LOVE at Christmas

LOVE at Christmas by Durene Jones

 

One more finish for the year!  I haven't done much stitching lately, but I saw this cute freebie from Durene Jones over on her facebook group and had to stitch it for my Mom.

I put a thin layer of quilt batting between the stitched piece and a felt backing.  I hand stitched around the border, added a ribbon loop for hanging, a dangling snowflake charm, and some purple buttons to accent the design.  I'm happy with the result!

Wishing all of you a safe and happy holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

 

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for November

Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton

It's time for another Gifted Gorgeousness update.  This stitch-along, hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, is for projects that in some way have been gifted -or- are being stitched to be given as gifts. 

Today I am super happy to have a finish to show!

I finished stitching "Dutch Sampler" by Sandy Orton just this morning.  This was a fun stitch with Algerian eyelets and double running stitch, both of which were new to me.  I stitched on mushroom colored 28 ct evenweave, which along with the threads, was gifted to me.  The chart can be found in Better Homes and Gardens "Treasures in Needlework" magazine from Fall 1992. 

Creative Cats

I worked a bit on "Creative Cats" which was a kit gifted to me in the late 90's.  This is a printed piece, which is embellished with many stitches, such as satin stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch, lazy daisies and French knots.  

Every time I think I am closer to finishing, I find another area that I missed.  I still have quite a bit of stitching to do ... but this project is moving along.

I have also been stitching on my Christmas sampler.  The chart is from Cross Stitcher Magazine (Nov 2017), which was gifted to me last year.  I hope to finish this one by Christmas.

Last but not least ... I have started stitching Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon".  A friend has nicely "loaned" the pattern to me (sort of a gift, but I must return it).  lol.  I have been wanting to stitch a Cut Thru' design for awhile and am too eager to wait. (I have some on my list for Santa).

Bothy Threads - Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon

That's all I have right now ... I think I made great progress this month & hope to continue the trend next time.

Happy Stitching!
 






 

the Hallowe'en Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on Jo's Hallowe'en Blog Hop!

This blog hop is being hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  Please visit the start of the Hallowe'en Blog Hop if you would like to collect the letters for the mystery phrase.

As part of the blog hop, I am featuring some Autumn and Halloween stitching that I have completed.  This year I have decided to showcase a Parliament of Owls.

I recently finished an adorable little project: "Mini Banner Fall" by Debbie Mumm.  This was a fun stitch, and I love the cute little hangar that came with the kit!

"Mini Banner Fall" by Debbie Mumm

 Here are some owl projects I previously stitched:

Owl-O-Ween by Marie Driskill : 2013 JCS Halloween Issue

Owl : Elizabeth Spurlock

Spell of the Moon by Blackbird Designs

Little Owl Sampler by Knotted Tree NeedleArt

(freebie) Owl chart by Aliolka

Which brings me to the last little owl ... He is a tough little bird and is holding your secret letter:

In case you are graphically challenged, the secret letter is "T".

I hope you enjoyed your visit ... now I must send you off to the next stop in the Hallowe'en Blog Hop: http://astridxstitching.blogspot.com/ 

 

my November Gifted Gorgeousness Update

Thanksgiving Sampler

It's time for another "Gifted Gorgeousness" update.  These are projects that were made to be given as a gift -or- in some way or part received as a gift. 

I have a finish this month!  I am happy to have finished stitching my "Thanksgiving Sampler" prior to the holiday.   "Thanksgiving Sampler" was designed by Lois Winston for DMC.  This is a freebie chart, and can be found here: https://www.dmc.com/us/p-free-patternsfree-cross-stitch-chart-give-thanks.html

I also stitched on "A Chirpy Sort of Place", which was a kit given to me by a non-stitchy friend.  I finished stitching the grass and bushes and worked on the fence back stitching. 

Here is where I left off last time:

The final Gifted Gorgeousness project I worked on this month is "Tiger Lily and Roses Pillow".  This was given to me as a gift by my Mother many years ago.  This is a printed kit for embroidery using satin stitch, long & short stitch, outline stitch, straight stitch and French knots. 

I only managed to work on a few Violets and leaves.  The Violets will have more stitching in the centers and a few French knots.  I am only about 35% done stitching this pillow top, so I still have a ways to go.

Wishing all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!



 

a Halloween Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop in Jo's Hallowe'en Blog Hop!

I'm just hanging out in the pumpkin patch stitching Jack O'Lanterns and waiting for the "Great Pumpkin".  I've hidden the secret letter amid the pumpkins.  While you search ... how about a pumpkin show?

I stitched this cutie from the Just Cross Stitch October 2013 Issue.  It is "Smilin' Jack" by Amy Bruecken.  I didn't have the exact button used for the sample, so I substituted an upside down heart button for his nose.
 

I found this sweet kitty cat out in the pumpkin patch talking to his little crow friend.
This pattern is a freebie by DMC : you can find it here!
 

Eek!  This frightened Jack O'Lantern was stitched from a larger pattern by Michelle Lutzen, found in the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue.

We are at the end of the pumpkin patch, and I believe I see your secret letter.  It is attached to a cute little Jack O'Lantern, stitched from a chart in "Cross Stitch Crazy" magazine October 2015.
 

In case you are graphically challenged, your secret letter is E. 

I hope you have enjoyed my little pumpkin show.   Please continue on to the next stop in the Hallowe'en Blog Hop and visit: http://hokkaidokudasai.blogspot.com

Happy Halloween!

Advent Calendar Blog Hop : Day 20

Welcome to the next stop on Serendipitous Stitching's Advent Calendar Blog Hop.   I am sharing today's blog hop posting with Alyssa at Brownie's Chair.  So you get a double dose of Advent Calendar goodness today!

I have been participating in the Christmas Ornie SAL, so I do have some new ornaments for the tree this year.

This is my most recent finish, "Snow" by Valerie Danish.  This pattern is featured in the 2015 Just Cross Stitch Special Holiday Issue.  I stitched the pattern on 14 ct plastic canvas, and backed it with black felt.

Christmas Eve Traditions:

My sweetie and I always enjoy a nice Christmas Eve dinner together and save the leftovers for Christmas Day, which keeps me out of the kitchen and available to chat on the phone with my family - who are all out of state.

Each year I make candy and bake cookies in the days leading up to Christmas Eve. I keep a small sample taste available for each evening - and pack the rest away for the grand finale on Christmas Eve, when I arrange all the varieties together and let the snacking begin.

Most years, I set up a Christmas Eve "Scavenger Hunt" for my sweetie, with puzzles and clues that lead all around and end up with a gift to be opened.  Generally the gift is a book, movie, game or activity for the evening.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.   Don't forget to stop by and visit Alyssa at Brownie's Chair.

Merry Christmas! 
~ Cheryl

PS:  If you haven't yet entered Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe's 12 Days of Christmas giveaways ... there is still time.  Please pop by and see all of the lovely goodies that Nancy has to offer!

November WIPocalypse Update

Time for another WIPocalypse update.  I managed a few finishes this month!

  Quaker: by Gazette94

I finished stitching this little Quaker Sampler.  This is a free pattern offered by Gazette94 (so many beautiful freebies on her blog).  I also finished "Autumn Heart", which I featured in my last post.

"Little Owl Sampler"

Knotted Tree NeedleArt 

I finished stitching "Little Owl Sampler" as my monthly project for the Hallowe'en Ornament Stitch-A-Long.  This pattern was featured in the Just Cross Stitch 2012 Halloween Special Issue.   Just for fun, I stitched the letters that appear in my name in a lighter shade of purple.

I also managed to finish a "turkey" on my "Give Thanks Sampler" (freebie).  Maybe next year I will have this one done for Thanksgiving (lol).   

Topic of the month: Which designer has inspired you to stitch the greatest number of designs and why do you think that is? 

Oh Boy.  There are so many wonderful designers with tons of designs I want to stitch ... but for designs that I have actually started ... right now it is Sandy Orton.  I am inspired by the dense design of multiple motifs used in her "Seasons" samplers.  I love the specialty stitches she uses in some of her other samplers.  I am currently working on 10 projects by Sandy, and I have 3 or 4 more waiting in the wings.   The odd thing is that I haven't ever finished a single project by Sandy Orton. (what?!?)  But, I hope to soon change that as I am nearing completion on "Nature's Alphabet".

Now a very close second ... I have completed 7 projects by Gazette94, and have 4 others in progress.  I tend to finish them more quickly as they are much simpler and smaller designs.  I am inspired by the wonderful variety of seasonal and holiday designs as well as the Quakers.  She has so many great freebies posted on her blog!

That's all for this update.  Happy Stitching!

For my friends in the US: Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

 

Hallowe'en Blog Hop

Don't be scared ... my little VooDoo girl isn't up to any mischief, yet.  She's here to welcome you to the Hallowe'en Blog hop (hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching).

I have the tree all decked out with handmade Halloween ornaments, along with a few spiders and webs for good measure.

The secret letter you have come to find is "T" 

 I will leave you with some of my Halloween stitching from days gone by ...

I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Now hurry along to the next stop on the blog hop:
http://jocondine.blogspot.fr/

My October WIPocalypse update!

OooOooOoo . . . Be nice to this little ghost witch and she will keep the frogs away!

It's time for another WIPocalypse update. 

Sadly, I spent most of this month work, work, working and didn't have time to do much stitch, stitch, stitching.  I did manage 2 small ornaments for my stitch-a-longs: the little ghost witch above (freebie pattern here: Jessica Tromp), and the sweet angel below.

This angel is adapted from a pattern by Jamie Kile of Knotted Tree Needleart.  The pattern is called "An Angel's Joy" and is featured in the 2015 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue.

Both ornaments were stitched on 14 ct plastic canvas and backed with felt.

The only other stitching I managed was a bit of work on Autumn Heart (freebie by Gazettte94)

previously:

 currently:

WIPOcalypse question of the month: 
Are there any fibers or materials used in stitching that you’re nervous to try?

I love to try new things!  So ... no, not really.  I do have a hard time with high count fabrics, but I still love stitching on them.

I do so enjoy working on my projects and participating in the stitch-a-longs ... I only wish I had more time.  But, I will take what I can get.

Happy Stitching!

A Small Finish and Gifted Gorgeousness

I am participating in the Christmas Ornament Stitch-A-Long, and I just finished this sweet little Christmas Tree ornament for September.  I stitched from a free pattern, however the designers name was not attached to the pattern & when I went back to where I printed it - the page was gone.  So, if anyone recognizes it ... let me know and I will add the info.

The ornament is backed with a green and gold fabric.  I added gold beads and a gold wired ribbon bow to finish.

I am also participating in the "Gifted Gorgeousness" stitch-along hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  I made progress on one of my "Gifted Gorgeousness" projects ... my "Too Much Honey" Sampler, which was gifted to me as a kit - by a sweet friend.

THEN: 

NOW: 

 I didn't have a lot of stitching time this month, but I hope to make better progress next month.

Happy Stitching!

an Easter Blog Hop

You have reached a stop along Jo's Easter Blog Hop 2015!  Hop on in.  Mr. Bunny is putting the finishing touches on his Easter eggs and is ready to kick off the festivities.

I just finished stitching this bright and happy design from Gazette94: Year of the Rabbit.

It was such a fun stitch using variegated floss.  When I find the perfect fabric, I will likely make it into a little heart shaped pillow.

I would also like to share one of my own cross stitch patterns with you.  It is a Springtime Biscornu pattern that I created awhile back:

Bunnies and Tulips Biscornu

You can download the free pattern here:
http://hobbyloco.com/patterns/bunniestulips.html

Mr. Bunny has painted a special egg to help you solve the mystery phrase & here it is:

Now hop along and visit http://evalinamaria.blogspot.ca, as she is the next stop on the Easter Blog Hop.

HAPPY EASTER!

a Prize, a Project, and a Parade

First, a big THANK YOU to Jo at Serendipitous Stitching for the lovely gifties she sent to me for winning her Halloween Blog Hop drawing.  Jo sent Blackbird Designs "Spell of the Moon" pattern,  a beautiful dark pumpkin colored piece of 32 ct. fabric to stitch on, and a lovely holiday card (my first of the season).  I will enjoy stitching this during the stitch alongs I have joined: Gifted Gorgeousness,  Halloween Ornies, and WIPocalypse.

Next is a recently completed project of mine.  This button wreath was simple to make and is "cute as a button" (well ... cute as a bunch of buttons).  You can find many of these online - just search "button wreath".

And last, but not least ... a parade!   We were lucky enough in Atlanta to get a break in the rain this morning for the annual Children's Healthcare Christmas Parade.  Here are a few photos:

Ringling Brothers Circus walked a giant tiger (balloon) down Peachtree Street.

Paddington Bear waves "Hello".

Let's not forget "Frosty the Snowman".

Santa and Mrs. Claus closed the parade, riding on a giant Rudolph float.  There were many marching bands, balloons, floats, and much more.  A wonderful parade!  Merry Christmas.