Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished SAL - March

It's been a quiet month stitching wise for me as I had a cold, followed by bronchitis and then a chest infection. Not being 100% well is so tiring. Nevertheless, I managed to get something finished for Rachel's Fully Finished SAL as well as Jo's Gifted Gorgeousness. If you click on their names you will be directed to their latest blog post for each of these SALs.

My sister is a fan of Teddy bears and dogs, so when I was gifted this keyring chart I knew it would make an ideal little gift for her. As it was a small design it meant that I was able to complete one fully finished item this month.

Teddy Bear with Dog - Framecraft

Fabric: 18 count white Aida

Threads: DMC 3187, 841, 3770, 956, 957, 580, 470, 317, 407, 156

Some progress was made on Alpine Seasons Garden. I completed the backstitch in the other three corners of the outer border and started to stitch the flowers in the top right corner.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 15 February 2025

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

So not alot of stitching this month but at least I was able to get some done.

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.

Happy Easter and Gifted Gorgeousness - April 2022

Happy Easter. We had an Easter card exchange at Needlecraft Haven and I received this pretty card from Clare. These colours are so delicate. I wish I had an Easter egg tree in my my garden :)

Easter card from Clare, Needlecraft Haven

For this exchange Clare was my partner and I stitched an egg design from The Cricket Collection.

Tisket-a-Tasket Egg - The Cricket Collection

Fabric: 28ct Jobelan, The Crafty Kitten, January 2018 Limited Edition

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I'm still stitching on my Jardin Privé Temperature SAL and this is my progress as at 31 March 2022. The range between my daily and minimum temperatures in March is broad.

Projet Météo 2022 - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Lilac linen

Threads: Suggested range of cool, warm and other DMC colours

and using a 4 degree Celsius range between colours

In recent weeks I wasn't able to stitch as much as I would have liked on Chatelaine's Alpine Seasons Garden nor Wiehenburg's Cottage Garden SAL but at least some progress was made.

The final side of the border on Alpine Seasons Garden has met up (bottom border) and I am currently filling it in. When that is completed I'll have 'just' the corner flowers to stitch and then it will be time to start beading.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 9 September 2022

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

I'm still stitching the first part of the Cottage Garden SAL. While I like it on the cream fabric I wonder if it would 'pop' more if I had used a fabric that was slightly darker. I'm not inclined to restart it so I will continue on cream.

Cottage Garden SAL - Wiehenburg

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Ivoire/Cream

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

To see who else has taken part in April's Gifted Gorgeousness and to learn more about it, please visit Jo at Serendipitous Stitching.

Gifted Gorgeousness - February 2022 and a Valentine Exchange

It's that time of the month when we show off the Gifted Gorgeousness that we have sent, received or stitched/crafted during the past month. This is hosted by Jo and a list of other participants can be found here.

First up is my Alpine Seasons Garden. I feel that I've made good progress on this during the past month. I've almost completed the outer border.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 9 September 2022

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

I've been following DJ's progress on her Cottage Garden SAL which is this year's Wiehenburg SAL. I loved what she had stitched and when I showed it to DH he insisted on buying the SAL subscription for me. Naturally I didn't argue. This is what I've done to far. It's a small start but I couldn't wait until I had more time to spend on it.

Cottage Garden SAL - Wiehenburg

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Ivoire/Cream

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

This year we had a non-stitching Valentine exchange at Needlecraft Haven. Our secret parcel had to contain a reusable shopping bag, the type that comes in a pouch and is handy for your handbag. Ideally the bag would have hearts or be red or pink. The parcel also included thread that matched the bag's colours. I forgot to take a photo of the one I sent to Julie but this was the style.  

The threads I chose to match the bag were DMC 746 (cream), 824(blue) and 833(gold/brown). As I was unable to get a bag in my local shop that matched the brief I also included a skein of DMC 986 (a pink).

My exchange partner was Christine and I received this colourful bag and threads. As someone who carries far too much in her handbag these cheerful colours will help me find it more quickly.

 

I'm still knitting the sleeveless sweater for my sister. It's taking me longer than it should as I keep losing concentration and making errors in the pattern. I'm determined that it will be finished next month.

Gifted Gorgeousness - January 2022

During 2022 Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is again hosting the link-up for Gifted Gorgeous. What is basically allowed is anything connected to the word "gift", whether is is a gift to you or from you. 

I have taken out my Chatelaine's Alpine Seasons Garden in another effort to complete the stitching on it. I had a 'nudge' from DH who asked me at the beginning of the year when I was going to complete the project he bought me. When Clare introduced a Large Project SAL at Needlecraft Haven I knew it couldn't be ignored any longer.

Here was my starting point:

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at Late 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

And here is my small progress as of last Sunday. If you look closely you can see that I've added some stitches in the upper band. There will definitely be more to show next month.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 9 September 2022

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

I'm also knitting a sleeveless tunic for my sister. The back is almost finished.

Zola tunic - Rowan

Wool: Katia Merino Aran, color 81

Needles: 4.5mm needles and 4.5mm double-pointed needles 

Gifted Gorgeousness - September 2020

It's time for Gifted Gorgeousness this month. This is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and is an opportunity to show stitching related gifts that we have made or received.

Earlier this month it was Clare's (Aimtu's Stitching) birthday and I sent her a small stitched sampler card. You can see it here on her blog as I forgot to take a photograph of it before I posted it.

My main stitching focus this month continues to be Alpine Seasons. I am now stitching the outer border which you can see in the crinkled photo below. 

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 18 September 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

It's not a Gifted Gorgeousness project but I've also been stitching on Mary Stead 1824 as part of  @Senoritastitches September Sampler Soiree on Instagram. There are just five colours in this project and I like how they blend together.

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

Alpine Seasons Garden update

I'm pleased to say that I've completed the detailed tree and mountain seasonal stitching on this project. The next couple of sections should be stitched more quickly ... in theory.

This will probably be the largest and most detailed design that I will ever stitch but it is worth it.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at  7 September 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

September Sampler Soiree

@Senoritastitches is hosting the September Sampler Soiree on Instagram. Given that I've finished my Little Sheep Virtues this is just the prompt that I needed to start Hands Across the Sea's Mary Stead 1824. This is part of their Little Gems series which I really like and it includes some more designs that I would like to buy at some stage.

After two days, here is my progress on Mary Stead 1824.

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC 

I'm still stitching on Alpine Seasons Garden and I'm close to completing the seasonal circle of trees and mountains. Once this is finished, the dense cross-stitch coverage will be completed.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine

as at  2 September 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

Gifted Gorgeousness - August 2020

The 15th of each month seems to keep coming round more quickly as the year progresses. Nevertheless, it is a good opportunity to showcase the stitching and/or craft gifts that we have made or received. All the details on how Gifted Gorgeousness works can be found at Serendipitous Stitching, the blog of Jo, our host.

Now that our heatwave is over (for the time being), I have been stitching on my Alpine Seasons Garden. As it was my husband's Christmas present to me several years ago, he likes to see my progress. He's also looking forward to the day when it is completed and framed so that we can both admire it. We've already decided where it will hang.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine

as at  17 August 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

Stitching Friends Summer Blog Hop

 

This year's Summer Blog Hop from Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is an opportunity to get to know our stitching friends. We each write something to describe our stitching friend and choose a design we think they might like. I will reveal my partner at the end of this blog post.

My stitching friend lives in France and has been delighting her blog readers for almost nine years. She regularly takes part in Jo's blog hops, especially Gifted Gorgeousness.

She has many interests which include stitching, painting, sewing, crochet gardening and photography. As she also enjoys travelling I thought she might enjoy this free design 'Love Paris' from Madame La Fee

Love Paris - Madame La Fee

or perhaps she might like to escape to some Alpine Mountains like those in my Chatelaine 'Alpine Seasons Garden' which is slowing being stitched.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 08 August 2020
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

If you haven't yet guessed, my Summer Stitching friend is ...

Jocondine 

All the participants in the 2020 Summer Blog Hop can be found in this post from Jo.

Gifted Gorgeousness - June 2020

Another month, another Gifted Gorgeousness. Hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching this is an opportunity to share stitching projects/items that have been gifted to us or that we will be gifting. 

I'm stitching a silver anniversary wedding card using a chart gifted to me from Julie of Julie's StitchyKnitter Journal.  I've had the chart for over a year as originally I thought the silver anniversary was last year. Once I realised it wasn't, the project went on the back boiler until now. I love how the thread colours are blending with each other.

Silver Anniversary - Nia cross stitch
Fabric: 40ct cream Zweigart Newcastle linen
Threads: Recommended DMC and Anchor Marlitt threads

My Alpine Seasons Garden was a Christmas present from my husband several years ago. It has had very little attention during the past weeks as the weather has been so dull. The only addition has been about 20 light grey stitches on the extreme right of the snow capped mountains. I prefer stitching on it when it is bright as I think I concentrate better. Well, that's my excuse.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 16 June 2020
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

My evening stitching continues to be Little Sheep Virtues. I have now completed 'Hope' and I've started stitching 'Patience'. There will no more stitching on this until I have finished the Silver Anniversary card.

Little Sheep Virtues - Little House Needleworks and
Sheep in the Meadow - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural line
Threads: Recommended DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads

I've also baked a one pot yogurt cake as recommended by Christine. I didn't have a suitable cake tin so I found a slight variation of the recipe she suggested, here and baked it in a 2lb loaf tin. I used Greek yogurt and added a splash of lemon juice and some lemon zest and it tastes good. Half of the cake has gone in the freezer, for eating at a later date.

One pot yogurt cake with lemon flavouring

Works in Progress

During the past month I've started a new project and went back to an older one.

I had put Alpine Seasons Garden away as I was finding it cumbersome to stitch it in a hoop, in hand. So earlier in the year I ordered a Lowry Workstand and some Elbsee easyclip scroll bars. I'm finding it easier to stitch on this project though I'm not yet comfortable with such long scroll bars. The important thing is (from my point of view) that Alpine Seasons Garden is seeing some progress again. Over the past two weeks I've stitched the top left section of the trees. With all the colour changes it's coming along slowly but I still love it.

This is where I started

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 02 April 2020
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

and here it is today.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 28 April 2020
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I'm glad I took a photograph of my starting point as it shows me that I am making progress.

My new project is Julie M's ( I'll cross that leg when I get to it ) mixing of Little House Needleworks' Little Sheep Virtues and Country Cottage Needleworks' Sheep in the Meadow. I've admired it since 2014 (!) but I was only able to buy the charts last year. It's a lovely project to work on and I find it relaxing.

Little Sheep Virtues - Little House Needleworks and
Sheep in the Meadow - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural line
Threads: Recommended DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads

So as you can see, I've plenty of stitching to keep me busy.

Return to Alpine Seasons Garden

It's hard to believe but the last time I posted about my progress on Chatelaine's Alpine Seasons Garden was back in October 2016! I had put some stitches in after that but it has been neglected since then as I've done more knitting/crochet or patchwork/quilting.

Since Good Friday I have been stitching on my Alpine Seasons Garden and here is my progress. It's nice to be working on it again. Maybe this time I'll get this tree border completed before I take a break from it again.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at

19 April 2019

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 28 April 2019
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

2017 stitching aspirations

A belated Happy New Year to everyone. It's hard to believe that we are already a week into 2017.

I don't tend to make New Year resolutions so I've titled this post 'aspirations' which is a more accurate description. I've been reading the plans of other stitchers and quilters for 2017 and I think 'Oh, I'd like to do that' but there isn't enough hours in the day for me to follow up on each of these ideas. As my Granny used to say when I tried to do too much or eat too much "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach".

I'd like to make a start on this kit that I received as a Christmas present. However, If I do, I know that won't be until the latter part of this year.

I've now bought each of the 'Little Sheep Virtues' from Little House Needleworks and 'Sheep in the Meadow' from Country Cottage Needleworks. During the year I plan to stitch these on a single piece of linen as Giovanna and many other stitchers have done.

Of course, I hope to finish 'Alpine Seasons Garden'. Well the stitching at least but I've been saying that for the past two years. I haven't touched it in a few months as I was on a course of treatment that meant my ability to concentrate was poor so I set it aside for a while. Now that I'm feeling alot brighter, I have no excuse for not stitching on it. This is where I last left it.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand line
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I'm also toying with the idea of stitching 15 scissor fobs; one for each of the ladies in my sewing group. They keep admiring the ones I have (example below) and I thought it would be a nice little gift to give each one next Christmas. We'll see, as that might just be one stitching plan too many.

Tiny beaded heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 28ct Cashel white linen

I have done a little stitching over the past two weeks. This is The Primitive Hare's 'I Believe in Santa'. All I need to do now is finish it as an ornament.

I Believe in Santa - The Primitive Hare
Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue, 2012
Fabric: 28ct hand-dyed fabric from Madame Chantilly

I've also been keeping up with the Ten stitches a day SAL. This is quite hard for me at the moment because when I start something, I either keep going with it until it is finished or until I feel I need a break from it.
Here are my first eighty stitches. I'll probably only post on this again when I feel there is some progress to be seen.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

Well, that is more than enough for now and I didn't mention quilting at all. I have two doll quilts that I am in the process of hand quilting so I'll post on those when they are finished.

Back to my stitching

I haven't spent much time stitching over the past month as my sister was visiting. We spent a lot of time drinking tea and talking and it was great to have so much time together.

Before she arrived, I had continued to stitch my tree border on 'Alpine Seasons' and this is where I've now got to. These winter trees on the left are quite slow.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 10 October 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

Yesterday, I started to stitch the church on CCN's 'Silent Night'. I love how the colours work on this fabric. I hope to finish this by next Monday. We shall see.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

More Alpine Seasons progress

Last week, I spent most of my stitching time on Alpine Seasons Garden and now I am approximately halfway around the mountains section.
I'm not sure if it is coincidence or not but since I am stitching with silk threads, I find that my hands get very dry. I don't have this problem with DMC. Has anyone else experienced this?

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 12 September 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I missed last Wednesday's night in Needlecraft Haven's Parlour but I managed to set aside some time for CNN's 'Silent Night' at the weekend. I finished the two smaller trees and added the snowflakes. Tonight I plan to start stitching the church.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

Alpine Seasons Garden progress

It's been months since I had this design out. I worked pretty solidly on it during the past week and went from this

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 29 August 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

to this by Monday morning. The two photos made me realise that I had made more progress than I had realised. It's slow going but I'll get there. I'm looking forward to the day this will be framed and hanging in my living room.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine

as at 5 September 2016

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

On Wednesday evening I stitched in Needlecraft Haven's Parlour and made some progress on CNN's 'Silent Night'. I finished the large tree and added its leaves and star.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads