Surgery Aftermath & The Delight of Flora Klickmann

I say surgery aftermath, because it is rather like one has been caught in their own personal natural disaster. Never to diminish what those who have experienced catastrophic occurrences have gone through, but I can relate to things being dramatically changed in a short period of time.

Thankfully, the doctor tells me cheerfully, the three hour surgery on my foot went well. But I thought I'd entered the twilight zone when they sent me home with a huge cast on my leg, a pair of crutches to try and maneuver my way through life's essentials and then gave me pain meds that would make a sober man five times my size stagger. Ah well, won't be stitching for a few days or I can imagine what Glorious Spring might end up looking like!

Until then, I'd like to introduce you to some wonderful designers/stitchers I've come across in my exploration of antique filet crochet. One of my favorites is Flora Klickmann (26 January 1867 - 20 November 1958), a remarkable lady whose story you can read at This lovely little bookshop near Tintern Abbey

Her accomplishments were many, though it is her particular eye for images she incorporated into her designs that have me calling her 'sister' from another mother ;)

Off to wrestle with more of those 600 lb purple rabbits that have been accompanying each dose of pain meds. hmmmm, there might be a design in that! Stay tuned!

Acorn Patch Model Stitched!

Dianne of Russwood Cottage blog was kind enough to stitch this model for me!

She did a beautiful job of stitching this pattern one over two threads on 35 count lambswool linen. I chose this frame that seems made just for it.

I love autumn and this design is based on a nine patch quilt block with motifs suggesting images of pine trees and autumn leaves with a gingham plaid type of border with some acorns in the corners.

Thanks again, Dianne, it is beautiful!

Glorious Spring! Stitching Update and Kitting up Flutter on By

Glorious Spring! is a little more than halfway complete and I'm still enjoying these dancing images. It is hard to get a photo that doesn't wash the teal green fabric out just a bit, but I am glad I chose this color, it gives it the dark forest background I was after.

I've also got everything ready to begin stitching Flutter on By. I've got Sanctuary ready to go as well but will probably do FoB next because of its bright colors. I think I may need them! Next week I'm having some rather extensive surgery that is going to put my foot in a cast and me on crutches for at least 6 weeks.

I'm looking at it as an opportunity to stitch :) and want something especially cheerful to work on and I think this is going to be just that.

I'll be using Zweigart 18 count aida in Beige, though it looks more like it should be called light yellow instead of the tan shades that the name beige suggests.

The floss is almost entirely HDF, Hand-Dyed Fibers silk floss and is as follows -

Green border - Jadeite #2467
Butterflies - Chrysocolla #2253
Bleeding Hearts - Perfect Red #6207
Poppies - Zinnia #4237
Darker green in leaves - Isle Green #3213
Lighter green in leaves, frogs & spots on turtle - Wrasse Green #3315
Turtle and stems on Bleeding Hearts - Bird Feathers #4107
Yellow dots on butterfly and frog background, and strawberry seeds - Ochre #4403

And lastly I'll be using Soie d'Alger #2646 for the strawberries, because I have a good bit on hand. If I were going with an HDF for them it would be a little darker of the Perfect Red line.

New Design!! Flutter On By

The garden is coming to life as summer is almost here and this design has badgered me until it lay complete before me. Inspired by the sound of our pollywogs at night, and the thought of beautiful blue butterflies translated into something somewhat nouveau styled flitting over the flowers.

As much as I'm a romantic who loves simple elegance, I'm also a sucker for whimsey :)

The software allows me to put the close up shots on a simulated aida background and will hopefully give a better idea of the details of the piece.

As always, my designs are free till their models are stitched, so do please send an email if you'd like the charts for this one. I'll try and post suggested fabric and silk floss conversions soon.

Glorious Spring! and the Music it Suggests

Glorious Spring! is ticking right along and I must say, I'm really liking this one. It is making me smile and since its inception it has made me think of a certain piece of music every time I look at it.





Those dancing flowers always make me sing this in my head, be warned! Earworm ahead :)



And 'watch this space' for a new design to be introduced next week!

A Personal Pause or Maybe Paws?

I had planned to post the next photo of Glorious Spring's progress today, but I hope you'll forgive my taking a brief pause in this blog about cross stitch designs to pay tribute to two of my biggest and best inspirations.

My first design, Northern Nights, featured two large dogs howling at the winter moon. They represented our two Anatolian Shepherd boys, Zach and his son, Jubal.

Before I finished stitching the model of Northen Nights last December, Zach died making the piece even more meaningful to Terry and I.

Today, Jubal died. We are so thankful to the Lord for the years we had with both of these great sweet protectors and while neither will ever be forgotten, a certain sampler has become extra special to us.

We hope someday in Glory to once again throw balls for two big golden balls of love -

Jubal

Zach

Glorious Spring! Progresses

I've been getting a little more time in stitching and I am indeed enjoying this one :)

Get used to lacy borders in my designs, I am loving the effect they are giving.

I'm also enjoying using Vikki's beautiful silk floss, not only do they just glide through the fabric the color choices are so varied that I can almost always find just the right hues, shade, and intensity for what I'm trying to capture.

What do you think of the variegated coppery brown in the tree bark?