Tralala-recipe book

Today I have another finished project for you. It the Tralala design Maison no.4 and I finished it into a recipe book.

I made this for my friend Virpi as part of a private Birthday exchange. 

The design is stitched with DMC and Atalie threads on 32ct. Jobelan.

The book was only one part of the exchange. If you would like to see the whole package visit Virpi's blog here. 

Here's a picture how it looks inside. The cover sheet has a few wrinkles but it still looks fine.

I have been finishing lately quite a few of my stitching projects and always get a lot of compliments. I was wondering if for my next projects I should take pictures and make a finishing tutorial. Would there be any interest for that? Let me know what you think.

Guardians of the Sea - The little Stitcher

I have been finishing a few projects during this March. My latest finish is a small project pouch. 

The design is called "The Guardians of the Sea" by The Little Stitcher. 

The colors are so soft and beautiful.

The design is stitched on a laced linen band 28ct. in DMC.

I bought the lace band and the flower fabric both from Emmuli.

The outside fabric is a natural linen I had in my stash.

The ribbon is a piece of upholstery ribbon.

Time for Tea

Some of you might remember that I participated in the Crazy January Challenge 2012 with very little success. I finished only four out of the 15 designs that I have started. Actually if I remember, I started only 13. So I failed right from the start. 

So for this years Challenge I decided to stitch 12 WIPs.

In January I made some great progress on the Biedermeier sampler. In February I stitched a little on many years ago and for March I decided to finish "Night Time in Olde Towne" by Elizabeth's Garden. To my own surprise I stitched and finished the design in just three days. 

The design is stitched on Sajou linen in natural that I bought from Emmuli. If you would like to see a before picture of the box click here.

progress and two small finishes

I have an update on the Biedermeier sampler. I started stitching the upper border, but then I got really upset with this design and put it away for a few days. It didn't take long until the bad conscience kicked in. After all it is my goal to finish the sampler by the end of January, so I stitched a few crosses here and there every now and then. 

It is not just that the border pattern is a quite difficult one, but I also found no less than four mistakes in the chart. Luckily I have a good picture of the stitched model, as well as a small picture of the original antique Sampler. So with every part I stitched I was comparing with the original and the model. Several stitches were in the wrong spot and some of the colors where also mixed up.

Usually I am not complaining about mistakes in a chart. Designers are only human and mistakes can happen. But this is a reproduction. Shouldn't the chart be double and triple checked? The chart was printed in a magazine that is now almost 20 years old, so I see no need to complain to the publisher. It is just simply annoying.

Because of being so frustrated with the sampler, I decided that I need a few quick finishes to cheer me up again. So for last night's cross stitching marathon I stitched two small freebies.

First one is "BeeKeeper" by The Drawn Thread

I love stitching bees and this is a perfect little design for me.

Next I stitched "Rain" by Prairie Schooler

This one is stitched 2 over 1 on 18ct. evenweave.

I have another small design under my needles right now, but I think tonight I will be ready continuing on the Biedermeier Sampler. There are still two weeks to go, maybe I do get it finished this month.