Last stitches

We're ready. Lore cooked the meat (roast-beef) and I prepared the cheesecake. We're going and having dinner with other 11 friends. I decided to change my hairstyle and I had my hair set. I'm waiting for looesening my hair and I hope to have not done anything wrong otherwise I'll be the clown of the night. Lol!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. 2005 was wonderful, I really enjoyed with all the blogger stitchers and I hope our 2006 will be as this past year.
I look forward to starting the new year with my old projects and new ones.
I've a lot of projects in mind and I'd like to realize at least some of those.

I have the last stitches to share. Yesterday I worked a bit on the Carriage House Sampling design I chose to stitch with the Vikki's silks.
I stitched Celtic Summer by Lavender&Lace too but I've not an interesting progress to post.



Have a great night!

Snow in Florence

Yesterday I worked on Lavender Hill by LHN again. I'm really enjoying myself with it and I should finish it soon. To tell the truth I have to stitch the stocking for Lore but I'm sure I'll not be able to have it ready at Epiphany. I'll fill with sweets and candies the old stockings I made for him in the past years.



Yesterday I was stitching Lavender Hill when Lore called me and said to me "Look at the window!". It was snowing but I have never seen snowing in Florence as yesterday it was snowing. I was so busy with the stitches that I didn't notice it...I stopped and stared at the snow.

snow during the night: snow in the morning:

My usual stitches

I decided to start stitching my first Carriage House Samplings design, Be my love. I have been wanted to try Victoria Clayton's silks for a long time. They're gorgeous.
Here is the first picture of the pattern.



And I worked for a bit on the Lavender Hill by Little House Needleworks. Those designs are lovely. I like almost all of them and I saw the new one by Country Cottage Needlework. I fell in love with it and I have to have it soon. It's a beautiful pillow! You can see it here.
About my Lavender Hill the progress is good even if I didn't stitch it for a long time. The pattern is simple and little, but lovely and funny. During these days I need some little projects to have more happy dances.

Christmas gifts

Yesterday we spent a really happy Christmas. We had lunch at my grandmother's home. We were 17: there were my uncles and aunts, my cousins, my father and my grandparents. We really enjoyed because my grandfather dressed up as Santa and he distributed the gifts. The gifts were in a big sacking. After lunch we talked and played, then we went and visited Lore's family. We had dinner with his parents, his brother, his sister and his nephews.

I'm near the big table

My grandparents dressed up as Santa


Naturally I counldn't stitch yesterday but I can share the pictures of my Christmas gifts.

These are the needlecases I stitched and sewed for my friends and cousins. The right side:

and the back side:

This is a stockings case for two of my friends. I sewed two of these. I stitched the words "Le calze". That means "stockings".

I sewed two identical potholders for my father. The design is by an Italian magazine. The fabric is a Debbie Mumm fabric (Le Petite Provence).

And I sewed six of these potholders. Two are for my kitchen, the others are for my two cousins. The fabrics are by Teresa Kogut (Wintertime Friends).

Today I can come back my usual stitching. I'm organizing my stash and my future projects. I kitted up one of my 2006 designs. I'm going to stitch my first Carriage House Samplings design. It's "Be my love" and I'll use a Cashel Linen from Zweigart Taupe 28ct. The threads are by Victoria Clayton.

I'd like to talk more about my future projects but I'll do so in another post. Later we'll visit our friends because we have to decide our dinner menu for the 31th of December. Now I want to stitch a bit!

Before Christmas

I've not been stitching for some days but I didn't feel motivate. I had not pictures to share about my progresses. I'm working on Christmas gifts and I prefer to post these pictures after Christmas when all the gifts are opened.
Tonight I'm going to finish off some potholders for my cousins and my father. I have to sew a gift for a friend too. I think I should be ready tomorrow.
This morning I received my most recent order on SB&B. They're a lot of beautiful threads I need for some future projects. There are threads for some Little House Needleworks charts and threads for some Lizzie Kate flip-it. With an Italian friend I'll start stitching 12 Flip-it charts by Lizzie Kate. We'll stitch a chart every month and we'll start next January. Naturally we'll stitch the January flip-it. It's a kind of SAL and if anyone wants to join us, we'd be happy.
It's 10.20 pm here and I have to go and stitch. Christmas is really coming...

sewing...

Yesterday I spent my free time sewing some Christmas gifts. I'm really happy because I have some finishes. To tell the truth I have to finish off the four needlecases for my friends but they will take me few minutes (I hope so...).
I've not finished my gifts yet but they're going on and this makes me optimistic.

I stitched a bit too, but just a tiny gift. It's for my grandmother and I'll join it to the present for her. We will spend our Christmas lunch with her, my grandfather, my father, my four cousins, my aunts and my uncles. I thought it would be nice to give her something stitched by me. I stitched a little pattern that I found on an Italian magazine.



Then I have two finishes I sewed for me. I prepared a little pillow with the Felicity Wishes design that I finished to stitch some days ago. I used a Mary Engelbreit fabric. I think it turned out cute.


















And this is the PR free chart, Winter Topiary that I decided to sew as a wall hanging: I'm going to use it out of my door.

Stash and little progresses

I'm working on my Christmas gifts but I have not any picture to share. I'm stitching other two needlecases and I hope to finish all of them tonight or tomorrow.

But I have two little progresses, one for the Christmas Elf Fairy by Mirabilia, one for the Christian's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush.





The stocking is for Lore but I'm sure I'll not be able to have it ready for Christmas. I think I could finish it for the 6th of January. In Italy it's the right day for the stockings. Kids beleive that a kind old woman brings children their presents and sweets and cookies in the stockings at the Epiphany. I don't know if it is only an Italian custom.

During these days I received two orders. One of my orders on Silkweaver is lost but I finally received the one I had made during their sale.
I purchased some fabrics I hope to use for some LHN projects.





















Then my first Carriage House Sampling pattern is arrived. I think the leaflet is beautiful. It looks vintage and elegant, working with it will be funny. I had ordered it because I wanted to try the Victoria Clayton fibers and I chose this pattern because she made a very good conversion for it. I'm impatient to try her silks.





















I've not been answering a SBQ for two weeks because my Internet connection was down. I'm answering this week's question. It's really interesting.




Take a minute to reflect on your blog reading habits and preferences. What do you prefer to read in stitching blogs? (Progress, tips, family life, experiences, etc.) How much do you think you are influenced by other stitching bloggers?

When I read blogs I love reading about stitching progresses and stash. It wonderful to see all the ladies' patterns and I take part in their delight when they have an happy dance or they receive something new. It's really funny. But I also like reading about the stitchers' life, their journeys or recipes (I love travelling and cooking!). I think it's very interesting to read about customs of so many countries because we're all over the world.

I'm completely influenced by the other stitchers' blogs. Every day I find something interesting in some blogs: ideas, new patterns, news, beautiful finishes. I must say thanks to everyone.
But...I have a problem. If I notice that somebody is stitching or has in her stash an interesting design and I like it too, I have to have it as well. The most recent example about it is my Mill Hill kit. I had seen it on Danielle's blog and I fell in love with it. I immediately purchased it! So my patterns list grows every day...

Pictures

First of all, thank you for your posts. I missed you and your blogs. And I missed everyone during the past days again even if I was in Austria to ski.

I have some pictures to share. Here is my progress for the elf.



I didn't stitch much during my skiing days but I stitched.
I finished these Italian words and I'll use them to sew two gifts for my friends.















I stitched a bit the needlecases I have to prepare as gifts for other friend. I finished the first and I started stitching the second one.






















Now I'm sharing some pictures of Solden.



I'm skiing.













Bea and the snow.












Solden by night.

I'm back...

Finally I'm here. I was again without telephone and internet access for a week. So I couldn't post anything, I couldn't read your blogs and I couldn't answer any email. And I have to view all the web news: new patterns, new sales...

During these days I sewed the charity doll for Unicef, "Pigotta". Every year during December in Italy they sell dolls called Pigotta, an Italian name for a doll. Here is mine.





I decided to sew a witch to change kind of doll. I hope somebody will buy it. I will not present when they sell them because I'm going to Solden tomorrow.

I stitched the Christmas Elf Fairy. Here is my progress.



To tell the truth this is not my real progress, I stitched more but I have to take a good picture to share. I hope to upload it tomorrow in the morning. I stitched a needle case for a Christmas gift too. So I have another picture to share.
But I couldn't wait for post the pictures I had, so here is my daily post.

..... happy dance!!!

It has already been announced. Here is my new finish.


I stitched the free chart by Passione Ricamo "Winter Topiary" as a SAL organized on EMS forum. Now we'll stitch the Spring Topiary. I've to choose the fabric, but I'm not going to start stitching it soon. I stitched the Winter Topiary on a Lemon Sparkle Lugana by Silkweaver and I liked the result. So I've two entries for the Showcase.

I stitched a bit The Christmas Elf Fairy by Mirabilia too. For the skirt I'm using Cupid and Pink Champagne. I love the Pink Champagne!



Last day I forgot to post the first picture of my new small project. An Italian friend gave "Lavender Hill" by LHN as a present. I couldn't wait for starting it. I had decided to stitch "Coffee Menu" as first LHN pattern but I'm waiting for the fabric and during these days I need a very small project. This is right for me! I finished the Topiary and the Felicity Wishes, so I have only medium or large projects.

I stitched the sheeps with DMC 3865.

Happy dance!

During this weekend we went shopping but we didn't buy anything. I bought only the ribbon to sew my Christmas stocking. Then we stayed at home because it rained and I thought it was not a good idea to go and see Harry Potter and the globe of fire during his first weekend. There were a lot of persons.
So I stitched a bit and I finished my Felicity Wishes.
I'm very happy about the result. She's nice and the fabric is lovely. I stitched this design on Blue Fusion lugana 28ct. Now I'm ready to take part in the Silkweaver Showcase.



By the way I'm waiting for the second Medium Treat Bag from Silkweaver. Well, I was really lucky with my first bag but the second one seems to be lost. They sent it last 8 November and it has not arrived yet. :(

Yesterday I was finishing my Winter Topiary by Passione Ricamo when I noticed that I needed DMC 3706 and I have not it! Besides I didn't order it. So I want to go and buy it at my LNS today. This is because I have to stitch only 9 stitches to finish the topiary!

Charity quilt

The quilt is ready and open. Last June I took part in a charity project with other 48 Italian stitchers. We stitched a block with a flower and a quilter sewed a quilt. Now we can buy the quilt here. The quilt can be shipped to worldwide. If you're interested you may read more at the link.



I've not pictures today because I've quite finished my Felicity Wishes and I'll post it when I finished the backstitch too.

It was funny. It seemed to snow worldwide. I read your blogs and you talk about snow. Last night it snowed in Florence too. This is strange because it doesn't usually snow here. Now it's raining.

I want to post this lovely test I saw in some blogs.


The Romantic Princess

You are absolutely in love with love! Charming,
romantic, and feminine are all words that
describe you. You are a huge flirt and know how
to use your feminine wiles to get your way. You
are always on the lookout for the guy who will
sweep you off your feet.

Role Models: Isolde, Juliet

You are most likely to: Free a cursed prince from a
terrible spell with a single kiss.


What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

New works

First of all I want to thank everyone for your comments. I have to catch up with reading your blogs and writing some comments because I spent another day without Internet access and telephone.

Now I'm here and I hope I'll not have other problems.

As I told last day I started stitching a new stocking. It's Christian's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush. These are my first stitches.


I have a long work to do with it but I'll try to finish it before Christmas.

I couldn't wait for starting The Christmas Elf Fairy too. I stitched a bit. I'm stitching the skirt.




Last week I forgot to answer and today I've two questions.



Do you always sign your projects? If not, why? If so, do you use your first name, initials or what?

No, I don't. I can't tell why but it depends on the kind of pattern. Sometimes I think a sign will turn out good, sometimes I don't like to sign a pattern. To tell the truth I would like to leave a sign on every works I do but it seems to "ruin" the design. I always sign a sampler because of the kind of pattern. A sampler can't be without a sign.

How do you feel about staying totally true to a pattern? Do you feel that you have to rip out stitches to fix a mistake or do you feel it's acceptable to incorporate a mistake into the design?

I think it's not acceptable to incorporate a mistake into the design. Even if the mistake is insignificant and I can't see it I know that there is a mistake and I can't put up with it. If it is possible, I usually unstitch and stitch again. Yes, I'm a fussy person.

Grrr!

I'm back. Yesterday my Internet access and my phone didn't work so I couldn't post and I'm going to blog what I should have posted yesterday.

I decided that I've another happy dance. I finished my Teri's Stocking. To tell the truth it is not finished because I've to attach the embellishment and the ribbon and I'm waiting for the Rainbow Gallery Alpaca to do the french knots. Then I've to sew it. But I finished all the stitches and the backstitch, so I decided that there's another happy dance. I've already start stitching Christian's Stocking that will be for Lore. Later I'll prepare other pictures and I'll post them tonight or tomorrow.



Yesterday I sewed the Christmas Ornament for the EMS exchange but I'll share it when my secret partner receive it. I start sewing my charity doll for Unicef as well. I noticed that Christmas is really coming quickly. They'll sell the charity dolls during the weekend of the 8th of December. Before that weekend we'll go to Solden (Austria) to ski so there is no time to lose...

Finally...happy dance!

Finally I have a finished work.
It took me a long time but it turned out lovely. It's my last charity project. I decided to take some time off. During this year I stitched for charity a lot of patterns. Now I want to stitch something for me, I've some patterns I'm going to start stitching and two SAL with Carol during next year. I'll not stop stitching for charity but I'll reduce the projects.



The stocking is my main pattern during these days. I've quite finished the stitches. Then I'll have to attach some embellishments and I'm waiting for an Alpaca thread to stitch the hair. I want to finish it as soon as possible because I'm going to start the other one and I noticed these stockings are not so quick to stitch.



I received something during the past days.
I fell in love with Victoria Calyton silks when they arrived last week so I had to purchase something else. I decided to start using her silks and stitching a pattern of Carriage House Sampling that has a good conversion to her silks. So I ordered new silks and I've already received them.




















Finally yesterday my LHN patterns arrived. I'm so happy! I'm looking for the fabrics because I absolutely love "Coffe Menu" and I want to start stitching it soon. I received the GAST and Crescent Colours fibers I need for "Coffee Menu" and other future works.

Weekend

I have not many things to tell.
During this weekend we stayed at home but I didn't stitch anything Saturday. We went out with our friends, we came back to our usual pizzeria. It's the oldest pizzeria in my town and we used to go there when we were about 14-15 years old. We really enjoyed because we met other friends and we recalled the past.

Yesterday I stitched all the day and I'm satisfied with my Felicity Wishes. She's going on and I think she'll be ready for the Silkweaver's Showcase. Good!



I've a progress for my stocking as well. Finally Lore noticed it and I think he's happy that I'm going to stitch another one for him.