I have now finished and framed Jardin Privé's Douceur de vivre. I was unsure of how to finish it but eventually decided to go with a simple frame which I stained and slightly distressed. Douceur de vivre is stitched on 48ct nacre Gander linen with HDF silk threads - you can find my conversion from DMC *here*. I made two slight amendments to the pattern - I lengthened the hair on both the ladies as my hair is that length and I altered the colours of two of the trees as the original shades were too similiar in colour to that of the grass. This was a most enjoyable stitch!

Our honeysuckle has been blooming and the scent in the warm evenings is amazing. It's a shame is doesn't last very long though.

I have had two exciting wins on ebay this week and once I have received them I will post pictures - I am just hopeful that they are as lovely as the pictures on ebay showed them to be!

I have downloaded and printed a lovely little red sampler from *here*. This sampler is a free chart from Sylvia and is a reproduction of the one stitched by her Aunt Minna in 1919. Although Sylvia's blog is in German, there is a google translator there so it's easy to read Sylvia's story. You can also see a picture of her Aunt Minna. This will be my next 'little red' although I aim to put a few more stitches in poor neglected Jane Ries before I make a new start.

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Take care

Another update of Douceur de vivre. I foolishly left the border as I was enjoying filling in the little boxes but I've now decided to do the border next and save the two little boxes as I am afraid if I do the boxes next, the border will get left and this will remain unfinished!

These two little flower/scissor frogs were an ebay win. They are a matching pair and originated from Reims in France. The little silver dishes need a polish but they are in a really condition. I have given one to Kirby and kept one for myself; I expect when I shuffle off this mortal coil the pair will be re-united. Now to find some more scissors to fill those little holes.

And a new start. This is for my son Justin and AnnMarie's 2nd wedding anniversary. The linen is 40ct antique white; the thread is HDF Jadeite 2467 which is actually a more teal shade that it looks in the picture.

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Take care

Here is a further update of Douceur de vivre. I am so enjoying this one - the little houses are adorable! I will finish the border next and then relish filling in those remaining little boxes. For those who asked about this chart it can be purchased *here* and while you are there, take your time to have a look around as she has some very lovely charts which can be purchased as hard copies or pdf files for those of you who have to start it Now!

My conversion to HDF threads is:

DMC: HDF

Blanc: White

152: Quince 1405

223: Quince 1407

372: Brass Tacks 3451

646: Night Smoke 5307

648: Night Smoke 5303

844: Night Smoke 5311

926: Steelies 2451

3011: PennyWort 3447

3012: PennyWort 3445

3013: PennyWort 3343

3721: Quince 1411

3722: Quince 1409

3779: BitterBloom 4441

3781: Zebra Dove 5249

3790: Zebra Dove 5247

In my last post I said I had a great picture of Kirby to share with you and here it is! To think that many years ago people were put in the *stocks* as a form of punishment - maybe they should bring them back to deter petty criminals?

The sun is out; my chores are done; my book is to hand and the lounger in the garden awaits!

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Take care

First up is an update on Jane Rees. As you can see she is coming along slowly but surely - nearly four pages done and only 21 more to go!

I also made a start on Douceur de vivre by Jardin Privé.

As can be seen by the needles in both fabrics both of these pieces are stitched on high count linens. Jane is on blanc cassé 55ct Gander linen with Soie Surfine 109 whilst the other is on nacre 48ct Gander linen with an HDF conversion. I need to stitch with a magnifier under my Ottlite on both pieces - I hope I still have my eyesight when these are finished! Click on the pictures for closeup views.

Maggee of Stitching Devotee sent me a picture of her finished of iStitch Designs Easter freebie. Unfortunately she did not let me know what thread or fabric she used. Maybe you can let us know Maggee? Whatever you used it certainly is very pretty and thank you for allowing me to post this here.

This Easter freebie is still available *here* - you could get a head start for next year!

Kirby has now gone back to Uni after a month's Easter break. I will miss her a lot. I have a great picture of her to post but will leave it for another day.

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Take care