Happy Easter

Wishing you a joyful Easter.
Here are some Easter gifts I have received in recent years on stitching exchanges.

Easter exchanges past

We don't get Simnel cake in this part of France so I bought this cake called 'Exotica' for tea on Easter Sunday. I don't think it will last too long.

Some more stitching and patchwork

Rather oddly, life has been both quiet and busy at the same time over the past couple of weeks. Nevertheless I made some time for stitching.

I've finished the stitching on February's Joyful World SAL.

February, Joyful World SAL - The Snowflower Diaries
Fabric: 40ct Newcastle vintage mocha
Threads: suggested DMC threads

March's Joyful World design is close to being finished. All being well that means that April's design could be stitched before the month of March is over.

March, Joyful World SAL - The Snowflower Diaries
Fabric: 40ct Newcastle vintage mocha
Threads: suggested DMC threads

During the past week, I went back to working on my mini hexagon quilt and discovered what I had suspected. Not all my hexagons are perfect so I'm doing some minor adjustments to make edges fit as I stitch. At least with hand stitching, I feel I have more control over how the hexagons stitch together.

Design: Josette found in Magic Patch hors serie, no. 91,
'15 quilts miniatures'
Fabric: Moda charm pack 'Icicle Kisses'

A Mado Patchwork blog post (in French) on the finished quilt can be found here.

A Stitcher's Day Exchange

The 25th March has been designated Stitcher's Day on the Friendly Stitchers forum. Since this is the group's only exchange this year I signed up for it and have sent and received my exchange ornaments.

From my stitching partner DJ (her blog is tickledpinkinstitches), I received this beautiful flat fold ornament. The stitching is beautiful and so detailed. DJ stitched this on 54ct linen! My highest count so far is 40ct and I think that will be it.
My husband teased me that he was surprised that I didn't have an apron like this in real life.

Stitcher's Apron - Sue Hillis Designs
Fabric: 54ct linen, cream coloured
Received from DJ

For my stitching partner, Christine, I made a needle case (which she has received). On the inside of the needle case, there is a pocket to hold a packet of needles and/or a small pair of scissors as well as a felt section for pinning your needles. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the interior of the case but here is what the exterior looked like.

Let's stitch - Patty C, Hanging By A Thread

stitched on 28ct Cashel Lanbswool

DMC threads; 317, 613, 680, 931, 3011, 3750

Needle case closed - front

Needle case closed - back

This free design from Patty C was enjoyable to stitch and a copy of the pattern can be found here; just scroll down the page.

Back to Alpine Seasons Garden

It's nearly a year since I last stitched on Alpine Seasons Garden. There is something satisfying about working on it, even though the section I'm working on is quite slow. This is how I left it last April

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine 

as at 25 April 2015

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Summer Khaki linen 

Threads: Recommended silk threads

and this is what I've stitched during the past week (bottom right hand corner)

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine 

as at 5 March 2016

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Summer Khaki linen 

Threads: Recommended silk threads

I've also completed the stitching on Blackbird Design's 'Basket of Memories ' and

Basket of Memories - Blackbird Designs

Fabric: 32ct grey/silver overdyed linen

Threads: Fils à Soso - Pierre de lune (160)

stitched Blackbird Design's 'Souvenir de France'. Both of these will be finished as pincushions. Well, that's the current plan.

Souvenir de France - Blackbird Designs
Fabric: 32ct Belfast pale lilac linen
Thread: Fils à Soso: Mille Saphirs (171)