"Holly" Biscornu And Back To Russia

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all readers of my blog!

So much has happened since my previous post... My mother broke her hip and I had to go back to Russia to take care of her. From the airport I went straight to hospital and since that time I have not had a proper rest yet. I brought mother home from hospital on the third day after the operation. Mother was in a lot of pain before and after the operation and I spent all the time at mother's bed. Now mother is much better though we still have bad days now and then. The way to recovery at her age is going to be very slow and long…

I want to thank all my friends who have supported my family at this difficult time. I do not know what I would do without you.

I have not been blogging for about 2 months, and have been missing it so much. I am looking forward to reading your blogs and seeing your pretty projects. Since next week I hope I am able to visit your blogs on a more regular basis.

Now I will show you my last creations which I did not have time to post about. I started “Holly” collection way back in November and finished two items: biscornu and bourse before I had to leave for Russia.

Here is “Holly” Biscornu , front:
and its back:

I have long wanted to make a biscornu with some Hardanger . In this design the Hardanger stitches help create delicate frost around the Holly and make the biscornu look so festive.
I had to help my customer to make a bourse (you will see her picture a little later) and I made a "Holly" pattern to match the print which I used for lining the bourse:










If you are interested in buying my designs, please send an e-mail to me. My address is in Profile.
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I also wanted to show my Mary Wigham Sampler. Before I left for Russia it looked like this:
Mary has been such a great companion for me during my long flights and during sleepless nights. This is how it looks now:
The Sampler is stitched on 26 count Evenweave , one over one, with DMC floss.
I've made some changes in the pattern and substituted some floss. I stitched initials of my husband and me , and arranged them in the way the Russian women stitched marriage projects in old times ( birds facing each other, a crown, initials).
Before I left for Russia I finished the third ornament for Find The Cure Auction and mailed the ornaments. Unfortunately, I have not heard if my ornaments reached the destination, I can only hope that they did.
My customers finished some of my designs and I'd like to share their pictures with you.
Brenda from London ( no blog) finished "My Rose Garden" Biscornu and she said she enjoyed working on this project. She's done a great job on the biscornu, hasn't she?
Martina made the "Snowflakes" bourse. You can see more pictures on her blog. She was very creative and made a lovely bourse.
She also asked me to invite the readers of my blog to take part in her PIF. I would take part in it myself, if I had less problems with my mother's health. If you have time, please, visit Martina's blog, a young blogger and a young mother. You might find a good friend there!
Brenda and Martina , thank you very much for your pretty pictures and your pretty work.
Before my rip I got some surprise from my dear friends.
First arrived a package from Olga (UK). She stitched an Angel-Stitcher for me! Olga chose a great pattern for me, it has everything that I love in cross stitch and she finished it so nicely! I just love the ruched edge! The Angel will always sit on my stitching table. Thank you very much for your gift Olga!

The second package was from Mylene, another very pleasant surprise!
I have never seen a more pretty design with Russian dolls Matryoshkas. They are so cheerful, I always smile when look at them. Mylene is so good at making pinkeeps!
I am very happy to have this wonderful gift from you Mylene.
Sorry, no flowers' pictures for you today. I want to show some landscape pictures:
of my home when I left it:
and pictures of my home in Russia when I came here:

I hope you stay safe and warm in these cold winter days.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Your comments are always treasured by me.
Happy Stitching to everyone!