More Autumn Things

Hello dear friends!  Lisa P (no blog) has received the private Autumn Exchange I made for her.  And I'm sooo happy and relieved to hear that she likes it!

Autumn Leaves

Book #132 by The Prairie Schooler

fabric:  32ct lambswool linen

fibers:  DMC

scissor fob filled with crushed walnuts

I even made the rusty bells myself!  I found some instructions in the Oct 2010 issue of Create & Decorate and it was a cinch to do with materials I had on hand :)

You might remember that I've mentioned many a time or two that I love to start the week with a new pair of finished socks.  Something about it makes the dreaded Monday so much better :)  Fall seems like the perfect time to get back to that, seeing that my previous pair of finished socks were, ironically, a Monday post.

Presenting my Simply Ginny socks.  I love everything about them......the pattern was simple and enchanting, the yarn soft and cozy, and the color is cheery and delightfully fall!  

Simply Ginny

(freebie pattern found here, rav link)

size: women's med

yarn:  Socrates by Alpaca with a Twist, color #5017

1 skein:  100g/400yds

needles:  size 2.75mm dpn's

modifications:  5 pattern repeats worked for each leg,

my standard stockinette heel and wedge toe

I'm ready for these 90-degree temps to take a hike.....bring on some wool-sock-weather!!!

Happy Birthday Harmien!

Harmien's birthday isn't till next week, but I'm a little neurotic about sending things early (because just when you think it'll only take a week to get there, it'll take 3, LOL!) And she deserves a birthday week afterall. But with her amazing self-control, she didn't open her gift till today...

And I know how much she loves a fob that matches her floss tags...

I stitched the sides and top of the fob, then put in the eyelet and then filled it with crushed walnut shells and stitched up the bottom. It worked as well as I'd hoped (I do love those crushed walnut shells!!!) You can check out her blog if you'd like to see the other little treats I sent.

I'm so glad you like it Harmien! I hope it helps to make your day week more special!!!

My First Blogiversary!

Today, I find myself excited and amazed. A full year of blogging now under my belt. So different from how I felt a year ago (unsure and nervous.) This has been an extraordinary experience. And the world of stitching blogs is an extraordinary place. So many kind, creative, helpful, and generous souls. So many fabulous ideas. And of course, so much incredible stash!

A few numbers to sum up this past year:

161 Posts. Who knew I'd have so much to say???

146 Finishes, broken down thus: 89 cross stitch, 52 knitting, 4 embroidery and 1 crochet. I have never, ever been so productive! And I have all of you to thank...for your interest and encouragement.

171,177 Visitors. From all over the world. That number is just unimaginable to me, but yet it's there in black and white. Wow!

I've been lucky enough to make new friends that I never would have met if it hadn't been for this little 'ol blog.

I sooo appreciate your visits and comments. Thank you, thank you, thank you! So, without further ado......I've stitched this little set of smalls as my Blogiversary Giveaway!!!

motif taken from the Forget-Me-Not Samper

by Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin

fabric: 32ct lambswool linen

fiber: DMC Variations #4210

pincushion and fob filled with crushed walnut shells

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If you would like to be entered for my Blogiversary Giveaway, please leave a comment on This Post Only and please be sure to include your email address. A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday, March 6th. As always, this is open to everyone. Good Luck and thanks for visiting my little piece of cyberspace!!!

Friend Gifties

I was originally going for pink...but this yarn with it's shades of berries and plums kept waving to me from the shelf of the yarn store. I knit these for a dear friend who is fighting breast cancer. She is a knitter-extraordinaire and a well of creativity and generosity. She's an inspiration with her courage and strength, her grace and good humor...

Feather and Fan (with a few minor changes)

by Judith Sumner

from the book "Socks, Socks, Socks", by Knitters mag

yarn: Happy Feet, Plymouth Yarn Co

color #5

needles: Lantern Moon, sz 2 dpn's

size: women's med/lg

I stitched this fob for Becky, as a little get well bouquet. Becky has always been very kind, helpful and generous to me (as well as many others.)

motifs taken from

Be Glad Soujou freebie, found here

fabric: 32ct linen remnant

fiber: DMC variation #4210

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Thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods and for all of your wonderful comments~~it really makes my day!

1 over 1 Stitching

Kudos to the postal service! I mailed 2 exchanges on the 16th; one to Canada and one to Belgium, and they both arrived at their destinations Friday :)

The first one is the Xmas in July ornie exchange for Chantal. I love this little freebie pattern from Aurelle and I've stitched it many times. This was the first time I stitched it over 1, and I must say I was really pleased with the results!!!

Mon beau sapin,

freebie by Aurelle, found here

fabric: 28ct linen remnant, 1/1

fiber: DMC 115

czech glass beads

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The second exchange was the Hooked on Exchanging LHN exchange for Irene. I used parts of Thread Gathering and stitched it over 1 on my own hand-dyed 22ct hardanger. I was really worried that Irene would be disappointed that I didn't stitch a full design, especially after I started seeing some of the wonderful finishes that were being sent/rec'd! But thankfully she likes it :)

Thread Gathering

by Little House Needleworks

fabric: 'Staci-dyed' 22ct hardanger, 1/1

fibers: Crescent Colors

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I'm still stitching away on exchanges ;) I mailed one Sat, have one ready to mail tomorrow and working on another! Hope you're having a great weekend, thanks for visiting me and my little 'ol blog!!!

A Winner and An Exchange!

Drumroll please! The winner of the Summer Giveaway is Yuko/Be Happy! Congrats Yuko...please email me your address so that I can get your goodies in the mail: kingfam1192@aol.com Thank you to everyone who visited and commented!!!

Harmien and I did a personal ring tag exchange and the package I sent her made it in a record 5 days (including the weekend!)

Blackbird Designs: For My Daughter

from the book Thank You Sarah Tobias

fabric: 32ct Irish linen

fibers: GAST and CC, my own substitutions

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I'm so glad you like it Harmien! I found so many things to stitch for you that I had a hard time deciding......and then after it was done and sent I worried that maybe I'd made the wrong choice ;)

Here are my newest BBD acquistions thanks to Mary Kathryn :) Can't have enough of them, lol! And dear MK has been searching high and low for "Their Song" for me...my fingers are crossed that there is an unspoken for copy out there somewhere!!!

And Dora (no blog) asked about the fancy eyelets I used on the Brightneedle ring tag (and also on Harmien's.) I found them at Wal-mart with the sewing stuff ;)

Now I'm off to run errands and get ball uniforms washed! Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by!!!