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.

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

As you can see my miniature blue Sajou stitching is coming along. The needle is a 28 Bohin which shows how small this stitching actually is! The scissors are new (well new to me) and are one of my most recent eBay finds. They cost the princely sum of £3.20 - such a bargain.

Last year my dear friend June gave me some violet plants which I planted into a patio pot. They were doing really well until the heavy snowfall earlier this year which I thought had killed them off but, much to my surprise, they not only recovered they are now flowering. I was expecting blue/mauve violets but they are white. Violets are one of my most favourite flowers - so tiny and delicate. I must admit I didn't know they came with white flowers!

On my trip to the AEF in Paris in February my dear friend Valie gave me this beautiful padded, hand-made pouch. She said it was for the Macbook Air which I have been coveting for quite a while. Now what is that poking out from the pouch - oh yes my new 11" Macbook Air - thank you Valie both from me and my new MBA!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

This is the friendship page I stitched for Amy. As you know I usually stitch miniature but this was stitched on Lakeside linen Vintage Buttercream 32ct with the recommended DMC threads. The pattern is an OOP Prairie Schooler 'Friends & More Friends' . It seemed strange to stitch on 32ct after using such high count linens, and to use DMC threads instead of silks but I enjoyed stitching it and I hope that Amy will be pleased to receive a page for her Friendship Book.

My strawberry pot has been producing a fair amount of strawberries, probably down to having new plants this year. And not only ordinary strawberries, there has been a few strange shapes like this little foot and even Siamese twins! Both were delicious!

The strawberries gave me inspiration for a new design - Sew Strawberry Fields. The chart is done and I need to stitch a model. Sew Forth and Sew Scattered are both charted and stitched but I need to 'finish' the models so I think a finishing afternoon is in order but not today - we are having a mini heatwave and it's much too warm to stay inside. So ... I am off to the garden with my latest book.

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Here is my latest finish for my red wall. I seem to remember that this was a freebie but I cannot now remember where from. If anyone knows, maybe you can let me know. It is stitched with two of my favourites - 48ct blanc cassé Gander linen and AVAS 2925.

*Edited* Paule from France has let me know that the freebie pattern can be found *here*

She also added that it was probably an advertisement for the French coton brand 'L.V Cotons' from Paris. Thanks for the link and the information Paule.

Elisa from Old Ragged Threads said I could post her picture of Sew a Brown Bunny but before I could do so, she sent me another picture ...

... of her finish into a delightful pillow! It is stitched on 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen using Crescent Colour 'Avocado' and 'Bunny Honey'. Congratulations Elisa - such a beautiful finish and thank you for allowing me to post it here.

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

Whilst surfing around late last night I landed on a Russian blog *here* where there is a really pretty version of Sew le coeur de Paris.

I'll finish off with a picture of one of my 'bleeding hearts'. I had forgotten that I had planted these in the garden last year and when they first came up I wondered what they were. Such a pretty flower.

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This is my finish of Ann Millet 1895 - my SAL with Yuko. It is stitched on 48ct walnut ink dyed Gander linen with HDF OMG Red. I really enjoyed stitching this one and I have already lined up my next little red sampler - L.V. Paris.

Here is a closeup of the speciality stitches - click on the picture for an even closer look!

HDF silk threads now come on micro spools which I have placed in a pretty jar. I think they look like little sweets but without any calories!

At last Spring is here - the sun is shining, the Spring bulbs have flowered but best of all ...

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 

I noticed that my strawberry plants were bearing a couple of strawberries - in October! How unusual in that? I will leave them there as I expect my visiting squirrels will feast off them.

No stitching photos to show today as I did not pick up a needle and thread yesterday.

Since posting about the freebie charts, I have sent out over 150 Sew Blues and probably twice that amount of Sew Reds. I expect you are ready for a new one but please be patient Sew Autumn is in the pipeline and will be followed by Sew Noel.

Thanks for visiting - have a great weekend

Take care

Yesterday we took a trip out to the Maidstone Hobby Craft Shop where I managed to pick up a bit of stash. A couple of cuts of fabric, some ribbons, a couple of punches and some card to make some thread drops. It doesn't look much but I managed to spend £42. I didn't check the receipt until I got back home and discovered that I had been overcharged as the box of ribbons had been put through twice! It's not worth going back as I would probably spend more on petrol (gas) than I would getting a refund and I would probably spend more in the store too! So I am £6.99 down and the moral of this story is to check the receipt before you leave the car park!