Stitch Swap!

Back in February, I signed up for the first ever Wild Olive Stitch Swap!

Partners must create and swap hand-stitched embroideries framed in a 4-inch hoop by the end of March – Here’s a little peek at what I will be packing up and shipping to my assigned partner this weekend:

She loves chihuahuas and hearts so I thought this simple mash-up would be the perfect design for her – So cute, I’m almost tempted to keep it myself!  I also wrapped up a small bag of Jelly Belly beans in tropical flavors as a fun little greeting from this south Florida dweller:

Over 270 people signed up for this swap (!) – It’s really cool knowing that you are part of this crafty worldwide event.

Follow Mollie at Wild Olive to be updated about future stitch swap events!

Return of the Tufted Birds

Always a favorite of mine, these little tufted dudes are finally back in the shop and would love to flutter into your home and warm your heart (click image for listing):

Available in tufted titmouse, cardinal, blue jay and carrier pigeon.

Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day or simply to welcome the coming of spring!

Festive: The Story Behind the Ornament

Freshman year of college, I decided to decorate my little dorm room with Christmas lights for the holiday season.  Jim proceeded to come in, grab a sticky note and write “festive” on it with a couple of arrows.  He taped this note to my wall with the arrows pointing appropriately at the lights.

Jim and I had only started seeing one another a month earlier.

Six years later, we still have the sticky note.

We’ve taped a loop of ribbon to it and now it hangs from our tree each Christmas.

This note was the inspiration for one of my 2011 holiday ornament designs:

Simply designed to point out how freaking festive your tree is.

Available here!

Birthday Wishes

As some of you may have read, my birthday was last month.  I received awesome food-related care packages from both my mom and my dad.  In said packages, they both wrote me a little “happy birthday” note complete with a drawing.

Now bear in mind, my parents have been divorced for over 11 years now, have stopped talking to one another and both are happily remarried.

What I found amusing was how similar their messages were to one another:

The alligator is from my dad and the balloons are from my mom … and they both found it necessary to label what their respective pictures were.

I think this is hilarious and I have both hanging in the kitchen – I love them both and it still amazes me how they managed to create a daughter with any artistic talent at all … creativity must be a recessive gene …

Busy Busy!

Between final exams and the upswing in Christmas sales, I barely have time to sleep anymore – But I’m not complaining, I thrive on having too much to do!

Here are a few photos of my WNM work weekend:

I stitched up more microbe ornaments …

… and a few custom heart magnets.

I also found new homes for these guys all over the country.

All packed and ready to go!

I hope you had a fun and festive weekend – I’ve been listening to Christmas music non-stop and counting down the days til I get to see my family!!