It's Been Stitched

2010-06-11T15:16:00.002-04:00

Design: 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 time

Two ATCs

2010-06-06T07:45:00.003-04:00

“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

Charlie's Falling Star and Mother Nature Birth Sampler

2010-06-06T07:40:00.002-04:00

“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

ATCs

2010-06-06T07:30:00.006-04:00

I’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

Cards for Charity

2010-06-06T07:25:00.003-04:00

A selection of cards I stitched in aid of Relay For Life / Cancer Research UK.

Blackwork Biscofleur

2010-05-13T10:53:00.002-04:00

Design: Blackwork Biscofleur by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: White 14-count aida; DMC 310 floss; black tassel; black ribbon; soft toy stuffing

WTF? Mini Subversive Sampler

2010-05-13T10:39:00.002-04:00

Design: 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)

PMS and Chocolate Subversive Sampler

2010-05-13T10:35:00.004-04:00

Design: PMS Subversive Sampler by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel KrossesMaterials: 28-count latte evenweave; DMC linen flosses in chocolate and caramel shades

Little Blue Angel

2010-04-22T17:18:00.002-04:00

Design: 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

Baa Baa Blackwork Sheep Mini Sampler

2010-04-16T18:28:00.003-04:00

Design: 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.

Two Cards for Friends

2010-04-13T17:54:00.002-04:00

Kokeshi 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

A Biscornu for April

2010-04-13T17:52:00.001-04:00

Design: 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

Changes Complete

2010-03-29T04:04:00.003-04:00

The 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

Vote!

2010-03-29T02:04:00.003-04:00

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?

Butterfly ATC

2010-03-16T14:05:00.002-04:00

Design: 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

Two Bookmarks

2010-03-16T14:00:00.003-04:00

Design: 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 it

It's Been Awhile!

2010-03-16T01:58:00.002-04:00

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

Kell's March 2010 Biscornu

2010-03-09T10:05:00.002-05:00

Design: 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

Mothers’ Day card for my Grom

2010-03-02T12:06:00.001-05:00

Design: 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 design

Mothers’ Day card for my Mam

2010-03-02T11:58:00.006-05:00

Design: 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

Assissi Birthday Card

2010-03-02T11:55:00.002-05:00

Design: 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

Aquarius Keyring

2010-02-17T11:06:00.005-05:00

Design: 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

Starburst Blackwork Biscornu

2010-02-13T16:40:00.004-05:00

Design: 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 motif

Needle Case

2010-02-10T12:57:00.005-05:00

Design: 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

Winter Themed ATC

2010-01-21T03:40:00.004-05:00

Design: 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

Bookmark

2010-01-14T16:27:00.002-05:00

Design: By Papillon Creations (newsletter freebie design)Materials: Hand-dyed 28-count evenweave from a Polstitches Grab Bag (possibly Nature’s Grace); DMC 208, 3805 and 3819; Madeira Sterling 04; Dark blue sticky-backed felt Last year I hosted a 15-sided biscornu stitch-along at The Book Club Forum for those members who were stitchers as well as readers. This year I thought it might be fun to

Biscornu

2010-01-14T16:25:00.004-05:00

Design: From 2010 Pattern-a-Day Cross Stitch Calendar (3rd December)Materials: 18-count ecru Aida; Madeira silks 0801 12, 1003 13, 1803 12; white ribbon; snowflake buttons; Minicraft supersoft toy filling My first biscornu of the year for my Basket of Biscornu challenge. I used only the central part of the design from my Pattern-a-Day Cross Stitch Calendar for 3rd December and chose to stitch it

Street Scene

2009-12-29T17:37:00.003-05:00

Finished Street Scene, it was a 5 part pattern in Just Cross Stitch 2007/8I used DMC threads and 28 ct hand dyed evenweave.

Serendipity

2009-11-24T07:44:00.001-05:00

This was a SAL from [Papillon Creations].I stitched on 14ct.

Winter Assissi Bookmark

2009-11-13T04:07:00.003-05:00

Project: Winter Assissi BookmarkDesigner: Rhuann DesignsMaterials: white 18-count Aida; Red Heart floss (185, 187, 189), white sticky-backed feltI stitched this as an additional gift for a winter-themed book swap. It didn't take very long and the design was an absolute joy to stitch. When it was all stitched, I added a tassel made with the same flosses I'd used for stitching, fringed the edges

Winter Sampler

2009-11-02T11:29:00.007-05:00

This is a freebie from Broderie, a french site. The designer, Jean-Louis Grandsire, puts up 3 freebies every week, changing them weekly. Done on oatmeal 14 ct aida, domestic brand, stitched with red and white domestic brand of floss. Frame is made-to-order from a local framer. Ana Luisa

October mini-sampler

2009-11-02T11:23:00.004-05:00

from the book "365 mini motifs", by the American School of Needlework. I changed the chart just a bit, but otherwise it's the same. Done on 14 ct antique-white aida, with Anchor floss. The letters OCT, at the top, were stitched using Anchor variegated floss. Ana Luisa

Reversible Cushion

2009-10-24T07:35:00.003-04:00

Project: Reversible CushionDesigns: Blackwork Cherry Blossoms by Maria Diaz (from Cross Stitcher Magazine) and ABC Bleu from Les Grilles de LiselotteMaterials: 14-count Charles Craft Soft Touch Aida in Dusty Rose; freebie flosses from Cross Stitcher Magazine; Venus 2611; Red Heart 87; DMC 3777; DMC 66; soft toy stuffing The Blackwork Cherry Blossoms design was a very quick stitch and a lot of fun

Two More Christmas Cards

2009-09-21T13:11:00.005-04:00

Project: Christmas CardsDesigns: Both by Kell Smurthwaite ©Materials: Fabric from a Polstitches Grab Bag (I think it's English Rose 28-count linen); Venus 2706 floss; aperture cards (cream oval and pale pink marble square)I decided to have a go at charting my own designs and sketched these up pretty quickly as they're relatively simple designs, but I think they turned out quite nicely. Both are

Jingle Cube

2009-09-19T11:34:00.008-04:00

Overview of cube panels before stuffing and stitching togetherProject: Jingle CubeDesign: Original design by Kell Smurthwaite ©Materials:Antique white 16-count Aida; Trebla 48 floss (dark red variegated); stuffing; bells A while back, one of my buddies from the local Mums and Babies meet-up group I started saw the jingle cube I’d made for Xander and commented that she loved it. So, seeing as how

And Another Christmas Card

2009-09-17T10:45:00.002-04:00

Project: Christmas CardStarted: 15.09.09Finished: 17.09.09 Design: Noel Naturally by The Cat’s Whiskers Design StudioMaterials: Metallic card (free with WOXS); 14-count white perforated paper; DMC 30915 (rayon) floss Continuing with the perforated paper, I thought I’d try rayon floss for the first time. I have to admit that although I love the lovely, shiny effect (very opulent and Christmassy!),

2009-09-12T18:00:00.002-04:00

Project:Christmas CardStarted: 12.09.09Finished: 12.09.09 Design: Noel from 22 Luxury Christmas Cards (WOXS freebie) by Maria DiazMaterials: Metallic card (free with WOXS); unknown floss (freebie on previous magazine); 14-count white perforated paper This is the first time I’ve worked with perforated paper and it was far easier and more enjoyable than I thought it would be (I had visions of it

Wintry Collection

2009-09-09T09:39:00.004-04:00

one of a series of 4 scenes, from the Leisure Arts book "The Charms of Christmas". Done on 14 ct antique ivory aida, with DMC floss and Kreinik blending filament (for the snow on the rooftops). I have to yet find a nice frame for it.

Bold Blooms by Angela Poole

2009-09-04T05:08:00.002-04:00

Project: Bold Blooms freebie kit (Cross Stitcher magazine June 2009)Designer: Angela PooleMaterials: 14-count white aida; Anchor floss; pink and cream seed beads I started this project some time ago but other more pressing projects got in the way of me finishing it, so I picked it up again this week as my second UFO week project, as there was actually very little left to do in order to complete

2009-09-01T17:50:00.003-04:00

Project: Love and Luck Wedding SamplerStarted: 29.04.09Finished: 01.09.09 Design: Love and Luck Wedding Sampler by The Historical Sampler Company (from Cross Stitcher Magazine May 2009)Materials: Pale lilac 16-count Aida; Anchor flosses; cream pearl seed beads This project has taken me quite a while to complete as I kept going off the design and then it grew on me again later on and I'd come back

Stashmas Decoration

2009-09-01T03:05:00.006-04:00

Front of decorationBack of decorationTasselProject: Stashmas DecorationStarted: 30.08.09Finished:31.08.09Design: (Front) One of the Winter Escape designs by Rhona Norrie from Cross Stitch Crazy magazine issue 130. (Back) Snowflake design by Kell Smurthwaite © and lettering from 120 Cards for Every Occasion freebie booklet from WOXS magazine issue 153.Materials: 32 count Dragon Hand Dyed Jobelan

2009-08-19T06:20:00.002-04:00

Project: Beside the SeaStarted: 16.08.09Finished: 19.08.09Design: Freebie kit on Cross Stitcher Magazine (October 2009 issue)Materials: White 14-count Aida; Anchor flosses; seaside charmsI just couldn't resist stitching this lovely little freebie kit for my baby son's room. I added his name to the side of the boat, just to make it a little bit more personalised. The seaside charms are so cute and

Birthday Card

2009-08-11T11:38:00.002-04:00

This a birthday card I stitched for a special friend; I used 14 ct white aida and Anchor floss.

Blackwork Cherry Blossoms

2009-08-11T06:01:00.004-04:00

Project: Blackwork Cherry BlossomsStarted: 08/08/09Finished: 11.08.09Design: Blackwork Cherry Blossom by Maria Diaz (from Cross Stitcher Magazine)Materials: 14-count Charles Craft Soft Touch Aida in Dusty Rose; freebie flosses from Cross Stitcher Magazine; Venus 2611 This was an incredibly quick stitch and very enjoyable as the subtle shades give a very pretty and delicate effect. This design

EMS Geranium Faerie Finish!

2009-08-10T19:53:00.005-04:00

Hello Everyone!I know it has been a while since I have posted a finish, and I do apologize for that. Sadly, my mother in law passed away at the end of July, and we have been very busy with family since then. I have finally finished the EMS Geranium Faerie for a round robin piece. I think she has come out nicely. I scanned a picture of her so that ya'll could see her close up. I also took a

Wedding Favours

2009-08-07T17:47:00.001-04:00

Project: Micro-biscornu Wedding FavoursMaterials: 16-count Antique White Aida; Anchor 101 (purple) floss; purple ribbon from John LewisDesign: Original design by Kell Smurthwaite © These tiny biscornu-style favours are for my best friend's wedding in September. Each face measures 1" square, so they were really fiddly to put together and I could only do a maximum of three or four each night before

Anniversary Card

2009-08-01T04:02:00.004-04:00

Project: Anniversary CardStarted: 28.07.09Finished: 30.07.09Design: Heartwork Pattern Assissi Style by Cheryl SmithMaterials: 32 count Dragon Hand Dyed Jobelan in Heavens Above; Six Strand Sweets in Watermelon (2 over 2)It's my 6th wedding anniversary today, so I stitched this little card for my hubby.

Christmas Cards

2009-07-28T10:56:00.009-04:00

It might seem strange to be thinking of Christmas in July, but when I decided that I would stitch some of my cards for this year’s festive season, I knew I’d better get cracking and do a few every few weeks if possible. Here are the first six designs mounted into their cards. I plan to add a few embellishments eventually (such as text on the fronts of the cards), but at the moment, they just have

Micro Biscornu

2009-07-27T10:02:00.004-04:00

A tiny biscornu stitched on 14 ct grasshopper aida using DMC thread. It is a blackwork freebie I have used before. Quick to stitch up and only taking a couple of hours.

Teresa Wentzler's "The Castle"

2009-07-19T15:54:00.004-04:00

Stitched on 18ct white aida.I started this in November 21,2008 and worked on thisalong with other pieces so it's hard to tell how long it took.I even neglected it for awhile. *shame*Free Signature Generator

Assissi Autumn Bookmark

2009-07-14T16:58:00.008-04:00