Spring gifts & Stitchin!

Hello! I have just learned that Easter is this Sunday. For the life of me I thought it was on the 27th of this month - NOPE its the 20th! And I also thought my last post was last week - HA! It was over 2 weeks ago. I have much to share with you and again lots of photos. I  wanted to share what I've stitched up till today or otherwise my next post would be really looooong:)
I received my Easter exchange from Terri's (Dixie Sampler Blog) Spring exchange.  The parcel was delivered  from New Zealand. - I have a new friend to introduce you to and if you have not visited her blog before I hope you get to. Clare from Craftlady in Kiwiland blog sent me some very lovely gifts.

I was so surprised at what Clare made for me. A beautiful Easter pillow, stitchers bag, needle roll keeper, chocolate bunnies, and a beautiful skein of floss by Cottage Garden threads - color 705 Burgandy. 

It's exciting when I get to see a new thread brand I have not ever seen before. And all these gifts came from all the way from New Zealand.    Lets have a closer look at what I received shall we?

 I love this sweet sweet Easter pillow. Clare added beads that just sparkle in the right places and stitched the design in my favorite colors:))) You have to see up close her finishing on the edges....

 I have not seen before the way Clare attached the rick rack to the pillow around all the edges. It's such a beautiful finish and look at the sweet buttons on top. All photos are clickable for enlargement. This was the first gift I opened and when I did I was stunned at the beauty of what Clare made.

 The second gift I opened from Clare is this pretty spring quilted stitchers bag. The cover is all embroidered and  shaped like an egg. I just love it. And can you see the darling  flower buttons?
What till you see the inside!

 There are 2 pockets on the left side and a pouch bag in the middle - the bag is flip-able (I think that's a word).

Clare added what I call grapes to the ends of the satin ribbon. And the right side is 2 large felt pages - I think she knows me I love having lots of rooms for needles - hehe. This is going to be my Easter purse. Yes I can't wait to walk in for Easter dinner at Nannies house with this on my arm. I know my aunt's are going to take it right off of me. They are going to go nuts I can't wait for them to see it. My Nannie (100yrs old) is going to especially love it. But its MINE not theirs - LOL!!!

 Then I opened up this long gift and it was a needle roll keeper. Isn't this wonderful! This is something I had been really really wanting. I have heard of needleroll keepers and now I have one. The needleroll helps keep & store your linen. Here is one of my latest samplers that I used to show you how this works.
I unrolled the needleroll  and placed my linen right on top of the flat fabric.

 Then you just roll the tube up with the linen laying flat inside and it helps protect the linen from creasing while being stored! Isn't that cool!!! Yes I think you need one too. I think every stitcher needs to have at least one of these. I hope to learn how to make a needleroll keeper for sure. I think this would be a great way to store my finished pieces that are waiting in the "to be completed pile". I'm using this needleroll is for some of my current stitching projects.
I absolutely adore everything Clare made and sent me.  Thank you so very much Clare!!!

 "Forget Me Not" BBD

Fabric - I think its 30ct linen 

I started stitching "Forget Me Not" by BBD  last Thursday. I am hoping to get this done soon so I can hang it up for display before Spring is over -LOL.  I substituted DMC 472 for GA Cornhusk or DMC 370. I wanted a brighter green. In person it looks great but hard to capture the color in a photo. There's a mix of the recommended threads I used between Gentle Arts & DMC. Trying to use what I have in my stash but when I ordered the chart & linen I did order the 2 blue threads of GA because they are soo pretty. 

Here is my progress as of right now - Monday. Not bad progress for 4 days of stitching on and off.

 Have to share with you all the current blooms of my roses. Because too soon they may wilt. 

 I added my initial "A" in the vase. geez I may have to change that light green thread. The test will be when I hold it up as if its on display on a wall. 

Peace rose

Look how bright yellow and some orange shows when its a bud. then when they open the rose changes its color to such a light cream or pale yellow with the pale pink on the edges. It smells remarkable too.

These pretty roses are bright coral and I love the the one that looks like a pinwheel in the middle (left side large rose).

 "Autumn" by BBD as of March 17th 2014

 progress update

 Martha Washington rose bush

"Cross Stitcher in Residence" by Lizzie Kate 

30ct Woodlawn linen

Here's a small that I started and finished since my last post (but before I started Forget Me Not).

Mary Jane (no blog but you know her as Clamity Jr when she comments) sent me this darling chart with a beautiful floss "Peoria Purple" by WDW which I used it for the lettering for "in Residence". The peach or pink floss I used for the large X's and the door was given to me by Linda of Stitchin with my Furbabies blog. I really do like to use the threads that I am gifted from other stitchers. It gives my stitched piece a added warm feeling to me. Thank you Mary Jane and Linda! 

Needlepoint   "Snow Geese" by Elizabeth Bradley

10ct or 13ct mono canvas & all wool yarns.

WOOHOO!!! Another finish!  This is a very old wip from over 12 - 14 years ago. I think you can tell by the masking tape all around the canvas. I knew nothing different at the time back then. This project reminds me when my mom and I first went to Madonna Needle Works store  located in Moraga Hill. I had needed some Appleton wools and they sold the wools there. That was a very fun trip. To finish this project -  I had needed to fill in all the white on the bottom. Didn't take a before photo but its all done now. Next step will be to block it. That will be interesting -lol. I'm so happy Snow Geese is ALL DONE!

Thank you for stopping by and for your kindness. I love your comments.

With my love and appreciation - Annette

"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

Spring stitches & 2nd Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Spring greetings to you! Welcome to some new followers. 

Sunday was my 2nd year Blog Anniversary! And to celebrate and as a thank you - I am having a giveaway. At the end of this post there's a photo that you can see of what I will be giving away. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. I will draw a winner Wednesday April 2nd.
I had stitched & sewed a quit a bit but have waited to share with you till the recipients have received their packages.  And I am getting closer but not there yet sharing with you my secret French project:)))) The person has not gotten their parcel yet - should arrive any day now....Oh the waiting LOL.
A few days ago I wanted to dig right in my new Spring stash and stitch something. I pulled "Twilight Pearls Leaf Ball" by Just Nan. OH boy I thought I was already to start. I have the chart, fabrics and what I thought all the threads. When ever I start a new project I read all the instructions first. Okay no problem. Then I went to pull my threads and I didn't see that I needed 3 skeins of Gentle Arts - Grape Leaf. And of course I did't have them.....sigh.... I was so disappointed. Then I thought "Next"!
Here's what I stitched -
 

Daffodil Run by Just Nan

30ct Woodlawn Linen

  I just love the bunnies in a circular design. And instead of stitching dark green in the  garland around their necks I used Lilac Arbor silk by the Thread Gatherer and changed pick for Strawberries 'n' Cream by Dragonflylotus Designs.

 I had a piece of lavender ribbon that I made work for the edging around the ornament. That's why it's not tightly rusched together. But the color of ribbon was exactly what I wanted.  I think the ribbon came wrapped around one of my gifts I received from Lee. I save all pretty ribbons and try to use them. Don't you too?

 Finally took down our Christmas tree last Saturday. An all time record for leaving the tree up so long. But hey I loved enjoying the lights when it was raining. I think you may recall that I had a  stitchers Christmas tree. Well now I have a stitchers Spring tree. Had to go to Joann's the other day and as I was walking by I saw their spring florals. They were on sale and I had an extra 25% off coupon with on top of the sale price. I only picked out a few bunches of pinks and lavenders. Everyone loves it! Actually the Christmas ornaments are still there but some (the ones I made) are in the back of the tree. So now when I sit and stitch I can still enjoy the all the pretty ornaments I had received.

I love my stitchers Spring tree!! Have you thought about having one yourself? You should:)

 Angel Face Rose - I think!

I have some BLOOMS!!! All the flower photos you will see on this post - I took early this morning while the sun was coming up. Then about 1 hour later - the clouds came and its been raining on and off all day long.

 A RAK I sent to Tricia - The Stamper's Stitches blog. I made the project pouches and needlebook.

 It was so much fun working with bright colors.

 the backs of pouches - I thought the owls were cute! Tricia really likes them.

 maybe this rose is called Angel Face? 

 Same bush but at least I have BLOOMS!!!! How I have been waiting for some roses to bloom - okay any flower that would bloom. FINALLY Spring is here!!!

 Queen Ann's Lace

 name of roses??

 A different red rose bush but again don't recall the name

I had signed up for Terri's Spring exchange. This was my gifts to April of Fabric and Thread and Needles, and Patterns, Oh My blog.  Now I know this was an Spring Exchange. BUT for this exchange we got to fill out a list of favorites: designers, colors, themes etc. I did my best to keep to April's favorites! We didn't have to it was only a a list of suggestions. So one of Aprils fav's was Halloween and her fav colors were Black and purple. So the charts I gave her I thought best fulfilled her list.

I noticed April liked anything primitive. So I stitched some motifs from "Valentines" by Brenda Gervais.
This is a needlebook I made and used some civil war reproduced fabrics.

 One of April's fav designers is The Primitive Hare. I only had one chart from this designer and its an exclusive chart that was included in a packet from 2012 when I donated to "Earthquake Children Victims of Italy".  

 The backing fabric. Oh yes April really liked what I sent her.

Orange Blossoms - our tree is full of them. They smell incredible - our whole backyard is fragrant with them.

Prizes for my giveaway

 I made a medium sized zipper project pouch, needlebook, chart "Topiary in Bloom" by BBD ( it's one of their newest releases), 30ct French Vanilla linen (8x12 inches, linen for the chart) and Cosmo threads.
The Cosmo threads are not the required ones for the chart. The chart asks that you use Gentle Arts Sampler Threads or DMC. I pulled out my GA threads from my English Garden kit. Topiary in Bloom chart uses the exact same colors. So I took my threads down to my quilt store and matched up the colors to Cosmo brand. They look amazing. I will be including a little converstion for this chart that I typed up so the winner will know what Cosmo thread to use for the GA thread instead.    If you would like to be entered for my giveaway all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. I will draw a winner on Wednesday April 2.
Thank you for your visit.  With Love and Appreciation - Annette

Happy St Patrick's Day & new stash

 Hello ! Wishing you all the luck of the Irish! I will be wearing green today. My orders came in from what I ordered from market.  Photos of my new stash coming up but first here's some of my stitching progress:

 Progress on Autumn BBD 

 36ct Vintage Lt Exampler - Lakeside Linens

 Annie of Annie Bebop's Coloring blog had stitched this egg pin cushion design and finished it with beads on the edging. Well as soon as I saw it I stopped what I was doing and started stitching this right away. It's a freebie chart by Aliolka and can be found HERE. I just fell in love what Annie stitched and the way she decorated her tin is so beautiful. Seeing the orange color felt gives me instant energy when I look at it. You may have already seen Annies post but if you haven't please have a look.

 Oh boy I must of thought we won lotto! Sadly NO we haven't! Garden Fair Kit by BBD  it included full skeins of threads, chart but no linen. I have been wanting to try Diamant by DMC I got a gold color. It's so pretty in person. Looking forward to stitching with this thread.

 Needle Bind Friendship by Olde Colonial Designs, Topiary in Bloom by BBD & a fun kit that makes me laugh "Hand Wash Only" by Thomas Joesph (from Ireland too).

 Forget Me Not - BBD I know its a older chart but I love it! 

 Oh here's one chart that I had to really hunt down - Twilight Pearls Leaf Ball by Just Nan, and the required fabrics for it. Daffodil Run by Just Nan and I got a little round tin of Just Nan's - Bunny, 2 sliders Just Nan - Peacock and Bunny's. No charts for the sliders but I would love to find the mini charts for them especially the Peacock one.
Now that I am looking at all this new stash in this photo - it's all by Just Nan. I have noticed that Just Nan charts tend to sell out fast. Hard to find some of her older ones.

 And another beautiful chart Floral Fifteen - Just Nan and the fabrics for the chart. 

I think you saw in previous photos these zipper pouches in the background.  I made for myself some new project pouches and a needlebook from the scraps. The inside of the needlebook I used some special trim and charm that lee had given me. The will house some of these new projects as I stitch them.

Here's a photo of all my new stash and one more item that I didn't get a close up of is Sizzle kit by Just Nan.
I think now I have plenty of some wonderful projects for stitching that are spring & summer themed.
Seems most of my projects are mostly Fall & Christmas designs.
Our weather has been gorgeous! Short sleeves have been needed, nice change. Thank you for your visit.
With my love and appreciation - Annette

Pink Rose Stitcher's Tray

Hello everyone! We've had rain last week and today the sun came out today - very nice. Hope those of you who have had extreme cold temps, ice and snow are warming up now. Since January I've had my secret French project I've been working on - now it's all completed. BUT I should be able to share with you by the end of this month, once the person I'm sending it to receives it.I am so excited about it and looking forward when I get to share with you what I made.
On a shopping stash note - I am waiting for my order still. One chart that I added on late is in the process of being shipped to the store owner - so that's the delay.  When I do get that order in I will post photos:) I listen every day for the post person thinking  "Today is the day my order will be here!" - LOL.

A few days ago I received a parcel in the mail and this is what I opened....

 Pink Rose Stitcher's Tray designed by Lee "Notes from Under the Mountain" blog

Lee's beautiful design is a freebie and can be found at her blog.

 I was stunned and surprised when I opened it. It came flat and all I needed to do was to snap together the corners. AMAZING and truly GORGEOUS gift. And it coordinates & matches my beautiful pink rose set.
I have not seen anything like this before and to now own such a piece by Lee - I am very blessed.

 I absolutely have been enjoying and LOVE my set. Yes I am really using the pieces. What beauty I get to look and enjoy when I stitch - which is everyday:) I Thank you Lee with my gratitude and love.  I think these pieces should be in a museum or Hall of Fame, Lee's stitching & finishing is incredible and perfect.

 "Summer Loose Feathers 2011" by BBD

36ct Vintage Lt Exampler - Lakeside Linens

Finished "Summer" chart - YEA!!!!  and now started stitching "Autumn" the next section of the sampler. For the alphabet I am using my own hand over-dyed DMC floss. When I started the top row I used the DMC then when I got to the bottom row the "S" I used Manor Red by WDW. Well I didn't like it so I left the "S" as is and switched back to using DMC - Liked the coloring better.  This is a beautiful design to stitch and I have been enjoying it.

"Fairy Hill" Bothy Threads Cut Thru Sal with Debbie and Linda

I did very little stitching on this but did get some of the pink background done where the fairy is sleeping and above her on the wall I stitched a plaque where I will add my initals and year. When I complete that section I will take a photo close up.   

Hope Spring arrives soon for you! With my Appreciation and Love - Annette