Rose Angel by Just Nan

This is a Filagree Fancies kit published by Just Nan long long time ago. It makes a wonderful ornament one of these days when I can dig up my sewing machine. Fabric is 28ct natural linen.

Christmas Treat Bag by Shepherd's Bush

Stitch ct: 37W x 55H

This is a kit published in 1998 by Shepherd's Bush. By now, I have all four treat bag designs. Including this one, I stitched three out of the four and have not given away any! An unusual for me. Fabric is 32ct natural linen.

'T was the Night before Christmas by JBW Designs

Stitch ct: 68W x 43H

This is a limited kit published in 1998 by The JBW Collection. The kit came with an adorable tuck pillow made with festive holiday design fabric. Very lovely and easy to stitch this one. Sampler threads were used here: Oatmeal, Cherry Wine, Celery, Evergreen, and Blue Spruce. Fabric is 28ct Natural Light from Wichelt.

Joyous Christmas by Drawn Thread

Stitch ct: 63W x 63H

I purchased this old design (published in 1994) from another stitcher just this past year. She put the entire kit together.Needle Necessities Overdyed floss used in this design included Razzle Dazzle Red, Biritish Green, and Mocha Fudge for the log cabin. Fabric used is 36 ct "Dirty" Edinborough Linen.

Christian's Snowman by Shepherd's Bush

Size: 100H x 62W

What an adorable piece! I love it. The colors are so lovely. The incentive to finish this one is definitely higher, even with all the work over the Thanksgiving holidays. The kit came with 32 ct unbleached Glenshee linen.

Elegant Stripes Stocking by The Thread Gatherer

Size: 77H x 53W

I bought this all kitted project from another stitcher. It used Silk n' Color (Forget me Knot) and Sheep's Silk (white). I know this is the main reason I picked up this one. The fabric is 18ct evenweaven white, not much character there. I should have used something a little more unusual. The white is too fair to reflect the clear beads on the stocking. But I love the color of "Forget Me Not". The finishing work can be challenging.

Patch Pals by Silver Needle

Size: 43H x 63W

This project was a drag! It took me forever to stitch it. Not quite sure of the reason, must be traveling too much. I love these secret needle night projects though! Working on big count fabric after linen is a treat. I get to try out the fun fibers too. For this project, the fun threads used in the designs are overdyed flosses from Weeks and Gentle Art, as well as a touch of Impressions from the Caron Collection, plus black metallic from the Rainbow Gallery. Fabric is 10 ct Wild Honey Heatherfield.

Happy Halloween by Elizabeth's Designs

This is one of the kit from the first year Flowers & Friends club. I have it for the longest time. Finally, this is the year to have it off my list. I really like the final product better than the picture on the kit. I made one variation. It is the first border inside the bat border. It is done using the Olde Willow overdye floss. The name of the color is "Cat's Eyes". Neat, isn't it?

The Acorn Sampler by The Drawn Thread

Even though Drawn Thread is one of my favorite designer, I have not stitch much of her works in the past. I love acorn. This is so appropriate for the Fall. There are only four colors used in this sampler. The design is very intricate, especially the pull work. So lovely!

Seize the Day by Bent Creek

Size: 146w x 43h

Tick, tick, tick, ... not quite sure if I actually feel relax to seize the day, smell the roses, and enjoy what life has to offer. It feels more like Christmas is approaching, another year is about to go by. What have I done this year? Lots of changes were made in my personal life. In a way, it seems to be a step backward rather than forward. My world has been turned upside down. On a good day, I see it as greater things to come. On a so-so day, let us just take one day at a time.

This kit was supposed to be stitched on my flight to Capri, Italy. My trip was cancelled due to the unfortunate incident at the WTC in NY on the date of my departure. Terrible, terrible things happened. I don't think I would ever forget the events of year 2001, both personal and external. I am praying for a better year to come.

The Goblins by Shepherd's Bush

Size: 37w x 104h

While being extremely late for a beach project, I am ahead of schedule for Halloween projects. This is one of the cutest Halloween project I have seen. The kit came with a wonderful mat, I don't even have to think what colors should I pick for mating this piece. This is a small one, I should have finished in 2 sittings, but it actually took me over a week. I was procrastinated on band 2 where a Rhodes stitch is first stitched, then filled in the checkerboard by half cross stitch. This doesn’t sound like much, except for the fact that the half cross stitch should be done over one. Knowing how much I hate one-over-one on linen, I finally decided on satin stitch over the entire 3 threads by 3 threads block instead…

The fabric is 32ct hand-dyed "Antique Cotton". As in most of SB's larger kit, this piece is stitched using Soie D'Alger silk and Threadgatherer handpainted silk: Rusty Amber, Lavender Honey, and Medieval Mulberry.

Summer at the Seashore by The Silver Needle

Size: 59w x 51h

This is a Secret Needle Night kit for May 2001. I know, I know, we are already on our way back to school for most people and I am still on the summer theme. Well, I was planning on my overdue annual vacation. I was very very much ready for warmer weather at a beach. That is why this kit was stitched. All the specialty fibers were also calling to be used!

The fabric is 10ct "Chambray" Heatherfield. The light house is stitched using overdyed perle cotton. The pelican body is stitched using white Angora while its beak is stitched using gold overdyed floss. Sand on the beach is stitched using tan Medici wool. I am not too proud of the wool! Overall it was a fun project, highly recommended for plane ride.

Sailor Collar by Shepherd's Bush

Nautical theme and blue are some of my favorite combination. What a lovely piece!

Lavender Rose by Elizabeth's Designs

This is one of the kit from the first year Flowers & Friends Club. The color is very pale and is difficult to do a good scan on it. I really don't know how I want to finish it.

Summer House by Bent Creek

This is a limited edition kit. The finished size is about 4" x 4". I personally love even square design. The difficult part is to find a premade square frame. I love the house and the sunflower. But I did not enjoy stitching all the background filling at all. France said she has some peacock Dupioni silk that would be perfect to make this into another pillow. My dilemma is "What am I to do with all these pillows and frames?" I have only so much wall and couch space!

Floral Sunshine by Just Nan

This is a complimentary design given with a purchase of the baroque butterfly charm. I stitched this using Fibers to Dyed For (complimentary from Adana!) This is the color conversion:

522 = Scream Green
523 = Autopsy
524 = Corpse
221 = Motive
223 = Madame Ross
224 = Poison Berry
225 = Pink Panther
931 = Stroke of Midnight
3041 = Hitchcock
3042 = Killer Eggplant
3855 = Forensic
3864 = Col. Mustard

Another great addition to my Just Nan collections.

Dear Heart by Shepherd's Bush

This is a DMC kit published by Shepherd's Bush. The kit came with a hand-painted mat. This will be framed up as birthday present for my sister, Brenda. Such a dear to stitch!

Waterlilies by Heartland House Designs

This is an adaptation from a Frank Lloyd Wright design. Both my sister, Vanessa and I love FLW designs. I have done a piece for her before. She stitched a few herself. As for her wedding piece, I couldn't find anything appropriate and decided to add to this design instead. The verse is "A Promise, To Love and Be Loved". This was inspired recently from a movie I watched "Moulin Rouge". I love this verse from the movie " The greatest thing in life is to learn to love and be loved in return." I hope one day I will achieve both.

Berry Basket Sampler by Ewe & Eye & Friends

This is a freebie design. Instead of the original vertical design, I switched it to a landscape view which I can make this into a needle case. The piece is stitched on 28ct rose linen. The border is done using NN Mulled Wine #126. The letters are done using Gumnut Yarns 'Jewels'. My initial is done using NN Wooly Thyme #1411 while my exchange pal's initial is done using Silk n' Colors Frosted Auburn SNC 023. This is my exchange gift to Adana for the 2001 VMS Retreat.

The Red, White and Blue by JBW Designs

This is a limited edition kit published earlier this year. DMC flosses were used. The little tuck-away pillow came with the kit. The fabric is 28ct French Country linen. This is a quickie, I got it done in one seating.

Sweet Liberty by Lizzie Kate

This is a limited edition kit published in 2000. I do not have all the original overdyed. So these are my substitutions. The worlds are stitched using NN Independence Day. Watermelon is stitched using NN Kris Kringle. And the flag is stitched using WDW Bayberry and GA Raspberry Parfait.

Freedom Zipper by Bent Creek

Time again for some patriotic design stitching. I really like this little one. It is primitive. I got a little bore while working on the white strip of the flag. As you can see, I used long stitch instead. This will make an adorable pillow.

Bluebird Zipper by Bent Creek

This little bird is so adorable, I cannot resist to have it finished quickly. This was stitched on 18 ct raw linen over two with #5 perle cotton.

Pop! by Lizzie Kate

This little freebie has been on my To-Do List for such a long time. Finally, I found the right fabric for it. Since the design is so small, I did not want to stitch on 28ct or 32ct fabric. This was stitched on 18 ct blue ridge linen over two with #5 perle cotton.

Sampler Necessaries by Drawn Thread

I did not want to start anything big at the moment. When I was at Stitchville last month, I found the Needlepoint Inc. silk thread pack put together by Drawn Thread. I quickly purchased it after I bought the chart and the fob thread from Creative Hand during the same trip. I better justify my purchase by actually getting it down soon. This was a first! I am going to make this a shaker pincushion and the complement scissors fob.

Bee & Blossom by Elizabeth's Designs

This is the June assignment for the 2001 SAL. I chose a 32ct raw linen. I stitched the center floral first and found it to be too light for my fabric. I decided to change out the border colors. I used NN Bali Hai for the eyelets and ??? for the satin stitch. It turned out much better!

Kari's Snowflake by Just Nan

I found this card and the bead package when I last visited Creative Hand in Minneapolis. The design design was inspired by the tin ceiling motifs at Kari's Needle Workshop in Wausau, Wisconsin, according to Just Nan. I chose the ice blue color theme, no particular reason, just happened to have all the required materials.

Millennium Sampler by Shepherd's Bush

This kit was started when I was visiting Minneapolis during the Memorial Day weekend. The color is very very pale. In the instruction, the designer assures the stitchers that we would be satisfied by the chosen colors. As it turned out, the designers were corrected. I am making it into an elegant rectangular pillow with fringes on the sides. I chose a sage green fabric, the fringe is purple/green mix. Let's see how it turns out!

Curious as a Cat by Bird of a Feather

Bird of a Feather also published other similar ones. This one and the "Quiet as a Mouse" are my favorites. Of course, I have a PLAN to stitch the two as a pair. This idea was initiated when they were first published. As you can tell, I did not get to the "FULFILLMENT" portion until now. What can I say, I am sure each of us has those miles-long TO-DO list.

Out of the Box Kit by The Triology

This is their latest kit. This one reminded me a lot like the Bent Creek "Hope" kit published a year or two ago. The color is very brownish, even the embellishment buttons had a heavy earth tone. It is quick to stitch. I think I am going to finish it as a pillow.

To The Sea by JBW Designs

This is a rather new release. What a change for me. I normally take a long while, the new designs then become pretty old by the time I actually stitch them. Does this sound familiar or what???

A Mother's Heart by Shepherd's Bush

This kit has been on my To-Do list forever. I have stitched a few of Shepherd's Bush heart designs in the past. Their color selection is more pastel than I like. But what is more appropriate this month than to stitch something lovely for my own mother. She is the big collector of my stitched works. I stitched a verse for her a long time ago. That is still her favorite. But I think the quote on this one may make the second favorite design for her. We'll wait to see about this one.

Needle Case Angel by The Cricket Collections

This is the 2001 Freebie SAL assignment for May. Since I only have a day or two left before May, I think I better get this one out of the way. I wished I have chosen a darker fabric color. It is difficult to see the design as it is on lambswool now. I substituted Needle Necessities: Tidepool on the angel's clothes. I was hoping to add more color to the piece.

The Bee Keeper Scissors Fob by Drawn Thread

I bought this kitted up freebie from Creative Hand when I was in Minneapolis last year. I have the chart but didn't want to invest on the Needlepoint Inc. silk. And I was probably in the spending mood, as the cost of the kit would be about the same if I spent it on the silk. Oh well, we got to keep the LNS going right??? The varigated silk is Silk N Colors: Burnished Gold. I think the shop did a wonderful job in substituting the color.

All Aboard by Just Nan

This design uses 2 different wildflower by Caron: Clove and Spice. As I normally stitch from the center out, I didn't like the color combination. It was too orangy and has too much earth tones in it. As I filled in the individual squares with blues, the total effect improved so much more. The main reason I stitched this one, however, is because of Easter and the tons of charms on the design.

The Spring Scissors Fob by Drawn Thread

This is the tiniest fob I have ever made. I really do not like four-sided stitch too much. So, I am just going to skip it from here. At least the design wass fun to stitch.

A Simple Egg by Shepherd's Bush

I have this kit for a while now. Every April, I said I would work on it. Somehow the simpler designs by Lizzie Kate, Bent Creek, and others preceded over it. This year, I purposely did not choose any other easter fun designs. It took me a while, as my heart stills hurt, but I eventually finished it. My favorite part are the swirls on the egg.

Pastel Petals by Lindy Jane Designs

This is one of the 2001 Freebie SAL project for April. This is not really a favorite design to choose. The color is too rosy for me and the design is very easy. Not much challenge here.