Do you remember the OJ Red Sampler, a tiny sampler of red stitches found in a Parisian flea market and gifted to me by Valie *here*? So now look at Valie's reproduction stitched in blue and which, with her imagination and her talented hands, she turned into a work of art! There are more pictures on her blog *here* which show what secrets lie behind this pretty version of OJ.

You, too, can stitch OJ in red or blue, in fact in any colour you choose as you can find the chart *here* or by clicking the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

After yesterday's 'cool but sunny' day, today it's dark, dismal and raining heavily so I think a stitching day is called for.

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Valie gifted me with this very pretty glass frog for my French scissors (thank you Valie) but as there are spare holes I now need to buy more!

The bobbins, complete with the beautiful French lace, I purchased at the AEF although I am now thinking that I should have purchased more so next time I go I will make a list!

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This wonderful needlecase was gifted to me by the lovely Angela. Although I know it is beautifully stitched on 40ct linen, I do not know what threads she used, maybe she will tell us? She added our initials on the front and inside the year and l'AEF (L'aiguille en fête) a perfect reminder of our French trip. Thank you Angela - I love it!

Just recently Andrea of The Craft Room stitched and finished the Love freebie from iStitch Designs. It is stitched on 32ct light sand Belfast linen with Atalie's Passion. Andrea's stitching and finishing are amazing so please check out her blog. Thank you Andrea for turning this little freebie into a work of art and allowing me to post it.

And yet another 'Love', this time stitched and finished by Dora (no blog). It is stitched on 30ct R&R Brownstick Brown with DMC 613 and CC Secondhand Rose and finished as a floss tag. Such a pretty stitch and finish - thank you Dora for allowing me to post your picture.

Click on the pictures for a closeup view.

This is Marie-Louise Leidier 1905-1906 from Petits rouges d'ici et d'ailleurs by Muriel Brunet and Françoise Ritz, stitched on 38ct nacre Gander linen with AVAS 2925 and hem-stitched with DMC 644. This was one of the projects that I took with me on my recent trip to France in case I had time to stitch but only a few stitches were made there. French designers, French linen, French silk thread and started in France - rather apt I think!

Whilst in Paris I also visited the AVAS Warehouse where there were sumptuous silks on display - a stitcher's heaven!

And a new start. This is Anna Millet 1895 © Reflets de Soie which is a private SAL which I am doing with the lovely Yuko. This is my second start as for some reason I originally decided to start this in the middle of the sampler but I miscounted and when I tried to unpick it I discovered that the red thread had stained the linen so a fresh piece of fabric had to be overlocked (serged) and dyed with walnut ink. This piece actually looks more 'vintage' than the first piece - check out the small 'dirty marks'. The fabric is my favourite 48ct Gander linen with HDF OMG Red 1149 silk thread. I re-started it in the top left-hand corner which is my usual starting place. I am hoping that my red wall will soon be filled. I wonder how Yuko is getting on with her SAL?

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Before I went to Paris I stitched up some gifts. This biscornu was for Valie and you may have already seen this picture on her blog as I blatantly stole it from there - there is a second picture on her blog if you want a closer look! I actually made two of these biscornus, exactly the same except that one pair of buttons were slightly darker than the other. The second biscornu I gave to Angela, who does not have a blog but certainly should as her work in amazing! They were both stitched on 35ct white Brussel linen with white no 12 perle cotton and HDF Baneberry.

And here is another picture shamelessly stolen from Valie's blog and this time of the beautiful Valentine gift she stitched for me. Isn't it gorgeous? Thank you Valie!

This delightful little flea market find was given to me by my dear friend and wonderful hostess/guide in Paris - she knows who she is - thank you so much for making our trip so memorable! This tiny little red sampler, given in an antique AVAS box, is a true delight and I am sure there are many envious people looking at this. I absolutely love it and maybe I will chart it for iStitch Designs?

I have yet more gifts to whet your appetite so please visit with me again.

And check out these antique bobbins - aren't they gorgeous? I had planned on using these to tidy up some ribbons but I cannot bear to remove the original threads or to untie the bow.

And more bobbins, one wound with delicate lace and one empty. I am sure I will find something to wind on this one.

And on my return from France I discovered that some of the Spring bulbs in my garden have started to flower. Tiny snowdrops, primroses and and crocuses to brighten up a dull garden and the daffodils are up but have yet to flower. I love Spring flowers!

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Kirby at the Eiffel Tower

Rodin sculptures

All pictures are clickable for a close-up view.

More pictures to follow!

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The pictures speak for themselves - click on them for a close-up view. I will post more pictures tomorrow!

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As you all probably know, I am off the Aiguille en fête in Paris next week. So ... for those of you who will also be there on Thursday - let's play a little game. I will be wearing a badge with my name on it - check out the above picture - the first 5 people to recognise me will be able to claim a free iStitch Designs chart (except for Sew Seasons). If you are a winner I will ask you for your name and email address and will contact you on my return to England to find out which chart you would like to receive. They will be others also wearing iStitch Designs badges so make sure it's me but do say hello to them as they can give you a clue to find me - description and clothing.

I look forward to meeting You!

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Lili sent me a picture of her version of the Love freebie finished as a thread keep. The fabric is 32ct Light Mocha/Mushroom Belfast linen and the threads she used are WDW Whitewash and CC Secondhand Rose. Isn't this pretty? Thank you Lili for allowing me to post this.

I also stitched up the Love freebie on 35ct Brussels linen with HDF Perfect Red. I finished as a hanging pillow and the back has a teeny teeny heart. Not a great picture - it's much prettier in real life!

This Love freebie is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar and while you are there please take a look around as you may find a chart or two you like!

Driving home from a family lunch at the weekend I could not resist taking a picture of the sun shining through the clouds.

Not long now until my trip to Paris. I haven't been too well these past couple of days - I feel lightheaded/dizzy and I am hoping that this subsides in the next couple of days. I haven't been stitching which proves I must be unwell!

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