I've Been Naughty

Yes, I have been. Remember back when I said I'd like to concentrate on some WiPs? All that is out the window now. I started not just one but two new projects! First one is a SAL you might have seen popping up on many blogs.

Romantique Sampler designed by Angie Designer. Here's my progress so far.

I'm using HDF Examplar FleckStone in place of DMC 3046 listed by the designer. I absolutely love the subtle color variations.

I finished Part 1 before the Chinese New Year holidays.

The lacey effect from the backstitches are awesome.

Part 2 is still in progress mainly because I misordered my silks. I had to reorder and am waiting for them to arrive.

Instead of the mauve recommended by the designer, I'm gonna stitch it in shades of HDF Velvet Midnight. Once again, if you have yet to stitch with HDF silk, I highly recommend it.

One other thing I'd like to bring to your attention, every single time I ordered from Vikki, she always includes extras in my order. This time was no different. She took into consideration that the silk I had ordered might have been too similar in shades from what I wanted so she included two extra micros of a darker shade in my order AT NO EXTRA COST! In case you didn't know, that's 300 yards of free single stranded silk! On top of that, she switched my order from minis to micros.

I had ordered four different shades of Velvet Midnight. Five minis of each color. Let's do the math...

5 minis = 261 yards (52.2 yards each)

2 micros = 300 yards (150 yards each)

That's about 40 yards extra silk for each color. If that's not great customer service, I don't know what is.

Moving on, I have wonderful news. My best friend, Adeline, is pregnant and I've been told that 90% it's a boy! It's her first child and this is something she's been waiting for a long time. Now what's a stitcher to do but start stitching a birth sampler for her son? ^.^

Many birth samplers I've seen out there are too girlish or babyish. I know, I know, it is after all meant for a baby but I wanted something that could last. Yet, I didn't want something too grown up. So I searched and searched and searched and had nearly given up when I came across this Stoney Creek design.

New Birth of Spring by Stoney Creek

Technically, it's not a birth sampler but I think it's perfect, especially since he will be born in the rabbit year. I plan to change the words to "A Beautiful Miracle". This is my progress so far:

The similar colors and color changes are driving me crazy but I will persevere. LOL! Let's hope I can finish it around June for the boy will be a June baby.

One last thing, have you seen Martina of Chatelaine's newest design?

I think I'm in trouble! I've never owned or stitched a Chatelaine before even though Alpine Garden is on my wish list mainly because even though I find them lovely, I can't see myself stitching four identical corners over and over again. I know some designs have different corners but they just don't capture me as much. Now this... This Chinese Garden Mandala completely blows me away. Maybe I'm bias since I'm Chinese but I think most would agree with me that it's gorgeous. Definitely gonna sign up for the Chinese Garden Mandala Yahoo Group soon.

Wish me luck that I'll be able to handle all the specialty stitches this design is sure to contain.

In the meantime, happy stitching and if you celebrate Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Chai!

Chart Title Quiz... Again

I was bored and decided to look at my past blog posts just to see how far I've come in my stitching. I realized that I've changed quite a bit not only in design taste but also in the materials I use nowadays. I barely stitched on Aida now and have become more or less a linen snob. I still stitch with DMC but I prefer silk a lot more. I've learnt quite a lot about beading, metallic threads and specialty stitches. With that said, I think it's time for another Chart Title Quiz! I did this once back in February 2006. I figured it would be fun to do it again just to see how my answers differ from then. On top of that, there are more new designs now to chose from.

So here goes... Again...

Are you male or female?

Garden Girl by Country Cottage Needleworks

Describe yourself.

Romantic Stitcher by Passione Ricamo

How do some people feel about you?

Wildflower Garden by The Drawn Thread

How do you feel about yourself?

Sunshine and Flowers by Cross 'N Patch

Describe your love interest.

Honor by The Silver Lining

Where would you rather be?

Sail Away by Shepherd's Bush

Describe what you want to be.

Traveling Stitcher by Little House Needleworks

Describe how you live.

Simple Joys by Little House Needleworks

Describe how you love.

Deepest Love by Mirabilia

What would you rather be doing (besides stitching)?

Take Time to Read by Jeannette Douglas Designs

What do you value most in life?

Love With A Capital L by Papillon Creations

Which trait would you wish to possess more of?

Patience by Just Nan

Your favourite time of the day.

Midnight by Lavender Wings (OOP)

Share a few words of wisdom.

Live Laugh Love by La D Da

All the charts I've listed are either a WiP, in my stash or on my wish list. Seems like all my answers (hence taste) have changed except for one. Not too much into the cutesy stuff anymore. Perhaps I've matured? LOL! That's something to ponder about.

I've added a few more questions to the original quiz. I'd love for you to play along too. As before, the only condition is that you must genuinely love the design and not just choose it for the title. If you decide to post this quiz, please leave me a comment and I'll definitely drop by to see your answers. However, I refuse to take the blame for the amount of enabling this might cause :P Have fun!

P.S. Credit is once again given to Anna who created it back in November 2005

Stitching... Among Other Stuff

Mikey's sister, Marjorie, celebrated her 35th birthday this year. He bought her one of my scissors fobs as a birthday present (Thank you, Mikey ^.^). I decided to make her a birthday card as well.

I was told that she likes cats and her favourite color is purple. So I came up with this. The design is from Form-A-Lines. Aren't the cats cute?

On top of that, Marjorie loves reading. With that in mind, how could I not tat her another bookmark? :)

The design is modified from Part 2 of Faizon's Foldover Bookmark.

I haven't gotten the hang of two shuttle tatting yet so I figured I'll keep it simple this time round.

Not much progress was made on the stitching front however. I'm still working on my Little House Neighbourhood and here is how it stands as of 20 January 2011.

Building of the third house is completed, the trees have sprouted leaves and people have moved in!

Two of my Birthday Giveaways have also reached their destinations. Nina took lovely pictures of her package here. If you've yet to check out her blog, please do. I promise you'll find lots of eye candies. I don't know how she takes such gorgeous pictures.

Thank you for dropping by. Happy Stitching!

Making Plans

HAPPY (Belated) NEW YEAR!

I'm not one for making New Year resolutions. Especially not when it comes to stitching. After all, a hobby should be enjoyable and setting goals and targets would only make it seem like an obligation. That opinion is completely mine though and I have nothing against stitchers who do.

However, I do like making stitching plans because fondling fabric, threads and charts is always, always fun in my book.

With this post, there are a few things I hope to accomplish. Firstly, with as few words as possible, I'd like to summarize what I have in mind for 2011. Secondly, this would serve as a reminder that I have more than enough stash for now which hopefully would help curb my itchy finger from clicking on all those wonderful sale items out there :P

Also, I love drooling over pictures of stitchers' stash. To thank all of you for sharing pictures of your stash with me, here's a portion of mine which I hope will serve as eye candy for the day :) So be prepared... Picture heavy post coming up.

Here are some of the projects I would like to get started on this year. Do keep in mind that my plans are always flexible. Changes are bound to be made at a moment’s notice ^.^

I've noticed that I've been accumulating a lot of CCN and LHN charts. Hopefully, this year I'll be able to reduce this pile you see here.

Not to mention those I've kitted up such as LHN’s Brave Hearts with my conversion of Vikki's silk and Vintage Lentil from Lakeside Linens.

Same goes for LHN Home of A Needleworker (Too!) which I'll be stitching on Sassy Fabbys' Spun Sugar.

Then there's LHN Sea to Shining Sea. The fabric I've chosen is Pansy by Picture This Plus.

I'm also dying to stitch Martina's designs. Two in particular.

Spot Sampler Victoria with HDF Ethereal Ice on PTP Fog. The fabric is 36 count linen which is something I’ve yet to stitch on so I’m rather apprehensive about it.

But dang, isn't the silk yummy?

Rose Quaker which I've been drooling over ever since Martina posted it on her Yahoo group front page. Once again, I couldn't resist converting it to HDF, this time in premium silk.

I've also vowed to make something with my charm packs and jelly rolls instead of having them sitting oh-so-prettily in a corner gathering dust. Gotta admit they make lovely decorations though ^.^

Don't worry, I've not neglected my poor WiPs. Here are a few which I've decided I would like to concentrate on this year, especially that Drawn Thread piece... If I ever get around to frogging most of Autumn out, that is. Most of it is off by one stitch :(

I did spend some of my New Year weekend stitching instead of just playing with my stash. I’ve been working on Little House Neighbourhood.

Not much progress since my last update but I'm having fun with... what else... the silks! LOL!

On the tatting front, I made another bookmark for my mum for Christmas.

A Clover Bookmark, again an online freebie. It’s kinda wonky though as I messed up and attached the picots of the clovers differently from the pattern :(

This year, I also hope to try my hands at something different. Couple things I look forward to are Silk Ribbon Embroidery and Bag Making. Guess we’ll find out how well that went come December.

So what are your plans for 2011? Happy Stitching!

Birthday Giveaway Winners

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Everyone! (Pic is Margaret Sherry’s Santa Claus which I stitched a few years back for one of my still uncompleted round robin)

I’m so tired after a long, busy day. It’s already nearly midnight and Christmas is almost over in my part of the world so without further ado, here are the winners of my Birthday Giveaway:

• Nina
• Margaret
• Kathy

Congratulations to all the winners! Please email me your mailing address so I could get the packages out to you.

Thank you to everyone who participate. I really wish I could have given each and every one of you a gift but unfortunately, that’s not possible.

I've really enjoyed holding this giveaway. I hope to have another one again in the near future. May your hopes and dreams be fulfilled in the new year.

Birthday Giveaway Unveiled - Part 4

A while ago, I mentioned that I was trying my hand at tatting. I was intrigued by the elegance and delicacy of this art. While still an amateur, I think I’ve sufficiently mastered it enough to show you a few of my handiwork.

These are bookmarks which I’ll be included with my giveaway pouches. Yes, you’ve guessed it. I'll come clean and admit that this is part of the reason for the delay. Not the greatest of photos I'm afraid as they're taken in poor lighting but you get the idea.

First from left is a pattern taken from Faizon's Learning Shuttle Tatting book. The middle Lacy Bookmark is an online freebie and the one on the right is a Jessica Bookmark, another freebie.

Last but not least, I’m also including five different cuts of lace with each pouch.

Once again, winners will be drawn on Christmas Day so if there is still time if you would like to participate in my Birthday Giveaway. Just remember to leave a comment on that post only.
Thank you for dropping by. I really appreciate it. Happy Stitching!

Birthday Giveaway Unveiled - Part 3

To those who are waiting for me to draw the winners’ names, please accept my humble apology. I’ll be postponing that until Christmas Day – 25 December 2010. Truth is, I was still getting the packages ready when I posted about it. I’ve been busy and couldn’t make it in time :(

Anyway, on to today’s preview... Another of my greatest stitching love is variegated threads.

Be the color changes subtle or obvious, I love them all.

These threads are taken from my own stash. I hope you don’t mind but a few are slightly used. Most, however, are brand new.

Thank you for your patience. Once again, I’m sorry for the delay. Happy Stitching!

Birthday Giveaway Unveiled - Part 2

As a stitcher/crafter, I could never resist fabrics. Ever. I love fabrics of every color and hue, be it bright and bold or soft and sweet. Now, my fabric collection is not that extensive… yet. Still, I figured I’ll share this passion with you by offering three pieces of fabric with each drawstring pouch.

These are Japanese cotton and measures approximately 20” x 22.5”.

Any ideas on how you’ll be using them yet?

I look forward to hearing them :)

Birthday Giveaway Unveiled - Part 1

I’ve been remiss in my promise to show you what’s in the drawstring pouches but before I do, I just have one question for you.

Do you like ribbons and trims?

I know I do…

I hope you do too.

Assorted ribbons and trims.

More will be revealed soon.