Christmas Exchange For Nancy

Nancy finally recieved the package for FIT's Christmas Exchange the other day. I'm sure happy it arrived before Christmas. Glad you like everything Nancy!

I made her 3 stitched pieces, two of which were mentioned on my previous post: the Prairie Schooler's "Winter" as jewelry box topper and La-D-Da's "Merry Christmas" which I finished as a hanger or can be used as an ornie too. I gave her the one with beaded fringe. The third piece is my December Pagoda below which I modified a lil' bit for extra fling.

December Pagoda for Nancy

And of course, a Christmas exchange won't be complete without some goodies: ribbons, beads, journal, needles, buttons, MOP thread rings, charms, mini-pewter frame, and fabric - not the ones in the photo though as I found better prints in the store so I changed in the last minute.

Christmas Exchange Goodies for Nancy

Lastly, I stitched another pagoda as Christmas gift for a family member. Will keep it a secret for now!

Aside from the above, I also finished a teaching piece and working on some projects for publications. Something that I can't share yet!

After long days of below freezing point weather, we're having a good one today - as of 7AM, it's 26 degrees. Anything above zero is good for me at this time of year... LOL It's deer hunting week for DH and his buddies (8 of them) since last weekend, so needless to say, our kitchen has been filled with hunters since Saturday. DH had to prepare his signature chili on Friday night. He does that every year, kinda like a tradition! T0-date, they only shot 3 deers so we're all hoping they'll be able to fill-in all their tags before the week ends. They need 7 more deers as some of them has double tags.

Are you done shopping gifts? Not in our household, so we might have to do some tomorrow or Saturday!

From snowy Iowa, have a great day everybody!

TGOSM 2009 Ornie Exchange From Las Vegas

I partake in this year's ornament exchange at TGOSM group and Mary from Las Vegas is my partner. I recieved this fabulous package yesterday filled with lovely flatfold and goodies. Thank you so much for everything Mary! I love them all!

Flatfold from Mary

2009 TGOSM Ornament Exchange

Goodies from Mary: Chocolates and Poker Cards

I finally found the other beads I got from Manila (I know there's more... LOL), so here they are. Some of these will be used on my on-going projects. Will talk about it on my next post!

More Yummy Glass Beads from Manila

Have a great stitching day everybody!

Some Finishes And Family Talk

We had to celebrate SIL's birthday more than a week early, last Saturday, as she'll be off to the Twin Cities either tomorrow or Tuesday. Our dear niece, Katie, will have a surgery on the 10th so pelase send some thoughts and prayers for her.

Ont he stitching note, when I saw La-D-Da's ornament on 2009 JCS Ornament issue, I knew I gotta stitch it. I stitch it not only once, but twice already... and I'm working on 3rd. Since I used 28 count linen instead of the recommended higher count, I finished mine as door hangers. But I'm sure they would look great as well on a big christmas tree. Also, I didn't use the recommended thread colors.

Another design from this year's JCS Ornament issue is this Celtic Wreath by The Sunflower Seed. I just need some quick to stitch and finish project so I'll feel I accomplish something.

I really needed those quicky projects so I also stitched this Prairie Schooler's Winter which I had to modify a bit to fit on the box lid. This is DH's favorite (and mine too) amongst my recent finishes. I'm working on a second piece as well! LOL

And lastly, the JBW Christmas Tree I is a must-stitch for me too... working on the companion piece (the second tree). I decided to use the linen I bought from Philippines so I used brighter shade of green so the color will stand out. The other ornie is from Homespun Elegance and the pattern can be found at a JCS Ornament issue as well (forgot what year though... will share later), which I finished as a pocket ornament. Those stuffs sticking out on top are DMC threads.

Well, my dear friends, the above are some of my accomplishments in the last couple of weeks. I stitched and finished those in-between or while working on some teaching pieces! I have more "smalls" made while back home and will share photos of them soon so watch out... I love how they turned out.

Have a great stitching Monday all!

Christmas Package From Laura

FIT Group organized a christmas exchange last September which I partake and Laura is my partner. She sent me a fabulous package that made my heart sing with joy.

We were out when the package arrived, so when I saw this box, I knew right away it has christmas goodies.

Ta-da!!!... this appears when I opened the box. Can you tell that Laura is such a crafty person? She used a pretty (christmas) fabric as giftwrapper then the ornie as gift-tag. Great job Laura!

I'm so proud to be the owner of this lovely ornament. It was beautifully stitched and neatly finish. Thanks Laura!

The revelation of more goodies... A pair of oh-so-pretty pillowcases which I'm pretty sure sewn by Laura. I love the muted colors Laura. Thanks heaps!

A couple of christmas theme charts: Prairie Schooler's 2009 Santa - I have to start collecting the series as I have few of them... and JBW Designs' Christmas Tree Collection I - now already in progress. I had to stithc one of the tree that night... now already finished!

A couple of cute drawsting baggies...

... that contains yummy goodies such as beading needles and beads beads at the red pouch while the other pouch contains cute button, Mill Hill beads and WDW threads for JBW pattern above. Thank you so much again Laura!

Now comes my favorite in the package (I'm allowed to have a fave, right?)... A pair of scissors and "What a hoot?" by The Cat's Whiskers in which Laura did a wonderful job. I can't wait to take this piece with me on my next stitching gt-away.

Thank you so much for this great package that you put together very well Laura! I love everything and I can't wait to use all these goodies soon. I'll surely think of you whenever I use the pillowcases... when the ornie hangs on my tree... and whenever I'll use the cute scissors. It will surely stay at its owl place.

Have a great stitching day everybody!

Sheep MA Exchange From Utah

Another exchange waiting for me is this Sheep MA from MAF Group. My partner is Kayla and she indeed did a wonderful job on the MA she stitched for me. I love this new addition on my collection as well as the goodies inside the envelope.

Thank you so much for this lovely MA Kayla. I haven't tried using Sullivan threads before and I can't wait to use them, as well as the dainty buttons.

Happy stitching!

Halloween Exchange From Jennifer

My blog has been neglected for 2 months already, yet it seems like it's only yesterday the last time I posted. I have so much to write, but I wanna start with the "Halloween Exchange" package from Jen as I was so thrilled when she told me I'm her recipient partner. Since I was out of the country when she mailed the package, I didn't able to open it till I returned over a week ago. This is the first package I opened among the many packages waiting for me.

Jen made a lovely stitched pillow for me with a design from Hillside Sampling called Pickled Pumpkin. Both stitching and finishing are so neat. The finishing fabric coordinated very well with the stitched piece. I wish I can sew as good as you! I love it Jen and I'll surely think of you whenever I put it out.

Whenever we have an exchange at FIT Group, a little someting is included, and this exchange is no exception. Jen pampered me with fabulous halloween goodies: patterns from Sam Sarah and Trail Creek Farm, yummy candies, socks, a cutie violet sponge (which remind me of my newest SIL, as her fave color is violet), swankie hankies, and a thoughtful card.

Thank you so much for this lovely exchange Jen. Everything in the package is highly appreciated. The pillow and goodies surely put a smile on my face...

To see more of Jen's lovely works, do visit her blog here! Will write more later... Happy Stitching!

Halloween/Autumn Exchange For Laura

This is the first time I participated on a Halloween Exchange and I love it. Jen organized it for FIT Group and my partner is Laura. I mailed her package the other day and was recieved today. That was fast ha! I hope you enjoy your smalls Laura.

I have to admit I don't have much patterns for Halloween but I was sure glad I found some Prairie Schooler (which is one of Laura's fave designer) patterns in my stash... the Owl Ornament and Cat Pinkeep. When my 2009 JCS magazine Halloween issue arrived in the mail, I immediately stitched Knotted Tree Needlearts' "Happy Jack" as Laura like pumpkins too.

2009 Halloween/Autumn Exchange for Laura

I can barely recall the stash I put in the package so I grabbed one of the photo Laura shared in the group earlier.

The Extra Goodies: Scissors, Beaded Fob, Ribbon,

Needles, Fabric, Charms, and Googly Eyes

There's another exchange from another group on its way to the recipient but has to travel overseas. I may not be able to participate on an exchange till next year as I have some deadlines to finish till December.

I hope everybody's having agreat stitching weekend!

Open Theme MA From MW Of Malaysia

Aw organized an Open Theme MA for NNC Group and MW happens to be my (sender) partner. I recieved it on Monday, and was mailed as is. As expected with MW's lovelt and neat works, this MA is no exception. Some of the stitching in the main motifs were stitched "one over one", such a tedious work. Per MW's advise, the quaker motif is a freebie from this link.

Open Theme MA from NNC Group

Stitched by MW of Malaysia

Thanks so much for this wonderful MA MA... and many many thanks for all the lovely stash you included. I can't wait to use them in my upcoming projects. If only I can stitch as fast as I can think of a new idea. So many projects, so little time!

Have a wonderful stitching day everybody!

Pumpkin Theme MA From Finland

As mentioned in my other post, only me and Niina signed-up for this exchange... and I recieved my piece yesterday. Thank you so much for this lovely MA you made for me Niina. I love everything in it, specially the card you painted.:)

Pumpkin MA from Niina of Finland

I'm having a lazy Sunday afternoon here, after a full-blast lunch with DH. We had fried chicken, baked potatoes and carrots... with gravy on mine. Very yummy-licious!

I should be stitching right now but my fingers won't work well, so I'll visit some of my fave blogs and forums for a while. Actually, I'm kinda sleepy but I avoid sleeping at daytime coz I end up awake all night long.

Hope everybody's having a great Sunday!

Open Theme MA To Malaysia

It's always a big sigh of relief when I get notified that an exchange going to Malaysia arrived safely. I didn't expect it to arrive till next week as I only mailed it via regular mail.

I chose a quaker block for the main motif then finished it as a sewing roll. It was a quick stitch and I enjoyed every minute putting it together. The inside part has a pocket to hold knick-knacks, MOP thread rings, a couple felt needle pages and a magnetic strip to mind loose needles while stitching. This exchange was organized at NNC, and my recipient partner is Joanne. Hope you enjoy your new MA Joanne!

Open Theme MA for Joanne of Malaysia

Organized at NNC Group

Have a great stitching weekend everybody!

Pumpkin Theme MA To Finland

Just in time for upcoming season and holiday, here's another MA that I didn't able to resist. This is indeed a memorable exchange coz I can't believe it's only me and Niina who signed up.

I mailed her MA last week as is, via regular mail to Finland, yet she recieved it yesterday already. Isn't that so fast?

Pumpkin Theme MA for Niina of Finland

Main Motif: Yikes of Bent Creek

Motif pumpkin from Maryse

Inside filled with Fall color threads and ribbon

This MA is, as always, finished by hand and the finishing is like my traditional checkbook holder case. It's been a while since I used this technique so I thought it would be great on this piece as I planned to mail it as is. Niina advised that my MA from her was already mailed. Now the waiting part.

Have a great stitching day everybody!

Sampler MA From MW Of Malaysia

I recieved this wonderful MA from Margaret last Monday, with various laces inside. I love the design as well as the colors. I can't wait to use the laces for my next project. Thank you so much for this wonderful exchange MW!

Sampler MA from MW of Malaysia

MailArt Friends Group

Sampler MA From Michelle Of Greece

I recieved this MA from Greece yesterday, another MA exchange from MAF Group. Per Michelle's note, the design was from Geranium House of CCN. Isn't it lovely? My partner pampered me with extra stash and a bracelet gift. I just love the colors, and the bracelets goes well with most of my tops as I love earth-tones. Thank you so much for this wonderful exchange Michelle. I love everything you sent me. I can't wait to use the lace and threads.

Sampler MA from Michelle of Greece

MAF Group

Have a great stitching day everybody!

FIT Color Exchange From Rachel...

... was waiting in our doorway when we got home from the State fair earlier, around 4PM. This is the first time I participated on a color exchange and I can attest, it's so much fun. And btw, I chose shades of purple for this exchange.

Once we got in inside the house, I had to rip the box right away. Rachel did a great job in wrapping each item. Here's the first scene:

Followed by lots of smalls packs. My fingers were so itchy to start opening each pack as I know a surprise will be revealed.

The personal supplies: a lovely and perfect size net pouch, gum and candies! All smell yummy-licious and I can't wait to try them all.

The craft supplies: a strand of variegated purple glass beads with a touch of green, a tube of blue moon purple beads, and various trimmings.

The office supplies: a list pad which I badly needed lately specially prior going to grocery store, a ruler which will sit behind me while stitching, various pens, and a post-it pad... all of course in shades of purple!

The knitted scarf: so soft and fluffy! The shape is like a ric-rac trimming. This will be perfect for the upcoming winter.

The dainty box: which I thought at first as a pincushion... LOL but then of course I realized it has something inside, not to mention Rachel advised me about a bracelet... and never did I imagine she made 2. how lucky could I be?

The netted bracelet made of pretty glass seed beads! I already sent n email to rachel earlier that I'll gonna wear this at the "Journey" concert on next next Sunday, last day of the Fair.

And last but not the least, the crocheted spiral rope in two-tone made of E-beads. I've been desperately forcing myself to make one of this last month to the point I stopped trying... coz I can't give my work a spiral look. Me and DH will go back at the Fair next week, and I gotta wear this piece to show it to my students.

Rachel went an extra mile in putting this package together and I'm very thankful for that. Everything is perfect, I couldn't ask for anything more. I can't wait to use all of the above.

Thank you so much for this wonderful exchange Rachel! But most of all, thanks for the friendship. I do appreciate it very much. Same goes to all of you out there, whom I've never met in person yet became my dear friends.

I have a lot other stories and photos to share, from the Fair, but that will wait till tomorrow! Not to mention I noticed that there's a lot of posts again at the EGA Group. I'm trying to read and monitor all the messages there since last month as I find them all interesting.

I hope everybody's having a great stitching week!