Rosa Mundi

I intend this blog to be mainly about needlework. But, with the garden blooming outside my window, it is hard to be silent about my roses. You may have guessed that I love striped roses. I have red and white striped roses, but I much prefer rose and white. I want the look and fragrance of the old gallica 'Rosa mundi' with modern repeat bloom. This quest has led me to the beauties in the pictures: 1. 'Madame Driout' (climbing Tea)
2. 'Careless Love' 3. 'Madame Driout' and 4. 'Berries n Cream'.

I also like 'Tigress' and 'Cee Dee Moss'. The Uncommon Rose website is treasure chest for striped roses as well as many other colors and forms. I think they even have a coffee-colored rose list.

On my to-do-list, I have many of Cindy Rice's (Lilac Studio) designs. She has a beautiful 'Rosa mundi' design. I would be interested to know of any other cross stitches which incorporate striped flowers.

Michele

Little House and Country Cottage

Last week, I visited the Dogwood Patch in Hiawasee, GA. It was the first time I had visited the new location. My husband frequently goes "over the mountain," and I often send a list with him in case he has time to go by the shop. The women there are amused to see this man in a suit come in and ask for particular overdyed threads and specific counts of linen.
The Dogwood Patch is large and open, with a long table set up for stitching near large, bright windows. The owner, Terri, is warm and friendly, and the selection of charts and fabrics is extensive. I went prepared with a list, but of course, there were some other items I did not know I needed. I bought the three charts in the bottom picture. Little House and Country Cottage designs seem to catch my eye everywhere. The top picture is a free Little House design I picked up at a cross stitch shop last year. The Crescent Colours were sold as a thread pack.
I would love to start one of the new patterns, but feel I must finish at least one of my works in progress before beginning another. Maybe I will have another cup of coffee and wait until that feeling passes!

Michele

Green Blossoms

My very favorite color is green. Almost any shade will do. Even in the garden, I just cannot get enough GREEN! Here are three of my favorite green blooms and one green critter from my garden. Enjoy!

Michele

Prairie Schooler Bellpull

My mother has been collecting Prairie Schooler Santas since the eighties. I finally persuaded her to part with her santa cards long enough for me to actually stitch a few of them. I have chosen to stitch four charts as a bellpull on 32 ct natural lite linen. I am using the DMC threads called for including 221 and 501 for the red and green. Will it be finished to hang up for Christmas 2007? Stay tuned!

Michele

This is my first blog entry, and I am so excited to welcome you! I invite you to come back often to share and discuss cross stitch photos and ideas.

I stitched this piece yesterday. You can download the free chart and see photos of other stitchers' finished pieces at thesamplergirl.homestead.com.

Michele