Gifted Gorgeousness and a Valentine Exchange - February 2025

It's time for my monthly Gifted Gorgeousness link up with Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  Each month we show anything received or sent that we can squeeze the word gift into. If you are unfamiliar with this blog link up all the details are here. 

First up is the Valentine/Friendship exchange at Needlecraft Haven. Our theme this year was to send our partner something they could use in their stitching or knitting.

I sent Gill a pair of scissors, a scissor fob and size 26 needles (not pictured).

  

Wescott 7.6cm scissors for Gill

Pearls & Rosebuds - The Drawn Thread

Fabric: The Crafty Kitten 32ct Murano Strawberry Daiquiri

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 233 replaced with DMC 3722

Embellishments: MH 03021, size 8 white pearl beads, 2-3mm width soft pink organza ribbon

I received a beautiful collection of fabric, buttons, pins and a sparkly Perle deep pink thread form Clare. I already have ideas on how I will use these.

My gift from Clare

During the past month I've been stitching on my Christmas gift from Clare as part of our Needlecraft Haven Christmas Crew SAL. It is being stitched on white fabric that she gifted me a number of years ago. This is my progress as at the end of January which is when we share our progress.

Christmas Crew - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I made some progress this month on Chatelaine's Alpine Seasons Garden. It's been more than a year since I last stitched on this. My husband who bought me this as a kit sometimes wonders if he will see it completed. When I last showed it the outer border had been completed and I was about to start the floral inner corners. This left corner has been my focus this past month.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 15 February 2025

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

To close this post, I stitched 'You have my Heart', the free anniversary design from Hands on Design. As I only managed to complete it on the evening before Valentine's day, it is not fully finished but here it is.

You have my Heart - Hands on Design

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3833 replaced with DMC 3832

All in all, I've had quite a busy stitching month. Now if only I can keep this up for the rest of the year.

Fully Finished Gallery - February 2025

 As I have two Fully Finished objects ready today, I'm linking up with Rachel, The Ten Hour Stitcher for February's Fully Finished Gallery.

These pincushions from Jeannette Douglas were stitched back in early 2022 but I only fully finished them yesterday. It's hard to believe that I spent most of the day on them, given that they aren't the largest pieces. Maybe if I hadn't chosen to hand stitch my trim on I would have finished more quickly.

Left pincushion:

Pineapple Mini Bouquet - Jeannette Douglas

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Light Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC conversion but with DMC 3011 for stem leaves

Embellishments: DMC 729 for cord trim

Right pincushion:

Valentine Mini Bouquet - Jeannette Douglas

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Light Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC conversion 

Embellishments: DMC Happy Chenille, shade 31 for trim

I'm saving my new stitching from the past month until the weekend for my Gifted Gorgeousness blog post.

Smalls SAL- January 2025

 The Small SAL in 2025 is hosted by Rachel, the Ten Hour Stitcher.

My intentions are good that I will have something to show each month but we shall see. Since I intend to stitch on either Just Nan's gingerbread mice or complete Jeannette Douglas's Mini Bouquet SAL from 2022, that gives me more of a plan than I usually have.

In January I stitched both the May Mini Bouquet and June's Jar Mini Bouquet. January to April were stitched back in 2022.

May Mini Bouquet - Jeannette Douglas

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Light Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC conversion with DMC 3781 used for Grapevine

June's Jar Mini Bouquet - Jeannette Douglas

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Light Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC conversion  but used DMC 3831 

for Apple Fritter and DMC 422 for Bee's Knees

If I put my mind to it, I might have some of these bouquets fully finished for later this month.

Gifted Gorgeousness - January 2025

Welcome to Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) for 2025. I hope to have more to show this year than last. GG is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and here is the link to the sign-up page and details of what makes a gifted item. In essence it is an opportunity to celebrate any stitching related gifted item that you've made or received. It's hard to believe that it is ten years since Jo started hosting it.

This will be a relatively picture heavy blog post as I sent and received a number of stitching gifts at Christmas. I sent the following ornaments to my friends at Needlecraft Haven.

For Julie:

Snow Birds - Country Cottage Needleworks, 

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments 2013

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Pearl linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads, except 3347 substituted for 3346

Embellishments: White chenille aran wool used for trim

For Clare:

Oh Christmas Tree - Little House Needleworks 

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Natural opalescent linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: DMC ecru and 814 thread for cord trim

For Gill:

Snow Globe Cookie Small - Shannon Christine Designs 

Fabric: The Crafty Kitten Brittney Ltd. Ed. Opal,

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: White chenille aran wool used for trim

For Christine:

Britty Christmas Kitten - Brittercup Designs, 

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments 2005

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads, stitched 2 over 2

Embellishments: DMC 523 and 3012 thread for cord trim

I received these beautiful gifts for Christmas.

From Christine:

Seasonal red and green Anchor threads on an owl thread keeper.

I can keep my lip gloss to hand while stitching as it now has its own holder

From Clare: 

Ornaments, chart, threads and chocolate

From Gill:

A Fuchsia bookmark kit

From Gill:

My Needlecraft Haven Christmas exchange ornament

From Julie:

A scarf for wearing to my crossstitch group (and on other occasions)

From Family:

This kit will be my first attempt at Needle Felting

For Christmas 2023, Clare gifted me Faby Reilly's Lily of the Valley biscornu chart. I had high hopes of finishing it for May Day 2024. Instead it became my first finish of 2025. My finish isn't quite square but it looks good.

Lily of the Valley Biscornu - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 32ct Natural linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

Embellishments: Recommended metallic thread and beads

Smalls SAL

The Smalls SAL is hosted by Rachel, The Ten Hour Stitcher and now that I am in my winter stitching mode, I have two small in progress projects to share.

First up is a Christmas Robin from The Little Stitcher. I've only got as far as stitching his tree branch, legs and lower body. This will be a gift and will be finished within the next five days. Nothing like a deadline to concentrate the mind.

Christmas Robin - The Little Stitcher,

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments, 2019

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Silver Moon linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

In January I had this plan of stitching all Just Nan's gingerbread Mice in 2024. Well that didn't happen but here is my progress on Gingerbread Angel Mouse.

Gingerbread Angel Mouse - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct Picture This Plus Gingerbread Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC thread

Embellishments: Embellishment pack included with chart

Of course, this means I should have something for the Fully Finished Gallery later this month.

Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished Gallery

I have two finished ornaments which both qualify as Fully Finished and Gifted Gorgeousness items this month. To learn more about both of these monthly SALs visit this link at Serendipitous Stitching for Gifted Gorgeousness and here at The Ten Hour Stitcher for Fully Finished Gallery

The first ornament you will have already seen as it was my Needlecraft Haven Autumn Exchange piece for Clare .

Autumn Bliss - Tracey Richards of Wrought Iron Stitching, Just CrossStitch, Autumn 2024

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: Black pompom

This second ornament was completed for a little girl who loves anything to do with space and the planets. She loved it. I've already helped her find out what she needs to do to become an astronaut. I found this free design on Durene Jones' Facebook page.

Your're Out of this World - Durene Jones

Fabric: 32ct Winter Sunset linen fromThe Crafty Kitten

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except Dmc 728 used for DMC 725

Embellishments: Blue/grey chenille wool for trim

I should have more to show next month as my Christmas stitching is under way. It seems no time since I was last Christmas stitching.

Needlecraft Haven Autumn Exchange

Despite increasing postal costs, at Needlecraft Haven we still continue to participate in seasonal exchanges. It is lovely that I can take part as it increases my sense of belonging to a stitching community.

I received this lovely selection of gifts from Gill (no blog). With my sweet tooth, it goes without saying that the chocolate didn't last long.

Autumn Exchange from Gill

My exchange partner was Clare. I sent her the items as shown below.

My exchange gifts to Clare

A close up of my exchange ornament to Clare.

Autumn Bliss - Tracey Richards of Wrought Iron Stitching, Just CrossStitch, Autumn 2024

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: Black pompom

I also sent Clare two Santa ornaments for her church Christmas tree. It was my first time stitching on perforated paper and it was easier than I expected. For some reason I imagined that it would tear easily. Thankfully it didn't.  These are both free designs; Santa Cookie Small can be found on Shannon Christie Designs Instagram page and the Santa on the right is from Durene Jones's Facebook page.

Santa Cookie Small - Shannon Christie Designs and Santa - Durene Jones

Fabric: 14ct Antique Brown perforated paper

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I think I might be back to stitching regularly again.

Halloween Spooky Link up 2024

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching has arranged a Halloween Link Up this year and you can check out who has participated by clicking on my link to her blog.

I didn't have time for any new Halloween stitching this year. I took part in Needlecraft Haven's Autumn exchange instead. I will post about that exchange at the weekend. Instead I've decided to show the Halloween stitching that I currently have on display. This is a mixture of pieces I have stitched or have received as gifts.

Halloween Stitching

Stitched by me or received in exchanges

Gifted Gorgeousness - October 2024

It's hard to believe that I have done so little crafting this year but my blog is certainly testament to that.

Nevertheless I have a Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) Update. GG is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and it is an opportunity to share any stitching related gifts that we have sent or received.

I've taken part in an Autumn exchange so I will have that to show next month but in the meantime here is my progress on the Lily of the Valley biscornu that was gifted to me by Clare. My progress has been slower than I would like but I'm enjoying stitching this.

Lily of the Valley Biscornu - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 32ct Natural linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

Part of the reason for so little cross-stitching is that most of my time was taken with making a quilt for my sister's friend who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. This was gifted to her in August. I made the quilt smaller than the pattern design as I wanted it to be more of a body length throw. I'm so taken with this design that I would like to make it again for a king size bed.

Half and Half Twist - Missouri Star Quilt Company

Fabric: 1 Layer Cake Wildflower Batiks from Island Batik, 

Moda white background and border, 

Method: Machine pieced and hand quilted

Fabric: Backing fabric, Wildflower Batiks Ginko Leaves Purple Blurple

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is hosting our Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop. Each participant has a letter which when you have collected them all will reveal a mystery phrase. To visit all the blogs and compile the mystery message, please visit Jo's blog entry for the hop. Read on to see my Easter stitching, collect a letter from the phrase and find out who to visit next.

My letter is Y

Carol of Stitching Dreams often stitches on black fabric and her ornaments are beautiful. So I took the opportunity to stitch this little Prairie Schooler bunny on the suggested black fabric. As it was 18 count Aida, it wasn't hard to stitch on.

Easter Bunny- Prairie Schooler

Fabric: 18ct Black Aida

Threads: Suggested DMC

To find the next letter in Jo's mystery phrase, hop over to Jocondine's blog.

Valentine Exchange and Gifted Gorgeousness - February 2024

I'm just getting in before the end of the month with my Gifted Gorgeousness. As always, the details of how Gifted Gorgeousness(GG) works can be found on Jo's blog, Serendipitous Stitching.

I delayed posting this month as I wanted to show my absolutely completed finish of Just Nan's Tea with Honey with a halfway decent photograph. However, the weather has been so dull I find it hard to take reasonable photographs. It's early afternoon while I'm writing this and it's dark enough to need a lamp on. So that photo will have to wait until next month.

First up is my Valentine Exchange at Needlecraft Haven. This year we had a non-stitchy Valentine exchange. Participants sent their partner a card, socks, a free or used chart and a sweet treat.

I received these socks and sweets from Christine along with this pretty Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting cottage chart. Given my sweet tooth, the sweet treats didn't last long!

Needlecraft Haven Valentine Exchange from Christine

 I sent a stitched card to Clare and Gill.

LEFT: Valentine's Freebie - Erin Elizabeth Designs

Fabric: Unknown 32ct in a milk chocolate like colour

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

RIGHT: Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - J.L. Aikman-Smith, Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 326 replaced with Au Voie d'Alger 3025

Clare was my exchange partner and though I sent the other exchange items to her I forgot to take a photo but you can see them on Clare's blog here.

Since my last GG post it's been my birthday and I received these stitching related gifts.

Pattern for a thread catcher bag and two skeins of thread from Clare

Four Christmas themed embroidery designs with their hoop frames from a family member

It's several years since I stitched traditional embroidery so I'm looking forward to sewing these. Realistically, I will only be stitching on one of them this year.

The following items you will have seen in my previous post for the Fully Finished Gallery and Small SAL so I will add no further comment on them.

You are Loved - Robin Sample, October House Fiber Arts

Fabric:  Unknown 35ct White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3833 replaced with DMC 961

Dragon from Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads 

So, a busier than usual month for me with sending and receiving gifts and I love them all.

Fully Finished Gallery and Smalls SAL - February

I'm doing these two link-up posts as one because the contents for each are the same this month.

Thank you Rachel for hosting the Smalls SAL. I don't always have something for it but I enjoy taking part.

I stitched these Valentine cards for Gill and Clare at Needlecraft Haven. Both of these are free designs. The Valentine Freebie can be found on Erin Elizabeth's Instagram feed for 6 Jan 2024 or her Facebook page and the Valentine Dragon can be found on Dragon Dreams Inc. Facebook page.

LEFT: Valentine's Freebie - Erin Elizabeth Designs

Fabric: Unknown 32ct in a milk chocolate like colour

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

RIGHT: Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - J.L. Aikman-Smith, Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 326 replaced with Au Voie d'Alger 3025

My sister received this hanging heart, a free design from October House Fiber Arts.

You are Loved - Robin Sample, October House Fiber Arts

Fabric:  Unknown 35ct White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3833 replaced with DMC 961

Finally, for the Chinese New Year I stitched a dragon keyring for my Chinese friends. This is the dragon from the 2010 dragon Valentine design on Clare's card.

Dragon from Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads