Sunday Selections #162

Sunday Selections is a project that was started by Kim of Frogs Rock Pond and is being continued by River of Drifting through life. It's a simple but fun idea: on Sunday, simply post some pictures that are sitting, neglected, in your folders. You can choose a theme or not; it's entirely up to you. Link back to River, and, voila, you've done it!

This week's theme: exchanges! I've participated in quite a few and received some beautiful gifts, which I must show off to you.

Friendly Stitchers Winter 2013 Exchange from Denise

She also sent me some lovely Madeira silk floss and a cute keychain. Thank you so much, Denise!  My favorite part is the little footprints. So cute!

What I stitched for Denise

This was my first time doing Assisi stitching, and I'm quite pleased with the result. I dated it with the Hijra calendar since we are both currently in Saudi Arabia.

Chatty Stitching Exchangers Winter 2013 Exchange from Shelley

I just adore the finishing on this ornament! Plus Shelley knows that I like squirrels. I think I may have let out a little squeak when I opened it. :D

What I stitched for Viv

I think this one needed a lighter fabric, but I still like it.

Friendly Stitchers Secret Santa 2013 from mouse

You have no idea how thrilled I was to receive this! I love these patterns! The fact that they were a surprise made it that much better!

I sent charts to Kate, but there's no picture since I ordered them online.

Friendly Stitchers Valentine's Day 2013 Exchange from Judith

The little white specks in the pattern are actually tiny hearts. This is such a lovely ornament! And it's the first time I've received a Valentine's Day card in German. :)

What I stitched for Judith

Part of the exchange was to include tea, soap, or chocolate in the package. This is the tea that DH got me for our anniversary- it's delicious!

 Chatty Stitching Exchangers Spring 2013 Exchange from Marion

She stitched it with soluble canvas, and it looks great, so there's another thing I'll have to try!

 What I stitched for Shelley

...will be revealed once she receives it!

Five exchanges in three months? That's a record for me!

I've been so spoiled over the last few months- thank you, ladies, for brightening many days for me!

Ringing in the New Year...

...with a couple of finishes!

On New Year's Eve, I finished my first cross stitch gift for my husband for our first Christmas as a married couple. I'm waiting to give it to him in person, as we spent this holiday season with our respective parents.

He likes the lines and shapes in Brittercup Designs patterns, so I stitched Christmas Cat Tree from the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue.

The only change I made was to substitute Kreinik #8 001C with Mill Hill Magnifica 10001 beads.

Shortly after New Year's, I finished my Merry Christmas Needle Roll by Down Sunshine Lane.

The pattern says "Merry Christmas" in the middle, but I decided that a simple "Merry" would suit me better.

I can't find this pattern anywhere online; I received it as part of an exchange on Chatty Stitching Exchangers. I really enjoyed stitching this- and it's my first needle roll!

Lastly, I finished the Pinn mini keychain that I started in 2011. All I needed to do was the backstitching on the boy & the back piece; it took me a year & a half to do an hour & a half's worth of work!

Best Stitches & Wishes,