A Christmas Finish

I completed a gift card holder/ornament for my step-son, Brian. Since he isn't joining us for Christmas this year, I wanted his Gift Card to arrive in style.

The holder an pattern are from Stoney Creek from their Winter 2013 magazine.

The pattern called for DMC colors and Mill Hill 03049 beads.

Once completed, I glued the back pieces and created the pouch.

Update on a Round Robin

The Round Robin that I worked on for a friend, is now leaving South Africa.  Prior to me, Evening Primrose was stitched in the bottom, I stitched Waterlily to the left, and now Winter Faerie with a more Spring coloring is included.  None of us can wait to see what will be added next.

Some purchases and a WIP

I'll start with my WIP.  I am making another Gadsden Flag, and I'm really hoping to have it ready in time to be a Christmas present.  Why do I always procrastinate??  I know what I want to make people for Christmas gifts, but I put it off and then stress myself out at the holidays.  Well, this one has a different fabric than the other, so it's a darker yellow.

I also made a rather large purchase from Gina Figueroa - her FOBS and needle minders are gorgeous!  I could not help myself especially since I have the new Gingher's in Sharon.  She made the white flower one specifically for it after seeing a picture.  

Well, now I have one more FOB than scissors, so I just MUST find a new pair of scissors that I like to house it.  The Audrey one is definitely going on the Ella Ginghers!!  Such a beautiful match!  I couldn't resist The Grinch! I have no idea what I will do with him. The needle minders are fun, and I really love having them. 

The Needle Minder I purchased from an Etsy store is actually spoiling me, however. It was custom made out of clay, and there is a notch in the middle for the needle.  I have not lost it at all since using it!!  

I am now equipped to have numerous WIPs on the scroll rods and enough needle minders to keep them on each WIP and not have to transfer them around.  Yay!

It's Home!!

My Song of the Seasons returned home yesterday.  I had sent it to Jill Rensel for framing, and she and her staff once again amazed me with their work!!

It arrived packaged amazingly well.  Everything was bubble-wrapped, cardboard everywhere and then wrapped again.  One day, I will not be so excited for a shipment from her and I will photograph how well everything is put together for shipping.

I had asked Jill for something "fatigued" that would give the piece a type of instant vintage look.  I think she found the perfect frame for it!

I have hung it in the living room so that it is visible to anyone allowed in the home.  I love this project, and I am so glad that I was able to complete it and send it out for Jill to frame.

On a side note - the hubby and I learned a valuable lesson.  Language acquisition is not only important but vital.  We have shared our limited knowledge of our family's native German, but I failed to allow my girls to READ in the language.  So, the middle daughter had a fit when she was reading that the Koehler Family should "DIE".  "Why do you want our family to die?!?!"  She could NOT understand why I was laughing so hard.  I had to explain the language again and then she calmed down.  

Round Robin - finished

I finished Waterlily for my friend's RR.  I will be pulling it off the rods today and then carefully package them up for their next trip.

The one really cool thing is that I have Waterlily in my stash for myself, and I learned a lot about the pattern while doing this portion. Yay! Hopefully, she'll be a quick stitch for me in 2014!

Post-script:  The next one in line for the RR, Nikki, took a picture of the entire piece thus far and sent it to me so I could show it off.

November IHSW

My goodness!!  Where has this year gone?!  I cannot believe that we're already posting for November.  I'm a wreck because I am almost positive that my Christmas stitching will not get done in time. Since I am a horrible procrastinator, I guess it's par for the course.

This weekend, my mission is to complete my portion of a Round Robin so I can send it off to the next person.  I have had it {gasp} for over a month.  Ugh!  Here was where I left off on Waterlily in my section:

I have no idea why my skins always look so untidy, but I have continued to try to make this as pretty of a piece as possible.  

I didn't actually get her done, but I made really good progress on Waterlily.  I cannot wait to stitch her in her entirety for myself!!

Round Robin

I have found a group of women with whom I can create and work on Round Robins!!  I am so excited to give this a try, and I am even happier that I was finally able to finish my own fabric to prepare for mine to be shipped out.

The last two weeks saw me with a horrible cold, so it was too difficult for me to stitch - I would have frogged everything since I was too dizzy to sit up.  I managed to work and get my job done, but then I would crash at the end of the day.  So, finishing this (Finally!) was a very cool accomplishment.

The fabric is by Stephanie and is called Ice Goddess.  It is 28 count Opal Lugana.  I used Valdani M-49, Subtle Elegance for the borders because I wanted a lace-look and feel to the piece.

Each stitcher is given free reign on the piece.  I have told everyone that I want them to pick something that is their favorite or best represents them.  

Happy Squeeee!!!  Now, this piece is off to it's first destination - South Africa!!