Fruits of perseverance

HI EVERYONE !







Would you like to join me just for a moment ? Open your mind and let me take you with me... you will now enter in my last stitching week.

My first pleasure of the day is to come here, on this blog.
Meeting new people with wonderful projects, opening my eyes wide when I see the beautiful progress of each one, seeing this blog's community growing, reading your hopes and fears about your HAED's journey and understanding how much they are close to mine... This all makes me fell happy and hopeful.
So the day has just begun, and there are already smiles on my face...



And then, she calls me... My Winter Angel is waiting for me. Threads are ready, light is on, and we can hear a bewitching sound of music from Loreena McKennitt. Now the conductor, me, must sit down and play the melody of stitching...






My aim for this week was to complete the first page. I was telling me that I can probably do it. But, to tell the truth, I didn't know how. The sky was available to me. But then came the leaves and the roses... all the details and the different colors, that was really new for me. So, I tried to stitch step by step. I must say that I was filled with wonder at each new color I used. Cocoa, pine green, mustard, and so on...Threads are delightful for the eyes.

I remember that I read many times again all your comments on my last post. In fact, sometimes, I needed you to feel equal to my aim. Again, your words galvanized me. And you know what ? I achieved it ! I think that the rose garden on the back is the hardest part of the chart. But it's worth it so much ! When I look at these delicate finished leaves, I can just imagine a little breeze making them rustle...

Is stitching something magical ? Yes, that's the way I see it.

Thank you all for cheering me up.

Thank you for beeing here.

And I would like to finish my post by telling one thing : fruits of perseverance are simply delicious...


This is before :




And this is now :





Happy stitching to you all !
Thank you for reading me...

Marie.

Introduction

Hola!

I'm Carla from Lima - Perú. Started stitching my first HAED on January of this year and to date I have 2 quick stitches on the go. For my first HAED I chose Tag Alongs (artwork by Hannah Disney) and I'm also participating in the HAED's freebie SAL with Dark Cherry (artwork by Ching Chou-Kuik). I'll be participating on Thursday's SAL with Dark Cherry as I wan't to actually finish it this year :)

Here are pics of my two pieces ...

QS Tag Alongs

QS Dark Cherry

Meanwhile, back in the Garden...

I'm so tickled that I found this blog because it gave me the nudge I needed to pull a couple of my HAED BAPs out of hibernation and give them some love. So without further ado, A Peacock and Doves in a Garden.

In the second pic you can see where I blew up the chart photo so you can see how it will look in 2020 when I finish. lol

I've also dusted off St Nick in His Study, but Santa will have to wait a little bit while I spend this week in the Garden. Ok, back to the point of a SAL... actually stitching! :)

Thursday SAL

Are you ready for another Thursday Stitch-a-Long? We can't wait to see your progress and we hope you're enjoying your stitching:)

Just a heads-up! Our first giveaway is April 1st, but beginning with the May 1st drawing, to be eligible you must have posted some progress on any of your pieces between the previous drawing and the upcoming drawing.

Wendy and I want the giveaways to be fair and we realize life gets in the way, but we don't want people joining just to win our giveaways. We have 85 members so far and we have asked everyone wanting to join if they are currently stitching or about to start an HAED. The public is more than welcome to view AND leave comments, but members are limited to actual HAED stitchers.

You guys are one of the nicest groups we've been apart of and we're very proud of all of you and your beautiful stitching! We love your comments! You're all wonderful cheerleaders....and enablers;)
Hugs!! and have fun...enjoy the process!
Cindy F.

Terri's Midweek Update.

Here is what I was working on since Sunday. I was working on Tarot of Dreams. I am now switching to a non-haed project. When I'm done a certain part then I'll switch to Water and finish the page. Anyways here is the picture of Tarot of Dreams. Not much done but alas it is more than what I had lol. On 28 ct Lugana White Evenweave 1 over 1.

Daydreaming Fairy March SAL

This past weekend, I worked on QS Daydreaming Fairy for the BB Freebie SAL. Here's my progress:




I'm really enjoying stitching her. She's 1x1 on 28 count evenweave.

And I've also made some progress on Faulkner's TT BoPeep:



She's 1x1 on 32 count lugana.

I'll be joining in the SAL tomorrow with Storykeeper. Everyone's stitching is gorgeous- I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's progress this week!

Gabi, you asked what my other 9 WIPs besides Storykeeper are.
Full size: Anderson's Moth Queen (have less than a page done on her)
Daniels' Luna (working on her only during the BB retired artist SAL)
Sessler's Calming the Tempest
QS: Butcher's Leo ACEO (one page to go)
Mastrangelo's Easter Bunny (he's a companion to Buttercup Bunny which i finished last year)
Daydreaming Fairy
SK: Vacher's Automne
TT: Faulkner's Bo Peep
PTP: Mastrangelo's Bleeding Hearts and Tulips

beth

Newby Join

Hello Cindy
thanks for your patience in tring to get the link to work for me so I can join . In the meantime our family is in FL on vacation - so that is why it took me so long to comment.
We live in Upstate NY and so needed this vacation and having a blast. On our way to the pool it is 80 degrees here and gorgeous in Orlando.
Talk to you all soon when I get back to NY
Spending all day friday evening and Sat in NYC - then off to Albany
bye for now
Vanessa

Michele and HAED

Just in case there's anyone who doesn't already know how fabulous Michele from HAED is, let me give two examples.

My first purchase was a single QS, not a big sale for Michele. After I completed my order, I e-mailed her and asked if she could send me the stitch count or the finished size because that info wasn't listed, as it is for most designs. She quickly answered and sent me a scanned copy of the title page with all the info I need to buy my material. Any other "store" would have said "I don't know" or "The info will be in your pattern". Not Michele!

I spent all day yesterday looking at each and every pattern on the HAED site and ended up with a wish list of 9! I couldn't decide between two of them, I wanted to buy one immediately. Each had lots of detail that I just couldn't see on my screen. Again I e-mailed her (7 PM) and WITHIN THE HOUR, she sent me two pictures that I could enlarge to my heart's content! I never expected such a quick response AND I had enough time left to make my decision AND buy it during the sale!!!!! More than I even hoped for!

Now if only I could buy all 9, quit my day job, and just stitch HAEDs all day...
Sabine

I've updated my blog

I've updated my blog with my Lavender Moon progress if anybody wants to look http://jessneal1978.blogspot.com/

My other two HAED WIPs

I have not been stitching these last two weeks on Santa's List, but on my other two HAED WIPs. I stitched about 3000 stitches on Fairy Village by Lisa Victoria, which was easier than it sounds because it was shockingly boring amount of black and black-brown, just two colors with an occasional different shade thrown in here and there. Here is a current pic:

And I also pulled out my long neglected May I Have This Dance and stitched about another 1200 stitches on it. Here is an updated picture:

I have been so motivated by this blog, and looking at all the beautiful projects, that I have practically only stitched on my HAEDS lately, and sadly neglected my other stitching. Oh well, I stitch for enjoyment :-).

Happy stitching everyone!

Hi from SL

I am Fatema from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
I was introduced to HAED in 2007.
My favourite designer from HAED was Jim Warren.
I waited for a sale and bought 3 of his designs.
I have yet to do them though.

Recently people in all my groups started talking of HAED and it prompted me to dig through my stash and found I want to do Old World Map.

I started this on 16ct Antique white on Saturday.

I have yet to finish my first block though as I am stitching all over the place.
There are many confetti stitches.

I have another 10 in my to do list.

I have more in my stash and yet more in my wishlist.

I think I am in hook,line and sink.

Well thats it from a rainy Sri Lanka.

TC.
Happy week.
Fatema.

Daydreaming progress March

Been trying for days to find where to post, hope this is it!! Stitched all weekend on Daydreaming, got lots done on page 2. I was so bogged down on page 1, hated all that pale background, and the confetti in the hair was so tedious. But now I have an eye, and it's lovely. Now to try to put the pic in.

Anita

Mimosa's Introduction

Hi everyone!
My name is Mimosa from Japan, I'm happy to join in this wonderful blog. I found and challenged HAED about 3 years ago, but I gave up on that time. Then, I started again another HAED and have been stitching it from last Sep. Right now, I have 7 HAED wips.

Here are my current wips.

Salamander by Ian Daniels














QS The Langsuir by Ian Daniels














QS Red Rose Tatto by CC-Kuik














Dark Cherry by CC-Kuik














I can't wait to see all your wips, and am happy to share my HAED.

Happy Stitching,
Mimosa

New Start Soon!

I am preparing for a new start! I am joining Lisa and Sally and I think another who are also going to be starting a new HAED design. I think I have settled on TT Violet Sometimes..... well I should rephrase that - I WILL be starting on TT Violet Sometimes - after all I have the fabric on order and also the threads that I dont have for it.

I have worked a little more on QS Black Cherry this weekend, but not as much as I had hoped. But then every little bit of stitching is progress I suppose. I shall upload a piccie soon for you to see.

Sabine's Intro

Hi! First, a big thank you to Cindy F. and Wendy for starting this blog and allowing HAED addicts from around the world share this hobby! I have a co-worker who thinks I must be a masochist for enjoying this!



I am Sabine, a 37 year old single mom of a 19 year old son. We live in Texas with my six year old male Jack Russell terrier, Homer. I work full time in guest relations for an international motel chain.



I have been stitching for about a year and a half, self taught from the humble beginnings of a bad kit. I don't grid my fabric, park my threads, or work a 10x10 square and I assume this slows me down. I tend to learn new skills as I need them to complete a pattern I like.



I purchased my first HAED last Fall, QS Storykeeper by Selene Fenech, but only started 3 days ago. I love stitching 1x1 (on 25ct antique white Lugana)! I am seriously thinking of purchasing a second HAED, something with more "happy" colors (that's my story...and I'm sticking to it). Although I am drooling over Fenech's Catch Me.



Here is my first week's little bit of progress:

Progress on both sides Vibrant Vista

It seems I like living dangerously, I mean, stitching dangerously LOL. As I told you, I started on both times, and decided to work on both sides at the time, hoping they meet somewhere in between. To make it a little less dangerous I only do the upper pages that way, so the damage will not be too much, when it turns out I miscounted ....
In fact I am planning to start a second piece too, on the same piece of fabric. If you want to know the reason, please read my blog. It just seems to me it will be convenient.

The result will be this in a couple of years :)

Firefly Ashwood

Well I stitched a couple of days with the Firefly, there was so much the same color that it almost did stitch itself..... This is not a a difficult work like the Zodiac of Marchetti. no confetti (yet).
almost boring. So I watched movie's during stitching. I looked Dejavu with Denzel Washington (crime) and August Rush. An incredible story about love and music. I know it is not about stitching. But i didnt have much to tell.

Maxine's Update

I didn't stitch much at all last week (again!!) I don't know why because I really want to stitch but when I get sat down I just can't be bothered! I did stitch on Thursday for the HAED SAL and for a change (thought it might make me stitch a bit more) I gor Dragon Riders out. I stitched for what seemed like quite a while but it soesn't look like I got that much done. It's by Steve Roberts and this is what it wil look like when it's done....

All I managed to get done was the start of page 3. I think I might stick with this this week and try to get at least half a page done. Thanks for reading and leaving your comments :)

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

My best friend...

Good morning everybody !

Monday...the beginning of a new week, full of promises... I'm hopeful that everyone will find moments for slaking his thirst of stitching...

Today I want to show you my precious workmate...
For my HAED journey, I needed something solid, practical and easy to handle. I didn't want to use a hoop, because I was afraid of the marks that it would have left on my work. So, during many days, I have searched in stores and then on the web some solution on my problem. I found nothing in France. Out of spite, I was roaming on the web until...by chance... I saw exactly what I was looking for ! But I noted that the artisan was in Canada. Hum.. I don't know why, but I thought it was over for me. Nevertheless, I finally try my luck by sending them an e-mail and explaining how much I was interested. I had the good surprise to have the possibility to order and receive it at home ! This is what I did. It is called a "Lap Stand", and for me, it is my best friend... Here is a picture of it :




I found this marvelous creation by Hearthside Craftworks. And in addition, I met two hopeful and nice people who are Helen and John, the makers and the owners of this firm. When I stitch on my lap stand, I often think of them.

As I wrote it, the lap stand took a very important part in my HAED journey. That's why I wanted to share it with you all.
Now, the only thing I have to tell you is : HAPPY STITCHING !!

Thank you everybody !

Goldilocks update

Hi everyone!!!

Here's the result of my week's stitching... I think I'm really addicted to HAED now. That's my first one and I love the experience. I already have a long wish list of new patterns!!

There are the before and after pictures:

Good bye and I really like to see your progress!

Bon point de croix!

Mich - Temporary stop !!

Ggggrrrrrr, I just broke my stitching frame, so I'm forced to have a stop on my stitching, I'm afraid. And I can only go to the shop on Tuesday evening, to get a new one. Let's hope that they have a kind that I like, or to be positive, let's just hope they have that at all ...

My frame has been a true friend for almost 15 years, because I bought it on a trip to USA, so actually it reminds me of my beautiful trips to USA. Funny how such a stupid thing like a stitching frame can be such a memory !! But well, he has been a good help to me, because I cannot stitch without it, then my work would look awfull.

Fingers crossed for me that I will find what I'm looking for on Tuesday evening.

Qs Motherhood

Hello again.

I thought I would show you my new start which I started yesterday.

I am tent stitching two strands over 1 on 28 count. I must admit that I was daunted when I looked at the confetti but I am loving it and cant wait to get to her face.

I know there is not a deal to look at but I am proud of it.

Introducing myself :)

My name is Gabi, I'm 48 years old, living in Australia, and tackling soon my first HAED. I fell in love with Manhattan Wonderland by Jane Wooster Scott some while ago. I finally purchased it, the fabric is ordered, and soon as it arrives I can start. Even I don't mind stitching over 1, I figured that for such a big piece I rather try to stitch on 22 count Aida with 2 strands. And with the type of painting Manhattan Wonderland is, that should work out fine. (I hope so at least....lol)



I'm admiring all work here, and they all look lovely.

this weeks progress

Although the main reason I got so much done is I had my grandson only half a day today :(
I am happy with my progress... My grandson has a cold, but is doing fine... When I am
done posting the pic I am headed upstairs to do some more stitching on Red Poppy ; HAED
:) love it... how did I ever put this piece down :) Laura

Introduction

Hi, everyone! Thanks to Cindy and Wendy for organizing this blog, and for sending the invite to join!
My name is Beth, I recently moved back to NJ. I've been stitching on and off for nearly 30 years, but picked it up again about 7 years ago. I found HAED 3 years ago, and was instantly hooked. Right now, I have 10 HAED WIPs. I have a few finishes (1 full size, a couple of QS, Storykeeps and Tiny Treasures).

My first full-sized HAED finish, Wicked Tricksy & False (artist: Jasmine Becket-Griffith):


Stitched 1x1 on 32 count off-white belfast linen. They took me just over 2 years to stitch.

I'm hoping to have my second full-size finish by the end of this year. Storykeeper (artist: Selena Fenech) was the first HAED chart i purchased. I've been working on her just over 3 years. Here's my progress as of this past week:


She's stitched 1x1 on 25 count off white evenweave.

everyone's stitching is beautiful!
beth

HAED is awesome

Quick update - my fabric just arrived. I've been trying to find the time to grid it, but I've had four college kids home for spring break - just isn't happening yet. I have to tell you how awsome Bob and Michelle at HAED are. I downloaded my pattern and then decided (with everyone's help TY) that I'd like the background removed, as I'm stitching on black. Since this is my first HAED, they were gracious enough to allow me to pay the difference. (I do realize that it's a one time deal only.) When I'd originally bought the pattern, it wasn't on sale, but now is. She went ahead and refunded me for the pattern and charged me again for the pattern with deleted background on sale. Did you know they delete most of those backgrounds by hand? And she had it ready for me very soon afterwards. Since I'd had some questions about how to do all this, I'd called. Michelle was so nice and such a pleasure to talk with. These are people I want to keep in business. So, thank you, HAED. Hope to actually have some stitching on it this week. Everyone's progress looks phenomenal - so inspirational!
Carolyn NC

A Wintery Heirloom update

I worked on AWH last night and was able to put in about 300 stitches. This tree is nothing but confetti stitches so it makes it a little hard to make much progress. I have about 1.6% finished on this project.....so I am LONG way from being finished!! I am so glad that I was able to explain the hanging threads method easily enough for everyone to understand. Please fill free to email me if you have any questions. I will be happy to help!!!

Introducing myself

Good morning everyone. My name is Kathy A. and I am 56 and I live in Ontario, Canada, not far from my BFF Beatrice, who introduced herself earlier.
I have been an avid stitcher for over 20 years. Beatrice' mother, Adriana, who is now 92 and still stitching, was my teacher. She stitched a Lavender and Lace "Nantucket Rose" for me and said that from here on in I would have to do my own stitching. I was hooked.
I have been stitching madly since I retired in 2001 with my DH. I belong to a large stitching group in Canada that keep me inspired and enabled. In the winter, my DH and I winter in Southern Arizona. My stitching community then focuses on the internet since I have not found a single stitcher in my area!!!
Several months ago Beatrice and I were surfing the web and we came across HAED designs and immediately fell in love with them. We both purchased one and I spent the last few months gathering all the required threads for the both of us. What a collection of threads and colors we have.
I started my HAED on Thursday thanks to this blog and all it's inspirations. Here is my HAED

Peacock's Lagoon

and here is my progress after 3/12 hours and 250 stitches.

I am stitching on 25 count antique white Lugana 1 over 1. I can see this is going to take a while. I think I will consider this my ten year project.

You can check out my other stitching projects on my blog. www.kathyssitandstitch.blogspot.com

Till next time
Kathy

Ice Dragon King,

Well first of all let me introduce myself. My name is Beatrice and I live in Ontario Canada.
I started stitching 2005 and this is my first HAED over one.
I'm in love with this. And I'm not in a hurry. I have many Project on the go so I do a daily rotation. This will work for me on Thursdays.
I also have a blog if you would like to have a look. Stitching with a view.
Thank you ladies for sharing all of your beautiful pieces... this is so inspiring!!

Stitch with Happy Fingers!
See you again soon.

Insane or addicted?

Reading all your entries and looking at the beautiful pictures, I get a little bit frustrated of having so little time to stitch LOL. I've seen several pictures of which I actually bought the chart in the last few years. Yesterday I took a look at my purchase history on HAED and I have been buying charts since april 2007. I have 26 orders done, and most of them are orders of two or three charts. That makes 49 charts, and I also bought two printed versions, so in total I own 51 charts (not to mention the non-HAED charts I have in my stash) !
How come I only finished one, and started two??? Yesterday I received a new chart, according to the new program on finishes, and at this moment I have added two beautiful designs added to my shopping cart. Am I insane or just addicted? Who can tell???
Well, I actually did stitch quite some bit this last week. I use to stitch from right to left, and on Vibrant Vista I started in the left corner. So this morning I decided to count, recount and re-recount and start in the right corner as well. I am going to work on both sides and hope both sides will meet somewhere in between LOL.

Dark Cherry Update

Here's the about 400-500 stitches that I did on Thursday after getting the new page.

I have to admit that I didn't actually do any on the old page, but that's because I'd have had to move the hoop each time I wanted to change location of work. I'll just have to force myself to get more of that confetti done somehow.

And again... I LOVE the new page. :)

More "Bunny on Path"

Hi Everyone!
Kim from Florida here. I made much more progress this week, especially since I didn't have to deal with any little froggies this time!
Also, I stitched on Wednesday, Thursday, and a bit on Friday. Now I can see what the entire width of the project is. I'm so excited because soon I'm going to be stitching the beautiful purple shades of his coat!
I really need to pick up a few DMC colors - but I'm afraid to go to the craft store. I must be strong and put my blinders on and focus only on FLOSS! Wish me luck!
I'm loving this blog - what an inspiration! It's so much fun to encourage each other, I feel I'm a part of every project. I look forward to all the new postings!

New to Blog

Hi! I am Claire and I am 32 years old. I live near Lincoln in the UK. I am married (11 years) and have a daughter who is 9 years old this week.


I have been stitching since about the age of 9 on and off. Mum taught me after I enjoyed watching her stitching.


I have stithed on HAED's for a little while but sadly only managed to finish just 1. I love the look of the designs, the colours and the idea of how stunning they are when completed - but I have had so many starts its unbelievable.


The design I have finished is Dragon Fae Storykeep in 2006 which I stitched along with Lisa. At the moment I am working hard on QS Black Cherry as part of the SAL on the HAED board. I am also planning to make a new start in April - although not completely decided on what!

Mich - So much blue this week !!

Goodmorning everybody, sorry for my late post, but yesterday I worked long hours and didn't have the courage anymore to post something. Bot of course, I had some courage left to stitch ;-))



This was what I stitched the first week I started with my HAED. I found it was going rather slow, because the cabin exists of only confetti stitches, so there was a lot of counting and searching involved.

This week I did a lot of the blue part (nothing compared of course with ALL the blue that I will have to stitch on this work), but this one advanced so much faster as all stitches were lying in each others neighborhood.

I think I will need 2 more days and then I will have stitched the first page of my pattern. And I'm still a first class addict, I can't stop !! ;-))