Wish, Dream, Hope, Believe...and other stitching updates

This is the status of the most current WIP: "Wish, Dream, Hope, Believe" that I am working on currently (sorry about the photo, my camera just didn't want to wake up this morning I guess - with flash it was washed out and without it was dark). It is being stitched on light blue 32ct evenweave, 1 over 1 - using various DMC Varigated floss (I'm making up my own color scheme vs what the chart calls for, basically because I am creating this with my stash). I started this projection on March 20, 2009 - and if you are interested in checking out what it is suppose to look like, you can see this and several others on the DMC Creative World Website.

Update on the Friendship RR...
I am having a wonderful experience - and a lot of fun - with my very first RR. Because the pattern is made up of many hearts, and the main direction is to stitch one adding your name/location and the mailing it out, it is simple and quick. The main form of communication has been emails, which not only keeps all of us (18 women) up to date, but each of us have been adding little tid-bits of our life in these emails. Thus, we are making some good friends a long the way. Currently, I have just received Donna's. I have been documenting each one after I stitch my heart, name and state on: FRIENDSHIP SAMPLER.

Signed up for my first exchange....
Before going to NC, I signed up for my first exchange - "Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange". One of my goals for this year was to get involve in an exchange, so this helps me to achieve this goal. In addition, by signing up for this one, I will be exposed to a new designer/producer of counted cross-stitch designs. Once I was accepted into the exchange and received the address of the person I will be making it for/mailing it to - I went to several different on-line needlework places to look for that "just right" pattern. Since the only stipulations was that the piece be finished (no bookmarks, coasters, etc) and that it be sent no later than June 1...I assumed that any design by Prairie Schooler would work. I did go to the blog of the person who I have been assigned to get a feel for her likes/dislikes.
With so many designs to choose from, I ordered 3:

This one is called Summer Breeze









This pattern is called Forget-me-knot












Last, but not least...Santas & Snowmen












I thought that this would give me some choices before I settled on one design. If any of you readers have an idea or advice for this first exchange, please let me know!

So that is my stitching update for April 9th...on a personal note...my DH and I marked our 18th wedding anniversary quietly this year on April 7 - he snuck a bouquet of roses & lilies in the house during his lunch hour as a surprise for me upon walking in after picking up the boys. I put in a little card in his lunch box. We didn't do anything else - just kept is small and sweet. Our life has been very busy this last year - lost a couple of wonderful grandparents at the end of 2008, but the remaining busy-ness has been all good things. I am truly blessed to be married to my "sweetheart" as the saying goes...I love him very much and the life that we have together!

Thank you for visiting and reading...I love reading all the comments, advice and words of support that get left by you all! I hope that things are well with you and your family. Just remember:
Live, Love, Laugh...and Stitch Often....Lisa