Finished Works – Page 28

Blessings Be Thine by Blackbird Designs

December 16, 2014 By patgeary

This is a much sought after pattern and when it appears on eBay goes for very high prices – $83. and $100. for the last two that sold. A very nice lady on the 123 Message Board gave it to me along with some fabric and her leftover floss. I will be passing it along once I have stitched it. You can read more about that here.

While I am using the recommended floss, I will switch out the white with a gold color since I am using 28ct antique white Monaco rather than the called for fabric.

Started Stitching: December 15 2014

Progress December 19th

Blessings Be Thine by Blackbird Designs

Last stitches added December 31 2014

Blessings Be Thine by Blackbird Designs completed 12.31.2014

Stitching last night I jiggled the sofa table and all of the tiny little beads went all over the table, the sofa, and the floor. After trying to get them all picked up. I decided it was best to quit for the night.

C;oseup View of the Mill Hill Beads #02012

And framed

Blessings Be Thine Framed.

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs

November 28, 2014 By patgeary

Be Kind and True is another of the out of print charts by Blackbird Designs. Shows up occasionally on eBay but for way more than I am willing to pay. So I borrowed it from one of the gals in the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook group. I ordered the recommended threads from an online store while they were on sale but got to impatient to chart stitching so decided to substitute the suggested DMC colors for those I did not already have on hand.

The suggested fabric is 35ct Marva’s Blend by R & R Reproductions. I chose instead to stitch the piece on 28ct Rose Monaco.

Suggested floss:

DMC 838
GAST Dried Thyme (DMC 937)
GAST Strawbonnet (DMC 3865)
WDW Caper (DMC 3021) – DMC 3021 almost identical to WDW Caper.
GAST Antique Rose (DMC 223) – Antique Rose is more of a rose color than DMC 223 which seems more mauve colored to me.
WDW Crimson (DMC 3802) – The DMC floss is a slight bit lighter in color but hardly noticeable.
GAST Woodrose (DMC 950 & 3064)
WDW Cherub (DMC 3774) – very good match
GAST Chamomile (DMC 372)
GAST Briar Rose (DMC 3726)
WDW Teal Frost (DMC 807) – The DMC is lighter and brighter than Teal Frost. Wish I had waited on this but am not going to pull it out and redo.

I started stitching this on Wednesday, November 26th and finished it on December 15th. 2014

Progress as of November 28, 2014

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs

Progress as of December 5, 2014

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs as of Dec 5th

Progress as of December 14th

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs as of Dec 14th

And the final piece, finished and ready to do something with. How to finish?

Be Kind and True – Finished!

February 23, 2015 – Just back from the finishers!

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs

Their Song by Blackbird Designs

October 31, 2014 By patgeary

When I first saw a picture of the finished piece Their Song by Blackbird Designs, I knew I wanted to stitch it. Trouble was it is another of the Out of Print charts and very difficult to find and expensive when you can find it. I added it to my wish list and went on to other things. On one of the Cross Stitch Facebook groups, someone mentioned a shop in Mesa Arizona (Attic Needlework) who might carry some of the OOP charts. I called them and Their Song was one of the charts she had along with Under the Sunlit Sky. I purchased both of them for $18 each plus shipping.

Their Song begins the 2007 Loose Feather patterns. It is #24 in the Loose Feathers series. I selected 28ct ivory Monaco to stitch the piece along with the recommended Weeks Dye Works floss. Design size is: 126w x 150h and measures 9 x 10 3/4 on 28ct.

I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.

The verse that is part of the chart is by Joseph Addison (1672-1719), an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician.

Recommended Floss Weeks Dye Works (5 yard skeins):

WDW Havana 1230 (you will need additional floss) DMC 610
WDW Pelican Gray 2201 DMC 3023
WDW Moss 2201 (you will need additional floss) DMC 580/730
WDW Olive 2211 DMC 732/733
WDW Red Rocks 2240 DMC 918
WDW Charcoal 1303 DMC 3021
WDW Aztec Red 2258 DMC 3831/221

I started stitching this piece on October 30, 2014.

Progress November 7, 2014

Their Song by Blackbird Designs 11-7-2014

Their Song Completed

Their Song by Blackbird Designs

And the final piece inserted in the frame.

Their Song by Blackbird Designs framed

Loose Feathers Mystery Sampler by Blackbird Designs

September 25, 2014 By patgeary

Updated October 1, 2014

Earlier this year I discovered a new designer, two actually – Barb Adams and Alma Allen who are Blackbird Designs. I kept seeing pictures of Loose Feathers – Summer, Autumn, and Winter which was a sampler in three parts released by this team. I just had to stitch it and did. It now hangs framed in my bedroom. Thus began an addiction to some of their designs, many which are now out of print.

As I looked for other projects of theirs to stitch, I saw a picture of the finished sampler shown below:

The photo is courtesy of Vaida Balaseviciute

The Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler is comprised of bonus charts that were included in the Loose Feathers charts 31 – 34, in 2008 and 2009. It can be stitched in parts on separate pieces and colors of linen and then sewn together OR as one piece. I plan on stitching it all as one piece on 28ct Antique White Monaco.

Charts

Blessings and Kind Wishes, Loose Feathers #31 with Bonus #1 (75w x 120h) & #2 (60w x 120h)
Beyond My Heart Loose Feathers #32 with Bonus #3 (79wx 120h)
Keepsake Box & Pinkeep Loose Feathers #33 with Bonus 4 (60w x 120h)
Two Hearts, Loose Feathers #34 With Bonus #5 (75w x 120h)

Fibers

GAST Mulberry (DMC 3857) – 2 skeins
GAST Gingersnap (DMC 400) – 2 skeins
GAST Flax (DMC 612 & 613) – 2 skeins
GAST Peacock (DMC 3768) – 2 skeins
GAST Shaker White (DMC 822) – 1 skein
WDW Basil (DMC 3041 & 3051) – 1 skein
GAST Roasted Marshmallow (DMC 3865)
WDW Charcoal (DMC 844) – 2 skeins,
WDW Moss (DMC 469) – 3 skeins
WDW Olive (DMC 732) 2 skeins
CC Caterpillar – (DMC 801 & 3371)
NOTE: You may choose to stitch the flowers that are Shaker White in Flax as suggested by another stitcher. Where more than 1 skein is listed, it comes from someone who had already stitched this.

Fabric

Overall measurement for Mystery Sampler is (stitch count 349 x 120h)

30ct 23 ¼ x 8 plus 4” all around – cut fabric 32 x 16 ½
28ct 24 7/8 x 8 ⅝ plus 4” all around – cut fabric 33½ x 17

Mystery Sampler Progress Jan 1 2015

http://dragonxser.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/blackbird-designs-mystery-sampler-finish/

http://blackbirddesigns-stitchers.blogspot.com/2010/08/mystery-sampler.html

Started stitching January 1, 2015
Finished stitching Part 1 January 5, 2014

Part 1 Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler

Progress January 13, 2014 Parts 1 & 2 finished

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Parts 1 & 2

Progress February 14, 2015 – Parts 1, 2, and 3 finished.

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Parts 1, 2, 1nd 3 finished

Progress March 17, 2015

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler.

Completed stitching May23, 2015

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler in 5 parts.

And here is what it will look like framed. Still have to pin and stretch the piece and get the glass. While the mat looks blue in the picture, it is a deep mottled green.

Loose Feathers Mystery Sampler framed

Sunflower House by Blackbird Designs

September 11, 2014 By patgeary

After stitching Loose Feathers – Summer, Autumn, and Winter I decided I had to stitch more of the projects by Barb Adams and Alma Allen who are Blackbird Designs. Most of the ones I really liked were Out of Print so I went looking to see what I could find. The prices on EBay are RIDICULOUS, at least for the buyer. I found some of them for what to me was a reasonable price (no more than $20.) I chose Sunflower House to stitch first and ordered some fabric and the required floss. I am stitching this one on 28ct Blue Monaco that I bought from a fellow stitcher using the called for Gentle Arts Sampler Threads – Mulberry, Butternut Squash, Sarsaparilla, Grecian Gold, Brandy (2), Deep Sea, and Burnt Orange.

Blackbird Designs Sunflower House.

Forgot to note when I started stitching but believe it was Monday, September 8, 2014.

Sunflower House floss and fabric.

Progress September 26, 2014

Progress October 7, 2014

Blackbird Designs Sunflower House.

Finished October 27, 2014

And finally, here it is June 2022 and this one is finally fully finished and ready to hang on the wall.

Dare to Fly

August 23, 2014 By patgeary

Dare to Fly is another project by Silver Creek Samplers. I’m stitching it on Summer Sky Aida using the recommended floss – Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art Sampler threads. Stitch count is 144×71.

I started stitching this on August 15 2014. Below is my progress as of August 23rd.

Progress as of August 29, 2014

Dare to Fly by Silver Creek Samplers as of 8/29-14.

Finished stitching August 31, 2014

UPDATE – June 27, 2022 Now I can enjoy this one finished as a drum. The trim was some really thin Lady Dot chenille trim made into twisted cording.

Forever Love – by Silver Creek Samplers

July 6, 2014 By patgeary

I have a new designer of counted cross stitch that I have recently discovered – Silver Creek Samplers. Forever Love is just one of the charts I have purchased recently.

“Love believes bears hopes endures never ends”. Model stitched on 32 Ct. Golden Harvest Lugana with Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art Sampler threads. Stitch Count: 95×61

Because of my eyes, I decided to use 16 ct Aida to stitch the piece rather than the 32 count recommended so I ordered a piece of 16 Count Bo-Peep Pink Aida and the recommended Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art Sampler threads. I also have a piece of 16ct Melody hand-dyed Aida from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie which I will use to stitch a 2nd one as a gift. The first one will be for my husband.

As you can see below the fabric is gridded, the floss and chart are ready. Hopefully I can start stitching soon.

Started stitching: July 13, 2014

Progress July 19, 2014

Forever Love by Silver Creek Samplers as of 7-19-2014

Finished Stitching: July 22, 2014

Forever Love finished stitching

Finished and Framed by Jill Rensel Framing. Thank you Jill and Amber.

Forever Loved – Framed by Jill and Amber of Rensel Studio.

Lovebird by Just Another Button Company

May 23, 2014 By patgeary

I recently participated in a Giveaway on the 123Stitch Message Board and the prize was the chart Lovebird by Just Another Button Company. Once I complete stitching it, I will pass it along to the next stitcher.

Since I was placing an order with 123Stitch.com, I decided to go ahead and order the buttons since the giveaway was for the chart only.

The buttons needed to complete the chart are:

1 Black Heart – 3438X – $1.40
1 Large Red & White Checked Heart – 3368L – $2.00
1 Black Ken – 3354 – $1.40
1 Tiny Black Cherry Heart – 3446T – $1.40
1 Rosy Red Heart – 3521 – $1.80

I’ll be using DMC floss rather than the specified Weeks Dye Works floss and 28 ct white Jobelan over 2.

I’ll be taking this to the beach next week to stitch.

Here it is, all kitted up and ready to start stitching. Only two of the buttons arrived. Rest are on backorder.

Lovebirds, chart, fabric, floss, and buttons

Finished stitching! Now to iron it and add the buttons, then decide on framing. Fabric is actually white!

Lovebird by JABC

And here it is finished in a small metal tub with some nesting material.

Neighborhood Friends

April 26, 2014 By patgeary

Neighborhood Friends by Little House Needleworks is one of two charts offered as part of a fundraiser for animal care organizations.

Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks and Theresa Venette of Shakespeare’s Peddler wanted to help this country’s homeless animals and have created two designs, the proceeds from which will benefit dogs and cats looking for their fur-ever homes.

You can read about the project and purchase one or both of the charts from LettersGreatandSmall. The second chart is for Cat Lovers and is called Cats in the Garden. Since we are a dog family, I purchased the Neighborhood Friends chart.

I am stitching this project on a piece of hand-dyed 28ct Chocolate Milk Jobelan from Hand Dyed fabrics by Stephanie.

In the picture below, you can see my progress as of April 26, 2014

And as of Jun 13 2014 – almost there.

Neighborhood Friends by Little House Needleworks as of 6/13/2014

March 31, 2021

After seeing Neighborhood Friends posted in a couple of groups and knowing I had purchased it and started stitching it when it first came out (2014), I went in search to see what had happened to it. I found it stuffed in a plastic page protector with the working copy of the chart. The white dog had no head, the bench had no left leg and the two left bones were missing. You can do this says I. The fabric is 28ct Jobelan Milk Chocolate from Fabrics by Stephanie and it has NOT been gridded. My eyes feel they they are going to pop out of my head and I have a headache BUT it is now finished. Or at least I hope nothing else is missing. I will frame it or make a wall hanging and give it to our vet which was my original intent. The chart was a fundraiser by Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks and Theresa Venette of Shakespeare’s Peddler and is no longer available. I am happy to have actually finished it now.

And here it is framed in a simple blue 9×12 frame from Michaels.

March 2022 – Little House Needleworks announced they will be re-releasing this chart as Neighborhood Dog Show.

Neighborhood Dog Show by Little House Needleworks

Love you to the Moon and Back

March 14, 2014 By patgeary

When I first saw this chart, I Love You to the Moon and Back by Waxing Moon Designs, it made me think of my oldest son, Frank and his wife, Alana and what they always said to each other. Frank lost his battle with cancer on December 28, 2011. He had just turned fifty. I decided to stitch it for Alana in his memory and in appreciation of the care she gave him during that final year. The suggested fabric was a hand-dyed linen that was a dark blue. Aida fabric was also offered in that same color. I ordered a piece and tried to stitch but had such difficult seeing the holes, I had to change to a lighter shade of blue. I also chose to use DMC floss rather than the Crescent Colors suggested. I also ordered the button that goes in the upper left hand corner.

Again someone on the 123Stitch Message Board loaned me the chart. While the lighter shade of blue was easier to stitch, my old eyes still had a difficult time.

As you can see by the picture shown above, I decided to personalize the finished piece with Alana and Frank’s names stitched below the verse. I tried various frames with the piece but could not really make up my mind and was not real happy with how any of them looked. I had seen some of the finishing techniques on the message board done by ClaudiaB and decided to give her a try. I sent her the piece and told her I wanted it finished as a cube. This style of finishing was entirely new to me but I loved the finished piece. See what you think.

I have mailed it to my daughter-in-law and hope she is as happy with it as I am.