Summer Exchanges

When I started working the day shift after the first of the year I thought life would slow down a bit, so I signed up to participate in exchanges with two of my stitching groups. In the end life got crazier than ever, but it was a wonderful thing to be able to say "I really must sit down and stitch today." The mail date for both exchanges was June 1st.

The St. Louis Stitchers have an ornament exchange every Christmas, but this year Susan also organized a 4th of July exchange. I stitched for Christine, and had a blast digging through my stash to find the "perfect" project. I stitched on a small premade pillow/ornament from Adam Originals. The words are from the Birds of a Feather leaflet "Land That I Love" and stitched over one. The hearts and star are also stitched over one, and are from the Better Homes and Gardens book "2001 Cross Stitch Designs." The bird button is from JABC. My fabulous friends at Violet Threads gave me the idea to put a musical note next to the word "that." It needed something, and I couldn't figure out what!

I was thrilled to discover that Monique had my name in this exchange! If you've been to her blog - and I'm sure you have - then you've already seen the awesome bag she made. I love it! It is a great size and I've been using it left and right. Here is a picture, just in case you missed it. Thanks a bunch, Monique!
Ginger organized the exchange for the other group. It was a summer theme exchange, but basically you could stitch whatever you thought your recipient would like best. I stitched for Lynne. She recently posted a picture of a William Morris project that she stitched and finished as a bellpull. I decided to stitch "Dragonfly" by Elizabeth's Designs. It is a clean, simple design and I thought the colors were just right for Lynne. Ginger had the perfect frame (thanks Ginger!) and also helped me come up with the dragonfly - nabbed from a Just Nan project! (Thanks a whole bunch, Ginger!)I was absolutely delighted to discover that Kathleen stitched for me. She made this incredible needlebook from a LHN design. It is stitched over one and has beautiful brown felt pages. She also included several packs of needles. She couldn't have chosen anything I would love more, with the acorns and finished as a needlebook. And best of all it was made by K. Hugs, my friend!

I thought I would also show you what I am stitching at work. This is "Neat Country Stuff," an oldie but goodie from Homespun Elegance. The moon has been driving me crazy at work so I brought it home to get a good look under proper light and magnification. I'm on the home stretch, and really looking forward to finishing this one! The specialty stitches have been a lot of fun. Except when they've been a pain in the behind!

Many thanks to everyone who sent me an email or commented on my return to bloggerdom! It is good to be back, even on a limited basis!