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.

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.