The Finial Stretch

My hubby Sam just passed his doctoral defense and now I can call him Dr. Sam~~ I'm so proud of him!! Getting a doctoral degree is really not an easy task, and I always admired him for all the hard work he put in his work and his dedication to his research. To cheer him up on the final week of his preparation, I made this little tag especially for him. I used one over one on this design, and I love how it turned out~

I actually stitched this tag while I was watching the Olympic games, and I was obsessed with it. Of course I watched swimming, and I LOVE Michael Phelps!!!! (Sorry Sam, but he has GREAT abs!!!!) Beside all the games aired on TV, I also watched some games on the web to keep track on the games Taiwan played in. Sam really thought I was crazy.....

I must say cross stitching really is therapeutic. I was very upset when Taiwan lost an important baseball game, to the point that I couldn't sleep that night. I picked up my needle and thread and start stitching. After a while I felt calm and peaceful, and the lost didn't seem to bother me anymore. What wonder a little stitching can do!!!

Pattern: Reconfigured by PHT
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct antique white evenweave fabric by Charles Craft
Size: 1.5" x 1.5"
Completion Date: 08-21-2008

Garden Pleasures

When I first saw this design on Little House Needleworks website, I knew I had to get it because this is totally me!!!!! Even Sam thought it was cute~~ I did mad a mistake on it but I was too far in to fix it, so I just left it as is since one can hardly tell anyway.

 

Pattern: Little House Needleworks "Garden Pleasures"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct antique white evenweave fabric by Charles Craft
Size: 5.5" x 6"
Completion Date: 08-01-2008

I haven't decided what kind of finish I'm using on it yet, I wanted to turn it into a bag so I can go shopping with it, but Sam disagreed because he was afraid that I will ruin it by carrying it out everyday.....

When I was surfing around the net trying to find finish inspirations for this design, I came across Deb's blog and saw her gorgeous finishes!! I'm especially inspired by her floss ring design and decided to try making one. I changed out the floss ring to a ball chain so it can be used as an accessory on bags.

Pattern: Revised from Little House Needleworks "Garden Pleasures" Bookmark
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct antique white evenweave fabric by Charles Craft
Size: 3" x 1"
Completion Date: 08-07-2008

My friend Shih-Yun was going to fly all the way from Taiwan to Austin that weekend for business so I decided to make this one especially for her. We were friends from high school and since I'm in Texas and she's in Taiwan, it was not easy for us to get together very often. We just talked and talked that afternoon and I was so glad that we got to meet while she was in town.

Shih-Yun also brought me a couple needlework books from Taiwan. They are so great!!! I can't wait to try out some of the designs from these books!!

A Wedding Blessing

My little sister Eliza just got married this pass June, and I was so lucky to start cross stitching just in time to make her a wedding gift. I picked this wedding sampler cause I think it is cute and sweet just like my little sister!!

Pattern: Bent Creek "I Do"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 18ct oatmeal aida by Regency Mills
Size: 4" x 6"
Completion Date: 05-05-2008

I changed out the wedding ring design and replaced it with a diamond ring in order to fit their name in. This was actually Sam's idea and I think it was a great one!! I also added in a giraffe so they will remember whom this gift was from~ I would have arranged it a little differently if it was not such an after thought, but I think it turned out ok.

I also decorated some potted plants with little mushrooms and ladybugs for the bride and groom to give away on their wedding. They also served as table arrangements with digital photo frames provided by the groom's brother, and I think they looked cute!! I even wanted to keep one for myself, but it was all gone before the party ended!! I'm glad that they were so popular, though~

I'm so happy for Eliza and Yi-Chen that after 10 long years of dating and half of it being a long distance relationship, they finally got married. I'm sure if this didn't stop them from being together, nothing can separate them!!

Texas Bluebonnet

When I first moved to Texas almost 3 years ago, I was amazed by its spring wildflowers. I fell in love with its State Flower - Bluebonnet, and with its bluish purple color.

My very first experience with cross stitch was dated all the way back in high school when we were making a mother's day gift in home economics class. Twenty some years later, I came across this beautiful kit at George Bush Library, and couldn't resist but bought one home.

After letting it lay on the shelf for another 3 weeks, I finally picked it up and start stitching. This first project turned out to be so beautiful it motivated me to want to do more!! Ever since then I seemed to be addicted to cross stitch and can't stop from stitching!!

Pattern: The Posy Collection "Texas Bluebonnet"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 14ct aida fabric by Charles Craft
Size: 4" x 7"
Completion Date: 04-13-2008