Fall Biscornu and an Update on Beatrix

Victoria Sampler Yahoo Group is having a Fall Contest. Thea Dueck (the host) has designed a fall biscornu for this contest. This design calls for a combination of hardanger, cross stitch and ribbon embroidery( if you like). Stitchers are free to use their choices of fabrics and threads. Other embellishments like beads, ribbons and buttons etc are allowed. Entries must be posted by 1st October and the winner will be voted by the members of this group. I had finished my version of the biscornu. I stitched the design on 32ct Belfast linen (light sand) using DMC and Anchor threads. The biscornu is small, barely 2 3/4 inches in size.

While I have my attention on hardanger, I decided to finish this Hardanger Runner. It has been an UFO for more than 2 years. I got tired of all the weavings and there were lots of other distractions like starting new hobbies and new designs. This design was stitched on 28ct light yellow Monaco. I hope to finish it soon, only five more of those circles to weave.

Here is another small hardanger project to show. I mounted this heart on a plastic box. The thread using is DMC varigated perle 8.

I got this Kit from Doris, she was finding new homes for her UFOs. It is an Emie Bishop's kit with hardanger and cross stitch. Doris had started with the hardanger and I continue from there. Here is a picture of the progress so far. Thank you, Doris, for this kit. I shall enjoy stitching it.



Here is an update on Beautrix. I have been adding two to three motifs monthly, progress is slow but steady. Pictures are posted to the BP SAL's blog faithfully every month. Posting encourages me to pick up and stitch on this sampler every month. I do not want this to be another UFO. This sampler is unlikely to be completed by end of this year as I originally planned.





Happy Dance! I had completed Joyful and Caring, it was a fun and quick stitch. This is the design I stitched for the LHN's Women SAL. This piece is destinated for my friend's birthday next month. I have not decided on the finishing.





Currently, I am busy stitching for swap and exchange. Thank you all friends for visiting my blog. I appreciate all the comments.

Happy stitching and take care!

Hugs,
Ellen

Finishes, SAL and Exchange

I had internet access problems in the last two weeks, cannot access any blogs and of course no postings. DH changed the modem yesterday and voila, I can surf again. I had been busy stitching and sewing during the computer downtime. Here are a couple of finishes to share. I put the last stitches to the Table Topper last week. For the finishing, I have decided to make yo-yos instead of wool circles.




Next on the show, is a hardanger
sewing case. It was a pretty quick project, only took me three days to stitch and finish. The stitching was done on 28ct light blue Monaco using Anchor Perle 8 and DMC Perle 12. My stitching is definitely better than my finishing, lol!




The LHN SAL started on 17 August. We are allowed to choose any LHN's designs with little women in them. I chose to stitch 'Joyful and Caring' - Little Women Virtues Series. This is a thread pack and I enjoy stitching with silk threads. It will be another quick project. I stitch on 32ct Lambswool linen so the design is pretty small, just about 4 1/2 inches square. Here is a picture of my progress so far.





On the exchange front, my partner, April, had received her By the Sea Exchange. I stitched for her a cute biscornu. This Seaside Biscornu is a freebie by Fabienne Reilly(www.feerie.co.uk). Stitching was done on 28ct blueish gray Monaco using DMC threads. I was glad that April like the biscornu and the goodies I sent her.



It is almost the end of August and from now till the end of the month, I will be stitching on my big wips. Hope to share my progress with you in my next update.

Thank you for visiting my blog. All comments are welcome.
Happy stitching N take care,

Ellen

Sharing Finishes

A minute finish to share, it measures only about 1 1/2 inches. This design is by Donna of By The Bay Needleart. I stitched this Bay View Estate on 28ct Blueish Grey Monaco using DMC threads. Yes, I stitched over one again. It is tiny and delicate.



Remember the 36 patchwork squares in my last post? I assembled and machine quilted them and here is the finished bag. I changed the leather handles for fabric ones, they are softer. I am currently taking patchwork lessons at the Community Club. Hope to show my projects in my next post.



Finally, a picture to show what I received from Karen in the HoE Christmas in July Exchange. Karen stitched for me a design by Bent Creek, A Merry Little Christmas. I love this ornament. Karen also sent some goodies, love them. Thank you, Karen for a lovely exchange.


Currently stitching for exchange, so no picture yet. Progress on big wips is still slow, many distractions along the way.

We are celebrating our 44th National Day on the 9th of August. Happy Birthday, Singapore!

Take care and happy stitching till the next update.
Hugs,
Ellen

A Win, Exchange and Catching Up

I won a Giveaway from Beth's blog in May and my prize had arrived! This sampler is designed by Beth Twist of Heartstring Primitives. Thank you, Beth, for the chart. I will enjoy stitching Constance Sullivan.

Recently, I join the second round of swap hosted by Nina. Heard from Nina that my partner, Melinda, had received the SWAP II gifts. The parcel took only five days to arrive in Hungary. The theme for this exchange is Autumn. I stitched Spot of Autumn by The Drawn Thread on 28ct Cashel linen with DMC & Anchor threads. I also stitched a scissors fob using one of the motifs from the chart. Here is a picture of the gifts. Please visit Melinda's blog for more pictures. I am glad that Melinda likes what I had stitched for her.




I am catching up with the progress of my wips. Finished April and May blocks of LK Flip-it Blocks and started on June. I hope to finish June and July blocks by the end of month.




Here is another update of the Table Topper. I enjoy stitching this design, very colorful. I wanted to start a new project but I promised myself that I will finish this Topper first. I have kitted "On The Moors" by The Sampler Girl, all ready to go.



I have done some sewing and here is what I am making, another bag.

I had sew 36 of these squares. Next step is to assemble them and finish them into the bag. The quilting will be done by machine. I would like to hand quilt but it is going to take too much time. I bought this kit from a local quilt shop. The owner is aTaiwanese and she sews beautiful bags and quilts. She carries lots of Japanese fabrics.

Thank you for visiting my blogs and your lovely comments.
Take care and happy stitching till the next update.

Hugs,
Ellen

Updates of Table Topper, Sals........

I have been working on the Table Topper, here is a picture of the progress so far. Sorry for the poor picture, it was dark and raining when I snapped this wip. I switched to Anchor varigated thread for the light green color because the DMC's shade was just not right.


Progress on the large wips is slow. I promised myself to work on them more this summer vacation but got distracted along the way by so many other things. My current interest in patchwork is taking away the time for cross stitching. I had only added two and a half motifs to my BP sampler, very slow progress indeed. No work is done on the Christmas Quaker for quite a while, hope to pick it up soon. Currently working on the LK Flip-it Blocks, the April's block. I am way behind my goals, have to catch up with May, June and July blocks. Hopefully, I will have progress pictures to show in my next posting.




Remember the "Red Needles" in my last post, I had finished it into a sewing book, with pockets for threads, scissors and needles.




Lynn, my partner, had received the Christmas Ornament in the HoE Christmas in July Exchange. This is what I stitched for her - "Winter", a design by The Prairie Schooler. This design was featured in JCS Ornament 2006 Issue.



I just download the July Issue of The Gift of Stitching. Fell in love with the cover page, On the Moors with Emily Bronte Pillow by The Sampler Girl. Another new start? I am very tempted to start immediately but maybe after I finish the Table Topper.

Until the next update, Happy July 4th to all my American friends!

Take care,
Ellen

A New Start and Another Tote

I have started a new project. This Folk Art Fantasy Table Topper is designed by Lettie Eckberg. Design is found in June 2009 issue of The Cross Stitcher. I fell in love with the design the moment I saw it. Kit it immediately and I am ready to start. I am stitching it on 32ct cream Belfast and using all DMC floss as I do not have access to The Gentle Art Sampler Threads. Here is a picture of the little I have accomplished so far.



I have been playing with my sewing machine and have a few things to show. First, another tote bag. I just love fabrics and this tote was the result of a mix and match of fabrics (log cabin design). The cross stitched piece on the tote is "Peppermint Lane" by CCN.






Next, a cushion. These seasonal birdies are Mausimoms' freebies.


The stitching of Souvenir de France was completed and I finished it as a pincushion. I love the new thread (Japanese overdyed) that I used for this freebie.

I have been busy sewing and stitching the last two weeks. Here is another small project that I had completed. This piece is a combination of two freebies, the Needles is designed by Marie and the initial E can be found here. Marie named the design "Black Needles" using GAST Black Crow but I decided to use my favourite red color. I will finish this as a needlebook.


I also have been working on my big wips, will post pictures in my next update.

Take care until the next time!

Hugs,
Ellen

A combination of two passions

I made my first tote bag, combining cross stitch with patchwork. I love patchwork but usually do only small handmade projects. Now, with Brother Sewing Machine, I am looking forward to bigger and more ambitious projects. I am proud of my first Tote.




Look at these lovely threads, they are overdyed threads made in Japan. I bought them from a quilt shop. I wanted to try this new thread and started a small piece, Souvenir de France. This is a freebie offered by Barb of Blackbird Designs.

Yes, I am stitching 1 over 1. This is my first attempt and I am loving it, the stitching looks delicate and petite.



I completed my second sewing accessory from 2009 BBD Loose Feather series. This pincushion can be personalised and is quick to stitch. I found a wooden ashtray at a Pasar Malam (night market) and mounted my pincushion on it.



I am way behind in my big Wips, not much stitching on A Quaker Christmas, BP sampler and LK Flip-it blocks. I got distracted by so many new designs and projects that I wanted to do. Here is a picture of my BP sampler, I only completed one and a half motif in May. I am determind to work more on these wips this summer holiday.


Before I sign off, Yuko is having two blogoversary giveaways. Please visit her blog for more details.
Kathy is also having a giveaway, she is offering surprise prizes. You have until June 26th so go visit her blog.

Take care and happy stitching till the nezt update!
Hugs,
Ellen