Tuesday 22 November 2011

It’s a little grey and cold in this part of the world this morning.  I can hear the distant noise of a plane flying overhead and the smell of burnt toast permeates through the air.  I can hear the TV in the background and the usual noises that announce it’s breakfast time again.

A few years ago I designed a Christmas needlepoint frame.  I had intended it to be stitched on plastic canvas for a better finish.  This weekend I began stitching the design myself, however as my local store had run out of plastic canvas I decided to stitch it on 10 count mono canvas.  To ensure the needlepoint remains straight as I stitch I am using  a Tapestry frame.  So far so good.

The PDF chart below which you can download by clicking on the chart below indicates that you should use 14 count mono canvas.  I actually think 10 count will be better for this design as it will make the frame a little larger.  When I designed the chart I originally thought Christmas reds and greens would look good.  I think those colors are fabulous to give a more traditional look.   I decided to use lime greens, pinks and whites for a more contemporary look.  Here is my progress so far;

This weekend I will show you how to make the frame from the finished design.

Wishing you a fabulous Tuesday.

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

19 November 2011

Wishing you a happy stitching Saturday afternoon.

It’s raining and there is nothing better than a cup of tea and some stitching.  What are you up to ?

Happy Saturday !

Take care

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Wishing you a gorgeous Wednesday !  Hope your day is as bright and cheery as these gorgeous white and purple Petunias growing in pots on either side of my front door.  Having pot plants at the front door is a lovely way to brighten up your home and makes people feel welcome the minute they come to your front door.

Have you had a good week so far ?  I hope so.

Just an update on the alphabet cross stitch chart I designed and am stitching.  Today I am sharing with you “M is for Mittens”.  I love the combination of blue, green and white and these little mittens would be fabulous for a winter cross stitch card or as a Christmas gift tag.  I am now stitching “P is for Pear” and hope to have a few more letters stitched this week.

You can stitch the mittens yourself as it is available for purchase now for only USD $3.95 as part of the 10 Quick and easy Christmas Cross Stitch Charts.

Choose to be happy today and make it fabulous !

Take care

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

10 November 2011

Good morning !  Are you getting lots of stitching done lately ?

I am still stitching the alphabet chart and it is taking much, much longer than I thought it would mostly because I have so little time to stitch.  Too many other priorities getting in the way.  You know how it is.

It brought me to thinking about how people generally manage to find the time to stitch.  How do you find the time to stitch ?  Do you stitch very large projects or little ones ?  Do you stitch at night or during the day ?  If you work full time and are raising a family when do you find the time ?  I would love to hear from you.

Short and sweet today but more on the weekend.

Take care

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Saturday 5 November 2011

Do you know it’s only 7 weeks until Christmas ?  I did not mean to panic you.  Have you started all your Christmas stitching projects yet ?  If not there is still time.

I will release the 2011 Happy Threads Christmas collection next week (all things going well).  The collection features many of the Christmas charts I designed the past few years and a few new ones.  The best part is the charts will be in one place at the Happy Threads store.

In the meantime I designed this blue flower cross stitch which will be available soon in the Happy Threads store.  It is part of the series of cross stitch and needlepoint flower charts I am designing including the Orange Pansy and the Pink Orchid.

I was inspired to create this design from a photograph I took of the blue flower while I was in Thailand.  The design features beautiful blues and greens and measures 5.6 x 8.1 inches or 142 x 205 mm.  It would look lovely as the top on a gift box or to hang on the wall as something pretty.  Either way I hope you enjoy it.

Take care

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Melbourne Cup 2011.  It’s was a very close race with Dunaden wining the race.  His jockey is sporting the bright yellow top.  It was a photo finish with Red Cadeaux coming second.  A day without rain, a light breeze and not too warm.  Another beautiful day in beautiful Melbourne.

Lots of fashion on the fields, people arriving at Flemington by train and people in the Flemington car park enjoying a champagne. And it is also about the hats and frocks !  There is so much color, movement and atmosphere.  It’s a fabulous day in Melbourne. Photos come from Sydney Morning Herald.

Take care and see you soon for more stitching news.

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Saturday 29 October 2011

Hello ! I hope you are having a pretty weekend.

The sun is shining and I am looking forward to stitching a few new projects.  Life has been so busy lately I have not had a chance to update my blog often but I am hoping this will change.

This week we were graced by the visit of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth the Second.  The Queen and Prince Phillip are spending 10 days in Australia ! It is Her Majesty’s 16th visit to our shores since 1954, with the last being in March 2006 to open the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.   I think she enjoyed her visit to sunny Melbourne and even had a ride on our famous trams.  The Queen is fabulous and I hope I look as fit and healthy as she is at the ripe age of 85 !

Here are some of my favourite photos from her visit taken by the Women’s Weekly.  Have a look at the Kangaroos looking at the Queen in a golf cart in the photo below… only in Australia.

Take care and see you next week !

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Sunday 23 October 2011

It’s nearly Halloween for my friends in the US.  We don’t really celebrate Halloween in Australia but some children and their parents do dress up as ghosts, witches and warlocks for “Trick or Treat”.

Halloween is my inspiration for this “Spiders and Fly” cross stitch chart.

Samantha, Hazel,Angela and Martha are four jet black spiders living in a dark corner. As cross stitch spiders they sit perched high on their beautiful intricate orange web waiting…… Poor Henry house fly was minding his own business when suddently he heard “Will you walk into our parlour ? T’is the prettiest parlour that ever did you spy” Poor little Henry. What will he do ?

This fun little cross stitch chart features cross stitch and backstitch. Suitable for both beginners and experienced it can be stitched in no time at all.  The orange web will provide a challenge if stitched on Linen.  It does not matter if the lines are not straight as spiders webs are not perfect.  Stitch this little chart  now in time for Halloween and give it to someone you like as a Halloween card. Have fun !

Full instructions and the PDF chart is available now at the Happy Threads Store.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Monday 17 October 2011

Have you had a fabulous weekend ?

What did you achieve ?  Did you relax ?  Did you  spend time with your family or gardening ?

Are you looking forward to a new week full of positive thoughts and focussing on what you want rather than what you don’t want ?

Tied in to focussing on what you want, is being thankful and grateful for everything you have right now.

There are three ways to be grateful which I found in a book I am reading called “The Power” by Rhonda Byrne;

1. Be grateful for everything you have received in your life (past)

2. Be grateful for everything you are receiving in your life (present)

3. Be grateful for what you want in your life as though you have received it (future)

What are you grateful for this morning ?

Wishing you a very happy week !

Take care

Charlie

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced

Wednesday 12 October 2011

After a lovely holiday it’s now back to the serious business of creating new designs and talking all things stitchy especially cross stitch.

This new cross stitch design is inspired by the beautiful orchids growing wildly all over Thailand.   Orchids are the most prolific flower growing in Thailand. About 45% of Thailand’s orchids are sent overseas and the rest is sold in the local market. The very hot and humid conditions provide an ideal growing environment for this beautiful flower.

The design features hot pinks and various shades of delicious and cooling greens.  The chart is more complex and would suit the more experienced stitcher although beginners could also try this more ambitious project.  The chart is available as a PDF kit and is exclusive to Happy Threads.

Buying and downloading the chart is as easy as the click the keys on your computer and can be done at any time 7 days a week 24 hours a day from the Happy Threads Store for only USD $3.50.  The PDF kit contains a color and symbol chart, instructions and color key.  In less time than it takes to say the word “orchid” you could have your chart downloaded onto your computer ready to stitch ! Wishing you many hours of cross stitching pleasure !

© 2011, Happy Threads. All rights reserved. All cross stitch and needlepoint charts are the exclusive property of Happy Threads Pty. Ltd and cannot be copied or reproduced