Fully Finished Gallery and Smalls SAL - February

I'm doing these two link-up posts as one because the contents for each are the same this month.

Thank you Rachel for hosting the Smalls SAL. I don't always have something for it but I enjoy taking part.

I stitched these Valentine cards for Gill and Clare at Needlecraft Haven. Both of these are free designs. The Valentine Freebie can be found on Erin Elizabeth's Instagram feed for 6 Jan 2024 or her Facebook page and the Valentine Dragon can be found on Dragon Dreams Inc. Facebook page.

LEFT: Valentine's Freebie - Erin Elizabeth Designs

Fabric: Unknown 32ct in a milk chocolate like colour

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

RIGHT: Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - J.L. Aikman-Smith, Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 326 replaced with Au Voie d'Alger 3025

My sister received this hanging heart, a free design from October House Fiber Arts.

You are Loved - Robin Sample, October House Fiber Arts

Fabric:  Unknown 35ct White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3833 replaced with DMC 961

Finally, for the Chinese New Year I stitched a dragon keyring for my Chinese friends. This is the dragon from the 2010 dragon Valentine design on Clare's card.

Dragon from Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads 

Stitching Friends Summer Blog Hop

 

This year's Summer Blog Hop from Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is another 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 UK Stitching Friend has been blogging for the past nine years though of course she has been crafting for much longer. You will note my use of the word 'crafting' as this stitcher can turn her hand to crossstitch, quilting, applique, lace making, salt dough and card making to name a few. However, by her own admission, knitting is not one of her strong points and she has not acquired a liking for it.

I tried to determine if this stitcher has a style but I think her style (in her own words) is best described as unique but I discovered that she definitely has a weakness for dragons. I thought she might like this scissor fob I stitched for an exchange some years ago. It is by Dragon Dreams Inc and it is her 2011 Thanksgiving Facebook Sample Chart. I changed the wording on my version.

Even though this stitcher will work on more than one project at a time she focuses on that project while it is in her hands, even when that involves some dreaded backstitch. Her two main projects currently appear to be her Wednesday night SAL with her friend and her Sunday stitching time while she listens to the speakers at her church. 

Before I reveal my Stitching Friend I have another design that I think she would like. Based on some of her patchwork and quilting projects as well as recent crossstitch I think this Celtic knotwork Crosses design from Teresa Wentzler would appeal.

Celtic Knotwork Crosses by Teresa Wentzler

In case you haven't guessed by now, my Stitching Friend is Deborah from A Patchwork of Crafts. 

All the participants in the 2022 Summer Blog Hop can be found at Jo's Blog, Serendipitous Stitching.

Valentine Exchanges

Okay, it is a little late in the day but I still want to share the lovely gifts that I received from two Valentine Exchanges I took part in.
Firstly, I received this lovely gift from Kate - a friendship stocking (Plum Street Samplers), sweets, tea and a small candle.

Friendly Stitchers Valentine Exchange from Kate

I sent Kate this hardanger heart along with some tea and soap. I only took a photograph of the heart. This free design can be found here.

Hardanger Heart - Lee Albrecht

At Needlecraft Haven, you stitched your partner a heart or friendship themed scissor fob and enclosed 3 small gifts. I received this lovely set of heart themed goodies from Ursh.

Needlecraft Haven Valentine Exchange from Ursh

I sent my gifts to Jacklyn at Needlecraft Haven and again I only photographed the stitched piece. This was a 2011 Thanksgiving freebie from Dragon Dreams. I altered the wording to another phrase I preferred.

2011 Thanksgiving Freebie - Dragon Dreams

I really enjoy taking part in exchanges. I love the challenge of finding what I think will be the 'right' chart to stitch for my exchange partner and of course, there is also the delight of waiting on that parcel to arrive and seeing what you've received. Win - win!

First Happy Dance of 2014

I finished the Fairy Tale Sampler from Dragon Dreams earlier this afternoon. I'm pleased with it and glad that I used the recommended Waterlilies 'Mulberry' thread. I had considered just using Waterlilies 'Sky Blue Pink' for the speciality stitches but it takes the two colours to provide extra definition.

Dragon Dreams 'Fairy Tale Sampler'
Stitched on 28ct Brittany Ivory

Something New

I've toyed with the idea of a blog for my hobbies before now but it was the idea of joining the Just Nan Stitch Along 2014 that made me decide to take the plunge. I've got more Just Nan charts than I've stitched so far!

If you would like to find out more about this SAL, the details are here: Just Nan Stitch Along 2014 hosted by Zeb of Keep Calm and Cross Stitch.

My main stitching piece at the moment is Fairy Tale Sampler by Dragon Dreams. Here is the latest picture of my progress.

Dragon Dreams 'Fairy Tale Sampler'
Stitched on 28ct Brittany Ivory