Another Tiny-ish Finish!

I do rather like these smaller finishes in between stitching on slightly larger pieces. This one was finished as a fob on the chart BUT I messed up a little and ended up finishing it as a pincushion. This design is finished rather funky, at least I think so, so I used a bright pink ribbon for a roughly ruched edging with some blue and pink Rocailles that I'd bought Abi for her textiles project but she didn't use them. I am rather pleased with the result.

Cherrywood Design Studios Eat Sleep Stitch

28 count white opalescent evenweave ( 1 over 1)

DMC

Started 3rd March 2011

Finished 6th March 2011

While I had the sewing machine out sewing that one up I also finished off the BBD Winter Garden pincushion. Another simple finish that I absolutely love :)

And to prove to Chris that I am actually stitching the SB ornaments here's the two I have finished! I'm hoping to get the next one finished this next Sunday then I'm all caught up for now. I'm afraid my photo of them is rubbish!

I've been beavering away on my WIPs this week. Monday was SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen. Now Barb has been one speedy stitcher and had a happy dance so please pop on over to her blog and have a peek at The Journey. It is beautiful and so nicely finished. I am hoping ( please!) that Barb will keep on with the SAL with Colleen and I :) Anyway here's my progress on Emmanuel's Song. I am almost half way through this and love how it's stitching up.

Tuesday evening, after my fright of realisng just how close DH and I's 25th wedding anniversary is, I picked up Blue Ribbon Designs Stitched With Love. Once I get the SB ornament for this month finished I shall have two evenings on SWL as I need to get a move on! So much I want to stitch NOW and so little time! Lol!

Finally last night was LHN SAL night with Lisa and Lesleyanne and I see a finish in the not too distant future :) Well I think by the end of March this lovely design should be done and dusted:) I love every single bit of this.

I am still waiting for my BBD A Stitcher's Journey book but I now know what has happened to it! I emailed Karen from Wasatch Needlecraft and it appears it was returned to her. She said she's had a few international packages returned as the mail carriers read the return address as the shipping address!!! Duh! So she resent it on 28th February so keeping my fingers crossed that it actually arrives soon.

Some good news for Jess. As you all know she wants to  be a novelist hence her wanting to now change to Enlgish and Creative Writing at university. We still are none the wiser as to how she's going to fund her fees for the first year of the new course BUT there is a little light in the darkness and that is she has just had her first short story published as an ebook for Kindle on Amazon:) here. I haven't read it so I think I might have to ask for a copy!! Lol! I just hope she does well with it.

Right I'm going to see what you've all been up to on your blogs for a bit. I did a mass catch up yesterday but need to keep on top really! Thank you for visiting :)

Take care everyone.

Love & 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

The House That Sally Built......

Is looking rather splendid even if I do say so myself! Last night was LHN SAL night with Lisa and Lesleyanne and I finally got all the windows in and the door so the house will be nice and snug for Belle to go into! I love this piece so much and I enjoy stitching on it each Wednesday.

Monday was SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen and an enjoyable evening stitching in spirit with another two lovely ladies. My piece, Emmanuel's Song, is growing rather nicely and is so much fun to stitch.

I have been stitching on Blue Ribbon Designs Stitched with Love but forgot to take a photo of it so I'll show that next time providing I remember of course! Also had another little finish but I can't show that until it's been received.

I have decided that I'm not going to do the Jardin Prive SAL after all. I'm just pleased I thought about it long and hard. It is a beautiful piece but there are so many other things that I would rather stitch.

I mentioned a wee while ago that I had been one of four lucky ladies picked on Becky's blog to receive a stash goody bag from her and just look at what arrived for me on Tuesday! Becky is such a kind hearted, generous lady:) I love everything here! I do already have the BBD chart and the MND one and Becky said I could pass then on so I've passed the MND onto Lisa and if anyone of my regular commenters would like  BBD AotH A Wish for You please mention it in your comment. Thank you so much for your kindness Becky {{{{hugs}}}}

I am patiently impatiently waiting for my BBD A Stitcher's Journey to arrive as I can't hardly wait to get little hands on it and look through it! I think it was shipped over a week ago so, hopefully, it'll be here soon.

I was so sad to hear of the tragic death of Lisa of The Primitive Needle. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. It really does make you realise just how fragile life is. There is a Spooky SAL that has been set up on Facebook to stitch something in tribute to her and although I have never stitched one of her designs or own any I thought it would be nice to join in and I went through my freebies and found two of Lisa's and am going to stitch one of those so I am either doing Wicked or By the Light of the Moon.

We had some good news from Jess on Tuesday but with the good news comes the bad :( The good news is that she has been accepted for the English and Creative Writing course from September at the same university she is at now. She has just rung with the bad news which is that because she's already had a student loan for tuition fees for the almost two years she has already done student finance will only give her a further two years loan and the course she's going to is three years. Plus it's  not the final year she will have to pay herself. Oh no she has to find £3,375 for the year 2011/2012! More to damned well worry about! She does have some savings, although I'm not sure she has enough, but that will mean that everything she has saved will have gone. I don't think she's really thought it through. Also she won't get a grant for living until she's done the first year which means won't have as much to live on. There is no way we can help her so God only knows how she'll manage and I fear that she's going to end up having to drop out. I am just so sick of the worry with everything. And yesterday DH's auntie was admitted to hospital. Thankfully it is not as serious as we first thought it might be and is a stomach bug. If all goes well she should be allowed home today.

Well I had better go. I feel as though all I do is moan lol Just don't know how much more I can take:(

Take care everyone.

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

I Am At A Loss For A Title!

It's a lovely day up here on the Yorkshire coast after the rain we've had. The sun is actually shining which would normally make me feel good but unfortuntely it's not doing anything for me! Lol!

 

I have been stitching quite a bit as usual although if only I could get off this PC of an evening I'd do a lot better! Sunday evening I started the next Shepherd's Bush ornament that Chris and I are stitching and that is Santa's Flight. I really love these SB ornaments and will probably need to buy another tree to display them on :) I had got more stitched on this but I had a visit from the frog and had to rip some out. The bottom row of flowers is one fabric thread lower than it should be but I am leaving it!

As usual on a Monday I was SAL-ing with Barb and Colleen on my Shepherd's Bush piece Emmauel's Song. Do check out their blogs to see their progress too. Barb is stitching The Journey and Colleen is stitching Checkered Sheep :)

Tuesday I had planned to stitch on Prairie Schooler Summer Pinkeep, which is my SAL piece for the PS SAL over on Needlecraft Haven but Lindsay has very kindly lent me the Blackbird Designs Winter Wonderland chart so that I can stitch the pincushion from it so I started that. I'm going to stitch a bit more on it this evening and also pop a few stitches into the PS piece.

Finally last night was SAL night with Lisa and Lesleyanne, more frogs visited, but I am happy with what I stitched. I have been roofing and next week the window frames will, hopefully, go in!

Another SAL I would love to do is the Jardin Prive one here but I think if I were to stitch it I'd want to more at my own pace. Hazel set the ball rolling on Needlecraft Haven and Claire is moderating a SAL on there so I'm probably going to join in on there. I need another WIP like I need a hole in the head but it is such a pretty piece ( in three parts) with the most gorgeous colours.

I had some lovely post from Michelle on Tuesday :) She has recently been on holiday to South Africa and she sent me these gorgeous ribbons, lace, buttons and tassle she had bought at the craft fair. See the tassle? That was made by a 4 year old :) Isn't it amazing! I'm 47 and I can't make tassles anywhere near as perfect as that. Thank you so much Michelle, I absolutely love it all and thank you for thinking of me :) I hope you've received the email I sent.

Tuesday also brought my JJ's Super Bowl sale order. The postal service did an amazing job as it was only shipped on Friday. Very good going seen as things from the US seem to have been taking forever!

It's half term this week but we haven't done much. We did have a bit of retail therapy yesterday as Abi has been saving money so she bought a couple of things. She also had a winners sachet in a packet of Batchelors noodles and inside it was £20! Lucky girl :) I had some birthday money left so I treated myself to a new shoulder bag in New Look. I also bought the new Art of Knitting magazine as I fancied knitting the throw but having worked out the cost of collecting all the issues I have decided against it. I could probably buy a pattern and knit one so much cheaper! Abi suggested it would be nice to do one as family heirloom so I will see what I can find. The idea of attempting to knit a hat went out of the window a long time ago as it seemed way too confusing and I did get a lovely one for Christmas from Dorothy Perkins with a scarf to match!

So we're over halfway through half term and I am already dreading being on my own again. I was very much looking forward to this week but my mood has meant that I haven't enjoyed it as much as I had hoped and last night I was a mess. I am sick of feeling like this.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I am hoping to be back in a few days with my finished up, ready to hang, LHN Poinsettia House. I have all the bits ready to put together so watch this space!!!

Take care everyone!

Hugs

Sally

xxxxx

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

Ellen's Prize:)

Back in November I held a blogoversary giveaway and Ellen was the winner. I did ask at the time that the winner be patient with me in getting something stitched up and posted to them but I honestly did not intend for it to take me until now. However Ellen has truly been very patient with me and I finally got her prize out to her last week and I received an email from her yesterday to say that she had received it safely and that she loves it so I am one very happy stitcher :) It's always nice when you stitch something to have it be received so well. Anyway I chose to stitch this for Ellen as she loves Little House Needleworks and the colour blue :) I was very pleased with my finish on this :)

Little House Needleworks Singing the Blues

28 count Bay Leaf fabric

Thread Gatherer Silk 'n' Colors & DMC

Started 26th January 2010

Finished 5th February 2010

Prize for Ellen

I finished Drawn Thread Spot of Autumn on Tuesday evening but won't show it until I have it all made up into a mattress pincushion. I'm hoping to do a bit to the finishing this afternoon.  

Last night was my LHN SAL night with Lisa and Lesleyanne and I have been brick laying! I don't have the suggested thread for the house so I looked through my DMC Variations and chose one of those. I love how it looks!

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my finishes in my last post :) I appreciate them all so much. I love getting and reading comments :)

Just a quick post today :) 

Take care everyone!

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

Happy Birthday Barb!

Today is my dear friend Barb's birthday and as she is a sheep lover, a fellow stitcher and a very dear friend I thought this design was just perfect to stitch as a gift for her. I finished it into a pinkeep with a pocket in the back and added some Kelmscott heart shaped thread rings. I do hope you like it Barb :) I loved stitching it :)

Elizabeth's Designs Stitchin' Friends

28 count Bay Leaf linen

DMC

Started 5th February 2011

Finished 10th February 2011

Birthday Gift for Barb

Another finish was for my DH for Valentine's Day. We don't normally exchange gifts, just cards, but this year I decided I wanted to stitch a little something for him and this is what I did. I had planned on stitching this for his birthday at the beginning of January but it just did not happen!

The Sampler Girl My Everything

32 count fabric

Carrie's Creations Old World Red

Started 10th February 2011

Finished 12th February 2011

Valentine's Gift for my DH

On Sunday evening I finally finished my first Shepherd's Bush ornament of the year! This one should have been finished in January but I got a little behind stitching other things. Chris finished hers well in time and started the next one! I love this one and am looking forward to making a start on the next one on Sunday.

Shepherd's Bush Earth's Delight

From the JCS Ornament Magazine 2010

36 count sand linen

DMC

Started 16th January 2011

Finished 13th February 2011

Whilst I had my sewing machine out finishing TSG My Everything I also made up TSG Wonderful Life which was my final finish of 2010 and here it is! Notice the tiny jingle bells? Love it! I'm really pleased with this.

Finally my WIPs on Shepherd's Bush Emmanuel's Song from last night. Colleen and I travelled to Barb's place ( in spirit ) and this is what I got done:) I didn't read the instructions properly ( duh) so the last but one row I stitched is one fabric thread out so I am debating whether to leave it or take it out and restitch it.

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my Snow Garden finish and Valentine's Rose start. I think Valentine Rose might be dedicated to my grandma ( my Mum's Mum) but not entirely sure yet!

***Life alert, please bypass this if you want to *** Thank you also for listening to my ramblings again. I was rather surprised by my sister's reaction to my GP visit. She did look down her nose to begin with when I said I was taking a step back from my Dad as I couldn't cope with everything going on there and things with Jess. She just said Oh dear! She did, however, become more sympathetic when I told her I was going  to be going for counselling as it was bringing up things from my teenage years when Mum suffered from depression. It's not easy being 14 and having your Mum stop going out, then stop getting out of bed and trying take her own life twice.  My sister had moved away then. I thought I'd dealt with it and understood it but now I'm not wanting to get up in a morning ( thinking I won't have to deal with things if I stay in bed!) but am pushing myself because I have a husband and two daughters and now I'm struggling to understand why she couldn't. I know she was very ill. Anyway enough of that. Even though I know I'm still posting my stitching it's time to get back to it being all about stitching with the odd bit of  other stuff! Lol!

Not sure what I'm stitching tonight but it'll probably be more on Spot of Autumn then tomorrow is LHN SAL night with Lisa and Lesleyanne! Can't wait :)

Until next time, take care everyone and thank you for visiting :)

Love and hugs

Sally

xxxxx

Snow Garden Finish!

Wahoo!!! On Friday evening I put my final few stitches into Blackbird Designs AotH #1 Snow Garden. Even though the dye lots of the GAST have caused some headaches I have absolutely loved every single stitch of this although I will admit I am ready for the brighter colours of Valentine Rose! After much deliberation I decided to dedicate this one to my Mum so have added her initials, her year of birth and her parents initials.

Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart #1 Snow Garden

36 count Rosewood linen

GAST & DMC

Started 6th January 2011

Finished 11th February 2011

I made a start on Valentine Rose last night and this is my progress. I'm stitching this with GAST, one WDW and DMC!

Wednesday evening I picked up Little House Needleworks Be Merry- Belle Pepper which is my LHN SAL piece with Lisa and Lesleyanne. I am throwing myself into my stitching as much as I can in an evening as it helps me relax ( most of the time!) and forget stuff so I managed to get quite a bit done on this. I am loving every single stitch on this as it's such a gorgeous design.

Yesterday afternoon after finishing stitching a wee gift for my DH for Valentine's Day I decided to start The Drawn Thread Spot of Autumn. I've had this kitted up since I finished Spot of Summer way back last year so thought it was time I stitched it up and then not leave it as long to stitch Spot of Winter!

Another piece I really should have stitched ages ago is the final Prairie Schooler seasonal piece from The Gift of Stitching. I stitched three of them and never got around to stitching the last one. Clare who hosts Needlecraft Haven has set up a PS SAL on there so I'm going to find the chart and sort some fabby and threads for that.

I had a lovely RAK from CarolR the other day. For those of you who don't know Carol is a designer of some absolutely gorgeous charts. Do go take a peek if you haven't already. I already have a couple which she sent me in a trade but haven't got around to stitching them yet. Anyway she very kindly sent me Sew Lavender which is absolutely beautiful and as you can see I have it printed out with every intention of starting it soon. Thank you so much Carol {{{hugs}}}

Whilst catching up with blogs the other day I had a wonderful surprise. Dear Becky had picked 4 names, from the comments she had received on her Halloween Cove finish, to receive a goody bag from her and one of those names was mine!  Thank you so much Becky {{{{hugs}}}. 

Later on I intend to pass on the kindness of my fellow bloggers and have a giveaway but it may be a while before I get myself sorted and have time to stitch something nice up. 

I have just updated my for sale page so please go have a look and let me know if there's anything that is of interest :) Thank you :)

Finally just want to say thank you to all those who left such lovely comments on my last post. I am definitely not finding things easy right now but am hoping, as time goes on, that I will improve and things will get better. My DH had that chat with my Dad yesterday but whether he actually takes notice we shall see. I need time to deal with everything and heal. I know some people might not understand although I have not come across any negativity from anyone as yet. I am just waiting for some backlash from my sister if my Dad tells her but I will not hold back if she starts!!!! I am here, she is not and although she's only 20 odd miles away she may as well be at the other side of the world!

That's all from me for today! Thank you all for your friendships, your comments, your advice and your wise words. You are all wonderful and I treasure your friendships.

Love and Hugs

Sally

xxxx

The Kindness of Fellow Stitchers and Bloggers

I know I've said it before and it has been said many times on blogs before but stitchers and bloggers are well and truly the kindest people I have ever come across. They are always there with encouragement, a friendly ear, wise words etc etc and I want to thank each and every one of you who have commented or emailed me.

A while ago I picked up some pom pom trim to send Christina as she had not seen it anywhere near her. She emailed me to say that she had something in her stash that she thought I might like and look what arrived the other day! She had won this in a giveaway but as it wasn't something she would stitch and knowing I had quite a collection of needlerolls she sent it to me. Isn't it gorgeous? Thank you so much Christina xxxx I hope you have received the email I sent you:)

Then on Saturday, after placing a small order with JJ's in their Super Bowl Sale, I received an email from Jennifer to say that I had been sent a $25 GC from a blog reading friend to treat myself to the BBD book. So the new BBD book ( A Stitcher's Journey) is now pre-ordered but not from JJ's as Jennifer took the GC off what I had ordered ( it included a BBD chart) but from Wasatch Needlecraft as Karen is offering 15% off all Nashville pre-orders :) so in a round about way the GC is paying for it lol! So a HUGE thank you, thank you, thank you to whoever kindly sent the GC for me. I cannot thank you enough or tell you how much I appreciate it. I have absolutely no idea who you are but lots of hugs are coming your way.

I have been stitching away since my last post but can only show a couple of things as the others are gifts. I have finished stitching Ellen's prize and it is half made up so I am hoping to have that finished and in the post to Ellen tomorrow after a long wait. Friday and Saturday I stitched on BBD AotH Snow Garden. Still not finished but nearly there! I have decided that I will add my Mum's initials and birth year to this one. Hopefully it will be finished next time I pick it up and I'll be able to move onto Valentine Rose. As much as I love Snow Garden I am ready for a bit more colour! I'm looking forward to seeing how Valerie, Jane and Lisa B are getting on.

Sunday I stitched on a few things one of which was Shepherd's Bush Earth's Delight the ornament that Chris and I decided to start our year long SAL with in January but she has finished it and started the next one and I am still stitching away! I forgot to take a photo though so will leave it now until it's finished!

Last night was my SAL night with Barb and Colleen so out came Shepherd's Bush Emmanuel's Song. I managed to finish the cross stitch band I was stitching last week and get four more bands done so I am happy!

Looking forward to tomorrow evening as it's LHN SAL night with Lisa and Lesleyanne is joining us too so Be Merry Belle Pepper will be coming out.

Well I have been to see my GP this morning. I did consider cancelling my appointment but I don't think my DH or my dear friend Barb would have been too pleased. Barb did threaten me with a stern talking to :) I do wish I'd written things down ( yes I know Lisa you did tell me to!) as I ended up quite tongue tied and felt utterly ridiculous but my GP was very patient. She has suggested that I take a step back ( not going to be easy) before I end up not loving my Dad anymore ( I really don't want that to happen), take some time to myself and also suggested counselling to try and help me deal with things from when my Mum suffered from depression when I was a teenager. These things I thought I had dealt with and understood but being a Mum myself and trying to deal with not coping too well I now realise there are things that I don't understand and am now struggling to deal with it. There is also the issue of my eldest DD blaming me for things going on in her life ( a cop out is what my youngest calls that!) and after 18 months on her course she has now decided that she can't stand to do chemistry anymore and is looking into changing courses which will mean starting over. So we have that to worry about as well but we have said if she is not happy doing that course then what is the point of carrying on and have given her our blessing to change. So I think everything is just piling up on me at the moment. My GP suggested that my DH speak to my Dad which I know he won't be happy about but it's as she says if I do it I'm going to see his reaction and will end up backing down. So yes I am human; my life is not perfection, just the same as everyone else :)

On a happier note my DH has booked us a night away for our 25th wedding anniversary and I can't wait. I think it's what I need and although it's not until April I am so looking forward to it.

Right better dash, catch up on blogs, then maybe do a little exercise and a little stitching :)

Thank you for listening to me again :)

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxxx