Please note that the Fortune-Teller 'Design Diary' first appeared online as a close-to-present-tense stitching diary. Please overlook the verb tenses used throughout this Fortune-Teller section.

Hi, it's good to see you here. I'm about to start a really exciting project... (FOR THE 5th TIME!)

This project has haunted me for quite some time. The first couple of years, it seemed an impossible challenge but, eventually, I thought I had it in the bag. I was wrong... the first attempt was a dismal failure that just didn't work at all!

The next 4 tries also met with disaster. Hmm, let's just look through this Reject Pile. Oh yes, there's "Oops, that was a stupid, floppy fabric choice!"... and here's "Nice try, too bad it's too simplistic to look any good"... and below that there's "%*@#, I really thought the light grey fabric would work!". The piece that got canned last week had resolved all these previous issues but then... I changed my mind.

I know, this seems like a frivolous waste of time. But it's extremely important to me to only release charts that offer an enjoyable stitching experience and which are certain to produce needlework that makes anyone proud.

So, I'll start stitching (again) and leave you for now with a list of what you see on the beautiful floor stand that John Wilkes of Hearthside Craftworks hand-crafted for me. John and his delightful wife, Helen, even signed the underside of my Accessory Tray. Helen and John are right there, underneath the scissors, pin-cushion and needlecase... sitting with me as I work on all my designs. Please bear in mind that this is an ACTUAL design-in-progress. At this stage, I'm fairly confident (perhaps more acurately, hopeful!) that there won't be any major changes but some slight adjustments and colour changes may still be required.

Fabric 16-count Clay Aida from Zweigart (3251 715)

Threads White DMC; DMC 154 (Prune Rose); DMC 310 (Black); DMC 333 (Deep Violet); DMC 341 (Hydrangea Blue); DMC 550 (Blackcurrant); DMC 612 (String Brown); DMC 680 (Dk. Old Gold); DMC 726 (Mimosa Yellow); DMC 3052 (Silver Green); DMC 3078 (Pale Yellow); DMC 3787 (Wolf Grey); DMC 3820 (Maize Yellow); DMC 30895 Bottle Green Rayon and Weeks Dye Works 2196 (Scuppermong) FOR SURE, I'LL ADD SOME SPARKLY BEADS AND, PERHAPS, SOME METALLIC THREADS BUT HAVEN'T YET MADE THESE CHOICES. THE FINAL CHART-PACK WILL ALSO INCLUDE SOME CHARMS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO THIS PIECE.

If you'd like to see updates on how this design is progressing, please click here

If you'd like to make a Fairy Pin-Cushion (like the one in the photo above), please click here.