Garden of Stitches

Friends Ornament

2009-12-03T22:13:00.003-05:00

I have another ornament that I stitched for a friend to share tonight. The photo is a little dark - most of the mornings this week have been dark and rainy here. The morning I took this photo (Monday), was one such morning...

Friends Ornament
Lizzie Kate
28 ct Clay Cashel Linen, GAST and WDW Floss, Charm from Flip It Chart

Stitching on: Stitching on gifts - mailed Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap, and mailed Christmas Exchange this week

Christmas Stitching Ornament

2009-12-01T18:19:00.004-05:00

I heard from a dear friend of mine that my little Christmas gift for her has arrived safe and sound! It had a long, long distance to travel, so I am thrilled to learn all is well with it, and it was well received!

Christmas Stitching Ornament
My Mark
2009 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue
Wichelt 32 ct Bonnie Blue Linen, DMC Floss

More Christmas Ornaments!

2009-11-26T17:15:00.004-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends!

I have some more Christmas ornaments to share today!

I received this sparkly beauty from Ronel for the FTT Christmas Ornament Exchange earlier this week - was waiting for a sunny afternoon to take a good photo, but we have had cloudy weather with sprinkles most of the week... at least it is still mild here, so I won't complain. I had to give in and take a photo of it on my kitchen counter this morning, as I have been dying to show it off. It is so pretty - thank you, Ronel!

And, my final PIF for the year has now arrived at its destination! Edda emailed me yesterday to let me know that the Christmas Ornament I stitched for her has now arrived safe and sound in Iceland. I was a little worried about how long it would take, as I noticed well after I left the post office the day that I mailed it that the receipt said Ireland on it... did not know if the clerk had the right bar code on the postage tape, and whether or not this ornament would end up south east of Iceland for a little while... probably did not, though, as it did arrive in decent time!

Holiday Wreath Ornament
JBW Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads

I hope my US friends had a nice Thanksgiving - Mike and I enjoyed a nice time at my mother's house with her new husband, my siblings and my nieces today... plenty to give thanks for yet again!

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Stitching on: Stitching on a Xmas gift and on my Christmas Exchange

Gift for Sandra

2009-11-21T19:58:00.003-05:00

I heard from Sandra this evening that she has received the little gift I stitched for her in reward for having been the original 1000th poster to the Freebie Gallery (after broken links were removed). Keeping with getting that old Christmas spirit charging up, I chose to stitch her a Christmas ornament. Since this was a Freebie Gallery gift, I felt I just had to stitch her a freebie!

Joy Ornament
Lilybet Designs
32 ct Willow Green Belfast Linen, GAST and DMC Floss, Dress It Up! Star Button

Currently Stitching: Stitching on Christmas Swap

Christmas Ornament for Hazel... and one for Becky... and one for Andrea too!

2009-11-18T09:17:00.003-05:00

**Edited to add - OK, two more ornaments I recently stitched and mailed have arrived at new homes today too - so here they all are... (I know - so much from me all at once!)...

I just heard from Hazel that she has just received the Christmas Ornament I sent to her for the Friends Through Threads Christmas Ornament Exchange. I was so pleased that the ornament arrived in the UK in just a little over a week's time - much improvement in the UK postal service now! Yay! Here is what I chose to stitch for Hazel...

Prairie Schooler Santa Ornament
Prairie Schooler
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2008
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Hazel wrote that she was really pleased with the ornament, and I must say that I was thrilled to receive her name for this exchange. Glad you like it Hazel - Merry Christmas to you!!

I heard from Becky that she received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. I stalked her blog a little to decide what to stitch for her, and I noticed she recently had a birthday giveaway of a reindeer kit... and mentioned she loved reindeer... so I stitched her a reindeer (of course!!):

The Stag Ornament
Helga Mandl Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, DMC Floss, Bead-It Beads

And... then I also heard from Andrea that she received the PIF that I sent off to her as well... yet another Christmas ornament, as I really have been wanting to work up that Christmas spirit lately...

Holiday Heart Ornament
JBW Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads and Dress It Up! Star Button

Glad everyone said they were pleased with their tree gifties... now one last PIF out there waiting to be received.... but it has to travel a bit to Iceland... so stay tuned!

Stitching on: Stitching on Christmas Exchange for private group

beCause It's Pink Exchange for Kim

2009-11-11T13:40:00.004-05:00

I was so relieved to receive an email from Kim this afternoon letting me know that at long last, my HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange for her finally arrived in the UK. I think it got itself all tied up in the backlog of the UK's postal strike, but it appears that arrived safe and sound anyhow!

Pearls & Rosebuds Fob
The Drawn Thread
28 ct Cameo Rose Cashel Linen, DMC Floss

... And the rest of the goodies for Kim - DMC marblized scissors, pink floss, two pink fabrics, assorted gold tone charms, a pack of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and a pink flowered bookmark... hope you enjoy, Kim!

Currently Stitching: Stitching a PIF

Christmas Ornament for Edgar

2009-11-09T19:19:00.004-05:00

I was thrilled to get an email this evening from Edgar letting me know that the ornament I sent to him for the Christmas Ornament Swap somehow finally found its way to San Francisco today! The mail from me to Edgar is rarely more than two days - but this little guy took at least two weeks to arrive... but alas, after some panicking and a decision today to start stitching a new ornament for him (which will become a PIF really soon now for someone on my list!!), it did arrive! And as always, Edgar was so kind in his words to me about it :-)

Peace Angel Ornament
Prairie Schooler
32 ct White Belfast Linen, DMC Floss and RG Petite Treasure Braid

Whew, that is a relief! Now if the HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange I sent... um, three weeks ago??... to the UK would just arrive... all would be right in my swapping world again!!

Glad you like it Edgar - this design screamed out to me to stitch for you!

Stitching on: Finished my FTT Christmas Ornament Exchange today, now stitching on a PIF

PIF for Wendy Jo

2009-11-06T12:56:00.002-05:00

Wendy Jo emailed me this morning to let me know that the PIF I sent off to her has arrived. With Christmas so close now, I chose to make her a Christmas Ornament - this is one I have admired in one of the past JCS Ornament Issues, so I chose to make it for her (I just love JBW Designs):

Peace On Earth Ornament
JBW Designs
2006 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue
28 ct Natural Cashel Linen, GAST and DMC Floss

Glad you like it Wendy Jo! Now 2 PIFs down, 2 to go!

Currently stitching: Stitching on a small gift

Stunning Ornament from Tracy

2009-11-02T15:09:00.003-05:00

I received the most fantastic treat in the mail today! I am the extrememly lucky recipient of this stunning, delicate and perfectly stitched little stocking ornament made by Tracy! I am over the moon with it and just cannot wait until I can display it in about a month... thank you so much for this fantastic treat! (This was for the Christmas Ornament Swap. run by BeckySC)...

And, I really need to say thank you to all of you who sent such kind words and condolences to Mike and I regarding the sudden passing of his father last week. I know I have not been around the blogs or stitching groups much at all lately. Life took such an unexpected turn for me in 2009. I have felt so detached from this world of stitching and stitching bloggers, and for a while I was so depressed over it that I pulled back even further. It warmed my heart more than any of you can imagine to know that so many of you took just a moment to let us know you care. Thank you - I cherish you. Even those who did not stop by, you are forever in my thoughts. {{HUGS}}

Stitching on: Stitching on a small gift, and mailed a PIF today too...

Sad News... and Pretty Exchanges

2009-10-27T19:17:00.005-04:00

I figure I will start with my sad news first... as some of my stitching friends are aware, Mike's father was very recently told he had Stage 4 Lung Cancer. He was too far gone really for chemo, but he did at least try it, with no positive effects. He went very rapidly down hill from there, and after Mike went down to Florida last week to say goodbye to him and celebrate his father's last birthday with him, my father in law passed away on Sunday night. This is a very painful time for us, and we will miss him very, very much. RIP Arnold Sutcliffe, 10/22/37 - 10/25/09. We love you very much.

In the midst of all of that, I received this really pretty beCause It's Pink Exchange (HoE) from Sharlotte. Sharlotte had a really unique idea. She stitched me a lingerie bag. Pretty! She also sent me a handmade bookmark (since I am also an avid reader, this is wonderful!), a set of pretty pink emery boards (also soooo me - I have long, natural nails that always need refining), a pink Sharpie pen, and two skeins of floss. What a treat! Thank you Sharlotte!

And, today I received a Halloween Exchange (HoE) from Terry. She stitched an ornament and a fob using Blue Ribbons Designs charts - on the prettiest orange linen. And... so cool... a Halloween Needle Minder! Great exchange, thank you Terry!!

Currently Stitching: Stitching a gift - also mailed my Christmas Ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap yesterday

PIF for Susan

2009-10-20T19:37:00.003-04:00

My PIF that had gone missing for a while came back to me, and now has been re-sent and received by Susan in TX (cannot find her blog link anywhere!!). Finally - at last - and I still have a few more to go before the year ends!!

Garden Alphabet "S" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Stitching on: Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap

Halloween Exchange for Stacy

2009-10-16T16:28:00.004-04:00

I heard from Stacy last night, and she let me know that she has received the HoE Halloween Exchange that I sent off to her:

Fraidy Frog Fob
Just Nan
Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue (September 2009)
Silkweaver 28 ct Solo Lugana, DMC Floss

And... the goodies!

Also, some really good news (to me it is!) - the PIF I sent to Susan came back to me today! Susan was living in Chicago and I sent it to her there, not knowing she had moved to Texas. I have her new address and it will go home to her tomorrow, first thing!

Stitching on: Stitching on HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange

PIF from Joke... and Gingher Elenas for Sale

2009-10-10T09:47:00.009-04:00

I cannot believe it is over a month since I have blogged. Life does continue its hectic pace. I am late in sharing this lovely PIF that Joke sent to me. I think it is so cute! Thank you so much Joke! (You can see I took the photo outdoors and there is some leftover "chipmunk food" in the photo - this is exactly where a certain little chipmunk in our yard likes to snack every day on our porch!). I am so sad, though, that a PIF I sent a good month ago to one of my girls on my list has gone amiss... she moved and I did not know it. It is somewhere in the postal forwarding system, and has been for weeks... I do pray she receives it soon!

And... Mike asked me to tell you that he has the new Gingher Elena scissors available in his store: Mike & Carol's Internet Store . He has 4", 5", 8" and 8" left-handed for you - super low prices too! **The 4" Elenas just sold out...for now... please feel free to place your order now, though, as a new shipment is due here on Wednesday and Mike will fill your order as soon as FedEx drops them at his door

Hope you have all been well!!

Stitching on: Stitching on HoE Halloween Exchange

Christmas Ornament for Marie

2009-09-08T19:01:00.003-04:00

Yay! Marie just emailed me to let me know that the Christmas ornament I stitched for her for the Christmas Ornament Swap arrived safely in Texas today! Whew!! Here it is:

Symbolic "X" Christmas Ornament
The Sampler House
Just Cross Stitch Tenth Anniversary Issue
40 ct Natural Brown Linen, Atalie fil a broder in Passion

Stitching on: Just finished my first PIF of the year (mailing tomorrow), and started crocheting an afghan for Mike

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Beautiful Christmas Ornament from Julianne

2009-09-04T15:43:00.002-04:00

I just received this really beautiful Prairie Schooler Santa Christmas ornament from dear Julianne today from the Christmas Ornament Swap. To say I adore it is an understatement. Julianne knows I live fairy close to the famed New England seacoast, so she was super thoughtful and personalized it a bit by choosing this Santa with a schooner and anchor. Love it! Thank you so much, Julianne. I cannot wait to display it in a few short months now.

Meanwhile, I am rather worried about the one DH mailed to my partner on Monday. Should have been there by now... fingers crossed all is OK!

Stitching on: Stitching on a PIF

By The Sea Exchange from Nic

2009-08-31T17:08:00.005-04:00

Thank you, Nic, for this lovely HoE By The Sea Exchange, which arrived today! I just love the pinkeep! Soooo nicely done! Nic also sent me other hand made gifts, as she is a crafty gal! She made a beaded and charmed scissor fob for me, and she also crocheted a dishtowel for me! What treats! You are so talented! And... to keep me busy with "other" crafts, she also included a make your own card kit, complete with seashore theme! Amazing! Thank you so much!

Stitching on: Mailed ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap today, and stitching on an HoE By The Sea replacement exchange

Not a stitching post... just a funny video

2009-08-27T11:53:00.001-04:00

One of the teen girls I saw in therapy this morning showed me this funny link - had to share!

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Stitching on: Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap

By the Sea Exchange for Erin

2009-08-25T18:26:00.004-04:00

Yes, my third straight day of blogging... sigh... who knows just what it could lead to??

Today I am blogging because I saw on the HoE blog last night that Erin has received the HoE By the Sea exchange that I put together for her...

Blue Moon Scissor Slide
Brightneedle
32 ct Cream Belfast Linen, DMC and WDW Floss

And the rest of my goodies for her.... I know Erin likes fairy tale/fantasy type designs, so I was hoping she would like this large Wizard chart by Peter Underhill... and I had to send her scissors to go with her slide.... and some fun Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, which she writes in the blog she promises not to eat like she did with the ones she had as a child ;-) I thought they would be fun :-) Glad you are pleased, Erin! I had fun stitching for you.

August book offers - get them before they expire!:

Stitching on lately: A PIF that may turn out to be a replacement for the By the Sea Exchange as one member may be MIA... we shall see what will end up happening with what I am stitching... and stitching on Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap

Amazing Mail Day

2009-08-24T16:28:00.006-04:00

I have had an amazing mail day today! Two fabulous packages are here! First is a birthday package from Katrina - I know she must be feeling pretty anxious about it, as it took a very, very long time to arrive - but it sure did arrive, safe and sound....

...and I just love it! She stitched this pretty ornament for me using one of my all time favorite designers, Prairie Schooler! It adorns one of the knobs on one of the glass doors of our barrister bookcase even as I type this - and looks fantastic there in front of my favorite books! She also sent me several pretty fabrics for finishing, all arranged like a lollypop! How cool is that?? It doesn't end there - Katrina sent me lovely bath products too. Oh Katrina, thank you so much! I love it all!

And... I also received my Summer Exchange from Cathy today. Great timing, since she just received my Winter Exchange for her ;-)
Cathy stitched this amazingly beautiful scissor fob using JBW's A Very Merry Summer - all over one, of course, and so perfectly finished... so delicate, I cannot wait to select a pair of scissors and fasten it right on!
Here is the back - this might be my favorite part... oh hey, both sides are my favorites! Cathy used a French monogram book she purchased a while back, and look at how my first initial and my second initial interlock... isn't that neat? What a great idea!
Of course, she spoiled me rotten - again! She sent me one of those Just Nan Needle Slides - I have been eyeing those! There are some really pretty buttons inside, but I did not pull them out (for fear of dropping them outside on my deck), a packet of MOP heart buttons (my favorites!), a pack of Piecemaker needles, a gorgeous starfish thread winder (on the left laying atop the card - which was not a good idea in hindsight since it blends in with the card), thread loops, some pretty blue trim, a spool of Old Lady of Liberty silk (nice!!), and a super pretty journal too! I was so blessed to have Cathy as my seasonal exchange partner this year - thank you so much, Cathy, for making such a fun year for us!!

Stitching on: Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap

**Yep, two blog entries in two days - is it possible I may be on my way back now? I think I might be... ;-)

Winter Exchange for Cathy

2009-08-23T13:48:00.003-04:00

I have heard from Cathy that my Winter Exchange for her has finally made its long trek to Australia, where, of course, it is winter and not summer, as it is here in the Northern Hemisphere... I swapped all year with Cathy - one exchange per season. Now our year together draws to a close, and I really enjoyed stitching for her and sending her goodies too ;-)

Snowman Sampler Scissor Slide
San-Man Originals
32 ct White Opalescent Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

... and the rest of the treats for her. She has better photos in her blog - thanks for that, Cathy!

Stitching on lately: Finished and mailed HoE By The Sea Exchange, started Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap

Edgar's Halloween RR is Home At Last!

2009-08-19T18:47:00.003-04:00

Edgar emailed me this afternoon to let me know that his Halloween RR that I just sent to him on Monday is now safely in his hands, so I can finally, at long last, show something that I myself have stitched ;-) I stitched the coffin with the skeleton, snakes and rats that is kind of near the center of the sampler. This is from the bottom portion of BOAF's Remember Me On Halloween. I was a little nervous about this one. The space left for me by the other stitchers to stitch in was rather large... and this one being Edgar's meant that I really want to do something special. After considerable deliberation, I added this large bit of stitching... held my breath, and whew! He likes it! Yay! I did not want to overwhelm, but I have to admit, it does look pretty good there and his sampler is really stunning (I think). I wish my photo showed the true beauty of his linen. It is much brighter, deeper and has a topaz like jewel coloring to it.

GREAT book offers here!!:

Stitched on lately: Stitching on HoE By the Sea Exchange

Thank you Debby!

2009-08-15T16:24:00.003-04:00

Birthday goodness continues a little while longer with this adorable LHN ornament from dear Debby. I think it is the cutest thing, and I just love it! Thank you so much, Debby, for your kindness!

Stitching on: Stitching on Edgar's Halloween RR, and started HoE By the Sea Exchange

Birthday Gifts from my Friends :-)

2009-08-07T17:51:00.007-04:00

At last! I am home and have a chance to post and share some photos of the birthday gifts I received last week from my stitching friends! I apologize for my tardiness, as well as for the very poor quality of my photos. We had bright sunny weather the past few days, but when I took these photos we had absolutely no sun and plenty of rain! But I want to really share these lovely gifts anyhow:

I received this package of treats from Gwen (I cannot get her blog link to open!) for the Stitching Bloggers Birthday Club - she stitched me a pretty little mattress pincushion and then stuffed the envelope full of other treats, including two little charts from my Wish List. Thank you so much Gwen!
Edgar then sent me this super pretty pinkeep along with two bars of yummy soap - and a bottle of excellent body lotion that somehow did not make it into the photo! Oh, thanks Edgar! The pinkeep is proudly displayed on the mantle in my living room and means very much to me!

I also received a lovely package from Wendy Jo - she stitched up this large and fantastic pin cushion using part of a design from Blue Ribbon Designs. I think she says it is stuffed with crushed shells. It is beyond perfect and I love it - so thoughtful of her! She even sent me pins ;-) Thank you Wendy Jo!
And dear Cathy stitched me this sweet fob... and sent a card that made me giggle for at least three minutes non-stop! Thank you soooo much Cathy!!

GREAT book offers here!!:

Stitching on: Edgar's Halloween RR (I chose something very dense to stitch, but I think he will like it - worth the work!), Winter Exchange for Cathy K... and planning my HoE By The Sea Exchange...

Surprise Birthday Gift

2009-07-24T22:38:00.004-04:00

I just received a surprise birthday gift from Margaret today. I was stunned. I did not even begin to imagine I would receive any birthday gifts from stitching friends this year as I have not been able to do much by way of sending any out myself... but Margaret blindsided me with her sweetness and friendship. I stitched this sweet envelope/pouch that looks like a postal letter with a nice verse on it... and stuffed it with cosmetics! Thank you so much Margaret - what a treat!!

Stitching on: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, Edgar's Halloween RR and Winter Exchange for Cathy K.

Christmas Ornament for Becky

2009-07-09T17:36:00.003-04:00

I'm afraid that with my lifestyle changes I ran late with the final Christmas Ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap - this one was for Becky - she seemed to be pretty OK with my need to mail a little late - compounded by the unexpected early closing of the PO just before Fourth of July... sigh... but the ornament did reach her yesterday - whew!

A Spot of Christmas Ornament
Milady's Needle
Just Cross Stitch 2009 Christmas Ornament Preview Issue
36 ct Light Sand Edinburgh Linen, combo of Weeks Dye Works and DMC Floss
Made some color variations to floss and beads

Stitching on: Edgar's Halloween RR