My partner Amy has received my Valentine exchange.

Amy my exchange partner for the Hooked on Exchanging Too group has received my pillow and scissor fob that I stitched for her, which means I can now show you the contents of the pale blue box in the previous post!

When the day of posting arrived I found it difficult to part with it, so of course, you guessed it, I made two, one for me and one for Amy! I made my scissor fob slightly different , I shall add more photo's to this post tomorrow.

This is a Valentine freebie pattern that can be downloaded from here, there is quite a nice selection of free cross stitch patterns on this website.

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Valentine cross stitch exchange mailed today!

I mailed my Valentine cross stitch exchange today, (bear not included) I think the box looks really nice, it had some lovely picture frames in it and I thought it could be put to good use, we will just have to wait and see when my partner receives this then we can take a peek inside!

Stash!

I just thought I would show some of my Christmas Presents I received this year. I loved all the different types of thread but I also got my first Just Nan and Little House Needleworks patterns and I just cannot wait to stitch them! I also got a stitching lamp with a magnifier attached, I really don't know how I stitched without it.

After looking at everyone's blogs it became clear that nearly everyone is a Little House Needleworks and Just Nan fan.

Would you like a hand made stitched gift from me - please read on!

Pay It Forward NOW CLOSED

I was fortunate to be drawn as a recipient of a gift from Andrea of The Craft Room in a Pay It Forward she offered on her blog and I have now agreed to do the same on my blog.

If you are interested in receiving a handmade stitched gift from me in the next 365 days please leave a comment on this post, I will draw the names of three people on Monday evening the

26 January 2009. In return please offer the same Pay It Forward on your blog.

I do hope you leave a comment and join in the fun!

Freebie Valentine Cross Stitch Pattern

I found this cute freebie Valentine cross stitch pattern here, I decided to finish it as a pin keep.

I stitched it on 25 Count Dublin Lugana Linen using DMC threads following the colours given in the pattern and I gathered delicate ribbon for around the edge and topped it off with a Swarovski Crystal attached to a pin.

Reverse side of pinkeep

Heaven and Earth Designs and Christmas Ornament

I bought this pattern (Gothic Rose) in September 2008 and I have been contemplating starting it since then but other commitments prevented me from doing so. It is from Heaven and Earth Designs, they create fabulous cross stitch patterns and this is a Quick Stitch - only 8 sides! 

I have purchased two others that are around 35 pages long but I thought It would be better to start with a simple one first!

The pattern advises 25 count fabric, however I have used 18 count Aida as I have seen the results on this fabric and it looks just as detailed, I really could not face stitching 1 over 1 on 25 count at the moment, I need to build myself up to that LOL!

I will post pictures within the next week of the other Heaven and Earth Patterns that I have purchased, be warned they are beautiful and very addictive.

Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED)have their own website here and they can be purchased here from the UK.

A close up of the pattern, there are 8 pages of stitching

to complete. My first six squares of stitching on 18 count Aida Angel Tree designed by Judy Whitman of JBW designs from the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine 0f 2008

Here is my first Christmas Ornament stitch of 2009, I just love the little plaits in their hair!

This was stitched on 32 count Cream Belfast Linen using DMC threads, it took longer to stitch than I first thought but it was a very enjoyable project.

Scissor fob and stitching update.

Hi everyone, apologies for my lack of blogging as I have been away for a week, I am back now after doing lots of stitching! Here is a scissor fob that I completed s number of weeks ago, it is stitched on 25 count dublin lugana linen using DMC threads and Mill Hill beads.

The little square pattern is taken from a pattern that was in The Gift of Stitching Magazine August 2007 - My Little Book Of Stitches By Debbie Draper Designs.

I have also finished my first Christmas Ornament, started my first Heaven and Earth Design and completed some Valentine stitching, I shall post more pictures later this evening or tomorrow after working on my blog pages.

Happy Stitching!

Miniature Mattress Pincushion - Freebie Pattern

I have finished the Mattress Pincushion, isn't it cute!

It measures 8cm x 5.5cm, I stitched it on 25 count Dublin Lugana Linen 1 over 1 using

DMC 115 variegated thread.

The pattern is a freebie from Mon Ami Pierre.

I have lots of large projects to get done but I keep getting side tracked stitching

smalls, I started another late last night, it is from the Christmas Ornament 2008 Magazine but I will keep you guessing until next time!

Happy stitching everyone.

Paula Vaughan - The Porch Swing work in progress

Here is a Paula Vaughan work in progress, the Porch Swing, hopefully I should get it finished this year!

Thankyou for visiting my blog!