Gifts, Updates on SAL's and a BBD Finish!

Hello friends! Today it was HOT - 97 degrees and to be hotter this week.
Been enjoying participating in BBD & By the Bay Needleart SAL's and I have a large finish to share with you. But first I've received some beautiful gifts...

 Lee from New Zealand ( Notes from under the Mountain blog) sent me a small box with some incredible treasures:) Lee made me a Spring ornament for my Spring tree - it's beautiful. Also as you may have seen on Lee's blog she had been stitching some lovely strawberries and I was given one. The needlework that went into to this strawberry is a piece of art. OH MY I LOVE IT! Lee posted how to make one HERE on her other blog.
 Also Lee made 3 more items to go with my Pink Rose stitching necessaries set. As I opened every precious wrapped gift - My soul soared.
If you can see the stitched rose tall piece in the back of the photo - that's a ort holder!! It came wrapped flat and the the bottom lays down then it becomes dimensional. AMAZING! And look at the sweet black box with  a rose on top. And the last piece is a walnut pincushion. Looks like a special piece right from a fairy's house:)  Lee I cherish every stitch and piece you made me - Thank you from my soul! How lucky and spoiled am I? But I'm totally appreciative.

 Here's a closer look at the strawberry and my fairy rose walnut pincushion. By the way 3 of these pieces are hanging on my Spring tree (our son Nicholas said HE wanted to enjoy them and took them and put them right on the tree). My goodness when I showed Nicholas what Lee made me - you should of seen his expressions. You'd thought they were for him. He went crazy - he acted like it was Christmas!!! Love that kid!

 Sweet Ranae (Stitch by Stitch Blog) sent me a Snooty Parrot charm. I had seen her Snooty Parrot scissor fob and asked her where in Hobby Lobby she had found hers. We have a Hobby Lobby here but when I went looking (hunting) they didn't have any. Well Ranae went to her store and sent me one. As soon as I got I pulled out my beads and made it the same day. I cannot tell you how much I have been enjoying my Snooty Parrot fob. It sparkles! Thank you so much again for your kindness Ranae!

 Loose Feathers Summer, Autumn & Winter 2011 BBD  & 32ct Vintage Exampler by Lakeside Linens

MY BIG FINISH!

 Loved stitching these charts! I made up my own number 4 since I finished it in 2014. The chart showed 2011 - I hope I did the right thing. I wanted the year that I stitched this sampler.

 Mystery SAL 2014 - By the Bay Needleart 

28ct Sand Carolina Linen by Charles Craft

Here's part 1 of Donna's SAL. Part 2 comes out today! I had first stitched the lines white, frogged, then stitched the correct color only to learn one late evening (I was way too tired) I thought it was the wrong color, frogged. Took a break. Next day learned that I had stitched the correct color. sigh.... 

restitched it again. 3rd time's the charm. So far using all the recommend colors. I did order Collards WDW but have not received yet.

 BBD Her Sampler - 1796 SAL    

28ct Sand Carolina Linen by Charles Craft

As soon as the chart was posted on BBD blog HERE on May 4th I started stitching. I finished all the 4 sided stitches on both bands and got as far along on the letter "M". Then I thought I had run out of Grecian Gold thread. Ordered it and the next day found another skein. sigh......

The eyelet stitches on the letter "A" I stitched using Jaded Ivory by The Thread Gatherer Silk. But then thought it might be a bit too light. So the darker eyelets I stitched with DMC 3022. I think I may work with both threads here and there. In person it looks pretty. Difficult to see the beauty in the photo.

The threads that I am using. I made lots of progress a few days while watching (really listening) to the movie Mamma Mia! LOL I think I was stitching to the rhythm of the upbeat songs. I love how this sampler is looking. Hope your all enjoying whatever project your stitching. Thank you for visiting me.
With love and my appreciation - Annette

April finishes!

Hello and greetings! Lots again to share with you. I have 5 finishes and a little cool story with one of them to tell you. It's been hot here the last few days and should get cooler next week for a while. In the mean time like today - too hot to even stitch (99 degrees).

Also HEADS UP!!! If you haven't read yet there are 2 Free SAL'S coming up:
-    This coming weekend - Blackbird Designs SAL. They just mentioned it today on their blog and you can read it HERE. It's going to be a beautiful sampler and they posted a photo of the sampler.
-   Mystery SAL with By The Bay Needleart. You can see the listed supplies and the dates of when Donna releases the parts HERE.  Part #1 is on May 7th.
So have a look if you haven't read about them yet. I do plan to participate in both SAL's.

The next 3 designs I ordered from France. When I saw on Amy's beautiful blog - Thread in Hand HERE I was inspired. I also had to stitch this.
It was the design that Amy finished as a pincushion I feel in love with.

February 2014 kit by Martine Atalie of    -  Le fil Atalie 

Atalie silk threads (I had to stitch a small arrow in the left hand corner to know what side was up)

 Wow! When I received this kit it came with the chart, linen, silk threads & a silk ribbon. Just absolutely beautiful hand over dyed silk threads. The link is HERE to Martine's - Le fil Atalie.

February 2014 - Atalie

March 2014 kit - Atalie

 Hnd over dyed cotton threads by Atalie

 There were some beautiful embroidery stitches as well as some cross stitches in this piece.

 March 2014 kit - Atalie

Atalie's hand dyed cotton threads

 Beautiful piece of silk ribbon came with the kit.

Next is to make these all 3 of my finishes into pillow forms. 

Thank you Amy for your inspiration!

 Forget Me Not - BBD

30ct Expresso R&R Reproductions

In the chart of Forget Me Not - Barb's put the intial's of her great aunt. Barb put the year of her great aunt when she would have been 10 yrs old - thinking that would have been the age her aunt would of started stitching. So that got me thinking - How old was I when I first started stitching? At first I thought I couldn;t remember. Then it came to me - I had a Ah Ha moment! 

 I remembered that my mom had signed me up for a summer class thru our home town and it was sewing.
Okay but how old was I or what year was it? Well back at that time the classes were for free BUT we had to get all the supplies on a list that was given. My mom took me shopping for my very first sewing box. I picked out the blue. It was plastic and was a mini sewing box - I loved it! I remembered that I was so proud and excited I took it to show my grandparents. When I showed my Nonno (grandfather) he said "come with me Annette". We went into the garage and he took out his label maker. YES!!! Nonno made me a name tag and also he made one of the year it was (I had no clue and didn't know any different at the time but Nonno did). So right there in the inside of the cover is the year I first started sewing & stitching by hand.
After all these years I still have my sewing box and my very first project that I EVER HAND SEWED!
A pincushion! It was suppose to be a round pincushion, but mine came out very mis-shaped. All I remember is that I was super proud of my sewing box and my pincushion. And that's in the above photo.

So now I knew what year I first started hand sewing - 1973 and I was 9 years old that summer because I hadn't had my birthday yet. 

I stitched that year in my sampler!

My name label  that Nonno made for me. Thank you Nonno. What a heart warming surprise gift from Nonno even though  he's been gone for over 14 years! Can you believe it?

 I still have some very old threads kept inside as well as a few new ones. One spool of thread says .95 cents and the other .75cents. I have another sewing box that's not much larger than this one that I also use.

 1909 Bird Needlebook - Lorraine Mootz

Spring 2014 issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework Magazine

 I used both Sullivans & DMC threads

28ct Irish Linen  by Charles Craft

I still have the backside of the needlebook to stitch. This design I kept coming back to because of the colors and the bird. I think it has a Berlin style needlework look. 

 Finished stitching Autumn (middle section) of BBD and now am working on Winter by BBD

"Winter" - BBD  -  32ct Vintage Lt Exampler linen

Hope you are finding time to stitch. And thank you for your comments. I do love and enjoy reading every one. Some of you still have a no-reply email address so even though I did send you a thank you, I don;t know if you did get it. I do answer every comment. 

With my Love and Appreciation to everyone of you - Annette

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