Friday, March 4, 2011

Tweet! Tweet!



Good morning all! Hope everyone has had an enjoyable week so far. This week I stitched and finished my March ornament, LHN's "Cardinal Winter" which Valerie gave me for my birthday. I stitched it "over one" on some mystery fabric using the suggested Crescent Colours and DMC threads, with a few substitutions. I had to change the word "Tweet" from the suggested white to a dark green to make it show up on this fabric and I also changed the rabbits to more resemble the color of the little bunnies that appear in our yard each summer, fluffy white tails and all! I then finished it off as a little hanging pillow and trimmed it with ric-rac and a little red bird button. What do you think?



Speaking of "tweeting," do you "tweet" on "Twitter?" Maybe it's just a generational thing, but I just don't get it... My sons keep telling me it's useful for business, but I don't understand who has the time to "follow" all these people/celebrities on Twitter. Can any of you younger stitchers enlighten me (I guess that would be most of you!)? As I said, it probably is a generational thing; after all, I just found out that I'm eligible for the "senior citizen" discount at a national department store and I'm only 56! Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the idea of a few extra dollars off my purchases, but I think that actually, they're just calling me "old." And I honestly don't feel old...I'm just slowing down a bit.

This collage of cardinal photos was taken from my kitchen window this winter. To me, there is something so striking about those brilliant red birds set against the snowy landscape. Our snow has finally melted, and I'm not sorry to see it go. I'm so envious of all of you who have little buds appearing and flowers blooming already. Hopefully, our spring will be here before long.



I also began stitching Drawn Thread's "Sunflower Bellpull" that Brenda surprised me with. I'm just loving the colors of this one and all the new specialty stitches that I'm learning. I'm probably about one-fifth of the way done--it is going to be a long, long piece (but then, again, it is a bellpull!).Thank you again, Brenda--I'm thoroughly enjoying myself with this one. It is so nice to stitch something that reminds me of warmth and sunny summer days!



This wonderful treasure trove of charts, fabric, and thread arrived through the generosity of Becky in one of her recent giveaways. Twelve gorgeous charts, some pretty opalescent blue fabric, and two skeins of DMC 115 greeted me when I opened her package! Becky, you are such a generous soul (not to mention the very fastest stitcher on earth!)--I truly am thrilled with everything. I only hope I can make these pieces look half as nice as yours did when you stitched them. Thank you again so very, very much...


And just look at this Christmas gift, (yes, I did say Christmas gift) that finally arrived in my mailbox last week after three long months! My sweet blogging friend, Edit, mailed this from Spain on December 2nd, 2010! Just where has it been hiding all these months? I'm wondering about your experiences with international mailings...have you ever had a package disappear or take an extra long time to arrive at its destination? Edit and I had both just about given up on it when it decided to make its appearance. But, oh, it was so worth the wait; just look at what she sent: a beautifully sewn stitching pouch featuring one of my favorite woodland designs, some lovely ribbon, tiny aqua blue beads, handmade felt ornament and threadholder, and some brown floss that says it smells like chocolate when you stitch with it! Have you ever heard of such a thing?! What could be better than combining two of the things I love most: chocolate and stitching? Thank you, dear Edit--I'll treasure the pouch for years to come and enjoy using each of the other treats you included. I'm thrilled that we've become friends across the miles...








Finally, the winner of the Hillside Sampling "Seasonal Samplings" chart giveaway from my previous post is Hilda from "Hildi's Good Life" blog in Austria! Hilda, please send me your mailing address and I'll get the chart off to you as soon as I can. I hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I did. Thanks to all who entered--perhaps it will make its way to one of you in the future as it is passed on from stitcher to stitcher.

I have a nice day to look forward to. I'm meeting Lee, the Lake Stitcher herself, for some lunch and an afternoon of stitching. I can't wait--it's always nice to spend time with others who share your passion, isn't it? Enjoy your weekend everyone and thanks for taking the time to visit my little corner of the stitching universe! I always love reading your comments and seeing what you've been up to each week... Bye for now...

61 comments:

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

Wonderful finish Carol, and Thanks for sharing all of your new packages... Lucky Girl.
I am to old of a bird to hop on the feeder to tweet but I know so many who live their life by their twits, bleeps and blunders.
Have a great day and I can only imagine how much fun you will have.
Be always in stitches

natalysneedle said...

Carol, I love your ornament finish. It is beautiful and looks just like your collage of pictures. We still have snow, but I saw robins yesterday which means spring is on the way! Can't wait for sunny days and warmer weather. Love the new WIP and all fo the stash. Happy Stitching!

Hilda said...

Oh lucky me! Thank you, Carol, I am sooo happy that I am the winner of this wonderful chart. Thank you so much!
I immediately write an email to you with my adress.
And when I finished it, I will pass it to another stitcher of course.

I also admired your wonderful gifts and your new project. It really looks great with its summer-colours.
What I also adore are those photos with the cardinal. Here an Austria we have no such birds. I only know it from pictures and stitchings!

Have a nice weekend!
Hugs & kisses!
Hilda

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh goodness what a wonderful update! your Cardinal Winter pillow is just darling! I love it :)
The sweet gifty from your Spanish friend is lovely too!
Lunch and Stitching with Lee sounds like an amazing good time!
And I don't Tweet or Twitter either...I don't understand it nor want to complicate my life with it. Facebook was the same way, I did it and then I deleted my account because it took time away from what is reallly important - my family. :)

Annie said...

Gorgeous finish. Those kind of pillows are so popular now and so cute.

You are still getting showered with wonderful gifts! The universe is looking very kindly toward you these days.

Spring has got to be on the way.. just hang on.

I get insulted by the the Senior discounts too when they get offered to me and I didn't ask! I mean I still am a young girl inside.. what happened on the outside? ;-(

Margaret said...

Wow, you're way ahead of the game! March ornament already finished! It's wonderful! Love the prize you won too! And the package from Spain -- 3 months?! Whoa! Thank goodness it finally came! Wonderful gift! Have fun with Lee!

staci said...

Love the way your ornament finish turned out! ANd your DT start is just lovely.

Enjoy all your wonderful new stash from Becky! And that's wonderful that your Christmas exchange finally turned up rather than being lost!!!

Tricia T said...

Carol, your ornament turned out just beautifully! And what happy mail you've been receiving. Such fun!! You'll have lots of new stash to choose from for your next start. :-) As far as Twitter and FaceBook - I'm afraid they're not my cup of tea either. Blogging is about as close as I come!

Lainey said...

Gorgeous Ornie finish Carol. Thanks for sharing those wonderful Cardinals they do look such a beautiful bird.
Glad your wonderful package from Edit safely arrived, the stitched pouch is darling and oh wow what a wonderful give-away from Becky. So many gorgeous charts, I have to ask who is the darling tall snowman by?
Congrats to Hilda and I hope you have a lovely lunch with your friend and a nice relaxing week-end, hugs!

Deborah said...

Love your ornament pillow finish! Very cute. Have a great lunch with Lee.

Lesleyanne said...

Love your ornament finish and your DT start is just lovely.

Enjoy all your wonderful new stash from Becky! I am glad your wonderful Christmas exchange finally turned up.

Jackie's Stitches said...

You finished you ornament beautifully! Tweet is one of my favorites. I agree with you about loving the red cardinals against the snow. There is something so beautiful and amazing about it. You're fortunate to have them in your backyard with the snow. You captured some beautiful pictures.

I have a twitter account but update it rarely. I do scan the posts most days. I'm more active on facebook but not tremendously so. The bonus from facebook is that it's easy to reconnect with people from long ago that would otherwise be hard to find.

Edit said...

Your March ornament is so lovely Carol, just like the photo of these special birds. Like your new start too!

Here we had no snow this winter, I was told it is not very usual that it is snowing this part of the country. So the only "real" winter experience I had back home at my parents :)

I am so glad that the package has finally arrived. Today I went to the post office and told the good news to the person who helped me. He was pleased to hear the great news.

You received wonderful charts, sure we will see some of them soon on your blog, stitched :) And a stitchy afternoon? That sounds absolutely great!

I have heard about Twitter but never used it in my life. I don't get it either...

Have a great weekend!

Loraine said...

What a lucky girl you are! Love all your new things! The Cardinals are beautiful. How perfect to have that lovely view during the winter, and stitching to remind you of it all year. Really nice!

Vinniey said...

You really have great eyes on choosing the right materials for each ornament. Your March ornament is so gorgeous and very chirstmassy. I love the fabric. The red ribbon is so well matching with the red bird, great job, Carol.

I don't know how "Twitter" works. I'm more comfortable and only "tweet" on all stitching blogs. (LOL).

Beautiful charts from Becky and I'm glad the wonderful christmas package from Edit arrived safely after 3 months. The red pouch and the heart ornament are so gorgeous!

Your sunflower Bellpull is looking great. Enjoy stitching your favorite flower. :)

Cindy's Stitching said...

Love the finish of the cardinals. The pictures from your window are so pretty. I also will not miss the snow. I can't wait for spring. I also do NOT get the twitter either. They do use it as a marketing tool. Something I have no use for. You have lots of patterns you received. You will be busy. The sunflower piece is coming along great. It is one of my favorite flowers.

Rachel S-H said...

I just got a Christmas gift from England that was posted in December. Odd.

Love the cardinal ornament. I am doing the same thing you did in changing tweet over to a color where it is legible. Your finish is gorgeous.

BrendaS said...

Love your Tweet ornament finish and it's beautiful that you did it over 1:)))

I'm so glad you are enjoying the Sunflower Bellpull. I enjoyed stitching it too.

Nice giveaway from Becky. She is a very generous person and a fast stitcher too:)))

Have fun with Lee and a great weekend:)))

Bekca said...

I love the little red button you've used on your Tweet finish, it's adorable. I do have a twitter account but I don't really use it, maybe it's just an excuse to be nosy from time to time :)
I got one of Becky's parcel's too! I felt so lucky to receive it, I can't wait to get stitching some of the charts.
Do you know, we've had some parcels and letter turning up recently from my uncle who lives in South Africa, they were dated from 2008! We think the post office found them down the back of a desk or something! At least your wonderful package from Edit arrived safely, it's a gorgeous gift.
Keep up the great progress on your sunflower bellpull - it will look brilliant displayed in summer. I hope you have a lovely weekend friend.
Happy stitching!

Vicky L said...

your Tweet ornament came out gorgeous. You did a good job with the color changes. Your exchange from Spain looks wonderful. You got some nice new goodies too. Congratulations!

Nicky said...

Tweet is gorgeous, I love the finishing! I absolutely don't get Twitter - I feel so out of it and I'm only in my early(ish) 30's - who has the time for that along with blogging, FB, and a 'real life' too?
Your new stash from Becky is beautiful, I hope you have lots of fun stitching it all up!

Teresa S. said...

Another beautiful pillow finish on Tweet! Congrats on all the goodies you have gotten :) Looks like you will be busy stitching in 2011!

Siobhán said...

Wonderful finish, Carol!! I love that ornament. I so enjoyed your cardinal collage, too. I so miss seeing cardinals outside my window! Nice work on your DT, too. I think their specialty stitch instructions are very clear.

Lovely packages! Luckily I've only had one issue with an overseas package taking awhile to get to me, and it was because for awhile, the USPS had contracted with another firm (not the Irish postal service, An Post) to deliver their packages. This non-Irish company was the pits and the package that took about 3 months to show up was taped up--because somebody there had stolen one of the video games from it! Then they charged me over $100 in VAT & customs charges. Thankfully, that is the only issue I've ever had and I attribute it to that company.

I am on Twitter but, as my daughter likes to tease me about, I usually just tweet on Fridays about what I'm reading--one tweet--and it goes towards the Friday Reads thing. (Google it--it's like a big book club!) I have it on my iPhone so really just check it when I'm getting ready for bed or waiting on the kids, etc. I follow CNN and Beliefnet and the Philadelphia news stations so I read their stuff, not celebrities. Especially not Charlie Sheen--give me a break!! I'm also on FB but am the same there, just read and very seldomly do I post. Truthfully, my life is not exciting enough to warrant tweets or facebook status updates. I doubt anybody wants to read that I'm "Changing my thread in my needle!!" LOL

valerie said...

Your March ornie is wonderful! Oh noes...I am still on my February ornament. Ack! Love your finishing.

For being a GenX, I don't get Twitter and Facebook. Blogging and stitching takes all my time! And I def. don't get games or video games either. I'm an old soul who lives in hoodies and jeans. What a contradiction, right?!

Great progress on your sunflower bellpull too...the colors are very cheery.

Nice parcel from your friend in Spain. Have fun with Lee...how great you two live close to each other. :)

Blu said...

Lovely finish! The bird button is so cute!

Count me as a younger stitcher who doesn't get Twitter. Admittedly I'm not the most social person among my friends. Facebook is useful for the "community" aspect, but good old email works for me.

On a random tangent, I don't think I've received a written mailed letter...ever. *pause*

Back on topic: gorgeous new stash!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What a wonderful, newsy post! Love your tweet finish - the pillow turned out so well! You got some great stash, have an awesome wip and you're just going great guns!

Mylene said...

wow! i love your recent ornament, beautifully finish!
The bellpull is looking great too.

Such lovely stash received from Edit and Becky...enjoy!

I am not on twitter but only on facebook which took lots of my time out of stitching..chatting to family and friends around the world.

Kathy A. said...

Love those pretty little cardinals!
I received a package from England sent on Dec 10th and picked up by me Feb 10th. I wonder if there is a special place for mail to be held "till we get around to it".
Your bellpull is looking great.
What a lovely giveaway from Becky. Lots of great stitching in there.

Barbi said...

WoW! I love your Tweet and the finish that you chose for it. That's going to be my Sunday stitch project this weekend.
Great prizes!!! Lucky lucky!
and oh please....I don't understand the Twitter phenomenon or the purpose of it. I'm 44 and it's beyond my realm of anything that I feel that I need in my life. Personally, if I'm on my way to the toilet, I don't need to tell the world about it. LOL

Lisa V said...

Great post Carol, I love your Tweet pillow.
Don't worry I dont understand Twitter or Facebook either, never bothered even trying, i'm just not interested in it, and I'm 35.
Hugs
LISA V

Myra said...

Tweet is so pretty Carol - I think it is my favorite of all the LHN ornaments. Your other WIP is looking great too, love the sunflowers. Congratulations on your winnings - lots there to keep you busy. :o) I don't do the tweeting thing either and can't imagine one more thing to take up my stitching time. LOL

Anonymous said...

I love your Cardinal Winter! I think it's my favorite ornament that she's done so far... Hope you had a nice day with Lee.
Donna in WV
catsandbeetles@hughes.net

Unknown said...

I love your Tweet, and that bellpull is really going to be stunning! I am a good bit older than you, and my kids get a kick out of the fact that I blog and facebook, they would really freak if I tweeted - LOL. No, I waste, er, spend too much time on the computer as it is, gotta stop somewhere.

Great giveaways you got - you must like your postman very much!

Catherine said...

I love how you finished Tweet! And as far as tweeting goes - I don't understand it all either!! Love the collage you put together!

Your new start is very cute! Just look at all the goodies you received in the mail!! Enjoy them all!

niina said...

Wow.. you have so beautiful finishes. Cardinals look lovely sadly we don't have them in Finland (many other pretty birds tough). Im younger stitcher but I haven't never been on twitter so I can't help you with that. I don't even like facebook either that much.
Blogging is enough for me.
Blessings
Niina

Lois said...

I just love your March ornament Carol! I haven't even started thinking about which one I'll stitch for March. Guess I need to get on to that! No, I'm not one for Twitter, I really doubt that my life would be interesting enough to keep any followers!!! What lovely packages you received, both the giveaway and the long lost package from Edit. I'm glad it finally showed up. I had problems this Christmas with things that were sent air mail at the start of December and then took several months. I was told that there were loads of delays going through customs in the US because of heightened security and everything being checked. Hope you had lovely time with Lee and have a wonderful weekend my friend.

marylin said...

oh editing your embroidery is absolutely wonderful!
big kisses from France

♥ Nia said...

LOL! You made me laugh with that age thing :p You're definitely right :)
I love 'Cardinal Winter', that's on my 'to-stich list' and I hope to do it soon :D Your finish looks adorable!!!
Lucky girl! Amazing gifts that you've won :D
Oh yes.. I'm a twitter addict :p
You don't actually stop your life to follow people LOL For someone that works on a computer all day long, it's pretty easy to use twitter. It's useful for work, to keep up with your friends, to engage with people from everyone in the globe :) To understand it better you have to try it, then you go with the flow and it grows on you hehehe

Shirley said...

Hi Carol,
Congratulations on your lovely prize, your stitchibng is gorgeous as always. Have a great weekend.
Shirley

Dani - tkdchick said...

Carol what lovely finish and Bellpull! I've added both to my chart wish list!

What wonderful parces you've received!

Melanie said...

Lovely pillow, as always! You do such such great work!!

And I feel your pain, somewhat, about your package: I just waited 5 weeks for something I ordered from the Netherlands for my business. *sigh* I think it's the Middle East thing slowing stuff down. Things are just terrible lately with overseas packages, for the most part. :(

I like Twitter but I mostly use it as social thing with people I know. (Though I do like some celebrity feeds. Only the ones I *truly* find funny/entertaining though.) I comment on their little blurbs, they comment back. It's like Blogger in that way except the comments go directly to my phone as soon as they make them so you can have a little 'conversation' in real time about your posts (or their posts). Now having said that, I really HATE Facebook so figure that one out??? lolol

Have a great week!!!! :)

Ariane20 said...

Everything is so pretty!! I like so much the little bird of LHN.

Brigitte said...

Tweet is such a lovely ornament and you finished it so beautifully. And yes, I think like you that twittering (or so, lol) is kind of a generation thing. So many young and also younger people who I know have joined at least one of the social networks. Whereas I have never feel tempted to do so. I love visiting stitching blogs and I try to leave comments every now and then - but that's it. I don't want to spend more of my spare time on the computer.
You made some nice progress on the DT piece. Isn't it great how we can stitch ourselves into the season we want to be in?
Enjoy all the wonderful goodies you received from Becky and Edit.

Sally said...

Your finish is gorgeous Carol! It's so sweet.

Lovely progress on the DT piece. Beautiful colours.

Wow your gift took ages to arrive! It's wonderful though and I bet it was worth the wait. I think I've only ever had one thing take a while and that was a month from the States to the UK.

Lovely package from Becky. Isn't she the most generous lady and such a prolific stitcher.

Congratulations to Hilda!

Hope you had a wonderful time with Lee:)

Measi said...

Your ornament is gorgeous! I keep waffling on getting the LHN ornaments, but they just keep getting cuter and cuter - I know I'm going to break down soon!

Such beautiful gifties, too!

Happy stitching!

Annette said...

Congratz on that beautifull finish. Cute design.
And you finished it up so beautifull!!!

Those pictures of your garden with the red bird, love it.. never have seen those birds..

The sunflowers look lovely too!

Wow you have been spoiled with those lovely gift.. 3 months... that's a very lone time!

Congrat to Hilda!!

I have twitter, but don't use it.. I don't see th emeaning of it!

Pumpkin said...

Over one! You crazy woman! LOL! It's just gorgeous though and I would expect nothing less from you ;o)

I don't Facebook, Twitter or whatever that other thing is. I don't get it either Carol. I can't imagine why people would want to know when I'm eating supper. LOL!

Your cardinals are striking! I've been waiting so long to see one here. DH has seen them a handful of times so far :o(

Your SB is beautiful! I can't wait to see more of it.

Look at all the goodies in your mailbox! Maybe I should rent a bigger one ;o) LOL! Enjoy!

Have fun with Lee! I envy the fact that you can get together :o)

Valerie said...

Your Tweet ornie is just adorable...and over one! The colors on the Sunflower Bellpull are lovely and the stash from Becky is amazing! Isn't she a wonderful person?

Glad that your Christmas present arrived safe and sound! I can only imagine where is has been for over three months!

Cheers,
Valerie

passionfruitprincess said...

What a lovely ornament, Carol!
I love the way you finished it! The fabric is perfect.
And your cardinal pictures are beautiful.The birds are gorgeous.
I have some cardinals on my stitching list.
You got great gifts, lucky you!
I have lots of problems with international mail.
Every time I send something to Brazil...well, it takes forever.
Canada is a difficult one for me too.
But I got stuff from England several times on e-bay with no problems. You never know.
Have a great day!
Ana Paula.

Daffycat said...

I just adore your "Tweet" finish, Carol ~ it's perfect!

I don't get Twitter either and I'm 43. Now texting...that is useful.

Lynn B said...

Hi Carol,

I love the LHN finish, very pretty! The package you received from Becky is amazing and I agree she is the fastest stitcher in the world!

♥ Nia said...

Happy Women's Day ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ*

Lynn said...

Beautiful ornament finish Carol! I'm very partial to cardinals so I love your collage of pics too.
You've received some lovely parcels in your mail lately. They should sure brighten up anyone's winter doldrums.
As for tweeting, I don't see the point. Plus, who has the time?! It's everything I can do just to blog,lol!

Nancy said...

Your Tweet ornament is so pretty Carol! You have received some wonderful giveaways, and I hope you enjoy them!

I don't Tweet either, and we're exactly the same age! Did you know that Good Will offers senior discounts at age 50! Nothing wrong with saving a few pennies!

Carolyn NC said...

Tweet looks fantastic! Love your cardinals, new stash, and I'm with you on the discount. AARP knocks on your day at 50 - I'm not old yet!!

Shari said...

everything looks gorgeous, as per usual!!!!!
I love reading your updates......you have such a way with words.....
wow on the giveaway!!!You raked it in!!!

Mavi. said...

Hi Carol:
Very nice your adornment of March, with the changes and the final finish.
The snow is still in your garden, but the robin did not seem to mind.
Congratulations to Hilda for being the lucky gift.
Your embroidered with special points is very nice.
I do not participate in social networks, not for me, I'm also in the age of discounts offered to me, although I do not think so, ha, ha, ha ...
These weeks I have not the time rife, I embroidered two small things and I make small patch jobs. I have also traveled two weekends at Zaragoza to see family, then home, work and everything ... I have no more hours.
Always a pleasure reading your posts, good to read what it says the translator, but it is understood ...
Many kisses.

Meari said...

I can't believe I missed this post!

Your little pillow with the ornament turned out beautiful! The sunflower bellpull looks pretty so far.

And WOW, look at all those gifties you received. You must be in stitchy heaven. :) Enjoy!

Meari said...

P.S. I don't get the twitter thing either. I think it's a waste of time. And I'm only 43. :)

Julie said...

your March ornament is beautiful Carol, such perfect fabric and finishing, it will look wonderful on your fabulous Christmas tree later in the year.

A wonderful package from Becky and Edit

In answer to your question, no, i dont tweet or facebook, i only blog!

Jennifer said...

Eh, I don't twitter or tweet either. I leave that to the birds. I am however, a bit of a facebook junkie