Is It really.......

Nearly a week since my last post. It's been a busy week what with one thing and another so I thought it was time I made the effort and updated my blog with my progress from the past week. So wihout further ado here's my progress from Friday and Saturday on BBD AotH Moonlight Visitor which is my SAL with Valerie, Jane and Lisa B. I had hoped to get this finished but it wasn't to be so I'll try this time :) I wasn't sure about the colour of the house on this one but now I've got the windows in I rather like it. I can't make up my mind which one to stitch when I've finished it. Either the bonus or Farm House. I still need to work out how to personalise this as September is the month my parents were married so I may try and squeeze their initials in.

Monday was SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen. I decided I wanted to try and finish both the Glad Tidings and 2009 Fobs and I did! Not made up yet but nevertheless finished. I have to find a couple of buttons and keep meaning to look. Note to self- look through your box! Now these are finished I'm going to start Family Sampler this coming Monday.

Tuesday should have been my evening on Drawn Thread The Sanctuary with Chris and Kajsa but we'd been out all day and due to my not sleeping properly of late my eyes felt really tired and I just felt that I needed to stitch on something a bit simpler. In fact I didn't actually pick up any stitching until 9pm as on top of feeling tired, I was feeling so fed-up. Anyway I picked up LHN Red House in Winter and here is where I'm at. Fingers crossed for a finish on this this Sunday.

Wednesday night was SAL night with Lisa and MBT A New Day. I've got all the wording in the main part done now and just need to do the flowers but I couldn't resist a little bit of the border. Love this so much.

Last night I was late settling down to stitch but I did manage a few stitches on Prairie Schooler Daffodils Sampler. I love how the letters are showing up in the grass now.

Phew! back to the beginning now as tonight I'll be picking up Moonlight Visitor again.

I know I seem to get a lot of stitching done but this is just what I stitch in an evening. Some evenings I do get three hours in others not so much. I rarely stitch during the day and when I plan to have an afternoon it usually goes to pot! I must admit that I am feeling a little snowed under with the SALs I'm doing so I plan on having a break other than my SB ones and BBD one once I've finished the others. Perhaps it's my  mood I don't know.

I was very good last weekend and managed not to buy anything in the Memorial Day sales. I was very tempted but I kept telling myself that it was silly to buy more when I have loads to stitch. I almost bought the With Thy Needle and Threads Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler but also talked myself out of that! I'm holding out on buying anything else now unless I actually need fabric or threads until the next lot of sales come round!

I managed to get caught up on my blog reading and commenting today so I'm happy. I haven't had much chance this week with it being half term. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my box finish for Barb:)

Well it's almost time for me to go and cook some food so I guess I better get off here. My other blog needs updating but I think I'd better leave that until another day now.

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

Tulip House Stitcher's Companion

A while ago my dear friend, Barb, kindly sent me an SB kit ( Blackberrie Sampler) as she had decided she would not stitch it. I wanted to stitch something up for her to say thank you and also to thank her for her friendship as I treasure it very much. So I decided upon Blackbird Designs Tulip House Stitcher's Companion. I could not find the playing card box that the BBD ladies used here in the UK but I did find one of a similar size but without the compartments from Boxy Lady. I also stitched up the little pincushion for the inside. I heard from Barb today and she loves it :) It was an absolute pleasure stitching this up and making it for her. The paint job on the box is not brilliant as I really should have watered the paint down but for a first attempt I was really pleased with it:)

Blackbird Designs Tulip House Stitcher's Companion

32 count vintage country mocha linen

GAST.

Gift for Barb.

No other finishes but I do have some progress and .......... another new start! Wednesday evening was SAL night with Lisa on My Big Toe Designs A New Day. I am attempting to finish the words then fill in the rest of the flowers before moving onto the top and the border. This is stitching up amazingly quickly.

Thursday was PS SAL night for me with NH and although I really didn't want to stitch on this ( my counselling was Thursday afternoon and the PS was just not calling to me) I forced myself to pick it up and told myself that I could do an hour and if I still wasn't feeling I would allow myself to put it away and pick something else up. I ended up stitching on it all evening!

My BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler arrived through my letterbox on Thursday and, although I'm itching to start it, I have put it away for now. I also received the Shepherd's Bush 2009 Fob chart which Valerie has very kindly lent me ( thank you so much Valerie :) )and as I like to get charts back to people ASAP I made a start on this last night after I'd done a couple of hours on BBD AotH. Well that's my excuse anyway! So this is my start:)

Besides those I received the Bent Creek Littles Bunny chart which I won in Tricia's giveaway:) Thank you so much Tricia :) I will be passing the chart on when I have finished with it.

That's all from me today. Have a wonderful long weekend everyone. Monday is a bank holiday for us here and I know it's Memorial Day in the USA.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

A Wee Finish

I couldn't resist getting the Shepherd's Bush Fob I started on Monday evening for my SAL with Barb and Colleen finished. It was so lovely to stitch and I've another one of those weeks where I found it hard to stick to one thing, except for on Wednesday when I was stitching MBT A New Day another SAL! So Thursday evening I finished off all the stitching then yesterday I backstitched a border then today I sewed the back and front together and added the ribbon. The ribbon is maybe not quite the right shade but I'm really happy with it. I couldn't remember what colour button should be used on the back so just used one I had in my stash and hoped it would look OK!

Shepherd's Bush 2008 Fob

32 count vintage country mocha linen

DMC

Started 16th May 2011

Finished 20th May 2011

My SAL night with Lisa on My Big Toe Designs A New Day went well. I am very happy with the progress I made as I did some of the flowers in between the words and then did more words. I really love this design and can't wait to have it finished and up on my wall. It is very meaningful for me.

I only made a little bit of progress on Prairie Schooler Daffodils Sampler on Thursday. It's hardly worth showing really but I guess even a little bit is better than none. I did a bit of fencing. I'm hoping I made it strong enough to withstand the winds we're getting lately!

So last night I stitched a bit on BBD AotH Moonlight Visitor as well as my PIFs. Plan B on those has now become Plan C! I just hope I don't get through the whole alphabet with plans! I'll do more on Pumpkin Farm tonight then tomorrow night a new ornament start! Seen as I've done my SB ornament for this month I've decided to start Little House Needleworks Red House in Winter. My new SB start for SAL night on Monday will probably be another small one as I'm thinking Glad Tidings Fob if I can sort some threads. I don't have the threads used so will have to do some matching up!

I've almost finished making up Jenny Bean so will hopefully be able to show that next week. It's not perfect but it's not bad for a first attempt even though I say so myself!

No new stash to report this week. I'm still waiting for my BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler chart from Thread Bear. Still keeping my fingers crossed as they said they could get it for me! I have been tempted to get more stash but am desperately trying to be good! Lol!

I had a lovely surprise when I saw I'd won Tricia's giveaway of Bent Creek Littles Bunny chart! I've had this one on my wish list since I saw Daffycat's finish of it so am delighted to have won it:) Thank you so much Tricia!

Before I go thank your comments, private emails etc on my other blog. I shall keep updating it now and again but I may eventually make it private. However if you do go to read and I have done that just ask for permission to read it:)

I have more making up to do but I can't motivate myself!

ETA Sorry for the crappy photos. I couldn't understand why they didn't look so good. it's my DH's fault as he used it to take some photos while we were out walking this morning and changed the settings! Well it is his camera!

Have a lovely weekend everyone and take care:)

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

Jenny Bean's Pin Tuffet

As promised I am back ( I had planned on doing this yesterday but, of course, Blogger was down) and I did finish Jenny Bean's Pin Tuffet. It's not a finish finish as yet but, hopefully, it will be in a day or two! It's funny how long this has taken me to stitch but I did put it away for a while. My upcoming SAL with Chris ( and Kajsa is joining us :) ) spurred me on to get some stuff that I'd left for a while finished so we should be able to start soon. Anyway I'm getting off topic here so here's my JB finish. It is my first Shakespeare's Peddler finish and it most certainly will not be last.

Shakespeare's Peddler Jenny Bean's Pin Tuffet

40 count coffee dyed fabric

GAST & DMC

Started 23rd March 2011

Finished 10th May 2011

As I said in my last post last weekend I didn't seem to be able to settle to stitching on just one thing. I can't show the gift as it's still not finished so hasn't been sent to its new Mum yet but I can show on BBD AotH Moonlight Visitor. I have done more on this as I picked it up again last night.

From Sunday night I can show my wee start on Shepherd's Bush Sweet Baby from the JCS ornament magazine. I need to get caught up as I think Chris has already done this one. Speaking of SB have you seen their gorgeous new pincushion Sophie's Pincushion??? It's simply adorable. Well it would be wouldn't it; there's a sheep!!! Anyone who knows me well will know I love sheep and snowmen :)

Sorry I have a couple more to show yet lol! Wednesday was SAL night on My Big Toe Designs A New Day with Lisa. I enjoy stitching on this so much but having said that I am enjoying all my stitching at the moment. It's helping me so much as it helps me relax and helps me take my mind off things. 

I did a bit more on Prairie Schooler Daffodils Sampler on Thursday once we got back in from school. Abi had an "interview" ( yes I use the term loosely as it wasn't exactly a proper interview) for 6th form and it was a drop in thing so we had rather a long wait) so I didn't get quite as much done as I would have liked but it is all progress:)

Final picture is my prize from a giveaway on NH which Clare organised. I love the sentiment of the Lizzie*Kate chart. Thank you so much Clare:)

I had a rather nice post day yesterday. I think Tony the postie knows me too well as he stopped me while I was out for my walk and said he had two large envelopes of cross stitch stuff for me! How does he know????? I was rather puzzled though as I knew I had my order from Anita's Little Stitches but I couldn't for the life of me work out what the other one would be and it was ages afterwards that I realised it would be from Jane as we've just traded 3 of the BBD AotH charts! Duh! So I got those and my order from Anita had the GAST threads for BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler ( now I just need the chart!) and BBD AotH Pumpkin Farm.

My idea for my PIFs has had to go to plan B this week as plan A did not go........ well to plan! I was rather cross with myself but won't say why as it'll give the game away!

I think I'll go catch up a bit on blogs for bit. I had some stuff up on Ebay and managed to sell 2 things so it's not too bad I guess. I can't sell the Chatelaine Christmas Mystery as it seems no one wants it!!! It's the 3rd time I've had it up so I guess it'll be languishing in a drawer for eternity!

Have a lovely weekend everyone. Hugs to all.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

Just Some Progress

I just have a little stitching progress to show today. I had a new start last night but I can't show it as it's a gift.

Anyway Wednesday night was SAL night with Lisa on My Big Toe Designs A new Day. I absolutely love this design! It is so soothing to stitch and seems to be stitching up fairly quickly. I am happy with the GAST colours I chose for this ( well I only had one of the WDW needed!) and the lone Carrie's thread!

Thursday night after two Thursdays away from it I picked up Prairie Schooler Daffodils for the SAL on NH. It was good to get going on this again but I had to leave stitching the doors on the house as I was desperate to add the birds!

Not sure what I'm going to stitch tonight and tomorrow night. I might finish stitching the gift tonight then maybe start an SB ornament tomorrow seen as I missed last month! No AotH for me this weekend I don't think unless I make a start on Moonlight Visitor tonight. Will see how I feel when I settle down to stitch :)

I have been doing a little stash enhancement this week seen as I had funds in PP. Luckily Thread Bear are able to get me BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler so I splurged on the threads for it from Anita's Little Stitches as well as BBD AotH Pumpkin Farm so that will be the last of my purchases ( once the BOAF arrives) for a while. I am going through a feeling bad period that I have so much stash ( chart wise) and I keep adding to it. It's just getting silly although I probably don't have as much as some of you:) So it's time to get some perspective if you like. I'm having this it's my fault ( I feel that everything is my fault at the moment no matter what it is!) because I don't work thing and I know I have to sort myself out, "put on my big girls panties and deal with it" and get a job! Not easy when your confidence is at an all time low and you're dealing with depression. I could sit and cry at the thought of it as it scares me so. OK I haven't bought anything in the last few months without having the funds in PP from sales of charts I've finished with and I'll continue to do that but for a while it'll have to be if I need fabric, threads or pretties to finish things off with. I'm even going to scour charity shops for frames!

OK pity party over! I'll behave now!

Just a quick blog post today. I might go pick up some stitching for a bit:) Don't forget my Dandy Dreams giveaway!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

Almost There.........

With my anniversary sampler that is providing Belinda doesn't mind me leaving off two flower rows! There is no way, even with the best intentions, that I can stitch every bit so I thought if I left those two out it wouldn't look silly so that is what I am going to do. So here's my progress as off yesterday. 

I had planned to put 1986 to 2011 after our names but Abi said it would make it look as if we'd died so I unpicked what I'd got stitched and started over so it will now say 25 yrs! So, fingers crossed, this will be finished very soon. I bought 14 metres of ribbon yesterday ( 7 metres of 2 colours) for a ruched ribbon edge. Do you think I'll have enough????

My evening on SB Emmanuel's Song with Barb and Colleen went rather well although I will admit to finishing  the row another day as I didn't quite get it done and I was enjoying it. These darning rows look so lovely and are quite quick to do really although this one was a large one! I can't wait to finish this now so that I can get it hung on the wall but I think it'll take a few more weeks yet. It is looking so pretty even though I say so myself :)

Last night was my Prairie Schooler evening so a bit of progress on Daffodils. Still building the house but nearly there. Almost got the roof on! 

Hopefully Lisa and I are starting our My Big Toe Designs A New Day SAL next week depending on SWL goes. If I get it finished we're starting on Wednesday. I still need to get my fabric cut and prepared yet so really must get that done maybe over the weekend. I'm really looking forward to starting this :) Also have The Sanctuary SAL to look forward to with Chris:)

Abi finished school for Easter today so no more having to get up early if I don't feel like it! I probably still will but we'll see what happens! DH finishes on Wednesday for almost two weeks:)

Now I would like to ask for some good thoughts please. I found a lump so I went to the doctors on Tuesday. She is 99% sure it isn't anything but she would rather be 100% so has referred me urgently to the breast clinic. and then I get seen within 2 weeks otherwise I'd have a 6 week wait. Now guess when I go? On my 25th wedding anniversary! At first I said no but then I decided to just get it over with. It's in the morning so we'll be back in plenty of time to go away for the night. I wasn't feeling too bad until Tuesday evening when I got the phone call from the hospital to say they had an appointment for me then I started to panic. I have been in this situation before but it still doesn't make it any easier.

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post:)

Time to go think about what we're going to have to tea then I can settle down this evening to some stitching :)

Have a great weekend.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

A New Start and Progress.

This is kinda getting bad! Another new start this week and I should really stop before  all I have is new starts and no finishes BUT it's my hobby and I enjoy it. I will have finishes eventually! Anyway my new start was for the PS SAL over on NH which is a lovely, friendly Yuku forum run by Clare. I decided, after much deliberation, on Daffodils which is lovely and bright and, well, the thing that kind of swayed it was the sheep! Yes I am a sheep lover as well as a snowman lover incase you did not know!!! So here's my progress from last night.

Monday evening was SAL night with Barb and Colleen so out came Shepherd's Bush Emmanuel's Song. I did not quite manage to finish the cross stitch that I had started last week but never mind it'll get done this Monday then I can move on. Aren't these colours just so soothing? I can't wait to get to the bottom cross stitch row as it's those cute SB sheep!

I hope you are not getting bored just seeing WIPs but I haven't had chance to get my DT Spot of Winter actually stitched up as yet. Maybe this weekend? So here's a little progress on another WIP this time Silver Creek Samplers Dandy Dreams. Not much progress as I've just been adding a few stitches in an afternoon when I've had chance. Just love this verse on here.

Of course I am still stitching madly away on my anniversary sampler BRD Stitched with Love. It is going really well too and is so simple to stitch. Love these colours.

Finally those WIPs that seem to be getting left behind! The Primitive Needle's freebie By the Light of the Moon  ( Spooky SAL piece) has not seen the light of day for a few weeks now. The reason for that is my print out of the chart is rather bad and I can't see some of the symbols properly. I really want to finish this so I may just finish the tree and leave it at that so that I can make it up and have it on display at Halloween rather than leave it and have it become a UFO. The other one has had a teeny bit of attention and that is Shakespeare's Peddler Jenny Bean's Pin Tuffet. I plan on finishing this for a friend if I can get myself motivated to actually get the stitching done. I think I need a mental health day with nothing but stitching!

I have had a sort of my stash and am hoping to get all my DMC spares put into an inventory and I've also had a bit of a sort through my charts and have popped a couple more on my for sale page so please have a look to see if anything takes your fancy:) These are unused. I've had thema while and decided that I just won't stitch them. Thank you:)

Thank you for all your good wishes for Abi and I. We are both feeling a lot better although she scared me ( and herself) on Monday afternoon as she started to feel dizzy. I decided to read through the side effects of the diclofenac that the doctor had prescribed and sure enough, right down the list, was dizziness so I rang the surgery about it. They rang me later to say not to let her have anymore and to give her ibuprofen instead. Thankfully she's getting there now and her headache has gone.

Well I am off to play blog catch up for a bit.

Take care everyone and whatever you are doing enjoy the weekend.

Hugs

Sally

xxxx

A Teeny Finish

I can now show the teeny finish I had last week as it has been received. I wanted to stitch a little something up for Lindsay to show my appreciation of her lending me the BBD chart and as Spring is, hopefully, coming and it'll soon be Easter I chose this little fellow:) He was lovely to stitch and so cute!

The Prairie Schooler Peep ( card freebie)

Unknown ornament cut

DMC

Started 26th February 2011

Finished 1st March 2011

Thank you gift for Lindsay

As there were only two takers for the BBD A Wish for You chart that Becky sent me but I already have it I have decided to pass it on to Lesleyanne, as she commented first, then if she would please pass it on to Hazel when she's stitched it :)

I had a good couple of evenings on BBD Valentine Rose. I didn't get it finished but next time I stitch it I will!!! I love the heart shaped flower and the pot it's in. It looks so pretty.

Thursday I made a start on The Primitive Needle freebie By the Light of the Moon for the Spooky SAL in tribute to Lisa Roswell. I won this piece of fabby from Lee a while ago and decided it would be perfect for this design.

Finally I have actually remembered to take a picture of my little bit of progress on Blue Ribbon Designs Stitched With Love. I'm going to have to stitch on this more often as I only have about 6 weeks to get it done and into the framers. HELP! I'd better move this into my rotation rather than just stitch on it here and there!

Took Abi to the doctors on Friday. She was supposed to have a mock exam but ended up not being able to do it as she had stomach problems. DH and I started to think that she may have IBS and sure enough that is what the doctor thinks. She's given her some peppermint capsules so we will see how she goes with those. We have had so much going on and what with the stress ot it being her final year at school and exams coming up there's no wonder she's feeling the way she is. Bless her.

I've updated my for my sale list. Have reduced prices and also if you're interested in my finished Christmas Mystery IV piece please make me a reasonable offer! lol!

Just a quick post today. I plan on a stitchy afternoon if I can get away with it! Thank you for your comments- I truly appreciate each and every one of them.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

Some Finishing Off:)

A while ago I finished Little House Needleworks Poinsettia House and after much searching online for some fabric and trim I finally found some lovely London gingham from one of my favourite Ebay sellers Favourite Fabrics 1. I also picked up some lovely East of India ribbon from her. Unfortunately when it arrived my fabric was too white so out came the teabag and I tea dyed it for a more creamy look to match the fabric I'd used for PH but you can't see it at the front. I also wanted some trim for the outside of the fabric "frame" so bought some in Boyes along with the little poinsettia trim that I've added. Anyway here's the picture. It's not a good one but it gives you an idea of how it looks. It was really dull when I took it so I struggled to get a decent one. Thank you KarenV for emailing me on how to make this type of finish :) I shall definitely be using it again as it works out much cheaper than framing and is perfect for smaller finishes :)

I also finished and made up the Prairie Schooler Summer Pinkeep from the Gift of Stitching Magazine. This is a fun little design which now completes my set of pinkeeps :) The fabric it is on is the one I used for the backing.

Prairie Schooler Summer Pinkeep

Unknown 32 count fabric

DMC

Started 17th February 2011

Finished 24th February 2011

Another finish is the pincushion from the Blackbird Designs Winter Wonderland chart which Lindsay kindly lent me. I will have the chart back to you ASAP Lindsay; thank you so much for the loan:) This was a very quick stitch and would have been finished off as well but we ended up having a bit of a busy weekend.

Blackbird Designs Winter Garden Pincushion

32 count Vintage country mocha linen

DMC and GAST

Started 22nd February 2011

Finished 24th February 2011

Just one more piece of stitching to show and that is my progress on BBD Valentine Rose, my SAL with Valerie, Jane and Lisa B. I only stitched on this on Friday evening as I just couldn't be bothered on Saturday evening but I am very happy with my progress. If I can get two good evenings this week I am hoping to have it finished and move onto the next one:)

This year Abi will be leaving school and going into 6th form so in July she'll be going to the year 11 prom which means prom dress shopping! As I'm sure everyone who has done this will know the dresses are not cheap but our local retail outlet was having a prom event last weekend so we decided we'd have a look. They were still rather more than we had hoped to pay but I had saved some pennies. Abi chose a shorter dress and a long one then we patiently waited in the queue for her to try them on. As soon as she got the shorter one on she didn't like it but the longer one was a huge hit! As soon as she got it on she said she felt like a princess and I must admit, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I had to agree! One of the assistants came and laced the back up for her then before we knew it she'd fetched all the other assistants in to have a look at her! I felt so proud. Anyway I want to share a picture that DH took when she tried the dress on again at home:) I dread to think what I'm going to be like on the night itself!

Saturday afternoon Jess rang her Dad for help. She'd bought a flat pack bookcase and was trying to put it together but some of the holes did not line up. So off we went armed with a drill through to see her and help put the bookcase together. I am quite ashamed to say that I didn't really want to go as I knew I'd end up in tears and sure enough I did. It's the first time we've actually sat down with her to talk about her wanting to change course etc at university. I won't go into detail but it's a huge worry for my DH and I wondering what is going to happen and what she's going to do plus there's the extra worry of where she's going to live as they seem to have got into their heads that they'll be better off renting privately rather than going with a university vetted company but my DH and I don't think they will. Still they think they know best so we just have to let her do her own thing, make her own mistakes ( or not!) and hope she comes out of it OK.

On Saturday evening Abi announced that she was taking me out on Sunday to cheer me up. When I say taking me out it did actually mean me driving us to where she wanted to take me- lol- but she wouldn't tell me where we were going until we set off. In the morning she dyed my hair for me so my greys are now fairly well covered and not quite as noticable. They look more like highlights now! Then just after lunch we set off and she treated herself and me to the cinema and we saw the film "Paul" which was absolutely brilliant! So damned funny. I love Simon Pegg!!!! Loved him and Nick Frost in "Hot Fuzz" so seeing "Paul" was a must!

Well I had better dash and have a blog catch up:) Looking forward to seeing what you are all stitching and stashing! I am hoping my BBD Stitcher's Journey book will be here this week :)

Thank you for continuing to visit me and leave comments :) They are very much appreciated.

Love and hugs

Sally

xxxx

As Promised..........

Here is my finished Drawn Thread Spot of Autumn. I enjoyed stitching this and it has now spurred me on to get Spot of Winter stitched too, then I can pass both the charts onto Barb :) My colours are not quite the same as the chart as I didn't have the suggested threads but I think I'm happy with them!

The Drawn Thread Spot of Autumn

28 count evenweave

DMC & Carrie's Creations

Started 12th February 2011

Finished 15th February 2011

On Thursday I made a start on my PS piece for the SAL over at Needlecraft Haven. As I don't actually own any PS leaflets I decided to stitch the Summer pinkeep from the Gift Of Stitching. Clare setting up this SAL was brilliant incentive for me to stitch this as I've had the other 3 done for ages so thanks Clare! This is what I managed to get stitched on Thursday evening. 

Finally BBD AotH #2 Valentine Rose, my SAL with Valerie, Jane and Lisa B,  has grown a bit over the past two evenings. The brick laying is about done and see those darned window frames??? Well they just would not go right! If I hadn't had to frog them so many times I'd probably have the roof on! Lol! Still love this though and I'll be putting my maternal grandma's name on this one. Unfortunately I've been unable to pinpoint her exact birth year so I think I'll stitch the year she married my grandad instead as I've managed to find that. 

Once I'm done on here I think I'm going to settle to a little stitching and start my next Shepherd's Bush ornament from the JCS ornament magazines. I've got my thread sorted; just need to cut some fabric.

Tomorrow evening is SAL night with Barb and Colleen so more lovely SB stitching :) I love my SAL evenings as it's so nice to know that there are people out there stitching along with you :) 

Has anyone seen anything they really can't live without from Nashville Market? So far I've seen three things that I would absolutely love BUT I'm going to be a good girl and stitch from my stash like I said I would and sell my charts when I'm done to try and save some pennies up! I just heard from Karen at Wasatch Needlecraft and she's getting the BBD booklet A Stitcher's Journyey out to me so I'm looking forward to receiving that. Also my JJ's order is on the way :) so I will have a few bits of stash to look forward to.

Yesterday I received my first appointment for counselling but it's not until towards the end of April. Quite a wait but my GP did say there'd be one. I'm very apprehensive and not sure I actually want to go but I know I have to.

That's all for today :) We've had a busy morning sorting Abi's bedroom as we bought her a new bed a couple of weeks ago and have had to move stuff in her room round to make it fit lol. She's really happy with it but now has to start putting all her things back!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thank you for visiting and for your lovely comments :) For those who asked the DMC I'm using for the house in Belle Pepper is Variations 4140 :)

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

It's Freezing!!!!

Well Winter has certainly hit the UK with avengence over the last few weeks and this morning, here on the east coast, we hit -12!!! I do not remember it ever being that cold without the help of windchill. We even had frost at the bottom of some of our windows which was one hell of a shock. We had a dusting of snow on Thursday which didn't go then on Sunday we had flurries on and off all day until mid afternoon when it came down very heavy and we had visions of DH not getting to work on Monday. I must admit it was lovely this morning looking out of our bedroom window watching the lunar eclipse with snow on the ground.

I have been getting some stitching in but these last few days I've also been messing with iTunes as if I'm very very lucky Father Christmas will be bringing me an iPod Nano but not the very latest model as I don't like the feel of them. So I set up my own user account on our PC so I could have my own iTunes rather than having to mess about deleting all DH's tunes and then do mine and I've been loading music onto it hoping that I've been a good enough girl this year!!! Lol! So my stitching! I've had this beauty finished a while but hadn't quite finished making it up but at long last on Sunday afternoon watching the snowfall I got the ruched ribbon done. I love this and it should actually be a mail art envelope but I decided to finish it this way.

Lynne Nicoletti

A Robin's Christmas

40 count blue cloud evenweave

DMC & RG Wisper

Started 23rd November 2010

Finished 25th November 2010

The chart is now for sale if anyone is interested :)

The rest of my finishes are ones I've shown before but they're made up now. Only very simply as I'm running out of time but they're done and hung up!

Little House Needleworks 

Snowy Pines

The next two I've had stitched for absolutely ages. I can't even remember when I stitched them but I think it must have been last year.

Homespun Elegance 

All is Calm

Shepherd's Bush 

Santa's Coming

Another ornament is one that I stitched for Michelle. She has become a wonderful friend since we "met" through blogs just this year and I just wanted to stitch a little something for her. I was panicking a little as this took more stitching that I thought it would so it was finished very simply so that I could get it in the post in the hope it would reach her before Christmas. I even forgot, in my rush, to stitch one of my Made With Love charms on it so I'm disappointed in myself. Anyway I am happy to say that Michelle received it today and loves it :) I decided on this one as I know she loves PS designs

Prairie Schooler 

Winter's Eve

Navy Blue fabric ( unsure of count)

DMC

For Michelle

Started 7th December 2010

Finished 16th December 2010

This week I have remembered to take a photo of Shores! I had hoped to have block 11 finished by now but I will a damned good go tonight. My eyes have been feeling so tired lately which I think is due to me not sleeping well at all ( God knows what is wrong with me) so I've been struggling a little. However it is almost there and block 12 does not look too time consuming so it may still get finished by the end of the year.

LHN Poinsettia House is going very well as I just absolutely love it. I love the colours, the designs; everything! I almost have a full poinsettia and it just looks gorgeous :) I hope the other girls are getting on well with the LHN Winter design they are doing.

Last week I received a package from Barb which she said I was allowed to open then and look what was inside. The stained glass angel, which I have hung in my dining roon window, was made by her DH. Isn't she adorable? And just look at the verse on the packet of the teabag, and the beautiful heart ornament and ribbon. Thank you so much Barb xxxx

On Saturday we went to see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows part 1. Oh wow what an amazing film!!! I can't wait for part 2 although I did spend some of the film with my hand over my eyes peaking out from behind it!!! I can't be doing with snakes so I really didn't like those bits!!! When we cam back I just happened to look in the blue bin and there was a mail sack full of parcels in it!!! Some were Amazon orders, I also had two Christmas presents from Jane and Elaine which I haven't opened cos I'm a good girl ( lol) and a birthday card and present from Heather. She had stitched a little Christmas pouch and inside that was the pretty tin and inside the tin was a gorgeous beaded choker which I absolutely love. I know we were both a little worried as she had posted it first class recorded and it took ages to arrive but it's here safely:) Thank you so much Heather xxxx

Well I think that's all my news for now so I might go do a bit of stitching or a bit more on iTunes. Take care everyone and stay safe and warm.

I may not get another blog post in, it just depends, so just want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed time with your families.

With much love.

Sally

xxxx