Hermitting & Frogging!

Well I hermitted a little this weekend but not much was done and what was done on one piece was frogged last night! Darn and I just remembered I haven't taken a photo of my SB progress from Monday night. I'd better rectify that in a minute! 

So I was feeling pretty fed-up what with one thing and another so not much stitching on HAED Guardian on Friday. I've finally come to a decision on this piece and at the moment I'm not sure if it will work or not but I can't stand to carry on stitching this and it take me many more years. I love this piece but it's taking too long and I can't stand to stitch on it more than I am now so................

See where I'm at now? Well I'm thinking of stitching the angel's wings on the next page along then stopping. Framing it or whatever just so the wings show and leaving it at that. Not sure if that makes sense or not but as I feel right now this is never going to get finished so if I finish it at that point at least I can display it and move on. I just don't want to stitch this much more that I have to. I will probably do another HAED at some point as I've promised Abi I'd start Holly Fairy again but I'll never start another big one again.

Saturday we were hospital visiting ( long story so won't go into it ) so I didn't pick up a needle until gone 9 pm. I'd decided not to pick up Guardian so stitched on L*K 6 Fat Men instead. Here is where I got to.

However when I picked it up again last night I had to frog and restitch and this is where I left it when I went to bed! 

Picture taken of Shepherd's Bush The Journey now. The border met ( yay) so I've now started on the flowers at the top left. 

Finally this is the pile of projects I've picked out to do when I'm recovering! I won't stitch them all but these are what I fancy so will sort fabric and threads before I go into hospital then take one in with me.

Tonight is LHN Summer Splendor SAL night with Mouse so looking forward to that :) Might be hospital visiting again though so might not get much done.

I had my pre-op assessment yesterday and it looks like I'm good to go providing, of course, my MRSA swabs come negative ( no reason why they shouldn't) and my bloods are OK. I am feeling very wound up at the moment and could really do to relax or my BP will be sky high by the time I go! Family stuff is really not helping!

While DH and I were out yesterday I bought some wool. I've taken the plunge and found a couple of shawl patterns free on Ravelry one of which was recommended by a stitching friend. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on wool in case I make a mess of it so just bought some cheap in Boyes. It's a lovely raspberry red colour. I want to finish my snood first though.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments for Abi on my last post and to those who emailed me ( you know who you are) thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Her ECG was fine but we do intend to keep and eye on things. Abi was saying that since she had the ECG it's not happened!

The weather is horrible here today so not feeling like doing much of anything. I just want to stay by the fire and keep warm!

Take care everyone.

With much love.

Sally

xxxx

Two Finishes for IHSW :)

I had a very productive IHSW :) I managed to finish two things so I was very happy:)

Here's one.

Blackbird Designs AotH Swan Lake

36 count rosewood linen

DMC

Started 27th January 2012

FInished 18th March 2012

After much deliberation ( the whole time I was stitching it!) I decided to personalise this one with my sister's name and birthdate. 

Second finish.

Stacy Nash Primitives True Love Sampler Bag & Pinkeep.

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started 3rd March 2012

Finished 18th March 2012.

I have to finish this into the bag and pinkeep but need to go stash diving to see if I have any suitable fabric. I get a feeling I have but it may not be big enough.

So that's two more crossed off my stitch from chart stash page!

Both those charts are now for sale. Please email me if you're interested ( email is in my profile)

I also stitched on this for WIP night on SSS&DDDC on Facebook and ISHW. Please excuse the bluey tinge on the photo. I'm not sure what happened there!

Just a few WIPs photos from last week to show too. Last Monday was SB night with Barb and Colleen and I had some good progress on The Journey. I've decided to frog the darker green leaves as it's not a good sub!

Tuesday at craft club and last night I stitched a bit on BBD Joy which is my March ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. 

Finally progress on L*K Let it Snow my SAL with Lisa. 

Not sure what I'm going to start next to replace the Stacy Nash piece. BBD AotH will be on hold for a while so I'll probably stitch on Guardian in its place.

I have an appointment at the dentist for a filling tomorrow afternoon( I HATE the dentist) so depending on how I feel when I get back in I might get my sewing machine out and make up the bag and pinkeep.

That's all for now. Thank you all for your wonderful comments:)

With much love

Sally

xxxx

A Finish, IHSW Update and Other Stuff!

This post may be a little picture heavy seen as I haven't updated in a week. Our phone line is working fine ( fingers crossed it stays that way as we got two days out of it last time before it went again!) so I should be able to update more often. It's been half term this week too and although we haven't really done much we've been busy every day with opticians for Abi, dentist for us both, hospital appointment for me and a retail therapy day yesterday as I had birthday money left to spend.

First stitchy photo has to be my finish! I started this before Christmas on a whim as I just wanted a new start. I really shouldn't have done as I had enough on at the time and in recent weeks I've been pretty desperate to get it finished. I took it to craft club with me a few weeks ago and one of the ladies said I had plenty of time to get it finished for next Christmas!

Country Cottage Needleworks Snowflake Serenade

32 count cobblestone linen

DMC

Started 18th November 2011

Finished 16th February 2012

I nearly forgot my second sort of finish! I finished my block on L*K 6 Fat Men, my SAL with Lisa. Only two more to go now including the long one at the bottom!

Lizzie*Kate 6 Fat Men Snow House

32 count Permin Amber Linen

DMC

Started 17th January 2012

Finished 21st February 2012

Last weekend I took part in my first IHSW and also incorporated my first WIP night on The Superstar Serial Starters and Divine Disciplined Divas page on Facebook. I stitched on about 4 things over the IHSW weekend although I can only show 3. Friday out came HAED Guardian and I managed about 120 stitches. Not much to show really but progress nevertheless:)

Saturday I finished the house on BBD AotH Swan Lake and almost got the swan stitched when I realised I'd made a mistake and had to frog it! 

Sunday I made good progress on Heartstring Samplery I Sew'd My Heart. This photo really does not do this justice. I couldn't get a good one and the fabric colour is definitely not true to life as it's vintage country mocha which is my absolute favourite fabric.

Hmmm what else I have been stitching on? Oh yes Monday night was SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen. I almost had a happy dance but it didn't quite happen so hopefully next Monday :) This one is Simple Joys and it is turning out so simple but pretty.

So that's all I can show you. I did start and almost finish The Primitive Hare May Love but I can't show that until after 1st March as it's a contest piece. Also started a gift last night which I'll continue with tonight. I didn't go to craft club this week so no progress on my tree for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. I think I might be a bit late finishing this one this month but I'll give it a good go when I'm there next week! 

I treated myself last week to one of Nancy of Victorian Motto's grab bags of hand dyed trims. Let me tell you I was highly delighted with it and would recommend them to anyone. I always struggle, living in a rural area, to find nice coloured trims etc so these are wonderful for me. Nancy is a sweetheart to deal with too.

As I said earlier I was at the hospital on Tuesday for my gynae appointment. I have a small bladder prolapse which causes me quite a lot of discomfort and after being prodded and poked it was decided that I would have surgery. I go in on 9th May and hopefully will only be in a day or two. As far as I know recovery is 4 to 6 weeks so I see plenty of stitching time during the day with no guilt! I know come the time I will be so nervous but it needs doing. 

I think that's all from me for now. Until next time keep stitching!

With much love

Sally

xxxx