Quaker Ornament finished

This is stitched on Dublin linen over one thread with DMC 115 and it has turned out small as I wanted for my tree this year. Although from JCS Ornament Issue of 2002 (thanks Staci!!) I have changed the date of course.

Last night's stitching was on an exchange so no snaps yet. I hope to do the finishing tonight as I have everything I need in the stash cupboard. Then there will be the happy happy dance as I have only three WIPs in the box.

It will officially be Summer next week!!

December 1st it will officially be summer but the weather man hasn't found out yet! It is still cold and stormy at times and the mountains still have plenty of snow. I took this photo on my recent quick trip to Wellington. This is Mt Ruapehu which is in the middle of our North Island.

I thought you might like to see the little Christmas Box I made for Taija in the Crazy Exchange. She lives in Finland and I stupidly thought the parcel of goodies might not get there till nearer December 25. But as always, the Post Office are not predictable and Taija received her box of goodies this week. Included with the usual chocolates, candy etc etc there was this little box. It originated as a Louis Vuitton box (from which my boss had extracted a wallet) - Yes! My box fetish is known even at work! But some cross stitching, some felt and a little time turned it into a sneaky peeky Christmas Box filled with bath items. You can see the other pictures on Taija's blog here. Like me you might not be able to read Finnish but now you know the story you can guess the rest from the snaps and see yet another box I scored from a colleague!

A few steps past a floss toss

Here's a shot of a WIP - destined to become an exchange so it must remain a mystery. I do like the colours and it is fun while stitching to think of what goodies I will put with it.
There has been no stitching for the past couple of days. I have driven to Wellington and back (8 hours each way) for the funeral of a family friend so there hasn't been time or energy. Tonight I plan to return to this - which will be a really cheerful thing to do after a dismal few days.

A surprise from Japan

I told you the mailman left a card to tell me to collect a package at the Post Office. Well, Saturday morning I walked across to find it was a PIF from Yuko. What a lovely surprise - inside was a beautiful stitched biscornu, a card of ribbon, a DMC variegated thread I had not seen before, two cherry blossoms to perfume my drawers and a small notepad. Thank you so much Yuko - I am really pleased to have some of your beautiful stitching. I love the colour and especially the beaded edging.

Progress reports

I'm making good progress on my current piece but it is secret so can't be shown completely yet. I'm enjoying all the different stitches and textures although this photo shows I need to redo the satin stitch - it's not exactly flat is it? Perhaps a good steam press will work wonders? Do you like the colour scheme -I followed what the chart said although I suspect that my "Dirty Linen" is slightly darker than what was recommended. However on the enjoyment scale this is up the top.

Thanks for all your comments about Lisa's reindeer ornament. Denise if you email me I can give you the details you wanted. Just click on the email button on the left hand side in my profile.

Crazy Exchange Christmas Ornament

The mail man was really kind to me yesterday - he left a card telling me to collect a package at the Post Office depot (!!) and also a package for me to open. Inside was a beautiful Christmas Ornament from my partner in the Crazy Exchange, Lisa. No prizes for guessing what part of the world Lisa lives in :-) The beautiful reindeer is stitched in an overdyed moss green thread on a pale cream linen. The backing fabric is great - it has small holly leaves but is not the usual dark look we see in New Zealand but a fresh green "summer holly" colour. Many many thanks Lisa.

The love of my life??!!

I have a love affair with DMC 115. Several of the Christmas ornaments I have stitched have benefitted from this love. Here's the latest. A Quaker Christmas Strawberry from a JCS Ornament issue stitched on Cashel Antique White linen with DMC115.

This came up so well that my mother decided to copy it but her strawberry turned out to be a giant - something to do with poor eyesight = coarser fabric perhaps? But no matter, Mother is as thrilled with her Giant Quaker Christmas Strawberry as I am with this one which has gone by air to its home far away. I have more linen, more thread, more felt leaves, more ribbon but no more time this year to make another for me. Isn't this a busy time of year??