Bird Table Designs

I love birds so that is probably why they are a recurring theme in my cross stitch and embroidery designs.

This first design, one of my favourites, is from a Jayne Netley-Mayhew book - the bird's tails are silk ribbons. The other two designs are card kits from back issues of stitching magazines so I have finished another two de-stash projects.

The bird patterned paper I have used above is a free download from Papercraft Inspirations magazine website. I printed it on the draft setting so the colours did not overpower the stitching. It is now on it's way to its new home.

St. Basil's Cathedral

My other half and I holidayed in Russia a while back and visited St Basil's Cathedral. So, when I saw this Heritage Crafts cross stitch kit, I just had to put it on my Christmas list.

I loved working this as it reminded me of our trip. I found Russia a very interesting place to visit. Even though it was quite late in the year, the weather was very mild and I was impressed by all the stunning architecture, especially the art deco underground stations.

Souvenir de France 1889

My latest make in this Souvenir de France lavender sachet. The chart is a freebie from Black Bird Designs and I used Caron Wildflowers thread on 32 count evenweave that I dyed myself.

The fabric started out cream and I used pink Dylon, randomly, to create an aged effect. The Wildflowers thread is Rainforest, no. 168 and I think it is my favourite from their palette as there are a lot of short changes in pretty muted colours.

Beaded Biscornu

After the success of my first biscornu I decided to try another. Here is the result:-

The chart is a freebie called Winter Forest from matryoska biscornue here. I decided to stitch it using Anchor variegated thread no. 1207 and the Craft Factory Rocailes beads on 32 count Belfast linen. I am very pleased with the outcome.

Modern Quilt Wrap (Destash)

Here is a wrap I made using a lot of the odd balls of mohair in my stash. I ran out of the pink and blue so dyed a couple of the white/cream balls to match. The pattern is a freebie from Knitting Daily and the model is my Airedale Terrier, Archie.


Cross stitch wise, here is my current progress on the Stitchers Showcase SAL 2010:-

French-style Stitching

I love French style stitching, it is so pretty and stylish. Even when there is an English translation, I prefer to stitch the words in French, as in the first lavender sachet which is a free chart on the blog of Lea here.

The second lavender sachet is made with a chart by French designer, Isabelle Haccourt-Vautier

and the third design of 1950's French ladies was published in The World of Cross Stitching Magazine.

Biscornu and Booties

This is my very first biscornu although making one has been on my to-do list for a while. The chart is available free at Lenkas designs here. I love the way it has turned out and am sure it won't be my last.

Also a pair of baby booties I recently crocheted for a competition. I was lucky enough to win first prize. The pattern was in Let's Get Crafting: Crochet Special 2009 and I added some vintage buttons and spotted ribbons.

Stitcher's Showcase Spring Exchange

Here are the goodies I received in the post yesterday from Elisa as part of the Stitcher's Showcase Spring Exchange. I love the design, it is so cute. Thank you so much Elisa and for enclosing the fabric and scissors too.

The Greek Islands

My favourite holiday destination is the Greek Islands and to remind me of my visits I have stitched these designs.

The two postcard designs were published in a back issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine and the larger was a kit from Heritage Stitchcraft.

I also have friends who live in Crete and I made this scrapbook page of their gorgeous dogs for my dogs album. Now, when it is cold and snowy here I can look at these and imagine I am back there.

Stitcher's Showcase SAL 2010

I have been making good progress on my 2010 SAL on Stitcher's Showcase. I couldn't decide which colours to use, had thought perhaps burgundy on pink but as I am dedicating 2010 to destashing, eventually opted for Wildflowers thread in Night Sky on 32 count pale blue linen which I already had in my stash.

Happy Valentine's Day

With all my crafty hobbies I hardly ever have time for rubber stamping even though I enjoy it. When one of my local shops were selling all their rubber stamps for 99p I couldn't help picking up a few. This is the card I made using two of them, they are both from the docrafts range.

Goldwork Box

As part of the year long embroidery course I attended, one assignment was to design a goldwork piece and make up into a box. This is my finished project. The course was held at a local college near my home and covered lots of embroidery techniques including stumpwork, blackwork, hardanger, dying fabric and threads and designing your own projects. It was great fun and I learnt a lot.

Pirate Dog

With all my crafty hobbies I hardly ever have time for scrapbooking, I really must do more this year. This is the last scrapbook page I created and it shows one of my Airdale Terriers, Wilberforce, at a doggy fun day last summer. I made the pirate outfit he is wearing for the fancy dress competition. He came second which was o.k. as my other dog, Archie, came first.

Crochet Projects

I have always loved crochet and learnt when I was about 10 years old - I didn't learn to knit until I was 18. Here are two of my recent projects. The bag pattern is from the book Vintage Crochet by Susan Cropper who owns the wonderful Loop Woolshop in London.

The second project, Beehive Pincushion is from the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar 2009. I have had the calendars as Christmas presents for the last few years but this is the first time I have ever made anything from them. These can also count as destashing projects as all the materials, including the bag lining and handles, came from my stash.