Hearts, Roses And Vintage Engagement Rings

I just finished stitching some hearts in a variety of Valentine's Day colors. Hearts and roses are some of my favorite things to stitch. 

The counted cross stitch charts for the hearts can be found in A Rainbow of Stitches. It's a great book filled with many fun cross stitch charts and embroidery patterns.

Little Pale Pink Cross-Stitched Cameo

  

Rose Cottage

Garland of Roses Pillow

I love how simple and elegant this Garland Of Roses pattern looks. I enjoyed stitching it with one color. For me, it's meditative and relaxing not to constantly change threads; Zen stitching at its best!

The pattern is cross stitched with orchid-colored Splendor silk floss on 32 count antique ivory linen. The colors are soft and feminine. They go well with my eclectic French decor. I bought extra linen and had the finished piece made into a pillow with matching cording on the edge for a little embellishment.

Please visit my SHOP for more information on this pattern.

I dream about having the sofa (below) as a home for all my finished pillows. I have a love affair with French furniture and French embroidery. When I'm in need of some eye candy or inspiration I go here  and here.

My First French Monogram

This is the first monogram I ever stitched. It's a French pattern called Pour Manon. Rouge du Rhin is the manufacturer. Their website is in French and English. Click here to go to there. I stitched it with an "M" for my devotion to The Blessed Virgin Mary. But it would make a wonderful wedding monogram too. 

An alphabet of letters is provided with the pattern to personalize it.  I stitched it with two strands of white Splendor Silk Floss on 32 count very pale blue linen. The linen was purchased at The Sampler Needlework Shop in historic, Plymouth MA. I enjoyed stitching this piece. The chart was easy to read and using only one color of thread was Zen stitching. Everyday, I admire its scrolls, flourishes, quiet elegance and graceful beauty.