"C" is for Chelsea

It has been a while since I last posted and I have made a bit of progress on various projects.  I actually have a finish to share! (YAY!)

This is Letter's By Nora - Letter C. I did this for my daughter Chelsea.  Chelsea is seven and she chose this fabric - High Noon by Sunny Dyes Fabrics of Youthful Hand Needleworks. I think this turned out really sweet.  It has a lot more back stitching than a typical Nora design, but it really made the design pop.

I used for the most part the called for threads, I did substitute the flower for a variegated DMC that I had. Chelsea chose this as well. 

I love this shot.  I like being able to see the blending of the colours on the fabric mixed with thread and beads.

Another pretty close up shot

I have also continued to do work on Persephone.  I have had a lot of fussy bits to do....her hair, her collar on her dress, the flower on her arm....glad to be done those parts. I think she is turning out really pretty and I am back to enjoying working on her again.

Persephone by Mirabilia on Dusty Apricot by Crafty Kitten Fabrics

Also, I really immersed myself into the AAN piece called Arabesco.  It is my first AAN and my first abstract design really. I am done the center part - which I chose Polar Ice Waterlillies by Caron.  I am doing the middle layer in DMC 930 and the outside layer will be in DMC 932.  This piece is being stitched on Ice Princess by Under the Sea fabrics.

Finally a little Easter treat for myself. I got some pieces framed. Our local framing shop will allow you to bring in store bought frames and put the pieces in for you! I picked up frames for these after Christmas with the intention of doing it myself, but I never got around to it.  So finally I dropped them off and a few days later I'm so glad I did! Here is Charlotte and Queen Mermaid. 

As you can see they sit nicely on the wall with my Red Lady Pirate.  

I am anxiously awaiting a package from Colours By Lalena which has a whole bunch of goodies for me to work on...mainly my Rosewood Manor Autumn Sampler, my next installment of the Frosty Forest and two new Nora Corbett patterns.  

Remember to just keep stitching and thanks for reading! 

Charlotte

Before 2013 was put to rest, I finished Charlotte by Mirabilia.  I love her colour pallet. This is what Mirabilia has to say about her...

"This treasure of cross stitch is a symphony of fuchsia, teal and lime.

 The pose is one of elegance and quiet contemplation. 

The simple flowing satin shows a subtle sheen and give this piece and Art Nouveau feel."

I started Charlie in September when I was looking for something bright and colourful to work on.  I never actually thought I would stitch this pattern and had her as a part of my overall collection, but the day I was flipping through my book she just cried out to be stitched. So I decided to give it a go.  It was a very enjoyable pattern to work with - deceivingly big. No Kreinik or metallics in her. I made a few changes (of course) I did an open eye and I used some beads from BeadFX to embellish her hair. 

Charlotte by Mirabilia stitched on 32 count murano Sunlit Pool by Crafty Kitten. The lighting in this photo suggests a greyish tone - however, the fabric is mostly greens, yellows and a soft bit of blue. 

Stitched with an open eye and changed her hair treasures to beads I had purchased at BeadFX. This picture if more representative of the fabric colour. 

Love the perspective in this shot

Another view of her face and beads. 

A good representation of the colours

Beautiful Charlie

Now that 2014 is here I have decided to start a smaller pattern. I am doing Fairy Autumn Glow by Nora Corbett.  I am also awaiting some fabric and fibers to do the Frosty Forest series by County Cottage Needleworks. 

Best of love and wishes for 2014, Jocelyn

Finishing up 2013

It has been awhile since I shared what I am working on.  I have a few WIPs.  Right now I'm working on things I started through out the year and am just doing for the joy of stitching them for myself.

First up - Charlotte by Mirabilia, or Charlie as I affectionately refer to her as. This is being stitched on 32 count Sunlit Pool by Crafty Kitten. I started her around September 1st, 2013. I needed an infusion of bright colours. I am still working away on her and work on her whenever I can. I have special treasures to put into her hair that I got at BeadFX - I can't wait to put them on!

Before Charlie I was working on Mirabilia's June's Pearl Fairy. I started her on 28 count June 2012 Ltd Ed. Crafty Kitten. I started her on June 1st (get it June Fairy, on June Ltd Ed, on June 1st, 2013???) She has since become.... oh I hate to say it..... a UFO.  At first I loved working on her - then the colour pallet got a little bland for me. That is why Charlie suddenly called to me.  I would like to get back and finish her next year.  She is lovely and the beads are going to pop off this fabric.

Finally, I have been working on my "Little Mermaid" Azure. She is being stitched on 32 opal Tropical Breeze by Crafty Kitten. She is a cute, fun stitch. I am fairly close to being done her as well.  I started her on November 1st. The fabric and the colours are what motivated this start! 

I would really like to start the Seasonal Fairies by Nora some time in 2014. I have them all kitted and fabric chosen for each of them.  My next project for myself is going to be The Frosty Forest by Country Cottage Needleworks. 

Top 10 Stitchy wish list for 2014....

1. The Frosty Forest

2. A 5 person Mirabilia Round Robin with Friends

3. Autumn Seasonal Fairy

4. Summer Seasonal Fairy

4. One large new Mira not yet started

5. One small Nora Corbett not yet started 

6. Finish my existing 3 patterns from above

7. At least one Littlehouse Needleworks or other pattern

8. Letter's by Nora "C" for Chelsea

9. Letter's by Nora "K" for Kailee

10. Any new start I want when I feel like it! 

Looks like I better get cracking. Dare I say no new starts until 2014? Unlikely but a lofty goal!