Finishes, starts & a new designer, OH MY!

That's right I actually have a finish (just a little one but hey it counts), a start, a share of a project I've been teasing for weeks and some bracelets. Oh my indeed!  It was a very busy last couple of weeks so I was sooo excited to have the entire weekend to literally sit in my chair and stitch or bead. It was glorious. I so wish I could figure out a way to craft as a full-time job. Even after 3 days of more than 8 hours stitching/beading each day (I had Friday off as well) I couldn't get tired of it. Though my legs needed a walk break!

What came of this epic stitching weekend? Well... first up is the piece from Sweetheart Tree that I've been talking about for a couple of weeks. It's nearly done, needs some beads and then to be put together. I'm waiting for my interfacing to show up in the mail so that I can do the beads (they will be less likely to wander if they are stitched through the fabric and interfacing, or so the instructions tell me, we will see). I've really loved to hate almost every stitch in this. While Sweetheart Tree patterns look absolutely amazing they are not my favourite to do up. My love/hate relationship with backstitching really comes out of the woodwork. But I survived and am pretty happy with it so far:

Now let's just hope I don't screw up making it into a Quadrielle and ruin all that work!
PS: names and date are stitched they are just covered up for the privacy and protection of my friends.

What next? How about a quick glance at some new Kumihimo bracelets. I've been playing with different patterns, fibres and the like. I got a new foam disc to work with called "KumiLoom" that is just amazing. It's not circular or square (so it can do both flat and round stitches) and is a perfect size. Love it! These are the latest that I liked from the weekend:

A new designer? It seems to be rare these days that you hear about a great new designer. I feel like all we hear about, or often hear, is about how some of our beloved old favourites are retiring. But I have got a treat for you. This designer is new to me, even though she's been designing since 2004. I just adore her stuff. Kelsyn's got my attention with their geometric shape designs that use varigated threads. As you all likely remember I won 3rd place last year (in a big fair) with Needlemania's Cheryls Bouquet that is similar. So how could I not be in love with Kelsyns? (AND they include specialty stitches. It's like she read my mind!)
So I finally got my order in with her Itty Bitty pattern set. I've decided to do up my favourites of these little gems in ornament sized pieces that are suitable for my store. I've already got one done and another started! (can you tell I love these?) They are really simplistic to stitch even though they look elaborate. And almost anyone can fall in love with them, not just stitchers. I think these patterns are a great way to show people that we don't just do hearts and butterflies in cross stitch!
Without further rambling, here is the first of Kelsyn's:

 

 Its on 28ct Carmel Toffee linen using Weeks Dye Works Mothers Day thread.

And the one I started (what a treat to have little start and finishes for me!) using another WDW (can't remember name sorry!) on 32ct white linen:

Whew! That was a biggie. If you made it this far woohoo you deserve a prize. Better yet let's do that, nice and discreet down here and see how many are paying attention and don't just see giveaway in the header and visit. Comment and tell me what your favourite varigated colour of thread is and you'll be entered into a contest to win some patterns from my "destash" pile. (As I talk to myself I realized this is maybe proof that I am having a conversation as I write my posts, no editors here!)

Anyone that is worried that they've only seen little pieces from me lately, have no fear. I have been working a tiny bit on dragons, and am cruising on the just nan baby sampler (as babies don't wait for stitchers!) Once the wedding piece and baby piece are off my plate (end of the month) I plan to get back into cottages as well.

Thanks for visiting I do appreciate it and all of your comments!