The Peacock's Feather

Finally a little new stash...

It's not much, but I am quite pleased with my new stash.  Thanks to Leigh for the gift certificate to Elegant Stitch.  I bought the Indigo Rose kit "Pretty in Pink" with it.  I can't wait to open up the box and check everything out, and look over the chart.  I have one lone biscornu that I made and another that I received from another stitcher in an exchange.  I just love them!  My SANQ subscription also ran out.  I will renew it eventually, but until then I ordered the most recent issue, which I can't wait to read.  Not a shabby mail day at all!!

A Peek Inside

I thought I would give you a peek inside the book Petits Rouges: d'Ici et d'Ailleurs by Muriel Brunet which I mentioned last month.  I received it as a gift for my birthday.  Several people expressed interest in it, so I thought I would give you a peek inside. 

A variety of schoolgirl samplers (redwork) are shown from all over western Europe that were stitched in the 19th and 20th centuries.

I think you could easily take any of the samplers or motifs and adapt them to a design of your own.  It looks as though all the samplers that are shown have corresponding charts to stitch from.

I have never stitched a complete redwork sampler like any of these, but I might choose one to stitch as they are really lovely.

These designs might be a little large, but I thought they might look nice finished as biscornus!  So, have I tempted anyone??

I have failed miserably...

I admire people who stitch Mirabilia designs.  This is her newest release (I am on her mailing list so I see all the new designs even if I don't buy many of them).  I have a few of her older charts, but I have decided I am not patient enough to stitch such intricate designs.  I think I have failed miserably on a smaller design even--"Miss Valentine".  I have to admit my laziness--it is all those half and quarter stitches that did me in.  Maybe I will still finish her (for next Valentine's Day), but for the moment I have relegated her to the UFO bin, I'm sorry to say.  I do think her newest design is quite elegant, though.

A straggler, but well worth the wait!

One last gift has come for me in the mail!  This is the last one from the birthday group I am in and has come all the way from Germany!  Once again, I feel completely spoiled!  I am stunned by this gorgeous set of accessories and all the other little goodies that Britt has sent me!  She sent several pieces of fabric, notecards and two charts--"All I Need is Love Quaker" by Isabelle Vautier and "ABC Bienvenue" by Tralala!!!  I don't mind that the package took a while to get here as it has been really nice to extend my birthday a bit!

Here's a view of the back of the scissorcase and the inside of the needlecase.  This must have taken a lot of time to stitch and finish and the set is just lovely.  I am always amazed with what needleworkers can create--though there are so many talented stitchers out there!!  Thanks Britt!  I'm just sorry my pictures don't do the gifts justice!