< iStitch
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sew I Love You




Sew I Love You - the perfect Valentine! It is stitched 1*2 on 40ct raw Newcastle linen with AVAS Blanc Optique and 2925 for the tiny red hearts and backed with a white silk fabric, has a white braid edging and red corner pins.

This is a quick stitch and can easily stitched for your loved one for Valentine's Day.

This design is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:49 | Permalink | 7 comments Photobucket
Sunday, 29 January 2012
More Mystery SAL finishes





I continue to receive pictures of the Mystery SAL finishes and it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful and different each one is. The above finish is by Julia Z (no blog). Julia tells me she stitched 1*2 on 40ct natural Newcastle linen with Dinky Dyes number 33. The box is decor-mordant Folk Art 2805 cherry, decoupage and drawing. Such a lovely finish Julia.





The second beautiful finish is by Brenda of Time to Xstitch who also did a box finish. It is stitched on 40ct white linen with HDF Ocean Breeze. This is a birthday gift for Brenda's friend - some lucky friend eh?

Thank you to Julia and Brenda for allowing me to show their stitching here.


Sew a Mystery chart is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.


*****************************


I am a little behind with my Valentine offering - Sew I Love You. This has now been stitched and finished but I need to take a picture which has been a little difficult with the dark gloomy days. Please come back in a day or two as it should be ready for release really soon.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 14:58 | Permalink | 3 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Sew Nicole 1847




Sew Nicole 1847 is my first design for 2012. A French inspired tiny red sampler stitched 1*2 on 40ct Newcastle linen dyed with walnut ink and stitched with an HDF red silk thread OMG Red 1149. This small sampler consists of a delightful alphabet, two Fleur de Lis and a family of foxes playing in the foreground. It is hemstitched and mounted on Nacre Gander linen before framing.

This design is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:11 | Permalink | 11 comments Photobucket
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Mystery SAL finishes




Patty of Hanging on by a Thread sent me this picture of her beautiful finish of the Mystery SAL. Using Simply Shaker Sampler Threads in Autumn Leaves #7073 on 40ct Pearled Barley linen, Patty finished as a box top edged with a gorgeous co-ordinating braid.






Elisa of Old Ragged Threads also sent me a picture of her finished SAL. Using Gentle Arts 'Rhubarb' on 32ct Murano Vanilla linen, Elisa stitched 1*1 to produce her wonderful finish. There are more pictures of this and Elisa's other beautiful stitching on her blog.




Elisa also stitched the freebie NOEL chart using recommended DMC threads on white 28ct Country French linen. She altered the snowflake to holly as the white didn't show on her chosen fabric. This is also stitched 1*1.

Both Sew a Mystery and the NOEL freebie are still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. You will also find a box finishing tutorial by clicking on Tutorials on the sidebar here.

A big thank you to Patty and Elisa for allowing me to showcase their lovely stitching.



Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:14 | Permalink | 8 comments Photobucket
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Mayté's Sew a Mystery finish





Mayté of MagicXstitch sent this collage of her lovely box finish of Sew a Mystery last month. It is stitched on cream 40ct Newcastle linen with a hand-dyed cotton floss called 'New Vision' from Carrie's Threads. The finishing fabric is 'Forget Me Not, My Love' by Robyn Pandolph for SSI Fabrics and the chenille trim was hand-dyed by Mayté with Hibicus and Raspberry organic tea. There are more pictures of her finish on her blog *here*. Thank you Mayté for allowing me to showcase your beautiful work here.


Sew a Mystery chart is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.


If you have an iStitch Design finish you would like me to feature on my blog, please send me a picture, details of fabric and threads used and a link to your blog if you have one. You can find my email address on my profile.


****************************


I have finished the alphabet section of Jane Rees and will post a picture shortly. I really wanted to start on the motifs section but I know I have to pre-stitch for a class in April. I overlocked (serged) the linen and basted the marking lines ready to start but then I got waylaid on the model for my new design. This is stitched on 40ct Newcastle linen (which I dyed with walnut ink) with HDF OMG Red 1149 - one of my favourite reds. It's small - approximately 4" x 4" square and will make an ideal box/tin topper although I have yet to decide whether to finish like this, to hem-stitch and frame it or to make a needle book. For some reason it's getting difficult to buy square frames locally, even the nearest Hobby Craft store have stopped stocking them. If my newest design is tempting you, please visit again in the very near future. Almost forgot ... it's called Sew Nicole 1847!

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels:

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:36 | Permalink | 3 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Sew a Mystery box finish


Click on the picture for a closer view


Cynthia (no blog) sent me pictures of her beautiful box finish of Sew a Mystery. It is stitched on antique white 22ct Hardanger fabric with Cosmos Marble thread. Isn't this a lovely finish? Thank you Cynthia for allowing me to showcase your box.

Sew a Mystery is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. The bonus pin pillow chart is also included. Box finishing instructions can be found on the Tutorials button on the sidebar.


Thank you for visiting
Take care


Labels:

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 23:50 | Permalink | 3 comments Photobucket
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Jane Rees update




The above picture shows my progress on Jane Rees as at 31.12.11. Not a great picture as it's rather dark here today but you can see the progress. The fabric is 55ct antique white Gander linen and the thread is AVAS Soie Surfine 109.




As you can see from this picture I have a long way to go. I am aiming to finish the alphabet section as soon as I can and once that's done I will make a start on the pre-stitching of the Sherri Jones' Blue Ribbon Box for the class I have booked in London on April 21 *here* (scroll down).


Last night, as we were dog sitting, I spend a few hours surfing blogs and checking out Wish Lists so I could gift a chart or two. Unfortunately not one blog/wish list I visited had a iStitch Design! I wonder what that's telling me?

Have a wonderful New Year and a big thank you to those that follow my blog and leave encouraging comments.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:49 | Permalink | 18 comments Photobucket
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Happy New Year!



 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 21:10 | Permalink | 6 comments Photobucket
Friday, 30 December 2011
Gifts and a robin!




Much to my surprise, and my great delight, my daughter Nicola and her husband Ian gave me this wonderful sampler for Christmas. It is dated 1872 and has the initials EJK stitched at the bottom. They found this sampler in an antique shop in Rye, East Sussex a couple of months ago. Am I spoiled or what?




From my son Justin and his wife AnnMarie I received the above French stitching book by Isabelle Vautier and Catherine Arguela. There are some lovely charts inside and I look forward to stitching that pretty ABC, making some lace holders and the heart shaped needle book shown on the front cover.

The two pairs of scissors shown are two new pairs that were added to my collection and gifted by my friend Sylvie.

I will be showing more gifts later. A big thank you to all for my great gifts.






And here is the ornament that I stitched for Kirby - a delightful British robin. This was the 'stamp' from a mail art pattern called A Robin's Christmas by Lynne Nicoletti. It is worked on 40ct white Newcastle linen and I converted the threads from DMC to HDF silk threads. The holly berries and the robin's eye are teeny beads and I added tiny silver bells to the bottom of the ornament and made a hand-twisted cord for the hanger.

For 2012 I am aiming to stitch an ornament between each project so I do not have the last minute panic I had this year. I was still finishing this one on Christmas Eve!

Thank you for visiting
Take care


Labels: , ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:40 | Permalink | 8 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
iStitch in Williamsburg?




Two stitching friends of mine, Lynn and Sylvie, went to Williamsburg in early December and while they were there they spotted the above car registration and took this picture for me! Is this your car? I would love to hear from you if it is. Thanks to Lynn and Sylvie (also in the photo) for sharing the picture.

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas Day at daughter Nicola's house and Boxing Day at son Justin's house but the celebrations are not yet over as we are having a family trip to the Pantomime at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury tomorrow. This year it's Cinderella and we are all looking forward to checking out the new Marlow Theatre after the renovations.

Amongst my gifts I received was an antique sampler, a French stitching book and other stitching related goodies (including two pairs of scissors for my collection) - more about these gifts in a future post.

I have also been working exclusively on Jane Rees over the holiday period so not too much of the alphabet section to go now before I start on the motifs. I will finish off the alphabets and then take a picture.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels:

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:18 | Permalink | 3 comments Photobucket
Friday, 23 December 2011
Merry Christmas to all my readers!









 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 22:48 | Permalink | 14 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Four little reindeer ...




Four little reindeer ornaments and a tiny alphabet one for the children this year. One is missing - it is on my work table ready to be finished! These delightful little reindeers are freebies from Sharon's - It's Daffycat - blog and can be obtained by emailing Sharon.

Last night was my stitch group birthday (mine) and Christmas dinner and what fun we had! We exchanged Christmas gifts but I had the most lovely birthday gifts too. We always save our Christmas gifts under the actual day but I was allowed to open my birthday ones. I will show these off later but suffice it to say I was spoiled terribly so thank you ladies for my wonderful gifts and a most enjoyable evening.

I have been stitching on Jane Rees. I had forgotten how much I enjoy this one - Soie Surfine on 55ct Gander linen. I will take a WIP picture over the holiday.


Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels:

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:53 | Permalink | 15 comments Photobucket
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Sew a Mystery box finish





Isabelle of Los puntos sobre las telas blog *here* recently sent me a picture of her wonderful box finish of Sew a Mystery. It is stitched 2*2 on a 36ct linen with DMC threads 221 and 223. The box is lined with a really pretty pink and white fabric. There more pictures of this on Isabelle's blog so do go over and have a look. Thank you Isabelle for allowing me to showcase this here.

If you have any iStitch Designs finish you would like to be shown here please email me. You can find my email address on my profile.

Sew a Mystery is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

Thank you for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 19:21 | Permalink | 3 comments Photobucket
Friday, 9 December 2011
Sew Gigi *Edited*




A new iStitch Design released today - Sew Gigi. A long sampler with an alphabet bordering a pretty band of flowers. This is stitched on 40ct Antique White Newcastle linen with an HDF silk thread called 'Gigi's Christmas' - hence the name of the design. Obviously there is no DMC equivalent of this thread but this design can be stitched in any variegated or solid colour thread. It is hem-stitched with DMC blanc.

This design is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


*Edited* 'Gigi's Christmas' thread was the idea of Gigi R *here* and was created by Vikki for Gigi and then released under a forum call. If you want to buy this colour you need to check out the forum to see if there is a call open for this colour. If there isn't you can 'open' one yourself. Thank you Gigi and Vikki for this beautiful colour.



Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 13:10 | Permalink | 9 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Three Sew a Mystery finishes!





Valie finished her Sew a Mystery as this wonderful box top. Stitched on a 40ct linen with discontinued AVAS silk threads Valie found the perfect Liberty print for lining the inside of the box. Also found in her stash was the sweetest of dotted ribbon. Isn't this finish just gorgeous? There are more picture of this on Valie's blog *here* and while you are there check out her other beautiful stitching and finishing.





Kim of Scully's Cross Stitching chose to frame her version of Sew a Mystery. It is beautifully stitched with DMC variegated thread 88 on a white even weave fabric.




Maureen (no blog) also decided to frame her Mystery SAL. It is stitched on a piece of linen hand dyed by Vikki of Hand Dyed Fibers which has no specific name ... indeed a mystery piece! Her thread 'Paula Abalone' is also by Hand Dyed Fibers.

Three lovely finishes by three lovely ladies. Thank you for allowing me to showcase these here.

Sew a Mystery is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar and remember there are free charts available with a purchase!

For those of you who are participating in this SAL, please note that the SAL closes on December 10 and no parts or the bonus chart will be sent out after this date.



***************************



I have been stitching my Christmas ornaments and have 'finished' the two that have to be the mailed out. I hope to finish both stitching and 'final finishing' of the others shortly. I have also stitched the model of a new design and had hoped to be able to photograph it today but alas, it's yet another dark and gloomy day so I have had to postpone the photoshoot. This design will be released as soon as I can re-schedule the photoshoot. It's slightly different to the usual iStitch Design and I hope you like it.


Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 21:59 | Permalink | 5 comments Photobucket
Monday, 5 December 2011
Happy Birthday!



A very Happy Birthday to my beautiful grand-daughter Kirby - love you lots!


Labels:

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:04 | Permalink | 10 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Sew a Mystery framed!




Cindy (no blog) has sent me a picture of her version of Sew a Mystery that she recently got back from her framer. Cindy tells me she used a mystery 30ct linen from her stash that she sprayed with walnut stain. Her thread is Fragrant Cloves from Sampler Thread. a very beautiful version Cindy - thank you for sharing.

If you are behind with this SAL, please note that it finishes on December 10 and after that date no charts will be sent out.

Sew a Mystery chart is available *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the sidebar if you missed out on the signups for the SAL



*****************************


I have been stitching my Christmas ornaments - only two more to go and then I will have a marathon finishing day. I've also made a small start on a new design (it has no name as yet) which I hope to release shortly. It is stitched with a wonderful HDF silk thread called 'Gigi's Christmas' and I may show a sneak peek in a day or so. There will also be a new freebie for Christmas so keep checking back.

It's an awful day here today; dark, gloomy and raining heavily - I really need some warm sunshine!

Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:02 | Permalink | 0 comments Photobucket
Sunday, 27 November 2011
C Mon Monde SAL finish




I managed to get a picture of my recent finish of the C Mon Monde SAL this morning. It's stitched on 48ct nacre Gander linen with my own choice of HDF silk threads. I am undecided on a 'final' finish but will probably just frame it.

I am now busy stitching up my Christmas ornaments. Every year I have good intentions of stitching these throughout the year and every year they get left until the last minute and with Christmas now being only four weeks away I am beginning to panic a little!

I have also been working on a new iStitch design and a little Christmas freebie too and both need to be stitched up.


Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:15 | Permalink | 23 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!





 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:46 | Permalink | 3 comments Photobucket
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
A Mystery finish!




Natalia of Koala's Needlework sent me these pictures of her beautiful finish of Sew a Mystery. Stitched 1*2 on 36ct Vintage Powder Lilac linen with Eggplant thread (both hand-dyed by Nina) Natalia mounted her lovely stitching on this gorgeous wood box.



She lined her box with a co-ordinating cotton fabric. Isn't this a wonderful finish? I know that Natalia stitched the SAL twice so I am looking forward to seeing her second finish. Thank you Natalia for allowing me to post here.

If you have a finish that you would like to share please send it to me.

Sew a Mystery is now available to purchase *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.


******************************



I have finished stitching the C Mon Monde SAL but it's too dark and gloomy here to take a picture today. I am not sure what my 'final' finish for this one will be although I am thinking of framing it for a Christmas gift.

I am now working on Christmas ornaments which I will show as soon as they are finished.


Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels: ,

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:21 | Permalink | 6 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Part 3 C Mon Monde SAL




I finished stitching up Part 3 of the C Mon Monde SAL. Although the chart doesn't call for it, I will be adding berries to the lower vines as I think it looks 'unfinished' without them. Apologies for the poor picture - it's dark and gloomy here again.

Christmas ornaments are the next on the list - once again I have left them until late in the year especially those that have to travel!



Thanks for visiting
Take care


Labels:

 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:24 | Permalink | 17 comments Photobucket
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥