A New SAL

I join Sara's SAL Sorpresa 3 which started on April 1. This is a winter theme project, a continuation of her seasonal theme SALs. The SAL consists of 12 monthly installments and will end early next year.
Here is my part 1 of the project. Beautiful isn't it? I am looking forward to part 2 coming on May 1.

Fabric: 40ct Newcastle Lentil Linen by Nina
Thread: DMC

 Abi's HAL - A Confetti of Hardanger has just ended. She will be starting another SAL with specialty stitches. The SAL is exclusively to her group members.

I have some struggles with the last part of the HAL, the curves of the buttonhole bars did not flow smoothly. After some frustrations, I decided to leave out these bars and just do the dove eyes. Here is my completed doily! Thank you Abi for a beautiful HAL!

A closer look at the fillers!

Some hardanger smalls to show. The design is from Judy at Whitework Embroidery. She does beautiful whiteworks, please visit her blog to enjoy her gorgeous works!

The other side of the scissors fob!

I also  stitched some small designs from various cross stitch magazines. Now I must find time to do the finishing ha ha! Hopefully in my next post, I will have something to show!

I found Claudia's blog through Judy, she is doing a gorgeous Embroidery Alphabets SAL. The embroideries are so beautiful, I could not resist and started on my inital E. I have fun doing these embroidery stitches, some are new to me. Please visit her blog to see the other alphabets, the SAL is currently at letter I.

Claudia got me so enthusiastic in embroidery that I have started another project, an embroidery pincushion. Hope to show in my next update.

More on Dorothy and Summer in my next post, in the meantime Happy Stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

Dorothy Is Back....

but progress is slow. I am stressed over the over 1 stitches. The crosses on 40ct are very tiny and I am not happy with them! I jump over and start the next band, the eyelets - lots of them ha ha!

Can you see, only a few over 1 words?

I am happy that all the satin stitch alphabets are done, they are a joy to stitch!

The other reason for Dorothy's slow progress is because I got distracted by other projects along the way ha ha!

I am at the final stage in my hardanger SAL. This last part consists of dove's eyes and buttonhole bars. They are all round the doily, between the row of klosters and the buttonholed edge. With multiple projects on going, it may take me a while to complete these!

A closer look at the little white flower, the edelweiss. Isn't it pretty?

My ornament for the month is done. I chose LHN Peppermint Twist, stitched on 32ct Amber Linen using DMC and overdyed threads.

Isn't this bag beautiful? It's a gift from my friend, Kristine. She even made a small pouch to go with the bag. I love them, thank you very much Kris!

Next update, I will show works done on Summer. Thank you for visiting my blog. All your comments are greatly appreciated!

Happy Easter!

Hugs,
Ellen

New Year Giveaway

Happy New Year!

I am starting 2013 with a giveaway to thank all my blogger friends for your visits, lovely comments, inspiration and friendship. The parcel will include charts, stitching goodies and something stitched by me! Here are the charts!

No picture of the goodies and stitched piece as I have yet to decide what to include in the bag ha ha! Just be a follower and leave a comment on this post, I will draw a winner on January 19th.

Now on to the stitching stuff. I started Dorothy Walpole on Boxing Day. I love stitching with silks, they are so soft and smooth. Here is my progress posted on Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year blog on Dec 28.

Fabric: 40ct Sand Linen
Thread: AVAS silks

A closer look! I am enjoying this sampler and had made further progress. Will update when I have a chance to take some photos!

Next an update of the hardanger SAL piece hosted by Abi of The Stitch Specialists. We have progressed to part 11 of this SAL, lot of cutting and fillers.

I love these fillers!

I would like to leave this post with  pictures of my last finish for 2012. The French design is from a Japanese magazine Idees Vol 16. My friend will help me to sew it into a pouch as shown in the book.

Fabric: 28ct Blue Jubilee
Thread: DMC 803, 915

Thank you for your visits! Please remember to join my giveaway!

Happy Stitching in 2013!

Hugs,
Ellen

HAL and some Christmas Stitchings

It's hard to believe that Christmas is coming! I have not post for two months ha ha! September and October are lazy months for me, not much stitching. In October, I went to Taiwan with my mum for a short holiday. Here is a picture of Taipei 101!

Taroko Gorge!

I join The Stitch Specialists(TSS) Group recently. They are currently doing a HAL - A Confetti of Hardanger designed by the Group Owner Abi Gurden. This project is exclusive to TSS members only! Here is my progress, I am stitching on 32ct platinum Belfast using DMC Perle 712. I use Dinky-Dyes Peach Melba for the flower motifs - a very pastel touch of colors!

Designer:  Abi Gurden
Fabric: 32ct Platinum Belfast
Thread: DMC perle, Dinky-Dyes

A closer look!

For Christmas, I am currently stitching Elisa's tenth Christmas Tree. You can visit her blog to see the gorgeous tree. Here is the chart and my tiny start ha ha!

I am using DMC threads on 36ct Edinburg linen -Dried Thyme, hand dyed by Nina.























Another project I plan to start is this chart "Merry & Bright" by Erynne Chard.

You can check out Edgar's and Myra's blogs to see their progresses! I decided to borrow Myra's idea and stitch individual squares as Christmas ornaments instead! Here is my first square, not finish yet!!!

Designer: Erynne Chard
Fabric: unknown scrap
Thread: DMC

I am stitching for Christmas exchanges in between these projects, no pictures until later. Here are a couple of small finishes accomplished during the two lazy months.

Designer: SAL by Nicky Creations
Fabric: Unknown
Thread: DMC

Designer: LK
Fabric: 32ct Cream Belfast
Thread: DMC

Designer: The Primitive Hare (freebie)
Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast
Thread: DMC

Next, a couple of gifts from friends. I love and collect boxes, all kinds. My friend knows me well and gave me these two wonderful tin houses from England! Thanks, Claudia, appreciate them!

Another friend, Kristine presented me with these two tatted necklaces! Aren't they gorgeous? Thank you, Kristine!

That it until the next update! Thank you for visits and comments, they are greatly appreciated!

Happy Stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen