Received my Pyn Keepe Exchange

I went to the post office to pick up an "undeliverable" package yesterday morning on the way into work and this is what I found: a wonderfully executed and exquisitely finished Quaker Acorn pyn keepe. I already have it on display as part of my Fall decor which just happens to involve quite a few other acorn pieces. My heartfelt thanks go to Bernadette Huysing, who is clearly a very skilled stitcher. I was lucky to draw her as my exchange partner.

L*K Ornament Exchange Received

I received this exquisitely finished little lovely from Cindy in NY as part of the Christmas ornament exchange from the Hooked on Exchanging group. I wish you could see the very dainty trim she used, my photo does not do it justice. She also sent along with a pretty little chart from Country Cottage Needleworks, a mini-sampler called Sunflower.

The ironic thing is that I used the very same Peace-Joy-Love chart for my own entry in this exchange, only I stitched my version in beads. Two takes on the same chart couldn't be more different. I have already carefully stored Cindy's version away with my other cross-stitched Christmas ornaments ... the ones I use to decorate my table top wrought iron tree that decorates my entryway during the Christmas season.

A New Start - in spite of all the WIPs & UFOs

Okay, I finally had to do something, anything different. My stitcher's ADD reasserted itself. I needed the novelty. Happily, the piece I chose is not too large and will not interfere unduly with progress on my WIPs ... and as to the UFOs, well they are nearly beyond hope anyway! I am stitching a lovely old PS complimentary chart for the Autumn Pyn Keepe Exchange on HOE. I am using a 36ct Silkweaver linen called Shadowbrook which makes me think of a mossy forest floor, all soft and shadowy greens over a barely discernible base of subtle tans. I did my own conversion from DMC to Belle Soie silks. The silks and the linen are perfect together. The only problem I foresee is parting with the finished piece. Oh, well, a promise is a promise. I'll have to stitch this design again for myself eventually. Happily, I still have enough Shadowbrook linen to do so. I am stealing a technique from the Homespun Elegance blog and photographing a tiny section as a sneak peek to give you an idea of how well the linen and silk are working together without giving away the whole design.

And A Brief Intermission

I am taking a very short break from Tracery Dragons to complete the finishing on my Chrstmas ornaments for the Hooked on Exchanging Endless Christmas Ornament Exchange: Lizzie Kate round. I checked my followers, and my partner's name didn't show up among them, so I am going to risk posting some photos. You see I stitched two ornaments and don't know which to send. I am really not a big fan of Lizzie Kate's. The only piece of hers that I have stitched is the "Housework never killed anyone ..." piece and that was more a philosophical statement than an aesthetic one. So I resorted to using freebies to do the exchange. Now, L*Ks freebies tend to look rather like mere doodles, in my opinion, the sort of thing she might knock out as a warm-up exercise for real designing. Like a singer doing scales or a dancer doing plies. So, naturally, I had to jazz them up a bit. The one with just the words Peace-Love-Joy was stitched entirely in beads to give it a little punch. I also extended the border and added some Mill Hill Treasures [hearts] since I didn't have the recommended L*K charm. And on the Cozy Christmas Wishes ornament, I added a bit of back-stitching to the cup to make it pop and I used some of my prized hand-dyed chenille to dress up the pillow finish a bit. I am happy with them now but I haven't a clue if a real L*K fan would like my fiddling about with the original charts.

So, tell me, which would you rather receive in your mail box? On Monday, I'll follow the recommendation of the majority and pop that one in the mail. I'll save the remaining ornament to use as package trim for one of this year's Christmas gifts.

My Prairie Schooler Exchange Piece

This went out to Ellen in Singapore and I have gotten word that she received it safe and sound.

So for the photos.

First, on the left, the tout ensemble: I was lucky enough to be gifted with a bunch of ulphostery fabric sample swatches by my sister-in-law. They have proved to be perfect for all sorts of sewing finishes. Since I filled this little pin pillow with ground walnut shells, I wanted something substantial. And because I am always concerned that the walnut shells might still have traces of natural oils, I lined the whole thing with muslin. I'd hate to have the piece develop staining over time. The design I stitched is from Book #123: Country Seasons. I have stitched at least part of the design before, when I had to fill in the last block of my Autumn Round Robin after one of the stitchers was politely disinvited ... she had a nasty habit of keeping anything that fell into her hands.

But it was fun to revisit this chart and finish it in a new and different fashion. This is my first long pin pillow, and I am reasonably pleased with it. I finally found a good use for a little enameled metal acorn shank button that has been kicking around in my stash for a decade.

The last photo is of the whole exchange ... I threw in a few autumnal ceramic buttons for good measure.

This was my first experience with Hooked on Exchanging and I must admit I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I loved what I received, the lovely little lapel pins from Amy, and I look forward to other exchanges in the future. I am hoping to expand my internet stitching network horizons a bit. I know that the folks I have encountered so far have been wonderful. I have been following the voting on the designer to be spotlighted in the next exchange of Christmas ornaments. Lizzi Kate [not one of my favorites] is ahead of my own choice, Blackbird Designs. Just in case, I found myself a Lizzie Kate complimentary chart that I can use since I don't have any of L*K's charts in my stash and don't like her quite well enough to purchase one.