Friday 5 April 2013

Oops!

Well it's been nearly 2 weeks since I posted last.  Time flies doesn't it?!

I have been stitching lots but just not felt much like blogging and I am sorry to say I haven't been reading your blogs much either as I haven't had the enthusiasm I'm afraid. Of course it's been the Easter holidays too and although we haven't done a great deal time has just flown. Last week Abi was on work experience with Bridlington Free Press shadowing their photographer. The rubbish bus service from here to Bridlington meant she could neither get there on time or get home when she'd finished so my DH took the week off to take her there and back.  She actually  ended up only working 3 and a half days but thoroughly enjoyed it. Last week she had one of the photos she'd taken published in the paper then this week there is a write up and photo of her at her desk along with a photo of her with an owl which Paul took at Sewerby Hall.

I actually managed to finish my March ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL before the end of March. I enjoyed stitching this and love the fabric I've used ( thank you Lois ) and think I might just treat myself to a fat quarter of it one day.

Bent Creek Glad Tidings

32 count Salamander linen

DMC

Dani I'll get the chart in the post to you as soon as I can :)

No other finishes but I do have a new start. Mouse and I started our SAL of Shakespeare's Peddler Gentle Stitches last week and so far I am loving it. I love the colours and it's so nice to stitch.

Oooh I have another new start. How could I forget that the next Little Sheep Virtues, Love, arrived last week so Monday Barb and I made a start. Well I think Barb did as, bless her,  she's not been well.

I'm afraid that all my other WIPs are HAEDs now. I think I'm a teeny bit addicted as I added to my stash this week during the sale but more about that in a bit! I'll start with the one that will hopefully be my next HAED finish and that is QS Holly Fairy. I've been working on getting lots of black background done and there is also some blue in that. I took it to craft group with me on Tuesday morning and just stitched solidly on black!  I'm itching to get her finished but it will take me a few months yet I think.

I've been managing a little progress on Guardian and here is is in all his glory!  It makes a nice change to actually stitch him rather than background.

As I said in my last post I've been giving SK Dragon's History some attention driven by the March competition on one of the groups on Facebook I belong to. Well that attention paid off as I came third and could pick a reward from the items some the ladies have donated  I chose a Mystic Stitch chart called  Daybreak. I'm intent on keeping up with adding a few stitches on this when I can over a weekend.

My Sunday evening stitching is QS Spirit of Winter Robin and he's coming along nicely.  Once QS Holly Fairy is finished this will move to her slot in my rotation :)

Finally I sat down for a wee while on Easter Monday afternoon to pop a few stitches into Mini The Forgotten my SAL with Lisa. It doesn't get very much attention so it was nice just to put a few stitches in.

As I said earlier I added to my HAED stash this week. I really shouldn't have as I now have a grand total of 23 and when I'm going to get around to stitching them all I do not know as even the QS take a long time but they are so worth the time and are not expensive when you think of all the hours and joy you get out of them.

 Anyway I was feeling pretty down so I treated myself to Faces of Faery 132 Ornament and Mini Home is Where the Magic Is. Yes I know I have the SK of this but I decided I like the full picture as well but would never do the BAP so the mini it was! I think the SK and Mini would look lovely hung side by side. Then on Wednesday my lovely friend Lesleyanne RAK'd me with this.

Mini Jolly Old Fellow.  Now there is a story behind this which I told on Kerri's WIP pic of the BAP of this. I might have told it on here and I apologise if I have. Every time I look at photo of this on the HAED website the train gets me. Years ago my Dad told us how when he was a boy he'd askedfor a red toy train from Father Christmas  but never got one. So I  bought a red toy train, wrote a letter on the computer from Father Christmas saying how sorry he was it was late and popped it under our tree for when my Dad came on Christmas Day!  He kept that train until the day he died and we had it put in his coffin with him along with a Lindt Chocolate Rabbit that the girls had given him several years ago that he never ate as he said it would remind him of them.  Lesleyanne thank you so much for your wonderful, kind RAK. It means so much and once QS Holly is finished and I move QS Spirit of Winter Robin to her slot I'll be starting him :)

I feel terrible to that I forgot to show these lovely threads that dear Michelle sent me from her trip to South Africa. Aren't they gorgeous? I am so sorry that I forgot to show them Michelle. Thank you so much xxx

Well that's all my news for now. Thank you for reading  my ramblings and for all your lovely comments. They mean the world to me.

Until next time.

With much love

Sally xxx

27 comments:

Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher said...

Wow you have been busy! Great progresses and I wish I could wrap my head around getting MY ornaments done LOL

Margaret said...

That's pretty neat about Abi and the photography. Very exciting! Love all your stitchy progress. The HAEDs are always amazing!

butterfly said...

Lovely stitching Sally I like a girl who like me has loads of new starts I think it is so much fun to have lot's of stitching on the go.
What a wonderful story about the red train and your Dad, he will be looking down with a smile on his face, look out for a white feather always a message from a loved one.
Lovely threads from sweet Michelle, hugs.

Lesleyanne said...

Gorgeous ornament finish. Beautiful progress on your HAED wips. Like you I have become a bit addicted. So pleased you liked your RAK. It reminds me of my Grandpa who was a huge train enthusiast and when my boys were little they too loved trains, although it is not cool the age they are now.

cucki said...

Wow such sweet stitching...
Love for you x

jane said...

Lovely stitching as always Sally, you are going to have some fantastic finishes!
Well done to Abi for getting a photo published and a write-up in the paper, that sounds like a good work experience.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sally
All of your wip's are beautiful and coming along.

Nice finish on your ornament.

Thanks for sharing fond memories of your dad.

Hugs

Vickie said...

That's a great story about the red train Sally.
I really like the new picture of you on the right hand side of your blog. =)

Linda said...

What a great update Sally. I absolutely love all the HAED's your working on. Great new stash and love the ornament.

Linda

Tina said...

Fab wips Sally,love your finished ornie x

Ellen said...

Looks like Abi had a great work experience!

I am amazed at your HAED wips, they are progressing well! Love your other wips too especially the sheep series!

Hugs,

Shirlee said...

My goodness Sally! No wonder you haven't had time to post or read blogs ... you've been a busy little stitcher! All your starts & WIPs look fabulous as does your ornament finish! Lovely threads from Michelle, & what a very sweet RAK from Lesleyanne. I really enjoyed reading the story of your dad & the red train. He sounds so much like my dad. Many hugs, dear friend.

Southpaw Stitcher said...

You have been a busy bee! I can't imagine doing one HAED, let alone juggling half a dozen! I'm in awe of your progress on Guardian--all those shades of gray!

Michelle said...

Oh Sally what a lovely story about the train made me weep a little. I love your WIP's xx

Christine said...

Lovely stitching Sally, and what a wonderful story about the red train

Julie said...

You've been making lots of lovely progress Sally. The robin is going to be stunning.

Carol said...

So many beautiful projects you have in the works, Sally! Good for you for treating yourself to that amazing new chart--you well deserve it :)

Anne said...

Lovely to hear from you Sally! Beautiful progress on all your WIPs! I can see HAED has been very addictive for you and I'm amazed at all the progress you have done on them! Take care Sally!

North Country Stitcher said...

Sally, Beautiful stitching, and suck nice gifts. After reading you have 23 HAED's, I just had to go count... I have too many LOL!

stitcherw said...

Wow, all kinds of lovelies to look at, you've been busy. I don't know how you decide which to work on, all your WIP's are so great I'd be hard put to pick one they'd all be yelling at me. Holly Fairy is really coming along, and I love how the Robin is just starting to peek out on that piece.
Sue

Dani - tkdchick said...

I really believe there should be no pressure to blogging and blog reading! Don't worry about it!

Lovely finish, take your time getting that chart to me!

Great new starts and fantastic progress on all of your HEADs

Mary Ann said...

Very pretty ornament finish, and wonderful progress on your WIP's!

Stitchingranny said...

Do not apologise for either not writing or reading blogs Sally. These things are meant to be a pleasure not a task so you do what you want when you want.
Having said that I always look forward to seeing your progress pictures, I which I could achieve half as much progress as you do.

Fiona said...

Great stitching progress. I am always amazed by how much progress you get done on your HAED. What a lovely gift your received and I enjoyed reading about the meaning behind it.

Mouse said...

ooooo you have been busy :) have done a wee bit more on our sal .. hopefully blog update this weekend :)
love the story about the train :) squeak to you soon :) love mouse xxxxxx

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

oh very beautiful stitching !
bisous

Karoline said...

Your wood are looking lovely, congratulations

Glad your daughter enjoyed her work experience