Another Finish ~ Angel In Your Heart

I finished Angel In Your Heart today and have been a bit creative with my completed piece. See what you think.

After placing French Knots throughout the Angel's dress, it began to look like she had chicken pox! So I had a thought and came up with the idea of adding some Lazy Daisy stitches to some of the French Knots to make flowers. I may pull out some of the French Knots as I still think it looks a bit busy.

I also put a Seed Bead in the centre of the flower at the top of her dress. This was left blank on the chart so you could do whichever you wanted.

Then I stitched the year and my initials down the bottom right of the design. There was a bit of a blank area which made room for this. In the same area I added a Mother of Pearl button in the shape of a heart.

So with these changes and different threads I used, I've made a few modifications compared to the original design. I've still tried to keep with the original colour tones though.

DESIGNER ~ Ewe & Eye & Friends (Twisted Threads)

PATTERN ~ Angel In Your Heart

FABRIC ~ 35ct Weeks Dye Works Linen

THREADS ~

Gentle Art - Cidermill Brown, Avocado

Crescent Colours - Prickly Pear, Little Pink Peony

Weeks Dye Works - Snowflake, Whitewash

DMC - 677, 3348

EMBELLISHMENTS ~ Mill Hill white seed bead, and Mother Of Pearl button

STARTED ~ 26 January 2010

FINISHED ~ 13 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa on BK&BT in between)

The only original thread I kept was Avocado for the border. The rest I substituted mainly because I looked at what was in my stash rather than buying the called for threads. The Cidermill Brown was for the words and eyes, Prickly Pear was the darker pink, Little Pink Peony was the lighter pink, Snowflake was for the Angel's wings, Whitewash was for her face, 677 was for the stars, and 3348 was for the French Knots.

My favourite part of the design has to be the Angel's wings. They're done in Smyrna Crosses and give a great effect.

I've loved stitching this piece and I hope you've enjoyed my progress on it just as much.

My next project will be Ah, 'Tis Spring. Although it's Autumn where I am, I love the bunny on it and with Easter coming up, it's a perfect time to stitch it.

Three finishes for the year so far, so I'm on track for a finish a month. Not that I'm aiming at that, I just like to stitch at an unregulated pace most of the time. Enjoyment is the key.

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my latest finish!

Remember This?

This is what I was working on before I did the SAL with Melissa on Be Kind And Be True. So I've picked it up again and will continue with it until I finish. I just did a little last night.

Angel In Your Heart - 10 March 2010

Thank you so much for those who commented on my finish of BK&BT. It was wonderful to have many who followed Melissa and I on our SAL. We may do another later in the year but maybe not as big.

Just a quick update to show you what I'm working on now.

Happy stitching!

Be Kind & Be True ~ Finished!

I've now come to the end of my SAL with Melissa. We worked together on this project with much delight and both enjoyed it immensely. A lovely design, great company, and a wonderful ending. Thanks Melissa, for joining me on this journey and encouraging me to work on it quicker than I would have on my own. Here's the final result...

DESIGNER ~ With Thy Needle & Thread (Country Stitches)

PATTERN ~ Be Kind & Be True

FABRIC ~ WDW 35ct Linen

THREADS ~ recommended DMC (1 over 2)

STARTED ~ 20 February 2010

FINISHED ~ 8 March 2010

SAL ~ with Melissa of Words And Blooms

Linen choices and thread thickness were the main decisions for me at the start. I decided on WDW 35ct Linen because I had it in my stash, and it looked similar to what was used on the original design. Being 35ct I normally use one thread so I went with this theory on BK&BT. Looking back I think two threads would have been suitable for this design, but I'm still happy with the result that's been achieved. I stayed with the recommended DMC threads because I liked the colours of them, which was part of the appeal of this pattern.

My least favourite part (if there is one) were the leaves. I just didn't enjoy stitching them as much as other things. Maybe it was the quantity - you know, novelty wore off after a few. My favourite was the woman with her pantaloons. They're only peeking out from under her dress but I love the look of them! Simple but effective.

Can't forget the man with his big pants.

Now to how I'll finish this stitched project. I'm still tempted to stain it with Walnut Crystals and if I do I will show you the end result. I will also get this one framed in the future. I've been buying too much stash lately to get anything framed just now though.

Thanks for coming up with a great design, Brenda. I love your patterns and will stitch many of them in the future. Thanks also to those who have followed Melissa and I on our SAL. We've enjoyed your company.

What Does A Girl Need?

MORE STASH!!!!

More? I hear you say. Yes, more! This lot is from Needlecraft Corner that I ordered last month. No, there's nothing from the recent market releases unfortunately (I'm trying to hold off on those) but a few bits and pieces I wanted to get.

First up are some charts. Some of them aren't available everywhere, so I was happy to get them.

NOTFORGOTTEN FARM - Dirty Snowmen

PLUM STREET SAMPLERS - Sophie's Sheep

NOTFORGOTTEN FARM - Ah, 'Tis Spring

LITTLE HOUSE NEEDLEWORKS - Fresh Watermelon, and Bee Sampler

Next up are threads. These ones are for a project I'll be doing soon. The clue is in one of the charts above.

OK, you guessed it.

Then some linens.

The top three WDW are 35ct with the Belfast being 32ct. The Beige has the slightest bit of a green tone to it if anything. It's only an undertone so not too obvious and it's a better colour than I thought it would be. The Linen has come up a bit pinkish in the photo, which it's not. It's an off-white colour and the same I'm doing BK&BT on. I love it and wanted more on hand. The other two I didn't get for any particular project but there will be ones where I'll need a blue coloured fabric for them. Don't they look scrumptious?

And lastly, a couple of Wildflowers threads which were being cleared out at a good discount.

WILDFLOWERS - Rose Quartz (top), and Rose Blush

So a bit of a mixture of things there. I know I always like seeing other peoples stash when they show it on their blogs, so that's why I like to show mine. You sometimes see something you hadn't before. I love those little discoveries.

Latest on BK&BT - it's finished! Yes, I stitched the last stitches today. The man and woman have eyes now and I'll show you pictures of it tomorrow. I'm going to get back to Angel In Your Heart next and hopefully it won't take much longer to complete.

Til tomorrow ~ happy stitching and stashing!

It's Almost Complete

I got a decent amount done by my standards yesterday on BK&BT. I'm now down to a few leaves on the right of the tree, five more letters, and just the rest of the border to go. I think I'll try to finish it off tomorrow!

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 6 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

I love the colours Brenda has chosen for this pattern and it's been a delight to see it unfold.

There's a new movie out called Dear John, and I went to see it today. Wonderful! A really lovely movie that held your interest throughout. I didn't cry but my eyes may have had the slightest tear towards the end. It could have kept going where it ended but was left up to you to imagine what would have happened. Not a horrid war movie either as these don't appeal to me. So try and see it if you can.

Welcome also to those new to my blog, I hope you enjoy visiting. To those loyal followers, thank you for your friendship and kind interest in my needlework. It's a pleasure to share this wonderful hobby with you.

Squirrels in Trees

I'm getting a bit further with BK&BT and have added squirrels, flowers, and another bird to the tree. Some apples and a few more letters complete my progress from yesterday.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 5 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

Now I'm down to finishing off the rest of the leaves, letters, and border.

I can see the end is near!

A Lovely Day Out

I had a day out yesterday with my Mum. We went to Yarragon where our favourite quilting/stitching shop is. We hadn't been for a few months so we took the opportunity while I'm still on leave to enjoy the day out together. I've mentioned the quilting shop Candleberry Country before and since our last trip, it's had a facelift with a coat of paint on the outside. It used to be a duck egg blue.

Candleberry Country - Yarragon

I didn't want to spend much and by my standards I was quite restrained. I found a mixed bag of wool and felt cuts, a few bits of fabric I liked, some buttons, and a piece of white lace trim.

The bag of brown buttons was my first find. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it! If you remember I bought a similar bag last year of cream coloured ones. I said to myself, if I ever saw another bag of them I would get some. I'll be able to add them to my stitcheries in the future.

The packet of cream buttons I bought are vintage style. They could be used for the middle of a biscornu or anything really. I just have to grab these things when I see them because they won't be there the next time, then I work out what to do with them later on.

While we were at Yarragon we also went to Annabelle's which is a delightful shop filled with decorating treasures with that feminine look. They have a few French Provincial style furniture there too. Mum found a gorgeous pink and white quilt to give to her youngest grand daughter.

Then we had a scrumptious bite to eat at a cafe which filled us up for the rest of the day. The weather was lovely and I always enjoy the drive to Yarragon as it's heading away from the city and out of heavy traffic.

So onto my stitching update. I am still working on BK&BT and haven't done a lot over the last few days. Other things to do (like yesterday) and not as much stitching time. I'm trying to get some more done on it today and after this post I'll get back to it and work on it more tonight. I got all the branches done on the tree last night and here's where I'm up to.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 4 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

You'll be pleased to know (if you don't already) that Melissa has finished hers up. Drop by her blog and see it all completed. She may be starting another job soon so she wanted to have it all stitched before then. She's done an amazing job and has stitched it up within two weeks! Though, it's a wonderful design and so enjoyable to do, so if you're thinking of doing this one yourself, you'll love it. Thanks for stitching this with me Melissa, it's been fun. I hope to have mine finished soon too.

Some New Stash

I finally received my Superbowl Sale order from The Silver Needle and I've now taken some photos to show.

Needlework accessories.

Sajou Thread Palette and Needlecard

A selection of buttons.

Weeks Dye Works wool cuts.

(left to right) Sweetheart Rose, Kudzu, Whisky or Mustard Herringbone(two cuts were the same), Gingerbread, Sand Houndstooth, Camel, and Pecan Herringbone

Shepherd's Bush charts, fabric, and buttons.

Jill Rensel mats.

All of this was sent in two big boxes, can you believe? They really could have sent them in one. So you can save on one end but lose on the other.

Now I haven't been stitching much in the last couple of days. I've been out or had people visiting, but I got a little done tonight. I think Melissa is ahead of me as she only has some letters and personalization to complete. I'm still working on the tree and have the rest of the letters to do. All that's needed is some quality stitching time to get closer to finishing this lovely sampler.

Thanks to all for your comments and to those who just drop by for a visit. Elisabetta, I'm stitching this on 35ct Linen by Weeks Dye Works (Linen is the colour). Til next time, happy stitching!

A Little More Stitching on BK&BT

Some more progress to show of my SAL with Melissa on BK&BT. I worked on the branch above the man, the birds, flowers, dog, and the letter U.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 1 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

Drop by Melissa's blog to see her progress. We're trying to keep pace with each other and I think we're doing well with our progress.

I received some stash from The Silver Needle's Superbowl Sale order I placed early last month, yesterday. A couple of Jill Rensel mats, and some other bits 'n bobs. Details will have to wait for another time though.

Just a quick update today. More next time...