Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand

Design: Autumn Leaves Fob from Fall Fobs chart

Designer: Heart in Hand

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric:14 count plastic canvas, brown

You got a sneak peek of this in my previous post - I stitched this as a little 'extra' for the exchange as I was running late with it. It was very simple to do - I used plastic canvas, and backed it with matching paper before adding a floss ring. It would have looked more finished had I been able to put in an eyelet, but I didn't have one that was deep enough.

Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand

Design: Fall Needleroll from Fall Fobs chart

Designer: Heart in Hand

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 28 count evenweave

I stitched this for Gaby over on the Hooked on Exchanges blog. It seems like most of my stitching these days is for exchanges, I've lost my mojo for 'selfish stitching' but it is so much fun to give - and to receive - to friends all over the world.

I think I will have to stitch this piece for myself though - I loved the colours and the style. I stitched it in the DMC that the chart called for, but I did alter the colour of one of the pumpkins. I think my favourite part though was the specialty stitch band at the bottom - the combination of colours and textures looks great!

I finished off the needleroll with a little acorn charm, and some organza ribbon. This picture shows a little flash glare:

Spring Needleroll - Heart In Hand

Design: Spring Needleroll (from the Spring Fobs leaflet)
Designer: Heart in Hand
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 32 count linen, cream

Another finish for the Monthly Finishing Challenge! I'm so competitive, one needleroll just won't do, I have to make up two! :o)

Again, this was hand sewn, with a hemstitch end, ribbon carriers and French seamed. This is not how the designer directed - apparently, you are just seam the roll, thread the ribbon and there you go - despite the cover model obviously being hemmed in some manner to get rid of excess fabric. Pretty poor instructions, if you ask me...

Blackbird Parade - Heart in Hand

Design: Blackbird Parade
Designer: Heart in Hand
Threads: Gentle Arts Sampler Threads
Fabric: 14 count aida

I seem to go in phases with themes - last year, I stitched quite a lot of strawberries. Currently, it seems to be bunnies. And earlier this year, I had a thing for a week or two about blackbirds!

This was a super quick stitch - I did most of it during one evening at a local stitch and bitch group. Most of the other girls knit, but I'm not a big knitter - it puts too much stress on my arms and shoulders and really increases the pins and needles feeling that is my permanent companion anyway.

I stitched this using Gentle Arts Sampler Threads and added beads for the corn the blackbirds are eating, rather than stitches.

I'm either going to frame this, or make it into a pinkeep, I think.

Great Stitchy Day Yesterday!

I was feeling a little blue when I got home from work yesterday - it had been a dull, slow day, the weather was awful, I was feeling achey ... and then The Hermit pointed out a package waiting for me. It was covered in stamps and looked really cheerful, but what was inside was even better! Janaina was my partner in the Hooked on Exchanges Pinkeep Exchange, and she sent me a lovely stitched piece - Love, by Little House Needleworks. She says she's a better stitcher than finisher, but she's a pretty good finisher! I was spoiled with the goodies: some fruit tea (I love fruit teas!), some shower gel (I love having a long shower!), some floss - I think a Brazilian brand, how exotic (and yes, I love the colours - all autumnal!), some stitching fabric (I love neutral coloured evenweaves), some finishing fabric (I love the funky spring colours and designs) and a postcard (I love postcards, I'm a member of Postcrossing.) Can you tell I'm a happy bunny? LOL

I've taken a photo, but I won't be able to upload it until tomorrow, because I've left the relevant USB cable at work...

Anyway, that cheered me up no end, as did The Hermit making dinner, so I then set to work on my own stitching - actually, finishing this time. I'm a new member of the Monthly Finishing Challenge Blog, and the challenge this month was for a needleroll. And I finally made up the July Needleroll by The Victoria Sampler! I did it listening to the football commentary on the radio (Liverpool V Arsenal) . It was very exciting, so I was a little hyper by full time - which coincided with the final stuffing - so I went on and did another one! This was the needleroll from Spring Fobs by Heart in Hand, and it's been finished for at least three years! Again, I'll post pics tomorrow :o)

So, I'm a bit tired this morning, but pretty perky, and over the blue mood! I've got a nice day to look forward to today - I'm meeting up with my parents, my sister and my niece this morning, then I have a lunch meeting to discuss a presentation I'm making at a Learner Celebration evening - and the place we're meeting does goodfood :o).

Winter Needleroll - Heart In Hand

Here are my little snowmen, all made up and waiting for snow!

Winter Needleroll - Heart in Hand

It's not quite winter yet, but I thought I would get these cheerful chappies ready anyway! I do like needlerolls as a way of finishing smalls, I did this one very simply with a standard "dressmaking" hem.

Design Details

Fabric: 28 count linen, natural
Threads: DMC stranded cotton
Designer: Cecilia Turner (Heart in Hand)
Chart Details: Winter Fobs - Heart in Hand
Stitch Count: 44H x 62V
Stitches Used: Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Rhodes Stitch, Oblong Smyrna Stitch, Closed Herringbone Stitch
Threads Used: DMC 712, 355, 680, 3740, 926, 729, 922, 844, 612, 3778, 927, 3362. Cross stitch in two strands.
Embellishments: Two star shaped buttons.
Modifications Made: Own choice of buttons. DMC conversion used.