Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009

I seriously doubt that I will see 2010 in. My tired ole eyes are getting heavier and heavier. You see, my stitchin buddy and I were at The Silver Needle in Tulsa to get the early bird special 25% off all purchases. So that means we have a 45 minute drive. We rolled into the store about 6:30 and stayed almost two hours. I stood in line to get some cuts of fabric then filled my basket with other goodies. So with that said, here's my last two projects for 2009. I had hoped to have them finished but no can do. So, they will be my first finishes in 2019.

Thetop one is the LHN monthly ornament FaLaLa. The bottom one is the December primitive floss tag from The Needle's Content monthly series.
Here's wishing all my blogging friends a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

2009 Christmas Ornament Challenge finishes



I participated in the 2009 Christmas Ornament Challenge this year. The goal was to stitch an ornament a month. I managed to complete 12 reindeer ornaments! It was a fun challenge and I enjoyed it very much. Hope you enjoy seeing them all in one post.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Nice surprise and All My Reindeer

One of the first stitchers I ever stitched for was Kathy A. We have become stitching friends and e-mail back and forth. Yesterday the mailman brought a surprise package from her. She sewed a nifty little zippered bag for more stitching "essentials". Isn't it great? I love it. The fabric is states of the U.S. and on the back is Oklahoma! How clever of her to include it. Thanks, Kathy. You are indeed a great stitching friend.
This year I joined a Christmas Ornament Challenge and chose reindeer as the subject of my 12 ornaments. Well, here they are plus a few from exchange friends. I really enjoyed stitching them and have lots more lined up. The ornament display holder is from my non-stitching friend Diane. She doesn't stitch, but she has a great love of any stitched project. Thank you Diane for my ornament holder.
I'm still snowed in. Hopefully tomorrow the streets will be better and I can get out. I'm getting some stitching done though!


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Friday, December 25, 2009

Three cards for friends

These cards are for friends. They won't receive them until after the 25th, however Christmas extends to January 6th.

Oklahoma has a record snowfall this day. I'm staying in since I cannot get out of my driveway. So, darn it all, I've pulled the threads and cut the fabric for LHN's Fa La La. Looks like I'm gonna have to stitch!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Ornament Swap Round 3 for Amy


Amy e-mailed to say she had received the ornament exchange I sent to her. Best of all she said she loved it. I had a hard time decided what to stitch for her for this round. Then one day I saw some freebies from this blog http://borduurblog.blogspot.com. These two jumped out at me because in Amy's profile she said she like nativity scenes. I think the ornie turned out quite well. Amy's photos are much better than mine, so pop on over and take a look see.
It's a blizzard here in Oklahoma. Weathercaster said this was only the third time we have had blizzard conditions in the state on Christmas Eve. I braved it and walked over to church for Christmas Eve service. The snow is deep and it's still coming down. Very unusual for us in this area. We usually get ice. So, it looks like an alone day for Christmas cause I can't drive in the snow and our city does not have the equipment to plow the streets. I'll do some serious stitching though.
Merry Christmas to you all.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Ornament for friend in hospital

The front

The Back

Here's one of the last ornaments for the year. I gave it to a friend who is in the hospital and most likely will be there Christmas day. It's a freebie design from http://borduurblog.blogspot.com. She has several designs similar to this one. I just love them and have printed off several. They work up quickly and you can dress them up accordingly.
Hope everyone has their shopping done and can sit back and put in a few Christmas stitches.


Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Two more ornaments


Here's my two ornaments for the great-nephew and great-niece. Like the first two I think they turned out pretty cute also. They are my version of It's Daffycat's Jingle and Holly reindeer. I sure hope the parents like them. Now I have one more ornament to stitch for an exchange. Was stressing over what to stitch for my partner, and then voila, today not one, but two designs jumped out at me. I will start stitching tomorrow and hopefully get it finished soon.
The bank trip to Ponca City was great. I was one tired puppy when I got home though. We did alot of stair climbing but it was worth it. This morning I slept alot later than normal and it took me all day to get up and moving. I should exercise like that more often! Have a great day.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas Ornament Swap Rnd 3 from Meghan

I received this handsome fella in the mail today from a young stitcher, Meghan, for the Christmas Ornament Swap exchange. Meghan is a wonderful stitcher and finisher. The design is a JBW design. Earlier this year I stitched the fella in red. So, I now have two in Christmas colors. I just love this one. Thank you so much Meghan. He's a real beauty!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Another ornament for a friend


Another finished ornament tonight. I'm on a roll. I sure had a time of it with the beads. I hope my friend and gentle readers don't look too closely at my finishing. The design is from The Prairie Schooler booklet #150, titled December. I wanted to see what the chart looked like, so I stitched it up. Decided it was a keeper. Hope my friend, who shall remain nameless, cause her sister reads my blog, likes it.
Time for me to hit the hay. Looks like it is going to be a busy day at the Humane Society tomorrow.

First two ornaments

Here's the first of the ornaments for my great-nieces. I took quite a few liberties with It's Daffycat's Holly reindeer . I think they turned out pretty cute. Must get them in the mail tomorrow since I don't know if I'll get to see them at Christmas. These little girls live in Kansas, so the weather always makes their Christmas visit iffy. My camera batteries died as I finished this snap. I also signed the backs. I'll show it back on the other two since they are all alike. The great-nephew's is finished, now just one to go.

Have a great week. Tuesday I go on a bank trip to Ponca City to see the sights and have a bite to eat. Hope it's not too cold.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Gift from Nicola


A few months ago I offered up several duplicate Prairie Schooler charts to give away. Nicola was one of the gals who got one of them. Look what I got in the mail this week as a thank you. Isn't it a pretty ornament? I love it because it's in traditional Christmas colors.

On the stitching front I've been working on the ornaments for my great-nieces and great-nephew. I'm making good progress and will definitely have them finished in time. I also stitched up a little ornament for my mom's tree. As soon as I have the finishing done I'll post.

Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Chiloe's Christmas Giveaway

Aren't they just great? Chiloe is having a giveaway of this figurine duo on her blog. Pop on over to enter.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Ornament finish

I teach kindergarten-first grade Sunday School at the local Lutheran church. It's a small congregation so this year I have one little girl in my class. She's pretty sharp and keeps me on my toes. One Sunday she was wearing a pair of Eiffel Tower earrings so I asked her if she liked the ET. She said yes. Well, I couldn't believe a six year old liked the ET so I asked her mom. Sure enough, she does. I decided right then and there that I would stitch BBD's stocking from Joyeux Noel. At this point in time I wasn't ready to tackle a stocking finish so I improvised. Here's the result. I hope she likes my version. It looks a bit misshapen. I think I may need to help it along. Wishing everyone a great week.



Friday, December 4, 2009

Christmas Gifts Between Friends exchange from Rosalie

The postman was really nice today. He delivered an exchange package from Rosalie. She stitched a Little House Needleworks design and included a chart, Rudolph, from Nora Corbett. Also included in the exchange were all the floss colors to stitch the chart, a beauty of a scissor fob, and a cute, cute, reindeer note pad. Thank you so much, Rosalie, I love it all. BTW, this is the second exchange I have received from Rosalie this year. Both pieces are beautifully stitched and finished.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Christmas Ornament Challenge, November& December Ornaments

2009 Christmas Ornament Challenge
November Ornament
Snow Deer
by Just Nan
32 ct Cinnamon Roll Linen
DMC, Overdyed Deer Silk, Kreinik #4 Braid
As soon as I saw this fellow I knew I was going to stitch him. I don't normally stitch with silk, but oh my, such a nice feel.
2009 Christmas Ornament Challenge
December Ornament
Holly Reindeer
by It's Daffycat
Silkweaver 28 ct Moon Dust Linen
DMC threads
Another design I knew I would stitch before the year ends. Matter of fact, I'm using this one for the great-nieces, and the companion design for the great-nephew's ornaments this year. The border should have DMC 814 in it, but I liked just the green, so I left it off this one. I may add it to the others.
Both designs were quick stitches, but it took me all day to day to do the finishing! Go figure.
Have a great evening.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

October ornament for 2009 Ornament Challenge

Christmas Eve Deer
The Prairie Schooler
November issue The Gift of Stitching
32ct Lambswool, DMC fibers
I knew I would stitch this ornament as soon as I saw it in TGOS. The pattern calls for white moon and snowflakes. However, Barbara of Mainely Stitches, made some color changes on the one she stitched that I really liked. So, I used her idea. I think mine turned out pretty well. This is my October ornament for the challenge. November is almost done, so I'm a gonna make it.
Have a great Sunday. I am in deep mourning this morning. My O-State Cowboys got stomped by the Sooner Schooner.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

YLPS Round 4 received by Lillie


Lillie e-mailed to let me know she had received the Round 4 exchange I stitched for her. I fell in love with this little ornament. There's just something I find endearing about it. I want one for myself! Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Believe it or not, I did not over indulge.

Monday, November 23, 2009

FTT Christmas Ornament from Nancy K

Look what was in the mail today. It's my Friends Through Threads Christmas ornament exchange from Nancy K. (no blog) She beautifully stitched and finished this little gem from the JCS 2008 Ornament Issue. I love Blackbird Designs, so she could not have picked a better design to stitch. Thank you so much Nancy. It is already hanging in the house!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Exchange received by Edgar

I heard from Edgar that he received my Christmas Gifts Between Friends exchange package. Here's the entire exchange. Edgar is such fun to stitch for because he likes alot of the designers I like. The ornament is from The Prairie Schooler's "Santas and Snowmen." I used DMC fibers and 28ct opalescent fabric. I like how it turned out real well. Also included in the exchange package were two charts from his wish list, two packages of his favorite John James petites needles, some
Christmas fabric and a small easel I got from Anita's Little Stitches. Below is a close-up of the ornament.
On another note, my friend Lynn and I traveled down to southern Oklahoma to visit our friend Mary Ann. As usual we had a fantastic time talking cross-stitch, eating, drinking coffee, and shopping in Mary's gift store. The van was filled to the brim with just enough room for Lynn and I. Did I mention we shopped? Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Great giveaway!!

Pop on over to Erynne's blog Be-Stitched. She's having a fantastic giveaway for her second blogaversary.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

HoE Ornament Exchange from Carol S.

I received The Stag Ornament from Carol S. this morning. Isn't he a handsome fellow? She did her research quite well didn't she. Guess it is about time for me to dust off my tree and start hanging all my reindeer on it! Carol used R&R fabric, DMC fibers and Bead It Beads to finish the ornament. I love those red beads. They really set him off. Thank you so much Carol, I really do love it.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

FTT ornament received by Jill

Jill of the Purple Peacock let me know she received the FTT ornament I stitched for her. I used a mystery purple overdyed and 28ct white opalescent fabric. You can't see them in the photo, but small clear beads are sprinkled throughout the design. The finishing on this ornie gave me some problems, some are just like that.

On a sad note, please hold Jill and her family in your prayers. Her mom passed away Monday, just five months after her dad. Rest in Peace, Joan Krieger.

Monday, November 16, 2009

LHN SAL ornie

Here's my first ornament for the Little House Needleworks SAL. Dear Sweet Vonna of the Twisted Stitcher has a SAL going for the LHN ornaments. I couldn't resist and signed up. This is my Whet Your Appetite ornie. I started stitching this one on my bus trip to Cape Cod in October. The lighting in most of the motel rooms just wouldn't accommodate my tired old eyes, so I put it up and finished it when I got home. Initially I was stitching it for one of my exchanges and thought it would be too big for a Christmas tree ornament. Now that I look at it, me thinks it would have been ok. Oh well, now it's mine! Hehe. I used my favorite way of finishing, a whip stitched little pillow. I have it hanging up in the living room now. It's never too early for Christmas ornaments. You should see all my little reindeer hanging in various locations. Maybe I should get my tree ready.

Have a great week.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

September Ornament

Greetings readers of my blog. I've been a busy finisher today. This is the third and only ornament I can show that I finished. The other two are for exchanges, so you know the drill. I can't show you them until the recipient receives them. This reindeer is the December Ornament from the Prairie Schooler Summer & Winter book no. 91. It's my September ornie for the 2009 Ornament Challenge blog. Of course I'm still behind, but making progress. Daffycat just released a new cutie, Holly Reindeer. It's definitely on my list for the remaining three months. That's all folks. OK State football is on tv, so hard to watch and type at the same time.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Milestone Birthday Drawing Winner



Drum roll....Dani is the winner! My mother did the honors.








Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Christmas Ornament Swap from Rosalie

I received this wonderful ornament in the mail today. Rosalie stitched it for me on the Christmas Ornament Swap exchange arranged by BeckySC. She tells me this is her first ornament swap. I am honored to be the recipient. The designer is The Samplar House and it's from the 1999 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. Rosalie also added some touches of her own. Isn't it great? I just love the teenie cording. Thank you so much Rosalie.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Today is a milestone birthday

Yep, today I became eligible for Social Security. Now, mind you, I don't look that old, nor do I act it. I'm looking forward to my first check! BTW, I'm 62 not 65! Hehe!


To celebrate this milestone birthday, I'm going to have a little drawing for my fellow stitching bloggers or readers of my blog. There's no hoops to jump through, no extra postings, just leave a comment on this post and I'll have the drawing on Monday, Nov. 9th. Be sure to leave a contact e-mail in the post.


Since I love reindeer, the giveaway will be the Hinzeit, Rudolph Crystal Reindeer chart and the crystals that go with it. Of course, there will be other goodies too. So, you know the routine, if you'd like a chance to win, just leave a comment. Tell your friends too!

SBBC exchange from Leena

Just look what Leena sent in the SBBC exchange. I'm delighted with her birthday gift to me. Isn't it a great exchange? She read that I like autumn and cats, so she stitched me a catkin, i.e., cat pumpkin. Also included in the exchange is a cute little chart, some great Bohin scissors, fabric and trim, note pad, and inside the little tin are lots of buttons and rose bows. All these goodies were packed inside the large tin. Aha! Another stash holder to fill up! Again, Leena, thank you so much for making this a great birthday.

Watch for a give away to celebrate my milestone birthday later today!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Christmas Ornament Swap for Faye


I got delivery confirmation that Faye received her ornament in the COSE. She hasn't posted the photo yet, but I'm going to go ahead post to my blog. I enjoyed making this one. My stitching now is pretty much exchange stitching. That's ok with me cause I enjoy it.

My friend Diane and I went to Oktoberfest in Tulsa. It was a cheap trip for us because the shuttle was free for seniors and admission to the festival was free until 4:00 pm. We had a good time, but it was so cold. The wind was blowing so hard that it felt colder than it really was. Great entertainment, great food, and a really great time.

Today D and I are going to a birthday reception for one of the ladies who goes on the bus trips with us. She turns 90 years old on Friday. I tease her that I'm a day older than her because my birthday is on Thursday. This is the lady who wears the interesting hats. I'm looking forward to seeing if she wears one today.

Enjoy the day. I'm off to do a little stitching right now.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Round 2 LK for Lorna

Lorna received her Lizzie Kate exchange from me so I can post the photo. I love these little theme samplers LK is doing.

Here's the latest addition to the family, born October 13. Little Delaynie all froo frooed up! She's my great-niece.


Friday, October 16, 2009

Christmas Ornament Challenge for August

Here's my August ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge exchange. I'm doing a reindeer a month, and look, I'm only two months behind. I'll get caught up here pretty soon. Rudolph is a freebie by The Stitcherhood. I think I used a Weeks 30ct fabric and La Tierra fiber by Crescent Colors. Once again, I chose the simple pillow finish that I'm a big fan of. Enjoy your weekend.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

HoE Halloween from Erin W.

The postman brought a wonderful surprise today. My package from Erin W. was waiting on me in the mail box. What a great exchange. She stitched Hilda & Frankie by Doop designs and finished it into a tin topper. Her first I might add. Isn't it fantastically finished? She included great goodies also. Thank you so much Erin, I love it. The button is just too cute! I love Halloween, so this is a real treat. I can't wait to find a place to display it.

This is the front of the tin. Isn't the beaded latch a cutie? It looks like a pumpkin.
Here's the inside. Complete with the little Kelmscott scissors.





Wednesday, October 14, 2009

HoE Fall Needleroll from Gwen L.

The day before I left on my trip to Cape Cod, I received this beautiful needleroll from Gwen L . I love making needlerolls, so to receive one is double fun. Thank you so much Gwen. It is a stunning piece of needlework. I love it. Below is a snap of the sides.




Saturday, September 26, 2009

FTT Love of Needlework received by Ronel




Ronel of Paisley Designs has received her Friends Through Threads exchange. I stitched her an Etui from The Gift of Stitching magazine using an over dyed thread with her favorite colors in it. This was such a fun stitch. I enjoyed it so much and happy to hear that Ronel liked it. Hop over to her blog, she has a really great collage of the stitched piece. Also included in the exchange package was some fabric, a pattern from her wish list, and notepad. It was hard to put this one into the mail.
I spent the day doing odd jobs. Ran to the post office and dropped off two exchange packages, began packing for my Cape Cod trip, took a nap, and straighted up the house a little. Of course football was on the tv also. My friend Lynn of OK Stitches That Count, stopped by for a long visit. We don't see each other much during the school year. So the visit was alot of fun for me. My other friend Karen, has moved. I already miss her telephone calls!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. I'm now on a mission. I've misplaced my stitching glasses and that is indeed a dilemma for me!

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