"Scarlet Lips" FINISHED!

 HOORAY!!!!

I have finally finished "QS Scarlet Lips" by Heaven and Earth Designs!   I had started stitching her in 2011, and worked on her on & off for 3 years!  Here she is:

"QS Scarlet Lips"

by Heaven and Earth Designs

Art by Ching-Chou Kuik

2 over 1 on 25 count Lugana

Started sometime in 2011

Finished December 15, 2014

Here are some detail pics:

This is the first QS piece I finished from HAED, and I couldn't be happier with the results!

Annie <3

FINISHED "French Lavender Pocket"!

Hi!

I have finished my "French Lavender Pocket".  I needed to find the buttons, ribbon, and cord I needed, so it took a bit longer to finish.  Here it is!

"French Lavender Pocket"

by The Sampler Girl. 

2 over 2 on 27 count Linen banding.

Started August 17, 2014

Finished August 24, 2014.

Here are some close-ups:

I don't have any lavender at present to put in it, but when I do, I will take another picture!

Annie ^_^

FINISHED! "Home of a Needleworker (too)"

Hi!

It has been a few months since my last post... I finished this piece in June of this year, but I completely neglected to put it in my blog.  So here it is now:

"Home of a Needleworker (too)"

by Little House Needleworks

 2 over 2 on 28 count Linen with Crescent Colors thread.

Started November 2013

Finished June 2014

I haven't been stitching a lot since June.  I don't know why, I seem to be in a rut...

I am sure I will snap out of it soon, and get back to stitching fun!

Annie ^_^

p.s.  I didn't wash this piece because I was scared the colors would run, since it's hand dyed.  Does anyone know if I can wash this or not?

"Sea Captain" Finished and Framed!

Hi!

I am happy to post that not only did I finish my cute little Sea Captain, but I framed him as well! Here he is all finished!

I am so happy with the way he came out!  The stars are a little too pale though...
Now with the frame:

My mom found this old round frame she had, and I think it looks perfect! I was so excited to frame him that I forgot to put in a felt cushioned layer between the fabric and the cardboard I used for the backing.  Maybe I will redo it at a later time...


Some close-ups:

I hope you guys like him!  Here is the link to the shop on Etsy again if anyone would like to stitch him, too.  You can always email me (saphirecat73@hotmail.com) if you would like to stitch him with the same colors I used!

Thank you again for all the amazing support from my followers!
Big Hugs,
Annie ^_^

Finished Christmas Banner!

Last night, I finished the Christmas banner.  I only had the backstitching to do.  I will need to sew this up, but since I get lazy about doing that... Anyway, I have until next Christmas to do it!  Here it is:

I find the penguins' eyes look weird...



Annie ^_^

Home Sweet Home

I felt like doing one of my small cross stitches.  I finished it in a couple of hours.  It's fun to do these mini ones!

I added the little blue heart above the door. I think it's so cute!

Hugs,
Annie ^_^

FINISHED Butterflies Galore SK!

HOORAY!  I finished my Butterflies Galore SK from Heaven and Earth Designs!

Two weeks ago I finally had my surgery on my right shoulder.  It was very painful and still is, but my doctor gave me the OK to do cross stitch a week ago, as long as I keep my arm close to my body, and not do big movements (which means I still won't be able to paint for a while...).

So I finished my Butterflies Galore SK on December 5th!  Here it is:

"Butterflies Galore SK"

Charted by Heaven and Earth Designs

Artist:  Jasmine Becket-Griffith

Stitched with 2 strands over 1

on 25 count evenweave fabric

Started:  October 2011

Finished:  December 5th, 2013

(worked on it on & off...)

On December 6th, I started a new project, but I will post it another time...

Hugs,

Annie ^_^

I Wish You Joy_Jane Austen ~ Finished with Ribbon & Sticks

I completely forgot to post the finished piece of "I Wish You Joy_Jane Austen" in my blog! 
A week after I had finished stitching it back in September 2012, I went outside and found a couple of sticks to sew the fabric around on top and on the bottom.  I then found a purple ribbon to tie on the top sticks to hang it with.  As a finishing touch, I decided to put in a pretty little heart-shaped brass key hanging at the bottom.  Here it is!

The purple ribbon is the exact same purple as the centers of the flowers!  Here are some detail shots:

I hope you like it! <3

Annie ^_^

I Wish You Joy_Jane Austen ~ New Start & Finish

Here is an adorable pattern I found on The Sampler Girl website!  I LOVE Jane Austen, so I bought this e-pattern which was very easy and enjoyable to make.  I started it on August 29th and finished it on August 31st. 

I used a 27 count linen banding 4 inches across in Natural color.  The designer of the pattern had suggested different types of thread from Crescent Colours to The Gentle Art & DMC, but also had the conversion to DMC of the former ones.  I decided to use the colors she suggested, but unfortunately, I couldn't find the Crescent Colours "Capri" (which was a beautiful blue) on 123stitch.com where I placed my order.  I searched the other colors, and comparing it to the picture of the finished piece, I chose "Tyler Boy Blue".  But sadly, when it arrived, it wasn't the color I was expecting... I used it anyway, and though I am happy with the results, I am not completely in love with it...

27 ct. Natural Linen Banding

2 strands over 2

Crescent Colours, The Gentle Art & DMC

Started August 29th, 2012

Finished August 31st, 2012

Here are some detail shots:

 

 I really love this linen banding!  It has very pretty pyramid designs on either side.


This is what the finished piece looks like.  I think the designer did such a beautiful finish!
So now I need to go outside and find me some little sticks, and then a lovely ribbon to tie it with!

Annie ^_^

Love Cafe ~ Finished!

I finished Love Cafe earlier this week, and I just love it!  Here it is:

"Love Cafe"

by Soda Pattern Mall

Started:  Sunday June 24th, 2012

Finished:  Monday August 6th, 2012

18 count white Aida cloth

2 strands over 1

Here are some detail shots:

Even though I washed it and ironed it, the creases where the fabric was originally folded won't go away... Does anyone know how to get rid of those?  I'm still very happy with it, though!

Annie ^_^

"Spring Bunnies" start & finish_PLUS framed Jane, Heathcliff & Darcy!

I have this Gorgeous painting hanging on my wall called "The Bridge" by Tammy Mae Moon, which has a fox and a rabbit in it.  I already have a finished cross stitch of a fox (see it here on my blog) by Sewingseed, so I wanted to stitch up a pattern with a bunny in it.  I found the most adorable & the prettiest pattern on Etsy! It's called "Spring Bunnies" from a shop called PatternBird (click on link to go directly to shop).

I started it on Saturday July 28th and finished on Tuesday July 31st.  I stitched it on 14 count Sand Aida, using 2 strands over 1.  I changed the original color yellow to a mustard yellow (783) so that it could match the painting more.  Here is the finished and framed "Spring Bunnies":

I made a little mistake with the backing though... I cut the cardboard to small so it would not fit snugly in the back (OOPS!) But instead of undoing everything and starting over, I just glued the backing to the back of the cross stitch.  Still looks nice:

Here is a close up and a picture of it hanging next to "The Bridge" painting:

If you like "The Bridge" painting by Tammy Mae Moon, click on this link:  MoonSpiralArt to go directly to her etsy shop.


And now here are the framed Jane Eyre, Heathcliff, and Mr. Darcy I had done a while back by BookPilgrim (click on links to see them on my blog):

Annie ^_^

The Raven - Finish

I have finally finished "The Raven" I had started last month.  I finished it last night.  Here it is:

"The Raven" by La D Da

Started:  May 13, 2012

Finished:  June 20, 2012

28 count Linen

2 strands over 2

HOORAY!

Annie ^_^

Blossoms & Blackbirds - Finish!

I just finished Blossoms & Blackbirds!  It took me 5 days (started Sunday June 3rd, finished Thursday June 7th).  It was very simple and lovely to stitch!

It really is so Pretty!  I would love to stitch more samplers from Little House Needleworks!

Annie ^_^

Kawaii Sushi Start & Finish!

There is a shop on Etsy called Wee Little Stitches where they sell the cutest little cross stitch patterns!  I loved this kawaii sushi pattern they had, so I bought it. The shipping was fast, and the pattern + explanations were super clear!  They also have a super cute blog http://weelittlestitchescrossstitch.blogspot.ca/ you should go check them out!!!

For this project I used a 14 count Aida fabric in Willow Green.  I used 3 strands for the cross stitch, and 2 strands for back stitching and french knots.  I started on Sunday April 8, and finished on Monday.  It was so much FUN!!!  Here are some WIPs:

The colors the designer had chosen were Perfect!  It even looks amazing just like this, without the kawaii faces!  But of course, I adore all things kawaii, so I added the faces, and the lettering, too.  Here is the finished Kawaii Sushi:

OMG!!! IT IS JUST SO CUUUTE!!!!!!!!
The finished piece is 4 x 6 inches.  I just love Kawaii Shushi! 

Annie ^_^

Liebster Award & Adventure Time Finish

Hi! First I am so happy to announce that I received a Liebster Award by the lovely Ali from Faerie! Thank you so much Ali, it so sweet of you and it feels so nice to receive one!

Liebster is a German word, meaning favorite, dearest or beloved and the Liebster is awarded by bloggers to other, newer bloggers, who have fewer than 200 followers, to spread the word and help the new bloggers create new connections. The award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting:

1. Choose five up-and-coming blogs (with fewer than 200 followers) to award the Liebster to.
2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blogs so they know about the award.
4. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.

5 Blogs I give the award to:
1- Sewingseed :  A super lovely & talented cross stitch designer who has a shop on Etsy.  I have made a fox from her design which came out beautiful.
2- Kathy's Stitching Blog :  Beautiful stitching!  Her fairies are gorgeous and full of sparkle!!! She inspires me to stitch more!
 3- Melissa's Stitching Room :    I love how she stitches the faces of the beautiful fairies & mermaids she makes!  Gorgeous blog!!!
4- MrsDibble Cross Stitching & Other Threads : She does it all!  Beautiful cross stitch and gorgeous quilts!!
5- My Huuuge HAED Project :  She is stitching a beautiful cross stitch, and also draws gorgeous pics of animals!

Thank you to the Nominator:
A big thank you to Ali who nominated me for this lovely award!  Her blog, Faerie, is full of super beautiful cross stitching, mainly from Heaven and Earth designs.  ^_^

5 random facts:
1. I adore Japanese anime & everything kawaii!
2. I love reading.  If I'm not stitching, I have my nose in a book.  I especially love teen novels.
3- My favorite food is spaghetti with tomato sauce.  I can eat it every day, even for breakfast! Yum!!
4-  If I see something fluffy (like a kitty or a stuffed animal) I just HAVE to touch it!! It becomes a physical need!
5- I have no sense of direction.  I can get lost in my own backyard.  I get confused and frustrated with maps.  It's just hopeless!

And now for Adventure Time!  It didn't take me all this time to finish it.  First, my arm/shoulder pain came back.  My doctor wanted me to try going back to work to see if I had healed well.  I hadn't!  All my pain and numbness came back, so I could stitch for a while.  Then I started stitching a tiny bit every other day.  But then, just as I was almost finished, I ran out of the orangey-yellow color I was using for Jake.  My mom had some, but the lot is different.  You can see a bit on his hand that the color differs a bit.  Here it is:

So now I need to frame it.  I think it looks really cute!

Annie ^_^

Mr. Darcy

This is the third pattern I bought from Book Pilgrim.  I have read Pride & Prejudice at least 4 times and I have seen different versions of the movie hundreds of times!  Mr. Darcy is always so hot and attractive!!!  I stitched him on 14 count aida using 3 strands.  Here is a WIP:

My arm is almost 100% better now, so I was able to work on him pretty quickly!  Here he is all finished:

He came out so beautifully!  Again, I am so happy with Book Pilgrim's designs!  I really should wash and frame Mr. Darcy, Jane Eyre and Heathcliff!  They will look spectacular!  Here again is the link to Book Pilgrim on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BookPilgrim

Right now I am working on an "Adventure Time" pattern I found on Etsy.  I just love that show, and I am having fun doing the cross stitch.  I will have a WIP to post soon!

Annie ^_^

Jane Eyre

Here is another cross stitch pattern I bought from Book Pilgrim.  It's Jane Eyre, one of my all-time favorite novels!  I stitched her on 14 count Aida using 3 strands of DMC and gold metallic Kreinik thread for the brooch holding her shawl.  Here is a WIP:

 As with Heathcliff, I chose the colors for this project, but I really didn't like her hair color once I had stitched it, so I undid it and re-stitched it in a different color.  I really like the gold Kreinik!  Here she is all finished:

I am very happy with the way she came out.  I prefer this hair color.  I tried to match it as much as possible to Jane Eyre's hair color from the 2011 movie.  I still have to wash, iron and then frame her in a 4 inch hoop.  If you like her, here is the link to the shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BookPilgrim

Annie ^_^