Another cutie finished and delivered

Hello everyone, tis me again.  I had a wonderful stitching day yesterday with my friend Janice.  We usually go out for breakfast and then to her house to stitch and chat. Yesterday, her hubby Dave joined us for breakkie before he headed off to work.  Makes me glad to be retired especially with the crappy weather that we are currently experiencing here in Ottawa today.  Yup, the freezing rain started about 9 last night, then the big snowflakes and they are still coming down.  So it is definitely true, we will be having a white Christmas here. 

Yesterday I gave Janice her Christmas present.  I stitched "Don't Bug Me (I'm Stitching).  It is by Barbara Ana Designs. I stitched mine on 18 count opalescent aida entitled Angel Song, it is an overdyed fabric that is basically yellow-green and light purple brushed throughout, it is very pretty.  In the picture you can see the bits of purple.  And yes, I did switch some colours  (okay, almost all of them lol), the words "don't bug me" were done in Dragon Hoard, the "I'm Stitching" was done in Baneberry and the worm was done in Amber Waves, these silks are by Vicki Clayton.  The spider's hat has was done in Gloriana silks - Ada's Rainbow.  I backstitched the eyes of the worm because they were not showing up very well.  Next time I think I will add a mouth.  This is a small design and I think that I will be making some of them, it is just so cute.

So my friends, until the next time, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and remember that you are loved.  Luv ya dearly.  Louise

Penguin Ornament

Hi everyone, this is my 100th post. Wow, never thought I would have so much to say that I would reach a 100 posts.  For those of you who know me, I am sure that you knew I had a lot to say.  lol   And guess who missed her 1 year blog anniversary?  oops

Well on to the good stuff, here is the latest achievement.  This penguin is designed by Barbara Ana and published by Creative Poppy.  It is so cute, in case you can't read it all - it says "Does this tree make my butt look big??"  I will have to keep in mind for the next time I do this ornie that I need to leave more room at the top and bottom so that you can see all the words.  And for those of you with eagle eyes, yes, the snowflakes are not all equal!  I did it deliberately! 

What's next you ask.... an owl for Barb, she has been waiting a long time for her owl so I will have to get it done before January and my stitching adventure. lol  Good thing it is small and it is all blackwork. 

Until the next time, hugs and kisses. Louise

Good news from Manon

Hello tis me again, I have to apologize to Manon, my former colleague from work.  She and Chantal organized the table at the craft fair and kindly invited me to participate with all the funds going to the FOP.  They are fantastic ladies!! I kept forgetting to tell you that Manon sold another $70 of goodies after the craft fair and she will be donating that money as well to the FOP!  Many, many thanks!!  Luv ya dearly!!

Soccer Santa Ornament

Hi there, I hope that you have had a great weekend.  Many of you have been wondering what I was working on now that the angel is finished....
Soccer Santa, this ornament is from Charlette's Collectibles Book #14, designed by Charlette Dockens.  The leaflet contains 4 other designs: basketball Santa, football Santa, hockey Santa and baseball Santa.  It was stitched on 14 count Blue Whisper aida using DMC threads with the exception of his beard and moustache, they are done in BeCreamed (Vicki Clayton silks) and then I also used Rainbow Gallery Nordic Gold #ND4 for the brim on his hat and his cuffs.  This is a thin, strong metallic thread which was a bit tricky to use.  If I threaded the needle the wrong way, the thread unravelled and became 4 times as long!  I had to make myself a note on the cardboard which end to use when threading the needle.  Apart from that, it wasn't all that bad working with it.  I do like the effect, it is a subtle shine - unfortunately the picture does not do it justice. Now I just have to sew it together to make it into an ornament and it will be all done. The picture is a tad deceiving because this ornament is over 5 inches long! And no, I did not stitch it all in one day. lol

Until the next time, take care of yourselves and remember that you are a very important person!! Hugs Louise

Elegant Angel is finished

Hello, hello... long time no post.. oops sorry about that.  Well, as you can tell by the title of this post - the angel is finished!  She is absolutely beautiful.  The design is entitled "Elegant Angels" by Linda Bird and published by Stitch World X-Stitch.  I used a piece of opalescent white linen and the DMC colours suggested by the designer.  But of course, I had to change a couple of things (lol), I used Mill Hill Petite Red Red # 42013 and Mill Hill Petite Tapestry Teal # 42029 instead of the French knots for the flowers and the hair ribbon.  The hair is done in an overdyed Gloriana silk that I received in a goodie bag, I am not sure if it is India Ink or the Antique Black. For the outlining of the pink part of her robe, I used Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid Red #PB07 and Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid Gold #PB01 for her wings.  She is exquisite and her new owner April loves her. 
I have been wanting to stitch this design for quite some time and folks, if you have this leaflet in your "To Do" pile, I suggest that you start it, you will absolutely love watching her come alive.  As always, hugs to you all and thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to come and visit me.  Louise

Update on the angel

So are you all wondering if I am finished the angel?  Not quite!!!  I am so glad that I did not leave all the over one stitching to the end. I finished the feet this afternoon just before supper and I thought my eyes were going cross-eyed.  A lot of concentration to make sure that the stitches are all done correctly and that I don't miss any and guess what... I am doing my happy counting... 5 more stitches left, 4 more stitches left, 3 more stitches left, and I get down to 1/2 stitch left and don't you know it - I spot a little tiny hole... guess what I was saying bleep, bleep... yup there was a missed stitch and of course it was a different colour than what I had in my needle and yes, you would have noticed the colour difference. So I did what any respectable stitcher would do, I finished off my thread, found the right colour and stitched that final one! And then I was done for the day! (Besides it was almost time for supper. lol)
Until the next time, thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Hugs Louise

Another update

Hello, tis me again. I am doing a happy dance, I have finished the skirt on my angel.  Oh, it is so pretty but I am not going to post any more pictures of her until she is completely finished! So what do I have left to do - her feet!! (done over one) some more back stitching in the right wing, around the pink part of the dress and then course completely around the rest of dress once I am finished her feet -  her feet are the only part left to cross stitch.  And then there is a beautiful decorative border around the angel, so I am almost finished.  That does sound funny, I look at everything I have left to do and I can still say that I am almost finished. lol
To all my friends and fellow stitchers, thank you for your kind comments and words of encouragement. Love to you all.  Louise