the third winner

so here we are! this morning I asked my sister to pick our third winner for by first blogaversary giveaway..

[engaging big moment of suspense]

and the winner is..

Wisher!! look how lucky was this brand new follower! YAY!

I’m really happy for you, and to everybody else I guess we’ll have more stitching games, I had so much fun with this one

funny how my very first and last follower turned out to be the winners this time.. oh dear, I watched too many Lost episodes lately, haven’t I?!

well, there are some stitching news and stash arrivals from Illinois so I better prepare ya a good ol’ stashin’ post for tomorrow!

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thank you all for the comments and sweet sweet words, they truly made my day.. while feeling so lucky to have you around, I wish you all a nice weekend and, of course, many happy xxx!

chiara

last chance

just a few words to remind you these are the last hours to enter the giveaway
you only have to add a comment in THIS post before midnight and tomorrow morning we’ll have our third winner!

need help with these?

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thank you all for the lovely words, they made my day!
off making the second chocolate cake.. oh goodness!
big hugs and happy xxx
chiara

blogaversary giveaway

here is the post for the classic drawing of my first blogaversary giveaway!

we already have Cheryl and mouse, who won during the stitch enigma we had in the past few days (see previous posts), now for everybody else who commented in the posts published since april 26th and the ones commenting in THIS post there will be another stitchful prize – entries close at midnight between May 3rd and May 4th (GTM+1 zone)

you don’t have to be followers of this blog, of course I like to have followers but I understand how following via email can be a bit annoying (plus it’s not like I’m THAT interesting, I know ), just post a comment saying you’d like to participate and don’t forget to leave an email address or blog link so that I can contact you

I had to place an order that will arrive in a couple of days, took the chance and picked the gifts too.. good luck everybody!

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big hugs and happy xxx

chiara

the enigma revealed

yesterday evening I got two surprising comments in a row, first Cheryl got the designer of the mysterious piece I’m working on, Alma Lynne, well done Cheryl!

then our witty mouse (my very first follower!! ) got the jackpot

it is Santa Bunny indeed, well done my friends!

now, since the mystery kind of vanished, there are a few things to fix: the regular blogaversary draw is still on, so everybody who already commented in the 4 previous posts have a chance to win, for all the others there’s a special post here (don’t forget my blogaversary giveaway closes at midnight between May 3rd and May 4th).

I already picked the gifts for everybody (mouse, the blogaversary winner and Cheryl – I decided to add her cause she was the first to guess the designer’s name, she deserves it! ) and will get them in a few days. can’t wait to see them in your hands!

I must say, this geeky enigma thing has been so much fun! I should have more of these (considering the amount of WIPs I have it shouldn’t be a problem either..!)

just for the sake of it, I’ll post you the following hints that would have been published in the 4 remaining days.

1st hint: it is a freebie featuring a famous designer’s chart, distributed by Anchor to promote a special thread, something sparkling and pretty new at that time

2nd hint: the freebie dates back to 1998 and has handwritten symbols. it is still available as a downloadable chart. the designer’s style is really unique, allowing her a career in all kinds of crafts and illustrated publications.

3rd hint: the new shiny thread is a golden metallic thread. it’s used for a little cross stitching and many backstitched details. this designer’s pieces have LOTS of backstitching and quarter stitches. LOTS.

4th hint: the theme for this piece is the cross-stitch festivity par excellence.

5th hint: for this very colorful piece, I used DMC threads and changed the tones a little. the original version is really close to this one, but has an outer border in baby teal and contrasting bright yellow.

6th hint: in case the country style and all that backstitching didn’t give her away already, the designer’s initials are A. L.

7th hint: no human figure is depicted, even so the animals depicted are properly dressed with bow ties and festive clothes.

8th hint: looong looong ears for this very special Santa.. !

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now a few things about this chart: since it’s such a nice piece, and it’s still downloadable on Coats’ website, here is the link and a PDF with the DMC conversions I made

Santa Bunny info

WIP – Santa Bunny

don’t forget there are still 4 days for the giveaway!  :)

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big hugs and happy xxx

chiara

another hint and a few answers

first of all, let me express my sorrow for the tragedies that occurred in Bangladesh and Prague. I’ve been following the news with concern and deep sadness.

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I’ve been reading your comments and decided to answer a few of your questions:

- Karen mentioned the Anchor issue (cause Anchor isn’t equally famous in the US and Europe), well this freebie featured Anchor threads and was distributed by an English company, but the designer is 100% American

- Joanne asked if the one wearing those checked trousers is a snowman. nope, Jo

- Teresa, good guess! but it’s not Mary Engelebreit. the designer’s initials will be revealed in the 6th hint

now a recap with the previous hints and tomorrow’s updates (everybody can join, just read the rules in this post and start guessing! – you can guess as many times as you want, I’ll count your name only once for the regular drawing on my blogoversary, not this one )

1st hint: it is a freebie featuring a famous designer’s chart, distributed by Anchor to promote a special thread, something sparkling and pretty new at that time

2nd hint: the freebie dates back to 1998 and has handwritten symbols. it is still available as a downloadable chart. the designer’s style is really unique, allowing her a career in all kinds of crafts and illustrated publications.

3rd hint: the new shiny thread is a golden metallic thread. it’s used for a little cross stitching and many backstitched details. this designer’s pieces have LOTS of backstitching and quarter stitches. LOTS.

stitch enigma – part 4

4th hint: the theme for this piece is the cross-stitch festivity par excellence.*

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here is a VERY late TUSAL update that gives me the opportunity to show off my latest TUSAL tin box, which used to have chocolates inside. mom took it home already empty but I like the drawings more than the chocolate opportunity (which is sayin’ something! )

by the looks of this funny cat, I’d say it’s Alex Scheffler’s work (the German guy that illustrated the Gruffalo stories and many other books by Julia Donaldson – love them all!)

the glimpse of spring we had suddenly vanished and ruined all the flowers on our cherry tree. by the time I could go outside with Taras, this was the mess I found..

Taras went a little grumpy during those cold, rainy days (we actually lighted up the fireplace one last time! ) and was incredibly happy to be finally able to enjoy the garden again!

there’s a wasp there, and I’ve got to have it!

hunting for lizards

Pablita enjoyed her lunch in the sunshine

just in time, cause the rain came back that same day and will be coming and going all week. thank goodness there was a box waiting for little Grumpy on the kitchen floor

last but not least, a report with my latest epic fail

I had one job..

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have a nice week and keep on guessing!

happy xxx

chiara

 

* so you’re right Jo, it’s a Christmas design!

a stitched enigma – part 3

still trying to understand what happened this morning outside the residence of our PM.. between breaking news and TV specials I realized I better publish the third part of the enigma, before I – once again – completely forget about this

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here is a short recap of the previous hints, followed by today’s updates. enjoy!

1st hint: it is a freebie featuring a famous designer’s chart, distributed by Anchor to promote a special thread, something sparkling and pretty new at that time

2nd hint: the freebie dates back to 1998 and has handwritten symbols. it is still available as a downloadable chart. the designer’s style is really unique, allowing her a career in all kinds of crafts and illustrated publications.

stitch enigma – part 3

3rd hint: the new shiny thread is a golden metallic thread. it’s used for a little cross stitching and many backstitched details. this designer’s pieces have LOTS of backstitching and quarter stitches. LOTS.

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enjoy the rest of the weekend,

happy xxx

chiara 

the enigma continues

I’m really happy you’re enjoying the riddle thing. as an upside I’m madly working on this piece, preparing the work-in-progress pictures (which require, well, progress!) for the next week

the second pic shows just a little more cause I don’t want to give away too much too soon, but I promise the next one will be of great help in guessing the designer/chart title

stitch enigma – part 2

2nd hint: the freebie dates back to 1998 and has handwritten symbols. it is still available as a downloadable chart. the designer’s style is really unique, allowing her a career in all kinds of crafts and illustrated publications.

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in case you want to participate, just read the directions in this post and add a comment (here, there – doesn’t matter) with your guess

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Taras took his extreme naps to a whole new level this morning, enjoy!

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enjoy the weekend and keep stitching!

chiara