Something to share

I started to work on the east mosque of Persian Iris Garden. The lower part of the mosque is almost completed. I am really enjoying stitching with the gorgeous blues. I think I'll stitch on this piece a little bit more before switching projects. 

Back to some normality

I have been so busy and so stressed these last few weeks, that I did not have any time nor the inclination to stitch. For some reason, the moment that I am stressed, I simply do not want to stitch. Hopefully, now I am settling into a new routine and will have more time to stitch!

I managed to complete part 4 of Garden grow by Papillon Creations. It felt so good to finally stitch again!

Purples and Pinks

Here is my progress on Venetian Opulence. The colours in this piece are so rich and beautiful. Started the skin as well so I can alternate between the bright colours and the neutral tones since I get easily bored stitching with skin toned colours.

Picture is a bit blurry but it represents the colours and the fabric the best from all the pictures that I took.

Floral stitch

Another section on the tree is completed. I am halfway through with this project. I love that each part is small and can be stitched in a couple of hours.

One corner to go!

The bottom right of part 3 of Konstantinople is completed. The end is in sight for this part, it is taking me so long to finish it!

Jerusalem Stitch

Part 7 of Tree of Stitches is completed. This stitch was new to me. I like its effect!

More growing

Part 3 of Garden Grow by Papillon Creations is ready except for the flower in the centre, which has beads in it. This part  was a very quick stitch and I really enjoyed stitching it.

First tulip

Still working on part 3 of Holland Springtime mandala. The lower left tulip is done.

Cushion stitch

Another stitch on Tree of stitches is completed. I loved this one!

Back from Russia

I spent seven lovely days visiting Moscow and Saint Petersburg. I loved every minute of it and I will definitely  be going back. Here are some pictures that I took.

These are all from Moscow, I will upload some pictures I took of Saint Petersburg later on.

A mirabilia

It's been awhile since I stitched a Mirabilia. I've started Venetian Opulence a couple of weeks ago. Not much to see as I only stitched on it for a couple of hours. The fabric is a soft pink 32ct lugana by Enchanted Fabrics called Bubblegum. It is actually a little bit lighter than shown in the picture.

Speciality stitches

I have completed another two parts on Tree of Stitches. These two parts consisted of algerian eyelets and rice stitches. I skipped the french knots for now. I will tackle them later.

A close up:

More Portals

The portals on the top part of the design are completed except for some backstitching. I've really forced myself to finish the backstitch, but I was getting too frustrated especially since most of the backstitch is stitched with metallic thread. I am very happy with my progress.

The picture is not the best as I am having problems with the memory card of the camera and I need to buy a new one.

Top right

Another corner of part 3 of Konstantinople is completed!

Tree of Stitches

A couple of weeks ago, I've joined a yahoo group called The Stitch Specialists. One of the moderators, Abi Gurden, designed this tree full of different speciality stitches. Needless to say, I had to stitch it! The thread is Mississippi Mud by the Thread Gatherer.  It is actually darker and less variegated than the one I am using for Holland Springtime. This one has more greens, but still, I think it works perfectly for the tree.

Border done

The border of part 3 of Holland Springtime mandala is completed. So much work but the effect is lovely!.

It's a happy dance

I have completed Mouth of Flower. This is my first finish this year! This design was a pleasure to stitch and the end result is amazing!. I could not take a decent picture of this as the fabric always comes out a little washed out. This is the best one!

Top mosque

The first mosque of this magnificent design is completed. The backstitching with the treasure braid is a killer, but so worth it in the end, the sparkle in this part is amazing!

Some eye candy

April has been stressful for me in so many little ways, so to cheer myself up, I've ordered another Chatelaine kit. I am going to let the pictures do the talking as there are many pretties in this one.

Here, I present you...Venice Mandala

The beautiful package

The floss toss

Gloriana Threads

Treasure braid

Silk n Colors

Princess Perle....so pretty

EdMar and beads

 Lets see how long I will resist before starting this one...

Garden grow

The second part of this lovely design is completed. It was quite a quick stitch except those queen stitches! I am still not totally happy how they look, I might rip them out again.*sigh*

Logo

Part 6 of Odds and Ends is completed. The deadline is so close for this one, there is no way that I will stitch it in time. Luckily, this design can be purchased directly from Tams. I will be buying the chart once the deadline is over.

Satin Stitches

I am so loving stitching this part, especially the border. The thread used in the border is Mississippi Mud from The Thread Gatherer. It is gorgeous!

 A close up:

Top left

A corner of part 3 is completed without the beads. I am not sure if I will keep stitching on this part or start part 4 on the top of the design. I just have to wait and decide when I'll stitch on it again.

Started again

Here is Garden Grow by Papillon Creations. Now it is perfectly centred. I loved stitching this part even if some flowers took awhile to stitch. It is a nice break from the large projects I have on the go.

I am stitching this on a 27ct count stitching band using silks, mostly gloriana. No beads yet.

Springtime

As the days are getting warmer, I can feel my mojo fading. In these last two weeks, I've barely picked a needle. To make matters worse, I've decided to start a new project, which I managed to start in the wrong place and it is off centre by only one stitch but I have to rip it all out as it is bugging me. 

Anyway, I've started on part 3 of Konstantinople. This part is very sparkly!

Ready to bloom

I have finished the last flower on Mouth of Flower. Now all is left to stitch is the stem and leaves. I am excited that I am so close to have this finished.

I finally have taken an accurate picture of the fabric ... but please excuse all the creases.

A close up

Almost done

Part 5 of Odds and Ends is almost completed except for a couple of motifs. I have to work regularly on this one if I want to finish it by the deadline, which is in the middle of June.

No sails

Part two of Holland Springtime is completed. I am glad that I've managed to finish this part as it is rather fiddly with lots of starting and finishing of threads.

Konstantinople Hamam

Part two is completed minus the beads.

Part 2

Currently, I am working on the second part of Konstantinople Hamam Mandala. This little triangle is so gorgeous! I can't stop looking at it and it stitches up quite quickly.

The second triangle is almost done. It is so hard to take a decent picture on black. This is the best one I've managed to take.

Over one

The over one of the mosque is completed! Gladly, it was stitched without a hitch  and quite quickly too. I guess you can tell that I do not like to stitch those tiny stitches!

Just green

I am happy with the amount of progress I've made on this. In the picture the fabric is all washed out, it is actually darker and pinkish.

Progressing

Part 4 is done. I am still choosing random colours to stitch each motif. I think it looks good!

Finally

Part 1 of Konstantinople is done. No beads yet. There is no chance that I'll catch up with the group, I'm way too slow, so I am going to give some attention to my other projects before I start part 2.