The Cat Has Whiskers

That was the defining line between Mike and me because he had trouble determining whether my High Hopes by Just Nan was completed. Hence, the cat whiskers were the last stitches I put in. Now finally, after more than a year (I first post a WiP pic in July last year), it is done!

Design: High Hopes

Designer: Just Nan

Fabric: 28 count Silkweaver Opalescent Solo Lugana

Fibers: DMC

Embellishments: Just Nan Handpainted Bird Bath Charm JNC37

Unfortunately, the photo isn't the best. I've actually finished it last weekend but the sun has been all but hiding the past few days. It wasn't until yesterday evening did I get the opportunity to take some photos what with work and all. The close up photos does look better though.

It's amazing that there is so much going on in a design this size. Check out the spiderweb and the spider hanging in a corner along with the over one ladybugs.

The beehive with bees buzzing around the flowers collecting honey.

This lucky little mouse has been totally ignored by the cat next to him...

...Because the cat's undivided attention is on the star of the piece... The blue bird on the bird bath in the middle of the garden.

Once again, thank you all for stopping by. After finishing High Hopes, my needle has not been idle. I've been stitching on Mirabilia's Garden Verses. This is my first Mirabilia and I'm really enjoying it so far. I hope to have a WiP pic soon. Take care and happy stitching!

A Couple WiPs

After finishing Rose in Morning, I figured I'll stitch something more complicated. "High Hopes" by Just Nan which have been languishing in my WiP pile fits the bill so I picked it up and started plowing steadily away on it. It wasn't long before the constant colour changing started to drive me bonkers. Soon after, the project started stalling and finally came to a screeching halt.

That's when I decided something a lot simpler is in order before my stitching mojo vanishes. Going through my WiP again, nothing caught my eye this time so... yes, I was naughty and started a new project. In my defense however, there's nothing like a new start to ensure the stitching mojo stays.

This is "It's Berry Time" by Blackbird Designs. Knowing my fondness for silk, I'm sure you have no doubt that's what it's stitched with. The floss is HDF (what else?) Examplar Crushed Berry. In my opinion, it's perfect for the design. Even the name matches it. As for the fabric, this is the first time I'm using Vikki's 32 count hand-dyed linen. The colour is Jackalope and I gotta say I'm loving it. The design calls for about four skeins of floss and exactly one skein has been used here in this picture. Judging from the amount stitched, I should have more than enough, which I'm thankful for.

In A Just Nan Mood

Not a lot to say but I do have a couple of WiPs to show. Been working on two Just Nan designs at a steady pace so I'm happy. Thank you for your encouragement regarding my last post. I understand stitching can't be forced but it sure can be frustrating when you have the desire but not the patience. LOL!

Anyway, first up is Queen of the Needle. It's been more than a year since I started it. It was going fine until I got stuck on these blasted flowers.

I gotta tell ya, he countless colour changes sure ain't fun. I'm so grateful I'm finally done with them. One more band and beading left until it's finished.

The other project I've been stitching is High Hopes. Not a whole lot done on it but enough to warrant a picture, I guess :)

Stitched on a 28 count Silkweaver solo opalescent lugana, this one's intended as a gift for my best friend, Adeline though when she'll actually receive it remains to be seen. Hehe...

That is all for today. On a side note, have you seen the newest Mirabilia 2009 Cherub freebie?

I think she's sweet.

Till next time, happy stitching, all.

Winter Time

Living in a tropical country, it's so hot and humid here that even with the frequent heavy downpours (which don't help once they stop), one would gladly welcome any relief from the weather. Even when it comes in the form of stitching. Maybe that's why I've been so partial to winter theme designs lately, especially when it comes to round robins. Remember the Winter Cat square I stitched just recently for Renée? Well, here are two more:

Design: Winter Lady

Designer: Passione Ricamo

Fabric: 28 count Polstitches Hand Dyed Evenweave

Fibers: DMC

The recipient of this Passione Ricamo RR is a secret. Let's just say she's a wonderful lady that more than deserves this RR which 9 stitchers from all over the world will be stitching for her. Since I'm 99.9% sure that she doesn't read my blog, I don't mind revealing my square here. As I'm the first to stitch on it, there's really no point showing the whole piece with 8 other empty squares.

Then there's Dawn's Seasonal Snowmen RR.

Design: Winter Snowman

Designer: Stoney Creek

Fabric: 28 count White Evenweave

Fibers: DMC

The whole piece is adorable, isn't it?

Dawn's Seasonal Snowmen RR

Stitching this cheerful snowman does indeed help in fighting the supressing heat. Quick and easy design that I totally enjoy.

It has taken me a while after joining the Let's Stitch blog host by Becky SC to face what I've been ignoring all this time... my ever growing pile of stash and WiPs. Finally, I managed to summon up the courage to compile my WiPs and To-Do Lists. Like I mention in that post, if you happen to see a particular project in my lists that you're stitching or will be stitching, please let me know. I'd love to do an actual SAL with you.

To take it a step further, I've also joined in the Friday Stitch-A-Thon on 3rd October. I chose to stitch my neglected Queen of the Needle. I know, I know. I have older WiPs that are screaming for my attention but as QotN is already on my Q-Snaps, I predicted that would save me time and I could get more stitching done. Here's my progress during the 6 hour Stitch-A-Thon:

I managed to finish stitching Band 10 and I've got bunnies now in my kingdom. How cute are they? Finally, I'm done with the most challenging back stitch words I've ever encountered in my life!

As usual, I couldn't resist adding my own touches to a design. I love the effect of the silk chenille sheep so much that I ended up using it on the bunnies' tails too.

I think I'll stick with QotN for this week's challenge which is to *direct quote* 'stitch on any "sampler" type design you may have as a WIP'. Thus, you can count on more updates on it again soon.

*Edited to add* Chiloe, Dawn's RR is a Stoney creek design taken from Book 381. Hope that helps.

Tart!

I've been slacking on my blogging. I know I said I'll update once a week especially with this SAL that Carol, Jessie and I got going. I finished stitching 'Tart' last week but didn't have a chance to post until now.

I'm now officially halfway through Sweet Threats. Ice Cream is next. My absolute favourite among all of 'em. I've yet to start it though. By the way, Carol has already finished her Sweet Threats. If you haven't already seen it, check it out here. Isn't her stitching beautiful? Guess I lost our mock SAL competition >.< Fair and Square #8 package from Michele.

I love them, Michele. The colours are so sweet. Thank you so much! Here's a close up of the square:

The design is 'I Love Cross Stitch' (how appropriate ^.^) from the July 2008 issue of The Gift of Stitching magazine by Maryse Dupont of Les grilles de Maryse. The website is in French so click here for the translated version from Google if you're as clueless as me.

Michele also sent me a card and a a pretty Seattle tin containing peppermints.

I received another blog award - Arte y Pico - this time from Noreen. Thank you, Noreen.

The first time I saw this, it was on Nina's blog which according to her, means 'The Best Art'.

As usual, the rules for every award:

1. Choose 5 blogs deserving to receive the award (conception, creativity, interesting equipment and contributing to the community of bloggers whatever the language).
2. Every award must contain the link towards the blog of his author so that it can be visited.
3. Every winner must show the award-logo and put back the name and the link towards the blog that attributed it for her.
4. The winner must show the blog link the Arte y Pico.
5. To Post the rules.

I've nominated a number of blogs before for the last two awards that I've received but I'm gonna go ahead and nominate another 5 more as per requested anyway because in my opinion, there are way too many stitchers out there with wonderful blogs who deserves some recognition.

Thus, once again in alphabetical order:

• Biblo's Blog ~ Wendy from Malaysia
• Kathy’s Designs & Kreations ~ Kathy from England
• Lil' Needlecrafter ~ Lillie from Malaysia
• Stitches with Camels ~ Mel from Dubai
• Xstitch - Christina ~ Christina from USA

Before you leave me to visit these talented stitchers' blogs, here's my latest update of Just Nan's Queen of the Needle.

Finally got through the dreaded band. Did I mention I don't like confetti stitches? >.<

WiPs Update

Oh my, time flies and it's been three weeks since I last post. I've been stitching but some I can't show you due to them being exchange pieces. Other than that, here are some WiP pictures...

Helen and Tama, as you can see, you're both right. The Told in A Garden design is indeed Voice of the Shepherd. Just the bottom part left and I'll be having myself another happy dance soon. Chiloe, I've contracted your fear of greens after stitching the trees. They are such a pain!

There has been more activity going on in my cross stitch kingdom as well. A couple of bluebirds have decided to move in.

I've also started another CCN design.

It was all Carol's fault. I saw her finished Gingerbread Cottage on her blog and couldn't resist starting mine. As you can see, Carol, I needn't wait to see yours framed up before giving in to the urge. It's stitched on Silkweaver's Sapphire Sky. The fabric is slightly lighter in real life. I'm loving the contrast of the colours on the fabric so far. Rather than stitching it on a neutral colour fabric, I decided on this because I think the blue really brings out the design. I've changed the colour of the flower into a deeper shade of cornflower blue however because the original colour is too similar to the fabric. In my opinion, it looks better this way.

I've also been working on Renée's RR but there's not enough progress to warrant a picture. I promise I'll post one next time.

Two posts ago, I asked for help in locating the charms used in The Drawn Thread's A Spot of Spring, A Spot of Summer, A Spot of Autumn and A Spot of Winter designs. Paula heard my pleas and not only direct me to where I can get them but she actually went to the trouble looking for them at her LNS and sending them to me, all at her own cost!

She also sent me a postcard describing Spokane, Washington a.k.a. "The Lilac City" where she lives and a skein of Weeks Dye Works' Lilac floss (how appropriate) ^.^ Thank you, Paula, for your kindness. It will never be forgotten.

Words That Start With F

Flowers, Farmhouses and Frappuccino. Now what does these words have in common? Well, they are what I've been stitching for the past week or so.

I've been eying this for the longest time, ever since I finished Cappuccino.

I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Yup, last weekend, I grew tired of fighting and gave in to the temptation...

Design: Cappuccino

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: Zweigart's Vintage Country Mocha (Marbled) 32 count Belfast linen

Fibers: Crescent Colours Belle Soie

There are quite a number of French knots in this one. I'm happy that I've not forgotten how to make them. Here's a close up picture (a lousy one, I know).

I grew some flowers in my cross stitch kingdom too besides finishing Frappuccino. Roses, Daisies and pansies are now blooming in abundance though my pansies are pretty shy and are trying to blend into the fabric but as I can still see them, I'm not too bothered :)

Carol R, the design is Queen of the Needle by Just Nan (which is why I've been calling it my cross stitch kingdom). Helen, thank you for suggesting to change the butterflies into yellow. I believe there are yellow butterflies further down the piece and since Sally, Joysze and Nicola said they can see them just fine, I'll just leave them as they are. Kathy, maybe we can have a Barbabee's Quest SAL once you finish your presents and I finish QotN.

Besides that, I've also started a Told in A Garden design.

Can anyone guess which one it is? ~.^ The fabric is Silkweaver's Golden Promise which, I think is a very apt name to go with the design. I love how the gradually disappearing stitches at the bottom gave the illusion of gently rolling hills. My favourite part is the white fences.

Anyway, on to other things. I've been tagged by Chiloe. I've answered the Meme here. This is my personal blog where I keep all my photos and other stuff which is a more suitable place, I think, to post my Meme answers. You're welcome to take a look around there if you're interested. By the way, Chiloe, I forgot to answer your question last post regarding my Lilliput Village new start. Yes, it's an Anchor design but as far as I know, it can only be found in the January 2006 Issue 126 of Cross Stitch Collection magazine. I blogged about it back in January 2006. Hard to believe so much time has past!

OMG! Noreen, you play WoW too? /cheer /hug That's pretty cool. My main is a 70 feral druid (I love tanking) on Bonechewer. I have a number of alts too on the same server... 70 lock, 67 (I think) mage, 52 pally, 42 shammy etc. just to name a few. Sorry to all those non WoW players who have no idea what I'm talking about ^.^

Gourmet Garden & More

Wow, first off, thank you for all your compliments on my first biscornu. I'm overwhelmed that you all love it.Last week, I picked up another LHN design and in no time at all, I finished it. Okay, it actually took me a week but that's because I only have night time to stitch and I wasn't working on it every single night last week. There were times when I was too tired all I did was lie in bed and read. Anyway, on to the photo...

Design: Gourmet Garden

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: Wichelt Imports' Barely Blue 28 count Jobelan

Fibers: DMC

Here's a close up of the garden at the top. The fabric colour here is a closer match to the actual colour. I especially love the sunflowers on the left.

Three nights ago, I decided to start building my cross stitch kingdom. I didn't get far before the frogs attacked. I guess they decided they want a piece of it too. I ended up spending most of last night and part of tonight ripping out and restitching nearly half of what I had completed. Incredible, isn't it, how one small mistake can have such a huge impact? Well, at least I finished planting three urns of flowers though as I predicted, my butterflies kinda disappeared into the fabric, don't ya think? >.<

I'm so totally enjoying stitching this despite the frogging. This is the first time I'm stitching this kind of sampler and the amount of detail that goes into one band just amazes me. The silks I got for this design makes it even more of a pleasure to work on.

I added more stash to my to do pile. Got these off Ebay for a song!

Barnabee's Quest I, Barnabee's Quest II & Barnabee's Quest III by Just Nan

No idea when I'll get around to this yet but soon, I hope. I'm thinking of getting Lady Scarlet's Journey as well to accompany Barnabee ^.^

A Spot of Spring, A Spot of Summer, A Spot of Autumn & A Spot of Winter by The Drawn Thread

I'm thinking of working these four designs in a row like a bellpull. What do you think? Also, I'm hoping someone could help me. These charts came without the charms. I was wondering if any of you know where I can get them?

I kitted up two more patterns. One from LHN and the other a CCN.

Home of A Needleworker Too! by Little House Needleworks

Gingerbread Cottage by Country Cottage Needleworks

This one is only partly kitted up as I've not yet pulled the DMC floss for it. The fabric is Silkweaver's Sapphire Sky. I thought it would look more stunning stitched on that instead of a neutral colour due to the fact that most of the colours in the design are already shades of brown. Opinions appreciated.

Noreen, unfortunately there's no backstitch around the purple area and it would be pretty hard to work it into the design because that would mean I'd have to backstitch the other flowers beside the purple pansies but thank you anyway for your suggestion :)

Hmm... looking at what I just wrote, I realized how much my taste in designs have changed. I've... I guess you could say, expanded my "horizons" a lot more compared to a year ago. Before, I'd not have picked up any Just Nan or The Drawn Thread or even LHN and CCN designs. They're so different and yet I find myself equally drawn to both. I'm sure I'm not the only one experiencing this change. I'm curious as to who else is or has felt this way. Let me know if you're sharing your experience regarding this topic on your blog and I'll definitely drop by for a visit.