Stitch A-Longs

I love Stitch A-Longs, aka SALs. I love the community feeling one gets of stitching together with a group of stitchers online yet at the same time, it's all on my own time, at my own pace. No pressure. I find that very motivating.

For the month of August, I've participated in three SALs. First is the Mirabilia & Nora SAL over at Love 4 Stitching from 16th to 20th every month. Some of you might remember that I started Garden Verses back in September 2010. With this SAL, I finally finished her yellow dress.

Next, I signed up for iStitch's Mystery SAL organized by Carol R. Here's the first part. As you can see, I'm stitching it with Vikki's Examplar Black Iris. It's a lovely, subtly variegated black/maroon in real life which unfortunately the photo doesn't really show. The fabric I'm using is Vikki's 32 count linen in Jackalope.

I'm actually late in this SAL as I went to Phuket, Thailand for a three day vacation last week and couldn't complete it in time. Hopefully I'll receive the next part from Carol soon after I send her the picture.

Last but not least is Romantique Sampler again.

Part 15 was finished ages ago. I'm late as usual with the update.

I just put in the last stitch for Part 17 earlier today. At least for once I'm prompt :)

It's really coming along beautifully if I do say so myself.

Hard to believe this SAL is nearing an end. Two more installments. I doubt I'd have gotten this far with this design had it not been an SAL. What about you? What are your thoughts on SALs?

Back to Love

While waiting on the next two parts of Romantique Sampler, I decided it's way past time to pick up Love With A Capital L again. I had last stitch on it in March 2010. It's been more than a year! Where has the time gone?

Anyway, I finished another section of it last Friday. There were some charting errors so I had to make some minor adjustments to centralize it.

I love this motif.

Always Protects, Trust, Hopes, Perserveres.

Another close up.

Now it's back to Romantique Sampler and the new iStitch Mystery SAL that just started.

Happy Stitching!

Beiges & Blues

I should have, could have posted my Romantique Sampler progress weeks ago but only gotten around to it today. Well, I am famous for my procrastination skills ^.^

Anyway, here's Part 9.

Part 14

And as before, a photo of the whole sampler. I'm still in love with the beiges and blues I picked for this sampler.

The end is nearly in sight. Only three more installments to go. 10 August is coming up. I'm looking forward to stitching the next two parts.

Colours

My friend, June, has been wanting to know how I store my floss for a while now. I'm sorry it took me so long to post the photos. So, this is for you, June.

I store my DMC floss in a two tier craft box. Lucky for me, it's big enough to fit my entire set of DMC in.

As you can see here, I had the floss wound on plastic bobbins. So much easier for storage.

I've been building up my collection of HDF Solids. My micro bobbins are stored in a clear Ferrero Rocher box.

Of course, my box is now overflowing.

What better excuse could one ask for to buy more chocolates? I used to joke with Mikey that silks are yummier than chocolates. Don't you agree with me?

I've also been asked to show my scissors collection. Now, my collection isn't as extensive as some stitchers I see out there but until I put them all on display like this, I never realize I've already accumulated this many scissors. LOL!

One last thing, I received this gorgeous scarf from Radha a few weeks back. I've neglected to show it off until now. Radha knows my favourite colour is blue so she made me one in a brilliant shade of blue. Thank you so much again, Radha. I love it!

That's it for now. I'll show more piccies of my Romantique Sampler next time. I'm working on the next two parts at the moment.

Happy Stitching!

I Caught Up!

This post's title says it all. Finally, finally, I caught up on my Romantique Sampler.

Part 10

Part 11

As of 26 June 2011

Part 12

Part 13

And here's how it looks like currently.

I managed to beat the deadline by four days too. (I had completed Part 13 couple of days ago but didn't have the opportunity to take a decent photo until this morning). Can you tell my needle's been busy? ^.^

Guess what's I'm stitching at the moment while waiting for the next part?

Happy Stitching!

I've Been Featured!

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Scott of Be @ Home, a home decor blog. He asked if he could feature my blog in his weekly Best of the Web series. I agreed immediately. How could I not jump at this opportunity? I've never had a request like this before.

Today, I received another email from Scott. The article has been posted!

Best of the Web: Be @ Home #29

I'd love it if you would go over and take a look. Gotta scroll down a little though. I'm sure my regular readers would be able to recognize my journal cover ^.^

To my friends, readers and fellow bloggers, you all have been phenomenal with your encouragements, inspiring me to keep creating. Thank you so much!

Romantique Sampler Again... & Blue Rose Freebie

Time flies. It's been almost a month since I last posted. Yikes! I hope my readers are still around ^.^

First things first, I asked in my last post whether you would be interested in stitching my Blue Rose Stitching Set. A number of you replied in the affirmative. Well, your wish is my command :D I've just finished converting the designs into .pdf files. (Partly the reason for this long overdue update). You can find the link to download them on my Freebies page. I hope you enjoy stitching these. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

So, are you tired of my Romantique Sampler yet? I hope not because unfortunately, that's all I've got to show. That's all I've been stitching for the past few weeks and that's all I'll be stitching until I catch up.

Part 6

As of 29 May 2011

Part 7

Part 8

As of 18 June 2011

I'm now only a month behind. Think I'll finally be able to catch up?

Happy Stitching!

2011 NNC Birthday Exchange

If you've been reading my recent posts, you'd have seen me mentioned about an upcoming birthday exchange that I've been diligently working on. Well, today's the day. Happy Birthday, Jo!

This past Saturday, I was able to meet up with Jo during NNC's Stitching Bee, held at Sally's lovely house. (Thank you, Sally, for having us.) However, I was too lazy to take any photos while there so I only have my exchange pictures to share.

For this exchange, I was required to include one handmade craft item along with two related handmade or store-bought items and of course a birthday card.

Here's what my package consists of:

• A Tilda's Summer Ideas book
  I figured Jo might find it refreshing and enjoyable as she is into sewing/bag-making. At least that's what I was hoping for.
• A Blue Rose Pouch
• A Birthday Card
  The design for the birthday card was from Form-A-Lines. I love its simplicity and added the layers for a 3D effect.

My main handcrafted item is this blue rose pouch. I wanted Jo to have something she could use often if not on a daily basis. Since I knew she sews, (in fact, we had first met at the school where we both take tailoring lessons) I made this pouch with multiple pockets especially for her tools.

The general idea was taken from Butterick B5006 pattern but once again, I challenged myself to try something different. As you can see, I've modified the center to incorporate a simple patchwork pattern and cross stitch roses. I've also binded the edges with pink bias tape.

I then endeavour to fill up every single one of those eight pockets for the "related items requirement". I gotta say I sure had fun coming up with ideas.

I included charms, pearl and wooden buttons, a ceramic thimble with Jo's birth month on it, a couple of vintage bobbins, a pair of golden peacock scissors (which I was "paid" 10 cents for in order to ensure our friendship ties were not cut ^.^), a scissors case, a biscornu pincushion and a scissors fob filled with emery for sharpening needles.

Love this picture of the accessories sitting cozily in their individual pockets.

Wanna know a secret? The stitching set was designed by me. I stitched it in blue because that's Jo's favourite color. I named it "Blue Rose Stitching Set".

It all started with one biscornu side.

Then the other.

And the rest...

Design: Blue Rose Stitching Set

Designer: Veronica's Vault

Fabric: Cream Italian 32 count linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers (Velvet Midnight) Silk

Why roses, you ask? Well, not only are roses beautiful, they are my absolute favourite flowers. Besides, I wanted the design to match the pouch. As you can see, the scissors case and fob can be personalized with an initial, in this case, J for Jo.

So I have a question. Would you be interested in stitching this Blue Rose Set as well?

Thank you for dropping by. Happy Stitching!

Romantique Sampler Update

Just a short and sweet update on my progress on Romantique Sampler.

Part 4 is completed.

Romantique Sampler as of 3 April 2011.

And the newly finished Part 5.

Yes, I'm still trying very hard to catch up. However, I'm also still working on my upcoming birthday exchange which unfortunately can only be revealed end of May.

Hope everyone have had a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter to those celebrating it.

Birthdays

I've been reading Stitch Bitch blog for a while now and her stories of her grandmother, Maggie, have always amused me. So, when she put out a call for birthday cards to be sent to Maggie on her 89th birthday, how could I say no? After all, this is a lady whom I hope to emulate when I'm her age ^.^

Two weeks before the big day, I put on my thinking cap. Once again, I went on my trusted Stitching Cards website for inspiration and made this.

I really love this design. The basket is stitched with metallic gold thread and gold beads are added to the flowers for that extra sparkle.

I think the card arrived a couple days late but at least it didn't go missing which I'm grateful for.

22nd March was once again my best friend, Adeline's birthday. As with years past, I had a kitty design stitched and framed for her.

I, for one, think it would be perfect in the baby's room but that's for her to decide, of course.

Dede, another good friend of mine's birthday is also coming up in April. Remember my Passione Ricamo piece I had stitched? It was first intended for her birthday last year and then postponed to Christmas... It is now framed too and finally ready to be presented to her.

Other than that, I've also been working on New Birth of Spring sporadically and this is where it stands at the moment.

However, it has now been put on hold while I try to catch up on Romantique Sampler. Part 2 stitched.

First month is now complete.

Working on the second month. Here is Part 3.

Onwards to Part 4... But I have a Birthday Exchange due in May...

Talk about a full plate! I have only myself to blame but I'm enjoying every single minute of it :D