The idea is to make a bourse which is only about ~10cm (4'') per side, which also means that the design has to be small... or it has to be stitched over one, which is real torture for both of us... not.

As this is just between two of us we have very flexible schedule, the deadline is December 1st.

... but... Gosh Batman, that was fun!
Biscornu Exchange's sign-ups at EMS closed and I got irresistible urge to design. And now I've pile of little tiles (which actually look rather good) I'd use, so be forewarned both my partner at EMS BE as in TRN's BE (Psst, TRN's BE's sign-ups are open *hint, hint*)... you may receive biscornu designed by not-so-little old me.

But, off to bed... maybe. *grin*

Want to know something? Linda received her biscornu today! So, more pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Info:

• Design: A freebie, combined September and October knots by Ink Circles
• Fabric: 32 count Mushroom Lugana
• Floss: DMC's Variations 4130
• Cording: DMC's Variations 4130
• Other: Stitched over one with one thread

S.E.X.

*coughs innocently*

Had some S.E.X. and helped owner of Lekker Threads a bit with her clearance sale.. and I even found a chart from my VE victim's partner's wish list which I, of course, bought for her. And (some hand-dyed floss, needles and) one design, which has interesting finishing idea, for myself: Indian Dreams by Cat's Whiskers.

(This time I was enabled my Linda... you got to share sale with a fellow addict, right?)

I don't know how I should be or what to say, I'm so overwhelmed.... It was good mail day again.

Mini biscornu and goodies

Linda had sent the package just two days ago and it arrived today! And let me share the wonderfulness (and if there's any suspicious spots those are drool) without further blabbering:

(Yes, that is my hand and those are my fingernails...) And let me tell you something: This is designed for little old me! By Linda, yes. Do we see a budding designer here?
Stitched over one on lavender evenweave (I'm sure Linda will provide the details later) with purple floss, there are these shiny lilac beads in the middle of the biscornu and there's real needleworker tassel: little spool with purple yarn and more beads!

Did I say I love it? I didn't? Well, I do!

And in addition to this cute little thing she sent me linens (according to her she don't like to stitch them and as I do... ah!), and oh mi gosh that wonderfulness!

1. 32 count Emerald Belfast linen
2. 32 count Dragon's Dream Belfast linen (I'm so in love with that fabric!)
3. 32 count antique white linen
4. 28 count white linen
5. 25 count general beige linen

And stashy goodness goes on!

I also got my flosses from Angela. Aren't those pretty?!

Notice the quality of her service, they're divided to little zip-log bags by project! I got flosses for Loy, stitching devils and for Ezzy. And in theory I didn't pay a dime.

Ah, it has been a good day.

This post was meant to be worrying over my fob, but I just got email from Veronica that it has finally arrived and she loves it!
I'm over the moon because that fob was my first over one project (first started, second one to finish as I stitched Jenna's biscornu meanwhile) and, even I say so myself, it turned out beautiful! I let you to judge (last picture includes goodies I sent to her, as you noticed):

Technical details:

• Design: a freebie by Ellen Maurer-Stroh. Actually it's a pincushion, but I though it'd do lovely fob when stitched over one.
• Fabric: 28 count Pewter Lugana.
• Floss: DMC Variations 4210.
• Cord: DMC Variations 4210 and DMC Antique Effects E3685.
• Other:
  • over one with one strand of floss.
  • contains one baht (I brought some coins from Thailand just for fob making *cough*...), for weight.
  • Design is slightly altered.
  • Its size is, if I recall correctly, about 5x5 cm.

Let me introduce you, bigger sibling of Jenna's biscornu:

Info:

• Designer: Christine Wilkins from Alchemy Stitchcraft
• Fabric: 28 count hand-dyed (by me) graphite Meran
• Floss: Caron's Wildflowers' Peach Melba
• Other: Over two.

I received my SFE item today from Mylene. Actually not an item, but two! She told in her letter that she remembered only cats from my likes and stitched a kitty fob on aida. Then she read my likes again and decided to stitch another for on me on evenweave.
Am I spoiled? Oh yes!

In addition to pampering me with two fobs she sent me two skeins of SSS and a card of her hometown. Thank you Mylene for making my day!

Renée announced that she's setting up new Round Robins in coming year (at The Robin's Nest), and it seems that we might actually have all Seasonal Dragons RR, as there's four of us who are interested of having RR with that particular design.

And I think I've found a fabric for it. Ares by Sugar Maple Fabrics. What do you think?

I'd love to have these stitched in a horizontal row, but I can't think of any logical order where they'd look good. I think I've to settle with vertical layout (Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn).

There's also one problem. I need to figure out how to do the name+country part because, no matter how mean I am, I don't want them to be attached to the dragons (though little monogram from stitcher of that particular square would look great in about right lower corner).
As we see, I've decided that it'll happen... *grin*

Biscornu

This is the secret over one project I had:

As you can see from my comparison it's humongous (Nokia's 3100 is not a big phone (Yes, it really is pink)), about 5x5 cm/ 2''x2'', stitched on hand-dyed (by me) 28 count opalescent Lugana with Love and Laughter Dragon Floss by Polstitches Designs.
And it lives happily with Jenna nowadays. (And thank you for Rósa who kindly provided me Jenna's address so I was able to send her birthday gift on time.)

Stash!

"...Santa Claus is coming to town..." *humming*

Here's my haul from Jayne's Attic. (A Quaker Gameboard is in BO, but it'll follow.)

(I've become a complete picture ho. )

*drools all over*

Ermh... Those skinny skeins are Rajmahal Art Silks (#25 and #115), and let me tell you they are smooth. (I can't stop fondling them...) Other ones are from Carrie's Creations: Fantasm, Shockwave, Tie Dye, Verde (which "surprisingly" happens to be green), Wildfire, Autumn, Aubergine (Limited Edition) and Bittersweet.
When it comes to fabrics they're both 9''x12'' cuts of 32 count hand-dyed Jobelan from Polstitches Designs: Cheerful Cherry and Warm Embers (which would make wonderful needleroll, if you ask from me).

I just finished my fob for Scissor Fob Exchange (at The Robin's Nest) and it's so beautiful!

ETA: Psst... If you want to see what I sent to CatherineMichéle in Recipe Exchange do pop by at her blog.

My prize from Jenna's Great Scissor Giveaway came to momma (and let me tell you, that picture does not do justice to them)... accompanied with... A Dragon's Tea Party (which, btw, was in my wishlist)!

Thank you Jenna! I'm not worthy!

Some more...

Well, they never let me know that my order has been shipped, but what was waiting in my mail box under Jenna's envelope?..

JCS Ornament issues 2004 and 2006, 4 skeins of Dancing Flame and two freebies, from which other one is actually a leaflet (It's copyright is from 1990!).

Am I happy now? Oh yes!

I think they ran in that direction...

And why it's so? I couldn't help it, biscornu will be stitched over one on 32 count. I think I need to find rehabilitation centre for over one addicts.

Entering rotation (More or less in this order)

1. Ezmeralda's House
2. Dragon Soul QS
3. Little Stitching Devils on Sewing Machine
4. Loy Krathong
5. You're Never Too Old...
6. Taj Mahal

Btw, you got to love PINN's site for one reason: they give background information of their designs (Loy Krathong's).

And I think I said I'll try to cut...

I'm having mini biscornu exchange with Linda, so, after I've finished with $ITEM to $NAME I'll head to browse my pattern stash and after it drool all over my fabrics and flosses.
Maybe, for a chance, I'd do this over two...

I just heard from Toni that my Crazy Cat Lady Exchange item has found its new home in U.S.A., and was greatly appreciated.
Thereby I'll provide pictures!

Both sides waiting to be finished... and finished item looks like this (with detail of cat's head)

• Design: Catnip Kitty Fob
• By: The Sweetheart Tree
• Fabric: Silkweaver's 28 count Desert Sky Lugana

For some reason I think that one of my 2-dos in near future is Loy Krathong.

I've had my eyes on it since I bought it in one of my trips to Kinokuniya and lately I've been thinking what would be suitable fabric for it.

It's just too inviting, too much of a dream scene not to stitch it, but it also needs The Perfect Fabric to be stitched on (something hand-dyed, I'd say). Blue or violet, maybe purple with blue accents.

Edited-To-Add; Great Scissor Giveaway

I won! (Ok, I wasn't the only one, but I won!) These beauties are coming to live with me, thanks for Jenna's overwhelming generosity!

I am not worthy!

This week's

Stitching Bloggers Question

"Many of us have a few pairs of embroidery scissors and some even have a "collection". How many pairs of scissors do you have? Feel free to share a photo of your favorite pair or pairs with us!"

Oh, you want the picture too? Tadaa!

And first progress picture of the Panda tomorrowish. Until then: Sweet dreams everyone, ta-ta.

I got mail from Karen that my little one has arrived (that was fast!), and she loves it.

(Click for better picture in Karen's blog.)

Info:

• 28 count Summer khaki Lugana
• SBTS' Pink Featherduster
• Two over two
• Design is a freebie (Orange tile) from Better Homes and Gardens' site

I finished it!

No public pictures as it's an exchange item. I'll post limited friends only entry (sorry, Rósa, you wont see it as you participate that exchange - just to keep the excitement ) after this one.

Actually I realized something... I need to either redirect my mail to my mother's address or ask bits_2_whole or our mom to visit once a week and water my plants at the same time - and let me know when I receive my biscornu, as it'll most likely come when I'm not here.

My 2nd Blogging Anniversary is in Monday. Isn't silly how time flies when you're having fun? It was only last week when I begun this, if you ask from me. (More about it in Monday.)

In stitching front...

Biscornu is almost finished, and I've to say it'll look good. Stitched it with overdyed floss on 28 count Lugana (more about it in May or June) and yummy.
Actually I'm glad to have coming finishing HD as I haven't had that type lately, nor HDs in general. I need that high finishing gives!
Begin to think of finishing... I think I should finish DB finally (I just need to remember where I've put her....).

Health wise

Wolfie's TLC has worked like charm. I'm alive again. ^^ (Ok, I get easily tired still and I have problems with my throat, but hey, I feel alive - unlike in those worst days of my flu+anemia.)

When it comes to health, I'm dreading summer again. I go to bed after midnight and wake up first time at 6 am because according to my body it's day outside... which means: less sleep.
About two months ago day (between sunrise and sunset) was about 8 hours, now...

Observation: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Sunrise 5:44.
Sunset 20:56.
Length of day 15 h 12 min.

Don't get me wrong, I love Finnish summers because of nightless night, but... If you can't prevent sun with two layers of dark curtains... (I should get velvet curtains, they'd hide the sun.)

(This entry will be made public when needleroll is received.)

This was really a project from Hell. It was so annoying in the end that I'm not even pleased when it's done. I'm just... well, I'm pleased to get it out of my hands.

It all begun from hating all those pinks... It ended to look like this

And well, this is how it looked minute before I put it in envelope to be posted three days after deadline, tomorrow.

And now... I'll concentrate on feeling ill. I have a major migraine attack, just to make it perfect...

In case you're LJ user (and one of my friends) and not logged in, do so if you're curious to see my Stitch-A-Thon failure (it's previous post).

But to business... I had something waiting when I got home from work today! I got my needleroll from Linda