Stitch Each Day Challenge Chart

My blogiversary is coming up on March 3 so I've decided to have two drawings to celebrate. One will be easy - leaving a comment on my blog between now and March 1st will earn an entry in the doorprize giveaway. The more you comment, the more chances to win. The second drawing is harder but the reward will be bigger. Is it better to know what the prizes will be or is it more fun to be surprised? (Here's a chance to leave a comment and help me decide.) Today's free chart is a challenge chart - stitch it up, get creative - add beads, buttons, charms, specialty stitches and threads, change colors, etc., etc. What will you do with it? Stitching tote? Pinkeep? Doorhanger? Notebook cover? Flatfold? Framed? The possibilities are endless and I love seeing how stitchers take a design and make it their own. Everyone that sends me a photo of their finished project will receive a small prize for participating and be entered in the 2nd drawing for the Grand Prize. All entries must be received by March 1st, 2016. The drawing winners will be announced on March 3rd, 2016.

Download Stitch Each Day pdf here

"Ugly Scissors" Fob

Things have been a bit hectic lately, or maybe I should say more hectic than usual. I thought by this point in my life, I would have more free time and life would be less frenetic. Wrong, wrong, wrong! I had planned to add this chart 2 weeks ago and where has the time gone!? This is the chart for the scissor fob pictured in my last post. I've included a different back that can be substituted for the initials that I used.

Life Is Too Short for Ugly Scissors - Fob (pdf here)

And...

Charlene kindly shared photos of her projects using three of my charts, Mermaid Scissors Fob, Seahorse Fob and Life is Too Short for Ugly Scissors. Thanks, Charlene for letting me post them here!

No ugly scissors in the lot! Beautiful stitching and finishing to complement the beautiful scissors! 

Too Many Scissors? Never!

I love scissors. Pretty scissors. Pretty embroidery scissors. I'm always so excited when I see new ones and there always seem to be new ones these days. I can't afford to collect them as much as I used to but I still add some here and there. Quality can vary greatly and top quality scissors are a joy to use but that doesn't keep me from picking up some that are lesser quality but fun to look at and display - just makes stitching even more fun! My first pair of stork scissors got me started on a lifelong hobby of collecting embroidery scissors and they range from antique to brand new, expensive to free, sturdy to delicate, colorful to plain metal and everything in between! I love the variety and admire the creativity of some of the makers. Cute, pretty or just plain fun scissors can be found for less than $10 so treat yourself or a stitching friend!

I have already preordered the new Gingher Designer Series "Wren" 4-inch Scissors due out in September. I haven't yet heard anything on this year's limited edition that the Jo-Ann Stores usually have. If anyone has info on them, I hope they will share it here because I would really like to get them as well.

Gingher Designer Series "Wren" 4-inch Scissors

So for all the avid scissors collectors (I know I'm not the only one!) a new chart to keep those scissors company.

Life is Too Short for Ugly Scissors - pdf here

Stork Scissors Alphabet - Finished at Last!

Stork Scissors Alphabet

 Download pdf file

I finally finished the other alphabet I've been wanting to do for a long time. The color scheme was chosen to complement the 2014 Gingher's Designer Series Scissors, Eve, but it is easily changed for a whole new look. I'm using the letters for scissor fobs of course, but I'm planning to use them for personalizing some stitchers' gifts, too. Maybe a whole new needlework set?

Seahorse Scissor Fob/Back of Mermaid Fob

I used this design for the back of the Mermaid fob but it could easily be used for a quick-stitch scissors fob on its own. (The alphabet I used is a favorite of mine, but it is no longer available to download from the publisher's website.)

Seahorse Scissors Fob/Back of Mermaid Fob - pdf

Mermaid Scissor Fob

My friend Beth is an amazing stitcher. I cannot begin to count all the gorgeous Mirabilia designs she has stitched since I've known her. I don't know how she finds the time and perseverance to stitch those beautiful, detailed and huge designs! (Anything 80 x 80 falls in the large category, 100 x 100 or more is in the huge range as far as I'm concerned!) As soon as I saw her Mirabilia mermaids framed and hung, I decided I would like to make a mermaid fob for her. It's funny, she doesn't hesitate to tackle those large projects but is hesitant to stitch something small like a scissor fob - that's okay, though, because that's where I come in! I finished the chart back in November but didn't get to stitch it until the end of March. I managed to work in all the things I like the least about cross stitch - a few partial stitches (only 4), one over one stitches (the seahorses), beads and back stitching. Sigh......you would think I would learn to leave those things out!

                                        Mermaid Scissor Fob pdf

Acorns and Leaves Scissors Fob

Click on image for larger view.