Thursday 10 December 2015

Ornament Exchange With Barb

Barb and I decided to do another private ornament exchange this year. We decided on a Monday post out and Royal Mail did very well and delivered both on Tuesday! This is what I stitched for Barb.

Shepherd's Bush Joy to Ewe

18 count Natural linen

DMC

Ornament for Barb.

I am very happy to say that Barb loves it :) 

Here is what Barb stitched for me. She knows me oh so well and I actually have this in my stash to stitch lol! Isn't it gorgeous. So beautifully stitched and finished. Look at the sweet Christmas card too!

Here is a better photo of it.

Look what Barb commissioned her DH, Martin, to make for me. I can't get a decent photo of it but as you can see there is a sweet little Robin inside the cage :) Thank you so much Barb and Martin. I love both my ornament and my Robin. 

It is my birthday on Saturday and I have been receiving some cards and gifts through the post and by hand which I have put away. Barb surprised me with a gift voucher for The Patchwork Rabbit a few days early which I will enjoy spending. I'm going to wait until next week to spend it :) 

A week ago today we lost a precious pet who was a huge part of our family. Abi's wee hamster Meeko passed away at the grand hamster age of 2 1/2. She is absolutely heartbroken and we all miss him so much. He was such a sweet little thing and a wonderful character who gave so much love and was loved very much by all of us. He has left a huge hole in our hearts.


A lot of stitching has been going on but one bit I can't show as it is a gift. I have had a couple of finishes and two new starts though!

Country Cottage Needleworks Fa La La

32 count Natural opalescent linen

DMC and WDW

Barb did not quite get hers finished but we will soon be ready to start the last ornament of the series which is Be Merry.

My other finish is this one. It is a Facebook contest by Mani Di Donna and I need to get it made up very soon. Not sure how I'm going to do it yet!

Mani Di Donna Christmas 2015

40 count Pearl Grey linen

Carrie's Creations and DMC Variations

I forgot to take a photo of one of my new starts which is the December SAL that Chris and I are doing. It is Little House Needleworks The Florist. I am going to visit Chris tomorrow and we're going to do some stitching together so will take a photo next time! I'm looking forward to seeing her as it's ages since we last got together.

My other new start is the third part of the Shepherd's Bush Shepherd's Fold Goodness and Grace.

This one is just so pretty. I plan on getting started with the box covering as I bought some fabric off Ebay after deciding the one I bought a few weeks just wasn't right! 

My lovely Robin didn't get quite as much attention over the weekend as it was the Doctor Who finale on Saturday night and I had to concentrate on that lol! Nearly there with this page though and hoping to have it finished by the end of the month then I'll just have 3 partial pages to go!

Oooh I almost forgot the CCN cottages charts! There were just 2 people showed an interest as many of you are trying to get your stash down, which I totally understand, so the winner of the charts is Judith at The Fairy Stitcher! Judith please email me your address and I'll get them on the post to you. My email is in my profile.

That is all from me for now but before I go I'd just like to say how awful the floods and storms have been and my heart goes out to all those affected by them especially in Cumbria.

Take care everyone.

Until next time.

With much love.

Sally xxx




23 comments:

Tricia T said...

So sorry about Meeko, Sally! HUGS!! I love the gifts that you gave and received. Both of those are favorites of mine! And your stitching is lovely as always. I always love to see what you are creating!!

WendyCarole said...

Beautiful ornaments. I am so sorry to hear about Meeko. xxx

Barb said...

Oh Sally will have to get fa la la finished tonight as yours is gorgeous. We can maybe start Merry Be tomorrow . I have really enjoyed stitching these with you this year. My ornament from Sally is awesome folks.
Will you be getting another hamster.
Enjoy your birthday my friend .

Mary Ann said...

I am so sorry to hear about Meeko. The ornaments that you and Barb exchanged are lovely, and the little Robin in the cage is so nice!!

And, of course, lovely stitching as always!

Happy Birthday(a little early)!!

Manuela said...

Wonderful ornaments you gave and received.
Your stitching is so beautiful as always.
Have a nice weekend, Manuela

Vickie said...

Dear Sally. I am sorry about Meeko. What a year with losing your little parakeet and now hamster.
The ornaments you and Barb exchanged are superb!

Brigitte said...

Such lovely finishes, Sally. And you are getting more and more stitched on this fantastic robin project.
Both exchange pieces are just gorgeous, and both so beautifully finished, too.
I'm looking forward to reading about your birthday gifts :))

CalamityJr said...

What beautiful stitching, both yours and Barb's! This post makes me want to stitch right now (and my mojo has been lazy lately... ). So sorry about Meeko. It's sad to say goodbye to our precious pets. Give Abi a hug!

Andrea said...

Beautiful exchanges. Love them both. Great WIPs too. Sorry to hear about Meeko. Have a wonderful birthday tomorrow.

Kay said...

The exchanges are beautiful, you must have a wonderful ornament collection by now. Wishing you a happy birthday full of cake, happiness, and stitchy things. x

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Your exchange ornaments are stunning. Sally you just keep putting out the best finishes! I think yours is a real stunner! And I really like how Barb finished yours to you too!
LOVE the SB start and your robin...so close!
I'm so sorry to read about Meeko. I imagine hamsters don't live very long lives because of being a rodent and their little hearts go a mile a minute.
Hugs to Abi.

gominam said...

Beautiful ornament exchange. Love the robin too. Congrats on the lovely Christmas finishes. Have a wonderful birthday:)

Justine said...

Sorry to hear about Meeko, Sally. He was obviously well-loved.
All your stitching is gorgeous as always! Your exchange pieces with Barb are both lovely and yes she obviously knows you well as that piece is very "you"!
I'm already missing your update posts on robin - not long now until he's finished.

Magiczny Świat Krzyżyków said...

I'm sorry for your loss Meeko :( Robin looks great! Have a nice weekend!

Christine said...

Lovely stitching and exchange ornaments Sally

Penny said...

You and Barb did a wonderful job on your ornament exchange! Both are so beautifully finished! And you have some lovely finishes and starts too! Meeko just looks like he was a sweetheart. Hamsters do make such sweet pets; my son had a hamster some years ago and we were very much attached to him.

Julie said...

Happy Birthday wishes to you.
Wonderful exchange you had with Barb, well done to you both
{hugs} x

Ali said...

I love the exchange ornaments you both stitched and recieved Sally they are beautifully finished. Wow you have made a cracking start on your Sheperds Bush piece can't wait to see more progress! I am sorry about the loss of Meeko it's never easy when we loose our beloved pets. Hope you have a fabulous birthday and get spoils rotten when the day comes. x

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!, love the gift exhange. The Ornaments are very pretty. Love the colors on the Shepherds bush designs.
So sad when a pet dies 💗
And thanks so much, You made me very happy. looking forward to stitch those beautiful designs. Thinking about making them into cubes.

Mii Stitch said...

A lovely private exchange with beautiful models.
Great stitching finishing & progress, as always!

Mylene said...

Lovely exchanges both sent and received.
Your new start and WIP's are looking beautiful!

Maggee said...

What fun ornaments for your exchange! And you have been busy stitching a whole lot... at this busy time of the year!! Congrats! Sorry about your hamster...no matter the size, a family pet captures your heart and it is sad to see them pass away! Hugs!

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

Lovely ornaments.