HoE LHN Exchange from Marie has Arrived!!

You will not believe what an incredible package was waiting for me Monday morning when I arrived at my office! Marie P sent me the most exquisite stitcher's caddy she stitched for me for the HoE Little House Needleworks Exchange! I was overwhelmed with how beautiful it is - beautifully stitched and expertly finished! Marie stitched the limited edition "Attic Needlework" which I so wanted when I saw it but was unable to get. This beautiful piece would have been more than enough but she didn't stop there - she also included Victorian motto hand-dyed flosses, needles, and a lovely new pair of scissors :D inside the caddy, as well as coffee and a package of ribbon and lace trims. To say she spoiled me would be an understatement - Marie, once again, I thank you for this gorgeous and generous gift!

HoE Freebie Exchange

As usual, I'm lagging behind....I have needed to post several things to this blog but have been really busy doing other things so I will try to get this caught up today. Now, where was I....? Ah, yes...I see I haven't posted about the last exchange both sent and received. I did post to the HoE blog but never managed to get it up here so here we go.....

First, I want to share the wonderful package I received for the HoE Freebie Exchange from Mercy. She sent a beautifully stitched and finished pinkeep - my first one - using a design by one of my favorites, Barbara Ana. Mercy's stitches are perfect! She also sent some wonderful goodies - three zippered mesh bags (great for projects), a magnetic notepad, two skeins of DMC Variations floss, cherry blossom-scented lotion, a nail file, a beautiful piece of overdyed fabric and two new charts that I didn't have yet - "Joyful Summer" by Country Cottage Needleworks and "Hand Over the Coffee" by Barbara Ana. Here is a look at the entire package:

And here is a closer look at the pinkeep:

Mercy has much better pictures on her blog, including a close-up of the beautiful ribbon bow and silver heart at the top - take a peek!

AND....

The same day I received my freebie exchange from Mercy, I got my package for the exchange mailed off to my partner. It took several days longer to reach her than the 3-5 business days that the International Priority Mail was supposed to take, :o( but it could have been worse - at least it arrived in good shape. My partner for the exchange was Carol R and I stitched one of my own charts for her and used it to top a wooden box that I lined with black and white gingham. I saw on her blog a pinkeep she had made for herself that she was very pleased with so I tried to make something that would match or at least co-ordinate with it. It was the first time I had topped and lined a box and I was pleased with my first attempt but it certainly took longer to do than I had expected. Carol seemed very pleased with it - I hope she will enjoy using it.

She has much nicer pictures of it on her blog here. Hmmm...maybe I need a photography class....?

Olga's Gone Stitchin'...!

What a treat for me! Olga (Olenka's Stitches Blog) stitched one of my designs for her partner in the Hooked on Exchanging Freebie Exchange and emailed a photo of her finished piece to me. Her partner in the exchange, Mylene, posted she received her package yesterday so it should be okay to post a picture of it now. I am so honored that Olga chose one of my designs to stitch and finish - she does the most beautiful, creative and professional-looking finishing! Check out her blog to see what I mean! She stitched one of my favorites, "Sorry... Gone Stitchin' " - I hope Mylene enjoys it as much as I enjoyed seeing the picture and reading Olga's email and blog post. Thanks so much, Olga! I hope to see more of your work soon!