Thankful

I have another finish to show you today. Just a small one that was an RAK for someone who is not only a wonderful stitching buddy but someone who has become a very dear friend to me. As you know Barb and I have been stitchingalong together on The Sampler Girl's Jane Austen inspired designs for while now. We started with At Home With, then did Return to the Sea With and now, after a small design in between, we are stitching the Jane Austen Sampler Stocking. Barb very kindly lent me A Sweet View to stitch as my in between piece so I decided that I wanted to stitch her up a little something to show my appreciation and as a wee pick-me-up for her. This is what I decided on as it just screamed Barb at me with the wee sheep and the little saying. She received it yesterday and loves it :)

Little House Needleworks Thankful

36 count flax linen

DMC and GAST.

RAK for Barb

I finished it as a little pillow/ cushion and I tried stitching up the opening using ladder stitch ( I used it on the casket) and it worked perfectly.

I have made so many wonderful friends in the stitching community be it on message boards or through blogs and I wish I could stitch something for all of you. I cherish you all very much.

Speaking of being thankful, thank you for all your wonderful comments on my casket and accessories finish:) This one was such a big deal for me as I never thought I'd be able to finish something like this and as it actually looks as it should that is a huge bonus and boost for me! Now I've done one I'd love to do more so who knows what I'll do in the future! Would just like to say to those of you who think like I did that you'll never be able to do anything like it or are afraid to try new finishes; give it a go! It's not as difficult as it seems :)

My stitching on my WIPs seems to be a little slow at the moment but I am sure that will change soon. I've been feeling a little out of sorts somehow so have been spending time on the PC for an hour or so in the early evening when I would usually be stitching so tonight I am not going near it!!! I still haven't finished block 8 on Shores and feel a little despondant with it. However if it takes me until the end of September it does not bother me as there is no rush. I would have liked to have to finished the whole thing by the end of the year but if I don't I won't sulk lol!

The most I have done on a piece all week so far was on Blackbird Designs Their Song on Sunday evening. I love this piece so much and, for all I'm not using the threads the model was stitched in, I love the the colours. I chose to use DMC to make it cheaper for me. I'm all for trying to economise a little these days ( as I'm sure we all are) so no buying the special threads!!

Mondays, as always, are my SAL nights with Barb. Again not much done. I finished the first row and made a teeny start on the alphabet. I have promised Barb that I will do better next week:) I actually can't wait to get to the sheep on this! Those who know me well will know I love sheep since we holidayed in Cumbria about 8 years ago!

I fancied a small new start so last week I just put a few stitches into Little House Needleworks Holly and Berries then last night I picked it up again and put a few more in. Not sure whether to stitch on this again tonight or do a Halloween ornament! I have one printed out. It's a freebie  from Sandra at Homespun Elegance and you can find it on her blog

And before Mr Stick starts shouting at me I did add more beads to Chatelaine Spring Morning yesterday afteroon! I have beaded the top part, the over one flower part and the lily of the valley and made a start on the big square. Fingers crossed for a finish on this before the end of September then I can move onto another UFO!

Final picture is stash! I had some pennies saved up from Ebay and private sales of charts etc that I'd finished with so I ordered the first 4 Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart charts from Wasatch Needlecraft. It's so nice not to feel guilty about buying with me having the money saved up. They arrived on Saturday. It's the first time I've ordered from Karen and she is wonderful to deal with and very helpful and friendly. Also in the picture is Cherrywood Design Studios Eat Sleep Stitch which I traded with Michelle. Thank you so much for trading Michelle :)

I fancy trying my hand at knitting a hat! I haven't done any knitting for many years but I saw a hat someone had knitted and really liked it. I went to have a look at Ravelry and downloaded a few free patterns from there so think I might have a go. I still have my knitting needles in a cupboard somewhere so all I need to do is get some wool. No idea when I'm going to make the time though as I spend my spare time stitching!

Abi went back to school yesterday and I have never known her so nervous, bless her. It is her final year so lots going on what with work experience, GCSEs and the year 11 ball so it'll be quite a year for her. Jess seems to have settled into her student house now and whenever she rings she is full of it. Monday she rang to see if her cocktail shaker was in the kitchen as they were having some friends round and wanted to use it! No doubt she will get the jitters again when the new semester starts!

I better get off now as I'm making a chicken casserole for tea with the leftovers from the carcass. It's simmering away in the oven in lots of water so I need to go get all the meat off and add some vegetables.

Take care everyone.

Hugs

Sally

xxxx