Aggravating Duplicates - BFF SAL 4

Got to add a bit more 'not blue' this week.  But one particular bit of peachy-terracotta got pulled out and put in twice!  Why, you may ask?  The pattern is apparently making use of the same symbol in two ways... One filled in and one empty.. Next to each other!! And of course I thought I was stitching the only one there!!  It feels like a very lazy thing on the part of the pattern development team, and this particular one has done the same for multiple symbols. Grr!! 

Although I look forward to seeing the pattern grow, in traditional style it has not been as easy or straightforward a stitch as it appears to be.  On the plus side... No backstitch, so when we're done, we're done!!   But that's a lot of weeks in the future now though, not even sure if we'll be done on this one by Christmas!

Check out my BFF's update on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

BFF SAL 3 finish

This one took a while, I had to find the right book for the job. I wanted A4 size so I don't have to squint at my hymn lyrics, and ringbound so that it will lay flat on my music stand.

A bit of creative framing was required when I cut all the sides without realising it would then be too small for the frame mount!!   So now there is a nice little white space to add a title.. How fortuitous!! 

I'm quite happy with how it turned out overall though. And it means I will see the piece every time I use my hymn book. 

Check out my BFF's finished piece too, on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

Feeling blue - BFF SAL 4

We chose this pattern because it looked colourful stitched up.

I know I'm going to love it once there's more colours on there...but oh my word, at the minute all I can think of is that I want to be stitching something other than BLUE!!

Check out my BFF's update on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com for a less blue update. 

Gifted Gorgeousness June

It's the 15th of the month again already... How did that happen?

That means it's time for Gifted Gorgeousness again, we're challenged by Jo over at http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com to post gifts we've stitched, or that were gifted to us.

I feel almost like I'm cheating posting this one, as you've seen it before, back in the Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop on Valentines day.  I loved the piece I received from my Sweetheart even then, and I love it even more now that it is MINE for real, and living in my Happy Place mounted on a book.  Just good luck that my BFF got me to post for, and (editing this after the fact) I know we ended up double - posting for GG, her as a gift giver, me as a lucky recipient! 

Here it is, next to a photo taken in my other Happy Place, our holiday haven of Warkworth, which is now much closer to home! 

I plan to use the book to catalogue my stitches, with maybe a small photo and a brief note about each piece.

I've also been working on a baby sampler as a gift for my young niece, but as it's yet to be finished or gifted, I will wait for a while before I can share that one.

Other gifts may make an appearance in a later post. 

It's a Mystery... BFF SAL 4

Can you tell what it is yet?? Teehee, I have seen the pattern and even to me there is a hint of mystery about it.  I often feel like that at the start of a new stitch.  How can it still feel so mysterious when you have the pattern and the threads and a photo of the finished piece in front of you??

Not letting on quite what this one is yet, in the spirit of mystery.  I will allow only one clue from me... The pattern was sourced from the Cross Stitch Collection magazine in 2004.  I'll let my BFF decide whether she wants to share any other clue beyond that!!

I'm sticking with 14 count Aida and using up a blue from my stash, that my BFF and I both purchased from a craft club many moons ago as part of a 'baby colours' bundle. 

Check out my BFF's update when she's posted on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

Over the line at last - BFF SAL 3 finish

Finally got the last stitches in my BFF SAL piece this week.  Both of us decided to make it somewhat less busy in the way of backstitch than the pattern shows.  I settled for the gold around the cross, to differentiate it from the rest of the backstitch which I loved using the red for.

I'm not quite sure on the final finish for this one, it may be framed or it may become a cover piece for a book with hymns, I did contemplate using it for a prayer card, but I think it's too thick for the fine paper in my Sunday Missal.  I will update the blog again when I decide on a full-finish plan and carry it out!

Check out my BFF's update on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com