When what to my coveting eye has appeared?

Oh JOY!!!!  More designs that have caught my coveting eye.


Satsuma Street's, "Deck the Hall's".  I absolutely love the colors and the design has a retro feel to me.


















Little House Needlework's "House Rule".  I love the street of homes and the little sheepie on the hill.












Mill Hill's Caribbean Santas.  I bought these on sale for 22% off.  I love them because my husband is from the Caribbean, Guyana and they would be darling on our Christmas tree.  Not only that I call my brother Rick a pirate and they also remind me of him.



Long Dog Sampler's "Life after Death". This is the companion piece to Death by Cross Stitch which I also covet. I adore all the little motifs and the saying "Love is the thread that mends worn."  That saying reminds me of my husband whose love mended me.


Victoria Sampler's "Birthday Needleroll".  I love needlerolls but I love the frilly girlish nature of these beauties.


Homespun Elegance's "It Take's a Village".  Sweet saying with a lovely strawberry border.  I love that the stitch shop is front and center with the church right next door.


I have noticed that Christmas designs are popping up like dandelions in the yard.  The year half over and less then 6 months until the holiday season is upon us. 

Let's see what I will be coveting when next we meet.

Brillant storage carousel to build for cheap!

I watched this inspired video on YouTube yesterday and I had to share.  This would be a brilliant storage device for needlework.  If you can find the components at Dollar Tree they would total $8.00!  My head is spinning thinking about this. 

Mary Corbet's "The Metallics You'll Want to Use!"

This is a great article about stitching with metallic threads.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2017/06/thread-talk-the-metallics-you-want-to-use.html

Fricking Fabulous Freebies

https://dmc-usa.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se+de+Dillmont+
Vintage motifs by Theresa de Dillmont.  Great air ship, train, fisherman, bicycling men, antique automobile, hot air balloon and some wonderful sets of alphabets and numbers.


http://creativeworkshopsfromhetti.blogspot.nl/p/reebies.html
Stitches in Blue from Holland has sweet smaller designs.  There is a Happy Birthday flag, a stitched square which folds up into a humbug chicken and lots of tiles which make up a lovely pillow in blue. Click on the title of the free design rather then the picture and the site will take you to the blog entry where you get a nice image of the chart. This designer also has a link to their Etsy shop.


http://romyscreations.blogspot.it/p/freebies-by-romys-creations.html
Romy's Creations from Italy has smaller simple designs.  There are seasonal and holiday themed designs. There are some needlework themed designs.  Charming offerings at this site.

http://thelittlestitcher.blogspot.nl/p/freebie.html

The Little Stitcher from Italy has some really sweet designs.  "No Place Like Home" with a pair of Dorothy's red shoes is wonderful.  "Merry Christmas" has a snow frosting on the letters and a primitive feel with deer motifs. Plus many more free designs are offered. This designer also has a link to their Etsy shop.

http://ilcassettodeibottoni.blogspot.it/search/label/free
This Italian site has a definite primitive feel to the free designs offered.  There are several pages to browse.  The translate button was not working.  Look for "post piu vecchi" at the bottom of the page to see the next page of free designs.


http://threadworkprimitives.blogspot.nl/p/freebie-patterns.html
There are 8 primitive free designs offered from this Netherlands based site. It is hard to pick a favorite but I love the urn full of shamrocks and the "All Hallows Eve". This designer also has a link to their Etsy shop.


https://cosmichandmade.wordpress.com/free-charts-2008/
There are 8 small designs offered by Cosmic Handmade. There are stitching sisters, sweet strawberries, follow the light, spring carrot patch, bird quartet, winter berries, breast cancer awareness and autumn sampler.

http://stitchingandscribbling.blogspot.com/
Midsummer Night Musings offers 4 free designs. Small primitive type designs. Lady Baa Baa, Sweet as the Flower, Lovebird and Jingle Sparkle Joy.


http://la-d-da.net/freebies.html
Most stitchers are familiar with the delightfully primitive style of La D Da, it is one of my favorite designers. Lori offers 12 free designs on her site. She also has a corrections tab on her site to check for chart errors.


http://www.cross-stitch-patterns.eu/
Haftix is a most unusual site, stitchers submit their own designs for sale and free.  The vast majority are free for download.  Depending on your preferences you can find some quality designs for free. Be prepared to spend oodles of time perusing this site.


https://thedustyrabbit.blogspot.it/
This Italian site is absolutely adorable.  The designer creates figures thru felting and they are amazing.  If you scan down to her tags on the left, click on freebie.  I counted 8 designs, most Halloween.  If you love Harry Potter you must grab the Mandrake freebie! This designer also has a link to their Etsy shop.


http://needleknowledge.com/free-patterns/cross-stitch-counted-thread/red-quaker-sampler/
This is a most amazing design, the Red Quaker Sampler! I definitely want to stitch this.  There are a couple of other free designs to take a look at. The site itself is a great reference site.  Look around and bookmark it in your favorites.

Designs I covet!

Hands On Designs "Rose Cottage"

Love this design, yes because of the lovely pink flowers but the home looks so sweet, cozy and inviting, just like my home.

Châtelaine Designs "Irish Mandela"

Oh I am an Irish lass, the blood that flows thru me is as green as the grass in County Cork, Ballin Rostig is where my heart beats!

Reflets De Soie "Les Rubans Rouges"

Explain to me why anyone would need a "reason" to love this stunning sampler!  Oh I covet big time!

Primitive Hare "Bee Happy"

I love Isobel's primitive style and I love the mixture of motifs in this piece.  The beehives are sweet and I love the old fashioned lady dressed as the bee keeper with a crown.

Mirabilia "Renaissance Mermaid"

I am captivated by this lovely mermaid, her flowing hair, her beautiful blue color and the mandala hanging from her hand. 

Erica Michael "Mermaid Berry"

Yes, more mermaids but they are so endearing.  I love the little crab, the fish and the swirly waves.  They would be a treasure in my stitching tool box.

FlossTube #47 Sunroom Stitcher 6/24/17

Just Nan start and Complimentary design sites

I began a vintage Just Nan design from 1997 this past Tuesday called Amethyst Snowflake.  I am stitching it on 28 count Opalescent White Lugana with DMC.  I don't have the bead pak so I have picked out beads which I think will work.  I have begun stitching the circles and stars with the DMC Perle Cotton #8, as Nan has instructed.  I am enjoying stitching it.


Cross Stitch Patterns from CZ
http://free-cross-stitch.rucniprace.cz/#cross-stitch-pattern-categories
Perelle: French
http://perelles.canalblog.com/

Complimentary design links

Primitive Hare:  Christmas Bells
http://theprimitivehare.blogspot.com/search/label/FREE%20CHARTS

Travel the World from DMC Portugal:
http://www.freexstitch.com/970/travel-through-europe-free-pattern-sal-from-dmc/

Notforgotten Farms: Primitive style "Flag Maker"
http://farmhousenotforgotten.blogspot.com/p/freebies.html

Aurelle: French designer
http://aurelle.over-blog.com/tag/freebies/

Linen Flowers: Blackwork designs, christian themed designs
http://linenflowers.com/complimentarycrossstitch.htm

Wyrdbyrd's Nest:  Blackwork
https://sites.google.com/site/wyrdbyrdsnest/

The following is NOT a freebie link but it is a lovely You Tube channel showing Hardanger being stitched.

YouTube@MyNeedle- Hardanger
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV7TOZEjykQ5khqN8yjuoYA/videos

FlossTube #46 Sunroom Stitcher 6/5/17

Interesting new designs featured in ABC Stitch Therapy's newsletter

Little House Needlework's Sampler Stitchers

Imaginating's Seaside Wedding (A Kit)

Erica Michael's Mermaid Berry

FlossTube #45 Sunroom Stitcher 5/27/17

More Complimentary design sites to check out

No one enjoys complimentary designs more than I do. Over the past thirty some odd years I have acquired a stack of these little gems close to 2 feet high or more.  I love sharing these sites with others and I appreciate the generosity of designers past and present.


http://www.lesleyteare.com/blog
http://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/
http://lacontesselepointdecroix.blogspot.ca/
http://bythebabblingbrooke.blogspot.com
http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/
http://www.nspruance.com/free_charts.php
http://www.caron-net.com/03specialclass.html#backtotop
http://www.crossedwing.com/free/free_charts.html
http://www.maurer-stroh.com/index.html
http://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/a6380/cross-stitch/
http://alitadesigns.com
https://www.facebook.com/ricamando.xx/?ref=pyml_chaining
https://aliolka.blogspot.com/

Below are a few freebies I have stitched in the past years.  It is a small sampling.

FlossTube #44 Sunroom Stitcher 5/7/17

Lovely complimentary design sites

Who needs to buy anything when there are such generous designers out there that share a sampling of their work.  Here are some MUST visit sites!

https://embroiderbee.wordpress.com/
http://libertyneedlework.blogspot.com/
http://veeandcocrossstitchdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://www.theworkbasket.net/free
http://grillesdemaryse.canalblog.com/archives/grilles_gratuites/index.html
http://gtlilih.over-blog.com/tag/petites%20grilles%20offertes/
http://zuill.us/andreablog/category/embroidery/free-patterns/ (Embroidery patterns)
http://smalltownstitchin.blogspot.com/search/label/Gifts%20From%20Me%20To%20You
http://www.freewebs.com/barbara-ana-designs/freebies.htm
http://e-subrosa.blogspot.com/
http://thetwistfamily.blogspot.hu/ (My Heartstring)
http://lacontesselepointdecroix.blogspot.hu/search/label/schemi%20free

This is the progress on "Our Story" designed by With Thy Needle.  I started the design when I was at The Silver Needle's Camp Wannasew Retreat in March.  I picked it back up last Friday with the first pictures showing my starting place.  It has been a joy to work on.  I am stitching with the called for floss colors.  I am not sure what the linen is, it was in my stash.  My friend Lee helped me decide which fabric to use.  I value her opinion.  I could have this done by week's end.

Over one stitch and Pin Stitch

Courtney ECR Over One Stitch Technique (starts at about 5:30):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eDGsE0yhuQ

Carolyn Mazzeo Pin Stitch Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbaLFt1cqYc

Stitching in progress and ancient finishes

 I am enjoying stitching on Pumpkins Three from La-D-Da.  The fabric is an unknown color but 28count using the Valdani floss, Chocolate Brownies.  It looks great and I am glad I chose the Valdani rather then black DMC.  I think it gives a much more interesting effect.

This is my progress on Twisted Threads Bitty Bunny.  Over one is a challenge made better by my new Ott light.

The following are pictures of some of my finishes.

This is the most ambitious finish of my stitching career.  It is O Come All Ye Faithful by Counted Illuminations/Patricia Andrle.  It took me a year to stitch and was finished in October 1995.

This small angel is an Alma Lynne design.  It was stitched prior to 1996.  I had given it to my Grandmother and when she passed in 1996 I asked for it back.  Two years ago I gave it to my dear friend Dorothy with the stipulation should she proceed me to Stitching Heaven I want it returned.

 This was a free design which was stitched on Navy evenweave, navy blue being my husband's favorite color.  I believe the silk floss is Vicki Clayton's Turkey Red.  This was stitched in 2012.

This is a C Mon Monde design.  The design is called "Un Tour Dans Mon" which translates to "A Ride in My Bag".  She is stitched on 32 count Enchanted Night from Color Blooms.  She is darling and I kept thinking she reminds me of a Mary Poppins character with the umbrella. 

A free design from AutyTM.  It is the 2011 Patriotic Quaker heart.  I used Crescent Colors Wavy Navy, Red Manor and Honey Bee.  I was surprised as the Navy ran when I washed it, I would have expected the red to.  You don't really notice it.  I did love the Manor Red color, very deep and rich.

This is a Mirabilia design.  I changed the fairy's skin to brown to reflect the ethnicity of the lady who I gave it to.  It hangs in my Matron of Honor Beverly's home. 

The above two pictures are the front and back of a door knob hanger.  It is a Birds of a Feather (I believe) design and was stitched as a tribute of a granddaughter's love for her grandfather who passed.  It was stitched in August 2016.

This is a Heinzit design which was stitched several years ago.

This was a free design and I have no idea who the designer was.  I believe I changed the floss colors.

This pair of mittens are called It's Snow Cold and the designer is me.  Notice the blue lips.  Yes a snow ball hides his pride and joy.  I have never designed anything but this was an entry for a mitten contest and I should have won but didn't.

This is a Barbara Ana complimentary design.  Love the colors.

This is a very old finish. I don't remember who the designer is, I know I still have the leaflet.  It was stitched back in the late 1980's. I haven't stitched on Aida in ages.

Over one progress and a few odds and ends.

My thrift shop cookie jar.  It is marked 1990 and in no way resembles the pig cookie jar of my childhood.  She sits happily on my baker's rack and she makes me happy.  I paid $10.00 for her.

 The above two pictures are of the earrings that I found at the thrift shop.  They will eventually adorn some exquisite stitching I do in the future.

This is my progress on my over one project.  My new Ott lamp is incredibly helpful in working over one.

This is the Patricia Andrle piece I finished in October of 1995.  It is called "O Come all Ye Faithful".  I had a wonderful time stitching this and I still love this piece to this day.  It took me a year to complete.