4th of July Finish & 2 Giveaways Received

Wow 4th of July this week already. Why did I think I had more time to prepare? It's my sister's and Nannie's birthday on 4th of July. I always like to do some decorating around the house. My grandmother turns 99yrs old. From Nannie's front porch we can see the cities fireworks display down by our Delta River. Can't wait to see the fireworks.

Front side of my new calling card

Thank you, Thank you to Sharon! In May I had been the lucky winner of Sharon's Business Card Giveaway on her blog - It's Daffycat. I am so fortunate and grateful to have won. I think this is so cool and a really fantastic idea. I've not had my own cards before. No I don't have a business but I have learned its very classy to have a calling card:) My son designed this for me. They (250 of them) came in yesterday. The card is printed on both sides. And I even have the scan square on the backside. This is way over my head but when you have a son who is studying to be a Graphic Designer - it's very nice.
It's here! I got it Vickie:) And today in the mail I received this super cute Bunny chart from Vickie's traveling pattern giveaway from her blog - A Stitcher's Story. Vickie had received it as a traveling pattern. And now I get to stitch this little guy. Looking forward to do so. Thank you Thank you Vickie. I plan to keep this chart traveling as well.
This July pillow I stitched the last 2 days. It doesn't take long but I worked on it when I was able to. I combined a few patterns. The main heart is from a chart by Pat and Pam -Designer Sampler II. Printed in 1993. It sure felt good to use a chart from my stash long ago:) Then I used Country Cottage - January & April, changed the letter Y, made it up as I stitched. Made up the number 4 and the "th" & "of" letters.

Threads Used: Dragonflylotus Designs
Special Edition #1221 (Dark Blue)
Snow Dna (White)
Snow Moon (Med Blue)

Have you heard of Dragonflylotus Designs threads? These gorgeous threads are Handspun by a super nice and talented lady named Liz. Liz's threads are used for many types of needleworks including Cross Stitching. So to share with you , her handspun threads can be stitched on smaller counts of linens. She has a petite silk line of AMAZING colored threads. The Special Edition #1221 I used has beautiful blend of different wools and different silks and it also has flecks of sparkle. So pretty in person. I did my best to photograph it for you. I was able to buy a thread and fabric pack at the time. The fabric is 32 ct linen. But I plan to stitch something else with that. For this project I used the 14ct adia I had in my stash. I also bought petite silks from Liz to stitch on 40ct linen as well as I signed up for her Monthly Petite Club. Every month I will get 2 silk threads sent to me automatically. Talk about convenient and fun. And very affordable.

Close up of Dragonflylotus Designs Threads.

Thank you very much for visiting me. For those of you living in USA - Happy 4th of July. And for those lining in Canada - Happy Canada Day (July 1). I wish you all have a wonderful time.
Always with much Love and Appreciation, Annette

Summer Mystery SAL - Free

Donna of "By The Bay Needleart" is having a free Mystery SAL on her blog. If you scroll to her May 23, 2012 post, that's were you will find the list of supplies and info regarding her SAL.
Every Friday she posts another part. I'm just done stitching part 2 and she already posted part 3. Part 4 is this Friday. I am behind but that's fine by me. I love this SAL design the summer colors and theme. I have other projects going on, but when we have company and nurses come over, I don't want to be working on a large project (only for that time). This project is perfect for picking up and having to set it down. I can still get some stitching done.
So far I'm using the suggested colors, except I didn't have enough of DMC #159, I'm using DMC 3747. Fabric is 28ct and I think its Lambswool. Yes I'm pretty sure it is. Donna is on the East Coast and I'm sure she designed it with the bay near her in mind. Well this reminds me of Monterey California. That tree on left reminds me of a Cypress Tree. I do believe the whole design when finished will be around 4x6 to fit a 5x7 frame. Just TO SWEET! I've seen some of you have her Stitch an Inch Summer, Spring or Fall. But I haven't seen any completed. I think I was researching and that's how I found out Donna had a blog. And she had this wonderful free Mystery SAL going on. I wanted to share with you....
Okay this was just a fast post.
Always with Love and Appreciation - Annette in California

A Sal - Wip & Lovely stitched gifts received...

Have you been to Hetti's blog? Hetti offers many free workshops and free designs on her blog. She is from and lives in the Netherlands. I learned of Hetti from EMS website. For 2012 Hetti has Stitch-A-Long called "SAL Delft Blue Tiles". The 1st tile was offered in January and every month there is a new one. 12 tiles in all. I started in January and completed the first 2 tiles then fell behind. I just finished stitching Tile 6. There is no sign up for Hetti's SAL and you can start at any time. Hetti's blog is in 2 languages, I honestly don't know the 1st language (I think it's Dutch) and in ENGLISH:) So if you visit her blog please look thru her posts and you will see the English words. On the left side column on her blog, scroll down a little and you will see "SAL Delft Blue Tiles 2012" click on it and Hetti has very conveniently consolidated all the tile charts together for you. All in one place. She also offers many wonderful different ways/possibilities in stitching the tiles. It's a great blog for cross stitching and learning new finishing techniques. She has step by step and with photos. Well that's a no brainer for me.

I did change the colors she used to suit myself. Hers are traditional blues with a touch of red and green. I decided to go with browns and lighter blues. I'm stitching on 28ct Irish Linen by Charles Craft. I had this linen in my stash and I remembered I did buy it from Micheal's. I'm sure I had a coupon:) The threads I'm using are: DMC 801, 931, and DMC color variations 4010, Caron's Wildflowers Azure skies and Walnut. That's it. I am thinking of making a needle roll when this project is done. I honestly am not sure but I have time to decide.

Our very special friend from New Zealand has been blessing us with her Love, Talent and Kindness...Lee. I cried when I opened her gift to me. Lee's gifts were not only for me but for my sister Nicole, and for my mother. Nicole received a the Beautiful stitched Heart ornament from Lee. The darling Blue Bird ornament pictured, decorated the outside of my gift - also hand stitched by Lee. The fabric is felt and is beautifully made. I can't believe I did not take any close-up photos of the heart and blue bird.
And this is my gift from Lee. Isn't it remarkable. Oh yes I couldn't believe my eyes, I was and am so very honored & touched. The design is called Yellow Bird, and she is stitched in chocolate silk. That's a glass stone off to the side of the cover.
Then I opened her up. Is your heart singing? Mine was. My jaw dropped open. There is a scissor holder and a scissor fob (the fob is removable). On the left side of the case there are pockets. Lee tucked some very lovely silk threads for me.

The above photo speaks for it self...

And then the lovely needlecase had yet another magical page that opened.....(a very deep sigh...)
Yes there are more pockets on the left and a flip-able needle wool page. The whole needlecase is decorated with lots of lovely silver charms.

See the crystal beaded pins.....The raised pincushion is perfect...
I don't know how Lee stitched that.

Lee sent an Angel to my mom. I think she did make this...Its so beautiful and incredibly perfectly stitched...I tell you Lee is a Master of needlework. I'm still in awe.
To Wonderful, Loving, Talented & Thoughtful Lee, your gifts of love will always be cherished and remembered by us. You know we love you but it is always great to hear & can never be said enough XXOO. That's from me , mom and Nicole..

What a wonderful week I had receiving such lovely gifts. Liz from our EMS exchange had me for our Scissor Fob exchange. Liz stitched this beautiful Hearts Design for me. How did she know what some of my favorite colors are? :))) Reds, Greens and plums...I love it Liz - thank you so very much. Hmm I guess I get to go scissor shopping for these beautiful fobs I received.

I love that Liz included her name and year on the back. Time tends to go by to fast and before I know it I think "what year was that?" I won't forget who stitched it for me:) She also made the hanger for me. I have yet to make one.

And an update on Ann Dale....
I finished stitching all the yellow and green rows below the motifs. There were lots.

I love stitching this sampler. Stitching with silk is wonderful.

Just a quick update on mom. As you know I & my sister have been caring for mom. Yes we have seen a change in her. The last time mom was in the living room, was for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. She did not see all of it, but did get to see & enjoy the festivities. Time is so very PRECIOUS with our loved ones! We are laughing and sharing wonderful memories with her. I mean we truly are making every moment count that we have left with mom. Time for tears will come later but right now, we are celebrating With Her. She is still here...
Always with Love and Appreciation - Annette in California

A Proper Finish

Hello fellow stitchers. I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend. I managed to finish this mini sampler in time to enjoy the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. That's 60 years for a woman to hold a HUGE job in a man's world. That's impressive. And so far she's not forced into retirement. That's a miracle.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Sampler
by The Sampler Girl
25ct Cream Lugana
DMC suggested threads

The backing, I love this fabric I was lucky to have found a fat quarter. I put it to good use.
I added some glass beads from Mill Hills. Of course a Queen needs to have sparkle in her crown.
Now if I could only stitch and finish this fast on my other larger WIP'S....One can hope.
Off to stitch on Ann Dale and accompany my mom who's been watching the BBC America channel - lots of programs of the Queen's reign. Very delightful.
I wish you a wonderful week and may your needle and thread comply with your designs:)
Always with my Love and Appreciation - Annette