August?!

Seriously how did it get to be August?! The weeks are just flying by and it's been a while since I blogged. I have to admit that I find it a bit of a chore but I want to try and keep on so that I have a record of my stitching. That was my plan when I said I'd post finishes only and it would seem I can't even do that lol!

Anyway I have been stitching and have had some finishes and I even have some FFOs too. Not many but I have some anyway!

The first finish I have to show is also an FFO! No I can't believe it either! 

With Thy Needle and Thread Snow Birds

32 count pearl grey linen

DMC, GAST, WDW & CC

Started 28th May 2019

Finished 23rd June 2019.

I joined in the Summer SAL on the Sheep Loving Stitchers group on Facebook. We had 4 designs to choose from and I chose this one.

Plum Street Samplers Woolemina

35 count light mocha linen

DMC & Classic Colorworks

Started 8th June 2019

Finished 7th July 2019.

Absolutely loved stitching this one!

Christmas in July stitching started on Instagram and I managed a finish!

Country Cottage Needleworks Merry Christmas

32 count mushroom dot murano

Classic Colorworks & DMC

Started 2nd July 2019

Finished 30th July 2019

Started and finished this next one in a day! 

Shepherd's Bush Joy to Ewe

18 count natural fabric

DMC

Started and finished 30th June 2019.

I really don't like stitching over 2 on 18 count!

Another Christmas stitch started and finished in a day is my July ornament.

Brightneedle To Thee Hope

28 count fabric

DMC

Started and finished 7th July 2019

Final finish is this beauty. Loved every single stitch!

Little House Needleworks Honeybee Sampling

Unknown fabric

DMC & Classic Colorworks

Started 14th July 2019

Finished 27th July 2019.

Of course I can't post without showing a WIP of A Saviour's Praise.

I ended the first half of Stitch from Stash with a very good + figure of over £300 so I was very pleased with ,myself. I'd sold lots of stash as I'd finished with it and also sold threads that I knew I wouldn't use as well having lots of finishes. So part B has started and we are allowed to use any balance leftover and not declare any purchases ( it gets used as a gift). So I have been buying some stuff which isn't good I know. I have still declared some of it though and no I haven't spent £300 or anywhere near that! Lol! I've been wanting some OOP Blackbird Designs books and managed to buy a couple ( Tokens of Friendship and With Needle & Thread) at a very reasonable price ( not extortionate Ebay or even some of the selling pages on Facebook prices!). My dearest friend Barb then gifted me another one ( Peppermint and Holly)  from her stash which made me want to cry but in a good way! I have also bought a couple of sheep charts from the USA that I couldn't get over here ( well I did end up with two of one as a shop over here had one so Barb bought that off me so look out for a SAL of Lulu's Flock next year). The other one was Sheepish Designs Betsy which I have wanted for a long time. Had to get that from The Silver Needle as they were the only ones with stock left. I read somewhere that a distributor had found some stock of it which was why it was available again. I am also trying to collect the Blackbird Designs Magical Mystery Tour charts and so far have ordered Blackbird and Strawberry Fields Forever. BBD have reprinted Eleanor Rigby and The Long and Winding Road which I am waiting to come into stock over here as well as Yellow Submarine which is OOS at the places I buy from. I'm hoping the BBD ladies will decide to reprint Octopus's Garden too. I think I need to hide myself away! At least I'm stitching my stash and getting that down more than I'm adding to it!

Well that's all from me now. I know my blog is pretty boring and I apologise for that and also for the fact that I don't visit your blogs. Maybe one day I'll come back to it properly.

Until next time.

With much love,

Sally xxx

It's A Wrap!

Hello fellow bloggers and stitchers! It has been a few weeks since I was here last but I have not been slacking on the stitching front. I have even ( shush!) done a bit of finishing. Very simple finishing but it's still finishing. There are still lots in the pile to go at though.

So before I start showing my finishes etc I will apologise for my photos! I forgot to change my settings from when we'd been out taking photos at a nature reserve! 

My big finish news and the wrap in the title is this one.

With Thy Needle and Thread O Tannenbaum

36 count vintage country mocha linen

Classic Colorworks, GAST & WDW.

Started 1st February 2019

Finished 21st June 2019.

I am hoping my DH will make me a box tray thing to display it in as for me to get one from the States will probably cost an arm and a leg in shipping. I have been asking him ever since I bought the chart so I'm not holding out much hope really lol!

For my June ornament I chose another Brightneedle one.

Brightneedle To Thee A Very Merry 

28 count fabric

DMC threads

Started 2nd June 2019

Finished 13th June 2019

I have already decided to do another for my July ornament!

I saw that Lainey was stitching Shepherd's Bush I'm Dreaming so, as I had it in my stash, I had to join her! Such a cute stitch.

Shepherd's Bush I'm Dreaming

32 count vintage country mocha linen

DMC & WDW

Started 21st May 2019

Finished 4th June 2019

Now that I have finished O Tannenbaum and Barb has finished Kringle and Woolard we are having a new sheep start and that will be Plum Street Samplers Wool and Flax Company. Lainey is joining us.

Next month Sue and I are starting Little Dove Designs Christmas Wishes which I am very much looking forward to. I'm also joining in a Christmas/ Winter SAL on the LHN/CCN Facebook group. I will be stitching CCN Merry Christmas because I have it in my stash and it is kitted up. 

I have been making a little progress on A Saviour's Praise. I decided to choose my own colours for the alphabet but ended up having a frog the A as it didn't show up. I am now happier with it. Just deciding as I go along! 

Finally the bit of finishing I have been doing. I have a couple ready to sew up and another sewn up but have run out of white pom pom trim. I need a trip to Hobbycraft! 

That is all for now. See you in another week or so!

With much love Sally xxxx

A Teeny Weeny Mouse!

Hello! I seem to be getting better better at this blogging malarkey as long as I have finishes of course! I may not be visiting and commenting but at least I'm recording my stitching which is why I started a blog in the first place all those years ago. 

So what I have I been up to? A few weeks ago my DH, Abi and I went to York so I said if it's not too far out can we please go the Viking Loom so that I can get some Peacemaker needles. They are my favourite needles and I was down to my last two. While we were there we had a quick look at the cross stitch charts and Abi saw Just Nan Frosty Chillingsworth Mouse and asked if I'd stitch it for her. So I bought the chart and this week I got all the stitching and beading done. Yesterday I got it made up. He's not perfect as it was fiddly to put together but Abi is very happy with him! She's even taken him to work today to show one of her colleagues.

Just Nan Frosty Chillingsworth Mouse

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started 29th May 2019

Finished 30th May 2019

Last Sunday would have been dear Gaynor of Stitchers Anon's birthday so I decided to start something of hers. It stitched up very quickly and I plan on starting another of the primitive hearts soon.

Stitchers Anon Designs Season of Love Primitive Heart

Unknown fabric

DMC threads

Started 26th May 2019

Finished 27th May 2019

As you may know there are a few of us doing a JCS ornament SAL. My plan is to stitch one design out of each of the mags I have so that's over a year! I'm starting my one for June tonight and this one was May's.

Brightneedle To Thee Peace

28 count evenweave

GAST & DMC

Started 5th May 2019

Finished 19th May 2019.

Finally I said in my last post that I wanted to show my WIP on a Saviour's Praise each time so here it is. I'm still taking it steady and I've changed a couple of colours up to now. 

I've had some new stash. Yep I've done it again. Gone for a few months and been very good then splurged a little! I did have pennies from stash sales to pay for it so I don't feel too guilty. Another good thing is I'm getting plenty stitched from my stash too :) So what have you been buying I hear you ask! Well I pre ordered the collaboration between Summer Stitch Workes, Hand on Designs and Ink Circles and I had asked my ONS if they could get me The Scarlett House In The Berry Beginning and they arrived the other week. Then I had asked my ONS to save me The Scarlett House A Perfect World when they got it back in stock and, of course, I had to have the 2019 PS Santa as it has a sheep! They arrived this last week. Oh and I also had to get the BBD booklet The Bells on Christmas Day. I have one more to come once my ONS gets it in for me and that is With Thy Needle and Thread Pink Sparrow Sampler which I fell in love with after seeing WIPs on Instagram. I'll be saving up to get the threads for that one as the colours are gorgeous! I need to have more self control and hide away from the internet! Lol! 

That's it from me for now. See you again when I have another finish!

Until then take care everyone.

Sally xx

Stitching Up A Storm!

Hello from a rather misty east coast of England. The sun is trying to break through but it looks like it might be the perfect day to stitch or read.

Since I last posted I have finished 3 pieces which have now gone into the rather large finishing pile I have. The other day i went through my stash of finishing fabric and managed to pick some out for several of said items in the pile and will, one day, get some done!

You may remember on my last post that I would have had another finish had I not had to unpick the vine. Well this is the one that caused me all that trouble!

Tralala Coeur de Cygne

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started 2nd April 2019

Finished 8th May 2019

I just love this one even though it caused me a headache!

This next one I found started when tidying out my crafting drawers. I have no idea when I started it but I got it finished this last week!

iStitch Designs

40 count ( I think) Gander linen

DMC 

I don't know why I left it languishing in a drawer as it's such a pretty design.

Last year I joined in a free SAL that I found on a blog. I only stitched it at craft group and after I was there on Tuesday I only had two words to stitch so, of course, those two words had to be done!

Dessine Par Elke SAL Christmas 2018

28 count fabric

DMC, Carrie's Creations & GAST

Started 4th September 2018

Finished 15th May 2019.

I have no idea how I'm going to finish it!

I know I said I was only going to blog my finishes but I am going to have to show my WIPs on this biggie. It is Shakespeare's Peddler A Saviour's Praise. I am taking this steady in the hope that I don't make any mistakes! I am joining in the SAL on Instagram but stitching it on a Monday instead of a Sunday. I am loving it so far.This is 2 evenings stitching.

That's all my news for now. Thank you to those of you who have dropped by and have also left a comment. I truly appreciate it.

Until next time.

With much love Sally xxx

Three Finishes & A Little Stash Enhancement!

Hello fellow stitchers! As usual I have been busy stitching away and have manged 3 finishes since my last post. It would have been 4 but guess who can't count and had to take out nearly all the vine border and start restitching it?! It was one mistake that I couldn't leave!

My first finish was my ornament for April. A few friends joined me in stitching an ornament a month from the JCS ornament magazines going on for as long as we want. I have 18 mags I think so for me it'll be 18 months! 

Knotted Tree Needleart O Holy Night ( 2013 issue )

32 count Permin Amber linen

DMC

Started 7th April 2019

Finished 21st April 2019.

I'll be starting my May ornament tonight which will be one by Brightneedle.

Next finish was this one. I took part in a SAL on the Sheep Loving Stitchers group on Facebook. We have a choice of several designs to stitch on and I had this one in my stash!

With Thy Needle and Thread Have Ye Any Wool

40 count pearl grey linen

DMC. WDW, GAST & CC

Started 30th March 2019

Finished 28th April 2019.

Our next SAL starts sometime in June and I have chosen Plum Street Samplers Woolemina which I have in my stash.

My final finish is one I've had in my stash for a few years.

Abby Rose Designs Angels Watching Over Me

20 count evenweave

DMC, WDW & GAST

Started 8th April 2019

Finished 1st May 2019

Lainey kindly sent me some 20 count evenweave to try and this was stitched on a piece. It was lovely to stitch on. 

So my stitching plans for the next few weeks are to finish Coeur de Cygne without having to frog anymore, try and finish O Tannenbaum and have a few starts.

I have had a little stash enhancement this last week. I have to admit that when I first saw this design by Shakespeare's Peddler  I didn't take to it but a SAL started on Instagram and as people showed their WIPs I fell in love with it. Of course it seems to have been very popular and the two places I found that stocked it in the UK were out of stock so I had to wait as patiently as I could for it to come back into stock. 

I decided to get the called for WDW and will be using DMC instead of Anchor. I bought some 25 count vintage country mocha evenweave to stitch it on and I'm hoping it'll look OK. I was going to make a start this afternoon but my fabric needs pressing first so I'll probably wait until tomorrow evening. I am waiting for one more Nashville release to come back into stock and a couple of newer ones to arrive in the UK but I am pleased to say that stash sales from threads I hadn't used and charts that I'd finished with will pay for them. It's been nice having the money there to buy the few bits I've had.

Actually stitching from my stash is going well and I have got my stash pile down a bit and haven't added the same amount as I've stitched! I can do this!!

That's all my news for now. The weather seems to be crazy and I see some places are still getting snow. It has come rather chilly here after some silly high temperatures. 

Until next time.

With much love,

Sally xxx

Moonlight

Hello fellow stitchers! I hope you are all enjoying the Easter weekend and the gorgeous weather we are having here in the UK. As awful as it sounds I am hoping that is not going to be the shape of things to come for Summer as last year was way too hot for me! It is rather unusual for us to have such good weather at Easter!

I have been busy stitching as usual although some projects I am enjoying more than others! This next one was a bit of a pain but when you see my fabric choice I think you might understand why!

Little House Needleworks Moonlight

28 count Brittney navy evenweave

DMC Thread,

Started 27th February 2019

Finished 17th April 2019.

Yes I rather foolishly decided on navy fabric! I had seen a finish on the LHN/CCN Faceook group of it stitched on red fabric using black thread and I just loved how it looked so I decided on a dark fabric with the white thread. There are mistakes but I'm not sure where the first one is so the top border isn't aligned how it should be then the top large snowflake on the left isn't in the right place but never mind! This one has been in my stash for a long time and was passed onto me by my dear friend Barb :)

Another quick post today! It makes it easier for me just to post my finishes. It might mean there are times where I don't post for a while but at least I'm posting lol!

Thank you to those who took the time to read and leave me a comment on my last post :)

Until next time.

With much love,

Sally xxxxx

Sew a Brown Bunny

Hello everybody! Is there anybody there? Yes I've been away way too long again. I have been stitching a lot to keep me sane and because it's what I like to do! I have been using Instagram a lot as it's so easy to do but I have to admit that I do miss blogging. So I figured that I'd try just posting when I finish something and see if that makes it easier for me to post. I miss not having a proper record of things I've stitched so today I set about trying to photograph all my finishes from when I last posted and save them all in folders on my PC like I used to do before. Unfortunately some of them were Christmas ornaments so I'll have top wait to do those!

So for today I'm showing my latest finish which I thoroughly enjoyed stitching.

iStitch Designs Sew a Brown Bunny

25 count cream fabric

WDW and CC

Started 31st March 2019

Finished 13th April 2019.

So this year I am trying very hard to get my chart stash down whilst not adding too much to it lol! I did buy one Nashville release and had one bought for me plus I bought an older The Scarlett House chart called Samplers. I am waiting for my ONS to get a couple more Nashville releases back in ( it would seem that these two are very popular! ) and the good thing is I had the pennies from stash sales  and still have some so I don't feel so bad! I am also waiting for The Scarlett House In the Berry Beginning to be released as that is a must have. I am doing better every year and I must admit that I am just not seeing as much that I feel I have to have. 

That is all for now. Hopefully I'll see you again with my next finish soon! 

With much love from Sally xxxx

Catching Up! ( Picture Heavy)

Hello! I'm hoping you'll still be with me seen as I've disappeared again. I decided I'm going to catch up today and then, hopefully, blog more regularly. I think what has been putting me off has been I'm so far behind showing my finishes so this post is going to be picture heavy I'm afraid with those and my WIPs!

So let's get started with my WIPs. As you know I am doing a few SALs so first of all this is my sheep SAL with Barb. It is Plum Street Samplers Kringle and Woolard which I'm stitching on 40 count vintage country mocha. 

Another SAL is a Lizzie Kate with Barb and Sue. I have just finished Snow Belles ( see photo further down post!) so I have just started Home is the Nicest Word There Is. I am going to have to frog the E in The and the word Nicest as it's all too high up. 

Barb, Sue and I are also stitching on LHN Farmhouse Christmas still but we are on the last one now. I have enjoyed stitching these but I think I am ready for something different. 

Sue and I are stitching Silver Creek Samplers My Christmas List. I am loving stitching this and hoping to finish it for Christmas and on the wall. Fingers crossed!

I am still stitching on the Dessine Par Elke Christmas SAL but I forgot to take a photo! I can't show my last WIP as it for an ornament exchange so no peeking at that one until it is finished and received.

As you all know we commemorated 100 years since the end of WW1 on Sunday. I made a wreath to put in my window but I don't know what I did with my photo so I'll show that next time! However I do have to show a beautiful glass plaque that was a gift from my dearest friend Barb made by her DH Martin. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw it and I will treasure it always. It is in memory of my paternal grandad's cousin who DOW at the Battle of Arras in May 1917. 

Here are a few photos from our town to commemorate 100 years. 

On Instagram there has been a stitchy wish list tag going round for a while and I popped my wish list up. A few weeks ago I received a lovely message from Jen @spooneriestitcher saying she could grant one of my wishes and it arrived recently. Not only did she send me the chart she also sent some DMC to stitch it with. This is going to be my New Year's Day start! Thank you Jen :)

So onto my finishes now and I actually think I will just let the photos do the talking! 

Thank you for reading and looking at my photos. I know there are a lot but now I am caught up!

Until next time. With much love.

Sally xxxx