Last Exchange Of 2012

The days of 30 exchanges per year are gone for me.  For the past 3 years I participated in about one exchange per month which made stitching more relaxing.  A HUGE thank you to Carol S. for coordinating the exchanges on Hooked On Exchanges!  

The last exchange of 2012 arrived at my house yesterday.  Nicole S. stitched this sweet little ornament:

Designer: Erynne Chard

Design: Merry & Bright

Stitched by: Nicole S.

She included Christmas fabric, DMC wrapped with colorful bells, plaid ribbon, and a Canadian pen and pencil.  The 3D holiday card is adorable.

I was not familiar with designs by Erynne Chard so I looked it up and came across her blog called Stitcheree.  She offers some great freebie designs that you may be interested in, just click on the designer link above.

Thank you very much Nicole, I truly appreciate all that you sent!

My DS (G&D) were here for the entire week but will be leaving tomorrow.  We enjoyed time spent together celebrating Christmas, my birthday, skiing, laughing, and hanging out.  I always love to see their smiling faces stroll into the house but I hate to see them leave. Having them home was by far the best Christmas gift....

G

D

I just signed up for my 1st exchange of 2013 (HOE Shepherd's Bush Christmas)...I think I will head to my sewing room, drag out my stash, and select a design to stitch.  

Thanks for stopping by....

Until next time...

An Ornament To Treasure

This beautiful new ornament hangs on my tree...

Designer: Drawn Thread

Design: Christmas Quartet

Stitched by: Margaret C.

When my DH walked in with the mail he handed me a package.  I assumed this was my Stitcher's Choice exchange but when I opened it I learned that Margaret C. sent me this beauty as a Christmas gift, how very sweet.  What a great design! Did you notice the tiny heart charm?  I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret in person in 2011 and 2012 at the Celebration of Needlework in Nashua, NH.  Thank you so much Margaret, I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and I will treasure my new ornament.  I look forward to seeing you and Carol at the show in May.

Remember this?

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Christmas Alphabet Book #64

Stitched for: Drew

Finish: Flat Fold

Well, I loved this design so much I stitched it again for my dear friend Mary, but I finished this one as an ornament.  

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Christmas Alphabet Book #64

Stitched for: Mary K.

I am positive that this will not be the last one that I stitch. Hopefully this time next year I will have stitched one for my DH, DS, and myself. 

For the Caraghers' I stitched this little gem...

Designer: Little House Needlework 
Monthly Ornament
Design:  Peppermint Twist (2010 Sept)
Stitched for: The Caraghers'

And for my dear friend Carol I stitched this Shepherd's Bush design...

Designer: Shepherd's Bush
Design: Christmas Treat Bag
Stitched for: Carol S.

Many years ago Shepherd's Bush was my all time favorite designer.  I still love their designs but the stitching world has seen so many extremely talented designers enter the industry, introducing some truly wonderful designs.  I no longer have "A" favorite designer, I have many favorite designers. Hopefully I will find time make time in 2013 to stitch more SB designs.

In my last post I mentioned that I placed an order with The Thread Basket for  2 designs from the French Designer, Tournicoton.  My order was nicely packaged in this toile tissue paper...

Designer: Tournicoton

Design: Rendez-vous A La Maison Bleue

The finishing instructions for "A La Maison Bleue" are written in French...nope, have no knowledge of the french language.  With the numerous instructional pictures, and the help of google translate, I should be able to figure it out.  

Designer: Tournicoton

Design: Bourse Suzani

(Suzani Bag)

The finishing instructions on this design are written in English...phew!

I did manage to complete the stitching on Stacy Nash Primitives Blue Sewing Roll.  The finishing on this one is not very complex so I should be able to finish it and post pictures soon.

That's all for now...it's time to grab my stitching basket and see what I should work on next.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Wonderful Gifts

Two weeks in Germany left me with a pile of mail to sort through.  Within that pile I found two wonderful packages, one from Melissa and one from Carol S.

Melissa and I were paired for the Friends Through Threads Birthday Exchange.  My birthday is not until the 29th but I could not resist, I just had to open the package.  What an amazing birthday surprise...

2012 FTT Birthday Exchange

Designer: Blackbird Design

Design: From Christmas Garden 

Naughty or Nice

Stitched By: Melissa 

2012 FTT Birthday Exchange

From: Melissa

I was more than excited to see all the wonderful gifts Melissa sent me: a beautifully stitched BBD Pillow, gorgeous silk fibers, a pretty Moda fabric fat quarter, ric rac trim, Stacy Nash Primitives Sewing Roll pattern (including the kit to make this design), and a chart by Tournicoton called Allons Compter Violettes. 

I am a huge fan of Stacy Nash and plan to begin stitching the sewing roll tonight! I was not familiar with the French designer Tournicoton but love this pattern...so much so that I just purchased two additional designs!  Check here to view more designs. I also came across this cute freebie:

Click here: Tournicoton Freebie

(Available until mid January)

Melissa, thank you very much for making my birthday extra special! I truly appreciate your generosity and love everything that you sent.

What did I receive from my dear friend Carol?  This little beauty...

Designer: JBW Design

Design: Red Stocking Collection II

32ct white Belfast Linen ~ over one

Stitched by: Carol S.

Wow, this took my breath away.  I love *little* and this is very little, not to mention perfectly stitched and finished.  Thank you so much Carol, you are a truly thoughtful and valued friend!

My trip to Germany was exciting and fun but it left me with little time to decorate the house for the holiday, shop for gifts, and prepare for the Christmas dinner.  My DS (G&D) arrive in 3 short days and will be able to spend a week with us; I can hardly wait. Not only will they be here for Christmas, they will be here for my birthday (a huge benefit to having a birthday just days after Christmas!). I will not find time to blog again before the holiday so I...

Wish you

The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all these be yours this holiday season.

Until next time...

Mainz Germany ~ Day 1

We made it and what a beautiful view...

Hilton Mainz Germany

Situated on the edge of Old Town the hotel overlooks the Rhine River, which is the 12th longest river in Europe (766  miles).

Rhine River

Our flight left the US around 5pm and landed in Frankfurt. We arrived at the hotel just after 7am (1am US time) sluggish and tired. Although the day was just beginning I was ready to go to sleep...which we did, until 3pm.  We woke to snow flurries and damp, cold weather but anxiously ventured out to the 

Mainz Christmas Market...

I especially enjoyed the 36' Christmas Pyramid located at the center of Hofchen square.  Inside this wooden structure are an number of holiday figures, such as an angel, and Santa Clause. There are also figures from the history of the city of Mainz like Gutenberg and the Roman commander Drusus.

36' Wooden Christmas Pyramid 

Knowing that I would be spending much of tomorrow shopping this festive open market, we spent less than 2 hours here before deciding to head back to the warm hotel. 

I hope for warmer days ahead and for success navigating my way around without getting lost.

Until next time...

Help....Info About Germany

I am heading to Germany on Sunday (12/2) and am wondering if anyone knows of Needlework and Quilt Shops in or around Frankfurt, Mainz, Ingelheim, and Cologne. Any "Must See" sights????  All suggestions are greatly appreciated.  I will have my laptop so if anyone has suggestions please leave me a comment. Thanks so much!

Busy With More Than Just Cross Stitch

It did not take me long to finish stitching Autumn in New York but it did take me some time to figure out how to finish this piece.  Here is what I decided to do with it...

Designer: Primrose Needleworks

Design: Autumn in New York

Fabric: 32ct linen over one

Floss: DMC

Stitched for: Meg C.

I purchased an unfinished wooden box and covered it with fabric.  The box did not come with a lid so, with the help of my DH, I made the lid and mounted the stitched piece on the top.  I had never tried this finish before and did not have any instructions to follow, as a result I had to "winging it" but I am pleased with how it turned out. 

Remember this?

Pattern: Hannah's Rainbow Quilt

It now looks like this...

 Stitched for: 2012 Graduation Quilt for Emily

75 x 98 Pieced Nine Patch

The quilt top was quilted by Mary Lea, a wonderful machine quilter in Texas.  I mailed her the top and asked her to do whatever she thought would look nice.  She selected a swirly pantograph and quilted it with black thread. It turned out perfect!

Machine Quilting by: Mary Lea Reynolds

Polka Dot Backing ~ Black binding

My sewing machine has been getting more use these days.  I am trying to finish my huge stack of UFOs.  Here is the latest completed quilt top...

A number of years ago I participated in a group block exchange and these are the blocks that we exchanges.  I actually completed the quilt top, less the borders, quite some time ago.  Hard to believe that all this needed was the borders!  Now I just need to get it quilted.

I recently attended the Champlain Valley Quilters' Guild Quilt Show and took  pictures of some very pretty quilts.  I will leave you with a few....

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time...

So Much To Share

I love the M Design Angels, they are relatively quick to stitch and always look nice.  This design is titled, "Joy" but I used the HOPE buttons.  I stitched this for am amazing nurse that spent much of her day with me on 9/20 giving me HOPE as I endured MOHs surgery (skin cancer) followed by reconstructive surgery on my nose.  She held my hand, hugged me, placed warm blankets over me as my entire body shook (out of fear, not cold), and repeatedly assured me that, "it was not that bad" and "No, I would not lose my nose".  She, and my DH, were my rock as I fell apart that day.  She deserves far more than this Hope Angel... 

2012 Gift

Designer: M Designs

Design: Joy Angel

Stitched for: Lisa I.

Fortunately, everything did turn out okay...phew! I am happy and relieved to know that Lisa has promised to be my nurse if I ever need Mohs again. 

Linda B. was my Fair and Square Halloween exchange partner. She stitched these adorable blocks...

2012 F&S Halloween Exchange

Stitched by Linda B.

Gabi L. stitched for me in the HOE Hometown exchange.  I was so excited when I opened her package and saw this...

2012 HOE Hometown Exchange

Designer: Carrol Nielson

Stitched by: Gabi L.

How very Australian and how truly adorable! 

Here is what I stitched for Becky K...

2012 HOE Hometown Exchange

Designer: Victoria Sampler

Design: Hearts of America~ VT

Stitched for: Becky K.

As some know, Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine. No, not because of all the candy (I do love candy) but because of the wonderful decorations.  I try not to pass up on a Halloween exchange and am SO glad that I joined in on this one.  Here is what Michelle B. sent...

2012 HOE Halloween Exchange

Designer: Historic Stitches

Design: Witch's Hat Scissor Case

Stitched by: Michelle B.

Side 1

Side 2

The Witch's Hat is so beautifully stitched and finished! Michelle even included a pair of Kelmscott Cat Snips Scissors! The box was filled with such neat items. That little green skeleton not only glows in the dark but dances. The embalming fluid bottle is an actual flask, which looks perfect next to my latest Annalee Doll.

Here is what I stitched and sent to Roberta S.

2012 HOE Halloween Exchange 

Designer: Plum Street Samplers

Design: My Pretties

Stitched for: Roberta S.

I love the way the candy container came out.  All I used was a 14.5 oz can, the My Pretties stitched piece, some Halloween theme fabric, and my sewing machine; so easy, and so fun to make.  I did manage to complete three of these to give to friends.  I will be searching through my Christmas designs so that I can make some candy containers for Christmas.

September came and went without me posting a TUSAL (totally useless stitch-a-long) picture so here it is...

TUSAL for:

 September 

AND October

Before Winter arrives I am rushing to finish this...

Designer: Primrose Needleworks

Design: Autumn in New York

There is a special someone that I want to make it for...

DS and GF

They both have apartments in Manhattan, but I know my DS would not really want this displayed in his. ;D Hopefully his GF will like it...I think it is just perfect.

Thanks for stopping by and....

Happy Halloween!

Until next time...