First piece of SAL

Nothing much to tell really. We had major computer problems last week, so we ended up buying a new one. That means install all other items and missing familiar settings on your computer. It will take a while, getting back to normal and it takes so much time.
Stitch-related I have some finishes again, and, for obvious reasons I can't show them. I hope the girls who get them will be pleased, and if I get notice they did, I'll show some pictures.

I have one little think to show. It's the January part of a new SAL, from Oakhaven Designs. Yesterday the first part was sent out, and as I kitted up already, I started in the evening, longing for a quick finish and a relative simple stitch.

Winter pictures and some progress

Last week it was freezing cold in our country, and I just wanted to show some beautiful pictures, especially for my friends outside the Netherlands. This is about half an hour by bike from our home, and we love taking a walk by the canal.

Stitch-related I have three finishes for this year already, and can't show any of them yet, because they are all exchanges. One is sent abroad last week to a friend as a belated birthday gift, the other two stay in the Netherlands.

I managed to do quite a lot of stitching on Mystery XI, mostly eyelets, that took a lot of time. If you take a good look, you can see them between the arches of the trees.

I also made a new beginning. It's a HAED, Vibrant Vista, there not much to show. Due to internetproblems I can't post a picture, it will be there nex time!

** updated Here is Vibrant Vista :)

Needlebook Finished!

Yes, I finally finished my needleboek. I have been stitching it in between, but wanted it to be finished this year. Next year I have so much going on, want to start some new projects, so I was afraid this one would end up to be an UFO. It's a design of Periwinkle Promises, I Love Letters. It is stitched with silks, and has various stitches. It's completely hand-sewn, and I am proud of the way it looks!

Front

Back

The outside.

And the inside.

And just in time for Christmas I finished this lovely design of LHN, Berry and Hollies. It was a quick stitch, didn't take too much time, but I like the result.

Just in time for Christmas, I received the exchange Janien made for me. It is such a lovely package, even more dearly to me since I know Janien is ill, yet she did a wonderful job. she stitched me a bookmark, and a lovely tabecloth. She added some great goodies to her package, such as chocolate (yummie!) and a scented bag, smells great, even wrapped in plastic I can smell it. I think it's cinnamon, fits perfect to this time of year. Also a nice piece of backing fabric. A nice card with Chirstmas wishes and a sheet of Flower Fairies (stickers) completed the package. She really spoilt me, thanks so much, Janien!

Last weeks I have been stitching on several things. I almost finished a little something for a friend,can't show it here, because she reads my blog. I also finished the stitching on my Needle book, will show pictures soon. All I have to do is stitch it together, but I assume this will be done this weekend. And I did a small Christmas thing, LHN, Holly & Berries. I forgot to take pictures, but I'll post them this weekend :)

Small finish, sent as a PIF

Yesterday I sent the first PIF I stitched. It is for a non-stitching friend, without blog, so I can show it here already. She has given birth to a baby-girl a few months ago, lives in Vienna, so we keep in touch only by mail and chat nowadays.
I stitched her Baby's first Christmas by JBW Designs, personalized by changing 'baby' into 'Haina'.

And I have been stitching quite some time on Celtic Mystery. Picture is taken yesterday, and this morning I filled in the sun and pyramid. Tonight I hope to fill in the flowers, so part nine will be finished then.

My first PIF

Yesterday I received my first PIF! I signed up for it on Viv's blog, and she has made me something beautiful! I am totally spoilt by nog getting one piece, but two. Viv made me a nice little bellpull, not only stitched, but also a lot of beading in it. Besides that it has some flowers, done with a special stitch, and they look great. See for yourself.

The second piece she made for me is an adorable little cushion, with lots of beads. Around it also a lot of beads, woven in little bows. Its a complete mystery for me, how she did this.
Thank you Viv!

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