Assissi Bunny Pincushion

I bought this chart on Ebay a couple of weeks ago.  It is called "Assissi Bunny Pincushion" by Threads of Gold.  It is supposed to be a reproduction of an antique pincushion.  As I lack any and all finishing skills, who knows if this will ever be a pincushion...I used 32 count white linen and DMC floss #930.

The Hare

This is the rabbit motif from "The Hare and the Basket" a 1996 sampler designed by Jean Farish Huls for the Spirit of Cross Stitch Festival.  I thought rabbit charming and was not up to the challenge of stitching the entire (large) sampler.  So this way, instant bunny gratification!

Quiet cloudy morning

It rained a bit yesterday; the first time since around the 4th of July, so very much needed. This morning is cloudy, cool and grey. Perfect weather for California Quail, brush bunnies, and my most favorite bird - the Pileated Woodpecker!

Brightneedle Bunny

...and back to my stash I flew for inspiration. I came across a chart by Brightneedle called "Eastertide Sampler". It is a nine square sampler...I decided to try it out and stitch the spring bunny square. I used 32 count R & R Dark Cappuccino linen and the DMC flosses as charted. This was a very quick stitch - a 37 x 37 square - lovely I think.

A Garden Grumble

This morning when I went outside to water the plants on the front porch, I discovered the deer had visited. Despite blocking the steps with two plastic chairs, a deer decided hey, it's August, there's nothing green in the wilderness and all the stuff on the porch looks mighty good! So here's a record of some of the damage.
I'll spray deer repellent again tonight and now have THREE chairs blocking the front porch steps!

Rabbit 'Round

I pulled out several older charts in order to review my stash of rabbit themed cross stitch patterns. I found this "Heart in Hand" chart from 1994 in my stash and was charmed by the "Rabbits 'Round" pattern. Very simple, very easy - just two Sampler Thread colors - sable for the rabbits, and claret for the algerian eye border. I used a small piece of 28 count white linen to stitch. This should have been easy, but I mis-counted continually and constantly, so ended up tearing out and restitching 2 1/2 bunnies! Who's the dumb bunny?...me!

There is a Garden - Finish

Here is the completed piece. I ended up making several changes to the original pattern. I nixed the verse, and instead, moved the flying blue bird. I then added the year, and my initials to balance it out the sampler. I think it turned out well.

There is a Garden - Progress

I'd stopped working on this to complete the last two mini-rabbits. But today have picked it up again and am almost done...perhaps a finish Tuesday or Wednesday.

Country Rabbit

What can I say... I'm on a rabbit roll! This was a cute, quick and easy stitch.
It is called "Country Rabbit" and is a freebie by Jean Farish. I used 223 DMC and 32 count white linen. Then stuffed it into a pre-finished mini pillow. Ta-da!

Rabbit on Wheels

This is a cute little freebie called "Rabbit on Wheels" from the "Country Lullaby" chart by Jean Farish. Yesterday I decided I needed something quick and easy to stitch while travelling to and from Portland, Oregon. I chose to stitch this on 32 count R & R "Blue Moon" linen. I think it turned out very well!

Bridgeport Village Blooms

My sister and I went up to Portland today to shop. We finished the day at Bridgeport Village where the hanging baskets were beyond glorious. What a visual delight!

August Summer Morning

Cool Morning Before a Hot Day

It is supposed to get up to 98 degrees today. I think all the critters both wild and domestic have that figured out! We had the following visitors drop by about 7:30am.

By 9:30am the cats had decided it was too warm to patrol the property.

Hot colored zinnias, sweet potato vines, and nasturtiums on a hot day!

* Update - temperature got to 101 today - a record. As we sat on the back patio in the warm gloaming around 9:00pm we were joined by ten deer! The doe and the small fawn pictured above, the buck also pictured above, a doe with twin fawns, another doe with twins, and a single doe. Everyone had drinks from the bird bath and munched on sunflower seeds from the bird feeders. Not much by way of pushing and shoving - ,ust have been a hot tired day for everyone!

There is a Garden - A Start

On Sunday I began to stitch "There is a Garden" by Homespun Elegance on 28 count amber linen. I am not thrilled with the saying on the chart, so am going to scrunch it together and leave out the verse. So far, so good! Yes, yet another rabbit!

Fanci That - Rabbit

This is "Rabbit" part of Fanci That's Pumpkin Patch Lane series. Again an older chart - from 1998. In looking through my finished pieces, I worked a companion chart "Ram" in August of 1999. So here I am ten years later with "Rabbit". I like it very much - stitched it on a rough rustic linen that I think works well. I tweaked the piece a little bit - decided to outline the tail and both ears though it was not charted that way, and changed the color of the whisker.

And yes, I've started cross stitching yet another rabbit. This time a rather different style - a sampler from Homespun Elegance.

Front Porch Update

It's been cooler the last few days, but beginning on Monday we are in for another hot spell. I watered everything last night and will do so again Monday morning. This morning though I just sat for a spell and enjoyed, with the help of Tom-Cat, the foliage and blossoms of mid-August.

Blue Mountain Bunny

This turned out to be a great, quick little piece. I began it on Friday and finished it Saturday afternoon. I am enamored with the Dinky Dye variegated floss which was used throughout the project.

A Finish and a Start - Blue Mountain Bunny and Rabbit Garden

I never got around to photographing "Rabbit Garden" as a work in progress. I finished up it last night, and I am absolutely charmed. It is a design from 1999 and has stood the test of time, at least in my book! The Gentle Arts flosses are perfect and the unbleached linen is nicely rustic. I am so pleased with it.

Now on to another project - another rabbit. This time a design by The Sweetheart Tree. It is called "Blue Mountain Bunny" and I will stitch it on 32 count Lavender Mist Belfast using a Dinky Dye Silk floss.

Bee Skeps

"The 'B' Hive Samplar by Examplers from the Heart

Earlier in July so I rummaged in my stash of finished pieces and unearthed four bee skeps to frame. Capper's in Eugene does wonderful finishing. As you might know not everyone is happy to work with linen or for that matter even competent. There is nothing worse than a framed piece of needlework that has not been stretched properly. All the eye can see are the wavey lines! Capper's has an associate named Brian who shows great respect for needlework. He also has an amazing eye and comes up with fabulous frames and mats. I am always blown away by just how 'professional' my stitching looks after it has been framed.

"Saturday Sampler #4 - Furnish'd with Bees" by The Sampler Girl

"For the Bees" by Ewe and Eye and Friends

"Summer Hive" by Ewe and Eye and Friends

I already have three or four other framed bee skep / bee hive pieces, and so now possess a very nice collection. I need to figure out where and how to display them!

Yet More Garden Art - Yet More Dragonflies

Rabbit Update

I am continuing my rabbit theme with my current stitching. I am working on "Rabbit Garden" by Cinnamon Heart. This is an older chart. I combed through my stash and found the chart and the 28 count unbleached linen which I'd purchased back in June of 1999! So ten years later, I am still enamoured with the design and am so pleased with how it is progressing. I will have a photo soon.




On top of that have added to my rabbit charts - see the photos above and below. When will it end you might ask...a good question!

Garden Art - Part Three

Upper Left - Dragonfly Lantern

Upper Right - Dragonfly Ceramic Tile

Left - Dragonfly Ceramic Tile

Right - Carruth Dragonfly Tile