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

Gifted Gorgeousness - July

Getting in just in time again for Gifted Gorgeousness. Things seemed to be so busy at the moment with visiting friends or having visitors.

As a reminder, Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Each month ideally 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'd like to sign up, you can find out more about it, here.

I haven't done a lot this past month but I have been stitching on this dilly bag. All the small pieces have been stitched together and my next task is to quilt these before adding the other parts of the bag. Even though I have the instructions, I'm not entirely sure how I will put it together as I have to add a top part, the base and an interior fabric. It I get stuck, it won't be finished until October as that is when I return to my patchwork group. I'm one of those people who finds it easier to follow instructions when someone shows me how to do something rather than reading a given set of 'how-to' directions. It I can picture it in my head, I can make progress.

This bag is for me to hold my stitching notions when I go to patchwork but the fabrics for it were gifted to me by Deb (no blog) and Mouse (Tales of a stitching mouse). By chance they each gave me red and white fabrics and I have enjoyed using them for this bag.

Dilly bag in progress

My 10-a-day

It's 5-a-day for fruit and vegetables but I'm supplementing my healthy intake with 10 stitches a day :)

I've haven't done a progress update on Just Nan's Mermaid Heart since February when it looked like this.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

At day 194 it looks like this. I am over halfway in completing this.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

As always the photo doesn't do the project justice. The pinks and purples really 'pop'. I was beginning to lose interest in this project but now that I'm stitching the infills, the colours have renewed my interest.

As a reminder, this is a Facebook SAL where the objective is to stitch 10 stitches per day on a project with about 3,650 stitches so that you have a finish by the end of the year. This will be a lovely finish for the end of 2017.

Gifted Gorgeousness - June

Between a holiday and visiting family and friends, I've been travelling most of this month so I'm getting in just in time for June's Gifted Gorgeousness.

Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Each month ideally 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'd like to sign up, you can find out more about it, here.

First up are the beautiful gifts I received from Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. I was a winner in her Easter blog hop and knowing my love of Just Nan designs, she sent me the pattern and rabbit charm for Tiny Bunny Biscornu. Thank you, Jo. I love this design and the mini eggs, of course. My love of stitching and chocolate satisfied in one fell swoop. ☺

Easter blog hop treasure hunt prize
from Jo of Serendipitous Stitching

Those of you who know Clare of Aimetu's Sitching will be aware that she had a bad fall some weeks ago. In the hope that it would brighten her day, I made and sent her this project envelope.

Front

Back

Interior

Once I saw these two fabrics, I immediately thought of Clare. Knowing her love of France I had to make her something from them. I followed Vonna,The Twisted Stitcher's YouTube instructions (found here) but made a slight amendment by cutting the external fabric so that I could have the Eiffel Tower standing upright when the envelope is closed (Back). I was pleased with the end product.



Now that I am back home, I will be able to get back to stitching and will hopefully have some new projects to share with you soon.

Finished - Patchwork de Chouettes

I've enjoyed stitching this project as the colour combinations have been so delightful. I've got Eiffel Quaker lined up for my next Jardin Prive project later this year. It will only need 3 different coloured threads compared to the 22 different colours that there were in this design.

Patchwork de Chouettes - Jardin Privé
Fabric: 32ct Light Mocha Belfast linen
Threads: recommended DMC threads

Gifted Gorgeousness - May

It's time for Gifted Gorgeousness again. This is hosted 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'd like to sign up, you can find out more about it, here.

I haven't touched Halloweenies during this past month but I managed to progress some patchwork. As a result I have a finish and a WIP to show.

I finally finished the doll's quilt last week and it is now with its new owner. Her dolls love it, she tells me :)
It was definitely a learning experience on this small quilt as I made a few errors such as making my binding too narrow. Oh well, live and learn.

Over the past couple of years I have received fabric in exchanges with Mouse (Tales of a stitching mouse) and Deb (no blog). I am using them to make a dilly bag (a small bag) for myself. Is there another name for this style of bag? I can only think of dilly bag. Please let me know as I am interested in that type of thing.
I like my mix of red and whites. All being well, it will be finished for the next update.

Pour l'Amour du Fil - Nantes

On the 20th April, I was in Nantes for the Pour L'Amour du Fil exhibition. It was my first time and I was looking forward to seeing the work of international quilting designers, as well as doing some shopping.
The exhibition did not disappoint. I got to meet the lovely Judy Newman who signed her new book for me.

I had a great time. It truly was an international exhibition - exhibitors, retailers and attendees. If you ever think you would like to go, I'd definitely recommend it. Nantes city was lovely and it made a great weekend break.
What follows are some photos of the work I saw displayed.

Pendle Hill - Di Ford Hall
I'd love to make this

Embroidered Friendship postcards

Haven't got the designer's name

Gifted Gorgeousness - April

Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted 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. You can sign up at any time and if you would like to do so, the rules can be found here.

April has been a busy month for gifted gorgeousness. In my previous post, if you haven't seen it already, you can read about the gifts I made and received in Needlecraft Haven's Easter Exchange. I'm also including my chocolate egg as that ribbon will be used sometime ☺.

Here's a close-up of the Easter ornament I made for Christine.

Peter Cottontail - Just Nan
Fabric - 28ct Blue Cashel linen
Threads: recommended DMC threads

I have no photo of Plum Street Samplers' 'Halloweenies' this month as I found another counting error in my stitching! Now that I've spotted it, my eye is drawn to it every time and I can see the misalignment between motifs. I've put it to one side for a few days until I feel ready to face it again.

I had a lot happening end of January/February and though I found comfort in my stitching then, my counting was obviously all over the place. Maybe next month I'll have more positive news about it.

Until then, enjoy your stitching.

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.

Contrasting fabrics

The lady who leads our patchwork group asked us to use strong contrasting fabrics when making our schoolhouse blocks. With this blue polka dot and white combination I think I achieved the contrast. This was all stitched and quilted by hand and though I lost interest at one point with stitching so many pieces together, I'm pleased with the final product. This has been finished as a small wall hanging.

One of my friends said that the polka dots made it look as if it was snowing. I think I agree.

Schoolhouse quilt block
Finished size - approx. 33cm x 32cm

Next week we are using fabric scraps which are any length and at least 3cm wide to make blocks. I have no idea what to expect from this exercise, so watch this space.

Owls

Not one but two owl projects this time!
I've completed part four of my Patchwork de Chouettes SAL as seen below. I am partway through part five and I hope to show that next week. The more I stitch this project, the more I fall in love with the colours used.

Patchwork de Chouettes - Jardin Privé
Fabric: 32ct Light Mocha Belfast linen
Threads: recommended DMC threads

My next owl was a group project in our sewing group. Many of the ladies made a number of these owls but for now I've settled for one. However, I think I will be making a second one before the summer as my nieces have shown an interest in owning this one. So I think they will have one each.

Owl with hearts