Summer Jubilee

Summer Jubilee by Blackbird Designs was first published in the July/Aug 2003 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. I was included in the book Souvenirs of Summer published in 2004. It had never appealed to me because it was stitched on a darker fabric (18th Century Blackbird linen by R& R Reproductions).

I decided I wanted to stitch something in celebration of the 250th birthday of our country so chose this one but decided to use a lighter fabric. I had a piece of 16ct Stone by Fabric Flair in my stash and most of the called for colors. Changes are shown in parentheses.

• GA Grecian Gold
• GA Pomegranate
• GA Butternut Squash (DMC 3822)
• GA Chamomile (DMC 372)
• WDW Hibiscus (DMC 760)
• GA Woodrose (DMC 3722)
• GA Sasparilla
• GA Old Blue Paint (DMC 926)
• GA Flax
• GA Old Brick
• GA Berry Cobbler (DMC 3736)

I changed the numbers in the original design to the dates 1776-2025. I also left off the date and one set of initials. 

 Now I just need to decide how to frame it. I bought a 14x7 inch frame from Amazon. The left side of the frame is more like the actual color. Now to decide where to hang it.

 

 

 

Free Stitch Friday - February

 

What is Free Stitch Friday?

On the first Thursday of every Month Primrose Cottage Cross Stitch Newsletter Subscribers will receive a free cross stitch chart via their newsletter email!

There will be kits available to purchase about two weeks before the chart is released which will include floss, cross stitch cloth (you will be able to choose what count you would like), and some type of goodie!
The chart itself remains a mystery until the first Thursday of the Month, and then you will have everything you need to start stitching on the first Friday of the Month!

To receive the free chart you must be a Primrose Cottage Cross Stitch Newsletter subscriber. Subscribe HERE

 The chart for February 2025 was Happy St. Patrick's Day.

I liked this one so much, I stitched it twice, once (last year) as a small pillow, and this year as a totally different finish.

 

On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby to check on some framing, I found these neat little book stacks on sale for 40% off that I thought might work for finishing. I bought the two different colors that were offered.

 I used the green one first to mount the 2025 stitched piece on. I had to stitch it on 18ct so that it would fit the top of the book stack.

 

Morning Star

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:

• Rustic Charm (darkest rust)
• Fireside Glow (dark orange)
• Gray’s Lily (light orange)
• Ripe Avocado (dark olive green)

 

I decided I wanted to add some kind of trim to this one but could not find enough of what I wanted to use so online to Etsy I went. In the past, I had ordered some hand-torn cotton frayed edges ribbons from LinenLark to use for ruched ribbon finishes. I had ordered Terracotta in the past and knew it would be perfect.

 

 

 

 

Truly Thine

 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. 

I love how it turned out. Now to decide how to finish it.
 

 

 

Gather Friends

 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. 

 The pattern stitch count is 101W x 99H and calls for Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art floss. I chose a piece of 14ct Vintage Taupe aida I had in my stash and used the called for floss.

 Now to decide on a frame for it. 

I ordered a frame from The Rusty Roof on Etsy, Distressed Cimarron Picture Frame in Nutmeg. 

 

 

Silent Night

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.

 I decided to order a frame from The Rusty Roof for this one. And I will get a white easel to display it on.

 

Love and Friendship

 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.

The book was sent to me as a gift with floss and fabric for some of the projects. It has since been released to everyone.

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. 

  I decided to add my initials and the initials of my very best friend to this special piece. I will probably frame it rather than finishing as a small pillow.

I ordered a frame from The Rusty Roof on Etsy, Distressed Cimarron Picture Frame with Toffee stain.