Saturday, September 17, 2016

French Needle Stash Part 2 + More

I got my second package from the French Needle last weekend. I FINALLY got my hands on Marie-Thérèse Saint-Aubin Pivoines (Peonies) and it is gorgeous. And no stitcher has every bought just one item when shopping. I decided to throw in Hélène Le Berre's last book Icones de Mode which I got a peek at in Paris.


You can't call Pivoines a book, it's more like a portfolio or collection of Marie-Thérèse Saint-Aubin studies on the peony flower. The "book" is very robust and has a larger size than a regular stitching book. So it will be hard to put this on a book shelf.


When you open it you find, the pages are printed on thick high quality paper. Each page has the printed image of the design and on the back it has the pattern. All the patterns can be stitched in either DMC or Au Ver À Soie thread and there is a conversion chart for each pattern on the last page. However the designer stitched the patterns with Au Ver À Soie.


I won't have a shortage of pretty designs. There are so many lovely ones in this book that would look amazing once they're done.

When I was looking closely at the pictures, I noticed that all the designs were stitched 1 over 1. They can still be stitched with 2 threads over 2, but I think that when I stitch the pieces I will do it 1 over 1. I always like to have at least one project like that a year. Unfortunately, I've already started my 1 over 1 project for this year so this book will have to wait for me to finish :) I was talking to a stitcher recently and she mentioned regretting not doing more 1 over 1 stitching while she could. So I'm going to make sure I do as many as my eyesight will allow me.


I'm not going to go thru all the pages in Icode de Mode. If you want to get a look at some of the patterns, you can see it here. Just click the link that says Feuilleter that is under the book cover. I will show you my favorite design though. Except for the high heels (I'm more partial to flats) and blond hair (I'm a brunette) it's a pretty good description of how I dress when I go out and how like to spend my time when I'm not stitching ;)


This week I also got a lovely package from Kim of Wisdom with Needle and Thread. Kim is celebrating a big milestone in her life and wanted to share it with other stitchers around the world. For her 60th birthday, Kim decided to send 60 RAKs (Random Acts of Kindess). A huge undertaking! A few month ago I saw a fabric that she had sent Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and commented that I loved it and asked where I could find one. She replied back that she would add me to her list.

So here it is, the fabric that I fell in love with as well as a little kit and bracelet. I love the fabric but I adore that bracelet. I can't wait to wear it, I've already picked out the dress that will go with it. Thank you Kim I will cherish it :)


7 comments:

  1. Love your high-heeled blonde 😄. I thrilled you liked your surprise package, too.
    xxx

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  2. Wonderful purchases and lovely gift from Kim. I made several of those little ribbon and bead fob and scissor holder sets. They make great gifts.

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  3. What a lovely package from Kim and your new books are wonderful. No shortage of new and beautiful projects!

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  4. Ooh peonies are most definitely my favourite blooms!!
    What a gorgeous design, I'm sure you'll have a lovely time working away on that one :)

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  5. what a lovely thing for Kim to do! The books look lovely, I look forward to watching you stitch patterns from it.

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  6. I recognised the fabric as soon as I saw it! I also recognised the scissor case kit as I was sent one for my Birthday too.
    Love the French book. I have stitched a floral design by Marie, it is beautiful.
    I don't why people say you need good eyesight for over one stitching though. I have minus ten in my worst eye and simply hold the fabric closer to my face! The main danger is stabbing yourself in the nose LOL

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