Stitch to Stitch

Good morning! It is absolutely beautiful here. I hope it is where you are, too. In fact it has been for the last two days.... love it... need it! I think it's speeding up my healing process.

So today, I want to show you what was exchanged in the Extraordinary Embroidery Sampler Swap for Silver Bella.

Here is what I created for my sweet, sweet partner Virginia. (she doesn't have a blog, but I think she should! wink, wink, nudge, nudge) The photo isn't so great. It was really hard to get a decent picture of it, all in focus, because it turned out so dimensional. And, well honestly, I should have changed lenses... I'm so lazy.

We filled out questionnaires about what colors, images, styles, etc. we prefer, at the beginning of the swap.
I thought long and hard about this one before starting it, but then all of a sudden, one morning, it all just came together for me and I was able to really get started on it. I like how it turned out, but I did have to stop myself, at the end there, from adding too much and making the whole thing an overkill. It's pretty busy as is.

Now for the beautiful piece Virginia made for me!

I love it!
I have hung it up on a frame that the Farmboy chicken wired for me a long time ago... the flowers in the top corner were already on the frame... not a part of the sampler, but they look so pretty with it. Don't they?
I really like how she cut a heart out of a piece of fabric and then used the negative piece to put onto the sampler... I think that's brilliant! The lace, buttons, the little bird, the 3D elements... all of it is just wonderful! Oh! And the colors are perfect!

Here it is a bit closer. I tried to get some good close ups of it, but... haha... you should have see it. The farmboy had already gone to work and the boys were still in bed sleeping and there I was, precariously standing on the couch clutching my belly pillow to my tummy and trying to take pictures of it this morning. And I had to do it right then, because it's the best light of the day in that room. I'm sure it was quite the sight! And quite typical of me... I hope the Farmboy doesn't read this post, or I'll be receiving a lecture later. Anywho, isn't it lovely?!

I really enjoy stitching, but I have such a hard time getting started. You know, figuring out what to stitch. I think my brain is just too box in most times. And my stitching is still a little crude, I think. But I know that will improve with practice. This book has been a great help... so glad I purchased it. And I absolutely cannot wait for her new embroidery book to hit the shelves!

Alright, I'll stop rambling on now. I hope you have a beautiful, beautiful day!