Cupcake card and SAL update

I don't know if you have ever searched for cupcake cross stitch patterns, but if you have then you know how popular this subject is.  I had no idea how many designs were out there.  I wanted to stitch one for a birthday card and found so many charts I didn't know how to pick one.  The first one I tried just didn't work out.. way too much back-stitching to get the right effect and I gave up.  I finally settled on this French pastry-style cupcake by Veronique Enginger.  Some back-stitching, but just enough to enhance, not overwhelm. It came with two different suggested color palettes, and I used a combination of the two.  I liked them both, but I thought this version would be best for the birthday girl.   It's stitched over-two on Dames of the Needle 35-ct Peep's Lost Sheep linen.  I wanted a darker background to make the icing pop. 

There are just as many cupcake stickers for sale as cupcake x-stitch patterns, so I picked a few and found that cute cupcake ribbon as well.  I think it all  makes a pretty cool birthday card.

Here is my October installment in the Joyful World SAL.  No changes to the suggested colors.  Just a cute little hedgehog and his snail BFF.   I might delay doing the November piece since I have the urge to knit a pair of fingerless gloves now that the weather has turned cooler.

Hocus Pocus and Surprise Gifts

Taking a break from over-one stitching, I worked up a little piece for a Halloween card on 28-ct Cornflower Blue Jobelan over 2.   This design is from an old Shepherd's Bush freebie that is no longer free.  If you buy the 'Scary Sunflower' button that is meant to go in the upper left corner, then you get the pattern too.  I thought this pink button I had saved from an old sweater worked pretty well as a flower instead.  Not as scary as some Halloween designs, but I'm hoping it might work some magic for a couple of friends that are in need of a little cheer right now.

I'm almost done with the October Joyful World piece, but I decided not to wait for the finish, and instead do this post so I could show the lovely gifts I got from my longtime blogging buddy, Lee.   Lee had a giveaway for her recent blogaversary.  I didn't win that, but she decided to reward me anyway for being a long time commenter.   What a treasure trove of goodies she sent!

Lee has been working on woodland animal fobs this year and she sent me the most adorable owl.  Her work is always just exquisite and this fob is hanging from a cabinet nob now.  I just love it.

Next we have this assortment of charms and findings to use as embellishments.  Can you see the cute mouse among all these toys?  I actually thought it was a pig at first, but my eyes aren't what the used to be.

Still more... a lovely little notebook with a beautifully stitched floral cover, a vintage cookbook with designer recipes and charts, plus an owl-themed card.   I feel completely spoiled.  Thanks again, Lee.!