A Great Roadtrip!

Yesterday my stitch group (5 of us: Jo Barb, Angie, Carol, Jo and I) went on a roadtrip. We try to go somewhere in the spring and in the fall. So we decided we would go to Stitches n Stuff in Clinton, Iowa where we have been many times. Its a great little LNS, if you are ever in the area. (Its really the only shop in the area). We left home around 9:00 a.m. and arrived shortly after it opened at 10:00 a.m. Everyone pretty much had a list and set off about their shopping. I didn't have much on my list. I am on automatic for the BBD stockings so I was glad to see the April Showers in. I just love this one. I also love the HIHN chart I got. I did the What Makes Winter and wanted What Makes Spring to go with it. I am waiting for the new Lizzie Kates and Heart in Hand patterns to come in next month so didn't purchase much yesterday in the way of cross stitch for myself (I did purchase for exchanges, so can't show that).

We left the LNS about 11:30 and headed to a quilt shop that Angie liked called Sewing Machines & More. What a great little shop! Oh my! The minute I walked in and noticed all the Moda fabric I knew I would probably be in just alittle bit of trouble and...well...I did just alittle bit of damage :) What can I say...they had Moda fabric!!!! LOLOL We left there about noon and headed to Davenport for lunch at Chick-fil-A.

After lunch a trip to Michaels (I was good didn't buy anything), then to a cute little craft shop (bought something for an exchange, can't show) and then to Hobby Lobby (I didn't buy anything) and headed on home in a downpour of rain. We had a great time and everyone was really happy with their purchases.

This fall we have decided to take a three day trip. We are going to The Silver Needle, The Heart's Desire and The Sunflower Seed with some stops at some quilt shops in between as well. So we are all making are wishlists and saving our money for that.

Here are the pics of my purchases. I did purchase other things yesterday but they are for exchanges I have coming up, so I can't show those.



Today I am going to finish my patriotic exchange. Hope everyone has a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Wendy Jo

Blackbird Designs Exchange for Cathy B!

Cathy B. has received my exchange I sent her. The theme was Blackbird Designs. I decided to stitch a design from the book Thank You, Sarah Tobias. The pattern is Pins & Tulips. I stitched the pincushion and decided to stitch a scissor fob to match as Cathy put a pair of scissors down on her wishlist.

I stuffed the pincushion with rice which I think turned out pretty good (first time using rice as I have always used fiber fill). I also followed the instructions of dyeing white ric rac with tan rit dye. I think it turned out pretty good (pic below). It was my first attempt at using dye so I was a wee bit nervous.

I also sent Cathy some fabric and needles as that was on her wishlist as well. Here are some pics:




I am glad you like your exchange Cathy, I enjoyed stitching for you!

My Tuesday stitch group is going on a roadtrip today to Clinton, Iowa to a LNS called Stitches n Stuff. I have a small list so we will see what I come home with.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wendy Jo

A Crazy Exchange & Birthday Gift Sent & Received!

I sent a crazy exchange to Laurie last week and she has received it and loves it. I decided on Heart in Hand's Wee Ones "Flowers" and finished it into a pinkeep.

I am so glad you like it Laurie..its such a fun one to stitch for you.


In the crazy exchange group, Simone and I partnered up as birthday buddies. Her birthday is in early May, so I sent it on its way early and it has arrived! I think it took only a week!

For Simone's birthday present, I looked at her wishlist and she wanted scissors and I know she loves Littlehouse Needleworks so I thought I would take the "needle" pattern from Traveling Stitcher, change it to say "scissors" and make a scissor keep and include the scissors! I also changed the colors to a deep red since Simone loves the color red. I also included extras that were on her wishlist.

I am so happy that Simone loves her birthday package. I wish you a very happy birthday my friend!!




I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Wendy Jo

Patti's PIF and Birthday Gift

I received an e-mail from Patti that the P.I.F. (Pay It Forward) and birthday gift I sent her had arrived. I wanted to stitch Patti a design from Blackbird Designs since that is a designer she likes. The pattern is Buttons & Pins. I did make some changes and finished it into a pinkeep.

Patti has a birthday at the end of the month and I wanted to send something to her so I purchased SB's 2009 scissor fob kit that was on her wishlist and I loved it so much I got one for myself! LOL

Glad you like the PIF Patti I enjoyed stitching it for you and a very Happy Birthday to you too!



Today I will be putting together my crazy exchange and hopefully mailing that in the next day or two. I am also in the process of finishing up another birthday package. No pics on either but hope to be able to share those soon.

Hope everyone has a great day and thanks for stopping by and thank you for the wonderful compliments. I appreciate them very much.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy Jo

A Christmas Package and A Swap!

My dear friend Carol had sent me a Christmas package at Christmas time and after several weeks of it not arriving and figuring it got lost in the mail system she restitched the Christmas cracker for me and it arrived yesterday. I absolutely love it! Carol's stitching is outstanding! I already have a few of her "treasures" and am so happy to add this one to the collection! Now, Carol didn't stop there..she added a lovely pair of scissors with an adorable Swaroski crystal fob she made. Some lovely red gingham ribbon, 32 ct fabric, sewing fabric, pins, trim and all in an adorable box!

Thanks so much Carol for the wonderful Christmas package!

Here are some pics:




Then if that wasn't enough I also received my swap from the Swap with Nina. Talk about a "wow" moment...I had that and then some! Anikó sent me quite a package. Anikó stitched me a gorgeous pinkeep with a scissor pocket with scissors, pincushion and scissor fob all on 32 ct. Murano evenweave fabric over 1 using DMC. I believe Anikó said it was a little piece from Blue Royal by AMAP. Everything coordinates so beautifully. The very middle of the pinkeep matches the button of the pincushion and matches one side of the scissor fob. The other side of the fob has my initial "W" (I have a pic below).

Anikó included a wonderful pair of scissors. I had seen these scissors on numerous blogs and had always said "I gotta get a pair of those.." well..now I have a pair!

Thank you so very much Anikó for a wonderful swap, I absolutely adore these wonderful treasures.




My swap went to Julcsi in Hungary. I checked out her blog to see her likes and dislikes and decided to stitch her a scissor fob in pastels since she likes pastel colors. I went with "Easter" by Trail Creek Farms. Julcsi e-mailed me that she received my fob and likes it very much.
Here is a pic:


A couple of days ago I mailed my P.I.F. to my friend Patti. So I am looking forward to her receiving that in the next week or so. Then I can share pics of that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend. I plan to spend as much of the weekend as I can stitching on my crazy exchange and Friends through Threads blackbird designs exchange.

On Sunday Rex and I are taking my mom out to a Sunday brunch. So we are looking forward to that. I love a great brunch!

Take care and thanks for stopping by.

Wendy Jo

All Seasons Ornament Exchange Sent To Maggee

Maggee e-mailed me before I went on a min-vacation to Arkansas that she received the spring exchange I sent her and she loves it. I stitched her Tulip Scissor Companion by Ewe & Eye & Friends. Maggee likes the color pink so I changed the colors a bit.

Enjoy the ornament Maggee! It was a fun stitch!

A Spring Exchange Arrives

Maggee and I were paired for a spring exchange on the All Seasons Exchange blog and Maggee's exchange arrived yesterday. She stitched me LK's freebie called Hello Spring. I just love it the cute little purple heart buttons she added.

I can't show pics of Maggee's exchange quite yet as it will be mailed on Monday.

Thanks for a great exchange Maggee!

DT Exchange Arrived in Germany

Brigitte e-mailed to let me know she received the package I sent her. It was the DT exchange we did on the Friends Through Threads blog. She said she was thrilled with the entire package so, of course, that made my day!

The pattern I chose is from Too Tiny Sampler. I decided to finish it in my customary way...as a pinkeep. I looked at Brigitte's wishlist and noticed she wanted some ribbon, fabric and notecards I thought I'd send those along as goodies.

Here are some pics:

A Crazy Exchange From The Netherlands

I received my return exchange from Ina in the Netherlands yesterday. Ina stitched me a gorgeous biscournu! I must say I don't have very many biscournus, So I was happy to have another one to add to my collection.

Ina also sent some goodies as well.

Thanks Ina for a wonderful exchange.

Drawn Thread Exchange Arrives From Germany

My Friends through Threads exchange arrived last night from Kerstin. We were doing a Drawn Thread exchange. Kerstin stitched me Spot of Spring and finished it into a lovely little pillow, adding ribbon with a bow and heart saying "made with love". I just love it. Kerstin also sent some "spring" themed goodies. A lovely pattern with bunnies and spring flowers, a butterfly ornament, a skein of pastel thread and some iron on woven labels.

Thanks so much Kerstin for a wonderful exchange.