Finally hanging up my pieces!

I don't have a large house, and luckily, most of the walls in my house have windows in them. So, I don't have much wall space to hang pictures. My MIL is an artist (I'll have to do a separate post on her work someday), so most of our walls are covered with her work. I've been wanting to hang my framed cross stitch pieces but there has never been a "good" place to hang them up. I decided to hang them in my entry way and just make that wall my "cross stitch wall." We have one of those houses where the front door hardly ever gets used (I know you're not friend or family if you go to the front door!). Everyone comes in the back door by the garage. This space is hardly used and no direct light (it's pretty much in darkness 24/7), so I can use this space and not worry about sun damage either. So, here's the start of my cross stitching wall.

Stitching Bloggers Birthday Club (SBBC)

I just received my birthday package from by SBBC partner. She did an amazing job and sent me some really great birthday treats.

The biscornu, pin keep and scissor fob were all made by her. Her stitching is really good! She sent me three patterns I have been wanting, and also sent the scissors (can you have too many pairs of pretty scissors??), needles and floss. She went way beyond my expectations and I can't thank her enough for her generosity.

A quick note to Edgar for being the host of this exchange. He keeps us all on track and is also able to turn out the most amazing cross stitch I've ever seen. I think he's robo-stitcher! In the time I complete one piece, he's done ten! He's now showing off by framing his own work! He's very inspiring and I always look forward to reading his daily posts.

Favorite Color Swap #3

For this swap, I chose pink and my swap partner did not disappoint me!

She sent me some origami paper in a pattern I don't have, as well as that gorgeous piece of fabric that everything is laying on! She also included an embroidery hoop, the likes of which I've never seen before. I've stitched so many initials for family and friends yet I've never stitched my own. I think this unique hoop is going to get a pretty, pink "H"! She also sent a small cross stitch pattern which will now be put in my travelling tote bag. It's the perfect size to take out and work on...anywhere. And last, but not least, what stitching gal has ever had too much floss? Thank you for sending such a great package.

Favorite Color Swap #3 - Round 2 swap

I'm really becoming addicted to swap-bot. If you love getting (snail) mail like I do, it's the ultimate pleasure. I just received a package and I chose purple as my color choice (trying to step away from the pink for a minute, still crave the pink, but I thought I would choose a different color). Here's all the wonderful things I received.

So much fun! I can't wait for my other swaps to arrive. I made the mistake of not taking photos of what I sent to my partners. I'm hoping they will post photos when they receive their goodies so I can steal some pictures.

ATC Swap

Last night I finished my ATC (Artist Trading Card) for my swap partner. I really wanted to incorporate my love of cross stitch into my design and I used a quote that summed up my feelings about stitching. "All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle." (Ellen Wheaton, 1851) Isn't that statement so true? When you stitch, it gives you that moment to pause from your hectic life. I always feel calmer after I've done some stitching. I even stitched right on the paper (it turned out to be easier than I thought!).

Watercolor paper, using a wash of colors for the background

Orange DMC floss used on heart

Swap-bot: ATC's for Beginners & Newbies

Title of ATC: Why I Stitch, June 2009

Cross Stitch Book - I'm in love...

Have you seen this book yet?

I subscribe to the U.K. magazine, Cross Stitcher, and in this month's issue, I noticed a small write-up about this book. I decided to take a chance and see if I could get a copy through Amazon (I didn't want to have to pay U.K. rates or international shipping costs). Well, Amazon itself didn't carry it, but the Amazon Marketplace did AND the sellers were located in the U.S. It was $20 (with shipping, the total was $24) and I've wasted 20 bucks on much less, so...I ordered it.

It arrived yesterday and I have been in heaven ever since!

There is plenty of cross stitch and embroidery patterns. Lots of small motifs (which I'm always looking for). Great ideas for upcoming exchanges and quick gift ideas. The book is divided into three sections (red, white and blue) and the themes cover holidays, seaside, country, hearts, flowers, children, sewing, fairies, animals, etc. The list goes on.

I've been thinking about Christmas ornaments for this year, and I've already picked out the pattern I will be using.

If you end up getting this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Happy sewing!

A little bit of stitching

I haven't been in the stitching mood for the last month, but I decided that over the holiday weekend I would do one little project. Check that off my list. I'm not sure where I'm going to put it, maybe in the kitchen as a reminder to my guys that we are a team - one for all and all for one!

I'm still in my "use what I have" phase, and I'm trying to use up all my old fabric. Luckily I don't have too much and I do see that I'm making a dent in the stash.

Design from Donna Kooler's 555 Cross Stitch Sampler Motifs

22 count hardanger, 5 inch hoop