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.