Sunday, August 17, 2008

Prairie Schooler Santas and Snowmen

I just stitched all the Santas on Cashel Opalescent Raw linen. I don't have time to do the finishing yet. Here they are:









Anita

http://anitas-stitching-addiction.blogspot.com/

Saturday, August 16, 2008

August Ornament and Card

Hi Everyone,
The ornament is from 2007 JCS Christmas Ornaments Magazine designed by Lizzie Kate.
Stitched on 32 count Jobelan with DMC Threads.

The Santa is from my DMC Cross Stitch Pattern Designer Program.
Stitched on 25 count Evenweave with DMC Threads.

Happy Stitching,
Sue in Australia.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Blue Mitten Ornament


Another blue exchange ornament and this time I chose to stitch one half of the 3D mitten ornament from Marie-Chantal Lord of Macha Creations, which was in the Christmas issue of The Gift of Stitching.


Mounted onto two blue pieces of felt, cording made by me and finished off with a blue marbled ceramic bead at either end of the cording.

Humbug Ornament


I wanted to try a humbug after seeing the tutorial link on here for Nicki's blog. Well I think I made a good job of it. I designed the centre piece myself.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Blue Tree


I took part in an ornament exchange. The main colour had to be blue, so I chose this design by Debbie Draper from The Gift of Stitching christmas issue and stitched it using a variegated floss from Croatia.

I then mounted it onto blue felt and added a snowflake button to finish it off. The cording hanger is made by me too :)


I'm not quite sure why it looks like there's a crease on the fabric, it certainly didn't have it before I took the photo.

You'll all notice that I'm posting under a new name (or maybe not), but that's because my other account has been suspended by those in charge as they have classed cross stitching to be spam. That was a month ago and I've still to receive any kind of reply from them to resolve the issue. Therefore I had no alternative but to move to wordpress and my blog is now: Fire Fly Dreams. I contacted Jennifer earlier today asking if I could come back as a 'different' person! Thankfully she sent me an invite and I'm now able to post once again.

Little Santa


I've caught ornament fever!! I went through my stash and found a few I'd like to get done in the next month or two. This was my carry-a-long project last week. How could I resist the cute little guy! LOL! This Santa is from leaflet #36, St. Nicholas II by Prairie Schooler.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

'G' is for Ginger



Alphabet Roses, by Dany Brode found here.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Featured Stitchers and New Themes

I'll be away this weekend, so I wanted to get the Featured Stitchers and the new themes up for August.

Check out the blogs and websites of our featured stitchers - this month has a somewhat more diverse selection and features several blogs in non-English languages. (A large percentage of our contributors are English-speaking / writing, but not everyone!) Most, if not all, can be easily translated through Google's Language Tools, so don't let an unfamiliar language stop you. Google will translate an entire website for you, so if you haven't used it yet, it's worth a look.

The themes for August are Bears, Fantasy, Geometrics, and Pets. I've tried to provide a large selection of freebies, but as always, if you know of other sites, be sure to let me know.

And one final reminder: please remember to label your posts / photos with the name of the designer and the title of the design. And if you know the source of the pattern (for example, JCS 2007), please include that as well. Any other information you want to provide (threads, fabrics, etc.) is completely up to you, but it is VERY important to include the designer's name with each photo that is posted. (I know. I harp on this all. the. time.) :-)

I'm new...but have a finish!


Hello and thanks for letting me join. I love to do Christmas stitching and like to do it throughout the year so I don't feel overwhelmed come November...LOL. Here is my two latest finishes. Tis the Season and My Favorite Time both by Lizzie*Kate.

Let It Snow


Let It Snow

Barbara Ana Designs - chart available HERE

Sugar Maple Fabrics 28 ct Ice Crystal Lugana, DMC Floss

Stitched by Carol

My July Ornament


Symbol "X" Christmas ornament
The Sampler House
Just Cross Stitch ornaments 10th Aniversary Collections
32ct. linen
DMC 814

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Snow Bonnets


This is a Just Nan and I have caught up I added a silver charm at the top edged it with beads adding a small loop in each corner also longer ribbon to use as scissor fob - this is for my daughters stocking

Winter Spell


This is a Just Nan design, I added a silver snowflake charm at the top and put a longer ribbon to also serve as a scissor keep

Holly Hearts


This is by Victoria Sampler. I enjoy the different stitches in her designs

Christmas Heart


I am so behind - this is Christmas Heart by Victoria Sampler - I enjoyed doing the hardanger

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Christmas Stocking

This is a Mill Hill Christmas ornament kit that I stitched this month.


Design: Holly Days Stocking
Designer: Mill Hill
Fabric: Perforated Paper
Thread & Beads: DMC thread and Mill Hill beads and charm
Finish: Christmas Ornament

Monday, July 28, 2008

2 for July

Mystery Ornament by Old Town Needlework of Scottsdale, AZ
18ct Cream
Fibers: Petite Frosty Rays







Christmas in Dixie
Designer: Debbie Stiehler
Fiber: overdye, Kreinik, Anchor

The mystery ornament was stitched for my July ornament, the other was sitting in my to be finished pile.

Gwen

July Ornament

It's been a while, but here is an ornament for July.

Mill Hill
Tiny Treasured Diamonds
Engraved Heart Kit, MHTD4

More description here.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Ornaments




Whew! been busy! well I finished the Treasured Memories Bear ornament, went on to a snowman, then a Blue Ribbon Designs Health and Happiness ornament (freebie found here) for a friend. Hope you enjoy!

My July ornament

I whipped this baby up in two days!



Snow
Designer: Glory Bee
Source: 2004 JCS ornament edition
Fabric: 32ct Misty Blue linen
Threads: GAST, WDW & DMC

Friday, July 25, 2008

Abandoned Blogs and Labeling

I went through the list of Contributors in the sidebar, weeding out blogs that haven't been updated within the last few months. I found quite a few and removed the links as it's frustrating to click on a dead link or find a blog that hasn't been updated in ages.

I did, however, discover one blog had moved to Wordpress when I stumbled across a link on another blog, so I put the blog back in. If you're reading this, and you've moved your blog, please let me know so I can update. I'm a big fan of having the links in the sidebar so we can get to know each other. I can't tell you how many wonderful blogs I've found just by following a trail from one blog to the next. So if you have a stitching related blog or online album that's not listed in our sidebar, please let me know and I'll add it. And if you are listed in the sidebar, please check the link to make sure it's your current blog. If you've changed platforms or blog sites, please let me know so I can update the link.

Also, please remember to label your posts with the designer / source of your pattern to avoid copyright issues. Another designer, Jennifer Aikman-Smith, will be discontinuing the publication of her designs after her final two are released. Jennifer is pursuing other interests, but copyright infringement took its toll on her and weighed heavily into her decision. Therefore, it's very important to give credit where credit is due and respect the rights of the copyright owner.

Labeling posts also helps out your fellow stitchers when they want to stitch the same piece or see more by the same designer. I don't know how often posters check back on their comments to see if there have been questions about their work, so it's nice to give that answer right up front to those that are interested.

Thanks for your cooperation!

Don't Forget - SAL Weekend

Do you know all week I've been feeling guilty about forgetting to post a reminder about the SAL Weekend (like I did for June), only to realize TODAY that it's this weekend? Perhaps I should look at a calender every so often!

So it's THIS weekend for our SAL, and by our, I mean yours, because I have been severely lax in stitching ornaments for a few months. Between the moving, unpacking and getting settled, then vacation and yardwork, combined with me wanting to finish my housewarming gift to ourselves, ornaments have fallen a bit by the wayside.

But never fear, there will be new themes and new featured stitchers up for August. And just as a reminder, if you do have a blog or online stitching album and you're not listed on the blog, let me know where to find you and we'll get you added to the list.

Have a great weekend, and happy stitching!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

12 Christmas trees.....

During my summer holidays I went on stitching on my TPS Christmastrees. Finally I finished all of them. Now it is time for sewing....here you see the last 4

The very last tree remembers the first christmas I spent with my husband...

I think I will keep on stitching with you now in the same rythm, one small ornament each month, I just got out the graphics for the old world santas from TPS. Your posts are really motivating me!
Saludos

Monday, July 21, 2008

Ornament finish



I have stitched 2 more of these angels with one more to go. They are for my granddaughters this Christmas. It's a freebie called Peace Angel by Told in the Garden and it is done on 18 count fabric with the gold flecks going through it. The angel is 2 1/4 inches long and about 2 inches wise.
Have a great day stitching. I hope to catch up on my ornaments soon!

huggers, laurel
http://lovestostitch.blogspot.com/

Country Christmas moose


I received a new book in the mail, A Cross Stitch Christmas by Treasured Memories and couldn't wait to make this guy! I am also doing a bear and a deer in the same style!
Lori

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Swedish Christmas Star, Hearts, & Reindeer

Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin
This is my all time favourite ornament. I've stitched it several times & given them away to friends. For this one, I used 32ct linen - DMC 680(gold), DMC 3011(green), DMC 3777(red)

Stitched by Lelia.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Christmas in July

Ho Ho Ho! by Val's Stitchin' Stuff
stitched on 20 ct opalescent Lugana
stitched by Lynn

I started this little kitty at the beginning of the month and he stitched up pretty quickly. I have very little time for finishing with my work schedule so will have to wait until I have some vacation time (other than summer vacation) in which to do a mass finishing project. I'm going to try and sneak a few days off in the fall in which to get everything done before the holidays.

July Ornament

I started this little guy on Wednesday and finished him up last night :)



The Decorator by Full Circle Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on a mystery hand-dyed 28 count opalescent
evenweave with DMC threads


Stitched by Mel W (Stitches with Camels)

Saturday, July 12, 2008

July Ornament & Card

Hi Everyone,

Here is my July ornament and card. The ornie is from the 'Gift of Stitching' online magazine December 2007 issue. Designer is Debbie Draper. Stitched on 32 count Jobelan with Threadworx no. 1085.

The card is a design from 'Two Hour Cross Stitch' by Patrice Boerens. Stitched on 25 count evenweave with DMC threads.

It would have taken two hours if I didn't have to hang out washing, make the bed etc...etc...

Happy stitching,
Sue in Australia

Friday, July 11, 2008

June ornie

I'm still a little behind but at least I have one done for June!

Deck the Halls - Tiny TidingxIX
Designer: Lizzie Kate
32# Lambswool Linen
DMC Threads

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Finishing? What's that?

I've made peace with being one of the world's slowest stitchers, but I really need to conquer my non-finishing tendencies. I've been on an Ornament Campaign, and I've finished a fair amount for me, but I haven't finished any of them. Sigh -- story of my life!

7_06_2008 028
St. Ruth's Designs Christmas Cottage from JCS 1998 (I'm pretty certain it was 1998). Done in DMCs on opalascent lugana.

7_06_2008 029
LK "Faith" in DMCs on Wichelt's "Summer Sky" hand-dyed jobelan.

7_04_2008 023
I think this is a LK pattern, but I was going by a picture so I'm not sure. If you can lend any knowledge, I'd be grateful.

7_04_2008 021
part of a larger design from a bok I can't find now -- one of those big books of Christmas patterns

7_01_2008 022
JABC's Jingle All the Way

6_26_2008 067
Elizabeth Designs Christmas house form one of the JCSes - might have been last year's even.

6_25_2008 004
part of a larger design from a British stitching magazine

6_21_2008 008
Charland's wonky tree from last year's JCS in Belle Soie over-dyed silk on natural linen. And, an "edited" and beaded LK from last year's JCS.

And, drum roll please, the only ornie I've finished so far this year ---
6_22_2008 008
From Gift of Stitching magazine.

As you can probably guess, any finishing catalysts would be greatly appreciated. lol

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

June ornament + others

Following is a quick snap of some Christmas projects I have been working on - beaded baubles - fun way of using up the odd beads which seemed to be increasing in volume.



My Christmas ornament for June is a Mill Hill Treasured Diamond Poinsettia from their 2008 release. I love this range from Mill Hill and have stitched most of their designs which are just a pleasure to stitch. Sorry I don't have a better photo - this was taken in a hurry before I had to delivery the ornament to work for part of our Christmas in July display.


Monday, July 07, 2008

Just Nan ornament

This is my latest finish for a christmas in July exchange:


Just Nan´s "Memory stocking",
JCS ornament issue 1999,
stitched with DMC threads
by Gaby