Monday, 18 January 2016

A 'Love Tree' Progress Report....

You may recall that I received a pretty cross stitch kit for Christmas from my sister-in-law called 'Love Tree' which was designed by Kim Anderson for Bothy Threads. I have been adding stitches to it here and there between other projects and I thought it was time for an updated progress report.  The last time you saw it I had just made a start on the tree trunk and it looked like this.....



After my few stitches here and there, I have now finished the top half of the tree trunk and branches and it looks like this.....

It is fairly slow work using the metallic thread to stitch with but, it does look pretty and I am looking forward to adding some other colours now.

As well as my cross stitch project, I have also been busy with some planning for my CQJP Challenge 2016 project.  Last year I was very new to crazy quilting and I just pieced and embellished each block as I went along. 

Although I was very pleased with the quilt that I finished, I did realise that perhaps a little more planning before starting would have been beneficial. This year, I have a very distinct idea of the sort of quilt I would like to make and I have been trying out a few ideas before piecing the blocks.  The above photo is a little glimpse of what I have been experimenting with. I hope the layout that I have in mind will work!
Click here!

 You may have also noticed a new button on my right hand sidebar called 'Splendid Sampler'. I have signed up to take part in a SAL of 100 blocks over the course of a year starting in February.  There are some fabulous designers taking part who have designed the blocks and, once the SAL is over, the blocks are going to be published in a book.  If you are interested in finding out more just click on the image.

 I am linking this post to the Stitchery Link Party over at Super Mom - No Cape! as well as Design Board Monday over at Bits 'n' Bobs.  Why not pop over and have a look at who else has linked up? Have a lovely week! 
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30 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 January 2016 at 21:16

    Hi Christine,oh i love your cross stitch,its coming along nicely and boy your crazy patchwork is stunning,i have joined up with the splendid sampler as well,hope you have a lovely day my friend xx

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:11

      Thank you Shez! The Splendid Sampler sounds like a lot of fun and there are lots of participants! Have a lovely day too! Christine x

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  2. Fiona18 January 2016 at 22:11

    Just had a browse through your blog... what lovely detailed work you do...
    Hugz

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:12

      Thank you Fiona! Glad you enjoyed your visit! Hope you come again! Christine x

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  3. CathieJ18 January 2016 at 22:53

    Working with metallic floss is always slow going, but your stitching looks really good.

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:13

      Thank you Cathie! It is slow but I think it is worth the effort, it does look pretty! Christine x

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  4. FlashinScissors18 January 2016 at 23:04

    Hi Christine,
    Your cross stitch is growing well, and I can't wait to see what you have planned for your crazy quilting! I've joined up with the splendid sampler too, should be a great way to use some of my stash!
    Hope you have a great week.
    Barbara xx

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:13

      Thank you Barbara! The Splendid Sampler does sound like a lot of fun.... just hope I can keep up with all those blocks! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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  5. Magpie's Mumblings19 January 2016 at 00:09

    100 blocks? Wow - that sounds like a lot, but I know you'll do it (and we'll get to see them as you go along).

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:14

      Thank you Mary Anne! Yes, it is only just sinking in how many 100 blocks will be... I might have bitten off more than I can chew...!! Christine x

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  6. Quayceetatter19 January 2016 at 00:17

    Looking forward to seeing more on the cross stitch. Love the CQ, waiting to see this years blocks! I will check out the sampler SAL. My sampler is on hold till my rug is hooked.

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:16

      Thank you! I am excited about my plans for my crazy quilt blocks... I hope my ideas work! Hope I can keep up with the SAL too... may have taken on a bit too much! Christine x

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  7. sunny19 January 2016 at 04:35

    I LOVE your little crazy quilt. I need to get back to that someday. Have fun with all your projects this year.

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:17

      Thank you Sunny! It lives in my living room and I just love to look at it.... there are so many details stitched that even I have forgotten them! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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  8. Cath19 January 2016 at 07:51

    I loved that love tree when I first spotted it on your blog....can't wait to see it grow! Metallic threads can be a battle....which brand are you using? Thank you so much for linking up with Bits 'n Bobs for Design Board Monday.

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:19

      Thank you Cath and thank you for the link up! The cross stitch is a pretty design and I am just using the thread that came with the kit... not sure which brand it is... it seems good quality. Have a nice week! Christine x

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  9. Baa. xxx19 January 2016 at 08:22

    The love tree is really coming along. Thanks for sharing about the splendid sampler - will head over for a look.

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:19

      Thank you Baa! The Splendid Sampler looks like a lot of fun but 100 blocks is a bit daunting! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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  10. Steffi19 January 2016 at 08:39

    Liebe Christine,
    du hast dir ganz schön viel vorgenommen. Dein neues Stickprojekt gefällt mir schon jetzt außerordentlich gut, viel Freude damit.
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:26

      Thank you Steffi! I love this pretty tree design so it makes it easy to work the embroidery! Have a lovely week! Christine

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  11. The Patchsmith19 January 2016 at 09:31

    Am looking forward to seeing EVERYTHING you make this year but I am especially into 'love' projects at the moment. Metallic thread is a challenge though - it splits and gets caught. Keep at it - don't stop - I am dying to see the finished result.
    Have a lovely week.

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 11:21

      Thank you Amanda! I love the design of this cross stitch, so I am determined to get the stitching finished! Love seeing your beautiful Farmer's Wife blocks! Christine x

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  12. Linda19 January 2016 at 14:02

    Nice progress on the tree, Christine. Is it harder to sew with metallic thread? The SAL looks like fun, but I'm nervous! I still haven't finished my Farm Girl Vintage SAL. :( But Splendid Sampler does sound like a good way to stretch myself!

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    1. Christine B19 January 2016 at 17:57

      Thank you Linda! Metallic thread tends to fray more and is generally not as easy to work with but, it does look pretty! I will make a quilt or two from the Farm Girl Vintage blocks I have but I am not going to make any more blocks for the moment. I will follow along with the new Splendid Sampler as best I can but I won't stress if I miss a block or two here and there! Christine x

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  13. Sheila19 January 2016 at 21:15

    Your cross stitch is coming along nicely and I know your crazy stitch blocks will be lovely as always . I am signed up for the sal as well , should be fun .

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    1. Christine B20 January 2016 at 10:02

      Thank you Sheila! I am looking forward to embellishing my first CQJP block for this year! The SAL does sound a lot of fun! Have a lovely day! Christine x

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  14. Ondrea24 January 2016 at 12:42

    It's years since I did any cross stitch even though I did it for 30 years or more. Yours is looking lovely. I looove your crazy patch quilt.

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    1. Christine B24 January 2016 at 16:18

      Thank you Ondrea! It is a long time since I did any cross stitch too and it is making a lovely change! Have a good week! Christine x

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  15. SuperMomNoCape25 January 2016 at 18:52

    Such tiny stitches on your "Love Tree". The metallic thread is really pretty but I can see how it would make the stitching a bit slower than regular floss.

    I'm looking forward to seeing your crazy quilt project for this year.

    Thanks so much for linking up to last week's Stitchery Link Party and for the link back. Aloha hugs!

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 19:24

      Thank you Susan! I am enjoying the cross stitch! I hadn't done any for a long time! Christine x

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