Happy New Year and June-December 2019 catch-up

Happy New Year everyone. May the year ahead bring the best of what you wish for.

My Granny always said to start the year as you mean to go on, so I decided to write a catch-up blog post. During the summer we had terrible internet problems. More often than not, there was no internet nor telephone. Consequently I lost the habit of updating my blog and of reading blog posts. So it feels like I'm starting again.

I didn't do alot of crafting during the summer months as it was far too hot. Quite often, the temperature was in the high 30 degrees Celsius. If I hadn't taken part in some exchanges I might not have done anything.

For the Friendly Stitchers' Christmas in July exchange, I stitched Frosty Friends by Blue Ribbon Designs for Mouse and finished it as a flat, felt backed ornament. Sadly, I forgot to take a photo before posting.  I also forgot to take a photo of the mattress pincushion I made for Clare of Aimetu's Stitching but you can see it on her blog here. The pincushion had to have a cat or dog theme. We both chose dogs and would you believe it, we both chose the same pattern: Lizzie Kate's Dogs Leave Paw Prints. You can see Clare's exchange to me below.

Dogs Leave Paw Prints - Lizzie Kate

Received as a ring box  pincushion from Clare, Needlecraft Haven.

Next thing I knew it was time for Halloween at Needlecraft Haven. For Christine (The Alchymyst's Study) I stitched Penny's Potions from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. Naturally I changed the name Penny to Christine.

Penny's Potions - The Frosted Pumpkin stitchery
Just Cross Stitch, October 2019
Fabric: 32ct Murano The Crafty Kitten, Winter Sunset
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I received this lovely set of goodies from Dusty. 

Finally it was time for Christmas. In Needlecraft Haven I stitched Joyeux Noel for Angi (no blog).

Joyeux Noel - 123 Citrouille
Mains & Merveilles, No.93, 2012
Fabric: 32ct  Zweigart Natural linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I received this gnome ornament and stamped Christmas card from Christine.

Needlecraft Haven Christmas Exchange from Christine

Finally for the Friendly Stitchers Christmas exchange, I stitched Les Rennes Rouges for Meg.

Les Rennes Rouges - 123 Citrouille
Mains & Merveilles, No.93, 2012
Fabric: 32ct  Zweigart White linen
Thread: DMC 817

In exchange, Meg sent me this beautiful beaded ornament and some chocolates which are long gone.

Received from Meg
Christmas 2019

To close here is a photo of the Christmas presents I received from Clare and Deb (no blog).

Received from Clare
Christmas 2019

Received from Deb
Christmas 2019

Gifted Gorgeousness - December 2018

Here's my final Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) post for 2018. As Christmas approaches, it's been a busy month for gifting and receiving. The other participants in this month's GG can be found on Jo of Serendipitous Stitching's blog post here.

Here is a collage of this month's stitching that I gifted:

On the left:

 Mitten Men - Just Nan for Deb

I believe in Santa - The Primitive Hare for Julie

Top down on right:

Oh Christmas Tree - Little House Needleworks (TBC)

Il Neige - Francoise Prax for Gill

Wee Snowman - Hand in Heart Needleart for Clare

From Deb (no blog) as part of Needlecraft Haven's Christmas Exchange, I received this ornament;

while Clare (Aimetu's Stitching) sent me this beautiful felt stocking to put out for Santa tonight.

Finally, Deb instructed me in how to make this Christmas wreath for my tree. I look forward to making more of these next year.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas.

Gifted Gorgeousness with finishes - September

2017 has so far been the year of 'smalls' for me and this month's Gifted Gorgeousness is more of the same.

I have three finishes to show and it would have been four if I could have found one project that I had 'safely' put away. I think that this missing piece is telling me in no uncertain terms that I need to reorganise my crafting materials. Some labelled storage boxes would help rather than my current method of putting stuff in folders and hope that I remember what I put where!

But on to my finishes. First up is Lizzie Kate's 'Dog leave paw prints'. This is the fourth time I've stitched this. This one is a gift for a dog-mad cousin who I will be visiting shortly in Canada. It is sitting on the fabric that I used for mounting.

Dogs leave paw prints - Lizzie Kate
Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Light Mocha (I think)
Threads: Recommended Weeks dye threads except for Kris' Bon Bon
which was replaced with DMC 898

We had a Holiday Exchange at Needlecraft Haven where you received from your partner a Christmas design with fabric and threads to stitch and complete as you wish. Christine of The Alchymyst's Study sent me the materials for this 'Joy' design (a copy can be found here) which I stitched and finished as a mounted flat fold. As usual, when trying a new to me finish, I used Vonna, The Twisted Stitcher's YouTube finishing instructions.

Joy - La Comtesse & Le Point De Croix
Fabric: The Crafty Kitten 32ct Murano Moondust 
Threads: Anchor 19, 876, 879, 1042, 1086

Finally, I stitched 'Promises' from Just Nan. Yes - another Just Nan design!
This has been finished as a wedding card as I will be attending a wedding whilst in Canada.

Promises - Just Nan
Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Cashel flax linen
Threads: Recommended DMC threads and beads

 If you are unfamiliar with Gifted Gorgeousness where we share gifted crafty items, pop over to Jo of Serendipitous Stitching to learn more and find out how to take part.

A Stitcher's Day Exchange

The 25th March has been designated Stitcher's Day on the Friendly Stitchers forum. Since this is the group's only exchange this year I signed up for it and have sent and received my exchange ornaments.

From my stitching partner DJ (her blog is tickledpinkinstitches), I received this beautiful flat fold ornament. The stitching is beautiful and so detailed. DJ stitched this on 54ct linen! My highest count so far is 40ct and I think that will be it.
My husband teased me that he was surprised that I didn't have an apron like this in real life.

Stitcher's Apron - Sue Hillis Designs
Fabric: 54ct linen, cream coloured
Received from DJ

For my stitching partner, Christine, I made a needle case (which she has received). On the inside of the needle case, there is a pocket to hold a packet of needles and/or a small pair of scissors as well as a felt section for pinning your needles. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the interior of the case but here is what the exterior looked like.

Let's stitch - Patty C, Hanging By A Thread

stitched on 28ct Cashel Lanbswool

DMC threads; 317, 613, 680, 931, 3011, 3750

Needle case closed - front

Needle case closed - back

This free design from Patty C was enjoyable to stitch and a copy of the pattern can be found here; just scroll down the page.

Finishes

Well, I finally made myself sit down and finish off some stitched projects. It was a slow process but I got there in the end. Two of these I can't show yet as they are for exchanges but the other two I can as they have been received.

First up is my double sided ornament of Anna and Elsa from Frozen. These were free mini projects from the Crafty Guild. I knew I had to finish these, sooner rather than later, as the tastes of a 2 year old girl can change quickly. Thankfully, Disney's Frozen is still popular.

Else - Crafty Guild
stitched on 28ct white evenweave

Anna - Crafty Guild
stitched on 28ct white evenweave

It was the birthday of a dear friend during the week so I stitched Lizzie Kate's 'Dogs leave paw prints'. This is the third time I've stitched this, so I think most of my dog loving family and friends have now got one. 

Dogs leave paw prints - Lizzie Kate
stitched on 28ct Permin Sandstone

Since it was St Patrick's Day last Tuesday, I baked a Porter Cake for my sewing group which met on Thursday. Most of the ladies were surprised to be served a cake which included Guinness but it was successful. Everyone took a second piece of the cake as well as a copy of the recipe I had used. Since I don't often bake, I was very pleased that they liked it. No photo of the cake as I never thought to take one.

I'm away for a few days next week but when I get back, I will be stitching on Alpine Seasons Garden again. It has been neglected during the past two months.