Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year, Friends!

As 2010 winds down so rapidly now, I do have one last finish to share...

Love and Joy Ornament
Plum Street Samplers
Just Cross Stitch 2010 Christmas Ornaments Issue
R&R Reproductions 28 ct Flax Fields Linen, DMC Floss
Stitched one over one


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Here is to a happy, healthy and wealthy New Year to you all!!!

Currently Stitching: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A little more Christmas....

It's still Christmas week, and I am on vacation from work this week, so add that up and... more little ornaments to share :-)

This first one is one that has been on my list for two years... now seemed like a good time to make it real. However, it was awful to photograph... this photo below is the best of the lot, despite the little bulb reflections in the wording below the teacup..


Not A Creature Was Stirring... Ornament
Casey Buonaugurio
Just Cross Stitch Magazine, December 2008
32 ct Olive Green Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads


And this little guy was too hard to resist when I saw the link for the crochet directions in Hazel's blog... The designer used cotton yarn, I chose to go smaller with cotton thread and a size 8 hook... might have to make a few more of these in bright colors... the freebie patterns are in this AWESOME BLOG!

Mike still has plenty of Gingher 4" Ella scissors... go two entries down for info, the shop link and your special coupon code ;-)

Currently Stitching: Christmas Ornaments

Monday, December 27, 2010

Gingher Ella 4" Scissors Available... plus ornaments galore!

For all who missed out on getting the JoAnn's Exclusive Gingher Ella 4" scissors when they first came out early in the autumn, no worries! Mike has been able to get a sizeable supply from his wholesaler - we had an over $300 postage charge at the post office today, primarily from shipping these out to you.... BUT.... we have more! Scroll down to my last entry to see how pretty they are, and to find the link and coupon code to get you your pair! Thanks :-)

Now onto my own stitching news... so much to share today... over the past couple of weeks, I have been blessed to receive some stunning ornaments from dear friends... and here they are:


This adorable green fluffy heart came to me from dear Staci - it is the cuddliest ornament I have ever had on my tree, and I adore it. I wish I had a better photo, but I was pretty much squatting in front of my tree to get this shot... thank you Staci :-)
And this stunner is from my dear, dear Celebrations friend Margaret. Margaret sends me the prettiest, most delicate ornaments every year... and she was not to be outdone again this year! She stitched for me Frosted Berlingot by Nancy Pederson in the December 2010 issue of The Gift of Stitching Magazine... see, another delicate beauty! I sooooo look forward to her ornament gifts every year! Thank you Margaret!
And, last but far, far from least, today I received my HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange from Hazel. Poor Hazel mailed this out to me ages and ages ago, and the postal service deigned to finally deliver it to my home today. No worries - the tree is still up, and it is still the holiday season here :-) Oh, it was so worth the wait! I had to take a kind of sideways photo of it, as it is facing my stairwell, and I had to slip the camera between the railings of the stairway to get a shot... so it looks wonky, but the ornament is NOT wonky - LOL. What a beauty - a CHS ornament on 40 ct linen, stitched by a dear friend.... another heirloom for me! Thank you so much Hazel!

And, this brings me to a little pile of ornaments I have been busily stitching for my own tree... there are more to come this week, but for now, I can share:

Snowman's Quaker Christmas
Midnight Stitching
R&R Reproductions 32 ct Creek Bed Brown Linen, GAST and DMC Floss


2010 Stamp Ornament
Jeannette Douglas Designs
Just Cross Stitch Magazine 2010 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Platinum Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Beads


2010 Stocking Ornament
Jeannette Douglas Designs
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2010
32 ct Natural Light Linen, Crescent Colours Floss, Mill Hill Beads
I changed every fiber and bead in this one to match the red and green beads I had in my stash ;-)

\
Christmas & Reindeer 2010 Ornament
Rosewood Manor
Chart Available HERE
40 ct Natural Brown Linen, DMC Floss


And, so that is pretty lengthy update for now, right?? Got our first significant snow overnight... less than forecasted, and DH got right out there this morning and cleared the way for us.... but it is sooo cold and windy out there, I am going to grab one of my books, curl up and read... maybe stitch later while we watch a movie or the hockey game :-)


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Currently Stitching: Christmas Ornaments

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Gingher Ella 4" Scissors Now Available


Mike has a good sized stock available now... only $23.99 a pair, and for my blog readers only, use coupon code FRIEND for an extra 5% off!

Buy them now HERE - several other wonderful Gingher Designer Series styles still available as well.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

More Ornaments....

I have been on a roll the past couple of days, and now I have a few more ornaments to share...

Merry Little Christmas Ornament
The Drawn Thread
36 ct Dirty Linen, Thread Gatherer - Frosted Auburn, Gloriana - Elizabethan Green Silk


Christmas Eve Flight Ornament
The Sampler Girl
Unknown R&R Reproductions 40 ct Linen, GAST - Buckeye Scarlet, Blueberry, WDW - Cocoa


Peace Joy Love Ornament
Lizzie Kate
28 ct Natural Quaker, GAST - Buckeye Scarlet, Pine, Peach Ice Cream


Received the sweetest stuffed heart ornament from a dear friend... forgot to grab a photo!! Will do for next post, as I have more stitching to do.....

Winner of my blog drawing for Redwork Christmas Ornament is: Paula D! Sent the chart off to you yesterday, Paula - enjoy!


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Currently Stitching: HoHRH, Christmas Ornaments

Monday, December 13, 2010

All Kinds of Christmas Ornaments

I have a little gathering of Christmas Ornaments to share today. I have been feeling a bit better the past couple of weeks, and have been on a little mission to stitch ornaments... including a few that have been on my "to do" list for quite a while now..

First though, I wanted to share this lovely ornament that arrived in the mail today from Katrina.

I am not at all familiar with this design, but I do love it. And as always, I just adore Katrina's finishing techniques! Thank you so much Katrina - you are such a dear friend! I will cherish this one always.

Next... a few I recently finished. I apologize straight out for some of the photos. It is a warm but overcast/rainy late afternoon here, and my tree pics are not so great...

Christmas 2010 Ornament
Glory Bee
Just Cross Stitch 2010 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, GAST Floss


Noel Ornament
Log Cabin Needleworks
36 Summer Khaki Edinburgh Linen, GAST Floss


Joy Ornament
Lizzie Kate
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Christmas Ornament Issue
40 ct R&R Reproductions Antique Cotton Linen, WDW Floss


Peace Ornament
Country Cottage Needleworks
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Christmas Ornament Issue
28 ct Confederate Grey Cashel Linen, DMC Floss


And... some snaps of our tree - from two different angles. I cannot get a photo of the back of the tree, nor one of the side facing the stairwell... but you get the idea! Please pardon Beau's favorite bed in the corner - I likes to sleep "under the tree" :-)




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Currently Stitching: HoHRH, Christmas Ornaments

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Another Ornament Finish/Pattern Giveaway

I've been keeping busy with stitching Christmas ornaments this week... here is my latest finish to share...

"Christmas Redwork Christmas Ornament
Historic Stitches
Lakeside Linens 32 ct Vintage Autumn Gold Linen, DMC 115


This pattern is now available to go to a good home.... in great condition, someone (cannot remember who!) gifted it to me last year... time to pass it along now too ... leave a comment here and I will draw a name on 12/15/10!


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Currently Stitching: Christmas Ornaments!

Monday, December 06, 2010

RAK and another ornament

I came home from work this afternoon to two things - our first snow flurries of the year (OK, at least the first I have seen, plus they were also around a little during my morning commute as well...) and this adorable RAK from dear Andrea!

I love this ornament! Soooo cute, and of course, so expertly and perfectly stitched and finished. What a total surprise, and I am over the moon! I know my health issues have made me so very scarce this year, and to receive a stitching RAK from an old stitching pal brightened my day and brings me such hope for 2011! Thank you soooo much for such a thoughtful gift, Andrea. I will cherish this forever, and actually hope to decorate the tree tonight - just waiting for the branches to relax and open (we bought our live tree yesterday) so that DH can string the lights and then I can have at it with the ornaments! (PS - I had planned to stitch this ornament at some point in the next few weeks - now I do not have to, unless I choose to stitch it for someone else!!)

Also, I finished another little ornament this weekend... so here it is...

Joy Ornament
Amy Bruecken Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue
Weeks Dye Works 30 ct Guacamole Linen, Crescent Colours Floss



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Currently Stitching: Christmas Ornaments!!

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Ornaments... and a Fall Exchange...

I have been a little busy lately (finally) stitching again... I managed to get a small little group of Christmas ornaments done...

Woodland Christmas Reindeer Ornament
Heart in Hand
28 ct Light Mocha Cashel Linen, GAST Floss


French Country Star Ornament
JBW Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2010 Christmas Ornament Issue
28 ct Potato Annabelle, DMC Floss, stitched one over one


Peppermint Paul Ornament
Helga Mandl Designs
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2008
32 ct Olive Green Belfast Linen, DMC Floss



Also... I am a bit late in posting this.... I received this reall pretty bourse from Marie W. for the HoE Fall Exchange. She says it is her first... hard to believe, it is so perfect! Thanks again, Marie...

For Janet B., I stitched...

Small Seasons Autumn Fob
The Drawn Thread
Cannot recall fabric and fibers....


OK... off to stitch more ornaments!

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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Halloween Treats


I received this adorable exchange from Lisette for the HoE Halloween Exchange - she stitched up a goodie bag for me using a design by Helga Mandl. I love it! I am working on a good way to display it now. She also sent me an October breast cancer awareness bracelet, as well as a bag of Halloween licorice treats - those are half eaten now, and just did not make it into the photo ;-) Thanks Lisette, great exchange!
And, today I received a Halloween surprise from my dear friend Margaret - she stitched up the sweetest little Halloween biscornu - the back has spiders on it :-) She wrote in her card that is an unknown online freebie - I wonder if I have this one stored somewhere, as it is just too cute! She also sent fantastic fabrics, MH beads, and God love her - M&M's! What a treat! Oh, and look at the homemade card too! And... that great ribbon she wrapped it all in for me.... what a dear friend I have, thank you so much!! {{{HUGS}}}

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Currently Stitching: Family Reunion Sampler, a gift, starting HoE Fall Exchange

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Another Christmas Ornament

I have been focusing on my efforts to get at least a small basket of ornaments ready to give as gifts this year to those who have stuck by me during a tough year... here is another that I finished just last night....

Merry! Ornament
Heart in Hand
Just Cross Stitch 1997 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, GAST Floss



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Currently Stitching: a gift, and Family Reunion Sampler

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Candy Cane Snowflake Ornament

I managed to get another Christmas ornament finished this week...

Candy Cane Snowflake Ornament
Just Nan
32 ct Confederate Gray Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Various Beads and Angel Charm



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Currently Stitching: Family Reunion Sampler

Friday, September 10, 2010

Lots of Gingher Sonias (and others) ready to go!



75% sold already! Hurry!

Here they are - the new Gingher Sonia Scissors, 4" and 5".... also got in more 5" Elenas, 4" Mias and 4" Freedoms.... grab them up at Mike and Carol's Internet Store - if you already ordered, huge shipment going out to the PO this afternoon - they will be in your hands soon - my pair is stunning :-)

**Please Note: Coupon below is for books, and is NOT related to the Gingher sale

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Monday, September 06, 2010

Three French Hens Ornament

At long last, I found the energy to stitch another Christmas Ornament for my basket. This time I chose an old freebie from my freebie drawer - from a packet that has designs for each of the "Twelve Days of Christmas," I chose Three French Hens.... dressed in french maid uniforms. I thought it was cute. I went with the designer's color key, but in hindsight, I would have switched to a darker green for the 3...

Three French Hens Ornament
Sisters and Best Friends
32 ct Natural Belfast Linen, GAST Floss



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Currently Stitching: Family Reunion Sampler (should post an update soon, have done quiet a bit more), and another Christmas Ornament

Friday, August 06, 2010

For the Birds Exchange for Joke

I got word from Joke today that she has received the HoE For the Birds Exchange that I sent off to her.

Bluebird Needlebook
Blackbird Designs
R&R Reproductions 40 ct Mockingbird Linen, HDF Old Maid of the Sea silk floss

Friday, July 30, 2010

Wonderful Mail!


Yesterday, the mailmain delivered a birthday gift from my dear stitching friend, Marie! What a surprise - I used to stitch a lot of bday gifts for stitching friends, but life circumstances changed dramatically and now I rarely ever have a chance to do that anymore. I absolutely never expect to receive gifts, and yet... look at this stunning surprise from Marie. I adore it - the colors are amazing and the stitching and finishing are perfect! Thank you, Marie, for the treat! I will email you today - I got in so late last night from a dinner with my mom, her husband and his family that I was not at all focused until this morning :-)
And then, the mailman brought another treat today! I received this adorable HoE For the Birds Exchange from Erin today. Isn't this sooooo cheerful! I love this little SamSarah design and the finish so much that it now sits in my hutch in my dining area and is so perky! I am so lucky! She also could not resist making me one of those fun fobs she has been making with her husband's grandmother's beads - she said Happy BDay in my card, so must be for that! I was admiring the one she had in her blog recently, and now I own one! See, I am soooo lucky! Thank you Erin.... gulp, now I better kick it into high gear to get my exchange out in time.... :-)




Currently Stitching: HoE For the Birds Exchange, and Family Reunion Sampler