March Ornament & Other Suff!

This week I've been trying to get my March ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL finished. I didn't go to craft club on Tuesday ( I was having a CBA day) which is where I normally stitch my ornaments and I knew I would not get it all done next week so I spent a couple of evenings this week getting it finished and it's even sewn up! 

Blackbird Designs Joy ( 2011 JCS Ornament Mag)

32 count cobblestone linen

GAST

Started 6th March 2012

Finished 22nd March 2012

I've had a change of mind on my ornament for April. The theme is snowflake and I was going to stitch the Little By Little one from last year's JCS mag but I've now decided on Miss Crescent's Jolly from the same mag. 

I've also got my Stacy Nash True Love Sampler and Pinkeep stitched up and aged. I am a bit cross with myself as I didn't have any tan wool for this and I didn't want to buy any ( trying to save some pennies) so I used calico instead and it doesn't look right I don't think. It's not too bad now that I've aged it but please remind me the next time I age something to use tea instead of coffee!!!! It stinks! 

Whilst looking at Pinterest on Thursday I came across something that I thought Abi might be interested in so I printed it out and showed her it when she got in from school. Her immediate reaction was "Will you stitch it for me......tonight?!!!!". I promised her that as soon as I'm finished my ornament I'd start it which I did and here it is finished.

Mockingjay Pin ( found it here) 

28 count opalescent white line

DMC

Started 22nd March 2012

Finished 23rd March 2012

Not quite sure how I'm going to finish it yet! For those not in the know this is from The Hunger Games books the first of which has now been made into a film which Abi and Jess have gone to see today.

Just a couple of progress pics to show now. Mondays, of course, is SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen ( does anyone know what's happened to Colleen?? We know she was having computer problems but that was a few weeks ago). I carried on with The Journey. I frogged those dark green leaves as I didn't like them and changed them for a lighter green which looks so much better. 

A little more of the snowman on L*K 6 Fat Men Let it Snow my SAL with Lisa. I feel as though I'm on the home stretch with this fun piece now as I only have one more block to go after this one. I've loved this one and will be sorry when it's done.

I'm getting HAED Guardian out again tonight for bit. I'd really like to start a QS or TT but not sure I dare when I can't stick at this!

Next week I'm going to have a new start and I've sorted threads and fabric for LHN Summer Splendor and Bent Creek The Littles Bunny and as I won both of these in giveaways last year ( thank you Mary Ann and Tricia!) watch out for me passing them on when I've finished with them:) I also want to stitch up another RAK and fabric and threads are sorted for that too.


I was sad to hear that the Gift of Stitching is to stop publishing soon. Although I'd stopped getting it when my sub ran out last year I did enjoy the getting each month when I was subbing and did buy the March/ April issue not that long ago for the Heartstring Samplery design. 

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post. My trip to the dentist was OK as far as trips to the dentist go although the cavity was quite deep so I did feel it as she was doing it. I was in a lot of pain afterwards when the injection wore off too for a day or two but it seems to have settled down now. I hope so as I really don't want to go back! As I walking there I kept telling myself that I'm a grown woman and I shouldn't be scared but I just can't help it!

Time to publish this and catch up on blog reading for a bit :)

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

Yesterday....

Was my dear friend Lesleyanne's birthday and after much deliberation I decided to stitch her this. 

Le Chalet des Perelles Un Peu D'amour et D'amitie

28 count Silkweaver Tutti Fruiti Linen

DMC

Started 25th February 2012

Finished 28th February 2012

Birthday gift for Lesleyanne

Now I am terrible at making decisions as to what to stitch so it always makes me so happy when I know that the recipients love them so I'm happy to say that Lesleyanne loves this! I backed it with calico and ruched some pink gingham ribbon around the edge.

Today is another dear friend Jane's birthday and this is what I stitched for her.

Martine En Rose et Gris

35 count lightly coffee dyed fabric

Victorian Motto Sampler Threads

Started 28th February 2012

Finished 2nd March 2012

Birthday gift for Jane F.

I am also very happy to say that Jane loves it! I backed it with calico and added a pretty trim that I bought in the local cardmaking/ scrapbooking shop. Wish I'd taken a photo of the trim as it's really pretty.

You may remember that I decided to take part in The Primitive Hare's contest to stitch her design May Love. Well I finished the stitching a while ago and have finally got it made up and I think I am now allowed to show it. I am not 100% happy with my finish and I know that there will be far better finishes than mine but I am just happy to take part:)

The Primitive Hare May Love

32 count linen dyed in cranberry and raspberry tea

Carrie's Creations Old World Red

Started 19th February 2012

Finished 24th February 2012

I have put this in my red basket. Yes I've started a red basket after seeing a few on blogs. I already have a few red pieces that I have stitched and that have been gifted to me so I have a small start!

Right WIPs now! Monday was SAL night with Barb and Colleen so I continued with The Journey. As you can see I now have a sheep:) and part of a dress. 

Tuesday I started my next L*K 6 Fat Men my SAL with my surrogate sis Lisa. I started Let It Snow so am leaving the long one, Snow Day, until last as I think that will probably take the most stitching!

At craft club on Tuesday morning I started my March ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. This month I chose Blackbird Designs Joy from last year's JCS ornament magazine.

Finally last night I stitched more on Stacy Nash Primitives True Love Sampler Bag. I really love how this is looking and it's stitching up quite quickly too. 

Not sure what I'm stitching tonight. I may start an RAK that I'm coffee dying some fabric for. I never seem to be able to get that mottled effect though which is very annoying!

Off to have a cuppa and a catch up on blogs now before I set about some finishing. The pile is getting bigger. I get so far then the enthusiasm goes!

With much love.

Sally

xxxxx

February Ornament Finally Finished!

A wee bit late but better late than never! The theme for the Christmas All Year Round SAL for February was Christmas Tree and here's mine.

The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio Joyeux Noel

28 count Jayne's Attic COTM I think it's Sweet Pea!

GAST

Started 7th February 2012

Finished 3rd March 2012.

I love this one. It's such a pretty design. This month is a free choice month so I've chosen Blackbird Designs Joy from last year's JCS ornament magazine. I need to get my fabric and threads sorted ready to take to craft club with me tomorrow.

I've not much else to show as I've been busy getting a couple of gifts done. I did have a new start on Saturday and it's something I've had in my stash for ages which feels good as I can definitely call it a stitch from stash piece! This is Stacy Nash Primitives True Love Sampler Bag, or at least the start of it! I've picked some fabric scraps from my stash as when it's done and made up it's going to be aged so thought it didn't matter what I used. I think this might stitch up quite quickly.

Last night I picked up Heartstring Samplery I Sew'd My Heart and finished the all the stitching barring the name at the bottom. I'm not quite sure whether to stitch it as Beth charted it or use another name. I will decide before I pick it up again.

Tonight is SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen and I'll be carrying on with The Journey. Tomorrow night I want to get back to my L*K 6 Fat Men SAL with Lisa as I missed it last week. Hopefully at the weekend I'll pick BBD AotH back up again too. I fear if I don't get on with it it'll become a UFO!

I'm afraid I caved and ordered the Little House Needlworks/ Shakespeare's Peddler pattern/ thread pack from Anita's Little Stitches. I figured that as I had some birthday money left I wasn't really breaking my stitch from chart stash promise and I'm going to keep it to stitch as I recover from my surgery! 

I am behind on blogs again! I just seem to have so much bother keeping up these days but I will try and catch up a bit tomorrow if I don't get chance today. 

Thank you for continuing to visit me and for all your lovely comments :) I cannot tell you how much I appreciate them.

With much love.

Sally

xxxx

Hallow's Eve

Just in time I have finished Stacy Nash Primitives Hallow's Eve. I finished the stitching last night whilst watching Heroes and made it up into a hanging pillow this morning. I wouldn't normally choose a design like this but I am liking these primitive designs more and more.

Stacy Nash Primitives Hallow's Eve

32 count unknown fabric

DMC

Finished as a pillow.

Started 25th October 2008

Finished 29th October 2008.

I think I shall stitch on A Quaker Christmas tonight. Have you seen Carol's stunning finish?? Tomorrow night I'll do a bit on BBD Blessings and Kind Wishes then not sure about Saturday. Maybe start a PIF gift or a Christmas ornament!

Last night I found I was lucky enough to win Stephanie's contest for the JCS Halloween issue. I feel so lucky to have won this as I didn't buy it when Jayne got it in then wished I had. Thank you so much Stephanie! I am looking forward to receiving it and having a read of it:)

Jess went to one of her friends 18th birthday party yesterday. He had a bouncy castle and a magician! A good time was had by all! This evening she's going to another friends 18th and she's having a meal so she's looking forward to that especially as it's at a TexMex place. Next week she's at another 18th then another in a couple of weeks!

I am still way behind on blogs so apologies if I have not got around to yours. I will try and catch up as soon as I can.

Hugs

Reveal Day!

Today is reveal day for the Stitch and Stash SAL challenge. Now I must say that I didn't expect to have this finished to show but I finished the stitching up last night and made it up this morning. I love the design I chose and found it purely by chance.

By The Bay Needleart Courage

28 count pink fabric

GAST and DMC

Started 24th October

Finished 25th October

Finished as a bookmark

I loved stitching this piece even though I decided to stitch it over one and huge thanks to Donna of By The Bay Needleart for this design. It is so pretty and I have lost it to Abi! You can find the design here if you've not already seen it. I dedicate my finish to all the women who are fighting breast cancer ( including Susan's Mum Sheelagh) , to all those who are survivors ( my auntie and Lynn )and in memory of all those who lost their brave fight.

I decided I wanted to stitch something for Halloween. I don't really do Halloween but Chris gave me a link to Pattern Mart where there are a few freebie designs. You can fill in a survery and this chart is a free download at the moment for filling in the survey. It is Stacey Nash Primitives Hallow's Eve which I love so I made a start on it last night once I'd finished Courage. I'm not sure I'll actually get it finished in time but I am planning on maybe stitching a bit more this afternoon. Tonight is BBD Loose Feathers night so I won't be stitching on it then.

Have a wonderful Sunday! Not sure the weather is going to be good so stay warm, safe and dry.

Hugs