UFO stitching and a Christmas Exchange

Last night was my UFO stitch night, and I got another pair of animals done - the pigs. This is the second time I'd stitched these, the first time had to be frogged, and after that this piece became a UFO. Here's the before pic, for those who wanted to see the full thing.


And here is the after pic, I also back stitched the horns on the Big Horn Sheep.




And here is an exchange I received before Christmas. I took part in the Christmas bag exchange on Judy O'dell's board. As it was organised late, it was decided to not do an ornament exchange as there wasn't a lot of time for stitching if people were already tied in to other exchanges. And Judy gave us an incentive to join in, there would be a $75 drawing for the completed exchanges. The idea was to give a bag and gifts. There were some really lovely bags, but look what I got. I received a Nantucket basket, complete with kit to stitch the top with my initials, and there was a Charles craft mini stocking, some Sky blue linen, Waterlillies thread, 2 skeins of Ecru DMC, a cute Mill Hill reindeer magnet, a couple of tuck pillows, a mini Christmas ornament kit, and a Mill Hill Silk angel kit. I just love the basket, and have already stitched the top. I'll show you it when it's finished and stuck on the basket. The instructions also include how to make a bag lining, so I'm hoping to do that too.



Here's a pic of the goodies I sent to Becky, I originally planned to make a bag, but time was not on my side, so I bought a green velvet one, with bells on it, silver lace, and a silver rope with tassels. I was late posting too, but it made it there on Christmas Eve - phew. I made a scissor fob using some beads I bought from the NEC, or was it the Knitting and Stitching Show. I did do some beading last month, and made some ear-rings. I'll have to get you some pics.