End of April update

These past few weeks have flown by and it will soon be my busy May and June period when stitching will virtually dry up.

I took part in the Needlecraft Haven Spring exchange. I sent Gill a hanging ornament of the word Spring. I took this from the Just Nan sampler 'A Breath of Spring'. I also stitched an Easter card with the 2008 Dragonlet by Dragon Dreams. Of course I forgot to take a photo of that.

Spring from Just Nan's 'A Breath of Spring

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Cream Belfast linen

Threads: DMC 610, DMC Ecru

From Julie I received this pretty rabbit spring ornament, threads, flower seeds and card.

A close up of my rabbit spring ornament.

Last week I fully finished Just Nan's 'Spring in the Square'. The other three seasons will be fully finished as the year progresses.

Spring in the Square - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishment: Swan Lake Gold Visions charm, cording DMC 520 and 522 thread

Even though I have a couple of larger projects that I could be working on, I just want to stitch on smaller projects at the moment. That is why I started and finished stitching Just Nan's 'Summer Stroll'. For some reason I want to go through my Just Nan stash.

Summer Stroll - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Platinum Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishment: Embellishment pack JNB34

For a change of pace, I've also picked up a knitting project that I started a couple of years ago. More accurately I should describe this as a restart because I had a partially finished sock and had no idea where I was in relation to the pattern. This is what I knitted so far and I'm determined to keep going until I have a finished pair of socks. I'm knitting the free Easy Cable Sock from Winwick Mum.

Easy Cable Sock - Winwick Mum

Needles: DPN 2.75mm

Wool: Rico Design Superba Klassig 4 ply, No. 405 (discontinued)

Have a good week wherever you are.

End of 2025 and early 2026 update

I like my catchy blog titles, Ha! Ha!

For Christmas I received lovely stitching and craft gifts from my Needlecraft Haven friends as you can see in the photo below.

Presents received from Needlecraft Haven friends

We also had our Christmas ornament exchange at Needlecraft Haven. I received this pretty Mrs Claus in the kitchen ornament from Julie.

NH Christmas Ornament received from Julie

I sent this Just Nan 2008 Christmas reindeer ornament to Gill.

Blitzen Glistens - Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Opalescent Belfast linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Charm pack purchased with chart

Before the end of 2025 I finished stitching on four projects but they still have to be fully finished.

First is the bookmark kit from Gill that I had nearly finished in November.

Summer Bookmark Kit - The Textile Heritage Collection

Fabric: Black Aida band in kit

Threads: In kit

Note: 2024 Christmas gift from Gill

Second was Santa's List.

Santa's List - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Justine

Third was Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Christmas

Lady Scarlet's Christmas - Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Flax Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

By mid December I fancied stitching something different so I pulled out Just Nan's 'Spring in the Square'.  This was a project that I had kitted for a New Year start in 2023 so it was ready to go. This design stitched up quickly and made my fourth finish for November/December. I just need to add the central charm and mount it on a canvas frame and it's completely finished. I  love the colours in this design.

Spring in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Swan Lake Gold Visions charm - to be added

Naturally I wanted to follow this up with Just Nan's 'Winter in the Square' so I started this in the New Year. Progress on this has been slower due to its snowflake border. Last night I fell into the trap of just wanting to complete a few more stitches before bed. That was a mistake as I miscounted and now will need to removed some pale lilac stitches from the inner left hand corner. 

Winter in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Winter Sheep Gold Visions charm - add on completion

If I managed to keep this level of activity up throughout 2026 I would have a very productive year. However I know that is unlikely to happen as I always seem to have a slump when the summer season arrives.

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.

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!
                     

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 Treasure Hunt Blog Hop

Hurrah, my Internet connection is letting me load me pictures this morning. So, a belated welcome to the Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop organised by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Each blog taking part features some Easter and/or Spring themed stitching and a letter which will spell out a mystery phrase. Hop over to Jo's Easter Treasure Hunt blog post to start your search to find where to collect all the letters for the phrase. When you know what the phrase is, return to Jo's blog and leave a comment with your answer.

My Easter stitching isn't quite finished so here is a Spring design that I finally finished as an ornament recently.

Spot of Spring - The Drawn Thread

Last, but not least here is my letter 'R' for the mystery phrase. If you 'hop' over to Tickled Pink in Stitches you can collect your next letter.

I forgot to say

I was so pleased with the items that I received in my recent exchanges, I forgot to show what I had stitched for my exchange partners.

For my Needlecraft Haven partner, Christine, I stitched this Spring sewing pocket found at Createand decorate

Spring Bunny Sewing Pocket -  Terry Loewen
Stitched on 28ct Natural Cashel linen

and for my Friendly Stitcher's partner, Thoeria, I stitched this needlecase for Stitcher's Day. The pdf for this free design can be found here.

Coeurbroderie2 - sablaise.over-blog.com
Stitched on 32ct natural Belfast linen

I enjoyed choosing each of these designs. For me, one of the things I like about exchanges (other than the surprise of receiving something beautiful from another stitcher) is that I HAVE to finish my stitching as something. I'm not very good at finishing my stitching for myself. Left to my own devices, a completed piece of stitching is often put in a drawer and just taken out to be admired now and again. In contrast, the stitched gifts I receive are displayed in a basket where I can see them every day.

Is not finishing stitching for yourself a common affliction or am I in the minority?