From the Netherlands

Oh my! I have just received the most wonderful ornament and extra goodies too. It is so much fun to receive stitched gifts from around the world. This one is from Annemiek. Isn't it wonderful?! I love it! I've learned the desiger is Little House Needleworks and this design is in the 2005 JCS Ornament issue. I love this americana style designer.
This is the second item I have received from Annemiek and her stitching is excellent, of course. This proves good things come to those who wait.
Thank you so much, Annemiek! My husband loves it too. The girls haven't seen it yet.
Thank you also for the beautiful sparkly fabric, the gorgeous Gloriana silk, and the cute Christmas sticky notes. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season and Happy New Year too!

Rose Parade - Trader Joe's float

My plan was to keep this blog to stitching related posts. However, I must digress. It's not the best picture in the world, but what you are looking at is a picture of my daughter and her friend working on Trader Joe's entry for the 117th Annual Pasadena Rose Parade. It was the feature article in the Local section of the Orange County Register. She is a Key Club member at her high school and this was a service project they were honored to participate in. That's my girl! She the one in the jacket and hat.

I am officially a Model Stitcher

I don't exactly know why, but I've wanted to be a model stitcher for some time now. The first item I completed is now on the designers new website. I have to admit it is kind of fun to see it (even though the pic is super blurry).
Curious? Visit The World of S for a look at it. I stitched the letter "V" of the Ruritania style. I was glad when it was done and shipped off to Australia.

Soon, I will be working on another piece for a different designer. I am really looking forward to this next one.

Edited to add:

Subject: References - oodles of them

The following stitchers did a great job stitching for me:

Veronica (Senorita Stitcher) did an absolutely beautiful job of the
Ruritania V. And I have to say I have never seen anything packed so
beautifully!
Thanks so much to all of you for your wonderful sticthing and for
helping me to get started.

Sharon Carlton
www.theworldofs.com

Marvelous Malaysian REDWORK

I am just beside myself with utter elation over the Redwork Exchange piece I have received. It came to me from the other side of the world - Malaysia. It is the most wonderful bourse. Thank you Leena! It was worth the wait. I will treasure it forever.
I am posting these scans but I am hoping Leena has digital pics I can substitute.

I've been busy!

Here they are! All three of the ornaments I stitched AND finished for exchanges this year. I consider this an enormous accomplishment! LOL...
The mini stocking is from an older leaflet by NeedleLove (I think).
The Santa is this years' Prairie Schooler 2005. He is a quilter. :) I learned the box finish technique from Judy O'dell's on-line class. It's easy. Give it a try!
The last one is from a back ornament issue of JCS. It's by Darlene O'Steen. The design is a continuum of the breast cancer ribbon. I modified it. Basically, I sized it down to 1/4 of the design and added a tassel. It's my first attempt at a fancy tassel with beads.