YLPS Round 3 from Meghan

I received this handsome Santa from 17 year old stitcher Meghan. Isn't he just great? I love the funky little tree he's holding. It is perfectly finished into an ornament. I have him prominently displayed in my living room right now. Let's hope Tobie cat doesn't spy he and decide it's a play toy! Thank you Miss Meghan, I love it.

HoE By the Sea received and Floss Bobbins from Hazel

Saturday I had an envelope chocked full of wonderful things. It was my HoE By the Sea Exchange from Deanne. Her stitched item was one of my favorites, a biscornu. She sent other items including a really nifty magnet that has found it's way to my magnetic stitching board. In 2007 or 2008, Deanne was my scissor fob exchange partner, so this was a fun exchange to receive from someone I had stitched for. Thank you so much D, I love it all.

I have been remiss in not posting that Dear Hazel of Quietly Stitching sent me some of her fabulous cloth covered floss bobbing. Aren't they beautiful? Thank you Hel...er Hazel!

New Designer's First Rare and Precious Treasure

Jan is having a great giveaway on her blog. Pop by and see a beautiful sampler from a new designer.

Christmas in August

I received my HoE Christmas in July ornament today. The original package got lost in the mail, so this is a replacement stitch. I hope the stitched piece did not end up in a dead zone! Hopefully someone is enjoying it. Does my little ornie look familiar? It's the little Renne de Noel I stitched for the Christmas Ornament Challenge I'm in. Laurie also made a stitch caddy with pincushion in one of my favorite colors. She include other goodies too. This is a great exchange. Ah, things do come to those who wait.

Christmas Ornament Challenge for June

I'm making progress on my Christmas Ornament Challenge. Here's what I did for June. It's Renne de Noel, a freebie from Valerie/mandms12. The original chart has the deer facing the opposite direction but I rotated him because my others in the challenge were facing the same direction. I think he's a little cutie, especially that sassy little tail! I used 28ct platinum cashel linen for the fabric and a Valdani thread. I think he's a keeper!

Mel's having a giveaway

Mel over at the Daily Mel is having a fantastic giveaway. Pop on over and take a look.
I found her blog via Edgar. She's on my blogger list now!

Round 3 YLPrairieSchooler received by Encarna

Encarna has received her YLPS exchange. I stitched the angel from the Leaflet Folk Art Christmas. The colors are a bit washed out in the photo, but IRL they are so much more vibrant. That's the backing fabric for the pinkeep. She said she loved it, and so do I. Don't you just love Prairie Schooler?

Birthday exchange for Carla V.

This is the Stitching Bloggers Birthday Club exchange I did for Carla. Her birthday is the 28th. Since I had never sent to Peru before I sent it a little early. It only took 8 days from OK so I'll know next time. You may recognize the August Flip-It Block. This is the first August for me. I really like the sunflower on this one. I think it would make a really pretty floss tag. Oh, maybe one day. Some of the extras were a LHN chart from her wishlist, a pair of Kelmscott little gems and more. Here's wishing Carla an early birthday wish.

Lori at Stitchin Times Five is having a giveaway. Pop on over and sign up. She's got great charts to give.

Have a great week.

Exchanges stitched by me, and a little extra

Here's what I stitched for Bev for Round 1 of the Lizzie Kate Exchange group. She assures me she likes it. What can I say? I love it and knew I would, so it's kitted up, ready for me to stitch.

Sally also received my HoE Summer house exchange. I stitched the summer square from the "Four Seasons" by Prairie Schooler. In an earlier exchange I received the fall square, so thought I'd stitch a season for Sally. The designs can be found in the February 2008 issue of The Gift of Stitching. Here's my latest gadget purchase. It's called Rolaframe. These are the first frames I have had that I can actually get the fabric situated on the frame straight. (Remember, I'm somewhat challenged in this area!) Nicole first alerted her blog readers to them. Amy at Down Sunshine Lane carries them. They are very inexpensive and not very heavy. The garters are mine and not included. That's about it for me. No doubt I'll be stitching this weekend on exchange pieces. It's just a few days from the beginning of football season. Yea.

Summer House received from Shay

Just look what the postman delivered from Shay yesterday. My HoE Summer House exchange was waiting on the door step. Isn't it great? I love it, love it. The design is from Patriotic Patchwork from Blue Ribbon Designs. She must have peeked at my profile to see that I'm a fan of patriotic designs. I had one minor glitch taking photos. The fourth side has my initials and the year stitched on it. The old Canon could not get a great photo of it. You can see part of it in the first photo here. Again, I want to thank Shay for a fantastic exchange.

Have a great day. I'm heading to the Humane Society. Yesterday was so hectic, I'm hoping for a quiet day so I can catch up on paper work.

May Ornament

I finished this ornament just after the bewitching hour. It's my May design for the 2009 Christmas Ornament Challenge. I'm somewhat behind, but have a two more designs in mind to stitch. My theme for the year is reindeer or deer. This one is from JBW's French Country series. A very easy stitch. My colors are too dark, but as a friend say, Oh, Well.

This is the back of the ornament. I read on the Nordic Needle newsletter of a new way to attach a hanger to an ornament. Now, I need a picture period. If I have only words to follow I struggle. Thanks to the dear sweet Vonna, I was able to visualize how the hanger works. I used a Debbie Mumm button I received from Edgar in an Reindeer exchange. It works very nicely. The button should be sewn on before stuffing! Well, I am challenged from time to time! Hehe. I will use this method again.

Shopping in Tulsa tomorrow with two friends. I'll probably have to stop at the Silver Needle. Darn it all!

Have a great weekend.