Hi Everyone,  Here is my garden of love finish!  I have had it stitched for a while just no time to snap a pic.  It is stitched on 35count WDW Cocoa with suggested fibers.  I plan to make it into a box top on my next finishing day.  Now onto March's selection, a Blackbird design, yay!!

My March Small Kit!

     I love "A Small Token" and just wanted to let ya'll know that my kit came Monday and it was all wrapped up so pretty.  Lots of love went into that little package! I've got three pictures that will be posted on my own blog, but will post just this one here.  In case there is anyone who is still just not quite sure if they want to stitch this up, look at the great colors.  I'm working mine up with Aida, but I'm sure the linen is every bit as nice.  I can't wait to get started! I love this blog!
Thank you so much.

I will get this right yet.....

I became aware that none of my cross stich photos showed up on my blog.  I have now corrected this if any of you are interested in seeing  them.  I love the March Small and will have to place an order for the kit.   I figure even if I don't get each project done within the month, they will be great projects to grab and take when I travel.  I always have to take a cross stitch project with me when traveling.  Here is the link to my blog.  http://sewsherryblog.blogspot.com/

March 2012 Small

 This month's small was selected by Pat.  Drum roll please.........Small Token by Blackbird Designs!!!!!!!!  


Isn't this just darling?  We have two models to show you.  The finished pin cushion was stitched by Pat on 32 count Sheep Straw by R&R.  The other model was stitched on 35 count Cafe Kona by R&R. 

 And look at the kits!!!!!  So cute!


Stitching Information:  The stitch count is 49 x 69 and the charts calls for Lakeside Vintage Sand Dune.

The kits come with 30 or 35 count linen and enough thread to stitch the design (not full skeins).  This month we are offering the kit in aida also!

30 count linen $17.50

35 count linen $16.50

14 count aida $15.00

Here is the link to Inspired Needle in case you want to order a kit......  LINK 

Here's hoping that you are excited about this month's selection!  Ready, set, STITCH!!!!

Forgot to mention

I forgot to mention when I posted last night that I have added pictures of my recent projects to my blog.  I picked up quite a large order from my framer on Saturday.  If you are interested the pictures are at
http://sewsherryblog.blogspot.com/

A Completed Small

I just picked this up at the framer yesterday. 

Christmas-by Trilogy

It was stitched over one using the colors as charted. 

A BlackBird Design Small Completed

Well, I haven't stitched either of the two suggested projects for this SAL, but I did finish a small of my own choosing...BBD's Summer House Pincushion.  I plan to use this as the top to Vonna's Embroidery Hoop Stitching Box that I hope to put together with a small group later this month.  The info on the box can be found here:  Embroidery Hoop Stitching Box Instructions and Photos

BBD's Summer House Pincushion
Stitched on 32 count Antique White Belfast Linen
HDF - Steelies 2449, 2451, 2453 (premium)

Poinsettia House Finish

I wish I could take credit for the stitching, but no. My friend Kathy whipped this baby up for a shop model. I did change the ground fabric to 28 count because it is stitched over one. I think it will be framed. Now to go on a hunt for a suitable frame moulding!

CathyR

Ranae's February Small

Stitched on 36ct truffle
I had some heart lace trim, I cut out a few and stitched them where there was suppose to be stitched hearts and buttons

I think it will be a pillow by next week

Ranae

Finished Garden of Love

I also finished my stitching on the Garden of Love today.  I took advantge of Joann's 50 percent off coupon for framing and took it there this afternoon.  I was leary of trusting them to do a good job but spoke with the gentleman there and he seemed to know what he was doing,  He did say if I was not happy we would re do it. 

I am thinking there is enough of the silk thread left to stitch it a second time.  It turned out so niec I may just stitch this one again. 

Sherry

Kellie's Garden of Love Finish

Finished!! :)

I made a few little mistakes but not so much that I wanted to frog them and start over. And the raspberry silk thread had way too much dye in it so I didn't want any "bleeding" to show on my fabric either.

This was a cute, fun, quick stitch. I purchased the kit that Cathy of Inspired Needle put together. This was stitched on a 32 ct. fabric, 2 over 2.

Garden Of Love

Wow, this is my first project into this blog for 2012 Year of Smalls.  All I can say is that I am so excited and happy with this one.  What a great way to pull a design together for everyone to do.  I really want to tell everyone that is reading this blog to give it a try if you haven't.  The group has really done a great job at planning and Cathy has done a wonderful job in putting the kits together.

Interview with Barb

 This month's design was selected by Barb.  Above is her finished and framed Garden of Love.  

I thought it might be fun if every month we learn a little something about the design selector.  I sent Barb some questions via e-mail and here are her answers.

Q:  What about this design called to you and/or why did you pick it?

A:   Nothing about this design called to me per se.  I chose it because it is a designer I had never stitched before and one that probably not too many people had in their stash.  Depending on the count of fabric used it can be framed or made into an ornament or pincushion. I thought the bright colors might appeal to some of those joining in for the year of smalls and thought it might be a good opportunity for some to try silks if they purchased the kitted version from IN.

Q:  Who are some of your favorite designers?

A:   There are no designers whose charts I buy sight unseen and there are no designers I can think of where I have loved all of their charts.  I am attracted to designs more than designers.  Some of my favorites are The Drawn Thread, Shepherd's Bush, Sampler Cove, Blackbird Designs, Primitive Traditions, Chessie & Me, and lots and lots of others.  Also included in the mix are counted canvas designers Nancy's Needle, Needle Delight Originals, Laura Perin, and Deb Bee's Designs.

Q:  When is your favorite time to stitch?

A:  Evenings and weekend afternoons/evenings are most often my available stitching times.  I get to stitch every day.

Q:  What is your favorite fabric to stitch on?

A:  Zweigert linens are my favorites - 36 and 40 are my favorite counts.  Lakeside Linen (which uses Zweigert linens) is my favorite hand-dyed fabrics.

Q:  How long have you been stitching and how did you learn?

A:  I have been stitching for 50+ years.  I first did some stitching in grammar school in Iowa - an appliqued cow on burlap in 1st grade, a yarn on burlap hairbrush and comb design in 2nd grade and an actual sampler with a variety of stitches as a Mother's Day gift in 3rd grade.  I designed my own crude sampler in Girl Scouts while working on embroidery badge, which included a variety of stitches and a hand sewn buttonhole.  I then moved into crewel and embroidery work and knitting and am fortunate that all of my early stitched works were held for me and are now framed in my home.  I didn't do much stitching for many years, but always did something crafty - made four or five latch hook rugs and wall hangings. most of which I still have, and did some Sunset Designs crewel kits, finally moving into counted cross stitch in the 90's when I stitched a few things from magazines and then discovered a real LNS and Shepherd's Bush designs.  Needless to say, I have made up for lost time with the many pieces I have completed and framed since that time. 

Above is Jayne's Garden of Love in progress.  I like it with the lighter linen color too!

Thank you Barb for picking such a great design.  Something different than many of us have seen.  And thank you for sharing your stitching self with us!

February finish..........

I finished our February smalls project over the weekend. This was really a fast stitch because I am not normally a speedy stitcher!

I used the charted threads but with 40-ct linen instead of 36-ct.  I finished it as a small flange-style pillow using some fabric from my quilting stash.   It was a fun project.  Now I'm going to work on my WIPocolypse projects probably until March but I'm looking forward to seeing what the next small project will be.