Its Fall!! and other fun projects...

I feel so lazy, I have not done a post since August! But I have been busy. I started a new job, so my stitchy time has been cut back a bit.

This evening I was able to finish my fall wreath! (I was only 9 days late from when I wanted to have it finished).

 I always seen to do some stupid mistake with every project that I do. This was no exception. I got 2 or 3 letters stitched, and realized that I was stitching on the wrong side of the ribbon. There is really only a minor difference between the two sides, but I was still mad at myself (but not surprised that I did).
The letter pattern came from Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine  September 2010 issue.

I was working on a bunch of little projects as well the last couple of months. They all turned out really cute so I will share.

Halloween Swap Projects:
 I am so loving a new book that I got a few months ago. "2001 Cross Stitch Designs". Most of my ATC patterns come from this book.

The Halloween ornament patterns are from Just Cross Stitch Halloween Ornament issue. There are tons of cute designs.  I've purchased those special Halloween issues for the past couple of years, totally worth it! Also they just released the Christmas Ornament issue, this years issue has a ton of cute designs.

 

 Bookmarks!
These are so much fun to make! Both were actually made for the same person. I sent the first one off, and sadly it was lost in the mail (I'm still hoping that it will make it back to me one day, so I can have it) 

Miscellaneous Swaps
I think the 2 part dog ATC is my favorite!

Still Swapping

I've been wanting to share the latest swaps that I have done. It took all my control to wait this long. I love love love the way all these projects turned out.

First up is my best biscornu ever! I always have the worst time sewing these together. I don't ever count right and get it lined up bad, but this one was a breeze, it came together so beautifully.

 I'm really excited about the one that I received as well. Its so pretty. I guess I'm going to have to go buy me some more pins to put in it.

Second is an awesome bookmark. Have I mentioned that I love black work? Yes, I know that I have. Its so much fun. I wish I would of taken a picture of the back, It's backed with some cute black and white material.

.  The bookmark that I received is tucked away in a good book.

Last up is an ornament that is suppose to be animal themed. I got kind of tired stitching this one, It took too long for my liking. But I came so close to keeping it for myself because I love the way it looks. So I might just have to make me a version of it sometime.

I used 11 count aida. Side note, I discovered that Walmart sells aida, and its so cheap. I will forever now buy my white aida from there. I got the turtle shape from issue 235 of Cross Stitcher Magazine. So I traced the shell shape onto the white aida and went from there. I made up the actual stitching pattern myself. Not that big of a deal as you can see. Its a super simple repetitive pattern. I then used felt for the head, feet and tail. And I got to use my sewing machine!

I actually haven't mailed my turtle yet, but I have received this super cute birdie ornament.

I Wish I Could Of Kept It

I agreed to stitch a replacement bookmark in the Cross Stitch Swap group that I'm in, and It turned out to be the best bookmark I've ever done! I enjoyed the latest holiday on Monday and Stitched non stop! Then I did the finishing touches Tuesday night. The finishing just about drove me insane, but it was worth it.

SWAP!

Facebook is a wonderful thing. One of the best things it has done is connect me with a bunch of other cross stitchers from all around the world. In the last few months I have been participating in swaps. Basically, I stitch something for someone, and someone stitches something for me. I just finished my third swap, so I thought I would share the outcome of the first two swaps.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT EXCHANGE!

The person I stitched for was Pam and she lives in Connecticut. I found the design in a special Christmas ornament magazine, but the ornament was pink, purple, green, and all sorts of colors. So I changed it to a more traditional look. I think it turned out pretty cute. I kind of want to make me one now.

The person that stitched for me was Elena from Bulgaria! How cool is that. I have a Christmas ornament, made specially for me all the way from Bulgaria! The ornament is a Margaret Sherry design! One of my very favorites.

BOOKMARK EXCHANGE!

Rebecca is the second person I stitched for, and she lived in Mississippi. It's kind of hard to know what to stitch for someone that you don't know. I chose an oriental design because of the recent trip to China that Justin and I took. The symbol is luck.

The person that stitched for me was was Jenny from Australia. I was super excited when it came in the mail, and Jenny did not disappoint. I absolutely love what she made. Jenny also included some other stuff in the package like a cute key chain that I immediately put on my keys, and some cool postcards from some areas that she lives by.