My Baby's Prom ( Picture Heavy Post)

This evening I have a non stitching post with lots of photos:) It's Abi's prom and she should just have arrived at Willerby Manor:) We took several photos so I'm showing a few here. We are so proud of our youngest girl. She looks fantastic in her dress and I did have tears in my eyes as I watched her walk away to get on the coach with her friends. Anyway I shall let the photos do the talking. She is getting a photo taken there but we won't get that until GSCE results day in August.

Emmanuel's Song Framed

At last I have got my DH to take a decent photo of Shepherd's Bush Emmanuel's Song for me. It was a glorious day here yesterday ( too damned hot for me though I'm afraid) so he set his camera up outside and here's the picture. It's not close up but you can see the mats and frame quite well. I have this hung on my bedroom wall.

No finishes to share just some progress on WIPs from last week. First it's my progress on Drawn Thread Sanctuary my SAL with Chris and Kajsa. I really enjoyed stitching on this last Tuesday. Unfortunately the white flowers don't show up very well so I may have to back stitch around those but I'll wait and see once I get that bit finished. 

Wednesday was SAL night with Lisa and I made a start on the top bit of A New Day. I am hoping to get lots more done this week so that I can finish the top bit and move onto the bit underneath. I love stitching this one and will miss it once it's finished.

I can't show what I stitched on Thursday and last night but I can show my BBD AotH Farm House. It's not finished but I feel that I made really progress. I did, however, realise that I'd started this one in the wrong place and it's one stitch to far to the left so I need to make sure that I start the next one along with four stitches in between instead of three and the one underneath Farm House one in from it if that makes sense! I'd got too much done to frog when I realised what I'd done so it can stay!

I've been a very bad girl and gone on autoship for the new BBD Loose Feathers charts. I think they are going to be too pretty to pass on so I'd better be good for the rest of the year!

Guess I better go and maybe update my other blog although I might wait until tomorrow as it'll take too long the way I'm feeling! Lol! I am also way behind on blogs so will try and catch up tomorrow:)

Have a lovely week:)

Take care.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

A Little Finish

All I can show in the finishes today is a teeny ornament finish! Just in time for this month is my Shepherd's Bush ornament. I'm stitching one a month with Chris but I've got bit behind. I was in one of those moods on Sunday evening, feeling very restless, and I didn't want to stitch on this but I told myself I had to so that I could finish it!

Shepherd's Bush Mary & Joseph

36 count Sand linen

DMC

Started 11th June 2011

Finished 18th June 2011

I think I shall start the next one next Sunday providing I have some fabric left. If not I may have to order some ( darn it!). 

Friday and Saturday I stitched a little on BBD AotH Farm House. I didn't get much done on Saturday as we went to the cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides ( fantastic film!) but I'm happy with the progress I made. It was nice to get out for a change. 

Finally last night was one of favourite stitchy nights of the week as it was SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen. I love Family Sampler so much. The colours are just so pretty and it is a pure joy to stitch. Sorry if I'm repeating myself but I can't get enough of this sampler. I'd stitch on it every night if I could :)

It's SAL night with Chris and Kajsa on DT The Sanctuary tonight. Really looking forward to getting more done.

I picked up SB Emmanuel's Song from the framers on Friday but I haven't managed to get a decent photo of it so I'll see if DH can get one so that I can show it next time. My framer has done a fantastic job as usual.

Well I had better get off here and get some exercises done! I did a new one on the Wii Fit Plus yesterday and I certainly about it!

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Take care.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx

Progress, Progress, Progress!

Lots of progress to show this week although, again, I've been spending too much time on the PC after tea. I really must learn to say no when my DH asks me if I want it when he's finished! However I have made some good progress so I'm a semi-happy bunny! Anyway I'm just waiting for Miss Abi to get her butt out of bed then we're popping out as she needs some pencil crayons for her textiles exam. It's not until next week but I don't think we'll get chance to go another day.

I started my next BBD AotH last Friday. I decided on Farm House. When I was sorting threads I was a little disappointed as I'm rapidly running out of GAST for these but will have to wait to buy more so this one is more DMC as I use that instead of CC anyway. I have just had a thought! I could have used the called for Lexington Green for the house as I'm sure I have another skein! Darn it! Oh well I rather like the sub so I'm fine with it!

I also started my next Shepherd's Bush ornament which is Mary and Joseph. One of them is headless right now so I hope they don't try wandering or they'll walk into something :) Again I have subbed the overdyes for DMC.

Monday was my usual SB SAL with Barb and Colleen. Family Sampler is proving an absolute joy to stitch but I would not expect any less from an SB design. The colours are so beautiful. I have always been a "buy a chart, threads and fabric rather than a kit kind of girl" but I do love these SB kits.

I finally plucked up the courage to do the reversed cushion stitch on Drawn Thread The Sanctuary on Tuesday evening. I had left it as it looked as though it would take forever ( OK maybe that's an exaggeration!) but it didn't and I had it done in no time. So I then had the pick of the four "blocks" and plumped for the top left one. Love how this looking so far. I wonder how Chris and Kajsa are getting on:)

My final picture is of MBT A New Day my SAL with Lisa. I tried to get the border finished last night but didn't quite manage it. Of course I was rather relieved that it met up too as I had visions of it not doing ( I really need to get glass half full, not half empty!). Next week I hope to get the border done and start filling in the flowers and wording at the top. I just hope I don't run out of the GAST I'm using for the border as it's also used for some flowers.

Not sure what I'm stitching on tonight. I finished one gift so may start another or may get the stitching finished on my PIFs. Before I know where I am it'll be September which is when I need to have them done by! I hate letting people down ( I have been let down before with a PIF) so I want to get them done in decent time.

Well I think I'll go see if Miss Abi is awake. The weather is a bit changeable here so I'd like to go before it chucks it down although the sun is shining brightly at the moment.

Thank you for visiting and for all your lovely comments. Also thank you to those of you who have been so supportive on my other blog either through comments or emails. {{{{hugs}}}}

That's all for now. I'm hopefully picking up Emmanuel's Song from the framers tomorrow so will be back with that soon:)

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx

PS If anyone has problems leaving a comment do let me know please. 

A Bit of Making Up

The two Shepherd's Bush fobs I finished stitching are all made up now. I have been going to make "friends" with my sewing machine for several days now but I just didn't seem to have the motivation for it so yesterday I made the effort to drag my sewing machine ( along with everything on top of it!) out of the cupboard and sew them up. How I wish I had a sewing room so that I could leave it all set up. I had planned to make the LHN ornament I showed in my last post up as well but I'd forgotten to cut some backing fabric and couldn't be bothered to find any ( bad me!) At least my fobs got done lol! I did not have the correct buttons in my stash and I bought the ribbon in Hobbycraft while we out last week.

I really like these fobs and seen as I have the 2008, 2009 and 2010 ones now I think I need to buy the 2011 one so look out the next sales as I think I'll be buying providing my Ebay stuff sells! I have some stuff I'd finished and had on display up at the moment or that I'd finished and not made up. My ID is angelwings1963 if you're interested:)

I had a bit of a change this week as I have some things that I really need to get stitched so my Prairie Schooler piece is on hold for the time being as it's the piece that I'm enjoying the least ( if that makes sense!). I can't show what I've stitched instead as it's a gift but I can show my progress from Tuesday night on Drawn Thread Sanctuary which is my SAL with Chris and Kajsa. I've had this one in my stash for such a long time now and am looking forward to to the challenge of the speciality stitches.

Wedneday night was AND SAL with Lisa and I just love this so much. I know I keep saying how much I love it but this piece speaks volumes to me at the moment.

Last night I started BBD AotH Farm House but I'll show that another time as I'll be stitching on it tonight as well. I have decided that I'm going to personalise this one for my Grandad's cousin who fought in WW1 and died of wounds during the Battle of Arras in May 1917.

Tomorrow evening is SB ornament SAL night. I can't remember the name of the one I'm starting lol but I've sorted threads and just need to cut some fabric.

Time is moving on rapidly and I can't believe we are already through the first full week of June. Abi has all but finished school and just has to go in for her textiles lessons and revision blocks. She just had that exam to do on 22nd June and that is it until 6th from in September. It seems strange having her home as this last week she's only been in school for 3 lessons!

That's all for now:) Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxx



Moonlight Visitor................

Is finished! I wasn't sure it was going to get done as I was unsure of how to do the personalisation. I even stitched a bit over one and had to frog it as I realised it wouldn't work so in the end I just stitched my parents first initials, the date they were married and mine and my sister's first initial. I'm really pleased with this one. Farm House will be next. * I forgot to say that my Mum's initial on this one is actually the initial of her middle name because both her and her Mum had the same Christian name she was known by her middle name*

Blackbird Designs AotH #9 Moonlight Visitor

36 count Rosewood Linen

GAST & DMC

Started 7th May 2011

Finished 4th June 2011

I had another small finish on Sunday evening. I desperately wanted to get Red House in Winter finished so I can start another SB ornament this next Sunday and I did it! I plan on getting my sewing machine out this week to finish it and those fobs up:)

Little House Needleworks Red House in Winter

36 count sand linen

DMC and Carrie's Creations

Started 22nd May 2011

5th June 2011

Finally my new start ( yes another one!) from last night. I really enjoy my SB SAL night with Barb and Colleen so decided on Family Sampler for last night and I LOVE it! I don't seem to have been enjoying my stitching as much of late and I've really had to push myself some nights to pick it up ( unless it's AND night with Lisa) so this was a refreshing change as I didn't want to put it away!

I am soon going to have to say to hell with the rotation for a bit as I have a few birthdays coming up plus I have just become a member of the sisterhood as I won the travelling pattern from Michele so will start that as soon I can ( probably when I've finished AND) so that I can get it on it's way again. This one is Waxing Moon My Needle and Floss They Comfort Me which is oh so true a saying for me right now!

Well that's me done for today. I'll be back later in the week hopefully with my fobs and ornament all finished :)

Take care everyone and thank you for continuing to visit me and for all your wonderful comments. I know I'm not at my chattiest but it's hard to see the wood for the trees just lately.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxxxx

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

Jenny Bean is Back!

At last I have "finished" finished Shakespeare's Peddler Jenny Bean's Pin Tuffet. I stole Chris' idea of a tin finish the same as the one she kindly made me for my birthday last December. It's not perfect but for a first attempt I'm quite happy with it. I sent it to Fiona ( no blog),  one of my oldest online stitching friends from way back when we met on Stitchaholics Welcome, as she has been a wonderful online friend and often texts, emails or sends me messages on Facebook to see how I am etc. I am glad to say that she loves it :) 

So what else have my eager beaver stitching fingers been up to. Well I have shamelessly had three new starts in the last three days. Yes you read that right! Three in three days. I so need my stitching. Sunday evening I started Little House Needleworks Red House in Winter. I love the look of this one and am looking forward to getting more stitched this coming Sunday. I'm stitching it on 36 count sand linen like I did the others.

Monday evening's new start was another Shepherd's Bush Fob for the SAL I do with Barb and Colleen. This time I picked up the Glad Tidings one which is another chart that dear Barb sent me. I did a little searching through my GAST collection and picked colours as close as I could to the picture and this is the front almost finished. My poor sheep is legless at the moment!

New start number three was last night and Chris and I started our SAL of The Drawn Thread The Sanctuary. Kajsa is also joining us in the hope that she can get hers finished :) You'd be amazed at how much time that middle bit took! I got confused ( it don't take much!!!) and thought I'd misstitched the whole lot when I'd got quite a lot done but, thankfully, it was just the row I'd just stitched! Phew!!!!

Last piece of stitching is my progress on BBD AotH Moonlight Visitor. I did some house building this time. The brick laying is done so I can start putting in the windows and the door:)

It's AND night with Lisa tonight and I can barely wait to sit on my comfy sofa and get stitching :)

So that's all my stitchy news. I heard from Stephanie at Thread Bear yesterday and my BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler chart has arrived so that's something to look forward to it popping through my letter box:)  No way will I be starting it yet but I have the threads and will dye some fabric:)

I'm way behind on reading and commenting on blogs and I really need to sort myself out and get caught up. I seem to waste so much time playing games again on FB ( good to tell I'm really down) so those are going ( again) except for Hatchlings as I really like that!

My prayers go out to all those affected by the tornadoes in the US. 

Take care everyone.

Love & hugs

Sally

xxx