< iStitch
Saturday, 26 June 2010
More red!






Not too much stitching this week as it's been far too hot so I have been reading outside in the garden. I did however finish the tiny ABC sampler that I stitched as a fabric and thread test and which is my final choice for Jane Rees. The linen is blanc cassé 22 fils (55ct) Gander linen and the thread is Soie Surfine 109. I nun-stitched the edge with HDF Natural. Unfortunately I did not have enough of the linen in my stash to make a start on Jane and, although it's on order, I have yet to receive it. I am told that Madame and Monsieur Gander are on holiday until Monday so patience is called for here! 






I also made a start on another teeny sampler on the 55ct Gander with Soie Surfine 109. I really enjoy putting in these tiny stitches so hopefully I will enjoy stitching Jane too.

Sew Patchwork II has been stitched (more red) and I will release this later this week. I am wondering if my designs (and my blog) are becoming boring as I seem to get lots of visitors but few comments. Maybe I should take a break?

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:54 | Permalink | 18 comments Photobucket
Monday, 21 June 2010
Sew Parisian



Kirby has now had her course work assessed and she gained 69% - the average mark is 40% so she is more than happy with her grading! As promised, she has said I can release the chart for Sew Parisian for sale.

The larger model is stitched on 36ct walnut dyed linen with Cosmo 2311 (Japanese thread) and DMC 3046 with a double nun stitched hem of DMC 12 perle cotton in 642. The smaller model is stitched on 55ct white linen with Soie Surfine 2499 (red), 2652 (blue), 679 (gold) and 95 (brown) with a single nun stitched hem of DMC blanc. DMC equivalents of all threads are noted on the chart.

This chart is now available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. All charts are also available on a cd-rom, as few or as many as you want!

As I am having to wait for a new cut of 55ct Gander linen to come from Alsace, I have been stitching up my next design Sew Patchwork II although I can't wait to make a start on Jane Rees!

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:55 | Permalink | 6 comments Photobucket
Friday, 18 June 2010
Decisions decisions!





Last Friday I posted a picture of two tiny samplers *here* which I stitched as test pieces to help me decide what fabric and thread to use for Jane Rees and, despite many of you saying that you preferred the one of the left on that picture, and top centre of the above picture, I was still undecided so I stitched yet another Sew Easy on 55ct cream linen using Soie Surfine 109. It was better and I had almost decided to go with this when I remembered I had a cut of 22 fils (55ct) Gander linen in blanc cassé (off white) in my stash so I stitched yet another test piece (although something different to Sew Easy this time)! I think this is as close to an original Bristol Orphanage Sampler that I will get. I knew what I wanted and I needed to keep searching to achieve it - so this is it - my chosen fabric and thread for Jane! I can't wait to get started now the decision has been made.

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





And do you remember my Iford Weeping Cherry *here*? After a pretty display of pink blossom earlier this year, I have now noticed that there are cherries forming! How amazing are these and how stupid am I not to realise that this tree would bear fruit? LOL 




And, last but not least, the daisies! I know some people hate these pesky little flowers that often appear in the lawn but I like them. Such a sweet little flower.

Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:48 | Permalink | 7 comments Photobucket
Monday, 14 June 2010
Sew Many Keys



There are no prizes for guessing how many keys are on my latest iStitch design Sew Many Keys but as you can see there are quite a few and not two the same! It is stitched on 38ct pale ivory Gander linen with AVAS Soie d'Alger Noir and hem-stitched with DMC 3865.

You can find the chart *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar and please don't forget you can also have this chart and others, plus previously purchased charts, on a cd-rom - see previous post.

Sew Parisian will be the next chart to be released once Kirby has had her university work assessed followed by Sew Patchwork II but first a start for some personal stitching on Jane Rees. Against all advice I will be stitching this on the 55ct linen; my head said 48ct but my heart said 55ct. Watch out for WIP pictures!

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:09 | Permalink | 11 comments Photobucket
Friday, 11 June 2010
iStitch charts available on cd-rom!

Click on picture for a close-up view


iStitch charts are now available on cd-rom!

If you want to purchase a number of charts; keep them all in one place and avoid that panic when your computer crashes, this is the way to do it. You can have as many (or as few) charts as you want on one cd-rom at the same price of $4 per chart (Sew Seasons $10) plus $10 towards the cd, printing and shipping costs. You can also have any previously purchased charts added to the same cd at no extra charge. And if there is one design you really can't wait to start, I will be happy to email it to you too!

Please email for further details; my email address can be found on my profile.

To see all available charts go *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the sidebar

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:31 | Permalink | 4 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Sew Seasons combination chart!



I have at last finished stitching up the Sew Seasons combination chart. It is stitched 1*2 on 40ct Newcastle raw linen with AVAS Soie d'Alger Creme, 3844 (brown), 2925 (red), 1845 (green), and HDF Raisin Wine.

This chart is a combination chart of Sew Autumn (free chart), Sew Winter, Sew Spring and Sew Summer all previously released as single charts but brought together to form Sew Seasons. If you have already purchased all these charts (Winter, Spring and Summer) you are entitled to claim a free copy of this combination chart so please email me to request this. My email address can be found on my profile.

You can get this chart *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. The single charts are also still available to purchase.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 13:04 | Permalink | 14 comments Photobucket
Friday, 4 June 2010
What do you think?





This picture is clickable for a closeup view


For the last few days I have been stitching Sew Easy as test pieces to help me decide whether to stitch Jane Rees on pale ivory 48ct Gander linen with HDF Perfect Red 6215 or on white 55ct linen with Soie Surfine 109 and here they are. To the left is the 48ct linen; the 55ct linen is on the right. I am still very undecided and would ask you to please comment with your views. If I stitch Jane on the Gander linen she will measure 15" x 19.8" whereas on the higher count she will measure 13" x 17.6" which is closer to the original measurement of 10" x 13½" as Jane stitched hers on 70ct linen. As much I like high count linens, 70ct, even if I could get it, would be a bit much for my eyes! Please, please comment - I value your opinion.

For those of you who are interested in Sew Easy this chart is available free *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. My test pieces measure 2½ x 3 on the Gander linen and 2 x 2½ on the 55ct fabric.  I nun-stitched each piece in HDF silk threads (Natural on the Gander linen, B5200 on the white linen) to enable me to cut them down with a neat edge.





And here, just a few days late, is my Tusal jar. If you peek inside you can see pink thread from Sew Sweet, the red Soie Surfine and HDF from Sew Easy and the cream of Sew Seasons. I am on the last season now - Sew Winter - so the chart will be ready soon.

The sun is shining and my place is booked in garden, my book is to hand and a cool drink ready to be poured - have a lovely weekend.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:27 | Permalink | 23 comments Photobucket
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