Ghost and Goblins

Hello Friends,

It is hard to believe that I am over a month into my school year.  Things are settling down and I am finding some time to stitch.  My stitching A.D.D. has kicked in and I'm jumping from  piece to piece.  I've mainly been working on bigger pieces but did stitch a couple of exchanges that I'll be able to show you soon.

I finished Bent Creek's Halloween Branch in record time.  Here it is framed and ready for the haunting season.  I am sorry the pictures aren't great but the frame is perfectly spooky.  The lines in the frame have a slight orange tint to them.  I can't wait to start decorating for Halloween.

My Friends Stitching Through the Seasons exchange arrived today.

Edgar always goes above and beyond to make it special for me.

He stitched Bent Creek's Autumn Row and Faye, the carolina stitcher finished it.

 Thank you Edgar!  I love this piece and it will always have a special place in my Fall displays.

Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments.  I cherish everyone and jump every time I hear my phone notify me I have a new email :-)

Keep on stitchin'

Nan

Stars & Stripes

Greetings Friends,

I hope this post finds you all well and finding time to stitch.  Thank you to everyone who entered my 2nd Blogaversary giveaway.  There is still time. 

I'll be drawing a a winner Monday evening.

This week has been a busy week for our mailman. 

My Friends Stitching Through the Seasons exchange arrived.

My little black sheep spoils me once again with a wonderful exchange.

Thank you Edgar!  I love everything!

Here is the exchange I sent Michelle.

I stole Michelle's picture from the Friends

blog as I forgot to take one myself.

Karen and I always do a 4th of July exchange.

As usual, Karen spoils me with another great exchange.

I love it all Karen! 

Here is what I sent Karen for our 4th of July exchange.

While visiting Karen in March a came across the Long May She Wave

 piece in her WIP basket. Knowing we were going to do the 4th exchange

I whisked the piece back to Indiana with me to finish.

Although fun, now Karen thinks there is a WIP fairy and wants

 to know when she can expect the next one.  :-)

The Tree of Life Samplings retreat was this weekend.  Work commitments kept me from registering for the retreat and I was super bummed.  As it turns out, my schedule changed and Jan so graciously allowed me to crash her party for an evening.  It was great to meet some of my blogland friends in person.  I took my camera but wouldn't you know it....I took no pictures.  I'm sure everyone is on their way home and you'll start seeing some posts soon.  There are a few posts and you can find them here and here.

 

Thank you all so much for your kind comments on my Star Spangled Garden. 

You always make my day and as I read your blogs I find inspiration.

Keep on stitchin'

Nan 

Valentine's Day

Happy Long Weekend to Me.....and hopefully you! 

I think this is the first time in years that I've actually had the opportunity to celebrate President's Day at home instead of school.  We've had a very mild winter and so far no snow days.  My plan for the long weekend includes many hours of stitching. 

I have been a busy girl since my last post and have lots to share with you so,

on to Valentine's Day!

My friend Karen and I decided we would do an "unfinished" Valentine's Day exchange. 

Karen knows how to spoil a girl when it comes to exchanges. 

Here is the exchange Karen sent.  Harley had to check out what his Aunt Karen sent.

Fabric, Candy, Scissors, Pincushion, Ribbon, Needle minder and much more!

Here are the Valentine's Day pieces Karen stitched for me.

Cutie, cute, cute!

Here is how I finished them.

Look at this super cute Valentine pincushion.

Love It!

 

Here is the exchange I sent Karen.

Here is the stitched piece I made for her.

 Love Always

Homespun Elegance

And here is how she finished it.

Thanks for a great exchange! 

I loved stitching for you and I love everything you sent. 

I haven't done much seasonal stitching this winter but I

did manage to finish one Valentine's Day piece. 

February Word Play
With Thy Needle and Thread

Stitched on Zweigart 40 ct. Autumn Blush

Recommended Fibers

 

LK Flora McSample 2011 Ornament

Wilchelt 28 ct. Milk Chocolate Linen

Recommended Fibers

And 3 little ornaments.  I fell in love with these ornaments the first time I saw them. 

I made a boo boo when trimming the fabric and thought I'd ruined all of them. 

I managed to salvage them, I think.  Considering my boo boo I think they turned out ok.

Time is flying and February will be over before we know it.  I think it is time to turn my attention to St. Patrick's Day now.  I don't have many stitched things for St. Patrick's Day so I hope to add a few this year.

Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments. 

I love hearing from my stitching friends.  Have a great weekend!

Keep on stitchin'

Nan

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dads out there!

Father's Day at our house will consist of lunch with my stepdaughter and the baby!  Then I will so kindly allow him to lay around and watch racing and golf (while I stitch of course).

Last week I received this lovely Summer exchange from Faye.  As always, Faye knows how to spoil a girl!  I love anything ladybug so this Summer design is just perfect.  THANKS FAYE!

Below is the Summer piece I stitched for Jennifer.

Summer by the Stitcherhood

28 ct. Evenweave

Stitch with my choice of fibers

I didn't think to get a picture of the goodies I sent with the exchange

 but you can check those out on her blog if you so desire.

It is only 4 days until my Blogaversary so don't forget to swing on over and sign up for my giveaway.

I'll be drawing a winner on my Blogaversary!

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

A Couple of Stitchy Gifts

Happy Monday Everyone!

I don't have any stitching of my own to share BUT..........
Look at what landed in my mailbox the last couple of days.
There is nothing better after a long day of wranglin' kiddos than to come home to gifts in the mail.

My Lizzie Kate exchange arrived today.  Elisa stitched and finished this cute Spring Boxer for me.
It is resting comfortably on my Spring shelf.  It feels right at home among its friends.
Thanks for a great exchange Elisa!

On Saturday I came home to a great big box sitting on my front porch.  Karen had been cleaning out her craft room and sent me several texts asking if I want this....or if I would finish stitching that.....

Well when I opened the box I was in awe of the stitching goodies she sent me.  There were charts that I wanted, aida fabric that she said she would never use, some unfinished kits she said she would never get around to finishing. I'm sure I'm forgetting to include something that was in the box.

 WOW is all I can say.  I guess it pays to have good stitching buddies doesn't it?

Along with all the goodies was this cute Spring pillow and some Easter goodies. 

Thanks for the box of goodies my friend. 

Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comments.  I'll be back soon with some finishes.

I have Notforgotten Farm's Ah! Tis Spring stitched but

I'm having trouble deciding how to finish it. 

Hopeful inspiration will strike some time soon. 

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

I Love My Stitching Friends

You have no idea how much I love my stitching friends. 

Look what showed up in my mailbox today.

Faye the Carolina Stitcher was my partner for the Friends Stitching Through the Season Exchange.

She sent me this awesome package for our first exchange this year.  She stitched Tis Red by La D DA from the JCS ornament issue.  She finished it into a cutie, cute pincushion with the most fabulous trim.

She also included lots of goodies.  Finishing fabric, fibers, springy note cards and journal, organizing bags, her favorite batting.  Thanks so much Faye....you're a doll.

Earlier this week I received a surprise from Peg at Lightning Fingers...Not

She had a birthday giveaway.  She sent me an email that I didn't win the giveaway but she took notice of my comment about having always wanted a scissor frog.  She sent one to me just because.  Wasn't that the nicest thing.  I so appreciate your thoughtfulness Peg.  The scissor frog is perched nicely on my stitching table holding my antique scissors.

I am on Spring Break this week.  The weather here has been calm but cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to hit almost seventy.  I can't wait.  Seems like the week is going by way too fast.  Appointments and errands seem to occupy too much time.  I have managed some stitching.  I'm almost finished with my Home of a Needleworker by LHN.  Just a little more on the border at the top and off to the framer it goes.  I hope to finish that tonight.  Wish me Luck!

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  They keep me motivated to do what I love, STITCH.

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan