Nini Makes

Mistletoe kisses, another pattern finished

Mistletoe Kisses pattern stitched on a linen tea towel

I finished stitching up this pattern using a loose lazy daisy stitch for the leaves and a small stem stitch for the branch. I'm not a fan of the stem stitch but I liked the way the smaller stitch length worked for this. The mistletoe stems are backstitch and the birds are split stitch, and of course, French knots for the berries. Appliqué is used for the red breasts and I toyed with filling in the birds but honestly I'm on a mission for finishing things at the moment, I also think it lends itself more to a vintage feel by not filling.

To receive this new pattern go to the Embroidery & Appliqué page here. It is available on a donation basis as all patterns on this page now are. I think I might have forgotten to say in my previous post that there is no minimum donation and also that Gracie will receive all the donations on patterns she has drawn.

In other news, this week is busy as I prepare for G's birthday and also the children are home for their half-term break but I'm hoping to squeeze in a day in the city to visit Jill. I also received a surprise package from Kay, thank you Kay – I really needed that chocolate treat this week and it's already gone. Also thank you Pam, everyone needs a cheerleader and friend like you.
And most importantly, if you know Sonia, she's had very sad news, you may want to send a message her way. 

Have a lovely week.

Jx

Finishing is good

Goldfinch Stitched

I had an enormous amount of fun stitching this guy. Often times while I should have been doing other things, like running baths or folding laundry. The pattern created for him will be included as one of four stitching motifs added to the new bag pattern available now!

Forager Bag Pattern e-booklet

I'm very excited about this pattern because I feel it's easy enough for sewists at beginner level to achieve a professional finish, I know that because I'm no professional. It's also easy enough to still knock-out a few in time for Christmas. I have two on the go at the moment for gifts - one for a child, the other for a grown-up.

You can read more about it on the very neglected Stitch Village blog, or go right to the shop here.

I had intended it to be part of another collection but a full e-book will have to wait until later in the year; this is in the form of an eight page pattern e-booklet instead.

I think most of our goldfinches are wintering in Spain, but the blue tits are so active it almost looks like spring outside my window, they fly in flocks this time of year. Also on the bird front, two mornings in a row I got to see a red kite swoop down low over one of my favourite walking paths and from my window I can see dozens of thrushes plucking holly berries from the trees.

Our cold weather has nearly kept me indoors this week, but instead it simply shortened my walks due to numb toes and a numb nose. I spotted the fellow below watching me, do you see him? 

Old Man of the forest

I must go now and prepare a belated Thanksgiving dinner. I'm giving thanks for healthy, happy family and friends and the wonderful people I've met right here. I'm also thankful for finishing, and for my parents instilling in me the desire to complete things even if it's hard (not that I'm interested in being an Everest climber or anything). I hope in the coming year I'll be dipping my toe into a pool of new activities and also doing more completing.

Happy Sunday to you! 

Happy, hoppity Easter

 

H A P P Y E A S T E R !

We're off to Cornwall for a week of seaside fun. The weather here is still very chilly and rain is forecast for the entire week, but we're excited anyway. 

Today the sun is mostly shining. The eggs got dyed, hidden, found and partly eaten. We're all sporting dyed fingers and now it's time to finish folding laundry and pack the suitcases. I leave you with a few images from our Easter break thus far.

 Daffs have opened.

Lichen in a birch

Nest decorator  

 Dyed the brown eggs inside 

Kool Aid Egg 

Egg finding

The nest decorator above was made from an empty lemon bag and filled with my saved up thread, lint from our washing machine filter and yarn scraps. We're still seeing many birds preparing nests around here so we hope it helps, but I can't help imaging Mr and Mrs Finch arguing over colour choices.

For those of you who may not have seen my Flicker photos, this free Sunny Bunny pattern is available free to download on the Stitch Village blog, here.

Our eggs were dyed with a combination of dyes bought in Holland last year, and Kool Aid sent to us by Pam. The lovely bright orange is Strawberry Kool Aid.

I hope you're all having a wonderful, relaxed day. See you after our break.

Happy Easter, and happy spring!

J x

 

  

 

 

A new classroom

 
Finished! The first Stitch Village Collection

Guess I missed my personal deadline for early November on this project, but for me the wait was worth it because I learned so much along the way, like this project would have been way easier if I'd married a programmer:) It's not only been an education for me, but also another way of teaching, replacing the art teacher job that I had to leave when we moved. It's a new classroom, sort of.

This 24 page ebook is a collection of five projects with patterns. There are how-to photos, diagrams, instructions, supplier info, lots of handy links and a must-have favourite recipe to go with the recipe binder project. 

The Gracie Doll is one of the patterns and even includes the method I use for making doll hair that can be styled. Because my real-life Gracie, though she's a football-loving, rock-climbing, jeans-only kind of girl, really loves dolls with hair that she can style (without the hair falling out!)

There's more information and some small sample images of pages from the booklet on the new blog and in the shop here.

The Cheeky Cherub pattern will be given away as a free gift for those who purchase the collection or it can be purchased in the shop on it's own.

Check back to the new blog for updates and information about future issues.

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UPDATE: Winner number one, chosen by the random number generator at RANDOM.ORG is Maryvonne from the Netherlands. Maryvonne will receive prize number one, the Stitch Village Pattern Collection and the additional Cheeky Cherub pattern.

The second winner is sweet Cheryl from Utah. Cheryl wins prize number two, the felted wool heart and bird shapes, vintage buttons and floss.

The third winner is number 15, that's Katharine from Derby here in the UK. She wins the embroidery floral package. 

The fourth winner is number 21, Monique from Holland. Monique wins the button covered sketchbook and pencils.

The fifth winner for the "Gnomebody's Home" prize is number 45, Christina from Australia.

The sixth winner is number 32, Nic from Yorkshire, here in the UK. Nic wins the linen tea towel, Cath Kidston and floral tea cozy fabric.

Thank you to all who entered. It's fun to read about everyone's favourite stitch crafts. All winners were chosen by the random number generator at random.org 

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Celebrating With Daily Winners

In celebration of this new venture, I've put together a daily contest for the week of February 22nd. One winner will be chosen each day for five days, February 22 - 26, 2010.

To be entered in the contest leave a comment on this post telling me what your favourite type of stitching craft or fiber art is. No need to wait till the 22nd, comment any time from now until the 25th of Feb. Please remember I need an email address to contact you if you win, I can't contact you through a Typepad profile. I will ship internationally, so everyone can enter.

Here are the prizes:

Prize one: includes the PDF project book and the PDF Cherub pattern 

Prize two: Felted wool heart and bird shapes, one skein of floss and vintage buttons. I used this same wool to doodle and applique these.

Prize three: For the flower enthusiast. Includes 4 vintage flower themed embroidery patterns. A vintage Alpine Flowers book and a few skeins of floss.

For the younger crafter. A covered, hardbound sketchbook, pencil and mini pencils.
(note to self: hide this from little G)

 
My unreleased "Lights are on but Gnomebody's Home" pattern and a piece of vintage cloth for stitching it up (similar to the cloth the pattern is stitched on in this picture.)

There we have it. I hope lots of you enter and if you have a chance, take a look at the new blog and shop.

Happy, happy Friday to you!

Joanie x