Some Finishing Off:)

A while ago I finished Little House Needleworks Poinsettia House and after much searching online for some fabric and trim I finally found some lovely London gingham from one of my favourite Ebay sellers Favourite Fabrics 1. I also picked up some lovely East of India ribbon from her. Unfortunately when it arrived my fabric was too white so out came the teabag and I tea dyed it for a more creamy look to match the fabric I'd used for PH but you can't see it at the front. I also wanted some trim for the outside of the fabric "frame" so bought some in Boyes along with the little poinsettia trim that I've added. Anyway here's the picture. It's not a good one but it gives you an idea of how it looks. It was really dull when I took it so I struggled to get a decent one. Thank you KarenV for emailing me on how to make this type of finish :) I shall definitely be using it again as it works out much cheaper than framing and is perfect for smaller finishes :)

I also finished and made up the Prairie Schooler Summer Pinkeep from the Gift of Stitching Magazine. This is a fun little design which now completes my set of pinkeeps :) The fabric it is on is the one I used for the backing.

Prairie Schooler Summer Pinkeep

Unknown 32 count fabric

DMC

Started 17th February 2011

Finished 24th February 2011

Another finish is the pincushion from the Blackbird Designs Winter Wonderland chart which Lindsay kindly lent me. I will have the chart back to you ASAP Lindsay; thank you so much for the loan:) This was a very quick stitch and would have been finished off as well but we ended up having a bit of a busy weekend.

Blackbird Designs Winter Garden Pincushion

32 count Vintage country mocha linen

DMC and GAST

Started 22nd February 2011

Finished 24th February 2011

Just one more piece of stitching to show and that is my progress on BBD Valentine Rose, my SAL with Valerie, Jane and Lisa B. I only stitched on this on Friday evening as I just couldn't be bothered on Saturday evening but I am very happy with my progress. If I can get two good evenings this week I am hoping to have it finished and move onto the next one:)

This year Abi will be leaving school and going into 6th form so in July she'll be going to the year 11 prom which means prom dress shopping! As I'm sure everyone who has done this will know the dresses are not cheap but our local retail outlet was having a prom event last weekend so we decided we'd have a look. They were still rather more than we had hoped to pay but I had saved some pennies. Abi chose a shorter dress and a long one then we patiently waited in the queue for her to try them on. As soon as she got the shorter one on she didn't like it but the longer one was a huge hit! As soon as she got it on she said she felt like a princess and I must admit, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I had to agree! One of the assistants came and laced the back up for her then before we knew it she'd fetched all the other assistants in to have a look at her! I felt so proud. Anyway I want to share a picture that DH took when she tried the dress on again at home:) I dread to think what I'm going to be like on the night itself!

Saturday afternoon Jess rang her Dad for help. She'd bought a flat pack bookcase and was trying to put it together but some of the holes did not line up. So off we went armed with a drill through to see her and help put the bookcase together. I am quite ashamed to say that I didn't really want to go as I knew I'd end up in tears and sure enough I did. It's the first time we've actually sat down with her to talk about her wanting to change course etc at university. I won't go into detail but it's a huge worry for my DH and I wondering what is going to happen and what she's going to do plus there's the extra worry of where she's going to live as they seem to have got into their heads that they'll be better off renting privately rather than going with a university vetted company but my DH and I don't think they will. Still they think they know best so we just have to let her do her own thing, make her own mistakes ( or not!) and hope she comes out of it OK.

On Saturday evening Abi announced that she was taking me out on Sunday to cheer me up. When I say taking me out it did actually mean me driving us to where she wanted to take me- lol- but she wouldn't tell me where we were going until we set off. In the morning she dyed my hair for me so my greys are now fairly well covered and not quite as noticable. They look more like highlights now! Then just after lunch we set off and she treated herself and me to the cinema and we saw the film "Paul" which was absolutely brilliant! So damned funny. I love Simon Pegg!!!! Loved him and Nick Frost in "Hot Fuzz" so seeing "Paul" was a must!

Well I had better dash and have a blog catch up:) Looking forward to seeing what you are all stitching and stashing! I am hoping my BBD Stitcher's Journey book will be here this week :)

Thank you for continuing to visit me and leave comments :) They are very much appreciated.

Love and hugs

Sally

xxxx