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Friday, February 14, 2020

February/Love
Jo's Valentine Hop 
Styling with Stitches
Friends who Stitch
Sneak Peeks
What's Stitching


Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Hope you get to spend time with special people in your life.  It's a great day to show love and kindness to others.  Sometimes a smile can make another's day.  So, sending smiles to all of you from Stitching Friends.

Our theme this month is Love.   We have joined Jo's Valentine Hop and will share the valentine we received.   Next, comes our February Styling with Stitches projects with a love theme.  We are happy to have Friends who Stitch back.  Our third new feature of this year is Sneak Peeks.  And lastly, we have some news in What's Stitching.  So it's a packed post that we hope you will enjoy.

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Jo's Valentine Hop


We received this lovely greeting in the Valentine Hop.    What a beautiful heart our secret stitching Valentine made for us.  Thank you so much.  Please let us know who you are.  If you would like to follow the hop and find out who our mystery Valentine is go to Jo's blog.   There will be a list of stitchers to go visit.   Also, we sent a mystery Valentine too and we will find who it went to as we hop around to fellow stitchers blogs.  It should be fun!


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RJ's Styling with Stitches Project

I made a Valentine bowl filler with a stitched pocket.   "Heart of Hearts" by Abby Rose was given to me for my birthday by my good friend Robin.   I had never stitched an Abby Rose pattern before so was happy to do so.   This pattern is so lovely with so many hearts forming one big heart in the prettiest of colors.  

A French General fabric picked up all the colors in the stitch.  I added some cotton lace trim, ribbon and a heart charm for the finishing.

I filled the pocket with a Valentine, a favorite candy bar and a flower for a special someone.  But, think of it filled with a small pattern, a piece of linen and a package of needles for a neat gift any time during the year.   What a great project to make for a stitching friend.


The flowers are all made of heart shapes

Filled to the brim with Valentine goodies!

Sitting in the Greenhouse
Heart of Hearts
by Abby Rose
40 ct. platinum linen
called for over dyed floss

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Mary's Styling with Stitches Project

My stitch is Prim Stitchers Heart designed by Sub Rosa.  When I first saw this stitch, I knew exactly how I would use it. It would be a photo album cover  for RJ and I would add  photos of the stitches that she has gifted me.  And, she could add photos of all her other projects she has made as a record of her stitching.

I purchased a photo album at Michael's and covered it with pretty fabric from Hobby Lobby.  Covering the album with fabric went surprisingly easy.  The difficult part was cutting and shaping the heart.  If I tell you I spent hours on that, would you believe me??? I wouldn't, but I did!!    With all my fussing with the heart the linen started to fray....so, I used Dritz Fray Check and that stained the linen!!   I added some lace to distract the eye from my lopsided heart but that was not a success either.   So, RJ, please excuse all the imperfections and know that it was made with lots of love for a stitcher that has the biggest heart of all. 


I changed out PRIM for RJ's initials

Closeup of the pretty fabric

Prim Stitcher's Heart
by Sub Rosa
40 ct. Newcastle linen
called for floss
Weeks Pebble for  scissors

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Friends Who Stitch

We are so happy to have our friends Robin and Marilyn back with us this year to show their pretty stitches.   This feature is open to anyone that stitches but does not have a blog.   Just send us a photo and we will be happy to showcase your stitch here.

Robin sent this pretty framed stitch which is perfect for this time of the year.  It is called Reunion of the Hearts by The Trilogy.

Marilyn shared these adorable Valentine stitches for us to enjoy. 

Thank you ladies for being a part of our Valentine post.  I know everyone will enjoy seeing your beautiful work.

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Sneak Peeks

This is our third new feature this year.   Sneak Peeks joins High Fives and Question of the Day as little extras we will add to our posts.  We will be showing some of our new stitches in progress that you will be seeing later in the year finished.



                                                                  
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What's Stitching


Winner of the Snowman pattern is June from England.  She has a lovely blog that you can read here.  Congratulations June! Have fun stitching the sweet snowman.

We are happy to have Faith join us with our SAL "A year in Celebration".  Feel free to join us anytime during the year as we stitch one a month.  Maybe you would just like to stitch a few (like birthday months of family members).  Anytime you want to join in you are WELCOME.  Just send us an email.

We were asked how we would answer the question of the day in the last post. Well, like so many of you it is almost impossible to choose one designer to stitch for the rest of our lives as we love so many.  But, if we absolutely had to we both agree it would be Brenda Gervais from With Thy Needle and Thread.  We fall in love with her designs almost every single time a new pattern comes out.

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We enjoyed visiting with you today and really appreciate your comments. A neat new feature is coming in the next post that we think will be fun.  
Hope to see you again at the end of the month.  We will be by to visit your blogs and to see all of your new stitches and other projects.   Stay warm and keep stitching during these cold days !!!

                                                            Stitching Friends


              “A friend is what the heart needs all the time.” 
                                                 Henry Van Dyke

43 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post again , I love both of your lovely Valentines stitching Love the little pocket bag RJ this would make a lovely Easter one too.
    Mary your heart is so pretty and such a lovely gift .
    I love Robin's and Marilyn's stitching .
    Love the peeks and the SAL is so tempting .
    Oh my I won your chart Mary that's made my day Thank you
    I will pass it on , when I stitch it up .
    Both have a wonderful day and Thank you so much .

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  2. Lovely!
    We shoul love and be loved every day of the year and not only on Febbruary 14th...this is my wish for all!

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  3. Happy Valentine's Day for you two.
    Your Valentine stitching and finishes are wonderful. I love them.
    Nice sneak peek in your new stitching projects.
    Have a nice day, Manuela

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  4. Hopping for Jo's blog hop but not your Valentine mysterious stitcher. Nice stitching projects, lovely charts an great finishes. Joyeuse Saint Valentin ! xxx

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    1. Happy Valentine's Day Jocondine. We are so happy you came by to see us. I'm thanking you here because we don't have your email address. Thank you for your sweet comments and hope you come back to see us. RJ

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  5. RJ,Your pocket turned out beautiful!
    Mary, the photo album is pretty, & a great idea!
    Thanks for sharing Robin's & my stitching, her piece is beautiful.
    Wishing you both a Happy Valentines Day & wonderful weekend!
    Marilyn

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  6. Happy Valentine's Day! not mine, lovely works though

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  7. Happy Valentine's Day to you both! Love your "love" pieces...they are both so beautiful and clever.
    Robin and Marilyn, great to see your pieces...so well done. Can't wait to see your completed sneak peeks...I'm trying to guess who's is whose (gosh I hope I got that right....Sister Bernadine may be looking down and shaking her finger at me). :)

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  8. Happy Valentine’s Day, RJ and Mary! Great post, and your photos look great. RJ, the stitched pocket is beautiful! I’ve never seen that pattern before. I have the stitched pocket you made for me, and the finishing is superb! This is a great, go-to finishing idea, and, as you said, great for a stitching gift.

    Mary, the heart album for RJ is wonderful! Don’t be hard on yourself... I think it looks great! I would pick perfectly imperfect any day over not finished, buried away in a drawer. I made a stocking years ago and was soooo upset with myself over all the flubs I made finishing it. I almost thought about not hanging it at Christmas. But I did, and this last Christmas I took a good, long look at it, and I think it is charming exactly because of its imperfections. I really love it, and I think RJ will love and cherish that album.

    Pretty stitches by Robin and Marilyn! Thanks for sharing them. Well done, ladies!

    Your sneak peeks are gorgeous.

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  9. Just hopping by enjoying all the Valentine's Day stitching! Your heart is very cute, but not mine. The rest of your stitching is fabulous too! I especially love your heart pocket. I'll have to stop back and see what your sneak peaks are about, they look lovely too! Happy Valentine's Day!

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  10. Lovely visit as usual and inspiring as well!! You gals have the gift in finishing things so perfectly!! I have seen a lot about doing a small stitched gift for someone and I may just try to do that for some people I know you need a little lift. Thanks for your ideas. And how gracious of you to share photos from stitchy friends who do not have blogs. I love seeing the finishes! Happy Valentines Day to the two of you who make my life brighter when you post!

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  11. Not my Valentine! Your stitched pocket is super RJ! Mary that heart on the photo album is gorgeous! Seriously! And the little charms!! LOVE!! Happy Valentine's Day girls! Love you both!

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  12. Just hopping by on the blog hop, the heart you received is very cute and the pocket and photo album heart are both so beautifully finished! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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    1. Happy Valentine's Day Sarah! Thanks for coming by to see us. We don't have your email so I thought I would thank you here for your kind comments and your visit. Come by again. RJ

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  13. Ciao Rj e Mary, il progetto di Mary è bellissimo, mi piace molto... c'è un piccolo regalino nel mio blog, se volete passare a dare un'occhiata.
    Buon San Valentino !!

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  14. Oh RJ and Mary, both of your heart ideas are seriously the best. I mean BOTH. I want to copy both at some point. We always see our imperfections Mary, but I don't think the rest of the blogging world sees as much as we do. IT is precious!
    Such a great idea to feature those nonbloggers. I love seeing them. I know Robin from comments and she is such a great stitcher.
    Happy Valentine's Day to both of you!

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  15. I love all your Valentine's stitching, such lovely projects.

    The Secret Stitching is mine 🙂 I stitched it many years ago as one of the 32 gifts I made to give my colleagues when I finished teaching at college.

    Happy Valentine's Day 💕

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  16. Lovely stitching full of love, but I am not your valentine. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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  17. Happy Valentine's Day! I love all the pretties :D Sadly not your sweetheart today.

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    Replies
    1. Happy Valentine's Day to you Carla. Thank you for coming by to see us. We don't have your email so I thought I would thank you here. We appreciate your comments and hope you come back to see us. RJ

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  18. Such a sweet heart, I love the colours - nice one, Clare!
    The ones that you both made are beautifully stitched and lovely finished pieces.
    Robin and Marilyn, yours look great too!

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  19. Belle Saint Valentin à tout le monde.
    Que de jolis ouvrages encore pour ce mois-ci, des couleurs magnifiques et des finitions parfaites. Croyez-vous que nous voyons un coeur bancal ?? Pas du tout. Un ouvrage est toujours parfait car il est fait avec amour.
    Amitiés de France,
    Christel
    http://toilesetfils.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Merci Christel! We don't have your email so I wanted to thank you here. You are always so sweet and thoughtful and we really appreciate your visits. Love to you on Valentine's Day. RJ

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  20. Thanks for taking part in the Secret Stitching Sweetheart this year.
    I think the Photo Album cover is lovely and definitely Made With Love!

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  21. Happy Valentine's Day, this is a post filled with such love and so many heartfelt stitched goodies. Sweet stitch from Clare. She does do such beautiful things as gifts for friends and loved ones.

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  22. The little bag is a really nice gift. But the heart of Subrosa is just beautiful, a great Finsih.
    Oh yes, Brenda has wonderful motifs, they make you happy.
    Have a good time, hugs to you, Martina

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  23. What a lot of beautiful stitching!

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  24. Beautiful stitching! Love all your Valentine's finishes, and the WIPs look really interesting. Enjoy the weekend

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  25. Hi there!
    Loved seeing all your stitching ..... all beautiful, even the one you worried about!
    Not my stitchery!
    Hope you had a super Valentines Day!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

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  26. RJ, I love your Heart of Hearts! Being finished as the pocket is a great idea and it would make a great gift for someone!

    Mary what a clever idea! I love it and I am sure RJ loved it!

    Looking forward to the Sneak Peeks big reveal!

    Robin and Marilyn you both have some beautiful stitches posted here! I am glad that they post them here for you so we can enjoy them.

    Also thanks for letting me join you guys! Hopefully it will keep me on track to getting each one done on time.

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  27. Hopping by looking for my piece. I see Clare has stepped forward that she stitched this beauty. Now off to keep looking.

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  28. All of these lovely stitching photos make me wish I could forget my responsibilities and just stitch in peace and quiet all the time!

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  29. A lovely selection of Valentine and friendship stitching. Clare's hearts within a heart ornament is lovely.

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  30. What a super post to read this morning as I play catch up! Both your styling with stitches are fabulous. Mary's album reminded me of the padded photo albums I created many moons ago for gifts. RJ, I am glad you enjoyed your first Abby Rose stitch. Thank you for sharing my piece along with Marilyn's Valentines!

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  31. I so enjoyed visiting with you two today! Both of your projects are so beautifully done and they make such special gifts. I love the pocket, RJ--is the pretty lace new or vintage. It is lovely! And Mary, honestly--your finish looks just wonderful. I'm not just saying that to be nice--I love the idea of attaching it to a photo album. Did you cover it with fabric like we used to cover our schoolbooks with paper bags each year? I am really dating myself--ha ha!

    Loved seeing Robin's and Marilyn's pretty finishes, too--that is so sweet of you to feature them.

    Hope you are both having a good month--hard to believe February will be over in less than two weeks! ♥

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  32. Meravigliosi, è bello ricamare tutto questo amore

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  33. Another gorgeous post, Ladies. Mary, I love the album cover for RJ - what a cool idea. Congrats to June and a wonderful Valentine's pocket from you, RJ. I'm still pondering the Year of Celebration SAL, I'll have to investigate how quickly I can get the patterns.

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  34. What lovely stitching, both by you and your secret sweetheart :)

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  35. RJ: What a lovely finish, and the candy looks good also.
    It is always fun to see who is doing the Blog Hops.
    Congratulations to June on winning the pattern.
    I hope you are having good weather.

    Catherine

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  36. Mary: What a stunning finish, the charms hanging from the ribbon add such a perfect touch.

    Catherine

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  37. Hello, my dear friends,
    such a great report, full of love and friendship, thank you very much for that. Here in Germany Valentines Day is only known for a few years, the young couples need a present for their partner on this day, my husband and I "only" went for a long walk and cooked very well in the evening ;-)
    Your embroideries are both beautiful, I know how fine you can embroider, fantastic.
    A nice weekend for you and your families, best wishes from Berlin, Jutta

    P. S. : I have tried to reply to your blog comments by mail, unfortunately the mails keep coming back, I don't know why, sorry ;-(

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  39. Wonderful stitching ladies. The finishes are beautiful.

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