Another Year in Chalk design I needed to stitch. I stitched the clovers in green rather than the diamonds. Good thing, too. It used the full skein of chalk as is. I’d’ve needed to buy another if I’d stitched the clovers in white.
Vitals:
Design: A Year in Chalk: March by Hands On Designs
Stitched on 30-ct. Gunmetal linen by Weeks Dye Works as recommended, using recommended colors.
Changes: Stitched clovers in Avocado and diamonds in Chalk instead of the reverse.
Have a lucky day!
Happy Pi Day! I stitched a little pincushion for the occasion. At 9:26:53, it will be/was an auspicious Pi Day, indeed, if you write your dates in the American fashion. It will be 3/14/15, 9:26:53, the first ten digits of pi. Fun! Where’s the confetti?
This is Pi, er, Squared, a freebie by Tor-Rhuann Designs, which you can download here. In case you need your math refreshed, pi x r squared is how you find the area of a circle, with “r” representing the circle’s radius. I call mine Cocoa Bean and Cherry Cobbler, um, “Pi, er, Squared,” because those were the names of the Classic Colorworks floss I used. Yes, their names did influence my choices. I enjoyed stitching this so much. Also, Sir Cumference has asked me to remind you that you can determine the circumference of a circle by getting “pied,” that is, multiplying the diameter times pi.
Here’s the bottom, with some Cocoa Bean pis.
I’m going into pun timeout now.
Vitals:
Pi, er, Squared by Tor-Rhuann Designs.
Stitched 2 over 2 on 28-ct. linen (a light yellow shade closely resembling DMC 746)
Threads used: Classic Colorworks Cocoa Bean and Cherry Cobbler.
I hope you have a wonderful Pi Day. Happy Stitching! 🙂
It’s tiny. Don’t laugh. It’s something. 
It’s called Vive Noel. It’s a kit I got on one of my stashquisition adventures. It’s a mysterious item. It appears to be part of a series called Miniatures d’Alphabets by a French company called Alphabets. What I do know is that it’s stitched over one on 40-ct. linen with the included supplies, and I didn’t stitch the entire design for two reasons–I made some sort of counting error and my project is two stitches too narrow and I didn’t feel like dealing with figuring out where to make the compensation in the bottom portion of the design, AND it seemed done to me. This was the part of the design I was drawn to. I guess maybe I should have found a place for my initials and the year, but, meh.
Vitals: Vive Noel kit by Alphabets Stitched one over one on provided 40-ct linen
P.S. WordPress seems to have gotten buggy in my absence. It didn’t accept my photo opening in a new window, like it invited me to request, and then it squished everything into one paragraph. Rebellious little platform, isn’t it? 😮
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I frogged the cat’s original 844 as planned, and left the tail with the “old” thread. Then the boy let me know I finished it too late, what was I thinking stitching on it in November? I love having a supportive family. He’s a sweet child.
Because my fabric is brighter than the fabric used for the model, I decided to change some colors to a lighter version. In the case of the cat’s bow, I changed it entirely.
Vitals:
Cat from Pumpkins by Prairie Schooler
Stitched on 30-ct WDW linen with DMC threads
Changes: 166 for 300, 613 for 611, 581 for 3012, and 677 for 3046
Happy Stitching! 🙂
After my sister repinned this pin from one of my Pinterest boards ~~
She asked me to stitch a couple of circles so she could make each of us one of these pincushion jars. So, I did.
I used the color placement of this classic Quaker motif in the June 2010 issue of Gift of Stitching magazine from the Tropical Quaker Sampler designed by Wal D’Champs. I used Dinky Dyes Mango Tango silk and Caron Waterlilies Flamingo Pink.
This is chart #569 from the French book Repertoire des Frises. I used Thread Gatherer’s Silk ‘n Colors Picadilly Circus and Tidal Pool.
I just need to iron and mail them, and then…wait…
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I am finished!! I thought this day would never come. I feel free.
Vitals:
Pieta Detail by Cross Stitch Collectibles
Stitched one over one on 25-ct fabric with DMC threads
Happy Stitching!
I stitched Blackbird Designs Berry Emery over the last couple of days. I used the charted fabric and fibers.
Just a quick cutie to break up the Pieta stitching.
I’m getting a full fruit bowl. 🙂
Vitals:
Berry Emery by Blackbird Designs from It’s Berry Time
Stitched with recommended fibers and fabric
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I completed the Doctor Who pixel piece a bit ago. It’s so adorable.
Vitals:
Doctors Nine, Ten, and Eleven
Designed by weelittlestitches
Stitched 2 over 2 on 32-ct linen with recommended DMC fibers
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I FINISHED!! Sorry to scream, but I almost can’t believe it.
Block 8 completed. We decided to use Capt. Jack Aubrey’s name, because the husband loves Patrick O’Brian’s series. We used the date of O’Brian’s death in 2001 as the death date. It seemed appropriate to lay him to rest in 1818. The last year Aubrey is known to command a vessel is 1817. Last night I thought 1821 may have been a better year, since O’Brian’s final, unfinished manuscript was titled 21. But, you know, whatever.
Here she is, finally:
Vitals:
Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, designed by Kathy Barrick-Dieter of Carriage House Designs
Stitched on 40-ct Lakeside Linens Vintage Autumn Gold with NPI silks as recommended.
I hope you had a lovely Easter. Happy Stitching! 🙂
This is what I was up to in February:
Vitals:
Peace on Earth by Victoria’s Sampler as appeared in 2011 JCS Ornaments issue. Stitched on 28-ct Cafe Mocha linen.
I love this little purse so much. It was fun to stitch.
Vitals:
Think Snow by Sweetheart Tree. Stitched with recommended fibers and beads on 32-ct Blue Ice linen.
I’m not going to mention how many times I’ve lost and found this chart, mmkay? I think I love the final choice of linen color, though I do occasionally wish I’d used the opalescent gray I bought for it, because it was sparkly. But the icy blue makes me happy without opalescence, so it’s all good.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
Peel me a grape?
No?
Fine, I’ll stitch my own. 🙂
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It’s supposed to be a scissor fob. I forgot to add the cord. Maybe I’ll do it later. I’m fine without it right now.
Vitals:
Fruit of the Vine by Sheepish Designs
Grapes stitched on 32-ct Lavender Bliss, leaves are 36-ct Patina linen.
Grapes stitched with Crescent Colours Plum Paisley. All other stitching used recommended DMC floss.
I have a tiny bowl of fruits:
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I have a weakness for Shepherd’s Bush small designs. I tend to like their bigger designs, too, but their small designs quite often make me weak in the knees. I finished Poor Robin’s Pincushion a few days after Warm Heart. I haven’t decided whether to finish it into a pincushion or a pinkeep. For now it’s on a table making me smile when I pass.
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Vitals:
Poor Robin’s Pincushion by Shepherd’s Bush
Stitched with supplies in kit.
Modifications: Omitted words around design
I finished Shepherd’s Bush Warm Heart a while ago. I had the box the model is finished in. I especially love the flowers coming out of the snowman’s head. I love the box, too. I filled it with lucky stars, because I like to have a reason to make them.
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Vitals:
Warm Heart by Shepherd’s Bush
Stitched with supplies included in kit
Modifications: Stitched a couple extra snowflake motifs instead of words
Well, I’ve been scarce, haven’t I? Part of it was not feeling like blogging, and part of it was Webshots changing over to Smile. That completely discombobulated me. I’m still pouting that all my linked photos are gone.
I hope you had a happy, blessed holiday season.
I may have been hiding, but I was stitching while doing so! So, pictures, pictures, pictures!
First: June Monthly Sampler finished into a flat fold. Yes, I finished stitching it in ’07. Yes, I have many more flat folds to complete. Don’t judge me.
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Next is God Bless Those by Shakespeare’s Peddler. I ordered this as a gift to myself and stitched it up straight away. Now it needs to be finished, as my many previously mentioned monthly samplers do.
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Vitals:
God Bless Those by Shakespeare’s Peddler
Stitched with included supplies as charted on 40-ct linen provided; key charm added where stitched key was charted.
Now the ornaments. 🙂
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I finished the Shepherd’s Bush Merry Be pincushion as an ornament. The fabric you see was used as backing. The red isn’t that bright, but you get the idea. When I try to darken photos, Picasa gets upset. I was going to ruche the ribbon like the model, but I liked it plain. I like the knotted ribbon, too. Amazing ideas can come from impatience and laziness. I liked the plain finish so much that I didn’t bother to cover the slice I put into it with a seam ripper. I’m learning to be wabi sabi about my stitching. Sort of. You can see where the slice was, but I’m not helping you find it. 😀
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Hardanger Poinsettia by Carole Rodgers for Cross Stitch & Country Crafts, April 1994. This was stitched on 32-ct Picture this Plus Phoenix linen. The flash was really bright on this. The red is darker. The splotch is pink, which I really like. That only took eighteen years.
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He’s a Flake by Little House Needlework. I stitched twins. One for an exchange partner, one for myself, because I lurve him. They were stitched on 32-count linen (I think Rue Green) with the recommended colors, except the red. I don’t remember what I used. It was less brick-y, but not really bright.
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Christmas Beer, front and back. This is modified from Christmas Cheer by Heart in Hand, as appeared in the JCS Ornament issue, 2001. I removed the year, moved the stars, and used the hearts from a different ornament on that page (I can’t remember the designer offhand. You don’t want me to procrastinate posting this to go check, do you?). The beer stein was modified from a picture of an old design I had saved on my computer. This was stitched on 32-count linen, Rue Green. I’ve been planning this for forever, too. This ornament has great family sentiment behind it. It’s based on a carol my husband “wrote” while enjoying Christmas cheer. Here are the lyrics:
A McGinty Carol
Christmas cheer
For Christmas beer
Christmas is
Our time of year!
{You’re welcome. 😉 }
I’m thrilled I finished two ornaments that have been on the back burner for so many years. You know how it is: so many ideas, so little time. And so many distractions. Nod, nod
Happy Stitching, and all the best in 2013.
Quaker aux Clefs by Jardin Prive. This would have been finished sooner, but life events prevented me from stitching. I suffered withdrawals, but I’m OK now.
I changed a few of the colors because the colors the chart called for didn’t resemble the model. I know that colors can “change” or appear different depending upon the surrounding colors, but there was no way the peachy color of the vase and medallion outlines was ever going to resemble the pink of the butterfly. I’m so glad I modified the colors, because I love these colors so much. I can’t get over it. They make me so happy.
This piece was a case of irresistible start-itis. I tried to decide what sort of finishing treatment I wanted to do, and I only wanted it to sit on a table, inviting you to pick it up. I thought I’d make a hemstitch and it would be pretty, pretty, all done. But the scrap I stitched this on wasn’t big enough for a standard hemstitch. I decided on a picot-edged pulled thread edging. That’s sort of what I ended up with after a few adventures. The most amusing adventure was with the light green. I thought I was using the original color. I certainly meant to. But when I had to cut a second length, the newer stitches weren’t the same color. Somehow during a previous project, I had wound a different color around the stitchbow. I figured out what color that was, and continued stitching with it.
I began the first step of the picot edge: pulled satin stitches. Next I was supposed to pull around the satin stitches in a “V” shape, after which I would tuck under the edge and hemstitch it. I started to do that with little success. I decided to tuck the edges under and hem it without the typical hemstitch, which amounted to just tacking it down on the backside (see below). Then I was going to do the final pulled stitches for the picot edge. Only by that time I was in love and my heart said it was done. So it’s done like this, and I’m so happy. I’m in love with the colors and the piece.
Here’s a peek at the back and the tacking of the hem.
Vitals:
Quaker aux Clefs by Jardin Prive
Stitched one over two on Lakeside Linens 40-ct Oyster Mist
Fibers used: DMC 152, 223, 407, 522, 926, 3022, 3051b 3768, 3859
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I finished a small piece in my dormant “travel” bag. I haven’t had much waiting around to do lately.
So cute! I changed most of the colors. It started with the alphabet. While pulling threads for another project, I saw CC Wisconsin Woods and was inspired to make that the color of the alphabet. When I pulled the rest of the colors, I used what I had available that seemd to be close to the original colors. I didn’t have the buttons, so spiderweb roses were a fun substitute. I’ve loved this pattern for so long, admired others’ finishes so many times. I’m so glad I’ve stitched it. I’m very happy with how it turned out.
Vitals:
Happy Bunny Bunny Day by The Trilogy
Stitched one over two on WDW 40-ct linen (can’t remember exactly which color–beige, maybe?)
Fibers used: CC River Rocks, Weeping Willow, and Wisconsin Woods, GAST Antique Rose, Forest Glade and Soot, and WDW Whitewash.
Embellished with spider web roses instead of buttons.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
This pattern has three reverse-image symbols. Sure enough, I goofed on the very last one. Some of the brown leaves were supposed to be green. I think it was a subconscious move, because I found that green distracting. Additionally, I grew stubbornly resistant to frogging as the finish drew near. I left ’em. I don’t mind, and I couldn’t wait to finish her.
Here is my “later-in-autumn-than-you-might-have-expected” conversion:
She’s so lovely.
Vitals:
Touching the Autumn Sky by Mirabilia
Stitched on 32-ct Silkweaver Blue Dynasty with recommended fibers and beads (except for the previously noted slip-up)
Happy Stitching! 🙂
This project took FOREVER to complete. I mean years. I’d never stitched on silk gauze before. That wasn’t too difficult, I don’t think. I can’t be 100% certain, though, because stitching this piece was so much harder than I anticipated.
Ring O’ Roses by Elizabeth R. Anderson, Miniature Embroideries.
Stitched one-over-one on 48-ct. silk gauze with black silk floss, as provided in kit.
Finished with a two-sided mirror as provided in kit.
When I bought it, I assumed it was 40-ct. gauze. You know what happens when you assume, don’t you?
It’s 48-ct. 
This was definitely my limit.
Anyway. HARD. Hard to see, harder to frog. I used 3X magnifiying cheaters. It was still hard to see. There are many mistakes. I don’t know how many, but it’s so hard to frog when you can’t see. There’s enough that the image was a little wide to fit perfectly in the mirror that was included in the kit (that I was tricked into buying because it was 50% off). I don’t care. I finished it, and I’m so glad. I would stitch a bit, get confused and stabby, and not pick it up for months on end. Even when I became determined to finish, I put it down for months after completing a mini-goal. This week I persevered and stitched the girls in the center. And now I’m done!!I rewarded myself with chocolate. Because I didn’t have cookies.
Here are the ladies–
See? TINY. So, hooray, I did that. But never again. Not 48-ct, no, no, no.
Happy Stitching. 🙂
I finished a project on New Year’s Eve, but haven’t photographed the final result yet. I did scan the completed stitching, though:
My love affair with biscornus continues…
Vitals:
Poppy Biscornu by Faby Reilly Designs
Stitched as charted on 32-ct. white linen
I had big plans to modify the back from the original design, but I burned out completely. I got sidetracked after starting this in October. By December’s end, I just wanted to finish the thing and be done with it. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to finish.In the end, I omitted all text and simply stitched a bud on each corner, rather than just the one.
Plans for 2012
I’m feeling a bit scattered with my stitching goals. My primary goals right now are to complete Shores of Hawk Run Hollow and to work on Pieta each month. I’ve signed up for a SAL of Mirabilia’s Touching the Autumn Sky which begins the last week of January, and except for wanting to stitch pretty much my entire stash, those are my current New Year goals. I desperately want to start Ann Dale: Big and Beautiful, but there are a ouple of things standing in my way: 1. I’ve ordered her, but not received her yet. 2. This is just as well, as I’m restricting myself from starting her until I’ve completed 11 blocks of SHRH. <– Notice the disciplined restraint. 😉
Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year. Happy Stitching! 🙂
Because we couldn’t wait (kiddies, much?), because all ornaments had been received, the exchange moderator moved the opening day to yesterday. I gasped and squealed when I saw my giftie. It was on my to-stitch list. I’d admired it on other blogs. And now I don’t have to stitch it, or think about how I want to stitch it someday, because I have it! I’m thrilled to bits. Thank you, Carmen. 🙂
Joy of the Snowflake by Litlle by Little from the 2011 JCS Ornament issue. How perfect is that trim? It’s whimsical and gives the ornament movement and life. Carmen attached it with matching beads. Just gorgeous. Did I mention I love it? Because I do. 😀
Here is what I stitched for Lyn, and previewed the other day–
She says she likes it, and I’m relieved. Exchanges always tie me in knots, which is why I don’t participate in them often. And then they’re over, and I’m so happy I did it.
Lizzie Kate, JCS Ornament issue from the 90’s, 32-ct shell linen, recommended fibers, flat finish. And stuff. I’ll likely edit it with proper info later, but you get the gist.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
Raised by Poodles 