Thursday, November 11, 2010

Finishes and exchanges

Rory wants to know if he can help. Notice the toy on the cutting board.
Time flys when you're having fun. Well, that is what they say. And fun or not time always seems to fly by at this time of year. I always say I'm going to have all my Christmas gifts ready by Thanksgiving. Every December I say that. And guess what? Here it is two weeks until Thanksgiving and I haven't really started. Sigh. Maybe next year.........
At least I am up to date on my exchange stitching. I so enjoy these exchanges.
First up is my exchange for the Seasonal exchange blog. I stitched a Prairie Schooler design and finished it as a small pillow. I just love the way this one turned. I have to make one for myself one of these days. My exchange partner was Alison and she seemed pleased with it. So without further ado here are some photos of what I sent her.

Next exchange was the Fall exchange on Hooked on Exchanging. For this one I stitched one of Little House Needleworks Season charts, Season of Plenty. What a joy this one was. (I stitched this one a few years ago, in my aida only stitching days. I am definitely restitching them on linen. ) I also finished this as a small pillow for my partner, Leigh. (She has a cute photo of her kitty inspecting the package.) I am loving this method of finishing. My only problem with it is making sure I sew in a straight line. Not an easy task for me. But it doesn't look too bad now does it?

My third exchange piece was for the Lizzie Kate exchange blog. Sadly it was the last round of exchanges for this blog. My partner this time was Diane. And not only did I send to her but she sent to me. First set of photos are the two pieces I stitched and finished for her. I started with the new LK from the current JCS Christmas issue. It was so tiny that I decided to stitch something else. So I picked up the latest of Lizzie Kate's Tiny Tiding and stitched up "Dear Santa, I can explain". And Diane stitched LK's Turkey time and finished it as a pinkeep/flatfold. It is just perfect! I love it. (Notice that Rory likes it too. So much that I had to move it way up high!)

In other stitching news I have been stitching a bunch of ornaments. No photos since they are all for either exchanges or Christmas gifts.

Since I last posted Rory and I have only had one dog show. After my fall a few weeks ago he acted a bit skittish but we still did well. There is a fun fundraiser and photo shoot this weekend at the local dog training academy. It will be good for him and maybe help bring back his confidence. And I have some interesting Thanksgiving plans! Four whole days starting on Thanksgiving of dog shows! That will be a different way to spend Thanksgiving.



All this stitching and finishing and talk of dog shows is sooooooooo exhausting!










Until next time.......................
Love and stitches
Kathy
and licks from Rory too

43 comments:

Margaret said...

What beautiful exchanges you stitched up! Your partners are very lucky! Nice one that you received too. I hope you and Rory have fun over Thanksgiving with the dog shows. He's such a cutie!

Anonymous said...

LOVE your exchanges. Wish I could pet Rory...he looks soooo soft! Good luck at the shows. Happy Holidays! Meagan

gracie said...

Wonderful exchanges...lucky for the recipiant....Rory is looking like he really wants to help....or did he...lol

Emily in NC said...

You gave and got well. Looks like Rory likes the turkey, maybe he can get his own if he does well in his dog shows.

Mouse said...

Hi kathy a small tip to help you keep in a straight line when sewing using the machine ..... remove a thread from your linen where you want to attach your other fabric :)and use it as a guide line :) Rory is sooooo cute ... enjoy your dog shows and i hope his confidence comes back soon
love mouse xxxxx

Tricia T said...

What lovely work!! I especially like your autumn stitching!!

Deborah said...

Love all of the exchanges!The picture of Rory on the couch with his head on the pillow is so cute.

htimcj said...

Great finishes!
Heidi-ilcs

Kay said...

Wow, so many beautiful finishes!

Lisa V said...

A lovely bunch of exchanges you completed and received.
LISA V

staci said...

What a fabulous set of exchanges Kathy! Each one is beautifully stitched and finished...your partners must be thrilled!

natalysneedle said...

Beautiful finishes. Love the jingle bells on the ornament. Absolutely darling!

Sheila said...

Your finishes are beautiful. They look great.
Give Rory hugs.

Roberta said...

Your exchange pieces a terrific, love the finishes - good job.

Rory is just too cute - you are wearing him out with all this stitching!!

Karen said...

Goodness Kathy...I think I see why your holiday stitching is still lingering! YOu certainly have stitched and received some wonderful exchanges. Just love your little pillows.

Veronica said...

Oh your finishing are all so lovely. Congrats on the wonderful exchanges. Give Rory a hug from me :)

Barb said...

Hello Rory ,and Kathy of course, Oh I love those exchange pieces well done you.Good luck with your shows , and I am looking forward to seeing your next lot of stitching and Rorys pics of course.
Hugs to you both

Sherry said...

I love all your exchanges! Rory has grown so much from that little pup I first saw photos of!

Trecie said...

They are all beautiful finishes, but my favorite is turkey time and of course the pictures of Rory. Love & hugs from Rosie's and Rory's fan club in Ky.

Unknown said...

Your finished pieces are wonderful! I love all of your choices, Prairie Schooler and LHN and my fav is Lizzie Kate.

I continue to be amazed at how beautiful Rory is! I know he will do well in the Thanksgiving shows!

Milly~ said...

Wonderful finishes!! And Rory is just too cute.

Kathy said...

Great exchange pieces and wonderful finishing. The piece you received is adorable too.
Good luck to Rory and you on Thanksgiving weekend.

Hishandmaid said...

Very, very lovely stitching. The finishing is beautiful!

Dianna from ILCS

Carol said...

Poor Rory--he's had quite the day inspecting all of your finishes (which are all wonderful, Kathy!). I love the picture of him looking at the turkey on "Turkey Time"--so sweet!

DUSTY said...

Great stitcvhing Kathy. All of your exchanges are lovely. I am sureeveryone was thrilled. I can see Rory was a big help, so much so that you wore him out. Poor Rory !!! Looks like he enjoyed his nap !!! LOL

Mary Ivancicts said...

Beautiful finishes and exchanges! Rory looks very tired, he must have stitched too much!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Catherine said...

Very lovely finishes!

Good luck to you and Rory with the shows! We'll be waiting to hear all about it!

Bea de Caracas said...

Hi Kathy,
I like all your crosstitches but what I love more is your lovely Rory!!!
Thanks so much to visit my blog, becacause it permised me to come ans visit you!
I'm sorry for my bad english, I'm a Belgian who live in Caracas /venezuela (my husband is diplomate at the belgian embassy).
My dog, Guiness, is already 6 1/2 years old but he is, like Rory, a really cute member in the family!!!
I hope see you again on my blog!
Best regards to you, dear Kat...

Shari said...

your exchange pieces look great!!!!!! Don't sell yourself short....they are great!
Love the picture of Rory with his toy on your table....he is pleading...please, play with me, instead of that stuff!!!

Meari said...

Your stitching turned out awesome, Kathy!

Gillie said...

You are an excellent finisher, Kathy! And great stitcher too, lol! As you say, there is always next year!

Teje said...

Hello Kathy and Rory! Really nice to meet you! I wonder how I haven't found you earlier...
Rory looks just amazingly beautiful! And so looks your crafts! I love all those small needle stitches and pillows you have made! I shall go to see what othet wonderful things I find in your lovely blog!
Best wishes from Crete!
Teje and Nero

Shelley said...

All of your stitching looks fabulous! I hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving. Hugs to Rory...

Daffycat said...

Wonderful exchanges, Kathy. I really, really like your Season of Plenty pillow...the Autumn plaid fabric matches perfectly.

Debra said...

Wow congrats on all your finishes, they look great.
So, nice of you to stop by my blog.
Thanks!

Andrea said...

All are beautiful exchanges. Have fun!

Nancy M said...

I don't know how you keep all your exchanges straight! They all look great, both outgoing and incoming. As far as the straight sewing lines,...you know using a stripe or plaid is the HARDEST you can use!! They look straight to me. Good luck at all your Thanksgiving shows. Sounds like you'll be running all the extra calories off!

Carolyn NC said...

Wow - you have been busy! Love, love all the exchanges given and received. Thanksgiving sounds way busy, and I'm with you. I'm not even going near Christmas shopping till after Thanksgiving! Love the "exhausted" pic of Rory!

Siobhán said...

Beautiful exchanges, Kathy! You sure have been busy! What cute pics of Rory. :) He looks tuckered out at the thought of his Thanksgiving plans!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

My goodness you are the exchanges queen! I know they are so much fun :) And what beautiful things you've received and given! LOVELY!
Look at that handsome Rory, he is a true and handsome friend!

Shelleen said...

You have gorgeous exchanges!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Great stitching, finishing, and exchanging! Best wishes to you and Rory ~ Happy Thanksgiving!

blueladie said...

Kathy, I always love reading your blog. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw the picture of Rory tilting his head with the Indian hat on! Love it. Good luck to you both this weekend. I look forward to hearing how you did. :) Cathryn