Dragonfly sampler

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. It was quiet for us. We just had a small celebration with my Mom and Dad here at our house in Central New York. Luckily we had nice weather the entire weekend--an unusual occurrence for New York!

I did manage to complete another project--my Dragonfly sampler! I love how it came out. I  found it on a free website that offers downloadable versions of old Victorian charts.  I used my own color choices which included some lovely colors by Weeks Dye Works including Blue Topaz, Dried Sage, Peoria Purple and Lilac.

The website where I found the pattern is http://patternmakercharts.blogspot.com/2012/05/working-on-updating-blog.html

 

I can't help but love it since it includes many of my favorite colors! And of course--I used metallic and iridescent threads in the dragonfly--another obsession. Although I admit, even though I love the effect, I usually dread using specialty threads because they often knot and fray. This piece went without a hitch though!

Tonight I worked on something different, a drawing of an old colonial house in Salem Massachusetts. My husband and I took a vacation to Salem a few years back and I took a fancy to the old architecture. I started work on this drawing a couple of years ago but abandoned it for some unknown reason. But I just got it back out yesterday and have made some progress.

I'll post pictures as it progresses. Once I'm finished with the inking I'll use watercolor paints to color it. That's the fun part to me. It's the using the ink for shading and depth that takes the longest time to do-- in addition to being a stressful process because I'm always afraid of making a mistake. Surprisingly, it's relatively easy to correct mistakes!

And one more picture of my goofy cat Ruby!  She's such a sweetheart. We adopted her from a local no-kill shelter a few years ago. She has been a treasure!

Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting!

Brightest Blessings!

Beth B.

A Plethora of pillows

I'll admit it: I've always been a sucker for superfluous language. Chalk it up to being a connoisseur of English literature...particularly Charles Dickens and Jane Austen to name just a few. Words such as frippery, dawdle, witticism and supercilious intrigued me precisely because no one in my little Central New York town had ever uttered a sentence with such sophisticated language. I think cow tipping, reckon and friggin' were the most uttered words in my little farming community. Ok, well I exaggerate...just a bit...

So imagine my glee when I realized I could use such a word in the title of this post--a plethora of pillows!

Indeed, this is what this blog post will contain: a lot of pictures of pillows! I am on a pillow kick currently, and since there seems to be no end in sight I might as well embrace it!  So here they are:

This is from a French chart I've had for awhile. I honestly don't remember where I got it. I've loved it for a long time and finally got around to stitching it this Spring. Originally I had planned to make it into an ornament for the Christmas tree, but it was too big. Instead, it turned itself magically into a pillow! Yet--another pillow...

This lovely little pillow gave me fits! I originally sewed it into a pillow with the plaid fabric under the rabbit. But I hated it. So, I had to rip it all out and started again. Thankfully, the second version came out perfect!  The plaid fabric is actually made from some pieces of wire ribbon I received on a gift years ago. I pieced it together and it matches the linen and bunny wonderfully!

Pretty in pink!  This design comes from EMS and is entitled Valentine Kitty. I finished it after Valentines Day and its been sitting around since then. Until this past weekend when I was determined to get my unfinished stitchery completed!

This pillow is one that's been finished for quite a few years--since 2002. I found in the basement while I was clearing things out. I had forgotten all about it, but once I saw it I knew I had to bring it back into the light. It was in good shape except for a missing purple rose on the top. Luckily I found an extra one to match in my craft stash and glued it in place--good as new! Designer was Serendipity Designs.

This is another pillow I found in the basement. It was also finished in 2002 but it was not in great shape. Even though it was kept in a bag it was quite dirty. So, I washed it and although not all the stains came out it looks pretty good. I'm not sure who the designer is.











Since I ran out of pillows, this is the end of the post!  Happy stitching and thank you for reading my blog!

Brightest blessings, Beth B.

Chocolate and Cross Stitch

How time does fly! It's been over a week since my last post!  There's been a lot of excitement in my household as of late. We're still in the midst of buying a house, and as can be expected the date for the closing has been set back. So we are on pins and needles waiting for the process to get back on track.

I've still been stitching but have realized that my plans for working on big projects is probably not realistic since we will likely be focused on moving and packing for the next few months. Probably won't be a good time to delve into lengthy cross stitch pieces. Small projects will be in my future for awhile.

Any hoo, onto to cross stitch. The first picture I will share with you is the giveaway I won from Becky Bee's Stitching Hive. It's from Milady's Needle and it's called "Quaker ruler!" I can't wait to stitch this up. All I need is some 40ct fabric. Special note of thanks to Becky for having the giveaway.

The second picture is the finished pillow that I made for my Mom for Mother's Day. Her favorite flower is the daisy so I think she'll love it!

I love the contrast of the cute yellow fabric with the purple ric rac trim!  I loved the fabric so much I also used it on my small tulip design:

I'm giving this away in an exchange but I may have to make one to keep!

And lastly, this is my newest start and it is very near and dear to my heart:

Cross stitch and chocolate, how could it get any better?

Thank you for visiting my blog and a special note of thanks to my new followers!  Please leave comments: they make my day!

Happy Stitching!

Beth B.

 

A quandry...

As promised, here are the pics. First up is my newest finish: the tulip pattern:

The picture appears a bit fuzzy, sorry about that. This was a quick finish but quite enjoyable. I didn't have to do any frogging!  I will probably finish into a small pillow, after I find some suitable finishing fabric.


I've also begun another freebie design from alioka blog. It's a darling daisy pattern that has three different options for colors. This will be a Mother's Day gift so I chose the white daisy version since my Mom loves white daisies. I made a few changes to some of the colors. Some of the small daisies I stitched in a lavender--as well as the heart-- and added a few yellow stitches to the bottom of the of the design. I should be finished with it in a couple of days. This will also
be finished into a small pillow. I enjoyed this design so much I plan on stitching it in one of the alternate colored versions. I very seldom stitch a design more than once!

And now to the quandary I mentioned in the title. In the past I have created my own cross stitch patterns, and even for a time in my youth, attempted to sell them. I haven't done so for many years, mostly because with recently getting married and returning to school I just haven't had the time. However, recently I have come across one of my own designs that I had partially stitched sometime in the late 1980's. I abandoned it because I wasn't completely satisfied with it. Parts of it were quite lovely, but I decided to expand the design and wasn't happy with the results-- and there was just one design problem I couldn't solve. Anyway, here is a picture:

I like most of it, especially the fountain!  But the large tree on the left side bothers me. It leans too far over especially when compared to the straight lines on the right side. I've ripped it all out and was going to just change the color but it needs more than that. I think I have to re-design it all together. I also don't like the clouds and am planning on ripping that all out as well and redoing them.

I am also undecided about going on with the addition. This is a picture of the whole piece including the addition in the foreground:

I'm not sure I like the addition of the garden in the foreground. And then there's the problem of what to put in the middle: a pool, statue, birdbath, etc??

So, if anyone out there has some suggestions please let me know. what do you like or dislike about the design. I really need some help because I want to complete this!

Thanks and happy stitching!

Brightest Blessings,

Beth b.

Great news!

No pics this post, but hopefully later on tonight when I'm home and can take pictures. I've got another finish to share and also a pattern of my own design that I need advice on. I also have a new project to show you as well. Wow! sounds like I've been busy rather than slacking off! I will be deliriously busy over the next three or four months...and this is why:

My husband and I are in the process of buying a house!  We are so excited, and yes..my head is spinning thinking of everything we need to do!  The house is a charming bungalow in a small town near to my husband's job. It also has a creek on the property! ( no worries, it doesn't flood so we don't have to deal with that or buying expensive flood insurance!)

Ever since I read the Anne of Green Gable series I have always wanted a house near a creek. In case you haven't already noticed I'm very romantic and sentimental! We need to do some minor work to it: mainly painting, refinishing the hardwood floors and other small repairs. We will be doing most of these activities before we move into the house.

So, for a short time period, this cross stitching blog will become a home restoration blog!  I promise to keep stitching but I probably won't get as much accomplished-- but it will be worth it in the end. The house has enough room to accommodate a craft room, library and also a "man-cave" for my husband. Although I told him he can't call it a man-cave because--well--I hate that term. I also have more wall space for, er...finished cross stitch projects!

Before I forget, thank you to all my new followers! I am so very pleased that you've joined us. May you find many pleasant moments here!

Happy Stitching!

Beth B.

Ornament finishes, a new needlecase and a beginning!

This past weekend was devoted to taking some of my small completions and finishing them into useful and decorative items. And while I didn't get everything I wanted done (who ever does?) I am happy with my progress.

Before I get to the good stuff-- i. e. the pictures--I wanted to make a personal observation. I have noticed there is a flow to my cross stitch activity. I like to do a lot of smalls but then when my to "finish pile" gets rather large, and the guilt of not finishing them in a timely manner gets too overwhelming; I tend to switch gears and work on larger stitchery patterns just so I have time to do finishing.

Right now, since my "to finish" pile is  large and therefore I am itching to work on my larger WIP's. However, that may not happen anytime soon since I still have a couple of small exchange projects to do plus a Mother's Day gift I need to start.

Personal observations aside, I do have some finishes to show you!  First up is the needlecase I made with the Flowering Crown chart by Just Nan. Although it isn't perfect I still love it! It's the first needlecase I have ever completed and it turned out nice. I have learned from the mistakes I made on this particular case and will be sure to make any future attempts better! So here it is:

 When I saw this design I immediately thought it would make a gorgeous needlecase. I used pink fabric with sparkles for the inside of the case, added pink ribbons and used iridescent gold trim. Here is a look at the inside:

I have saved fabric ribbon for decades and finally found a use for this lovely pink/mauve ribbon I received on a Christmas package. I used it as an area for holding needles. Eventually the bottom of the case will have some magnetic strips-- also used for holding needles. All in all this was a fun project and I will definitely be making more!

On to more finishes:

This is the front of the Peppermint ornament from Little House Needleworks--and this is the back:

I actually used the same adorable pink  fabric that I used on the back of the Flowering Crown needlecase.

This is another ornament from LHN. I thought this design was so cute and like all LHN designs a joy to stitch. This is the back:

Seriously, I have enough of this Christmas plaid fabric to use on a zillion ornaments. Get used to seeing it because you will see it a lot over the years...

Yes, I even have a new project to show you! The design is from a blog entitled Alioka and the website address is http://aliolka.blogspot.com. She has so many delightful free designs on her website. It is well worth your time to peruse her blog pages. I had a hard time deciding which pattern to stitch up first, but finally settled on this particular one:

Very timely for Spring....

That's it for now. Happy stitching!

Brightest Blessings!

Beth B.

Stitching deja vu

Ahhh..there's nothing like getting nostalgic for your youth. I've been thinking recently about my younger years and while I ponder how fast the decades have flown by I also marvel at how much I've learned. I was so utterly clueless back "in the day".  I'm not so sure I want to return to my teenage or young adult years and all the angst they brought. I feel content now and while my face is lightly lined with wrinkles and there is an occasional ache in these weathered joints I wouldn't  trade my maturity for anything. Well..maturity may be stretching a borrowed virtue too far, especially since I have many child-like and playful moments.

At any rate, I recently came across a picture of my first stitching project. In fact, I still have it--and forgot about it. I now have it displayed prominently in my craft room. It's a very diminutive and simple design, but I love it so. You see it was not only the first cross stitch I ever attempted, but also my dear Great Aunt Kay helped me with it. She had sewn beautiful large cross stitch projects for years: mostly of fruits, flowers and owls. I had admired them from afar. Once my Mother had purchased a small kit at a gift shop, I finally felt brave enough to ask Kay for help.

I made some mistakes, and had to frog a few stitches. Backstitching gave me fits and its quite possible that sometime in the future it may come apart. Confession time again: in a fit of frustration I just snipped an offending stitch and just continued on without re-anchoring it! GASP!! Oh the horror!

Anyway...here is a picture of my first ever stitching project:

Pretty cute, aye?

Hmmm..sort of looks familiar. Kinda close to my new finish: lil' Miss Dewdrop!

Apparently my choice in project themes hasn't changed much in 26 years. Dewdrop was another wonderful stitch. The flower bead and "dewdrop" beads add so much character!

So, now I am left without a project. I've done so many smalls that I'm "itching" to dive into a larger project. Perhaps one of my WIP's. Although, there are still a number of smalls that are calling me, and I need to complete a pillow for an exchange. It's time for bed so I'll figure it all out tomorrow.

Good night all. Pleasant stitching..er...sleeping!

Blessings,

Beth B.