Twice in one day

I went almost two weeks without posting and now I've got two in one day! Sorry to pester you guys!!! Becky let me know that she's received the ornament I stitched her for the Christmas Ornament Swap. This swap was Becky's brainchild and she is the final recipient for this year long exchange. Thank you so much Becky!!!

I really adored the ornie I sent her...it was a teensy bit hard to send it away, LOL ;) But no matter, I WILL be stitching this for myself. I'm so glad you like it Becky! This was a chart gifted to me by my sweet friend Carolyn.

A Quaker Year "Merry Winter"

by Homespun Elegance

fabric: 32ct "staci-dyed" linen

fibers: Crescent Colours Bandana and DMC 731

Ok, that really is it for me today. Thanks for stopping by and for all of your sweet comments!

Ornament for Amy

Hello everyone! A thousand apologies that I've not been commenting on your blogs...I've been reading them and admiring all of your handiwork though. And a big Thank You for your continued visits and sweet comments here :) The first week of summer vacation has passed in a whirlwind of activity, and we are a very tired bunch around here. I'm hoping that this week sees the sort of slow-down I envision when thinking of summer.

Amy is May's recipient of the Christmas Ornament Swap. And since she listed snowmen and cardinals amongst her likes, I thought this was the perfect pattern to stitch :)

Christmas Day by

The Prairie Schooler, #134

fabric: misc linen remnant

fibers: DMC

There are many of my blogging friends who are experiencing difficulties right now, and I just want them all to know that I'm keeping them in my thoughts and prayers and sending everyone lots of hugs.

Sending you all a little Colorado Sunshine, until next time...

Ornament for Julianne

Julianne is April's recipient for the Christmas Ornament Swap. I really love the way this turned out, and I'm so glad Julianne likes it too!


The ribbon is some imported French ribbon I found at Elfriede's in Boulder. And the little buttons I found in my button jar.

House on Holly Hill

from the Blackbird Designs book

Peppermint and Holly

fabric: 32ct lambswool linen

fibers: WDW

This was a pure joy to stitch and I plan on making one for my own tree (someday!) Thanks for stopping by and for all of your wonderful comments...they sure make my day! Have a terrific weekend everyone!!!

Christmas in March

Hello, hello dear friends! The kiddos' spring break started last Thursday with 2 snow days. Finally some snow, now that it's spring, lol!

And some stitching to show! Jill is March's recipient for the Christmas Ornament Swap...and if you read a lot of stitching blogs, you know that she requested some sort of pine tree ;) I dyed a remnant piece of linen a pale green...

Quiet Night

by Erica Michaels Designs

JCS 2007

fabric: "staci-dyed" linen remnant

fibers: DMC and WDW, my own selection

We've had a very relaxing spring break, going here and there and also plenty of "just hanging out." I've even managed quite a bit of stitching and knitting! I'll be back next week to show you what I've been up to and back to my regular blog-reading/commenting :) Many hugs til then!

Ornament for Carol S

Carol is February's recipient for the Christmas Ornament Swap. Carol and I both love Brightneedle, so I thought it was fitting to stitch this design for her :)

2007 Merry Xmas Pinkeep

by Brightneedle

JCS 2007

fabric: 32ct cream Belfast linen

fibers: DMC

More recycled pearls, originally from this post...

I'm really happy with the way it turned out and will (hopefully) stitch this for my own tree someday! I'm so glad you like it Carol, I really enjoyed stitching for you!

Have a wonderful stitchy day everyone and thanks for stopping by :)

I wish I had a snappy title

Cathy has received the ornament I made her for the Christmas Ornament Swap. I made quite a few changes with this little thing: omitted DMC 336/navy and used 310 instead (Cathy doesn't care for blue). Omitted the mulitcolored french knots that are supposed to be on the trees (looked too cluttered). Used snowflake charms because my stitched snowflakes looked really, really bad.

Christmas Ornament Fob by

Hollie Designs

JCS 199

fabric: 32ct natural linen

fibers: DMC

mill hill charms

My *S* Scarf. It's Super-Skinny, Super-Soft and Super-Squishy...and the color; Super-Saturated. I've been wanting to try Malabrigo yarn, and I wasn't disappointed :)

Single Cable Scarf

from the book: "One Skein"

by Leigh Radford

yarn: Malabrigo worsted, color Tuareg

needles: size 9

I haven't crossed a single X all week. It's been a crazy busy one. I think compounded by no school on Monday. And Thursday my Oldest turned 14...WOW! So hard to believe.

9 nine days!

OMGosh! There are only 9 days till Christmas! I swear the days leading up till Christmas get shorter and faster every year, unlike when I was a kid and the days seemed to drag so slowly!!!

I received this darling ornament yesterday from dear Harmien. She really is spoiling me isn't she??? Thank you so much Harmien, it's perfect in every way!!!

Joan is December's recipient for the Christmas Ornament Swap and she's received the one I made her...

Peace in 2008 by

Knotted Tree NeedleArt

JCS 2008

fabric: misc linen remnant

fibers: CC, WDW and DMC

The last set of mitts and Half Pipe Hat (Bernat Cashmere yarn in Rain.) I still need to sew a piece of plastic canvas in the brim, but that requires a trip to Hobby Lobby since I'm out of plastic canvas :)

This morning I baked 9 dozen sugar cookies with white chocolate chips, chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. So this is how the rest of my morning is going to look in between loads of laundry :)

Tomorrow I'll be making a couple of batches of no-bake cookies and a whole bunch of Rolo Turtles that I found on Brenda's blog (anybody who knows me, knows this a recipe right up my alley~~3 ingredients!)

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and for all of your wonderful comments...hope you have a terrific day!!!

Ornament for Carolyn

Carolyn is November's Christmas Ornament Swap recipient and she just let me know that she's received the ornie I stitched her. I tried to do something different with the hanger...so I guess Carolyn can always use it as a floss fob when it isn't hanging on her tree, lol.

Two By Two: Deer by

The Prairie Schooler

JCS 1998

fabric: 32ct lambswool linen

fibers: DMC

I'm so glad you like it Carolyn! It was a real pleasure to stitch for you :) I've just rec'd 3 envelopes of new stash in today's mail, so I'm off to drool and then make a difficult decision (what to stitch first, LOL!)

Ornament for Edgar

Edgar is October's recipient for the Christmas Ornament Swap. Again, I agonized over the finishing and let it sit for a couple of weeks. I believe I've said before that I don't sew. Anything around here is hand-sewn, which I'm not very proficient at. But, luckily, I think it turned out! And even better, Edgar likes it :)

"Quaker Christmas Tree"

by The Workbasket

JCS 2002

fabric: 32ct lambswool linen

fiber: WDW Collards

Ornament for Vonna

Vonna is the September recipient of the Christmas Ornament Swap. We seem to share a liking for a lot of the same things, so the hardest part was mailing it off, lol! I didn't know if I could pull off the finishing. My sewing skills are very basic :) I'm supposed to rectify that this year while the kiddos are in school ;)

My Christmas Pear by

Hands to Work

JCS 2005 ornament issue

fabric: 32ct cream belfast linen,

wool felt

fiber: DMC

I'm pleased with the way it turned out and happily, so is Vonna ;)

Oodles of Ornies

Marie sent me an M Designs ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap. And all I can say is "wow!" I've admired Marie's stitching and finishing for quite a while, and now to see something she's made in person...it's really quite breathtaking. Thank you Marie, I hope my handwork can be as flawless as yours someday (although I highly doubt it because I'm an impatient person with plenty of flaws, lol!)

Peace Tree by M Designs

stitched by Marie P

The last 2 ornaments of the swap arrived yesterday...the perfect finale to my Christmas in July! Cathy stitched up a Prairie Schooler santa for me, and oh how I love him! I always say I'm going to stitch some, and then never get around to it. Thank you so, so much Cathy!

A Prairie Year by The Prairie Schooler

stitched by Cathy B

This next beauty was stitched by Carolyn. I love the pattern and the fabric is gorgeous. And the stitching...the stitching is TINY! and perfect! I adore it Carolyn; thank you, thank you!

Blue Ribbon Designs

stitched by Carolyn

And here is a group pic of all of my lovely ornies!

I feel so lucky to have all of these gorgeous ornaments, made by stitchers who's handwork I admire! It was incredibly fun to open each new envelope and wonder at the beauty within. Now I look forward to stitching for each person in turn!

I need a new Christmas tree this year...and no, not because of all the new ornies lol! I was just in Hobby Lobby this morning and saw that they have their trees up already. You don't think Hubby and the Kiddos will think I'm any crazier then usual if I get one now and put it up...and yes, because of the new ornies, LOL!!!

Have a terrific weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by!

TGIF!

Happy Friday everyone! It feels like I've won the lottery since the surprise envelopes outnumber the bills :) AmySC stitched up this cute Blackbird Designs stocking......it's absolutely perfect because I love BBD (and we all know how I feel about attempting a stocking finish!) Thank you so much Amy, my tree is going to be so well-dressed this year!!!

"Candy Cane Stocking"

by Blackbird Designs

JCS 2003

stitched by AmySC

Here's one of the projects I've been sporadically stitching. I find embroidery to be a nice change of pace from x-stitch......it's great to stitch without a chart ;)

I've had quite a few questions about where to find the colored rings. The package on the left can be found at Wal-mart (with the office supplies.) The package on the right is from Office Depot (Target sells some exactly like these too.) Neither Office Max nor Staples stock the colored rings on a regular basis...I guess they sometimes carry them as a seasonal item. I've never seen colored rings at any of the craft stores around here (ie. Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joann's, Hancock's Fabrics.)

The charms I find anywhere that has a beading/jewelry section. The star charm is from Hobby Lobby. And the star eyelets are from Michaels; they carry a wide variety of novelty eyelets with the scrapbooking supplies.
Thanks to everyone for the compliments on my header. I have absolutely no idea how to do it......my clever and creative sister does it and then emails it to me and all I have to do is load it. I am completely inept at techno-stuff like that!
Hope I haven't missed anyone's questions~~if I have, leave it here in the comments and I'll try to get to it :) Have a great weekend everyone!

This 'n That

Look at the cute, cute ornie that Jill stitched for me! I love sheep and have a small collection of them (seems I have a lot of collections, lol!) This ornament has been on my "stitch for me" list ever since the JCS 2006 ornament issue came out, and how lucky for me that Jill chose to stitch it up! I love the colors that she chose and how she used Whisper to make the sheep fuzzy...thank ewe Jill, it's perfect for me!

"Winter's Eve" by Country Cottage Needleworks

JCS 2006

stitched by Jill F

I've been doing lots of stitching and here is a small finish to share with you today...

Good Morning & Good Night freebies,

by The Sampler Girl, found here

fabric: 28ct remnant, 1 over 1

fiber: WDW, Bethlehem

back

I kind of goofed up the back side of the eyelet......I placed it too close to the corner where all the excess fabric is, so it didn't close up nice and tight (or neat.) But I figure, since it's for me~~I'll just replace the eyelet if it falls out ;)

And I keep forgetting, here's the link for The Useful Needle freebies. The Humble Home chart is on this page if you were looking for it. And I can't remember who asked about stitching with DMC 115~~but I always complete each stitch before moving on to the next. That's what I do with all of the variegated DMC's and the DMC Variations (and all other hand-dyed or over-dyed threads.)

Tonight, we're going to go to one of the free concerts in the park with a picnic dinner. I've already got dinner figured out, now I just need to figure out if I'm going to bring stitchin' or knittin'!!! Hope your week is going well. Thanks for all your nice comments and for stopping by :)