Cooper's Stocking

Here is Cooper's Stocking, which I finished stitching earlier in the month, but missing 3 beads! I ran out. I just picked some more up this past weekend, so I will attach them, and then finish this into an actual stocking. The chart is by Stoney Creek from their Boyd's Bears series, called Elliot and the Tree. It is stitched on 28 count antique white jubilee fabric with DMC floss, some Colorwash silks, DMC Variations and DMC Perle cottons. The colors on the sweater were changed to blues, and some other colors on the piece were changed also. I think I will be entering the finished stocking in the Lake County Fair later this summer.

Stitching Mends the Soul

Just finished this evening, Stitching Mends the Soul, by Waxing Moon, done on 28 count ivory Jobelin, with Gentle Arts Sampler threads and DMC.

Stitcher's Prayer

This is by Little House Needleworks, done on 32 count Raw Linen, with DMC floss. I finished this early on in March, but forgot to post a picture.

Tea, Anyone?

Just Another Button Company does a Stitch Every Day series each year. The charts are free when you buy the buttons. Some designs are cuter than others, and I have just picked a few each year when I liked the design. In 2008, however, the series is monthly teapots! They are just too cute and whimsical. I stitched two fo them this month:

I plan to do all twelve months, and then finish them into a wall hanging.

Love Quilts

Love quilts ( http://lovequilts2macs.homestead.com/LQHomepage.html) is an organization that makes quilts for sick children. There branches of this organization all over the world. You can choose to make a quilt for a specific child (the child or parent has chosen a theme as a guideline) or you can make a quilt for any child that the organizers will fit into a quilt where needed. Our EGA (Embroideres Guild of America - http://www.egausa.org/) chapter does Love Quilt squares as part of our outreach program, so each year I stitch a square.



Here is this year's contribution that I turned in the other day:

It is stitched on white aida with DMC floss (don't know why the photo turned out blueish/lavender). Did I mention I hate stitching on aida?

March Flip-It

Here is the March Flip-It block that I completed recently. Theses charts are really fun and quick to stitch. Each of the charts has a little charm, but I haven't decided if I am going to add all the charms once all the stitching is done, or just leave it nekkid!

This is the piece so far with the first three months of the year stitched.

More Texas Stitching

Here are this month's Texas Monthly Minis that I stitched last week. The charms have not yet been added, but will be before they are finished as ormaments.

12 month Sampler

This year I will be stitching the 2008 Rose Sampler by Ellen Maurer-Stroh. Starting last January, Ellen is releasing 1 part each month until all 12 are released. Ellen is known for her very realistic floral design. This piece appeals to me because the roses and vines remind me of the embroidered pieces that my Oma made and had hanging in her kitchen when I was very young. The design is mostly monochromatic and lends itself beautifully to varigated fibres. I have chosen to use one of the new DMC Variations, which is DMC's answer to overdyed fibres, but unlike other overdyeds, these are colorfast and can be washed. I am stitching on 32 count antique white Jobelyn fabric.


Here is part one.










Here is part 2:
















Today I finished part 3







Here are all three parts together. The top 1/4 of the sampler is now finished.



http://www.maurer-stroh.com/project2008.html Ellen's web site shows the finished project, and also includes a gallery where stitchers have posted their progress. It is interesting to see the different colors that have been chosen for this project. Check back for future updates on this project.



Now that I am all caught up, I will be stitching a new part each month as it is released.

Happy Birthday Mark!

I didn't get a chance to post this weekend, so it is now Happy Belated Birthday, Mark! Mark was 25 on Saturday, the Ides of March. When he was born, the doctor wanted me to name him Marc Anthony, but we had already chosen Markus Peter.