Photo from Outi

Outi has given me permission to borrow a photo from her blog of her finished version of Three Pumpkins Scissors Fob. She finished it as an ornament instead - I think it looks great! Thanks for sharing, Outi!

On the Flip Side

My last two exchanges for the year were sent out this month. The first one for the HoE floss tag exchange is still traveling, I guess - or it is MIA. I'm hoping it's just taking the scenic route to its new home and will eventually get there. The other one made much better time - just a couple of days to find its way to Vonna (for the same small exchange that I received the gorgeous pinkeep from Becky!) I've been busy with the Tiny Treasures Exchange setup so I've neglected this blog for far too long, so I will start on the road to recovery by posting the pictures of the exchange for Vonna.

I originally planned to stitch another Prairie Schooler chart very similar to the one I did for Cathy B for the HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange. I had the fabric, all the flosses and the chart ready to go, and then.....I changed my mind, just minutes before I was to begin stitching. I had planned to get it all done and on its way early for a change but I received a note from the Brooke’s Books Interactive Group that a new chart had been posted so, of course, I had to check it out. I just loved it and decided to stitch it instead (because Cathy B was in this same exchange I thought it would be nice to stitch something different, anyway.) Of course that meant a bit of a delay getting started since I needed all new colors of floss, some new embellishments..... You get the picture! Needless to say, I just barely made the mailing deadline but it was a really fun design to stitch and it turned out well. Vonna seemed very pleased with it, too, so I'm glad I made the switch.



Autumn Pantry Challenge Chart by Brooke Nolan (Brooke's Books) Stitched on Wichelt/Permin Lambswool 18 count Linen over 2 using DMC floss, Swarovski Crystal topaz montees, Mill Hill Sunflower Button, and red and white size 8 seed beads. I used the same backing fabric (this was the perfect fall fabric - it went wonderfully with everything!) as I did for Cathy B's flatfold but I forgot to take pictures of the back this time.

And here is the whole exchange : a Cricket Collection chart and Cheetah scissors from Vonna's wishlist, six tins (because she loves tins), some ribbon for finishing and a couple of pumpkins just for fun.





Vonna has much better pictures on her blog (here). She seemed to be quite pleased with the exchange - always a relief to know the recipient likes what you chose!

Floss Tag Exchange From Deb!

Just a day or two after the exchange from Becky arrived, I was treated to another great exchange package, this time from Deb H for the HoE Floss Tag exchange.







Deb did such a great job on this exchange, not only on the beautiful stitching and finishing of the floss tag which I just love (more leaves and pumpkins! - It goes well with the piece from Becky, don't you think?) but all the extras were a delight as well. The coordinating paper floss tags are wonderful and Deb tells me she made them herself! I've been wanting to make some of these but my punches all seem to be too big or too small or the wrong shape, etc., etc., so I was very happy to receive them. She included some really cute finishing fabrics, needles, ribbons and the papier-mâché boxes it was all packaged in. She also included a really cute beaded bookmark that a friend of hers made - very colorful and jangly - love it, but I decided to use it as a doorknob decoration and it looks great! Thanks so much, Deb, for the wonderful exchange!

Fall Harvest

New version of an old design I did back in 2001.

Pumpkin Fob

I better get the fall charts up before it's too late!

Swirly Acorn Fob

Three Pumpkins Scissors Fob

Not much stitching going on here - allergy season is in high gear which makes it difficult to stitch. Sneeze, cough, wheeze, blow nose, wash hands, sneeze, cough, wheeze, blow nose, wash hands....and so it goes. :o(

I have been doing a little charting though, so I will post a few things over the next day or two.

Prairie Schooler Exchange

Hooked on Exchanging recently had a Prairie Schooler Exchange that I just had to join. I love Prairie Schooler designs and they are so fun to stitch! After receiving the gorgeous needlework smalls set that Barbie stitched and sent, I couldn't believe that I was treated to another wonderful set, this time from Hazel! It is a beautifully stitched and assembled needlework set complete with scissor case, fob and needle case - fully stocked with pins and needles, of course! I have had this chart in my stash for a long time but every time I thought about stitching it up, the thought of trying to finish that scissor case totally intimidated me! I just love it and it is even better because it is already finished! On top of the fabulous stitching set, she completely spoiled me with the extra goodies. She included a new pair of scissors (I didn't have any of these in my collection) that I immediately dressed in the fob and inserted in the scissor case. She also sent a Drawn Thread chart from my wishlist (now my set of the four seasons is complete!), beautiful Sea Green hand-dyed floss from Carrie's Creation (I love soft shades of green) and a lovely postcard of her area. Hazel, thank you so much for this delightful gift - and especially for all the hard work and obvious effort that you put into making it!

And the other half of the exchange.....

I stitched for Cathy B this time and chose the November design from Prairie Schooler Book No. 23 "A Prairie Year II". I used Wichelt-Permin 18 ct Lambswool linen stitched over 2 threads using DMC floss. I changed the colors slightly to "brighten" it up a bit. (I hope Cathy didn't mind the change!) I used a flatfold/easel type finish with some bright harvest print on the back.

I really enjoyed stitching this up for Cathy and was pleased with the final result. That is one of the great things about this exchange group, the projects have to be completely finished so they actually get done instead of adding to my "someday" pile! I sent along a few extras as well - a chart from Cathy's wishlist, a couple of pieces of 32 ct fabric, a packet of needles, a small assortment of thread drops, Chocolate Skittles (Have you tried these? Yummy!), some fall -themed items: ribbon, embellishments, pumpkin stickers, a fun little checkered pumpkin and overdyed floss. The last item didn't really fit the autumn theme but I sent it anyway - a small "tuckable" banner with a beaded hanger - I love these little banners - instant finishing and veeeery cute!!

Acorns and Leaves Scissors Fob

Click on image for larger view.

Swirly Autumn

©2007

Another fall chart - I haven't stitched this one up yet but I will probably use over-dyed flosses when I do. Feel free to experiment with different colors - I sometimes use colors in my charting software to give me the onscreen look I want which doesn't always translate into the best color choices for the actual stitching, so if you don't like the color - change it!

Scarecrow Stand-Up

©2007 xstitchhappy.blogspot.com

I had fun with this chart - using a variety of fibers and stitched on linen burlap over two. I used turkey work for the "straw" hair, hands and feet and the little tufts of "straw' sticking out through his clothing. One of these days he'll be a "real" stand-up guy!

Falling Leaves Chart

Falling Leaves was designed several years ago

for a local stitch shop monthly kit. It was stitched

on linen banding that had a gold border woven in.

I designed it as a bell pull or banner and I used

Weeks Dye Works overdyed flosses for mine.

If I figure out where I put it, I'll post a picture of it!

©2007 xstitchhappy.blogspot.com