tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9942192367112609832024-03-13T12:52:32.190-04:00It's Been StitchedJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09725458533928119001noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-69155775408302183332010-06-11T15:16:00.002-04:002010-06-11T15:17:54.424-04:00Design: Rhodes Butterfly BiscornuDesigner: Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesI thought I’d try a few specialty stitches this month. I pretty much stick exclusively to cross stitch and blackwork, so this was something of an experiment for me. I used: - Rhodes squares- Rhodes butterflies- Algerian eyes- Ray stitch- French knots I’m not particularly fond of French knots and thought it was about timeKellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-15004607288149495572010-06-06T07:45:00.003-04:002010-06-06T07:47:59.138-04:00Two ATCs“Koi” and “Illuminated C” These are the two ATCs I stitched for the May exchange at the Cross Stitch ATC Facebook group. The first theme is “The Letter C” – the plan is that all 26 letters will be covered, but not in alphabetical order (just to keep us on our toes!). I chose my design from Illuminated Letters by Lesley Teare – the alphabet featured in an issue of The World of Cross Stitching (I Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-52492635796142445252010-06-06T07:40:00.002-04:002010-06-06T07:44:04.470-04:00Charlie's Falling Star and Mother Nature Birth Sampler“Charlie’s Falling Star” and “Mother Nature” For the first time, I decided to have a couple of my cross stitched pieces professionally framed. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t do this, as it’s very expensive to have done, but for these two pieces, I thought I’d do it as a bit of a treat for myself as they are both gifts for my son, Xander. The first one is “Charlie’s Falling Star” (a Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-86039735956168756752010-06-06T07:30:00.006-04:002010-06-06T07:40:04.670-04:00ATCsI’ve recently become part of a Facebook group that exchanges ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)* and have also been taking part in an exchange on The Cross Stitch Forum, so I thought I’d display them here. The Easter Bunny and Smile designs were both for the Facebook group for the April exchange (I’ll post the pictures of the May exchange ATCs when they’ve arrived at their destinations – the posting Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-72953287641265374532010-06-06T07:25:00.003-04:002010-06-06T07:30:12.416-04:00Cards for CharityA selection of cards I stitched in aid of Relay For Life / Cancer Research UK.Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-87846827896958647102010-05-13T10:53:00.002-04:002010-05-13T12:26:25.448-04:00Blackwork BiscofleurDesign: Blackwork Biscofleur by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: White 14-count aida; DMC 310 floss; black tassel; black ribbon; soft toy stuffingKellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-41555210122543266782010-05-13T10:39:00.002-04:002010-05-13T10:42:53.834-04:00WTF? Mini Subversive SamplerDesign: Circular Mini WTF? by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: 16-count white aida; various flosses in purple shades; mini circular frame (plastic with metallic gold finish)Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-29025804775495609812010-05-13T10:35:00.004-04:002010-05-13T10:39:14.404-04:00PMS and Chocolate Subversive SamplerDesign: PMS Subversive Sampler by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: 28-count latte evenweave; DMC linen flosses in chocolate and caramel shadesKellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-79372689734425246792010-04-22T17:18:00.002-04:002010-04-22T17:22:21.764-04:00Little Blue AngelDesign: From Donna Kooler's 555 Fabulous Cross-Stitch Patterns (page 85)Materials: Antique white 18-count aida; various threadsThis was a quick stitch mini project for a charity that makes memory boxes for parents whose babies sadly didn't make it. These little angels are used as a label on the boxes - blue for boys, pink for girls and pale yellow/cream for either. I was asked to stitch one in Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-66413053948085001062010-04-16T18:28:00.003-04:002010-04-16T18:32:02.313-04:00Baa Baa Blackwork Sheep Mini SamplerDesign: Baa Baa Blackwork Sheep by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: 16-count white aida; DMC 310I designed this mini blackwork sampler to hang in my hallway at home - I tried to put across a bit of a folksy feel and liked the idea of a play-on-words reference to the nursery rhyme.Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-17351643054570948232010-04-13T17:54:00.002-04:002010-04-13T18:02:05.526-04:00Two Cards for FriendsKokeshi Doll CardStitched on white 14-count aida This was a little freebie kit on a cross stitch magazine and the moment I saw it, I knew I had to stitch it for Paula. Paula collects Kokeshi dolls and all things Japanese, so I thought this would go well with her collection. I hope she likes it! It was a lovely little quick stitch but I only just managed to get it finished as there was barely Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-82593257256941890252010-04-13T17:52:00.001-04:002010-04-13T17:54:07.266-04:00A Biscornu for AprilDesign: Lilac Time by Elizabeth Almond of Blackwork Journey (freebie design)Materials: 25-count evenweave from Polstitches grab bag (possibly Rhubarb and Custard); DMC threads, deep red buttons; deep red ribbon; soft toy stuffing I had planned on stitching this biscornu design in the original purples, but when I chose my fabric, which had shades of pink and yellow through it, the raspberry tones Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-73953749465778506512010-03-29T04:04:00.003-04:002010-03-29T04:17:05.049-04:00Changes CompleteThe layout change has been completed. Only a few tweaks here and there will be performed, all major changes have been done.Let me know what you think about out new layout? Is there anything you would like to see changed, added, or removed from It's Been Stitched! Just let me know!I need to make a new author button and I removed the old one from the blog, however, you can still use the old one if Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09725458533928119001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-11338265163084696012010-03-29T02:04:00.003-04:002010-03-29T02:13:20.458-04:00Vote!Hey y'all! It's Jen.I am going to be changing up the layout of It's Been Stitched if I can find a template that I like. Don't be freaked out if you come in to the site and everything is really messed up. I have already uploaded a template of the current coding so that, if I do screw something up too badly, I will be able to get the old layout back.Would y'all object to a bit of a brighter theme? Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09725458533928119001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-16942496917189630812010-03-16T14:05:00.002-04:002010-03-16T14:06:53.391-04:00Butterfly ATCDesign: Assissi Butterfly freebie from alitadesigns.comMaterials: brown 14-count perforated paper; miscellaneous floss in dark red, dark gold and muted green; floral decorative paper; card Having recently stitched a winter-themed artist trading card for an exchange at crossstitchforum.com I’ve well and truly got the ATC bug! As I was already sending a small package of cross stitch charts from Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-64472605961465501602010-03-16T14:00:00.003-04:002010-03-16T14:04:42.942-04:00Two BookmarksDesign: Freebie kit from Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine issue 136Materials: Kit from magazine; blue self-adhesive felt I changed the lettering on part of the chart to read “Grom” instead of “Mum” (the word was also originally in chunkier lettering which I wasn’t very keen on anyway) and left out the random stitches that were scattered across the bookmark as I preferred how it looked without. When itKellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-51647087743759904492010-03-16T01:58:00.002-04:002010-03-16T02:07:48.679-04:00It's Been Awhile!Hello ladies! It's me, Jen, back from my impromptu hiatus! Basically, I fell off the face of the cross-stitching-earth for no reason at all, at least, not a good one. But I am back, and hopefully to stay!I just wanted to let you all know that I really appreciate your continued support of It's Been Stitched throughout my absence!*cough*Kell*cough*I look forward to many, many more authors joining Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09725458533928119001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-44792789857983250912010-03-09T10:05:00.002-05:002010-03-09T10:10:07.640-05:00Kell's March 2010 BiscornuDesign: From 2010 Pattern-a-Day Cross Stitch Calendar (Monday 1st March)Materials: Unknown 28-count evenweave from Polstitches grab bag; Madeira silks 0514 10 and 1407 12; gold glass seed beads from a broken necklace; gold filigree buttons; white ribbon; soft toy stuffing I only used the central part of the design and then stitched a border of beads on the front. The reverse is just a circle in Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-75200013634783152392010-03-02T12:06:00.001-05:002010-03-02T12:08:18.383-05:00Mothers’ Day card for my GromDesign: From Aliolka Blogspot (in Russian – beautiful freebie designs!)Materials: white 14-count perforated paper; DMC 94, 99 and 124 variegated floss; card; flock stick-ons I downloaded this lovely little bird design some time ago, not knowing when or for what purpose I would use it, but knowing that it would certainly get stitched. I was right – I was flicking through my collection for a designKellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-14170965162071109362010-03-02T11:58:00.006-05:002010-03-02T12:06:30.971-05:00Mothers’ Day card for my MamDesign: Matka Boska (monochromatic) by xhaftx (free design)Materials: Brown 14-count perforated paper; Anchor 1302 (variegated); DMC 3770; brown marbled card The original design has a halo above the heads (I suspect it’s actually meant as a Christmas card), but as my mother is one of the least religious people I know, I omitted them from the design, leaving just the mother and child. I loved the Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-90529081557701168602010-03-02T11:55:00.002-05:002010-03-02T11:57:17.062-05:00Assissi Birthday CardDesign: from Flower Power by Maria DiazMaterials: white 14-count perforated paper; various Red Heart and freebie flosses; decorative paper; metallic card; card flower My friend, Slav’ka, is a big fan of cross stitched items, so I decided to surprise her with a cross stitched birthday card. The design is part of a larger, nine-block Assisi design which was in a booklet that came free on Cross Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-19607330308187350922010-02-17T11:06:00.005-05:002010-02-17T11:13:56.753-05:00Aquarius KeyringDesign: By Kell SmurthwaiteMaterials: 14-count ecru aida; Trebla 51 floss (variegated magenta); Minicraft supersoft toy filling; Magenta ribbon; KeyringThis is a little birthday present for a friend of mine who is visiting this week (her birthday is next week). The design is very simple - an "S" (her initial) and the symbol for Aquarius, which is her zodiac sign. The two pieces are whip-stitched Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-15505611276000707762010-02-13T16:40:00.004-05:002010-02-13T16:48:33.109-05:00Starburst Blackwork BiscornuDesign: Starburst Blackwork Biscornu by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: 18-count ecru Aida; Red Heart 187 floss; white ribbon with turquoise stars; ssilver Celtic beads; Minicraft supersoft toy fillingMy second biscornu of the year is a pattern which I designed myself. Because the design on the front is very intricate, I left the reverse almost completely blank with only a star motifKellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-83950313929126881912010-02-10T12:57:00.005-05:002010-02-10T13:07:08.694-05:00Needle CaseDesign: Blackwork Egg by Kell SmurthwaiteMaterials: 14-count ecru aida; DMC 111 variegated floss; white felt; white satin ribbonI’m hosting a stitching swap over at Cross Stitch Forum which has me rather eggs-cited. We’re all stitching an egg to set dimensions, everyone has free reign over the design and the finish of the pieces. All the stitching has to be finished in time to send so that they Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994219236711260983.post-53161299758109055712010-01-21T03:40:00.004-05:002010-01-21T03:48:46.940-05:00Winter Themed ATCDesign: From World of Cross Stitching Magazine by Ursula MichaelMaterials: White 14-count perforated paper; DMC Blanc, 107, 597 and 4220; silver beads (from a broken necklace); white snowflake button; silver snowflake charm; white and turquoise cardboard snowflake button I’ve never stitched an ATC before, so I was rather excited when The Cross Stitch Forum decided on a winter-themed ATC swap. I Kellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491167966720088023noreply@blogger.com0