Exchanges to share

Wow, look at this gorgeous Winter Quaker that Margaret stitched for me. The pictures do not do it justice, it is simply stunning. Margaret's stitching and finishing are perfect. The chart is from The Gift of Stitching May 2007 Issue. Margaret used DMC pearlescent thread and it glistens in the light. Thank you, Margaret, for all the goodies. I will treasure this Quaker.


Tracy had received my parcel for the HoE Biscournu Exchange, so now I can show what I had stitched for her. This chart is a freebie by Maria. I used DMC 815 on 32ct Belfast linen.
More pictures at Tracy's blog.








I had this small finish to share. This is a freebie by Carole D and first stitched by Linda. I was attracted by the variations threads that Linda used for this pattern and had to stitch one for myself. Here it is, my blue love birds. I would probably finish this as a biscornu.








I went for patchwork class last week and finished this handmade little tray. It can be used for trinkets and sewing accessories.


Thank you for visiting. I appreciate all the lovely comments. Take care until the next update.

Seasonal Breezes SAL is finally complete.....

Yippie, this SAL is finally complete. I received the final part early this month and completed the stitching on Feb 13th. Now, to decide, should I stitch a border? What color? I welcome any suggestions/comments.


In my last post, I mentioned that I had joined another SAL, the Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler SAL hosted by Hazel. I started late and had just posted my first picture on the SAL blog. I use DMC variations 4210 on 32ct Belfast linen. Here is a picture of my first progress. We are supposed to post monthly progress pictures to the Blog. I am enjoying this SAL.





I had an exchange to share. I received my HoE LK exchange from Rita. She stitched an Alphabet Sampler and finished it as a flatfold. It is beautiful and I love it. Rita also sent me some goodies, thanks Rita for a lovely exchange.










I am meeting my monthly goals, here is my February ornament. This is a freebie by Valerie @ Bonheur de Brodeuses. I am now rotating my stitchings among 3 big wips, ie, A Quaker Christmas, BP Quaker Sampler and LK Flip-It Blocks. Will post progress pictures in my next update.




Thank you for visiting my blog. Take care until the next update.

Valentine Hearts

Time flies, yesterday was the last day of Chinese New Year. Traditionally, the new year is celebrated for 15 days. Valentine's Day is round the corner, I stitched these two hardanger hearts for my friends. The charts are freebies from Fairy Needle. They were fairly quick to stitch.

It's a bit late but here it is, my January Ornament. This design is no stranger, it has been stitched by many. My ornament is a bit big, it looks more like a pincushion. I stitched it on 28 ct Cashel linen.








I rotate my two big projects, A Quaker Christmas and LK Flip It Blocks, and the progress is great. I have finished the February Block of LK ahead of time and have plenty of time for my exchange stitchings. I am so crazy about Quaker, I have started another Quaker project. I joined the Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler SAL hosted by Hazel. I am stitching on 32ct Belfast linen using DMC variation 4210, will post progress soon. In the meantime, here is February Block of LK and Progress #3 of A Quaker Christmas.












Still remember my Willie Quaker Square #7, here is a picture of the finished Tote Bag. My friend helped me and her sewing is super.
I took my mother to the Annual Flower Show at Sentosa earlier this month. My Mum and I love flowers. I will leave you with pictures from the show.
Take care and Happy Stitching!

Exhange, exchange and wip progress

I received this beautiful fob from Monique of Luxembourg. This is the very first exchange of Tiny Treasures Exchange hosted by Sharon. Monique stitched this Passione Ricarmo design in my favourite colours. On the back of the fob, she stitched our names. I love the fob, it is now on my scissors. Monique also sent me some buttons, DMC threads, a thimble and an address book with postcards. Thank you, Monique for a lovely exchange.





For this very same exchange, this is what I stitched for my partner, Joan. This design is a freebie from Windy Willow. I stitched in Joan's favourite colour, blue. More pictures are posted in Joan's blog.









Next exchange, I stitched this LK freebie for Melissa for the HoE exchange. I finished it as a pincushion with Melissa's initial at the back. Please visit Melissa's blog for more pictures.









Now, an update on my WIPs. Here is A Quaker Christmas progress #2, it is progressing very nicely. I have also started the LK Flip It blocks. I am stitching them all in one piece. Finished January's block and just progressing to next month. In between these two big projects, I am stitching for exchanges and working on my monthly ornament.
Thank you visiting my blog and all the lovely comments. Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone who
celebrate Chinese New Year.

Take care and Happy Stitching!

First Finish of 2009

Double firsts! This is my first finish of 2009 and it is also my first LHN design. I really love this chocolate box but still not sure how I would finish it.










Next an update on the Seasonal Breezes SAL that I am stitching. This SAL was delayed due to the holiday seasons, it was supposed to finished by Jan 2009. I have just finished stitching Spring Breeze 7, can't wait for last part due next month. This SAL is fun and quick to stitch.


I have started on my 2009 project, A Quaker Christmas. Not much done yet but it a start, I am pleased with the green colours. Here is a picture of the progress so far. I have also started on my second project, the LK Flip it Blocks. Almost finish January Block, will post picture soon.



CHINESE NEW YEAR
Chinese New Year is just round the corner, on the 26th and 27th of January. Traditionally in China, Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the start of spring. Hence, Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival. In Singapore, being Chinese majority, we celebrate Chinese New Year in big ways. We spring clean and decorate our homes with lanterns, new year decorations, potted flowers and Kamguat (orange) plants. Red is lucky and the colour for Chinese New Year. Here are two pictures of shops selling new year decorations, they are traditionally red in colour. Most shops will be closed on the eve of Chinese New Year and the first day of New Year. We have a reunion dinner on the eve, normally a steamboat dinner. I will be going to MIL's house in KL, Malaysia, for the new year.


More about Chinese New Year in my next post.

Take care and happy stitching!

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2009.

My younger DD is going back to school tomorrow after a 2-month break. She is going back to her new school campus which was under renovation/extension for 2 years.

I pick up my stitchings again after Christmas. Happy dances, I now have 2 finishes to show. I put the last stitch to Willie's Quaker Square #7 on 27th Dec. I am very pleased with my colour choice for this piece, it turned out beautifully. Started on my first project/goal for 2009, A Quaker Christmas. I have a hard time deciding on the colours but finally choose the basic colours of Christmas, ie , green, red and gold. Will post picture of progress soon.
The next finish is the Peppermint Lane. This is the piece I stitch for the LHN/CCN Winter SAL, my first CCN design. This design is beautiful and quick to stitch. Another first, I started on LHN Chocolate Box. It is almost finished, will post picture later.

If you have visited my blog earlier, you will have noticed that I stitched these 2 pieces a long time ago. I finally have them finished as bourses. I am very pleased with my first attempt at making them.

I am gathering fabby and threads to start my second project - the LK Flip It Blocks. My stitching is back on track, I find that it heals and ease painful memories.

Happy Stitching and take care!

Update and exchanges

It's almost a month since I last posted. It had been a busy and sad month. My dad was very sick in November and passed away on the 26th of November. His death hit us very badly especially my mom. I missed my dad very much. I have been spending time with my mom so that she will not feel too sad and lonely. I guess time will heal the pain and sadness.

I have tried to pick up my stitchings again but the mood is not there. In the meantime, I have set myself some stitching goals for 2009:

1) A Quaker Christmas by ByGone Stitches

2) Flip-it Blocks by Lizzie Kate - one block per month

3) Christmas ornaments - one ornie per month

4) exchange stitchings

I hope to start stitching after the holidays. Have a couple of exhanges to update, I received my HoE Christmas ornament from Leigh D. She stitched a lovely stocking ornie by Blackbird Designs. She also sent me some note pads, chocolate and a nice card. Thank you, Leigh for a lovely exchange. I also participated in the EMS 5th Annual Ornament exchange and received this lovely ornie from Melissa McQueen. I am not sure about the origin of this design but thanks, Melissa for this ornie.


I join LHN Winter SAL and started on Peppermint Lane. Here is a picture of where I left off.






Thank you for visiting. Merry Christmas and a wonderful year ahead!