From the Netherlands to Barbados v.v.

At work it is extremely busy, so coming home I have hardly any energy left. I just want to sit down and stitch something easy, but I also feel the need to read my mails and keep in touch with you all through this blog. Thank you all for your lovely and stimulating comments on my blog, it really keeps me going!

Last Monday I got a lovely surprise at work. We have an exchange-student, a lovely girl from Mexico. In order to help her I went to the Public Library and got her some books to study Dutch, just doing my job and trying to pay a little attention to a student, being away from home in a far country, without her family. Nothing special, I thought, so I was totally surprised, and very pleased by receiving a present from her. It is the most exquisite embroidery, a lovely tote for glasses, and a little sachet. The packet was so nicely wrapped, I first took a picture of it before unpacking. Tonantzin added a ribbon with national colours, and her name and emailaddress on it. I asked her permission to add pictures on my blog.

Quite some time ago I joined the Floss Tag Exchange on the HoE. I didn't receive anything until now, and I was a little worried the package might got lost in the mail. But today, totally unexpected, it arrived. Worthwhile waiting so long! My partner Sandra sent me a lovely package, with a beautiful floss tag, some great threads (J.P. Coats), a keyring from Barbados, a lovely little notebook (youngest DD keeps asking for it) and a package of needles.



Funny detail on this exchange is she stitched a part of 'Life is Sweet' by Ria Lanser, using creme evenweave and DMC. I didn't now this blog (maybe because I'm not a quilter), but Ria is Dutch, like me. So from the Netherlands to Barbados (Caribbean)and back to the Netherlands again!

I took part in a winter biscornu swap and this is what I sent to my partner. It's a design of Helga Mandl, January Biscornu, and I used the floss the design asked for. It really is a very tiny biscornu, and my partner Pirjo liked it very much. In fact, I did too, it wasn't easy to part from it LOL

Showtime!!

Yes, I've got a lot to show. A stitch-out I did for Joan, a Crazy Exchange returngift, a Christmas ornie I sent and a great progress on Celtic Mystery.
To start with the stitch-out, Joan, designer of Sapphire Stitching, asked for stitchers for a Walking in a Winter Wonderland-biscornu some time ago. I thought it was fun, doing something like that, so I volunteered. Surprisingly, Joan added my name on the website (wow, so officially, proud feelings!!) and my recommendings too!
The picture is taken in my own garden, lovely detail :) , and here it is on my own table.

Taija sent me a lovely returngift. She made me a blue bag in different fabrics, and she added some lovely goodies. Some chocolates (two are already eaten .... eehhh correction, three actually LOL), a cute pink kitty, which I believe is a glow-in-the-dark you can wear on your cloths.
She also stitched me a cute little santa, finished in a frame, so it is a Christmas ornament.

Margaret let me know she received the Christmas Ornament I stitched for her in the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. I am so happy it arrives safely, and she likes it! I stitched a design of JCS 2008 Special, but I changed some details, like the floss I used, and the beading I did. It is a really tiny biscornu, I sure want to stitch it for me too, so one of these days...

I also want to show some progress on my Celtic Mystery. Yesterday evening I joined the SAT again, and it's a good reason to stitch, stitch and stitch. So no computer, no mail, no chatting, just my needle, me and a good detective on television. I think I need more SATs LOL

Christmas Ornie, HoE

From last Saturday on I have a bad sinus infection, so Mondaymorning I went to the medical centre to get some antibiotics. This morning I was home, feeling not too well, as the postman brought in two packages! First there was a package from Edgar. When I saw the sender's name I was thrilled. I have been following Edgar's blog, and adore the stitching and finishing he does!
The ornie was wrapped up so nice, so I teased myself, taking a picture before unwrapping.

Then, finally, I allowed myself to unwrap, and it turned out to be a gorgeous Chrismas Ornament. Edgar stitched an Old Santa, from the Prairie Schooler and finished it perfectly!

Also there were some lovely goodies, like DMC, backing fabric, a magnet with a reproduction of a Californian Landscape, from the collection of Wendy Willrich at de Young - Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. I remember I envied Edgar to live in a place with such a great museum!
And a box of fine mint chocolate, of which Im going to taste one .... now! Yummie, tastes great, I bet they will all been gone at the end of the week LOL.

The second package was the DMC I ordered from J&J, having their annual sale. Now I have all the supplies needed for making a start on a new HAED, Vibrant Vista. It is pulling my attention ever since I bought it, but now I decided to really make a start, as somebody is working on this too. That way it becomes a BAP SAL, isn't it?

Look at this!!

Coming home this friday afternoon, there was a package waiting for me :) Stephanie M sent me a HoE PS Exchange. It is such a lovely package, with a wonderful stitched design, The Needle's Eye. Stitched on Sugar Maple Fabric 'Nostalgia (40 ct) so she let me know.
She finished it as a pin mattrass (my first!!) and she did this perfectly.

On the back side she stitched our initials and month and year. It personalizes the gift (again) perfectly!

Interested in the whole package? Well, here it is : a piece of adorable backing fabric, with pinks and little flowers, a hart of CCN, Rose cottage (was on my wishinglist!). She added Crescent Colours needed to stitch this, a package of needles, a tin with strong mints (just my taste, how did she know??), a round of pins and double satin ribbon in a lovely purple.
Isn't that a great exchange? I certainly love every piece of it!