I thought I would start with a pretty picture of my orchid that is blooming. My son, Adam, gave it to me a couple of years ago. I'm always surprised when it blooms again.

I got some wonderful mail this week. I had stitched an ornament for each of my three children two Christmas's ago. They were the same pattern done on different linens. I finished my daughter's ornament myself but never got around to finishing the boys'. One of them was stitched on a larger count so it was pretty large and would have made too large an ornament. Soooo. I sent them off to Vonna, The Twisted Stitcher's, along with a scissor pocket that I've had ready to finish also. I decided the larger ornament would be perfect for a flat fold. We had lots of good communication - no bows on the boys' pieces, only 1 bow on the scissor pocket to hold it closed etc. She is very fast. They turned out very nice. Go to her blog (The Twisted Stitcher's) to see even better pictures and what else she can do. She's very reasonable and they are fantastic. So here are some pictures. First is Clark with them before I opened them. (He likes to be involved)

Then we have the scissor pocket, front and back:

Then the ornament and flat fold, front and back. MY pictures aren't that great. They are much prettier in person. The fabric on the back of both pieces has sparkles in them to make them more winter like. I like them both and hope the boys will like them too.

Our local LNS, Keepsakes Framing and Floral Home Page, had a sale over Superbowl weekend.

I took my Annie Beez piece to be framed and my niece's sampler unfinished to order the framing. I put the last stitches in her sampler this past week, so it is now safely at the shop being framed up. As soon as they are back, I will show you the results. I am working on a piece for my secret stitcher through the Queen City Sampler Guild. I won't be able to show it to you, just in case she's watching but I can tell you it's a Blackbird Design and very cute. While stitching it, I've been listening to Lovely Bones. I didn't think I wanted to read the book, but hearing it on tape is a good option and I do like it.

Since you can't see what I'm making my secret stitcher this year, I will show you what I made last year. I made this pin cushion last January.

The pin cushion on the left I made for my Mom and I kept the little tutleneck on the right. They are made from felted wool sweaters I got at Goodwill. A fun little project.
All for now. Off to work.