Paisley Designs

Who hooo! Im back!

2010-09-10T06:46:00.000-07:00

Who hooo! Im back!

Life is settling down and I'm back stitching and blogging!

Humbug Exchange

2009-11-25T23:47:00.000-08:00

Hello stitching friends,

I received a parcel with the a pretty humbug yesterday from Mary Jo for the Tine Treasure Exchange we participated in.

Thanks Mary Jo it is gorgeous, also a big thanks for the goodies you have sent with, you are very kind.

And of course Mrs Paisley could not resist to come and see what have arrived.. and it so cute and will be so nice to play with..

I have also completed my humbug, it is the first time I have attempted this funny shape and had no pattern for it - this was really challenging. Well it turned out so nice that I almost could not part with it. I would love to show it to you but my partner have not received it yet and it have to wait..

We have the most gorgeous summer days here in Cape Town. We spend most late afternoons with a picnic dinner and chilled bottle of wine on the beach with the kids and the dog. Aren’t we fortunate and so Blessed.

Have a happy stitching day,

Hugs Ronel

.. so little time to post and so much to share ..

2009-11-25T01:19:00.000-08:00

Shoe, this is the craziest time of the year! Although you should think things are winding down for the festive season – it just seems to get more busy. So busy that I don’t even get time to post here.

I have so much to share and where do I start….?

I will start where I ended my last post and that was the exchange with Lucy. Here is the needle book Lucy stitched for me. She stitched a pretty black work design and finished it with blue fabric and ribbon. Isn’t it beautiful? Thanks Lucy for this quite needle book and the fabulous goodies you have sent with. I really appreciate it.

Carol posted that she have received the ornament I have stitched for her in the Friend Through Threads exchange arranged by Cathy. The pattern is from one of the wonderful cross stitch ornament magazines I received from Cathy this year. I decided to stitch this design in cobalt blue, using Rajmahal thread, I changed the pattern slightly and added some additional mill hill beads for extra sparkle. I also stitch Carol a matching bag for her ornament.

I am bit pressed for time here and will post more tomorrow.

Have a happy day.

Ronel

~o~

Rainy Monday update..

2009-11-09T00:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to you!

We had lost and lots of rain lately, strange for this time if the year as the cold fronts move past us more south and have less of an influence on our warm summer weather. For this time of the year what normally looks like this:-

Looked like this since Thursday last week :-( So no fun to be had on my scooter at the annual Cape Town Scooter Rally this weekend. It was a real disappointment! And some more rain is forecasted for the rest of the week as yet another cold front is moving in:-(

..and I must show you this photo, even he felt cold and miserable (this photo have been taken above University of Cape Town Campus against Table Mountain.

Lynn posted that she have received the parcel I have sent here. Now I can show you the ATC (Artist Trading Card) I have stitched for her birthday:-

Happy stitching, till next time.

Ronel

~o~o~

Exchange with Lucy

2009-11-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

I have met this sweet friend through blogging, you may have come across her blog : Lucy – Made By Me. Lucy sent very generously me some patterns, that I so much have appreciated and also invited me to do a personal exchange with her.

I received an email form Lucy to let me know that her parcel arrived today – so now I can show you what I have stitched for her. I stitched her this cute freebie pattern one over one on cream Irish linen and finished it in a needle book (as she did not have one). I have also stitched her a matching scissor fob, that is too cute!

Lucy, I am so glad you like what I have stitched for you, I am looking forward to your parcel.

So, it is Friday again! Yeaaa! I have lots of stitching and finishing planed for this weekend and this:-

Yes, this is the biggest scooter get together in South Africa. Sounds like great fun and I’m sooo looking forward to it! I will show some picks next week.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

oxo

Collection of Smalls....

2009-11-04T04:43:00.000-08:00

Here is what I have stitched for Cathy in our exchange:-

I thought I will stitch Cathy something special in silk ribbon. I have designed the patterns of each of the pieces myself as I wanted to duplicate little roses and blue flowers in the stitching as it is on the finishing fabric. I thought it turned out rather nicely :) :)

I have also sent Cathy a book recently published by a South African designer:- Via Laurie. Via specialize in various forms of embroidery. She also have a wonderful thread range called Chameleon Threads. In this specific publication she have a beautiful hardanger pattern that I think Cathy will enjoy stitching. I have sent her the threads for the project and hope she love the colours. If you are interested in Via Laurie or Chameleon threads you can see more or order here:-

Till next time, happy stitching dear friends!

Exchange from Cathy

2009-11-03T03:25:00.001-08:00

Hello,

I have received an email last week Wednesday from Cathy that she received the exchange I have stitched for her and on the same day her parcel arrived here! This is our second personal exchange this year. Cathy is a skilled and talented stitcher, you can se some of Cathy’s beautiful work here.

I received this stunning hardanger needle book, scissor fob and scissors from Cathy. Isn’t it beautiful? The stitches, colours and finishing is so perfect! Cathy also sent me some cross stitch magazines, some beautiful cross stitch fabric and other stitching goodies. Cathy also included a stumpwork kit that I cannot wait to stitch!

Thank you so much Cathy the needle book scissors and fob are treasured gifts! You are a dear stitching friend!

Please visit Nina’s blog (another very talented stitcher) she is having a Christmas give away that ends 30 November if you would like to participate.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a happy stitching day!

{{HugS}} Ronel

It's Friday!

2009-10-30T03:23:00.000-07:00

Hello dear stitching friends,

This have been such an awesome week and I cannot believe it is Friday again!

Needle book from Sabine : I received this beautiful needle book from Sabine today. It is part of the Tiny Treasure Exchange (Too). Sabine also sent some wonderful stitching goodies with. Sabine is truly a talented crafter. Thank you Sabine, you spoiled me!

And the complete exchange:-

We have wonderful warm weather here and it seems like summer eventually arrived! We will definitely spend the weekend on the beach. Have a great weekend!

Ronel

xox

2009-10-21T02:46:00.000-07:00

Hiya!

It feels like ages since I have posted here! I have been working on a few exchanges and today I have some stitching to show.

This is a ATC (Artist Trading Card) I have stitched for Marie for her birthday, this is no card no 3 of 9 in the series.

Front of ATC

Back of ATC

Hop over to the Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shop
They have a lovely Fat Quarter Bundle of Red Rooster's Pumpkins & Spice Fabrics by Whimsical give away!! Entries will close at midnight EST on Saturday, October 31st.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a lovely day!
Ronel
xox

PIF! Are you interested?

2009-09-28T00:32:00.000-07:00

Hello dear stitching friends!

I was so lucky to have been chosen as one of Chrizette's PIF recipients!!

So here is my PIF offer! If you would like to be entered into the draw to receive a piece of my hand stitched work within the next 12 months then please leave a comment on this post, I will then enter all the names in a draw on 15th October o9 and reveal the 3 winners.

If you are chosen as one of the winners then you must offer the same on your blog to keep the kindness going!

Good luck!!

I am so Spoiled! I have arrived home today and have been spoiled to a beautiful bunch of flowers from my Hubby! Greg you are the light if my life!

Needle Book from Becky

2009-09-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

I received today a Friends Through Threads exchange from Becky. She stitched it beautifully in my favourite colours and finished it into an Etui. Isn’t it just gorgeous?! Becky also included some fabric and a notebook.

Thank you so much Becky, it is a treasured gift and I love it!

Stumpwork Needle Book for Marie

2009-09-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

Marie e-mailed me and let me know she received her For the Love of Needle Work exchange and she absolutely love it. This is an exchange from the Friends Through Threads blog organised by a wonderful stitching friend. I stitched a little stumpwork design from Jane Nicholas and have changed it by adding a dragonfly and finished it into a needle book. I also stitched her a personalised matching scissor fob that I think Marie will enjoy and made her some matching butterfly pins, just for fun.

Marie it was a pleasure stitching this for you and I am thrilled that you love it so much! I am glad I had the opportunity to spoil you back.

Jelly roll week

2009-09-21T06:00:00.001-07:00

Hello dear stitching friends!

Happy Monday to you! We have a 4 day work week this week! Yeaaa!

Hop over to Sarah's blog the Cutting Table she has an awesome jelly roll give away for her Jelly Roll Week if you are interested. You have to hurry, it's closing soon!!

Tiny Treasure Exchange - Floss Tag

2009-09-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

I received this beautiful floss tag from Karen recently. She did a lovely job and I love the pink and blue floss she choose. Karen also spoiled me with a lovely pattern and a cute note card. Thank again Karen, I love it!

I am so thankful that my blog is fixed, I was so discourage posting here and love being back. Can’t show much stitching I have done myself as I have worked on a few exchanges and have to wait for the surprises to arrive at their owners. So more to show soon! Have a lovely stitching day and God Bless!

xo

Hey Great!!

2009-08-31T05:55:00.000-07:00

Thank you Nita and Janet for testing and leaving a comment!! It is much appreciated! The angels must have fixed it!

{{hugs}} Ronel

It is broken :-(

2009-08-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear Stitching Friends.

You may have noticed that you cannot leave a comment on my blog since July. I have managed to brake my blog spectacularly! Must have been when I loaded a new blog template and something went horribly wrong with my widgets or something?!! I have desperately tried to find somebody in this surreal www to help me with this as I am just to technical challenged to fix this myself. Any ideas on who I can ask for help? Alternatively I need to set-up a new blog :-(

Happy stitching and have a lovely day!

Update on some stitching, this and that..

2009-07-12T03:10:00.001-07:00

Yes, indeed, I was a busy girl. I am in the process of finished some exchanges this past week and I did not waste time to start this cute pattern I received from Marie (thanks again) this is my progress this far.

Although we in the middle of our winter here we have beautiful weather the past few days. My Jasmine even starting flowering early this year!

This week my dear SIL and her family is arriving from England to visit us! It's going to be great with all the family spending time together on holiday!

Have a happy day!

TTE Floss Tag

2009-07-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

We are in the middle of winter here in the southern parts of Africa, and what an awesome time to see snow topped mountains in the distance and a beautiful, blue grey sea.

For an update on some stitching and finishes I can show my little Floss Ring I have stitched for Melissa for the Tine Treasure Exchange. Unfortunately I can't get hold of her to confirm if she has received it. The pattern is a freebie from Plum Street Samplers called “Lovely You” that you can find here. Stitched one over one.

Have a lovely day! {{hugs}} Ronel

At last something to show!

2009-07-08T02:27:00.001-07:00

Hello dear stictching friends, at last I have something to show. Here is my next ATC card (2 of 9) I have stitched and made for Kate for her birthday!

.... and I just have to share with you this photo of Miss Paisley snuggling on the couch. Till next time, R xx

Here is a fun exchange….

2009-06-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

For those who don’t know – I also love playing with paper (and glass and books and and and.. that you can see on my blog My Flat Self ) and a few weeks ago Cindy came up with this fun idea to host a group; ATC Stitching Bloggers Birthday Exchange, that will exchange stitched ATC’s. For those who don’t know ATC = Artist Trading Card - take a peek at some examples here if you are interested. Here is my first card (1 of 9) I have stitched and made for Janet in Malaysia for her birthday!

{hugs} Ronel

Blackbird Design Exchange for Wendy Jo

2009-06-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

I have stitched this lovely little design and finished it in a needle book for Wendy Jo as part of a small stitching group; Friends Through Threads. I have stitched the design on 30 ct. off white Irish linen one over two. I have changed the colours to suit the finishing material of the needle book and think it turned out nicely. I have also made some butterfly pins for the needle book and a small little glass pendant for Wendy Jo.

Have a wonderfull day dear stitching friends!

Black Bird Design exchange from Marie.

2009-06-07T23:41:00.000-07:00

I have joined a small but wonderful group of ladies that shares their love for stitching and I received this wonderful exchange from Marie (please visit her blog here to view her lovely stitching). She stitched this beautiful Black Bird Design pattern in the most gorgeous colours and finished it a floss tag with beautiful berry fabric. She also spoiled me with lots of stitching goodies; wonderful silk ribbon and two lovely patterns that I can’t wait to stitch.

2009-04-29T06:47:00.001-07:00

Not much to report today on stitching I have done as I don’t have my camera with me.

Winter is setting in here in Cape Town and we had our first cold spells with rain. Well, we have to light the fire place and source some good red wine to keep the winter chills away. Maybe soup for dinner tonight…….Mmmm

Edgar from Blacksheep's bit of the Web is having a Give Away for "Lo Rose" sampler pattern. Please visit his blog to see a pick of his lovely finished "Lo Rose" Sampler. If you are keen on the pattern and would like to enter the draw be sure to leave a comment on his post of 27 April.

Till next time. Happy stitching!

Update on some stitching - Natures Circle Stumpwork

2009-04-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have started a stump work design I had on my list to do for some time. The design is called ‘Natures Circle’ and is designed by Petra Pullen form South Africa. The design consist of various fruits, leaves and insects with al the components get stitched on the main fabric and several of the leaves, berries and insects is stitched separately and later attached to the fabric to give a 3d effect.

I started at the top of the design and will work my way down as the thread often get caught on the raised areas - how frustrating! The grapes were fun to do and I still need to attach some tendrils. I have stitched the leaves using long and short stitch in shades of green (DMC) and the berries of the grapes is done in various shades of petite Mill Hill beads. I just love the tiny little bees aren’t they gorgeous?

I have also completed the cherries, using and interesting technique of covering wooden beads with thread and then attach them to the main fabric. I have finished them off with a single Mill Hill bead. The leaves and stems were stitched in satin stitch and stem stitch.

After the cherries I stitched the Raspberries. The berries is embroidered in clusters of french knots on a separate piece of fabric using 2 to 3 strands in various variations of red, pinks and greens, again using mill hill beads to add color and dimension. To secure the berries the shapes are cut out with a 4mm allowance and gathered just inside the raw edge (like you will do a covered button) and secured it to the main fabric with tiny tack stitches.

Here is the total progress to date..

And here is Miss Paisley insisting that her photo is also taken :-)

What fun! I have started on the oranges and strawberries so will do some more posting on my progress. Happy stitching till next time! Bye.

Spoiled!

2009-04-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

I arrived home today to a beautiful bunch of roses from my Darling Hubby! This is a new rose in South Africa called Cherry Brandy aren’t they gorgeous? (Thank you Greg, I love you too!)

My scissors

2009-04-15T00:41:00.000-07:00

Here is some of my scissors from my collection.

Nina from Between Crosses

2009-04-14T01:33:00.000-07:00

Nina from Between Crosses is running an exciting scissor give away. Visit her blog here to enter this draw. Have fun!

Biscornu for Lesley B (TTE)

2009-04-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Here is my biscornu I stitched for Lesley B for the Tiny Treasure Exchange. I have used an Ink Circle black work design and adapted it slightly, stitched on 28ct linen and have used DMC threads. This was my first attempt and think it came out quite nice.

TTE Biscornu

2009-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

WOW! I received this beautiful stitched biscornu from Lynn today. It is stitched in a pretty mauve color with the finest stitches in darker mauve and beads to compliment it. She also included very pretty fabric, ribbon and pretty little flowers. Spoiled! Thank you so much Lynn for the exchange, you are a wonderful stitcher!

Scissor Pocket Finish

2009-03-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

I have completed a Scissor Pocket for my dearest Mon (in-law) as a pressie for her visit to us. I think it turned out nicely. Another finish to my list for March.

Exchange from Cathy B

2009-03-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have received a wonderful exchange from Cathy B this weekend. I just adore the pretty pretty needle roll she has stitched for me. The stitching and finishing is done in the most amazing blues, greens and browns on a fine coffee colour linen. It is perfect and the photo is not doing it justice.

She also spoilt me with wonderful extra goodies. The ribbon is super, thanks. The patterns and the 2 little kits are wonderful and a special thanks for the magazine! She also very kindly included chocolates and yummy coffee.

Thank you so much for suggesting this exchange Cathy, I am really honoured to have shared some embroidery with you, and you made this such an amazing experience for me. BIG HUGS!

Personal exchange with Cathy Boyd

2009-03-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

After enquiring about joining the HOE (Hooked on Exchange) I was invited by Cathy Boyd, Maplewood, Minnesota to do a personal exchange with her. I really felt honoured to be her first South African exchange partner. We decided to keep the choice of item, theme and type of embroidery open. This was my very first exchange and I was really anxious on what to stitch for her, so I decided on a name tag and scissor fob with a little bag to keep it in. It is custom in South Africa to wear a name tag to all our embroidery events/classes and I thought she would enjoy a name tag as she also likes to attend embroidery classes and workshops. I stitch the name tag, fob and bag in stump work as she loves hardanger and cross stitch and I thought having something different will be nice for her. I have used designs from Jane Nicolas - Fruits and Flowers Stump Work Collection and adapted them slightly to fit the name tag, bag and scissor fob, stitched on off white linen and I have used DMC threads and Mill Hill beads.

Thank you Cathy, this was such fun doing my first exchange with you. I love stitching these items and putting the exchange together for you. Thank you also for making me feel so welcome and sharing your passion for stitching with me.

Who is Paisley?

2009-03-12T03:55:00.000-07:00

Paisley is our adorable Siamese kitty. I suppose not a kitty anymore as she turned 2 recently :-):-) :-)

Sampler Update

2009-03-05T03:06:00.000-08:00

Time for a sampler update:-

My sampler has celebrated 3 birthdays: Brother Louis (1 Mar), Mom Val (4 Mar) and my Dad (5 Mar).

I have also completed my first doodle: Chain Stitch

On bits and pieces of sewing/embroidery in boxes...

2009-02-28T07:27:00.000-08:00

On bits and pieces of sewing/embroidery in boxes :-) I recently came across on the blog of Sharon B in Australia on a sampler she is stitching called “For the love of stitching” on her blog you can see here. I have dig out all my odds and ends embroidered pieces I have sewed (that never made it into a final finish product and usable item), measured them and came up with a size band sampler (13cm wide) that can accommodate most of them sewed together. Some bits are not wide enough and I will add on pretty fabric to make up 13cm and others are too wide that I need to trim down. My band sampler is called “Embroidery Doodles and Stitching Diary” and here's the start to it...

I have used 28ct linnen that I have colored with some silk paint and added a pretty piece of quilting fabrick. I would like to repeat the pattern in some of the stitching.

On the frame.... I'm itching to start!

Official start date : 28 February 2009 of my Sampler : Embroidery Doodles and Stitching Diary

Look what I found!

2009-02-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

I found these pretty antique little hat pins from a boot sale market in Cape Town. As the saying goes “Other peoples junk is the next owner’s treasure”. They do need some tender loving care and restoring, but they will be treasured as part of my collection.

Shopping at “The Quilting Bug”

2009-02-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

We have a lovely shop here in Cape Town: The Quilting Bug. I just could not resist the beautiful fabrics and just had to get some more for my treasure. Pretty hey?!

Update on some sewing done

2009-02-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

Although I have done lots I can’t show it here as it has to get posted of to my stitching partners. But here is a piece of stumpwork I can show. The dragonfly’s wings is still in progress..

Shannon's Heart Ornament

2009-02-22T08:31:00.001-08:00

Finally got around to do a post. Here is pics of Shanmon's Heart Ornament finnished this month.

Embroidered Craft/Knitting Bag

2009-02-09T03:09:00.000-08:00

This is a 2008 project I thought I will add to the blog. I have made my darkling mother in law Val a craft/knitting bag as a Christmas gift for 2008. She is a keen crafter herself and never leaves home without a project that she now can carry around in style. I have stitched it on 28 ct DMC linen and have finished it with pretty grey-green fabric inside. I have attached pretty little scissors and scissor fob and also stitched several pockets inside the bag to hold needles, charts etc. I have designed the garden of flowers and tree myself and have stitched it in a combination of silk ribbon and DMC threads. The pattern of the bag is available, should anyone be interested - email me:)My apologies:- :-( the photos is not such a good quality as she took them with her cell phone and sent them on to me. The really do not do the bag justice! I will update them soon with better ones.

New Stitching Friend and Fellow Geocacher!

2009-02-06T00:51:00.000-08:00

I have made another stitching friend today (Vondalee P, Washington, US)! and How Cool is this : She is also a Geocacher! We just have to invite her and her hubby to South Africa to come and enjoy some sunshine, geocaching and stitching!

Have made good progress yesterday on some stitching for Cathy B personal exchange, but cannot show the surprise just yet! :) will post pic of finished item here later!

Cross Stitch Scissor Fob

2009-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

I have finnished my cross stitch scissor fob today. I have stitched it on 14ct Aida with DMC No 4030 and Mill Hill petite glass beads No 40332.

Stumpwork

2009-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Stiching Friend from USA

2009-01-30T11:10:00.000-08:00

I have met a new stitching friend this week:- Cathy B from Minnesota USA. She is also my first personal exchange friend - very exciting! Looking forward in stitching her something special with an Africa theme!

Tiny Treasure Exchange

2009-01-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

I have joined the Tiny Treasure Exchange today. I'm sorry I missed the first exchange but hope to join the next.

http://tinytreasuresexchange.blogspot.com/