Send a Smile from Russia

Merry Christmas everyone!!

I had a lovely early Christmas present.... after months of thinking that the package Lena-Lentochka sent from Russia had been lost in the mail I finally received the package!

It took over 4 1/2 months to travel from Lena in Russia to myself in Australia... one very slow boat indeed!

Thank you Lena for the smile.... I am so pleased that it finally arrived safe and sound as when I was checking with the Post Office they had no record of it arriving in the country....

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas... all the best for 2016

Hugs xx

Merry Christmas to all :)

MS Stitching Update

Hi everyone!  Long time no posting... and long time no MS stitching!  But finally I have something to show you...

I have just looked back over the blog posts and noticed that the last time I posted on this blog was February 2015.... oh my goodness - I am hanging my head in shame!!

So who wants to see what MS stitching I have been doing over the last few months?

First up of course was the "Send a Smile" Exchange that I sent to Angel.  Link to Angel's post is here...

(Unfortunately I am yet to receive my exchange piece that Lentochka sent to me... given the length of time since it was posted I suspect it has been well and truly lost in mail - oh well these things happen)

While I have a couple of MS design in my stitching basket at the moment I haven't been very good at stitching on them....

Update below:

Spring Bouquet - last stitched on in April 2015

Merry Christmas Kitty (free kit) - last stitched on in July 2015

Trio of Christmas Mice (Free Kit) - finished in November 2015 (yippee!!)

As I said, not a lot of MS stitching done this year but at least I do have some finishes!!!  Hopefully next year will be a better year for MS stitching.

Til next time, happy stitching!
Hugs xx

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while since I posted on this blog. I can't believe my last post was in November 2013!
So, hello lovely ladies! Here's a warm greeting from Indonesia. I miss you all very much.

As of my latest finish of Margaret Sherry's design, here's a bookmark I stitched for a friend last week.
Chick lit bookmark from CrossStitcher magazine #231.

It's soooo nice to be back here again. Until next time!
Happy stitching!


ristinia.blogspot.com

Getting cold.

It is getting colder, real autumn days with unfortunately rainy days.
Good excuse to stay warm inside and stitch!
Happy stitching!

Send a smile exchange - update!

Hello ladies!
Sorry I have been M.I.A., too many sleepless nights over here... For too many weeks =/ And I thought having a newborn was the hardest, such a fool :p My boy is 19 months old and still doesn't like to sleep much, he prefers to play and watch the world, doesn't want to miss a thing!!!

3 parcels to check on our exchange:

. Waiting to hear from Judith, about her parcel to Lentochka and Heather's parcel too
. No news from Lentochka either... Maybe Judith's parcel was delivered, no idea!
. And Noni is waiting to receive too, I know if it was already delivered, Noni would have written an e-mail to me ;)

How about everyone else? Was everyone happy with our exchange? Many smiles? :D
Feel free to write anything you would like to say about our exchange :) we can always learn how to do better.
I know I want to be more active, it hasn't been the same since I have my baby... And I still think all partners should interact more! When you receive your partner's address, you also receive her e-mail, talk to each other! Get to know your partner and friendships will grow, you'll see ;)

Hugs&smiles to all,

Send a Smile Exchange: Nia to Ysa

Hello Ladies!! Just to show that I received  the smile exchange sent from Nia.. First my apologies but I couldn't posted before, I received it about a week ago.  Nia thank you very much for your wonderful package!!!

Look this cute notepad with a lovely design of Margaret Sherry Sketchbook, I love it!!!

 

And all these beautiful goodies that I just start to use it!!

Thanks again to all of you for this wonderful exchange!!

Send a smile exchange : from Olimpia to Preeti !:)))

I was so glad to receive Olimpia's parcel all the way from Mexico to India and she has been successful in sending a smile to me :) I loved it !! Thank you, Olimpia!!:)

Here is what I got :

A cute Margaret Sherry kitten design coaster!! I am not going to use it as a coaster and spoil it instead I will put it on my craft room notice board. I was touched when I saw she stitched my name on it :) So sweet!!

These are the goodies :

Mexican handicrafts- bookmark, miniature dolls, appliqued purse; 

lovely designer buttons

letter, postcard, tissues and lovely fabric

I loved the applique on the purse and the miniature dolls are my daughter's favourite too!!! Buttons are my weakness, I love them!!!

She also generously shared a sewing themed fabric which I had earlier seen and liked on her blog once. I love sewing/crafting themed fabrics and they are not easily found in all the stores.

Olimpia wrote a sweet letter to me and she has drawn a plane (see envelope in the image) from her house in Mexico to my house in India...that's very cute !!:))
Perhaps, I should ask my hubby to buy a house with helipad so that my parcels will land sooner because I was getting impatient about my parcel ;)

My hubby is in U.S.A. right now and I am missing him badly and I was sad but when I received my parcel, it brought a smile on my face and made me very happy:))

Thank you again, Olimpia!! :))

I am delighted to have been part of this exchange and look forward for some more in future :)
Thanks for hosting, Nia!!

Sending and receiving smiles completed for me !!!:))
Preeti

Send A Smile Exchange - Ysa to Heather

Hello ladies!

My lovely exchange parcel has arrived!
I am totally delighted ... Thank you Ysa :)

Lots of lovely goodies to accompany the beautiful stitched hedgehogs already to hang up on my wall ... certainly 'made me smile' :)

Have a great day all
Hugs
Heather
xxxx

Hello,Ladies! :)

I know, I disappeared..and I apologize for all of you! <3
My son had Crohn-IBD syndrome,and we were in a hospital a lot.
But here I am ,if you don't mind..may I join with your blog again?
Nia, here is my new url ( my blog):www.pinsandneedles-bluecat.blogspot.hu

Aaand here is my new MS-mause: I love butter.

Hugs and kiss from Hungary:Monika :)

Send a smile - Valma to Nia ... part II ;)

Hello ladies!
You've already seen photos from Valérie but I wanted to write my post anyway, just to say thanks to Valérie and tell how much I appreciated everything! =) I'm sorry for being a few days behind - not that easy to take some time to take photos and post... when you have a toddler around who just wants to play and put his hands on everything :p heheheh He's discovering the world, touch is very important but not with coffee mugs ;)

Valérie posted pictures of her beautiful stitching and finished tray, along with the mug, but there was more in the parcel:

Do I need to say how perfect is that design?! I'm so in love with it!! =) It's so adorable ♥ and the finish tray.. all together, precious!! I'm trying to find the perfect place for it... where my boy's little hands won't reach ;) hehehehe But I want to look at it all the time! :)

Thank you my sweet friend
Hugs&smiles to you,

Send a smile exchange - Noni to Angel

Hi girls,

I have some great news to share with you!
The  parcel from Noni arrived this morning at my door.
And for sure i am dancing a happy dance.
Look at this pretty package with a sweet card, threads, nail file, chart book,the supercute souvenirs from Australia and super pretty MS cross stitch with a lovely frame!
Really love this cute little mouse!
Thank you soooo much Noni, you are making me smile big time!
Big hugs to you, and of course to all the other stitchers on this blog!

Send a smile exchange - Valma to Nia

Hi ladies :D

I take the time to show you the piece I made for her...
It took 2 weeks to cross France and reach Portugal ! Such a long travel !!!
We thought it was lost !

But anyway it seems I succeeded in sending a smile :D
This pattern I had bought on MS web store (what a pity that it has now disappeared !!!!) seemed obvious to me :D

The pity is that I totally forgot to take a picture of the goodies, except that mug to suit with the tray I choose as a finish....

But maybe Nia will find the time to make a post on her blog :D
hehehehe

Anyway, what a pleasure to participate to this exchange !!!
I had almost forgotten how exciting it is to join such an exchange....
Thank you again to Preeti for all the superb goodies I received and thank you Nia for having organised this exchange.

I can't wait to see all the other pieces....
Hugs from France
Valérie
 

Send a Smile exchange - update!

Hello ladies :D
Last Friday was the deadline to post our parcels, I want to let you all know how things are going ;)

. Judith wrote here that she will post this week and I'm waiting to hear from Ysa, everyone else has posted.

. I don't have photos from Olimpia and Lentochka, everyone else did all well, good job ladies :)

. Three parcels have been delivered - Angel, Preeti and Valérie: mission accomplished :D Great work ladies!!

Let's wait a little and all our parcels will be safely delivered!
I hope everyone is smilling already!!! :D

Let me know if I'm missing something:
. Nia - Posted!
. Ysa - Posted!
. Heather - Posted!
. Judith (will post this week)
. Lentochka - Posted! (No photos)
. Noni - Posted!
. Angel - Delivered :)
. Olimpia - Posted! (No photos)
. Preeti - Delivered :)
. Valma - Delivered :)

Send a smile exchange - Angele to Olimpia

Hi,

Oh, just got the good news from Nia my little package has arrived in Mexico!
Because Olimpia is busy this week i will post the photo's.
Hope you like everything Olimpia, loved making this for you!
Hopefully all the exchange packages will arrive safely!

big hugs to you all!

Send a smile exchange - Preeti to Valma

Hi Ladies :)

Am I really the first to have received my exchange ??? :D
HO MY !!!

I sent a mail to Preeti to thank her but I think my words are going to be a bit weak regarding to what I'm now feeling :D
I've been spoilt ! over spoilt !!!
Preeti knows me well hehehe..purple, butterflies and ..... MICE !
Wow , I'm so happy !
This needle book is so cute and all the pages are embroidered !
And all those goodies...

Target : to send a smile --> TARGET REACHED :D

My exchange is going to leave on Monday, let's hope it will generate such a smile than the one I'm having right now ;)

Thank you again Preeti, you're a sweetheart.
Lot's of love
xxxx
Valérie

the over cute needle book

the same needle book with a beautiful handmade garland

 

5 goodies !!! :D

Typical Indian gifts

Send a Smile - posted parcels :)

Hello ladies :)

Two parcels are already travelling across the world! We have some quick stitchers on our group :D awesome!

I'm keeping track on how things go, you can check the list on the exchanges page :)

Please, let your partner know when you get your mail, let me know too ;)

Summer!

A cute card to celebrate summer!
Happy stitching!

Send a Smile - exchange partners :)

Hello ladies!
By now you've probably read your emails, you know who will get your parcel but.. who will you receive from? heheheh Here it is, the full chain:

Stitchers:
Nia » Ysa » Heather » Judith » Lentochka » Noni » Angel » Olimpia » Preeti » Valma » Nia

Theme: Free
Itens: At least 5 itens + 1 handmade - Margaret Sherry design, always!!!
Post: until July 31st


Thank you for voting chain ;) It would be a lot harder to make partners that had never sent/received from each other :p

Last week I started asking for addresses but I'm still waiting on Olimpia's reply. Ysa and Heather have new addresses, anyone else changed in the last couple of years? Please, let me know ;)
Questions?

Don't forget the main rule: have fun!!!!
Let's start sending smiles :D

Calendar Cats: June

Hello everyone!

I hope you have/had a nice Saturday. It´s June so it´s time for June cat from Calendar cats. June is my favourite month. My life is full of events in this month (etc today´s - Concours d´Elegance in spa town near to my place :-)).

Original post here.

Have a nice Saturday!

A cat and a cow with flowers!

Hi MS lovers!

Thought i should share 2 of my stitching i made a while ago.
Oh, sooo looking forward to this exchange!
Have fun!

Cattitude horoscopes: Gemini

Hello everyone!

I´m going with the next sign of zodiac :-).

Original post here.

Have a nice evening!

Poll » pairs or chain?

Hello everyone!!
Looks like I'm always a bit behind these days =) I used to be better here, I know.. Well, if a baby at home keeps your hands full, a toddler walking everywhere (and fast!!) it sure keeps you busy as well ;)

So, on our exchange, we have 10 stitchers:
Nia
Noni
Heather
Angel
Judith (Musicwoman)
Ysabel
Preeti
Olimpia
Valérie
Lentochka

I'm taking votes to decide if we exchange in pairs or chain.
Pairs: A < > B, C < > D...
A sends to B and B sends to A, C sends to D and D sends to C...

Chain: A > B > C... > A
A sends to B, B sends to C... the last one sends to A

How do you prefer? Vote until Sunday, I will post the list as the majority of votes ;)

New partners:
I always try to make new partners, so everyone gets the chance to exchange with everyone :) So it won't be in the order of the list above ;)

Completed Bags of Fun today!! Yay!!

Hi all.  I completed Bags of Fun today. Whew! It was lots of backstitching, and I bet you may notice I didnt stitch the whiskers.  I actually prefer the design without them.  I hope MS doesn't mind! :))  I'm now debating whether to make into cushion or frame it.  Happy Stitching to everyone!! :))

exchange update and tips :)

I posted yesterday but already have news and I thought I could share some tips for our exchange :)
First, Angel is in for our exchange too, she will make it work to go along with our dates :) (happy you can join sweetie!!)

Stitchers:
Nia
Noni
Heather
Angel
Judith (Musicwoman)
Ysabel
Preeti
Olimpia
Valérie
Lentochka

What to stitch:
I wanted to share some tips with you, about what to stitch and what piece to make.
First, you don't need to stitch a huge pattern, you can pick something small or even a piece of a pattern (we have done it here before). That's ok, your work will be different but also unique :) Make the pattern your own!!
For the finish, don't stress about it, don't over do it to make something you don't feel confortable. Go simple, make something nice and pretty. Of course you can make a big and complex gift if you want ;) but for those who don't have much time or amazing skills (we are all different), go simple and pretty, it's ok.
The import here, is to have fun making your gift/parcel and make your friend smile!!! :D
Enjoy!!! Have fun!!!

Theme: Free
Itens: At least 5 itens + 1 handmade - Margaret Sherry design, always!!!
Sign up: until May 31th
Post: until July 31st

If you haven't done it yet, you can still sign up ;)

exchange update!!

Hi everyone!
Again, sorry for taking so long to update here.. it has been difficult to have some free time with my boy walking everywhere! Only 14 months but he walks too fast!!! I spend my day running behind him :p

I gave a long time for everyone to sign up but not many stitchers joining.. probably not having as much free time as they wished? I know how that is :p well, but I will still try to participate and do my best :) So far, 9 friends for the exchange, I still have to check with Angel because everyone else prefered a later deadline..

14 more days to sign up here!!