3 hours ago
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Week Seventeen: Secret Flower Bed
This week I stitched a piece by The Trilogy aptly named "Secret Flower Bed." If you look closely among the maze of flowers, leaves, and twigs you can spot a wee lady bag, two bumblebees, a small brown bird, a white-tailed bunny, and a teeny-tiny green worm (let me tell you stitching an eye on that little worm was not easy!). I used a natural color 28 count linen with Weeks Dye Works, The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, and DMC floss plus 3 tiny pinkish buttons for accents.
This time of year gardening comes alive in our yard. This past month we have been trying to rebuild the fence around the vegetable garden (or as my husband calls it "the compound"). We have such a problem with deer, groundhogs, and rabbits helping themselves to our freshly sprouting vegetables and flowers that we have to fence the area in and then surround the fence with chicken wire buried deeply enough to keep the burrowing animals out. What a job; but the end result is worth the work with an abundance of lettuce, tomatoes, beans, peas, zucchini, and fresh flowers all summer long...
Labels:
bunnies,
flowers,
gardening,
Secret Flower Bed,
The Trilogy
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Week Sixteen: Prairie Schooler Chicks
Here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick chick! This week I stitched another egg-shaped pattern from The Prairie Schooler's "Just Hatched" leaflet using 18-count ivory aida and DMC floss. It was a fun and very quick stitch-- good for this past week with Easter, work, doctor's and hair appointments...
I can never look at a baby chick without thinking of our "near disaster" with some newly hatched ducklings. Our pond, which lies at the far end of our property, is a magnet for wildlife of every kind. We have visits from deer, hawks, squirrels, herons, groundhogs, Canadian geese, and of course, ducks. About 15 years ago, the ducks had hatched some darling fluffy babies who, after a few days of "waking up" decided to learn to swim in our pond. We all enjoyed watching them happily paddling on the water, but one day we looked out and there was not a single duckling to be found. Walking back to the pond to explore further, we could hear them peeping like crazy, but not one was in sight. We traced the peeping to the pond's drain pipe--the poor things had swum right over it and had been washed down! With some quick thinking on my husband's part, he ran next door, borrowed the neighbor's golf ball retriever and rescued the scared little things--our hero! Needless to say, from that point on, the drain has been covered with a screen of some sort to prevent further mishaps. There is a new duck couple enjoying the pond this spring so hopefully we'll have some baby chicks to enjoy very soon...
Labels:
chicks,
Easter,
Family,
Just Hatched,
Prairie Schooler
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Week Fifteen: Prairie Schooler Bunnies
Another cross stitch bunny finish for the third week in a row. Well, I have to admit it--I love the little fellows. Just ask my family...I have rabbit accessories scattered throughout my home. After all, tomorrow is Easter so what could be more appropriate? I'm looking forward to spending the day with my family, cooking a tasty dinner, and just being plain thankful for all the special guys in my life. Being the only female in a family of four men (my husband and three grown sons) is not always easy, but I wouldn't trade them for any number of girls. My sons were actually the ones who encouraged me to start this blog to help me keep a visual record of my "creations" throughout the year. This week's design is another Prairie Schooler pattern that I stitched on 18-count ivory aida using DMC threads. It is from the "Just Hatched" leaflet and I eventually hope to finish this piece and the one from week thirteen into egg shaped ornaments to be enjoyed for many Easters to come...Wishing you all a blessed Easter!
Labels:
bunnies,
Easter,
Family,
Prairie Schooler
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Week Fourteen: Daffodil Run
Springtime brings an abundance of both daffodils and rabbits to our backyard so I couldn't resist stitching this tiny ornament! "Daffodil Run" is designed by Just Nan--I love the littlest details in her designs, especially the little garland of roses around the bunnies' necks and the daffodils sprouting from each corner (although by the time I was on my fourth rabbit, I was a bit tired of stitching the little bunnies!). I used 32-count flax Belfast linen and DMC threads and attached the cute daffodil charm that came with the pattern.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Week Thirteen: Farm Fresh Bunny
The Prairie Schooler has always been among my favorite cross stitch designers and this little bunny is no exception. I love the use of colors and the simple beauty of Pamela Byrd Smith's designs (although stitching all that brown wasn't my favorite thing to do; is it just me or does anyone else get annoyed when stitching a lot of brown in a design?). This rabbit, from the "Farm Fresh" leaflet, was stitched on 18 count white Aida with DMC threads. Nothing fancy--just plain cute! I'm posting this week from a mostly sunny (but VERY windy!) Daytona Beach where I'm visiting my parents for a few days of relaxation by the ocean. Perhaps by the time I fly home to Pennsylvania the grass will have greened up and spring will truly be here...
Labels:
bunnies,
Farm Fresh,
Pamela Byrd Smith,
Prairie Schooler
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Week Twelve: Painted Egg
What a beautiful (although chilly) first day of Spring we had yesterday and what a special day today is! Exactly 27 years ago today, my oldest son was born making me a new mom. I still can't believe how quickly the past 27 years have gone... I remember that day like it was yesterday-I even remember what I ate for dinner before leaving for the hospital to give birth. I suppose this little bird standing on her egg is an appropriate piece for today as it symbolizes new life and a new season. This Cricket Collection design, titled "Painted Egg," is one of my favorites and I stitched it on 32 ct. Twilight Blue linen with DMC threads. That tiny bird with the flower in her mouth just makes me smile...
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Week Eleven: Winter's Eve
Last week I stitched a whole village; this week, just one house. It was certainly much easier to complete this ornament in seven days! I love the colors of the variegated floss in this piece--the different shades of blue remind me of the lovely Victorian house across the street from my childhood home which was painted in three shades of blue. This design is from the Just Cross Stitch 2006 Ornament Issue and was stitched on 32 ct. flax Belfast linen using Crescent Colours, Weeks Dye Works, and DMC threads. "Winter's Eve" is designed by Country Cottage Needleworks.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Week Ten: Christmas Village
It was surprising just how many stitches there were in this week's ornament--it took much longer to finish than I would have expected! Of course, I added to my work by incorporating some back stitching around the little windows and changing many of the colors of the houses and their roofs. This tiny 3 3/4" square "Christmas Village" was worked on 18 ct. summer khaki aida with DMC threads from a pattern by Nancy Sturgeon of Threads Through Time. The chart can be found in the 1999 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. Having grown up in a tiny New York village myself, I feel that this piece really captures the feeling of Christmas and winter in a small town...
Labels:
Christmas,
Christmas ornaments,
Just Cross Stitch,
Winter
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Week Nine: Snowmen
It's hard to believe that the first two months of my "Ornament a Week" challenge are over! For this week's creation I made another (yes, another!) snowman from the October 2006 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. This one is appropriately titled "Snowmen" and was designed by Valerie Danish of Val's Stuff. I stitched it on a 25 count natural linen using both Weeks Dye Works and DMC threads. As I was stitching I kept wondering why the design was turning out larger than the finished size stated in the instructions. Well, upon reading a bit more closely, I discovered I was supposed to be stitching the snowman over one thread and I was doing my usual "over two." Moral of the story--thoroughly read the instructions beforehand! He turned out very cute, though, if a bit large...
Labels:
Christmas ornaments,
Just Cross Stitch,
Snowmen,
Val's Stuff
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Week Eight: Christmas Chick
I love Valerie Pfeiffer's birds and this "Christmas Chick" is particularly appealing! The designer's use of colors, special stitches, and back stitching make the little chickadee seem so lifelike. This chart alone uses over 25 different colors! It was stitched on 28 count white Monaco using DMC threads. This is the third Valerie Pfeiffer bird design that I've stitched--have yet to frame or finish any of them though!
Labels:
birds,
Christmas ornaments,
Valerie Pfeiffer
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Week Seven: Be Mine Valentine
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! It is hard to believe that February is already half over. To celebrate Valentine's Day (and my wonderful family) I stitched this piece called "Be Mine Valentine" (obviously!) on 16 count Natural Heatherfield for a bit of a rustic look. Both Weeks Dye Works and DMC fibers were used. The colors in this Lizzie Kate "Snippet" are so lovely... Decided to give this piece to my dear parents--who truly were my first loves...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Week Six: Button Up Skater
Another wintry cold week here, but things are looking up because today the temperature on the thermometer climbed all the way to 50! This Prairie Schooler ornament is from the "Button Up" chart and I stitched it on 32 count Lambswool Jobelan. Since we have a pond at the back of our property, this piece reminded me of the times when my sons were little and enjoyed ice skating when it stayed cold long enough for the pond to freeze. Nice memories...
Labels:
Christmas ornaments,
ice skating,
Prairie Schooler
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Week Five: Fa La La
Finally! The last day of a long, cold, snowy month...I look forward to short February and the possibility of warmer weather. My ornament this week is a freebie from Plum Pudding Needleart called "Fa La La." Unfortunately, the designer has taken down her site and the chart is no longer available.
Isn't this singing snowman cute?! He was stitched on 32-count lambswool Jobelan using DMC threads. I changed the location of the words "fa la la" to the top of the piece and added a few musical notes for interest. He just may be a Christmas gift for my youngest music-loving son...
Labels:
Christmas ornaments,
freebies,
Plum Pudding Needleart,
Snowmen
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Week Four: Snow Happy
This jolly snowman just made me smile! It was a freebie called "Snow Happy" from Janlynn (designed by Beth Stephens) and I stitched it on grey 16 count aida cloth using DMC floss. I did change the main blue color in his hat and scarf to DMC 797--just made it more appealing to me. With all of the snow we've had here this month (it has snowed 15 of the last 24 days for more than 14 inches and been oh so cold--BRRRR) he'll feel right at home!
Labels:
Christmas ornaments,
freebies,
Janlynn,
Snowmen,
Winter
Week Three: Noel Birdhouse
I had admired this little Christmas birdhouse for a few years now and decided to add it to my collection. "Noel Birdhouse" was designed by Brittercup Designs and appears in the 2004 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. This version was stitched on 36 count lambswool jobelan and uses Weeks Dye Works Hand Over Dyed Floss. I love the way the variations of the floss make the birdhouse look like old, rustic wood. It is supposed to have a small white bird charm, but I'm not sure if I will add it.
Labels:
birdhouses,
Brittercup,
Christmas ornaments,
Just Cross Stitch
Week Two: Not a Creature Was Stirring
For my second week's piece I found this cute little mouse in a teacup and immediately thought of my sister who loves both mice (as a child at least!) and tea (as an adult). I plan on sending it to her for Christmas 2009. "Not a Creature Was Stirring" was published in the December 2008 issue of Just Cross Stitch and was designed by Casey Buonaugurio. I stitched it on 36 count Sage Jobelan and used a tiny black Mill Hill bead for the mouse's eye and red beads for the holly berries.
Week One: Outside My Window
My first week's ornament is one I have stitched once before, framed, and given to my dear mother so I decided to create another one just for myself. It is a pattern called "Outside My Window" by Lynn's Prints and featured in the 2005 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue. I stitched this particular ornament on Glass Blue Monaco (28ct) and used DMC floss with white beads for the icicles.
Labels:
birds,
cardinals,
Christmas ornaments,
Just Cross Stitch,
Lynn's Prints
A new year...a new beginning...a new challenge!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2009...a new beginning and a new challenge for myself. I had the (crazy?) idea to stitch an ornament a week for the entire length of 2009. Now, you notice I said "stitch" not finish! I love to stitch and have been doing so for almost 25 years. I find it so very soothing and relaxing--a time to unwind and just breathe. However, finishing an ornament (sewing, gluing, taping, whatever) is not one of my favorite things.
Wish me luck in achieving my goal...
Wish me luck in achieving my goal...
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