Gifted Gorgeousness - December 2021

I have been remiss during the latter part of this year in not recording the gifts I've made or received. So before the year is over I will put that right by showing the gifts that were sent and received in three Needlecraft Haven exchanges.

First up is my Christmas exchange ornaments. I received this beautiful ornament from Justine with this gorgeous Cranberry red thread.

NH Christmas Exchange - From Justine

I stitched Baked Goods by Little House Needleworks for Gill. This design was gifted to me years ago from Clare. I now want to stitch this design again for myself.

Baked Goods - Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart  Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Back in October I also took part in Needlecraft Haven's Halloween exchange. Our Halloween themed stitching was to be completed as a bookmark. I stitched 'Owls in Moonlight' for Mel as I knew she liked owls. 

Owls in Moonlight - Blue Ribbon Designs, Just CrossStitch October 2014

Fabric: 28ct unknown blue/grey fabric

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Mel was my exchange partner and she sent me this terrific bookmark, which just happens to have a owl on it. It will not be used now until next October but will sit in a box with my bookmark collection. I've got over 200 bookmarks as I often buy them as a souvenir when on holiday. 

NH Halloween Exchange - From Mel

Finally, there is the Needlecraft Haven summer exchange that I also took part in. The theme for this was wellbeing, so it could be anything finished as a pillow that would make the recipient feel bright and cheerful. For Justine I stitched this Victoria Sampler pillow. I thought the colours were so pretty. It was available as a free design with The Victoria Sampler Summer Garden Sampler for a time, so I am not sure if it is still available.

Bloom -  The Victoria Sampler

Fabric: 32ct Fabric Flair mint green colour

Threads: DMC 300, 500,725, 778 #12perle Blanc, Atalie 'Les 4 Saisons'

and unknown variegated green, pink and red threads

Clare stitched me this sewing themed friends banner. I hadn't taken a photo of the finished pillow and the lighting is too poor today to get a decent photo, so I will update this photo on a brighter day.

NH Summer Exchange - From Clare

2021 Advent Calendar Blog Hop Day 13

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is hosting her annual Advent Calendar Blog Hop. The theme this year is Christmas trees, our traditions, ornaments and whether we are a Star or Angel household when it comes to a tree topper. The links to this year's participants can be found here. Today it is my turn to share some Christmas tree memories and some Christmas stitching.

Since this year's theme is Christmas trees, I had to stitch this tree design.

Christmas Tree Sock Hop - Fresh Threads Studio,

Just Cross Stitch Christmas 2011

Fabric: 28ct The Craft Kitten Dawnblush Lugano

Threads: Suggested DMC but substituted DMC 958 for DMC 3812

and Soie d'Alger 2114 for DMC 907

We don't tend to take a photo of our Christmas tree and since we put it up the final weekend before Christmas, it is still sitting in its box. As we put it up so late, it comes down on the Epiphany.

You've probably guessed with my reference to box that we put up an artificial tree. This year we are putting up a new tree as last year's had got so old and droopy. It had been in use for 25 years so it doesn't owe us anything. Our tree is topped with a star.

When I was a child we always had a real tree topped with an angel, but once Santa stopped coming my parents bought an artificial one. We had beautiful glass ornaments and I always made sure that I was the one who put up the bell. I looked forward to the day it would be given to me to hang on my own tree. Sadly during the late 1980's someone dropped the box when taking it out out of the loft and virtually all the ornaments were broken, including 'my' bell.

As a result our Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments that my husband and I have bought together over the years. We tend to buy to buy a Christmas ornament when on holiday so for example, we have Santa on a San Francisco tram, Father Christmas climbing the Eiffel tower, Murano glass from Venice and wooden ornaments from Oberammergau. This means that decorating our tree can be a slow task as there are many pauses prefaced by "Do you remember when ..."

All the Christmas/Winter ornaments that I have received in crossstitch exchanges over the years are hung from a garland which hangs behind our television. That way I can easily admire them every day that they are up. The current year's exchange ornament is always hung in the centre.

Have a happy Advent season as we progress towards Christmas day.

Stitching Friends are Friends who Count 2021

Will you guess who my friend is in this summer's blog hop from Jo at Serendipitous Stitching? 

My stitching friend began her blogging journey as an OU (Open University) student. As life changes so has her blog and since the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown in the UK, she now regularly updates us with her cross stitch projects and takes part in many of Jo’s blog hops.

On reading her blog posts I find it difficult to categorise her stitching preferences but I know that she stitches on Aida and has found that she likes a size 28 needle though she is normally a size 26 fan.

She is an active participant in her church and choir, though I think lockdown restrictions mean that congregational singing (to her disappointment) is still banned. It’s not really a substitute but I thought she might like this design of carol singers from lilipopo.

Alternatively, according to her BFF (a clue) she has a thing about frogs and toads. I hope that is in a good way as I would choose this cross stitch pattern for her as a fun, quick stitch. This design can be found at Daily Cross Stitch.

In case you haven't already guessed it, my stitching friend is Roni from Life Outside the Washing Basket who regularly blogs about her BFF SAL with A Patchwork of Crafts.

Smalls SAL - JULY 2021

This month I'm showing both my June and July small stitching as I forgot to link up last month!

This SAL is hosted by Mary and all those participating for the July check in can be found on her blog here.

My 12 Days of Christmas SAL at Needlecraft Haven continues to be the focus of my small stitching. 

Sixth and Seventh Days

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads for red version

Sixth Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

Seventh Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

Smalls SAL - May

Mary of Mary's Thread hosts the Smalls SAL on the last Friday of the month. It is an opportunity to share our stitching on small projects during the month.

As in previous months, the 12 days of Christmas continues to be my focus for my monthly small projects.

Fifth Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads for red version

Fifth Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

I also wanted to 'test' an alternative to white fabric for my next Just Nan sampler so I stitched this little design from Follow The Needle on lilac linen. The effect is more delicate that I would like for the main design so it looks like white linen will be used.

Scissor fob rose from Follow the Needle - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct lilac linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Smalls SAL - April 2021

I'm continuing to feature my 12 days of Christmas stitching in the Smalls SAL. This is hosted by Mary of Mary's Thread. If I complete anything else that meets the criteria during each month that will be a bonus.

First up is Jardin Privé's design. I'm stitching this as one piece and I've started to add the border. Rather late in the day I've realised that I haven't left as large a border space on the left hand side of my fabric as I should have had. The border will fit in but I will only just have enough additional fabric for finishing. 

Fourth Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads for red version

Here are my four calling birds from Plum Street Samplers.

Fourth Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

Stick 6 in 2021 - Second finish

Oh dear, this design did not want to be stitched! The finished stitched piece was my third attempt. First I didn't like my original choice of fabric. I stitched one flower and the colours didn't look good against a neutral colour. Finally I settled on this pale lilac but it is a 32ct linen, making the design larger than I wanted. So I decided that I would stitch it 1 over 1, but I didn't like how that was turning out. I was using DMC colours and I started to think that I really needed the suggested Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye threads. In the end I had to concede that it had to be stitched over 2 and then the suggested DMC conversion worked. I made one change to the design when I replaced the initial B with a small heart next to the left side of the bowl.

As it is larger than I wanted for a pincushion, this will now be finished as a flat-fold ornament or it will be framed. When our non-essential shops reopen next week, I will explore my options for finishing.

Sewn in Friendship - Heartstring Samplery

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart pale lilac linen

Threads: Suggested DMC conversion with DMC 3012 replaced by DMC 730

Sampler Saturday

Over the past few weeks I have making progress on my sampler stitching. I'm pleased to say that I have now completed Just Nan's Winter Blues sampler. By keeping to the proposed schedule that Jo of Serendipitous Stitching suggested for the Just Nan Junkies Facebook group I kept on track. My current plan is to complete this as a bell pull.

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I have now started the next sampler for Just Nan Junkies and it is Nan's Garden. I'm behind on the proposed schedule but I will catch up. So far one of the things I like about this design is the picket fence. The brick Florentine stitch works so well here.

Nan' s Garden - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Platinum Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: To be sourced 

Finally, I have completed three of the seasons on 4 Wishes. There is now only Autumn left. This might take longer to complete as I plan to return to Alpine Seasons Garden before the end of the month. These brighter days have me wanting to take it out. I know it's just a notion I have but I prefer to work on it these days in brighter daylight.

4 Wishes - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Raw Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: Included with chart

My Ten Things for Serendipitous Stitching's Tenth Blogaversary

Jo celebrated her tenth blogaversary last week and she invited those who wished to join her with their list of ten to do so. Here are my replies to her ten questions.

1.    The tenth project you completed

I think this was the tenth project I completed. If not, it was either ninth or eleventh! This was completed around 1997. I bought a trinket bowl so I could add this to the lid. It is still waiting. It was a neat fit and I was reluctant to squeeze it in.

Ice Moth - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishment pack as provided with chart

2.    The tenth blog post you made

In this blog post I was celebrating that I was now ready to sew together the 463 pieces that I had cut for a single bed quilt. Unfortunately about half ways through this project my sewing machine had to get repaired and I lost my enthusiasm for completing this. Sadly it is still unfinished.

3.    The tenth blog in your blog roll (or your reader or however you follow blogs)

I use Bloglovin to follow blogs and tenth on my list is Elfin Stitches. Elfie mainly stitches Christmas ornaments and I first visited her when following one of Jo's Blog Hops.

4.    A designer you have stitched more than ten designs

I have only two designers for whom I have more than ten of their designs and I have also stitched more than ten of them as well: Just Nan and Little House Needleworks.

5.    A project that took/is taking more than ten years to complete

This is a small tray cloth that I started too long ago to mention.

Small Classic Walnut Tray - Susan L Meier and Rosalyn K Watnemo

Taken from Tray Designs in Hardanger Embroidery

Fabric: Zweigart 25ct Blue Dublin linen

Threads: DMC 3753, #5 775

6.    A design on the theme of "ten"

The closest fit I can get to this is the tenth design in the Little Sheep Virtues from Little House Needleworks which is Kindness.

7.    The tenth colour on your current project.  Do you use this colour a lot?

I have two WIPs at the moment which use more than ten colours. These are Just Nan's 4 Wishes and Nan's Garden. It just so happens that the tenth colour in each is DMC 647. It's not necessarily a colour I would think of using.

8.    Your tenth WIP for WIPocalypse, WIPGO or whatever list you make

I don't make a list that could fit into this quesion.

9.    Your tenth finish this year (or last year if you haven't finished ten so far this year)

My tenth finish this year is Day 2 of Jardin Privé's 12 Days of Christmas

10.    How has your stitching style changed in the last ten years?

Over the past ten years the main change in my stitching style is that I now stitch more small designs. Before that I tended to be a one project at a time person and these tended to be medium to larger sized projects. 

NH Easter Exchange 2021

Happy Easter everyone. I hope you have a lovely day. The sun is shining with me and it's lovely and warm. Sadly the forecast is for cooler weather as the week progresses.

Though postal services can still be erratic, over at Needlecraft Haven we exchanged Easter cards and some Spring/Easter coloured threads.

I received this cute card and beautiful threads from Gill.

Easter card and threads from Gill

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange 2021

I stitched this card for Christine and enclosed three DMC threads which I did not photograph.

 

Una Piccola Pasqua (part of) - Cuore e Batticuore

Fabric: 32ct Crafty Kitten, Belfast May 2018 Ltd. edition linen

Threads: DMC 433, 744. Au Soie d'Alger Blanc, 2114, 3011, 3023

Easter Treasure Blog Hop

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is again hosting the Easter Treasure Blog Hop. This is an opportunity for those taking part to display some Spring and/or Easter stitching and a letter of the alphabet which will form part of a mystery phrase. Please visit Jo's blog to see the list of all those who are taking part and visit their blogs to collect your letters to find out what the mystery phrase is.

Here is Plum Street Samplers' Spring Rolls sitting on the fabric that I intend to use on the back of my pillow. I love Paulette Stewart's daschund designs.

Spring Rolls - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric - 36ct Lakeside Linens Vintage Pecan Butter Linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Backing fabric: Emily Bond Wire Haired Dachshund Fabric 

This project will be finished as a pillow. I had planned on completing it for today but I'm on a roll with my spring cleaning and I know if I stop now my spring cleaning mightn't get finished for the weekend. (Housework is not my favourite task, so I can be easily distracted)

My letter for the mystery phrase is S.

Now visit Leonore of Needle, Pen & Sword to see her Easter stitching and to collect the next letter.

Happy Easter

Smalls SAL - March 2021

Yet again the last Friday of the month has been and gone and here is my stitching for the Smalls SAL hosted by Mary of Mary's Thread (this link opens on the explanation of how the Smalls SAL works).

I only have my 12 days of Christmas smalls to share this month as I'm saving my other 'smalls' for Easter Sunday.

First up is Jardin Privé's 3 French hens. This was a quick stitch. I must start stitching the border for this design rather than leave it until it is the last thing to do.

Third Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads for red version

On my Plum Street Sampler stitching, I've started to toy with the idea of  stitching a number of gold motifs according to the day, so that the third day would have three, the fourth day would have four and so on. It might mean some adjustments in how I counts things, such as one pair of shoes would count as two gold motifs in nine maids-a-milking. I don't want the gold to dominate in each day. If I decide to go ahead with that idea, I will need to add another gold ornament to the tree below and change the colour of a gold pear on the first day. I shall think some more about this.

Third Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I had hoped to have all three designs from Pineberry Lane's Shamrocks completed for today but I only got one stitched. Oh well, there is always next year.

Here is my finish of  Erin Go Bragh sitting on the same fabric as I chose for backing this ornament.

Erin Go Bragh - Pineberry Lane

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Gifted Gorgeousness - March 2021

I just have one item for Gifted Gorgeousness this month. It is this Just Nan Heartfelt design that I finished as a birthday card. All being well, it should arrive with the recipient tomorrow.

(Happy Birthday) Heartfelt Trio - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct pale blue (not Zweigart) linen

Threads/Embellishments: Suggested DMC threads plus sequins

Sampler Saturday

Here's a quick update on the two samplers that I'm currently stitching and a finish. First up is Just Nan's Winter Blues. I've managed to stitch this according to the proposed schedule on the Just Nan Facebook group and I'm now on the final row. When that is completed I will add the beads. There are just two weeks of the schedule left so it will be a March finish.

When this sampler is completed the next one is Nan's Garden. 

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I have completed Mary Stead 1824 and I'm thinking that I might make a cushion cover rather than get it framed. I will think some more about that. 

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

I was keen to start another sampler so I pulled out Just Nan's 4 Wishes. I've completed Winter and I'm now stitching Spring. I really like the little ducks paddling in the rain.

4 Wishes - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Raw Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

Fully Finished SAL - March 2021

For a change I'm ready to share my fully finished objects on the opening day for this thread. This SAL is hosted by Rachel (Ten Hour Stitcher) and the links to this month's other participants can be found here. 

I have two finishes this month. The first is a simple and straightforward padded card finish. As it needs to be in the post by Friday, I didn't dare delay finishing it any longer. It is a Just Nan design that I completed earlier in the year.

(Happy Birthday) Heartfelt Trio - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct pale blue (not Zweigart) linen

Threads/Embellishments: Suggested DMC threads plus sequins

My second finish is a recycle of an earlier finish from 2015 when I stitched all the Prairie Schooler seasons designs from the February 2008 issue of The Gift of Stitching.  Originally I had finished this to sit on a little easel. 

However I was never really satisfied with this and had planned to change it for some time. I've now made it into a small pillow and will complete the other seasons in a similar manner throughout the year.

Spring - Prairie Schooler 

The Gift of Stitching, February 2008

Fabric: 18ct Flax Aida

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Stick 6 in 2021 - First update

I have joined Martina (Mein-allerlei-hobby) for her Stick 6 in 2021. This means that I will stitch and complete six cross stitch designs in 2021. Each of my selected projects is given a number of 1 to 6.  For January/February's stitching the chosen project was No. 4. For me that meant Just Nan's 'M is for Mouse'. I'm pleased with this pillow finish especially as I made my cording the right thickness (to me, that is).

M is for Mouse - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Crafty Kitten Jazlyn Sunlit Smoke

Threads and Embellishments - As suggested DMC threads and mouse charm

My Stick 6 in 21 projects for the year are: 

1. Mill Hill
2. Heartstring Samplery
3. Blackbird Designs
4. Just Nan
5. Plum Street Samplers
6. Abbey Rose Designs

For March and April's stitching the chosen number is 2 which will be Heartstring Samplery for me. I won't start it straight away as I want to do some stitching for St. Patrick's Day first.

Smalls SAL - February 2021

The last Friday of the month has been and gone and here is my smalls stitching for the Smalls SAL hosted by Mary of Mary's Thread.  Other than my Valentine stitching which I have covered in earlier posts, the focus of my smalls stitching in February has been Day two of the 12 Days of Christmas. I am doing these as a SAL with Needlecraft Haven and on the FaceBook page 12 Days of Christmas Cross Stitching. 

Second Day

The Twelve Days of Chrismas - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads for red version

Second Day

The Twelve Days of Chrismas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

I need to decide how I would like to finish the Plum Street Samplers designs as I don't want to get to the end of the year and have all twelve of them to complete at once!

I have one other small design which I am in the process of fully finishing as my design for Martina's Stick 6in 2021 and I will show this  in a couple of days.

Until then, take care everyone.

An update on Samplers

I'm currently stitching on two samplers; Just Nan's Winter Blues and Hands Across the Sea Samplers' Mary Stead 1824. I'm enjoying switching between these and my 12 Days of Christmas projects.

As I'm working to Jo's suggested schedule for Winter Blues on the Just Nan Facebook page, I've now completed bands 13 and 14. There are only five weeks of this project left and this is how it now looks. I'm pleased that I'm keeping to the schedule as it's good to see progress on this sampler rather than having the chart sit in a file.

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I started Mary Stead 1824 in September as part of @Senoritastitches September Sampler Soiree on Instagram. I put it away in October and only took it out a couple of weeks ago. I'm now on the final section and I should be able to complete it this coming week.

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

Have a good week.

Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished SAL - February 2021

As often happens with me, my Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished Gallery SAL items are mostly the same items. Hosted by Jo and Rachel respectively, details of how these SALs operate can be found here and here.

Each year, Needlecraft Haven has a Valentine/Friendship exchange. This year we stitched a design of approximately 50 x 50 stitches or 2500 stitches to finish anyway we wanted. I chose to finish this free Janie Hubble design as a pincushion/scissor holder. It and a stitched card were sent to Christine. The pincushion is sitting on the backing fabric. Unfortunately this free chart is not available at the moment as Janie Hubble's website is being redesigned. 

Love - Janie Hubble

Fabric: 32ct Antique White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

My card design is from Just Nan's Heartfelt Trio. I have now completed two out of the three designs. The other is Happy Birthday which I stitched and showed in last month's Small SAL.

Forever Friends (Heartfelt Trio) - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct pale Blue linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I will show what I received in our Needlecraft Haven Valentine exchange in a later post as it is still in the mail to me.

This free humbug design from Jean Farish was stitched with gifted fabric from Clare and thread from Angie (Needlecraft Haven). As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think this would look better if there was more contrast between the fabric and thread. Oh well, I know for again.

Vintage Hearts - Jean Farish

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Thread: Dragon Floss-Friendship

I also stitched this free design from The Drawn Thread and finished it as a small pillow. I didn't have the suggested Gloriana silk threads so I used what I already had.  Two of the pink threads used in this design were gifted by Clare and Justine (Needlecraft Haven). The small piece of fabric that you see is what I used to back it. This is all I have left of this Liberty Lawn fabric but I intend to buy some more as I like it so much.

All you need is Love - The Drawn Thread

Fabric: 32ct pale lilac linen

Threads: DMC 814, 819, Soie d'Alger -3023, 3025, 2114

Weeks Dye Works - Moss