Antique Animal Sampler update

Antique Animal Sampler is off the frame so I've been able to take an update photo! (A very crumpled one!)

About half way done I would say?

I feel again like I've done a really poor amount of stitching this week :( But I am pleased with how it's looking - it was very much worth getting the Weeks Dye Works thread.

I was able to customise the design a little too. Below Silly Monster (who is just awesome) there was a space where you could put a dedication or such - I was really at a loss for what to put here! I decided in the end to go for 'grr-rrr' as Silly Monster is chasing that poor little bird :)

♥

Cats, cats, cats

I love cats. Really love them. Really really love them. They are the best.

So my stitchy purchases this month have mostly been all about the cats.

 =^.^=

So, from the left there are my materials to make a cat bag like the one in the magazine (Cross Stitch Gold). You can buy a pre-made bag, but it was sold out and it wasn't lined...so I decided to buy my own stuff and make it up myself. Then I have a kit called 'Cat Guard' by Dimensions - this is a stand-up kit made with plastic canvas. He is stood on a pile of books :3 Next is a 'Welcome' hanger from Vervaco - as soon as I saw this I needed it *lol* I just love the cats chubby face! It was sold out for quite a while on Sew and So, so as soon as it came back in stock I bought it right away! Then I have a kit called 'The Cat Rules' by  Debbie Mumm Bows (Dimensions). I just thought this was a cute little kit and I like the patterns on the cats. And finally at the top I have 'Cat Sampler' by Heritage Crafts'. Again, I thought this was just a cute design and the verse is very true!

I've been working on my Antique Animal Sampler too - though I'm pretty disappointed with my progress :( I just didn't feel up to much stitching this past week. I have finished the bottom left corner and will be working on the top left corner today. I haven't taken a progress picture as I have my stitching in a really good position in my frame and couldn't bear to take it out! I have had to order more threads today for it as I've ran out of Schneckley and I'm almost out of Blue Jeans :(

♥

TUSAL May 2013

Not too shabby eh?

♥

Birdhouse Sampler complete

Last week I finished the Birdhouse Sampler....ahhh...such a joy to stitch. As soon as I'd finished I wanted to start another one straight away ^__^ The colours are just so soft and pretty...

Stitched on Zweigart 28 count Ivory evenweave using DMC threads and Mill Hill seed beads.

I've also started work on the Antique Animal sampler...

It's coming along quicker than I imagined :)

The Weeks Dye Works threads are lovely...I think I may need to order more of certain colours but I'll see how I go for now ^^

♥

Stitchy haul and a new stitch

I got me some phat loot.

There's three new charts, all Just Nan - Silver Needle, Song of the Needle and Queen of the needle. I've also ordered the Creativity Sampler but it's not arrived yet :(

Also some fabric and seed beads.

And two new kits - a Mill Hill kit to make a cute stitchers' heart and a sampler from Cousines et Campagnie.

So much to stitch!

Because of my indecision over fabric choice for the antique animal sampler, I decided to stitch something else for a little while. Here is the Birdhouse Sampler. Isn't it just dreamy? *___*

The colours are so pretty and romantic! And it's stitched on my all-time-favourite fabric - 28 count Zweigart Ivory evenweave.

♥

Home is where the cat is

I have finished 'Home is where the cat is' ^^

Stitching was completed last night and I did the padding, framing and lace this morning *super productive*

I'm really pleased with how this has turned out. I'm really lazy when it comes to 'finishing off' pieces so I'm quite proud that I've done this with minimal flapping ^^;

There is also a cloth hanger that you're supposed to attach but the material provided isn't to my taste and I like it as it is too.

Here is a photo of my completed Sampler tote-bag..

It's very cool :D 

It was the plan to start 'Antique Animal Sampler' today.... *ahem* turns out that in the space of one day...the fabric that I bought simply won't do ~___~ I ordered a lighter fabric last night so I'll see how that goes...

♥

Antique Animal Sampler

This past week I have developed something of an obsession with charts from American designers. I don't know why as I've never really paid much attention to them before...something just went 'snap' in my head and then I simply needed everything.

My first foray into this new world of stitching delight is the 'Antique Animal Sampler' by Elizabeth Needlework Designs. I will not lie - the biggest draw is that 'S' is for Silly Monster.

Awesomeness.

One of the things I really liked about this design was the colouring - I don't know if it shows up that well in the photo but the colours are just beautiful. You can use DMC, but the one of the cover is stitched with Weeks Dye Works so I decided I should get them to ensure I get the look I want. I was a bit hesitant at first as it cost £26 *eeek* but they are so so pretty. My favourite colour of them all is 'Gunmetal' which is the least flashy of them - it's a black-grey-muddy mess. There is also a colour called 'Schneckley' which is a nice word to say. The fabric gave me some major stress - I am not good when presented with lots of choice..I simply cannot make a decision :( The chart suggests 40 count beige linen stitching over one. Not happening. I went for 32 count linen stitching over 2. But the colour! Arrggghhh! I couldn't find Weeks 32 count in beige. Zweigart don't do beige - 'Flax' was recommended as a replacement. I have flax. No way was I going to use Flax. After about two hours scouring the internet for colour comparisons (very difficult with different monitor settings etc.) I decided to go with 'Antique Ivory'. It'll do. The colour of the fabric that I want, that is in my head, I'm pretty sure doesn't exist. This happens with wool all the time.

So! I am very excited to start this :D As soon as I have finished Sophie the cat I'm going to dive straight into this :3

♥