a summer garden galore

it was way before this hell of a summer started that I told Jo I would participate in her Summer Garden Blog Hop. of course life had to get in the way, with my entire stitching supplies being on lockdown taking turns in the freezer, then in boxes that went inside other boxes that went inside other boxes, etc. – which meant I lost track of all I was working on.

this led to a month of no stitching whatsoever (supported by the total lack of time and energy, both drained by all the housework and the daily cleaning); then I slowly got back to it but was forced to pick up only what I could find at the moment, with this and that constantly missing somewhere – so my plan to finish this for Jo’s SGBH went to the dogs.

this is a piece I’m stitching using various motifs taken from the Couleurs au point de Croix booklet series published by Mango Pratique. I cut the linen very long so I can add things as I go. it’s on 40ct. using a threads from stash (the purple in the outer border is silk), all hand dyed by Nina.

since I had to pick up something I could find the threads for, I ended up choosing an old WIP that required DMC threads, starting two small charts (one of them is finished, the other has to go on the dowels because I got hand cramps from using the hoop) and a new exciting project.

there are a few reasons why I can squeeze them all in the summer garden theme, and I shall illustrate them as I go.

let’s start with:

• Summer Sparkler Party by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery (28/7 – 8/8)

for obvious reasons this piece is the ideal entry for Jo’s Blog Hop. I stitched this on 40ct. linen with my own choice of threads (all handy dyed by Nina).

once I finally finish-finish this, the pink balloon will end up somewhere.

this little project (only 43W x 42H) went under a thorough re-adaptation mainly due to the fact that it was originally 4th of July themed. being Italian, most things (although super cute) didn’t have the same appeal to me, so I changed and moved stuff around, used summery colours, personalised here and there (for example, I don’t like watermelons so I changed them into pink grapefruits) and enjoyed stitching a mini-me!* 🙂

I added the previous picture for colour truthfulness purposes 😉 there is a mini-Taras charted above mini-me (I used the cat from the Bremen musicians in block 8 of OUAT. if you don’t know what OUAT means, you’ll find clarity at the end of this post).

* see the clothes replica I stitched after one of my “summer garden” outfit? 😉

you can see this project in its original look (which is adorable, and very “team USA!”) here – it’s a limited edition pattern, so if you like it, go check it out right now because today is the last day it’s available.

• the second small I started is part of the same series of mini charts by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, All Hallows’ Eve (9/8 – 11/8)

again my own choice of Nina’s Threads and 40ct. linen, lots of colour changes and a few witty Straight Stitches in the broom (I just love how everything pops up on this dark blue fabric!), a link for this pattern is here. there are many other (limited and not) small charts I have already kitted up and can’t wait to get done but a certain big project ended up on the dowels and took over (see last point).

this one isn’t exactly summer-themed but I’m pretty sure this little witch spent many afternoons working on herbs and fungi in her glasshouse, so it rightfully goes in the garden rather than the summer theme. to me, of course. 😉

• I resumed working on the 1st stitch enigma piece, Santa Bunny by Alma Lynne (11/8 – 13/8), and would have finished the darn thing (darn because the golden thread is The Enemy, especially if you have to tie bows and attach them to your stitching, 3 times) if I hadn’t realised the colours I chose for the Bunny are completely off. I will pick it up again as soon as I get my DMC colour chart back, and find a better brown trio for him.

this is an old picture, I actually have reached the top of the left border and stitched the entire hand/sleeve on the left. I got to the Bunny and gosh! those browns are so wrong!

although this is a Christmas piece there are pine trees everywhere (surely garden all the way, don’t you agree? 😉 )

• and last but not least the project I’m having the most fun with these days, another The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, I should have started back when I received some new threads for it.

it’s Once Upon a Time Sampler that has just seen its latest block released, the adorable Rapunzel up in her tower, surrounded by birds and trees [check it out here].

my 1st block in the OUAT Sampler, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. (19/8 – 26/8)

this is the original version as charted by the lovely Amanda & Ashleigh (the Frosted Pumpkins), aren’t they a witty duo? 🙂

I should get the second block, February/The Frog Prince, done in a couple of days. check it out, it’s my tribute to The Princess and the Frog, with Princess Tiana, Ray and Evangeline.

Ray and Evangeline, one the best couples I’ve seen on a Disney animated film in a long while.

again an old snap, the outer motifs are all done. I just need a good few hours to stitch the Frog Prince!

this is the block as charted by the Pumpkin duo. I LOVE the frog!

this is definitely summer/garden related, with Snow White’s tale taking place in spring (“Some day when spring is here /
We’ll find our love anew” so presumably by the time the Prince wakes her up it’s summer 😉 ), and then The Princess and the Frog (ok, Mardi Gras is in February, not summer at all – but plenty of gardens, right? even a bayou! 😀 ).

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and finally, here is the postcard I received from Heather. isn’t is gorgeous? 🙂

her message reads:

Hello fellow Summer stitcher!  This picture is of a garden I stitched years ago!  There are five in the series (it’s by Moss Creek Designs), and sadly, I have only finished one other.  I am working on a third, however.  I adore gardens and will go on any garden tour that’s offered.  I love big gardens, small gardens, flower gardens, vegetable gardens, kitchen gardens–you name it!  Unfortunately, since I live in a downtown area, I am limited to container gardening right now.  The tomatoes always love all the sun they get up on our deck (it’s three stories in the air!)  The good news is that the Atlanta Botanical Garden is very close to us and I visit often…sometimes once a week.  And I take plenty of pictures, which you can find on my blog here: http://lottloft.blogspot.com/search/label/horticultural

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if you’re wondering what is Jo‘s Summer Garden Blog Hop, you can read all about it here. check the other postcards as well, they’re all very interesting reads!

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Taras and I wish you a wonderful start of the week, of the month and a great Labour Day to all you Yankees! 😀

big hugs!

chiara