AND THE WINNERS FOR MY PIF ARE:

Becky K and Suzanne.

I will be stitching something special for you within the next 365 days.

Now, in exchange, the two of you each need to post this offer on your blog and "pay it forward" to two more stiching bloggers.

Thanks for your comments.

HAPPY DANCING!!!!!!

Last year about this time myself and my stitching friends started to stitch "My Favorite Things Stitching Basket" by With my Needle. We started out like gang busters and one of the girls finished her stitching right away. Well we have decided that we should try to get the stitching finished so we can have a finishing day---Well tonight I did just that. I am so happy I thought I should be doing the happy dance!!!! Here is a pic of the finished stitching:I finished the pocket and lining portion this weekend. Now we just need a finishing day:)

I also needed to post the Winter House Exchange I gave to Jill, as she was my partner and I just hand delivered it.

I stitched LHN blessed are the meek and made it into a box. I also added a La D Da chart from her wish list and some finishing goodies and note cards. I enjoyed stitching this and may have to do one for myself.

I just heard that Laurie received her ornament for the ASO exchange. I stitched a part of the Trilogy's Winterlogy. Another fun stitch.

Pay It Forward (PIF)

Cathy had a PIF offer on her blog which I signed up for. Cathy is going to stitch something for me in the next 365 days. In return, I promised to post this on my blog and "pay it forward" to two other stitching bloggers out there. So, if you are interested in receiving something stitched from me within the next 365 days AND you are willing to post this on your blog and "pay it forward" to two other stitching bloggers out there, leave a comment on this post. I will draw two names on Thursday, January 29th.

Exchange, Exchange, Exchange and MLK Retreat 2009

First I received my Winter House exchange from Hazel. She stitched up this cute Prairie Schooler design from the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Magazine. She also sent some DMC variation threads in my favorite color--Blue. Hazel did a great stitching and finish on this pinkeep.
Thank you Hazel.

Yesterday I received two exchanges. This is the first, from the Tiny Treasures exchange. I received this great fob from Ellen. This design is from Windy Willow. Ellen also sent some thread rings and flower ribbon. Again a excellent job of stitching and finishing.
Thank you Ellen.

Here is a picture of the back of the fob. It has my initial on it.

The second exchange I received was my Lizzie Kate from the HOE. I received this lovely pinkeep from Margaret. She stitched this cute spring theme design which is a nice change from the very cold weather. Margaret also sent some really springy extra's. Some DMC floss, fabric and some great flower seeds. What a neat idea!!! Margaret also did a great job of stitching and finishing this pinkeep.
Thank you Margaret.

MLK Retreat 2009

Jill and I have started our annual MKL retreat. It started last night with a trip to Joann's to use those 50% off coupons!!! Also made a quick stop at the grocery store and then to Papa Murphy's for pizza. Had a good start to our stitching extravaganza. Got up early this morning and started stitching.

We are stitching in the family room and I had my hubby start a fire, and of course we have Captain Underpants with us. Here he is enjoying the fire!!!

We decided to stitch each other a fob for this retreat and this is the fob I received from Jill. She stitched part of the Lizzie Kate January Block flip-it. Isn't it just great!!! I love it.

Since Jill likes cardinals I stitched this Waxing Moon Design--Winter Cardinal on 40 ct. with DMC floss. I think it turned out pretty cute.

So far we are having a great retreat and staying warm. Although it is quite balmy here today, a whopping 21 degrees here today. After over 86 hours of at least -21 degrees it seems balmy!!!!

More updates to come--stay tuned!

Ornament Exchange Tree

Here is a picture of all of the ornaments I received from the Christmas Ornament Swap.
My daughter found this tree on sale and it was just what I wanted for my ornaments. I think I will be adding more ornaments and keep this tree out all year. Thank you again to everyone in the swap for the great ornaments, I will treasure them.

An Ornament, some finishes and a start....

I received my final ornament from the Christmas Ornament Swap from Carolyn. She stitched "A Child is Born" from The Sampler Girl. This is a wonderful ornament. Carolyn did a great job. Thank you so much Carolyn.

I received this Needle minder from Vonna. It was a little appreciation gift from her. It was very kind of her to take the time to send this gift. Thank you Vonna.

Then Cathy B. was stitching with us two Friday's ago and gave me this little tatted ornament. Her mom tatted it. It is very delicate and sweet. Thank you Cathy.

This is a Fair and Square that I received from the Christmas round from Lynda. I finished it into this great little ornament.

Here is a back view.

I stitched and finished these next two ornaments. They are from the same designer--Olga Teague. The pattern is available from Olga. The first is an icicle. I saw this one and thought it was so different.

This one is just a flat ornament to match the icicle. I really like how they turned out.

While I was on a finishing roll I finished this design that I had stitched during our summer retreat. It's Patriotic Summer by Midsummer Night Designs. A little out of season!!!

Then last night during our Friday night stitching, I decided to start this mystery sampler. Jill also started it. We are a very bad influence on each other!!! I have decided to stitch it with
DMC 814 on 40 count cream. I have so many other things I should be working on and then I start something totally new. I hope that I will stay on task with this. Only time will tell:)