Gifted Gorgeousness - February 2018

My first gifted gorgeousness of 2018 is a recap of the gifts I've received and sent this month; as well as the ornament I used in the Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop.

From Julie my Needlecraft Haven friendship exchange gifts:

Needlecraft Haven Friendship Exchange 2018

from Julie

 The card and mug rug I sent to Christine (threads not photographed)

Un peu d'amour et d'amitié - Le Chalet des Pérelles

Fabric - 32ct Belfast white linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

Mug rug with the friendship quilt block

For me, a heart using a gifted design (now only available for purchase, here) from Abi Gurden of Bee's Needleworks. The fabric was gifted by Clare in a previous Needlecraft exchange. The heart was used in the Secret Stitching Sweet heart blog hop organised by Jo.

Heart of my heart - Abi Gurden (Bee's Needleworks)

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Caron Impressions 038 Morning Mist, DMC - 221, 223, 224, 3840

Embellishments: Mill Hill 00168 beads

Latest stitching

It's been a week of stitching little bits and pieces on different things as I had a couple of items which were almost stitched.

I finished my hardanger piece at the beginning of the week and though I say so myself, I really like the colours. In fact I decided that I would use it as a coaster so I went looking for some coaster covers I had. I found them - three different sizes, but they were all round! So I'm back to my original idea of finishing this as a lavender sachet.

Hardanger Coaster - Abi Gurden, Bee's Needleworks
Fabric: 25ct white evenweave
Threads: Anchor #5 perle 386, Anchor #5 perle 1304, DMC 3823

I had only the border to complete on April's Joyful World SAL so I finished that one evening.

April, Joyful World SAL - The Snowflower Diaries
Fabric: 40ct Newcastle Vintage Mocha
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

The following day I completed the outstanding stitching on Snow Days from Little House Needleworks.

Snow White- Little House Needleworks
Fabric: 28ct unknown linen in a thyme-green colour
Threads: DMC 3865

For now, I've skipped May, June and July and I'm stitching August from the Joyful World SAL.

August, Joyful World SAL - The Snowflower Diaries
Fabric: 40ct Newcastle Vintage Mocha
Threads: Recommended DMC threads

All in all a satisfying week, stitching wise.

Back to Hardanger

It's been a while since I did any hardanger so I pulled out this design by Abi Gurden of Bee's Needleworks.
It was a complimentary design when I signed up for her Confetti of Hardanger SAL a couple of years ago. I hope to complete the stitching over the weekend.
When it is finished I think I will complete it as a lavender sachet/cushion rather than a coaster.

Hardanger Coaster - Abi Gurden, Bee's Needleworks
Fabric: 25ct white evenweave
Threads: Anchor #5 perle 386, Anchor #5 perle 1304, DMC 3823

Happy New Year and my final finish of 2014

Happy New Year; I hope that 2015 will be the year that you hope for.

I finished the Mojo Sampler during the evening of 31 December 2014. I was determined to add all the beads on Wednesday as I had already stitched the year on the piece and I had no wish to change it.
I have decided to put this on the front of a photo album which will contain photographs of most of my stitching over the past 25 years. I say 'most' as there are a few things I've given away where I forgot to take photographs first.

Mojo Sampler - Bee's Needleworks
stitched on 32ct White Belfast

That was the week ... Month? ... that was

During the past month I've continued to combine part-time work with stitching. Most hotel rooms aren't conducive to stitching as the lighting doesn't suit. So last week, I bought a Vusion craft light. It has both a light and magnifier and can be used clipped on to my work or be left free-standing on a table. I haven't had the chance to try it yet but I'm looking forward to it.

So what have I done stitching wise? I've made progress on the Mojo Sampler SAL on The Stitch Specialists Yahoo group and I'm now on part 8. I'm loving all the difference stitches that I've been trying in this sampler.

Mojo Sampler - Abi Gurden Bee's Needleworks
Stitched on 32ct Cashel White

I've also stitched an item for an exchange but I will post on that later in the week. By that time, the item will have been received.

Happy Stitching everyone.

Mojo Sampler SAL Update

Since I can't show my other stitching at the moment because they are exchange pieces, I thought I'd share the latest update on the Mojo Sampler SAL over at The Stitch Specialists. Abi of Bee's Needleworks has created a sampler with a delightful selection of stitches. With a part released every two weeks, this week's selection were the Diamond Ray Stitch, Cross Stitch and Woven Back Stitch. The Woven Back Stitch was new to me. Of the three stitches, my favourite is the Diamond Ray Stitch as I think the fan effect of this stitch can be versatile in use - to create diamond shapes, trees, etc.

Mojo Sampler - Abi Gurden Bee's Needleworks
The Stitch Specialists SAL
Stitched on 32ct White Belfast linen