My SWAN Party

For those who want to be in the know I stitched the stocking in the upper righthand corner for ML.  I received the beautiful star shaped nativity scene in the lower right.  I almost burst into tears when I opened it.  I collect nativities and this is a sweet sweet addition from DC.  Merry Christmas!

SWAN Christmas Party is the BEST!

Each year we draw the name of a fellow SWAN and stitch an ornament.  The exchange at the annual party is also a reveal.  We keep the name we drew and the ornament a secret from each other until the big moment.  It is truly special!  Here are this year's charmers.  

Overview

Painted Pony ornament

Kirk and Hamilton

Kelly Clark Angel

3-D house with spectacular beaded roof

Beautiful bell with Ornue

Super cute coffee Santa

Forest Santa

Personalized to the max

Did She Really Start Something New???

Yes, she did.  It's called Let the Earth Be Glad by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs.  I bought it at The Needle Works and took it to Amy's.  This beautiful sky stitch is a slanted brick using two strands of Dinky Dyes overdyed silk was recommended by Amy Bunger.  Perfection! 

The Fires are Lit at The White Farmhouse

It doesn't seem like much for a couple of hours stitching but there was a lot of trying this and that.  I settled on Fabulous Fibers in this pale smoky blue.  It is just a little satin stitch.  

The White Farm Gets a Front Door

And a couple of other details.  I stitched the front gate, the front door and the chimneys.   I need to stitch the smile coming from the chimney.  

Planting Trees at The White Farm

Back home and stitching on The White Farm by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs.  All the stitch ideas are from Amy Bunger at Amy's Golden Strand in Memphis, TN.  

Trees stitched in silk ribbon

Overview

No She Didn't

Yes she did.  Merry Christmas to me.  I bought this canvas from The Needle Works here in Austin.   They are having a trunk show of Painted Pony Needlepoint Design canvases.  It's called Let the Earth Be Glad.  I took it to Amy's and she gave me a couple of stitch ideas.

Let the Earth Be Glad

Missing Memphis Already

Once again we had the best time in Memphis.  Eating, stitching and visiting with dear friends there.  FABULOUS!  I took the White Farm by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs.  I was ready for Amy to give me the stitches for the rest of the piece.

Overview on arrival

Tree closeup

Barn stitching

Overview of barn and house

Closeup of house

The Village of Hawk Run Hollow

Time for some reading, writing and arithmetic.   I am finally getting around to stitching the school.  I had started on it and boogered it up real good.  It took me some time to work up the energy to tear out all the mess.   I am headed towards the finish line!

Block 11 - School House

Overview of bottom row

Going to Amy's

We are headed to Amy's soon for a Rent Amy Day.  Memphis is a great town and the ladies at Amy's Golden Strand are the best.   We are going to spend two whole days with them!  I am taking the White Farm by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony.  I took it the last time we went and am ready for my stitch suggestions for the rest of this gorgeous piece. 

I would also like to take this cute Welcome Sampler from Kelly Clark if I can find it.  I am still unpacking from moving back in my house.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Painted Pony Owl Angel

I am stitching away on this cute angel trying to get her done by the cut off date for Christmas finishing.  Wish me luck!

Cute owlet with some pretty green leaves

Whatever Happened to the Heartstrings Nativity?

I am still working on it.  The ones that are finished haven't been "finished" because my finisher likes to make the twisted cord for the whole set at one time. I'm getting there...

Momma Ewe and Lamb not even started

Joseph is done

Green Wiseman is done

Camel is close

Mary is done

Baby Jesus is done

Getting there on the donkey

Shepherd is done

Red Wiseman is done

Shelly Tribbey Cardinal Santa

 Woohoo!  I finally have something I can share with you.  I hope my MIL doesn't follow my blog since this is for her Christmas 2018.   I was inspired to stitch one of these after receiving one last Christmas.  My dear SWAN friend, SU, stitched this for me for our ornament exchange.  I LOVE IT!

Shelly Tribbey Blue Santa

So I bought this one...

Shelly Tribbey Cardinal Santa

Stitch ideas are from me and Carolyn Baird.  Carolyn is at Chaparral in Houston.  We drive over there as much as possible to take her studio time.  I also buy ribbon from her ribbon store in Chaparral.  What a selection!

Nobuko on the coat

One strand herringbone for the shoe sole

Van Dyke for Santa's staff

I Really Am Stitching

I am back in my house and I am stitching.  I haven't posted much since I am working on a secret ornament and a basketweave project.  You can only look at so many pictures of basketweave.   BUT here is the finished product.   Someday it will be a pillow on the bed in one of my guestrooms.  Happy Stitching!

The Strawberry Thief by Whimsey and Grace

Happy Fourth of July!

Fourth of July Angel from Shelly Tribbey

Hello!!!

I am finally back in my house.   What an unpleasant experience my remodel was!  So glad it's over.   Well, almost over.  They have to come back and fix their mistakes.  That's on hold for now.  Let's get back to what's important and FUN:  needlepointing.   

Some of the SWANs are headed out for a three day stitchathon at the beach.  How awesome is that?  What shall I take?  I may have to take my own car just for my stuff.  

Strawberry Thief from Whimsey and Grace

Hart Hunt by Diane Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint

Halloween Kitty from Melissa Shirley 

Welcome Friends Sampler from Kelly Clark

Owl Angel from Painted Pony

Kitty Witch from Painted Pony Needlepoint

Weekend at D's Lakehouse

I got to spend about 24 hours out at the lake with the SWANs. It was a short break from the remodel. I took the Hart Hunt from Diane Ulmer Pedersen by Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs.  The stitch guide is by Amy Bunger from Amy's Golden Strand.  I got two fields done since we do nothing but eat, stitch and sleep.  And visit the whole time we are awake.  It is so much fun.  I had to leave early to remortar my new fireplace but it turned out really well so all is good.

Third field up is Horizontal Victorian in two strands of silk

Fourth field up is Florentine Spike in two strands of overdyed cotton

Overview