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! 

2015 Smalls SAL - September

I decided I needed to get more active in the online stitching community again so I joined the 2015 Smalls SAL hosted by Heather of Stitching Lotus - a little late in the year to get started but it's open to new participants all year so I decided to join the fun. Hoping it will help keep me focused on stitching and blogging more. So, drum roll, please....here is my first check in for the SAL - September!

Of course my small of choice is a scissor fob. I knew what I wanted the fob to say but in order to fit it in I had to ...sigh... stitch over one....again. There are only two things I like about stitching over one, getting done with it and the end result which makes the effort worthwhile.

I stitched my initials on the backside using my Stork Scissors Alphabet, yet again, stitched over one so it would fit the space. I used 25ct Potato Lugana which is great to stitch on, not so great for finishing something so small and the stork scissors and needle colors don't show up very well. Live and learn!

Next is the Neon Cats scissors fob based on a knitting pattern of repeating cats that I saw online. I had to make some changes to make it work for me but I was pleased with the result and I loved the bright neon colored floss which was unexpectedly wonderful to stitch with. Stitched on the same 25ct Potato Lugana except this one is stitched over two threads! Yay!

Now I just have to figure out which pair of scissors looks best with it - any suggestions?

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

Stitchin' Time Scissor Fob

Stitchin' Time Scissors Fob pdf

New Stork Scissors Square Fob

New Stork Scissors Square Fob pdf

Prairie Schooler Exchange

Hooked on Exchanging recently had a Prairie Schooler Exchange that I just had to join. I love Prairie Schooler designs and they are so fun to stitch! After receiving the gorgeous needlework smalls set that Barbie stitched and sent, I couldn't believe that I was treated to another wonderful set, this time from Hazel! It is a beautifully stitched and assembled needlework set complete with scissor case, fob and needle case - fully stocked with pins and needles, of course! I have had this chart in my stash for a long time but every time I thought about stitching it up, the thought of trying to finish that scissor case totally intimidated me! I just love it and it is even better because it is already finished! On top of the fabulous stitching set, she completely spoiled me with the extra goodies. She included a new pair of scissors (I didn't have any of these in my collection) that I immediately dressed in the fob and inserted in the scissor case. She also sent a Drawn Thread chart from my wishlist (now my set of the four seasons is complete!), beautiful Sea Green hand-dyed floss from Carrie's Creation (I love soft shades of green) and a lovely postcard of her area. Hazel, thank you so much for this delightful gift - and especially for all the hard work and obvious effort that you put into making it!

And the other half of the exchange.....

I stitched for Cathy B this time and chose the November design from Prairie Schooler Book No. 23 "A Prairie Year II". I used Wichelt-Permin 18 ct Lambswool linen stitched over 2 threads using DMC floss. I changed the colors slightly to "brighten" it up a bit. (I hope Cathy didn't mind the change!) I used a flatfold/easel type finish with some bright harvest print on the back.

I really enjoyed stitching this up for Cathy and was pleased with the final result. That is one of the great things about this exchange group, the projects have to be completely finished so they actually get done instead of adding to my "someday" pile! I sent along a few extras as well - a chart from Cathy's wishlist, a couple of pieces of 32 ct fabric, a packet of needles, a small assortment of thread drops, Chocolate Skittles (Have you tried these? Yummy!), some fall -themed items: ribbon, embellishments, pumpkin stickers, a fun little checkered pumpkin and overdyed floss. The last item didn't really fit the autumn theme but I sent it anyway - a small "tuckable" banner with a beaded hanger - I love these little banners - instant finishing and veeeery cute!!

Small Scissors Fobs Mix & Match

Here is an example of numerous versions of one chart and not being able to decide which I like best...... so, mix them up and use the ones you like best. Different color combinations will change them as well, so each fob will be unique! I've included the alphabet I made to go with it so any initials should work for the fob back. I designed these when I was making the scissors fob for Carol R's HoE Freebie Exchange. If you like the chart and want to send a photo of the finished fob, I would love to see it and post it here.

New Charts - Small Scissors Crosspatch

Now that Carol has received her exchanges from me I can post the charts I used. The first one is the Small Scissors Crosspatch which features the word scissors in seven languages - you might like to highlight one language of your choice by stitching it in red (or another color) as I did for Carol's box. I added the personalization on the side to fit the boxtop I was covering. I have included a chart with backstitched scissors in case you can't find scissor charms to use - they are, of course, optional and can easily be left off.

Scissors Crosspatch Finish

I received an email today from Loris with a picture of her stitched version of the Scissors Crosspatch Chart and she kindly said I could post it here. I just love seeing the stitched pieces and seeing the choices for fabrics and flosses! You can see this and her other beautiful stitching in her Webshots albums - http://community.webshots.com/user/loris42 . Thanks again, Loris, for taking the time to stitch my chart and for sharing your picture!

Needlework Set - Part 4 - Needlecase

Still no Internet at home so another quick post from work. I have no idea how long it will take to get my phone, cable and Internet back but I know it takes a backseat to restoring electricity to 600,000 homes and businesses statewide, not to mention digging out from under all the broken tree limbs and whole trees that are down. It really does look like a war zone right now but they are working on it. Now they are predicting snow for the weekend (only 3 or 4 inches, so they say) but at least that's better than all the ice and freezing rain.

Needlework Set - Part 3 - Biscornu

Stork Scissors Biscornu Side 1 pdf


Stork Scissors Biscornu Side 2 pdf

My apologies for the quality of the chart - seems my printer is running out of ink - I may have to rescan and post if anyone has trouble with it. Let me know!

***Edited*** Pdf files have been uploaded for the charts.

Needlework Set - Part 2 - Stork Scissors Fob

We are in the midst of a bad ice storm here in Oklahoma and my Internet at home is down for who knows how long, so I am staying after work to post this - so it will be short!

Needlework Set - Part 1 - Scissors Case

Today's chart is for a scissors case. I think 16ct or 32ct over two threads will probably work best. There will be matching scissors fob and needlecase charts (maybe a biscornu as well?) over the next few days. The small dotted line is not stitched it is just to show the fold line for the flap and the larger dashed line is just to show the point that the flap will overlap to on the front.

Stork Scissors Square

 

Stork Scissors Square pdf 

This is another of my favorite charts. I've used these same motifs for several projects. I thought this would make a nice top for a wood sewing box or something along those lines. I've used these same motifs for a stitching set which I'll post later on.

Gone Stitching Scissors Fob

A quick to stitch scissors fob, easily adapted to whatever color scheme you like. I love needlework tools (especially scissors!) and love charts that depict them.

Scissors Addiction and Scissors Crosspatch Chart

Confession time. I've been much more interested in scissor-collecting than stitching or designing lately. However, it is getting more and more difficult to find scissors I don't already have so I guess that will have to go on the back burner for awhile. So today's chart is a combination of recent interests - scissors, cross stitch, designing and monochromes. I never was very interested in monochromes in the past because I love color - lots of color! But lately, I've become quite fascinated with the complex simplicity of the designs, if that makes any sense. To convey the beauty of the picture without using color for detail and shading is amazing to me. And, of course, with all the beautiful threads and fabrics available today, there is plenty of opportunity to incorporate color and still maintain the monochrome simplicity. I am quite pleased with this chart which is surprising because I'm my own worst critic. I just finished the chart this morning so it hasn't been stitched yet - I hope to start it this evening when I get back home. The words are "scissors" in seven languages and I'm sure I'm not the only stitcher out there that loves and collects embroidery scissors.