< iStitch
Saturday, 28 April 2012
This and that ... (picture heavy)





Photo by Valie


A few pictures to show you today. First up is Sew Fuchsia stitched by Valie who chose a selection of HDF silks in pinks, mauves, greens and ebony for her version (her chosen colours are listed on her blog). Valie has yet to decide her final finish but I am sure whatever she choses it will be lovely. Thank you Valie for allowing me to show it here.

Sew Fuchsia is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.







This beautiful little rabbit pin pillow was stitched by Angela as a gift for me. How spoiled am I? The pattern is Lapin et Oeuf by Danybrod and is available *here*. Not only does this look gorgeous it also smells heavenly for Angela stuffed it with lavender. He sits on my desk so I can admire him as I work. Thank you Angela.




And now another little rabbit - Sew RabbitS stitched and finished by Brenda of Time to X Stitch. It is stitched 1* 2 on 38ct green Gander linen with HDF Gold Blush regular silk thread and finished as a really sweet pin pillow stuffed with crushed walnut shells. Check out the backing fabric that Brenda has used - isn't that cute? Thank you Brenda for allowing me to show your finish. 

Sew RabbitS is also still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.






I promised pictures of the Sherri Jones' Blue Ribbon box class that I took in London on April 21. It was a long and tiring day but what fun it was. I only took a few pictures and none of the finishing steps or of Sherri's future projects as I am sure that she does not want these posted on the internet other than on her own website. The above pictures shows my two Stitch-n-Bitch friends, Sylvie and Caroline (both sitting), Susan of Hanging By a Thread (standing) and a general class picture. Check out Susan's website *here* and her blog *here*. Susan, together with her sister Sarah, arrange classes on a regular basis and are always most willing and helpful if there is anything you need which is unobtainable in the UK. I think that Sherri might be returning to the UK again next year and, trust me, the new projects are amazing. I especially love the Fine & Fancy Tulip Tray and the Lounge Hare Sewing Box both of which can be seen on Sherri's website *here*.  The Blue Ribbon Box can also be seen *here*.






I will leave you with some pictures of the Lamprocapnos spectabilis (bleeding hearts) that I have growing in my garden. This year I have a magnificent display both in patio pots and in the borders. I adore these flowers and next year I hope to get some white ones. 

It's an awful day here today - dark, gloomy and raining - yuk - so I'm off to stitch!

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Thursday, 26 April 2012
Stitching update






My new start is a 'little red' by Dany and called Gertrud Eckardt 1902. It is stitched on walnut ink dyed 48ct Gander linen with HDF OMG Red 1149. 






This is Brenda's - Time 2 Xstitch - version of iStitch Design's freebie chart called Love. It is stitched on 32ct white Belfast linen with HDF Winterberried Too premium silk thread and finished as this sweet little pin pillow. Brenda has made 6 of these as gifts for her stitching group - how lucky these ladies are! Thank you Brenda for allowing me to post these here. 

This Love freebie is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. Look for the Freebies link on the sidebar.

Last Saturday was my Sherri Jones' Blue Ribbon box class in London. We all had a great time and I will post pictures later. Although Sherri's box is very beautiful I have visions of doing my own thing with this very beautiful pyramid box so watch this space!

I also have a gorgeous gift received from the lovely Angela and will post a picture in the next day or so. Suffice it to say for the moment that Angela has spoiled me.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Monday, 23 April 2012
Sew Fuchsia





Sew Fuchsia is the new iStitch Design released today. An intricate border surrounds an unusual alphabet and pretty flower and bird motifs. It is stitched 1*2 on Antique White 40ct Newcastle linen with an HDF silk thread called Hisbiscus and finished by hem-stitching with the same thread. 

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

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Friday, 20 April 2012
Forget Me Nots and new scissors




I took the above picture to show off my new scissors but alas the scissors didn't come out so clear but what a pretty picture of my Forget Me Nots! Just a tiny sprig picked from my son's garden.




And here are my new scissors from Nogent made by the very talented Monsieur Roulot. These are a special edition which he had for sale at the AEF in Paris back in February and which I neglected to purchase. I had been thinking how silly I was not to have got them so I asked my dear friend if she would contact M Roulot. She did and I am now the proud owner of yet another pair of his beautiful French scissors. Thank you M Roulot, my dear friend Valie and her sweet daughter who delivered them to my home.

I have been stitching on my new design this week - Sew Fushcia. Stitched in a vibrant pink on antique white linen it has an intricate border, an unusual alphabet and some pretty motifs. It's due for release very shortly so please come again.

Thank you for visiting and have a good weekend
Take care


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Friday, 13 April 2012
Miniature blue



Picture clickable for a closeup view

I have finished stitching Sajou Miniature Blue and I now need to decide on a final finish. Maybe a needle book, a pin keep or a box top, if I can find a small enough box, but any suggestions are welcome. This is stitched 1*1 on 38ct Blanc Cassé Gander linen with AVAS Soie Surfine 2587 which is a very dark navy blue. The needle, placed to show exactly how tiny this is, is a Bohin 28. The design measures 2¾" x 2". This pattern is available for free *here*.

I will be re-starting this project again stitching 1*1 on 32ct Gander linen with AVAS Soie d'alger 161, again a dark navy blue. This time the stitched pieces should fit onto the pre-cut cards I purchased at the Sajou stall at the AEF in Paris last February. I will be stitching all the charts from Sajou Card No 2 and finishing as a fold-up booklet.



Picture clickable for closeup view

A few years ago my sister brought us an Iford Weeping Cherry tree that has an amazing story which I posted about *here* scroll down. Last year most of the blossom was blown off by the wind but this year we have a stunning display of pretty flowers.

Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend
Take care


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Monday, 9 April 2012
It must be Spring!


Photo by Carolina Stitcher


Whilst catching up on reading a few blogs, I visited with Faye (Carolina Stitcher) and saw how she had finished Sew a Brown Bunny for one of her customers so I contacted her to ask if I could show it here. After getting her customer's permission she agreed so here it is finished as a 'prim pouch'. Isn't this lovely? Thank you to Faye and her customer for allowing me to showcase this beautiful stitch/finish.

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


I've not been too well since my trip to Paris in April, the flu followed by a cold or two or maybe I just never got over the flu! I haven't been stitching, designing or blogging much but yesterday I finished working on a new design which has yet to be stitched (it has no name). Miniature Blue is almost stitched and here I am blogging. Ken always says I must be sick if I am not doing any of these things - he's probably right! In the meantime I've become addicted to Pinterest so come over and check out my boards. Just click on the red 'Follow Me on Pinterest' button on the sidebar. It's fun but as I said earlier it's very addictive!


It's awful weather for the Easter weekend. I hope this improves soon as I definitely need a sunshine fix.

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Friday, 6 April 2012
Happy Easter!




Thanks for visiting
Take care