Sunday 5 August 2012

An RAK from June and a Private Exchange With Barb

Hello from a hot and humid east coast of England. I am longing for a thunderstorm and rain right now.

I have been stitching but nothing I can show you right now. I did do a wee bit more on Just Nan Floral Fifteen but I forgot to take a photo. I've also been sorting other bits and pieces to stitch. Barb and I decided our next SAL would be a Blackbird Designs piece. I have chosen Truly Thine which is an old Loose Feathers design so will be starting that on Monday. I shall down at Barb's watching the sailing boats go by drinking Pimms ( I wish!).

I was admiring the lovely piece June stitched for Christina for an exchange and asked June what the chart was. It was from Cross Stitcher and she kindly offered to send me the chart from the magazine. Imagine my surprise when she not only sent me the chart but also she also RAK'd me with a wonderful bag, some lace and a delightful felt bird. Isn't it all lovely? Thank you so much June. You are such a sweet friend.

Barb and I were all ready to open up our exchange pieces on Friday. Royal Mail did well as we both received our packages on the same day. We had decided to do a Shepherd's Bush stitched piece only with no extras exchange. 

This is what I stitched for Barb. I am delighted to say that she loved it :)

Shepherd's Bush Our Hearts Pincushion ( and fob!)

32 count vintage peach linen

Threads from kit

Exchange gift for Barb.

I thought this was a lovely piece for such a wonderful, dear friend and I really love the sentiment of it. I added our initials. ( The chart is now for sale if anyone is interested)

But just look at what Barb sent me! I cannot tell you how much I love this and I sincerely wish I had tried so much harder on mine to her. I just keep looking at it and opening it up. Barb included some gorgeous lilac scissors, an SB Fob Kit, a notebook and pen and some scented tissues in case I blubbed all over! Thank you so much dear Barb. I will treasure it always.

I have the urge to restart HAED QS Holly Fairy. I started it ages ago but the fabric wasn't right so I want to restart it on different fabric and stitch the background this time ( lots of black). I know I should really finish Guardian but I can't bring myself to pick it up at the moment. Maybe when things settle down.

I have not mentioned anything on my blog before but my DH's Dad has been ill. He has had breathing problems for some time now caused by fibrosis on his lungs and spent some time in hospital before I went in for my surgery. A month ago he got called back to the hospital and they had found "anomalies" on his spine and ribs. We knew it was not good as they thought it was cancer which had spread from elsewhere, possibly prostrate. This last Tuesday we found out that there was nothing that could be done and he died this morning. It has come as such a shock, as for all we knew it would come, we did not expect it so soon. At least he is at peace now and reunited with my DH's Mum. Keep your loved ones close as you never know what the future holds.

On a brighter note it is Jess' 21 st birthday on Tuesday. We are going ahead and celebrating as her Grandad would not want it any other way. I can't believe my first born is going to be 21!

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally
xxxx

33 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

Oh Sally, you're family must be in complete shock. I'll be thinking of you all. So sorry to hear of your FIL's passing.

Julie said...

Such sad news, its so hard when you loose a parent {hugs} to you all.

I know the thrill of Barbs gift Sally, i was the same when i opened my birthday gift, it is so wonderful and so expertly put together. I keep opening mine too, the botton will be worn out. Your pillow was lovely.

Happy Birthday wishes to Jess!

Erica said...

Oh Sally!
I am so sorry for your loss!
Erica

Nicola said...

Sally, I'm so sorry to learn of you FIL's passing, my thoughs are with your family.

Lovely stitching and gifts.

Happy 21st birthday to Jess.

Margaret said...

Lovely exchanges and a lovely RAK too! Happy birthday to your DD! My oldest is turning 22 this year -- so weird!

Margaret said...

ps. So sorry to hear of your FIL's passing. Hugs to you and your family.

Michelle said...

Oh Sally my heart goes out to you all - it really does. Sending you all many hugs and much love.
Your pieces are both lovely - where would we be without our stitching friends. Lovely gift off June - such a sweet lady. Happy Birthday Jess - 21 wow xx

butterfly said...

So sorry about your loss Sally, it is never easy.

Your exchanges with Barb are just wonderful.
Both so pretty.

Happy Birthday to your DD 21 is a nice age , it go's so quick after that, hugs.

Hazel said...

I am so sorry to hear about your father in law. Must be such a shock to everyone. I love your and Barb's exchanges. Simply beautiful and what a great gift from June. x

cucki said...

oh sally..i am so sorry for your loss..
big hugs and love xx

cucki said...

i love the stitching and all the gifts so much..
take care..
hugs xx

Cath said...

Ahh , Sally , so sorry for your loss. At least your FIL is not in pain and suffering.

Love your exchange gifts. If you need a new start , go for it .XXX

Ranae said...

So sorry for your loss, Sally
I've been reading your post, I just had hard time with it loading correctly, but now we have 4g
(((hugs)))

Melissa said...

Sally...I am so sorry to hear of your father-in-laws passing. My prayers go out to all of you during this time.

What a beautiful gift you received! The piece that you sent was beautiful too.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sally

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Happy birthday to Jess.
Your stitching and exchanges are beautiful.

Vickie said...

Still praying for you and your family Sally.♥

Tricia T said...

What beautiful stitching and gifts! And happy birthday to Jess. Isn't it amazing when our kids grow up!!

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!

Tricia

Lisa V said...

Your SB exchange pieces are both very nice.
Sorry to hear of your sad loss.
Take care

Lesleyanne said...

Sending my condolences on the death of your FIL xx Gorgeous gifts both sent and received. Happy 21st to Jess.

Christine said...

Sorry to hear about your Father in law Sally.

Beautiful stitching and gifts
Happy Birthday to Jess

PS you can have our thunderstorms I'm bored with them now

Chris said...

Oh Sally. I am so sorry for your family's loss.
So nice of June to send on that pattern to you. I love that design too. The piece that she stitched for the exchange was so pretty.
What a super exchange you did with Barb. The pieces are lovely.
Have a great week!
Hugs.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Sally, firstly your husband and your entire family have my most sincere and deepest sympathy on the passing of his father. May he rest in peace, I shall remember his soul in my prayers today.

Your stitching exchange is gorgeous, both of you did great jobs!

Clare-Aimetu said...

Lovely exchange gifts Sally - Happy 21st Birthday to Jess (yes your Dad would want her to celebrate - big time)

♥ Nia said...

So sorry for your loss sweetie...
If there was nothing that could be done, It's better that he wasn't here suffering for too long.. May that comfort your hearts.

Carol said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of your Father in Law Sally.

As always your stitching is lovely, and your exchange gift from Barb is lovely too!  Thank you for your enabling...lol!  Just had to pop along to have a peek at June's finish for Christina that you were admiring.  It is lovely, and would be perfect to take back to Dubai with me, when I return at the end of the month.  After a little search I found a copy of the Cross Stitcher issue on Ebay.  A little finish like this might be just what I need to help me get excited about my stitching again!

Happy 21st Birthday wishes to Jess!  :o)

Fiona said...

So sorry for your loss. Your exchange pieces are great and June is such a sweet and generous lady. I was also lucky enough to receive one of her fantastic bags in her giveaway.

Mindi said...

What a lovely exchange and beautiful RAK from June!

Angela said...

Beautiful RAK from June and I love both the exchange you sent and the one you rec'd.

So sorry to hear of your family's loss.

Carol said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your father-in-law, Sally--what a shock...

So nice of June to send you the pattern along with those other goodies, too--she is such a sweetie!

And you and Barb both brought each other smiles with your lovely stitching, I'm sure :)

Catherine said...

So sorry to read about your FIL. Sending prayers to your family.
Happy Birthday to Jess!! Hope this year brings her all she wishes for.
Sweet gifts from June and love all of the exchange goodies!!

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

{{{hugs}}} - I'm sorry that your father-in-law is ill.

Your exchange items, both sent and received are lovely!

Congratulations to your daughter on her 21st birthday!

I'm sorry I haven't left a comment lately - I'm so far behind on my blog reading!

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

(((Sally))) - I just left you a comment about your father-in-law's illness - I am sorry that I didn't read the post fully, and that he passed away - I am so sorry for your loss. {{{hugs}}}

Brigitte said...

Oh Sally, I'm so sorry to read about your FIL's passing away. Even when you know that it'll happen soon, it always comes as a shock.

Very lovely exchange gifts!