Another New Start

You don't call January Guilt-Free January for nothing. Once again, I've been distracted and stopped working on Romantic Stitcher. So what have I been working on, you all must be wondering. Well, here ya go.

This is "Lazy Afternoon" by Lanarte which is going to be a surprise gift for my friend Adeline who just bought her first apartment and is planning to move in sometime in March. I had a hard time picking out something for her because, when it comes to art and tastes, you just never know. I might like something that she doesn't or I could find something that I know she'll absolutely like which I hated which is a no go either for I just can't bring myself to stitch something I totally dislike. It's gotta balance which makes my choices tougher and more limited. Besides, she didn't give me any guidelines as to how she might decorate her apartment. When I ask her what she'd like me to get for her, she just goes, stitch me something, something big, make it a surprise. Since she doesn't know this blog exist, doesn't stitch nor is she much of a computer person, I feel safe letting all of you into my secret. I chose this pattern for I thought she might appreciate the feminine element of it. Also, when I look at it, it makes me feel relax and lazy just like its name which is how a home should make us feel. That together with the fact that my friend loves reading too, well, I just hope she likes it as much as I do. I got slightly more than a month to finish this, thus I better buck up and stop procrastinating.

Other than that one new start, I've been doing a lot of planning for my projects this year. I won't exactly call it my New Year Resolution since I have no idea when I'll be getting to them but I finally went and bought all the Anchor threads for Lilliput Lane's Cottage Sampler. I was contemplating converting the Anchor threads into DMC but after the Crafty Cat disaster, I decided to stick with Anchor threads instead. I even went as far as to do a floss toss on it. The fabric is Zweigart's Vintage Country Cream (Marbled) 32 count linen, same as the one I'm stitching Romantic Stitcher on. On Friday, I received some fabrics from Sugar Maple Fabrics.They're Serendipity and Shimmering Jellybean. Aren't they yummy? This is the first time I've ordered from SMF and I love it. I have Mirabilia's Garden Verses in mind for Serendipity and Enchanting Lair's Firedance planned for Shimmering Jellybean. Do you think the colours will go well together? I need opinions please. Thanks!

I'm also currently in a debate with myself. Should I or should I not join in the Lavender Angels Stitch-Along? I've already got all the materials for it."Angelica" has been another design that's been in my stash for quite some time. I've just never gotten around to it. The fabric is another opalescent - Skye by Silkweaver. Yup, you guessed it. I love sparklies. Mmm... gonna ponder on it some more.

This and That

I've been tagged by Debi for this meme which I'm supposed to link to five of my previously written posts and have them relate to these five things: Family, Friend, Yourself, Your Love and Anything You Like. Since this blog is all about cross stitch, the chosen posts will definitely be cross stitch related. So here goes...

Family: This post is dedicated to my mum whom I love with all my heart. And the only post I could find that's related to my family. Thus the reason why I chose this post. (I really should stitch something for my dad and my brother too.)

Friend: Made this for my bestest (there really should be such a word in the dictionary) friend in the world, Adeline. She has helped me through a lot of tough spots and rough situations. I'm truly blessed to have her in my life.

Yourself: Now this is a tricky one. I guess I'll pick my last post for everything stitched in it is purely for my own pleasure. So yeah, no further explanations necessary.

Your Love: This is another hard one. The reason I chose this post is the picture at the very end. We got back together the day after my birthday in December last year. Gotta tell you, no one was more surprised than I that we did. Things are still complicated, we're still apart but both willing to give long distance relationship another try. It's hard but then again, when is life (especially when it's something that you want badly enough to put all your effort in to) ever easy?

Anything You Like: I really had trouble making up my mind about this one. In the end I settled for this post. Reason? Sun, sea, sand, beach, vacation, rest and relax. That says it all in the picture. Now who in his right mind wouldn't like that?

Hmm... guess now it's my turn to tag someone. Have never done this before. I'll send it to Chiloe, Juls, Kathy, Beatrice and Jaimie, the first five people who commented on my last post. Thank you all for your kind comments. Of course, it's up to you to decide if you'd like to answer this. And to anyone who reads this and would like to join in the fun, you're definitely welcome to.

On to other things, I need all your help in identifying this project here:

It's a UFO sitting for the longest time way back in my wardrobe that I pulled out the other day. It's one of my first cross stitch that I started along with A Gift of Friendship. The chart is a nameless one that I bought years ago from a LNS and I've been asked a few times for its name. I'd really appreciate it if someone could tell me who the designer is and the name of the design. Can you believe that for such a huge piece, there are only 16 colours? 16 colours for such a life-like picture. Amazing isn't it? I still love it but frankly, I have no idea if I should continue stitching on it for it's stitched on 10 count (yes, you read correctly 10 count) aida with six strands of floss. It's huge so if I continue on, it's gonna cost me a lot of floss. Also, now that I've stitched on evenweave and linen, I really hated the texture of aida, especially in such a big count but that's not all. As it's my first cross stitch, the back is a mess with tons of knots all over the place. Added to that, the crosses are not facing the same way. So there you have it, as much as I love it, stitching on it is not a pleasure for me anymore. See my dilemma? Sigh! Any suggestions on what I should do with it? Thanx in advance.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'll post again shortly with some updates on what I've been up to. I could've posted them right now but I just want to stitch on it a little more so I can have that little much more to show. In the meantime, take care, everyone.

1 HD, 2 WIPs

Happy New Year, all! May all your hopes and dreams come true this year. I've never been big on new year resolutions but I guess the one resolution I should make is to keep this blog updated. It's been two months since I've last written. Not good. Then again, I don't have a lot to show for those two absent months. In fact, this is the only finish I have to show so ladies and gentlemen, come celebrate a very belated Happy Dance with me.

This is "Crafty Cat" by Margaret Sherry. Finished him about 2 months ago. The original design was stitched with Anchor threads but I used DMC threads instead, which are also provided in the chart but I think the cream colour for his face is too dark. Oh well, he's still cute, isn't he? Getting all tangled up in that mess. However, I'm pretty certain if I had a cat and it did that to my stitchy stuff, cute is definitely gonna be the furthest thing from my mind. Hehe...

As for what I'm working on at the moment, here they are:

"Chorus Line" by Valerie Pfeiffer is stitched on 28 count cream lugana. This is the first time I'm stitching her designs even though I've seen them around for a while now. I really like her birds. They're so fluffy. Unfortunately, after I was done stitching on this bird, another project caught my attention and I've been working on that since.

And here she is, "The Romantic Stitcher" by non other than Laura G. Lattuada of Passione Ricamo. The fabric is Zweigart's Vintage Country Cream (Marbled) 32 count linen. It's been a while since I've picked up something this big so completing her will definitely take me a while. However, I'm having so much fun stitching on her it hardly matters. Her face is stitched over one, a first for me, and I must say I really like the effect thus the extra work is worth it. Just don't expect me to work on her arms and hands anytime soon. ^.^

Pictures Galore

Hey everyone! I'm back. Wow, time sure flies. It has been more than a year since I last posted. Thank you for all your kind words and messages. Life has been hectic to say the least with work and all, at times without access to the internet and coping with a broken engagement, I just didn't have the time (or the heart) to pick up the needle. So once again, I'll like to apologize to those whose Round Robin I had sent back unstitched. You've all been wonderfully understanding. Thank you.

It's been so long and I have so much I'd like to say but as I don't know where to start, I'll post pictures first instead. After all, they don't say a picture is worth a million words for nothing. So here goes... these are the few Round Robins that has returned home.

They're unfinished because we either didn't have enough participants to start off with in the first place or I had to drop out of it. Nevertheless, they're still beautiful and I love them. A heartfelt thank you for letting me participate in the Round Robins. Maybe in time, we sitchers can have some sort of Round Robin Squares Exchange (if there hasn't already been something like this going on) where instead of new Round Robins, we stitched on existing ones with blank squares to complete it for one another. I'm sure for those of us that join Round Robins often enough, we have a number of those lying around.

Well, I probably won't be able to post as frequently as I did before but I'll try my best to keep this blog updated. Before I end here, I'd like to share with you another piece I've stitched. I started this for my then fiance before we broke up because of circumstances beyond our control and I decided to finish it anyway and have it framed up for him. We're still friends and will always be friends (I hope). And I'd like him to know that he'll always have a special place in my heart.

6 Geese-A-Laying

Phew! This is the first I've ever encountered so many French knots in a single pattern. Luckily for me, I had mastered them earlier this year or I would have found them a real pain and goodness knows how long it would've taken me to finish stitching this. Anyway, this is for Kirsty's RR. Now we're officially halfway through the "Margaret Sherry's 12 Days of Christmas RR". So, can anyone tell me, are goose eggs really that pretty and colourful?

Stitching Blogger's Question: Embroidery Scissors

Many of us have a few pairs of embroidery scissors and some even have a “collection”. How many pairs of scissors do you have? Feel free to share a photo of your favorite pair or pairs with us!

I only have one pair of scissors. Here's a pic of it. It's made by Consorzio Premax of Italy. I've been assured that it's good quality scissors and I love the shape and feel of it but barely a couple of months since I bought it, its handles started rusting. I think you can sort of see it in the pic. Embroidery scissors aren't supposed to do this, right? Very disappointed. I've complaint to the shop where I bought it from but since the company isn't responding to any of their emails, I don't think there's much I can do about it. Well, I'm thinking of getting myself a pair of Stork scissors soon. Hopefully this time I'll get my money's worth.

A Wee Autumn

Well, here's my square for Char's "Wee Seasons" round robin. Designed by Heart in Hand Needleart, Wee Autumn is another pattern that I'd not have the chance to stitch had it not been for me joining this RR. As you can probably tell by now, it's not my usual style which might probably be why I enjoy stitching it all the more. So why did I choose autumn out of all the other seasons? That's because the scarecrow really appeals to me... I think he's adorable even though he's the one that gave me the hardest time for this piece. For reasons that eluded me, I kept stitching him up all wrong and having to frog him more than a couple of times. Glad I finally got him all sorted out. Now in he goes into the bag to wait for the mailing date. *Grin*

Stitching Blogger's Question: Framing With Glass?

When you get a project professionally framed do you get glass inserted into the frame? Why or why not?

Yes, definitely! All my cross stitch pieces are professionally framed and glass is necessary in hot and humid Malaysia. Also, I have this hope that all my work will become heirloom pieces someday and that my grandchildren will want to keep them (though I'm not even married yet much less have any children but one can dream, right?) So the way I see it, the glass would not only protect the cross stitch piece from dust but whatever environment the piece end up in, be it smoking room or some place that kids with sticky fingers might easily reach, it'll always be protected.

Rose, Rose, I Love You

I might have said this before but this wins hands down as the quickest stitching I've ever done to date. These red roses are stitched as a favour for Roz. Her "Roses" RR came back with two empty squares. Aida has filled in the bottom middle square and posted it to me together with my 4 Seasons Postcards RR. I wanted to get it done as soon as possible so I could send both Roz's RRs back to her at one go. Thus, I did a rush on it earlier and made short work of it.

Now this beautiful RR is completed and ready to return to its mistress. I just love roses, don't you? Sigh! Guess I'm a romantic at heart. Roz, 17 lovely roses (yup, I counted them, rosebuds and all) coming your way tomorrow. Hehehe...

My First RR!

Yes! Ladies and Gentlemen, after four months since it left home, here I present to you the first RR of mine to return home - my 4 Seasons Postcards Round Robin. This one made its rounds in hot, sunny Malaysia and didn't venture overseas which is probably why it came back first. I'm sure that by now, you'll be familiar with the designer - Laura G. Lattuada of Passione Ricamo. Many thanks to Aida who stitched spring, Margaret who stitched Summer and Rozita who stitched Autumn. Winter, is of course stitched by me. I just noticed that coincidentally, the names are in alphabetical order from spring to winter. Pretty cool eh? It is stitched on 28 count cream lugana.

Next, as promised earlier, here's a picture of Roz's 4 Seasons Postcards RR. Hers is stitched on cashel linen... I'm guessing the colour is khaki and I appologize in advance if I'm wrong. So what do you think? One theme, two types of fabrics, two varied arrangements. The results are pretty different, don't ya think? Which one's prettier? Just kidding! You don't need to answer that. LOL!

And finally, I can now show off the square I stitched for Aida whose's RR theme is "Home Sweet Home" She had requested that we keep what we stitched a secret for she wanted to be surprised. As she has received her RR today too, here's what I stitched: my first Lizzie Kate - Home is Where We Share... This is what happens when I'm given free reign of my colour choices. I can tell you I didn't follow ANY of the recommended DMC colours nor the overdyed threads. Instead, I opted to use vareigated threads. I too changed the colour of the windows which were supposed to be a darkish colour to yellow for I think the house looks more welcoming and cheerful this way as opposed to the forbidden look the house has with dark windows. The charm that's supposed to be above the door has also been replaced by a stitched heart.

Aida, Margaret and Roz, it's been an honour being able to participate in this RR with you all. I look forward to joining another RR with all of you again in the near future.

Another Wedding Sampler

For another pair of newly wed. This year seems like a year of wedding for my friends! Anyway, this is for Sean and Chee Hooi. The pattern is once again a freebie from EMS which I modified into a wedding sampler. The words that read "Two Hearts, One Love" are taken from the book "Cross Stitch Sentiments and Sayings" by Joan Elliott and the border was designed by me. There're actually opalescent beads stitched around the border too but from the looks of it, they're pretty much invisible. Only in real life can you see the subtle sparkle in the piece. I also substituted the cotton floss outline of the wedding rings to metallic thread but again, there's hardly any difference in the picture.

And here's the framed piece which I just handed over to the couple earlier tonight. Yup, in fact, I just returned home from the wedding not too long ago. This time I didn't take any wedding pictures with my camera but as an aspiring tailor, I had made an evening gown to be worn to this special occasion so if you're curious enough, here's a pic I took of me before I left. What do you think of my gown? Just bear with me... shameless self-advertising here. LOL!

An Angel for Charity

It's been ages since I've had a stitching update. Apparently, I hit a stitching slump a couple of weeks back but the fact that I'm drowning in RRs at the moment have finally managed to push my panic button so now once again stitching earnestly. And the first finish I have to show is this angel from Dimensions that I stitched for Charity's "Angels" RR.

I love stitching her for there're no fractional stitches at all but don't let her innocent appearance fool you. As is typical of Dimensions, there're tons of tweeding in this little design but the subtle shading is what makes her so pretty thus I've no complaints. I've substituted the french knots in her hair and in the flower basket for beads because I think beads gives the overall design a prettier shine and of course, more dimensions. *Cheeky grin* (You know how I can't resist the pun) Here's a pic of the whole RR. Charity, I hope you like what Lene, Wendy, Sherryn and me have stitched for you.

It'll return home to the US of A once I can get to the post office despite still having an empty square due to lack of a participant. Now my part for this 5 person RR is completed and all I need to do now is to wait patiently (or rather impatiently) for my Roses Bouquet RR to return home.

Stitching Blogger's Question: Stitching Habits

Since you started blogging, have you noticed any difference in your stitching habits? Tell us about them.

I've definitely come a long way stitching wise even though I've been blogging for less than a year. If you've read my blog from the start, you'll remember the first time I tried evenweave, the first time I use beads, the first time I joined an exchange etc. and I predict there will be many more firsts to come. Also, I've discovered many other beautiful designs through stitching blogs which has expand my taste in different designers, patterns, hand-dyed fabric and floss... which of course leads to the conclusion that cross stitching IS an expensive hobby! And to think that my initial idea that all you need for cross stitching is just a chart, DMC floss, a needle and some aida fabric. Yup, I'd say there's a significant change in my stitching habits since I started blogging.

Stitching Blogger's Question: Oops!

What is the biggest mishap you have had with your stitching material (i.e. spillages)?

My biggest mishaps happened when I first started cross stitching. It was one of my first pieces and at that time, I've yet to learnt never to leave needles still threaded with floss (white ones as well) on the fabric for a long time. I did that, hit a stitching slump and left it that way for months. Unsurprisingly, when I picked it up again, the needle has rusted through both floss and fabric leaving an unsightly yellow patch. Being the "genius" I was with no idea that needlework was supposed to be threated gently during washing, I dabbed a fair amount of strong detergent on the area, hoping that it would get the stain out. It worked some but also resulted in discolouring the fabric and some colour floss around the area. I supposed the piece is still salvageable but that's yet to be determined for til this day, it remains a UFO...

SBQ:After the Stitching is Done

What do you do with your charts once you’ve stitched them? Do you keep them or dispose of them? If you keep them, do you organize them in a way that is different from the way you keep your unstitched charts?

I usually stitch using working copies so my charts remain brand new in the folder which I've kept it and since I have a personal policy of never stitching the same pattern twice, if someone expressed an interest in it, I might offer it up for trade. It really depends on how attached I am to the pattern. However, if the pattern is from a magazine or a colour chart, I work with the original and once I'm finished, it goes back into the folder/magazine pile which I took it from, with the option of putting it up for trade too.

Summer Chair

Hmm... Seems to me that I have a thing for seasonal themes. I like the fact how something can look so different just because of the changing of the season, how the scenery and the earth changes with time. It facinates me how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Then again, maybe it's just because I like things that comes in a set/series which is probably why Mirabilia's Queens and Maidens of the Seasons and Passione Ricamo's Fairy Spirits, Ladies and Beauty Princesses are all on my wish list. Hehehe... ambitious? I don't think so! Anyway, that aside, here's my "Summer Chair" from "4 Seasons Chairs" by Janlynn Corp. Yup, you've guessed it, it's another RR of mine this time with Char and Vash. And yes, we're missing a participant in this RR that's due to start on 3rd July. Anyone wanna join in? It's an all evenweave RR.

So how did I end up choosing summer to stitch? At first, it was a struggle between spring and summer for me. Finally, unable to choose, I decided to ask Eddie and EeKoon for their input. Both of them agreed on summer so it was a no brainer from there. How could I argue with two of the wisest people in my life? Of course, there's also the logic that Malaysia's a tropical country so I might as well stitch summer since that's the season we enjoy, or should I say sweat through, all year round.

I really love this design though I quickily grew bored stitching the sand. Got sick of the sandy colours which I'm sure EeKoon could relate. LOL! Other than that, once I started with the red and purples, the piece stopped looking dull and I sped through the rest. I was imagining lazy days spent relaxing on the beach with a good book while stitching it. However, I think the picture is missing a stitching bag. If not, excuse the pun, it would've been picture perfect. *Grin*

Stitching Blogger's Question: Stitching Large

Have you ever used a magnifying glass while stitching? If so, did you find it helpful?

I don't have much to say for this week's SBQ for thankfully, I'm still lucky (and young) enough that my eyes doesn't require any help focusing on my stitching just yet. Thus, I've never used a magnifying glass while stitching. However, if the need ever arises for me to use it, I think I'd probably find it both a blessing and a curse for as much as it would reduce the strain on my eyes, it'd probably get in my way more often than not.

Passione Ricamo Autumn

I stitched two more Passione Ricamo freebies... this time of an Autumn theme. It was just plain coincidence since this here is the only choice available for Rozita's round robin. It was the last square before the RR goes back home to mummy. For those of you who're too late in downloading it, the series is being published again in The World of Cross Stitching magazine. Spring and Summer Postcard is already out in issue 111 and issue 112 respectively. Autumn and Winter Postcard will each be printed in issue 116 and issue 117.

I know Roz can't wait to see the whole piece but since her RR theme is the same as mine, I won't post a picture of it until I have my RR back. That way, when I post both pictures together, you all can compare how different both our round robins look stitched on different fabrics with a different arrangement. Coincidentally, she stitched Autumn on mine as well and now I understand what she meant when she said that the occasional confetti stitches were killing her. The end result is beautiful though, don't you agree?

Anyway, after I posted the Topiaries as my picture answer for the SBQ, with a splurt of enthusiasm and speed, I picked it up again and started stitching frantically. Within two days, I had completed the Autumn Topiary. Makes me wonder why I had not done that sooner.

Now here's the finish piece... the first piece I've done this year that I can claim as being completely mine - something that I've stitched all for myself. The luxury and satisfaction that comes from that is incomparable. I've personalised it by adding these words that I wrote at the top:

For everything in Life, there's a Reason
Just as there's Beauty in every Season

I thought it fits in nicely and it stands to remind me, whenever I look at it that no matter what happens in life, God's work is always involved and that instead of complaining or blaming someone, I should try to look for the silver lining in the situation. Now, if only saying is as easy as actually doing...

Stitching Blogger's Question: Stitching Books

How many cross stitch books do you own and how often do you use them?

Does magazines count? No? In that case, I have a total of 3 cross stitch books - Donna Kooler's Seasons in Cross Stitch, Joan Elliott's Cross Stitch Sentiments and Sayings and Leisure Arts' Sweeter than the Rose. The contents are all charts with little finishing or technique instructions for the way I see it, I can probably find enough of those online. However, I've yet to stitch anything from those books even though I flip through them pretty often just to admire the pictures. However, I do plan to stitch some of the charts, if only I got the time! I've got too much on my to-do list as it is now.

Stitching Blogger's Question: SBQ Picture Day

This week's SBQ which I've finally gotten around to answering is a two parter requesting pictures:

The first request comes from Vash who is requesting pictures of the back of your stitching… are you brave enough to give this one a shot?

Yup, apparently I'm brave enough. The "Seasonal Topiaries" which now is sadly no longer a downloadable freebie from Passione Ricamo was supposed to be a SAL on the EMS Board but I got waylaid by RRs. I think I'm very behind now but I'll manage to complete it - somehow... someday...

The second request comes from Singular Stitches, and she is asking for “a pictorial tour of [the] special place that you go to create your wonderful stitched creations.”

Here it is, the place where I do 99.9% of my stitching - in my room in front of the computer. That is why for those of you who know me, I'm online almost all the time. You can see my sewing machine at the far end. I also have a lovely view of my fish tank while I'm stitching.