Baby . Giraffe

It was a couple month late, but I finally sent out my package to my friend this morning~~ It took me a while to search for the perfect design. I knew she painted the nursery blue and green with an animal theme so I want something to complement that. I think this one will work!!! Plus, who could resist a cute giraffe?! ;-)

Pattern: Image designed by Yuko Lau
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 14ct blue Aida
Size: 4" x 6"
Beginning Date: 08-24-2009
Completion Date: 09-24-2009

I really like the leaf and drop of water above the giraffe, I think it added a little humor and the designer is a genius to think of that!!!! Although there were a sea of blue to stitch, I really liked how it turned out. I hope my friend will like it, too~~

Schoolgirl Framed and San Diego Quilt Show

Thank you for all your kind comments on my Schoolgirl Lessons~~ Here it is all framed in its glory!!! I was very lucky to find this frame and I think it matches perfectly to the piece!!!

Pattern: Little House Needleworks “Schoolgirl Lessons”
Thread: Crescent Colors Manor Red
Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Quaker in Cream
Size: 6" x 4"
Beginning Date: 07-25-2009
Completion Date: 09-14-2009

As for my baby giraffe, I’ve finally finished stitching the background and is almost done with the whole thing. I’ll save the photo for now and show it to you when I am finished with it. Speaking of giraffes, I’ve seemed to become the giraffe lady – and I don’t mind a bit!!!! Thanks for all of you who thought of me when seeing a giraffe!!!!

Phoebe and I visited the San Diego Quilt Show last week. It was amazing to see all those spectacular quilts!! I think this was my second time visiting a quilt show. I have to say the first time I went I had no idea what I am looking for on a quilt expect for it looked very pretty. Since I have learned to quilt this year, I had so much more respect in all these pieces and appreciated tremendously of all the hard work the quilters put in each of them.

There were so many wonderful quilts at the show. Some were familiar patterns with their own twist…

Some were a little bit different…

But look closer at all of them, their details were just amazing!!!

These were the winners of Quilt Viewers Choice, and I can totally understand why!!! Just look at the impeccable work of these entries!!! Did you see the size of those patches on “Nancy’s Quilt Museum” (top center)?! No wonder it won first place!!

The following were some of my personal favorites. There was one quilter who used all giraffe fabrics on her quilt, and of course I was drawn to it right away!!! I love the Starry Night one because the quilting was just amazing, and it was all done by hand!!! And who could resist bunnies and pumpkins?! They were just too cute~~~

No matter how big or small the quilt is, it is unique by itself and a true treasure. Maybe someday when I look at a beautiful piece of quilt, I would be able to say : I think I can do that, too!!!!

Gourmet Garden

I have been working on this piece for a while, and although it didn’t seem much, it still took me more than 2 weeks to complete!!! I guess I’m just a very slow stitcher!! LOL

Pattern: Little House Needleworks "Gourmet Garden"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct DMC linen
Size: 8" x 5"
Beginning Date: 03-16-2009
Completion Date: 04-02-2009

This one is just for me!! I love all the herb listed on this piece, and I do have some of them planted on my patio~ They smell so good every time I brushed against them!! I do wish someday I would be able to have a gourmet herb garden around my house just like the one in this design~

And here is the frame I picked out. It actually took me 2 tries until I’m satisfied with this one~ It’s very simple, but I think it fits very well!!

On to my next project!!!! Happy stitching~

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