"Jardin en Liberte" my French project & Winners of my Blog Anniversary

Greetings to you! Well I have heard the saying that April brings April showers and this year its true. Lots of much needed wonderful rain today. Actually the rain started over the weekend. Perfect weather for stitching.
I want to thank you blogging friends for all your sweet comments and for participating in my giveaway.
We have a winner of my 2nd year Blog Anniversary.
My son drew the winner (I write down on a piece of paper all the names and assign a number. Then the numbers are written on individual pieces of paper and put into a crystal bowl).

The main & first winner is:

Congratulations to

So Cal Debbie of "Debbie's Cross Stitch Blog"

but wait........I decided to have 2 more winners:) These winners will each receive a medium sized project pouch. Sewn by me!

Congratulations to

Melissa of "Words & Bloom Blog"

&

Vonna of "The Twisted Stitcher Blog"

Please email me your addresses ladies so I can mail your gifts.

If you recall I had mentioned that I was waiting to share my French secret project with you. And now I get to. It's called "Jardin en Liberte" in English it means "Garden of Freedom". This beautiful chart is designed by Irene Marsat Piquet who generously donated the chart to "ICEBERG ated Association". ICEBERG is a charity that raises funds for Children with Autism in France. the lady who I ordered the chart from is Patricia Trinquesse. All communication was is French. And I don't speak or write any French. I use Translator Google - Thank heavens for this very helpful site!  How did I find this beautiful design? Blog hopping one day. The link for the original listing of Jardin en Liberte is HERE.  AND if you go to that link, scroll all the way down and Irene lists 2 darling free charts that compliment this design. It will say "diagramme a telecharger: Jardin en Liberte". Click on the white lettering  "Jardin en Liberte" for the free charts. 

Also on Jura Point de croix website: on their March 18th 2014 listing they showed other stitcher's work who also have stitched this project. I am so impressed with the ladies stitching and at all the different colors that were used in their projects.

Okay after giving you all the links - (I've been waiting to share with you ) When I first saw this incredible design I knew I wanted to stitch it for Lee. It's a birdhouse and a pretty lady on the cover holding a bird. Inside you enter her garden. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Jardin en Liberte 

32ct Natural belfast linen - threads: DMC & WDW

 Front Cover

 A pocket & if you look every piece of felt for the flowers, leaves, birds are all individually cut by hand - ME! over 68 pieces total.

 Thread fob & Scissor fob - one side. The huge thread rings crack me up but they were what I had in my stash and they are mother of pearl. Lee said their great!!!

 Opposite sides of Fobs to show you the designs

 Pincushion

 Sorry the photo is turned sideways. A needle keeper page of rose wool felt

 The back cover & magnets in the birds are what keeps the birdhouse closed.

Lee just loves it! I cannot tell you how much I learned while making this project. It wasn't so much the stitching of all the individual pieces but it was the assembling of the project. I also improved while moving on to each section. For example the vines on each roof - Cover page I was to chain stitch but so difficult to do on felt, second page I tried just laying threads and couching them down (a hot mess), third & forth page I decided to make thin cords - success. Oh I could go on and on but I think you get the gist of it! I do plan to stitch this project for myself but not NOT NOW!!! LOL.

 Chart by Nancy Turner of "The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe"

 I was a lucky winner of one of Nancy's beautiful charts & I choose "Leave No tender Word Unsaid".
Thank you for your visit!
With my Love and Appreciation - Annette