Mission Accomplished: Exchange Complete

Catherine and I met for lunch today and exchanged our gifts.
This was a wonderful experience.  Catherine and I have a mutual friend; however, I have not seen our friend in a number of years.  We think that the three of us might have to get together.  Even if the three of us do not get together, Catherine and I plan to again.

Our paths crossed in the early to mid 1990's when Spirit of Cross Stitch was held in Des Moines, IA.  One of the local needlework shops sponsored a bus from St. Paul to Des Moines and had group accommodations in a nearby motel.  I went with a friend for two times and Catherine went to all of the Des Moines Spirit of Cross Stitch events.  I remember that one of the times I went, the group went to dinner at a Machine Shed.  I had never heard of it and little did I know at the time that one would eventually open near my home.

Now I suppose that you might want to know what I gave Catherine.

As you can see, I stitched Woodland Berries.  I painted, distressed, and finished the box just the way Alma showed us.  I also included some small gifts, not pictured here.  For the picture I just used some things that I have to add interest.  Catherine has a promise for some thread winders that I will make just the way Alma showed us.    :-)

Following lunch, we went across the highway to see the newly opened Jo-Ann Fabrics store.  I must admit that I only went out of curiosity and to show Catherine where the pins are in the store like the ones I gave her to use as counting pins.  I also must sadly admit that I left before Catherine had finished shopping,  Catherine thinks that I will get home and post before she can even though I had to drive an hour or so to get home. 

Now I will add a picture of what Catherine made for me.  It is a charming sewing book.  As you can see, it goes very well with my old plate.