Baa - The Bold Sheep

Sheep are another favourite thing of mine to stitch, and I thoroughly enjoyed stitching this funky specimen! The colours really sing, and it's impossible to look at Dolly (yes, I named my sheepie!) without smiling!

Because the design was whole stitches only, and no backstitching, I kept the aida that came with the kit. I find using a fine Petite needle makes stitching on aida a pretty smooth process - the needle doesn't need the usual tug to get through the hole so I might be becoming reconciled to aida - maybe!

The only downer on this kit was I ran out of one colour with six stitches left to make - which was very annoying, as I'm very economical with thread, and there was plenty of the others left. What made it worse was that the threads used are Anchor, and I have only a (relatively) small collection of that, whereas I have a full set of DMC!

This will probably be finished as pillow.

Design Details

Fabric: 14 count aida, white.
Threads: Anchor stranded cottons.
Designer: Louise Ellwood.
Kit Details: Baa - The Bold Sheep (c) 2004
Stitch Count: 60H x 60V
Stitches Used: Cross Stitch
Threads Used: Anchor 24, 109, 140, 147, 255, 386, 403, 874, 943. Two strands used throughout for cross stitch.
Embellishments: None.
Modifications Made: None.

Jungle Room Plaque

This was a UFO (UnFinished Object) which I'd intended to stitch for Molly as a Christmas Gift for 2006. At least I will be ahead of myself for this Christmas!

This was a kit I purchased on eBay, and originally it came with 14 count aida, which I switched out, as I dislike stitching on aida, even with small (26) Petite needles. I thought that there would be fractional stitches, but the shaping is done solely with the backstitch.

I'm pleased with how quickly, relatively, it stitched up - and it's so jolly and cheerful! Molly loves animals, and her room is decorated with jungle creatures already, so this will add to the zoo!

I will either frame it or make it into a small padded wallhanging. Molly's room is quite small, so it may be the former, as this will fit a 5" x 7" mount.

Design Details

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, white
Threads: unknown stranded cotton
Designer: Gene Frehely
Kit Details: 16699 Room Sign, Sunset Jiffy by Dimensions (c) 1999
Stitch Count: 62H x 89V
Stitches Used: Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, French Knot
Threads Used: unbranded stranded cottons. Two strands used for cross stitch, French knots, some backstitch, one strand used for remaining back stitch.
Modifications Made: Substituted 28 count evenweave in white for 14 count aida supplied; did personalisation in all capital letters; omitted white French knots in eyes.