Claudia (who doesn't have a blog but should have) sent me this picture of her finish of Sew Perfectly Red which is stitched on 36ct HDF linen with a custom HDF thread 1235/6217. Claudia had the great idea of having this framed with a mount so that the stitching looks as though it's 'floating' in the frame and it certainly looks that way. Very beautiful Claudia and thank you for allowing me to show your picture here.

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

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To date I have received 12 pictures of finishes of Part 2 of the Mystery SAL and I will prepare a slideshow later. I am still waiting to hear from Emer, Robyn and Vonnie in response to my email of August 25 - if you are longer interested in the SAL, please let me know as there are others waiting to take your place. I am also awaiting more pictures of Part 1 but these people have let me know they will be a little late and I will post their pictures once received and then send out Part 2. Please check the slideshows as there are some lovely colour combinations to be seen.

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I am back to stitching Tante Minna and I am 2/3rds of the way done and hope to have a finish to show very soon. I have decided to put this in a stained and distress frame and to hang it on my soon to be 'red wall'; I have a few little reds ready for framing and hanging.

It's dark and gloomy and already I feel my SAD beginning to make an appearance. SAD in August? This is far too early in the year - I feel it's going to be a very long Winter!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Here is Part 2 of the Mystery SAL which has been sent out to all of those who have provided me with pictures of Part 1 so check your email boxes (and maybe your spam box if you don't find it). I look forward to receiving pictures of Part 2 on or before the release date of Part 3 - September 10. If you haven't received Part 2 it may be that I haven't received your picture but if you have any query about this please email me.

I am sorry about the small picture but I've already had one person who didn't signup in time, say she didn't want to go on the waiting list but she would 'mimic' it instead. 'Mimic' in my dictionary means 'copy' - I guess this person hasn't heard of copyright! Please keep the pictures you post on blogs and forums small enough to prevent copying.

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend

Take care

Vera (no blog) has sent me a picture of her lovely version of Sew Golden using Belle Soie 'Her Crowne' on 45ct Italian linen. Rather an apt name for the thread bearing in mind the central crown! Thank you Vera for allowing me to post your picture.

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

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As can be seen from the picture slideshows, the Mystery SAL is being stitched worldwide. There are some really beautiful versions with great colour choices of both fabrics and threads. Part 2 is due to be released on Saturday but, if I have the time, I will release it on Friday so those that are stitching this will be able to devote the weekend to stitching. However, I am still outstanding 34 pictures so note if you have not sent in your picture, please make sure you do so as 'no picture' = 'no Part 2 chart'! Please remember that you only have to stitch the corner motif; the full border is not obligatory but feel free to stitch it if you want. I would prefer pictures without any writing on them please as I will add your names to them before they appear on the slideshows.

If anyone has signed up and is no longer interested in participating or is unable to stitch the Mystery design for any reason, please let me know as soon as possible. There is an ever-growing waiting list for this SAL and it's only fair to let someone else have your place if you are not going to commit.

Thanks for visiting

Take care

A new iStitch Design released today - Sew Bands. Stitched on 40ct antique white linen with AVAS 2925 - an alphabet on either side encloses different 'bands' of pretty patterns.

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

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Cathy at Golden Needle in Port Charlotte Fl now has a limited supply of Gander linen - 1 meter each of 48ct in white and natural and 1 meter each of 55ct in white and antique white.

Contact Cathy now at:

Phone Numbers: (941)743-4410 or 1-800-816-0679

Fax Number: (941)743-4410

Email: info@goldeneedle.com

Thanks for visiting - have a lovely weekend and

Take care

I finished stitching Part 5 of the French SAL Guimauve et Violette. I am not enjoying this as much as I did when I started it but I think this is down to the fact that she is only supplying small colour charts which print up rather blurry and therefore makes my eyes ache trying to follow the chart!

Pam sent me a picture of her finish of Sew Many Keys. She stitched this 1*1 on 40ct HDF Dark Brown Bunny linen with HDF silk thread Kindling and you can tell by the picture just how tiny this is! I am looking forward to seeing how Pam decides to 'finish' this one. Thank you Pam for allowing me to showcase your lovely stitching here.

Sew Many Keys is still available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

I have stitched up Part 6 of the Mystery SAL but of course I cannot show this yet! I received a few questions about my staining and distressing of the Hobby Lobby card box. I used a product called Coloron Wood Dye in Jacobean Dark Oak which I got at the local DIY store (Homebase or B&Q). It's a liquid in a can which you rub on with a cloth although I did use a fine tip brush to get around the fastenings and into the corners. I left it overnight and then I distressed it slightly with a piece of fine sandpaper. Next step is to line it with the blue silk.

We are off to the cinema this afternoon to see The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It's a long time since we went to the cinema - I like to go, the other half does not but he has agreed to come along with me today.

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Last week I received yet another pair of scissors that I won on French ebay. They are actually a lot nicer than the picture shows them to be. The seller wrapped them in two old picture postcards which I thought was a nice idea. These postcards have now gone in my 'postcard box'.

This is the Hobby Lobby card box which I will be using to mount my Mystery SAL piece once it's finished. It comes unfinished and I was undecided whether to just wax it or stain and distress it. As you can see I went with the latter option. I wasn't too fussy about the top of the box as, of course, this will no longer be seen once I mount the stitched piece.

This shows the inside of the box and, as you can see, the glue remains uncoloured but this will be hidden once the lining of French Navy silk goes in.

I have a few of these boxes being sent over from a friend in the US and once they arrive I will be able to offer some to readers in the UK and Europe so if you are stitching the Mystery SAL (on 40ct linen) and would like to 'finish' it as a box top, please keep visiting here as numbers of these boxes for sale are limited. Please do not email me as yet as I do no not have them in stock. Of course if you live in the US these boxes are widely available at Hobby Lobby. The bonus chart, which will be sent to you on completion of the SAL, will be a pincushion to fit in one of the sections inside the box.

If you check your email boxes (including spam boxes if you don't find it) you will see that I have sent out Part 1 a day early to all participants especially those of you who really can't wait until tomorrow. I look forward to receiving pictures of your finished Part 1 on or before the release date of Part 2 - August 27.

I really hope you enjoy stitching this design.

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely stitching weekend

Take care

At last a sneak peek of Part 1 of the Mystery SAL! The blue to the right is the silk fabric that I will be using to line my box.

Here is a list of participants together with links to blogs. If you have registered and your name is not on the list and you think it should be, please email me. If there is no blog link it's because you didn't give me your blog url and if you would like me to add it, please email me. There are 125 participants in all!

Amanda

Amy V

Amy W

Angela

Ann Be

Ann Br

Anna

Annie

April

Audrey

Barbara J

Barbara S

Barbara W

Bénédicte

Brenda

Cari

Carissa

Carol

Carolyn

Cathy

Christine

Cindy

Clare

Claudia

Connie

Cynthia

Daphnée

Diana

Donna L

Donna P

Dora

Edgar

Elisa

Ellen

Emer

Fatema

Gillie

Gina

Hazel

Hylda

Irina

Isabel

Janel

Janet H

Janet M

Janine

Jenny

Jill

Jo

Joan

Joanna

Joanne

Joely

Julia P

Julia Z

June

Karen

Kate L

Kate R

Kathy

Kati

Katrina

Kim H

Kim R

Kim S

Laurence

Laurie

Leigh

Leslie

Lilia

Linda

Lisa

Loretta

Lynda

Maggee

Margaret C

Margaret G

Marilyn

Marsha

Mary Ann

Maureen

Mayté

Meari

Megan

Michele B

Michele W

Mindi

Mindy

Minmin

Monserami

Nancy P

Nancy R

Natali

Natalia

Nataly

Nina

Nita

Pam K

Pam S

Pat

Patricia

Patty

Paule

Pilar

Robbin

Robin

Robyn

Sally

Sandye

Sarah

Sheila

Shirley

Stephanie B

Stephanie F

Sue

Sunny

Susan L

Susan W

Tatiana

Teresa

Terri

Valie

Vera

Veronica

Vonnie

Wanda

Yuko

I received not one, but two, lovely gifts from dear Angela. Firstly, this absolutely beautiful monogram ornament, stitched over 1 with two shades of red floss which matches perfectly both the red velvet backing and the ribbon hanger.

Secondly, one of Angela's pin books also in red. The above is the front and inside ...

... a delightful red felting with a pretty bow and red pins. Now you too can be the owner of one or more of these little pin books. There are many different ones available and more pictures are shown on Margaret's blog *here* scroll down, but not too quickly as Margaret has some lovely stitching on show, and you will see the Eiffel Tower, Keep Calm and Carry On and even a mermaid or two! Each pin book is printed onto quality card stock which is then gently distressed for an aged look look and measures approximately 3" x 1½". Each one has a matching wool felt interior and three pearl headed pins. These will make ideal gifts for stitching friends although I think you will find these very difficult to give away! If you are interested , email me (my email address can be found on my profile) and I will put you in touch with Angela who does not have a blog but if you click on *here* it will take you to her 'picture trail' and you can see her amazing work. Thank you Angela for these very thoughtful gifts.

Here is Part 4 of the French SAL Guimauve et Violette. I am glad I chose a larger count linen to stitch this on (38ct nacre Gander) - see post of August 3!

I am continuing to be amazed at the reaction to my own Mystery SAL. I have been inundated with sign-ups and I might have to limit the numbers shortly otherwise I will be spending the whole of next weekend (and subsequent weekends) sending out charts! So ... if you want to join in apply NOW otherwise you could miss out. See previous post for details and further details can be sent on request.

I am amazed at the amount of people who have shown interest in joining my Mystery SAL - thank you!

The eight parts are charted and I have stitched Part 1 which needs to be photographed. I have used HDF Rubbed Navy 2219/2161/2307 on 40ct antique white Newcastle linen. The thread is the same shade of some French Navy silk fabric that I have in my stash and which I want to use for finishing. If you stitch this on 40ct linen if will be a perfect (I hope) fit for Hobby Lobby's little wooden box *here*. Of course you can stitch this in whatever colour and on whatever fabric you like!

If you wish to sign up now please email me (my email address is on my profile) and let me know your first name and surname, your email address and your blog url if you have one. You do not need a blog to participate. Please note I will only refer to your first name and the first letter of your surname on my blog. Once I have received your email, I will send you further details. I know that some of you have already indicated that you wish to participate but can you please still email me with the required information.

Part 1 will be released on Saturday, August 13 which you will receive by email. The remaining parts will be released at two weekly intervals.

Let's have some fun!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

I received an email from Dora (no blog) showing her beautiful version of Sew a Brown Bunny. It is stitched on 40ct natural linen, one over two, with the recommended DMC thread with the addition of one colour. She also made the little strawberry fob out of muslin and wool to match the design - how wonderful is that? Thank you Dora for allowing me to share this here.

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

We had a little visitor at the weekend. Isn't he adorable?

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I have finished stitching Part 4 of the French SAL Guimauve et Violette but I need to take a picture. The moderator/designer seems only to be putting up the colour charts now which print up rather blurry and make it difficult to count. I hope she reverts to a black-n-white option before I completely ruin my eyesight! I am contemplating an iStitch SAL; I wonder if anyone would be interested?

Thanks for visiting

Take care

I put a few more stitches into Tante Minna over the weekend. I am really enjoying stitching this one - so small and delicate. I will finish off the left-hand border before I put in the next alphabet. For those of you who may have missed my previous posts on Tante Minna, this is a free pattern given by Sylvia *here*. Her blog is in German although there is a google link translator at the top of the sidebar and I suggest you use this as the story of 'Tante Minna' is worth reading. There is also a picture of this wonderful lady.