Little Stitches

I've finished my cross stitched picture for Markie.
It's only little but we like cute and we think it's
lovely and perfect for her bedroom wall.

The motif is from Sweet Stitches from the Heart

and we both chose it. I think the girl looks a bit like her.

She says the girl has plaits and she likes that.

I used 18-count Aida with a three inch embroidery

hoop. It's the first time I've used 18-count Aida and

I've learned that the slightly tighter weave of the fabric

requires slower, more careful stitching. Nevertheless

it was still enjoyable to work on and we're happy with
the result. Here's the finished picture on her bedroom wall.

I'd love to do more cross stitch and embroidery.
 I've just joined Pinterest and I've created a board
 for my favourite cross stitch projects. I'd like to try
making those stitched pendants and brooches.
Hopefully one of these days I'd get the chance to.

Wishing you all a fun Bonfire Night!

By the way, thanks for all the lovely things you said
about our autumn tree. We're glad you like it too.

Cherries

This is a little embroidery hoop picture that I made the previous
 weekend. I've always wanted to make something like this
but I couldn't decide whether to use appliques or crossstitch.
 Then I came across a project in Prima Makes Magazine 
that gave me the idea to use red buttons for the cherries
and I thought I'll give it a try.

I found a couple of wooden ones amonst my button stash
that were just the right size and so with some green thread and
yellow fabric I happily stiched away.

I used satin stitch for the leaves and split stitch for the

stalks. It was simple and easy, just the sort of project I enjoy

working on while sat on the sofa watching tv.

I think the buttons work perfectly and they go really well with
the yellow background.

It's a cheerful little picture and I love the handmade
colours it brings to our home so I'm really happy. Hope you
like it too!


Have a lovely week!

Christening Gift

This is the christening present I made for our niece
who was christened last Saturday.

It's a personalised embroidery hoop picture
with baby shoes appliques inspired by a sweet little pair
that was my younger daughter's.

I embroidered her name and date of birth underneath
the appliques

and finished off the picture with pink gingham ribbons.

The christening was a happy affair with friends and family and
 it was lovely to have been a part of it especially as my husband was
one of the godparents. It's lovely too to make her this gift.
Eventhough my hand embroidery is not perfect I'm hoping she
won't mind it too much when she's older and this picture
will become a keepsake she'll like as well as treasure.




Thanks for reading!

Have a great week!

Hello 2014

Happy New Year!

I hope you're all having a good start to 2014.
We took down all our Christmas decorations today.
It was a bit sad but the holiday season is now over and it's time
 to look forward to whatever this new year has in store for us.
I hope I'll be able to do more sewing and making for our home
and for us this year. At the moment I'm knitting myself a snood
and doing some crochet. I've also done a bit of embroidery with this
little cross stitch picture I made for my mother-in-law.

The motifs were copied from The Cross Stitch House
by Melinda Coss.

This was going to be part of her Christmas presents
but unfortunately I wasn't able to finish it on time. It turned out
to be a very late Christmas present, more like a New Year's gift,
which I'm glad to say, she was happy to receive.

I'm hoping to finish my knitting and crochet projects soon.
There's a christening present to make and more crochet.
Lots of fun crafting to look forward to!



Thank you for reading. Stay safe, warm and dry.

See you soon!