I made a start on Brenda Keyes' round Grace and Virtue sampler although I did not get very far. I am so enjoying these tiny little stitches made 1*2 on 48ct Gander linen (which is a very pale ivory despite looking quite grey in the picture) with HDF Mermaid Blue 2329 silk thread. 

And here is an update on 'Mr Big'. As you can see the border is complete and three of the corners. The pattern calls that the centre box is left empty although there is a chart if you wish to fill this in. I am undecided at the moment whether to leave it blank or stitch it. 

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My hem-stitching tutorial is now up on my Tutorials blog *here* or click on the Tutorials button on the sidebar. There are plenty of pictures with written instructions and I really hope you will be able to follow this. Any feedback is welcome.

Thanks for visiting 

Take care 

... type of thing but I found this project in the back of a cupboard and decided to have a no-brainer stitching session! 

It called a Sampler Table Topper by Dutch Treat Designs and is stitched on 19 count Anne Cloth with DMC no 5 Perle Cotton. The fabric and the stitches are enormous but in a strange and perverse sort of way I am enjoying stitching it and my eyes certainly appreciate it! Sorry about the poor picture - it's a bit dark and gloomy here today. 

This and other table toppers are available to purchase *here*. The above picture shows the finished piece and is from Dutch Treat Designs website. 

I only hope this doesn't make my returning to my usual high count linens too difficult! 

And talking of high count linens I have just cut and serged a piece of 48ct linen to stitch Brenda Keyes' Grace and Virtue Sampler for the top of a hoop box. I saw one of these hoop boxes on Vonna's blog (The Twisted Stitcher) and I have been itching to find a suitable 'round' pattern to stitch. I stitched the pattern that Vonna used but it was too big for my liking so I was thrilled to find this one whilst searching through my stash. My only dilemma is whether to stitch it in monochrome - a deep blue or red as shown *here* or in colour as shown *here*. Vonna has supplied a wonderful tutorial to finish one of these boxes and only asks that she is given credit for this tutorial if you use it. Thank you Vonna for sharing your expertise. Pictures of Vonna's box *here*.

Summer is almost at an end - leaves are beginning to fall, the nights are drawing in and I suppose it won't be too long before Tommy will go into hibernation. I dislike this time of the year - I am definitely a summer person!

Thanks for visiting

Take care