My last finishes for 2010....

La D Da "Live Laugh Love"

stitched on 28ct linen

I stitched late into the night Tuesday night to finish this one.  I really like the finished piece and will display it in my bedroom... matches my the thread choices perfectly.  I saw that Hobby Lobby had their frames 50% off so I ran in there today to find the perfect frame...  matches our furniture perfectly.  I still need to put the hanger on it and it will be ready to hang.

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Amy was nice enough to play hooky from work on Wednesday and I spent the day stitching with her.   I picked up this cute freebie from The Stitcherhood and got a lot done surprisingly.  Amy made some yummy treats and let me do some shopping at DSL!    

The Stitcherhood freebie "Winter"

Stitched on 25 ct. evenweave

Amy suggested stitching it in blue and I think that might be a good project for tonight.  I probably would have finished this at Amy's but we got distracted looking at all of her UFO/WIP (what beauties she has)...she was trying to find her q-snaps!  Amy's doing the

"Up for a Challenge" and hopes to finish 5 this next year.  After hyperventilating at the number of WIPS she has, I regained my composure and vowed I will offer my encouragement each

month so she can meet her goal! 

( Don't worry Faye....I'm watching you too!)

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Thanks for visiting and all of your nice comments on my last finish!  I love reading them!   Well...I'm off to stitch.  Happy stitches ...

BC "Cottage in the Sticks".....

BC "Cottage in the Sticks"

32 ct. black w/ DMC

Another 2010 UFO bites the dust!  I fell in love with this 1996 design as soon as a I saw it but lost interest  after starting...that darn black fabric, house and border were driving me crazy!  It sat unattended all summer and I decided I shouldn't go into 2011 with it still hanging.  Out it came last weekend and I spent the entire day Sunday stitching it....and actually enjoyed it. 

(It was like starting a book I just couldn't get into and then later can't put it down.  Ever happen to you????) 

Not quite sure what I am going to do with it....hubby doesn't care for the black fabric so not sure whether it will get framed eventually or not.  The important thing is its finished !

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Well...I only have "Live Laugh Love" (from this year) sitting in my stitching basket and I would love to finish it before the new year too.  Since Tuesday is my SAL day for this one, I should be able to finish today.  Before I will allow myself to stitch, I must organize my little space, which is strewn with paper, ribbon, fabric, thread....you know what I am talking about!  The quicker I get to it the quicker I can stitch so I guess I better get busy! 

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Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and had some stitching time! 

Exchange for Michele....

Well...first I hope everyone had a great

Christmas

full of fun, fellowship and neat stitchy stuff!

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CHS "Merry Christmas"
stitched on WDW 30 ct Straw w/ Victorian Motto thread

 Michele received her last Stitching Friends Exchange on Christmas Eve and I was relieved to here it made it just in time for Christmas.  I have had so much fun stitching for her this year and thought this little pillow would be a great reminder of this exchange. 



"M" is for Michele

I love scrapbook paper and decided I would make an altered initial for Michele.  I love brown and red together....hope Michele does too!  (As for the other goodies, I am a "lazy" shopper so I decided a gift certificate to Down Sunshine Lane would be the perfect thing!)

Michele and I have been stitching partners numerous times through various exchanges and I do hope I get to stitch for her again.   It was certainly a joy to share this year with her!

 

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Thanks for visiting and hope you have had a very merry Christmas!  Wishing many happy moments of stitching bliss!



Last exchange from Kim B......

Waiting in my mailbox today was my last package for the Stitching Friends exchange from Kim .....

all neatly wrapped in this festive paper....

was this great ornament she stitched for me and I

couldn't wait to add it to my tree!  I just love the little bell detail at the bottom.

I love way she finished the back and personalized the ribbon on the back with our names.  

Isn't that the neatest idea?  Just love it.....

She also included these goodies which will be put to good use but when I saw this goodie I was giddy like a school girl....

I just love Lizzie Kate and couldn't believe she had sent me this older design, which I don't have!  This will definitely be stitched soon!

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Thanks Kim for such a great year of exchanges and I treasure all of the stitched goodies!

SALs and Crazy Challenges.....

La D Da "Live Laugh Love"

Here is my progress for my SAL with Lee during the last two Tuesdays.  I'm making pretty good progress for one day a week.  I promise I am not using neon green as it appears in the pic! 

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Well...here is my list for the 2011 Crazy January Challenge and I can't wait to see if I have the same as some of the others!  The best part is I will be ready for the 2012 version of WIP challenge if I don't finish them all!

CHS -- Americana

BBD -- Moon Garden

BBD -- Their Song

BBD -- Autumn Silhouette

BOAF -- Bitter Flower Sampler

DT -- Real Roses

BBD -- Sunflower House

Primitve Needle -- Dampy Sod

Goode Huswife -- In a Bee Man's Garden

Goode Huswife -- The Bird Tree

Goode Huswife -- Tree of Life

Goode Huswife -- Peacock Sampler

BBD -- It's Berry Time

CHS -- Her Sampler

CHS -- Frederick

Well....I think that will do it!  I do want to start with a clean slate so I plan to pick up one my UFOs started this summer, Bent Creek's Cottage in the Sticks.  I would love to finish this one before the new year.

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Thanks for visiting my small space in the universe and for all of your wonderful comments on my ornaments. 

I hope you all have a great holiday season!

December ornaments....

My last installment of my Me, Myself & I ornament exchange.....

Sampler Girl "Early American Motif Ornament"-JCS 2009

Log Cabin Needlework's "Noel"--freebie

Primrose Needleworks "Faith, Hope & Peace"--JCS 2010

It was hard to narrow down my December choices, but I had some help from some friends. I had started the Sampler Girl ornament because I love primitive designs.   Faye was stitching the "Faith, Hope, Love" ornament last weekend at the stitch-in and I just had to come home and stitch it too.  I never really noticed it because of the colors in the model, but after seeing Faye's numerous variations, I decided to change the colors too.  What a novel idea!!!!  Lastly, I just needed one more and Sandy's freebie was just perfect.  I did change the colors for what I had closeat hand.  I also used some cute little buttons I had forthe flowers.  I love the way it turned out. 

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My prized stitch ornaments!

Did I really finish all these????

Well...here are most of them.  I couldn't remember all 33 I had at the time when I took the picture but this is the majority.  It was nice seeing them all together and ready to go on the trees.

Little tree in my kitchen....definitely my favorite.

Our big tree....pretty simple!

We collect Christopher Radko ornaments so hubby decided I would have to hang "my ornaments" after he hung those to make sure he enough room.  I love them too since we have collected them from our first Christmas together so I was happy to oblige.  Maybe one day I will become very industrious and put up my "own" big tree with just stitched ornaments.....we'll see!

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Playing with paper

Lastly I will leave you with some altered letters I made a couple of years ago.   I covered some wooden letters with scrapbook paper, ribbons and stickers.   I put magnets on the back so I could put them on my 'fridge... I still love them.

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Thanks for all of your wonderful comments over the last year as you obliged my monthly posting!  I do appreciate you taking the time to visit and leave a comment.  I do hope you are having a great holiday season with family and friends!

La D Da "Live Laugh Love" SAL....

Stitched on 28 ct linen w/ DMC 3750,

ST Dark Chocolate, and Victorian Motto Green 

Lee (Lake Stitcher) was looking for a SAL partner for this great design and I decided to get this one going.   I started a few weeks ago but have been lazy in posting a pic so I finally took one tonight.....three weeks worth of stitching.  I want to display this in my bedroom so I swapped the red for a blue and chose a more "mossy" green.  It took some stitching and frogging to find the right blue, but I am happy with this color combo.    

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I'm sure many of you have seen the  Crazy January Challenge 2011 and I think I like it!!!  I have so much stash I want to stitch and thought this is just perfect to get my rear in gear.   I have gone through my stash and pulled the 15 designs I think I want to stitch.  Most are large in size (for me at least) so it will be unlikely I will finish them all in a year but I plan to give it the old college try! 

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Amy is hosting another stitch-in in Manning this Saturday at the French Hen and it will be fun to spend some time with stitching friends!  I almost forgot....Amy has also started a new blog for Down Sunshine Lane so go check it out if you haven't already!  She is has already posted some "blog specials" so you don't want to miss anymore!

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Well....I am off to dreamland.   Happy stitching....



November Ornaments.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well...it's time for this month's ornament exchange with me, myself & I. 

Cherished Stitches "Christmas Joy Needlebook design"--
JCS Ornament 2009

Cherished Stitches "Christmas Joy Pinkeep design"--
JCS Ornament 2010

Shepherds' Bush "Be Merry"

I just love this month's selection.  I stitched the "Be Merry" for the Pals Fall Fling ornament exchange and loved it so I decided to stitch another for myself.  Ironically, the other two I picked at random and was surprised when I started them that the were by the same designer.   I didn't realize until now they are coordinating pieces...guess I'm not very observant while I stitch! I do love them, though, and hope to stitch again both for their intended uses. 
Well..."we" only have one more month of exchanging and I hope to get an early start so that I can enjoy December's ornaments on this month's tree.  Can't wait to get all of my ornaments together so stay tuned for a pic soon!

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A toast to a wonderful day!

I also want to wish a very happy birthday to my hubby, who celebrated yesterday!  We will continue the celebration in Clemson this weekend as we meet our instate football rivals.  I have ordered up a win for his birthday and am hoping they can deliver! 

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As always...thanks for visiting and all of your great comments.   I do enjoy reading them and thank you for taking your time to share. I do hope you have a great holiday weekend with many happy stitches!

La D Da's "Freebee - One Two"....

La D Da's "Freebee - One Two"

Stitched on coffee-dyed 28 ct. linen with WDW Red Pear

I love pink and brown together and couldn't resist this fabric.  I really wanted to use it and thought this design would be cute finished with it.  This was a quick stitch, although it did confirm my suspicions that I hate stitching alphabets and words.  (I guess it is the constant stop/start activity that gets on my nerves.)  I really like the way it turned out and this one will keep me company in my little craft room. 

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  Well...I think I will spend some time this evening with my stash.   The end of the year always puts me in the mood to take stock of what I have and make a plan for the new stitching year.  I rarely stick with this plan but it has become a holiday tradition for me to do this so and I think I will start a little early this year! 

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Thanks for visiting and all of your comments.  I really do love reading them and appreciate you taking the time to do so!  Hope you are having a great stitching weekend....

Couple of finishes.....

  I have these two darling finishes to share....

"Merry Christmas" freebie -- Threadworks Primitive

Nan at Threadwork Primitives offered this sweet freebie and nothing says Christmas to me more than bright red and mossy green....I just love these colors together.  I picked up the fabric last weekend at Joann's during their Veteran's Day sale and just had to use them so I picked my fibers to match.  I just love the way it turned out and will definitely go back to get more of this red fabric....especially before it goes off sale!

"Simplify" freebie -- Primitivebettys

Don't you just love this freebie from primitivebettys?  I picked  this  fabric up in Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago and just couldn't wait to use it. I decided I would modify the fibers to match and love it too!  I just love the message in this one and the good thing is it matches our decor so it will definitely be on display all year round.

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Well...I am off to stitch another freebie, La D Da's "Free-bee One Two".  I picked up the cutest pink/brown plaid fabric so hopefully I will have another finish this weekend.    I already have my next project ready to go.  I am starting a SAL with Lee (Lake Stitcher) on Tuesday and we will be stitching La D Da's "Live Laugh Love".  I have been stitching smalls lately and this will be my first "big girl" project in quite a while so I am excited to get this one going.

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I hope you are all having a great stitching weekend, and, as always, thanks for visiting!

Remembering our veterans....

I often take for granted the sacrifice of our military's time, and sometimes lives, that allows me to enjoy even the simplest freedoms  As we remember our veterans today, I thought I would share some pics from Clemson University's Military Appreciation Day held Saturday during the Clemson/NC State game.  Clemson was a military school up until the 1950's and is very proud of its students and alumni who have served our country.

Four F-16 jets from Shaw Air Force Base flew over the stadium

 a few minutes before the kickoff of the game. 

The crew included some Clemson alumni.

Preparing to run down the hill.

Clemson Corp of Cadets

More than 70,000 spectators were in silent as a

helmet, boots and wreath were placed on the field.

Following a salute by members of the Pershing Rifles team,

the Tiger Band played taps. A very solemn, humbling moment.

Families of 28 fallen soldiers from South Carolina.

LK Exchange for Elisa....

LK "Good Things"
stitched on 28 ct. linen w/DMC

I heard from Elisa that she received my LK Exchange for round 6.  I did change the colors in this one and love the pinks, mauves and green, although they may be a little "springy" for this time of year.  Elisa likes it too and I am happy she doesn't already have this one stitched. 

Thanks for visiting...happy stitching.

Breath of fresh fall.....

Ahhh....I just love fall and it has finally hit South Carolina this weekend.  The crisp cool mornings and pleasant, sunny afternoons the past two days have been very invigorating!  I was even motivated to clean my craft room and put away all the "stuff" strewn about the last few months.  My charts are all filed away nicely, my threads are neatly organized and my pending exchanges are finished! 

And...what happened to the clocks "falling" back last night???  I was so looking forward to that "extra" hour.  Oh well....I guess the extra evening sunlight will be compromise enough.

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While had my sewing machine out, I decided I would finish this freebie I stitched a few weeks ago. 

 LK "Noel" freebie

stitched on 14 ct. aida w/ DMC

I changed the colors to make it a little "brighter" and I love the blue and red together.  They are not "conventional" but a nice change from the norm.  I can't show anymore until my exchange partner gets a first glimpse.  I am now off to do some"big girl" stitching. 

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I will leave you with a pic of my "warlock" as he relaxes before the evening's busy festivities...

happy halloween....

Pals Fall Fling....

 Oh my gosh....this year's fling was great but too short for me.  Amy from Cross Stitch Pals always does a fantastic job and this year was no exception. Although it started on Wednesday, I couldn't arrived until Friday night. 
(Can't figure out why my boss had a problem
with me taking a 3-week vacation...oh well!)  
 I did get there just in time for the evening festivities which included some exchanges. Here is my loot from the Grab Bag Exchange, which was full of stitching goodies...

From Teresa-TN

I wish I had taken pictures of some of the containers....it is amazing how creative some stitchers can be!

The registration packet was full of great goodies and we received so many wonderful freebies all throughout the weekend....

I also got to meet some great blogging buddies including Michele and Karen.  They are so sweet in person and treated me with this cute little pin cushion, pins and scissor fob. 

After a full day of shopping, laughing and stitching, we had the stitched exchange Saturday night.  I found the cutest freebie on the web and decided to make a needlebook....

Front of needlebook

Design: "Needles & Scissors"  freebie
Designer: Sandy in MT

Log Cabin Designs

Inside of needlebook....I just love the little stitching motifs.

I was excited that my stitched piece went home with Judy, another SC stitcher who was there with her sister, Donna.  Both were a joy to be around and I had a great time laughing and stitching with them.

I was fortunate enough to receive both of these lovely items from Doris who travelled all the way from Wyoming...

I just love the little drawstring bag that she made to keep the needleroll safe during the exchange.  This will definitely go into my stitching bag to house some of my little stitching tools...

Though I had my camera, I just couldn't put my stitching down long enough to take pics!  I will leave you with a few that I did manage to capture...

View from our room at the Springmaid Resort..weather was perfect!

It was a beautiful weekend spent with some great stitching friends, both old and new.

Donna and Judy
(Both of you should be blogging!)

Me, Nicole, Yvonne (aka Yvonka)  and Faye (aka Phey)

Linda P...where are you????  She definitely kept us in "stitches" Friday night.

Shhhhhh.......We all know how fast a stitcher Nicole is and I think I found her secret. Two pairs of magnifiers!  Now we know how someone can finish one of the Hawk's Runs in just a few days!

She's so good she only needs one hand to stitch!

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Well...if you made it this far, thanks for hanging in there.  Make sure you check out some of the other blogs since many have posted a lot pics from the weekend.  Amy has already set the dates for next year so go ahead and mark your calendars!  Happy stitching...

Me, Myself & I October exchange with a twist....

Here is my monthly ornament exchange but I have a little twist this month.  I stitched two ornaments for the Pal Fall Fling ornament exchange.....

"Poinsettia" Cross Stitch & Country Crafts



 SB "Be Merry"

 

Since I knew I would get two ornaments from Pals, I decided I would count them in October's ornaments along with a cute LK freebie I stitched....

LHN "Frosty Flakes" stitched by Nicole

"Happy Holidays stiched by Char-OH

LK "Joy" freebie stitched by me!

I love the two ornaments I picked and can't wait to add them to the ornaments I received last year.

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Well...I will be back later with some more pics from this past weekends Pals Fall Fling! 

Thanks for visiting my space on the web! 

Happy stitching....

Fair & Square exchange from Linda....

I received another amazing exchange in the mail this weekend....

"Broom Hilda" by Brenda Gervais

Just love the button detail!

Linda B (no blog but should obviously have one!) was my partner for the Halloween F&S exchange and we decided to go ahead and finish our stitched pieces.  I was blown away when I opened this goodie!  Linda picked the perfect design for me and it is stitched over one!  She did a great job finishing and I am pleased as punch to have it!!!

 

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I got back earlier from the Pals Fall Fling and had a blast.  I will share pics later. I think this little beauty deserves a post all by itself don't you??? 

Hope you had a great stitchy weekend too!

LK Exchange from Elisa....

Waiting in my mailbox today was my LK Exchange from Elisa.  I have not stitched this design and so I am happy to add it to my collection!  She did a great job finishing it and I am glad the holiday season is around the corner so I can display it.

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Well I'm off to the Pals Fall Fling this weekend in Myrtle Beach.  It is going to great seeing some old stitching friends and meeting so many new ones.  Thanks to the world of blogging, I feel like I already know them so well!  There are some wonderful exchanges planned so I am off to get those packaged.  Most importantly, I still need to pack my stitching bag....decisions decisions!

Happy stitching this weekend.....

Another LK Santa finish......

"Here Comes Santa Claus"--Santa '05

stitched on 18 ct aida w/DMC

I started this on our return trip home and finished it this weekend.  I just love these LK Santas and hope to finish stitching the rest of them next year.

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Here are just a few more pics of our recent trip.  As you can imagine, pictures cannot capture the beauty of the Irish and Scottish countryside.....

Blarney Castle

No.....I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone but my dear hubby did.  Kissing the Blarney Stone is supposed to give you eloquence of speech.  I figured I already had my fair share and would leave it for the less fortunate. 
(Really....I just couldn't get over the germs that lay ahead!)

Glencoe, Scotland

Ring of Kerry

Started out as a foggy morning but cleared up by the afternoon.  This was a beautiful drive.

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Thanks for visiting.  I really appreciate that you take the time to visit my little piece of the virtual world!  happy stitching...