Sewing Sets Finished

I finished the sewing sets, added some new needles and boxes of pins, and sent them off by Priority Mail. I forgot to add delivery confirmation. I really wish I would have insured them--at least I'd be paid for my time, if anything goes wrong. All of my packages sent via USPS have gotten to their destinations, so I believe these will also.

This is a matryoshka-themed set, based upon a biscornu freebie by Alexandrina.

and the backs:

The next set is a spring theme from Biscornu #509, by The Floss Box:

and the backs:

I'm ashamed that the motifs on the needle cases are not centered. Yes, I did measure , find the center, and count the threads, but I forgot to allow for the margin of fabric that gets turned under. The next time I will write down my plan on paper. Measure twice, stitch once!

The two "L's" are from charted design books by Dover Publications.

Oh, I learned how to make a humbug!
Happy stitching!

Scissor Cases Finished

Yesterday I finished the two scissor cases  and applied some matching trims. I'm not that happy about them. They are pretty, but next time I will cut out a wider, more V-shaped design.

The scissors were purchased from Anita's Little Stitches. I wanted two different pair that would complement the theme of the sewing accessories.

Now I must make two needle books and  two scissor fobs. The package has to be mailed tomorrow.

I see that I have acquired some new followers. Thank you! As soon as I can get all of my Christmas/birthday projects finished, I will overhaul this blog and put my free charts on their own page. I have some things half-charted to finish as well.

Happy stitching!

Halloween Exchange from Verona

This is the great ornament that I received from Verona in the HOE Halloween Exchange 2010. I am so happy to receive this, because it saves me the time of making it! It's from the Just Cross Stitch 2010 Halloween Ornament issue, and it is by Blue Ribbon Designs.

She enclosed some beautiful Victorian Sampler overdyed floss.

Thank you, Verona!

Trick or Treat Tree for Kathy

"Trick or Treat Tree"

by Pat Thode of The HeartStrings/The Artists Collection

from  the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Just Cross Stitch
Overdyed & DMC on 28ct. eggshell linen

 This is the front of the ornament that I stitched for Kathy as part of the HOE 2010 Halloween Exchange. I put the pumpkin face in the wrong place. I added some tree branches here and there, and used a different yellow for the moon. I worked on it off and on for about a month.

I put these wonderful buttons on it that I bought last year at Michael's.  This year I went to three different Michael's, in two states, and they did not offer them.

The reverse side:

A Xmas WIP

This is the start of a cat ornament from the Just Cross Stitch July/Aug sneak preview issue. It is on 32ct. linen.

A Needlebook

I made this needlebook for the November Monthly Finishing Challenge. I used buckram for the inside stiffening. I don't believe in using cardboard to finish embroidery. Unless you use museum or archival-quality mounting board, the cardboard will deteriorate eventually and ruin your needlework. If you are creating heirlooms, use something that is acid-free and will last for generations.

This is DMC thread on 32-ct. cream linen. The paisley motif is from a Reader's Digest Book of Cross Stitch. The rose and numbers are from Anne Orr's Charted Designs (Dover Publications). The alphabet is from Favorite Charted Designs by Anne Orr (Dover Publications).

I forgot to put the tie ribbons in when I sewed it up. I decided that a snap would be a better choice, because I do not want to have to untie a bow every time I need a needle.

Eliza's Pyn Pillow

This is a WIP freebie, "Eliza's Pin Pillow" by With My Needle, that I stitched this summer. I'll finish it as a pinkeep. I didn't have the recommended thread count linen, and so I had to leave the serifs off of most of the letters, as well as rearrange them to fit my small piece of linen. I had to substitute for some of the colors.

Yesterday I went to Michael's crafts for a sale and bought some narrow ribbons. I got some Thanksgiving colors, and plan to use a brown for the edging of this.

I also bought another skein of DMC glow-in-the-dark thread to give to my HOE Halloween Exchange partner, and two quarter-yard pieces of lovely prints that will be useful for the backs of smalls. My granddaughter likes the glow-in-the-dark and wants me to use it to stitch something for her room.

A Quaker Pinkeep

Although I didn't post all summer due to a lack of blank CD's (to back up all photos), I was busy stitching. I made this pinkeep for the HOE Summer Quaker exchange, but realized that I did not like the floss colors against the background. The background isn't really blue-grey--it's more of a mottled neutral. The reverse is covered with the batik yellow fabric that you see.

I gave it as a birthday present to someone with a summer birthday. They never responded, even to say whether or not they liked it. It took me a long time to stitch this with my aging eyesight. I have to wear magnifying glasses.

Memo to self: I will cross-stitch handmade gifts only for family and close friends who appreciate my work.

I took the pattern from an issue of the digital magazine "The Gift of Stitching."

Bookmarks in Progress

Here are two unfinished bookmarks. The left is a celtic interlaced design from Dover Publications Celtic Charted Designs for Cross Stitch. I hope that I'll get it done for this St. Patrick's Day.

The right one is from the defunct Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine. It is a design that was submitted for a contest on "borders." They're both DMC floss on perforated paper.

A Tiny Valentine

This is a very small heart pillow that I stitched for my granddaughter. It is embroidered in stem stitch with DMC floss on linen that was formerly a linen dinner napkin (found on eBay). It hangs on a mug holder, along with her "Snow Days." The mug holder is a good substitute for a wooden dowel display tree.

A Valentine Gift

This is a pretty freebie design by Maryse that I made into a small hanging pillow. My daughter loved it!

Small Winter Stitchery

This is another Glory Bee freebie stitched on 14-ct. light blue Aida. I'm going to finish it as a small hanging pillow. I'm trying to complete all of the winter-themed projects before spring arrives.

Celtic Bookmarks

These soon-to-be-finished bookmarks are stitched on 14-ct. perforated paper with DMC thread. I will mount them on green cardstock and send as St. Patrick's Day gifts. (I have Irish ancestors from Co. Cavan, Limerick, and Donegal).

The one on the left is a composite from Dover Publications "Celtic Counted Cross Stitch Designs," but I had to change the shamrock. The one on the right is from a library book on celtic cross stitch. I forget the exact title.

Winter Themed Cross Stitch

This is a small pillow hang that I made for my granddaughter. We've had a lot of snow days this winter! I stitched mine on 14-ct. light blue Aida and added a cord of braided DMC floss.

Freebie from Glory Bee www.glorybeestitch.com