Christmas Box for Lynn B.

 Here's the box that I created for Lynn B. in the HOE Christmas Box Exchange 2011:

Chart: an adaptation of Christmas Pattern #17, by The Floss Box

 Stitched with overdyed & DMC floss on 32ct. antique blue(?) linen

I painted a lightweight wooden craft box Christmas red, then brushed Mod Podge on the sides and the bottom. The "snowball" trim was a lucky find of a couple of months back. I then filled it with an assortment of goodies that I thought she might not find in England.
Happy stitching!

A Reindeer Ornament

 Christmas Pattern #17, by The Floss Box ($1.75 PDF)

stitched with overdyed and DMC floss on 32ct. antique blue(?) linen

Edgar received the ornament I sent him in the HOE Christmas Ornament Exchange 2011, so I can finally show you a picture of it. Emily's patterns are really cute and fun to stitch. I have a good supply of them still yet to stitch.

Happy stitching!

Christmas Box Received

This is the wonderful box that I received from Lucy H. in the HOE Christmas Box Exchange. She transformed a shoebox with this design from By The Bay Needleart.

 This is a photo of the contents: a bag of assorted teas & coffee; "Santa Paws" chart by Twisted Threads; a 7"X9" piece of linen; two fat quarters; a framing hoop; DMC tapestry needles #26; a pkg. of snowman buttons; a book about Christmas; and a handmade needlecase that looks like a Christmas ball ornament when unfolded. See below:

I will treasure this beautifully finished box. Thanks so much, Lucy!

Bent Creek's Sparkle

I stitched "Sparkle," by Bent Creek, for Gaby M. in the HOE Perpetual Christmas Ornament Exchange (Snowman Round). I forgot to take a photo of my own, so you can see him here. It's such a cute design. I have enough mushroom Lugana  and required floss left over to make myself one.

My BBD Fair & Square

These are the squares that I stitched for Nancy K. for the Fair and Square designer-specific exchange. This motif was taken from Blackbird Design's "Rose Garden," one of the Rewards of Merit. I added the BBD signature blackbird.

They are stitched with Dinky Dyes dusty rose silk thread, on 32ct. Belfast white linen.

My Prairie Schooler Exchange

This is the bourse that I made for Cindy D. for the Seasonal Prairie Schooler Exchange on the HOE blog. She chose "summer" for her exchange item. This shows the bourse ready to be mailed. I chose a nautical-themed cotton fabric and rope to match the charted design.

This is the inside stitched area of the bourse. It is from "Summer," by The Prairie Schooler," and is stitched with DMC on 32ct. mushroom Lugana.

I got this wonderful stitching aid and it has helped me immensely!

Halloween Exchange from Verona

This is the great ornament that I received from Verona in the HOE Halloween Exchange 2010. I am so happy to receive this, because it saves me the time of making it! It's from the Just Cross Stitch 2010 Halloween Ornament issue, and it is by Blue Ribbon Designs.

She enclosed some beautiful Victorian Sampler overdyed floss.

Thank you, Verona!

Pinkeep for Aubree

I received word that Aubree's pinkeep arrived safely. This was for the HOE "For The Birds" Exchange (2010).

This design  is a freebie from Berthi Smith-Sanders.  It is on 32ct. linen, and I changed some of the colors. The top is finished with a ribbon rose.

Here is the reverse:

"For The Birds" Received

I received this pretty bird-themed biscornu from Ina. She enclosed a pretty card of greeting and wrapped everything in the sea urchin fabric. Isn't it a fine piece of stitching? It is accented with tiny green seed beads.

The reverse is here:

I added it to my basket of biscornus.

ABC for April K.

I was informed that my  HOE ABC Exchange package to April K. was received at last. Unfortunately, it seems that the enclosed postcard was missing. The whole thing is very strange because I sealed that Priority Mail flat-rate box with good quality packing tape.

I think that I had sent her a special greeting card as well.

Anyway, here is a photo of the stitched piece on the cover of a hard-bound writing journal.  I sewed the journal cover in coordinating fabric and then appliqued the cross-stitched mini sampler onto it. I embroidered a green stem stitch border around it to disguise the edge.

The pattern is from an old Piecework magazine. I'll post the creator later.

Where Is My ABC?

My partner hasn't posted anything about receiving the (HOE) ABC Exchange that I stitched for her. I mailed it June 21st.

It was going domestic, not international. If I have to stitch something else, I will, but I cannot duplicate the thing I sent her. I did take a picture before I packed it.

I've stitched several items lately, so I'll post photos later today.

My Coussinet for Juliette

This is the pumpkin-shaped pincushion that I embroidered for Juliette on missfil's Coussinet Exchange. It was my first attempt at such a shape. I embroidered motifs that were taken from the bottom fabric--bees, flowers, and dragonflies. I added our first initials.

It is odd that I received the same shape of pincushion in exchange!

ABC Exchange from Ina

Here is the Fa La La pinkeep that I received from Ina in the HOE ABC Exchange. It is a beautiful design done in overdyed floss. The backing fabric is very pretty.

Groetjies, Ina!

Coussinet Exchange from France

This is the packet of goodies that I received from Sabine in the coussinet exchange on missfil's blog.

She sent me not one, but two, pincushions, some pins, a postcard of an embroidered map of her region (departement de l'Ain), a sack of chocolate "rocks," some lovely hand-dyed floss, and issue #33 of Mains et Merveilles, which is an absolutely gorgeous French embroidery magazine.

Merci beaucoup, Sabine!

ABC Exchange in Progress

I'm working on my ABC Exchange project for the HOE blog. I started a one-color design, then decided that I'd keep that one for myself.

The new design uses several brands of threads, some overdyed, and I like it much better. I need to finish and mail it by the end of this week because we are going on a short vacation (to visit relatives) next week.

Finished Pincushion/Cousinnet Exchange

I finished my pincushion, which was for the cousinnet exchange on a French blog-- Missfil. I made a shape that was a first for me. I hope the recipient likes it. I will post pictures as soon as I hear that it is received.

My Winter House for Melissa

This is the pinkeep that I stitched for Melissa for the HOE 2010 Winter House Exchange. It is part of LHN's "Snowflakes" and it is a combination of DMC and Carrie's Creation floss on 32ct. Smokey Pearl Belfast linen.

The fence looks redder than it actually is.I filled in the letters of "winter" because it did not show up well enough unfilled (as charted).

Red Exchange from Nic

This is the Red Exchange that I received from Nic on the HOE blog. The pattern is "Stitcher's Heart." It's sitting in my potted rosemary bush surrounded by the accompanying goodies, minus the chocolate malted milk balls that were consumed in a flash.

Halloween Treat Bag

This is the Halloween treat bag that I stitched for Edgar in the HOE Halloween exchange. It is "By The Light of The Moon," a freebie from The Primitive Needle. It is done with a combination of DMC and Carrie's Creations threads on a hand-dyed linen(don't know the count). The handles are black grosgrain ribbon.

I found some great Halloween fabric and created the bag. I added a cross-stitched commemorative label on the inside. Adding initials (or names) and dates makes needlework more valuable for the future. Plus, we get to remember our stitching buddies every time we look at their creations.

I just love this design and want to stitch a bag for myself.

I thought my daughter mailed this Priority mail and was worried because it hadn't arrived. She just told me it was sent Parcel Post.

The Summer House Arrived . . .

down under.

You can see the Summer House photo book that I sent to Gabi on her blog.