Faded Glory Framed And A New Finish

It took almost two years to finally get this one framed. I had wanted to get this professionally framed, however, after doing some pricing, I could not justify the cost. I decided instead to frame the piece using a nice frame purchased either secondhand or from a shop. I finally found the perfect frame and today was spent getting it centered just so. It reminds me of the Victorian Mourning Frames that were used long ago. 

As the piece was both a gift for my father on his last birthday and had become a mourning piece, I think it is fitting. 

At any rate, here is the finished product:

Design: Faded Glory from Portrait of the Civil War Book #119 (an OOP booklet)

Designer: Jeanette Crews Designs

Fabric: 26 count undyed natural dirty linen

Fibers: DMC 347, 415, 762, 930, 931, and 3328

Stitchers' Notes: Frame by Green Tree Galley, Oklahoma City, OK. Frame is 10 by 8 inches. Frame #829135; PO W0178685. 

I really do think that it sets off the piece nicely. The piece is now on one of my bookshelves where I can see it every day.  

I also have a finish for today. It is not a patriotic piece, however, I did have a lot of fun stitching this design. I purchased the kit at 40% off the price, so that was nice. I also substituted the 18 count aida for linen as I did not like the way the aida was preconfigured to make it into a potpourri bag. There are three designs in the kit, and I chose my favorite one to stitch:

Design: Flowers and Butterflies Tulips (Kit #PN-0154964)

Designer: Vera Verachtert for Vervaco

Fabric:  36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 445, 742, 946, 963, 957, 601, 600, 747, 157, 3838, 791, 211, 340, 333, 550, 907, and 906. 

Accoutrements : Mill Hill beads in #40252 Iris, #40479 White, and #42101 Purple. 

Stitchers' Notes: Converted kit floss to DMC colors. Substituted 36 count Edinburgh linen for the 18 count aida that was included in the kit. Will stitch remaining designs at a later date. 

I must be off. It's time for dinner and I need to clean up my stitching area in order to start my next project. I hope every has a Happy 4th of July!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Spring For Rabbits

My latest finish is a break from my current WIP of the 1855 I Auguste Heidemrieg sampler. I wanted to stitch something Spring related and remembered that I had this freebie in my stash. It is one of those LNS freebies that I managed to pick up from somewhere. This stitched up in no time at all, and I really like the way that it turned out. This piece, like so many others that I have stitched, will likely be a mere bagatelle. I seem to be one of those people who enjoy the process of stitching more than stitching and 'finishing' anything. :)

At any rate, here is my latest finish:

Design: Spring For Rabbits

Designer: The Gentle Art Sampler Threads

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 124, 197, 312, 561, and 705.

Stitchers' Notes: Substituted called for GAST threads for in house Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk. Freebie from LNS purchase. Began Friday, February 10, 2017. Finished Sunday, February 12, 2017. 

Well, I must be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Tiny Fall Finish

I really lollygagged on this one. It should have taken all of a day at most, however, here I am, over a week later and it's finally finished. This week was a wee bit busy, and to be honest, I wasn't feeling all that up to scratch. I am hoping that this changes, as I have many projects that I wish to work on. This also includes the loaner chart from the Blackbird Designs Lending Library. It arrived in the mail and I really do need to get to it. 

I love the way this one turned out. It's a seasonal freebie and I can see stitching this as a Halloween tree as well. Once I finish with the loaner chart from the Blackbird Designs Lending Library, I may do just that!

At any rate, here is my humble offering:

Design: L'Arbre d'Automne

Designer: Jardin Privé 

Fabric Used: 36 count linen by Hand Dyed Fibers in Earth Stars-5213

Fibers Used: Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in 4126. Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Carrot Cake, Cinnamon Stick, Cranberry, and Old Crow.

Stitchers Notes: Freebie may be found here. Substituted called for DMC floss for silks of my own choosing. Will be stitching this again as a Halloween tree. 

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today and I need to get myself in gear here. :)

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Getting A Head Start On Halloween

While I am awaiting another loaner chart from the Blackbird Designs Lending Library , I decided that I could wait no longer to stitch on a Halloween or Fall related piece. I have been really indifferent towards stitching, despite the  happy dance that occurred when I procured more long sought after Good Huswif and Primitive Needle designs. 

I saw this one in the 2016 Just Cross Stitch Halloween bookazine (Issue four, Volume 9) and knew right away this was the next piece that I was going to stitch. I do not have a sewing machine in order to make this into a pillow as it is finished in the bookazine. But perhaps with the forthcoming fall and halloween merchandise that is already appearing in Michael's and Joann's, I will be able to finish this in a different way. 

At any rate, here is the latest finish:

Design: The Skeleton Key

Designer: Lee Fisher of StitchyFish Designs

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen by Hand Dyed Fibers in 

Xenops 5315 (equivalent to DMC 762, very pale grey)

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow

Stitcher's Notes: Chart featured on page 85 of the 2016 Just Cross Stitch Halloween bookazine (Issue four, Volume 9). Began Thursday, July 14, 2016. Finished Saturday, July 16, 2016.

Well, time for me to go. I need to clean up my stitching area and find something else to stitch on. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Late June Finish

This latest finish took rather longer than I had planned as this past Monday, June 12, 2016, my mother died of kidney failure due to complications of diabetes. I have not felt up to stitching, so this one sat until today. It took all of an hour to finish it up as I had gotten quite far along on the piece before I found out my mother had died. While I managed to finish it up, my heart simply wasn't in my stitching. The entire time finishing it up, I thought about how my mother was the one who inadvertently got me "into" cross stitch. (I will save that story for a future post). 

But, nevertheless, the stitching at least has been finished:

Design: July's Celebration

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Collard Greens, Ivy League, Harvest, Indigo, Slate, Tree Trunk and Tulip

Stitcher's Notes: Began Thursday, June 9, 2016. Design featured on page 21 of the book A Fine Collection, by Blackbird Designs. Finished Monday, June 20, 2016.

As of Friday, June 10, 2016:

As of Monday, June 20, 2016:

I have the last part of the 2016 Tiny Round Robin to finish up. After that, I am seriously considering taking a break from stitching. My heart truly is not in it at this time. Time will tell, I suppose.

Hope everyone has a great week.

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

July's Celebration

My latest project is another one by Barb and Alma of Blackbird Designs. I wanted to stitch something patriotic, but I did not want to stitch anything with a house or an alphabet in the design. A bit of a tall order, especially since I am on the dreaded Stash Diet and I am confined to what is currently available to me. I then remembered this project. This one has been on the 'Why haven't I stitched this yet? I love this!' pile for quite some time. So, I thought I better get a move on and get on with it. It is stitching up quite quickly and I am really loving how it is turning out so far. 

At any rate, here is the pre-weekend update:

Design: July's Celebration

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Collard Greens, Ivy League, Harvest, Indigo, Slate, Tree Trunk and Tulip

Stitcher's Notes: Began Thursday, June 9, 2016. Design featured on page 21 of the book A Fine Collection, by Blackbird Designs. 

As of Friday, June 10, 2016:

Time for me to go. Lots to do today before I get to the weekend. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

2016 Hits The Halfway Mark

Well, almost! With four days left until June 1, it may as well be the halfway point. This year has simply flown by at the speed of light. Methinks the next half of the year is going to be even busier. I am hoping to finish more stitching goals, but I am not sure where I am going to find the time. I have only finished six projects from the Bin O'Shame so far this year. I had wanted to finish six more, to make it one per month. I suppose I should not be discouraged quite yet. After all, that's six project done that weren't finished before! :)

At any rate, here is the stitching breakdown so far:

 Bin O'Shame  projects completed: 6

Kit Mountain projects completed: 3

Leaflet Silo/Lending Library projects completed: 18

Total Number Of Stitched Projects: 27

:O

I know, I know! I can sit down now!  I really do not have anything to complain about, but goals are goals. :)

I managed to get this one finished up in time. I need to find the perfect frame for it this weekend. I hope there are some good sales going on right now. 

Design: French Country Bicycle

Designer: Judy Whitman for JBW Designs

Fabric: 36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 3328, 761, 3713, 3011, 3012, 3013, 435, 341, 3855, 3854, 3042, 3746

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads size 11/0 in Pale Blue #62046.  Small blue bird glass Treasure by Mill Hill #12051. Gold tone bee charms by unknown manufacturer.

Stitchers' Notes: Began Monday, May 23, 2016. Finished Friday, May 27, 2016. Stitched for one of my favorite French cafés, Rosallie. 

As of Wednesday, May 25, 2016:




Stitching Finished Friday, May 27, 2016:

Time to go. It's Saturday, and the day is a wastin'. As we go full swing into Memorial Day weekend, please remember that while all gave some, some gave all. 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday En Français

My latest start came about as it is a gift for someone. There is a bit of a time crunch but luckily, It is stitching up fairly quickly. This is another Leaflet Silo project and I am really enjoying it. I managed to have the foresight to purchase enough of the 36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White so that I can stitch this again, only this time for myself! :)

Well, here is where I am so far:

Design: French Country Bicycle

Designer: Judy Whitman for JBW Designs

Fabric: 36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 3328, 761, 3713, 3011, 3012, 3013, 435, 341, 3855, 3854, 3042, 3746

I am hoping to have this finished by the weekend, so that I can get back to the  2016 Tiny Round Robin. The next part came in the other day, and I do need to get a move on :). 

Well, I had best be off. Lots to do today. Hope everyone is having a great week! :)


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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Wee Bit O' Somethin'

To tide me over while waiting on the mail. I was informed on Monday that the next part of the 2016 Tiny Round Robin was making its' way to me. Nothing was really grabbing me in the  Bin O'Shame or even in Kit Mountain. Then I remembered that I had this book and I have wanted to stitch all of the projects in the book. There are 10 total, so plenty to do. I thought that this was going to take me a fair amount of time to finish, but I began during the lunch hour today and with a few starts and stops finished at around 5:30 PM today. I will probably make this into an actual pin cushion. That is once I procure a sewing machine! :)

Well, at any rate, here is a tiny thing that I stitched. 

Design: Bluebird's Needles and Pins (from the book With Needle and Thread)

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric:  36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Babbling Brook, Carnation, Fern Frond, Rouge, Slate and Tree Trunk. 

Stitcher's Notes: One day start and finish on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Leaflet Silo finish. Stitched used were full cross stitch and Algerian eyelet. Unfortunately, this book is not for sale or trade. 

Welp, time to be off. I need to clean up my stitching area and think about the next project to work on while I await the arrival of the next installment of the 2016 Tiny Round Robin. 

Hope everyone is having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Sampler In Two Excerpts

At least for this latest finish. I have always thought that one of the coolest things about my hobby is that one could take a design, change a few things, and have something completely different. This is the case for these latest finishes. It is another loaner chart from the Blackbird Designs Lending Library. 

After seeing someone's recent finish, I really, really wanted to stitch the tulips in the basket for some reason. I did not want to stitch the house, as I am bored with stitching houses, but I really do love the rest of the elements in this piece. So, I decided to stitch this in two parts. Tulips on one piece, and the alphabet and the willow tree on another. It's taken a wee bit of shifting things around, but I am very pleased with how this turned out. I will have to be on the lookout for this on sale somewhere. I could see stitching the tulips again and again!


And here it is. My version of Willow House. Although, since it's minus the house, it should just be the Willow Sampler! :)

Design: Willow House Sampler. Chart is long out of print and retired. 

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric:  36 count Edinburgh linen in Antique White

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Babbling Brook, Carnation, Fern Frond, Indigo, Malted Milk, Old Crow, Rouge, Tree Trunk and Tulip. Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in Blanc. Gloriana Threads  12 strand French silk floss in #024 Blueberry (Lot: T8/776). Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in #561 Taupe.

Beads Used: Mill Hill beads size 15/0 in #40252 Iris

Stitcher's Notes: Chart on loan from Patricia G of the Blackbird Designs Lending Library Facebook Group. Replaced the cotton embroidery floss for silks. Left off initials. Left out house. Began Friday, May 13, 2016. Finished Monday, May 16, 2016. 


Excerpt One:

Excerpt Two:

Time to bolt for the door. I need to get my stitching area cleaned up and then figure out what to stitch next. I suppose I really should get back to the Strawberries and Cream Sampler, but I am just not into it. Mayhap the time has come to visit with a mermaid again. :)

I bid you all peace and happy week! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Muffins In Yerba

Me being me, I could not leave well enough alone. For any long time readers out there, this should come as no particular surprise. I had decided to remove the row of numbers that were stitched in the Motifs Abécédaire 30 that I was working on with a Latin inscription that I found on internet walkabout many, many moons ago. My husband and I have a firm and fast rule in our house where one may have any opinion that one chooses, however, one must be able to back up one's opinion with readily available facts, and not based on an emotional thinking. My husband and I prefer to learn and question what we have learned on a continual basis. Additionally, I have a personal dislike of becoming so entrenched in a way of thinking, it becomes virtual dogma. 


My husband is a funny man. When I showed him my latest finish, after he read the inscription he said to me in all seriousness, 'Muffins in Yerba?!'. I laughed at that and told him that no, it was not Muffins in Yerba, but in fact it was in fact 'Nullius In Verba', the motto of the Royal Society. I think it makes the piece more interesting than just a row of numbers. It also makes it different from most samplers in that the verse is not religious based, as was the custom for a great many samplers that our ancestors produced. 

Still in all, I am happy with the way that it turned out. I am even happier that I am through with all of the Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 663 is finally over! :)

Design: Motifs Abécédaire 30

Designer: Boutique DMC France

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen in White

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 124, 126, 303 and 663

Stitcher's Notes: Began Friday, March 4, 2016. Finished Saturday, April 9, 2016. Motto taken from the Royal Society. The verse in Latin means "On the word of no one'. Verse replaced row of numbers. 

As of Wednesday, April 6, 2016:

Finished as of Saturday, April 9, 2016:

Well, I need to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C.