Friday, March 28, 2014

French knots and metallic threads!

French knots....you either love 'em or hate 'em. 

I'm one of those strange creatures who actually likes doing french knots ...weird I know. But french knots with metallic threads is a different story. Metallic thread just does not behave properly when I'm doing those little knots. And I have to confess that this time, I CHOSE to do the french knots in metallic threads....yeah, they weren't in the chart....I decided to do them...told you I was weird! lol.

Here's the design I'm talking about.....


The design is by the lovely and very talented Joan Elliott. The chart actually calls for beads but I didn't think the beads looked right when I started attaching them....so,  it was a case of looking out some metallic threads and biting the proverbial bullet and getting stuck into doing a few dozen of those misery causing french knots. The result was well worth the effort though....



The sparkle on the french knots doesn't really show up well on the photographs...


...at least the purple thread sparkles a bit. 

Anyone else like doing french knots? How do you feel about doing them with metallic threads.....let me know! We could start a group for all those crazies who actually like french knots! :)

Now to make the stitching into...ummm...something! ;)

Until next time...happy stitching  (including those pesky french knots!!!)

Rhona



Friday, March 21, 2014

Free chart!

Heehee...free charts is always a great way to get a stitcher's attention! And don't worry, I haven't got you here under false pretenses, it is indeed a free chart for you to copy and use however you would like.

This design was in this month's World of Cross Stitching magazine as part of an article highlighting the Breast Cancer Campaign. Ruth, the editor, very kindly said that I could offer the chart on my blog for all you lovely readers to use. 



Pink roses and blue forget-me-not flowers make a pretty posy that's perfect for making into a card  for someone who is dealing with breast cancer.  Show just how much you care by making a few cards or gifts using this chart and selling them to help raise funds for breast cancer awareness and the thing we want most of all...a cure.

In loving memory of my Mum.

Until next time...happy stitching!

Rhona

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Birthday card

So now, finally, I can show you the birthday card that was top secret!

Here's the design that I used...


This was a free kit from Cross Stitch Card Shop magazine, and was perfect for my cat loving daughter. It was a quick and easy stitch...especially on these new qsnaps...I'm loving them! I'm a total convert to them and have been dropping hints (no doubt on deaf ears!) to my hubby that a larger size would be the perfect birthday/anniversary/who needs a reason present. Teehee!

Anyhoo, I digress! So once this little cutie was stitched up it was all hands on deck to get the card made and posted to my DD in time for her birthday. Can't be late for her 21st! So with a few sheets of patterned paper, some ribbon and glue this is how it turned out...



The cutting and layering was a bit fiddly, but well worth the effort.


And here's a close up of one of the charms that Barbi sent with the travelling pattern...



...isn't that perfect? I think I'll be investing in a packet (or two!) of these little charms as they would work for so many different things.

We will be having the birthday celebrations this weekend when my daughter comes home from college for Spring break. My son is heading home too, so it will be wonderful to be celebrate together as a family. 

Until next time...happy stitching!

Rhona




Thursday, March 6, 2014

Tusal and thistle

Ooops! I'm late again at posting my ort jar update. I've been stitching up a storm lately and my jar is positively full to overflowing!



And yes, that is some metallic thread you see there......I have been using that too.......and without complaining! I can't show you the piece that I'm working on as it's a surprise for someone and I don't want them to see it on here....yet!

So....what are the threads in the jar form....well, some are from Simple Treasures, which although is almost finished I had to put it aside to finish of some other projects that had to be finished for birthdays and the like.....again, some of them can't be shown just yet! Quite a few of the threads are from this design....



Some of you may remember this design as I have stitched it before....in fact, this will be my fifth time of stitching this! Yes, fifth!!!  I had stitched the design for my daughter and some of her friends when they first went off to college. The thistle is the national flower of Scotland is a symbol of strength and protection which seemed very fitting for four young ladies heading off to college. You can see the finished projects here. Anyhoo, my son has just headed back to college and I though it would be only fair to stitch something for him too...but what to stitch for a guy? Guys are always hard to stitch for, don't you think? I thought that this design, and its message, was suitable for a male and I think it's quite nice that they both have the same design. I'm going to finish this off as a door hanger too. I hope he will like it! Oh, and I forgot to say, the design is one from the very talented Joan Elliott and you can find it in her book Cross Stitch Greeting Cards.

And lastly, here's a picture of my Spring gardening designs in this month's Cross Stitch Crazy magazine...




....I just wish Spring would make her appearance here!

Until next time...happy stitching!

Rhona



Saturday, March 1, 2014

And the winner is....

....drum roll, please......

                          VALMA

So the travelling pattern is heading over to France (wish I could go with it!)

Valma, please email me with your address so that I can get the chart in the post to you. Hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I did.


Until next time...happy stitching!

Rhona