Roxi's Dragon Dreams Ornament

This is my friend Roxi Lewis's Dragon Dreams ornament. It's different from mine (below) -- she uses rayon floss for the tail and comb and doesn't use Sampler Threads on the stocking. I think it's pretty cute. 

Silkweaver's Fabric of the Month Club!

I joined Silkweaver's Fabric of the Month Club this month. I chose the Aida option -- big pieces (18x28) which means I get two pieces of fabric every month. This is really cool because what I get is a surprise, and plus, it builds up my stash. I seem to be going through fabric lately!

My first shipment arrived last week and I am delighted with it. It is two Solos, which are one-of-a-kind hand dyed fabrics that Silkweaver changes every week. I got one 16 count which is predominantly blue with some pink in it, and an 18 count which is a pale rose. I am thinking that maybe I can use the pale rose for some Silver Lining roses I am going to stitch ("Baby Roses"). I will toss the threads onto the fabric and see if there is enough contrast to make a go of it.

I love Silkweaver fabrics anyway. They are such high quality and the colors are wonderful. I used Silkweaver's Strawberry Milkshake when I made Easter Kitty Moon a while back (it's in this blog near the beginning). I am in a Millennium Cats round robin in RoundRobinCrazy, and I am going to use Tutti Fruitie for that. I already have the fabric and will start gridding it up as soon as I finish the last Christmas ornament! Hopefully that finish will be on Wednesday...

Dragon Dreams Ornament: "Never Too Big"

This Dragon Dreams ornament, "Never Too Big," is from the Just Cross Stitch 2004 Ornaments issue. It has mallard Kreinik very fine braid, some blended threads, buckeye scarlet Gentle Art Sample Threads in the Christmas stocking and berries, and colonial knots for the holly berries. The pattern calls for 28 ct light taupe Lugana but I used 14 ct parchment Aida. 

Celtic Icon Framed

This, finally, is the St. John and Eagles Icon framed. The frame is gold and gray. There is no glass or mat -- I wanted it to look as much like an icon as possible. I am very happy with it. 

Awww, Pokey...

My friend Pokey deleted her blogs. How sad. I got all over her about that. They were really good. The good news is that she is considering starting up Pokey Points again, so I am leaving up the link. Go for it, Pokey!

Christmas Ornaments

It's November, and I'm stitching Christmas ornaments. My goal for November is to make three. Snow Flakes was the first one, from Donna Kooler's 555 Timeless Cross Stitch Patterns. It is also in issue #25 of Cross Stitch Gold, which I just picked up at Barnes & Noble. The other two are in the Just Cross Stitch 2004 Christmas Ornaments issue. They are "Never Too Big" by Dragon Dreams -- a dragon (of course) with the words "never too big to believe" -- and "Snow" by Glory Bee, a snowman done with Sampler Threads. I just set aside Snow Flakes until I finish Never Too Big and Snow, because of all the fractional stitches and French knots. I am too anxious to get on with Never Too Big anyway. I love the dragon!

Snow Flakes Ornament

A Christmas ornament I am stitching. It is from a Donna Kooler book. When I undertook it I didn't realize how many French knots there were, and that it had so many fractional stitches, so I stitched it on Aida. It has taken me two weeks so far. The blue horizontal and vertical lines are my gridding.