Farewell Notebook Gifts

Remember these cross stitched pieces I did a while ago and posted them whenever they were done? Yes, in just 1 day, I managed to attach them to notebooks.

I cut a hole in the notebook, taking care to ensure it is centralised. I then attached the cross stitched piece behind the cover. Next, I cut a frame (2cm wide all round), colours chosen by Billie. I also cut a piece of transparency of the same size as the frame. Then the transparency goes over the pic, followed by the frame. I used the transparency to preserve the cleanliness of the stitched piece, and the best "glass/transparent frame" I can get is the transparency.

Behind the cover, I attached a piece of white cardstock over the entire cover so as to cover the cross stitched piece.

Now, I just hope that Billie's teachers will love them.

Cross Stitch Completed - Catitudes "Contented"

"Contented" is from Cross Stitcher Catittudes Calendar 2003. Stitched on 18ct Aida with 2 strands of DMC floss. Have another 3 more pieces to go for Billie's teachers.

Margaret Sherry, I love your designs!

Cross Stitch Completed - Cute Animals, Rabbit in "Honey Bun" by Margaret Sherry

Margaret Sherry doesn't design cats and cats alone. She has designs of other animals that are so cute. One of them is this Rabbit in Cross Stitcher 2009 Calendar and is entitled "Honey Bun", May 2009.

Learnt the following when doing this stitching -

• Choose the fabric you like. I did this on 16ct Aida which I have forgotten where and when I got it. I did not really like the feel of it, so it slowed down the stitching.
• French knots (FK). It doesn't have to be 2 turns over the needle. Depending on where the FK are going to go to, vary according. 2 rounds over the needle with 1 strand for the rabbit's eyes is perfect but not for the bees' as they appear too big. If you notice, there are some FKs. These are done using 2 strands but 1 round over the needle, so they look just nice.
• Background. I was a little lazy and thought of using 1 strand for the background. However, I know that it will have a lighter effect and changing the colour to a darker one will lose the nice combination of colours (am not good with colours), so I followed the chart.

There are some 3/4 stitches in this chart too, so a sharp needle is advised.

Cross Stitch Completed - Catitudes, Astrocats

This is yet another cute one from Cross Stitcher Astrocats Calendar 2007, by Margaret Sherry. This is the detective from the zodiac sign Scorpio. This time round, am very, very happy with the French Knots (his eyes).

Did this on 14ct aida (ivory) using 2 strands of floss. There are French knots, 3/4 stitches and some stitches that you would need a sharp needle to pierce through the fabric+floss.

Cross Stitch Completed - Catitudes, Astrocats

This is a cute kitty scientist (love the specs). It's from the Aquarius zodiac sign in Cross Stitcher Astrocats Calendar 2007, by Margaret Sherry.

Did this on 14ct aida (ivory) using 2 strands of floss. There are French knots, 3/4 stitches and some stitches that you would need a sharp needle to pierce through the fabric+floss.

Cross Stitch Completed - Catitudes, Astrocats

Yet another piece completed. This is again by Margaret Sherry and it's from Cross Stitcher Astrocats Calendar 2007.

Did this on 14ct aida (ivory) using 2 strands of floss. There are French knots, 3/4 stitches and some stitches that you would need a sharp needle to pierce through the fabric+floss.

After this, another 8 to go. The next 2 are from this Astrocats Calendar too.

Cross Stitch Completed - Catitudes.

This is the first of 10 cross stitch pieces that I will be working on and have it attached to notebook for some wonderful persons.

This grouchy and I-mean-Biz cat is taken from the Cross Stitcher Catitudes Calendar 2003. I just love all those cats in that calendar. Billie has chosen 2 from this calendar for this "project" - those notebooks will ultimately be given to her teachers.

To accommodate the notebook, I have this stitched on 18ct Aida, using 2 strands of DMC floss (instead of Anchor). Will be posting the rest as soon as I'm finished and the final round of this set of posts will be the notebooks.

Belated Teacher's Day Card

So, I made a card to go with the notebook. Took me a while as I have not been doing cards for a very long time.

These cats were taken from "Nine Lives" clear stamps from Penny Black. Choose these 3 cats and I hope my teacher will love them.

A Little Something for my Teacher on this Belated Teacher's Day

My Teacher loves cats so I thought I make this for her.

Mmmm..... I think I like the stitching but need lots of improvement on the decoration on the notebook ** Sigh **.  I hope she will like it.

This design is from the Summer Fun by Margaret Sherry. I love her designs. This is not that easy to stitch, especially the roses. Wait till you get to the backstitch. But I still enjoy them all.

I stitched it on 16ct which makes the stitching more difficult to accomplish. One thing for sure is if you stitch her designs on 28ct or 32ct (over 2 squares or 4 squares - cannot remember which is the correct term), it'd be easier as her design uses many 3/4 stitches and the backstitches are usually done at the centre of the square or the side.

Nevertheless, I can never get tired of stitching her beautiful designs.

Cross Stitch Card Completed - Cat in a Teacup

I can never get enough of Margaret Sherry's designs, especially her cute furry cats. I did this from a free kit that came along with Cross Stitch Card Shop (from UK). Not that easy as there are lots of 3/4 stitches and the backstitch is not easy to follow. But you need these backstitches to bring out the beauty of the cats.

Currently I'm working on a stitch-a-photo cross stitch for a client. So I have little time to do other crafts :(  Will have alot to catch up in 3-4 weeks' time.