Making Up

Hmmmm this new layout is a little strange! It'll take some getting used to I think. Why do they have to change things that work just fine????

I've been busy with my sewing machine but still have a few things to finish yet. Some are Christmas ornaments and I'm going to finish those as a flat ornament. I was going to get SB The Journey done but when I came to sew it up I'd cut my backing fabric too small! Duh!!! I really shouldn't be allowed!

So here's the Christmas ornaments I've finished. All have been shown before but just not sewn up. I've finished them simply as I don't seem to be able to turn my mind to doing anything else at the moment.

This pin cushion will be going to Nic, who I don't think reads my blog, as a thank you for sending me a knitting magazine I was after from a couple of years ago.

Onto my stitching progress now. Since my decision to abandon BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler I've felt a bit happier with my stitching. Not fully back in the swing yet but definitely getting there. I have been thoroughly enjoying HAED QS Holly Fairy ( artwork by the wonderfully talented Jasmine Becket- Griffith) although it has been simple so far as it's all black! There will be some other colours in it next time I pick it up! This is almost the first 20 rows of the first page done.

I had hoped to get my 8th page on HAED Guardian ( artwork by the equally talented Selina Fenech) finished but it didn't happen. Hopefully it will tonight then I can start on the 9th page. Just 22 to go! If I was a one at a time girl I'd have it finished so much quicker but I just can't stitch one thing!

My BBD SAL with Barb is growing slowly but surely. This photo is awful though as the fabric is supposed to be pink!

Finally I started my ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. It's a free choice this month so I decided to stitch Shepherd's Bush The Angels Sang.

Sadly I've had no takers for my BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler WIP so will have to rethink and probably just sell the chart. Life's too short to stitch on something you hate that much it makes you not want to stitch! I'm also going to be going through my stash next week and having a sort out anyway so watch this space!

Well I had better end here and catch up on some blog reading and commenting. It's when I have no enthusiasm for that and I end up aimlessly surfing the net that I know I'm low:(

Thank you for all your lovely comments and for continuing to visit me even though I haven't been visiting you. It means a lot to me.

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

Finishes and Stuff

I can't believe it's nearly 2 weeks since I last posted. Anyone miss me? Lol! I honestly don't know where the time has gone but we have been busy what with one thing and another.

I have been stitching and have had a few finishes. I finally popped the last few stitches and did the backstitch on Just Nan Floral Fifteen. I was thinking earlier when I took the photo that I was ready to stitch it all together but I've just realised I need to sew the beads on! So glad I realised now.

Just Nan Floral Fifteen

Country vintage cream and country vintage green linen

DMC

Started 19th July 2012

Finished 29th August 2012

It's going to be fun ( not) putting it together!

I didn't quite get my August ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL finished in August but never mind. I did leave the border off as I think I like it better without.

Little By Little Designs Making Spirits Bright

36 count linen

DMC

Started 15th August 2012

Finished 2nd September 2012

Barb and I have been stitching away on our BBD pieces on a Monday evening and I finished mine this week. Not sure what I'm going to decide on next but I loved stitching this one. The chart is now for sale

Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers no.6 Truly Thine

28 count Jayne's Attic Count on Me Carnation

Victorian Motto Threads Antique Rose

Started 6th August 2012

Finished 3rd September 2012

I've made very little progress on BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler but at least it's a little progress!

I had a new start last night of the Home Sweet Home chart from Cross Stitcher which June kindly sent me. Love this so far.

I finally got L*K 6 Fat Men back from my framer but haven't taken a photo of it yet. I've had it over a week and it still isn't even up on the wall! I need to stop stitching larger pieces as I'm running out of wall space!

My DH had another week off last week but we spent much of it at his Dad's house trying to get it cleared out as it is sold subject to contract. Obviously they have to wait until everything sorted before it can go through but we all want to get it cleared so we can move on. Not forget but move on. It has been a very emotional time for us all. However we did have a day out on Thursday and we went to Whitby. Well what a day we chose! When we set off it wasn't too bad but as got on our way the rain started to come down. It rained and rained and rained some more! We got wet through and we were so cold as the wind was howling! We did enjoy it though and I've got quite a few photos of the abbey ( cannot believe it cost the four of us £23 to get in to see it! A bit of a rip of I think personally!). Trying to get photos was fun in the wind!

My visit to the dentist went OK and I was very brave and had my wisdom tooth out with just a local. I will admit I was very scared but it's done and will only cost me £49 instead of at least £200. I still haven't got full feeling back in my tongue but I know that can take a while to be right again and my gum is still healing from where the wisdom tooth was ( and boy was it a huge tooth!). 

Well I had better go as I'm off cleaning kitchen cupboards at DH's Dads after lunch ready for the new owners once it all goes through.

Will catch up with everyone is stitching soon.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

A New SAL

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while but my heart has not really been in it. I've done very little blog visiting either but, hopefully, I will get back to normal soon. Thank you my dear friend Shirlee for emailing me to see where I was.

Not quite sure where to start! I've been stitching but not on many things. I really need to get back to a rotation as I've been getting a bit bored with stitching mostly on one thing. However I think I'll try and finish this before I start much more.

I've actually finished all the stitching on this cream fabric now, apart from the backstitching, and have made a start on the bits done on green fabric. I seem to be able to get one square done a night if I get a move on so I might have this finished in a day or two. 

Barb and I have started a new SAL. This time we are stitching Blackbird Designs and I chose Truly Thine which is an old Loose Feathers design. I decided to stitch in on a Jayne's Attic Count on Me fabric called Carnation using  a Victorian Motto thread Antique Rose.

I have finally got around to starting my August ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. I decided on Little By Little Making Spirits Bright from a JCS ornament magazine.

Speaking of JCS mags I went into my newsagent last week and they had the Halloween special in. Yay! I was hoping they'd get it so was pleased to see it thereon the shelf. There are a few in there I'd love to stitch but not sure when I'll get around to it.

I've also been doing some RAKs. The first one I stitched for Michelle just as a thank you for being such a wonderful friend. The fabric it is on is the fabric I backed it with.

Aliola Bird

16 count sparkly white aida.

DMC Variations

Stitched for Michelle.

I am delighted to say that Michelle loves it. As you can see I used aida which I don't normally stitch on but needs must as I didn't have any evenweave or linen in white. I really need to get some. 

Another RAK/ thank you gift is on the way to someone so, hopefully, I can show that one next time.

I have been doing a little bit of finishing. First one is Just Nan Christmas Sheep. It is a long way from perfect as I found it quite bulky and fiddly but I'm quite happy with how it turned it.

Next is Shepherd's Bush Snowman Treat Bag. I love this!

I've almost finished making up Midsummer Night Designs Remember Me Stitching Pocket. I need to add the trim and finish off the inside.

My Christmas in July sale order arrived from JJ's on Tuesday. It was perfect timing to be honest. I now have two new charts ( Homespun Elegance To Stitch is Bliss and Tree of Life Samplings Beauty and Grace) and some threads for Little House Needleworks Home of a Needleworker Too!

Thank you all for your condolences on my F.I.L's passing. It has been a tough time for all the family. For all his funeral was on Tuesday this week it still does not seem real. Abi is finding it particularly hard, bless her.

Thank you also for your birthday wishes for Jess on her 21st. We just celebrated it quietly. We had already decided a while ago to go out for a meal as she did not want a party so that's what we did. We all came home feeling very full! She says she is not having any more birthdays as my DH's Mum passed away 11 days after her 8th birthday and now his Dad 2 days before her 21st. I must get some photos sorted to post especially the one of her cake as it was gorgeous.

Last Friday I had to pay a visit to the dentist. Oh how I love the dentist- NOT! I'd been having toothache which started in my wisdom tooth but it was starting to affect other teeth too. She x-rayed my wisdom tooth and it was starting to get infected so she wanted to take it out. I panicked and said I thought I might prefer to be sedated to have it removed as I've heard some horror stories. Unfortunately I can't be sedated on the NHS ( national health service) so I'd have to go private at a cost of at least £200. It would also mean me not having my own dentist and I'd have to travel 40 odd miles to get it done. I've been on antibiotics to clear the infection which have made me feel rotten ( I assume it's the pills) and I go back next Thursday for a review. I think I'm going to have to be brave and just let her take it out. I can think of better things to spend that amount of money on!

I must apologise as I accidentally deleted a few comments instead of publishing them.

That's all from me for now. I might have some new starts next time and I might even have picked up BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler again!

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxx