BBD Little Sampler

By now, you would have seen this little sampler being stitched over and over again. There are so many versions, so many memories and so many colors.

Here is my version of this little sampler. I stitched it on 32ct linen using my favourite autumn colors, DMC 3857, 3859 and variations 4140. I decided to put the family name on the sampler. Thank you, Alma for this chart.


Next, an update on my wips. I am way behind this month, have yet to start on my April's Christmas ornament and LK's April Block is only half done. Progress on Quaker Christmas and BP Sampler is also slow. I had to frog out a whole motif on BP Sampler because of one missing cross. I was upset and put it away for a while. Here are the progress pictures todate.





Simone is having a Blogoversary Giveaway. Please visit her blog for more details.


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

Hugs,
Ellen

Wonderful Exchanges

I have two wonderful exchanges to share.

Today, I received my woodland exchange parcel from Simone. This is the second time Simone stitched for me, the first being the Floss Tag Exchange on HoE. Simone's stitching and finishing are beautiful. She chose designs from "And A Forest Grew" and finished them into a pincushion and a scissors fob. The fob was personalised with my initials on the back. They are so beautiful, I love them. The fob is already on my scissors.

Simone also sent me goodies. Look at picture to see what she sent me. These goodies will be put to good use for my next exchange.

Thank you Simone for a wonderful exchange.





Last week, I received another super exchange from Nela of Venezuela. It was the long awaiting Biscornu Exchange. The first parcel was lost in the post and Nela had to stitch a replacement. Thank you Nela, I appreciate the time and effort put in.

Nela sent my exchange in a lovely and nice smelling box. I was speechless when I opened and unwrapped the presents. Nela designed and stitched a biscobourse especially for me. The closure on the biscobourse is very special, it is a chinese knot. Nela took five hours to make it. Look at the treasures I found in the biscoburse - a floss tag with ribbon and threads; a needlebook and a scissors pouch with scissors, a beaded scissors fob and a tiny biscornu fob. These tiny treasures are all personalised. They are beautifully stitched and finished, I will treasure them.

Nela also sent me a thread keep handcrafted by her. She put my favourite flower on the front of the thread keep and my name on the back. She is a very talented lady.

Thank you Nela for a wonderful exchange.





For the same Woodland Exchange, my partner Verona had received the parcel. I found a Arbor Day freebie in my stash. I modified the chart and added some motifs. It was finished as a needlebook. I personalised the needlebook with Verona's initial on the inside. I am glad that she likes the needlebook.




Since I started blogging in September last year, I realize that there are a lot of talented stitchers out there. I love to see all the beautiful things they stitched and finished. They enable me, I want to stitch and make all the lovely things I have seen.

Until the next time, happy stitching and take care.

Hugs,
Ellen

Spring SAL '09

Remember the LHN/CCN Spring SAL I mentioned in my last post? Well, I managed to put in my last stitches before the deadline - 15th April, 2009. Here is a picture of the finished piece - Flower Shop by CCN. The colors are very pastel and springy.

I am currently expanding my skills at different finishing techniques. It is not perfect but here is my first heart-shaped ornament. The design was taken from one of the cross stitch magazines. This ornie was handmade, I did not have the sewing machine then. I had just got myself a new toy, Brother Sewing Machine model BM2600. I will be going for free sewing lessions in May. I hope to improve and expand my finishing skills further. Pictures and more about my new toy in my next post.

Next, some exchanges to share. I participated in the recent Biscornu Exchange at Tiny Treasures Exchange (TTE). These were what I stitched and received for this exchange. I stitched this biscornu and a matching scissors fob for my partner, Monique N. The freebie is designed by fellow Singaporean Stitcher, Joei. The tiny biscornu I received was from Maria of Canada. This 15-sided biscornu was made differently from the normal biscornu. It had little legs like table and they represents the coming of spring(according to Maria).





















Nina of Between Crosses is running a scissors giveaway. Please visit her blog for more details. Nina encourages stitchers to show their collections of scissors. Here is a picture of my collection. I cannot resist scissors. Every time I see one, I say I want, I want. I hope my husband don't read this post, he must be wandering why I need so many pairs of scissors and still adding to the collection.


Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate and love all your comments.

Until the next update,
Ellen

Updates

It's been more than two weeks since my last post, time for an update. I have two small finishes for March, a Christmas ornie and a biscornu. Both designs are freebies.

































I have been rotating my wips and here is the progress. First, the March Block of the LK Flip-It Blocks. I love stitching these blocks on one piece, they are so colorful. Next, my Quaker projects, the BP Sampler and the Quaker Christmas. I really enjoy Quaker designs. I am very pleased with my color choices and progress.















Don't the blocks look good together?

QC Progress #4

BP Progress #2

I joined another SAL, the LHN Spring SAL. We have a few design choices for this SAL. I stitched the only chart I had, The Flower Shop by CCN. This is a smaller project and I hope to finish the stitching by April 15th. Will post picture soon .

It is the raining season in Singapore now. It rains almost everyday, so wet and gloomy. I love to stay warm and cozy indoor during rainy days, nice weather for hot drink and stitching.

Take care until the next time!

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!