Another Update

May is flying by! I've been busy, as usual. Lots (24) of bears have been completely finished and delivered!

On the stitching front here are 3 finishes. I am working on some patriotic smalls and will finish-finish them all at the same time. I have to pull out fabrics and choose embellishments from the "depths" of my craft room closet and that is a chore! So, unless I just have to, I prefer to finish up several at a time.

Tree of Life

Graphs by Barbara and Cheryl

30 ct linen ivory   2 over 2

Olde Glory (Wee One)

Heart in Hand/Cecilia Turner

18 ct Davos oatmeal   2 over 1

July 4th

The Stitcherhood (free design found here)

32 ct Lugana ivory    2 over 2

I decided after stitching some of the border to just leave off. I like it better without...I think! 

And, finally, I received these beautiful flowers from my daughter and her family for Mother's Day/my Birthday!  They are beautiful and so fragrant!  

Thanks for stopping by!

New Stash!

A while ago I was the lucky winner of a little give away on Shelly's blog.  She was very generous by giving me a gift certificate to 123 Stitch.  Since I was getting ready to go on a couple of trips I didn't get to use it immediately, but I finally did make an order and it arrived yesterday!  I got several charts that I've been wanting, the new JCS Ornament issue and some fabric, threads and beads for upcoming projects. It was wonderful to be able to apply the certificate to the order!!  Thanks Shelly!!

I've Got Mail!

Look what came in the mail yesterday from Myra!  A wonderful pieced mug mat and a sweet little heart ornie.  It's just too pretty to use under a mug of tea or coffee!  I just love her choice of fabrics,  and she has stitched both to perfection! Thanks, Myra, for the sweet Valentine!

This is as far as I've gotten with Heart Swirls.  When I started I knew it wouldn't be finished for Valentine's Day this year...maybe for 2014!

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments on my finish in my last post! 

Christmas Exchange and The Traveling Pattern

This past week our Thursday night stitch group had our Christmas party and exchange.  This was the only time everyone could get together even though it was after the "official" holiday time!  The Santa ornament is what I received.  It's Santa's Greeting designed by friend, Cindy, from The Stitchworks here in Tulsa.  I just love it!!

 

I stitched Snow Merry by Homespun Elegance and finished into ornament as my gift.

I've been chosen by Erica as the next one to stitch The Traveling Pattern shown on her blog, Bits of My Own.  I'm very excited to begin stitching!  Thanks, Erica!

Flowers and a Birthday Start

Yesterday was my birthday and my daughter and son-in-law sent these gorgeous flowers. I just love the way they are arranged and the colors are so sweet! Thanks to both of you!

I have been doing some stitching on older projects and have finished 3 (pics soon), and I really needed a new start. Here is the tiny bit done last night on the bellpull sampler from Cross Stitch Sampler magazine Summer 1992.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Cross Stitch Sampler magazine
Summer 1992

Valentine RAK!

I got a surprise in the mail today from Karen.


She stitched the sweetest little pin pillow. The finishing is wonderful and she included 2 handmade pins. This is so pretty Karen!! Thanks so much for thinking of me. I just love it!

Christmas in August!

A couple of weeks ago I won Stephanie's giveaway on her blog, Joie de Bayou. Her package arrived and here is a snap of all the goodies! She really did outdo herself! I couldn't believe how much she stuffed into the box!


I could barely get it all in the picture. She included a mini scrapbood kit, a cross stitch kit, several Christmas craft kits, some trims, an angel ornament, tea, note pad set, Louisiana creole red beans and candy, the cutest little crawfish, DMC in my favorite Christmas colors and a stitched ornament.

She stitched "Winter Sheep" by Little House Needleworks. I have admired this design, so I am absolutely thrilled to have it! Stephanie's stitching is just perfect and she finished it into a darling little pillow which will go into my basket of smalls. Thank you Stephanie for the wonderful gifts!

Sampler Progress and A Present!

Here is Bands of Many Colors as of today! Even though I have been faithfully stitching only on this for the last 2 weeks, you would think it should be farther along, but it is so enjoyable, it shouldn't be rushed! I am putting it away for a while, as part 1 and a wee bit of part 2 have been done. I think I will follow Coni's method of rotation for a while, and "draw" a WIP to stitch for a week. The one that was drawn from my list is a canvas piece which doesn't have much more to do. If it isn't finished this week, then I will be surprised.

Edited to add: The stitches used in Part 1: Cross, Queen, Backstitch, Algerian Eye, Diamond Eye, Satin, Irish, and Tent.

I had a belated Christmas present arrive yesterday from DD and DSIL. She had been quite distraught that it did not arrive in time for Christmas, but that was OK because when I opened it, I could not believe she had sent all of these charts from my wish list!! There is a little kit coming that is on backorder as well! I can't wait to start stitching them. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Still Waters--Plum Street Samplers

Gather Thy Roses--Chessie & Me

Irish Sampler Pincushion--Nostalgic Needle

SBBC Birthday Package Arrives!

Look what I got in the mail today! It's my Birthday package from Wanda!

Wanda made me a gorgeous biscornu using a Stacy Nash pattern called "1802 Biscornu". The colors are lovely. Her stitching is just perfect and the finishing is outstanding. I just love it! Thank you, Wanda!

Here's the back.

Here are all of the other goodies that were included-a wonderful piece of linen, a Prairie Schooler Santa chart, hand dyed floss, a scented candle, lotion, nail file, highlighter, and a tin of Altoids. Thank you so much for helping to make my birthday extra special!

Un-Birthday Gift from Barbara!

My Un-Birthday gift from Barbara has arrived! She stitched "Homestead", a Bent Creek design and finished it into a darling, little pillow. I just love it! Her stitching and finishing are perfect. Isn't she amazing? Thank you so much Barbara!