Friday 13 July 2012

Birthday Gifts for Friends and Other Stories!

Sorry to have disappeared for a couple of weeks. I just haven't felt like posting but thought it was time I sorted myself out so I now have a few photos to share.

First of all it was my friend Lisa B's birthday last week. I'd had something stitched but hadn't got around to making it up so was a wee bit late sending it to her. Lisa loved it which made me very happy.

Little House Needleworks Home

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started 26th June 2012

Finished 28th June 2012

Birthday Gift for Lisa B.

Saturday was my dear friend Karan's birthday and this is what I stitched for her.

Homespun Elegance Making My Heart Happy.

32 count fabric

DMC

Started 15th June 2012

Finished 16th June 2012

Birthday Gift for Karan.

I had a lovely thank you card from her yesterday which said that she loves the heart and sentiment:) I'm so glad you liked it Karan:)

Well over a year ago Christina kindly sent me a needleroll kit she had in her stash but wouldn't stitch. I was looking through my stash for something new to start but was feeling too lazy to kit up so thought this was ideal as everything was in the kit.

Lori Birmingham Stitcher's Needleroll ( as kitted)

Started 28th June 2012

Finished 29th June 2012

I'd like to pass the chart and leftover threads on to someone else who would like to stitch it so just say in your comment if you'd like to :) If more than one person is interested I will pick a name :)

I've also done some finishing on a couple of bits I'd finished stitching while I could do nothing more than stitch or knit! I have to rely on Abi or Jess to lift my sewing machine out for me.

This one is Shepherd's Bush Elizabethan Needlecushion.

And this one is Shepherd's Bush Our Hearts Pincushion.


My stitching has slowed up a lot now that I am able to do a bit more and I'm getting out walking more too. I still have to behave on the lifting front but I do forget sometimes and know I've done it. I desperately want to have a good dust and clean but it's getting myself motivated to do it although Jess says he will help me and we're going to do a room a day.

Anyway back to stitching. I had a new start at the end of June. It's Carriage House Samplings Wash Day which I am thoroughly enjoying. I have done a bit more to this since I took the photo. I must admit I've got a bit fed-up with my stitching. I think because I've been able to do such a lot ( which was great if I'm honest. Who doesn't want to sit and stitch all day!) and now I have such a lot to make up which I've had a crisis of confidence with I just don't want to do it so much. So at the moment I only have 3 WIPs. Yep 3 one of which I can't show! 


I've also been getting on with my SAL with Mouse; Little House Needleworks A Stitcher's Heart. It is almost finished then I'll start on the Shakespeare's Peddlar piece. 

I'm trying to be good and not buy anymore new charts for a bit longer. It's hard though when you look through what you have and don't want to stitch any of it ( I do have SB stuff that I want to stitch!) but I still love what I have. So I'm going to use the money from sales I've made to kit up stuff I already have.

I have been doing some knitting. I take my Crest of a Wave Baktus to craft club with me on a Tuesday. I'm really enjoying being able to go there again. I've been searching Ravelry for an afghan to knit as I'd love to have one to hand down and found a free one so I asked my DH if he'd mind me buying some wool. I bought some on sale from Kemps so I'm good to go when I've finished some other bits. I'd also seen one in a magazine that I'd picked up at craft club when one of the ladies had brought some in for us to have but it was in two parts. Nic very kindly sent me the mag with it in so I can knit that one too! Anyway this has been keeping me busy.

This is one of Abi's mitts. She chose them ( Alderman Mitts a free download on ravelry) but I wasn't sure I could knit them. I've never used DPNs before plus they're cabled and the thought of all those needles filled me with dread! As you can imagine I am rather proud of myself. The other one is about halfway done then I have to start on some for Jess as she has decided she would like some too but she wants hers red and black.

Last but by no means least my dear friend Michelle went to France on a stitching retreat the other weekend and very kindly sent me this lovely coaster. I have it on my little table by where I sit to stitch. Thank you so much Michelle. It's so sweet of you to think of me.


Almost forgot Abi has started up a blog. She doesn't stitch but she's using it to show her photography and just general chatter. I'd really appreciate it if you have a spare minute just to pop on over and say hello:) http://apocketfulofwonderland.blogspot.co.uk/

Well I think that's everything for now. I still have a few bits for sale if you'd like to have a look:)

Until next time.

With much love

Sally
xxxx 

34 comments:

Barb said...

Glad to hear you are able to do a bit more Sally. Love the gifts and the wips as usual .Love the mitt and well done on tackling all those needles.
How strange I too have a wip that cannot be named !lol.

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear you are able to do more. Your finishes are beautiful and your wips are lovely too.
Those mitts look great. I've yet to master dpn's too.
Hope you have a good weekend.

Chris said...

Hey Sally!
Glad to hear that you are getting out and moving around more. You have gotten so many things finished. They are all lovely. I like Wash Day too.
Have a great weekend!

Clare-Aimetu said...

Beautiful work Sally - always thinking of you x x x

WendyCarole said...

great to hear you are able to do a bit more. Love all the stitching.

Love the mitts too. Well done for tackling dpns its something I still have to master.

Carol said...

Ooh Sally, if you haven't already passed on the chart for the Lori Birmingham Stitcher's Needleroll, I would love to have it. It's been on my wish list for years.

Carol :o)

gracie said...

Good to ead you are on the mend. I just visited Abi's blog...and I look forward to checking back to see more of her work. I did not see a way to "follow"...love your stitching and the needleroll is so pretty...I would love to stitch and pass on....

Vickie said...

So good to read a post from you Sally. The mitt looks fantastic. Good for you. Such nice stitching projects you have. Please include my name in the draw for the stitcher's needleroll. I would love to stitch it and pass it along. Take care of yourself. You are getting there!♥

Margaret said...

Such lovely stitching as always. it's so good to hear you're able to do more and are on the mend. Cleaning a room a day is a good idea. The mitts are so cool -- good for you for going for a new technique with dpn and cables.

Kaisievic said...

Wow, Sally! Great post - loved to read about all your finishes and I am so glad that you are on the mend.

Lesleyanne said...

So pleased you are able to do a bit more Sally but please do take easy until you are fully fit again. Gorgeous finishes, I love your ruched edging and wips. Great gift from Michelle. Your mitt is lovely.

Shirlee said...

Hi Sally! Great post! So many wonderful stitchings! Of course I share your fear of making finished stitchings into something but you did a beautiful job on the RAK you sent me a while back so I don't think you have anything to worry about : ) Abi's mitts look great! I didn't know there were cables on them! I love cables but haven't tackled them yet. Please put me in the drawing for the needleroll chart : )

Mary Ann said...

Beautiful stitching and finishing as always, Sally! Be sure to still take it easy and take care of yourself.

Cindy's Stitching said...

You have been busy. All the pieces are beautiful.

Jennifer said...

All your finishes are lovely, but there's just something about the piece you made for Lisa that I really like (maybe because it's blue!) Great job!

Patty C. said...

Lovely works

butterfly said...

Wow Sally you have been busy love all your stitching so beautiful.
I also received a French coaster of the lovely Michelle she is so sweet.
So glad your up and doing it's hard but you are getting there well done Sally.
Love to be in the stitch and pass on, I also have one also ready to pass on watch out for it in the next week or two.Hugs.

Anne said...

Good to hear you can do more now but still take it slow! Very lovely little pin cushions you made and your WIP's are beautiful! I love those fingerless gloves! Very Victorian!!

Bianca said...

Great finishes. My favorite is the One Hearts pincushion. I love the pink ribbon trim!

jane said...

Lovely work Sally, good to hear that you are getting out and about a bit more. Keep taking it easy though xx

Tricia T said...

Beautiful stitching, Sally! I'm so pleased to hear that you are up and around a little more. Have fun kitting up your projects. I'm sure that will get you inspired!! : )

Penny said...

You've been busy stitching some pretty pieces! I love your fingerless mitts! I wanted to do some as gifts last Christmas, but feel intimidated by the dpns. :) I'm so glad that you are feeling a little better!

Ellen said...

Gorgeous, so many finishings!

Love your wips! These are designs I wanted to stitch but don't know when I will have time to start them ha ha!

Hugs n take care,

Michelle said...

Oh Sally I was so pleased to hear that you are starting ot feel a little better. Absolutely beautiful stitching - I adore all of them. Take care of you xx

Christina said...

Lots of beautiful things to comment on Sally. Oh my goodness, was it really a year ago that I sent you that needleroll kit? Where has the time gone? It looks really lovely. How cute is the scissor charm?!
I love your heart finish for Karan. I wish I could master a finish like that.
As always, when I see a SB finish on your blog it makes me want to stitch one from my stash!

Julie said...

I do love that black mitt, so beautiful, you'll be making some socks next.
Beautiful gifts you have made for your friends.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Sally I'm glad to read that your days are getting better that you are getting stronger and can slowly start to do more.

What beautiful gifts you have made for your friends and I'm sure they will be treasured!!!

Christine said...

Lovely stitching and finishing Sally and I love the fingerless mittens.
Tried to check out Abi's blog but it wouldn't load, I'll try again later

Brigitte said...

Great to hear that you are recovering more and more, and that you can do more with each day. Sounds really good.
Your finishes are adorable and the ladies who received your stitched gifts must be so happy with them.
Kitting up charts that you already have is a great means against buying too much new stash. That's why I'm doing the Crazy Challenge - going through my charts at the beginning of the year shows me what I have and what I want to stitch right away (something that I had already thought when I bought it, lol).
Have fun with your charts.

Heather said...

Wow that mitt is fantastic.

You're still putting me to shame when it comes to stitching - but there is something stitched on my blog :)

Catherine said...

Wonderful post showing all of your goodies!! I'm off to pop over to Abi's blog!

Veronica said...

So happy to hear you're getting out and about more now. Beautiful finishings, Sally. I especially love the SB ones.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Carol said...

Sounds like you're feeling better each day, Sally! That is wonderful :) And you've shown us such pretty stitching once again--I do love Wash Day the most; it is just adorable!

Lois said...

Sally, nice to see a post from you and to hear that things are getting better. Some lovely finishes and WIP's both stitched and knitted.