Stitching mad

Last week one of the orders I placed at the trade show in Germany arrived.  There were so many wonderful designs in the shipment that I'm having a hard time deciding which to stitch first.  I had decided I should first finish some of my other projects, so over the last week I have been madly stitching to finish two of my on going needlepoint projects while I decide.

I started stitching on the flower/fruit basket (a painted canvas) about 2 years ago.  It has been my "car" project;  I always have a needlepoint on the go that I stitch when in the car.  My husband drives and I stitch.  This way we have a very pleasant ride, mainly because I am distracted and don't criticize his lane choices, speed, passing, not hypermiling, etc. etc.  Over the last few evenings all I had to complete was the fly, a leaf, and half of the background.

The "Good Morning" needlepoint is a Prairie Schooler design out of an old Just Cross Stitch Issue.  Although intended as a cross stitch design, it is composed of full stitches so you can petit point, needlepoint, bead, rug hook, or even knit the pattern.  I converted the threads to wool and choose an 11ct canvas.  I started this project at the airport on our way to Germany.  I then stitched on the trains and a little at my aunt's house.  Once home all I needed to finish was the sun and background.

Now I can feel comfortable starting a new project, and I think I have figured it out.  The charts from this designer, Orchidea (to be added to www.gittas.com this weekend), are also composed of only full stitches.  I have decided to petit point this design.  It's only 120 x 96 stitches, so on 22ct. canvas with  3 strands of floss it will be 5.5" x 4.4" in size.
Just awesome.

Happy Easter

It's a good thing Easter is later this year, or the kids would be hunting for their Easter baskets in the snow.  Easter is a sure sign of Spring, and with the beginning of Spring so is our hope for new life; a new beginning.  Spring brings colour back into our lives, with a brighter sun the buds sprout on the trees, the grass is green once again, and the flowers are a bloom.  Have a happy Easter and enjoy every glorious sign that Spring is finally here.

 Here is a small token gift to welcome Spring and celebrate Easter.  Click here to download the bunny's symbol chart.  Choose some threads from your stash.  Have fun with it and choose fresh colours to symbolize Spring.


I have been stitching and collecting Easter ornaments for many many years, and this year some of them are hanging on the NEW metal tree we are carrying in the shop.  The tree can be decorated with ornaments and tokens for every season or holiday.

Happy Easter

Blue Orchids for Mom

 For the last few weeks, I have been struggling and wondering how today will play out.  Today is my Mom's birthday; she would have been 73 years old.  I miss her everyday and today is her first birthday without her.
I was wondering what we would  do to celebrate this day if she were still here to share it with us.  She, like most moms, would always say "I need nothing", so we generally spent the day together and in the past few years I would bring a tropical house plant or something for the garden.
So this year, I purchased this orchid in her honour.  Blue was her favourite colour, and it now sits in my bay window towering over my other orchids, just like my mother towered over us.  She was larger than life, caring and watching over everyone she knew.  She was always honest in speaking her mind, yet never made you feel small.
Later today we plan to go for a family walk through Allan Gardens and enjoy a nice dinner out.  My sister posted a poem on facebook, that holds so true for me each and every day, so I wanted to share it with you.

Our lives go on without you
But nothing is the same
We have to hide our heartache
When someone speaks your name

Sad are the hearts that love you
Silent are the tears that fall
Living here without you
is the hardest part of all

You did so many things for us
Your heart was kind and true
And when we needed someone
We could always count on you

The special years will not return
When we are all together
But with the love in our hearts
You walk with us forever.

                                                          Author unknown

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you !!

Designer of the Month: Freda Murfin

Upon my return from Germany, Freda's parcel with her models

was waiting for me in the shop.  I liked each and every one of her models that I unpacked.

When I had first contacted Canadian designers over a year ago, to see if they would be interested in participating in our "Designer of the Month",  I had only seen Freda's designs on her website.  But as always the stitched piece is more impressive than the photo, and this is true of Freda's designs as well.

Freda lives in Calgary, Alberta, so unfortunately she will be unable to visit the shop during her month of April.  Freda has stitched all her life and like me her first love is petit point.  She started designing for her local stitching shop and has only started reaching beyond her local market a few years ago.  Thank goodness for the rest of us, that she did.

Click here and visit our designer page for Freda's Fancy designs;  to see and purchase her patterns.  For the month of April 2014 all of Freda's designs will receive a 10% discount.  With every purchase of her designs you will also receive a copy of her free design for our Designer of Month Collaboration Sampler.