November's stitching update

You can tell that cooler weather has arrived as I'm blogging again.

I have four projects on the go at the moment and I'm trying to give them all some time each week. Just by chance they are all projects that have been gifted to me.

Apple Blossom Biscornu - Faby Reilly Designs

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique White Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3689 used for 604

Note: Gifted from Clare

Frosty Forest - Country House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Clare

Santa's List - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Justine

Summer Bookmark Kit - The Textile Heritage Collection

Fabric: Black Aida band in kit

Threads: In kit

Note: Christmas gift from Gill

This afternoon I will be stitching again on the summer bookmark. I expect to complete the cross stitching and hopefully start the backstitching.

Gifted Gorgeousness June

 Just slipping in on the last day of June to share my Gifted Gorgeousness (GG). This is hosted by Jo and this month's participants can be found here along with a summary of how GG works. 

I finished adding the beads to my Christmas Crew project. The pattern and fabric were gifted to me by Clare. After I've cut the Hardanger, I just need to fully finish it. Given our current heat wave I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Christmas Crew - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I've also started stitching Country Cottage Needleworks' Frosty Forest series. This is also gifted from Clare. I'm stitching this as a single piece with a view to completing it as a cushion cover and I've added a border as I've seen in some other projects.

Frosty Forest series - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I don't expect to complete much stitching in July as in this heatwave I only feel fit to drink water and read. Have a relaxing and comfortable month.

Gifted Gorgeousness and an Easter Exchange

April is nearly over but I'm in time to show my Gifted Gorgeousness for this month. It's a good job that Jo leaves the link-up open until the end of the month. If you want to learn more about Gifted Gorgeousness, please follow this link. 

I've completed the stitching on Christmas Crew and since this photo was taken I've started adding the beads. Though gifted many years apart, the chart and the fabric are both gifts from Clare. 

Christmas Crew - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

We had an Easter exchange at Needlecraft Haven and I received these beautiful threads, ornament and card from Gill. My Spring themed ornament will be hanging near my fireplace for another few weeks.

NH Easter Exchange items received

Close up of my Spring themed ornament

Christine was my partner and I sent her a Spring themed ornament with thread and chocolates.

NH Easter Exchange sent

Spring Time - SubRosa Design, PNPS, Spring 2017

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha

Threads: Suggested DMC threads but used 372 for 371 and 3064 for 407

I didn't spend any time  on Chatelaine's Alpine Seasons Garden in April but I should have some progress to show next month.

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.

Gifted Gorgeousness - January 2025

Welcome to Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) for 2025. I hope to have more to show this year than last. GG is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and here is the link to the sign-up page and details of what makes a gifted item. In essence it is an opportunity to celebrate any stitching related gifted item that you've made or received. It's hard to believe that it is ten years since Jo started hosting it.

This will be a relatively picture heavy blog post as I sent and received a number of stitching gifts at Christmas. I sent the following ornaments to my friends at Needlecraft Haven.

For Julie:

Snow Birds - Country Cottage Needleworks, 

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments 2013

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Pearl linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads, except 3347 substituted for 3346

Embellishments: White chenille aran wool used for trim

For Clare:

Oh Christmas Tree - Little House Needleworks 

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Natural opalescent linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: DMC ecru and 814 thread for cord trim

For Gill:

Snow Globe Cookie Small - Shannon Christine Designs 

Fabric: The Crafty Kitten Brittney Ltd. Ed. Opal,

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: White chenille aran wool used for trim

For Christine:

Britty Christmas Kitten - Brittercup Designs, 

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments 2005

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads, stitched 2 over 2

Embellishments: DMC 523 and 3012 thread for cord trim

I received these beautiful gifts for Christmas.

From Christine:

Seasonal red and green Anchor threads on an owl thread keeper.

I can keep my lip gloss to hand while stitching as it now has its own holder

From Clare: 

Ornaments, chart, threads and chocolate

From Gill:

A Fuchsia bookmark kit

From Gill:

My Needlecraft Haven Christmas exchange ornament

From Julie:

A scarf for wearing to my crossstitch group (and on other occasions)

From Family:

This kit will be my first attempt at Needle Felting

For Christmas 2023, Clare gifted me Faby Reilly's Lily of the Valley biscornu chart. I had high hopes of finishing it for May Day 2024. Instead it became my first finish of 2025. My finish isn't quite square but it looks good.

Lily of the Valley Biscornu - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 32ct Natural linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

Embellishments: Recommended metallic thread and beads

Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished Gallery

I have two finished ornaments which both qualify as Fully Finished and Gifted Gorgeousness items this month. To learn more about both of these monthly SALs visit this link at Serendipitous Stitching for Gifted Gorgeousness and here at The Ten Hour Stitcher for Fully Finished Gallery

The first ornament you will have already seen as it was my Needlecraft Haven Autumn Exchange piece for Clare .

Autumn Bliss - Tracey Richards of Wrought Iron Stitching, Just CrossStitch, Autumn 2024

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: Black pompom

This second ornament was completed for a little girl who loves anything to do with space and the planets. She loved it. I've already helped her find out what she needs to do to become an astronaut. I found this free design on Durene Jones' Facebook page.

Your're Out of this World - Durene Jones

Fabric: 32ct Winter Sunset linen fromThe Crafty Kitten

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except Dmc 728 used for DMC 725

Embellishments: Blue/grey chenille wool for trim

I should have more to show next month as my Christmas stitching is under way. It seems no time since I was last Christmas stitching.

Valentine Exchange and Gifted Gorgeousness - February 2024

I'm just getting in before the end of the month with my Gifted Gorgeousness. As always, the details of how Gifted Gorgeousness(GG) works can be found on Jo's blog, Serendipitous Stitching.

I delayed posting this month as I wanted to show my absolutely completed finish of Just Nan's Tea with Honey with a halfway decent photograph. However, the weather has been so dull I find it hard to take reasonable photographs. It's early afternoon while I'm writing this and it's dark enough to need a lamp on. So that photo will have to wait until next month.

First up is my Valentine Exchange at Needlecraft Haven. This year we had a non-stitchy Valentine exchange. Participants sent their partner a card, socks, a free or used chart and a sweet treat.

I received these socks and sweets from Christine along with this pretty Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting cottage chart. Given my sweet tooth, the sweet treats didn't last long!

Needlecraft Haven Valentine Exchange from Christine

 I sent a stitched card to Clare and Gill.

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

Clare was my exchange partner and though I sent the other exchange items to her I forgot to take a photo but you can see them on Clare's blog here.

Since my last GG post it's been my birthday and I received these stitching related gifts.

Pattern for a thread catcher bag and two skeins of thread from Clare

Four Christmas themed embroidery designs with their hoop frames from a family member

It's several years since I stitched traditional embroidery so I'm looking forward to sewing these. Realistically, I will only be stitching on one of them this year.

The following items you will have seen in my previous post for the Fully Finished Gallery and Small SAL so I will add no further comment on them.

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

Dragon from Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads 

So, a busier than usual month for me with sending and receiving gifts and I love them all.

Fully Finished Gallery and Gifted Gorgeousness - January 2024

Rachel, The Ten Hour Stitcher and Jo of Serendipitous Stitching continue to host The Fully Finished Gallery and Gifted Gorgeousness respectively. If you click on the link for their blog, it will take you to the page which explains how you can take part if you wish.

With Christmas gifts I have plenty of GG to show this month but I will start first with my Fully Finished item. It's the Jardin Privé temperature SAL from 2022. I finished it as a cushion which will be on display in the spare bedroom. As you can see, January was the coldest month in 2022 and we had a long, hot summer.

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

I have also finished Just Nan's Tea with Honey. My cube is ready and waiting for my miniature tea set to arrive. When I've added the tea set pins to the cube I will post a photo in February's Fully Finished Gallery SAL.

My dear friends at Needlecraft Haven sent me the following gifts:

Gift from Clare

Chart, fabric and thread for Faby Reilly's Lily of the Valley Biscornu

Santa Ornament

Clare gifted a Faby Reilly biscornu chart, fabric and threads to each of her Needlecraft Haven friends and those of us who wish to, are stitching our gift as part of Needlecraft Haven's Biscornu SAL.

Gift from Gill

Charts are Little House Needleworks Woodland Sampling and 

Bianca's Scissor Pocket from The Cat's Whiskers. 

Two skeins of silk thread from Dinky Dyes

Gift from Julie

Socks, ribbon and a finished ornament, 

Mary and Joseph from Shepherd's Bush

Thank you once again Clare, Gill and Julie.

Gifted Gorgeousness - November 2023

It's  a good job that Jo keeps the link up page for Gifted Gorgeousness open until the end of the month, otherwise I would have missed another month. If you visit Jo's blog you can find the other Gifted Gorgeousness posts for November.

Needlecraft Haven held an Autumn exchange at the end of October and I took part. I stitched this flat ornament for Julie. I now need to stitch this design again so that I have it for myself. I already have Spring and Summer completed as small pillows.

Spot of Autumn- The Drawn Thread

Fabric - 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha linen

Threads - Suggested DMC threads

Charm - Acorn charm from stash

I received this pillow from Christine. I love the Hips (I think they are hips and not haws) as they remind me of walking home from primary school along a country backroad.

For those of you who might be interested, an explanation of the difference between the two berries can be found here.

Needlecraft Haven Autumn Exchange

Received from Christine

I've not stitched much this year but I have returned to working on Just Nan's Tea with Honey. This is a travelling pattern that has been temporarily gifted to me from Jo.

Tea with Honey - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Flax Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Until next time, enjoy your stitching.

Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished Gallery - September 2022

At Needlecraft Haven we exchanged summer themed pincushions. This is the pincushion that I sent to Julie using a free design from Hello at Liz Mathews and it is my sole Fully Finished item for the past month.

Summer Celebration Small - Hello from Liz Mathews

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

In return I received this beautiful sunflower pincushion and threads from Gill. The sunflower is appropriate as so much of the surrounding countryside is full of them during July and August.

I also sent to Clare these two initials (J and Q) for her church Christmas tree. If you read her blog you will have seen her finishing of these here. The J initial is a free design from Fox and Rabbit Designs' Cherry Monogram Pincushion.

 J from Cherry Monogram Pincushion- Fox and Rabbit Designs

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Blue linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads but substituted Atalie's Carmen for red

Q from Country Alphabet - Leisure Arts

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Silver Moon linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

For those of you unfamiliar with Jo's Gifted Gorgeousness and Rachel's Fully Finished Gallery SALs, further details can be found here and here.

Until next time, enjoy your leisure interests.