Final SS parcel arrives

My Secret Sister parcel from the cross stitch newsgroup I've been on for a while arrived yesterday and here it is:

Wow-some, isn't it? My SS lives in Malaysia and don't the colours she's selected in ribbons and threads just speak of the vibrant society she comes from? I'm delighted with it all and look forward to putting it to some use over the coming months and years. It's been SO nice to have a parcel to open as the last 5 SS gifts have all been on-line store vouchers. It's nice to pick your own stuff once in a while, but it's so much more fun to have someone else choose for you. They often buy the stuff you wouldn't really get for yourself, (although it's on the wishlist), whereas I always make myself be 'sensible' and try to complete thread collections etc.

Have still barely done any stitching of late, but then I suppose many don't do much over the summer months. I need to get on with a vengeance though as I have only 2 more weeks to finish one wedding gift and then the next wedding is just under 4 weeks after that 'deadline', (I want to give it to the groom a few days before). I've done very little on the first and haven't even done the design for the second! If anyone has seen my motivation, which is currently AWOL, please discipline it soundly and send it back express!

DSL Parcel!

This is my self-selected Secret Sister package for April:

I got a $25 Gift Voucher/Certificate to chose my own stash, so I picked these 2 Patricia Ann Designs charts (Buy British, yeah! But it's ridiculous that it was cheaper for me to get them from the States, huh?) plus 7 boxes of Mill Hill beads, including 4 of Petite Seed Beads. Yum!

Not getting very far with the dog, but then I don't really enjoy it that much. I will be glad when it's over and done with.....

Another good stash day!

I did an exchange for some of the patterns/kits that I'd already worked with Cherie in the States. She selected what she wanted from my 'To Trade or Sell' album on my Webshots and then bought me things from my wishlist. Look what came for me today:

Aren't I the lucky one? My stash is growing nicely again, isn't it??=)

A Show and an SS Parcel!=)

Plenty of stash added to the collection yesterday, but only one thing that, had I not made an exemption of stitching show buys (or what's the point in going?), would have broken the challenge rules!!!

Firstly, yesterday morning I got my first Secret Sister package. It's the one for February, but was nice and early. Makes a real change as I frequently got mine late when I used to do these exchanges a few years ago. Here's what I got:

5 skeins of GAST, 5 of Anchor Marlitt, 1 of NN's #5 pearl cotton, 2 of Caron Waterlilies Silk, 3 boxes of Mill Hill Beads, 2 of Treasures, a ball each of DMC #8 and #12 pearl cotton and some hardanger bookmark patterns. The Waterlilies, DMC pearls, beads and treasures are all for a challenge item I plan to do for my mum and the others are from my wishlist. All except the pattern that is and that makes me suspect the identity of my SS.....!!!!=) It was a lovely package and, apart from the fact that I'd put a pack of beads on my list that I already had (my own silly fault), everything was just great! I want more Marlitt now I've started a collection..... Eeek!

Most of what I bought at the show was for private exchanges with Petra and for the lady whose Secret Sister I am, so I can't put a photo here for fear of spoiling the surprise for them. These are what I got for me: A metre of white hardanger band which I hope will do for the challenge item where I said I needed linen band - I just need to double check the stitch count, and 7 things of organza ribbon. Most of them have 2 different shades and 2 thicknesses on so for only 75p each, they were a total bargain! The company who sold them want to see photos of anything I stitch with them as they're were interested in them being for ribbon embroidery. I might even get my work featured on their site one day!!!=)

The only downer yesterday was that I had about £60 at the show, came back with about £10 and only have goods enough for £35, including the sandwich I bought and my share of the parking costs. It seems that I got change for £5 at one stand instead of £20 or something like that and didn't notice as I was rushing to keep up with my friends and talking to the lady on the stall! So, in effect, I've paid for the SS parcel!=( I think I know which stall it was and I will e-mail them and ask that, if they are £15 up on what they should be, could I please have my change??