M Designs finish

Hi everyone,
Late I know but some months are like that, you just cant plan anything life just happens.

I had one left over finish from last post to share with you

M Designs - Rose Mosaic Needleroll
32 count Antique White, own colours, crystals and beads
finished with overdye silk ribbon

These needle-rolls have gone out of fashion a little but I still think they are a great way to finish a piece if you don't want to frame it or make a flat ornament. They look good in a large bowl or basket together as a display on your favourite tabletop. There are a few more in the stash waiting to be stitched at a later date.

This week was my second date with the Back to Basics course at the Guild. I finished the pincushion and it has gone in for assessment  Now the wait to see what I could have done better. The second piece is a Needle-book with flannel sheets between the covers to hold your needles. This is all hand stitched with a handmade cord around the outside and a loop closure. I have chosen some pretty lavender quilting fabric and a darker lavender for the cover. I will share a photo next time as I have to set up a sampler of stitches first. The front cover has my initial C stitched in 3 types of chain stitches which is a real stretch as I don't do much  (none) surface stitchery. The girls tell me it will grow on me but I have my doubts. I miss the holes in the fabric very much and the evenness of the counted stitches. I am a counted girl through and through but it's good to get out of your comfort zone occasionally, I think.........

Happy stitching, bye for now, Carol

Santas Village and lots of finishes

Hi everyone,
This week has been a busy one and very productive. Monday I joined in with a stitching group who come together to stitch samplers on the second Monday of the month, Tuesday I played around with some new linen and quilting fabric, Wedneday was a fabulous lunch with the girls at a favourite cafe called Cena and there is still 2 more days of this week to go. Lucky me.......

Santas Village is growing. I am currently 2 behind, but here are the current completed 4 ornaments.

Santas House,North Pole Post Office,
Poinsetta House, Mr Claus Cookie Shop
Country Cottage Needleworks

Only 8 more to go. Ekkkkkkk. I am considering having a shadow box made with 12 compartments in the shape of a christmas tree to display the finished 12 pieces. What do you think?  I am thinking they will get lost amongst the branches of a real tree.

Catherine Strickler of Indigo Rose has always been one of my favourite designers of all time. This week I managed to complete and finish 2 of her designs.

Indigo Rose, Needle holder
Just Cross Stitch magazine June 2002

the inside of the needle case

Inside holds wooden need cases
with 24,26,28 needles

Both pieces are stitched on 28 count Antique white linen using some threads from and English thread company, 21st Century yarns. There was some left over linen some I adapted the design and made up the mattress style pincushion. Then added a buttonhole loop and pearl bead as a closer for the needle holder. Great fun.

The second piece is another Indigo Rose that I bought from the USA as a kit on sale last year.

Indigo Rose, Bead Blanket Sampler
28 count linen, au ver a soie silks and
Mill Hill beads

Inside there is a rectangle of bead mat material so you can keep your beads from rolling away.The edge is finished with 2 colours of beads and makes a really nice finish to the edges.

There is one more finish but I will keep that one until we chat again.

Bye the bye Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe has released some fabulous new boutique hand dyed threads called the 1795 range. Lots of beautiful sampler style shades and the great thing is they come in 20 yard skeins. Click here and join in the fun to win 5 skeins or just enjoy the eye candy. I have used the thread before and I can happy recommend the quality.

Bye for now, happy stitching, Carol

Wessex embroidery class work

Hi everyone,

A little late with my post but there is lots to show you all.

Sunday the 28th was the second of the Wessex Embroidery classes. I had 5 students and we all had a great time stitching, learning and chatting.

Jackie, Margaret, Diane and Joyce (1 student missing from photo)

I am always amazed at the way colours can change patterns and the colours the students chose were really an eye opener.

Wessex embroidery -class pieces

More

Another colourway

And still more

Lots of choices of colourways

Thank you to all the girls for making the class so enjoyable and I hope to see some finished pieces on display at the Embroiderers' Guild in July. (No pressure, lol.................)

Happy stitching, bye for now, Carol