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!