Annette's Intro

Hi I am Annette and I live in northern New South Wales Australia. I am married with 3 grown children. 2 boys and a girl. I work from home which is great for sneaking in stitching time. We live one street back from the beach and it is wonderful to stitch at night time to the sounds of the ocean.

I love HAED patterns and how they stitch up. My main focus piece is called Leaf - artwork Selina Fenech. I have just started on Page 8 of 20. I have been stitching HAED's for probably 4 years now and have finished 5 Quick Stitches and 1 Full Size. I have about 8 Full size WIP and 2 QS's. I have 3 more kitted up waiting to be fitted into the rotation.

This is my latest finish Green Dragonfly - artwork CCKuik. She is one of my favourite HAED artists along with Nadia Tate. I have enough charts to last me at least 5 lifetimes. I guess I am a collector.

I don't mind how long it takes me to stitch a HAED as it is the journey that counts. I grid all my projects as I find it helps me pick up mistakes earlier and makes it easier to stitch the same colours in the squares near where you are stitching. I always stitch from left to right and from top to bottom. I can't stitch cross country - I have to fill in all the square as I go as I can't stand to have gaps in my stitching. Don't ask me why I do this as I have no answer.......LOL. I also love the over 1 stitching - everything else seems massive now. I love watching the picture emerge as I stitch.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone's progress.

Diana's Intro

Vintage Rose Dark Cherry

Hi I am Diana from Australia,married with 3 boys 2 cats and 3 grandkids.I am a Haed serial started but this year I have decided to focus on Kuiks Dark Cherry SAL and Jess Galbreth's Vintage Rose.

Anita H introduction

Well, if I am doing this right, will introduce myself.
I've been on the HAED BB for maybe 4 yrs, stitching HAEDs as long. Fell in love with Linda Ravenscroft and Stephanie Law. I've got way too many wips, so many I refuse to count them!
I'm married to Mike, have one son, Sean, and his lovely wife Jessica. They have 2 wonderful boys, Cameron, 3 1/2 and Brady, 1 the end of March. I retired from nursing last may, was an ER nurse for 32 yrs, and PACU for 9. Now we watch little boys 2-3 days a week, much more fun. I've been stitching for at least 32 yrs, compulsively for about 12. Other designers I like are Lavender and Lace, Mirabilia, Shepherd's Bush, Victoria Sampler, Just Nan. Also love to read, cook, travel. We go to Maine at least once a yr, have been going there for 20 yrs. We took up sea kayaking a few yrs ago, it's great paddling around the Maine coast.
It's been such fun on the BB connecting with other insane stitchers, who plan on working on these humongous projects for the rest of our lives. I love watching everyone's pieces emerge, and sometimes seeing one being stitched makes me take another look at that one. These are truly heirloom works of art.
Looking forward to seeing what everyone has to say.
Anita
Stitch well!!

Hello from Rose

Hi everyone! I'm Rose, and I live in Sun Valley, California with my hubby, my daughter, and our three dogs. I'm excited to be part of this blog, and hope it will motivate me to keep plugging away on my HAEDs. I started my first HAED, Jessica Galbreth's 'Gypsy' in 2005, and have had quite a few other starts since then! I hope to finish her this year. I think I can if I really put my mind to it. I do have two HAED finishes under my belt - Titania QS (Galbreth) and Lady of the Ginkos (Law), though I stitched only 2/3 of Ginkos. Here they are:

Terri's Introduction

Hi All. I am Terri and I live in Okotoks Alberta Canada. I am a mom of 1, I have 1 furkid and been married for 14 years. I am currently working on Water by Teri Rosario and Revelations by Sheila Wolk. I currently have 125 HAED's and love the designs. I hope to get a few more in the future.

Andrea here

Hi everyone, I'm Andrea I am 41 live in Ohio I have been married for 16 yrs we have two sons 14 and 11. I found HAED not quite a year ago. I have yet to finish one though. Currently I have storykeeps storykeeper, mask of autumn, and gossomer princess, I have QS dragon soul, motherhood, poe, daydreaming, the rest i have are Catch Me that im geting ready to start, Got Fairy?, storykeeper, midnight secrets, dragon fae 1, and Rose. Once I upload everything to my laptop ill post pics, there isnt much to see as i keep starting over still experimenting with fabric i think.lol also like an idiot volunteered to make 50 altoid favors for my sisters wedding shower at the end of the month so im trying to get those finished so i can concentrate on nothing but haeds lol. I am realy looking forward to getting to know all of you and learning any tips you have to share.

Patches Intro

Hi. I'm Patches, I'm 32, married, 2 adorable pets. One recently had surgery so I've not stitched this week, hopefully be back to it over the weekend. I live in the US, and have been stitching on and off since I was about 10. I found HAED about a year ago, and have been stitching 3 HAED's for about 6 months. My focus piece is Galbreth's Mistress of Wolves- Here is where I am at currently-



You can see a photo of what the finished project will look like on my stitching blog.

Intro Joke / Vibrant Vista / Call of the Raven

Hi all Haed stitchers! I'm joining you in the SAL and to make a start I will introduce myself. I'll keep it short, you can read everything about me on my blog ;)
I am a stitcher, schoollibrarian, woman, wife, mother, neighbour, and, sometimes, but with great reluctance, housewife, cleaner and cook.
As many of you I have several WIP's, am involved in several groups, blogs and exchanges and I love it!!
Enough, time to show my Haed.

I finished one, QS Celtic Butterfly One

Working on this one, Call of the Raven, Teri Rosario, since 2006, October

Joining this SAL with Vibrant Vista, Jane Wooster Scott. I just started a few weeks ago, not much to show. I will be stitching on it tonight, and show the first picture tomorrow.

Laura's Introduction

Thanks Cindy and Wendy for setting up this blog site. It looks fantastic! My name is Laura and I have been cross stitching for about 25 years and I have been married for 21 years. I have two children, ages 15 and 12, and two big dogs :-) I love many of the HAED designs and have about 3 of them started. I stitch these designs using the Parking Method. The one I am working on right now is Santa's List by Ruth Sanderson. I have finished the first page and this is 7,840 stitches out of 115,600, so I have completed 6.8% of it. Here is my latest picture:

Rachel's Introduction

Thankyou so much Cindy and Wendy for inviting me to join!

I'm Rachel (rachelsparkles to everyone here), and I have been married for 2 years, no children yet but do have a kitty and a hamster :) I live in the North East of England, UK and would love to move somewhere hot and sunny in the future!

I absolutely love HAED and it was the Rachel Anderson charts that really drew me in. I am currently stitching Queen of Hearts and I also have Sunset started (pics to follow). I also love Jasmine Becket Griffith and have Pale Rose started and always checking the HAED website to see if anymore of her art has been charted. I also love Ching Chou Kuik and plan to start a full size piece of hers very very soon.

I'm really excited about sharing my stitching with everyone and hope to show you lots of pics in the near future.

Hugs,

Rachel x

Louanne's Intro

Thanks for inviting me Cindy and Wendy! My name is Louanne, CrazyForCrossStitch in cyber space. I’m married for 13 years this October. No children except for 3 furbabies, Sky, Storm, and Simon – 2 Persians and 1 Domestic Longhair (which makes for a lot of cat hair in my stitching!) I live in Northern New Jersey, USA. About 40 minutes south of NYC. Believe it or not, this is horse country! I’m practically across the street from several (race) horse farms.

Shelia Wolk is the artist that caused me to find HAED in July of 2005 and I admit: I am an HAED addict! It’s a shame that HAED no longer charts her work.


The first HAED I completed was QS Wizard of Oz - Gustafson

Then ACEO Best Friends - Harrison
My current wips are:
Goblin Tree - Ravenscroft



Dark Cherry - Kuik











Lil Blue Fairy Cat - Hawks,

Curly Tailed Rosy - Rodrigue










and Bewitched - Koukiotis (this last one is in Vikki's silks)


I look forward to sharing my stitching with you all and watching your stitching and stash grow!

Srinity's Intro

Hi!


My name is Sari but everyone knows me as Srinity around the e-world. :)
I am 30 years old and have been married for a year. We had a very small ceremony last year so at the moment I'm planning a church blessing and a wedding party. That is also the reason I don't have time to stitch much before 14th of March but after that I'll be posting new wips. :)

I found HAED about the same time I got married a year a go so my husband has seen my true colours right away! :D I started with Heart of the World by Ruth Sanderson. I love this but I started it on a bad fabric so it is waiting until I decide wether to start it over on a better fabric or continue this one.



Second one is the Storykeeper SK from Selina Fenech. I am planning on getting her finished during the ufo/swip sal this year.

I am also stitching the QS White Rose Fae as a wedding present to my aunt and her husband. They are already married so I hope to get this ready for their first wedding anniversary. Not much left so I just need to find the spark to stitch her. :)




I am also taking part at the SAL 2009 with Day dreaming. I'll post a picture later when I have more to show.

Yvonne's Intro

Thank you so much to Cindy and Wendy for setting up this blog to join HAED stitchers together :0))

I am Yvonne from Denmark, married for 6 years and we have a 4 year old daughter together.

It was the beatutiful artworks of Katerina Koukiotis that made me started my first HAED project 1 year ago :0)).

My first project was and is Angel of Spring with a background removal. I stopped stitching on her as I wasn't so sure about the colours on her face. However, after the assurance of many members from the HAED forum, saying she looks perfectly normal and nice, I am going to pick her up again once I complete my Sleeping Beauty which is my current project. I am stitching her 1 over 1 on 28 count SMF airbrushed Keenan.

This is my current HAED project which is Katerina Koukiotis Sleeping Beauty. I started on this beauty on the 18 Dec 2008 and till date, I've completed 5 full pages. She is a real pleasure to stitch! I hope to complete her real soon and continue with my Angel of Spring as she is still my absolute favourite :0)). I am tenting with 2 over 1 and using HDF silk on 28 count Wichelt Jobelan Lavender Sunset.

I am looking forward to see more wips from all the HAED stitchers here. In the meantime, I have to read the blog and admire all the beautiful stitchings.

Yvonne

Our First Thursday SAL!!

First I'd just like to say what an incredible group you guys are!! Wendy and I feel blessed to have met you via the blogging world and your kindness and enthusiasm is spreading!! We so appreciate you cheering each other and we know you mean it! Any tips you have, we love hearing them. I, personally, am very proud of our group. That's why Wendy and I decided to name our blog OUR Friends'....as in mine and Wendy's friends. This is our friends' blog, just as much as it is ours:) It wouldn't be near as much fun without each and everyone of you!!
OK....who's ready for the first THURSDAY SAL?? I know I'm in! For those who can't join this Thursday, don't worry about it. Jump in when you can. We just picked a day for fun and we knew everyone wouldn't be able to stitch on Thursdays...or every Thursday. We won't shame or nag you...just gently encourage you NOT to lay that HAED piece down for too long;)
We're all over the world, so some of you will be stitching while I'm sleeping and vice versa!
Just have fun!! This is not a job:) But please know,,, I'm truly, truly enjoying your progress pics and your comments! Hugs dear friends!!

A new promotion!

Bonjour à toutes!

I'm so happy! I learned yesterday that I got promoted at my job. I had a one year contract but now, I'm a permanent employee of provincial Health and Welfare system! And I'll work 4 days a week instead of 5, a dream for me! Can you imagine, a complete day of stitching lol ;)

I still dont have my threads... waiting.... it's so long... They were shipped today from Utah, it's a long way to Québec :'( But I'm finishing the Cut Thru' Rocket by Bothy Threads, already done the Cut Thru' Castle.

Keep up the good work! Bon point de croix!

Valérie xxxx

Sally's Intro

Thank you Cindy for the invite to this blog and to Cindy and Wendy for setting it up:)

I'm Sally, 45, married for 22 years and have two daughters aged 17 and 14. I've stitched a few small HAED designs as I find these easier to finish than a BAP! Lol!

I'm currently stitching Quick Stitch Girly Gothic. Here is what she'll look like when she's finished.

Picture courtesy of the HAED website

And this is what she looks like at the moment! I've started stitching her in 2007 I think but lost interest last year and have finally picked her up again just a few weeks ago. I think being here will help me keep motivated to finish her:)
I'm going to be stitching on her on a Wednesday evening and will show my progress each week:)

Sally

http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com

Maxine's Intro

Hi Everyone, thank you Cindy for sending me the invite and a big thank you to both you and Wendy for organising this blog :) I am Maxine soon to be 44yrs old. I live in the UK with my OH Mark, we have been together 11yrs this year. I have 4 children, Ian who is my angel in heaven, Leanne 23, Gary almost 22 and my 'baby' Jennifer who is 18. I have been stitching for the past nine years and have a very understanding OH who just lets my addiction get the better of me lol.
I have got far too many HAED charts to list and have at least 5 on the go.....in my defence though I have actually finished a full size HAED (Jessica Galbreth's Wild Autumn, there's a pic of it on the HAED website and I also use it as my avatar on my blog) It took me two years to stitch but that wasn't stitching on it every day some weeks/months I never touched it at all! I was going to put up wip pics of the ones I am working on at the moment but blogger isn't playing!

I can't wait to see all the wip's and cheer everyone on. Happy stitching and may the frogs stay

Maxine So Much Stash - Sew Little Time (my blog)

Just Joined - Shay

I'm Shay,
Thank you so very much for starting a SAL. I have been trying to start Christmas Journey since last summer but just haven't had the courage. So on this Thursday I will start.
I have never tried anything this big and hope it does not take me a life time. My goal is Christmas of 2010. Is that realistic?
DH helped me decide which design to start so I know he will be nagging "oops" encouraging me to stitch. LOL He's a sweetie but when Thursday comes along he will be watching to see what I bring out to stitch on.
I work full time but we make dinner quick and easy so I usually have 4 hour a night to stitch.
I've looked at all the projects and see so many I have lusted after. Oh well some day I hope.
Thanks Again
Can't wait until Thursday
Shay

Caelia

Hello!
My name is Iza and I live in Poland. I started my first HAED ("Caelia" by Selina Fenech) in November 2008 as a piece in my rotation. Since then, I've started "Violet Angel" by JBG and "QS Citrine" by Rachel Anderson (2009 SAL piece). I'm also planning another start for this year - "QS Poe" by JBG. I absolutely adore HAED charts. I had a rough start with "Caelia", as after ca. 2000 stitches on 25 ct Lugana (my first 25 ct work) I still couldn't see a thing :) , and I even put her away. I decided on giving her another chance after reading the posts on the BB, and now she's my focus piece.
I have about 6000 stitches (3%), started with the gown, as the background was taking too long (I'm waiting for another Background SAL):

Leap froggie

Hi! I'm Sjoukje from The Netherlands. I discovered this blog at Wendy's and I think it's nice to participate! I started my first HAED 13 months ago and it's Leap froggie by Linda Biggs, a photo is shown below. I stitch it on 14 count aida, because I didn't read the site carefully enough. But I must say, it turns out beautifully! The colours are really vibrant and nice and it's a joy to stitch on it!
I'm working on two other HAED's as well (I got a little bit too enthousiastic...) and they are QS Kimono Waterlily Mermaid by Nadia Tate and The land of Oz by Scott Gustafson. Photo's of these projects you can find on my blog. This is the one I want to finish this year, so therefore I'm working on her for this blog. Bye!
Sjoukje

Gothic Rose

Here is the first picture of my first ever HAED, I started it in January, I will be doing some more stitching on this within the next few weeks, hopefully I will get quite a bit more done and then I will have another update for you.

Congratulations Cindy and Wendy on your blog, I am thrilled to be here!

Wintery Heirloom update

This is my most current picture of my Wintery Heirloom update. There isn't much to show really. There is only about 200 more stitches in this picture than the last picture. Thank you so much for all the comments on my previous post. The threads are very easy to work with once you get the hang of it. If you haven't tried it ...you should. It is realy easy however, the strings can drive you nuts while you are learning to use the process.

Mask of Colors

Here is the HAED I completed in 2007. It is Linda Ravencroft's "Mask of Colors". I finished in it about 18 months. I loved working on it, I don't know why I haven't framed it yet!

QS Iris; A New Beginning

Hello everyone!

Thank you SO much for letting me join in on the fun! I'm going to love seeing everyone's projects emerge from your fabrics, and I know that I'll be inspired to keep stitching on my own, after I get started!!

I've already purchased a number of HAED just since December. It appears that I have a bit of an addiction problem, but I really do plan to stitch them all, and have more on my wish list! It will keep me out of worst trouble.

This is the first one that I've also purchased my fabric and all of the flosses. There are over 90 different colors in this small pattern, but I love the color combinations, and thought that it would be a good entry project. It is the QS Iris, artwork by Josephine Wall, and designed by Michele Sayetta.

Even though I won't be home this coming Thursday, I am taking this project with me, along with my other current project. I'm a big fan of gridding, so I hope to get at least some of that done during this trip. The light in the motel room isn't that great, but I've got my portable light and magnifier that clips onto my hoop. Hopefully, I'll find something to clip it onto, to do my gridding.

I'm looking forward to sharing our progress, and getting to know each of you! I hope that everyone has a great week, with no visits from those frogs!

Suzie

Yoyo says Hello

Hello fellow stitchers. I'm Yoyo, I have a real name but have been called Yoyo for more than 50 years, so that will do fine. I am almost embarrassed to enter this blog with my little tiny Storykeep. But I have been working on this for a very long time and I feel like I'm getting no where. In the past I've done several Teresa Wentzler pieces so when I purchased my first HAED's I just figured they'd be like the TWs...but for me that just isn't the case. I will admit though, that I'm much older now and do have a lot more trouble with my eyes than when I was stitching Peacock Tapestry.

I'm working on my first HAED, Atlantis Storykeep, artwork by Selena Fenech, and have two more Storykeeps and Cindy F.'s Santa in his Study in my stash...which up until this blog came along I had almost decided would never see the light of day. But hopefully, forcing me to publish continuing progress may change my mind on that score. You'll notice in my photos that I have gridded my fabric. I actually had stitched about 65 rows before I decided to do that. If any of you are older like me, I will highly recommend that you take the time to do it before you start. I had several visits from the ubiquitous frog before I did that. Gridding the fabric made a huge difference for me, I have not misplaced one stitch that I know of since I did this and I really seem to be moving along a lot faster (read with a lot less frustration!!) than before. So, here is my first photo. I don't count stitches or hours, but I can say I'm about 45% done because of the number of rows in the project. I'm eagerly looking forward to watching all your projects. I have already learned that I should have done this with only one strand of floss (it's DMC 2 over 1 on 25 ct linen) and I'm sure I'll pick up more tips along the way. Thank you all for sharing your projects, I really enjoyed reading all the previous posts.

Happy Stitching,

My blog: Dragon My Needle
Home of the Totally Useless SAL, come join the fun!!

Minerva Update

I worked on Minerva a little bit more last night before I went to bed. I've got right about 600 stitches in her right now. It just looks like a tiny dark blue blob. LOL

I've got a closer picture, too. There are actually two different colors in that blob. I'll be honest, the only way I know that there are two colors is because I can see the difference on the back. Can you see the two colors?

Most of my stitching is done on the weekends, so I probably won't have another update until next weekend or Monday. I hope everyone makes great progress on their pieces!

Intro - Carolina

Hi! My name is Caroline and I live in London, Ontario Canada. This is my first HAED and I'm so glad this blog has started because I could sure use the encouragement! I am stitching "Big Bear Falls" and only have about 500 stitches in the top - so it's just a little blue blob! I will post a progress picture on Friday with a bigger blue blob....... I love looking at all of your projects - so many different choices!

Minerva's Melody

Hello all! My name is BW and I just started my first HAED. I am stitching Minerva's Melody by Josephine Wall.

I have had this piece in my to do pile for quite a while now. I started on her today and have gotten about 300 stitches in. Of course with a HAED, that doesn't really show anything. Especially since they are all one color. LOL When I get a bit more done (or at least another color going) I'll post a progress pictures.

I am stitching this on 28 ct evenweave. I started in the upper right corner and am tent stitching.

I can't wait to get to know you ladies better.

Susan's Sunnia Golden Dragon WIP

Hi everyone-My name is Susan and I am currently stitching on "Sunnia Golden Dragon" by Linda Tso. I have been working on this for over 2 years-I used to stitch on it about once a month during the HAED SAL, but this year, I am trying to finish her so I am trying to stitch on her more.. So far I have managed to get 1 whole page and 2 half pages done. Oh-I am tent stitching 1x1 on 25 count.

I have finished one HAED -Linda Ravencroft's "Mask of Colors". It is from when Linda's designs were available directly from HAED, and I finished her about 2 years ago. I still don't have her framed! I also have several others I have started, but don't work on very much. You might see those pop up if I decide to pull one out on a whim!

I'm glad this blog has been started-there are so few of us who stitch HAED's and blog, so it is nice to a place where we can all get together and admire each others work!

Faery Tales and A Wintery Heirloom

I am Vickie and I am in the process of stitching not one but two HAED projects right now!!! I know..I must be insane. I am currently stitching Faery Tales and A Wintery Heirloom. A Wintery Heirloom is a design I am stitching with my friend Kim from WI. We made a vow to stitch on it at least 3 hours a week on it. I have put in 1900 stitches and have completed 1/4 of page 1. This design is around 24 pages.

Faery tales is in my rotation. I have rotation of 17 projects that I work on at least 4 days then I switch. I am almost finished with the first page. This design is around 34 pages or so. I have a long way to go on it.

As you can see from my stitching that I love to carry my threads and it looks like I have a big mess...but it is the easiest way I have found to stitch huge projects. I can't wait to see what everyone else is working on!!!!

Valerie - Goldilocks

Bonjour à toutes!

You can guess that I speak French... I'm from Québec, Canada so I'll do my best with English, excuse my mistakes! With you I'll improve my cross stitch and language skills!

I'll start my first HAED design, I chose the beautiful Goldilocks... and desesperatly waiting for my threads... should be in my mail box by Wednesday! I cross stitch since I'm 14 (now 26) but that's my first real big challenge.

I'll give you news! And of course pictures of my work.

Bon point de croix (Point de croix is the French for cross stitch ;))

xxxx

Sunken Treasure

Hello ladies! I'm Melissa and this year am attempting to stitch my very first HAED. I picked Schimmel's Sunken Treasure, thinking it would eventually look awesome in my son's room...as long as they are still living at home when I finish it, that is. Up until the past week I hadn't really put much time into it, but seeing the progress of Cindy F, I was inspired to work a little harder on it. What it WILL look like (hopefully):

It's current progress:


Looking forward to seeing all the progress on your HAED's!

Jolly Old Fellow - progress pic

Here is my progress at the end of Week 6 (240 stitching hours). I'm about 2/3 through page 3.

I won't be stitching again on JOF till mid March, as I'll be away on a camping holiday.