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Tuesday 27 February 2024

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.



Saturday 24 February 2024

Fully Finished Gallery and Smalls SAL - February

I'm doing these two link-up posts as one because the contents for each are the same this month.

Thank you Rachel for hosting the Smalls SAL. I don't always have something for it but I enjoy taking part.

I stitched these Valentine cards for Gill and Clare at Needlecraft Haven. Both of these are free designs. The Valentine Freebie can be found on Erin Elizabeth's Instagram feed for 6 Jan 2024 or her Facebook page and the Valentine Dragon can be found on Dragon Dreams Inc. Facebook page.

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

My sister received this hanging heart, a free design from October House Fiber Arts.

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

Finally, for the Chinese New Year I stitched a dragon keyring for my Chinese friends. This is the dragon from the 2010 dragon Valentine design on Clare's card.
Dragon from Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - Dragon Dreams Inc
Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads 



Wednesday 14 February 2024

Secret Stitching Sweetheart 2024

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching is again hosting this Valentine blog hop. To see all the stitched pieces in this blog hop please visit Jo's blog where she lists all those participating this year.

This stitching design makes me smile and it is appropriate for today. I have no idea who has stitched it so I'm looking forward to seeing whose work it is when they comment below on this post.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Tuesday 16 January 2024

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.



Saturday 23 December 2023

Gifted Gorgeousness - December 2023

It's hard to believe it is nearly the end of the year, making this the final blog post for Gifted Gorgeousness in 2023.  Hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, this is a good opportunity to share the crafty gifts we have made and/or received each month.

December the first was our exchange opening day at Needlecraft Haven. I stitched Clare a snowman ornament and a robin Christmas card. The robin is a free design from La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix which can be found here and the snowman is from a Brittercup Design that was gifted to me by Ursh, a former Needlecraft Haven member. The snowman is stitched on a fabric that was gifted. I've shown the back of the ornament as well as I was pleased to find I had a piece of fabric that would suit.

Christmas Robin - La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix
Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Newcastle white linen
Threads: DMC 349, 630, 869, 3363, 3767, 3831, 3841

Winter is in the air (scissor fob design) - Brittercup Designs
Fabric: 25ct Unknown  evenweave latte fabric
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Back of Snowman ornament featuring another Snowman

I received this pretty ornament and other items from Gill. The threads are gorgeous and I'm looking forward to using them. In real life the bells on this ornament look 3D. The chocolate didn't last too long (LOL).

Needlecraft Haven Christmas exchange from Gill

I have completed the stitching on the Just Nan travelling pattern Tea with Honey. I have stitched 2023 as the year of completion on the base. That is my incentive to fully finish it as a cube before the year ends.

Overview of completed stitching and beading
Tea with Honey - Just Nan
Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Flax Cashel linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Base of Tea with Honey with year added

Centre design of Tea with Honey

In 2022 Jardin Privé offered a free floral Temperature SAL on her site. I finally completed the stitching at the beginning of this week. I still intend to fully finish it as a cushion cover.

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 am stitching something for myself. My intention is to complete this reindeer design from Punch Needle & Primitive Stitching (PNPS) as a drum pincushion.

Reindeers Winter - Liezbeth Gottschall of Thistles,
in PNPS Winter 2015
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Belfast Natural linen with a gold thread
Threads: Suggested DMC threads except 3023 for 3024 and 3053 for 3052

I wish you all a Happy Christmas.





Friday 8 December 2023

Advent Blog Hop - 8th December

The Advent Blog Hop is again hosted by Jo, Serendipitous Stitching. There is an entry for each day up to and including the 24th December. Pop over to Jo's blog for the list of participants.

My winter/Christmas themed stitching that I'm sharing today is a Christmas Robin. This was due to be completed as an envelope but due to my miscalculations it's larger than that. I'm thinking of finishing it as a mounted flat-fold ornament. That won't happen until I find the safe place that I put it!

A Robin's Christmas - Lynne Nicoletti
Fabric: 28ct pale blue linen
Threads and beads: Recommended DMC and Wisper threads, Mill Hill beads

This year Jo asked us to share our favourite Santa traditions from our family or local area. The main thing I remember about Santa was that he came down the chimney in our bedroom (it is an old farmhouse) and left our toys at the foot of the bed. We were told that if we ever saw Santa delivering our presents that would be the final time he would visit us. Needless to say that left us with the quandary of who would risk getting out of bed during the night to see if our presents had been delivered. Someone usually did and we learnt in later years that we were usually awake not long after Santa had visited.

One summer there was great excitement when the chimney was cleaned and a small soft toy duck fell down it. As children we were convinced that it fell out of Santa's sack when he was leaving us the Christmas before. The mystery of how that unknown toy ended up there has never solved.

Enjoy your month of December.

Saturday 25 November 2023

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.

Tuesday 31 October 2023

Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop 2023

It's Halloween and time for Jo's annual Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop. If you want to make sure that you've collected all the letters for the mystery phrase make sure to go to Jo's blog where you will find the link to all this year's participants .

I've pulled out one of my favourite Halloween finishes from a few years ago. I like the quick and effective use of felt here.

Boo - Val's Stuff
JCS Halloween 2012
Fabric: Crafty Kitten 32ct Belfast Mottled Sage
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

This year my letter is:


and the next person in this blog hop is:

Tuesday 16 May 2023

Gifted Gorgeousness - May

Our Internet has been erratic this past month and the telephone company seem to be no closer to solving the problem, whatever the problem is. This will be a short post as I wish to get it up while I can.

First up is a quilted throw that I started back in late November. I followed Jenny Doan's tutorial (Missouri Star Quilt Co) on how to make this Double Friendship Star quilt. The recipient received it last month and was delighted with it. I admit I was pleased with it too.


Double Friendship Star - Missouri Star Quilt Co
Front

Double Friendship Star - Missouri Star Quilt Co
Label and close up of quilted star

Double Friendship Star - Missouri Star Quilt Co
Back

My other item of Gifted Gorgeousness is my long delayed start to Tea with Honey. This is a Travelling Pattern which Jo has passed on to me. After debating which colour fabric to use as I had no Light Sand Cashel linen I settled on Flax. Then I discovered that Light Sand is also know as Latte! I'm glad that I'm happy with Flax as I would hate to restart this project. Oh, I've just noticed that I've missed some stitching in the green border. I must fill that in first thing later today.

Tea with Honey - Just Nan
Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Flax Cashel linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

If you are not familiar with Gifted Gorgeousness which is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, you can find the full details of how it operates here.



Monday 10 April 2023

Fully Finished Gallery and an Easter Exchange

I hope you all had a good Easter Sunday. As I participated in Needlecraft Haven's Easter exchange (hosted by Clare) I have some Fully Finished items to show.

I stitched this free 2011 Easter Heart design from Aliolka for Christine.

Easter Heart - Aliolka
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage pale blue Belfast linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads but substituted DMC 3078 for 727

As Christine often shares cat images I couldn't resist stitching this free Janie Hubble design of a cat in an eggshell for her as well. Sadly this design no longer seems to be available.

Krazy Kitty's Easter - Janie Hubble Designs
Fabric: 32ct Zweigrart White Belfast linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads but substituted DMC 703 for 704 and DMC 415 for 318

Though she organised the exchange, Clare didn't take part, so as a Thank you I stitched this free design from My Fanny. I omitted the word 'Easter' from the original design.

Easter - My Fanny Design
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique White linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I also included this Hardanger card.

Hardanger cross - Designer unknown
Fabric - 32ct Fabric Flair unknown colour
Threads: DMC Perle 8 Ecru, unknown DMC soft pink and green

Over the Valentine season Clare and I stitched a card for each other. I stitched this Friendship card which was special to me as I had received the design kit in a previous Valentine Exchange from Angie, one of Needlecraft Haven's departed members.


Friendship - Carolyn Meachan, Serendipity Designs Kit
Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Natural Linen (replacing Aida in kit)
Threads: DMC as provided in kit



Friday 7 April 2023

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop

Hello again and welcome to the next step in the Easter Treasure Hunt.  This Blog Hop is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. To learn more about this Hop and find all the letters to complete the mystery phrase, please head over to Jo's where she lists all the participants with links to their blog.

My letter for the blog hop is:

K

The next letter in the Hop can be found with Mouse of Tales of a Stitching Mouse

Most of my Easter stitching has been gifts which I will show later but for now I will share this Hardanger card which I have stitched a number of times. 


Hardanger cross - Designer unknown
Fabric - 32ct Fabric Flair unknown colour
Threads: DMC Perle 8 Ecru, unknown DMC soft pink and green

Wishing you all a Happy Easter.


Friday 2 December 2022

Advent Calendar Blog Hop 2022

Sorry, I've just discovered that this blog post disappeared. I wondered why I received just one comment. I hope it stays up this time

I might not have been stitching recently but I didn't want to miss Jo's Advent Blog Hop. Each person taking part posts a photo of something we have stitched with a Christmas or Winter theme. In addition we answer a question which this year is "What's for Afters?", otherwise known as dessert.

Jo has listed this year's participants for each day here. Day 3 will be from Clare at Aimetu's Stitching.

My photo is a small Christmas ornament called Joy Ambigram by Meg Shinall of The Flower Thread Company. This design features in The Gift of Stitching, Issue 69, November 2011. The fact that the word "Joy" in the design is an ambigram (can be read right-side-up or upside down) appealed.

Joy Ambigram - Meg Shinall, The Flower Thread Company

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Linen

Threads: DMC - Blanc; Carrie's Creation - Frosty Pine, Colonial Red

Growing up we always had a choice of 'After's' on Christmas Day. It was either Christmas Pudding with custard or Sherry Trifle with whipped cream. I usually chose the Christmas Pudding and had my Sherry Trifle in the evening. As Christmas Pudding isn't a 'thing' in France, I settle for keeping the tradition going with Sherry Trifle and the second choice of dessert is a butter cream chocolate Buche Noel.