It's red, it's tiny and I love it! This is the Petit Jours I referred to in my last post and, for scale, that's a 28 needle at the top. It's not finished as I have yet to finish the last row under the flower basket and to finish off the pulled thread border. It measures approximately 1½" x 1¾". I know the thread is AVAS Soie Surfine 109 as, although it came with the kit, it's the same that I used for Alphabets à .. I have no idea what the fabric is as this was also supplied but it seems a fairly high count. I am not sure what to do with it once it's finished - any suggestions? 

And now for the large: this is the largest cylindrical fish tank in the world and stands in the foyer of the Raddison Hotel in Berlin. That's a glass elevator going up through the centre and provides a close-up view of the 2,500 fish. Isn't this great? And just check out the guy with the best job in the world - he and another diver have full-time jobs cleaning the inside of the tank. I would love to see this in real life - it must be an amazing sight. I've always wanted a fish tank since seeing a round floor to ceiling tank in a movie once but I think this one probably would fill my house!

And talking of water - it's raining again and we have very high winds. Is Summer really around the corner?

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Michele of Just Another Stitching Blog has sent me pictures of her lovely version of Sew Red stitched with Belle Soie's Creme de Menthe although I'm not sure what linen she used. Isn't it amazing how different a design can be when stitched in different colours?

It's finished into a very pretty flatfold with a co-ordinating backing fabric and some gorgeous creme lace trim. Thank you Michele for allowing me to post your pictures.

I was ready for a new start, but as I couldn't decide on fabric and thread for Sew Summer, I decided to stitch another red miniature from *here*. Each of these kits comes in a small cardboard roll tied with red ribbon/thread and the designs are exquisite. I have chosen 'Petits Jours' which design is in four sections with each section surrounded by a hem-stitched border. I have stitched the top two sections and did make a start on section 3 but disaster struck and I've had to unpick it! Once I show you a picture of this you will understand why I call it a disaster - it's done on a very high count fabric 1*1 and the stitches are oh so tiny. My eyes are protesting so I think I will call it a night!

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One of my first designs was Sew Red and back in September 2009, Caroline, one of my Stitch-n-Bitch group, decided to stitch it and I duly posted it *here*. She told me that she wanted to finish it as a basket base but that the basket was oblong not square. I was soon able to remedy this for her by adding a border on either side which she promptly stitched and finished. It's stitched on 40ct creme linen with Glorianna 'Cranberry' which perfectly matches the red silk lining. Thank you Caroline for turning my design into such a beautiful finish (and if I can find a similar basket I will be stitching this again for myself!). The little red heart ornament was a Valentine for her husband.

Sew Red is still available free with the purchase of any chart *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

I finished my section on Wendy Jo's Emblem of Love RR. It's stitched on 36ct white linen with Crescent Colours 'Wavy Navy' - a perfect choice for such a pretty sampler. I thought I would again show off my Nogent scissors in the space yet to be stitched! 

Andrea of The Craft Room has kindly allowed me to post her version of Sew Easy. Both Andrea's stitching and finishing skills are amazing and show what a incredible finish can be achieved from a very simple design. It is stitched on 36ct antique white linen with NPI silk threads in 998 and 226 and finished as a pinkeep. I love that she has stitched the tiny hearts in red and complimented them with the red heart pin at the top. There are more pictures over on Andrea's blog. Thank you Andrea for allowing me to post this.

Sew Easy is still available for free *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

I finished stitching my section of Wendy Jo's RR last night and I will take a picture later. I think a new start for this afternoon, probably Sew Quaker!

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Nelly from France has sent a picture of her beautiful stitching of Sew Easy. Nelly stitched this on Zweigart Edinburgh 36ct linen, with AVAS 619 and 264 and an HDF silk thread called Raspbery Cobbler for the alphabet. This is such a pretty version of Sew Easy which chart is still available for free *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. Thank you Nelly for allowing me to show your stitching on my blog.

I had lots of enquiries about the 'My Favorite Needle' after my post 'Lost' on Wednesday. These needles, together with a 'My Favorite Needle Petite' were produced by Mardina who also introduced the Do-Lolly to the stitching world. Unfortunately this company no longer exists so these needles really are like gold dust and you can well understand why I was so unhappy to lose one. The above picture shows the difference between the MFN and a Piecemakers 28. They are smaller in length and instead of the long 'slot' eye they have a tiny round hole which makes threading very easy. I did buy up a few when they were available so do have a few spares.

After crawling about on my hands and knees with a magnet in hand on Wednesday, there was still no sign of the wretched thing but yesterday I went to pick up a bit of fluff from the carpet and, lo and behold, not 2" from the fluff was my lost needle! This was a good 3ft or more from where I had been stitching so maybe it was on my clothes and I walked it over before it fell. So - he's back where he belongs and very pleased I am to see him. I think he took a short vacation, read my blog and decided to return home or maybe he was jealous when he saw me stitching with one of his brothers?!!

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Take care

Here is Sew Peacock. It is stitched on 40ct Summer Khaki linen with DMC 3808 and is now available *here* or use the CHARTS button on the sidebar. You will receive a pdf file of the chart with a colour picture/frontsheet. I did not hemstitch this one as I am planning on either framing it or finishing as a box top in the future.

I am still working on the hemstitch tutorial - now that the weather has much improved I will retake the photos for this. I apologise if you are waiting for this and hopefully it won't be too long now.

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Lost or MIA? My Favorite Needle has gone AWOL - I have used this needle constantly for over five years - yes over five years! So - where is it? There I was stitching in my favourite stitching position (sideways on the sofa with my feet up) when disaster struck and I dropped my needle. So where is it? Did it feel over-worked and under-paid? Has it gone on vacation? Is there a needle heaven? I have lost it on other occasions but it's always turned up. I know I have plenty more needles but ... this one is smooth; it's easy to thread; I miss it! 

Sew Peacock is stitched and almost ready for release.

Wendy Jo's Emblem of Love RR arrived here this morning so I will be working on that later today. I love the CC Wavy Navy colour she chose for this. It's a shame I have to stitch a section which I have already stitched on other RRs but I suppose this is inevitable when we all started on different sections.

It's another sunny day here in paradise (eh ... I mean Deal) and Tommy the tortoise is already out of his box this morning and wandering around the garden. For those of you who asked questions about him on my previous post go *here* and read past posts about him.

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For those of you awaiting my new chart, here is a sneak preview. I could not decide whether to stitch Sew Peacock or Sew Quaker so the lovely Angela (no blog) made the decision for me - thank you Angela! Stitched on 40ct Summer Khaki linen with DMC 3808 it comprises of an alphabet and a border - you could even say an 'alphabet border' and there even might be a peacock loitering around! I am such a tease... call back real soon as it will be released shortly.

Robin over at Crafting with the Stitch Witch awarded me with a Beautiful Blogger Award. I am not sure if the award is for me as a 'beautiful blogger' or my blog as a 'beautiful blog' - I think probably the latter as my 'beautiful' days are well and truly over or perhaps I never had them in the first place. Thank you Robin, I accept your award gracefully.

Here's how the award works. The rules are simple:

1. One must accept the award

2. Thank the person who gave you the award

3. Add a link to the person who gave you the award

4. Paste the award on your blog

5. Write 10 things about yourself that others might not know

6. Pass the award on to 10 others

OK - firstly 10 interesting facts about me. This is where I get a little stuck as I am not at all 'interesting' but I'll do my best, so here goes:

1. Despite living by the seaside I don't swim very well and hate being out of my depth in water

2. I like to dress in black

3. I would love to have blonde hair and blue eyes

4. I love Chinese food

5. I can't bear a messy workspace/desk so I'm constantly tidying up as I go along

6. I don't like 'chick flicks' and prefer to watch action and thriller movies

7. Following on from number 6 - I can't stand Hugh Grant

Oh this is getting difficult ...

8. I hate cookery programmes, in fact I'm not overly keen on cooking!

9. I have been to the Seychelles

10. I have a very good memory

Phew made it - I hope you are still awake? Next I have to pass this award to 10 people. I try to visit lots of blogs so again this is going to be difficult. If you take time out to blog then each and every blogger deserves an award! The first 8 nominations, in no particular order, are established bloggers:

1. Valie

2. Contemplating my Needle and Thread

3. Fog City Dweller

4. Snippets and Stash

5. Yuko

6. Danybrod

7. Margaret's Blog

8. Le Coffre de Poupette

And these last 2 nominations are for newbie bloggers:

9. One Stitch in Time

10. I'll Be Perfect In My Next Life

Are you still here? Then you deserve an award!

I'm nearly done - just the weather report to do - the sun is out and the cold wind has dropped - Spring is definitely in the air!

Nearly forgot - a Happy Mother's Day to all UK mums!

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Margaret from A Sampler of Stitches has turned Sew Pink into a wonderful pinkeep. For those of you who have not visited Margaret's blog do go over and have a look at some of her stunning work.

She stitched Sew Pink on 40ct flax linen using Vikki Clayton's Enchanter Rose silk thread and backed her pinkeep with pink and white toile fabric. Thank you Margaret for allowing me to show your beautiful version of Sew Pink.

Sew Pink is still available on my charts blog *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the side bar.

For those of you waiting for something new and slightly different the model of Sew Peacock is currently being stitched and hopefully it won't take me too long to finish it so watch this space.

My sister loved her birthday Beatrix and is currently moving stuff around to choose the best place to show it off in her home. Nicki asked what fabric and threads were used for Beatrix. The fabric is a 36ct linen called Puck from The Sampler Guild and Vikki Clayton's Raisin Wine and Old Maid of the Soil for the accents.

Another weekend is upon us - where do the days go to? Enjoy your weekend so ...

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... and the lovely Angela (no blog) did just that when she discovered Sew Easy, a freebie on my Charts blog! She immediately chose a 40ct Newcastle flax linen and a limited edition HDF silk thread and here is her finished version. For the backing she used a pretty silk fabric called Silk Mori which, together with the lace edging, was especially hand-dyed for her. Isn't this beautiful? Thank you Angela for allowing me to use these pictures, not only here, but on my Charts blog too.

No stitching for me yesterday - so no stitching pictures from me. I did, however, work on charting up a couple more designs so expect something new shortly.

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend.

Take care

After finishing Alphabets à... I decided to finish yet another 'red' project. This tiny sampler is called 'Abc aux oiseaux' and is from 'Miniatures au point de croix' by Françoise Prax. I started this last year and came across it nestling between the pages of the book. It is stitched 1*1 on 40ct white linen with HDF OMG red 1149. The needle is a John James size 28 which should give you an idea how tiny this sampler really is! I am undecided how to finish this but I am leaning towards a pinkeep using Clover Aplique pins painted with a red nail polish the same shade as the thread. I found another half-stitched tiny sampler inside the book called 'Coeurs d'oiseux'. This one is stitched 1*1 on 35ct white Brussels linen with AVAS 2925 so will obviously be a little easier to finish. I will work on this later today and then, I think, an Easter project but shall I stitch Sew Easter or something else?

Before I forget, is anyone having problems uploading pictures to Blogger? I was using the old post editor and kept getting the message 'Server Error - The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request. Please try again in 30 seconds.' I have now changed to the new post editor and I was able to upload the picture immediately.

Sew Summer is now charted but may need a little tweaking. Sew Quaker and Sew Peacock are both charted but need to be stitched.

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Take care