Bunnies in the Garden & Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow

"Bunnies in the Garden" - With my Needle

32ct Lilac Belfast Linen

It is March! I know I haven't posted in a while but I have been visiting everyones blogs and commenting:) I wanted to have something finished to share with you and I DO! And a new start.

I finished Bunnies in the Garden in time for Spring. I wanted to enjoy/use these sewing necessaries while stitching other projects during the spring time.  Let me tell you the Chart and instructions were fantastic and easy to follow. If I could finish this any one can. I highly recommend Ellen Chester's Charts - With my Needle.

 Here is the Needleroll opened. It is lined with a light lavender raw duponi silk fabric.
This photo shows one sode of each the pin cushion and the scissor fob/weight. Yes mine is a scissor weight because it contains a quarter inside stitched away. I like the bit of weight so my scissors don't disappear. Haven't you've had your scissors slide away and hide from you? I sure have. I've wasted more time felling around for them, too many times to count. Can you see my little dragonfly charm?

 Here is the flip side - showing the bunnies. I stitched my initials on the scissor fob. Okay I know my ribbon on the pincushion is a bit too wide. But this is all I had color wise to coordinate with the fabric and threads. VERY first time I ever made the scrunched ribbon and making a cord....I am so HAPPY with my cord on the scissors. And I had no cord machine - YEP that's Ellen's wonderful instructions she gives us in her charts:)

 The needleroll - unrolled.

 Talk about sweating  glistening - I had to cut out my needlepage. This was a first time for me.  It contains nun-stitches all around. And I had to cut this out. I did well, thank goodness. My hands were damp while holding the scissors. I used my small thread scissors NOT my BIG scissors. I did cut too short in one part but missed the stitches:))))))))  

 "Autumn at Hawk Run Hallow" by Carriage House Samplings

32ct Linen - Flax color

Threads: DMC, Crescent Colors,The Gentle Art, Weeks Dye Works and 

The Thread Gatherer Silk

A new start for me - Autumn at HRH. I'm stitching this ALL one over one. YEP the whole chart. Okay I want to share with you my latest discovery, Oh MY I think its the best invention ever!!! Have you heard of the Graph Gripper Pattern Holder? One day I was searching on 123stitch.com website. 

I found this chart holder. I ordered it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Its fantastic for holding our small charts. Okay I take mine and fold it up showing only a small section I'm currently working on. And it stays on my embroidery hoop. Also is clamps on QSnap Frames. It was less than $6. So glad I ordered it. You might already heard of this gadget but I hadn't.

 I had seen Autumn at HRH on Nancy's blog. I think she is in France. I'm not sure. But once I saw the colors she was stitching this design in, I fell in love and knew I had to stitch it. So on her blog if you scroll down on her previous posts, you will see she has listed a chart of the symbols and threads she's using. It's a SAL. I'm behind but I'm stitching it. I love the look of the hand over dyed threads. What do you think? I am guessing since this chart has been out for a while, many of you may have already stitched this. Or maybe you have the chart? It would be fun if anyone else wants to join in.

 My book came in. This is from the Saco Museum in Maine, USA. The link is here if you would like to order it. I have flipped thru the pages and it is a beautiful book. I couldn't believe it was only $26, compared to some other books of Samplers that are over $100. This is a book I will read cover to cover, because I'm fascinated with all the stories of each sampler. 

Thought I would share a few of the pages with you so you could see the beautiful quality of the photos. I also want to let you know that I will have a giveaway when I hit 100 followers. I just need 3 more followers:) Its almost been 1 year since I started this blog. I have been so blessed by getting to meet you through blogging. It's been truly fantastic. Hope you have a wonderful week and thank you sooo much for visiting me. Always with Love and my Appreciation - Annette
p.s. I love getting to see large photos. I have noticed since my last post that these photos are really much larger than then used to be.

Bunnies in the Garden

 "Bunnies in the garden" - With My needle

32ct Lilac Belfast Linen 

Threads - DMC, Silk Gloriana, WDW,Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe, 

& Chameleon from The Cherry Tree, South Africa

Hello to you my blogging friends and to my new friends. I am all better now. Cold/flu is ALL GONE:) Finally. Thank you all for your well wishes. It worked:) I have lots to share. I've been stitching every day. I started Ellen Chester's Bunnies in the Garden - With My Needle. I want to have it all done before Easter- Spring. I want to enjoy it while all the flowers are in bloom. When I started this I pulled all the DMC threads first. then I switched them out for Hand dyed threads & a silk that I had in my stash. The chart gives a listing of Olde Willow Stitchery overdyed threads but they are no longer available. Thank goodness Ellen listed DMC colors next to each one. So this is my latest wip.

 This darling visitor came up to our driveway last year (I can't recall what month - Oct I think).
I had my cell phone on me and clicked away.

 Isn't he cute. He must of been someones pet because he looks well cared for & came right up to me. Paid his respects & then hopped away. When I came back with my other camera he was gone - poof.
Since I am stitching this wonderful chart I thought I would share him with you - Appropriate yes?

 I found in my moms stash of fabrics this beautiful nicely weighted silk duponi I think. Its beautiful fabric. I plan to use this for the inside of the Needleroll. The orange fabrics are for a carrot scissor holder. So of course I didn't have any orange fabric on hand - off to Joann's I went. Found 2 good possibilities.

 Needle page for inside the needleroll. I have to cut this out - YIKES!!!

Don't worry I will READ Ellen's instructions FIRST and MANY times before I do.

 Hetti's SAL Delft Blue Tiles

28ct Irish Linen

 I stitched 6 more tiles for Hetti's Delft Blue Tiles SAL 2012. You can look for her free charts here.
When you go to her website or blog - the SAL is listed on the right hand side. She listed all the charts together in one place. I chose some different colors to stitch her SAL in. And I love how its coming out.

 The Han Phoenix

28ct White/Silver Evenweave - Fabric Flair

ALL stitched in Silk threads:)

Oh My Goodness! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed stitching this chart. Monica Ferris "Thai Die" book at the very end has this chart. This is a represention of the bird found on a very old silk over 2000yrs old. If you want to learn more you need to read this book. I did stitch this with all her suggested threads of silks. You know,  I took this photo when the sun was shinning very bright. It still looks shaded. Its really beautiful in person. I bought all my supplies at Needle in a Haystack for this project. They have silk threads that I never knew existed. Great selection. When I complete this stitched piece I will share with you.

On Chris's blog she posted about a incredible catalog, a sampler exhibit in Saco Maine, that she had received in the mail. So after reading her post - I ordered it:))))) Thank you Chris!!!  Then on Ellen Chester's blog she wrote a post and listed a video to watch. YOU MUST VIEW THE VIDEO - if you love samplers. Its really well done.
With Love and Appreciation - Annette

Staying warm and Stitching

 "Baked Goods" by Little House Needleworks

32ct Pecan Butter Lakeside Linens

Suggested threads.

Hello bloggers and Welcome. So far I have been ill all of 2013... I still have the cold part. I'm really feeling much better but still it's taking forever for the coughing to stop. And its been sooooo cold here in Antioch. We are not use to these temperatures of high 20's and low 30's. Burr. But today we did have sun. I have been staying indoors & keeping warm and stitching. 

Starting the new year,  I started and finished Baked Goods by LHN. I've been working on smalls mostly so far. I've also been watching Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year blogs (both 1 & 2). It's been amazing to see which chart everyone selected and to get to see their starts. No,  so far I am not participating. But I sure have loved all the posts:) When I see their pictures of starts (especially the colors) - they look so much more beautiful than the small photos of the charts for sale. So I've been going back and forth from Nicola's blogs to The Scarlet Letter website.. Have you noticed this too? Oh to get to see the samplers  being stitched? WOW!!!

 "Happy Elf Cake" by Brookes Books Publishing

2011 Christmas Ornaments JCS magazine

14ct plastic canvas - Threads: a variety of what I had on hand:)

Happy Elf Cake ornament I stitched Nov 2011. But I had not done any of the backstitching, beading or holly leaves & ribbons. It took me over 4 hours to finish it. The chart calls for perforated 14ct paper. I used the plastic canvas because that's all Michael's had. There is no way I could of stitched this on 14ct paper - it would of ripped on me for sure. I used 3 threads over one. Boy I don't know if I will stitch again on plastic. It hurts my fingers pushing the needle thru all the thickness of threads. But OH YES this was soo cute I had to make one. You can click on the picture for a closer look if you like. My mom did get to see this back then and she loved the Elf Cake:)

 "Santa's House" and "Poisettia House" 

by Country Cottage Needleworks

32ct Lambswool Jobelan

I am stitching Santa's Village by CCN. I'm participating in the SAL on Vonna's blog "Stitching Santa's Village". I don't know if their are still openings but I believe you can view the blog. I am stitching all the designs on one piece of fabric. There is one new chart per month for this series. So I get to stitch Christmas all year:)

Look at these Beautiful thread Fobs. Lee sent me these as a Christmas present and see the bobbin cards? Lee's husband Paul had made them in November last year. As soon as I opened her gift and saw the bobbin cards I cried....They are soo very special to me, and OH YES I love the Fobs she made me too:) Again you can click on the photo to see the fobs of Lee's beautiful stitching close up.
Thank you so very much Lee, I will  make good use of them.

Wishing you a Very Blessed New Year. With Love and Appreciation  - Annette 

End of 2012

 Gift from Lee

 Hi Bloggers. Well this is the last post of mine for 2012. We had a lovely Christmas. I got sick that evening and have been since. Now its the cold part that's left & I can't wait to for it to go away:)
But I want to share with you some beautiful gifts that I have been blessed with. Back in November I won a  prize from Lee's Blog. The parcel came very late, even though Lee mailed it the next day back then. The hold up was due to our postal service (came from all the way from New Zealand). But never the less it's here. Wow!!! Lee sent me a book (above photo) that to my HUGE surprise - SHES IN IT:))) Yes Lee was published in a embroidery book. I was given a precious copy and inside she included 2 of the designs that she is the original designer and her original sampler. GORGEOUS!!!  Also included in the book are more of Lee's designs as well as 4 other ladies who contributed to the book. There are 10 projects overall. Yes the book does include how to finish the projects also.

 

 Can you see Lee's name? 

This is a great book. It covers different forms of embroidery and some very lovely designs.

 Lee also included this fantastic Mug Rug. Like as if I would ever allow anyone to place a mug on this beautiful gift. NO WAY! The back is absolutely stitched perfectly. No knots or mistakes...I'm in AWE.  And she included  2 overdyed threads from South Africa - they are beautiful & some pretty postcards of New Zealand. Thank you so very much Lee. I love everything and will treasure them.

Angel Ornament from Bea in Canada

On Christmas Eve day I received a card & this pretty ornament from Bea. I was not expecting this. What a lovely surprise. I met Bea through EMS forum over 1 year ago.  Her beautiful ornament was place immediately on our tree. Thank you so very much Bea for your kindness and you are an Angel!!!

 Beautiful card & beaded pins from Vickie. Thank you Vickie so much.

 Gifts from Jean who is also in New Zealand.

This was another surprise. A parcel from Jean who sent me these lovely gifts. I love the National Park calendar 2013 of New Zealand(I needed one). She also enclosed photos of her beautiful farm and land that are in New Zealand. It's so amazing to get to meet people who love and have a passion for needleworks. Jean is also a member of EMS forum. And look at this........

 Crocheted bookmark from Jean. I am using it as a ornament:) TOO PRETTY.

Jean I could never do this type of work. It's truly breathtaking. Thank you so very very much.

So far Bea and Jean don't have a blog....hmmm....

 Book from library I checked out. By Trish Burr.

 I embroidered this flower as per instructed step by step from the book. This is a wonderful book as to learn coloring with threads.

 Gingerbread Street by Sue Hillis

Finished house #3. Have 1 more house to go. I didn't finish in time for Christmas but thats had it turned out. I truly didn't stress. This pattern is like stitching each house 3 times. Once for using the DMC threads, then twice for going back and stitching over with a blending filament, and the 3rd time for backstitching. But in the end it will all be worth it.

 Large zippered project pouches - made by me:)

Here are some of the Christmas gifts I stitched that I gave to family members. They all loved them. My Uncle even slipped his new tablet in to his zippered pouch - perfect.  2012 took my mom, and she will always be loved and remembered. For 2013 I wish you a very Blessed, Healthy and Safe New Year.  With Love and Appreciation - Annette      I'm off to have some much needed hot tea...

Hot Cocoa

Hot Cocoa - Little House Needleworks

28ct Gingham Linen

suggested threads used 

Hi Bloggers! This elf has been busy busy busy. I just accepted on late last Monday that Christmas is next week. Too crazy. Much yet to do, but I'm not stressing. I made this ornament Hot Cocoa for our tree. The tree is now fully decorated. Still have yet to take a good photo of it. When I snapped this photo of Hot Cocoa Ornie - the tree was up and only had lights on it. In between regular house chores, I've been sewing many projects for Christmas gifts. Can't show them till after Christmas.

 "Winter-ize" - Lizzie Kate

 I was a very lucky winner of one of Shirlee's 12 days of Christmas giveaways from her blog "The Easily Influenced Stitcher". When I opened her envelope I was so surprised. I thought I only won a chart. Not only did I win a darling Christmas chart but it came with the fabric, buttons and needles. It's my very first Lizzie Kate design ever. Thank you so very much Shirlee - I can't wait to stitch this:)

 I participated in EMS Holiday Ornament Exchange ( you may recall the Santa ornament I sititched in a earlier post that was my gift to Alexia) , and this is my Christmas Ornament I received  from  Judith all the way from Germany. Isn't it Beautiful. It's most definitely stitched one over one.  I already have hanging on my tree. I love it - Thank you for all your beautiful work Judith. 

Below is a photo of the pretty fabric that it's backed with. I love that the fabric is from Germany:)

And here is a photo of lovely gifts I received from Kelly - also an exchange from EMS called "Holiday Secret Pal".  More lovleyness that I can't wait to stitch:) I feel so blessed by the kindness of all these generous ladies. I'm almost done stitching Gingerbread House #3. I still have to stitch House #4. I am doing my best but if I don't get it done it time for Christmas -- OH WELL! Just much yet to prepare for Christmas, as I know all you are striving to get done to. Happy Holidays to YOU!
Thank you for your visit and I do love reading all your comments. 
Love and Much Appreciation - Annette

Winners of my Giveaway!

Congratulations to the following winners for my giveaway:

Prize 1 "Snow Happy" - lynda

Prize 2 "Stitching Buddies" - Lee

Prize 3 "Christmas Joy" - Denise 

I have all your email addresses from your comments when you had entered. You will be getting a email shortly from PattiCDesigns including your winning PDF chart. Thank you all for praticipating!

Happy Holidays - Love & Appreciation - Annette

My Holiday Giveaway

 Prize 1 - "Snow Happy" PDF Chart by PattiCDesigns

Hello bloggers. To celebrate this holiday season I am having a giveaway. These beautiful and fun designs are by Patti of PattiCDesigns. Her store is on Etsy. These wonderful designs or patterns are PDF Charts, these are the prizes. I have prepaid Patti and only have to submit to her 3 winning names and email addresses. Again the prizes are only the charts. Not giving away the charts done and or framed.
I have loved Patti's designs from the first time I saw "Stitching Buddies". I have been wanting to do a giveaway with her designs as a prize for awhile. Only I didn't know how to go about it. So I'm diving right in and really its not difficult at all like I thought it would be. Patti is so nice and talented, shes been a huge help to me:) Also you may know Patti from "Hanging By A Thread Blog" our stitching blogging world. Yep she's one of us. Thank You Patti and thank you for giving me permission to post these lovely photos of yours. 
So have a look at these prizes to see which ones you want to be entered for....and the best part is that they will be emailed to you when I draw the winners. So no having to wait for them to arrive in the mail:))))

 Prize 2 - "Stitching Buddies" PDF Chart by PattiCDesigns

Prize 3 - "Christmas Joy" PDF Chart by PattiCDesigns

All you have to do is leave me a comment here on this post and tell me which one's you would like to be in the drawing for or for all three of them. I will enter your name for each one you tell me. I will draw the winners on Dec 7th Friday late afternoon 4:00pm California time. I plan to have one different winner for each pattern. Meaning if you have your name entered for all 3 of them and your name gets drawn for one - you will not be the winner of the next prize if I draw your name again. So there will be 3 different winners.  I plan to have 3 different bowls that I will draw from. One bowl for each prize.  Today we put up our tree and got the lights on it. That's as far as I got today. Hope you have started to decorate some in your homes.

Don't forget to leave a commit on this post. Thank you for your visit. Good luck to you - Love & Appreciation - Annette