Autumn Delights Finished!

Hello and Warm Greetings Everyone!

Hope you enjoyed Halloween, we did. This year we had over 100 Trick or Treater's. They looked so cute. For the girls - Princess costumes was the most popular and for the boys - Superman and Football Players. 

Do grab a cup of your favorite beverage because lots to share with you and some cool links and the end.

On the lady's dress I used GA-Holly Berry. Had to make it PINK!

"Autumn Delights" by Barbara Ana

32ct cream linen and DMC 

Cross Stitch & Needlework November 2013 Magazine

I am so happy I finished Autumn Delights - Vickies SAL. Vickie had completed hers a few weeks ago. I want to add my initials on the trunk just like Vickie did. Her finish came out so beautiful. Next I need to make this into a flatfold. All in time for Thanksgiving on the 28th here is USA. Thank you Vickie for inspiring and hosting this SAL. I enjoyed stitching this very much.

                                     

 I participated in EMS - October Holiday Ornament Exchange

 "Sleigh Bells Ring" by LHN

14ct adia hand dyed by ME:)

My partner has received my package. It has to travel all the way to the United Kingdom. I was surprised as to the age of my exchange partner. He's young and still in elementary school (I'm pretty sure).  So of course I sent him a nice and full care package with his ornament. 

 He wrote me a thank you. He told me that the package arrived in time for his birthday. I didn't even know. And that his sister had borrowed a pencil from him... I laughed. It was very nice of him to share with his sister, he's a good brother. I love these exchanges. Now I have not received my ornament yet from who ever has my name, but it will come I'm sure. There are stitchers from other countries and it takes time for mail to travel.

 I received a card and this darling Halloween Bookmark from sweet Bea from Canada.

Thank you Bea and I am making good use of it! I love to read.

 I was able to finish a whole page on Fairy Hill  for Cut Thru SAL with Debbie and Linda.

 Close up of the section I finished. I have started to do the backstitching for it. 5 pages to go!

 Mary's Sampler by Plum Street Samplers

Love how this is coming along.

Went on a shopping trip with a friend yesterday.  My feet are still recovering. 

We were gone all day long and included lunch and dinner. 

Stops included Thimblecreek Quilt Store in Concord and Joann's.

 Love these fabrics. You see about 4-5 years ago I came up with the idea that any time out shopping I suggested to my sister that she should collect a few pieces of fabric that are Christmas themed every year. Then when she had a good collection I would make her a quilt. Well this is the year I am going to make it and my goal is to have it done by this Christmas. I added to the fabric collection yesterday while out shopping.

 I got to visit a Hallmark store yesterday and come home with 2 new ornaments. This is a collection that my mom had started a long time ago. I decided to get this years house in the series because it's their 30th year for this series. And I am stopping here.

 The back and inside of the house.

 Had to get Harry Potter's Castle and you push the button in front and it plays the theme from the movie.
I have to put up my Harry Potter Christmas Tree. I thought I would of had it up by now - but didn't yet.

 To get a good jump on some Christmas tags I and my sister focused on a whole day of paper crafting. These were cut out with my Cricut machine and used Anna Griffin's Winter Wonderland cartridge.

 I loaded the different papers and selected the image and sizing to be cut. My sister punched out all the little pieces and together we pieced them and glued. There are up to 4 different layers on each individual motif.

 This one I cut out is very large - 5 inches wide.

We divided all that we made. I will use them for decorating packages and make some as gift tags.

A few days ago I also made Christmas cut out sugar cookies. I didn't do any decorating on them yet. They are now in the freezer. Feels good to have a nice jump on Christmas crafts and baked goods. Still more to do and plenty of time still. 

To help you get organized for Christmas, I have at the top right on my blog I posted a really fun link.

Kerryanne of Shabby Art Boutique blog offers lots of great ideas on gifts, free print out planner (which I love and use every year), recipes and more. Have a look and see what you think.  

Before I forget - Have you seen Allie's in Stitches post when she went to France to visit  DMC Archives?

Part 1 of her tour - link is HERE. For Allie's Part 2 tour- the link is HERE. I loved seeing every photo she shared and what a dream trip.      Thank you so much for visiting me.
With Love and Appreciation - Annette