An Update on Susan

Susan is progressing well. I really enjoy stitching this sampler. Here are some pictures of my progress to date.


That white patch below the butterfly is the tail of the squirrel. Hope to work on this sampler regularly.




On the Exchange front, Carol had received the Snowman Ornament that I stitched for her. The design is by Patti of SamSarah Design from JCS 2007 Ornament Issue. The red fabric is what I used for the backing of the ornament. I am so glad that Carol love this ornament.

Fabric: 32ct hand-dyed Khaki Belfast
Thread: DMC

Here is another picture of the Snowman.


I received a gorgeous pin pillow from Riona. This is for the HoE PS Seasonal Exchange. My favorite season is Autumn and I really love this design that Riona chose to stitch for me. The pin pillow is filled with crushed walnut shells, it's sure is heavy. Riona's stitching and finishing are perfect. Thank you, Riona, for a wonderful exchange.


Look at the beautiful stitching and that acorn charm at the corner! I love it!



My thread pack for Brenda's Mystery Sampler finally arrived. Look at these gorgeous colors!
I am looking forward to another new start, ha, ha!



I found this lovely scissors stand while out shopping with my DD. It came with the scissors, I love it. The fob attached to the scissors is made for a friend.


Another find, a tiny wooden cup. It is supposed to be a card/message stand but I am going to make into a tiny pincushion. That stitching is another scissors fob using Caron's Wildflowers thread.

My friends and I visited the Peranakan Museum last week. I took lots of pictures. The Peranakans are people of mixed ethnic groups. The Peranakan Chinese form the biggest number of Peranakans in Southeast Asia, there are other communities of Peranakans such as Jawi Peranakan(Indian Muslim) and the Chitty Melaka(Indian).

Many beaded items owned by the Peranakans were made specially for weddings. They were mainly made with glass beads from Europe, and range widely in size and function, from slippers to table covers. Here are some pictures of the beautiful beaded slippers.







Peranakan women started to wear the kebaya from early 20th century. Fastened by brooches and worn with a sarong(skirtcloth), the kebaya is the garment most associated with the Peranakan community. I am very attracted to this special exhibition of white lace kebaya, took lots of pictures. They are machined lace but so gorgeous!





Take a closer look at these laces, they are exquisite!




Here is one kebaya that is not white!


Thank you for visiting my blog and taking time to leave comments. I really appreciate them.

Take care and Happy Stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

A Big Project

I could not resist Susan. I saw Merumo's finish of this Sampler on her blog, it is gorgeous! Found a piece of 28ct Mushroom Monoco in my stash that is big enough for this project. This is going to be a big project, finished size is 23.12 x 13.62 inches. I decided to use DMC cotton instead of the Needlepoint silk that this Sampler called for.

Design: 1839 Susan Rambo Sampler
Fabric: 28ct Mushroom Monaco
Thread: DMC cotton

Here is another picture of my start, I love these colors. Will try to work on this project regularly and post updates. I am not a one-project person.

I participate in two HoE Exchanges that are due in June. Both exchanges, the PS Seasonal Exchange and the Snowman Round Exchange, had been mailed. For the PS Seasonal Exchange, I chose to stitch for my partner a design from The Gift of Stitching. This is Marie's favorite season - Fall.

Design: From February 2008 of TGOS
Fabric: 28ct Monaco
Thread: DMC

I finished this piece into a mini wallhanging. Marie had received this exchange and I am so glad that she like it.

I received a beautiful Snowman Ornament from Erin W for Snowman Round Exchange. She stitched for me a design by Cathy Jean from the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue. She personalised the ornament with our names on the back. I love this round ornament very much. Erin's stitching and finishing are perfect. Thank you, Erin, for a lovely exchange.



Patti had a giveaway on her blog in May. Look, what I won, a needlecase and matching fob kits. Patti was stitching Just Nan's Bluebird Alphabet then and I just love it. Patti is so gracious to include this design in my wining parcel. She had finished and framed Bluebird Alphabet, so hop over to her blog to see this pretty stitching. Thank you, Patti, for the lovely kits and Just Nan's chart.


Here is a close up picture of Bluebird Alphabet!



This next picture should be familiar to most stitchers. It is Tulip House Stitching Companion from BBD's A Stitcher's Journey.

I got the box from Myra. She painted it, isn't it beautiful? This project is on top of my "To Do List". I had stitched the Tulip Pincushion, just need to finish it. See my earlier post.


Thank you for all the lovely comments, they are greatly appreciated. I will leave you with pictures of a sumptuous High Tea at Regent Hotel. It was a Mother's Day treat for me!

Take care and Happy Stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

Mary Glover

I finally completed this SAL hosted by Emmanuelle. The Rice Stitch panel is beautiful but it took me a long time to finish it. Have a look at this panel, I love it.


Here is a picture of the sampler. I just love these colors! I had enjoyed stitching this sampler very much. Thank you, Emmanuelle for hosting this SAL.

Fabric: 32ct Vintage Mocha Belfast
Threads: DMC

Remember this hardanger scissors case on my last post? I stitched a scissors fob to match it. The thread is hand dyed Minnamurra Perle 8 from Australia.

The other side of the fob

Look at this beautiful needlebook gifted to me. My friend is great with tatting and she decorated this felt needlebook with her gorgeous tatting lace. Thank you, Jessica and Kristine.



Another scissors fob in green to match this needlebook!



I stitched another design from JCS magazine. This is an easy and fun stitch. It is supposed to be a pincushion but I am going to finish it as a needlebook. I do not want a big pincushion, it is 8 inches long.

Design: Bloom by M Designs
Fabric: 28ct Cashel Linen
Threads: DMC

I have been stitching for HoE exchanges, no pictures until they are received by my partners.

This month's post is short, hope to have more to show next month. Thank you for your visits and comments, they are greatly appreciated!

Take care and happy stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

Easter SAL Completed

The Easter SAL had came to an end with the final part 8. I actually completed the stitching before Easter but has no clue how to finish it. Finishing has never been my forte, so this beautiful piece went into the box to join many others.

I enjoyed this fun and colorful SAL. Thank you so much, Carole, for sharing this beautiful design. You can visit Carole's blog to see the gorgeous finishes by other stitchers.


This one is not done yet! I still need to put in more daisies, about 7 more. Love these hares, aren't they cute?


I stitched another Spring's design -"Nid sous les Fleurs". This is a freebie by Cathy R of Les Chalet des Perelles. I love these blue birds beneath the flowers.

Designer: Cathy R
Fabric: Edinburgh 36ct Flax

Thread: DMC

Here is another finish to show. This kit is a collaboration by Nina, Babi and Hababann. Please visit Nina's blog if you are interested in this kit.

Designer: Babi's Treasures
Fabric: 40ct Linen stitched 1 over 1
Nina's Thread: Copper

I managed to complete the finishing for this project. This is my first hornbook. I am very pleased with the finishing even though it is not perfect.




I participated in the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange - Quaker Round. This is the ornament that I stitched for Edgar, my partner. The design is by Ellen Chester from JCS 2006 Ornament Issue.

Designer: Ellen Chester
Fabric: 32ct Vintage Mocha Belfast
Thread: DMC

In return, I received a gorgeous ornament from Gaby all the way from Germany. I love it very much. The design is from The Gift of Stitching and stitched in my favorite color, Red. Gaby also sent me a French chart by Emmanuelle Carre Briand.


Look at the detailed stitching and the beaded edging! Gaby's stitching and finishing are perfect. Thank you, Gaby, for a lovely exchange.



Edgar is celebrating his 4th Blogoversary with a giveaway. Please visit his blog to celebrate with him!

Thank you for visiting and taking time to leave comments. They are greatly appreciated!

Take care and happy stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

It's Spring, it's Easter

I have Spring fever, all my stitching this month are Spring/Easter related.

First, an update of the Easter SAL hosted by Carol. We are almost at the end of this SAL, only one final part to go. I really enjoy this SAL, love these chicks and bunnies.



As promised in my last post, here is my chicky pincushion. I love this finishing.


More bunnies, I could not resist them. I fell in love with this bunny family when I saw it on Danybrod's blog. I will finish this in the same style as Dany's, visit her blog for more bunnies/Easter designs.

Promenade en famille by Danybrod
Fabric: 36ct Lambswool
Threads: DMC

Yes, you are seeing more bunnies or hares! This design is from Cross Stitch Collection Issue 195 entitled "March Hares". I love these hares frolicking and boxing among the daisies.

Designer: Lesley Teare
Fabric: 28ct green Cashel Linen
Threads: DMC

Here is a picture of this design made into a cushion. Isn't it gorgeous?



My next project is also from a cross stitch magazine "Just Cross Stitch". This is a seasonal sampler which will be presented over four issues. I intend to stitch all four seasons and finish it as a bellpull. This design is very colorful and employs some specialty stitches. For Spring, there are long arm cross stitch, eyelets, smyrna cross stitch, rice stitch and satin stitch. The verse is stitch over one thread.

Designer: Sally Hesketh
Fabrid: 32ct cream Belfast
Threads: DMC

I love these colorful alphabets!



Thank you for your visits and comments, they are greatly appreciated.

I will leave you with pictures of a Hardanger Scissors Case I made. It is the right size for a pair of 3 1/2" scissors.

Take care and happy stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

SALs

Edited: Notice the background of my blog? These are the beautiful hand-dyed threads from Nina.

I had changed the layout of my blog. With the help of my daughter, I managed to add a few new gadgets. Hopefully, I will be able to manage my blog better now. I am still playing around with the layout, you may see changes in the next few posts.

I love SALs, got myself involved in a few, cross stitch and hardanger.

An update on the Mary Glover SAL hosted by Emmanuelle. I am currently working on part 5 of the SAL with alphabets over one thread and some satin stitches. Here are pictures of part 3 and 4. The over one thread verse in green took me a while to stitch. I enjoy stitching this sampler, love the colors.

I join another SAL hosted by Carol. The theme of this SAL is Easter with spring colors, chicks and bunnies. Here are some pictures of the various parts.



Notice the difference in the fabrics in part 1 and part 2? I restitched the SAL on 36ct lambswool linen. The first piece was on 32ct Vintage Mocha Belfast and I intend to make this into a long pincushion. Will show a picture in my next post.



We are presently at part 5 of the SAL. Love this SAL, the stitching is fun & quick and each part can be made into stitching smalls. Some of the stitchers have done that, you can see pictures on Carol's blog.

I am way behind in my hardanger SALs. Got distracted by so many beautiful things along the way, there are so many things I want to stitch. Hope to catch up and have pictures to show by the next post.


I do have two other small finishes to show beside the SALs. Love flowers and could not resist stitching this Magnolia from Issue 194 of Cross Stitch Collection (an UK magazine).

The paper roses in the pictures were made by my DD. She loves crafts.


Received my copy of BBD's "A Stitcher's Journal" and stitched this tiny Tulip Pincushion. I used DMC threads on 32ct Sand Belfast. The colors are very light(muted). I have yet to sew it into a pincushion, still looking for that perfect button/charm.




This Reindeer Ornament was stitched for me by Amy for HoE, the Reindeer Round. The design is a freebie by The Sampler Girl. Thank you, Amy, for this beautiful ornament.


Still working on my Quaker and Quilts, hope to have pictures to show next time. Thank you for visiting my blog. All comments are greatly appreciated.

Take Care and Happy Stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen