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Fabulous Fall - Limited Edition Pack - NEW

The fourth and final design in the Class in a Kit
Seasonal Biscornu Series

This is the last of the four seasonal biscornus from 'The Girls from Oz' collaboration. The kit comprising a skein of silk specially created for this project by Dinky Dyes Threads, and chart and instructions from me. Follow the comprehensive stitching and finishing instructions and learn how to sequence overdyed threads and create your very own ‘Fabulous Fall’ tuffet.

Stitches used: Cross Stitch, Back Stitch and Whipstitch.

Fabric required: 2 x 6" squares of Zweigart’s 28 count Cashel linen ‘Yellow’.

 

 

 

The Krazy Kitties! - NEW

For all those stitchers who have asked for cat designs ... here are two of a fun 'quick stitch' group of designs in the Itty Bitty Series that I have started to work on.

The little pamphlets include a chart for the front and the back of the kitty, an alphabet chart and suggested floss colours. I do not include any finishing instructions because there are so many ways you could choose to use these designs. But be warned! These little kitties are extremely addictive ...

These two charts will be available for purchase from your local LNS or OLNS by mid June.

Stitches Used: Cross stitch over two threads, cross stitch over one thread and backstitch.

Both Kitties stitched with Dinky-Dyes silk

 Silk packs available

 

 

Itty Bitty Series - Krazy Kitties
Ned Kelly Kitty

Ned Kelly Kitty was released at the Perth, Western Australia's Craft and Stitches Show early this month.   Aimed primarily at the Australian market, Ned Kelly Kitty was the first of the Krazy Kitties to be 'born'. a

 

THE GARDEN CHAIR

 Here is the second in the ‘Lounge Suite series’ ... a very pretty companion to ‘The Peacock Stitching Chair’. Flowers, hearts and ribbons surround a lovely little ode to friends stitched ‘over one’ on the chair back. Your customers will find this design just too delicious to resist! The little seat drawer is still there, but in addition we have included a parasol ‘tool caddy’ for a tiny pair of scissors and laying tools. There’s even a tiny pillow scissor fob.

The pack comprises the design pamphlet, comprehensive finishing instructions with step by step photographs, construction templates, wooden bead feet, silver beads and hat pin hardware to construct the parasol.

Stitched on  32 count Belfast Linen ‘Mint Green’ (3609/633/55) from Zweigart’s with Dinky Dyes silk threads and ribbon.

Dinky-Dyes Silk pack and Dinky-Dyes Ribbon Pack available

Add a pair of our new scissors which were designed especially to go with this new chair

 

   

 

 

Le Coffre Du Trésor De la Reine
(The Queen's Treasure Chest)


A stitching caddy fit for a Queen ... This design was inspired by my travels to France last year and my continuing fascination with all things 'Marie Antoinette'. The outside of the box has been kept deliberately beautiful and plain ... with the intial band on the ribbon giving just a hint of what might be inside ... then untie the ribbon to discover the glorious stitching treasure within!

As you lift the lid the front panel falls open, revealing swags of roses, hearts, bows, tassels and pearls. Drawn thread pleated pockets run around three walls, in which to tuck your favourite stitcher's toys, a scissor slide can be found on the front panel to house a beautiful pair of embroidery scissors, and a mattress pin cushion is anchored to the base to hold divine pearl headed pins ... and everywhere you look there are delicate silk ribbon bows!

Stitched on 32 count 'White' Belfast Linen from Zweigart, using Gloriana and Dinky Dye silk threads and ribbons, this project actually stitches up quite quickly - but will require some patience to assemble.

 

Dinky-Dyes silk and ribbon pack available

add a pair of our new tiny 2 1/2 inch scissors to finish your Treasure Chest.

 

 

   

 

THE PURRR-FECT BOOKMARK

Nashville Needlework Market 2008 Exclusive

The quickest, cutest little stitch around! This little bookmark that takes just an evening to complete.

This little kit comprises a skein of an exclusive Dinky Dyes hand dyed silk, comprehensive design chart and finishing instructions. There is even an alphabet included to enable personalisation.

Model stitched on Zweigart’s 32 count Belfast Gold/Raw Linen (3609/018/55).

 
   

 

WINTER WONDERLAND

Biscornus are still so popular! Here is the third in our ‘Class in a Kit’ season series called ‘Winter Wonderland’.

Once again the ‘Girls from Oz’ collaborate to bring you a kit comprising a skein of silk specially created for this project by Dinky Dyes Threads, chart and instructions from The Cat’s Whiskers Design Studio, and two JABC buttons.

Designed to be stitched on Zweigart’s 28 count Cashel linen ‘Platinum’ (3281/770/55).

   

 

BIANCA’S SCISSOR POCKET

The third annual limited edition scissor pocket from The Cat’s Whiskers Design Studio is designed to house a pair of Gingher’s exclusive design ‘Bianca’ 4” embroidery scissors (Item#G-DS44).

With pretty butterflies and delicate flowers stitched in a limited edition Dinky Dye’s silk, on Zweigart’s 32 count Belfast Linen ‘Mint Green’ (3609/633/55) this gorgeous little kit will chase away the drabness of Winter and help you welcome Spring into your store!

The kit comprises 2 skeins of Dinky Dyes silk, comprehensive design chart and finishing instructions.

 

What A Hoot!

Model stitched on 32 count 'Toasted Almond' Belfast Linen from Zweigart,
using DMC threads and designed to house a pair of Putford Scissors from Kelmscott Designs.
Open him up and discover a place to store your needles, and Clover thread-cutter. Finished size 4.75" high

Please Note: Due to a techincal glitch in the chart, the colour denoted as
'38 Coffee Brown UD'
should read '838 Coffee Brown UD'

 

Spook - A - Boo!

A new secret message box top for your holiday stitching

This great Holiday design is stitched on 'Lilac' Belfast Linen with DMC threads

 

Christmas Angel 2007 Card Packs

A cute photograph of a stitched Angel is on the cover of each of cards in this pack and the chart is also included for you to stitch and frame, or make into an ornament.

Each pack contains 5 cards and envelopes and the chart to stitch your very own Christmas Angel

 

New Holiday Collaboration pack

This pack includes the charts and finishing instructions for the two ornaments pictured and all the silks needed to stitch and finish them

 

Two New Releases for June, 2007

There are fairies at the bottom of my garden ...
Splendid Fairy Wrens that is!

AND A BRAND NEW TEACHING KIT!

 


 
       
The Peacock Stitching Chair


       
Blessed With Happiness Embroidered Box


    
Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag
and Stitching Accessories



       
Grandma'
s Cushions Boxtop and Thread Wallet
(to match the recently released Stitching Accessories)
 

 
Limited Release 2007
Alyssum Scissor Pocket
 


A Stitcher's Meditation
Note Cards and Chart Pack
 


Spring Fever - Nashville 2007 Exclusive
A joint release kit from The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio
and Dinky Dyes Threads and Designs

 

We now distribute all of Janie's wonderful designsAll these designs can be ordered from us and we can ship immediately.

A note from Janie....

The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio is nestled in the Perth Hills, about 30 minutes drive from Perth City, Western Australia.

By day, we own and operate our own graphic design business in nearby Kalamunda, and by night we work in our studio - who needs sleep anyway?

The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio concept was the natural progression of our passion for a blend of needlework and fine woodwork.

And as for the name, well ... our life is ruled by two children and two cats ...and all four of them think they are The Cat's Whiskers!

 

'Red Desert Scissor Pocket'
Nashville Needlework Market 2006
Limited Edition


This little scissor pocket is a limited edition design, for sale
initially at the 2006 Nashville Needlework Market, and then
available until sold out during the 2006 year.

The design was inspired by the colours of Jo-ann Stores exclusive Gingher’s ‘Lanell’ design embroidery scissors. These colours can also be found throughout Australia, in the red earth of the desert regions, in the seed pods of our Australian trees, shrubs and grasses and in the bush in the heat of summer, when the clear
night skies are filled with twinkling stars ...

The kit contains graph, instructions on how to construct the pocket,
one skein each of Dinky Dye Silk #74 'Red Dust'
and Cotton #29 'Nullabor' and a copper button.

Oops! We have been informed of an error in the original printing of the graph for this little pocket. The basting line on the long lefthand side of the pocket graph should have been placed 4 threads from the cross-stitch border instead of 6 threads. We have corrected this error in a subsequent printing. If you have any questions regarding this 'oops' please email Janie direct on janie@thecatswhiskers.net.au

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'Feed My Soul Stitches' Embroiderer 's Companion

 

For those of us who can't bear the thought of leaving home without 'something to stitch on' close at hand, here is the perfect companion for the travelling embroiderer! Using DMC cotton threads, and stitched on 32 count 'Pearl Grey' Belfast Linen, this elegant little compendium will safely house your favourite pair of tiny scissors and your needles and pins during your journey.

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Click to enlarge image    Click to enlarge image

Dragonfly Jewels ~ First in the 'Secret Message' Series

Four wonderfully whimsical dragonflies, with their glittery wings, guard the little pearl of wisdom hidden beneath four little embroidered triangles. Undo the ribbon, and open the 'envelope' to reveal the secret message ...

Stitch this design for yourself or a special friend and remember to always 'fly away with your dreams, don't let them go!'

This pamphlet includes instructions on how to sequence overdyed threads, and how to construct and attach the secret message flaps.

Details:
Stitched on 32 count Antique White Belfast Linen
Stitch Count: 71h x 71w

Threads used:
Dinky Dye Silk Threads: #23 Amethyst,
#40 Daydream, #52 Emerald, #63 Stormy Sky
Kreinik Metallics No.4 Braid:
#9194 Star Green & #093 Star Mauve
Kreinik Metallics Blending Filament: #008 Green
Kreinik Cord: #105C Antique Silver
Box Mounted:
Onto a wooden box with 13cm (5.25") square insert.

 

'Indian Dreams'
~ Second in the 'Secret Message' Series

  


Dream of balmy nights in a mythical Indian palace of apricot-coloured marble. Smell the perfume of the climbing roses that adorn the palace arches, and marvel as majestic elephants bedecked in jewel colours pass you by. Stitched on 32 count 'Natural' Belfast Linen, which has a gold thread woven into the fabric, and using DMC threads and Mill Hill beads, this exotic sewing box and group of sewing accessories will brighten even the dullest day.

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AN ORIENTAL TRILOGY
A set of three designs for stitching accessories exploring the use of a monochromatic palette.

Inspired by the Chinese plate patterns and Oriental art pieces, these designs use two shades of Dinky Dye Silks each and are stitched on 28 count pure white Cashel linen. Finished with silk tassels and beautiful beads, these little stitching accessories will be an elegant edition to your 'stitching small's collection.

  

'Shades of Blue Willow'                 'Cherry Blossom Spring'
                                                           Model stitched by Ros Cumming
 

Fir Tree Mountain

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'Queen Anne's Lace' Boxtop and Sewing Accessories

Model stitched by Linda Nelson

Here is the second in our series of 'Beautiful Boxtops'. This time I have designed a gorgeous matching pin cushion and scissor fob to complete the set. Worked on 28 count 'Platinum' Cashel Linen, and using DMC linen threads, the design reflects the gentleness of a bygone era, when the ladies of the court sat together on warm afternoons. Perhaps they chose a secluded nook of the castle's walled garden, full of cottage flowers and climbing roses, to sit and work on their embroidery and catch up on the day's news.

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'Heartstrings'

       

‘Heartstrings’ is the first in a new series of ‘Heartfelt Sayings’. Cross stitched hearts, butterflies and sprigs of lavender are surrounded by pretty pink ‘heartstring’ ribbons, and finished with Mill Hill pink heart beads. Using the softest pinks and warm greys of DMC cotton threads, and stitched on 32 count 'Antique White' Belfast linen, this design doesn’t take long to complete, and works well either as a framed piece, or perhaps turned into a little drawstring purse as a gift to a treasured friend.

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Elegant Initials ~ First in a series of 'Beautiful Boxtops'

Click for Enlarged Image

Inspired by the traditional shapes and alphabets to be found in old samplers, I have created this little treasure box and it's needlecase companion to keep those special stitching accessories safe and sound!

All the letters of the alphabet are included in the pamphlet, as well as templates and instructions to complete the little needlecase.

Details:
Stitched on 32 count Antique White Belfast Linen
Stitch Count: 57h x 57w for boxtop, 47h x 47w for needlecase

Threads used:
Dinky Dye Silk Threads: #41 Tea Tree, #58 Kayla's Rose
#73 Shiraz
DMC: #730 Olive Green V. Dark cotton
Kreinik Metallics: #24 Fuschia Blending Filament
Box Mounted:
Onto a wooden box with 10cm (4") square insert.

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Grandma's Cushions Needlework Accessories


Inspired by a set of needlepoint cushions I inherited from my maternal Grandmother, this set of needlework accessories incorporates cross stitches, Rhodes hearts and
half diamond eyelets.
The pamphlet includes comprehensive stitch diagrams,
and construction details. Stitched on 32 count 'Little Boy Blue'
Belfast Linen, using Dinky Dye Silks. I have also supplied
a alternative DMC/Gloriana Silk Overdye thread list.

A matching boxtop and threadminder wallet will be released in February, 2007 at the Nashville Needlework Market.