April Update

So, you think I've stopped doing anything altogether, don't you? Well, that's not exactly true - I have done a few things.

One is that I've finished Helga and Barbara's Back on the Road Again mystery. This was such a fun project. It is the first mystery stitch along that I've ever been a part of, and think that the smaller sections and the bright colors made it easier for me to complete.





I've also done part 2.2 of Pam's Valentine Mystery. I'm so far behind, but do plan to finish the project.





I've also started on April's Bride's Tree ornament - which seems to be moving along rather quickly... so maybe it won't be SO long before the next post! If you're interested, go over to the Bride's Tree blog to see what all the others are doing!

Rotation Time

Update 4/6/08

I just learned today that the Mystery Chart for this projejct is now on sale at Creative Poppy with proceeds going to benefit Save the Children.

I finished the second part of the wXSw, Back On the Road Again Mystery. This is such great fun, I could go on and on, but alas, there are other things in the rotation that must come along, too. After reading a comment from another person on the list about making a tote bag from this, I believe that is what I'll do as well. It's so bright and colorful, wouldn't that be SO cute?

I've started the February Bride's Tree ornament - True Love Heart. I also ran into another chart of them today that I couldn't resist... Collecting again!! Perhaps I'll make another series of them...for whom, I do not yet know!!

Another Mystery

I'm a member of the wXSw yahoo group - Wonderful Cross Stitch World - and one of the things we could participate in is a cross stitch project, 2008 On the Road Again Mystery. One section of a chart is made available at various intervals of time. I believe three parts of four have been made available, but I've just finished Part I. This cute design was created by Barbara Ana and Helga Mandl. If I remember correctly, January 15 was the sign-up deadline to receive the free mystery charts, but it will be available later for sale. The designers have said that all profits from the sale of this chart will go to charity.

I have really enjoyed stitching this piece. It is done on 14ct Aida in a muted, darker tone. It came from my old stash, so I don't know the exact name. DMC threads are used, and gave me my first opportunity to work with the Variations line. I LOVE them. They differ from variegated, made up of tones of the same color. Variations have tones of coordinating colors. The roof and heart both use Variations, and there will be more in upcoming sections!! Stay tuned...

Stitching This Week

I've been doing a little stitching this week. Since the last time I posted...

The Santa Tree designed by Helga (c) Helga Mandl Designs, 2007) is finished. I think these are so adorable! This is stitched on 18ct Aida using 2 strands of DMC floss.

This is almost finished. It's one of the little ornament kits I've been stitching for Christmas to share with coworkers. Gotta stay busy on this track if they're to be done in time.

We finish work on Thursday, December 20 at 3:00 pm and go back on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. WooHoo! Can hardly wait!!

Organizing Threads

There were some questions about the storage container I mentioned during a recent post, and someone (Courtney) asked if I'd post a picture of it and the shoe box containers as well. Here they are... I'll post more after I've gone through organizing my sewing room again, probably after Christmas.


This is the 60-drawer unit I got from Northern Tools in which to sort DMC threads numerically.

This is just a closer picture of the drawers that are occupied.

This is the five-drawer rolling cart I use for my 'fancy' threads,

and this is the plastic 'shoe box' to separate colors or make more convenient to carry to the working area - usually in front of the TV.

wXSw Admission

I'm going to make an admission - you will think I'm blind or have some other brain impairment, I'm sure! Let me preface this by saying when I look at clouds, I see all sorts of things - angels, pigs, turtles, dinosaurs, etc. During all the time I've been looking at Helga's lovely tree designs, it never occurred to me why the designs are named, USA Tree (which I had already stitched), Canada Tree, Joy Tree, Santa Tree until someone said they didn't mind that the tree said Santa... Well, duh! It's right there, isn't it?

Wonderful Cross Stitch World

I am having so much fun with the wXSw yahoo group - yes, I'm off on another tangent. Thank you, Susan, for introducing me to it! As I said in a previous post, the wonderful cross stitch designer, Helga of Helga Mandl Designs is the host of this group, and she periodically provides her designs to members for stitch alongs! There are other designers, too. I'll become familiar with their names as we go along, I'm sure! Thank you so much, designers, for sharing your wonderful work with us!

Here are the latest couple of patterns that I have stitched. Will post details later when I can get in to Yahoo Groups!!

Aren't these elf socks cute? They're stitched on 14 ct with 2 strands DMC. I changed the colors a bit from the original, but the effect is the same, I think.

© 2007 Helga Mandl Designs. All rights reserved.






This Swirly Tree is stitched on 14 ct with 3 strands DMC. I think I strayed a bit from the pattern, but close enough ...


© 2007 Helga Mandl Designs. All rights reserved.

Cross Stitch

~~~ Updated 11/23/07 ~~~

I finished another part of Santa's Closet yesterday - his Boots. I was so hasty in getting the picture, I had not cut them apart, but they're finished except for that!

I had a conversation with Susan about scans or photos for more clarity in beaded pictures. The photos below are scans. These with gold edging are photographs. What is your opinion?



I finished Santa's Coat last night. Again, the scarf was done as separate pieces attached with stitches to the collar of the coat. It's about 3x4 or so.

It has been SO long since I did any cross stitch, but I decided to do a few ornaments for Christmas presents this year. It has been a lot of fun beginning to work on them! 11/17/07

This is the little Gingerbread Man 3 x 4.



And what a cute beaded Santa - 2 x 3.25. Santa's Closet is the name of for this Mill Hill grouping - there are six. I'm working on his jacket now. These are done on perforated paper. I was surprised that the 'boggan was worked separately then attached to the head.