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 . . .

Friday Night Sew In & More

Hello!  :)

Well . . . I didn't really accomplish what I planned for my Friday Night Sew-In this month.  :(

The design I ended up putting on my "My Favorite Things" quilt border ended up taking quite a bit longer to quilt than I thought it would. Oh well . . . that's the way it goes sometimes. I ended up loving how it turned out though and that's all that matters!  :)  On Friday I ended up running a lot of errands so I didn't get much done that day. When the night rolled around I sat and stitched more on the border. On Saturday I sat and stitched more and the border. On Sunday I finally finished the border quilting! Yea! I got the binding cut, sewed on and pinned today. Tonight I plan on sitting and stitching the binding down to finish it off. I don't know how long it will take but I don't care. I love it! I can't wait until I'm finished. Here's a small sneak peek . . .

Now no more peeks until I completely finish it. You'll just have to wait!  ;)

I can finally show you the blocks I made last week for my monthly block swap. Here's the one for August that I made for my partners. The theme was camping.

I got my inspiration from My Sew Sweet Studios blog (just scroll down a little to see her camper). I made the same block for myself but with the camper in colors just for me.  :)

The second block was for September. The theme was school.

I love how this one turned out!  :)

Thanks for your patience with me and showing you my projects. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow to show you my finished quilt! The deadline to finish is October 31st so I'm really cutting it close.

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 . . .

The Weekend Update :)

Hello!  :)

I have a little update for my "My Favorite Things" quilt.

Did you notice I said "little"? The only thing I've done this last week on the quilt is to order more of the blue polka dot Pam Kitty Morning fabric for the binding. (I told you it was a "little" progress... lol!) I ordered it from The Quilting Bug on Thursday night. It shipped Friday and arrived Saturday! How's that for great service?!!!  :)  Here it is . . .

Did you notice I also ordered more of the fabrics from the same line? The white one on the left is more of the same I already had. The others to the right are all new ones that I didn't have before. Aren't they awesome?!!! Believe it or not there's still more that I don't have yet! I love that fabric line and will be using it on another project that I'll be starting when I finish my "My Favorite Things" quilt. I really need to get started on quilting it but I couldn't on the weekend as everyone was home and I can't lay it out on the floor where everyone needs to walk. I was going to start it today but then the boy stayed home sick. He has pretty bad asthma and when the weather changes it really acts up. Plus he has a cold on top of it. I may have to take him to the doctors tomorrow for some steroids. They're the only thing that relax his bronchial tubes and lungs enough for his normal medicine to be effective when he's sick. I really hate seeing and hearing him struggle to breathe.  :(

Saturday was a great mail day! Not only did I receive the fabric I ordered, but I also receive a couple of patterns and floss that I ordered from 123 Stitch on Thursday as well. I can't show them to you as they're for an exchange. If that wasn't enough yummy mail, I also received a surprise pattern that day from my Blog Buddy Karen of Sew Much 2 Luv! She sent me this awesome pattern . . .

Isn't it adorable! It's so me! She know's me so well!  :)  She didn't even know that this has been on my wish list for a while now. I love it and can't wait to start it! Here's a close up of the pattern . . .

I love it! Thanks so much Karen! You're the bestest!!!!  :)

Since I couldn't work on my quilt this past weekend I worked on a cross stitch swap piece and this Christmas piece for myself . . .

I loved this pattern the first time I saw it! I've had it for a while now but finally got around to starting it. I'm going to make a mini quilt out of it. Sad to say I will have to put it away for a little bit though as I have to finish that swap piece first. I only have a week before I have to mail it out. I hope I get a chance to get started quilting my quilt soon too. I'm hand quilting it so it will take a little while. I definitely have a lot on my plate, but I always do. That's the way I am. I have to keep busy.  :)

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 . . .

Quilt Block Swaps

Hello!  :)

Do you remember how I told you I've done a little bit of sewing lately? Well I'm finally here to share it with you. It hasn't been much but I have managed to get some blocks done for some quilt block swaps. Do you remember the monthly quilt block swap I'm in? You probably don't as I haven't shared the blocks with you since April. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?! I'm ready to share the May, June and July blocks I made and received.

The theme for May was flowers. I made this block for my two partners . . .

It reminds me of the flower child theme from the 60's.  :)

This is the flower block I received from Joan . . .

She used all flower fabrics. Nice job Joan!  :)

And here's one more May block. This one's from Barbara . . .

I love the flower and contrast of colors! Thanks Barbara!  :)

Barbara also sent me this cool bag she made . . .

I love the fabric! Thanks again Barbara!  :)

Now for the June blocks. This is the block I made . . .

The theme for June was summer. What says summer better than the sun?! I designed this one myself. It's pretty simple really. I was looking through my fabric stash and nothing was saying "summer" to me. Then I got to the batik shelf. I saw heat waves, moving water, and sunsets. I knew this was the way to go. I love the way it turned out. I appliqued the sun center and stitched the sun rays with perle cotton.

Donna sent me this block for summer . . .

I love it! Great colors, design, fabrics. The birdhouse as a central feature is perfect! Thanks Donna!  :)

This next block was from Nettie . . .

I love everything about this block! The pink and blue are perfect (especially the pink)! And do you see that bicycle in the center? It's awesome!  :)  Here's a closer view of it . . .

Nettie got a new embroidery machine and she used it to make my block. It's so fitting and so pretty! I love it! Awesome job Nettie!  :)

Now for July. The theme for July was patriotic. I gave my two partners each one of the patriotic blocks I made for the "Celebrating Red White & Blue" Blog Hop.

I received this cool block from Donna . . .

I love the design and fabrics she used. Great job Donna!  :)

Nettie made this patriotic block for me . . .

You can't go wrong with red, white & blue! Thanks Nettie!  :)

Now you're all caught up with the swap blocks. I'll be working on the final two blocks. The theme for August is 'vacation'. The theme for September is 'back to school'. I'm not sure what I'll be doing yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something. Thanks for sharing this with me!  :)

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 . . .