September TUSAL and Stitching Library

         

It's TUSAL time!  

Here is my TUSAL jar with my current project, Fairy Idyll by Mirabilia:

She will get one more day this weekend and then go away until November.  Dark October is for spooky stitching.

What's on my Shelf?

This is a feature I'm going to include on my TUSAL post until I run out of books! I started a Page on my Happy Dance blog for my Stitching Library and realised what a huge task it was so decided to break it down to one book per month. For the next four years...

Title: Exquisite Miniatures

Author: Brenda Keyes

Publisher: David & Charles
ISBN: 9780715304358

I thought this book fitted in well with the "Small" theme for The People's Choice this month.

There's a wide variety of styles from traditional sampler motifs

to prim little houses

silhouettes

and blackwork

I love the way she accentuates the small size by using a chunky frame.

Back cover

I haven't stitched anything from this book yet but there's lots of information from the very knowledgeable Brenda Keyes, as you would expect and some great photos too.

I particularly like the square frame turned into a diamond on the back cover.

Finally, it's IHSW this weekend so I'm hoping to get a few projects worked on to share with you on Monday.

August TUSAL and Stitching Library

        

It's TUSAL time!  

Here is my TUSAL jar with my current projects:

And just like that, it was done!

Little Snapdragon by Kustom Krafts

Stitched on 32 count Evening Sky Murano from Crafty Kitten

I had seen this design in a magazine advert and really liked it.  I was then lucky enough to win the chart in a giveaway in 2012.   I received the threads in an exchange with a US stitcher, I sent her some UK magazines.

I didn't start stitching until 1st January 2015 as part of the DUCJC (Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge).  It also appeared in the first ever Gifted Gorgeousness post.

I stitched quite a bit in 2016 and then only on the Longest Day Marathon until 2022 when I decided he had to be finished!

I've said several times before I am not a fan of the pixellated computer generated designs and stitching this one confirms it for me.  But from viewing distance he looks great and I love the colours, especially in his wings.

Now to get him framed!

What's on my Shelf?

This is a feature I'm going to include on my TUSAL post until I run out of books! I started a Page on my Happy Dance blog for my Stitching Library and realised what a huge task it was so decided to break it down to one book per month. For the next four years...

Title: Quick to Stitch Cross Stitch Keepsakes

Author: Helen Philipps

Publisher: David & Charles
ISBN: 9780715327470

I am assuming I bought this book because I had liked her other book.  I can think of no other reason why I would get it!  It's not my style and taste at all.

There are simple little designs for every special event in your life.

Ideally suited for the beginner

This wreath is cute 

There are some great finishing instructions at the back of the book

July TUSAL and Stitching Library

       

It's TUSAL time!  

Here is my TUSAL jar with my current projects, Halloween at Hawk Run Hollow and Turn, Turn, Turn:

Here are the ORTs for Halloween at Hawk Run Hollow before I popped them in the main jar:

You can clearly see the two main colours I've been using this month are cream and brown!

Here's Turn, Turn, Turn from Noteworthy Needle, that's the Spring Tree at the top and the Autumn Tree underneath.  The Summer and Winter trees are to the left along the seam.

stitched on 32 count Sea Spray linen

What's on my Shelf?

This is a feature I'm going to include on my TUSAL post until I run out of books! I started a Page on my Happy Dance blog for my Stitching Library and realised what a huge task it was so decided to break it down to one book per month. For the next four years...

Title: Needlework Designs for Miniature Projects

Author: Eileen Folk

Publisher: Dover Needlework Series
ISBN: 9780486246604

This book promises 64 charts for cross stitch and needlework spread over the four room settings shown in the photos.

The cover shows the elegant Oriental themed Dining Room.  I love the screen with the dragon and that beautiful blue rug.

This room is the Pink Bedroom with a lovely sampler over the mantelpiece and a traditional quilt on the quilt rail.

This room is described as an "Early American Living Room" with a fireplace, another lovely quilt and no sign of a television!

The final photo shows a Nursery with a birth sampler, height chart and a fun rabbit rug.

There are also charts for a Yellow and Green Bedroom although there is no photo for this room setting.

The book was published in 1984 and so the charts are hand-drawn but even so they are very clear and easy to follow.  I'd love to have a dolls house or even just an Oriental Room Setting!

Finally, I have been making something miniature but I can't show you until after I have given it to the intended recipient.  I'll post photos for Gifted Gorgeousness in August.

 

June TUSAL and Stitching Library

             

It's TUSAL time!  

Here is my TUSAL jar with my current project, the Art Nouveau Tarot from Circle Cross:

I completed the four elements last week so now I can start on each of the star signs underneath the relevant element.  This is Gemini underneath Air:

stitched on 28 count sky blue evenweave from Silkweaver

What's on my Shelf?

This is a feature I'm going to include on my TUSAL post until I run out of books! I started a Page on my Happy Dance blog for my Stitching Library and realised what a huge task it was so decided to break it down to one book per month. For the next four years...

Title: Cross Stitch Characters

Author: Adele Welsby

Publisher: David & Charles
ISBN: 9780715312063

This book is absolutely going to be a test for my overseas followers!

The one above is possibly going to test even British stitchers - 

The Large Family from the Jill Murphy books

Wedding Sampler from Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem

(there's a Birth Sampler too)

above and below are from Percy the Park Keeper by Nick Butterworth 

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese Gromit!  
Wallace and Gromit from Nick Park's animations

above and below are from Harry and his Bucketful of Dinosaurs by Ian Whybrow

And of course, Roger Hargreaves' Mr Men

The book was published in 2002 and these were all very popular at the time.  Some have been made into television series since then.  

So please be honest - how many did you know without looking at the names underneath?

Finally, IHSW got off to a bad start with the project I wanted to stitch going MIA.  Luckily I have a second one for WIPGO this month so Bothy Threads' 12 Days of Christmas will get a couple of days before my Longest Day Marathon on Wednesday 21st June.