Pre-Stitchathon picture of Blumenweise im Raster

There's a Stitchathon over on the Cross Stitch Crazy Board from tomorrow 15th July to 21st July. Here's a picture of Blumenweise im Raster today at 64.5% complete. I'll be counting my stitches - will you?  

Finishing Frenzy - 1st Project

Today I challenged my friends on Cross Stitch Crazy to "finish" a Christmas Ornament before the tree is taken down and the decorations put away tomorrow.  

I picked one from my stack of "finished unfinished" objects and set to work. First I chose a piece of fabric from my stash that picked up the colours of the stitching. The fabric I chose isn't particularly Christmas-y but it is a pretty shabby chic print. I opted to go for a simple stuffed pillow ornament, but I think I'll be more adventurous next time.

 Then stitched the ornament to the backing fabric, attaching a fabric hanger and leaving a small gap at the bottom to stuff the ornament.

Finally I stuffed the ornie, stitched close the gap at the bottom and took a picture to prove I can finish things IF I set my mind to it.

Christmas Ornie Exchange

I received this beauty from Jacque - in the peacock colours I requested (I'm hoping to do a tree in purple, lime & aqua this year) - it's quirky and gorgeous so right up my street! 

Christmas Ornament Exchange on CSC - Mine is finished!

and will be going in the mail very soon (hopefully tomorrow if I can walk to the Post Office) 

 Here's a close up showing the diagonal cross stitch, smyrna cross and rhodes stars stitched in Au Ver A Soie Soie D'Alger and the running stitch in Kreinik Japan gold.

And here's the finished stocking hanging on my sideboard in all it's glory!This was a kit from Periwinkle Promises that I received when I was a member of the Traditional Stitches stash collectors club wayyyy back! I stayed on the wagon and stitched from my stash.

Design A Coaster Competition!

On Cross Stitch Crazy there is a new competition to design a coaster to fit the outline below. Closing date is 15th June 2011 and the vote for the winner will run until 30th June 2011.

I've put together a quick design to get the ball rolling:

You can win some yummy threads and fabrics - go here to take part

(and if anyone visiting here wants to stitch my design, feel free, just send me a link a picture - the above design is (c) Ankh Designs)

Cross Stitch Crazy - the board has a blog now!

So you can check out what's happening on the board quickly and easily

Cross Stitch Crazy Blog!

and don't forget the Cross Stitch Crazy Recipe File