The Spirit of Christmas (Lavender and Lace)

December 2007

Lavender and Lace are definitely becoming a firm favourite of mine when it comes to cross stitch charts.

They are usually largish projects that you can really get your teeth into and always have the most wonderful detail in them as well as Gold threads and beading which is why I choose The Spirit of Christmas as my next project and I  just managed to get it finished and framed in time to hang it on my wall for the festive season.

I think this Santa, holding the Christmas Star and surrounded by a wreath bedecked with Deep Red ribbons and candles, reflects the magical spirit of the Christmas season.

Stitched on

32 count Belfast Natural Linen from Zweigart (2 over 2)

Stitch count

162 x 166

Design area

10" x 10 3/8" (32 count)

DMC floss

321                        355                        356

469                       470                       498

677                       712                        754

814                        822                        934

937                       938                        3022

3023                      3024                     3046

3328                      3371                     3750

3778                     3779                     3787

814 + 3371          white

Specialty Items

• Balger threads from Kreinik Manufacturing.
• 002HL
• 205C

Cross Stitched Scrapbook Page Layout

November 2007

September was my birthday and my friend Sharon brought me an Anchor Cross Stitch kit  as a birthday present.

Knowing that I dabble in a little scrapbooking as well as my stitching Sharon’s choice in kits couldn’t have been better because it was a stitched picture frame in the style of a scrapbook page.

I really did enjoy stitching this and loved the fact that there was space on the belt across the top to stitch  BoJangles name.

Thanks Sharon…..such a thoughtful gift.
x x x

Celtic Summer

September 2007


Well here I am, a year after finishing the Charity Lap Quilt project  and I’ve just finished another of the Celtic Sisters……..Three down, Two to go……and I already have the chart for Celtic Autumn.

This one is Celtic Summer, as design by my favourite designer (as if you didn’t know by now) Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, for Lavender and Lace  and as you can see she’s stitched in beautiful dusky shades of lavender and Green and finished with the same detailed beaded borders that the other two were. 

The company suggest stitching her on Khaki Cashel Linen but I decided to do mine on Ecru 28 count Evenweave instead.  I just feel lifts the design somewhat, but it’s a personal taste.


Her Auburn hair has sun kissed highlights and is adorned with tiny beaded flowers which also flow from the basket she is carrying. 
Gold metallic beads decorate the hem of her dress and continue up the folds of the dress to the sleeves.

At the moment I’ve still not decided on the type of frame I’m going to put her in but I’m leaning towards the same frame as Celtic Spring or may be  if I can find the same one in Gold or Bronze, I’ll have to see.

Stitch count

157W x 238H

Design area

11 1/4" x 17"

DMC floss

356             783             948

420             869              3371

731              898              3820

754             934             3822

758             936              3823

780              938              3828

781

Needlepaints

2001            2002            2003

2004           2005            2006 

2101            2102            2103

Specialty Items

Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braids PB03

Mill Hill Beads

00561                    02053                    03039

03062                   62042