Fall and Halloween stitching!

Good morning, everyone! Long time no blog, right?! I haven't been lazing around since the last time I posted. Just busy with crafting, reading, etc.

During the month of September and October, I was busy stitching a lot of mini designs by JBW Designs. There are from her Fall Collection and the Halloween Ornament series. I used 28ct antique white M.C.G. Textile evenweave for the Halloween designs and 28ct Jobelan lambswool linen by Wichelt for the fall designs.

Do you guys remember the Christmas ornaments I made last year for my friends? Well, I am hoping to turn the fall/Halloween designs into ornaments for myself.

I've been on the lookout for finishing trim, but the only thing I have found so far is a pack of trim at Hobby Lobby. I was hoping to find some fall colored trim for the other ornaments, but no luck. A lot of the trim was way too big and would look weird around the cross stitch piece.

I haven't had any luck on finding ribbon to go inside the ornaments either....sigh....

I'll keep my eyes open and see if I get lucky, but I doubt I will this year. A lot of the stores are already putting out Christmas crafts. I might have to put my ornaments away until next summer (cuz that's when the crazy stores put out fall merchandise) and see what I can find.

Until next time ^____^

JBW French Country Owl Stitching ♡

Pattern: French Country Owl by JBW Designs
Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast linen by Zweigart
Threads: recommended DMC
Start/Finish: 8/27-28/2016

I was in the mood to stitch something fall/autumn themed this weekend. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the summer to end. It doesn't help that all the craft stores have their fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving selections out! The weather needs to catch up to the stores :)

Picking a pattern from my newly purchased stash, I chose the owl from JBW Designs. A fun and fast pattern to stitch up.

Have you guys seen the newest Just Cross Stitch magazines?! So many cute fall season/holiday designs. It is hard to choose my next project.

I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Have a great week :)

Until next time >___<

JBW French Country Witch Pinkeep

This is how I finished my JBW French Country Witch design.

I used spiderweb themed ribbon and white pearlized pins around the edges. On the back, I used two different types of fabric. While at Hobby Lobby, I found some beautiful spiderweb tulle, but wasn't sure how that was going to work because of the see through aspect.....then I remembered I could use a solid color underneath so I bought some black calico fabric. And viola!

Until next time >___<

Fall JBW Ornaments

My Sunday stitching this afternoon.

Pattern: Fall Ornamentals by JBW Designs
Fabric: 28 ct Jobelan lambswool linen by Wichelt
Threads: recommended DMC
Start/Finish: 8/9/2015

After looking through my stash of fall/Halloween patterns, I decided to go with one of my favorite designers, Judy Whitman of JBW Designs.

I stitched up two of the twelve designs this afternoon. I don't know if I will stitch up all the designs in the set, but I will stitch a few more of them as I love the motifs.

Until next time >___<

JBW Snow Globe Pinkeep Finish!

Pattern: French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs
Notions: white pearlized pins, reindeer fabric, and red braid
Finished: 12/11/2014

This was my gift to Constance this year for Christmas. I think she might have a small collection of JBW Design cross stitch finishes from me over the years/holidays. I was hoping to send her and her family a treat set from Harry and David as well, but sadly I got an email saying that the first item I ordered was out of stock and then when I chose a replacement item, it wouldn't be shipped until December 30. With all that said and done, I decided to cancel the order. It didn't help that they wanted an entire week to send me the first email to start with.....

I'm not sure if I'll even try to place an order with them next year or not. I might just do my usual package of goodies and send it to Constance and her family.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year, Constance and Jim!

Until next time ^__^

Snow Globe Finish

Pattern: French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs 
Fabric: 32 ct Belfast Cream linen by Wichelt
Threads: DMC 321, 520, 936, and B5200
Start/Finish: 11/17-22/2014

My first Christmas stitching project is finished. I'm not sure how I'll 'finish' it...perhaps my usual pinkeep finish.

Until next time >___<

Snow Globe Progress

My progress so far this week. I have been stitching before and after work. I love the message in the white stitching....the word 'snow' repeated throughout those areas.

Until next time  >___<

JBW Snow Globe Cross Stitch Progress

I started this design this afternoon and I'm loving it so far.

Pattern: French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs 
Fabric: 32 ct Belfast Cream linen by Wichelt 
Threads: DMC
Start: 11/16/2014

I will have to look through my stash and see what Christmas fabrics I have to finish this design. Perhaps a trip to my local craft store is in order?!

Until next time >___<

Is Fall Here Yet?

Design: French Country Squirrel by JBW Designs
Fabric: 32ct cream Wichelt linen
Threads: DMC 921
Start/Finish: 9/7/2013

I've been wishing for fall weather lately......as evident by my choice of this fall design by JBW Designs. I think a trip to my local craft store is in order.........new fall fabrics for my stash.....

Hmm....

Until next time ^____^

Black Cat Pinkeep

Design: Black Cat Alphabet by JBW Designs, JCS Halloween 2012
Fabric: 28ct Cashel Antique White Zweigart and moon/stars cotton backing fabric
Threads: DMC 310
Notions: 3/4" double frill velvet ribbon and white pearlized pins
Finished as pinkeep: 10/6/2012

Black Cat

Design: Black Cat Alphabet by JBW Designs, JCS Halloween 2012
Fabric: 28ct Cashel Antique White Zweigart
Threads: DMC 310
Start/Finish: 9/29/2012

A cute little kitty finish this evening after eating dinner and while watching football. No, I'm not a football fan, but at least it gives me a chance to spend some time with my family instead of stitching alone.

I'm thinking of finishing this design as a pinkeep.

Until next time ^____^

Love and Joy Pinkeep

Design: Love and Joy by JBW Designs, JCS 2011
Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast Wichelt linen
Threads: DMC 817, 3053, and 3362
Start/Finish: 11/2/2011
Finished as pinkeep: 12/11/2011
Notions: red braid and white pearlized pins

Plum Pudding Anyone?

Design: English Plum Pudding by JBW Designs
Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast Zweigart
Threads: DMC 520, 898, and blanc
Start/Finish: 11/16 & 18/2011

Love and Joy

Design: Love and Joy by JBW Designs, JCS 2011
Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast Wichelt linen
Threads: DMC 817, 3053, and 3362
Start/Finish: 11/2/2011

As some of my readers know, I love patterns from JBW Designs. This little cutie was in the Just Cross Stitch 2011 Christmas issue. I couldn't resist stitching it!

It also reminds me of the 1994 version of Little Women and their caroling of The Wassail Song:



"Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.

Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year."

Until next time ^___^

Star Pinkeep

Design: French Country Star by JBW Designs, JCS 2010
Thread: DMC B5200
Fabric: 28ct Misty Blue
Finished as pinkeep: 12/9/2010

Little star

Design: French Country Star by JBW Designs, JCS 2010
Thread: DMC B5200
Fabric: 28ct Misty Blue
Start/Finish: 11/28/2010

Good afternoon! I hope you're enjoying your Sunday before the start of another work week!

I just finished stitching this little star from JBW Designs. The pattern actually calls for it to be stitched on cashel linen with one thread over one using WDW thread, but I had this piece of Misty blue linen in my stash and decided to use it. I really didn't feel like going cross-eyed from attempting to stitch this design over one thread so I opted for two over two.

I wish I had a better picture of this design as the linen is a beautiful blue, which goes well with the DMC B5200 thread.

Have a great week!

Until next time ^____^

Autumn display and activities

Hi, everyone! For those of you on the Gulf Coast, I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather as much as I am! My favorite season has finally made its appearance not only outside, but inside as well.



While taking a picture of my Pumpkin Patch design, I decided that I needed to change the living room display from playful bunnies and a pitcher full of hydrangeas to some of my autumn items from last year ;)

Speaking of Fall and all the fun things to do during the season, for those of you that live in Ontario there is an event called The Victoriana Show: A Celebration of Elegance coming up. I picked up the latest issue of Romantic Homes this evening at Target because it had some lovely ideas for stitchery gifts and I ran across the ad for the Victoriana Show. I'm so jealous!!! The show runs from October 22-24. For those who are interested, the website is www.victorianashow.com.

(sigh) Well, I'm not too disappointed. The local museum in town is hosting two new exhibitions towards the end of the month, American Landscapes and Illustrating Fairytales! I can't wait.....especially for the Fairytale exhibition! One of my favorite children's illustrators is in the exhibition, Kinuko Y. Craft ^___^

Until next time!! Have fun with your fall activities!!

A package to CA

Hi, everyone! One of my packages has been delivered to a dear friend of mine in CA and as promised I have photos of what I sent in the package.

As my friend recently graduated with a degree from pharmacy school, this gift was partly in celebration of that occasion while I added several handmade cross-stitch gifts as extra goodies.



I found this lovely box at Michael's to hold all my friend's goodies!



Included in the package was the A Very Merry Spring pinkeep and Lovebirds tin. Two craft magazines, French embroidery needles, Covet by J.R. Ward, stationery items, bookmarks, a decorative bottle holding paper stars, a coaster, magnet, and a cute little windup bunny.

Since I took the picture of the contents before I sent the package, it has one mistake :) I did not include the Willy Wonka chocolate in the package! When I was putting everything in the box, I forgot it, but it was to my benefit though as it has been quite hot lately and I didn't want the chocolate to melt and accidently get on any of the gifts in the package.

My other package to New Zealand is currently on its way across the seas. I hope to share a photo of the contents when my friend gets it ;)

I hope you're having a great weekend! I've spent the day doing some housework and a small amount of stitching on my Salem's Witch House pattern. I'll have to take some photos and share them with you.

Until next time ^____^

Pinkeep - Merry Spring

Design: A Merry Spring by JBW Designs
Fabric: 28ct antique white linen M.C.G Textiles
Threads: DMC 3063
Finished as a Pinkeep: 5/7/2010

Hi, I went by Hobby Lobby yesterday and purchased some more cream-colored braid so I could finish this design into a pinkeep this afternoon. I actually had the whole thing assembled earlier except for the braid and pins.

I was going to use the toile in my stash for the backing fabric, but it was darker than I remembered O_o" I'll have to save it for something else ;)

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Until next time ^____^

Spring finish!

Hi, everyone! I was able to finish the JBW design A Very Merry Spring last night while watching BtVS. As usual, I love JBW designs, but I think the thread color is a bit dark for the design.


Design: A Merry Spring by JBW Designs
Fabric: 28ct antique white linen M.C.G Textiles
Threads: DMC 3063
Start/Finish: 4/20-22/2010

I'm not sure how I will finish this design. I was thinking either a pinkeep or a pillow. I have some green toile fabric in my stash that might just be perfect for this design.

I won't have time for any other stitching this month as I'll be quite busy with work this weekend and the upcoming week. (sigh) Hopefully, I'll get more stitching done in May.

Until next time ^___^