The People's Choice -- Designer of 2024

 

The lovely Jo has had a fun blog event to join in. I missed so many and I just seen this will be the last. It does take a lot to post for but it's always fun to see what people post about. Anyway stop over to her blog to see who played along this time around.

This month is a fun one Designer of the Year. My tastes have changed lately and I'm stitching more for myself. I've definitely noticed a big change from my long time of nautical stitching for mom. I found 2 new designers lately.

Cottage Garden Samplings

I fell in love with her new series which very much surprised me because I don't normally like houses...

I don't know why I just love these so far and I love the ideas of the ones coming next. I just can't wait to see them. I have special ordered some 40ct fabric and if I ever receive it I will finally get to start the Santa's House. So pretty. 

The other designer is Les Petites Croix de Lucie. I found them on 123stitch.

I'm doing the Halloween Potions pattern...

Then I also found this fun Halloween chart and realized it was the same designer...

I found a pattern in a magazine that I really liked. I marked it to start this coming fall season possibly. I glanced to see who designed it...Yep same designer haha...

So evidently I like their artwork haha. I also have a few gnomes from this designer in my ever ending stash pile. They have a lot of really cute gnomes. These 3 above will more than likely be started this year though. 

Thanks Jo for hosting this fun blog event.

People's Choice - Chocolate

  

The lovely Jo hosts this fun monthly link up event. We get a theme and we are to make a post about it. We also can suggest the themes for future use. So Let the People Choose. I haven't been participating but ready to start again. I am going to be out of town so setting this up to post on Saturday morning. Stop over to Jo's blog to see what others have shared.  

I just couldn't not participate this month. The word is...

One of my favorite things in the world. The very reason I can't lose weight haha. Here I am at Hershey, Pennsylvania a very fantastic place to visit....

Yes I wanted to lick the walls haha. No I didn't buy the chocolate bar. I would have ate the whole thing haha. Believe it or not though I have never stitched a design with chocolate on it. So I glanced at 123stitch and was surprised at how many designs there was with chocolate theme. Several were more hot chocolate and I dislike warm drinks so no hot cocoa for me. But these 3 designs are sure cute...

Imaginating did this one. Her fun word play designs.

Les Petites Croix De Lucie did an adorable gnome.

Luv 4 Cross Stitch did this adorable box top.

The gnome is probably the one that draws me the most. I have several of the gnomes from her to do first though. 

Thanks for joining me on my post. See ya in January for the next theme Designer of 2024.

The People's Choice -- Spring

 The first Saturday or as soon as you can after we have a fun blog event. It's a themed post from the lovely Jo. Stop over to her check in post here to see what others have posted about. We are given a theme and we are to make a post about whatever we feel fits the theme. March's theme is Spring. So let's look at my finished projects...

2012 I finished this beauty from Cricket Collection. My framer made the frame so that I switch out the seasons into the same frame. I love them. 

2015 I finished this adorable seasonal piece from Ursula Michael. It's in my box of shame hiding. I really need to finish them. So I can display them like they deserve.

I have one in WIP status...

I've been working on this beauty from Stoney Creek forever. I'm on the N block. Just don't seem to move along very fast with it. A lot of color changes.

I have several in my stash I'm looking forward to. Erica Michael's has several gorgeous ones that I own. Plus this one from Puntini Puntini...

Just need more time. I really love stitching on seasonal pieces. See ya next time for the theme Blue.

People's Choice -- Birds

 

Today is time for a fun blog post. It's the People's Choice. The lovely Jo gives us a theme and the first Saturday of the month we are to make up a post about whatever we feel fits that theme. Sounds like fun doesn't it? Then join in. Head over here for the check in post. 

Now to make up my post.

I have always loved birds. When I was a little kiddo I stayed at my mom's parent's house quite a bit. They had a bird feeder right outside a large window. I would up on the top of a cabinet and stare out the window for hours watching the birds. I had a little book and was on a mission to find out what each little bird was that landed out there to eat. Now that I'm 41 it has never changed haha. I still love all birds. We have feeders everywhere haha. I even have one at our cabin. Now as far as my stitching you would assume I've stitched a lot right? Not very many at all. Wow. I really need to fix this! Here are a few I've stitched though...

I would really like to find one with a whole bunch of different birds at a bird feeder. I don't like some of the ones I've seen since the birds don't look realistic. The lovely Rachel has stitched up some adorable little birds though so I just might have to go hunting for those patterns. Like I need more to work on right haha. I do have some ocean birds in progress. So that is nice. But I would like some of our local birds. We'll see. Have a great weekend. See ya Monday for a Monday update.

The People's Choice - The Designer of 2020

 First Saturday of each month the lovely Jo has a fun blog event to play along with. We get a subject and we are to make a post about it. It's very interesting and I haven't been able to play along in a bit. I'm back though. Here's hoping I keep up this year.

Today's post will be about the Designer you most enjoyed stitching in 2020.

Wow what a decision to make. I really like so many different designs. 

But the one I enjoyed stitching the most last year and I still feel that way is Paine Free Crafts. You can click on the name and it will pull up her website. I've always enjoyed HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs) and these designs are very much like them. But what I do love is the artwork she has chosen. Stanley Morrison is the original artist who drew Beer Dragon. Now I've fallen in love with so many of his other dragons and his gorgeous artwork. She has many other artists too that are just beautiful.

Look at this Tinkerbell...

Those Who Wander are not always lost by Tim Shumate

Ocean Panorama Artist: Adrian Chesterman
 

The above ocean piece is just GORGEOUS. The colors in it are amazing. There is also a more zoomed in on the Orca piece that would be much faster to stitch up.

Those are just two that I really like right now. I enjoy stitching her patterns very much. They seem to go a little faster than the HAEDs I've worked on. 

Now I have Beer dragon and my 3 new Christmas present dragons to work on this year.

I will be back next month to talk about birds.

The People's Choice -- Fire

First Saturday of the month (or soon after *cough cough*) the lovely Jo has given us bloggers a mission. We give her theme suggestions. We vote which ones we like in a poll. She gives us the topic picked and off we go to make up a post. May's topic is Fire. So let's see what I can come up with.

Two finishes pieces. One WIP. One Stash Pick.

In 2015 I finished this Tribal Fire Helmet from White Willow Stitching. I got it framed in a simple black frame with a thin red line. I presented it to a best friend of ours that is a fire fighter.

Last year I stitched up this piece with a different type of fire...

This is on display at our cabin where we love a nice warm camp fire in our fire pit. This one was from Mill Hill called Cabin Fever. I have this one started...

Another Mill Hill kit called Camping Out. Another fun fire pit on this one.

I have this one in my stash of things I really want to stitch...

You stitch on the Aida and then glue it to the little mini pallet. I've finished another one like this but this one is perfect for this theme isn't it? I have a feeling this needs to come out....in June and get finished.

Next month the theme is another one I shouldn't have a problem posting about....dragonflies. Stop over to Jo's check in post for this month to see what others have posted about. Thanks for stopping by.

The People's Choice -- Modern Samplers

On the first Saturday of every month we have a fun mission from the lovely Jo. We get a theme and we are to make a post about anything we feel fits that theme. This month the theme is Modern Samplers.

Stop over to the check in post to see who has joined in the fun.

So what is a modern sampler. First we need to decide that right? Well samplers to me is a piece that has an alphabet on it. Most the time they are old vintage type pieces with borders and motifs but I always think of a an alphabet. After reading several of the other posts that have been posted they agree with me it seems. So modern samplers would be more modern. So let's see if I have anything in my stitching folders that might fit the theme...

In 2006 I was doing model stitching for Rosewood Manor. I stitched this piece called Claret for her. It wasn't my taste but I got paid to stitch so that was nice.

In 2007 I stitched another sampler for Rosewood Manor called Good Foundations.

Another one in 2007 was called Four Leaf Clover for Rosewood Manor. I really loved stitching for her. She was the nicest person and appreciated my stitching.

2008 was Cranny Flowers by Rosewood Manor. I did some others mixed in as well but these are finished model photos I can share.

I don't know if those would be considered modern or not. Works for this post I hope. I stopped model stitching after getting burnt out. I don't remember exactly what year. I just wanted to enjoy my stitching instead of make a job out of it. It was fun while it lasted definitely.

So that was the end to my sampler stitching. One thing I love about cross stitching is there is something for everyone. No matter what you like there seems to be a pattern for it. So no I don't like samplers but a lot of people do.

Next month the theme is fire. I can already think of a few things I will include for that one.

People's Choice -- Coffee

On the first Saturday of everything month.....or soon there after haha. We have been given a fun task. To post about a theme that gets voted on. This month the theme is Coffee. Head over to Jo's check in post to see what others have posted about this time. Now that's out of the way I have to make my post...

I hate coffee! I don't really like any warm drinks. Not even coco. I don't enjoy iced coffee either though. I also just really hate the smell of coffee. Now I've done a lot of soul searching on this and here's my explanation. My dad loved coffee when I was a kid. I connected the smell of coffee to him filling up his thermos. Before work. Before leaving. My parents got divorced when I was 10 years old and I honestly think I connected the smell of coffee to not seeing my dad. So some subconscious weird things I'm sure are in my mind when it comes to coffee. Therapy taught me a lot in my lifetime. Hope that makes sense to my readers.

Now let's get back to why you're here though. Stitching. I'm sure I can find some cute coffee designs to share for those who do like coffee...

Romy's Creations has this cute one called Happiness is Coffee.

Of course Mill Hill has a cute Coffee kit. 

Hands on Design came out with a wonderful set for Coffee lovers. This is one.

Well I'll leave you with those 3 fun designs. Hopefully next month I will be able to make a better post. But I don't know. The theme is Modern Samplers....Another thing I don't really stitch. We'll have to see what I can come up with for that. Now I'm off to read the blogs on my blog reading list. Can't wait to see what others have posted.

People's Choice -- Penguins

The first Saturday of the month the lovely Jo has done it again. She is hosting The People's Choice blog event. Each month we are given a theme and we are to make a blog post on what we want to share about that theme.

This month the theme is Penguins. Head over to Jo's check in post to see what others have shared for this theme.

Now let's look at what I can post myself...

I have a few older finishes to share. 2 of which my friend Rachel shared on her post. We always say we have very similar tastes.

2014 I stitched up one of the Brooke's Book Advent cuties. I finished them up to 9 and then they just didn't call my name any more. Maybe later in the future they will be back on my WIP list. Right now they are waiting in my stash back up.

2015 I stitched up these cute Durene Jones Christmas Pals Ornaments and made them into cubes. The penguin is one of my favorite of the 6.

2018 I stitched up another Durene Jones cutie for my monthly calendar set. This set is a freebie on her Facebook group. I loved working on them that year.

I'm noticing a theme. I have another Durene Jones penguin in my WIP list. These cute 3D ornaments that she designed. I only have the top of this one done. I worked on it one day for a marathon last year. I have finished one of these with snowmen on it. I look forward to working on this one again sometime.

Not a lot to share but penguins are very cute and I could see stitching more of them in my future. Evidently Durene Jones really likes to design them. She has a lot of them in her Etsy shop. Next month our theme is which will be a really short one for me. I hate coffee!

The People's Choice -- Lizzie Kate

First Saturday of every month the lovely Jo gives us a fun blog check in. Each month will have a one word theme for us to make a post about.

The January theme is Lizzie Kate. Why not join in? Just make a post on your blog about Lizzie Kate. Anything you want to share. Then go here for the check in post and sign that you have participated. It's that easy. It's a lot of fun to see what everyone comes up with for the same theme. Are you ready for my post. Here we go...

You might find this funny. For a long time I refused to stitch Lizzie Kate. I heard a story a long time ago in an online group. Lizzie Kate had attended a retreat in Italy. I guess she released a design and told the attendees of the retreat that it was an exclusive to only those who attended the retreat. A few months later she released the pattern in US. It upset the people who attended enough that the rumor was spread online about how Lizzie Kate had lied to them. I agreed with the points I was told and boycotted her patterns completely.

In 2007 I stitched this pattern and didn't know it was a Lizzie Kate...

I haven't seen the finished piece so I almost wonder if I threw it away when I found out it was a LK. After I started attending the PALs retreat I learned about designers and that most exclusive releases are in fact released at a later date for others to purchase. I had no idea. I thought exclusive meant never to be shared. Guess it does make sense that after a time they would have the right it's their design after all. Plus when she announced her retirement I thought what a fool I had been. There were some of her designs I really did enjoy.

In 2018 I went to my LNS and they had a lot of her patterns on sale. I purchased 3 sets of her year long monthlies. 2019 I finished the Flip It Stamps...

I really did enjoy stitching them. I have the Flip it Bits and Blocks also...

 

I also did these two Easter themed LK's for the Easter Blog Hop in 2018...

The bunny in the middle was a lovely gift from a friend. She came with her own suitcase because we traveled all the time. The fabric on the bottom is the fabric that I put on the back of the cubes.

What a long time I boycotted her and I've definitely learned to find out more information before I jump on a band wagon now. Thanks for stopping by my People Choice post. Next month the check in is on Feb 1st with a Penguins theme.

The People's Choice -- Winter

The first Saturday of the month (or soon as you can after haha) the lovely Jo has given us a fun blog event. We get a theme and we are supposed to make a post about it. It's the People's Choice because she takes the suggestions and makes a poll on a Facebook group for us to vote on the theme each month. The winning theme for December is Winter. Stop over to Jo's post to see who else has posted this month.

Let's see what I've worked on in my past that fits the Winter theme. When I think of Winter I think of Snow. I love snow! So I have stitched quite a few snowmen pieces...

A freebie from 2012 I stitched on perforated paper.

 

These two Mill Hill kits were from 2012.

2014 I did Winter from Cross Eyed Cricket.

2015 I did this cute snowman from Stoney Creek.

 

2015 I did these two Durene Jones word play designs.

2016 was this fun piece. It was called Snow Kisses from VeeandCo.

I have these WIPs that have a Winter theme...

Erica Michael's 40ct silk gauze Winter from the 4 Seasons designs.

Jolly Snowman by Imaginating. I only have the one day from my 2016 January challenge starts...

In my stash are other Erica Michael's 40ct Winter themed pieces here are two I have...

 

So you can definitely tell I love Winter. Next month the theme is Lizzie Kate. That will be another easy subject to post about.