Here is a fun exchange….

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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

Here is some of my scissors from my collection.

Nina from Between Crosses

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)

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

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

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

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

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?

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

Sampler Update

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