Etsy pleasures...

Melissa, I'll answer right away with pleasure.

These fantastic mice are the original work of Anna, a UK gal from Holland. She's created a whole world, a whole dynasty of these mice, and I am just one of many, many people who have a very soft spot for them! I wish I could afford a whole collection. In real, they're even more cute!

When I saw the female (Anna often makes male and female versions) Traveling mouse, shown in my previous post, I just knew it had to be mine. Just like the Traveling Stitcher, the recent LHN chart :)

Then I asked Anna if she could make a cross-stitching mouse! And do you know what? Within a few hours, really, she designed and sewed one for me. She originally wanted to include a hoop, but that proved too difficult, so she asked me if that one could do.

Of course, I loved it!! Isn't she super adorable? My pictures are not very good, I took them at night before leaving, so I'll refer you to the original photos (below).

If you visit The House of Mouse shop, you'll find dozens of the finest, cutest, most intriguing mice, representing different jobs, cultures, hobbies, and what else.
I don't think that the stitching mouse if on regular sale, but tell Anna you come from the Polish girl to whom she sent to Norway last year... And I'm also sure she can make any original mouse after your idea if you ask nicely! :)
I think they make such great gifts also.

Anna's etsy shop is HERE.
You can see the original Traveling mouse HERE
and the Stitching mouse HERE, enjoy!

Can you really resist the birthday mouse? I have to get that one one day. Though I'll probably ask Anna for a different outfit, since one of mine is dressed the same.

At the same time, I'll grab the occasion to show you the necklace that was waiting for me.... I am not sure if I ever mentioned, but I am a jewelery junkie... Never enough necklaces and earings, I say!

which was so nicely packed...

This one is from Susan at sdvintagecollection.

In December, I won a gift certificate from lillyella and here is what I chose...

Nicole has her own original style and I'm the lucky owner of many of her pieces...

I hope visiting these three shops will inspire you!

I'm stitching tonight on CHS' Strawberry blonde... I can't tell how much it is enjoyable. The colors are so well matched, so elegant. Ah, I wish their recent charts were.... different than what they are, really!

Yeah, I know it looks weird.. but the reason I stitched this long vertical strip first is that the chart is in two parts which overlap. And I so hate charts that overlap this way! So, I wanted to have it done and now I'm concentrating on all the left part which is all on one sheet of paper.

Till tomorrow.... lots and lots to show! :) Have a quiet, relaxing week-end, everyone and thanks for stopping by! Remember, if you don't leave me a comment, I can't get to know you :)