Final of Four Christmas Stitchy Gifts

I like to think I saved the best for last!

Jinglebell Reindeer...My Way by Daffycat

Freebie found here

Fabric:  25 ct. Antique White Lugana

Fibre's:  DMC 801, 816, 3051, Blanc

Embellishments:  Mill Hill Seed Beads in red & white, MH Petite Seed Beads in black

My friend Sandra:) of Sandra Sews:) gave me a great suggestion on wrapping this ornament up for my stepdad:

I used a cute sheer red bag I had, put chocolate covered raisins in the bottom and attached the tag with the cute little reindeer and poem on it.  (The poem was turned into a tag thanks to my 12 year old son and his Microsoft Paint wizardry!!!)  Thanks Sandra for your suggestion!  You always have the best ideas and I always really appreciate all your help!

Here is a close up of the poem:

Have a very Happy New Year everyone!

Happy Stitching!

Third of Four Christmas Stitchy Gifts

Here is the ornament I made for my son for Christmas:

Santa's Buddies by Angel Stitchin'

2009 JCS Ornament Issue

Fabric:  32 ct. Platinum Belfast Linen

Fibre's:  DMC 349, 612, Blanc & GA Baby Spinach, Sarsparilla

Embellishments:  Mill Hill Metal Treasures 15001 & Seed Beads 03039

My son really liked it, his reaction when he opened it was really cute.  A "special ornament" was on his Christmas list and I guess this qualified.  He's especially interested in what I'm stitching and always is so thrilled when I finish something.  He particularily hates it when I make something for an exchange and have to send it away :D. 

I've been thinking about stitching goals lately and what I would like to acheive in 2010.  I'm going to see if writing them down stresses me out or focuses me...I've joined two SAL's and just ordered the LHN Sampler months so I have plenty to keep me busy!

What are your stitching goals for 2010?

Happy Stitching!

Second of Four Christmas Stitchy Gifts

This is the ornament I stitched for my (almost) 14 year old daughter.

Elf in the Box by Brooke's Books

Fabric:  28ct. Platinum Belfast Linen, 14 ct. perforated paper

Fibre's:  DMC as charted

Embellishments:  Mill Hill seed beads as charted

She loved it and said she really had to "study" it to take in all the detail.  She (like her mom :D) loves bling so I knew she would love this design.  She has it hanging up in her room and told me she isn't putting it away with the Christmas decorations. 

My kids see me stitching all the time and know the time that goes into these projects so they really appreciate them.  I was thrilled with her reaction!

Until tomorrow...

Happy Stitching!

P.S.  Is anyone else using the new post editor on Blogger?  It works great!  (It makes it super easy to place photos where you WANT them.) I can't seem to find a spellcheck button anywhere though...is it staring me in the face and I just can't see it???

First of Four Christmas Stitchy Gifts

Here is the finished ornament I made for my mom this Christmas.  I finished the four ornaments that I had stitched for gifts the weekend before Christmas and 2 days before we flew to my parents place for the holiday!  Nothing like leaving it to the last minute...good thing I do well under pressure!

Let it Snow by Country Cottage Needleworks

2008 JCS Ornament Issue

Fabric:  32 ct. Platinum Belfast Linen

Fibre's:  Recommend DMC

Embellishments:  Mill Hill Seed Beads for snowflakes

My darling hubby gave me the sweetest compliment when I showed him the finished ornaments...he said they were not just gifts but heirlooms.  Isn't that so sweet?  He is the best!

My mom really liked her ornament and appreciates the time and love that went into making it.  I just LOVE this hobby, what about you???

I'm going to post my other 3 ornaments over the next 3 days...it's nice having something to blog about!

Happy Stitching!

Final Exchanges of The Year

I received this sweet little ornament from Jayne in the mail from the Christmas Exchange on the HoE Too blog:

Here is an exchange I sent to Michelle from the Stitching Exchanging blog:

It's another LHN design. I just seem to love them :-)! I finished it as a pinkeep, my first ever and I was really happy with the way it turned out. It's hard to see but the pins are a pretty red that matches the birds.

Happy Stitching!

Finally! A Finish I Can Show

I stitched this piece for the Hooked on Exchanging group:

Winter Sampler by LHN
JCS Ornament Issue 2009
Fabric: Vintage Mocha Belfast Linen
Fibre's: DMC, Blanc, 433, 524, 3052, 3721
Backed with green felt

I received an email from my partner that she really like it! This is my first attempt at the "Prairie Schooler type" finishing and I'm really happy with the results.

Happy Stitching!

My Halls are Decked

Since I don't have any stitchy things that I can show (exchanges) or things that are worth showing (OIP's - ornaments in progress) I thought I'd show a bit - okay a LOT - of my Christmas decorating.

Living room tree (multi-coloured lights) with all our ornaments we've collected over the years, as well as the ones the kids have made in school. My husband came up with collecting a new ornament each year that meant something to our family. We have New House, Baby's 1st Christmas, Baby on the Way...

Family room tree with white lights, smokey blue, brown and lime-ish green ornaments.


Niche in my front hallway. The green in the photo is a good representation of the colour in the family room tree.


Table in front hallway. My mom bought me those gorgeous glass trees last year. The etchings of the canals behind the tree are souvenirs I picked up in Brugge, Belgium almost 2 years ago. I just love how the Christmas ornaments look in that funky silver bowl.

Family room mantle with the Countdown To Christmas clock I bought at Costco years ago. I think that is the only Christmas decoration I've ever bought there.

Family room mantle.


Living room mantle. The multi-coloured lights really look pretty with the green and blue ornaments I have in the garland.

Dining room table. The tree is a fake feather tree I bought years ago when Martha Stewart first came out with decorations at Sears here in Canada. I found the reindeer vases at Home Outfitters (think TJ Maxx for the home in the US) for a steal. I was smart enough to pack them up with paper in the vases so I didn't have to redo ornaments in them. *pats self on back*!!!

This picture is of one of my FAVOURITE ornaments that I have. They're little lumps of painted clay all dudded up with curly doll hair, tinsel and bows. My daughter made them in Kindergarten. Notice the window frame on the left of the photo. Mysteriously they were near the back of the tree when I went to look for them so I could take this photo. :D

Thanks for all your comments on Jinglebell Reindeer! It's my most comments ever at 16!!! Who would have thought I would get such response from an incontinent reindeer!

Happy Stitching!

Jinglebell Reindeer...My Way

I stitched up this little reindeer for my stepdad on Friday night. He's quite the character and I know this will be right up his alley!

It's a freebie from Daffycat. I emailed her a picture first to make sure she wasn't offended! I got a very enthusiastic response to "Post it, Post it!"

There sure are a lot of uses for Mill Hill beads!

Happy Stitching!

Santa Delivered a Gift Early

I received this in the mail from Elisa of Old Ragged Threads through Stitching Exchanging. The theme of this exchange was "Anything Christmas."

Isn't it just gorgeous? She finished it as a pillow hanging ornament with pretty gold beads at the corners and a sweet complimentary fabric on the back. Her stitching and finishing are lovely and I'm just thrilled with my gift! Thanks Elisa!

On a non-stitching topic, I went to Michaels this morning and scored a couple of pieces of their (always) stocked scrapbooking organizing furniture at 55% off! I got the hexagonal desktop organizer and a hanging system for my ribbon. I'm glad I was there right when it opened because that stuff was flying off the shelves like crazy!

My 12 year old son informed me this morning that he would like a trench coat for Christmas. Think Keannu Reaves in The Matrix, Arnold as The Terminator...THAT kind of trench coat! Where in the world will I be able to find one of those I ask???? Feel free to give suggestions!

Wishing my America friends a very Happy Thanksgiving. We had our Thanksgiving here in Canada almost 2 months ago. Mmmmm...turkey!

Happy Stitching!

Blitzen Glisten Finished

It only took about 10 minutes to get this little cutie into this little 4x4 frame from Michaels. A couple Glue Dots and scrapbook tape and voila:

Blitzen Glistens! by Just Nan

Fabric: 32 ct. Zweigart Opalescent Belfast Linen

Fibres: DMC & Kreinik as charted

Embellishments: Supplied beads

Is it just me or is that one PO'd and disinterested looking reindeer???

Happy Stitching!

Another Exchange Received by Partner

Leanne of My Nifty Needle received the ornament I sent through The Ties that Bind Cross Stitch Exchange:

Souvenir of Paris by Blackbird Designs

Joyoux Noel Book

Fabric: 32 ct Flax Belfast Linen

Fibre's: GASS & WDW (my conversions)

I made the little hanger with beads that came from a necklace of mine that broke. I now have quite the supply of black seed beads.

I saw on Leanne's blog that she really liked her gift. I'm so thrilled. It was a lot of fun to stitch and the finishing was really easy with help from Vonna at The Twisted Stitcher's Tutorials.

Happy Stitching!

Floss Organization Update

Back in September I blogged about organizing my WIP's . In that same post I asked for your input on floss organization because my Stitch Bow/bobbin cases just weren't working for me. After much deliberaton, and drooling over Daffycat's incredible floss cabinet, this is what I came up with:

I found these pretty photo boxes at Michaels and so far this system is working fabulously. I'm not sure what to do about my over-dye's though. I have them on floss rings by company (WDW, GASS, etc.) hanging on a bulletin board. I know long term it's not a great idea because of dust but I love seeing them out and being able to do floss conversions by eye. Plus they're just soooo pretty to look at!

Thank you Lenna, Daffycat, Blyn and Diane for your great suggestions!!!

Happy Stitching!

UFO & Progress

Here is Blitzen Glistens by Just Nan. I started this little cutie about a year ago. So why haven't I finished it, you ask? I'll tell you...1 OVER 1, that's why!!! Those teeny little birds drove me around the bend. So now I'm going to finish it and hopefully I'll be able to show you the finished project in a few days!



I also have more progress to show you on CCN's Let It Snow. I'm (of course!) beading the snow flakes with two colours of Mill Hill Petite Seed Beads and only have a few more to do. I put it aside for a couple days to start an exchange piece that is flying along. Let It Snow is for my mom for Christmas so I don't have to rush it to much.


Well I'm off to my LNS for more Floss-A-Way bags. I've already filled up 200 in my quest to reorganize my floss storage system. Pics to follow!

Happy Stitching!

Lucky Me & More Progress!

My hubby brought this little beauty home for me tonight! It's a Samsung Netbook.

I sat on the sofa in my family room with my kids, watching a PVR'd episode of Project Runway while I typed this post! I'm one lucky lady! My hubby is in a position at work that gets these lovely perks now and again and I was the lucky recipient...woo hoo!!! No more running up and down the stairs from my "stitching room" to the office when I need to post.

On the stitchy front, I'm almost finished Let It Snow by Country Cottage Needleworks. This project is for my mom for Christmas. It's been a lot of fun to stitch and has come together very quick. I have to get some black petite sead beads for the snowman's eyes and add beads in place of snowflakes and it'll be done!

I wanted to thank everyone for the lovely comments you've been sending my way!

Happy Stitching!!!

3 Finishes!

Though I can only show you 2 as the 3rd is an exchange. I'm feeling quite happy with myself...I'm well on the way to having my Christmas stitching goals complete.

I'm going to stitch a few more before I do a finishing blitz. Here is PS Santas and Snowmen:

Aren't the beads and pom pom cute?

L*K, It's Expensive to Be Me:

It's hard to tell but I add Kreinik #4 Braid to the shoes and sunglasses. It adds a nice shimmer to the design. I think my daughter will be thrilled.

I'm off to kit up a gift and an exchange.

Happy Stitching!!!

One Down, Many More to Go!

I'm FINALLY feeling better after my cold/flu. Sitting on the couch the past week or so was a little productive for me. Here is was I've been working on.

For my step dad one of the charts from Santas & Snowmen from Book No. 151 by The Prairie Schooler:

I used Wisper for the trim on Santas hat. You can tell it's different from the other threads used but it isn't as fuzzy as I was hoping. Any suggestions??? I have couple snowflakes to stitch in and then it's done.

For my daughter I'm stitching It's Expensive to Be Me by Lizzie*Kate:

It's right up her alley! I'm going to finish it with some funky trim if I can find something cool and girly. I'm going to wait until I have a few ornaments stitched and then do the finishing all at once.

I've also had a little stash enhancement. Awesome ribbon, rick rack and trim from Michaels:

Holly & Ivy from Shepherds Bush and Christmasland series from Raise the Roof Designs:

As if I don't already have enough stitching to do...I've joined the LHN Monthly Ornament SAL and the LHN Travelling Stitcher SAL, both starting January 2010. I justify this because I already have the Travelling Stitcher kit and the chart price for the LHN monthly ornaments is only $6!

Happy Stitching!

Mail!

I received some lovely mail today...my Harvest Exchange piece from my partner, Lynn from Stitching Exchanging. She sent a sweet hanging ornament, some pretty fabric that I know I'll be able to put to good use, 3 colours of DMC Variations and a cute little hanger! Thanks Lynn, I love it!



As for my hubby's birthday dinner last night, he was thrilled. I made him Chicken Divan crepes for the main course. The pecan pie was a HUGE hit! He was still thanking me today for making it. Doesn't feel nice to do something special for someone you love?


Happy Stitching!

Harvest Exchange & Birthday Pie!

I am able to post a picture of the Harvest Exchange piece (Stitching Exchanging) I did for Yoyo at Dragon My Needle.

I made her a Needlebook and a scissor fob:

The design is Fall Squared by Lizzie*Kate. I used some of the recommended floss colours and substituted some of my own here and there. For the fob I used a pumpkin and an "L" from the L*K chart and finished it off with some Mill Hill beads and filled it with more of my crushed glass, which Yoyo said felt suspiciously like BB's, LOL! This was a fun project, I loved figuring out how to make the little needlebook, since I couldn't find anything on Google that I liked.

As for Birthday Pie, today is my darling husband's 44th birthday. Instead of a cake, I made him his favourite, Pecan Pie. I even made the pastry! Here is a picture of it hot out of the oven:

I first made my hubby pecan pie when we started dating waaaay back when I was nineteen years old. My parents were going out for the evening and my mom said it would be okay to use her kitchen to make my boyfriend a romantic dinner (I still remember what I made: cornish game hens with pasta & brocolli in a rose sauce) followed by his favourite pecan pie for dessert.

As my parents left for the evening I'll never forget what my mother infamously said..."Whatever you do, DON'T tell him you didn't make the pie crust!" That quote will live on forever in our family history. I still laugh when I think about it. For some reason my mother was dying to get me married off, you would think it was the 50's and not the 90's, and thought my lack of pastry making would be an impediment to this master plan. What a woman!

Happy Stitching!

Look What Came in the Mail

I received my HoE Halloween Exchange piece today! That was exciting enough and then I saw who it was from...Sadie from Stitching up a Storm. Ever since I found her blog a while ago I've admired her beautiful stitching and finishing work. She is fabulous!

Here is a photo of the piece. It's finished as a flat ornament and looks wonderful. I love the fabric, it's sparkly with a mottled purple hue, the touch with the ribbon and faceted stone is lovely! I am so thrilled. Thank you so much Sadie! I absolutely love it!!!

Look what else she included:

Dragon Floss, DMC floss, cute Halloween fabric, a vampire candle, ribbon, and that fabulous fuzzy orange fabric is a zipper bag. I'm so thrilled with my first exchange!

As for my own stitching, I was able to figure out what I'm making for my family members and a couple Christmas exchanges and that's it. This cold is still hanging on. I'm hoping to start a Prairie School ornament this evening if I feel a little better.

Happy Stitching!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet

Here is the piece I stitched for the HoE Halloween Exchange. I saw that my partner recieved so I'm finally able to post a picture of it:

Smell My Feet

La-D-Da

2008 JCS Halloween Issue

Stiched on: 36 ct. Raw Edinburgh Linen

Fibres: SS Grape Leaf & WDW Charcoal

Trimmed with Pom Pom Fringe, backing fabric shown

I didn't get any stitching done this weekend as I came down with a nasty head cold. I'm feeling better tonight, I was even able to cook supper, much to my families joy. :-) Hopefully I can get back at it tomorrow. I have a bunch of ornaments to do for family for Christmas presents.

Happy Halloween Pin Cushion Finally Finished!

Here is the finished project:

Happy Halloween
by La-D-Da
2009 JCS Halloween Issue
32ct Copper Penny Permin Linen
WDW: Onyx & Terra Cotta
Trimmed with Black Rick Rack
Filled with crushed glass

This was the first time I've sewn rick rack into a seam instead of on top of a piece. Actually, the last time I touched rick rack was on an apron I did in Home Ec. in Grade 9! I found a post on how to do it online...don't you just love Google! I thank my lucky stars for it every time I go to finish an ornament. I also thank all of you out there who take the time to post tutorials with my whole heart. :-D

I first backed the linen with muslin before sewing it together because of the crushed glass I used to fill it. I found that great stuff at my local quilting shop. I think it turned out pretty cute! My finishing is getting better, and I'm trying different ways of finishing instead of a pillow ornament all the time.

I'm glad this was a tiny piece as the Permin was HORRIBLE to stitch on! The tension was all loosey, goosey. Even in a hoop! It's too bad because the colour is fabulous! I have a 13 x 17 piece left over if anyone wants to try it. Leave a comment in this post and I'll draw a name and mail it to the lucky "winner"! Good luck...in more ways than one!

Happy Stitching and Good Luck!

How (I Think) I Became a Better Blogger

Now that I've been blogging for the last 8 months or so (and reading all of your fabulous blogs too) I've had a lot of time to reflect on which type of blog set up I like. For instance what kind of colours, fonts, spacing and backgrounds make all of our blogs easier to read AND one of the most satisfying aspects of blogging...COMMENTS!

A couple of months ago I found a great resource of blogging information. The blog is called Sneaky Momma Blog Design. While learning how to put borders around my photos, inserting links, etc. I stumbled across this post about Blogger Etiquette. Scroll down a little and you'll see a post called "Goldilocks and the Three Bloggers."

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive to read the entry and see what I've been doing "wrong" but I was so happy to have found the post because it helped my blogging immensely.

One of my favourite points that was made in the post was regarding comments. I followed the easy steps here (here is another great how-to) and now I receive your fabulous comments immediately at the Yahoo email address (so easy to set up, and linked to no personal information whatsoever!) I set up just for YOU, I even get the comments you leave on older posts!

My Yahoo address is also linked to my blog so if I leave a comment or question at one of your fabulous blogs, you can email me back! Don't you just hate it when you want to reply to a comment left on your blog and the email address is noreply-comment AT blogger DOT com???

If I've helped even one Blogger, my job is done!

Happy Blogging!

Random Act of Kindness, L*K Update

Look at this little beauty I recieved from my blog buddy Sandra Sews:)!

I've been admiring the zipper bags she makes (check out her blog, she is a zipper bag machine!) and she graciously offered to send me one! Look at the pleats and the little yoyo detail...isn't it cute? She also attached the sweetest zipper pull:

My photo isn't great. I hope you can see the stones and beads she used. Thanks Sandra, I love it!!!

If you're interested in making this type of bag check out this great tutorial on the blog Heart of Mary.

Here is a picture of the progress I've made on Christmas by the letter:

I haven't stitched on it for awhile, I've been busy doing exchange stitching (which have turned out soooo great, I can hardly wait to post pics of my finishes!)

I just have the seam to stitch up on Happy Halloween by La-D-Da and I'll be able to post a picture of that finish too!

Happy Stitching!