Generosity Of A Stitching Angel

On Christmas Eve, a package arrived in my mailbox from Lisa…Who is Lisa? I truly had no idea what was in the box. When I opened it up, I found this:

PS Fans Halloween Exchange

Replacement stitched by: Lisa

A great PS Halloween Pinkeep, some adorable buttons, and some DMC floss. I was so surprised when I read Lisa’s note and learned that when she read about the MIA stitcher on the PS Fans blog she immediately contacted the moderator and offered to step in and stitch an exchange piece for me. I must say that was so thoughtful and such a generous gesture on her part! Although we were in the same exchange, I did not know Lisa nor had I ever visited her blog but she found it in her heart to stitch me a wonderful pinkeep. With all that she had to do during this busy holiday season she still volunteered to “make right” another person’s “wrong” ~ Lisa, you are a stitching angel and I cannot thank you enough. I will treasure your pinkeep; it will be a constant reminder of your selfless generosity.

One of the last exchanges that I mailed out for 2009 was an Ornament to BeckySC. I know how Becky loves snowman so I stitched this design for her:

2009 Ornament Exchange
Stitched For: BeckySC

Sampler Winter by Marika Belfiori ~ Freebie

I put a musical button inside that, when pressed, plays Frosty the Snowman. I also added a cute silver mitten/snowflake charm to the front.

Now that I have actually put needle to fabric and stitched most of the PS "A" block, I feel like an official member of the PS Alphabet SAL group. With much of this block completed I look forward to stitching the remaining 25 letters!!!

Designer: Prairie Schooler
Design: A*B*C

Wondering what this will look like when completed? Check it out.

Wishing you only good things in the New Year~

Until next time...

What's That White Stuff?

My first winter back in Texas and I am welcomed with a wonderful snowfall....

December 2009 Snowfall

This is very unusual for the Houston area and I am not too sure when I will see it again. For me it was a mere "dusting" but for the natives it was reason to close schools early, close shops early, dump 2 bags of sand at the entrance to the bank, and for some a reason to drive down I-10 with the hazard lights on. Like so many others, I left my house with camera in hand to capture the moment. When I am wishing for the whitecap mountains at Okemo in Vermont, I will grab this picture and glance at the "whitecaps" on my house. Yes, we had snow one day and 71 degree temperatures the next!

With all of that snow, I am ready for Christmas. I spent much of the day turning the tree from this:

To this:

Just in time to hang this gorgeous ornament from Pilar:

2009 Year Long PS Exchange ~ round #4
Stitched by: Pilar

The ornament is stitched on very tiny count; it looks like 40ct over two (?) ~ truly perfect stitching and finishing. Pilar inserted dried lavender inside so the ornament smells wonderful, such a nice touch!

Thank you so much Pilar for the beautiful ornament, I shall treasure it.

Here is a sampling of some of the cross stitch ornaments hanging on the tree this year:

Thanks to the old and new visitors that take time to stop by ~ I enjoy and appreciate all of your comments!

Until next time...

2009 Exchange Finale

The last of my 2009 Exchanges are now officially complete! Here are the three beautiful exchanges that were delivered to my mailbox...

The first is from my very dear friend Paula C. who stitched for me in the Christmas Gifts Between Friends Exchange. I was so excited when I saw her name on the box and very happy when I opened it and found this amazing Prairie Schooler ornament:

2009 Christmas Gifts Between Friends

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Stitched by: Paula C.

Oh my word, there are so many seed beads perfectly stitched along the outer edge! What a fabulous job stitching and finishing this piece ~ Paula, you are a pro and you are always so good about personalizing. Here is a picture of the back (see what I mean about those tiny beads?).

As I sat at the table opening all of the gifts I truly felt like it was Christmas morning. I opened beautifully crochet slippers, a knitted kitchen wash cloth that has a steaming cup of coffee knitted into the design (very cute), a coffee themed dishcloth and some tasty coffee, some nicely scented kitchen soap as well as a small purse size, a handy notebook and notepad, a really neat stitcher’s caddy, and a box of See’s chocolate candy! Not only did Paula send a box of my very favorite candy she had them fill it with my favorite Lemon Truffles. I am nibbling on a truffle right now and I am in heaven!

Stitcher's Caddy

Thank you Paula for this amazing exchange, I love everything that you sent. I will forever cherish the beautiful ornament and look forward to hanging it on the tree this weekend. Most importantly thank you for your friendship I value it more than you know. :)

So, what did I stitch for this exchange?

A CANDLE MAT

Have you seen these? How cute is that? I saw the pattern while shopping at the International Quilt Festival this past October. I had never seen this before and I knew immediately that I would be stitching this for Tracy. This is the second time, in only a few short months, that I stitched for Tracy and I must say she is an amazingly appreciative and very sweet woman.

2009 Christmas Gifts Between Friends
Designer: Prairie Grove Peddler
Design: Little Candle Mat- Snowman
Fabric: 30ct Alma
Stitched for: Tracy C.

The next package that I opened came from Suzanne S. who stitched for me in the FTT Ornament Exchange. Honestly, this ornament took my breath away. What a masterpiece this is with flawless stitching and finishing!

2009 FTT Ornament Exchange
Designer: Praiseworthy Stitches
Design: Christmas Poinsettia
Fabric: 36ct Edinburgh cream linen
Threads: GAST
Stitched by: Suzanne

Thank you very much Suzanne for this gorgeous exchange it certainly is a wonderful addition to my handcrafted collection of Christmas ornaments.

So, what did I stitch for this exchange?

2009 FTT Ornament Exchange
Designer: Blackbird Design
Design: Quaker Medallion Strawberry
From: 2006 JCS Christmas Ornament Edition
Stitched for: Margaret

Look familiar? Yes, I recently stitched this same ornament for Tracy C. in the Christmas Ornament Swap (round #2).

The third exchange that I opened was sent by Faye R. and was stitched for the Christmas Ornament Swap round #3. Take a look at this little beauty~

2009 Christmas Ornament Swap #3
Freebie Design from Hearty Craft
Stitched by: Faye R

I absolutely love the design and the stocking finish, it just does not get any cuter than this!

Thank you Faye for this beautiful ornament. I certainly appreciate all of the time that went into stitching on this very tiny count, you did an amazing job. :)

Since I have not yet finished my Christmas Ornament Swap #3 I have no picture to share just yet.

I don't think that I posted pictures of the Fair & Square round #16 exchange that I participated in. My partner for this round was Christine R. (no blog yet) who stitched this wonderful PS design! Thank you again Christine, I love your blocks.

Fair & Square ~ round #16
Designer: Prairie Schooler
Stitched by: Christine R.

This is what I sent to Christine:

Fair & Square ~ round #16
Designer: Shepherd’s Bush
Stitched for: Christine R.

A huge thank you to Becky for organizing the Christmas Gifts Between Friends and Christmas Ornament Swap and to CathyB for organizing the FTT Ornament swap. You both put in a lot of time to ensure that the exchanges are enjoyable and successful...Thank you so much for keeping me happily stitching throughout the year!

I know this post was lengthy, but I had so many wonderful exchange pieces to share with you! Thanks for hanging on till the end and for taking the time to stop by for a visit.

For those of you who have sent me an exchange in 2009 be sure to stop by again and read about a "Give-A-Way" contest just for you.

Until next time...