Spring exchange received from Roberta

Roberta sent me this beautiful exchange for the HOE. She stitched this Blackbird design as a pincushion and stuffed it with wool roving. I had to look that up. The little bunny dances in the sunlight, so I'll have to try it out today. I think it would be perfect for my windowsill at work. The Jelly Bellies have already started disappearing. We're pretty addicted to them in this house.

Halloween exchange received from Jayne

Jayne sent me this wonderful Halloween ornament for the HOE exchange. I've seen this design a few times and always wanted it. It's Halloween 2013 by Glory Bee from the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Halloween special edition, stitched on 32-count cream linen. The tiny stitches are so well done. Thanks, Jayne!

Irises from my garden

I planted these irises last year, and now they're blooming! I found someone on Craigslist that was selling them very cheaply -- $2 per bulb instead of $4-6 per bulb. She also gave me some shoots that had very little bulb but that might grow. They did, so I got almost twice what I paid for. A few bulbs rotted into a yellow goo, but I had very good success.

I also bought some different-colored bulbs from a local place and ordered some from Gilbert H. Wild and Sons. I ordered them and them let them sit in a box for a long time. I panicked when I remembered about them but put them into the ground after the heat of summer let off some. They all survived, miraculously enough. They're still pretty small, but they all bloom mid- to late season. There's still hope for this year. I just hope the neighbor's tree doesn't block their sunlight too much.

Sad news: My uncle passed away this week. My mom went home to Louisiana, but I stayed home because of work. Grieving alone doesn't give you the same catharsis as grieving with your family.