Alphabet exchange

This is what I stitched for Teija in the alphabet exchange. It was such fun to stitch, and I really like how it turned out:

Design: The Lavender Alphabet
by Victoria Sampler, Designs by Cathy Jean
Stitched on a ready-made linen bag

March goals

I had completely forgotten about my monthly goals... but better late than never, right?

I didn't have much time to stitch in February:

* finish Mystery XI part 8 no
* continue the exchange, yes
* continue the Egyptian Garden, yes

And as I still don't have too much time for stitching, I set the same goals for March, just slightly altered:

* finish Mystery XI part 8
* finish the exchange
* continue the Egyptian Garden

I have finished the exchange, it has been sent, and I'll publish the photos when it arrives to destination. After finishing the exchange, I continued with Egyptian Garden. Next week I think I'll concentrate on Mystery XI.

And here's the obligatory photo of Aapo, enjoying the snow:

Look...

...isn't it beautiful! I received this lovely pillow from Taija in an alphabet exchange. It gives me such a feeling of spring. Thank you Taija!

Design: A Mon Ami Pierre

This is how we sleep

Näin meillä nukutaan :-)

Aapo - 2 months

Olen jo 2kk vanha!

February Goals

First, let's take a look at the January goals:

* Mystery XI, finish part 7 (already finished :-)
* Mystery XI, part 8 Started, but not finished
* Start Cuban Mansions Mandala no
* Continue Egyptian Garden yes
* Start Workshop No. 01 no
* Continue the Guardian (TW) no...
* Knit... (I would at least like to finish knitting the socks I started last autumn, and maybe start another one) yes, started small socks
* I would also like to continue any of the January 2008 starts. yes, continued Deepest Love and as a bonus started an exchange

All in all, not bad. I didn't stitch for almost a week after the puppy arrived, and still don't manage to stitch every day.

And now, goals for February:

* finish Mystery XI part 8
* continue the exchange
* continue the Egyptian Garden

I'm keeping it simple this month. I'm not getting as much stitching time as earlier (due to the puppy, of course), plus I'm feeling occasionally very tired (also due to the puppy and also some health reasons) at the moment, and don't have energy to stitch as much as I'd like to. I'm hoping to get more stitching time/energy as the month passes.

And not to have a "text-only" entry, here's a photo of Aapo... :-)

Please meet...

Aapo

Berninpaimenkoira, ikä 7½ vk / Bernese Mountain Dog, age 7½ weeks

Egyptian Garden update

This is how far I got with Egyptian Garden. I only got four more hours of stitching in after the last update and obviously didn't fill all of the inside like I had hoped... ;-) Next update sometime in February.

Design: Egyptian Garden by Martina Weber (Chatelaine)
Fabric: Sand Belfast 32 ct
Progress at 13 hours

My boys

I had two Bernese mountain dogs for a total of 14 and half years. The older one was born in 1993, and lived to be nearly 14 (just 4 days short). He was stubborn (in a soft way) and rascally, with a definite sense of humour. When he was six years old, I took another Bernese. Junior was kind of a Peter Pan, he never really grew up. He remained always 'the puppy', energetic, enthusiastic; he was a "me first" kind of a dog, who considered himself the centre of the world. He was 8 when he had to be put to sleep due to an illness.

The two of them couldn't have been more different in character and in built, but still they were the best of friends. And they were my "boys", my best friends.

I lost them both in 2007, the older one in February, then the younger in September. I still miss them both a lot, but the worst agony is over. I am now ready for a new dog, and so, in a bit over a week, there will be a puppy in the house.

Returning to 2008

I noticed that I still have some small 2008 finishes to share, these will be last, I promise :-) These two baby gifts (the knitted bunny and a card) were for a friend and a coworker who both had baby boys in July. The friend's baby boy has since become my godson.

Designs:
Card in upper photo from 101 Cross stitch cards CD
from Cross Stitcher (UK) magazine
Card in the lower photo from a kit that came with
Cross Stitcher (or other UK magazine)
Knitted bunny from here

And I made this summery ornament from a small design I had stitched some time earlier. The design is part of a freebie design (bookmark), but unfortunately I don't remember where I found it.