First finish of 08

This is my first finish of the year. It was actually a UFO that I started probably back in high school, if not before that. The design is simply called "Claddagh" and it is from Holidays In Cross Stitch 1990: The Vanessa Ann Collection. The fabric is one that I picked out to use to finish the piece. This is where you guys come in ... how do you think I should finish it? I haven't quite decided yet. I was hoping for some suggestions. The second picture is just a better picture of just the design. I made some adjustments to the suggested DMC thread, mostly since I didn't have the exact colors called for and just used similar ones.



In other stitching news, I have acquired quite a bit of stash since the new year. DH gave me a gift certificate to AC Moore, which I used to purchase some fabric (all Aida since I don't really like the selection of linens there, I'd rather get that from my LNS) and stock up on some of the floss that I would need to complete some of the projects that I have picked out. I have received one of three charts that I ordered from military x-stitch (the other two had to be charted and should be here this week). I have received my class crest and am waiting on the ship crest for both my and my husband's ships. I also picked up a bunch of fat quarters of various fabrics to add to my stash for finishing purposes.

I am also looking forward to participating in Bride's Tree SAL but I am still waiting on the pattern books that I ordered. Of course I find out after the fact that the ONS that I ordered them from has a history of taking a long time to fill their orders and not providing information. I believe one of the charts is out of stock, so my entire order is waiting to be shipped. Oh well, I'll get started at some point.

I found out this week who my partner was going to be for the Fair and Square exchange: Willeke from the Netherlands. I received an e-mail from her today. I already have my square planned out for her ... I just need to pick out the floss for it. I hope you are all having a wonderful day and evening.

My other love: books

I found this on Pencil Crossings and thought I would give it a try. I had to laugh at the result since Anne of Green Gables is one of my absolute favorite books and characters.

You're Anne of Green Gables!

by L.M. Montgomery

Bright, chipper, vivid, but with the emotional fortitude of cottage
cheese, you make quite an impression on everyone you meet. You're impulsive, rash,
honest, and probably don't have a great relationship with your parents. People hurt
your feelings constantly, but your brazen honestly doesn't exactly treat others with
kid gloves. Ultimately, though, you win the hearts and minds of everyone that matters.
You spell your name with an E and you want everyone to know about it.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Fair Square Exchange

I've been meaning to post for a few days but have been slow at uploading my pictures. I found out that Mary Kathryn received my squares on Thursday but hadn't had a chance to post them yet. So here are the squares and other goodies that I sent her. The design is by Diane Williams (of LHN fame) - I took bits and pieces from various designs in Simply Blessed Wedding Samplers. I chose to modify the colors a bit since I knew that pink was one of Mary Kathryn's favorite colors.


I received my squares from Mary Kathryn in the mail today. I was really excited to get them. She stitched me a cute design ... now I just have to figure out how I'm going to finish it. I may like to do a quilt, but knowing me, that project would not be finished for a long long time. Without further ado, here are the squares that Mary Kathryn stitched for me and the extras she sent along (I love the color of the hand dyed thread she sent along).