Christmas Cards of 2014

Hi all. I'm alive but still struggling to find more time for blogging but hey, here I am here today with some more crafty news. I know, I know it's way past Christmas and most of us are already thinking of Easter days but I still wanted to show you my festive cross stitched cards into which I  had put lots of time and effort so it would be shame not to mention them. 

So here they are. Ta Dah!

A set of 6 Christmas cross stitched cards. Patterns for the motifs come from an archival issue of Cross Stitch Cardshop, issue no. 81. I liked these as soon as I saw them and knew I'd have to stitch them one day.

It takes at least 6-8 hrs to stitch a single motif. There are satin and metallic threads in them too. They give  those nice shiny light effects. Buttons add an extra dimension too. A few close-ups:

I think the Christmas tree with tiny cute buttons is my favourite in this card collection :) I may feel tempted to stitch this motif again sometime.

The elf boots are sweet too, I think.

All in all it has taken me 2 years to finish these cards. I lost my motivation and patience half way through and came back to finish them off 2 Christmases later. I'm very pleased how they turned out.

I obviously couldn't resist embellishing the aperture cards as well. Not too much though otherwise the embellishments would overshadow the cross stitch itself.

And this is what they looked like when put on my still festive window. They look quite good as a group, don't you think? :)

In the meantime I couldn't stop myself from starting another big project - a gorgeous Christmas sampler. This one will be stitched throughout the whole year and hopefully finished by Christmas 2015. 

The canvas is navy which means stitching this piece of work requires a great deal of sunlight and I can only stitch it while I'm sitting in my conservatory without risking an eyestrain. Too cold at the moment but it will be more pleasant later in the year and I'm really looking forward to see how this sampler is coming on. The pattern requires a lot of Anchor Reflecta metallic thread so I predict some battles with fraying threads. The stitching with metallic threads is slow but the design is stunning so eventually it will be worth all the effort. 

Currently I'm busing myself with knitting some Easter bunnies as gifts and a bit of crochet too. I'm thinking of trying some new projects, some being a little out of my comfort zone. Lots in plans, just need to stretch my day a bit... by a few hours at least ;)

Hope you are all ok and thanks for stopping by here x x 

Woohoo!

Last week the Amazon shop made my day - they had emailed me about the new book of Arne and Carlos being on pre-order and released sooner than I expected. I was delighted at the opportunity of not having to wait until February 2013 for the English version of "the Easter project book". A few days later this fabulous book arrived at my doorstep! Woohooo! So long and impatiently awaited and finally mine! 

Voile! Easter Knits. Eggs, Bunnies and Chicks - with a fabulous twist by Arne & Carlos - famous Scandinavian knitwear designers and authors of knitted balls. 

 

And this is what you can find inside the book - knitted Easter balls, eggs, bunnies, cosies and chicks. All fresh, vibrant with colours and bringing freshness and joy to your spring house. I shall surely be knitting those Easter balls and eggs away as soon as the Christmas season is over :))) Can't wait!!!

Oh! I can't wait to knit those eggs!

Isn't that tree with Easter balls and eggs great? :)

On the Christmas frontline - I'm obviously working on my next few Christmas balls and the Nordic stocking sampler. A new line of cross stitch has been added - the line with the birds ...

... and I started to stitch the new line of Christmas trees.

Now, the bottom part of the stocking is starting to emerge.. Still plenty to go!

Back to my knitting. Hope your weekend is going well. x x x

ps. Welcome my new likers :)

Winter Sampler finished!

Ta dah! My winter sampler on the navy background has been finished! Pleased with the overall effect  and now on the lookout for a nice frame :) This is what it looks like when taken off the stitching frame (not washed or ironed yet).

No time to waste! In the meantime I started another Nordic project (suprise! suprise!) :P This is going to be a personalised Nordic stocking with my name. My first project on the red aida  too. 

Loved stitching the little hearts as much as the mittens. Each element of a sampler is a separate bit of fun to stitch. There is symmetry and regularity here. You just go line after line adding little elements to your project and it's convenient to stop between the lines. This is a great thing I love about cross stitch samplers. Easy and pleasant to make, yet charming :)

Also been working on my next woolly balls. Currently knitting my 47th / 55 :) Not far to go! Almost there!

The news of this week for me is this:

Thanks to my friend, Grażyna (dzięki!!) , I've been introduced to a lady running this lovely Christmas shop and this year my glass painted pieces will be sold there for the first time. What a fab start to the coming Christmas season! This shop opens only once a year but this year it will be selling for two days due to its growing popularity. If you live in the area of Pen-y-Lan / Wrexham, do pop in for your Christmas shopping. There will be plenty of  beautiful hand-made crafts to buy as presents. I'm very excited to go there!

Time for Hand-made Monday. Joining a bunch of talented crafters. Head over and see what they have been up to.

Now, gotta go and get ready for work. Will be visiting your blogs in the afternoon, when I'm back :) Have a good day, everyone! x x

Stamped Christmas Cards (2)

Hi all. My stamping craze continues. I've been having fun with some of my new stamps. This time it's a fab folky stocking stamp from Noolibird. Another batch of stamped cards arose over the last week and weekend. 13 new, Nordic themed cards. Naturally, the reds and white / ecru dominate. I used Vivi Gade papers - series: Copenhagen.

A large card with 4 hanging stockings - a great display idea and a cardlift of one of Noolibird's cards. originally the stockings were stitched to the card but I used a baker's twine as a string and brown craft paper as backing . Stamped words - The Waltzing Mouse stamps.

Same idea but a different arrangement :)

Red, white and green? Why not!

A card with a piece of  acetate stamped and edged with patterned scissors. Looks good in sunlight and with the sparkly snowflakes.

Blue, white and gold... I liked this combination. Should try more cards in this fashion.

Couldn't resist making a couple of green cards too.

Quite pleased with this set of cards. Surely I won't run out of them, will I? Now moving on to stamping reindeer designs :)

Time for Hand-made Monday at Handmade Harbour. Very curious what other crafters have been up to recently. Do join in!