Claire93's Blog

more bookmarks – I think I’ve lost count ^^

claire93 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:52:24 +0000

I have lost count of how many bookmarks I have in my collection as I forgot to number the latest photos, but I must be close to 300. Here are the two newest arrivals, from a forum friend, La Grande Sauterelle.

“a rose by any other name” – chupin’s Xstitch free

claire93 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:34:47 +0000

I’ve been messing around with my Jane Greenoff software again instead of stitching lol. I have actually finished a second geometric design, after the success of “Hearts in a square”, but my new baby isn’t ready to show you yet because I want to stitch it up first.

However, I have also been messing around looking at clipart sites, where some pictures are copyright free and I came across a lovely rose sketch that I thought would be fun to chart. I’ve kept it relatively small (approx 75 x 110 stitches) and charted just in one colour. The beginning of a Shakespeare quote was added (because I thought it looked a bit empty otherwise) and hey presto

If you fancy a copy, just leave a comment with your request and I will send pdf file via email.

“Hearts in a square” by Lilubelle

claire93 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:05:23 +0000

Another gorgeous rendition to show you of my “Hearts in a square” design. This is Lilubelle’s stitching, with a lovely turquoise variagated thread and chocolate coloured seed beads for some of the details.

Lilubelle is planning on finishing off her stitching into a biscornu. So am looking forward to seeing that ^^

“Sunbonnet” appliqué patchwork block

claire93 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:37:11 +0000

Last time I posted photos of patchwork, I had just finished my second block and was making a start on the third – a cottage motif on which I am supposed to be stitching all the detail before stuffing with wool and wadding. I have to admit that it’s slow going and I’m not even half-way through stitching the motif because it honestly doesn’t inspire me very much, so I’ve put it to one side. Instead I decided to tackle blocks 4 and 5 which are “sunbonnet” appliqué designs: a little girl and a little boy. They don’t inspire me much either lol but the whole point in joining a patchwork club is to LEARN different techniques, so I’m trying to put personal taste to one side and just learn.

I am actually pleasantly surprised with the way my first appliqué has turned out. Stitching isn’t perfect, and I haven’t quite mastered curves (as can be seen especially on the hat). Anyway, here is my ”sunbonnet girl”

She’s not quite finished as I’m thinking of adding some lace to edge the bottom of her dress and the cuff of her sleeve. However, I am rather pleased with the embellishment on her hat: a yoyo made with the same heart fabric as her dress with a little cherry button in the centre.

Next block to work on will be “sunbonnet boy”. pieces are all cut out and tacked, so now I know what I’m doing, the appliqué part should go quite smoothly.

a free “laladoll” by Isabelle Haccourt Vautier

claire93 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:09:47 +0000

One of my favourite French designers, Isabelle Haccourt Vautier, is offering us a sneak preview of a future design AND at the same time, a free monochrome chart of a new “Laladoll”. You can download it from her blog Isabelle Haccourt Vautier

Here is the original drawing that she displays on her blog

“Hearts in a square” – Corinne’s version

claire93 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:01:46 +0000

Another French friend Corinne has finished stitching my little “Hearts in a square” design, using Threadworx 10031.

Very pretty in blue ^^

“Hearts in a Square” – my version

claire93 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:58:27 +0000

I have had dozens and dozens of requests for my little chart: “Hearts in a Square” both here and on my French blog – thank you for showing so much interest ^^ I hope to see photos in the not-too-distant future of other people’s stitching, but in the meantime, I can show you MY version ^^

Stitched on 27 count, ivory ”Linda” evenweave, over one, using one strand of Les Fils du Rhin thread “Black Tulip”. My version is just under 6cm square. I now need to decide how I’m going to finish it off. Not sure yet whether to just put it in a small square frame or to make a pinkeep.

Easter SAL on Liselotte’s blog

claire93 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:27:48 +0000

There’s a new SAL starting on 1st February on a French blog – http://www.liselottebroderies.com/

Liselotte designs her own charts, and is organising this SAL to run for 6 weeks (with charts available to download from her blog each week). You are free to stitch all or just a few . . . it’s a very relaxed affair.

Here is what Liselotte has concocted to get us ready for Easter.

I probably won’t be stitching all six, but I’m rather smitten with the rabbit (or is it hare?) and the two with hearts.

“Home is where the heart is” – stitchers’ gallery

claire93 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:02:01 +0000

I was joined by almost 30 ladies on my French blog for a quick SAL over 4 weeks at the start of this year, stitching “Home is where the heart is”. Here are photos of some of the finishes

my version (which I’ve already posted)

Joce – who added a heart button to her bookmark

Dephine who had the most wonderful idea – to finish off as a calendar . . . think I might try that for next year

Nalex made a little decorative cushion

petite mumu who also finished off into a bookmark, but hers is with blue backing ^^

Hélène

Sainte Chérie’s rendition of “hearts in a square”

claire93 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:04:17 +0000

I have been totally amazed at the positive response my little “Hearts in a Square” chart has brought – thank you ladies for requesting the chart, it really brings a big smile to my face to know that there are stitchers out there who like it enough to want to stitch it. I, myself, haven’t finished my version yet – but I should be able to post a photo in the next few days to show you.

I do have a photo of the stitched piece to show off, however, thanks to Sainte Chérie http://saintecherie.over-blog.com/ a friend on a French forum. She asked for the chart on Friday, and by Saturday evening she had finished. When I saw the result, I went “Wow !!!” and couldn’t believe I’d designed something that looks so spectacular lol.

Sainte Chérie stitched on 28 count white Jubilee with a hand-dyed thread from l’Atelier du pic vert in “Nuit en forêt” blue but the icing on the cake, is all those little seed beads she pain-stakingly added.