Yes, I've been buying again. I've discovered a brilliant little cross stitch site called Violarium. It's owned by a lovely lady called Leena and it's based in Finland. She specialises in French cross stitch kits and charts, and also supplies cross stitch magazines, books and fabric. I love French designs but for some reason (and it's maybe just me not having the 'knowledge' about where to buy) I can never find them in the UK. There are many charts from leading designers/design houses, such as Isabelle Vautier, Muriel Brunet, Long Dog Samplers, Savoir-Faire Vailly, Reflets de Soie and others. As you know, I'm cat mad and the charts I've bought are all about cats.
Here's the first one, a sweet little alphabet sampler by Isabelle Vautier, called 'Lettres a mon chat'
Here's a cute design from Savoir-Faire Vailly called 'Le Coeur Chat'
I'm so pleased with them. I'll be starting 'Le Coeur Chat' as side project two when I've finished my acorn, which I've nearly done. I've just got two more of the heart/flowers to do and I'm done!
I've lovingly put 'Phoenix' in my WIP box. I made a promise to it that I would tackle it again when I'm in a better frame of mind, but when that will be, I don't know. I feel like I've given up too easily, but I was finding it incredibly hard going. I suppose if I had more free time on my hands I would have been better able to fully concentrate on it. You really have to have your wits about you with so many fractional stitches - and there were loads on practically every line. Oh well, with the next design you could say I'm jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, but at least this design is made up of whole stitches.....drumroll please.......it's a HAED design, originally drawn by Stephanie Pui-Min Law, and it's called 'Cat Knot'
I'm really looking forward to starting it. I've started gridding my fabric and I've got all the threads. Watch this space for updates soon.
Well that's about it for now. I hope you've all had a good weekend so far and lots of love to you all, my fellow stitchers! xxx
5 comments:
Hey there, Girlfriend!! I love your new stash!! I may have to visit Leena's site, too!
I totally understand about putting a project into the WIP basket for a while. The project I work on really has to "speak" to me. If I try to work on something that hasn't, it really just doesn't work. I don't enjoy the stitching, I make really dumb mistakes, etc. You'll pick it up again, when it's the right time.
And, holy cow (or cat??)!! The HAED cat design is spectacular!! I know I'd go blind if I attempted that! I'll have all my enjoyment watching your progress if you decide to do that! :o)
Take care and I hope you had a lovely weekend!
Great new charts! I love Lettres a mon Chat!
Lovely stash. Thanks for the link I will go browse it! All the best with your HAED. One stitch at a time dum de dum xx
Hi Carto, thanks for commenting on my blog. I checked out Violarium - oh such tresures that are tempting me!!!
I must however concentrate on my 2 projects I've committed to.
I would like to add you to my list of favorite sites to visit. If this is a problem, just drop me a line!
Hope you have a great stitching week.
I love your two new charts. The cat designs on both are fantastic, especially Le Coeur Chat. I may have to think about adding these (or at least that one) to my stash, does she ship to the US?
I hadn't seen the HAED one, it's spectacular. Their patterns are so pretty and detailed. As to putting Phoenix away for a bit, sometimes that is the best way to go. I find if I force myself to work on a design when I really don't want to (or if it is complex and I can't concentrate on it) that I start making all kinds of errors that really make me frustrated. Stitching should be fun, not frustrating or feel like work. Go with what calls to you and enjoy it. At some point Phoenix will call again, and that will be the time to work on him again. Have fun with your new projects.
Sue
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