04. The Goode Huswif Book of Spells

Book of Spells by The Goode Huswif.

I started this piece for the DUCJC on the 10th January, 2015 and then put it to one side until the end of April.

I took another break just before Christmas then picked it up again in January.

The fabric is a 40 count linen called Jewel Butterbeer by Under the Sea Fabrics.

I used the DMC conversion with a few personal changes.

The moon is 4145 (greys) and 4130 (oranges).

It took a long time but is one of my favourite parts now.

This photo includes a ruler so you can see the final size of the piece.

A little over 9 inches or 23cm.

The plan I have is to get it colour photocopied and use that as a cover for a notebook and frame the original.

03. CCN Poinsettia Place

Poinsettia Place by CCN

Part of the Santa's Village series

Stitched on 32 count Twilight Blue linen

Using recommended DMC

except for Blanc (used B5200)

dark green house side

yellow for windows

02. Mr. X-Stitch Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa by Mr. X-Stitch

Stitched over 1 on 28 count black evenweave

Converted the Anchor to DMC

The finished piece is 1.75 x 2.25 inches

01. Plum Street Samplers 12 Days of Christmas

Plum Street Samplers 12 Days of Christmas

I first saw these designs in Just Cross Stitch magazine which published First Day and Second Day in 2011 and 2012.  I liked them but the series never continued.  Until now!  Following numerous requests for the series Paulette decided to make them the Mystery SAL for 2015.

She charted them for four colours; red, green, black and gold.  But I thought it would be fun to use just red and one accent colour for each day.  I started with pear for First Day and continued to choose a suitable colour for each day.  I also continued with the quirk of having one motif a different colour to the rest of them where possible,

I stitched them over one on some 25 count creamish linen I had. 

Finished as part of an exploding box:

The first thing I did was get a 12 x 12 inch piece of thick double-side scrapbook paper and score various fold marks so it could become a box.  Then I mounted the first four days on thin card and stuck them to the paper.

I turned the paper over and stuck some 12 Days pictures I had cut from a card purchased on Etsy:

Then I took a second piece of thick scrapbook paper and cut four pieces, slightly small than the sides of the first box.  I attached the next four days on one side:

I turned it over and stuck the corresponding images from the card on the other side.  You can see how I stuck the four pieces together overlapping them to form a solid base:

I used a third piece of paper to make the same shape, just a little bit smaller.  I stuck the final four days to this part:

And the same on the reverse:

Using the offcuts from the second two pieces of paper, I made three lids:

Then I folded the boxes up and put one inside each other:

This was where the problems started!  The three boxes fitted perfectly inside each other.  Without their lids.  However the lid of the middle box made it too big for the outside one to close.  I adjusted the lid which then meant the smaller box wouldn't fit with it's lid on!  Now I have to make the smallest lid even smaller.  Next time I will make the difference between the boxes greater so I don't have this issue.

It's difficult to show how they work in photos so here are some video clips, with a surprise at the end of one of them!

Here's what the card looked like before I cut it up!

Available from Bunk Boutique on Etsy