Halloween Happiness

And just look at this smile (this guy loves his self portrait)...

The minute I saw this skeleton doll I knew what I would do with him ~ I was going to make him the main attraction in my personal Halloween exchange with my good friend Paula C. I had planned on stitching a design from the new Prairie Schooler Boo Too You leaflet and when I saw this doll, I knew exactly which design I would stitch ~ the skeleton. He is stitched using DMC glow in the dark white and finished using a glow in the dark trim that I found on eBay. It did not take long before I knew that I would like to have one of these for my house. I rushed back to the store to get the other doll but sadly, someone else loved him too, he was gone. That is okay, I am just happy that Paula loves him as well!

There are so many wonderful designs in Boo To You leaflet, I could not help but stitch this Haunted house for Paula as well....

And here is the entire exchange:

2009 Personal Halloween Exchange

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Boo To You

Stitched for: Paula C.

Back in late July, I mailed a SBBC Exchange but did not post a picture of the birthday exchange that I sent so here it is….

2009 SBBC

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Summer Breeze

Finish: Project Bag

Given that the entire day has been rainy and a bit gloomy, I shall leave you with this "Wishing Custom"...

When Lightning flashes across the sky, make a wish

Wishing you a week that is filled with many hours of enjoyable stitching!!!

Until next time...

Two New Exchanges

The mail carrier was good to me yesterday; he left two wonderful packages in the mail. The first was from Patti who stitched for me in the Year Long Prairie Schooler exchange. She stitched this pretty design on 40 ct and used a great decorative trim on the edge, very nice choice!

Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange

Stitched by: Patti

Patti included a gorgeous beaded fob that she made ~ the beads are beautiful. Thanks you so much Patti I love what you sent.

This is what I stitched and sent to Lillie:

Next, I received an amazing exchange from Ronel who stitched for me in the FTT Needlework exchange. I am not certain that the pictures will do this justice…

Ronel is a master at Stumpwork and I am truly honored to own a piece of her work. The detail on this is amazing; can you see the owl’s eyes? They are tiny! The flowers are a combination of red seed beads and French knots (?) and the dragonfly is made from beads with wings stitched in gold thread. The stitching is perfect in every way.

Oh, did I mention that it is a needlebook? This too is perfectly constructed. Given the range of Ronel’s talent, I imagine that she made the lovely pins as well. Ronel also stitched a beautiful little scissor fob, personalizing it on the back with my initials.

In addition Ronel included some Madeira Silk threads (in my favorite color), needles, a pink tape measure, charms, and a fragrant sachet. Thanks you so much Ronel for a wonderful exchange!

FTT Needlework Exchange

Stitched by: Ronel

Finish: Stumpwork Neeldebook and Fob

Here is what I stitched for Gabriele:

FTT Needlework Exchange

Designer: Little House Needlework

Stitched For: Lillie

Finish: Needlecase

I took a trip to San Antonio this past weekend and stopped in at Cross Stitch Plus where I managed to find a few "must have" patterns and a bit of fabric:

Texas Tree

Blackbird Design

Glorious June

I also managed to find two floral frogs and a dish for one of the frogs. I saw this on a blog (sorry can't remember who posted this fabulous idea) and loved it.

What a great scissor holder!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I do hope that you find time to stop by again~

Until next time...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I was so surprised to receive these beautiful note cards in the mail from Michelle. She was the winner of my BBD Thread Keeper give-a-way and sent me these cards as a thank you. I am just happy that she liked the Thread Keeper so much! Thank you Michelle, you are too sweet. :)

I joined Becky's Christmas Ornament Swap and received a truly gorgeous ornament from Carol.

REST EASY MY FRIEND, YOUR PACKAGE ARRIVED TODAY! :D

When I opened the package my mouth dropped, this beautiful ornament is stitched on 40ct over two, using Atalie floss! ~ How lucky am I??? Carol, you are an angel, please know that I will treasure this special ornament. Thank you so much for making this an extra special exchange! :)

Christmas Ornament Swap

Stitched by: Carol S.

Designer: The Sampler House

Design: Symbolic "X" Christmas Ornament

Here is the ornament that I stitched for Amy:

Designer: M Design
Design: Joy Tree
Ornament Exchange for: Amy

I am such a HUGE fan of the M Design and especially love the word/name trees. Over a year ago I purchased name tree designs for both my boys and, although I have not barely started stitching on one, I REALLY hope to finish them both this year!
FYI: tomorrow is September 9, 2009...09/09/09 what a great birthday that would be. Well, I just read that not only does the date look good, but it also represents the last set of repeating, single-digit dates that we'll see for almost a century (until January 1, 2101). Hmm, I wonder where I will be then? :)

I shall leave you with this "Wishing Custom"...

If you slice an apple into equal halves without cutting or nicking a seed, your wish for love will come true.

Until next time...

OOPS, I Did It Again!

Designer: Jardin Prive

Design: My Lady's Quaker

Need I say more ~ Would you believe that I pressed "ADD TO CART" a mere 20 minutes after posting my last post! Really now, how could I resist?

I am convinced that the Dave Barry quote, found on Julie's blog, is true:

"There is a fine line between hobby and mental illness"

I must thank Jeanne whose post could not have made it easier for me to purchase My Lady's Quaker, thanks Jeanne!

It was comforting to read all of your comments to my Ambitious or Absurd post and as Gabi stated, we are not absurd we are merely "ambitious collectors" ~ sounds good to me.

To justify my many purchases I shall share with you a picture of my most recent finish:

OOPS...battery died, no pictures today! (and that's the truth)

Until next time...

Ambitious or Absurd? You Decide...

Do you remember back in January I set out on that endless journey to complete my first HAED titled, Wintery Heirloom? No need to get excited, I am not here to post that I completed that monster of a project. In fact, I have made very little progress:

January 2009

August 2009

What is wrong with me? Why can't I sit down and stitch on this?

Could it be that I was too busy contemplating my next HAED purchase?

HAED: Witches and Crones

Or, maybe this beauty…

HAED: A Moment To Cherish

Struggling to put needle to fabric on Wintery Heirloom one would wonder why I managed to press ADD TO CART becoming the proud owner of both designs!

Let me state this very clearly “I have BIG DREAMS of completing A Moment To Cherish before one of my sons decides to marry”~ With a 20 and 22 year old, I think (hope) I still have time!

But WAIT... did I have BIG DREAMS of completing that Folk Art Wedding Quilt for one of the boys? A beautiful block of the month by Robyn Pandolph. I believe I did, and over the course of about 4 years, I have managed to complete 4 of the 12 blocks…

Folk Art Wedding Quilt

Robyn Pandolph Block of the Month

This does not really qualify as “progress” now does it? Actually, I have not worked on this quilt for about 3 years. So much hand appliqué, so little time (or maybe interest)!

Much like the Bermuda Triangle many of my projects have become a modern mystery, disappearing into that “Stitcher’s Triangle” ~ a black hole that defies explanation.

So why, why, why do I continue to buy, buy, buy???

Blackbird Design: I Thee Wed
M Design: Family Tree

PS: Boo To You
PS: Christmas Eve

Ambitious OR Absurd? I will let you decide!

• Ambitious: Having or controlled by ambition
• Ambition: The desire for personal achievement
• Absurd: Ridiculously unreasonable, unsound

Yes, I do manage to complete some projects ~ usually those small ones. It's off to the Post Office with these two exchanges!

Until next time...

One Of The Best Days Of My Life ~

August 10, 1987 ~ Yes, one of the very BEST days of my entire life!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY GARRETT !!!

Hey Garrett, in honor of your birthday I dedicate this post to you and wish you a very happy birthday.

Here are a few memorable pictures that are certain to make you smile as you ponder this question:

"Why is she doing this?":D

Answer: "Because IL&IMY"

Your very first picture

Puppy OR Person?

Garrett (it's a person)
Monday August 10, 1987

6:07 PM
9 lbs 8oz ~ 22 inches

(you look like Lily)

Here are some notable facts from 1987:

1) You were born :D
2) Ronald Regan was President
3) George Bush was Vice-President
4) Popular song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston
5) Hit Movie: Fatal Attraction
6) Gas was .87 per gallon (is that possible?)
7) Stamp cost .22 cents
8) New car cost 9,293.
9) New home cost 129,000


You were born under the year of the Rabbit ~ You are the kind of person people like to be around ~ You are affectionate, obliging, and always pleasant ~Being cautious and conservative, makes you successful in business.


I would agree that you are all that and more!

Adorable At 8 Months

And yes, you were dining on the dog food!

Cute At ONE

When I grow up I want to be...

A Mickey Mouse Fire Chief

Had I known where life would take you I would have propped you up at a desk, diligently working on the computer, with a poster of Time Square taped to the window before snapping this picture.

I really do not know where the time went:

When you get home from work tonight maybe you and Drew can break out the Arts & Craft box and update this with your larger "rainbow hands" and send it to me! :D

Wishing you a wonderful birthday!!!!

And remember...

Have a great day and an exciting, rewarding, happy, healthy and safe year ahead!


IL&IMY, always!

MOM

Summer Exchanges

Two wonderful exchanges arrived on my doorstep. The first was a Fair & Square exchange that was sent by Darla. She stitched me the cutest design taken from the Gift of Stitching magazine (great online magazine). I just love that there is a little dog and that she changed the design up a bit and added my initials. Thank you so much Darla for the wonderful blocks!

Fair & Square #14

Stitched by: Darla

The next exchange piece was from Moni who was my stitching partner in the FTT: Seasonal Exchange Summer rotation. Moni stitched a decorative hanging heart with a strawberry motif. The backing fabric on this is truly perfect; it has tiny strawberries growing from the vine. I love pieces like this that I can easily display on door handles, knobs, or pegs. This beauty is hanging from a peg on my hall tree.

In addition, Moni treated me to a very generous piece of fabric, a pretty piece of backing fabric, ribbon, variegated floss, floral buttons, 2 wonderful patterns, and a delicate and very pretty crochet sachet that has a scented heart shaped soap inside. I venture to guess that Moni made this, it is beautiful! A special thank you to Moni for making this summer exchange extra special.

FTT: Seasonal Exchange ~ Summer

Stitched by: Moni

So, what did I stitch for Moni?

This is the first time that I finished a piece as a fabric basket. I received one from Chris back in the summer of 2007 and loved it. It only took me 2 years to finally get around to making one myself!

FTT: Seasonal Exchange ~ Summer

Designer: LHN

Design: Season of Growth

Stitched for: Moni

Okay, are you wondering how I remembered "who sent me what" over 2 years ago? I have a horrendous memory so I assure you that I did not rely on that! When I first entered the world of exchanging, I started a photo album to document the exchanges that I sent and received:

I do have the pictures on the computer but this book has become a great resource and a source of enjoyment. Sometimes I just like to grab the album and a cup of coffee (naturally), sit on the couch and flip through it.

In my last post I showed you the beautiful squares that I received from Jill in the F&S Summer Exchange. Let me share with you the squares that I sent her ~

Fair & Square Summer

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: A Prairie Year Book #13

Stitched for: Jill F.

Life is GOOD…my Primitive Wizard of Oz arrived and I rushed to pick it up. I would start it TONIGHT however, I was unable to get the fabric and must wait until that gets ordered. Jenn, keep those “FYI” links coming and thanks again for this one.

For now I shall leave you with this "Wishing Custom"...

JUG
When blowing into a jug, if you can get a sound on the first try, make a wish.

Until next time...