A Gift FOR Lainey

Dear Lainey has been having a rough time of it of late and knowing how much a wee gift can bring some cheer when times are rough I decided to stitch this for her when I came across this chart in my stash. I received a totally mad Hallmark thank you ecard from her yesterday ( loved it Lainey) so can now show what I made for her. Lainey is like me and mad on sheep and snowmen:)

Midnight Stitching Heartstruck Quakers

32 count tea dyed fabric

DMC

Started 7th July 2011

Finished 17th July 2011

I finished it as a pin keep with a rudged ribbon edge. So glad you like it Lainey:)

As I haven't done a blog post for a week I have some progress to show. I didn't stitch on my AotH piece last weekend because the threads I needed hadn't arrived so stitched on HAED Guardian instead. I also stitched on it on Thursday evening so here is my progress. I'm trying to get this into my rotation for one evening a week and then next year when I finish the AotH piece ( hopefully!) I'll make it two evenings and try and keep at it.

I've done a bit more on Blackbird Designs Peacock Pin Keep this week and have almost got the alphabet bit done. Just the bottom border and it'll be done. I had fun trying to make my initials fit. That W is a nightmare!!!

Monday was SB SAL night as usual with Barb and Colleen :) I started the border on Family Sampler so please cross your fingers and hope it meets!!! Actually this border is so simple  if it doesn't meet it means that I am not safe to be let loose with a needle and thread! Still hoping for an end of August finish on this :)

I made some decent progress on Drawn Thread The Sanctuary. I don't know if Chris and Kajsa are still stitching along with me or not.

So that's my progress. I took my secret stitch with me to craft club on Tuesday. I was dreading going as I hadn't been for two weeks and I did feel a little like the new girl again.

I need to have a rethink of my rotation and after chatting to Lisa the other day I think I may have it sorted. I always do this to myself! I get too many larger pieces in my rotation then have little time for smaller ones and of course I want to keep HAED Guardian in there now as I know if it goes away again that will be it and it'll end up getting scrapped. So instead of stitching the SB ornaments on a Sunday evening I'm thinking of doing those at craft club. Sundays can be a smalls evening or a HAED SAL night with Lisa. I need to keep at least one evening for smalls then at least I'm finishing something! ETA What do I do??? Lol! I keep looking at Guardian and thinking can I ever finish it and what is the point of wasting valuable stitching time if it won't ever get finished? Let's face it it's 30 pages ( I think) and I've only completed 7. So that leaves 23 pages. At one evening a week there's no way I can get a page a month done so it's going to take me well over 2 years to do and I'm not sure I want to put that much into something. Why do I do this to myself! Maybe I should get a print of it and stick with a QS!

I'm so looking forward to next Wednesday as Lisa and I are having a stitchy day :) We've been friends online for many years now and we have met once before but it's been a while now since we last saw each other. She is coming to my home for the day and we're starting Little House Needleworks Travelling Stitcher. See you soon Lisa!!!

Last photo of the day is of the furry kind. Of course because Jess is home we also have her hamster Ivor. I have to admit that I wasn't too happy when she bought him but seeing her with him and realising how he makes me feel when I hold him I can understand perfectly the concept of having a pet to lift your blues. He is the cutest, funniest little thing and here is is asleep in Jess' shirt!

We're off out for Sunday lunch tomorrow as it's Jessica's 20th birthday and I can't wait. I've been feeling low the past few days so looking forward to getting out and not having to cook!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Take care.

love & hugs

Sally

xxxx