Goodbye 2011

This will be my last post before the new year. As mentioned in my last post, I manage to have one last finish for 2011.

Design: She Tends

Designer: Shepherd's Bush

Fabric: R&R Reproductions Alabaster 30 count linen

Fibers: Crescent Colours, Weeks Dye Works & Sampler Threads

Embellishments: Shepherd's Bush Silver Shepherd Charm

Here are all four blocks together.

2012 will be a year of SALs for me.

Most of you already know about the TUSAL organized by Daffy Cat. Well, I've joined in the fun.

Next up will be the WiPocalypse organized by Measi. There's even a WiPocalypse forum for it. Which means I need to buck up and list down my projects for 2012. So far, this is what I have in mind:

• Abi Guden - Tree of Stitches (New)
• Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks - Spring Song (New)
• Lanarte - Lazy Afternoon (WiP)
• Lilliput Lane - Lilliput Village (WiP)
• Little House Needleworks - Home of A Needleworker (Too!) (New)
• Little House Needleworks - Singing the Blues (New)
• Mirabilia - Garden Verses (WiP)
• Passione Ricamo - Romantic Stitcher (WiP)
• Papillon Creations - Love With A Capital L (WiP)
• Shepherd's Bush - Sail Away (New)
• Stickideen von der Wiehenburg - Rose Quaker (New)
• Valerie Pfeiffer - Chorus Line (WiP)

That's my WiPocalypse list. However, I make no guarantee that it won't change. After all, you know what they said about the best laid plans and all.

I'll also be starting Magic Garden Sampler by Shakespeare Peddler in January. This will be a private SAL with my friend June (no blog).

End of February is the due date for the Friendship Bag Exchange on NNC so I'll be busy with that.

Tentative start date for Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Man SAL will be in March. Anymore of you out there who's interested to join Katica, Tammy and me? I believe there are a few more takers over at Kat's blog as well but hey, the more the merrier :)

NNC's Anniversary Meet has been scheduled in April so I'll need to prepare for the Anniversary Gift Exchange and the challenge. This year, the challenge was a Gingham Heart. For 2012, the organizers have come up with the Bird Challenge! What that is, you'll have to wait and see.

That's my plans so far for 2012. Have I bitten off more than I could chew? I certainly hope not.

Happy Stitching!

A Christmas Finish

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I was actually pretty sick two days before Christmas but on Christmas day, I was feeling well enough to stitch. I'm happy to announce that I have a Christmas finish which unfortunately has nothing to do with Christmas.

Design: Little House Neighborhood

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 28 count Picture This Plus Legacy Cashel linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers silk

Embellishments: JABC Buttons

This was a SAL with the Little House Neighborhood SAL which started in 2008. Boy, have I been behind.

As per my usual habit, I've made quite a number of changes to this design. Can you spot the differences?

Let's take a closer look.

As you can see, I've substituted a few motifs for JABC buttons. Don't you just love the kitty cat?

I opted for a dog and a watering can in place of the squirrel and rooster.

The white star on the house has been replaced with a button too.

My favourite part which coincidentally is right smack in the middle of the entire design.

The wool on the sheeps is stitched with silk chenille. Love how real it makes it look.

Last but not least, I think these hearts are perfect companions for the words.

Stitching the border nearly killed me. I'm no fan of repetitive, boring borders. I was beyond relief when the last stitches were finally put in.

I'm hoping to have one more finish before the year is up. Wish me luck!

Happy Stitching!

A Gift of Snowmen

I'm usually not one for stitching Christmas ornaments since I don't own a tree. However, I couldn't resist when I saw this design.

Design: He's A Flake

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32 count Natural Italian Linen

Fibers: DMC

Instead of making him into an ornament, I decided on something else... A mailart.

It arrived yesterday so now I'm able show it to you.

For the back, I stitched part of Snow in Love by Little House Needleworks. You'd probably recognize the little snowman at the top from my recent Drawn Thread Spot of Winter finish.

I used Colorful Christmas by Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs fabric to line the inside.

Now, what's an envelope good for without its contents, right? Here's the card I made to go with it.

I've always thought of popup cards like the surprise inside Fabergé eggs. Of course, it's nothing even as remotely grand as those surprises but hopefully you understand my comparison.
Anyway, here's my surprise for this snowman card.

I found this design here if you're interested in making one too.

This gift of snowmen is for Mikey, my longtime friend, my best friend, my boyfriend.

Dearest Mikey,
Thank you for all the times you've been there for me when I needed you and especially when I thought I didn't need you.
Thank you for refusing to leave when I pushed you away and figured you'd be better off without me.
Thank you for loving me still after all the crap I've put you through and even when I'm not the most lovable person in the world.
I love you, too.

My Birthday Exchange

Last Thursday was my birthday. I received the most wonderful present from Jo, my NNC Birthday Exchange partner this year.

Look at what her package contained:

She made me a Sewing Machine Mat and a Thread Catcher. She also gave me a 12" x 18" Olfa Rotary Mat (which I was gonna buy from her), a couple of buttons, sewing threads, DMC floss, plastic bobbins, an extra cut of the same cat fabric she used for the sewing machine mat and thread catcher so that in future, I could make myself a matching sewing machine cover if I wanted to (heck yeah, I want to. LOL!) and a length of plastic strip (no idea what it's called) that she inserted into the thread catcher to retain its opening shape (so I could make myself another thread catcher if I wanted to).

Am I spoilt or am I spoilt? I've been meaning to make myself a sewing machine mat and thread catcher for some time now. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Now, I don't have to anymore. Thanks to Jo :)

Take a look at the thread catcher. Gosh, isn't the fabric she used adorable?

I immediately put them both to good use. I had all my sewing accessories organized in the many pockets too though you could barely see them.

Doesn't my Bernette look gorgeous with her new companions? Now, I can sew in style!
Thank you so much again, Jo.