Temari in Progress

I finished the temari the next day, but here it is in progress.  It's for an exchange, and an original design.

Beautiful Exchange!

Last week, Karin's temari from Sweden got here!  It's beautiful and was part of the Spring GITS from Talk Temari yahoogroup.  She made each flower one that's found in Sweden in spring and even gave me a little guide to them!  Isn't it pretty?  I'll treasure it always.

Silk Ribbon and Temari

I participated in an exchange for spring on the Talk Temari board.  It had to be floral and springy, and I wasn't getting any inspiration from geometry, so... I decided to branch out.  I took out my silk ribbons and embroidered the ball all over.  I might do it differently next time, as I feel there are some places more blank than others, but I like the overall effect.  I added some glass and plastic beads too.  The recipient in Sweden is very happy with it, so I can now share it here.

Beautiful Needlebook

Thank you Lynn!  I love this exchange needlebook from Lynn through the BBI Yahoogroup.  It's lovely stitching and so well put together.  She also sent me some really cute ladybug beads and a couple of skeins of Hand Dyed Fibers silks.  Thank you so much, and I'm sorry the postal system had such a hard time getting it here.

May Day Exchange

An exchange from Jacque!  She made this beautiful sachet for me and gave me three silk skeins.  I sent her the pillow I posted a few weeks back and some silks, different kinds, too.  Whatever we sent had to have a ribbon, so we both succeeded.  The sachet is going in my clothing drawer.  Thank you Jacque!

Eggstravagant Exchange

In the temari egg exchange, I got this one from Jean last week.  It makes mine look so amateur!  Hers is gorgeous.  She gave me some hints to help for next time.  Thank you Jean, I'll treasure this.

My First Biscornu

I finally succumbed and made a finish into a biscornu.  I think it came out pretty well.  The back is blank, and the front is that Frimas design I finished last month.

My First Egg

I made this egg for an egg temari swap with Talk Temari.  It's going out in the mail tomorrow.  It was interesting working with a completely new shape.  I used anchor #5 perle and there's a plastic egg in the middle to give it its shape.  I have a gross of plastic eggs, so I'll be making more soon.

Stitching's Done

Last week I finished the stitching for my exchange piece.  I think it came out pretty well.

An Exchange Start

The Brooke's Books Interactive group on Yahoo is having a spring exchange, and I am participating.  Here's the start of my exchange piece.  It's got no cross stitch, but is mainly satin and Algerian eye stitches.

Made for Ginny

Since she got it yesterday, I'm able to post pictures of the temari I made for Ginny in the Lunar New Year GITS.  It's one of lunar new year colors - red, gold, white and green.  The red isn't Christmas or bright red like usual, though.  I used Claret Watercolours from Caron.  I think it came out pretty well, and she says she likes it along with my explanation of the symbology I used.

My First

I now own my first temari made by someone else.  I LOVE it!  It was made by Ginny in New York, and I got it because I participated in the Lunar New Year Great International Temari Swap in the TemariKai Yahoo group.  She was my partner.  I normally hate orange, but this just glows and it's sooooo pretty in person!  I'll treasure it always.  It also gives me reason to participate in more swaps of temari.

Ginny also sent me a temari-themed badge holder and a pen with Temari is a Ball on it.  They're so cute, and since I now have to wear a badge every so often, I'll use the holder.  Thank you Ginny, you've made my first temari swap so much fun, despite my anxiety about not being good enough.

Connie's Generous Exchange

About a month ago, Connie in Colorado contacted me about doing an exchange with her because she wanted things from Uruguay, having seen some of what I'd shown on my blog.  I agreed and sent her a bunch of beads and floss from here.  She, in return, sent me all this!  I'd told her that my real need was just plain cotton fabric because it's impossible to go to the store and get here.  Thank you, Connie!

Beadiful

I went back to the bead shop yesterday and bought more.  Some are being sent to the States for an exchange, but I'm keeping some, too.  Some of the nicer finds: small coins with Elizabeth II on them, colored wooden beads, some twisted manganese blue bugle beads, and star shaped glass beads.

Secret Santa Thanks!

I got this lovely bit of stash from the Secret Santa exchange on Friendly Stitchers.  Robin sent me all these threads and the lovely fabric.  I can always use more evenweave, and the Madeira is something I don't have much of in my stash, if any.  Thank you Robin!

Thank You Maire C!

Marie sent me lots and lots of fabrics in her cracker for me, and a very pretty block, too!  I also was lucky enough to receive some silks and overdyeds.  Now to plot what to make.

Thank You Cathy!

I received this from Cathy on the CQI board.  We had our cracker exchange, and this was one that I got.  All Christmas stuff!  She even stitched a small cross stitch ornament for me.  Thank you!

First Holiday Temari

So far, I've made four temari for the holidays. One didn't get a picture before it was given away. This one I made for an exchange run by the Friendly Stitchers yahoogroup. I like the way it turned out all Christmasy. I just hope my partner likes it!

Thank You Lisa!

Remember I sent out an ornament last month? This is the one I got in return. I love it. It's a nice comfy little pillow with a cheerful heart on it. She also sent me some tea, a candle, and a very nice note. Thank you again Lisa!

A Pretty Tree

I received this ornament as part of the Friendly Stitchers exchange. Thank you Joyce! I really like it and it'll go on a doorknob for Christmas, since we won't have a tree.