Wednesday 2 December 2015

It's December!

My favourite month of the year but also the time of year we get a little stressed over the up coming festive season so the perfect time to relax and chill with some stitching! However all the pieces I planned on stitching or wanted to stitch in the last couple of months just didn't happen. Again. *sigh*. Every single year I have plans for Winter/ Christmas stitching and although the lovely ornaments have happened the rest just hasn't! I think to myself every single year that I will do better the next year and, well, you know how it goes! Now don't get me wrong I have had a very good stitching year but stuff in my stash that has been there a while still hasn't got into the WIP pile! I'm feeling quite snowed under somehow! So I'm not going to say I will do better next year! I will go with the flow and see what happens ( she says! ). 

Again I have been frantically stitching to get my cottage finished. It didn't quite get done in time but I sat myself down yesterday morning before going to craft group and popped the last stitches done then yesterday afternoon I made it up to hang. Phew! My last one finally done! 

Country Cottage Needleworks December Cottage

32 count Natural opalescent linen

DMC

As you may well remember Heather very kindly passed some of these charts onto me when she had finished them and I bought 3 of them new. I would like to pass all 12 on to someone who would really love to stitch them on the understanding that they are to be passed on. It does not matter how long it takes you to stitch them! So if you would like them please say so in your comment :).

*I have added some bits for sale to my For Sale tab above if anyone is interested.* 

I've been doing a little bit of making up. I don't seem to be able to focus on things and get easily distracted so these finishes have been ongoing for a few weeks but they are done!



I also got this lovely that Chris stitched for me made up too but I didn't make my cording long enough for a hanger so I need to do a bit more!

Not much else to show with me trying to get the cottage done. Of course Barb and I are still stitching on the CCN ornaments. I am loving this one!

I am slowly getting this piece by Mani Di Donna done. We have to have them finished, made up, and on the Facebook page for the 15th of the month. Can I do it?!

And no post would be complete without my lovely robin which is growing rather nicely! Just 30 odd rows on this page then 3 partial pages :)

I did a little stashing last week. Justine sent me an email to say she was selling her linen and would I like to buy it. I said I might be interested so she sent me photos and sizes and after much deliberation I decided to buy it from her! Yes I know it's naughty but it was too good to miss and I won't need to buy any fabric for a long time! 

Abi and have started putting the Christmas decorations up today. We haven't got very far but we said we don't have to do it all in one day. I can't wait to get my ornament tree up! Speaking of ornaments I have finished mine for my private exchanges with Barb and Chris so will show those once we have exchanged.

That's all my news for now. 

Take care everyone. 

With much love.

Sally xxx


26 comments:

Vickie said...

Good job on the cottages! I too always have good intentions on winter stitching, and then it is gift making time!

Rachel said...

With you wanting to do so many projects I'm glad you have an "as-and-when" attitude otherwise you could really get bogged down.
I love, love, love all of your stitching and finishes, especially the December Cottage. I would love to enter your giveaway but will decline as I have all of my projects planned for 2016 and the charts deserve to go to someone who will stitch them straight away. Perhaps I will stalk the winner when they are ready to pass them on!!!
And congratulations on your new stash of linen! I knew Justine was selling it so am glad it has gone to a good home! :)

Tricia T said...

What beautiful stitching, Sally! I really like how you made the cottages up - what a great idea! I'm going to pass on being in the draw for them, though. I really want to concentrate on my HEAD Nativity!! :)

Linda said...

Beautiful finishes Sally. Love the projects your working on.

Linda

Michelle said...

Oh Sally I adore all your stitching - you always stitch beautifully. I put the handmade tree up this year which has all my stitched, crocheted and knitted ornaments on it. Christmas is close xx lovely new linen xx

butterfly said...

Wow lots of lovely stitching , love the December one great idea on the finish .
Robin is looking just wonderful , I have a beautiful robin in my garden and when I work out there he comes right down to me but do you think I can catch him for a photo No .
Love all your finishes they look fantastic.
I am going to decorate this weekend it takes me a few days too, Hugs.

Le trame della Galaverna said...

All is so beautiful
Congratulations for the finish
Ornaments are really wonderful
Giovanna

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous gorgeous finishes and stitching. love the way you finished the cottages. I would love to stitch the cottages and make them into cubes. And love the idea to pass them on.

WendyCarole said...

Love your December cottage. And Robin is looking great.

Penny said...

I love your finishes, Sally! And I love those little sheep. :) I always enjoy seeing your robin ~ sounds like you are almost done. Love your fabric acquisitions! What a nice selection! I used to make stitching plans, but never seemed to follow them. I think it does work better to go with the flow as you say. :)

Julie said...

Delightful finishes you've made up Sally and lots of progress on others too. Mr Robin looks more magnificent each time I see him.
Xx

Lisa V said...

Great finishes Sally. I love seeing your robin progress, its a stunning piece and can't wait to see it finished. Robin's remind me of my beloved Grandad who passed 10 years ago.
I love the cottages and would love to put my name in for the draw please.
Thanks

gominam said...

Lots of pretty stitching going on. Love the December cottage finish. Good for you for getting more fabric stash, means more gorgeous stuff for next year:)

Mylene said...

Gorgeous finishes, Sally! And all your wip's are looking beautiful.
Lovely new fabrics.

Mii Stitch said...

Great stitching update & beautiful finishes, as always!!
It is really kind of you to pass on the charts. I will pass on the offer as I am too trying to go through my stash :)
Enjoy Justine's fabric. I was aware she was selling it & it's nice to know you are the lucky recipient who will put them all to good use. Not keen on linen personally but that's only because my eyesight is not the best :)

Barb said...

Sally another lovely post with lots to admire. Love your Merry made up , hope to get mine done this weeke OH I do like the fabric you managed to get I can see lots of awe inspiring stitching coming our way. I am not doing the draw for the cottages ( You know me and houses) , see you with the flock tomorrow.

Christine said...

I know the feeling Sally, I meant to have so much finished by now!
Love your ornament finishes, and Mr Robin is looking amazing

Carol said...

Just love your December cottage finish, Sally--congratulations on finishing all 12!! And, that robin just keeps getting better and better--can't wait to see him in all his glory when you've put in the last stitch :)

Don't feel about about Christmas/winter stitching--I am the same way. I do 12 ornaments a year, but that's about it. There are so many BIG Christmas charts, but I just don't seem to have the time to stitch any of them these days...

Andrea said...

Wonderful stitching and finishing. Just love that Robin. Can't wait to see him finished and hanging on your wall.

Mary Ann said...

December cottage is lovely--congratulations on finishing all 12 of them!! Your other finishes are wonderful, too! And, Mr. Robin is looking great!

Justine said...

I missed your update somehow! Lovely to see so many gorgeous things being worked on here as always.
I can't believe your Robin is so close to a finish. I love how you finished the CCN monthly cottages. I am very tempted to enter your giveaway as you know I love CCN but I plan to work from stash as much as possible over the coming year. Sounds like I'm not alone! So I will have to pass.
Thank you for buying the linen, I'm glad you're pleased with it and look forward to seeing more lovely stitching from you!

blue star stitcher said...

Beautiful finishes, I love the monthly country cottages, and your finish of it on the calendar is perfect. Mr. Robin is lovely, such a wintry design.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Lovely finishes Sally! I love how you're using the cottages for a calendar. Smart idea! Great score on the fabric too!

Lisa said...

As always wonderful stitching Sally :-)

Maggee said...

Congrats on finishing the cottages! December looks wonderful... they have all been lovely! I have also been very distracted, but I have high hopes for next year!! I like all of your Christmas finishes... I have a few to finish-finish soon! The Robin is so wonderful... Next year we shall see a finish!! Yay! Have a very Merry Christmas Sally! Hugs!

Brigitte said...

Great December Cottage finish. And these ornaments are so lovely, too.
Hmmm, I know what you mean with never being able to stitch all the great ornaments and things that you want to stitch when the year is nearly over. It's exactly the same here but I don't mind either :) I stitch what I can and all the unstitched things are laid back for the next year. That's OK for me.