< iStitch
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Sew Red that is so green!!




Michele of Just Another Stitching Blog has sent me pictures of her lovely version of Sew Red stitched with Belle Soie's Creme de Menthe although I'm not sure what linen she used. Isn't it amazing how different a design can be when stitched in different colours?


It's finished into a very pretty flatfold with a co-ordinating backing fabric and some gorgeous creme lace trim. Thank you Michele for allowing me to post your pictures.

I was ready for a new start, but as I couldn't decide on fabric and thread for Sew Summer, I decided to stitch another red miniature from *here*. Each of these kits comes in a small cardboard roll tied with red ribbon/thread and the designs are exquisite. I have chosen 'Petits Jours' which design is in four sections with each section surrounded by a hem-stitched border. I have stitched the top two sections and did make a start on section 3 but disaster struck and I've had to unpick it! Once I show you a picture of this you will understand why I call it a disaster - it's done on a very high count fabric 1*1 and the stitches are oh so tiny. My eyes are protesting so I think I will call it a night!

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Monday, 29 March 2010
A Sew Red Basket




Click on the picture for a closeup view


One of my first designs was Sew Red and back in September 2009, Caroline, one of my Stitch-n-Bitch group, decided to stitch it and I duly posted it *here*. She told me that she wanted to finish it as a basket base but that the basket was oblong not square. I was soon able to remedy this for her by adding a border on either side which she promptly stitched and finished. It's stitched on 40ct creme linen with Glorianna 'Cranberry' which perfectly matches the red silk lining. Thank you Caroline for turning my design into such a beautiful finish (and if I can find a similar basket I will be stitching this again for myself!). The little red heart ornament was a Valentine for her husband.

Sew Red is still available free with the purchase of any chart *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.




Click on the picture for a closeup view


The clocks went forward this weekend in the UK so Winter is officially over! The clematis, the magnolia, the cherry and the red acer in my garden have produced some fine buds and I am looking forward to seeing them bloom. The daffodils are in flower although some of them have been blown over by the March winds - why does this seem to happen every year?!

I have not picked up a needle and thread at all this weekend and although I did get as far as printing off Sew Summer chart, I am undecided as to what fabric and thread to use for this one. I have the chart on my desk and hoping for some inspiration!

Kirby is home for her Easter vacation and has spent the day here. I do miss her when she's away. We are planning a 'retail therapy' trip really soon.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Friday, 5 February 2010
Staci's Sew Patchwork



Here is Sew Patchwork by the lovely Staci of Snippets and Stash. Such a pretty version and I can't wait to see what she has planned for her final finish.




It is stitched on 28ct 'staci-dyed' evenweave with DMC 115 which is one of my favourite DMC variagated threads.




Sew Patchwork chart is available *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

No stitching for me since my last post as I have been busy with a new iStitch design. Would you like a clue? OK ... it will be hem-stitched, it has an alphabet, some motifs and ... oh yes ... a border. It also has a name ... to be revealed shortly!

Thanks for visiting - have a good weekend
Take care

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Wednesday, 3 February 2010
iStitch finishes



Firstly, a beautifully stitched Sew Red from Françoise from Belgium who tells me she stitched this with a silk floss of tentaculum, colour Nikki on a Belgian linen 13pt, blanc cassé. Isn't the thread a gorgeous colour? I am wondering how Françoise is going to finish this. Talking of gorgeous, check out those 'to die for' scissors which are handmade by an old French craftsman. I know I am on a 'stitch from stash' year but surely scissors don't count and I think that I really N-E-E-D a pair of these scissors. Thank you for sharing with us Françoise.




Secondly, a really pretty version of a Sew In Love pillow stitched and finished by Barb. Thank you too Barb for sharing your stitching with us.

Both charts, Sew Red and Sew In Love are available on my charts blog *here* or click on the CHARTS button on the sidebar. Sew Red is available free with the purchase of any chart. Sew In Love would make an ideal gift for Valentines Day which is fast approaching but, with instant download of the chart, you still have plenty of time to stitch this for your loved one!



Last, but certainly not least, Anita of Little Stitches sent me three spools of Sulky thread as a belated Christmas gift in three pretty shades, from L-R, Caramel Apple, Forever Green and Antique Christmas in 30wt which is ideal for stitching 1*2 on a high count fabric or 1*1 on 32ct fabric. I can't wait to give these threads a try. Thank you Anita - your thoughtful gift is much appreciated.

I am still stitching on Alphabets à... and I am enjoying it immensely. It must be time to show you a picture so I will take one later today so come back tomorrow to see my progress.

Thank for visiting
Take care

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Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Sew Red from Caracas




I received an email from Béa in Caracas with these two photos of her finish of Sew Red. Stitched on Edinburgh Summer Khaki using DMC 926, 611 and 3032, Bea finished her beautiful version as a trinket tray. A stunning finish Béa - thank you for sharing!

Sew Red chart is still available (free with a purchase of any chart) from my charts blog *here* (or use the CHARTS button on the sidebar).




I have been very lapse in showing my TUSAL jar on a monthly basis but here is my 2009 jar in its full glory! I have a smaller jar which I use for the month and then transfer the snippets of threads over to this special jar (gifted to me by Valie on my trip to France last year) on the last day of the month. If you peek inside you can see strands of Raisin Wine used for Beatrix, some threads from my Christmas ornies and a bright red perle cotton that I used for stringing up the Christmas cards. Now this jar has to be emptied to allow for January's snips.

I have been working on charting up some new iStitch designs and stitching 'Alphabets à ...' and will show a photo later. I have also been updating the 2010 Christmas Challenge blog. This blog is now open for new members so if you are interested in joining, please email me (my email address is on my profile) with your name and blog link if you have one. The aim of this blog is to encourage to stitch and finish at least one Christmas ornament per month.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 15 comments
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Natalia's Sew Blue





I heard from Natalia in Australia that she has now finished Sew Blue. She stitched it 1*2 on 40ct creme linen using Dinky Dyes Pacific Ocean 93, Ningloo 54 and Choco Latte 31 and finished it as a pretty pinkeep. Both your interpretations of Sew Blue and Sew Red are wonderful Natalia and thank you for allowing me to post your pictures on my blog. These patterns are still free but now only available as part of Sew Noel package *here* or click the CHARTS link on the sidebar.

The AVAS Blanc Optique silk thread I am awaiting on for Sew Winter has still not arrived and I have now ordered an HDF white silk thread as a backup in case the AVAS has gone missing. As soon as either threads arrives I will stitch Sew Winter as quickly as possible. In the meantime I will stitch up the model for Sew in Love for an early release.

No stitching at all this weekend as Georgia came for a sleepover last night and we spent yesterday afternoon playing with my punches, old Christmas/birthday cards and a blank sheet of paper and some glue to produce collages. We also tried some origami where we made two types of swan. I had forgotten how much I like origami so I think I will look to buying some proper origami paper as the photocopy paper I was using was a bit thick to make really neat folds.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Tuesday, 27 October 2009
The Sisterhood visits the UK!



I am honoured to join the Sisterhood! Sara emailed me last week to say that she had pulled my name out and today this lovely chart arrived here. I am sure most of you know about the Sisterhood but for those of you who don't this is her journey:

Harmien in the Netherlands (November 3, 2007)
She sent it to Lili in France (June 17, 2007)
Who sent it to Barbara in Malaysia (June 25, 2007)
Who sent it to Tessa in Australia (July 16, 2007)
Who sent it to Lizzy in the North Carolina, US (February 26, 2008)
Who sent it to Barbara in the Netherlands (March 11, 2008)
Who sent it to Sarah (no blog) in Ohio, US (April 11, 2008)
Who sent it to Anna in Pennsylvania, US (May 28, 2008)
Who sent it to Wendy in Ontario, Canada (July 4, 2008)
Who sent it to Sue in Michigan, US (August 2, 2008)
Who sent it to Jennifer in Pennsylvania, US (September 2, 2008)
Who sent it to CJ in Texas, US, (October 25, 2008)
Who sent it to Claire in Nova Scotia, Canada (January 20, 2009)
Who sent it to Kathy in Arizona, US (February 18, 2009)
Who sent it to Carol in Indiana, US (March 15, 2009)
Who sent it to Carolyn in California, US (May 20, 2009)
Who sent it to Sharon in Oklahoma, US (August 8, 2009)
Who sent it to Jill in Minnesota, US (August 19, 2009)
Who sent it to Sara in North Carolina, US (September, 2009)
Who sent it to CarolR (me) in Kent, United Kingdom (October 27, 2009)
Who sent it to ???????

Despite it's worldly travels, the chart is in great condition and I will take a working copy so it stays in such shape. Each member of the Sisterhood has signed and dated it and left a comment. I hope I can live up to the honour of being a member of such an elite group!

Don't forget to visit my 'Charts blog' - (there's a direct link button on my sidebar) - Sew Red, Sew Blue and Sew Autumn charts are still freebies but there is a small charge for Sew Noel.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 15 comments
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Sew Red in Naples, Florida



I heard from Deb from Naples in Florida that she has finished her version of Sew Red. She has stitched this as a Christmas gift for her daughter, Jessica, and will be framing it. She not only personalised it with her own initials but she also stitched Jessica's initials, her grandson's initials and his birthdate, together with a 'family number that's special' in a different thread. Isn't this a lovely idea and just look at the pretty fabric that Deb chose to stitch it on too! A beautiful version Deb - thanks for sharing.

No stitching for the past couple of days for me. Yesterday I was busy cleaning the house, then I went out for lunch with my friends from work and then off to Ashford railway station to pick up Kirby. It's so lovely to see her - I miss her so much. Today she getting her hair cut, her nails done and meeting up with her friends but she is coming here tomorrow to spend the day and, of course, enjoy one of her nan's Sunday roast dinners!

It's so dark, gloomy and raining hard again today - I am not sure I will survive the Winter months without my daily 'fix' of sunshine!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Thursday, 15 October 2009
The Tale of the Tortoise


Yesterday evening it turned quite chilly and I noticed that Tommy had settled himself right down into the flower bed. This morning - no Tommy just a pile of soil! Yes once again he had buried himself down into the dirt so Ken gently moved the soil to get him up. As you can see he was really dirty so he gave him a wash down and put him into the patch of sunshine to dry off. He is now wandering around the garden again. This evening he will go into his box for his long Winter's sleep. Goodnight my little friend - see you in the Spring!




Those of you who are members of Facebook will know the 'laying down' game where people find the most peculiar places to lay down and be photographed. This is my lovely daughter-in-law, AnnMarie, joining in the fun! This 3-wheeler motorbike was left in her works car-park so she took the opportunity (whilst the owner wasn't around) to lay down. My son altered the registration plate to read 'Annie'!

Sorry there are no stitching pictures today but I am working hard on Sew Noel which, being on 55ct fabric, is taking a while to stitch so please be patient. The reaction to these little sampler charts have been overwhelming and, in future, I will have to make a small charge for any new charts, although I will be releasing an occasional freebie. As you can well understand it takes a lot of time designing, charting and stitching the model and, since posting these, I have sent out nearly 800 of Sew Red, Sew Blue and Sew Autumn which, as you can imagine, takes up a lot of time too! These 3 charts are still available at no cost. There is a Sew Winter, Sew Spring and Sew Summer in the pipeline which will be the same size as Sew Autumn for those of you wishing to make a bellpull or to stitch all four seasons on one piece of fabric. I am setting up a separate blog to keep all the charts in one place and there will be a link from this blog. I hope you all understand and continue to visit.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 13 comments
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Christine's Sew Red


Christine from France sent me a picture of her version of Sew Red. It is stitched on a pale rose vintage linen (14 fils.cm) with Crescent Colours 'Cocoa' and an unknown rose coloured thread. Isn't this a really pretty interpretation of Sew Red?

I finished my section of Suzanne's Emblem of Love RR and I will take a picture later once I have ironed it. I've also stitched another motif on Beatrix Potter. Next - I need to stitch my two new designs - Sew Autumn and Sew Noel. Once they are stitched they will be ready for release so don't forget to keep visiting!

Kirby got a freebie lift back from Uni for the weekend and she is here with me ready for a roast dinner. She has already printed off copies of the new charts to take back with her so maybe she will stitch them before I do.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Thursday, 1 October 2009
Yu's finish of Sew Red



Yu from Japan has sent me a picture of Sew Red finished as a beautiful tin topper. She stitched this 1*2 on Zweigart 40ct antique linen with DMC 815 thread. There are more pictures on her blog which, although written in Japanese, is worth a visit just to see her great pictures of her WIP of Mary Wigham! Thank you Yu for sharing your finish and if anyone else wants to share their version of Sew Red, please get in touch. I have yet to see a finish of Sew Blue - who will be first?

No pictures of my own stitching today. Yesterday I worked on Suzanne's Emblem of Love RR. This is the first Quaker I have stitched in multi-colours and I am amazed at how pretty this is turning out. I am hoping to finish up on this is the next couple of days and will post a picture when I have done so.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Spot the Difference!



Caroline (no blog) has been a friend of mine forever and is a member of our Stitch-n-Bitch group. Recently she went to her cottage in Cornwall and whilst she was there she stitched Sew Red and has just emailed me a picture together with the following write-up headed 'Spot the Difference':

"Thank you so much Carol for such a lovely design, which was a joy to stitch. I stitched it on 40 count Cream linen with one strand of Gloriana 'Cranberry'. If you look closely you may see that my Sew Red is not the same as Carol's original..... Carol designed this especially for 'my friend the mathematician'! She really does spoil me! If that was not enough I then added a change or two (mostly by mistake, I hasten to add) of my own. I did draw the line at leaving out the 'D' in the alphabet - even though I was up to letter 'J' by the time I discovered what I had done! My husband, probably correctly, reckons that I spend more time unpicking than I do stitching!


This is not the finished product! Having got this far, I then wondered what to do with it. By very good fortune I had been given a small wicker tray (full of stitching goodies) for Christmas. It is exactly the correct width for this to lie in the base of it, but needs a bit more stitching each side to complete the rectangle. Carol promptly offered to add a border each side so the design would perfectly fit the tray. How lucky am I to have such a friend?


As for coincidence - who gave me the wicker tray? Why - Carol of course. I look forward to showing you the completed product in due course.


Thank you Carol for sharing your beautiful designs with us - you are a most talented lady.”


Did you 'spot the difference'? There is a clue in Caroline's write-up. Thank you Caroline for, not only stitching Sew Red so beautifully but, supplying a picture and a lovely writeup too! I look forward to seeing what you do with Sew Blue.

I completed my 'secret stitching' last night and I will be 'finishing' later today. I cannot show a picture yet but I can say it's my own design!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 10 comments
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Sew Red from Australia




I received an email from Natalia in Australia with pictures of her charming finish of Sew Red. She stitched on 40ct cream linen 1*2 with Dinky Dyes silk thread (Lilly Pilly) a beautiful shade which ranges from pink to a greenish beige. Very beautiful Natalia - well done! If anyone else has finished either Sew Red or Sew Blue and would like me to post pictures, please email them to me with details of fabric and threads used and I will be more than happy to show off your interpretations.

I have been working on BAM VII with Valie who has already finished hers - I have been much slower but only two little motifs and some lettering to do and I shall be finished too.

Hector will be returning home today, I shall miss him when he goes but I am sure he will make a return visit at some point.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 15 comments
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Sew Blue - sneak preview!
Just to tease - here is a sneak preview of Sew Blue! It is stitched on 40ct flax linen with HDF Magpie Tears 2349. The charting is done - the stitching of the model is now well under way so the chart release could be either this weekend or early next week so don't forget to come back.

Sew Red is still available. The demand for this has well exceeded my expectations - I imagined a few people might want to stitch it but to my amazement I have sent out 100s of charts - so many I have lost count! Thank you all for your interest.

I managed to find time to glimpse through the JCS Christmas ornament issue. I'm sad to say that nothing jumped out at me but I will peruse it more thoroughly once I have more time.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 11 comments
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Sew Red by Angela


I received an email from dear sweet Angela (no blog) today with the attached photo of her interpretation of Sew Red. Isn't it gorgeous? It is stitched 1*2 on Lakeside 40ct Linen Attic Lace using Waterlilies Ambrosia. I love the colour variations and the tiny white frame compliments it beautifully. Thank you for sharing this with us Angela. If you want to share your version of Sew Red, please email me a picture and details of fabric and threads used.

Sew Blue is charted and I am trying to get the model stitched so please be patient, it will not be too long.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 13 comments
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Sew Red - again!


Thank you to everyone who has written such lovely praises about Sew Red - I am amazed at how well my first little sampler design has been received. I have been inundated with 100s emails plus the lovely comments to the posting. I have only sent the design out to those of you who specifically requested it so, if you wanted a copy and didn't ask, you will not have received one but ... do not despair ... it is still available! If you left a comment asking for the chart and have not received one it's because you did not leave me an email address so therefore you will need to contact me *here* or leave a comment (with an email address) *here*

A follow-up chart - Sew Blue - will be available shortly so please check back.

It's raining heavily here today so, after tackling an enormous pile of ironing and preparing a Sunday roast, I will finish stitching a gift and make a start on the model for Sew Blue. I am expecting a small stash buy to arrive tomorrow so I can make a start on BAM VII although I might tea-dye some white linen. Some years ago, I brought some 'boiled' linen and loved the colour. I wonder if you can still buy this? Maybe I should boil a piece for myself?

And, as I do not like to post without a picture, here's Hector showing which brand of cola he prefers!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 4 comments
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Sew Red in Japan



I posted Sew Red on my blog and within a few minutes I received an email from Chizue in Japan asking for the chart. Today I received another email from her - not only has she stitched Sew Red but she has finished it into the most beautiful box! It is stitched on an unknown 32ct fabric with Glorianna's Dried Pink Roses. Isn't this just stunning?

There will another chart available shortly.



My Quaker Friendship RR has made it's way home after many months of travelling and I was so happy to see it. I would like to thank Edgar, Wendy, Rowyn, Donna and Valerie for stitching so beautifully on this. Now I need to find a suitable frame!

The weather, after two beautifully warm, sunny days has reverted to dull and gloomy. I am so glad that I ignored the chores and spent the time in the garden.
This morning - the chores :-(
This afternoon - I shall stitch :-)

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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| 18 comments
Saturday, 5 September 2009
BAM VI - Sew Red


(Click for a close-up view)

Here is my first sampler designed with the Macstitch software which goes by the name of 'Sew Red'. Valie suggested we use this chart for BAM VI so we both stitched our interpretations. Mine is stitched 1*2 on 55ct white linen with deep red (109) Soie Surfine. The chart also makes reference to our earlier BAMs - a tiny bunny, a key, a butterfly ...


Valie stitched 1*1 on 32ct Vintage Magnolia Zweigart linen using HDF Everlasting silk thread. Both of these versions are therefore very small.

This chart is available as a freebie so, if you would like a copy, please email me (link here) or leave a comment with an email address saying you would like one.

Ellen Chester of With My Needle asked if she could post a picture of 'Splash of Red' which is my interpretation of Eliza's Pyn Pillow (see here). I think one tiny pin and a bottle of nail varnish worked well.

Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend
Take care

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| 97 comments
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