Exchange from Julianne and a couple of Ireland photos

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I received this beauty while on my trip to Ireland. It is from Julianne as part of our private Spring exchange.  It is a Prairie Schooler design.  She and her daughter Julie worked together to get it finished.  I love chicks and roosters as subjects, so she did great as usual.  Thanks, J., I really love it.  

Here' two of my favorite sights from my trip to Ireland.

This is a weed, more or less.  It's called gorse or scotch broom.  The roadsides and fields are covered in it. The farmers even use it as fences for their fields.  It is everywhere.  

This photo doesn't do the colors justice, they are really much more vivid.  It is a field of canola.  The bright yellow against the bright green fields is just magnificent.  I tried many times to get a photo of the canola.  This is the only one that is half way good. 

It has taken me over a week to recoup from the trip.  I had major jet lag on top of a sore throat and hacking cough.  I'd go again though!  LOL.  Enjoy your Thursday!

Julianne's Spring Exchange

Here's the exchange piece I sent Julianne. It's a Prairie Schooler design from the leaflet "Farm Fresh".

It is stitched on 28ct lambswool with DMC threads.  It was hard to part with this one.  LOL. Julianne and I have done several private exchanges over the years.  We met through an exchange group that the name has escaped me.  It's always a treat to receive a piece from her.  

Stitching update Photos in no particular order

This was my exchange piece for HoE Halloween #1.  Carol S. was my partner. To me Halloween says Prairie Schooler. I changed the colors a little, at least I think I did!  It's been so so long, I can't remember.  Carol said she loved it, so I am pleased.

I have a friend at church I like to stitch for.  She is always so kind with her praise when I gift her.  I chose a PS santa this year.  Joan has traveled extensively, so I thought this fellow might be fitting to stitch for her.  I like him, and so did Joan!

Julianne P. and I do private exchanges through out the year.  Here is what she stitched for me for our Christmas exchange this year.  She did quite well!  I love PS and reindeer.  JP has such a knack for finishing.  She always surprises me.  Needless to say, I absolutely love this Santa.

My Mom likes nutcrackers, so I stitched this PS for her Christmas giftie this year.  Now, I have no idea what I was thinking when I cut the fabric.  When I got to the bottom, I had no room left!  Up against a deadline, I roughly sewed the bottom on the sewing machine.  From a distance, ie, on the tree, you really can't tell I boo-booed to badly! 

More to come later!

Two exchange pieces received

 I received the Halloween pillow from Margaret C.  It is part of the HoE Halloween Tree exchange.  It will be a year long exchange.  Margaret says the design is a freebie from Farmhouse Not Forgotten.  She stitched it on Doubloon and used miscellaneous GAST threads.  Isn't the jack-o-lantern a real cutie.  I really like the design. 

The tree is from my friend Marie P.  We have stitched for each other in many exchanges.  This exchange was part of the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas ornament round.  It is a Prairie Schooler design, O Christmas Tree from book #188.  I love PS designs, so she "did good"!

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all.

Happy 4th

I received this wonderful exchange yesterday from my stitching friend Julianne.  I absolutely love it.  In my thank you to her I pointed out that I had moved this design to the front of my Prairie Schooler stash to stitch.  Isn't it great that like minds...well, she may not think like me, but her stitching is impeccable.  One of my favorite stitching subjects is patriotic designs, and PS is one of my favorite designers.  Yeah, Julianne.  You did good!  Thank you so much.

Gifts and Exchanges

 This is the exchange piece I sent to Dawn as part of the HoE Stitcher's Choice exchange.  I totally forgot to take a snap of the goodies I sent.  Dawn has a great photo of them on her blog.

 Julianne and I have been exchanging for quite some time now. I decided to do a double sided ornament for her.  Seems like I do these alot . They are from a Prairie Schooler leaflet.

 This is what she sent me.  I love it.  Julianne does such great stitching.

 Now you ask what the heck is a Halloween piece doing in Christmas ornaments. My good friend stitched it for my birthday.  I've been so lazy about blogging, that I'm just now getting around to posting.  Not only is it a great stitched piece, but MAA as I call her has moved back to my town.  So now I get to stitch and visit with her more often.

 My cousin and his wife lives in Alaska, so I stitched this ornament for their tree.  It's a oldie design, but I like it.  So far they have not received it.

This little ornie is for my friend Karen who has a cat.  He's Moose, and is a yellow tabbie.  I didn't want to change the color so I went ahead and stitched it as was charted.  Karen received it today.  She moved to Kansas a few years ago.  She said she was unpacking the tub of all the ornaments I had stitched for her.  I'm sure I have photos of them.  Good thing, because I can't remember what all I stitched!!

There's a few a few more ornaments stitched, but not finished.  I better get busy, because most of them need to be put into the mail.  I'll post them when I get finished.

Oh yes, it finally turned cold.  Now I want the warm weather back.  Never satisfied.  Have a warm and cozy evening.

Hoe Santa Exchange from Lisa

The postman was very nice to me today. He delivered my HoE Santa Exchange from my partner Lisa S. Now, Lisa and I have exchanged several pieces over the years, so we know each other's likes and dislikes. She did a bang up job on this exchange by choosing a Prairie Schooler design for me. It's one of their older freebies, and you know, I do not believe I have this one in my design stash. I have it hanging by the light switch in the hallway so I see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Thanks so much Lisa, you know I absolutely love it.

Halloween exchange fromJulianne

My stitching friend Julianne and I did a Halloween exchange between us.  Here's what I received in the mail yesterday.  I love it, love it.  I find it fun that we both chose to stitch black cats.  We both love Prairie Schooler's designs, so I'd say we both scored!  Thank you Julianne. It's a perfect gift for me.    Here's what I stitched for her:

You've seen it before, but since it's getting close to Halloween, I'm reposting it. She made it into a scissor fob for a new pair of scissors she just got.

I finished another small Halloween piece for a friend, but can't show it just now.  I hope she likes it.

Going to start another giftie tonight for my friend Christine.  She has a new grandbaby and wants a first Christmas ornament.  I'm going to do one of Daffycat's reindeer since that's the design I used Chris' other grandchildren's ornies.  Guess I'd better get busy!  Have a great weekend stitching.

Lots to Show

I have lots to show you so here goes:

First, here's the progress I've made on Blackbird Designs "WinterWonderland."  I haven't stitched much on it during the last month because I've been doing exchange stitching. I have yet to master the art of photography.  I do not know why the fabric appears to be three different colors.

Next is the 2011 Prairie Schooler Limited Edition kit "Comin' To Town."  I am enjoying this stitch very much.

A couple of months ago I mentioned a friend at church approached me about finishing a kit her friend had started before the friend died.  In a moment of weakness I said I would finish it.  My conscience got the better of me today, so I put some stitches in.  I had to work around the work already done, but made the most of it.

So here's the WIP:

I signed up for an exchange on HoE because it is a fall theme.  We are to stitch a pyn keep.  Fall stitching translates to a Prairie Schooler design.  I chose a portion of one of the designs.  I like the way it turned out. The design is not totally centered, but sometimes that just happens.

Guess I'll start  working on the Humane Society weekly column for the local newspaper.  One of the volunteers saw a woman throw a puppy into the fenced area of the shelter this afternoon.  I'm sure this lady does not read...the local paper, but I'm gonna let her know she was seen doing this terrible deed.

Have a great stitching week.

Cathy received her Easter exchange

Cathy received her GFTHMBYH Easter exchange. I poached the the photos from her blog because they were better than mine! The design is from the new Prairie Schooler leaflet Signs of Spring. Don't you just love the little chickie in the design? DMC fibers were used on a mystery fabric from my stash.

I am busy stitching on an exchange piece. Hopefully I will have it completed this weekend. Saturday is my slob day. Every day this week has been busy so not much stitching has been done. Does this say withdrawal symptoms to you? It does to me!!

My friend and travelling buddy Diane and I joined the YMCA. We are doing the Silver Sneakers program. We're probably the youngest seniors in the class, but not the fittest! Well, that isn't true. D is more fit than I am. So far so good for me. I have been a little stiff, but not sore. I'm also walking a little at the Y. We are exploring the possibility of doing water aerobics.

Happy stitching!

Easter Chicks

These darling Easter chicks were stitched by Casey for Easter in the Holiday Exchanges group. Aren't they just the cutest. I love baby chicks at Easter, but never seem to get around to stitching any for myself. The design is from The Prairie Schooler's Just Hatched leaflet. Thank you Casey, I've already got the pillow hanging up.

March Ornament received from Tracy

Just look at the wonderful ornament I received from Tracy in the Christmas Ornament Swap Exchange. She chose a reindeer from Prairie Schooler, one of my favorite designers, to stitch. I just love it. She used pearl cotton as the braid around the edges. It looks wonderful. Thank you so much Tracy!

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.

HoE By the Sea for Caroline

I heard from Caroline that she received my HoE By The Sea exchange. I chose to stitch a part of the July leaflet. Caroline said she liked it and I'm glad. It was a fun exchange to stitch and put together. I used the ole button on the back as a hanger. This method is really cool!

Enjoy the long weekend! Go Oklahoma State!

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?

HoE Valentine Exchange

I'm going to go ahead and post my HoE Valentine Exchange. My partner hasn't officially acknowledged receiving it, but I know she has. I stitched primitivebetty's "Oh Sweet Valentine" into a simple pillow that can be tucked into an area. I used DMC thread, and a mystery fabric from Silkweaver. Also included some ribbon, two battery operated tea lights and some candy.

On the stitching front I've been working on my HoE biscornu exchange and the year long Prairie Schooler exchange. Have to stitch them early because I'm taking a bus trip with the old folk to the Cajun Mardi Gras this month.

Yesterday was the first day I was able to leave the house. The main streets in town were clear, but my residential street was still ice packed as was my driveway. My friend Lynn and I drove to Tulsa to the Super Bowl sale at our LNShops. I was very good by not adding too much to my stash. We had lunch at Ted's, the best Mexican restaurant in the Tulsa area. There was a 30-45 minute wait, but well worth it. Needless to say, both of us enjoyed it. The portions are so large that Lynn was able to take her husband a to go box full of food. I didn't do too shabby either!

Hope everyone has a great stitching week.

PS Button UP Snow Angel for Julianne

Julianne notified me she received the Winter installment of the Seasonal Exchange BB I stitched for her. I chose her favorite from the Prairie Schooler Button Up leaflet. We decided we would exchange ornaments with no goodies included. I borrowed Julianne's photos. They looked so good on the red background, I couldn't resist them.

I purchased a metal Christmas tree to display my hand made ornaments on from my friend Mary Ann. This ornie was hanging on the tree waiting for me to mail it. One evening I saw it go airborne. My Tobie cat thought it was a great toy to toss around. Luckily it didn't suffer from any "paw prints."

I've been busy stitching gifts this week. None to show as they are not finish-finished. They will be soon though.

Enjoy the weekend. Go Sooners, even though I am an Ok-State die hard. Have to be loyal to the state.

Happy stitching.