Saturday 6 July 2013

Stash & Stitching & Wildlife

Well it's been a while since I last posted. We had a hectic week the week my DH had off going out, started to rip the kitchen out to make way for the new one and filling out forms regarding the sale of my Dad's house with my sister and taking it all in to the solicitors. The solicitor's PA informed us that we'd have more to fill in. Seriously?!

So I have been stitching and I tried to get some making up done, honestly I did, but didn't quite get there and get finished. I will though.

I have had a finish and a new start but I can't show either of those as they are gifts. I also have an almost finish! This is Courage,  one of the Little Sheep Virtues, which I'm stitching with Barb. I really should have had it finished  by now but I didn't stitch at all the Monday before last as we'd been out all day. I want to try and get it finished before Monday as Barb and I now have other plans in between stitching these adorable sheep!


My new start, HAED Mini Jolly Old Fellow, is  not going too badly at all and I even have a litle bit of Father Christmas' hat. I'm really enjoying this so far. Poor Gill, who I am SALing with, hadn't started her Mini Sleigh Ride as her threads hadn't arrived but she's hoping to start it tomorrow.

QS Spirit of Winter Robin is now getting stitched on 2 evenings a week and is  growing nicely. He now has an eye and doesn't he look adorable!

Speaking of adorable look at this photo I took during our day out at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. I am so proud of this photo!

OK back to stitching! Lainey, Mouse and I are still SALing on LHN Curly Q Ewe. Here's my progress. It's a headless, leg less woman walking a sheep! See my needleminder? Well that was one of my naughty purchases this week. My surrogate sis, Lisa,  has started making these and I couldn't resist this one. She has a group on Facebook so if you're on there it is No More Lost Needles and tell her I sent you :). I think I'm aiming for a needleminder for every project as I already have a few!

I'm happy to report that I finally finished page 13 of HAED Guardian and have made a small start on page 14. Yay! It's going to take me at least 2 more years to finish him though!

I haven't started my ornament for July as yet. I thought I'd decided on another Lizzie * Kate one but when I looked at my list I discovered it was this one!

Now to the stash part of my title! As you can see from the photos I did actually buy 2 needleminder as there was a Holly Fairy one and I couldn't decide between them! My JCS ornament preview issue arrived and oh dear there are several I want to stitch so I dread to think what the actual ornament magazine will make me want to stitch!  The same day I also had the LHN Song of the Seasons chart, thread pack and fabric from Karla at The Patchwork Rabbit. Can hardly wait to get started on this one and this is what Barb and I are going to stitch on in between the sheep. Once I've got this year's stash fest over with I really must stop  buying new charts and just buy fabric and threads if I need them!


Ooh I almost forgot! QS Holly Fairy is back from the framers! We did have to take her back as there was a piece of the fabric stuck in between the glass and the stitching but my framer soon put that right. It's difficult to get a decent photo but hope you can see it OK.

As I said earlier we had a day out at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. We had a fantastic day, walked miles around the park and saw lots of animals. Took lots of photos too so here are just a few. Thank God for zoom lenses otherwise you wouldn't have seen much on some of these!













Once again I am way behind on blog reading and commenting.  I just don't seem to be able to get myself motivated to do much of anything other than stitching yet again. I have discovered that bereavement is not just about grieving for a loved one as it can lead to a slippery slope of having little or no enthusiasm which in turn leads to not wanting to go anywhere or do anything other than sit on your  butt which leads to a bigger butt and bigger everything! So I am peeved cos I know I've put more weight on so I have to try and sort myself and get myself going on. I have started exercising again using EA Sports Active for the Wii but it's such hard work so think I'm going to do yoga as well and alternate them. I only go out walking when I have to unless I have someone to walk with which isn't good. I feel so sad so much it's really not good. I have thought about asking about bereavement counselling as I do have issues with guilt etc but I guess it's still early days yet.  I really don't want to lose my readers and commenters because I haven't been visiting your blogs very often so I will try harder.

If you've made it this far thank you cor sticking with me. I appreciate all your lovely comments and hope you will continue to leave them:)

Until next time.

With mu h love

Sally xxxxx

27 comments:

Vickie said...

Your stitching and framing turned out beautiful Sally.
Well, you got out to the Wildlife Park! That was exercise. Good for you, using that Wii to exercise. You just take it as you can. Every little bit counts. It really does! I do walking in tiny bits. It is all I can manage anymore. I will pray for you Sally. Take care now.♥

Von said...

Love seeing your stitching, Sally. Don't feel guilty about not getting to keep up with all the blogs. It's practically impossible with everything else you are handling right now. Hugs

Julie said...

You took some great pics with our camera of the animals. The robins looking super.
How exciting having a new kitchen!

Chris said...

What a wonderful update! You have been making such great progress. Holly Fairy looks wonderful in it's frame. Great new stash too.
It looks like you had a great day at the park.
I hope that the house stuff goes well and that there is an end in sight to the forms.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I can see why you're so proud of the bird photo - it's fantastic! The frame and matting you picked for Holly Fairy is perfect. Lots of good stuff going on I can see!

Bereavement counseling might not be a bad idea. Sometimes talking to someone you don't know who is trained is very uplifting and releasing.

Margaret said...

Love your pics from the wildlife park! All your stitching looks great too!

Catherine said...

Always a treat to see what you have been up to! You have some great projects going.
No worries about visiting and commenting ~ you have so much going on ~ and we'll be here!
Hugs!

Ellen said...

Wow, that bird photo is wonderful! I am not good at taking pictures ha ha!

Love your stash, especially the needleminder! Holly Fairy is so beautiful framed, love her!

Hugs,

Judit said...

Your bird is wonderful!I like it very much!

Judit

Brigitte said...

What a great update, Sally - the framed piece looks wonderful, your stitching progress is absolutely stunning and the new stash, well, don't we need some new charts every now and then to keep us motivated? I also stitch mainly from what I have but sometimes, well, sometimes ordering some new things is a must, lol.
Your pictures are so good!!

butterfly said...

Sally, you have done some wonderful stitching again.
Every thing looks so beautiful.
Thanks for all the photos I love the robin one.

cucki said...

Wow super sweet stitching and lovely new stash..
I love the robin so much..
Me so happy to see my some African fellow's pictures..they so sweet❤
So much fun for having a new kitchen.
Hugs x

Christine said...

Great stitching Sally, and some lovely wildlife photos.
I have decided after similar experiences with my aunt's estate, and then with getting power of attorney for my mum, that solicitors just make all these forms up to make you think they are earning their money

Cath said...

Lovely stitching progress. Holly Fairy looks great in the frame. Love your wildlife pics too .X

Carol said...

Such pretty stitching, as always, Sally--I'm in awe of your Winter Robin piece!! And that is a lovely shot you got of that sweet bird :) your robins are so much prettier than our American ones!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Your framed Holly Fairy is fantastic!!! It must be so nice to get her on the wall!

The robin you're working on looks so realistic.

It's hard loosing a parent isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Sally,
What a great post. I love all those animal pictures.

Your WIP's are coming along nicely.

QS Holly Fairy is gorgeous in that frame. Nice choice.

I will always read your blog. I may not comment all the time. I like your blog and will always be here.

Michelle said...

Lovely stitching Sally - you should take up photography the photos are stunning - how wonderful to be having a new kitchen xx

Christina said...

Holly Fairy looks absolutely stunning Sally - I'd love to see it in-situ.
I stitched 'All is Calm' last Christmas and finished it with burgandy gingham ribbon. I was thrilled with the result!
Oh dear, I haven't received a copy of JCS preview yet, I guess I will want to stitch lots of them when it arrives!

Giovanna said...

Beautiful stitching, and I love your photos of the big cats...

Andrea said...

Wonderful WIPS and finishes. Your photo of the robin looks stunning as are the other wildlife photos.

Lesleyanne said...

A lovely post Sally. It is still early days after your Dad, please don't be too tough on yourself. Your stitching is gorgeous. Holly looks beautifully framed. Your wildlife picture are stunning.

Kaisievic said...

Hi Sally, Oh, I feel for you in your bereavement - it is hard isn't it? Although my dear parents are both with me as you probably know from reading my blog my Dear Mum is quite unwell and I am finding that very hard to deal with - goodness knows how I will be when she does leave us for good (she is 91 and Dad is nearly 94 so we cannot possibly have them for that much longer). Lovely stitching though and you have been busy on lots of wonderful projects. We understand if you can't visit with us all as much as usual. This hard time will pass.

lots of hugs, Kaye

Jackie said...

Sally,
You seem to have a lot going on. All your progress look wonderful and your framed pieces is lovely too. I like the white mats around. It tends to bring your eyes right into the focused piece. Love the animals as they have their place on earth too.
Bereavement!!! Do exercise and push yourself into doing things and staying busy. It keeps the mind from wondering off.
Take care of yourself dear.

Hugs,
Jackie

Penny said...

Always happy to see a post from you! Lovely stitches! Winter Robin is going to be so pretty! Your Holly Fairy looks wonderful in her frame. Great pictures from the Wildlife Park. :) Take care of yourself!

Shirlee said...

Many {{{hugs}}} to you my dear friend. Your dad just passed ... you won't be able to feel "normal" again for quite a while yet. It's been 5 years since my dad left & it's still very difficult for me at times. I miss him every day. Your photos are lovely! I especially like the one of the robin : ) Lovely stitching ... I'm glad you are motivated to do that.

Karoline said...

Holly Fairy is very handsome in her frame and your other wips are looking lovely.

Great photos from the Wildlife park, it's somewhere I've been thinking of taking the kids. We'll have to make a point of it this summer