SBEBB exchange and am SO very happy that BeckySC has decided not to close the the board, thank you BeckySC! I look forward to participating in more wonderful exchanges in 2008!

Unlike Kathy, I did not complete VOHRH Block #3 by the January 1st date. It is not that I have neglected my stitching it is that I had to finish the donation block for Cole’s Quilt and I jumped on board the Hello Neighbor RR and am playing “catch up” trying to stitch my Halloween House before the February mail date. As for my VOHRH progress:

VoHRH Block #3

And my Hello Neighbor RR progress:

I am off to Vermont for about a week and I anticipate many free hours of stitching….I hope!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.


Until next time…

Thanks to a very special friend!

So many of us know her and appreciate all that she does. So many of us make up her huge online circle of friends, but wish that we could meet her in person. So many of us visit her blog where her work inspires and motivates us, her many tutorials assist us, and her creative writing makes us smile. So many of us have been touched by her thoughtfulness, and today her kindness traveled 847 miles to my door and truly touched my heart. Today I received a wonderful birthday package from Vonna ~ take a look...

Birthday package from Vonna

Those who know Vonna are aware of her very busy life! I am touched that she took the time to stitch this gorgeous pinkeep for me, one that I will forever treasure!

Little House Needleworks

Stitched by: Vonna

Pinkeep back

Vonna, I love the Attic Needlework pattern~did not have this one :) and the generous half-yard of Karen Combs sewing theme fabric! I, like you, enjoy stitching with the ever-popular Piecemakers needles, thanks for including some. I am anxious to stitch this design and will almost certainly use a bit of this fabric and finish it as a pinkeep. It would look wonderful alongside your masterpiece!

I can’t thank you enough for the birthday surprise. The only thing that would have made it better is if you were standing at my front door delivering it! :) You are very generous in so many ways, I thank you for everything especially your friendship!


Until next time...

A Few Things To Share

I spent the last three weeks in Vermont where the weather was a bit crazy; most of the days were freezing but the last few were unseasonably warm. The combination of rain and warm weather put a damper on our plans to ski this week so we headed back home a few days early. Awaiting me was a wonderful exchange from Valerie! Her work is absolutely beautiful, I am so impressed with both the stitching and finishing of this box. If I am not mistaken Valerie constructed the actual box. I am not sure how to do this but I wish she had a tutorial that would show me! The design is perfect and I truly love it.

• SBEBB Snowman Exchange
• Stitched by: Valerie
  

Valerie was more than generous, she filled the box with all of these great extras…thank you so much Valerie you made this such a great exchange!

While in Vermont, I was able to complete the Cole’s Quilt donation block. I must thank Jen for posting information about this program on her blog. I checked it out and immediately signed up to stitch a block. You can review the “Current Request” link and select a child to stitch for; I would encourage you to look.

• Cole's Quilt Donation Block
• Designer: Alma Lynn
• Leaflet: For Every Little Princess

I completed four of the five PIF's (Pay-It-Forward) items and sent them out to Brenda, Donna, Heather, and Jen. No, I did not forget you Pokua I will be sending you yours soon.

PIF Pinkeep for Heather

PIF Pincushion sent to:

• Brenda
• Donna
• Jen
  

I want to thank you for your thoughtful comments on my Yorkie post, they certainly made me feel better and I do believe that things happen for a reason. Although I do not have a new puppy to show you I know for certain that I will find the right one soon!

Wishing you all a year filled with many hours of relaxing stitching!

Until next time...



(Vonna, I liked your new signature so much I copied :})