Gifted Gorgeousness and an Easter Exchange

April is nearly over but I'm in time to show my Gifted Gorgeousness for this month. It's a good job that Jo leaves the link-up open until the end of the month. If you want to learn more about Gifted Gorgeousness, please follow this link. 

I've completed the stitching on Christmas Crew and since this photo was taken I've started adding the beads. Though gifted many years apart, the chart and the fabric are both gifts from Clare. 

Christmas Crew - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

We had an Easter exchange at Needlecraft Haven and I received these beautiful threads, ornament and card from Gill. My Spring themed ornament will be hanging near my fireplace for another few weeks.

NH Easter Exchange items received

Close up of my Spring themed ornament

Christine was my partner and I sent her a Spring themed ornament with thread and chocolates.

NH Easter Exchange sent

Spring Time - SubRosa Design, PNPS, Spring 2017

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha

Threads: Suggested DMC threads but used 372 for 371 and 3064 for 407

I didn't spend any time  on Chatelaine's Alpine Seasons Garden in April but I should have some progress to show next month.

Needlecraft Haven Autumn Exchange

Despite increasing postal costs, at Needlecraft Haven we still continue to participate in seasonal exchanges. It is lovely that I can take part as it increases my sense of belonging to a stitching community.

I received this lovely selection of gifts from Gill (no blog). With my sweet tooth, it goes without saying that the chocolate didn't last long.

Autumn Exchange from Gill

My exchange partner was Clare. I sent her the items as shown below.

My exchange gifts to Clare

A close up of my exchange ornament to Clare.

Autumn Bliss - Tracey Richards of Wrought Iron Stitching, Just CrossStitch, Autumn 2024

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: Black pompom

I also sent Clare two Santa ornaments for her church Christmas tree. It was my first time stitching on perforated paper and it was easier than I expected. For some reason I imagined that it would tear easily. Thankfully it didn't.  These are both free designs; Santa Cookie Small can be found on Shannon Christie Designs Instagram page and the Santa on the right is from Durene Jones's Facebook page.

Santa Cookie Small - Shannon Christie Designs and Santa - Durene Jones

Fabric: 14ct Antique Brown perforated paper

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I think I might be back to stitching regularly again.

Valentine Exchange and Gifted Gorgeousness - February 2024

I'm just getting in before the end of the month with my Gifted Gorgeousness. As always, the details of how Gifted Gorgeousness(GG) works can be found on Jo's blog, Serendipitous Stitching.

I delayed posting this month as I wanted to show my absolutely completed finish of Just Nan's Tea with Honey with a halfway decent photograph. However, the weather has been so dull I find it hard to take reasonable photographs. It's early afternoon while I'm writing this and it's dark enough to need a lamp on. So that photo will have to wait until next month.

First up is my Valentine Exchange at Needlecraft Haven. This year we had a non-stitchy Valentine exchange. Participants sent their partner a card, socks, a free or used chart and a sweet treat.

I received these socks and sweets from Christine along with this pretty Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting cottage chart. Given my sweet tooth, the sweet treats didn't last long!

Needlecraft Haven Valentine Exchange from Christine

 I sent a stitched card to Clare and Gill.

LEFT: Valentine's Freebie - Erin Elizabeth Designs

Fabric: Unknown 32ct in a milk chocolate like colour

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

RIGHT: Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - J.L. Aikman-Smith, Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 326 replaced with Au Voie d'Alger 3025

Clare was my exchange partner and though I sent the other exchange items to her I forgot to take a photo but you can see them on Clare's blog here.

Since my last GG post it's been my birthday and I received these stitching related gifts.

Pattern for a thread catcher bag and two skeins of thread from Clare

Four Christmas themed embroidery designs with their hoop frames from a family member

It's several years since I stitched traditional embroidery so I'm looking forward to sewing these. Realistically, I will only be stitching on one of them this year.

The following items you will have seen in my previous post for the Fully Finished Gallery and Small SAL so I will add no further comment on them.

You are Loved - Robin Sample, October House Fiber Arts

Fabric:  Unknown 35ct White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3833 replaced with DMC 961

Dragon from Full Valentine 2010 Dragon - Dragon Dreams Inc

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Antique Ivory Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads 

So, a busier than usual month for me with sending and receiving gifts and I love them all.

Gifted Gorgeousness - December 2023

It's hard to believe it is nearly the end of the year, making this the final blog post for Gifted Gorgeousness in 2023.  Hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, this is a good opportunity to share the crafty gifts we have made and/or received each month.

December the first was our exchange opening day at Needlecraft Haven. I stitched Clare a snowman ornament and a robin Christmas card. The robin is a free design from La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix which can be found here and the snowman is from a Brittercup Design that was gifted to me by Ursh, a former Needlecraft Haven member. The snowman is stitched on a fabric that was gifted. I've shown the back of the ornament as well as I was pleased to find I had a piece of fabric that would suit.

Christmas Robin - La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Newcastle white linen

Threads: DMC 349, 630, 869, 3363, 3767, 3831, 3841

Winter is in the air (scissor fob design) - Brittercup Designs

Fabric: 25ct Unknown  evenweave latte fabric

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Back of Snowman ornament featuring another Snowman

I received this pretty ornament and other items from Gill. The threads are gorgeous and I'm looking forward to using them. In real life the bells on this ornament look 3D. The chocolate didn't last too long (LOL).

Needlecraft Haven Christmas exchange from Gill

I have completed the stitching on the Just Nan travelling pattern Tea with Honey. I have stitched 2023 as the year of completion on the base. That is my incentive to fully finish it as a cube before the year ends.

Overview of completed stitching and beading

Tea with Honey - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Flax Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Base of Tea with Honey with year added

Centre design of Tea with Honey

In 2022 Jardin Privé offered a free floral Temperature SAL on her site. I finally completed the stitching at the beginning of this week. I still intend to fully finish it as a cushion cover.

Projet Météo 2022 - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Lilac linen

Threads: Suggested range of cool, warm and other DMC colours

and using a 4 degree Celsius range between colours

I am stitching something for myself. My intention is to complete this reindeer design from Punch Needle & Primitive Stitching (PNPS) as a drum pincushion.

Reindeers Winter - Liezbeth Gottschall of Thistles,

in PNPS Winter 2015

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Belfast Natural linen with a gold thread

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except 3023 for 3024 and 3053 for 3052

I wish you all a Happy Christmas.

Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished Gallery - September 2022

At Needlecraft Haven we exchanged summer themed pincushions. This is the pincushion that I sent to Julie using a free design from Hello at Liz Mathews and it is my sole Fully Finished item for the past month.

Summer Celebration Small - Hello from Liz Mathews

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

In return I received this beautiful sunflower pincushion and threads from Gill. The sunflower is appropriate as so much of the surrounding countryside is full of them during July and August.

I also sent to Clare these two initials (J and Q) for her church Christmas tree. If you read her blog you will have seen her finishing of these here. The J initial is a free design from Fox and Rabbit Designs' Cherry Monogram Pincushion.

 J from Cherry Monogram Pincushion- Fox and Rabbit Designs

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Blue linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads but substituted Atalie's Carmen for red

Q from Country Alphabet - Leisure Arts

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Silver Moon linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

For those of you unfamiliar with Jo's Gifted Gorgeousness and Rachel's Fully Finished Gallery SALs, further details can be found here and here.

Until next time, enjoy your leisure interests.

Fully Finished Gallery - June 2022 and Needlecraft Haven Jubilee Exchange

I actually have something to show for this month's Fully Finished Gallery which is hosted by Rachel, The Ten House Stitcher.

At Needlecraft Haven we had a Jubilee coaster exchange and I stitched this Commemorative Crown free design for Gill (no blog). It was my first time putting stitching in a round coaster and I imagine it will be awhile before I do it again. It was fiddly! I added some lettering, ER II and 70 years in silver but I couldn't get it to show up well in any photographs. I should have used another colour such as purple. Why purple you might ask.

Commemorative Crown design - Jenny Barton www.gathered.how

Fabric: 28ct Brittany Ivory evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except Krenik 102HL for

DMC Light Effects Gold and a gold sewing thread for backstitch

Well, it so happened that Clare stitched the same design for me and she used purple which as you can see below is more effective. As an aside, purple is one of my favourite colours.

This is not the first time that Clare and I have stitched the same design in exchanges.

Finally an update on my Jardin Privé Temperature SAL. Here is how it looked at the end of May. As you can see, it is definitely getting warmer. I haven't started on the strong reds yet but I'm getting there.

Projet Météo 2022 - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Lilac linen

Threads: Suggested range of cool, warm and other DMC colours

and using a 4 degree Celsius range between colours

Gifted Gorgeousness - February 2022 and a Valentine Exchange

It's that time of the month when we show off the Gifted Gorgeousness that we have sent, received or stitched/crafted during the past month. This is hosted by Jo and a list of other participants can be found here.

First up is my Alpine Seasons Garden. I feel that I've made good progress on this during the past month. I've almost completed the outer border.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 9 September 2022

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

I've been following DJ's progress on her Cottage Garden SAL which is this year's Wiehenburg SAL. I loved what she had stitched and when I showed it to DH he insisted on buying the SAL subscription for me. Naturally I didn't argue. This is what I've done to far. It's a small start but I couldn't wait until I had more time to spend on it.

Cottage Garden SAL - Wiehenburg

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Ivoire/Cream

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

This year we had a non-stitching Valentine exchange at Needlecraft Haven. Our secret parcel had to contain a reusable shopping bag, the type that comes in a pouch and is handy for your handbag. Ideally the bag would have hearts or be red or pink. The parcel also included thread that matched the bag's colours. I forgot to take a photo of the one I sent to Julie but this was the style.  

The threads I chose to match the bag were DMC 746 (cream), 824(blue) and 833(gold/brown). As I was unable to get a bag in my local shop that matched the brief I also included a skein of DMC 986 (a pink).

My exchange partner was Christine and I received this colourful bag and threads. As someone who carries far too much in her handbag these cheerful colours will help me find it more quickly.

 

I'm still knitting the sleeveless sweater for my sister. It's taking me longer than it should as I keep losing concentration and making errors in the pattern. I'm determined that it will be finished next month.

Gifted Gorgeousness - December 2021

I have been remiss during the latter part of this year in not recording the gifts I've made or received. So before the year is over I will put that right by showing the gifts that were sent and received in three Needlecraft Haven exchanges.

First up is my Christmas exchange ornaments. I received this beautiful ornament from Justine with this gorgeous Cranberry red thread.

NH Christmas Exchange - From Justine

I stitched Baked Goods by Little House Needleworks for Gill. This design was gifted to me years ago from Clare. I now want to stitch this design again for myself.

Baked Goods - Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart  Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Back in October I also took part in Needlecraft Haven's Halloween exchange. Our Halloween themed stitching was to be completed as a bookmark. I stitched 'Owls in Moonlight' for Mel as I knew she liked owls. 

Owls in Moonlight - Blue Ribbon Designs, Just CrossStitch October 2014

Fabric: 28ct unknown blue/grey fabric

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Mel was my exchange partner and she sent me this terrific bookmark, which just happens to have a owl on it. It will not be used now until next October but will sit in a box with my bookmark collection. I've got over 200 bookmarks as I often buy them as a souvenir when on holiday. 

NH Halloween Exchange - From Mel

Finally, there is the Needlecraft Haven summer exchange that I also took part in. The theme for this was wellbeing, so it could be anything finished as a pillow that would make the recipient feel bright and cheerful. For Justine I stitched this Victoria Sampler pillow. I thought the colours were so pretty. It was available as a free design with The Victoria Sampler Summer Garden Sampler for a time, so I am not sure if it is still available.

Bloom -  The Victoria Sampler

Fabric: 32ct Fabric Flair mint green colour

Threads: DMC 300, 500,725, 778 #12perle Blanc, Atalie 'Les 4 Saisons'

and unknown variegated green, pink and red threads

Clare stitched me this sewing themed friends banner. I hadn't taken a photo of the finished pillow and the lighting is too poor today to get a decent photo, so I will update this photo on a brighter day.

NH Summer Exchange - From Clare

NH Easter Exchange 2021

Happy Easter everyone. I hope you have a lovely day. The sun is shining with me and it's lovely and warm. Sadly the forecast is for cooler weather as the week progresses.

Though postal services can still be erratic, over at Needlecraft Haven we exchanged Easter cards and some Spring/Easter coloured threads.

I received this cute card and beautiful threads from Gill.

Easter card and threads from Gill

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange 2021

I stitched this card for Christine and enclosed three DMC threads which I did not photograph.

 

Una Piccola Pasqua (part of) - Cuore e Batticuore

Fabric: 32ct Crafty Kitten, Belfast May 2018 Ltd. edition linen

Threads: DMC 433, 744. Au Soie d'Alger Blanc, 2114, 3011, 3023

Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished SAL - February 2021

As often happens with me, my Gifted Gorgeousness and Fully Finished Gallery SAL items are mostly the same items. Hosted by Jo and Rachel respectively, details of how these SALs operate can be found here and here.

Each year, Needlecraft Haven has a Valentine/Friendship exchange. This year we stitched a design of approximately 50 x 50 stitches or 2500 stitches to finish anyway we wanted. I chose to finish this free Janie Hubble design as a pincushion/scissor holder. It and a stitched card were sent to Christine. The pincushion is sitting on the backing fabric. Unfortunately this free chart is not available at the moment as Janie Hubble's website is being redesigned. 

Love - Janie Hubble

Fabric: 32ct Antique White linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

My card design is from Just Nan's Heartfelt Trio. I have now completed two out of the three designs. The other is Happy Birthday which I stitched and showed in last month's Small SAL.

Forever Friends (Heartfelt Trio) - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct pale Blue linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I will show what I received in our Needlecraft Haven Valentine exchange in a later post as it is still in the mail to me.

This free humbug design from Jean Farish was stitched with gifted fabric from Clare and thread from Angie (Needlecraft Haven). As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think this would look better if there was more contrast between the fabric and thread. Oh well, I know for again.

Vintage Hearts - Jean Farish

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Thread: Dragon Floss-Friendship

I also stitched this free design from The Drawn Thread and finished it as a small pillow. I didn't have the suggested Gloriana silk threads so I used what I already had.  Two of the pink threads used in this design were gifted by Clare and Justine (Needlecraft Haven). The small piece of fabric that you see is what I used to back it. This is all I have left of this Liberty Lawn fabric but I intend to buy some more as I like it so much.

All you need is Love - The Drawn Thread

Fabric: 32ct pale lilac linen

Threads: DMC 814, 819, Soie d'Alger -3023, 3025, 2114

Weeks Dye Works - Moss