Sandra's Cross Stitch Haven - 'My Stitches and Things'

Other Stitchy Stuff

2011-04-11T21:41:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend and that you had some time to make a stitch or two or even had some finishes done as well.

Well, today I continue to show you what I manage to stitch in between the exchanges, work and household chores and what ever made life interesting in 2010.

Design: Angel Freebie (named by me)

Fabric: 32 ct Ivory Linen

Thread: DMC

Finish: Hanger

This was a freebie I found on the internet some time ago but cannot remember where I found it. I am not sure if it is still on the internet. Sorry about the quality of the pictures but my camera just won't co-operate with me at the time I took the pictures. I stitched a four-sided stitch all around for the border with a little help from Moreen whose work I admire very much.

I also did this little pouch which I made to carry my jewelry when traveling to work in one of the other islands. I stitched a monogram of my first initial. It turned out beautifully and I was very pleased. The pouch was fully hand stitched. The monogram can be found here, no. 107.

Designer of Monogram: Sajou

Fabric: 28 ct beige Jobelean

Thread: DMC

Finish: Pouch for Jewelry

I also stitched a little cover for my stick drive. I stitched a rose motif from the chart "Rose Sampler" by Little House Needleworks. I hope to stitch the sampler soon. This also features a four-sided border as well.

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Design: Motif from "Rose Sampler'

Fabric: 28 ct beige Jobelean

Thread: DMC recommended

Finish: Stick Drive cover

Until next time, do have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

An Exchange at Christmas

2011-04-09T11:53:00.007-04:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday morning so far. It haven't started so well as I having some back pain which seems to be getting worse as the day go on. However, as promised, I'm back to show what transpired while was away from my blog. There was a Christmas exchange at the HoE and we had to stitch a Christmas ornament for our partners. I chose a design by Lizzie Kate, Inc. taken from the Just Cross Stitch 2006 Christmas issue to stitched for my partner Shalotte in the US. It was my first Lizzie Kate design which I did with little modification to the pattern. Shalotte seemed to like the ornament which I thoroughly enjoyed stitching for her.

Designer: Lizzie Kate, Inc.

Design: Happy Holidays

Fabric: 28 ct Creame eveanweave

Threads: DMC recommended

Finish: Christmas ornament for HoE Christmas Exchange

I received my Christmas exchange from Janet also in the US. She stitched for me "Winston the Snowman" by the Trilogy on 28 count Cashel linen in "Flax". She used Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art. I thought it was a cute ornament and I thank Janet very much for stitching him for me. I think he's probably the first snowman to arrive in Barbados without melting in this heat, lol!

Have a wonderful weekend and happy stitching!

Thank you for stopping by!

Reactivated!.........

2011-03-30T22:09:00.002-04:00

I just couldn't think of any other word to get my blog going again after such a long hiatus! I'm happy to say that I'm alive and stitching and hopefully I wouldn't be away for such a long time again! Well, what can I say, the demands of life really took over for the past months and have been taking a toll on little old me. I haven't had a lot of spare time to do much stitching but I try to participate in an exchange or two and do some other stitching since I haven't been blogging. I have a few pieces I want to share with you all over the next couple of days. So here goes!

So, how was everyone's Christmas and New year holiday? I hope the holidays were good for everyone and I do wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2011 and most of all I wish you lots of finished stitching projects. By the way, I wish myself the same thing, too lol. Oh, how I wish I can have lots of finished projects done this year but I shall see how things will go.

During the month of August 2010, I took part in the HoE For the Birds exchange where I received from Nic my partner from England. She stitched me a design from Brenda Keyes, a British designer. She used DMC threads, one over one and finished it into a pillow. Isn't it cute! Nic's stitching is so lovely. She also included some goodies which will surely be used. Thank you, Nic!

and the goodies!

And this is what I sent to my partner Nicole in the US. I stitched a pattern from one of my favourite designers, the Prairie Schooler. I chose "From the Heart" from their Designer Series. I loved stitching this pattern for Nicole and from all reports she liked it as well.

Designer: The Prairie Schooler

Design: "From the Heart"

Threads: DMC Recommended

Finish: Pin Cushion

Well, that's it for now. Will continue later, not too much later, I hope. So bye until then!

A Finish and an Exchange

2010-07-25T23:26:00.001-04:00

Hi, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that you are looking forward to the coming week. I'm most certainly looking forward to the end of the week because I'll be on my annual V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N for the month of August! Can't wait to have some lazy days in the summer, yea!

Stitching wise, I am so glad to be able to show you my latest finish. I was away for a few days with my daughters on the island of Puerto Rico. We had a wonderful time on the island but it was much too short, then again, a little 'time out' is always too short. Though I'd show you some a pic of my daughters shopping at one of the stores in the Mall, Plaza las Americas. I think the store was Old Navy.

Before I left Barbados, however, I stitched a couple of pieces and an exchange for the HOE Board. My first finish was a little drawstring bag. I enjoyed stitching the design which is by Dany, a French designer. I first saw the drawstring finish done by Carol (justcarolsplace blog) and I liked the way she did it. Mine however, was done slightly different.

Design by: Dany

Fabric: 28 count Mocha Jobelan Linen and

matching floral fabric

Thread: DMC 3862

Trim: Cream lace and cream ribbon

Finish: Drawstring Bag

I have another stitched piece but it's just to make a decision on how I will finish it.

I mentioned earlier an exchange which I was a part of on the HOE Board. That was the ABC Exchange. My partner was Kathy in the US. I enjoyed stitching this freebie design from Zoe I had to change some of the letters on this particular pattern as they were not quite right to me. Changes were made to the letter V and X. I finished it into a pin cushion. From all reports, Kathy liked it very much.

Designer: Zoe

Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave

and floral fabric for backing and sides

Threads: DMC 815

Trims: Red ribbon and red button

Finish: Pin Cushion

I received my exchange from Nic in the UK. She stitched me a freebie pattern from CarolR at istitchaholic blog with a Dinkey Dyes thread called Major Mitchell. It is a cute little pillow and I love the colour she chose. As you can see it is a very light pastel colour and pastel colours are my favourite. She also included a cute post card. Thank you Nic, great job!

That's it for now. I have the HoE For the Birds exchange to complete for mailing on August 2 which a holiday here so that means my mailing date will have to be at the end of July, so I'd better get back to stitching and finishing before I am late for the post. So look out for that in my next blog posting.

A small piece of stitching and working on an exchange

2010-06-10T20:58:00.004-04:00

I did a small bit of stitching last weekend for a round plastic 'box'. I purchased this Keep-Sake plastic box while on vacation in Puerto Rico some time ago and it has come in handy to store my pins. The motif comes from the 'The Big Book of Cross Stitch Designs by Reader's Digest. I used white ric rac braid to cover the edges and a piece of floral fabric to cover the bottom of the box. This was very easy to complete to my surprise. I was thinking that I would encounter some difficulty getting the fabric glued on to the plastic, but not so. It turned out well in my opinion.

Design: Motif from The Big Book of Cross-Stitch Designs by Readers' Digest

Threads: DMC recommended
Fabric: 32 count White linen

Trim: Ric rac braid
Finished as: box for pins

A Pending Exchange

I am currently involved in an exchange on the Hooked on Exchange Board. I am happy to say that I have completed the stitched piece and will be adding the finishing touches this weekend. I'm hoping that my partner will be please with it! Will have pictures to show when she receives it probably at the end of June.

A Stitching Rotation

I have some stitching which I just have to work on on a rotation basis. I need to do this if I want to stitch all my patterns, freebies included. So I started on that last night. Hopefully it will work out as long as I have the time but I'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stitching!

Back to Blogging!

2010-06-07T23:37:00.001-04:00

It's great to be back and to blog again after a break from the computer and so I think it is about time I let you in on what I have been stitching over the past weeks. But first, I wish to thank those of you who visited and left a comment and those of you who follow my blog. Thank you all for your encouragement.

Over the past weeks, I have been experimenting on making a box from cardboard (I think the French calls it 'cartonnage') for my buttons. The experiment was somewhat successful but with a few flaws in between which I hope to have rectify when I attempt my next box. The stitched piece is a freebie from the SAL Collection de pinkeeps 2009 organised by Maryse. I love the autumn colours she chose for the month of October which is my birth month. The box took me longer than I had anticipated but I am pretty much okay with it. Will show more in my next post!

Top of the Box

Inside the box

Back of the Box

Design from the SAL Collection de Pinkeeps - October

Designer: Maryse

Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave, floral fabric

Threads: DMC recommended

Trims: Satin ribbon and cording

Finished: Button Box

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time, happy stitching.

A Pillow Finish

2010-04-29T20:54:00.001-04:00

It's that time again when I just pop by to show what I have been stitching since my last post. I finally finished a freebie which I always wanted to stitch but could never find the time. Having stitched it about a month ago, I was able to complete it over the last weekend. It is from the French designer Carinne. She is a very talented designer in my opinion and I find her freebies are lovely. Although this is my first stitched freebie from her site, I plan to stitch many more in the future. It can be found in her freebies section for 2009.

Design: Au plaisir des oiseaux

Designer: Carinne

Fabric: Cream Evenweave 28 Count

Threads: DMC Recommended

Finished as: A pillow

By the way, Au plaisir des oiseaux was translated as "with the pleasure of the birds".

Thanks for stopping by!

A Busy Day

2010-03-20T19:07:00.014-04:00

After a long day taking care of my feisty one year old granddaughter, I am now able to relax and do a bit of blogging and may be a bit of stitching since she is out of the house for the evening. I don't know where there little ones get the energy! Maybe one day I will ask Asia where she gets all this energy from and would she kindly show her grandmother where she can get some too, lol!

I finished a scissors fob a couple of weeks ago but only now get to show it off. This one is a freebie from The Drawn Thread called 'Pearls and Rosebuds'. I found this one to be very delicate to stitch with its smyrna and eyelet stitches using one strand of thread. Actually, this was the first time I have ever attempted to stitch these type of stitches so they may not be done perfectly. I am always ready to try something new to me so they are many other stitches that I am yet to encounter and try.

Design: Pearls and Rosebuds
Designer: The Drawn Thread
Fabric: Natural Light Jobelean
Threads: DMC
Trims: Silk Ribbon, Pearl seed beads, Two 6mm pearls
Finished as: A Scissors Fob

I have been trying to "dress up" my photos but haven't found the ideal editor to do them in yet. If anyone can help me to find one that works well please let me know. It would be much appreciated. So I'm off now to finish up some stitching since the house is all mine now, at least for the moment, lol.

Thank you for stopping by!

A Prairie Schooler finish

2010-03-14T17:58:00.015-04:00

The runaway pancake is back! Yes, that's right I'm back and have something to show for my long absence! As usual, life got in the way of blogging along with the fact that I am having some issues with my laptop. I need more memory and I am getting a hard time finding out what type of memory I need. I took it to the technician and he should come to my rescue hopefully by tomorrow. When my DH bought the computer he didn't think I will needed more than 512 mb but with my cross stitching patterns, photos etc I surely do need more memory. So as a result the laptop is very slow and sometimes unresponsive which is making me very, very frustrated.

Anyhow without much further ado, here is what I stitched in my long absence away from my blog. I love Prairie Schooler designs and hopefully I should be stitching more in the coming months. This design was taken from the Designer Series - Forget-Me-Nots.

A pinkeep was not my first choice for a finish but I couldn't seem to find the right fabric to match the design to make a pillow so I decided to use what I had in my stash at the time and make a pinkeep.

Design: Parrot in Cage
Designer: Prairie Schooler
(From Designer Series: Forget-Me-Nots)
Threads: DMC recommended
Fabric: Creame Evenweave
Trims: Matching ribbon, cording and backing fabric
Finish: Pinkeep

So until the pancake comes by again, here's wishing you happy stitching and thank you for stopping by.

More stitching to show.....

2010-01-15T19:53:00.013-04:00

It's such a good feeling when you have stitched and finished an item to show off! And so I am feeling elated that I can show off this piece I finished last November. I found it a bit difficult to stitch since I had my fair share of frogging to do on this one. However, the finishing turned out beyond my expectation and so I am please to present 'Bonne Fete!', a freebie designed by De fil en aiguille. The freebie is no longer available because the site closed late last year. What a pity!

Design: Bonne Fete
Designer: De fil en aiguille
Threads: DMC Threads of my choice
Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave
Trims: Pink cording, floral backing, cream beads
Finished as: Heart-shaped Hanger

I finally decided that I will let it hang in my office to brighten up the place.

During the Christmas season I found some time to stitch ornaments for two workmates. They have been very supportive throughout last year and I wanted to show them my appreciation. They are not stitchers so I was a little nervous about how they would like my stitched gifts. I chose to stitch they first initial which incidentally is 'J', Jennifer and Judy. They seemed really surprised at the gesture and said that they appreciated the gifts.

Design: Initial 'J'

Designer: Tempusfugit
Thread: DMC Thread
Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave
Trims: Blue beads, blue ribbon
Finished as: Ornament
Stitched for: Judy

Design: Silhouette Half Doll Script Alphabet Ornament Letter 'J'

Designer: Meridel Abrams
Thread: DMC Thread
Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave
Trims: Blue beads, blue ribbon
Finished as: Ornament
Stitched for: Jennifer

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by and do have a great weekend. Hugs and stitches to you!

An apology and some stitching news

2010-01-12T18:17:00.011-04:00

First I must start with an apology to Patti who was my partner in the "By the Sea Exchange" on the HoE Board. At the time of posting my exchange, I forgot to mention that I had received her stitched piece. I received her exchange late due to her illness but she did a good job of stitching me a pincushion and she also made me a beautiful beaded fob. She also sent me a Biscornu Pincushion from the Sweetheart Tree which I hope to stitch soon. So Patti please accept my apologies for not posting about your exchange but it was not intentional.
I added the towel as I thought it went well with the theme of the exchange.

My first Christmas ornament

For Christmas 2009 I managed to stitch my first Christmas ornament! Hopefully for 2010 I will make many more of them as I had fun stitching up this one. It was a freebie from Plum Pudding Needlework, stitched on natural light jobelan linen and I am really pleased with how it turned out. I thought it was a cute pattern to stitch.

In a previous post I mentioned that I won a prize for being the 1000th poster on the Freebie Gallery site. I received my prize from Carol around Christmas. She stitched me a wonderful Christmas ornament. Thank you Carol for my prize!

So, it's time to prepare for work tomorrow which mean searching my wardrobe for something to wear which is always a chore. So until next time, hugs and happy stitching!

Sandrajay

Blogging on the last day of the year

2009-12-31T16:23:00.008-04:00

Well, I am finally here to blog for the last time for 2009! I promised myself that I would make my last blogging entry today since I have neglected my blog for some time now and I am really feeling guilty that I have not written anything for the past months. This was due to work commitment, household chores etc. So here goes!

So what did Santa bring everyone? Whatever you got I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and that you will have an equally enjoyable New Year. I also wish everyone a happy, prosperous, healthy and blessed 2010. Around this time of the year when the new year dawns, I usually reflect on the past year and I get very apprehensive about the coming year. Last year was a bitter sweet year for me and my family but we are grateful that we have reached the end of this year and hoping that 2010 will be a better year for all of us. I am not one for making new year's resolutions simply because I find them hard to keep so I just pray for good health and guidance to make the right decisions as the year goes by.

Stitching wise, as always I do have some projects I want to start and complete. There are so many but I will try to stitch them all. I am looking at stitching something small each week but I will see how that will go. And of course there are the exchanges. I hope to participate in more this year as well. Speaking of exchanges, I took part in another HoE exchange - beCAUSE it's Pink in October. My Partner for this exchange was Margaret from New Zealand. It go there in record time and I was very pleased about this. I made her a pendibule for the exchange.

The design was from 'My Aunt's Attic'. I stitched it on cream 28 ct. evenweave and added pink beads along the pointed area of the pendibule. I liked how it turned out despite I thought that the colour thread choosen was too light but nevertheless my partner said that she was pleased with it.

For this exchange I received from Nela. She made me some pincushions. I am not sure what she called them because she wrote in Spanish so I was at a lost to what she said they were. She included some pins with roses pin heads which are very cute and some embellishments. This is what she sent:

Thank you so much Nela.

Well I have more pics to show but not right now. I will post again soon in the new year before I return to work on January 5. So do look out for them but for now thanks for stopping by see you in 2010!

Key keeper

2009-08-30T18:02:00.006-04:00

It's back to work tomorrow and back to school here for most of the kids here in Barbados. I know I wouldn't be stitching much for a few weeks as I know I will be tired most evenings and then there will be helping out with homework. No rest for the weary they say, lol. I did manage to stitch one little key keeper while on vacation. Oh what a pity as I want to do so much more but I had to spend some time with my daughters as they will be off to University and college from this September and I was getting them all prepared. Oh well, I guess the kids come first. Anyhow this is what I did.

I found this pattern somewhere on the net but can't recall where, so I don't have a name for it or the name of the designer. If anyone is familiar with the pattern could you please let me know so that I can give it its proper name. I am calling it a key keeper with a 'fancy lady' on it.

Fancy Lady (Self named)
Fabric: 28 count beige Jobelan
Threads: DMC
Finish: Key Keeper

Thanks for stopping by!

Some Good News!

2009-08-29T17:34:00.009-04:00

Someday day this week, can't remember which day exactly, I got word that I was the 1000th poster over on the Freebie Gallery and for this I will be receiving a surprise from Carol! How good is that??!!! I am so looking forward to receiving the surprise! This was really great news to receive now that my vacation is at an end. Not that I don't want to return to work because there are so many persons out there without jobs during these tough times and I am grateful for this job that I have but you know how it is after a long break from work, you have to get back into the thick of things. So its off to work I go, the bills have to be paid, lol.

Some more good news! 'My By the Sea exchange' on the HoE board has been received by my partner, Stacy in the USA! She got it in just a matter of days of me posting it off to her and to think I was a few days late. Great job by the post office! I chose to stitch a pincushion using the freebie 'Sommer' from Mausimom freebies. Most of the colours used reminded me of colours you will find on the beaches here in Barbados on any sunny day. I thought I would add a sea shell from the beach close to my home to embellish the pincushion. I also enclosed some small sea shells as a little souvenir from Barbados. I do hope Stacy will enjoy her exchange as I enjoyed stitching it for her.

Design: Sommer

Designer: Mausimom's
Fabric: 32 count white linen,
flora fabric for backing
Threads: DMC
Finish: Pincushion

So, I off now to prepare for work on Monday. Thanks for paying me a visit and have a great weekend!

Vacation time is here!

2009-08-12T11:33:00.033-04:00

It's vacation time for me - one whole month of it and it is going fast! I started my vacation on August 4 and so far it has been a little more hectic than I planned. No beach time as yet but I may take in relaxing on the beach on Friday since it is my daughter's 16th birthday and she want to spend the day at the beach with her friends. So we are preparing for the beach party. Sounds like fun but I hope the rain doesn't spoil it as it has been raining for the past couple of days. I do hope she has a sunny day to frolic in the sun and do whatever kids her age do.

Although it has been hectic I still got some stitching and finishing done. I am also in the middle of stitching my exchange with the HoE board so that will be shown some time later. So here's what I have been up to. This freebie is from Cathy Roy's blog, Le Chalet des Perelles.

Design: Rose

Designer: Cathy Roy
Fabric: 32 count cream linen
Threads: DMC
Finish: Pillow

My next stitched piece is also a pillow which was made in memory of my Godmother who died recently died in Florida. I lived with her until I was age 10 when she left her homeland, Barbados, to live in the US. She first lived in New York then moved to Florida. She taught me how to sew and I am eternally grateful to her for teaching me not only how to sew but about life in general. I thought this pillow was a perfect way of remembering her and what she love to do. She was 93 years old.

Design:Black Needles
Designer: Ravenelle
Fabric: 32 count white linen
Threads: DMC
Finish: Pillow

I have a dear friend who attends my church and who loves needlework - as a matter of fact we became friends because of needlework. She told me that she gets all excited over a machine but now that she can't see so well to sew at night she has to do all her work in the day before it gets dark. She has about three embroidery machines and she did some lovely embroidered table cloths for the church. I recently stitched a pincushion, designed by Perlin Tezer, for her as a gift for her 74th birthday and I will present it to her this Sunday. I do hope that she likes it.

Design: Romantique Roses
Designer: Perlin Tezer
Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave
Threads: DMC
Finish: Pincushion

I am not a very big fan of pinkeeps but I still like to stitch one or two every now and then. I decided to stitch this quaker style freebie by Gencat and make it into a pinkeep mainly because of its shape. Never attempted to try this shape before so it was a bit difficult to draw out a template on card (I was a little off with the measurements) so don't look too carefully, lol but I like how it turned out. I also had difficulty in finding the exact blue trim but nevertheless I am satisfied that I did an alright job with this particular pinkeep, eventually.

Design: Quaker Time
Designer: Gencat
Fabric: 28 count cream evenweave, floral backing fabric
Threads: DMC

Finish: Pinkeep

Here's another pinkeep freebie by La-D-Da. This was a simple pattern but still presented a little challenge to me to stitch even because it was recommended that the rose be stitched in a circle rather than side by side or up and down which meant I had to plan my stitching a little more carefully than usual, lol.

Design: Rose
Designer: La-D-Da
Fabric: 28 count evenweave, floral rose fabric
Threads: DMC
Finish: Pinkeep

Floss Tags

2009-07-28T22:13:00.010-04:00

I have also stitched two floss tags to add to my collection of favourite things. Floss tags are fun to stitch and I want to stitch a few more during my vacation which in a couple days. The first floss tag is a free chart offered by Madame la Fee.

Design: Lapinou
Designer: Madame la Fee
Fabric: 32 count white linen
Threads: DMC
Finish: Floss Tag

My second floss tag is also a freebie from Echevette. I used the motif from the centre of the pattern. Apparently this freebie does not appears to be available on the site directly but I think you can email the designer if you want it to add to your collection.

Design: Motif from "En attendant le Printemps"
Designer: Dominique Ayzac
Fabric: 28 count Creame evenweave
Thread: DMC
Finish: Floss Tag

Another Favourite Thing

2009-07-27T22:10:00.008-04:00

As promised, I have another "favourite thing to stitch" to show today. It's a pin cushion from one of my favourite French designers, Danybrod. Although I don't speak a word of french, her blog is one of many which has been a source of inspiration to me. I like her designs and her selection of colours for these designs not to mention the way she finishes them. She is a very creative lady to my mind and hopefully I will be able to stitch most of her designs some day. So, here is my attempt at stitching and finishing one of her designs.

Design: Pins Needles Creation
Designer: Danybrod
Fabric: 32 count white linen, eyelet trim, flora cotton
Threads: DMC
Finish: Pincushion

That's it for tonight. There's work in the morning and its way pass my bedtime. Thanks for stopping by.

A Needlebook and Scissors Fob Set

2009-07-24T22:56:00.008-04:00

Another month is quickly passing by so I'm making good use of my stitching time and have been stitching a storm lately. What have I been up to you might ask?! Well I've been stitching some smalls and completing the finishings as I go but I'll not show all here now as some of them still need more work being done on them. So watch out over the next few days for my steady flow of exhibition of my smalls.

I have come to love stitching and finishing needlebooks. I found one way to finish a needlebook on Nataliejo's blog which I thought was very interesting. I think I did a not-so-bad job on the needlebook and I really enjoyed stitching and making it up. So you know I will be making plenty more needlebooks in the future with different style and variations. I choose a freebie from A Mon Ami Pierre and used DMC colours with the help of Carol's (Just Carol) Blog. So I take this opportunity to thank Nataliejo and Carol for their help.

Design: A Mon Ami Pierre Freechart

Designer: A Mon Ami Pierre
Fabric: Creme 28 count evenweave
Threads: DMC 926, 924, 640, 3721, 223, 632, 3064, 902, 3052
Finish: Needlebook

Thanks for stopping by and have a very good weekend!

On with the Exchanges!

2009-06-23T17:06:00.029-04:00

The next exchange I did with HoE was held in September 2008. This was a Prairie Schooler exchange and I stitched a pincushion from Pins and Needles Book No. 115 for Yasmin. It was my first time sending out an exchange to Malaysia so you could imagine my fear of it being lost but she got it in about two weeks or so which wasn't bad. I enjoyed stitching this for Yasmin.

And I received this wonderful floss ring from Marie. I think this is the second time she got my name last year! But I am not sorry because she does such a great job with her stitching and finishings. I hope some day to turn out project just like her. Here is what she sent. She stitched me Friends Book No. 84.

November saw the exchanging of floss tags! My partner for this one was Joke. I stitched her a motif from "Life is Sweet" designed by Ria Lanser. I tried to be different on this one just for variety. I did not use an eyelet by just a piece of ribbon for the loop. I made my own cording. It didn't turn out as I would have liked but nevertheless Joke liked it. This is the floss she received from me.

I received in this exchange the tiniest floss tag I have seen from Caroline in England! She did it on 40 count fabric one over one and it was her first time stitching one over one. I think she did a wonderful job and I am hoping that she wasn't crossed eyed when she was finished, lol. It is too tiny! I must try that one over one thing some day.

In February, 2009, I started my exchanging with the Valentine's Day exchange for Sadie in the U.K. I stitched a piece called "Valentin" from the website http://feutrieetpetitescroix.fr/.

I also crocheted a doily for Sadie as she is learning to crochet. I hope she found it useful.

Michelle in the U.S stitched me a scissors fob and a sachet bag for my Valentine exchange. "Heart Throb" from the Drawn Thread. I love the way it was finished. I think it is very cute and a "Teeny Tiny Love Bag" from Victoria Sampler. Thank you Michelle.

She also included a sachet bag, bath salts and needles which I am sure will come in handy.

My last exchange so far is one which was done for Arbor Day - with a woodland theme. I chose my piece from Just Cross Stitch Magazine Christmas Ornaments 2004 for my partner Becky K. I wanted to stitch this one for myself but thought that it would go well with the theme. I am glad I stitched this one because Becky loved it. I finished it into a pinkeep/scissors keeper.

And my exchange for Arbor day came from Marie in Sweden. She stitched an oven mitten taken from an English magazine called the "Cross Stitcher. It depicts the chestnut tree.

So that's it for the exchanges. Thanks to all of you who sent me beautiful exchanges. I love every one.
Please note: Sorry but I am not able to get the links to show up so that they can be clicked on. I think that I am doing everything right but they just won't show up! Grrrrrr!
*Edited to say that I finally got the links figured out so the links are clickable now.

A very pleasant surprise!

2009-05-22T21:47:00.006-04:00

In my previous post I mentioned that my Biscornu exchange from August 2008 had gone missing and my partner, Maria (lolopx.blogspot.com/)from Venezuela, graciously made me another one. Guess what,! The first Biscornu arrived safe and sound at its new home and it is a very beautiful biscornu. I love it and the extras are just lovely, especially the floss. I hope that you can see the delicate stitching on the biscornu. Thank you, Maria for all the hard work you put into this exchange!

It's been a while.......

2009-05-18T22:04:00.009-04:00

As you can see, it’s been a while now since I wrote anything in my blog. No, I haven’t been having writer’s block or anything like that but the latter half of 2008 was not a particularly happy time for me and my family. As you can imagine, it was very difficult for me to concentrate on blogging and most of all spending quality time on my stitching was out of the question. Just when I thought my life was going fairly well then I was suddenly in a tailspin which left me wonder what next to do. Though the problems are on-going, I‘m trying to cope and I am taking one day at a time. As a result of all this, I’ve only completed small pieces of stitching. I’ve also participated in some exchanges which gave a welcome break from all that was going on around me. I am happy to say that I did a couple of exchanges with my favourite group,none other than Hooked on Exchanging (HoE). As mentioned before I love exchanging especially on the HOE board from which I have received some lovely exchanges. I did a Biscornu exchange on the SBEBB Board also in late August 2008 for Susan in the US. I had a couple mishaps with this exchange and had to start over at the last minute and then I made a mistake in her address! It got there eventually after returning to me. Here is what I did for her. I also included a fob to match the biscornu.

And this is what I received from Maria in Venezuela. Her first biscornu was lost in the mail so she did another one which came only in January this year. Thank you Maria, your second biscornu finally arrived and it was well worth the wait.

That's it for now. Will publish more picture soon and I promise I wouldn't take another year to do it, lol! Thanks for stopping by.

Sandrajay

In between the exchanges.....

2008-08-29T20:03:00.020-04:00

It wasn't all finishing of projects I must add. Yes, there were a couple of exchanges too as well. The Hooked on Exchanging (HoE) board had a Summer Quaker Design for August 1. My partner for this exchange was Wendy Jo. I chose to stitch a pattern from the Gift of Stitching called "A Quaker Seasonal - Summer" in her favourite colour, red. I finished it as a small pillow. The fabric I used was called crepe back satin. I used the crepe side of the fabric as I did not particularly like the satin side. The pattern was stitched on 28 ct ivory evenweave. I was happy with the way it turned out and from all reports Wendy Jo was pleased as well. Here is how it turned out:

I received my Summer Quaker exchange from CathyB. She stitched me a pinkeep from "Little by Little" called "Quaker Blackbird". She also included in her package some goodies which I am sure will come in handy. I already know what I am going to stitch to go along with the piece of farbic she sent! I must also try those Week Dye Works floss she sent me. It will be my first time using them. Here is what she stitched for me:

I have sent off an exchange and it should be on its way to its new home. This time I participated in the SBEBB Biscornu exchange. I have an HoE exchange pending for September, 20 - a design from Prairie Schooler.

The exchanges are coming fast and furious but I am trying to keep up. Admist all these exhanges, I also have some other projects I want to start. Oh dear, I am going to needs some prayers if I am going to get through all of these project! I recently increased my stash of patterns so I should be very busy until the end of the year.

I must say a big thank you to those of you who left a comment. It was nice reading them. do have a great weekend and enjoy your holiday all of you in the U.S.A!

Weekend of Finishings

2008-08-28T19:58:00.020-04:00

It's been a while since I've made an entry on my blog! I always promise myself to blog a little more often but due to exchange deadlines, housework and my job there is very little time to blog. Time is such a precious commodity and is in no way renewable, I have been trying to find ways of gaining time for my hobby. So, I have decided to dedicated a couple of weekends to stitching and finishings and this is what I have achieved so.

First is a flanged pillow. I stitched this freebie "Blessed Be" from Plumpudding Needleart . I stitched it with the recommended DMC threads. It was my first attempt at a flanged pillow. I hope it won't be my last.
I also managed to finish an altoid tin. There was some experimenting going on here with this one. This is also a freebie called "Jour de fete" from a French designer, Au fil de fee. I like French designs and have a few freebies I wish to stitch later. I found this to be a cute pattern with the pastel colours. I think I made an error with the petals because they should have been done in daisy stitches! Then again my French is not very good so you have to excuse me for that. That reminds me I have to buy me a french dictionary!

I made the cording (first time) and was pleased with my achievement. I have to make some more though, as it was fun to make and it does make you finished work look nice and complete.

Another "first" finish is a scissors pocket. I made this from a Prairie Schooler freebie "S is for Spring". I got the instructions from Beckysc. Thanks Becky. The instructions were well written. I love how this turned out! I thought the backing fabric was just perfect. I found it among some remnants I was about to throw out. Oh, this was stitched on aida fabric (28 count). This was before I ever heard of evenweave and linen! I used the recommended DMC thread for this as well.
I did this pinkeep a few weekends ago. This freebie is from Pelin Tezer which was done on ivory 28 count evenweave. She did not have a name for this particular freebie as a single pattern so we decided to call it "Ring of Roses". Very appropriate, I thought. I finished it was ruched ribbon which was very easy to make. I thought it came out well and the backing fabric really complemented it. I stitched it with DMC threads.

Well, that's it for now. I have some more to share but it is getting late here and I want to go visit some of your blogs. I think you ladies have some wonderful blogs and I do enjoy perusing them after a long hard day at the office or in the kitchen, lol.

Freebie Exchange from Marie

2008-06-07T20:13:00.008-04:00

I received my freebie exchange from Marie yesterday! She stitched me a pattern from one of her favourite designers, Mary Garry. It's called Sew and Sew and she made it into a beautiful pinkeep! She also enclosed some extras from my wishlist for which I am grateful. I must mention that I love the cording which she made for the pinkeep. Very nice indeed. Sorry, but my camera did not do justice to the lovely items she sent me.

Ok, I tried to take a better picture of the pinkeep, the backing fabric and the cording made by Marie.

Yet another exchange!

2008-06-05T15:10:00.007-04:00

This time it is the Free Design exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging (HoE) board! My partner, Paula C, received the exchange in just about a week. I stitched her a Heart-shaped Needlecase designed by Mady_p2x, a French designer. The name of the piece is called 'Printemps' which means Springtime. It was stitched on 32 count linen with DMC threads 469 and 115. I used some backing fabric from Jacqueline, my partner from the Pinkeep Exchange. It turned out pretty good and I was pleased with the finished product! I really enjoyed making it for Paula. Now it's onto my next exchange!

Time to blog....at last!

2008-05-25T16:18:00.027-04:00

It has been a long time since I've written to my blog so I have a lot of catching up to do and at the same time showing you all what I have been up to for the past couple of months, stitchwise, that is!

Hooked on this stitching thing.....

During the past months I have been into some exchanges on the Hooked on Exchanging (HoE) board. I am really enjoying the exchanges and look forward to participating more in the future. I have receive some really nice things and I appreciate them all. The board gives me encouragement to stitch and to finish off my projects. I get a lot of satisfaction from being a part of the whole exchanging thing. So you can rightly say I am really hooked on this stitching and exchanging thing!

Biscornu Exchange

My biscornu exchange, held in late March, was for Rowyn from New Zealand. I never sent anything to New Zealand before so I was keeping my fingers crossed for it safe flight. It got there sooner than I could imagine and my partner seemed to like it! I stitched her a well known pattern by Indigo Rose, Four Little Hearts. I choose this one because of the speciality stitches which I had not tried before and the pastel colours which went together well. I though it came out pretty good and I was pleased with it.

I received this lovely biscornu from Veronica in the USA. She stitched me a free pattern from Papillon Creations on Belfast Linen. Lovely colours and beautifully stitched! I also love the goodies she enclosed. She got me a Needleroll kit from Shepherds Bush - Birdhouse needleroll from my wish list and some fabric - 32 count from Silkweaver. Here have a look!

Pinkeep Exchange

Next came the Pinkeep Exchange in April which was for Irmeli from Finland. I stitched a freebie pattern from Debbie Drapper called 'Love'. I had fun stitching this one. I thought it was a cute pattern and did it with DMC 115 to go with the theme of love.

My partner, Jacqueline from the US stitched me something from one of my favourite designers, Prairie Schooler. I called it the flying stitcher because it was a fairly sitting on a bird. This too was very nice. She sent me some goodies as well! One of my daughter ate all of the peeps and the other liked the pinkeep. Well, I love them all.

Feathered Friends Exchange - A SBEBB Exchange

This exchange finished up in May. My partner received her exchange so I can show what I stitched for her. We had to stitch a pattern with a bird in it. I choose part of a pattern from a French designer - A Mon Ami Pierre, Quaker Six Mains. It was easy to stitch and I added her initials from another cross stitch pattern.

My exchange came from Mylene of the Netherlands. She stitched me a lovely piece and a cute scissors fob! She also got me some things from my wish list - Halloween printed fabric and blue ribbons of different sizes and patterns. I will sure need these, they are so pretty! See what she sent.

This is what I have been doing for the exchanges. I have about three more exchanges to stitch and send out. So my hands are full. Still have a few favourites I want to stitch in the meantime. That's it for now. Thanks for visiting!

Hooked on Exchanging

2008-02-07T20:34:00.000-04:00

Well, my partner from Hooked on Exchanging, Stephanie, received her scissors fob exchange! Wow, kudos to the postal workers who got it to her in the UK in record time! I am very happy to learn that she love it and all the other goodies I sent her. I, personally felt that I could have done a better job but since it was just my second fob, I will most certainly be doing lots more of these fun projects as time goes by. I did get to stitch up one for myself as a little treat. Please see the pics on both scissors fob. The one with the stitched 'S' is the one I stitched for myself. Hope you like the both. So now off to do my next exchange!

Thanks for stopping by!

Trying to Catch up!

2008-01-31T09:23:00.001-04:00

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and an equally good New Year. Mine was was good despite having to deal with house renovations on my return from St. Vincent. So that left me with no time to do any cross stitching. All I had time for was to at least sort my projects out for 2008 along with some exchanging in between. Speaking of exchanges, I received my first exchange yesterday afternoon. My mail box was filled with two cross stitch magazines and some floss from great friend, Joan in the US. Anyhow getting back to exchanges, yes Carol sent me a really nice scissors fob which incidentally is my very first scissors fob and she included a scissors to go with it! I love everything she sent. I posted out my yesterday and I hope my partner will like hers as well.

So what's next - a biscornu exchange. Haven't decided what I will do as there are so many beautiful designs out there! And what am I stitching at present. I am stitching a freebie from one of the french designers. I think their work is lovely. My only regret is that I don't get their patterns or books here in Barbados. I have to rely on freebies. I think I will finish it up as a flat fold. Inbetween, that I am stitching a little initial fob just for me! I think I deserve it, lol.

My St. Vincent trip was a bit eventful. While I was there on November 30 there was an earthquake. My, was I scared! I was in this very tall building on the third floor. I think I got out of there in something like 2 seconds, and that was taking the stairs! I have never experienced an earthquake before. We don't have them in Barbados but this time I was wrong. It was all over the Caribbean! My kids back home were scare especially the younger one who couldn't figure out what was going on. Anyhow, there was no damage and I am really grateful to God for that.

Well that's all for now. Hopefully, I won't be away for so long, keeping my fingers crossed on that!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sandrajay

Finally....

2007-11-21T20:01:00.001-04:00

I've completed my needlecase and have it all ready to show! Although the instructions were a bit confusing to me I had fun stitching it up and doing the final finishing. It is the 'Emblem of Friendship Needlecase', designed by Louise Henderson of Cherished Stitches (JCS 2006 Christmas issue). The pic shows the needle case from back front and open. There are a few other patterns I would love to stitch from the magazine. Just hoping for the opportunity to present itself.

On another note: I'll be away on a work-related trip from 25 November to 1 December on the island of St. Vincent. It is not far away from Barbados, just about half hour away be air. After that I'll be on holiday until 5 January. Don't I think I'll get much stitching done with this trip coming up and I have to get my home back to normalcy after some renovations over the past 6 months. I am glad the construction is over; only painting left to do now. By the way I am not very found of renovations, it is too much work but looking at the brighter side of things, I got my self a sewing room. I can't wait to decorate it with all my stitching works!

Last but not least, I have added a wishlist to my blog. It will probably get longer as time goes by but here as just a few items to start with. Until later continue to have a good week fellow stitchers!

And here it is......

2007-11-13T10:06:00.003-04:00

My first completed needleroll! I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I think I will be doing many more of these. It is a kit I had in my 'do-to pile' from Shepherd's Bush, designed by Terri Richards. It was stitched on 32 count ivory linen. Haven't finished my needle case as yet. I ran out of ribbon so I have to run to the store to get some more to complete it. The instructions for the case was a bit confusing so I had to let my imagination take over. Will have a pic to show when it is completed. So what's next, have to consult with my to-do-pile. My daughter has been begging me to do a pillow for her for her new bedroom. I think I will grant her her wish. We have to go shopping so she can pick out the fabric etc. Hopefully this weekend.

Stitching Seriously

2007-11-09T08:16:00.001-04:00

Now that the birthday celebrations are out of the way, it is time to do some 'serious' stitching. I started two small pieces, a needleroll and a needlecase. I have completed the stitching but not the finishings but hopefully they should be completed and posted over the weekend. The needleroll is my first but I hope to do many more of them. The needlecase is not my first but it is my first quarker pattern. Here is a picture of part of the needleroll. I am presently stitching a gift for a friend in Canada for Christmas. Since it is a smaller than I expected, I think I will stitch her up another gift to go along with the other gift. Will post a picture of all the projects.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2007-10-23T15:52:00.001-04:00

Yes, today is my birthday! and I am praying that I have many, many more! Took the day off from work and just did some shopping and relaxed a little until the kids get home from school. Plan to complete a needleroll I had for ages to night. Not very romatic huh, but nevertheless I get to stitch! What did I get for my birthday!! My hubby gave me a lamp with a magnifying lamp for use with my stitching at night as that is the only time I get to do the bulk of my stitching. What a sweetie he is! I guess he didn't want me to suffer anymore, LOL. Those higher count fabric are so hard on the eyes but I just love to stitch on them and now that I have my lamp, I can surely do a whole lot stitching now. I have to thank him in a very special way. Well off to get the kids their dinner.

My Exchange from Chris

2007-10-22T10:18:00.001-04:00

I received my Grateful Heart exchange from Chris in the UK. It was a lovey exchange indeed. I love the little pillow so much that I am thinking of making one. Here is what she sent along with the pillow!

My First Exchange

2007-10-22T10:01:00.001-04:00

I was thrilled to be accepted into the SBEBB exchange Board some months ago. To say the least I was elated! Not only that I took part in my first exchange, Grateful Hearts. My partner for this exchange was Leena in Finland. I was very nervous as this was my first exchange. She received it in good time and said that she like it and her favourite colour is blue!. This has encourage me to take part inother exchanges on this Board. Here is a picture of my exchange with Leena.

2007-10-12T10:27:00.001-04:00

New Blogger

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am a first time blogger so please bear with me as I try to get familiar with blogging. My blog will mainly focus on cross stitching and finishings. I hope that I can maintain your interest and I do hope that you will visit every now and then.