My New Cross Stitching Lamp and 48th B-Day Pictures

 Sorry for the mess around my new lamp but let me show you my new Daylight floor lamp.  Some of the features are bulb that is moveable with a special bulb that even helps with lack of sunshine in the winter, a clip that can hold your pattern off to the side of you when you stitch and a magnifier lense that you can put in front of your pattern . It also has a tray which I put all my threads and needles on.  The lamp comes with 6 wheels on the bottom and is nice and heavy and very solid.  I am SO pleased with it that stitching is more of a pleasure than ever.

 Here is a pic of me on my 48th birthday last weekend.

Here are 3 of my children that took me out to eat at the Duck Inn last weekend for my birthday.

A Little Halloween Pillow For Me

This evening I finished this charming Halloween pillow.  I started out a month ago making it for an exchange.  But silly me thought I had signed up for the exchange and at last minute found out I never did!  This was two weeks ago when I was freaking out about not being able to finish in time.  I lucked out and found out I can take my time and finish this pillow for me!!!  I found this pattern in this years JCS Halloween edition.  I used Sullivan threads which was new for me!  Isn't it cute!

Yes, I Am Still Alive!!!

 I have been busy for the last few months with life, but today decided to catch up my blog with exchanges either received or given.  I don't remember the particulars on each but will give you the run down.
This is a box I made with directions from Blackbird Designs.  I made the Blackbird design and mounted it on the box which I covered with a red calico fabric.  I put the initials of my exchange partner on it as well.

 Here is what I included as goodies for her.  A pincushion (also a Blackbird Design) along with a fall beaded kit, linen, and various buttons.

 This was the Blackbird Exchange that I received.  It is filled with lavendar and smells so wonderful.  I love the lace edge.

 I entered the HOE ABC round and sent this out.  It is a Stacy Nash Primitive and done across only one.  It is really an itsy bitsy little pincushion.

 Marie send me this from the HOE Halloween exchange.  It is a little wooden box and the cross stitching is across one.

 Marie also sent me this little ornament that was tucked inside the wooden box.

 This is the Prairie Home Schooler Ornament from the HOE exchange that I received.  It is finished to perfection.

 This is the Prairie Ornament that I made for my partner.  I will think twice again before stitching on black evenweave again.  Even though my partner says she loves how it glows.

 I made this little guy for my partner for the HOE Halloween exchange.  I have already received requests from others to make this for them for Christmas.

This is the exchange I received from Amy from the HOE ABC exchange.  It is hanging on my ornament tree right now!!!

Amy also sent me this ornament by Little House as the HOE Runners up exchange. It is waiting to by hung soon on our Holiday tree.

I received this beautiful breast cancer awareness biscornu and scissors and fob from Jayne.  I love it and the biscornu sits proudly on my desk and I am actively using the scissors while making a project this month.

This is one of my favorite ornaments so far that I have made.  It is from JCS.  I sent it out to California as part of the Autumn Exchange.

This was what I made my partner in Canada as my exchange to her for the HOE Runners up exchange.  I choose a Little House design that I personalized with her last name.

I hope you enjoyed all my exchanges received and sent.  I love exchanging and put my heart and soul into it.