2014 Finishes

So finally after a year worth of stitching here are my completed finishes for 2014.

1) Dawn by Lesley Teare (Bothy Threads Kit) - Finished 2014

This cross stitch was definitely not for the beginner due to its sheer size, use of beads, metallic threads, blending filament, french knots and detailed back stitch. However I persevered and it is by far my favorite piece!

2) Dusk by Lesley Teare (Bothy Threads Kit) - Finished 2014

This was the partner to Dawn and I knew I had to do it to complete the pair. Love the blending filament in the moon and wings (took forever) but love the way it turned out!

3.) With Love to You Mum by Rhona Norrie (Issue 213 World of Cross-Stitching Magazine)

I completed this small design as a present for Mother's Day. I really love the colors and enjoyed stitching this sweet little piece.


4). I Love Tea Time by Rhona Norrie (Issue 213 World of Cross-Stitching Magazine)

 This is perhaps one of my favourite patterns. The whole thing just makes me smile and once framed it will be going in my kitchen!

5) Daisy Country Lass by Lesley Teare (Bothy Threads Kit)

Lesley Teare is one of my favourite designers and so I couldn't resist stitching one of her country lasses.

6) Holly Country Lass by Lesley Teare (Bothy Threads Kit)

Love this country lass pattern, a little bit of Christmas


These are my six finishes for 2014! I currently have two WIPs
 1) Scotland Map by Heritage Crafts
 2) Millennium Angel by Mirabilia.

I will be posting about these two projects and my goals for 2015 in my next post.

Happy Stitching :)

Liv

The beginnings of a blog

Cross Stitching is something that I had only ever done as a small child.

 I would try a tiny pattern of a frog, bee or star and then after five or so stitches lose patience and go find a colouring book.

 It was only when I turned 13 and started taking saxophone classes that my love for cross stitch developed. My music teacher conducted lessons from her house. I loved that house. It was filled with hundreds of magnificent finished cross stitches. Fantastical designs of elegant ladies, cuddly teddy bears and African wildlife immediately captured my imagination. How could anyone finish such huge patterns?

Having never really been a huge fan of learning to play the saxophone I  purposely set out to distract my teacher into showing me different cross stitching tricks. Eventually I picked up another small pattern of a duck but my short attention span failed me once again. I liked looking at different cross stitch patterns and learning techniques but I didn't actually want to put in the time and effort to create my own.

It was only in my third year of University studying journalism and peace and conflict studies that I decided to take the plunge and buy a large cross stitch kit.

This was 'Dawn' designed by Lesley Teare for Bothy Threads. 

Having spent most of my teenage years admiring stunning cross stitch patterns, it was completely and utterly exciting to have my very first 'non-child beginner' kit. 

I loved the design and found myself being able to do long hours of stitching. However the pressure of exams, a part time job at a bakery, social events, a new boyfriend and a semester exchange in Ireland meant that once again cross stitching was put on the back burner.

After graduating with my two undergrad degrees I decided to take a couple of months to myself - I had been studying at university for five years full time as well as working part time and doing four high intensity internships. 

Cleaning out my room I discovered my cross stitch box and after taking out 'Dawn' again I immediately found my way back into cross stitching.

I now find myself reading cross stitching blogs and seeing all the fantastic stitchers and their WIPs and finished pieces has inspired me to write my own. 

I hope to post another entry talking about my experiences with 'Dawn' and my planned stitches for the upcoming year. 


xx Liv