The Winner Is.......

I would like to thank everyone for joining my first Giveaway. I love reading your comments, they are greatly appreciated.

I got my younger DD to help me pick a winner. Kathy Ellen is the winner, please email me with your address so that I can send out the prize right away.

Take care and happy stitching until my next update!

Hugs,
Ellen

A Finish, An Exchange, Another Miniature and A Giveaway

I finally have a finish! This Easter project was started in April, it took me 3 months to complete. I am not a one-project person, this one was only worked on whenever I am at the Crafts Shop.

Fabric: 28ct Cashel Linen
Threads: DMC

I enjoyed this project, the hares are so adorable! My friend is helping me to sew this into a cushion. Can't wait to see it?

Here is Mamen Hal Malaka part 2. I love hardanger, this is going to be a beautiful table doily. Currently I am stitching the other end of the doily which is a repeat of part 2.



My Lizzie Kate Christmas Ornament was here early, I was very surprised and happy to receive it. My partner, Marie, chose a design from LK's Tiny Tidings XII. Her stitching and finishing are perfect. I really love this ornament, thank you so much Marie for a wonderful Exchange.

Love the Red trim, isn't it pretty?


Next, my obsession, another miniature to join my collection. This sewing machine is actually part of a set, it came with a ironing board, a basket of fabrics and a box of threads(in the picture). I love it! Now, I am constantly on the lookout for another one.


This month is my 3rd blogoversary! I started blogging in August 2008 and had my first post on 1st September 2008. To celebrate, I am hosting my very first Giveaway. Here is the prize! I will be adding other goodies in the package.


The rules are very simple, just be a follower and post a comment on this post only. I will select a winner on the 23rd of August, good luck!

Thank you for visiting my blog. I love your comments, they are greatly appreciated.

Take care and happy stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

A New HAL

Mamen of Spain is hosting another HAL. This time it is a mystery table mat, so there is no picture of the finished design. Here is a picture of my part 1. I am currently working on part 2, the design is progressing beautifully.

Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast
Thread: DMC perle 8 & 12 #315 n 316

Mamen is one talented lady. Her design won first place placement in the annual award 2011 hosted by Nordic Needle. You can visit her blog and her shop to see her beautiful hardanger designs.


I finally completed the stitching for this pincushion. This was the second project from Mamen's last HAL. I intend to do a box finish for this project.



I won a blog giveaway from Cathy L. Look at all the goodies that she sent me, I just love them, especially the Beehive needle minder. Thank you, Cathy, for these wonderful gifts. I am looking forward to stitching Dutch Strawberries.



Have you seen the "Stitch An Inch" designs by Donna of By The Bay Needleart? I love them and ordered myself the Summer Pack 1 with the pendants. There are six designs with one bonus chart - the mermaid. Donna has directions on her Etsy Shop on how to finish these one-inch designs.


Here is a closeup of the pendant!



I have two small finishes to share - the limited edition of Lizzie Kate's Winter scissors fob and Shepherd Bush's My Heart.



I love the stitching but tend to procrastinate when it comes to finishing. These two smalls will go into my box to be finished one day, hopefully not too long in the future.


I have a new obsession, miniature sewing machines. I love them and start a new collection.


This one has a drawer with threads, buttons and scissors inside.


A porcelain one to join the collection!


I am still working faithfully on Susan, will post pictures soon. Thank you for visiting and commenting. I love comments, they are greatly appreciated!

I am celebrating my 3rd blogoversary soon and will be hosting my first giveaway, so please come back to join the fun.

Take care and happy stitching!

Hugs,
Ellen

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