Lots to Show!

First of all I'd just like to pass on hugs and thanks from Abi for all the good wishes you left her for her birthday. For all she was at school she had a good day ( especially because she didn't have to go in uniform as they were having a non-uniform day for Children in Need!) and her close friends really spoilt her:) Here is a piccie of the birthday girl and a piccie of her cake:) She had a friend to sleepover on Saturday night which she enjoyed.

I've been doing a little bit of finishing these past few days but I can only show you two bits as one as them is Karen's PIF gift so I will post that when it reaches her but that won't be just yet! So, without further ado, here's my very first bourse! As you already know I stitched The Cat's Whiskers Heartstrings and was going to wait until I'd stitched it again before I tried my hand at a bourse. I decided at the weekend to have a go at the first one as I need it to be ready wrapped to go to DH's auntie early December. It's not a very clear picture but it gives you an idea of how the finished article looks. I'm really pleased with it for my first attempt and it was much easier to make up than I expected.

I also finished up the blogoversary giveaway prizes. I just hope the winner likes them:) As Winter is fast approaching I decided upon Trail Creek Farm's Winter freebie, stitched it twice and made a pinkeep and a fob. I added a little snowman to to the bottom of the fob. Unforunately it wasn't until I had the pinkeep all made up that I realised I'd missed some stitches so I must apologise to the winner about that. I guess it makes it unique! Anyway I guess I'd better tell you who the winner is! Thank you to those of who entered! The winner is( drumroll please!)................... Gill! Gill please email me your address and I'll get these in the post to you sometime this week:) ( My email is in my profile). Also in the piccie you can see my Gingher Sophia scissors. Chiloe asked to see my scissors so there they are. I love them!

My last picture for today is my progress on Heaven and Earth Designs quick stitch Girly Gothic which was in my rotation for the last week although I will admit to not stitching on her every evening! Even though I didn't I still feel as though I made really good progress almost completing 20 rows. There was quite a lot of confetti stitches in her hair so that held me up quite a lot but I am still pleased. I think I should get a good go on her next time as it's coming up to an area with quite a few big blocks of colour:)

I received my With My Needle Ackworth Friendship Book chart from Thread Bear on Friday ( I think!) and must say that I am very impressed with it. I don't think I've ever seen a chart so nicely put together and I just hope that when I make the book up I can do it the justice it deserves. I was going to use 32 count fabric but I really like the way the model looks in the photograph so have decided on 36 count Lakeside Linens in Sugar Maple. I finally found that Needlecraft Corner stocked it and actually had it in stock, plus there was 20% off it, so I ordered it from there. I have ordered from Drema many times before and she is always so helpful.

I had a bit of stash through the post today as well as Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End on DVD! I pre-ordered it ages ago from Play and got it at a very good price for a 2 DVD one. Anyway the stash was a Cat's Whiskers/ Dinky Dyes collaboration called Happy Holidays which can be seen here but you have to scroll down almost to the bottom. I am hoping that I can have at least one of these stitched to hang on our tree this year:)

I am getting a little worried about my Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly magazines as it's two weeks since they posted to me by global priority ( or whatever it's called now) and I'm still waiting. Oh well guess they will turn up sooner or later! Also just noticed that the latest issue has part 3 of the keepsake album in, which is what I wanted the other two for, so can anyone who gets this magazine tell me if there are anymore parts to it please? I don't want to order this issue then find that there are more parts to come. I'd rather wait until they're all done and buy them then.

Tonight, as far as I know, Helen and I are starting Just Nan Queen of the Needle. I'm really looking forward to starting this as it's a beautiful sampler.

Well I guess I'd better end here and go catch up on your blogs:) It's lovely to come and see what you are all up to. I've had so much inspiration from you all:) Have a wonderful week everyone!