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.

Representing Me?

Yup, you've read correctly. This pattern is representing me in Teresa's round robin. Originally, dragons/unicorns were her theme but she changed her mind and gave us the freedom to stitch any pattern as long as it reflects our personality and likes. Then how exactly did I end up stitching this?

Well, flowers were the first to enter my mind so I thought I'd stick with that. I love flowers and I think they're one of life's greatest pleasure. Next, I wanted a design that the lovely lavender of the fabric would not only complement but enhance as well. I decided that a design with plenty of bright, sunny yellow would achieve that effect nicely. Roses, which are my favourite flowers briefly crossed my mind as the flowers to stitch but romantic wasn't exactly what I was aiming for. I finally settled on Mimosa by Passione Ricamo for I think it looks sweet and cheerful and if you visit my blog often, you'll know that Laura's one of my favourite designers.

And if you're curious as to what the RR looks like now, here it is, in all its glory. The dragon was stitched by Teresa and the house and hearts by Melissa. It'll be heading to Monica next in USA. Wonder what she'll add to it. This is probably the most unique RR I've ever had the honour to stitch.

Chiara's Bathtime Round Robin

For the past day or so, I've been painfully reminded of how much I love evenweave and linen. And this is the reason for it:

By the time I finished stitching Archie, I've developed an intense love-hate relationship with him, or more accurately, his shower cap, soap bar and bubbles. Check out the backstitches that are determined to defy, break and basically ignore all laws of aida! I swear, patterns like these should come with a warning: "Never attempt on aida" and NOT give aida as the suggested fabric! That aside, the backstitches does bring out the clarity of the whole design and give Archie a 3D look. Just to clarify, I did enjoy stitching him. How could I not? Look at him, so smug and satisfied in the tub. Seems like he's having the time of his life. I love the bright colours too. For those of you who're wondering, "Pamper Yourself" Archie can be found in the November 2005 issue of Britain's Cross Stitcher.

Anyway, this is a favour for Chiara whose "Bathtime" round robin was returned with an empty square. She had already chosen Archie for the square before I offered to fill it in for her and I thought I'd obligue with her decision. The mat and some bubbles were left out in order for it to fit the square. Now, some of you might have noticed that the B and E of the word Bathtime in the middle are missing. I have to confess, that was a complete mistake on my part. I did some big time miscounting before I started stitching and thought the letters would be in the way. I gained Chira's permission to frog them and then realised too late that it wasn't even necessary in the first place! Sorrie, Chiara. Well, I hope to have it in the mail sometime next week so you can have it back as soon as possible. It'd look fantastic hanging in your bathroom.

Stitching Blogger's Question: Chart Collecting

Do you collect charts by one particular designer, yet have never stitched anything by that designer? If so, which designer and why do you collect the charts but have not yet stitched any of them?

It depends on what you mean by collecting. If you mean collect all the charts ever printed by a designer, then no, I've never done that and I never will, no matter how much I like the designer. I do not have the money and/or space nor do I see the point in doing that. I only buy charts that I like and will probably stitch and not because of the designer. However, I do have a few charts in my collection from the same designers, for example: Vermillion Stitchery, Lavender & Lace, Mirabilia etc. that I have never stitched but I *am* planning to stitch them. I just haven't gotten around to them yet.

One World, Many Cultures Exchange 2006

In the mail today, came a package from Deana all the way from the United States of America. It's for the One World, Many Cultures Exchange on EMS Cross Stitch Board which all the participants have to stitch something representing their own countries for their partners. Needless to say, it's an international exchange because of that.

Deana stitched this American flag magnet for me for obvious reasons. This is the first time I've had a stitched magnet and now I have it proudly on display in my room. She also stitched this lovely cardinal card for me because as I've learnt from her letter, it is Ohio's state bird, which is where she's from.

I've also learnt a couple more things about Ohio such as it's the birth place of the Wright brithers who developed the first effective airplane. Astronaut John Glen who was the first man to orbit the earth was also born there. Thank you, Deana.

As for my part in the exchange, I'll have to show it to you at a later date. Today's the deadline and as I'll be mailing mine tomorrow, I'll be a day late. I appologize in advance to my partner. This is the first time I'm late for an exchange. Just didn't have time to go to the post office even though my package has been ready way earlier. Sorrie! Will post some pics once it has arrived.