Friday, January 9, 2015

This Week's Stitching Finishes

After not stitching for several weeks due to a nasty experience which made it impossible for me to even pick up a needle, I'm once again happily finding enjoyment in this humble pastime   : )   This week's finishes are from two "kits" (chart & fabric).

Design:  Dear Rudolph
Designer:  Lizzie*Kate
Fabric:  32 ct Lambswool linen
Floss:  DMC

Design:  A Little Christmas
Designer:  Lizzie*Kate
Fabric:  Unidentified
Floss:  DMC

Most of you reading this know that I'm not a big Lizzie*Kate fan.  Now before you start leaving me hateful comments, let me explain.  I think she's a marvelous designer.  Truly gifted.  I especially like her Christian themes which have shown up in recent years.  It's just that her designs are a bit too "cutesy" for me most of the time.  

I'm not much of a pastels person, so after pulling floss & beginning to stitch A Little Christmas, I was a bit concerned & thought "Oh dear, I'm not going to like this at all."  However, I am very pleased with it!  In case you missed it, it's one of those Christian themed designs I mentioned   : )

Needless to say, both scans of the finishes leave a bit to be desired, but you get the idea.

Last night I started another kit (a full kit this time) ... Noel House by Chessie & Me.  Here's a scan of the design from the Silver Needle's website.  I plan to finish mine as ... what else? ... an ornament   : )   I see satin stitches in the photo, & the chart directions include a graph on how to make a Smyrna cross.  I'm already planning to replace those "fiddly" stitches when the time comes, but who knows.  Maybe I'll feel a bit "fiddly" when I reach those points   : )  

32 comments:

Tricia T said...

I really like A Little Christmas! but Rudolph is adorable... : ) Sorry to hear you had a nasty experience. Hope everything is better now? {Hugs}

Tricia

Linda said...

Congrats on the cute finishes Shirlee.

Linda

Emma/Itzy said...

Two lovely finishes, you are off to a great start in 2015! :)

Karen said...

Love your finishes. I stitch a lot of Lizzie Kate's but don't always like the recommended threads. I have started changing the colors to suit my taste and its amazing how it can change the look of the design. Happy stitching on your next.

Kathy H said...

Such cute finishes. I have a friend who loves reindeer. So I am always looking at them closely. I really enjoyed seeing your finished pieces.

Robin in Virginia said...

Congratulations on your finishes, Shirlee! Looking forward to seeing your progress on the Noel House piece.

Enjoy your weekend!

Robin in Virginia

Karen said...

They are both wonderful ornaments. I'm glad that you are finding enjoyment in stitching again.

Marsha said...

Rudolph is a cutie patootie and I've always liked a little Christmas. I've never been a big LK fan but they are growing on me and I have more and more of their charts.

Ele said...

Sorry about the nasty experience.
I like lizzie kate designs, they are fun to stitch but I agree on the color issue. Your finishes look great though!
Have a relaxing weekend

Michelle said...

Lovely finishes Shirlee x

Annette-California said...

I love both your finishes! Beautiful! love Annette

Hazel said...

Wonderful finishes! I think the Noël piece would look lovely framed when you finish it. X

Marilyn said...

Cute finishes.
I have stitched Noel House.
You will love how it turns out.
Marilyn

Vickie said...

Okay, I feel exactly the same about LK as you, BUT that Rudolph! I love him!!
Noel House is going to be awesome!
Still praying for you my dear.

Maggee said...

Hello! Great finishes! I look forward to seeing progress on the Chessie & Me piece... looks real nice. I am HOPING I can finish my blog post today... I have a couple of finishes too! Hugs!

Angela said...

Lovely finishes :)

Justine said...

I love both of these but then I am a LK fan! Gorgeous. Hope your nasty experience hasn't put you off for too long.

Frances said...

I love both of your finishes! They are really lovely and I know you will finish them as beautiful ornaments!

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful finishes! So glad your eye is feeling better :D

Julie said...

Very pretty LK finishes. Noel house is going to be superb.

Kaisievic said...

Hi Shirlee, I hope that all is well with you now. Two more gorgeous finishes - you are certainly on a roll and your new start is marvellous, too.
hugs, Kaye

Kaisievic said...

P.S. I would love it if we exchange again this Christmas - I will start really early this time to get myself organised! I promise! Let me know, hugs, Kaye

P.J. said...

Nice finish! and great projects ahead. ;)

Mii Stitch said...

Lovely stitching, I love LK designs :)

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I know you aren't fond of LK but these really turned out nice. Hope you are doing well. Happy 2015!

Shebafudge said...

2 gorgeous finishes and a lovely new start. So glad that you are not letting someone else stop you stitching. I don't know what was wrong but if they don't like you or your stitching, they don't have to read your blog!

Anonymous said...

I love L*K's designs, especially this one - looks like a companion piece to the one I'm working on right now, Holly & Hearts.
you should send me your WIPs that require specialty fiddling, I love that kind of stuff. I would send them back all done, wouldn't mind! :)
happy xxx, chiara

Anne said...

Fabulous finishes Shirlee! I'm with you on the Lizzie K designs. Not a huge fan of hers although I do like a few of them...snowmen, Life's a stitch, etc. Good luck with the fiddly stitches! The smyrna isn't so bad though, just an extra line after you make a cross. The satin ones are always a bit more frustrating though! Hugs to you and say hi to Sophie for us!

Carol said...

These are very cute, Shirlee, even though I feel the same way about LK pieces. I've done a few that aren't overly cutesy, but I pick and choose carefully.

Honestly you will have no problem with the smyrna or satin stitches. If I can do them, you can :)

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Wonderful Stitchin' Shirlee!!!
The Noel House looks like it's going to be a fun one to stitch up! Enjoy!
Blessings
Robin

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I seem to acquire my L*K charts as gifts or prizes! I'm stitching two at the moment. Your two do look lovely, great colours in them.
Have you seen Nicola's idea for neat satin stitches? Instead of using two strands at once, you use one strand and stitch the satin stitch from left to right then go back over it from right to left so you still get the effect of two strands but much neater.

Trace4J said...

Beautiful Christmas stitches...
Woolien Hugs