Fall Exchange Reveal!

Hello!  :)

First I'd like to say so sorry that I've been absent. I've had the worst cold ever. It just hit me and never seemed to let up. I'm finally feeling much better.  :)

While I was sick I got the okay to share what I sent and received in the Fall Cross Stitch Exchange I participated in, through the Stitched With Love Exchanges. If you'd like to view all the goodies that were exchanged you can view them here.

I'm so happy I finally get to show you what I sent my partner Jaime.

I sent her a fall pattern with the necessary floss, some needles, fall colored ribbon & buttons, a cute metal acorn and a beautiful fall colored towel. The pillow is a Country Cottage Design. It's actually the October Cottage of the month. I just changed it so it says "Autumn" instead of "October". I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Here's a close up . . .

and the back . . .

Here's the wonderful package of goodies I received from my partner CJ.

She stitched a beautiful fall piece for me. She also sent me a hand-made card, lots of patterns, a couple of kits, some floss, needles, fabric and beads. I was definitely spoiled!  :)  Thank you so much CJ! I love it all! Here's a close up of the fabulous piece she stitched for me . . .

She did a great job, didn't she?! The next exchange is the Christmas exchange. I've finished stitching the piece for my partner while I was sick. I haven't completed it yet though. I better get going on it as I have to mail it out by the 26th. That's only a little over a week away. That will be the last cross stitch exchange for the year. I'm looking forward to more stitching exchanges in 2013. I can't believe it's only a month and a half away. This year has definitely flown by. As a matter of fact where did the first half of November go??? I didn't get much done while I was sick and now I feel like I'm so far behind. Stay tuned for another post from me tomorrow (I know shocking huh?). I have more to share!  :)

Until next time . . .

I'm Still Here!

Hello!  :)

Yes I'm here! Really I am! I've been working hard too! The problem is that I can't or I'm not ready to show you what I've been doing yet. I figured I'd better stop in and let you know that I'm still alive and breathing so no one would worry.  ;)  Besides . . . I missed you!  :)

So what have I been up to? For the most part I've been working very hard hand quilting my "My Favorite Things" quilt.

Of course this isn't a new picture. I want to wait until I finish it to show it to you. I hope you will hang in there with me and be patient. I worked on it all last weekend as part of the

Even though it wasn't cross stitch it was LOTS of stitching!  ;)  I finished all the quilting on the blocks and the flowers between them that I started on last week. It took quite a while as there were many blocks and LOTS of stitches! Here's the picture I showed you last week of how I was stitching them . . .

I also managed to quilt all the strips between the rows yesterday. I actually ran out of white perle cotton and hand to run to JoAnn's and buy another ball of it. I couldn't believe I got it all done in one day!  :)  When I finish this post I'm going to start quilting the borders. I'm hoping to have them finished quickly. My plans are to finish them by tomorrow afternoon and put the binding on tomorrow night during the

It's always fun to sew together on Friday Night with people just like me all over the world! If you'd like to participate just go to http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com and sign up and sew.

So if my plans go as planned I'll have my quilt finished tomorrow night!!! I hope, I hope, I hope!!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!  :)  I'm really loving this quilt and can't wait to be done. I have to admit that I've already been using it even though it's just a work in progress. Sometimes as I sit and stitch I get tired and take a little cat nap under it. It's so warm and cozy already!  :)

During the last week I've also been working on a few other things too. I had to sit down and put the finishing touches on my Fall Exchange piece for my Stitched With Love Exchange that went out Monday. I love the way it turned out. I can't show it to you though until I get the okay that everyone has received their gifts. I actually received my gift and goodies today! I love all of it! Of course I can't show it to you yet either.  :(

I also made up a couple of blocks for my monthly quilt block exchange. These blocks were for August and September (yes I was behind) and are the last of the year long exchange. They were sent off and should be arriving to my partners soon. After they're received I will be able to show them to you. I received my blocks from one partner but haven't from the other one yet.

If you're still with me thanks for hanging in there. Hopefully I'll be back soon with lots of pictures and things to share!

Until next time . . .

Animal Antics Exchange Reveal

Hello!  :)

I got the okay today that the Animal Antics Cross Stitch Exchange I participated in, through Stitched With Love Exchanges, is complete. That means that now I can share the goodies with you!  :)  If you'd like to view all the goodies the participants exchanged you can view them here.

In this exchange we were to list 3 animals we liked to give our partner choices of what to make for us. One of the animals I choose was the Ladybird or Ladybug. Yes I know it's not really an animal but it was for this exchange.  ;)  Here's what my partner Catherine in Pennsylvania sent to me.

It included the exact chart I hoped my partner would stitch for me! Can you believe that?! It has ladybugs and pink! My favorites!  :)  She only stitched part of the design for me so she gave me the pattern so I can stitch the whole thing later. Cool!  ;)  She also gave me a variety of pink hand-dyed threads, some linen fabrics, lots of buttons, cute ladybug ribbon and an adorable sterling silver ladybug charm! I love it all!  :)  Thanks so much Catherine for your generosity! You made me a happy girl!  :)

Did you notice she included my initials in the stitched design? Cool huh?! She did such an awesome job with the stitching and finishing! I love it!  :)  Here's a close up . . .

Usually in these exchanges you send items to one person and receive items from another. This time Catherine and I actually had each other! How fun is that?!!! Catherine liked sheep and birds so I included both. Here's what I sent her . . .  

I stitched her a Homespun Elegance design called "Sheep Button Sampler". I made it into a mini quilt for her to hang. I also included a Bird pattern, hand-dyed threads for the pattern, some bird fabric (in 4 colors), a bird button, some other buttons, ribbons and needles. Here's a close up of the quilt . . .

And a closer view of the stitching . . .

I always have lots of fun with these exchanges! Right now I'm finishing up my project for the Fall Exchange and will soon be receiving my partner for the Christmas Stitches Exchange. This will finish up the exchanges for the year. I'm having so much fun! Thanks Lainey for hosting! You're the best!  :)

Until next time . . .

A Hermit & Stitch Weekend

Hello!  :)

So sorry I've been gone so long. I've been creating here and there between sicknesses. Seems each of the 3 of us has been sick a different week. I guess that's kind of a good thing.

This past weekend, already almost a week ago, was the International Hermit & Stitch Weekend.

I did get to participate. I actually finished up one project and started another. I'm unable to show you either one of them though since they are both for swaps. I can show you what I received in the last swap I participated in. It was the "Tea in the Garden Exchange" over at Stitched With Love Exchanges. You can go here to check out the gallery of what everyone received. Here's what my partner Mindi sent me . . . 

I had to borrow Mindi's photo since I forgot to take a group picture before I split all the items up. (I hope you won't mind Mindi.) I was surprised by a fabulous package with 3 stitched pieces! How awesome is that?!!! She also gave me a notepad, stickers, hand-dyed threads and some caramels (yum!).

Mindi did a wonderful job on all the stitched pieces. The first one is a Little House Needleworks design that she finished in a tray. It's so awesome!  :)

Here's a closer view of the stitching. She changed the colors to suit me and she did a great job! It's perfect!  :)

The next piece is a little pin cushion she made with elements from original design. I absolutely love it! I started using it immediately and haven't stopped.  :)

The last piece was a little fob she stitched up, again with elements from the original design. What a great way keep a theme going! She did a great job! Don't you just love that tiny pink rick rack?!!! I know I do!  :)

Thank you so much Mindi for your kindness and generosity! I love everything you sent and smile every time I look at it!  :)

My partner this time around was Lisa M. from New York. I sent the following garden themed package to her . . .

A stitched and quilted piece to hang, a pattern, paper, needles, threads, buttons and ribbons. Here's a picture of just the stitched piece I sent her . . . 

It's a Homespun Elegance pattern called "Delivering Posies". I pulled colors from the stitching for the fabrics. I really love the way it came out! It looks much better in person too!  :)  I liked it so much that I stitched another one for myself. I haven't gotten mine quilted and finished yet but I have the fabrics waiting until I get around to it. Here's a closer view of the stitching . . . 

I hope you enjoyed sharing in my exchange goodies with me. One of the items I finished up for the hermit and stitch weekend was my project for the Animal Antics exchange. I sent it off Saturday and my partner should have it already. I hope she likes it!  :)

Until next time . . .

Long time no post :(

Hello!  :)

I can't believe that it's been over 3 weeks since my last post! (Non Traveling Stash that is.) I knew it'd been a while but just didn't think it'd been that long. I'm so sorry for my absence! It's been a busy time for me plus it's been HOT!!! It's usually not humid in Southern California and right now it's over 100 every day plus high humidity! Yuck! Heat and I don't get along and humidity and I definitely do not get along. I start sweating instantly and get overwhelmed with heat. It really sucks! For the past few weeks I've basically been sitting around working on various cross stitch projects for Christmas and other holidays. I wanted to post about them as I completed each project but it was too hot to get up and take the pictures. Plus I was lazy too. (I'm always full of excuses!)  ;)

The first project I finished was the last one I told you I was working on.

It's "Christmas Is..." by Lizzie Kate. It's stitched on 28 ct Ultra Very Light Antique Blue evenweave. I basically kept the colors the same. I'm not too sure about the pink string on the mittens. It was supposed to be a light blue but it blended into the fabric too much. What do you think?

The next project I completed will eventually be an ornament.

It's "Snow in Love" by Little House Needleworks. It's the hunky dude and I enjoying the snow!  ;)  This one is stitched on 28 ct Beige evenweave. I really like how this turned out. I kept all the original colors.  :)

After this I wanted a quick project. I was waiting on some over-dyed threads to arrive and needed them for the other projects I wanted to work on. In the meantime I stitched this up . . .

It's "Happy Haunting" by Lizzie Kate. I stitched it on 28 ct Light Tan evenweave. This one will probably become a pillow. I'm not too sure about it but I think I'll like it more once I add the perfect fabrics to it.  :)

After the Halloween project I received some of the threads I was waiting on. I stitched this ornament up.

It's another Little House Needleworks ornament. This one is called "All Dolled Up". It's stitched on a 28 ct Beige evenweave. I changed some of the colors. I will be adding black beads for the Snowman's eyes and buttons. I'm happy with how it came out!  :)

Then I worked on my Garden exchange piece for the "Stitched With Love" exchange. I loved the way it turned out! I wish I could show you but I have to wait until everyone receives their packages . . . sorry.  :(

The next project I did was the one I was waiting on the threads for. The moment I saw this design I just had to get it and stitch it up.

I'm so happy with the way it turned out! I love it!  :)  It's a design by Homespun Elegance called "Delivering Plenty". It turns out there's a whole series of these "delivering..." designs. I'll definitely be doing more of these! I stitched it on a 25ct Gray Green evenweave. I'm not sure of the correct color of the fabric as it was part of a variety of fabric ends that I got from a shop owner. I will be adding some buttons for the cart wheels and a charm or two. There was supposed to be a squirrel on the turkey's back but I didn't like it so I left it off. You'll have to wait and see how I finish this one off.  ;)

Remember the swap project I told you about? Well I liked it so much that I decided to stitch one up for myself. I actually finished stitching the piece today. I still can't show it to you though . . . so sorry!  :(  I can show you what I'm starting on tonight though.

It's the Halloween Mystery Sampler by Lizzie Kate. It took me a little while to decide whether I wanted to do this one or not but of course I decided "Yes!". I have part one & two of the design already. The third (& last) part will be out at the end of the month. I'm hoping to have the first two parts finished by then. I'm stitching it on a 28ct Mushroom evenweave instead of the Tin Roof fabric it called for. I am using all the original threads though. I'm hoping it will turn out nice!  :)

The last few weeks I actually have managed to get some sewing done too. Not a lot because of the heat though. I've discovered that my dining room, which is where I sew, is very hot. It just doesn't cool off in there. By the time I finish sewing I'm soaked with sweat (yuck!) I was wondering why I haven't been sewing much this summer and I now know this is why. I'm dying to work on some projects that have been waiting for me so I hope it cools off soon so I can get back to some sewing. I'll be showing you one of the items I did finish later this week. The other sewing project will have to wait longer as it was for the swap I mailed off.

Well that's it for now. Be sure to come back later in the week to check out my sewing plus some fun stuff I have planned.

Until next time . . .

ORT's ~ Exchanges ~ Hermits ~ Stamps

Hello!  :)

I'd like to share my ORT's for July with you . . .

You might be asking yourself, "What are ORT's?" Well let me tell you!  :)  They are the old ratty threads that are leftover when stitching. As you know I've been stitching pretty non-stop lately so my jar is pretty full! There are lots of wonderful colors in there aren't there?! Sharing my ORT's is part of the Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long (how fun is that?!).

Next I'd like to share some exchange goodies with you! I took part in another stitching exchange over at "Stitched With Love Exchanges". I'm really enjoying participating in these exchanges! Thanks Lainey! No one gets to share what they sent or received until everyone has received their package and Lainey tells us it's time to share. Then she posts all the goodies everyone sent and received on the "Stitched With Love Exchanges" blog. You can view all of the goodies here.

This last exchange was a Patriotic one. Here's what my partner April sent to me . . .

Isn't it fabulous?!!! I was so happy when I opened my package!  :)  I love Americana stuff. I actually used to decorate my whole house with it. Now I've toned it down but still have some pieces around. I've actually already stitched the pattern she gave me up into a pillow for the 4th which I shared with you previously here. I also use one of the ribbons she gave me on one of my "Celebrating Red White & Blue" quilt blocks here. I love all of it! Thank you so much April for your kindness and sharing your talents with me! I really appreciate it! Here's a close up of the stitched piece she did for me . . .

I'm planning on doing my bathroom in Americana very soon and this will be hanging on the wall in there year-round. For now it's sitting on a table in my living room. It makes me smile every time I see it!  :)

Here's what I sent to my partner Kim . . .

I was really happy with how it all came out. I hope she was too!  :)  Here's a closer view of the pillow I made for her . . . 

Does it look a little familiar to you? It should! I made one for myself for the 4th and shared it with you here. I also stitched a bigger version of the same design and put it on a block for the "Celebrating Red White & Blue" blog hop which you can see here. Can you tell I like this design?! I love hearts and I love patriotic things!

The next exchange is a "Tea Party in the Garden" exchange. I am preparing a "Garden" package for my partner and I will be receiving the same theme in return. Actually I haven't really started yet. I've been swamped lately. I finally did sit down tonight and ordered the pattern and supplies necessary for the piece I will stitch for my partner and also a couple of extra goodies for her.  :)  It should come quickly as I ordered the items from 123stitch.com and they usually ship items pretty quick. They have great prices and low shipping too! It's one of my favorite places to go for my stitching supplies!  :)

Speaking of stitching . . . this is the weekend for the next

I will definitely be participating and stitching this weekend. I'll be back on Monday to tell you all about it!  :)

Before I go I like to tell you about some items I'll selling over at eBay in case you're interested.

Do you like to stamp? Don't you just love Stampin' Up! stamps?!!! They're absolutely fabulous! I used to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator until a few months ago. I had to give it up as I just didn't have as much time for it anymore. I have lots of great stamps and other items in my personal stash. I've found myself needing to raise some cash pretty quick so I decided to part with some of my lovely, cherished stamps. 73 sets of them to be exact! (Don't worry I still have more! I know!)

Anyway I'm telling you this because I thought you might want to get some of these awesome stamps for yourself. If you're interested you can check out my eBay stamp auctions here. They all end on Monday, July 23rd (or sooner if you use the "Buy it Now" feature). If you do decide to purchase any of them please let me know you came from my blog and I will include a special surprise for you with your stamps! Just a little gift from me to you to say "Thank You!" (My auctions are only available to those in the US . . . sorry!) Have a Great Weekend!  :)

Until next time . . .