Truly Thine by Blackbird Designs was released in 2004 and has been Out of Print for some time now. I had really never wanted to stitch it because the fabric color suggested was too dark for my eyes. But then I saw a post with it stitched on a lighter fabric with different colors.
The stitch count for the sampler is 69w x 93h. I chose a piece of 14ct pink aida I had in my stash and for floss the Color and Cotton Princess gradient set with C&C Aloe Vera for the green.
Gather Friends by Threadworks Primitive is copyright 2019 but I had never seen it till recently and since Autumn is my favorite time of the year, I had to order it. I have a hard time with color charts and Nan is always willing to print a b&w one for me which is very much appreciated. Love her designs.
I have had Silent Night by Country Cottage Needleworks in my stash for some time. It is copyright 2012.
Stitch Count: 119w by 119h. Fabric: Zweigart's 32 count Pearl Grey Linen. Threads: DMC. Sampler Threads' Chives and Wood Trail. Weeks' White Lightning and Cocoa. Frame: The Family Tree by Crescent Colours.
I found a piece of 16ct grayish blue aida I had in my stash to use along with all the called for colors. I have to say, I really do not like stitching snowflakes but love the way this one turned out. Now to get a frame for it.
Love and Friendship is one of the five projects included in the book, The Walker Sisters by Blackbird Designs. The book was first released in 2024 at a retreat at Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach.
I decided to stitch one of the smaller project to start with and chose Love and Friendship. Since the verse, initials, and date were all stitched over one, I chose a piece of 28ct white Lugana to stitch it on.
What is Sip and Stitch you ask? Sip and Stitch is a Mystery Cross Stitch Box curated by the ladies at Primrose Cottage. It is usually offered three times during a year. The last Sip and Stitch for 2025 was offered with an Autumn Theme. The box included three charts, a finishing kit, floss, a drinking tumbler and more goodies.
Stitching fabric is never included since we all stitch on different counts and types of fabric. I stitched all three of the charts as shown below. The one in the lower left corner was the Free Stitch Friday pattern for October.
All of them were stitched on 16ct aida Platinum I believe.
The felt heart on the back covers the hole that I use for stuffing the pillow. I am going to mount the larger of the designs on a paper mache box after painting it with acrylic paint.
Morning Star by Blackbird Designs is copyright 2011 and is now Out of Print. I have had it kitted up with fabric and floss for some time. The original design calls for 30ct French Vanilla by R & R Reproductions and floss by Classic Colorworks (Barn Door, Calico Kitty, Cocoa Bean, and Country Lane.)
I decided after looking at the cover photo that I would rather use Autumn colors to stitch this one. I already has a piece of cream aida kitted up and went to my collection of Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe floss to pick some colors. I decided on:
Lindsey Weight of Primrose Cottage released the first of her Snowman series in 2023. Meet Top Hat Henri!
The stitch count is 57w x 61h and the called for fabric is 28ct Light Taupe. I selected a piece of 14ct aida I had in my stash that was a mottled tan and blue/gray. Instead of using all the called for DMC, I chose to use some of the Color and Cotton floss and some Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe floss.
