Fully Finished Gallery and an Easter Exchange

I hope you all had a good Easter Sunday. As I participated in Needlecraft Haven's Easter exchange (hosted by Clare) I have some Fully Finished items to show.

I stitched this free 2011 Easter Heart design from Aliolka for Christine.

Easter Heart - Aliolka

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage pale blue Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads but substituted DMC 3078 for 727

As Christine often shares cat images I couldn't resist stitching this free Janie Hubble design of a cat in an eggshell for her as well. Sadly this design no longer seems to be available.

Krazy Kitty's Easter - Janie Hubble Designs

Fabric: 32ct Zweigrart White Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads but substituted DMC 703 for 704 and DMC 415 for 318

Though she organised the exchange, Clare didn't take part, so as a Thank you I stitched this free design from My Fanny. I omitted the word 'Easter' from the original design.

Easter - My Fanny Design

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I also included this Hardanger card.

Hardanger cross - Designer unknown

Fabric - 32ct Fabric Flair unknown colour

Threads: DMC Perle 8 Ecru, unknown DMC soft pink and green

Over the Valentine season Clare and I stitched a card for each other. I stitched this Friendship card which was special to me as I had received the design kit in a previous Valentine Exchange from Angie, one of Needlecraft Haven's departed members.

Friendship - Carolyn Meachan, Serendipity Designs Kit

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Natural Linen (replacing Aida in kit)

Threads: DMC as provided in kit

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop

Hello again and welcome to the next step in the Easter Treasure Hunt.  This Blog Hop is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. To learn more about this Hop and find all the letters to complete the mystery phrase, please head over to Jo's where she lists all the participants with links to their blog.

My letter for the blog hop is:

K

The next letter in the Hop can be found with Mouse of Tales of a Stitching Mouse. 

Most of my Easter stitching has been gifts which I will show later but for now I will share this Hardanger card which I have stitched a number of times. 

Hardanger cross - Designer unknown

Fabric - 32ct Fabric Flair unknown colour

Threads: DMC Perle 8 Ecru, unknown DMC soft pink and green

Wishing you all a Happy Easter.

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.

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

Gifted Gorgeousness - April 2020

Even though I'm confined to the house, time is still passing quickly. It seems no time since I last posted for Gifted Gorgeousness. This is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and details on how it works and how to take part can be found here.

I took part in Needlecraft Haven's Easter Exchange. With postal services being disrupted we had a virtual exchange on Easter Sunday where we posted a photo of the exchange pieces we had stitched but without saying who they were for.

I had stitched both a card and an ornament. With staying at home I thought it would be pleasant to imagine a trip up the Eiffel Tower at Easter.

Pâques à Paris (part of design) - Les Brodeuses Parisiennes
Fabric: 28 ct Zweigart White linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads, stitched one over one
Spring! - Just Nan
Fabric: 28 ct Sky Blue (I think)
Threads: Suggested DMC threads with a
gold brown bead used for matt gold beads

I hope everyone had a good Easter and that you are staying safe and well.

Easter Treasure Blog Hop 2020

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 here 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.

This year for the blog hop I have stitched a free design from Lizzie Kate called Celebrate Spring.
You can find this design on Lizzie Kate's blog here. I have finished it as a flat ornament to hang from a small frame. When things are back to normal I'll buy a couple of small hangers. In the meantime it will have to stand on the mantlepiece.

Celebrate Spring - Lizzie Kate
Fabric: 28ct Permin Natural Linen
Threads: DMC 3687, 597,720,3354, 580, 307, Blanc, 310, 3836

My Letter for the mystery phrase is

P

Please visit the Wicked Stitcher at http://primpair.blogspot.com/  for the next letter in the mystery phrase.

Happy Easter!
                     

Gifted Gorgeousness - April 2019

It's time for my monthly Gifted Gorgeousness(GG) report. If you are not familiar with GG, it is an opportunity to share our gifted craft items that we make and receive. It is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and full details of how it works can be found here.

Since I haven't posted regularly over the past month, I feel that I have quite a few things to share with you. So here I go!

First up is my Friendly Stitcher's Stitcher's Day exchange. My partner for this exchange was Martina.
She sent me this beautiful biscornu, threads and a tape measure.

Stitcher's Day exchange received from Martina, Friendly Stitchers

I stitched a needlecase for DJ but forgot to take a photograph. However you can see it here in DJ's April Gifted Gorgeousness blog post. It's at the end.

I finished Just Nan's Snowflowers. It is a gift for one of my mother's friends. I couldn't find a suitable custom-made frame so I laced it to this canvas frame and covered the back with the fabric the easel is standing on. My mother is very happy with it, so I hope her friend will be too.

Snowflowers - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Exotic Orchid Belfast linen

Threads and embellishments: Recommended DMC threads 

and Just Nan embellishment pack

I finished the Llama baby quilt that I was working on and it is now with its new owner.

Simon's baby quilt

Fabric: Llama 801, Atacama 801 and Inca 801 by Indigo Fabrics

supplemented with navy and white fabrics

I've started my next baby quilt which is for Holly. Each of the blocks have been stitched and I now need to stitch the rows together. These colours are quite vibrant so I think I will choose something for the binding which will tone it down.

Holly's baby quilt

Fabric: 'TAO' Modele Depose, 'Black Tie' Oasis Fabrics

design 60-137, teal fabric with orange/white stripe

Before starting the quilt, I did some tester blocks which I also used as an opportunity to try applique with fusible webbing. I made these blocks into a cushion cover top and when it is completed I'll gift it to my sister.

Selection of fabrics in stash

Finally, a quick reminder of the gifts I sent and received in Needlecraft Haven's Easter Exchange.

Needlecraft Haven Easter exchange from Julie

My gifts for Astrid

That's everything for this month. Until next time, enjoy your crafting.

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange

In this year's Easter exchange at Needlecraft Haven (organised by Clare), we were asked to stitch an Easter or Spring themed ornament and to include a sweet threat with our signed card. (Many of our Forum exchanges are anonymous).

I received this beautiful stitched ornament with card and sweets from Julie. I'd always been wary of buying gingham fabric for cross stitch but this yellow and white is ideal for this design. Julie has converted me!

Needlecraft Haven Easter exchange from Julie

I stitched Just Nan's Running Rabbits for Astrid and included some handmade chocolates from my local chocolate shop as well as some Easter ribbon.

My gifts for Astrid

Here's a close-up from the Running Rabbits design. I used a bunny charm that I had as I was only loaned the chart.

Running Rabbits - Just Nan

Fabric - The Fabric Kitten 28ct Jazlyn Sunlit Smoke

Some of you might have noticed that I've starting using fabric from The Crafty Kitten. Last year I subscribed to her fabric of the month club for a period and now I'm enjoying finding small designs to suit the wider colour choice of fabric I now have.

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop 2019

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching has once again kindly organised a blog hop for us. Each of the bloggers taking part will present some of their Easter and/or Spring stitching and a letter of the alphabet.  Collect all the letters to spell out a mystery phrase.  When you know what the phrase is, return to Jo's blog and leave your answer in the comments. More details of how the blog hop works and a list of all the bloggers taking part can be found here.

First up is my Spring stitching which has an Easter feel to it. It is Just Nan's Spring! and like the chart model I have finished it as a bell pull. As this chart was pre-owned, I did not have the charm pack so I used a rabbit/hare charm that I already had and substituted with an eyelet stitch or left out the flat white pearl buttons used in the original.

Spring! - Just Nan, Small Delights series

Fabric: The Crafty Kitten, 28ct Lugana Dawnburst

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik

Embellishments: Rabbit/Hare charm, beads - 40479 and 40557 

My letter is:

U

and the final blog on this treasure hunt to complete your mystery phrase is Alaska Wolf Pack.

Happy Easter!

Easter Exchange

It's Easter and time for the Needlecraft Haven Easter exchange. The exchange gifts included a stitched item, a sweet treat and a card. I received an exchange parcel from Clare and she sent me this exquisitely finished egg ornament, these sweet treats and a card. (I see the card is missing as it is sitting on the mantle). Thank you so much, Clare.

My Needlecraft Haven Easter exchange gifts from Clare.

I sent an exchange parcel to Dusty. For this I sitched the upper half of Tralala's 'Duo Printemps' for the card. Along with the chocolate I included a chicken shaped key/scissor fob. As for my ornament ... well ... I really wanted to try something different in a finish. After much searching I finally found what I wanted on Pinterest. A 'cuckoo clock like' finish from La Bottega Della Nonna appealed to me and inspired by motifs from Gazette94, I made an Easter themed hanging ornament. I was pretty pleased with the finish and I've included an photo of it hanging to show it off better.

Easter exchange gifts for Dusty

A hanging Easter ornament inspired by

La Bottega Della Nonna and Gazette94

I hope you all had an enjoyable Easter weekend and that you are not tired of the sight of chocolate eggs.

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange

Happy Easter everyone. Clare (aimetu) at Needlecraft Haven organised an Easter Exchange for us. Our exchange was to include a stitched Easter ornament, a card and a sweet treat. All my favourites - including the sweet treat ☺.

I was truly spoilt by my exchange partner, Deb (no blog). She stitched me Just Nan's Dewdrop Bunny, a design I haven't got and included a Blackbird Designs chart, some pins, fabric, chocolates in a bag and a stitched card featuring a JBW Design rabbit! Didn't I say I was spoilt.

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange, 2017
Gifts from my exchange partner, Deb

Christine (The Alchymyst's Study) was my exchange partner and I sent her a modified version of Just Nan's Peter Cottontail, finished as a bell and a chocolate fish for Easter. You are just as likely to find a chocolate fish in our local chocolatier as a chocolate egg. The fish and eggs are filled with petites fritures, a selection of little chocolate fish and shells.

Peter Cottontail - Just Nan and Chocolate fish
My exchange items to Christine

I found the idea for the bell finish here, which included a graphed template of the bell shape. I stitched the phrase 'Easter 2017' on the interior of the bell, but I didn't think to take a photo of it. This is a finish I will do again.

For those of you who like chocolate, I'll finish with a photo of the chocolate egg that my husband bought me this year. It's still in one piece ... for now.

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop 2017

Welcome to the Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop organised by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. For those of you unfamiliar with this blog hop, all you have to do is visit each of the blogs in the order given on Jo's blog and note down the letter in each one to find the mystery phrase they make up. Return to Jo's blog to leave a comment saying what the phrase is. There is a draw for the winner of the correct phrase and they will receive a prize.

This year I stitched this little Whimzi design from Just Nan for Easter. Not a perfect photo but it was the best I could get.

Tulip Bunny - Just Nan
Fabric - 32ct Spring Garden Belfast line
Threads - recommended DMC threads

My letter is:

For your next letter, hop over to Astrid at:

http://astridxstitching.blogspot.com/ 

Enjoy your treasure hunt.

Happy Easter

Wishing you a joyful Easter.
Here are some Easter gifts I have received in recent years on stitching exchanges.

Easter exchanges past

We don't get Simnel cake in this part of France so I bought this cake called 'Exotica' for tea on Easter Sunday. I don't think it will last too long.

Easter Exchange

I took part in the Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange again this year. Like last year, participants had to stitch an Easter card and stitch an egg shaped ornament. I found this lovely free design from Passione Ricamo for the egg ornament and stitched this design from Primitive Acorns after seeing it on Carin's blog, which I sent to Dusty.

Easter Lamb - Primitive Acorns stitched 1 over 1 on 28ct Natural linen
Easter 2012 - Passione Ricamo stitched on 28ct Natural linen

I received my card and ornament exchange from Lindsay. She also included a packet of Bassett's Jelly Bunnies, which I admit didn't last beyond Easter Sunday. That's what happens when you have a sweet tooth like me. I didn't eat them all myself, they were shared with my husband!

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange

I know I seem to have been busy stitching for exchanges recently. Here is what I received from Alison at Needlecraft Haven. There was a chocolate bunny included, but he didn't last long :)

Easter card and beaded egg ornament - Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange

Due to postage problems, I'm waiting on my exchange stitching to arrive, so I'll not post a picture yet.