Snow Sampler, Joy Sampler, and Red Robin Candle Mat

My hand stitching for Christmas has resulted in three completed projects, Joy Sampler cross stitch by Lizzie Kate, Snow Sampler embroidery by Kathy Schmitz, and Gail Pan's embroidered Red Robin candle mat.

Although it may have been on Instagram, I really don't remember where I first saw Snow Sampler. If it was one of your IG accounts or your blog, I apologize for not thanking you!

Decades ago I taught myself embroidery (it was called "stamped crewel" on the packages I purchased) and was familiar with the basic stitches. My love for embroidery continued into the early 2000s, but only until the last few years have I again picked up an embroidery needle This pattern is mostly stem stitch, and for some reason I had trouble "getting it". Once I did, things went fairly smoothly. There are mistakes for sure, but overall Buddy likes the result because it matches his collar!

I auditioned a few fabrics for a pillow and decided on a Grunge-y denim fabric, which harmonized with all the variegated shades of blue in the thread. Overall a fun project (although I am not fond of the stem stitch), and I'm thankful to be back in the embroidery squad.

Joy Sampler was a fun stitch for me. I'm finding that I like cross stitch more than embroidery these days, maybe because my fingers aren't as nimble as they used to be. The pattern suggested 28 count cloth stitched over two, but I substituted 14 count stitched over one. This is a pattern I purchased several years ago, and I'm glad to count it in my "Done" list.

There were three little charms included in the kit for added embellishment.

It seemed that an oval frame best suited the size and shape,

and I found one for half price at Hobby Lobby.

The little candle mat by Gail Pan was a quick finish. This week I realized Gail has a even cuter version of this in her book Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery. Diann at Little Penguin Quilts has beautifully made some really cute projects from that book, and so now I've put the book on my Christmas wishlist!

I decided on a greenish grunge for the background, and my husband

chose the black Mary Engelbreit for the backing and binding.

Cross Stitch Details:
Joy Sampler kit by Lizzie Kate
Finished size: stitched area 3-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches
14 count Zweigart cloth in Vintage Country Mocha
DMC threads in 898, 930, 815, 500, 367, 321, 434, 931, 783, 712, 3853, 310

Embroidery Details:
Snow Sampler by Kathy Schmitz
Finished size: stitched area 9-1/2 x 11 inches on a 12 x 16 inch pillow form
Background: muslin-like fabric from stash backed with lightweight fusible interfacing
Backing: Hobby Lobby's version of denim grunge
Thread: DMC variegated in 93 Cornflower blue and 121 Delft blue

Red Robin Candle Mat by Gail Pan
Finished size: 8 inch octagon
Background: Grunge Mint by Basic Grey for Moda
Backing and binding: Mary Engelbreit Cranston Village
Thread: DMC 115 (variegated red), 728 (gold), 367 (green)

Patchwork Loves Embroidery SAL - Secrets and Dreams Journal

Life has been very busy lately, so I am two weeks behind in completing this project from Gale Pan's Patchwork Loves Embroidery. I took some liberties with Gale's embroidery pattern, as I wanted the design to be less crowded. The beauty of Gale's book is the abundance of designs from which to choose!

With inspiration and encouragement from the other ladies of the SAL, I am becoming more confident with my hand stitching and felt this was my best project to date. I really enjoyed picking out fabrics and thread and even ordered new embroidery needles from Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage. My old needles were purchased from a hobby store, and they were catching and pulling the fabric. After reading a post by Pretty By Hand's Kristyn about her needle preferences, I ordered samples of different types of needles from Jeana's store and have had much smoother sewing!

Since I have deadlines approaching on other quilting projects, I was going to make this my last SAL project. However I still want to make the needle folder as well as pincushions, so I will make the time.

Be sure to visit Martina's blog for links to other SAL projects.

Stitch A Little Love Patchwork Loves Embroidery SAL

For this week's Patchwork Loves Embroidery Sew-Along I choose to make Stitch A Little Love Sewing Folder. This folder finished at about 7 x 10 inches, although the pattern is for 8 x 10-1/2 inches. For the main fabric I used pieces cut from a pillowcase I found at Goodwill. The remainder was from my stash.

The inside has pockets, and it is tied with a cord. If I make it again, I might add some lightweight fusible fleece to give it a little more body.

I plan to put add notions such as an embroidery hoop, scissors, embroidery thread, and a pattern before I give it to our church fall market to sell.

My stitching was improved this time by adding fusible interfacing before I worked the embroidery stitches. Amazing what works when I actually follow the instructions. I chose to add fabric hearts instead of stem-stitched hearts. My needle turn applique skills are not geared toward such small objects, so I used fabric glue to secure them and added a quilting stitch.

I enjoyed making this little folder so much I plan to make one of the other folder patterns included in Gale Pan's Patchwork Loves Embroidery for our next link-up in two weeks.

Katy right before she pounced on the folder

Be sure and visit some of the other blogs that are joining me in the link-up today.

Cinnamon Delights Bag - Patchwork Loves Embroidery SAL

I recently purchased the Kindle version of Gale Pan's Patchwork Loves Embroidery so that I could join a Sew-Along for the book. Martina at Sunshine Quilting is hosting, and today is the first link-up for completed projects.

I chose the Cinnamon Delights Bag and was able to use fabric from my "de-stash" purge that was in my "unloved" pile. The blue is a batik, and for some reason when I first started collecting fabric, I was fascinated with batiks. Now, not so much. However, the fabrics took on new life as they were transformed into a bag!

The inside lining is a tiny bit bulky, so next time I make this I will cut the lining just a smidge smaller.

The bag combines hand quilting with machine stitching, and in spite of a few minor hitches (and hidden mistakes) I thoroughly enjoyed making it. Now I am eager to choose my next project.

I am linking to Sunshine Quilting's Patchwork Loves Embroidery Sew Along 2014

Patchwork Loves Embroidery Sew-Along 2014

This is my first Sew-Along, and I am excited to add another dimension to my quilting experience. Ever since I saw the redwork quilt (see below) in American Patchwork & Quilting August 2004 issue (I saved the issue!), I have had in the back of my mind that "someday" I would add embroidery to my quilts.

Peekaboo Redwork Quilt

I saw on Christina's blog that Martina at Sunshine Quilting is hosting a Sew-Along based on the book Patchwork Loves Embroidery by Australian author Gail Pan. Although I didn't own the book, I already loved it and wanted to participate, so I purchased the Kindle version.

The SAL starts September 1 and continues until the end of October. You can make as many projects as you like and link up your blog post on Martina's blog.

Cinnamon Delights Bag

I have chosen the Cinnamon Delights Bag as my first project, using the materials in the first picture above. I hope to fill it with cinnamon chunks from Penzey's and give it to my church to sell at our Fall Market in October.

Join us - it's a chance to meet new bloggers who share your passion (addiction?)