Wednesday 8 February 2012

Some Thank You Gifts

I stitched up a couple of thank you gifts and have been waiting for them to arrive before I could show them as they were surprises for both recipients.

Last year I asked on my blog if anyone had the Shepherd's Bush 2009 Fob chart that I could borrow and Valerie very kindly offered to lend me it. I've been a while getting something stitched for her but this is what I did for her and I am happy to know that she loves it :) 
Shepherd's Bush Lucky

32 count light taupe evenweave

DMC 
Started 22nd January 2012

Finished 25th January 2012
Thank you gift for Valerie.

I admired a Carriage House Samplings finish on Suzanne's blog last year and saw that it was from an issue of JCS so I asked which one. Suzanne kindly offered to send me the magazine. Again it's taken me a while but I stitched up a little something for her and she loves it :)
Blackbird Designs Rosebud Sachet ( from A Schoolgirl's Work)

32 count light taupe evenweave
GAST and DMC

Started 21st January 2012

Finished 22nd January 2012
Thank you gift for Suzanne.

I shamelessly had my new start last Friday and stitched on Saturday and a bit on Sunday too. It is Heartstring Samplery I Sew'd My Heart. I first saw it last year when Catherine stitched it up so beautifully then I saw Mouse's lovely start and jogged my memory! I'm stitching it on 32 count vintage country mocha linen ( not that you can tell- the photo is bad!) using the recommended GAST.

I also made a little progress on CCN Snowflake Serenade. It's really time that this baby was finished so maybe I should have an evening a week on it instead of fitting it in here and there. 

I have yet another Shepherd's Bush finish. It's not made up yet but I love how this stitched up. I keep saying that I'm going to start a bigger SB design for my SAL with Barb and Colleen but I'm really enjoying stitching smaller bits at the moment. Barb kindly sent me the Count Your Blessings chart when she'd finished with it so I think I'm starting that next week!

Shepherd's Bush 2011 Fob ( as kitted)

Started 30th January 2012

Finished 6th February 2012

At craft club yesterday I started my tree for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. I am amazed at how much I actually got done as what with listening to others chatting and getting involved myself I felt sure I wouldn't be able to concentrate enough!

Finally last night was L*K 6 Fat Men SAL night with my surrogate sis Lisa. I stitched snow, snow and more snow! Still love it though :)

Late Saturday afternoon the snow started and kept on falling. It was blowing too so in some places there were some deep drifts. I was so happy to see it so Sunday morning DH and I went out bright and early ( well early for a Sunday morning! ) for a walk armed with our cameras. We had planned to have a walk so far around the mere but it was very misty teh nearer we got so we decided we wouldn't get any clear photos so after taking the odd one or two of some sheep in a field we went to the park then onto the mere from another way by which time the fog had cleared. Here's just a few of my photos.
Hull Road
Back of St Nicholas Church from Hallgarth Park
Hallgarth Park
Hallgarth Park
Hallgarth Park
Hallgarth Park
Sheep by The Mere
St Nicholas Church
Swan Island, The Mere. Frozen and snow covered
Swans in the snow and ice, The Mere
Boats in the snow. This one caught my eye the way the snow had blown up the side.

The forecast says the icy blast is going to continue and we may get more snow at the weekend.

Poor Jess rang in tears on Sunday afternoon as Ivor, her hamster, had died. She was absolutely heartbroken. She'd had him just over a year and he was lovely. A real character and we all played with him when she was home. Thankfully the mains roads were clear of snow so we were able to go through and bring her home for the night. I think she just needed her Mum as the first thing she did when we got there was fling her arms round me and burst into tears again. 

That's it for today. I'm going to finish off catching up on blogs now. I started yesterday when I got back from craft club but didn't get them all read!

Stay safe and warm in the snow and ice.

Much love

Sally
xxxx


48 comments:

Siobhán said...

Beautiful stitching and finishing, Sally! Everything is just lovely. I envy you the snow--it's just rain and gloom here!

Sorry to hear about poor Ivor!

WendyCarole said...

Great thank you gifts. Lovely photos,
I am so sorry to hear about Ivor. Sending Jess a hug. xxx

Barb said...

Sally lovely gifts as usual, and love the wips. However I simply am in admiration of your snowy pics, love the puff ball sheep of course, I shall be up for a visit as it all looks lovely but I shall have to wait until Monday lol.
keep warm sweetie its bitter out today.

Vickie said...

Wow! You have so much accomplished. Thanks for sharing your snowy walk photos. Love them.

CATHI said...

Beautiful stitching! When I saw the church amongst your photos, I thought it could be one of the churches in Skipton, but then I looked up in my holiday folder, and it isn't... My family and I have been to Skipton last Summer and made a lot of photos... :o)

Cathi

Terri said...

Wow, you've been busy! All finishes and WIPs are beautiful!

I think your pictures came out great! I really enjoyed looking at them!

And sorry to hear about the hamster! It's not easy losing a pet. Hugs to Jess

Tricia T said...

Gorgeous gifts and stitching, Sally! Your snow is pretty - we haven't had much here this year. I'm so sorry to hear about the hamster. :( That is so hard!!

Mouse said...

ohhhh lovely stitching and glad I helped jog your memory ..lol
lovely snowy photos :)
sorry to hear about your wee hamster Jess... we lost both our Guinea pigs last week ... old age ish we think ? so know what you are going through ...
take care and happy stitching and what out for the postie next week fingers crossed and a speedy needle ..lol
love mouse xxxx

Michelle said...

Beautiful stitching Sally - I adore both of the kindness gifts you sent out. I am sorry to hear about Ivor poor Jess she must be so sad - give her a hug for me. Wow you are quite a photographer - stunning photos xx

Susan said...

Beautiful stitching, and the finishing you did is lovely! Out here in California it will be almost 70 degrees today, so the snow pictures are appreciated!

Sorry about the hamster-my daughter had one in grade school. Although she loved him, after 2 years of changing his stinky cage, when he finally died, she was secretly relieved (as was I-got tired of the smell and the nagging to clean the cage!). My son however, was heartbroken. We had a hamster funeral with all the works. Big hugs to Jess.

Diane (di) said...

Sally, everything (as always) is simply beautiful. Your finishing is fabulous, too. Love those pictures and feel free to send some snow to me here in Michigan. We are having a big time snow-less winter here. :(

((hugs)) to Jess.

Christine said...

Beautiful gifts and stitching, and I love your snow pictures. Hope you are keeping warm!

Elisa said...

Some gorgeous pictures of your stitching and also your snow pictures too.
Ah RIP little Ivor {{{hugs}}}

Julie said...

Your new camera takes lovely pics, the sheep look pleased to see you.
2 beautiful thank you gifts.
Poor Jess, sometimes only a mothers (hug) will do

Jennifer said...

Beautiful! I especially love the initials done in the eyelet stitch

cucki said...

very lovely stitching and finishing..
everything is so lovely..
aww i love snow so much..
so sorry to hear about the ivor..
sending hugs to jess xxx

Christina said...

Oh, poor Jess. It's just heartbreaking when a family pet dies.
I love your snowy photographs, Doesn't the world look like a beautiful place with a layer of snow on it?
Your stitched thank you gifts are lovely. I bet Valerie & Suzanne love what you stitched for them.

Mylene said...

Lovely thank you gifts! And you sure busy stitching, beautiful designs you are working on.

Great snow pictures!!

Stitchabilities said...

Lots of beautiful stitching! and pretty photos of the snow!
Sorry to hear about Ivor (hugs to Jess)

Margaret said...

All your stitching is just lovely! Poor Ivor! :( It's always sad to lose a pet.

Lesleyanne said...

Beautiful gifts sent out Sally. Your wips are looking stunning too. Great photos. Sending hugs to Jess, so sorry to hear about Ivor.

jane said...

Lovely stitching Sally, great gifts!
You have been very busy as usual!
Sorry to hear about Ivor, hugs for Jess from me too.

Autumn said...

Beautiful projects! Loved visiting your blog.

Lisa S said...

Beautiful Thank you gifts you made Sally! Love all your WIPS too!
I enjoyed your snowy pics very much since I haven't seen snow in almost 9 years :)
Sorry to hear about Ivor ;( Hugs to Jess!

valerie said...

Oh so sorry to hear about Jess' hamster. Poor thing. I absolutely love seeing your snowy UK photos. So pretty! I loved the giftie and all your stitching looks fabulous!

Jane said...

So so sorry to hear of Jess's loss, I'm glad you were able to get to her and comfort her so quickly, Mum's cuddles always help!
Those are 2 lovely gifts you stitched, how you manage to fit them in as well as all your other WIPS I just don't know?
Gorgeous pictures, looks like it's coming back again on Friday, oh well at least it will be half-term and we don't have to go out in it!
Stay warm xxx

Unknown said...

The gifties that you sent were fantastic, no wonder they were loved. Your other stitching is really coming along, and is of course beautiful! Great snow pictures - we haven't had hardly any here this year.

Sorry to hear about Ivor. Glad you were able to give Jess the perfect Mother hug that cures almost anything!

Deb said...

All your stitching and finishing looks wonderful Sally! And I am jealous of your snow - we have had about zilch around here (okay - maybe a few inches) but it's been so gloomy all season!

Veronica said...

Beautiful pillow finishes. I can definitely see why Valerie and Suzanne love them :)

Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed looking at them.

Sorry to hear about Ivor. Poor Jess. Do take care!

Hugs,
Veronica.

Catherine said...

Hugs to Jess.....it's never easy no matter how big or how small our companions may be.
Your gifts and stitches are wonderful! The Heartsting piece is one of my favorite finishes!
Love the pictures ~ especially the sheep, as I love the! And the one of the boats caught my eye too!

Patty C. said...

Everything looks wonderful-the fob is finished beautifully!

Ellen said...

The gifts are gorgeous! Love the progress on wips!

Thanks for sharing the snowy photos, no snow ever in Singapore!

So sorry to hear about the hamster, sending Jess "hugs".

Hugs,

CJ in OK ;-) said...

Great stitching and so many projects. I love all the pictures in your post both the stitching and the non stitching ones. CJ in OK ;-)

Tatkis said...

Such beautiful and lovely gifts!
All your processes looks great, and it seems you have a lot of snow :)

Hugs,
Tatyana

Petites xxx et Cie said...

Nice stitching and finishing.
Take care my Dear Sally,
Bisxxx

Nicola said...

Beautiful photographs, thank you for sharing your snowy walk with us.

Your stitching is so beautiful and you have chosen some lovely designs.

Poor Ivor and Jess.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

oh beautiful pictures !!!!

have a good time

bisous xxx de FRANCE

Carol said...

I just love the little pillows you made for Valerie and Suzanne, Sally! And all of your WIPS are grand :)

Poor Jess--we had a hamster years ago that only lived about a year, too. I can still remember when we discovered that he died because it was during my oldest son's 10th birthday party. Of course, all the 10 year old boys (except my son who was near tears) were all excited to see a dead hamster... Boys!!

Nicky said...

The gifts you've stitched are adorable Sally, lucky girls! Your snow photos are fantastic, I love the beautiful old church, so different from our churches in NZ, that's for sure. Sending happy thoughts to your Jess, it is so sad to lose a loved pet.
Stay warm and happy stitching, Nicky

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Your little pincushions and fobs are gorgeous. You have so inspired me. I stitched and framed Lucky. I need to get him back out and do a little pincushion, as well! Thanks for the pictures of your beautiful scenery! I think that you must live in one of the most picturesque places in the world!!!
Linda

Michelle said...

I love the little gifts and all your WIPs are looking beautiful! Great snowy pics!

Sorry to hear about Ivor.

Lois said...

What nice gifts you made Sally. As ever, great progress on all your WIP's. Loved all your snowy pics, we're still just having rain, rain and more rain. Hope Jess is feeling more like herself now. I'm sure she misses him.

Sharon said...

Beautiful gifts Sally, very lucky recipients! Poor Jess, give her extra hugs from me-it's terrible when a cherished pet is no longer with us.

Lynn said...

Gorgeous finishing Sally! I'll bet they were thrilled with their gifts.
I love your WIP especially your new start.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Jess' little hamster.

Dani - tkdchick said...

You got some lovely shots in the snow there Sally!

What lovely thank your you have stitched up!

As usual you have so many different and wonderful projects on the go!

Anne said...

Love that little sheperd's bush design! You finished it beautifully, as usual!!! Valerie will love it!! Fabulous photos!! I really love the one with the boats. That should be printed and framed!! Great WIPS!!

Andrea said...

Very pretty gifts. Beautifully stitched and finished. Greta progress on your WIPs. Just love your snowy photos.

Pumpkin said...

Look at those beautiful finishes! No wonder the recipients loved them :o)

Nice to see more of your WIPs. You're almost done Snowflake Serenade!

You can keep the snow ;o)

Sorry to hear about Jess's hamster :o( Unfortunately those pets don't live long enough. Sigh!