An RAK from June and a Private Exchange With Barb

Hello from a hot and humid east coast of England. I am longing for a thunderstorm and rain right now.

I have been stitching but nothing I can show you right now. I did do a wee bit more on Just Nan Floral Fifteen but I forgot to take a photo. I've also been sorting other bits and pieces to stitch. Barb and I decided our next SAL would be a Blackbird Designs piece. I have chosen Truly Thine which is an old Loose Feathers design so will be starting that on Monday. I shall down at Barb's watching the sailing boats go by drinking Pimms ( I wish!).

I was admiring the lovely piece June stitched for Christina for an exchange and asked June what the chart was. It was from Cross Stitcher and she kindly offered to send me the chart from the magazine. Imagine my surprise when she not only sent me the chart but also she also RAK'd me with a wonderful bag, some lace and a delightful felt bird. Isn't it all lovely? Thank you so much June. You are such a sweet friend.

Barb and I were all ready to open up our exchange pieces on Friday. Royal Mail did well as we both received our packages on the same day. We had decided to do a Shepherd's Bush stitched piece only with no extras exchange. 

This is what I stitched for Barb. I am delighted to say that she loved it :)

Shepherd's Bush Our Hearts Pincushion ( and fob!)

32 count vintage peach linen

Threads from kit

Exchange gift for Barb.

I thought this was a lovely piece for such a wonderful, dear friend and I really love the sentiment of it. I added our initials. ( The chart is now for sale if anyone is interested)

But just look at what Barb sent me! I cannot tell you how much I love this and I sincerely wish I had tried so much harder on mine to her. I just keep looking at it and opening it up. Barb included some gorgeous lilac scissors, an SB Fob Kit, a notebook and pen and some scented tissues in case I blubbed all over! Thank you so much dear Barb. I will treasure it always.

I have the urge to restart HAED QS Holly Fairy. I started it ages ago but the fabric wasn't right so I want to restart it on different fabric and stitch the background this time ( lots of black). I know I should really finish Guardian but I can't bring myself to pick it up at the moment. Maybe when things settle down.

I have not mentioned anything on my blog before but my DH's Dad has been ill. He has had breathing problems for some time now caused by fibrosis on his lungs and spent some time in hospital before I went in for my surgery. A month ago he got called back to the hospital and they had found "anomalies" on his spine and ribs. We knew it was not good as they thought it was cancer which had spread from elsewhere, possibly prostrate. This last Tuesday we found out that there was nothing that could be done and he died this morning. It has come as such a shock, as for all we knew it would come, we did not expect it so soon. At least he is at peace now and reunited with my DH's Mum. Keep your loved ones close as you never know what the future holds.

On a brighter note it is Jess' 21 st birthday on Tuesday. We are going ahead and celebrating as her Grandad would not want it any other way. I can't believe my first born is going to be 21!

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxx