Almost There!

It's been over a week since my last post and I have to admit that ,although half term played a part in my lack of blogging, I just did not have the enthusiasm for it. I did, however, do quite a lot of stitching and have been on a mission to try and get Drawn Thread The Sanctuary finished, stitching on it 4 nights a week, and it's almost there. I wasn't going to post a photo today but changed my mind. I just have to finish stitching the pink flowers around the border then I'm done and can finish it with hemstitching. The cutting, removing and reweaving threads went badly and I thought I was going to have to scrap the whole thing as my threads kept breaking. It may not be perfect and I may not be 100% happy with it but the piece is so pretty so it makes up for it! Hopefully by the end of the week it'll be totally done:)

I've also been doing a bit of finishing off on a couple of pieces. First up is LHN Belle Pepper which I stitched ages ago. This is a simple hanging pin keep type finish with some rather nice trim that I found in Hobbycraft.

Second piece is LHN Red House in Winter with a gathered ribbon finish. This will go on my Christmas tree:)

I've also been trying to finish my Blackbird Designs Peacock Pin Keep. What a carry on! I am guessing that the BBD ladies must have used a thick coat type wool for the pin keep as I must have used way more than the 1/4 yard on the chart! I went and bought a pair of wool trousers from one of the local charity shops and by the time I'd got those cut up and wound I still didn't have enough! So back to the charity shop this morning and another pair of wool trousers! I don't need a lot but I'll make sure I keep what's left just in case I need some in the future! So I will, hopefully, have that to show later in the week.

Scrooge's house on The Primitive Hare's Christmas Carol Sock has grown a wee bit since the last time I posted it and I'm hoping to get more done this evening with Barb. If I'm to get it done and on display for Christmas I'd better get my finger out. I can't believe it's November tomorrow! 

Craft club last week was much warmer so no fingerless gloves needed thankfully! One of the ladies had brought some knitting magazines she no longer wanted and so I didn't feel left out she brought some cross stitching ones too so I spent some time looking through those before I started stitching then a break later for a cuppa and a yummy piece of flapjack made by the lady who runs it. I really must get the recipe. Anyway this progress picture of LHN Winter Band Sampler is two Sundays and a Tuesday mornings worth! I hope Lesleyanne and Angela are enjoying it as much as I am.

Last but by no means least is my Wednesday night SAL with my surrogate sis Lisa. Mine went much better this week and I just have the scarf and a few snowflakes to stitch and I can start the next one:)

I'm looking forward to the final part of the iStitch mystery SAL this weekend. I finished stitching part 7 yesterday and will post a picture in my next blog post.

That's all from me for now. I need to get caught up on blogs again when I get home from craft club tomorrow.

Take care everyone!

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

 

Lots of Stitchy Progress

Before I show my stitchy stuff I just wanted to thank everyone who left such kind comments and hugs for both Abi and I on my last post. I am trying so hard to be strong for Abi but I have to admit that I am missing little Leo loads and I've sheds many a tear. Poor Abi has been so upset by the passing of her beloved little pet and can't bare to talk about it. I feel so bad for her and as a Mum really wish I could put things right.

Anyway on to my stitching before I cry again! Monday evening was Christmas Carol SAL night with Barb. I added some window frames and more brick work to Scrooge's house and am hoping to get more done next week. Half term means a lie in so no need to go to bed quite so early! Now that I have got used to the 35 count fabric I am really enjoying stitching this.

Tuesday at craft club it was freezing! The museum is now closed but the heating had, supposedly, been put on for us but I was frozen. My hands were freezing and were going blue! Two of the ladies kept their coats on! I think I shall take my fingerless gloves next week just in case! Anyway I made a start on Little House Needleworks Winter Band Sampler and am loving stitching it. I'm stitching along with Lesleyanne and Angela.

So Tuesday evening I didn't get much stitched on The Sanctuary as my heart just wasn't in it. I had got some done on Sunday evening and I picked it up again last night. I must admit that I am quite desperate now to finish this so that I can start TSG Gald Tidings with Jane Austen with Barb. I want to get some more Christmas ornaments stitched too.

Final progress picture is my SAL with Lisa which is Lizzie*Kate 6 Fat Men. I had such a going on with this this week! I got so far on the snowman then had to keep frogging one bit as I just could not get it to go right. I know my mind was not exactly on it and I almost threw it across the room! I dislike the fabric but am not starting over as I can't afford to waste it. Hopefully it'll go better next week.

I've been gearing myself up to get some finishing done and have been making the "pin keep" bit of the BBD Peacock Pin Keep this morning whilst waiting for the plumber to arrive. I do have all my stitching to attach to the bits yet and I'm hoping to do a bit more when I get off here. I ordered some fabric and one trim from Thread Bear last night to finish three pieces ( Duo Noel, A New Day and Dandy Dreams) and will have to see if I can get some ribbon or trim from Boyes next week. I also need to get a Halloween piece finished or it won't be on display this year!

I popped to my local newasgent the other day to pay my Dad's paper bill and just happened to notice the JCS Christmas Ornament magazine on the shelf so asked if they had one put away for me, which they hadn't, so I grabbed one off the shelf! I'm been eagerly waiting for it to come in and I have to say I was not disappointed when I looked through it. There are several that I really want to stitch so I really need to make a point of getting some done.

Hmmm I just realised the Online Needlework Show has started. Should I look???? Lol!

After having no hot water or central heating for  over a week we have finally got our boiler fixed today! Phew. It feels so good to have hot water again and know we can have the heating on if we want. £250 worth of parts have been fitted. Thank God we have insurance and don't have anything to pay as there'll be labour on top of that.

That's it from me for today. Carol R has sent out part 7 of the mystery SAL today so I'm hoping to get that stitched over the weekend and maybe start a Christmas ornament? Lol!

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

Little Leo Hamster

Abi's lovely little Leo Hamster left us yesterday evening to play happily over the Rainbow Bridge :( He had only been with us 7 weeks but he has left a huge gap in our hearts. I could never have imagined such a small soul could leave such a big pawprint on our hearts. He was such a funny little thing, so lovable and so mischievous and very much loved by us all.

Abi is devastated and I feel so bad for her. I just want to make everything all right again. 

Boiler is still not fixed. Not happy. Still waiting for parts. 

I am behind on blogs and have tried to get motivated to catch up today but I can't.

Will be back soon with some stitching.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

A Teeny Finish

I made the mistake of not double checking the fabric I'd taken to craft club with me on Tuesday to start my latest Shepherd's Bush ornament so it's turned out rather teeny but it looks so cute! I'll have fun making this one up- not!

Shepherd's Bush Shepherds Watched

25 count fabric

DMC

Started 11th October 2011

Finished 15th October 2011

I also finally stitched up the holes in the SB ornaments that I made up the other day. I have to say that I am ashamed at the way these look. I wanted to finish them simply like the others I've stitched and finished so far but I don't think they look very good. Well I guess you learn by your mistakes lol! I think I'm having a crisis of finishing confidence!

Wednesday was SAL night with Lisa on our L*K 6 Fat Men. Poor Lisa has been ill so has not been stitching much. Hope you are feeling much better soon Lisa {{{{hugs}}}}. Here's my progress. I'm loving stitching this. I'd forgotten how much fun L*Ks were to stitch.

Friday I did a little on Blackbird Designs AotH Bonus block. This is such a pretty block and so easy to stitch with it just being an alphabet and some flowers.

Lesleyanne, Angela and I are, hopefully, starting Little House Needleworks Winter Band Sampler on Tuesday. I've dyed some fabric today and sorted my threads so I am all ready to go:) 

I stitched up part 6 of Carol R's iStitch mystery yesterday. I am still hoping that will look OK for my DMC box:)

We have been without hot water and heating since Wednesday evening. We probably wouldn't have been using our heating anyway but I sure do miss the hot water. Thankfully we have an electric shower so at least we can showered! I really feared our boiler had died a death when the plumber rang on Friday morning to ask what make and model it was and when I told him he said the parts weren't easy to get. We have an insurance to cover parts and labour and that does pay a small amount if it is unrepairable but that wouldn't go anywhere near to the cost of a new one. Anyway he came out to have a look, rang his office to tell them what parts to order and hopefully they should be available Monday or Tuesday. However I am not holding my breath! 

Yesterday I had a bit of a mishap whilst getting out of the car when we got back from grocery shopping! I caught my foot in the strap of my bag taking a bit of a stumble and I hit my chin on the top of the car door. Ouch! The air was blue, my eyes were watering and, boy, did it hurt!!!!! I am now sporting a rather fetching bruise on my chin which I am very conscious of!!! I may have to see if I can find some concealer in my make-up bag! 

Well that's it from me for today. I'll be back in a few days with progress on other bits.

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx 

Gifts For Friends & A Finish

It was my friend Elisa's birthday on Monday so I stitched up a little pincushion for her from the Blackbird Designs Joyeaux Noel book. I've been itching to stitch something from this since I bought it months ago and I thought Elisa might like this and I'm happy to say that she not only likes it- she loves it! I changed the year to her birth year ( yes she is 40). Happy Belated Birthday Elisa!

Blackbird Designs Vintage Pincushion

25 count fabric

DMC 4210

Started 27th September 2011

Finished 2nd October 2011

Birthday gift for Elisa.

I was being nosy the other day and looking at Lesleyanne's list of things that she wanted to stitch and saw this so stitched it up for her and sent it along with the travelling pattern.

Lizzie*Kate Peace Joy Love freebie

Silkweaver 28 count Sparkling Cider lugana

Carrie's Creations Hollyberry & Mistletoe

DMC B5200

Started & Finished 6th October 2011

Just because gift for Lesleyanne

I added the year to the back and finished it with a beaded edge using red and green beads. Lesleyanne said I was a very naughty girl lol but she loves it:)

Monday evening was SAL night for Barb and I on The Primitive Hare Christmas Carol Sock. I finished the roof of Scrooge's house and made a start on the "brick laying"! I am sure he'll appreciate me building his house to keep him warm lol!

At craft club yesterday I had a finish and a new start! I knew I didn't have much to stitch on Tra La La Duo Noel so I took a couple of other things with me so that I wouldn't be sat there with nothing to do. So here's my Duo Noel finish :)

Tra La Duo Noel ( Mouton)

28 count own tea dyed evenweave

DMC

Started 20th September 2011

Finished 11th October 2011

Thank you so much Lesleyanne for sending the chart onto me when you'd finished stitching yours:) I have now sent it onto Barb:)

So what did I start after that? Well I took LHN Summer Splendor with me and the next SB ornament from the JCS ornament mags and decided on the ornament. As Lesleyanne and I are going to be starting Winter Band Sampler soon I decided to leave Summer Splendor until after that :) What I didn't realise was the fabric cut I'd taken with me was 25 count so here's a very teeny shepherd!

Finally my progress on DT The Sanctuary from last night. I'll be stitching on this again on Thursday as I really want to get it finished. I'm in two minds at the moment whether to finish it once I've got the words done or whether to carry on and do the removing threads, border and hemstitching. I'm thinking that if I only do the words I'll finish it sooner and I'm very nervous about removing and reweaving threads!

I have been so lucky of late winning a few giveaways so I couldn't believe it when I saw that I'd won Rowyn's giveaway for Shakespeare's Peddler Weeds Make Haste:) I'm looking forward to seeing Rowyn's finish of it and receiving the chart. Thank you so much Rowyn:) I keep thinking that my lottery numbers might come up but noooooooo!!!!

Tonight is SAL night Lisa and those cute 6 Fat Men! Can't wait!

I seriously need to get some making up done as I have several things waiting in the wings. Some I would really like to get framed but they will be have to wait a bit. I started making the "roll" for the BBD Peacock Pin Keep but got bored with it so must get back to that! I also have the pouch for LHN Travelling Stitcher to make but I haven't managed to find any fabric online as yet. Can anyone suggest any good online stores in the UK where I might find some? 'd like something similar to what was used in the picture on the chart. I have 4 SB ornaments sewn, stuffed and waiting for the holes to be sewn up! I should be ashamed of myself for leaving them like that lol! Oh and I also have SB Rosy Egg to make up but still on the fence about how to finish it and if my skills are up to an egg shape!!!

Thank you for visiting me and reading my ramblings today and for leaving me lovely comments:)

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx





A Birthday Gift and the Winner of the Travelling Pattern:)

Yesterday was my friend Fiona's ( no blog) birthday. We have known each other online for many years ( in fact I'm not entirely sure just how many!) and I wanted to stitch a little something for her. I decided on this little Lizzie*Kate freebie and finished it as a pinkeep type finish. I am very happy to say that Fi likes it :)

Lizzie*Kate Friendship Grows

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started & Finished 2nd October 2011

Birthday Gift for Fi

Now onto the next member of the stitcherhood:) It was an incredibly difficult choice but the travelling pattern will be on it's way to Lesleyanne:) Congratulations and welcome to the stitcherhood! I will get the chart out to you hopefully tomorrow. Don't forget to follow the travelling pattern to Lesleyanne's blog for your chance to become part of it next time:) 

I finally got part 5 of the iStitch Mystery SAL stitched up just in time for part 6 coming out!

Friday evening I made a small start on the bonus chart on my BBD AotH piece and I continued with it last night. Unfortunately I realised that when I'd left the gap for the bonus chart I'd miscounted and hadn't left the gap I should have :( Thankfully it will still fit in but instead of being a three stitch gap at both sides there will be three at one and two at the other. I am so cross with myself especially as I'd stitched a line across the top! Obviously I cannot count:(

That's all from me for now. Not sure what I'm stitching on tonight. Either an SB ornament or Tra La La Duo Noel:) I need to catch on blogs too but think I will do that tomorrow now. It's been one of those weekends as my Dad has been without  his phone due to a fault since Friday afternoon and no working phone line has meant no working Lifeline so we've both been very uneasy. After numerous phone calls to the phone company and a final angry one at 6.30 pm yesterday evening he finally got a working phone line at about 10 pm last night night BUT  the phone kept ringing through the night keeping him awake so yet another call to them this morning! Keeping my fingers firmly crossed that it's all fixed now and he'll have no more problems.  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

Two New Starts & Progress

It has been the week for new starts this week and I don't feel guilty at all! Lol! As I said in my last post Barb and I are putting our SB SAL on hold for a bit to stitch The Primitive Hare Christmas Carol Sock. I am stitching mine on 35 count superfine linen ( from Sew and So) which I have teadyed. I have to admit that I was in a panic as it took me a while to adjust to stitching on that count fabric and I was thinking what if my eyes are getting weaker and I can't stitch on it anymore:( Anyway once I got going it was fine and here is my progress. I have started in the middle so that I get it placed right on my fabric so this is the roof of Scrooge's house and it's a huge house so may take a while to stitch! Please excuse my bad photos today but it was rather dull when I took them.

My second new start of the week wasn't supposed to be started for a week or two yet but both Lisa and I were rather eager and I can stitch up the needlecase for LHN Travelling Stitcher anytime. So last night we made a start on Lizzie* Kate 6 Fat Men and here is my start. I'm stitching this on the recommended 32 count Amber linen but it's so stiff which makes it quite difficult to handle. Again I seemed to struggle to see it until I got going so I am now wondering if it's because they're linen rather than evenweave or maybe I just need my eyes testing! Having said that I'm fine stitching over one on 25 count and I can see evenweave fine.

On Tuesday I took Tra La La Duo Noel to craft club and lo and behold my poor bodyless sheep from the week before is now sporting a rather nifty looking body! I didn't get a great deal done in the 2 hours and I have to admit the way I was feeling I was close to getting up and coming home after half an hour.

The only other progress I have is on Drawn Thread The Sanctuary. These trees are going so much faster than I thought they would and I am now thinking of putting HAED Guardian on hold ( Not again I hear you say but I really think I'm just not a HAED stitcher anymore, at least not on a BAP) and concentrating on this for two evenings a week to get it finished ( so Barb and I can start TSG Glad Tidings with Jane Austen).

I am getting into Christmas/ Winter stitching now and Lesleyanne and I are going to SAL on Little House Needleworks Winter Band Sampler soon which I am looking forward to :) I got my chart out of my box and I'd already sorted some fabby when I was sorting it all out the other week. I just need to dye it:)

Don't forget there's still time to have a go at becoming part of the sisterhood of the travelling pattern in my previous post. It's open until Sunday but if there's no more interest ( I honestly thought there would have been more) I might choose a name earlier.

Thank you for visiting me and for all your wonderful comments. I appreciate them and your friendships :)

Lots of love and hugs

Sally

xxxx



Tricia's Prize, A Birthday Gift & The Travelling Pattern is Ready to Go!

When my surrogate sis Lisa and I had our stitching day way back on August 10th you may remember she gifted me with the cutest sheep who now sits on my mantlepiece in my living room. I asked for suggestions for names and Lisa and I chose Cecil which was Tricia's suggestion. So I stitched a little something up as a prize for her. As it was a sheep naming thing what better than stitching something sheepy so this is what I stitched!

Shepherd's Bush ABC Sheep ( freebie)

28 count Pink Dahlia Fabric

DMC

Started 2nd September 2011

Finished 20th September 2011

Prize for Tricia

I am so pleased to say that Tricia loves it:) 

Friday was Heather's birthday so I stitched up a little gift for her. Happy Birthday Heather :) I decided on something from the Blackbird Designs A Stitchers Journey book and this is what I chose.

Blackbird Designs Summer Sachet

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started 23rd September 2011

Finished 24th September 2011

Birthday gift for Heather. 

Last but by no means least the Travelling Pattern is ready to continue on its journey around stitchers of the world:) 

I feel very honoured to have been part of the Stitcherhood so now it's time for one of you to become a member.

The rules of the TP are as follows:

1. Comment on this post, saying you would like to be part of the Stitcherhood.

2. By leaving this comment, you agree (if you are chosen) to stitch the design and send it along to the next person in a timely manner. If this means dropping everything in your rotation to concentrate on this project...so be it. If you can't bring yourself to do this ~ don't sign up.

3. You must have an active blog to participate. If you have a blog but never post to it ~ you won't be chosen to be the next stitcher.

4. This is a giveaway-type Traveling Pattern. That means you must follow it from blogger to blogger to enter each time it is ready to send along. Commenting on this post doesn't make you a guaranteed part of the Stitcherhood.

The Traveling Pattern has been stitched by:

1. Sharon of It's Daffycat, Oklahoma, USA

2. Karen of Karen's Handiwork, South Carolina, USA

3. Patty of Hanging On By A Thread, Florida, USA

4. Terri of Chocolates for Breakfast, Stitching for Lunch, USA
5. Lynda of A Cozy Little Place for Stitching, Oregon, USA
6. Nataly of Nataly's Needle Creations, Massachusetts, USA
7. Erin of Fairy Tales & French Knots, NY, USA
8. Jo of Serendipititous Stitching, Suffolk, UK

9. Mouse of talesofastitchingmouse South Yorkshire uk

 10. Sally of Stitchyangel's Treasures, East Yorkshire UK

11. ????????? Could it be YOU?

The  above are all the blogs where the TP appears in all it's glory so you don't have to rummage through the blogs to find them.

I'll chose the next stitcher next Sunday 9th October. Good luck everyone!      

Now here's my finish:) Not sure how I will finish finish it lol as yet!       

Shakespeare's Peddler Count Your Blessings

28 count Silkweaver Tutti Fruiti linen

GAST & DMC

Started 27th September 2011

Finished 1st October 2011

Plans for October are birthday gifts, new SAL with Barb, new SAL with Lisa, continue stitching my other pieces, get part 5 of the iStitch mystery SAL stitched before next weekend plus anything else that I may fancy!

I plan on having a stitching afternoon unless my DH and Abi have any other plans but I reckon Abi will be doing work  for her photography A level. She seems to be settling well now after some upsets the other week ( general studies again- same thing we had with Jess) and is getting into quite a good routine. Her courses are heavily coursework based so it has been quite a shock to the system for her with the amount of work. Jess starts her course at university tomorrow and I have to admit I am feeling extremely unsettled and just hoping that she will stick this one out. Oh and she has to have yet another blood test! This time a fasting one as they found a slight abnormality but why the hell they couldn't do the fasting one in the first place is beyond me! Of course she'll have to get registered with a GP there and get it done.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend and for those of us in the UK who are enjoying an "Indian Summer" at present make the most of it! Normal temperatures are coming back soon ( thank God!) and I, for one, am looking forward to the cooler temps and Autumnal days.

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx