Let's help out the Italian earthquake victims as we stitch!

Last month, Niky (Niky's Creations) in Italy asked me if I would design a very small piece that would be part of a collaboration project to support the victims of the 2012 Italian earthquakes.  Of course, I said "yes".

The  designers for this special project are from France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the US.   All of our donated designs will be assembled together in a folder and will be sold only at the Formigine needlework show in Italy this September.  All proceeds of the chart sales will benefit La Lucciola, a therapy center for children.

Being a sampler lover, I decided that my project, entitled Flowers for My Friends, had to have an alphabet.  I also wanted to include a vase of flowers and a bird. I hope you like it.

When creating my design, I asked Niky what threads Italian stitchers use most, and she said DMC so I designed and stitched my model using eight colors of DMC threads.  Of course, you could easily change your threads to overdyed cotton or silk threads. Also I cross stitched my model completely over two linen threads which means you can stitch yours also over two linen threads, or stitch it over one linen thread for a tiny piece, or stitch it on aida.  Once stitched, you can frame your piece or make it into a small pillow, pincushion, or a needlebook.  Perhaps you have other ideas. The possibilities are endless.

I hope you'll seriously consider supporting this very needy and worthy cause by purchasing the charts.

If you can't make it to the Italian needlework show and you're interested in ordering the charts, please email Niky at nicoletta.farrauto@alice.it  before September.  Just think you can help others and at the same time get a special collection of needlework charts.