Pear Tree
25 Jan 2010 6 Comments
in Cross-Stitch, LHN Ornaments, Needlebook, Needlework, Ornaments Tags: Cross-Stitch, LHN Ornaments, Needlebook, Needlework, Pear Tree
Don’t know why I undertook this series of ornaments. I am working on the two year’s too late wedding quilt now as well. But…with the bitter cold winter wind blowing outside….it’s nice to be warm and cozy in the house with my needlework in the evening after working at the office all day.
Here is the second in the series of LHN ornaments for the year 2010. This is January’s ornament….Pear Tree. I made two of them both on 36 ct. linen. One as a traditional ornament to save for my tree next year and one made into a needlebook for my dear friend, Maggy, who just had a birthday.
A jute-type braid was chosen for the trim. Makes it look simple, yet pretty. The backing is a dark green wool. Easy to finish as well.
Here is the needlebook. I like the needlebook idea. This pattern just called for something like this with the mini-sampler theme. I think Maggy liked it as much as I did.
Just love needlebooks…use them all the time.
Just received in the mail LHN February ornament snowman pattern from Anita’s Little Stitches (a very nice shop with a very nice owner). WOW…hope I don’t get behind. Next post I will show you a couple of special gifts I received in the mail recently. A bientot, Averyclaire
Finished Needlework
18 Dec 2009 7 Comments
in Autumn, Christmas, Cross-Stitch, Needlework, Ornaments, Pincushion Tags: Autumn, Christmas Ornaments, Cross-Stitch, Needlework, Pincushion
My Santa ornament is a pattern from Drawn Thread. It took a little longer to finish, but it is a lovely design. I especially love the backside of the ornament…Peace and Joy. Says it all for the season.
I adore this little Scotty dog. It is a gift for someone and I couldn’t post it until I was sure it was received. Tartan is one of my favorites. This pattern is from the magazine Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament edition for 2009.
This reindeer was a freebie ornament from last year that I didn’t get around to working on until now. It only took a couple of hours to complete the entire piece including finishing. I have no idea who designed it and I don’t remember where it came from, but I think it’s lovely. I did add a bit of holly and berry to the original pattern.
Finished in time for Halloween was my little “Humbug.” I do not know why it is called a humbug…perhaps someone out there knows. But it was quick to stitch…done on a rectangular small piece of fabric then sewed into this triangular shape. Makes a cute little pincushion. There is going to be a series of these “humbugs”…the next one coming out in January (House of Stitches will have it). I love the little owl pin that went with it. I have a little robin as well. 
I hope by this time next year I will have been able to actually design some of my own ornaments! But for now I have truly enjoyed the fruits of others hard work and talent. Hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season and preparations for a blessed Christmas.
A bientôt….Averyclaire
PIF Gifts Mailed to Recipients
07 Nov 2009 7 Comments
in Award, Cross-Stitch, Embroidery, Friendship, Gifts, Quilting Tags: Cross-Stitch, Friends, Gifts, Needlework, Quilting
Here are two gifts I made and finally completed for a Pay It Forward. Last Fall I received a Pay It Forward award (a lovely temari ball) from Jane at World Embroideries and now after eleven months, I have finally sent my Pay It Forward awards to the two people who won them on my blog. For Anne at Nanouanne, I made a needlework biscornu. I forgot to take a photo of the biscornu I made, but Anne took a lovely photo of it and she is letting me use her photo for my blog.
And for Karol at Rosebud’s Stitching I made a small Amish Friendship Basket Wall Hanging. I forgot to take a photo of Karol’s finished gift as well, but here is a photo of one exactly the same as I made for Karol…only Karol’s had a different binding.
Both items were made in friendship. I chose a quilted piece for Karol because she is an expert needleworker and is not a quilter that I know of. And for Anne who does lovely quilting and is an artist in many areas including Art Trading Cards, I thought to make a cross-stitched piece because I don’t think she does cross-stitching. I just wanted their gifts to be different. It was a fun thing to do to send a surprise in the mail. Amities, Averyclaire
Sunflower Inn Modified
04 Nov 2009 7 Comments
in Cross-Stitch, Family, Needlework Tags: Cross-Stitch, Family, Needlearts, Needlework
When I saw this needlework pattern, I knew that I had to have it and modify it to fit the gift I planned. My son and daughter-in-law have overnight guests at their home nearly every weekend. And she adores sunflowers. In her guest room she always has small vases of sunflowers or sunflower-like flowers. The pattern words said “Sunflower Inn.” So I modified it by adding the line to say “Mike and Mich’s Sunflower Inn.” I can’t wait to give it to them. Of course it still needs framing, but at least the stitching is done. This is a “Little House Needleworks” pattern appropriately named Sunflower Inn. I stitched it on 32 ct Belfast cream linen with DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads. It worked up fairly quickly and I am delighted with the result. I am quite sure that the Christmas surprise will be a special one.
My photos of needlework never seem to come out with true colors. Do any of you photographers out there have some suggestions for me and my point and shoot camera? I usually lay my pieces on a black velvet board to take the photos. I have tried a couple of the different settings on the camera but can’t seem to get just the right one. I have an Olympus 1010. I’d appreciate any advice anyone can give.
Here’s a closeup of one of the little sunflowers. I love it. Well…on to the next project.
Happy Halloween
25 Oct 2009 8 Comments
in Autumn, Embroidery Tags: Autumn, Needlework
It’s been a long time since I have posted…I have missed all of you. Thought I would wish everyone an absolutely lovely Autumn (it will be done before we can blink our eyes)…and here’s hoping that all of you have a Happy Halloweeen. Averyclaire
New Sampler
23 Feb 2009 4 Comments
in Cross-Stitch, French, Needlework Tags: Cross-Stitch, French, Needlework
Can’t understand where my days go anymore. It seems there is little time for surfing all your blogs that I love so much, little time for sewing, embroidery, quilting, and all the rest. Just working at the office seems to consume my days and leaves me exhausted at night with my eyes too crossed to see clearly to do much of anything. It’s beginning to sound like a broken record to me. However….
Here is a little bit of heaven I found at The Stitcher’s Garden in Colorado. It’s by a french designer by the name of Isabelle Vautier. Francophile that I am, I couldn’t resist. It’s been a long time since I’ve done a sampler. Don’t you just love my “BEE”…I think it’s grand. The sampler should finish to about 12.9 inches by 5.5 inches. The pattern shows it in red thread, but I chose a cream Belgian Linen, 32 count, with green Threadworx overdyed floss. I love the one shaded color, but I preferred the green to the red. It is coming along slowly as I am trying to do a couple of other projects as well.
The Stitcher’s Garden carries lots of french patterns…lots of different assorted styles. I haven’t seen french needlework patterns at any shops near me, so this one has been really fun for me.
Needlework Update
09 Jan 2009 3 Comments
in Needlework Tags: Needlework
Here again is a photo of my slow, but steady, progress on my “violets” needlework. It has been relaxing to sit in the morning and evening, before and after work, doing a bit of stitching. The sparkle of the Kreinik blending filament is lovely and the Kreinik braid (which I had never used) is quite delightful as well. I wish I had more hours to work on it. Alas the office beckons.
Michael is coming home from the hospital today. He needs to be flat on his back for two weeks. But Michelle has rented a recliner chair that reclines flat and also automatically will bring him into a standing position. Smart lady. I love her dearly. Thank you again for your continued prayers….no sign of infection yet.
We are expecting a lot of snow today 4-8 inches. For Chicago, this is not a big thing. We are used to having crazy snowy, cold winters. But my heart goes out to all of you who live in the Northwest, Washington state has had devastating weather. If any of us bloggers can offer our prayers or support in any way, please let us know.
Happy New Year
01 Jan 2009 1 Comment
in Christmas, Family, Needlework Tags: Christmas, Needlework, New Year
Best wishes for a beautiful new year that is filled with laughter, good health and many blessings!
My holidays were lovely, fun, and filled with laughter. Although I was very sad that my son and his wife were unable to be with us this Christmas. Maybe next year.
We had a fun Christmas Eve with the family. We attended a service for Christmas Eve where Santa made a surprise visit and paid homage before the manger with the children. It was beautiful.
On Christmas morning we had a lovely breakfast with our daughter and her family, and last night we enjoyed a quiet New Year’s Eve at home.
In the needlearts department . . . over the holidays I began working on a surprise for my sister-in-law. My DH’s mother, Violet, died last spring after a brief bout with uterine/cervical cancer. She lived a long, full life and passed away at the age of 87. Last month my friend, Marjorie, gave me some old magazines. In one of them I found a cross-stitch pattern of Violets done on a lovely English Rose Jobelan. My SIL is having a hard time with the passing of her MOM (as we all are), but I thought this saying would be a nice remembrance for her. The stitching will say “The Violet, a lady with a charm, grace, and beauty all her own. I will show my progress as I complete it. Here’s the first photo.
Here are the earrings that Marjorie made for me as a gift. They are lovely, Swarovski crystal trees. I loved wearing them over the Christmas holiday and received lots of compliments. Thanks Marjorie.
Here is a photo of the manger my mother had when I was a little girl. While my heritage is English, this set came from Germany and I wil treasure it always.
And as I sit here in front of my computer and contemplate putting away all the Christmas decorations and tree….I am still sitting in front of it enjoying the beauty and peace of the season. Maybe in a week or so I will be ready.
A Breath of Kindness
22 Aug 2008 1 Comment
in Needlework, Reflection Tags: Needlework, Reflection
“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.”
I did this needlework (a quote from George Eliot) many years ago for a good friend. That friend has since passed away and the needlework came back to me. It is mounted on brown velvet, done on linen with frayed the edges. I added the stalk of wheat to signify the chaff and grain. I will treasure it always and the friendship it was meant to signify.
I learned last night that my friend with cancer was put in the hospice program, less than one week after the fundraising benefit. It made me think of this needlework and I wanted to share this quote with everyone.
Needlework
13 Aug 2008 2 Comments
in Needlework Tags: Cross-Stitch, Needlework
I am inspired by many things in life and have a variety of needlework interests. To be observant to all around me is a passion. And so my needlework reflects so much of what is in my life at any given moment. The cross-stitched Navajo weaving came about from a trip to New Mexico and Arizona. The punchneedle chicken came from my passion for all things French. And the embroidered pumpkin was a result of my love for Autumn, its crisp cool weather and the beautiful Fall colors. I thank my mother for making me a person who senses so much and sees with the heart rather than the eyes.
