Pincushion Summer Swap 09

Woohoo, let the fun begin!!!!! 

I got my information from Sandra today. This is not a straight swap so I have no idea who I am receiving from. If you have not been to Sandra's site you should take a visit and look at the different blogs of those participating. Very interesting. Since I cannot get the link thing within a post to be consistent you will have to go through my side bar :)

I know what my recipient likes/dislikes but won't spoil the fun by telling.  I think I may do a cross stitch front and a "quiltie" back. Has to be sent out by June 21st.

That, people, is all you are going to here from me about the swap till after it is received at the other end then there will be pictures :)

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day "week-end" (USA) or Spring Bank Holiday (UK).

Tulips

I was looking in my drawer yesterday for the back of another project and found this. It is such a bright and cheerful piece that I decided it needed to be finished.

It was originally intended to be the center of a sampler but I decided to cut it and now it can be an ornament, pincushion, door hanger - whatever the recipient desires.

I think it is one of those patterns that would look great in any kind of color combination.

Revision classes

A while ago I signed up to take some revision classes for basic embroidery stitches and then forgot all about it. When the information arrived today I was somewhat puzzled till it dawned on me what it was. Sheesh am I getting old or what :)

So what am I revising ?

Smyrna

Hungarian

Cashmere

Diagonal mosaic

Diagonal Gobelin

T stitch

Rice Stitch

Straight Gobelin

Mosaic

Skip Tent

I want to try them out using variegated floss.

And just for fun a Bargello christmas ornament. It's already going somewhere when it's done.

An alphabet sampler

I'm taking part in an exchange using the alphabet so I am going to use it as a small practice piece for a sampler I am designing.

The fabric is (cool tan) 28ct. evenweave from M.C.G. Textiles. The stitch is over two using Designs For Needle 1 strand 100% cotton floss, dark orange. I was originally going to do the alphabet over 1 but after about 4 letters my eyes were about crossing over and getting sore :)

Because this is going to be a small piece I opted not to sew the lower case lettering.

I really like the feel of the fabric but it frays like the dickens so when I cut it down to do the rest of the design I need to remember to tape the edges.

"The Lord is my Shepherd"

I'm trying to finish up each area as I go along i.e. the cross-stitch and any outline or detail stitches. That way I don't have to come back to any section at the end.

At the moment I am working on Jesus face and arm.

I'm thinking I'll finish down to the horizon line then do the lettering.

"I Love Snowmen" - another one finished

The stitching for another snowman is now complete :) I'm about 1/3rd way through stitching the last one and then can do a short sew in to add all the backs and hangers.

Rose Splendor - an update

Rose Splendor is slowly moving along. Finally got the border finished. I have to say that the gold metallic bits were not really worth the hassle.

Still to do - the tiny buds, finish off the leaves and finish the outline.

A closer view.

Antique Sampler

Made by my great aunt in 1950 so I guess you could say it is a young antique :) The original frame is long gone and my mother's only real concern about the piece is that it was not blocked well. We do not want to redo it.

I would love to do my own version of the lower section of the sampler.

The sampler measures 101/2"x151/2"

The top row of stitching is a fairly common design in samplers. My great aunt's color choice is more subdued than that of the sampler created by her grandmother or of my own.

Yes, you are seeing some stripes in there !!! There is a definite color change under the initials and part of the alphabet.

"Summer Basket"

I stitched this years ago from a pattern in one of my books. I'm still looking through them to give proper credit :)

It's been hanging in our hallway the whole time we have been living in our current house (since 1998) and was hanging in our apartment before that.

Cross-stitched on cream linen over two threads using floss from my DMC collection.

The Pincushion Challenge

Here's a fun challenge. ROY B. GIV.

The first month has just finished but don't let that stop you :)

It's supposed to be for fabric but it struck me that it would work with any number of small embroidery pieces.

The link is on my sidebar.

Happy stitching.

Carol H.