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 - 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.

Christmas in July

With the heatwave that seems to be covering Europe, Christmas is really the last thing on my mind. However, that doesn't stop me taking part in the Friendly Stitchers' Christmas/Winter in July exchange.

This year my exchange partner was Mouse (Tales of a Stitching Mouse) and here is my exchange gift from her. The mitten design is one I have admired so it's lovely to have my own ornament.

Friendly Stitchers' Christmas/Winter in July Exchange

from Mouse

Of course, it's not difficult to guess what was in the ornament I stitched for Mouse. Possibly the most surprising thing is that it wasn't a Just Nan design! (Yes, I have the Christmas mice; I just haven't started to stitch any of them yet).

Not a Creature was Stirring - Casey Buonaugurio

Just Cross Stitch December 2009

Fabric: 28ct Cashel Lambswool)?) linen

Gifted Gorgeousness - March and Stitcher's Day exchange

It's time for Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) again, which is organised by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. You can find out more about GG and how to take part here.

Most of my stitching during the past month has been for exchanges. The Stitcher's Day exchange at Friendly Stitchers is completed for me as I have sent and received.

My partner was Meari (Meari's Musings) and I stitched this scissor fob from The Sweetheart Tree as well as this hardanger matchbook needle case. I added Meari's initials and the year on one side of the fob. Unfortunately it was difficult to get decent photos of these, but at least I have a photographic record of them.

The Sweetheart Tree - Stitcher's Favorite Fob

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishment: Beads from own stash

 Hardanger matchbook needle case

I received this beautiful and handy thread keeper with two gorgeous Sparklies threads from Chris (no blog).

Thread Keeper with threads from Chris

Gifted Gorgeousness - October

Just squeezing in for Gifted Gorgeousness this month. As my 'show and tell' this month is all Halloween related,  if I don't do it now it will seem very out-of-date come mid November. As always for further information on Gifted Gorgeousness (what it is and how it works), please visit Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.

Some of this you will have already seen from my Halloween Blog Hop post. First up is the ornament I stitched for Mouse as part of Friendly Stitchers Halloween exchange.

Boo! - Brittercup Designs
Fabric: 28ct Cashel Light Mocha
Thread: Suggested DMC threads with the border
completed in Carrie's Threads 'Halloween'

In exchange I received this package of goodies from DJ of Tickled Pink in Stitches . DJ also made the Halloween themed scissor fob that came with the scissors. Thank you, DJ.

Friendly Stitchers Halloween Exchange
from DJ

To finish - I finally completed the needleroll that I was gifted from Sally of Stitchyangel's Treasures in her November giveaway last year. Thank you Sally, this was a fun stitch. I would now like to pass this pattern on, so I will do a separate giveaway post for this and the Brittercup Boo! design later this week. You can start your Halloween stitching early for next year ☺.

Frightful Halloween - Shepherd's Bush
Fabric: 32ct Belfast lilac
Threads: Recommended DMC and
Weeks Dye Works threads

Right side of needleroll

Left side of needleroll

Christmas in July Exchange

Now that my exchange partner has received her gift, I can now post about the Friendly Stitchers Christmas in July exchange.

I received this lovely ornament from Roz (no blog). The design is from the 2014 issue of Just Crossstitch Christmas ornaments.

Here is the ornament I sent to Deb (no blog). For those of you familiar with my designer preferences, it will come as no surprise that I stitched a Just Nan ornament. I think this is my first circular finish and it's definitely my first attempt at a double coloured cord. I followed Vonna Pfeiffer's YouTube instructions for the cording. Thank you Vonna.

Blitzen Glistens - Just Nan 2008 Christmas ornament
Fabric - 32ct Zweigart Natural Opalescent linen
Threads: Recommended DMC threads and beads

Stitcher's Day Exchange

I said that I would share with you the beautiful gifts I received from Meg (no blog, I think), my partner for the Stitcher's Day exchange over at the Friendly Stitchers Forum. Here they are!

Stitcher's Day Exchange- Friendly Stitchers
Gifts received from Meg

Meg's stitching and finishing are beautiful. The biscornu and scissor fob are so delicate looking. The scissors that came with the fob are really sharp (or maybe mine had got a little blunt and I hadn't noticed). Meg also had the great idea of including some DMC threads that we use regularly such as 310 and B5200. I admit that black (DMC 310) is one thread that I always seem to run out of and yet I would say that it isn't a thread that I use as often as some others.

Here is the front of the small stitching bag/ envelope that I sent Meg. I wrote about this in last post which you can find here. I also included some French stitching items of Bohin needles and dyed thread from Fils à Soso and Atalie.

Friends - Cosmic handmade
Fabric - 28ct evenweave white
Threads: Recommended DMC threads

I enjoy taking part in exchanges as I love stitching with a recipient in mind. At the same time, there is something pleasurable about searching for the 'right' chart and thinking about the finish that I enjoy. 

Gifted Gorgeousness - March

Gifted Gorgeousness is created by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Each month on (around) the 15th, we post about a project that we are stitching which uses anything that has been gifted to us or which we intend to give as a gift. If you click here, this will take you to Jo's blog and the links to the other stitchers who are taking part.

This month I have one finish and one almost finished project. I'll start with Halloweenies. I thought this was going to be a finish for this month's Gifted Gorgeousness. As I started stitching the final letter on Tuesday night, I had already begun to think about how I would finish this as a pillow. Then I spotted it! An error - I worked back on each of the 11 letters I had completed to discover I had made my mistake on H, the first letter. I had started it four threads too far to the left. How I didn't spot this sooner I don't know, for once I saw it, it was glaringly obvious.
As you can see from the photo below, I have yet to restart the lettering. I will ... this weekend ... .

Halloweenies - Plum Street Sampler

Fabric: Lakeside Linens 32ct Vintage Sand Dune

Threads: recommended  Gentle Art Sampler threads and Crescent Colour

But on to more successful stitching. I finished and posted this small project bag/envelope to my Friendly Stitcher's partner, Meg, for Stitcher's day. I will share what I received from Meg in a separate post.

With a little adaptation, I followed the instructions on Vonna Pfeiffer's YouTube tutorial and I was pleased with how it came out.

This is a free design from Cosmic Handmade which can be found here with some other free designs that she has placed online.

Friends - Cosmic Handmade
Fabric - 28ct evenweave white
Threads - Recommended DMC threads

Small pocket added to interior of bag

Back of project bag

Of course, making this bag wasn't all plain sailing. I was determined to add an interior pocket to hold scissors and a packet of needles. However, I forgot about it until I had sewed the sides. I didn't want to undo the side seams of the bag so I hand-stitched the pocket in. Moral of the story - remember to stitch the interior pocket in before stitching the sides!

On that thought, I will leave you for today. Have a good weekend and for those celebrating St. Patrick's day, have a good day.

Last exchange of 2016

I took part in a Christmas/Winter exchange at Friendly Stitchers and received these two beautiful ornaments and thread from Meg (Committed Stitcher).

Christmas/Winter exchange 2016 - Friendly Stitchers

In exchange I stitched The Drawn Thread's 'A Spot of Winter'. I had considered finishing it as a flat ornament or hanging ornament but felt it looked too large; so it was finished as a pillow. I replaced the snowflake charm with mistletoe as the charm I had was too large.

A Spot of Winter - The Drawn Thread
stitched on 32ct Smokey Pearl Belfast with recommended threads

Some 'finishing' finishes

I got my sewing machine out some days ago to complete some stitching as ornaments. Two of them I can't show yet as they are part of Christmas/Winter exchanges. I will show them when they have been received and opened by their recipients. In the meantime ...

I have finished the stitching I received from Joyce in the Friendly Stitcher's Unfinished exchange. I am pleased with this finish. Thank you once again Joyce for such a pretty design.

Autumn design - Unfinished exchange from Joyce now finished

For my youngest niece I decided to finish this design as a hanging ornament so that she has something soft to hold/squeeze (she likes her soft toys). I had thought to put cording around the edge but decided against it as she still likes to pull things apart. No point in putting temptation in her way.

Sweet Hugs Gingerbread Boy - Keepsake Stitches

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and DMC alternatives

Until next time, enjoy your stitching or whichever crafts have you engrossed at the moment.

Unfinished exchange

Over at Friendly Stitchers we had an unfinished exchange where you stitched something small and sent it with fabric / other notions to your partner who will decide how it should be completed.

My partner was Joyce (Joyce's Love of Life) and she sent me this lovely autumn design with some woollen material and ribbon. I haven't decided how I will finish it - maybe as a hanging ornament?

Autumn design - Unfinished exchange from Joyce

I stitched this Told In A Garden design 'Friendship quilt' and sent it with some backing fabric and a small canvas and easel stand (not shown). I'm curious to see how Joyce will finish it.

Friendship Quilt - Told In A Garden, The Bookmark Collection
Fabric: 28ct evenweave in a natural like colour
Threads: recommended DMC threads

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.