Yummy Ornaments

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Heather

Need some ornament inspiration?

Gourmandise Gems Collection, designed by Carolyn Mitchell

Gourmandise Gems Collection, designed by Carolyn Mitchell

These are three ornaments from Carolyn Mitchell’s Gourmandise Gems Collection, but I am stitching it out of the Festive 2010 issue of A Needle Pulling Thread (which featured these three of the 10 designs in the leaflet). They are stitched on 18 count mono canvas using DMC floss and perle cotton, Kreinik braids, and Rainbow Gallery Petite Very Velvet. The beads are Swarovski crystals. However, I used a different colour than those called for in the chart–I used Golden Shadow rather than Violet Champagne. (I went with what I could find and that still looked nice.)

Petit Bonbon

Petit Bonbon

Delicious Delight

Delicious Delight

Tasty Morsel

Tasty Morsel

While I’m happy with the ornaments overall, I’m not too pleased with the finishing. I didn’t completely understand how to do what Carolyn calls the “Lacy Binding Stitch” when it came to the corners. Still, they are pretty, and from a distance you can’t tell the corners are a bit weird.

These aren’t my ornaments for the Ornament SAL! I’ve been working on them since early last year. I just finally got around to finishing them late last week. My ornament for the SAL is still very much a work in progress. More on it soon!

 

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Spacer!

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Heather

Baby Man goes to a school that requires uniforms. Thankfully, the rules are very easy to follow: white and navy in any combination. But you would be surprised how hard it is to find a plain, long-sleeved white polo-style shirt this time of year.  Good thing I can knit and make tops for my long-armed, super skinny little man.

Spacer, designed by Katya Frankel

Spacer, designed by Katya Frankel

The pattern is Spacer, from Katya Frankel’s excellent book [amazon_link id=”1937513114″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Boys’ Knits[/amazon_link] (link to Amazon, or available from Cooperative Press here). If you knit for boys, you really do need this book. The patterns are excellent, stylish and many feature sci-fi inspired names (Deckard, Trantor, Ryker, etc.). The next one I tackle will probably be Dax. (All links are to Ravelry.)

Anyway! The yarn is Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in colourway Planetarium, which is a navy blue. It is very soft, and pretty nice to work with. The pattern itself was easy to follow, and resulted in a sweater that looks great on the little man. I love how the cabling is only on part of the front and on one sleeve. It looks really interesting, in a good way. 😉 Once it is washed and blocked, I will very content to send him to school in it.

Spacer cables up close.

Spacer cables up close.

3 Comments | Posted in Knitting | Tagged ,

2012 Projects Review

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Heather

I’m surprised that I forgot my 2012 project review! The last couple of weeks of 2012 really slipped away from me. (And it doesn’t help that that cold is *still* hanging around.)

These pictures don’t include all my projects, sadly. I occasionally gift something before remembering to grab a picture. But, they are a pretty good representation of what I accomplished in 2012.

My 2012 Needlework Projects

My 2012 Needlework Projects

In needlework I finally finished my first bargello project. I’m not sure if I will do another one, but I did enjoy working on this one. I also stitched up a whole bunch of the ribbon designs from Cherry Wood Design Studios. Of course, I’ve never gotten around to finishing them into anything… And then there were a bunch of Creativ Festival class finishes, old and new, with my favourite being the Silver Dragon Sampler. I really need to get it framed.

Lots of knitted socks in 2012!

Lots of knitted socks in 2012!

In the world of knitting it was mostly about socks. Surprise! But I did knit the little man a couple of nice sweaters, a fun hat, and a Sheldon with one extra shell (more are planned). And I even tackled a couple of shawls.

Crochet Projects from 2012.

Crochet Projects from 2012.

Crochet this year was mostly toys and dish cloths. I love making toys, and I hope to make several more this year. Dish cloths… well, I’ve got a whole giant pile of them now, and I probably won’t need to make any more for a while. Although, there are a couple of patterns I’d like to try…

Sewing and other crafts from 2012

Sewing and other crafts from 2012

My favourite sewing finish has to be Freddie, the teddy bear I made for my son. Also right up there is the Creeper I made for his Halloween costume. I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t finish my Craftsy quilt, but once my sewing machine is working properly again I most definitely will.

Overall, I think I accomplished quite a bit. I’m pretty proud. I also can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring. More socks, for sure, and cross stitched ornaments. A shell or two for Sheldon, of course. I’ve got a sweater for the little man nearly complete, as well as a pair of socks for the husband (an IOU Christmas gift). Who knows what else will strike my fancy and spring from my stash.

8 Comments | Posted in Crochet, Cross Stitch, Knitting | Tagged , , ,

Stitching Bloggers #14

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Heather

Baby Man and I are finally on the mend. We actually left the house for the first time in over a week yesterday. He had a ball walking in the snow, and I promised we could go play outside later today if he was still getting better. Cabin fever was starting to set in, for sure!

StitchingBloggersBlogHop

Anyway, on to the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop #14:

What was your biggest stitching accomplishment in 2012?
What was your favourite stash acquisition in 2012 and will you be using it in 2013?

My favourite stitching accomplishment? Doing all the button-hole stitching around the edge of my Christmas Biscornu! I really don’t like button-hole stitch, so it was a trial to do that much. But the end result is just lovely.

Christmas Biscornu, designed by Kim Beamish

Christmas Biscornu, designed by Kim Beamish

I don’t think I have a favourite stash acquisition. I always enjoy adding more silk fibres to my stash, but over all nothing stands out. Maybe this year I’ll indulge in something nice. 😉 My past favourites include a corder that I picked up in 2011, a Namaste Buddy Case (in eggplant, of course) that I got in 2009, my little ORT container that you’ve seen in many of the TUSAL posts, and my totally impractical, I-never-use-it Just Nan Peacock Needle Slide.

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

2 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch, Memes & Collabs | Tagged ,

Turtle Trot!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Heather

Oh dear, I’ve let myself be persuaded into another SAL. This one is Turtle Trot, hosted by BAP Attack. The idea is to pick 13 projects (WIPs) to work on through out the year, and post pictures of your progress on the 13th of every month.

So, 13 projects, eh? Well, my WIP list hit 56 on December 31st. I’m pretty sure I can find 13 WIPs to work on.

1. Passione Ricamo Fairy SAL

Passione Ricamo Fairy SAL

Passione Ricamo Fairy SAL (WIP; no borders)

2. Santa’s Journey Stocking by Dimensions

Santa's Journey Stocking (WIP)

Santa’s Journey Stocking (WIP)

3. Friends Stitching Together collaboration design

Friends Stitching Together (WIP)

Friends Stitching Together (WIP)

4. Heirloom Stitching Sampler by Victoria Sampler

Heirloom Stitching Sampler by Victoria Sampler (WIP)

Heirloom Stitching Sampler by Victoria Sampler (WIP)

5. You Add Magic to My Life by Dragon Dreams

You Add Magic to My Life by Dragon Dreams (WIP)

You Add Magic to My Life by Dragon Dreams (WIP)

6. Canvaswork Dragon by Dragon Dreams

Canvaswork Dragon by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams (WIP)

Canvaswork Dragon by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams (WIP)

7. Creative Persuasion by Carolyn Mitchell

Creative Persuasion by Carolyn Mitchell (WIP)

Creative Persuasion by Carolyn Mitchell (WIP)

8. 12 Days of Christmas by Victoria Sampler

12 Days of Christmas by Victoria Sampler (WIP)

12 Days of Christmas by Victoria Sampler (WIP)

9. Down the Garden Path by Lynn Nicoletti

Down the Garden Path by Lynn Nicoletti (WIP)

Down the Garden Path by Lynn Nicoletti (WIP)

10. Delightful Dragon Fob by Teresa Wentzler

Delightful Dragon Fob by Teresa Wentzler (nearly complete front)

Delightful Dragon Fob by Teresa Wentzler (nearly complete front)

11. Here Be Tiny Dragons by Teresa Wentzler and Jennifer Aikman-Smith

Water Dragon by Jennifer Aikman-Smith

Water Dragon by Jennifer Aikman-Smith

12. Chinese Dragon by Pinn Stitch

Chinese Dragon by Pinn Stitch (WIP)

Chinese Dragon by Pinn Stitch (WIP)

13. Monogram Birth Sampler by Jim Shore/Mill Hill

Monogram Birth Sampler by Jim Shore/Mill Hill

Monogram Birth Sampler by Jim Shore/Mill Hill

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged ,

Last Starts and Finishes

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Heather

Well, we all made it to 2013. Yay! But I didn’t sit on my hands during the last few days of 2012. I may be up to over a month and a half of having one cold after another, but I’m still working hard on getting projects done.

Tea Time, from Gitta's

Tea Time, from Gitta’s

I finally put the last background stitches into Tea Time, a small design from Kathrin Ellison of Gitta’s. It was my first real taste of needlepoint in many, many years. And, I hate to admit it, but I don’t think needlepoint is for me. Filling in the background was just too boring. Anyway, the fibres are DMC for the tea cup and lettering and Anchor for the background.

Two Silk Scarf from Sweater Kits

Two Silk Scarf from Sweater Kits

I also finished up my Two Silk Scarf from Sweater kits. It is a very simple garter stitch triangle, knit with two alternating rows of their Silk Jewel and Silky Mulberry yarn. I love the way the beads in the Silk Jewel yarn twinkle, and look a bit like drops of water sitting on the scarf. It is very pretty, and long enough to wrap around my neck at least twice. I think it will keep me quite warm.

Friends Stitching Together (WIP)

Friends Stitching Together (WIP)

I’m taking part in WIPacolpyse again, and so I needed to start a couple of projects in 2012 so they would count for this year. ;)The first (above) is a collaboration piece from a getaway my LNS held a couple of years ago. (I didn’t attend, but I did manage to snag the design.) It features cross stitched designs by Jeanette Douglas, Laura Dickson (Enchanting Lair) and Kathrin Ellison of Gitta’s. The bottom tassel was designed by Brenda Franklin (who also designs lovely cross stitch patterns, too).

Santa's Journey Stocking (WIP)

Santa’s Journey Stocking (WIP)

The second start is another Christmas stocking, which may end up being for me. It is a Dimension’s kit, and I’ve decided to use the adia that comes with it. I hope I don’t regret that a few months down the road. :/

Along with my ornaments from the Ornament SAL and one or two other smaller pieces, these are the pieces I’d really, really like to complete this year. Wish me luck!

1 Comment | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Happy 2013!

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Heather

Best wishes for a wonderful new year!

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