Chenille needles and cupcake embroidery

Here is a picture of my new absolute favorite embroidery needles - these are dmc chenille needles. They are size 24. I love these needles for three reasons - first because of the nice sized eye - long and oval and very easy to thread. Second, because they are extemely sharp. Third, because they are short in length so they seem easier to manipulate. I bought these at Michaels.

I also have some cupcake embroidery wip pictures - this first one is so sweet ;) and I especially want to point out the leaves at the top of the cherry stems. I actually used the fish bone stitch! It is just the thing for leaves - I think they look so beautiful! I am really excited to be using stitches I have learned because of the 100 Stitches project!

This last picture is of a just finished stitching. In this picture you can also see my new plastic embroidery hoop! I love the color and I am really liking the way it firmly holds fabric. I still love my wood hoops but they don't seem to keep the fabric as taut as this new plastic hoop.

wip from a new pattern packet

Here is a picture of my latest work-in-progress: Cupcakes!

When finished, this will be a three-tiered cake stand loaded up with delicious looking cupcakes!

I am using quite a few different color combinations and stitching combinations. The chain stitch in a lovely pale pink for the border of the cupcake paper:

The lazy daisy stitch and plenty of french knots in lavender and yellow:


And of course the running stitch in pink and red and my favorite back stitch outlining everything!

This cake stand pattern is just one of the "main patterns" I have in this new pack. I will be blogging the other main pattern soon - it features three cupcakes on doilies lined up in a row with the word cupcakes! below them. I have already sized it to fit into a picture frame and I can't wait to finish it!