SBEBB - ABC EXCHANGE 2007 SENT

For this ABC Exchange, we are free to use any fabric and floss. However we have to include alphabet inside the design.

As I received a beautiful pin cushion from Cari for the Winter Quaker Exchange, I decided to make my first pin cushion for my exchange partner Vonne too.

I chose this beautiful design by Majorie Massey from the book "Petits Points & Toile Delin". It's a french cross-stitch book with many wonderful designs. I used DMC 815 and sewn it one-over-one onto a 28 count jubilee light-blue fabric.

And this is the back design with her name sewn and three flowers on top of the letter V which like a vase :-). The width of the pin cushion is about 1 cm . The three pieces are then joined together and then stuffed with 6 layers of quilt cotton battings.

I am pretty amazed that I have did such a beautiful piece of work. Thanks to those kind stitchers out there who provide us the wonderful tutorials.

Amazon France

Ordering these great french cross-stitch books from Amazon France is a breeze. There is a 'Help In English' at the left hand column when you click on AIDE at the top of the first page. From there you will get to know how to order your stuff and what are the shipping costs and payment type etc... However you need to have a Amazon account first before you can order any books. So go to Amazon.com to create a new account if you have none. Once it is created, logon with your new account. Click on 'Your Account' at the top of the page. Set 1-CLICK Ordering settings to ON. This will allow you to place orders in Amazon.Fr site. Close the window session and proceed to Amazon.Fr and order your books. You will then received a confirmation order via email.... but then it is in french. Just cut and paste some of the words and use a language tranlator such as Babel Fish Translator to translate it from french to english. Ta-da .... you are done. Well.... hope the above information helps you in your quest to acquire your favourite french books...lol

Do drop over at Cindy's blog to have a look at her short reviews of these 3 books.

Happy Shopping at Violarium

Hurray!! My package from Violarium has arrived last night. I was very surprised as I had just placed the order on the 28th Feb and did not expect to receive them so early. I immediately called up Cindy about the good news. Cindy has also placed an order for the same french cross-stitch magazine "De Fil En Aiguille " thru my account. She was thrilled about it too. After the call, she sent me this sms message "Great. Can't wait to see them. Wish I could fly to your place now and take a look. LOL...." What a fun and jovial friend to have... :-)

Lately I have been crazy about redwork and quaker designs. As Violarium was having a one-day special - 20% discount on all orders + free shipping anywhere in the world.. for her 1st anniverary on the 28th Feb, I took the golden opportunity to ordered two of Isabella Vautier's charts ["All I Need Is Love Quaker" and "Dans La Jungle" ] and the french cross-stitch magazine titled " De Fil En Aiguille Special Issues - Samplers". Even though both of us don't speak or understand french, the diagrams of the magazine are clearly charted. We loved most of the designs from this special issue. There are a total of 17 designs (big and small samplers) within the 60 over pages. Leena who is the shop owner of Volarium and a SBEBB member ; even enclosed a 2-page French -> English cross-stitch dictionary and 2 free charts for us. We can't wait for the special issue "Tout Rouge" to be in-stock at Violarium .

SBEBB- Winter Quaker Exchange 2006 Received

I received this package from Cari USA. The pinkeep is stitched one over one and personalized with our initials at the back. Cari also sent me a chart kit "Country Day" designed by Nan Tyson Euler and some stickers. Thanks Cari for this wonderful exchange.