Stitching for Spring

Hello All...
Just adding my exchange photos back in from a exchange we did before the Spring/Easter Season on "Lainey's Stitching Hoose" blog. I inadvertently had this posted in my last blog post and wasn't supposed to reveal to the others in the exchange until this week before Easter! Well I was on a roll updating my blog at that time...what can I say?

Anyways....I had done this cute little pin pillow for Ellen and then we were to add in 5 items that were of a spring or Easter theme. I added in the hand dyed cross stitch fabric/gold stitching needles/a Mary Engelbreit tin/some hand dyed cording plus a springtime themed note pad for her. I hope she enjoys it all! (BTW...I snitched her photo of what the total pkg. was that I sent as I forgot to do that before sending it to her...HOPEFULLY she doesn't mind me using it?)

In exchange I received the very same pattern design but in a cute little wall hanging that I absolutely LOVE! She also added in all the other goodies with her package and of course I really LOVE getting fun things and will use them all as well!.

What's really great is the fact we don't know each other at all and we chose the same design from Lizzie Kate to stitch for each other. Well as they say "Great Minds Think Alike" huh? Funny tho!
Thanks again Ellen!

I mentioned in the last post that my youngest daughter is living in Nashville. Sunday night we had a knock at the door and there she stood! Drove all the way home in one day alone (1000 miles one way)to spend this Easter week with us! We are tickled pink! Had NO idea she was going to do that but so happy to see her! (She is a bit driven and strong willed...lol)

As it turned out there were other reasons for her to come. A friend of hers from grade school/high school passed away this last Friday in a sad, sad series of events giving birth (full term)to her first child. Her sweet little baby girl passed away on Sunday as well so there was a double funeral on Monday. So, so sad! Her husband and family are devastated and in shock over this as well as family and friends. Please say a prayer for them all if you would.
Hold your loved ones close and tell them you love them as often as you can.

IN the bright side of our life our other daughter will be home tomorrow so the two girls can see each other and visit for a couple of days over the weekend too. That's something that doesn't happen often here anymore. It will be fun to have them both here.
I wonder how many times we as parents go through a empty nest syndrome thing? I sure seem to ALOT lately!

I also sent off my first block in the Half and Half Round Robin in my crazy quilt group. We are each doing about a quarter of the block and passing it on to another in the group to add to. Below is what we call "the naked block" and below that MY additions to it for Amanda.

Next I'll show you the one I will work on for Ruby from the group as I just received that one in the mail today. I'll need a couple of thinking days first before I actually start stitching on it for her.

Alright! Enough of my rambling for now!
I hope you all have a very Happy Easter weekend and also can enjoy time with family and friends!
Take care!
Keep a smile too!

Lynn