bodner017

Yes, was bitten again! Awhile back I did a little exploration on cross stitch,... only stitched a pink parasol and a tiny clothes line.  This time around I've started with a designer pattern, "Count Your Blessings" by Country Cottage Needleworks and I'm using the called for threads. Hoping the stitching of the grass on the chart goes quickly! Since I'm a beginner my choice of fabric is Light Oatmeal Fiddler's cloth aida 14 count , still don't understand well how to start a design on even-weave fabric. I know the concept of two over two or one over two, just don't know how to start the actual stitching... so aida it is for now. A few patterns already made it to my stash, plus I found a few I've put away, few years ago, from that first time trying cross stitch. Being a hand embroidery enthusiast means that my current stash of threads will become very handy. This is how I'm storing my WIP, realized that I do not like folding the aida... it creases...

Obviously I have a thing for birds... how many can you count? This is the pattern I referred to on the previous post... started it and finished it on the same day between chores. This pattern is actually larger, another lovely design by Kathy Schmitz called Tweet Home.  For this little piece I decided to only stitch the top portion of the design.  Printed the pattern onto Sticky Fabri-Solvy (now called Stick-n-Stitch). Using variegated threads in my stash and aiming for only one kind of thread per design, yes there are more stitcheries waiting in line. All small patterns  (that's a 4" hoop) easy to complete and very portable.  Here it is all finished! Didn't fill in the cherries or the birdhouse as in the original pattern. Stitches used: back stitch, fly stitch, running stitch, chain stitch. Fabric: quilt backing from Hobby Lobby. Thread: Artiste embroidery floss/thread. Color: Romance. This skein was one I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby awhile back for only .4...

These past few days were hectic!  Slowly going back to our daily routine, and finally today was able to post this update on Ruth.  Not much done as you can see, but hopefully tonight or tomorrow I'll add a few more stitches to it... definitely need to finish her face to give her some character ;-). FMS flares not yielding, but will not bore you with that. A bit of stitching, some heat/meds combo, and upbuilding audio material will definitely serve as therapy. I started another Kathy Schmitz pattern, or better said, part of one of her patterns. Will post soon about it!  Enjoy the rest of the week!  PS: More information on this pattern at the end of  previous post .