June TUSAL, and Papillion update !!

Here is an embarrassingly late update for this month's TUSAL.  I have spent most of the month working on the Papillon Creations SAL so that it what the top of the jar is full of.  I thought this jar would last me all year but it is getting quite full now, I keep having to push the threads down !!!!

I have also finished part three of the Papillon SAL and added the beads to part two that were missing from my last progress pick.  I LOVED doing the cutwork to this section it really adds something not only to the piece but also to my confidence in sewing.  Its going really well so far and I am excited for the next part.

It was my cousins birthday on Saturday and I gave her the Sonic box.  She was absolutely over the moon with it.  Despite the challenges she faces everyday she has a very happy personality.  Here is a picture of her opening the box:

Happy Stitching Everybody !!!

Donna

June IHSW results

I got quite a lot done this IHSW.  I managed to get Papillon Creations SAL part two done (minus the beads because I ran out of Nymo thread). This went a lot better than the last part.  I am so pleased with my progress.  I went for it and did the cutwork Hardanger,  it's not perfect but I think it is good for a first attempt.  I am so pleased with it I have decided to do the cutwork in part three that has just been really.  I feel so positive about it that instead of returning to my rotation I am going straight on to complete part three right away.

I also completed the freebie that Abi Gurden sent out to members of The Stitch Specialists yahoo group.  It was so quick to stitch up I did it during the England football game on Friday.  I couldn't really take a great picture, the colours are quite pale but show up nice on the fabric.  For the first time I used the threads from The Crafty Kitten website.  They were really nice to use, the colours were delicious!!!

Happy Stitching Everybody !!!

Donna

Oakhaven Finish and more ....

Hi Everyone, thanks for all the lovely comments about my sister’s wedding sampler, I really appreciate it.  It has been a really busy time since the wedding as I am dogsitting their pet dog Tara.  As a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel she requires a lot of attention but she also gets a lot of love because she is just the cutest, most loving, well behaved dog and I have enjoyed looking after her soo much.   Here is a piccy to show how beautiful she is and what has been distracting me !!!

This week I have finished the June part of the Oakhaven Sal for 2012.  These sew up really quick and was a welcome relief after the complexities of the Papillon Creations SAL:

I also finished a project that I used to have as a morning project.  I have not really been sticking to my old routine of stitching whilst doing all the Hen party and wedding sewing so I pulled this one out to get finished.  It was a nice design to stitch but the backstitch was a bit needlessly complicated.  I think the same effect could have been achieved a lot simpler.  I also liked the border which has a line of French knots as an inner border.  I really liked how that turned out:

Small Elephant

76 stitches wide by 60 stitches high

recommended DMC thread

random 28 count linen from stash

freebie from DMC website

I have also been doing some practise Hardanger and feel confident enough now to attempt it on the Papillon SAL part two which I intend to start as part of this month’s IHSW (can’t believe it is that time already, click on the link in my sidebar to find out more!!!)  I would like to have most of the first tulip done by Monday but we shall see !!!

Happy Stitching Everybody !!

Donna

P.S. Don’t forget when I reach 100 followers I will have a giveaway !!

Wedding Sampler and more !!!!

Thanks for all the lovely comments about my sister's big day !!  It went off perfectly, she looked stunning and they were both sooooo happy !!!  She loved the wedding sampler and I can finally share pictures with you ....

Wedding Celebration

28 count white evenweave

included DMC, and Mill Hill beads

Heritage Stitchcraft

I added the charm and beads to add a bit of bling !!! I chose this design because my sister had yellow for the colour of the wedding so the waistcoat colour was perfect !! I also wanted to say what great service I had from Heritage who make this kit.  Whilst sewing this I noticed that a colour was missing on the key I emailled the company and they sent me out a new pattern with the correct key within a week.  I think that was really good as I was able to just carry on and get it finished in time.

I also finished the little memento I was stitching for myself.  It turned out really well:

Just Married

designed by Lizzie Kate

recommended DMC threads

Hand-dyed 28 count Linen from The Crafty Kitten

I have also finished the first part of the Papillon Creations SAL.  I decided to add the beads as I went as I didn't want to add them all at the end.  I am now going to practise some Hardanger before starting the second part because I really want to add the cutwork to the design but I have never done it before.

Happy Stitching Everybody!!!

Donna

P.S. I am close to 100 followers (I can't believe it !!!) and you know what that means !!!  Once I reach that number I will host a giveaway !!