Sunday, June 22, 2008

Sweet Treats!

It's been a while since I last posted! I missed last week out completely... and I was doing so well posting once a week too. Oh well. :-)

I've managed to get a wee bit of stitching in over the past few weeks. I've mostly just stitched on the "Sweet Treats" series by Country Cottage Needleworks. This is a really bad photo - it's taken very late at night (you can click on it to see a larger version though of course). I'm stitching it on Vintage Lentil Belast linen (Lakeside Linen). I haven't actually sewn the buttons on yet, they're just placed where they're supposed to go - I'll leave the buttons 'till the end!


I've decided to stitch a bunch of these "food" (and drink!) designs for my mum. I think they'd look adorable in her kitchen! So let's see how many I can complete and have framed for her birthday in December.

Now, I'm cheating a wee bit here, as I stitched this back in 2005. This is Mini Mandala Gardens I (#3 in the first series).

I used the recommended Mill Hill beads and I was really unhappy with the way the cluster of crystal beads in the centre of the design looked... they just didn't fit on the Belfast linen! Or I didn't do a very good job of making them fit anyway! ;-) So I finally got it out over the weekend, ripped out the beads and replaced them with petite crystal beads instead. It still looks a wee bit wonky, but nothing that won't be fixed when it's stretched for framing. I'm much happier with it anyway. It would have been nice to use delicas... but I didn't have the patience to source just the few beads that I needed. You can see a before shot in my Flickr album here or straight here for the enlarged version.... bad huh? I can't believe I left it so long to fix it!

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Mini Mandala Mystery I. Isn't Martina Weber (Chatelaine) a fabulous designer? I wish I had the stamina to complete one of her large Mandalas! I have two started and a few others kitted up... one of these days! Nicki asked if I planned to stitch all the Mandala's in this new series (Mini Mandala Mystery Gardens - there are 4), and I absolutely do! Martina gave us a sneak peek of all four and I loved them all. I like that they're not as expensive as the large mandalas (and I've also been using DMC instead of the NPI) and that they're easy enough to complete in the three months.

18 comments:

Oma said...

I love this series. I would love to do it. Is it expensive? I noticed that each section has to be bought separately.

Anonymous said...

Love the Sweet Treats :) Congratulations on your finish and good for you for sorting out the problem with the Mandala beading!

langolodielisabetta said...

it's beautiful

glamlawlib said...

I love the Sweet Treats, the buttons are so cute too!

Congrats on tackling the beading, it looks fab :)

Paula said...

Sweet treats looks great. Its good to see it stitched as its in my to do pile.
I think you might have sold me on the Mini mandelas after seeing your finished one.

stitcherw said...

Sweet Treats is looking wonderful, this is such a cute series. Your Mandela looks lovely too, glad that you were able to get the beads straightened our, it will look beautiful framed.
Sue

Jenn said...

Sweet Treats looks great. I've not seen these patterns before. It will look great in your mom's kitchen.

mainely stitching said...

Great job with Sweet Treats - and what a wonderful idea for your mom's gifts! :D Love your mandala, too. Martine is SO talented!!

MissGorgoglio said...

I love the sweet treats! I look forward to stich them all for my kitchen :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful stitching on both projects, Concetta, well done!

Stitchingranny said...

Glad you have sorted it so that you feel happy with it. If you feel something is not right - no matter what anyone else has to say - you will not be happy with it so its best to change.

Your stitching is as always beautiful Concetta.

♥ Sari ♥ said...

I really like the Sweet Treats! :) What do you think about the fabric, do the colours show up ok?

~Julie~ said...

"Sweet Treats" is looking decadent & delicious, Concetta!! And of course the stitching looks fabulous, too. lol =)

That mandala is beautiful!!! I don't think the beads look 'wonky' at all!!! I think putting the petites in instead was definitely the right choice!

~Julie~

Nicki said...

They both look great! You're making me want to get back to my Mandalas! Or start the Stitching Leporello - help! ;)

Leslie aka zoeandcooper said...

Both pieces look fabulous. I especially love the mandala.

Wendy said...

Sweet Treats look good enough to eat! Wonderful mandala, Martina creates the most exquisite designs.

Asta said...

I love this "Sweet Treats". Very beautiful work!!!:)

DovilÄ— said...

Sweet Treats is great!