Stitchy Fingers

Hi all, On of my resolutions for the 2012 was trying to learn knitting ... So with a little delay I had my first knitting lesson yesterday (4 in total). I was pleasantly surprised with the speed that childhood "memories" came back! I touched a knitting needle for the last time in craft lessons at school when I was something like 12-14 years old :-). We practised the basic stitches and everything went well :-). We also had the choice between a "simple" scarf or a small bag (to be felted afterwards) that also uses the technique of adding and diminishing your stitches. Of course I chose the bag! LOL! Here's a piccie of the pretty wool ... did I tell you that I'm a "multicoloured girl" :-)? Manos del Uruguay - colour 9831 Handdyed wool - uses needles 5 or 6 mm (US 8-10) And the knitting needles in size 6 mm (I knit too tight :-). They're from Brittany Needles ! A company that carves them out of Birch. From their site: Why bu...

I'm sure we all like to cross stitch but maybe also quilt? That's why I wanted to draw your attention to a " Snow Give Away " that De Quilthoeve is hosting. I'm trying my luck at the red fabrics (I just adore that colour)! Good luck!

I've finished it yesterday so I guess I'm still good for the 2013 Ornament SAL :-). I'm not completely sure if it's only the stitching that needs to be finished or the entire ornament ... I'll have to check that! So without further delay, here it is: Spring in my Garden Barbara Ana Designs   It was a real joy to stitch but the only thing I didn't like doing were the bees ... very small and fidly :-)   I've also changed the colour of the rabbit, chicken and the bees wings from DMC Desert Sand (colour variation) to 738 (rabbit and chicken) and white (bees wings) ... otherwise they wouldn't show well on the fabric.    In the meantime I've already started the Barbara Ana "Owl-o-ween" design :-)  

I've had it! This weekend alone I've been bombarded with spam mail! I received something like 60 messages from "anonymous" ranging from "visit my site" to "make things bigger"! And this goes on as we speak!  So I'm truly sorry to say and do so but for the first time since I've started with this blog, I've turned on the word verification and registered id's only feature. Hope this will calm down within a couple of weeks! Have a nice week.

I just wanted to share a piece I've seen while browsing Pinterest. LOOK!     It's from Blue Ribbon Designs. "Mischief at Midnight" is a Halloween needlework tray and matching needlework smalls. This spooky design features a Halloween scene in the base of the tray (also suitable for framing)...the inside walls of the tray feature stars, bats, and ghosts...the outside walls of the tray feature a fence surrounding the entire scene (with a few jack-o-lanterns, owls, and spiders). The gate for the fence is a removable needlebook (attached with hidden magnets)...and there is a coordinating pinkeep and scissor fob to complete your needlework tray set. The tray measures approximately 8.5" x 8.5". But ... alas ... it's a class piece that will only be released one year after the class (which was 19 -21 October 2012)! :-( Bummer! Do you like it as much as I do? Here's a little extra ... FRONT   BACK NEEDLEBOOK She did...

Last weekend I started stitching an ornament for my monthly 2013 SAL Ornaments "group" . Can you guess which one I've chosen? It's a Lizzie Kate freebie found on the Cyberstitchers.com website. In the meantime I've already added the green stems and the word "garden" as well. It's a real joy to stitch and I can't understand why I didn't "do" one much earlier. I feel a new addiction/designer taking over ;-) I'm off to stitch some more!

Hi all, Today we all woke up with a white blanket of 12 cm covering everything outside. It's beautifull to see when you can stay inside the whole day but much less funny when you have to dig out your car to drive to work (like I had to do this morning) :-( Some pictures taken at our seaside Oostende (source: De Standaard.be website) Middelkerke (source: Focus-WTV.be website) An original way to protect your trees: Annemarie from Heule (source: Focus-WTV.be website) Because of all this snow I want to stitch some more on my Christmas tree and finally finish it! Here's my latest update: Ah yes before I forget ... my children wanted to spice up my Christmas decorations (the ones I didn't take down yet): Amazing what you can do with pasta and empty Nespresso cups! :-) Tomorrow I'll show you a new - small - start.

My all time favourite designer Martina Rosenberg is also going to release a new piece in April (four parts during one year) ... It's drop-dead gorgeous! Here's a first preview pictures (it's not completely finished yet). "Theme this time is a Japanese Moss Garden or Zen Garden (325x325 stitches). You see lovely deep green moss cushions, ponts with mossy treadstones, lotus flowers and four different Buddha statues in the green. Four different stone lanterns will embellish the Tori gates, and nest between blooming Azalea bushes, which are framed by cut Pine trees. There are lots of details in this garden Mandala which you will see and feel during stitching.  Cross stitch is the main stitch used, but many Special Stitches will be worked for dimension, as well as some “over one” for the Koi and the Buddhas." Mmmmm .... This will be a lovely companion piece to her previously released Japanese Garden. I need not 2 nor 3 but 10 lives! ;-)

Look what Lizzie Kate is going to release = a new flip-it series released in four parts! A first glimpse   Complete Need I say more? I think I'll have a lovely decorated house next year ... ... that is when I finish everything on time! ;-)

I can't believe it but my blog has survived it's first year! I would've liked some more posts but that's life ... sometimes it's quite busy :-) So what are the plans for next year? I'll be stitching : the Santa's Village by Country Cottage Needleworks - I was too late to be included in the list of  Stitching Santas Village together  but I'll post my progress on this blog an ornament each month so that I'll be able to decorate a lovely little tree, wreath or basket at the end of 2013 (you can never be too prepared) - more information about it is to be found  here try to stitch a Heaven and Earth Designs - I'm in a Facebook group called HAED Josephine Wall Cross Stitch Titania and Oberon by Josephine Wall  I would've liked to stitch two other HAED but I already have enough on my plate :-)!   Halloween Cats by Lesley Ivory and El Vacquero by Laurie Prindle and everything else that ca...