For my mom who passed away suddenly on April 1st.
Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

WIP
Want to know the reason why I haven't posted much here lately? Take a look at the pictures below. Yes, that's right I'm stitching like mad when I have the time. I found this freebie for a half dollhouse alphabet and I really liked it so much I wanted to stitch it right away.
You can find this freebie here

As it's a rather large project, I've been busy measuring up the fabric and dividing it in pieces so I can stitch the 26 letters more easily.
I'm using 14 count vintage blue aïda and DMC thread number 931.


March 11th. 2010


March 11th. 2010

I've finished 6 letters so far and have much more to do so I'll be busy for quite some time.
I'll put up more pictures of this WIP and at the moment I won't put up new freebies as I really want to finish this project first.
I do like to design small charts but I do like to stitch too so I hope you'll understand I can't do both at the same time.


March 11th. 2010 - letter D


March 13th. 2010 - letter E


March 22nd. 2010 - letters F and G


March 25th. 2010 - letters A and B

I hope you enjoy watching this project evolve just like I like to watch it grow.

STITCH TILL YOU ITCH!!!


PS: It's my birthday today!!!

Errrr.... there used to be a picture here but it's been deleted from photobucket and I don't remember what kind off picture it was....LOL
Sorry for this! But it's a good lesson for me to keep in mind to only put up pictures from my sites or computer instead of from somewhere on the internet!

This is a good picture to show you what I feel like today.

Last sunday my boyfriend and I got rid of my couches at home. So now I have to sit on camping chairs until next saturday when they deliver my new ones.
Cross stitching whilst sitting on those camping chairs is not really easy nor comfy so I'm not very happy when I'm home in the evenings.
What's more, the weather is getting better so I did go for a short ride on my trike yesterday evening. I only did 4 km's as I don't want to overdo it to begin with. I haven't used my bike at all last year and my physical condition is a big ZERO!!!
The result of all this is a bit similar to what the picture looks like.
I hope you are feeling better and have a nice day!

Doily Time!
I can finally show you this doily I made a little while back.
I couldn't do this earlier as I sent it as a little surprise gift to somebody who knows about this blog.
I didn't want to spoil her surprise, so I had to wait before putting it on-line.
She has received it in the meantime and told me she really likes it a lot! I had a hunch she was going to like it and I'm very glad she did!!!
It's a little design I made one evening and the result is very pretty indeed. And, when stitched, it looks even better! I can brag can't I? *grin*
I hope you enjoy it too and maybe you will want to make it...
Don't ask me though where to get the doily itself, I did buy it but that was some 5 years ago and I really don't remember where it came from. Sorry.

This is what the chart looks like:



The link to the chart and key is right underneath:

click

Don't you agree it's really pretty?
As always, please send me pictures if you make this or/and you can always let me know what you think of it!

Enjoy!

Doesn't this bunny look cute? Especially its tail, though the picture doesn't do it justice really.
I used Wisper thread from Rainbow Gallery to stitch it. It's a fine mohair yarn and it's great for a fluffy effect.
When you download the chart don't be taken aback by the backstitching you'll see. It's not correct. The only thing I did backstitch was the bunny. Everything else doesn't need it.
I used a nice flower button to attach it on a little rope which is made using a knitting dolly.
This little ornament looks cute, not only for Easter but it also makes me yearn for spring!

Colours getting brighter, sun starting to shine, and we are all starting to feel a bit cheerier after the gloomy winter.
Good grief, I'm almost starting to feel lyrical, feeling hoppy and all!



Anyways: this is what the chart looks like:


And underneath here you can find the link for the chart and the key.

I put it in a .pdf file using both colour blocks and symbols, so there shouldn't be a problem and everyone can print it, whatever kind of printer you use!
click

Enjoy! And please send pictures if you make this ornament!

CUL8R and be sure to stitch till you itch!

If you like Easter Bunnies...

As my little cat ornament was so popular, I decided to try out a little bunny ornament for Easter.
And this is what it finally looks like when stitched:




As you can notice the eyes aren't stitched. I tried stitching them but they turned out rather gloomy. So I decided to glue on some plastic ones.
Must say this rabbit looks a bit scary still.... and when you move it, the eyes start turning giving it have a somewhat drunk expression...LOL
But, in a way, it makes this design completely unique and that's what I like! I hope you will too!

As of now I will put links on here for my charts and keys in colour and in black and white symbols as well.
Someone asked me for a symbol chart for the chicken mandala, so I made one and send it to her.
It reminded me not everybody has a colour printer, so I will give both links as of now.

So here goes for the coloured chart and key:
click in colours
And here's the black and white one:
click in B/W

Should someone want a symbol chart of any of my previous freebies, please ask by mail and I'll happily send it to you!

And, as always, if you stitch this bunny, send me pictures! I love to see your work!

Enjoy!

Fasolada = Greek Bean Soup

What you need:

* 500 g white dried beans which you soak in water for at least 6 hours



* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* a bit of garlic
* some oregano, some black pepper and some chopped parsley
* olive oil
* 1 tin of tomatoe cubes
* 3 vegetable stock cubes
* 2250 ml of water

How to make it:
Heat up the water and once it's boiling you put your stock cubes in, the beans and the carrots. Simmer these on medium-low heat for at least 1 hour.



Heat up the olive oil in another pan and add the onion, the garlic and celery. Bake these slowly.
Add the tomatoes and let it simmer for at least 10 more minutes.



Add these ingredients to the beans.



Add oregano, pepper (to taste) and parsley. Leave it all to simmer for at least one more hour or untill the beans are tender.
Serve with bread.
At this stage the batteries of my camera were empty. So I can't show you any more pictures but I'm sure you will be able to make this soup! It's so rich you can easily use it as a "stand alone" meal.
This is a picture I found on the net, showing you what it looks like when served:



Enjoy your meal!

Easter Freebie Time!!!

I designed this chicken mandala somewhere in January and the idea was that I would first stitch it before putting the chart on-line.
Unfortunately I'm afraid I won't have enough time to stitch it before Easter.
And if I would find the time, it 'd be finished too late for any of you to stitch it on time!
So I decided to put this design up without a finished version to accompany it.
At least now you still will have time to stitch it before Easter is at our doorstep, if you like it, that is!
I'm sure I'm going to stitch it too, but I can't figure out when!
This design needs to be stitched on some dark 14 count aïda.
As you can see in the picture above, it has some white stitches around the eggs, the chickens and the flowers.
I haven't found a way to reproduce these white stitches on the .pfd file that shows the chart. So you will have to use both the picture and the chart to stitch it correctly.
Almost all the white stitches in the key of the .pdf chart don't have to be stitched! Just the ones as shown in the picture.
I hope it's not too difficult for you to see and stitch!
I have the file in PCStitch format, which shows it clearly on a dark background. If you would want it, you can mail me and I'll send it to you. Don't forget you will need to be able to read PCStitch files!

Here is the link for the chart and key:
click
I really am curious to know what you think of this design as it's a bit different to what I make usually. I rather like it a lot myself! And you?

Give me some feedback, I'd appreciate it a lot! And of course I'd love to see it stitched! Even if it's finished before mine!

Enjoy and thanks for the visit!

Doesn't this look adorable???!!!


This is my latest finish. It's not really for Valentine, it's just a very big heart I wanted to make for my boyfriend and me.
As you can see our initials are in it as well as the date on which we first met.
We're still together and probably will still be together for a very, very long time to come!!!

I can't give you any charts for this design unfortunately.
I found the "mould" of the heart on this nice site:
Chez MamigozThe cherubs and the roses are designs copyright protected by PCStitch, the program I use to make my own designs with.

I just felt like bragging a bit tonight by showing this cute heart off!

TTFN!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!




Nope, there's nothing wrong with your eyesight!

If you take a look at what I wrote on February 2nd, you can understand how much I had to laugh when I opened the Valentine present I got from my boyfriend! Apparently we both bought the same present!!!

Aren't we the perfect couple??!!
TTFN!