Freebie Coming!

Hi friends and stitchers,

It seems like the time just runs away sometimes, doesn't it?  Well, I've been very busy stitching and designing, and getting a FREEBIE ready for you!  It will be posted THIS WEEK, so please keep checking to see if it's ready.  I was going to share a bit about what the design is, but I think I'll just wait till I can post proper photos.  I hope you'll like it!

I have begun my huge project:  the Christ Pantocrator that I mentioned in another post.  I still don't have a frame, but I've started anyway, just using a hand-held hoop.  I can see a frame will become necessary, though.  For one thing, my hands are starting to ache!  NOOOOO!  I'll post an update on this project later this week.

The days are lengthening noticeably here now.  Thank goodness!  The long, dark, cold, wet winters are hard going for this Florida girl.  We've had lots of snowdrops, a little sun, and we even planted two planters with primroses already.  Way up in the north, we have been blessed to miss a lot of the horrible weather farther south in the UK.  I sure feel for those folks.

Meanwhile...back to work.  Hope you're all happily stitching.  Check back for your freebie this week!

Happy Valentine's Day...and What's New

Hello everyone, and Happy Valentine's Day, a day early!!  It's busy here at Fearn Abbey Needleworks. I'm in the midst of two new design series and stitching up a few models.  I also have a delightful freebie planned for the end of this month.  And, I'm getting ready to start stitching THIS CHART:

I have not done any really huge charts before...you know, like the Heaven and Earth Designs ones. However, I have decided to start this one:  Christ Pantocrator by Solaria Gallery.  I actually bought this pattern from Patterns Online, and the chart printed out beautifully.  It uses 46 colors, and the finished size for 14-count is 10" X 18.57".  I've got my threads, got my chart, and got my fabric. Now all I need is a proper frame / floor stand.  Can anyone help?  I am looking for recommendations and suggestions.

Meanwhile...the McLambies require constant attention.

Poor Shermy the Sherminator had a bad foot two days ago.  He was all out of sorts.  We prayed about it that night, and the next day, he was completely better!  And, back to biting pockets, looking for cookies.

Doodle never has trouble finding cookies, especially when he's so cute and we just keep giving them to him:

Rosebud is in the background, sneering, I think.

And, the little foursome all have their own dinner bowls now.  Doodle's is dark grey; Snowball's is turquoise, Rosebud's is blue, and Shermy's is red.  Doodle eats out of the turquoise one, and Rosebud eats out of the red one.  Sigh...

The weather in the UK has been horrible, but so far, we have pretty much been spared up in the northern Highlands.  We have wind and rain, but that's normal for February.  The southern parts of the UK have been having terrible flooding, too.  And I've been watching all the news about the weather back home.  Folks are getting hammered all over the place.  I hope everyone is safe and warm and dry, wherever you all are!

What's everyone stitching, as you do your best to stay in and keep cozy?

New Design :: FINISHED!

Here is the companion piece to the Sweet Valentine Lamb I released earlier.  The borders and writing styles are the same, so the two pieces make up a set.  Or...you can just stitch your favorite.  I like to be somewhat flexible in my designs so that individual stitchers can make choices about the patterns.

Like with the other piece, you can choose to stitch the whole design, or stitch only the lamb and heart motif, or stitch the lamb and heart motif and leave off either the border or the wording.

This design is available as an instant PDF download in my Etsy shop.  The PDF is 6 pages and contains a full-color photo of the model as well as two charts:  one in black and white, and one in color.  Of course, you will also receive the key, materials list, and instructions.

Happy stitching!

Good Grief! It's February Already!

It is SO true what they say about time speeding up as you get older.  And yes, 50 seems to be a magic turning point in that regard.  At least, it has been for me.

More than 1/12 of the year is gone already!  Since coming to Scotland, I associate the beginning of February with snowdrops...and they have not disappointed me this year.  It was growing dark outside as I took these photos, but they're still lovely:

It is so sweet to see these little tiny blossoms peeking up in all kinds of places...along the roadside, under the trees in the forest, just randomly in the grass.  Such a sign of hope!

Meanwhile, lamb-spoiling continues with lots of cookie feeding to woolly little toy lambs.  I suppose my dear husband thought no one was looking, and we wouldn't see him sneaking a cookie to Snowball behind his back!  Now you all can see!

I am nearly done with the companion piece to my other Valentine / Heart design.  I'm finishing up the border tonight, and the plan is:  it will be posted on Etsy THIS WEEK!  YAY!  

I have to hurry, because I have four more designs lined up and waiting to be stitched.  And I'm itching to be stitching!

Hope you all are having a wonderful start to the New Year.  And to all my snowbound friends:  stay warm!