Stash Run

If you spent any time with me in my studio, you'd come to realize I have enough stitching stash for about three lifetimes. So for the last few years, I've been fairly selective about the amount of new charts, kits and threads I add. This year, I've only added to my stash collection once -- while on vacation where I visited Country Crafts in Greeley, Colorado.

After finishing my pillow yesterday, I realized that I never did share the treasures I gathered. Better late than never.


These two Lizzie*Kate charts caught my eye. Dog Lessons for People is the piece I finished yesterday. I picked up It's A Boy Thing! because it's a great chart for boys that is more cute than sickeningly sweet. I like it's contemporary vibe.


Here are two seasonal charts that caught my eye. The first is a chart called by Trick or Treat Bags by Crab-apple Hill. This company has some really nice designs. I recommend stopping by the website. The pattern I bought contains three simple designs to embroider using a stem stitch or backstitch. Then you attach the stitching to some felt, and the whole caboodle to some little muslin bags you whip up. Unfortunately, these are not iron-on designs, so I will need to trace them onto fabric. But it ought to make for a quick stitch. Hmmm. It's a week until Halloween ... maybe this can be my next project.

For Valentine's Day (or my anniversary?) I bought Design and a Heart by Hob-Nobb Designs. I saw this worked up as a shop model. Really sweet. Stitch a grid. Stitch eight patchwork hearts along the outside squares. Stitch the heart button that comes with the kit in the center. Viola! Very sweet. This could make a cute cube or maybe even a greeting card.


Next are two beaded Christmas ornament kits from Mill Hill. These ornaments are made of beads, treasures, charms and stitching on perforated paper. Silvery Tree has a star charm for the tree top. Snowflakes has a snowflake treasure. If you've never tried a Mill Hill bead kit, I can recommend them. Nice easy projects with good results. I was enamored with the blue, white and crystal these two kits embrace.


Next up? Two kits where the designs captured my heart. The first is a Dimensions Gold Collection Petite kit called Single Rose. This is one I'll stitch and keep for myself. The colors and style of this design match my home decor. I don't know that I'll stitch it any time soon, though.

Happily Ever After Wedding Record is another small Dimensions kit. Like It's A Boy Thing! (above), this is a contemporary design for a special occasion. That's a nice change from some of the sappier and more ornate wedding designs available. (I've been known to stitch some of them, too!) I couldn't find this kit on the Dimensions website (weird!), but Overstock.com has it for a very decent price!


Lastly, I bought this book of embroidery on paper designs called Alphabet and Festive Motifs by Joke and Adriaan De Vette (serious, the name is "Joke"). I enjoy embroidery on paper as a way to mix up the kind of stitching I do. This book has some very classy designs, especially for Christmas. Now to decide which of the folks on my Christmas card list are "Nice" and will receive one of these special cards.
:: pondering ::


When I got up to the counter, the gal told me about a special promotion that was going on with the cross-stitch shops in the greater Denver area. They had a special where if you visit each shop within a certain number of days, you receive a cute Christmas pouch and some special charts and doo-dads. I was not going to be able to visit all the shops, but because I spent nearly $100 that day, she gave me a Christmas pouch anyway! How sweet!

I was almost out the door when I turned around for my last purchase. Another little beaded Lady of the Evening! You have a sneak peek at this coin purse in the photo above, but I'll give her a post unto herself in the future.