Hetti's Delft Blue Tiles and Update #5 Bothy Threads Cut Thru Monday SAL

Hello Everyone and I hope all you Mom's had a beautiful Mother's Day. I sure did. I was taken out to lunch, saw a movie - Iron-man 3 (well my husband and son wanted to see it. It was a great movie to see on the huge screen) and Pizza (delivered) for dinner. All this was celebrated on Saturday but in honor for me for Mother's Day.  Being spoiled and spending the day with the men in my life was wonderful. 
Moving onto needlework for the last week:  Fairy Hill - Bothy Threads Cut Thru Monday SAL...
if you would like to see everyone's progress for this SAL, go to Debbie's Cross Stitch Blog HERE. There are so many incredible designs that everyone is stitching - they are beautiful and FUN.

 New Tinkerbell for this week (well its another one of moms collection).

 before (last week)

 After -  Progress for this Monday

 Got lots of fill in stitched on the bottom around the tree roots - took a long time to do. Funny how it doesn't look like much but I did spend hours stitching all that stone color, the yellow bits to the right of the tree roots, I think is gold because that's a silver pot next to them. Another mushroom has been added and more of the blue and white stripes. Sorry the photos I took at night (just a bit ago).

 Hetti's Creative Workshop - Delft Blue Tiles 2012

I am sooooooo HAPPY I FINISHED Hetti's SAL from last year. By the way the SAL is being continued for 2013. So if you like to stitch them take a look HERE. The link is direct to the correct page on Hetti's blog. So there's no having to go there and scroll down. I linked it direct. But you should afterwards click on the heading on her page and look at her main blog page. She has TONS of freebies and they are WONDERFUL designs.

It feels sooooo Great to have finished this project. I plan make a pillow with this sampler.

Here is a list of  the threads I used:

DMC - 801 Dark Brown

          - 931 Dark Blue

          - 4010 Variegated light Blues

Caron - Wildflowers - 225 Walnut (lighter browns)

                                  - 230 Azure Skies (Bright light Blues) 

Thank You so much for visiting me. I enjoy reading all your comments - I LOVE BLOGGING:)

Our son is finishing his college term this week (finals week). Only 1 1/2 yrs to go till he graduates. Nicholas is studying to be a Graphic Designer.  He already is one:)

With my Love and Appreciation - Annette

Bothy Threads Cut Thru SAL Update #4 & An Ellen Chester finish

Lots to share with you this week. Today I went downtown to Queen Bee Quilt Store and the owner told me that they is going to be "Downton Abbey" fabrics. Her rep is going to keep her informed when they are released. I love that series as do many of you. I can;t wait to see what they will look like. It's been much cooler weather here in Northern California. Yesterday it rained but we still turned on the air in the car. Kind of weird weather going on. Good thing the cars did not get washed. Their clean shine would not of lasted. Here is my progress on Fairy Hill for this Monday evening SAL:

 This Tinkerbell came from Disneyland Park collected by my mom.

Not too much progress. I did get some more strips and cupcakes stitched.

 Love those cupcakes. Usually I get more stitching done but had too many interruptions. I'm very close to completing the first of 9 pages.

 32ct Flax Linen

DMC threads

I've been wanting to stitch this and now its done. I'm going to finish it as a flat fold. This design was created by Ellen Chester's  - "Flowers for my Friends". The chart so far is not for sale. This was Ellen's donation to help in the relief for children who were victims of the 2012 earthquakes in Italy. All proceeds from the sale of this chart went directly to La Lucciola, a therapy center for children. I had donated and received this design with many others in a packet from Nicola in Italy. I am a huge fan of Ellen and her designs.

 I've been getting the hang of rotation with my wips and this is my newest addition. I love this design. I plan to change the background of black (I'm thinking) to a blue or green. This kit came from England from Yiotas-XStitch. Their website has tons of beautiful designs & kits that I have not seen here available in the USA. When I got the kit I really didn't know what to expect. But I loved the design so much I had to have it. In the kit it has ALL the threads pre-wounded in bobbin cards - waay classy. And the threads are all by Madeira. I've not stitched with these threads ever before nor have seen them in person. So this is a first for me.

 Look how pretty these threads arrived. I'm going to use my Crop-a-dial tool to punch a hole in the bobbin cards and add these on a floss ring.

In this kit I got the 16ct Aida fabric, needle, all the threads and of course the wonderful extra sized chart that I can easily see.  You see mom and I use to collect unicorns loong time ago. Way before they became more popular in the 90's. I love the shields in the trees too in this design. I so can't wait to start this project....and from ENGLAND:)))))) It will become part of my rotation. Do any of you have any of Yiotas's kits? There are some Christmas kits on their website I love too.You'll be seeing my progress of this very soon:)
Thank you for visiting me and hello to my new followers. Thank you for joining me.
With my Love and Appreciation - Annette

Bothy Threads Cut Thru SAL Update 3

It's the last day of April. Tonight is (a legend) the Fairy's Ball. At midnight on April 30th which is May 1st, it is said that the Fairy's have a Ball to welcome Spring. 
Yesterday (Monday) I was to stitch on my Bothy Threads on Monday. Well....Thank goodness I stitched some on Sunday. Yesterday was 95 degrees here in Northern California. Our central air conditioner didn't work. Called our friend who came over and we ended up needing a new board part. Anyways it's still not fixed as of today. The new board is in, we know the cooler part works (when jumped by crossing some wires, what you are not suppose to do) but still is not working. So last early evening (our days hottest hours) I fled our VERY HOT HOUSE (fans were on in every room but only to blow very hot air around). Yep I went to visit my Nannie (grandmother 99yrs old) her home was COOL. I don't do well with heat when I cannot get cool.
So here is my progress and where I stopped for this week on Fairy Hill.

 Another one of my moms Tinkerbell's:)

 There is the blue thread stitched (that I decided to use after asking you for your advise). This photo doesn't show it very well. But in person it does looks good.

 Why the fabric looks Grey instead of Blue in this photo?????

The lighting I guess - lol.

Left  heart is stitched in DMC 3807 (Is what I decided to use instead of 793) and Right heart is the called for thread DMC 793 in the pattern. 3807 is what I'm using. Thank you to every one for your suggestions regarding the blue thread. I truly appreciate it very much.
Today was much cooler than yesterday. 85 degrees and lots of winds. I am also stitching on 2 other projects. Mom's sampler and one other I hope to share with you next time. Welcome to some new followers, and thank you to all for leaving comments.
With Love and Appreciation - Annette

Happy Earth Day

Hello Friends & bloggers and Welcome to my New Friends.  
Well it just so happens to be Earth Day today. And how appropriate for stitching parts of the Earth for Fairy Hill by Bothy Threads Cut Thru Monday SAL. Too perfect. Now granted I'm posting this technically late Monday night or Early Tuesday morning.  It's been very warm here in Northern California since last week. Today was 85 degrees, sunny and no winds till much later this evening.
I have to tell you that last night on QVC I stitched while watching Kirks Folly show. Yes I am a fan of Fairy Godmother Jennifer and her siblings. Love their jewelry. That was really fun stitching on Fairy Hill and listening to the enchanting music and seeing all the pretties of Kirks Folly.

My progress from last Monday. Another Tinkerbell to share with you. My mom collected Tinkerbell.

I will share a different one with you for each update on Fairy Hill.

Question for you? 

The chart calls for #793 DMC for the background wall, which will go next to the white strip. Now in person the thread looks the same color as the fabric I'm stitching on. But here in the photo it looks darker. Now I am in a dilemma!

I was going to try a different color. But first I think I will go ahead and stitch a few stitches of #793. But if it looks the same color as the fabric (I really think it will), what color do you think I should try? Maybe a darker blue? Or go with a pretty teal? I really would like to hear your opinions or thoughts please. 

I have been stitching on other projects too this last week. But that's it for now. (probably after posting I will have recalled what else I wanted to share with you - oh well)
With Love and my Appreciation - Annette 

Bothy Threads Cut Thru Monday SAL

A very warm welcome and hello to everyone (it's chilly here today 53 degrees, but sunny). I started stitching on Fairy Hill by Bothy Threads Cut Thru. It was fun to start this project. I am participating in Debbie's SAL (her blog HERE). We are to stitch every Monday on our Cut thru charts. The colors of threads are sooooo fun on this chart. It's different from my other projects and I'm stitching this project on 16ct Adia. Its been great and no stitching over 2 threads:))))))))  But it is a good size project.

Look who came to visit me and see my progress. It's Tinkerbell!!! She's sitting on a spool of PINK thread.
I stitched this on Sunday and late tonight (Monday). There is lots lots lots of backstitching, I will do that later on. I started on the bottom left hand corner of the design. I decided to leave the color of the hand dyed blue fabric ( by me) alone. Aren't those mushrooms cute?  There are 3 leaves and some of tree roots. I know way too early to tell whats what. I wanted to get the mushrooms done to show you:)   So looking forward to seeing everyones progress on their Cut Thru projects.
With Love and Appreciation - Annette

Mom's Sampler & Winner for my Giveaway

 Hello Everyone and Welcome. I want to Thank You for celebrating with me for my 1st year Blog Anniversary. The winner is announced at the end of my post. Some photos to share with you.

Today would have been my moms birthday. Happy Birthday to you mom. One of her favorite flowers was Iris's. And I have taken some photos of my moms Blue Bearded Iris plant. I am thankful the Iris bloomed again this year.

 The full blooms.

 Doesn't this large bud look like satin fabric rolled up - lol.

 I just love the richness of these blue tones.

 Here is my moms sampler of the border. It's a very long one. It will have all our family names on it.
This is an original design. I thought I would share a bit of how it came to be for some of you who are new and have not seen this before. Since its my moms birthday today - I think its a good time.

 I frogged the crowns and found a much nicer gold than the yellow thread I had before. I also used it on the scrolls. My friend Lee is the remarkable talented & lovely designer:) It was her idea for me to stitch a original sampler for my mom. When I told my mom about it (before she passed), my mom said it was "her sampler". She told Lee and I what she wanted on it: Tiara, Roses, Bumble Bees & a Fairy. And Lots of PINKS!!!  If you would like to read more of the story, you can read it HERE.
There have been lots of emails between me and Lee. I have been taking my time and totally enjoying the journey with Lee whose the creator of this Beauty.

I received my chart in the mail for "Bothy Threads Cut Thru Monday SAL - on Debbie's blog HERE"

I had this fabric in my stash but it was a much lighter color of blue:) Yep I hand dyed it. Thought I would make it a bit brighter - lol. It came out a bit darker than I thought it would. I am going to test a small area with Rit Dye Color Remover. Hmmmm no idea how it will turn out. I'll let you know. If the test area doesn't look how I want it to, I'm leaving it and using this fabric anyways. Its 16ct aida. 

I plan to stitch this Monday, maybe sooner.  Okay the big announcement........

CONGRATULATIONS 

THERESA S (At Willow Tree Pond Blog HERE)

Email me your address please so I can send you your gifts please. 

              Thank you again to everyone for visiting me and helping me celebrate my first year blog anniversary. Our weather has been wonderful - mid 70's and one day was 83 degrees. Lots of Sunshine here. I have joined Feedly for my choice of reader since google is going away. Still becoming familiar with it. So even though some of you are now on Bloglovin - I am not there but I DO follow all of you still:) Does this make since?  Hope you are getting to enjoy Spring.

With love and Appreciation - Annette

Still time to enter for Giveaway!

Hello everyone. A warm welcome to you and to the new followers. There is still plenty of time to enter my 1st year Blog Anniversary Giveaway if you haven't already.  I will announce the winner on April 12th. Just be a follower on my blog and leave a comment HERE.
I have finished stitching my project for Easter -  a few days after Easter:) But I haven't made it into a flatfold yet:) Had to show you. I just love this saying....

Freebie chart is by Virginia Knutson - her blog HERE

I participated in a EMS exchange. The month of March was to stitch a Bookmark or Thread Keep. I made a thread Keep for Sandrine who lives in France.  She has received it, so I can share with you.

Summer Basket by Blackbird Designs

32ct Flax Linen

 The threads I used were what I had on hand. So I substituted some. Threads used: WDW -Concord & Red Pear, Gentle Art - Grecian Gold, Crescent Colours - Country Lane, & the rest DMC. 

On the chart there are 6 eyelet stitches. Do you see any? Nope. I looked and checked this chart twice making sure I did all the stitches. I didn't catch it. I only realized it when I was looking at the photos I took and that was after I had mailed the parcel to France. I used Chenille trim from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. But it was natural colored and I hand dyed this trim myself. I used Rit Dye - Tan.

The backing is the background fabric you see in the photo. I did get a beautiful email from Sandine in French and Bea was kind enough to translate it for me. Sandine really liked it. 

Thank you Bea for your kindness & help.

 I received this beautiful bookmark from EMS - Chouette.  She had my name for the exchange & she to lives in France. I love the beautiful variegated floss. All that edging had to take time. I do love to read, but I think I want this as a ornament. Too special. Thank you Chouette:)

 Can you translate the French wording in the stitching?

What a really cool design. And from France:) Love it!

I have joined Debbies "Cut Thru" Bothy Threads SAL. You can join or read about it HERE. I had not seen this designer before. I fell in love with Cut Thru "Fairy Hill" chart. I ordered it & am waiting for my chart to arrive. We are to stitch on this SAL on Mondays. So looking forward to it. 

With Love and Appreciation - Annette