I just love this design- it’s an old freebie from Kathy’s Barrick Samplers days. I’ve stitched it before, but this is the first time using the suggested colors. And actually, I didn’t use them – I found close substitutes to the DMC in my HDF silk collection. I just love how it came out. And the backing fabric – purchased some time ago from Karen V. – is just too perfect. Stitched on 35 ct HDF linen and stuffed with wool rovings to create a humble pincushion. A gift for a thoughtful friend. 
The design shown on the cover of this leaflet doesn’t match the actual design that’s charted. Shown on the cover are two bunnies dancing with a heart underneath and the year above – perfect for a birthday, and I loved the font that the numbering was done in. Imagine my surprise when the chart showed two bunnies dancing over an Easter chick with Paques written above. No numbers anywhere, and the cover photo wasn’t something that I could use to simply stitch the numbers from. Anyway, I edited and fudged around and came up with this, stitched on 35 ct Peach something linen from HDF using The Thread Gatherer Irish Blues silk. It’s stuffed with lavender and polyfill and Conny assured me she liked it. 
Again, the photo stinks – nighttime pics just do not work out for me, even though I took it under the Daylight lamp. I used the suggested fibers on 35 ct linen from Vikki Clayton, but I did the wording in red instead of the called-for blue because I was having trouble reading the chart. Old age, go figure …
This is a shamefully bad photo, but it’ll have to suffice for now. Stitched with the called-for fibers (although I did the wording in black because I misread the chart, LOL).
This is a medley of design elements taken from the following Blackbird Designs patterns:
Petites Lettres Rouges
Stars and Stripes
Glad Tidings
I’ve stitched it in DMC on 35 ct linen from Vikki Clayton. It will be sent to someone else, so there’s space for personalization.
This design from the Seasonal Mementoes II leaflet is also called “As Welcome as the Flowers in May”. I’ve stitched it on a light, neutral 35 count linen by Vikki Clayton using most of the suggested threads (subbed out a few I couldn’t lay my hands on). I stitched two-over-two (or one-over-one) rather than the one-over-two usage suggested. I thought that made the design look too faded and difficult to see.
I added a strip of Moda fabric to the sides and laced the stitching over a padded mat board and popped it into the “window” of a small tea box that I had sanded, painted, and sanded again. I added a bit of flowery ric-rak around the edge to give it a more polished look.
This is one of the designs from the booklet, A Fine Collection. I’ve stitched it on a 35 ct cream (with a very light celery tint) linen from HDF using the suggested fibers with the exception of the alphabet, which is done in GAST Woodsmoke (a very dark skein I had). I didn’t like the pinkness of the Cocoa that was suggested.
I’ve finished it as a tray insert for a wooden tray/basket that I painted and then sanded down to give it an antique look. Frankly, I’m thrilled with the outcome and it was hard to package it up to send away. Must do this finish again in the future!
I’ve finished a needlebook for round 2 of the PS Exchange. My exchange partner is also an avid fisherwoman, so I chose these designs to reflect her hobby and tried to finish off the project to look a little like a wicker tackle box. I hope she likes it! I used the called-for DMC and stitched on 35 ct Cream linen from HDF. This was a fun exchange to dream up for a very different sort of hobby.
Here’s my version of Tanya’s wee Valentine design. I’ve made lots of little changes because it’s going to be my gift to Niek for our 6th wedding anniversary. I’m so glad Tanya’s a designer who welcomes the personalizations that people make to her designs! I was mentioning to her in an email how funny it is that whenever I’m stuck for the perfect gift, her designs just jump out at me.
I’ve stitched this using Vikki Clayton’s silks: Bear Brown, BeGrimed, Gandy Tango, Indigo Ocean, Milligrubs; and Snow Creme by The Thread Gatherer. The linen is 30 count Parchment by Weeks Dye Works. Just as a note, this stitches like a 32 ct rather than a 30 count. Lovely stuff. I bought the linen from Mary Kathryn some time ago when she was having a sale.
Here’s my version of the little red sampler freebie that’s been making the rounds. Mine’s dedicated to Sara, one of my dearest friends of all time. Her maiden name is Brice and we met in 1987 (I subtracted 100 years to keep with the vintage-style look). I’ve stitched mine on 28 ct Celery/Natural Graziano linen using HDF silks Black Iris Bloom, Everlasting, and Dried Roses. The bird is from an old Dutch book “Klassieke Kruissteek Motieven” edited by Gertie Wandel. I chose a swan/goose because of the associations with loyalty, love, and steadfastness – as well as both birds being known as very protective mothers. Sara is a dedicated mother, wife, and friend and I wanted to chose a bird that reflected these traits of hers.
I’ve added some vintage lace, black rick rack, floral rick rack, shell buttons, and an antique-style key so the sampler looks like it’s been made by someone who wanted to show Sara how much she loves her by adding her prettiest bits & bobs (which is actually the case!).
