Suprise exchange

The Dutch Yahoo Group "Borduurhoekje" (which translates as Stitching Corner) is celebrating its 3rd Birthday tomorrow! It is such a wonderful group to be a member of, lots of lovely ladies (and one guy), some of which have become such dear friends over the years. The owners, Iris and Simone, decided to organize a Suprise Exchange for this event, and I was the happy receiver of a package sent by Eva. I think the pics speak for themselves:


In the meantime we are preparing for carnaval here. I made new costumes for my daughters, for my 7-year old a kimono and for my 3-year old a Pippi Longstocking costume. The latter needs only a few stitches today and then I'm finished. Of course I'll make pics when they are wearing their costumes to school tomorrow. Here's a pic of them in the new princess dresses we bought last week (they were so cheap, I couldn't compete sewing them myself):

Today I'm going to try and finish my block 1 from the Quilted Hearts Garden afghan, that would be great to close January with...

Two finishes to show!

Today I got word from Joan that she received my Fair and Square exchange blocks, so now I can show you my first finish of 2008:

It's Waxing Moon Designs'"Winter Cardinal" in DMC floss on 32 count beige vintage linnen from Zweigart.
Also, I have my second finish of this year to show:

This is Bent Creeks "Swirlygig" in WDW Mauve on 28 count "Angel Blush" Lugana from Silkweaver. With the approaching Valentine's Day in mind, I added some tiny heart buttons.

I have already received the name of my new partner in the next round of the Fair and Square Exchange, and that is Danica from Virginia! I am looking forward to stitch her some nice blocks, they have to be sent out February 29th at the latest.

In the meantime the first block of my new afghan is coming along just fine. After the first struggles with the confetti stitching I finally seem to be getting the hang of it, but I will save a picture for later, hope to have this block finished quite soon.

A bit of love...

One of my stitching goals for January was that I wanted to try out some stitchery, as I like those patterns very much and thought it would be very nice to do. And it was, I took it up one morning and had it finished in not too much time at all. Here's the result:

The free pattern can be found here, among a lot of other nice patterns.

Stoney Creeks Quilted Hearts Afghan

Here's my progress on the new Stoney Creek Quilted Hearts Afghan so far:

It's not much yet but I find it a challenging project. In this block there's a lot of confetti stitching, hope that will be less in other blocks.
I am not using the original fabric (Fireside afghan) for this, neither am I using the recommended fabric (28 count Lugana) to make the whole design. I decided to use 28 count ivory white jobelan and make my own blocks on it, as I like the afghan idea of the design divided into blocks. It is quite different from working on 18 count afghan fabric in such a big project. But, like all Stoney Creek afghans, I think it will be stunning once finished (which will take at least about two years as the patterns come over that period of time, but I think that is a too positive estimation from my side...). But, any progress, however slow, is a step forward, so I'll happily work on it!

I also have a finish, on the round #4 blocks of the Fair and Square Exchange, but I cannot show them yet as they are still on their way to Joan in the USA. I hope she likes them.

Also another new start, but that cannot be showed as it is a surprise present too... lots of mystery stitching going on here!

Noah's Ark afghan

As promised I am going to show you some pics of my Noah's Ark afghan. I decided to rotate it with the snowbuddies as after a while I get tired of one piece so then I take the other. Here's how it looked when I started it again after quite some time:





The boat in the middle was the result of one sunday afternoon and evening during Christmas vacation. I liked stitching it so much that already it has grown beyond this:

When I got home after work today there was a note in my mailbox that the mailman was there with a package that had to be signed for, I am going to pick it up at the post office tomorrow after work. If it is what I think it is (the fabric for my new afghan), then I'll know what to do tomorrow night... make a start! I already have the thread sorted out for the first 7 blocks:

Well I have done my chores for tonight (ironing, blegh, that is not one of my favorites) so I'm of to making a pot of rooibos tea, and on to my stitching!

Happy New Year!

A bit late, but I want to wish each and every one of you a happy New Year! Hope you all had good holidays, as I did!

Last night I received a package from Joan in Minnesota, and boy did she spoil me. She sent me two beautiful Fair and Square blocks:

But also, she spoilt me with some great gifts, among which patterns from my wish list, the seasonal fobs of Heart in Hand:

Thank you Joan for this lovely package!

As for stitching, I have been working hard on the Noah's Ark afghan by Sue Hillis Designs in vacation, but since my computer isn't working with me at the moment I cannot show you the latest pics now, so you have to take my word for that! I will show you pics next time, I promise!