The Homespun Hare by Heartstrings/The Artists Collection

Here is a little preview to the chart I am trying to finish in time for Easter.  There are 4 bunnies in the series, I am presently stitching #2.  There are Scotch Stitches and Mill hill beads to add.  The colors are really pretty, very pastel (just perfect for easter).

This is my little Easter Tree embellished with wooden eggs and two designs from Lizzie Kate's Spring Crazy that I finished off with felt in an egg shape.

Here is the link to their site for more designs: The Artists Collection

 Fabric: 28 count white evenweave

 DMC colors: 368, 210, 224, 3823

Mill Hill Bead 3045

Wisper Thread: White (tail)

Mill Hill Beads Giveaway*** CLOSED***

This idea to giveaway some of my beads came while looking for some beads myself for one of my projects.  I had every number around 3044, but NOT 3044!!  I guess I will have to settle for 3045... I want to stitch this little bunny from Heartstrings "The homespun Hare", it is quite cute...anyway! lol

So here you go I am giving away 8 sets of BRAND NEW unopened Mill Hill Beads, the following numbers:
02004-03029-00275-03003-00561-03054-02009-62013

****The Winner is Virpi ****

Hope they will be great added to your collection and maybe they can fill in the missing colors!

Name will be drawn on SUNDAY MARCH 28 2010

Good Luck

Little Sparrow Stitch **Updated

I have a beautiful Maple tree in the front garden.  When we bought our home, couple of years ago, I also bought a birdhouse for the tree.  For the past couple of years, we have sparrows coming and making their nests.  The picture above is of the tree and the new little bird that has come to live and make it it's new home.

So, as you can imagine when I saw the pattern for the sparrow, I just had to stitch it. The design is made in full stitches and half stitches and a little of backstitching.  The legs were stitched 1 over 1 on the 32 count fabric.  The tail really comes to life with the half and full stitches.

an update to show it framed**

the colors were so similar to those of the sparrow

Mini Scissor FOB

I stitched this today for my friend Suzanne.  I hope that she will like it.  I used a hand dyed silk thread for the top of the FOB and a ready made "dangly".  I also added some beads in the middle of the flower.

The free chart can be found at this blog, Between crosses with Nina  Mini FOB .  It is quick to make and I think it makes a great gift.

Getting Organized

I am freak when it comes to organizing my things.  Everything has it's place.  I just can't stand having to look for something.  Because of my 2 young children, I lost my craft room.  So now things are even in tighter places.  Also the fact that their little hands love to go through my things and pull off my DMC thread number papers!!  So, I have this little DMC carry bag that I use to organize my stitching that I am presently doing.  the bag zips up all around and also looks pretty neat when left out.

When you open the bag you get a nice plastic cover area where you can store papers ect... and it zips up.  It comes with the plastic organizer for your theads that are on the "stitchbow" system... mine aren't but I do use it when my threads are nearing the end.  In the middle picture I have added other see thru folders that are a little bigger for odd size projects. At the very end, another little area that is plastified with pockets to put your needles, hoops, rulers.

With these see thu pockets I can still see what each contains!

This is my travel version, just big enought to fit a project that I can take with me and stitch

Stash!

It is always nice to top up your stash once in awhile.  My sister in law came over last night and brought  me some of DMC's Marbled fabric (aida), yes, I still stitch on Aida, it is only this year that I have started using linen/evenweave.  Also 3 packs of Linen (28ct), Holiday Light Effects and a box of 12 color variation threads (the patterns in there are pretty nice), the Newer version of all the DMC threads and some color infusion threads.  Pretty good packet?

Biscornu by Heirloom Embroideries

I was gob smacked when I opened the mail today.  All I can say is Wow and what a great design.  The colors are so soft and the specialty stitches are gorgeous.

Isin't it so beautiful?

I love everything about it.  The heart is just stunning

Another Giveaway***CLOSED**

The Winner is...

MEADOWS08

Here is another chance for you to win these two beautiful charts: Just in Time for Spring & St Patrick's Day
Lizzie Kate Spring Crazy
and
Tanya Meehan Shamrock Tidbit

To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post with an email address that I can contact you AND please leave a comment on any of the posts that I have made that you find interest you.

Good Luck

Drawing on March 17

LHN Exchange Snowflakes

 

This is the design that I chose to stitch for my partner Anna in Poland ( Anna's Blog ) in the LHN Exchange. I only stitched part of the design because I wanted to mount it on this basket.  I used filling so she can pin needles on as a cushion or just fill the basket with threads or simply decorate it.   

Fabric: Zweigart Hand dyed Mocha 28 ct

I love the snow on the tree

you can see that it is nicely puffed up to easily use as a pin cushion 

  

In her parcel I also included 2 charts:

Erica Michaels Signs of Spring

Dutch Treat Designs Angels watching Table topper 

 

Among The Roses by Just Nan

When I opened the parcel I had to rub my eyes as I could not believe how gorgeous this is.  The FOB that came along is so great, I don't have one of those and it just makes a perfect matching pair with the cushion.

Kate you have been great and spoinling me with all the extras.  I love the paper bird, you are so creative!  This will be treasured FOREVER! I love it!

Thank you xxx

look at the beauty! The FOB is just a perfect addition

just perfect! nestled amongst the flowers

Something Different to stitch

 

I am always looking for something different to stitch on and this time I think I did good.  The piece with the stamped red girls is linen and you have to stitch around it and finish it how you like.  I was thinking maybe putting my daughter's names or perhaps stitching the word Sisters.... not sure yet.

The square piece is a big piece 45"x 45" .  At first I thought to cut it up and make it as a curtain for the kitchen window, my other idea is to perhaps make it as a table cloth.  You can stitch both in the the white & natural color of the squares.  All I have to do is find a book or ideas that can help me create something as beautiful as the fabric.

My LHN Exchange Arrived

How lucky am I?  Wow, I cannot begin to say how much I love this little pin cushion.  It is weighed down with emery (I think) so your needles stay sharp when you pass them through

And look at all the goodies: Ribbons, floss (4050) Designer tissue, clips!!

Did I say thank you??

Thank you Aubree xxx

  

My Mom's Stitches

My love for cross stitch started when I was little and I would see my mom with these big printed canvases passing the needles in and out and creating art.  Here are just two of her finishes, that I had to have and now are hanging in my home (begged & pleeded and with alot of force lol).  They were done on printed canvas.
One day I will take  afew more shots of the ones she has hanging at her home.

I would have loved to find this as a pattern and stitch it myself.

Greek God Apollo playing an instument

Title: A Young Girl Reading

The French painter Fragonard inspired Mary Cassatt's painting of a woman reading 100 years later.

Summer Blossom Pillow by Brightneedle

This is such a pretty design. I love the soft muted colors.  This looks so pretty amongst my spring decorations.

Thank you Gillie for the lovely gift, I will always treasure it.

Lady Of The Mist by Mirabilla

This beautiful design was specialy made for my mom's birthday over a year ago.  I was over at their house yesterday and I had my camera with me so I snapped up the pictures to add it here.  I remember her reaction when she opened up the wrapping.  She looked at me and said "this is mine to keep?" lol

I have a wonderful mom and dad too, so this was a pleasure!

I find that the frame I chose really shows up all the lovely colors in the roses

a varitey of bead sizes were used to make a beautiful effect on the dress

Spring Time Is Calling

I get so happy when I see the blue skies coming in and the sun shinning!
The birds are out in the tree chirping away.... Spring is near.  
To celebrate Spring I decorate everything in festive colors to add light & color to the upcoming months.
I hope you enjoy my pictures to welcome Spring

Wreath Bellpull by Rico Designs

Awhile back I had a poll asking my readers which design to stitch first.  The Wreath from Rico had most votes and here it is today.  I replaced the stitches inside the flowers with Mill Hill beads #10071. You will find a Bead to DMC conversion Chart here it is very handy to print and keep.

This design is from the same book as my  Roses in a Row "Country Tradition Book #112"

I used a "Dusty Rose" color Stitching band and a wire Heart Hanger.

the two lovebirds are admiring their new love nest

My Little Heart SAL 2010

I finally decided to join a year long SAL at Sylvia's blog (Sylvia's SAL).  She posts 1 design a month and as you can see from January's design they are truly beautiful.  Keep an eye out on this post as I will be updating it every month.  To join click on her link ABOVE and you can download the patterns and start! It's still not too late!

Fabric Size:
On a 14/28ct 12x12" easily, but if you are planning to frame leave a couple of inches more 
Stitch count for the while design with heart border is 137w x 135h (this should give you a good guide for the fabric)
Border Instructions: 
there are 12 border in the design measuring 28 x 37 count.  You have to stitch these so your design fits in there.
THE OUTER BORDER (HEARTS) COLORS ARE GIVEN AS follow DMC: [|]355, [+] 815,[E] 3801, you can change them to please.
Go to Sylvia's Site to get the chart with Grid: Color Chart WITH Grid
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Part 3 March Luck

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Anchor To DMC

816 (border), 816 (heart color), 434 (mud), 367 (bow), 988 (clover), 799 (floaties)

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Part 2 February Birds

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Anchor To DMC for the Birds:

741 (Beak) 988 (leaves), 3705 (bird Breast), 437 (wing), 434 (bird body) hearts (816 is what I am stitching them in)

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Part 1 January Snowman

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