Monday 17 October 2016

A Birthday Gift for Lainey

Oh dear I can't believe it is a month since I last blogged. I just don't seem to be able to get back into the swing of this or visiting blogs. I have, again, considered giving it up but I would miss it so if I manage one post a month then I'm fine with that even it's just for me to record my finishes etc. 

Anyway I have a month's worth of stitching to show and some photos from our holiday ( yes we took another trip up to Scotland but this time Abi came with us ).

Just before we went on holiday it was my lovely friend Lainey's birthday. I wanted to go with a sheep or snowman themed stitch as these are her favourite things ( and who can argue with that as they are mine too! ) so I decided to stitch a portion of Histoire De Moutons and I am delighted to say that Lainey loved it.



Portion of Jardin Prive Histoire De Moutons part 3

DMC and unknown fabric

Birthday gift for Lainey.

I've had a few other finishes. It seems they are like buses; you wait for one and several come along at once!

My Big Toe Designs Merry Christmas

28 count white linen.

DMC


WDC Needleworks 2016 Stocking

32 count nougat linen

DMC

Final finish is my sheep SAL with Barb piece.

Shepherd's Bush Red Snowman

Weeks Dye Works 30 count red pear

WDW, GAST and CC.

I love how this turned out. The snowman needs his nose but I have 4 buttons in my stash and they're all too big so he'll end up with a stitched one!

The other week postie brought me a surprise from The Nimble Thimble from my dear friend Barb. She knows I love SB needlerolls ( well SB in general really!) and had bought me this.

She has also bought herself one so we decided to abandon our sheep and ornament SAL just for the next few weeks to try and get it stitched in time for Halloween. I only started mine on Friday but I did manage to get a bit stitched. Thank you so much Barb I'm enjoying stitching this. It's so nice to do another needleroll to add to my collection.

Both my HAED pieces are coming along quite nicely. I have picked up SK Dragons History again and got a little stitched on it but oh last week I really wanted to just scrap it! However after Saturday's session on it I'm feeling better about it and am determined to finish it. I just have this page to finish and then a partial page to stitch!

Mini Jolly Old Fellow is looking rather good even though I say so myself. I've finished the 4th page and have gridded ready to start the next page. I don't think a Christmas finish will happen but I'll give it a damn good try!

I have been stitching away on the middle tree on Sotto La Neve and I will admit that it has been driving me mad! I did a working copy copy of the chart so that I could mark off what I'd stitched but it's not very clear and I have already personalised it ( as in made mistakes! ) but never mind! I'm happy to have been stitching birds on it now instead of just tree! Lol! It is a very pretty piece so that will keep me going!

My final WIP is the AotH piece by Blackbird Designs. I can feel the finish line! There is still a good bit to do and some of it will be over one stitching ( not good on 36 count! ) but it is looking so pretty! 

Oooh I almost forgot I finally took my Lizzie Kate Holly and Hearts Sampler to get framed. I finished this in 2013 ( hangs head in shame!). My framer did a great job as always.

When we went on holiday I took my Tilton Crafts Always with me. I didn't stitch every night but I did almost finish all the black stitching on the first page. I forgot to take a photo though so I'll take one next time.

So a while ago we decided it might be nice to go back up to the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland again. Abi said she would love to go with us so we decided on the last week of September and booked a lovely looking semi detatched cottage in a little village not far from Gatehouse of Fleet. We had the most brilliant few days up there visiting places we'd been before and discovering new ones. Abi loved it and we have vowed to go again next year. I'll add a few photos. The scenery is just amazing and the wildlife incredibly cute. It just takes your breath away!

















Well that's all for now and I'll see you all in a month unless I manage another post before then.Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll pop by and see what you have all been up to.

Until next time.

With much love,

Sally xxxx

23 comments:

Maggie said...

It's a shame that so many people seem to have given up on blogging in favour of FB and IG. I hope you will stick with it.

Lovely stitching and finishing, and love your photos of Scotland :-)

Christine said...

Wonderful stitching Sally, and fantastic pictures from your holiday.
I love the little stack of sheep on the pillow you stitched for Lainey

butterfly said...


So happy you got away , what a lovely place to go, looks beautiful.

Wow again so much lovely stitching love what you stitched for Lainey's birthday.

I always love what you are stitching some beautiful designs and lots of lovely sheep.

How sweet of Barb , she is so thoughtful , can't wait to see your's and Barb's finish
Have a lovely week .

Daniela Bencúrová said...

Dear Sally, all I really like! Embroidery if travel is great!
I send greetings!

Vickie said...

Lainey's gift is so sweet! AotH is so great and almost there!!
What fantastic pictures!!

Clare said...

What a lovely trip you`ve had. Love your stitched pieces and a great idea to use part pattern for your gift. I enjoy reading your blog. Happy Stitching.

Carol said...

So many lovely things you've shared with us today, Sally--both in your stitching and your travel photos. As always, your photographs are spectacular--so crisp and clear :)

I am still trying to post twice a month (or at least once), but I seem to just procrastinate more and more!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Sally so glad to see your post. The sheep are my favorite. So many pretty pieces. The getaway is so pretty. Beautiful pictures.

Linda said...

Congrats on all of your great finishes Sally. Awesome new starts and progress. Love your vacation pics.

Linda

Angela said...

I love all your finishes and wip's but the gift you made for Lainey is just adorable! Scotland looks amazing :)

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

Lovely holiday photos, Sally.
Your gift for Lainey is lovely and your WIPS are impressive.

Julie said...

Lainey's gift is delightful.
Great pics of your time away, love the little nuthatch, we've had one in our garden these past couple of weeks, he's a new visitor.

Mii Stitch said...

Sweet finishes!
That gift for Lainey is just soo cute!!
Great scenery pictures, I have fell for that sweet little squirrel.

Brigitte said...

Now, that's a lot of stitching and lots and lots of progress on your projects. I also love the SB needle rolls , they have always belonged to my favorites.
Wonderful pictures from the Scottish scenery. I would spend my holidays there again and again.

Maggee said...

Hello! Nice to see a post from you! I really love the gift stitch for Lainey that you stitched and finished. It is beautifully done! You have gotten much done, even if you don't blog about it! All of your projects are coming along nicely! And you have three ready for Christmas--way ahead of me! Love the pictures from your trip! Especially the bird watcher one!! That is so awesome!! Wow! Thanks for sharing with us again! Hugs!

Barb said...

Sally love your pile of sheep simply just us. I am hoping to get a post done this weekend,please stay with us, I do love seeing your stitching appear. I have done a little more (last evening)on my roll and I am liking it A LOT. Friday I shall be doing the tree.
Be in touch soon.
Hugs.

Justine said...

Please don't give up blogging! You always have such gorgeous things to show off.
Love your gift for Lainey, what a clever idea to stitch part of the moutons! Everything else is gorgeous too. Looking forward to seeing your and Barb's matching needlerolls, it's a lovely design and a kind gift to share.
I can't believe how much you've stitched on Jolly Old Fellow! He looks fabulous.
How are you getting on with Always? I keep eyeing it up...

WendyCarole said...

Love all the stitching and your holiday photos are wonderful.

Hang in with the blogging. I keep forgetting to blog. But it’s a good record of what I have been up to

Le trame della Galaverna said...

Fantastic reportage
Wonderful stitches

laceystitcher said...

Love all your stitching projects; so pretty. Your trip pics look absolutely gorgeous! I used to think that FB was so good, but lately I am considering leaving it; so much negativity and foul language used on it. I know many are not blogging anymore, but it seems like a breath of fresh air compared to many other media options. Hope you are having some good stitchy days!!

Irene said...

Sally che bei ricami! Adoro Histoire des moutons, vorrei farlo anch'io, sei bravissima

Andrea said...

Congratulations of all of your wonderful finishes. Love the photos of your getaway, so beautiful.

gominam said...

Congrats on the beautiful finishes. The framed piece so nice! The scenic views are indeed breathtaking! Love the photos. Thank you for sharing😊