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!