'Old Man Winter' made one last attempt.....

and we woke up to this beautiful (not!!!) sight in our backyard last Saturday. Thankfully it melted away by the end of the day and hasn't returned.

There is a barbecue buried under that mound of snow on the left.

Now on to more pleasant topics. As I mentioned awhile back I decided to join the Spring/Easter Exchange hosted by Elaine of Lainey's Stitching Hoose. She has set up this blog - Stitched With Love Exchanges to display all the lovely packages everyone sent out. The following is what I received from Nataly.



Isn't the pin cushion she made just darling. The beads at the corners are shaped like the flowers in the design.


I am using the pail that originally contained the chocolate eggs, jelly beans as an ort collector.

This is what I sent Nataly.


I made a scissor case using a pattern by Marie-Anne Rethoret-Melin. I had the butterfly button in my stash and I found the butterfly scissors at Anita's Little Stitches.


Wednesday evening I put the final touches on the Bluebird's Message (Loose Feathers Pattern #23) by Blackbird Designs.

It is stitched with WDW floss and on 30ct French Vanilla by R & R Reproductions.

I decided that even though my neice is not getting married until September of 2012 that I had better get started on the Bride's Tree Ornaments in order to have them done in time. This is my progress so far.


I have started the box top first. (I haven't decided yet whether or not to purchase the wooden box used in the leaflet or to use a decorative cardboard box I already have in my possession.)


I am currently collecting the Bride's Tree Ornaments form Brooke's Books Publishing. I have 3 out of the 4 currently available. I figure I shoud be prepared if my other neice gets married.

On a final note I thought I would mention that I have decided to take on another Mystery SAL. It is called Birds of A Feather by With Thy Needle & Thread designs by Brenda Gervais. It starts in May and I can't wait. It looks very intriquing.

Take care and have a good Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally Back to Stitching

I haven't been stitching much lately so I haven't had too much to post outside of my stash acquisitions (I think I need to go on a stash diet soon.) However, this week I am finally am getting into the groove again and I actually made a finish. It is a another Christmas ornament.

MH16-8301 Frosty © 2008 Mill Hill

I am currently working on LHN's 2010 Ornament - All is Calm. This was one of my starts in the Crazy January Challenge . I am hoping to have it finished by the end of the week.

The accessory pack for the VS Bride Tree Ornaments (Christmas Treasures) arrived in the mail today so I am anxious to start on them now. Is there a cure for "startitis"????????? If not, I am doomed!!!!!

While I was typing this post, I received an e-mail from Elaine with the name of my partner for the Spring/Easter Exchange. So that is another thing I will need to start (and finish by April 4th). I did some browsing late this afternoon and I think I have found what I want to stitch. I just need to get the fabric and the threads together.

Well that is it for now. Take care and happy stitching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Sale, More Stash

Who can resist a sale especially when it is a Needlework sale? My favourite LNS Kathryn's Stitching Studio had 25% off of fabric, thread, charts/leaflets and beads this weekend. I resisted buying any more charts/leaflets but did buy 3 pieces (18" x 27") of fabric - 28ct Autumn Blush Lugana, 28ct Purple Jazlyn and 28ct white Lugana, Kreinik BF 002 (for a project), and 2 WDW threads - Love & Romance (just because they are the perfect colours for the month of February and also quite pretty). The DMC floss was purchased at Michaels.


I love the Purple Jazlyn (although it is looking more bluish on my screen). Purple is one of my favourite colours. I am not sure what I will stitch on it (any suggestions?????) but I couldn't resist purchasing it since it was on sale. I am very picky with over-dyed/hand-dyed fabrics. I don't like the ones with too much colour contrast but the subtle mottling of the Autumn Blush is beautiful. The salesclerk told me that I have to show her what I stitch on these fabrics and I looked at her and said "That may take a few years." She said she was careful not to put a time frame on the request as she is in the same boat.

Although I didn't make any chart/leaflet purchases today, I have made some recent purchases. First I purchased the Victoria Sampler Christmas Treasures Collection. It is something I thought I would like to stitch if either of my nieces or my nephew decided to get married and since my eldest niece got engaged 2 days before Christmas, I am now going to do it. I am just waiting for the Accessory pack to arrive in the mail. The wedding is planned for September of 2012 so I figure I have enough time to complete all the ornaments.

I am also anxiously waiting for the first of the 2011 LHN Christmas Ornaments "Cardinal Winter" to arrive in the mail. I signed up for the Automatic Shipment program (including fabric) at Down Sunshine Lane. I was informed a week ago Thursday that it was in the mail.

So much to stitch, so little time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Stitching!!!!!