It always seems like Summer to me when Memorial Day is over. Time for sunshine, warm/hot days, swimming, garden flowers in bloom, kids out of school, ice cream (lots of it), and long lazy walks.
A day late, but in the mood for a “patriotic summer” I completed a few smalls. The first one is a free design by Barbara Ana and retrieved from the “files” of the Facebook page group entitled “Star Spangled Stitchers.” I made some small alterations to the pattern, added the red stitching along the border, and stitched it on 35ct. Abecedarian linen.
This next one is called Flag and Liberty designed by Glory Bee (also a freebie from www.glorybeestitch.com). This one is done on 28ct. white Lugana. I did choose my own DMC colors.
A few weeks ago I did another patriotic small called Itty Bitty America by Twisted Threads. It was done on 25ct. Dublin Linen over one thread using the called for colors. The cording was made by me using three skeins of the same red/white/blue flosses. That was a real trick trying to make cording using three colors!
Along with the patriotic pieces, I did a “summer” one. It is called Itty Bitty Bee by Twisted Threads, but it is not so itty bitty. I did not do it over one. It is done on cream colored 32 ct. linen over two threads. I love bee embroideries and decided I should have some of my own. Voila!
Getting back to my PHds (projects half done), during the last month I did manage to finish my Lily of the Valley Collage (designer is Laura J. Perrin). This was one of my first canvas pieces in many years. It was a challenge for me, since I have done only old-fashioned tent stitch needlepoint. I love Lilies of the Valley and this is already framed with a lovely white-washed frame and is hanging in my bedroom. The colors are not quite as true as they should be…I am experimenting photographing with my IPhone.
Next I had framed my long ago finished Eiffel Tower cross-stitch. This is a pattern from Le Jardin Prive. The DMC colours were done with three different shades of blue. The navy blue frame and mat is absolutely gorgeous with it. And the slightly sanded edges that show the light colored wood underneath, bring out the cream colored background. It is SO HARD to photograph with glass covering the pieces, but it did not turn out too bad especially since it is done with an IPhone!
Well that’s it for now. I still have a lot of work on unfinished items, but the big king sized quilt is coming along, not so the red and white one, nor the pink rose pin cushion. I must get busy! Amities, Averyclaire
Averyclaire 
Margaret
May 25, 2015 @ 19:30:22
All of your stitching looks wonderful! Beautiful work! I take pics with my iphone too. Taking pics of framed pieces with glass is always difficult!
Elizabeth Janzen
May 25, 2015 @ 22:05:22
Oh Karen, I feel like I should be singing “The Star Spangled Banner”. Your work, as always, is perfect. What a wonderful tribute to Memorial Day to make even this Canadian feel patriotic to the “Red, White and Blue”.
I love your little bumble bee pillow as well. It’s a perfect welcome to summer. And the lily of the valley and Eiffel Tower are beautiful in their frames. You did a great job of photographing your work. Looking forward to the next update.
Claudine Colmont
May 25, 2015 @ 22:34:29
Lovely work! bravo – amitiés
barbaralilian
May 26, 2015 @ 00:38:27
Such beautiful work. Love the busy bee. enjoy your time with your family during the summer months.
Nanouanne
May 26, 2015 @ 11:47:03
Thank you Karen for letting us admire your sweet cross-stitch work. I especially like the lily of the valley one. You know, I still keep your lovely biscornu in our main room.
Annie
May 26, 2015 @ 13:07:08
Love those patriotic pieces. I’m a huge Barbara Ana fan. Your canvas work is gorgeous. So much fun to do a variety of stitches. And just a perfect frame for your Eiffel Tower.
You certainly have been busy creating the pretties!
Southpaw Stitcher
May 26, 2015 @ 18:48:02
You don’t need to GET busy, you have been busy! So many lovely finishes! I ran to print out the Barbara Ana design after I saw your WIP,and it’s now in my to-do pile–you are an inspiration, too. Can’t wait to see your quilt when it’s finally finished.
Virtual Quilter
May 26, 2015 @ 20:07:39
Wow, Lots of beautiful work.
Jackie
May 27, 2015 @ 06:30:48
My iphone pics are not as good as yours! Good job photographing the framed/glassed project – that can be quite difficult!
It’s my plan to stitch the Barbara Ana project too. What other changes did you make?
stitchingthedream
May 27, 2015 @ 07:37:26
I love the finishing of your cushions, they look amazing. Finishing my sewing off is something I really struggle with but you have given me some brilliant ideas. Thank You
Carla
May 27, 2015 @ 18:14:59
Gorgeous!
Sheryl
May 28, 2015 @ 06:50:11
Pretty stitchng and finishing. My favourite is the design by Barbara Anne, such pretty colours.
Brigitte
May 29, 2015 @ 04:12:41
All the little pillows that you created are so lovely. I love making little pillows myself and can’t get enough of them, there are so many ways to finish them. I love the way how you finished the Barbara Ana one and use this way sometimes, too.
Lilies of the Valley is looking gorgeous, just as the Eiffel tower.
debrapugh
Jun 21, 2015 @ 08:20:18
These are all gorgeous. Your work is exquisite!
Deb from Frugal Little Bungalow
Quilter Kathy
Jun 21, 2015 @ 09:53:52
So beautiful… my favourite is the bee photo 🙂
Gail
Jun 21, 2015 @ 11:06:49
I love those little bee hives on the bee pincushion!
Sarah
Jun 21, 2015 @ 12:23:32
Beautiful work, thank you for sharing!
CathieJ
Jun 21, 2015 @ 15:58:00
I love all of your stitching and your finishes have given me some ideas form my own stitching.
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow & The Sacred Eclectic
Jun 21, 2015 @ 16:34:31
I came back over to find your irish chain. Magnificent! The applique border is just amazing!
And then the red and white quilt that you are machine quilting…I feel your pain! 🙂 I wrestle with nothing larger than a pillow cover when I machine quilt. My neck and shoulders advised me about that 🙂
Deb from Frugal Little Bungalow
thistlecovefarm
Jun 25, 2015 @ 19:49:02
Your smalls are very pretty; love the work of your hands and heart. Summer just arrived and is already speeding by. Or is that life in general?