Simple Joys and Other Pleasures

Thank you all so much for your kind words on my Ah, 'Tis Spring finish. I forgot to mention that the chart calls for two skeins of DMC 3848 (or WDW Dove if using the conversion). Since I did mine on 35ct fabric using one thread, I only needed one skein, though I didn't have much left over from that skein. The pattern was a joy to stitch, and now my Mum wants to stitch it too!

Talking of joy, I've just had a look at Little House Needleworks blog and saw some new releases. I love all three of them! These pictures are from their site.

Simple Joys by Little House Needleworks

The Mercantile by Little House Needleworks

The Merry Skater by Little House Needleworks

Diane has done well with these ones. I love how The Mercantile has Post Office included because that's where I work. So I think I'll definitely have to stitch this one some day.

Not much else happening. Haven't started a new project yet but thought I'd do a quick update on my blog. Have a pleasant weekend!

Strawberry House ~ finished!

Well, here it is! I have finally finished Strawberry House. I took the slow road on this journey, but I got there in the end.

DESIGNER - Little House Needleworks

PATTERN - Strawberry House chart

FABRIC - 30ct R & R Creek Bed Brown

THREADS - Crescent Colours and DMC (2 over 2)

BUTTONS - Just Another Button Company

STARTED - 12 September 2009

FINISHED - 4 October 2009

I worked on it last night and today to get it finished. I really didn't want to have it sitting there waiting to be finished for much longer. If you had the time, you could complete this one within a week. It's a nice, simple pattern from their All Dolled Up series.

Though I love the colour of the fabric, it was fairly stiff to work with. It's funny how some fabrics are like this and others are quite soft.

I've added the Just Another Button Company buttons to my work in keeping with the 'Dolled Up' theme. I always love if you can add buttons, charms, or embellishments to a design. Really adds appeal and interest.

So onto my next project. I've had a few things run through my mind while working on Strawberry House. None of them I've settled on though. Since it's October and Halloween is at the end of the month, I may sort through some of these patterns to do. I can feel a SB one will pop out and one that's in kit form so I don't have to look for any supplies for it. I wonder what I'll choose...

Trying to get back to it

I was in two minds as to whether to keep going with Strawberry House, or to pick up something new. I've decided to stick with it and try to finish it off. I sat down yesterday and managed to get most of the house completed.

Strawberry House - 27 September 2009

Lately I've been busy over the weekends and tired during the week after I get home from work. So my needlework hasn't taken priority, unfortunately. I guess we all go through different stages with our stitching.

I'm still waiting for some lovely weather to come my way. This past weekend was like going back to the depths of Winter. Cold temperatures, and rain like we haven't seen in such a long time. A large part of Australia has been in a drought for the past decade, we're on water restrictions, and our dams are at extremely low levels (especially in Victoria). So any sign of rain is good, but the cold temperatures I hate. Oh to live in a warmer climate - what a dreamer I am. :)

Laying the brickwork on this house

I was able to stitch some on Sunday and have started doing the brickwork on the Strawberry House. I haven't added anything more since, as some might have hoped, so here's where I'm at for the moment.

Strawberry House - 13 September 2009

A little news on Shepherd's Bush for those of you who are fans. I was reading someone's blog the other night (sorry, I can't remember which one) and came across this link for the upcoming St Charles Market this month. If you scroll down to the details about SB this is what you'll read...

Shepherd's Bush - Ogden, UTBooth(s): 512

Make our room the first stop in your St. Charles Market shopping. We have something for everyone, Halloween, Christmas and a wonderful new surprise that is traditional Shepherd's Bush. We are showing the new Stocking and will have patterns and a limited supply of charm packs. We have some great items you can pay and take with you and other marvelous designs to order to come later. Don't be a lost sheep and miss out. See you soon. www.shepherdsbush.net

The bit that caught my eye was '...a wonderful new surprise that is traditional Shepherd's Bush'. I got all excited reading this, and my mind went into overdrive trying to think of what it might be. A new Gatherer, one of their traditional samplers, what else could it be? If anyone has any ideas themselves, or has any other information about this, I would love to know. Please leave your comments after this post.

Well, I best be off for now. Time is moving on and it's another work day tomorrow. Let's hope I have some more stitching to show very soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Strawberry House - finally started!

After a lazy week, needlework wise, I've finally made a start on Strawberry House. I began yesterday by doing the border first (hoping I'm not out with my counting). It's not a very big piece, so I like the way the border frames the design as you work on the inner picture, in these smaller projects. Not a lot to show photo wise, at this early stage though.

LHN Strawberry House - started 12 September 2009

As mentioned in my last post, I'm doing this one on 30ct Creek Bed Brown by R & R. It's being worked with two threads over two.

I usually find it takes longer to start a new project. Working out the fabric you're going to use, finding the threads (sometimes you may substitute), counting out the start position if you're not working from the centre of a design, and so on. For this reason I don't always start something new straight after a finish. I've also been getting home from work lately feeling pretty tired, and not in the mood to be starting a new needlework pattern. Hopefully now that I've started though, I'll get into it a lot more.

I'll do this one next

I was looking through my stash today to try to find my next project. A difficult task it was since I have too many things to choose from. :) I could have picked half a dozen things, but I either didn't have fabric ready for it or threads not on hand. Since I didn't want to waste too much more time in selecting something, I have chosen to do another LHN All Dolled Up series called Strawberry House. I had the fabric ready, Crescent Colours threads there, and all I needed to do was to pick out the DMC threads from my stash.

LHN - Strawberry House kitted

I'm going with their selection of fabric which is a 30ct Creek Bed Brown. It's a natural colour with some warmth to it. I have stitched with this fabric before and quite like the colour. All threads are what's called for except one. The DMC 3823 which is supposed to be a light yellow, I have substituted for 712 being a pale cream. I didn't have the 3823 on hand and the picture on the chart looks more like a cream than a yellow, so I went for that look. It picks up the colour of the rosebud button on the house, so I thought it would balance it out.

It's Fathers Day here tomorrow, so I'll be visiting my beloved Dad. He's such a wonderful man, very loving, and would help me whenever I needed it. Growing up, I've felt very protected by him. It's nice to say thanks to him in a formal way for being my father.

Since I'll be out for most of tomorrow, I'm not sure when I'll start this next project. Hopefully in the next few days anyway. I'll be sure to let you know when I do. :)

I also wanted to show you the new leaves on my Maple tree that's in my front garden. It's Spring here now (though the weather can sometimes still be a little chilly) and the plants are starting to put on new growth. It's lovely to see things come alive again after the Winter and seeing a little more sun during the day. Our days are starting to get longer and daylight savings will be around again by the end of next month. I love it! More light at night time means I feel more in the mood for stitching. Bring it on!!

Queen Bee ~ finished with her jewelled crown

Fit for a Queen, she is now all finished up and wearing her jewelled crown.

DESIGNER ~ Little House Needleworks

PATTERN ~ Queen Bee chart

FABRIC ~ 35ct WDW Straw

THREADS ~ Crescent Colours (Antique Lace, Hickory Sticks, Queen Bee) & DMC (644, 780, 3011, 3740)

STARTED ~ 23 August 2009

FINISHED ~ 30 August 2009

My Queen Bee has been adorned with those golden beads, and they have been made to create her regal crown. The pattern has this done in cross stitch but mentions if you want to 'doll it up' you can add glass seed beads instead. So I thought that's just what this Queen needs. I hunted in my stash and found a SB kit aptly called Queen Bee Sampler which had the right coloured beads in it. Since their kits always come with more beads than you need, I decided to put some of them to good use. I really like the way it's turned out.

I adore this fabric colour and the picture below (top right) probably shows its true toning more. It has such a warmth to it and suits this LHN design so well.

All the thread colours worked well together and I'm pleased with the change in the DMC Grape from 3835 to 3740 I made. I think the original would have been too bright for it with the fabric I chose. I'm just so thrilled with the overall finish.

This was such a fun and quick design to do and one where you feel enjoyment while stitching it up!

What will I do next, I wonder...

Buzz, Buzz

Do you ever feel like the weekends go by so quickly that you never have enough time to get everything you want done? This is how I'm feeling after the end of another weekend is nearing. If only they made them three days instead of two. One can dream I guess....

So Friday rolled around and I had planned to stitch some more on Queen Bee. I didn't even lift up my needle. After getting home from work and having some tea (dinner), I sat down to watch a bit of TV and started to close my eyes a little. Then a little became a lot, and I ended up nodding off for about an hour! Upon waking up, there was a movie starting called Sleepless In Seattle which I love, so I ended up watching that. So there was not a stitch to be seen on Friday night.

Saturday rolls around and I get some housework done. Meanwhile the weather just starts to get worse and worse, with rain setting in for most of the day. Yippee! Stitching time!! So down I sit and get out that little bee project and away I go. I managed to get the bee done and made a start on the top of the design by completing one of the flowers.

Queen Bee - 29 August 2009

I wonder what all those beads are doing there?

Maybe this is a hint of what's to come...

I'm having so much fun with this design. Please look out for finished photos tomorrow.

A little more of Queen Bee

I did a little more last night and added some honeycomb along with four small bees. Aren't those bees just cute?

Queen Bee - 26 August 2009

I'm very happy with the purple colour I chose in replacement of the original. It's not as bright and goes well with the other threads and fabric I'm using. I can't speak highly enough of this fabric too. I'm just loving it! It's so soft and a lovely, warm tone to it. Weeks Dye Works Straw - go buy yourself some if you can, because I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I'm hoping to get some more stitching in tomorrow night, and over the weekend. Keep watch for more progress pics. :)

Queen Bee started

I had a busy weekend which meant I didn't get much of a chance to start on Queen Bee. Late yesterday afternoon though, I was able to sit down and get a few stitches in.

Queen Bee - started 23 August 2009

Since I'm working on a 35ct fabric, I decided to do this design using one thread over two. Gives it a more delicate look I think. I've only ever used a 35ct once before and find it not much different to a 32ct really. Just a slight adjustment in the weave. I'm also loving the colour of the Straw fabric. I may have to get some more of it in the future. It certainly suits this design well. Speaking of design, what a cute one this is. I love the simplicity of LHN patterns.

If I get some good stitching time in, this one won't take me too long to complete. (Sorry about the dark photos - this morning was very gloomy and overcast.)

Too easy

I guess that was an easy preview for all those LHN fans out there, to guess what my next project was. Congratulations to those of you who picked it was their Queen Bee chart.

I thought I would do something easy and small next. Since we're heading towards Spring here in Australia, this one is just right.

LHN - Queen Bee chart kitted

The fabric I've chosen is a Weeks Dye Works one called Straw. It's a 35ct and has a warm, honey colour to it. I thought it would be ideal for this little bee design.

I'm going with the threads called for (DMC and Crescent Colours), but the only one I'm substituting is the purple DMC. I didn't have 3835 in my stash, so I've chosen a similar one being 3740. I think the colour will blend in with the others.

Now all that's left to do is to cut the fabric to size and get stitching!

The Rain Fell ~ finished!

Here it is, my finished version of The Rain Fell. I completed the rest of the stitching yesterday and then I needed to add some finishing touches of my own to it. Hope you like the end result.

DESIGNER ~ Little House Needleworks

PATTERN ~ The Rain Fell

FABRIC ~ 32ct R & R Americana Blend

THREADS ~ Crescent Colours and DMC (2 over 2)

STARTED ~ 22 June 2009

FINISHED ~ 11 July 2009

I decided to add some beading to it. I placed some petite cream beads down the girl's dress for buttons, and cream beads in the sky for rain drops. These were done as cross stitches on the original pattern. I also added some pale blue ric rac along the bottom of the girl's dress for decoration. I hope my changes add a bit of difference to the design. I don't normally use my creativity in this way, and usually stick to what is called for, so I'm quite happy with the way it's turned out. As I mentioned earlier on when I started this project, I replaced the DMC thread 754 with 3774. It's a paler peach and I'm happy with the result.

I'm a fan of Crescent Colours threads. I just love the range of colours, they don't seem to knot as much, and the names they give them are absolutely gorgeous! My favourite colour in this pattern would have to be the pinkish House Wine. It really brought life to it. The flowers were lovely to stitch and they look so happy. Just a really lovely design in all actually.