At Last......

The DMC box I treated myself to with some birthday money over a year ago has finally got a stitched piece mounted in the top! I've been looking for something ever since I bought it and finally found exactly what I wanted. I stitched this whilst recuperating and here it is finally mounted into the top of the box.

I really like the way it has turned out.

Another of my many recent finishes is also made up. A while ago I bought a couple of small canvasses that had stands with them so I mounted The Sampler Girl Queen's Diamond Jubilee Sampler onto the canvas and added some edging. Here it is.

My DH even commented on how nice both finishes looked :)

I've had a couple of new starts:) First one is Just Nan Floral Fifteen which I've had in my stash ever since it came out! Not got very far on it yet but I'm loving the colours.

My other new start is an SB one. Once I'd finished the stitching on my SB that cannot be named I started the Snowman Treat Bag which Shirlee very kindly gifted me with.

Final stitching is my almost finish on my July ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. This one is Blackbird Designs 2004 Christmas Ornament from the 2004 JCS ornament magazine. I will get it finished tonight!

No SAL with Mouse this week as I'm waiting to start the Shakespeare's Peddler piece until Mouse is ready.

I'm still knitting on the Crest of a Wave Baktus. I'm only getting some done at craft club but it's growing quite nicely. I'm well over half way now.

Finally I've been doing a little bit of stash shopping seen as I sold some of the charts I'd finished with ( thank you to all those who bought then). I'd been wanting some fabric to stitch Birds of a Feather Sally Spencer Sampler on but was having a hard time deciding. Anyway I emailed Dawn at The Crafty Kitten asking if Fall Foliage would work. Dawn was so helpful and custom dyed me some lighter as she thought it might be too dark. It arrived yesterday and it is perfect. Thank you Dawn for your help. I have taken a photo of my floss toss but the photo really does not do it justice.

I've just done a small order with JJ's in their Christmas in July so I'm looking forward to receiving that. I ordered a couple of charts and some Crescent Colours threads :) Something to look forward to and to cheer me up lol!

That's all my news for now. I'm going to do a bit of exercise now. I bought a game for the Wii called Exerbeat and it is so much fun. Jess and I were doing it together but we found that we didn't have enough room when it came to some of it and I ended up bruised!!! I need to get myself toned up and my weight down as it's getting me down. I really don't like what I see at all when I look in the mirror!

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxxx

Wash Day

As promised I am back with a couple of finishes today. Although I am really enjoying my knitting ( why oh why did I start knitting again??!!!! ) cross stitch will always come first :)

I am still SAL-ing with Barb but can't show what I've been stitching as it is for a private exchange that Barb and I are doing later in the year. I am , however, going to have a couple of new SB starts very soon. I have picked out the Snow Treat Bag which Shirlee kindly sent me as a get well gift to start and also sorted fabric and converted threads to DMC for My Mom's Garden.

So onto my two finishes. This first one was so lovely to stitch and is just so pretty. I love watching the birds in my garden so this was a must stitch for me.

Carriage House Samplings Wash Day

36 count Edinborough Sand Linen

DMC

Started 30th June 2012

Finished 15th July 2012

The chart is now on the way to Barb :)

Second finish was another lovely one to stitch and is my SAL with Mouse:) Next week I'll start Shakespeare's Peddler Gentle Stitches.

Little House Needleworks A Stitcher's Heart

32 count ivory ( I think) evenweave

Crescent Colours

Started 23rd May 2012

Finished 18th July 2012

I have finally started my ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. I chose Blackbird Designs Christmas Ornament 2004 from the JCS ornament magazine of that year :)

And here is Fozzie trying to get in on the act!

JJ's are having a Christmas in July sale next week so, as I have been pretty good so far this year, I think I'm going to have a small treat. Not sure what yet but I will be getting some threads to stitch something I already have.

Knitting now. I have finished Abi's Alderman mitts and she is so pleased with them. I've started another pair and they will be for Jess. She wants them in red and black.

Finally my blog has been mentioned in the latest issue of The World of Cross Stitching ( thank you Emma for telling me ) in their top 3 websites. I believe this is a feature they do every issue. I picked up a copy today and was so excited :)

That's all for today :)

Until next time.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

Stitcher's Needleroll Chart Winner

Just a quick post today to announce the winner of the Lori Birmingham Stitcher's Needleroll chart. 

The winner is....................... June!

Congratulations June :) I will contact you for your address and get it in the post to you ASAP.

I will be back hopefully tomorrow to share a finish or maybe two plus my WIP on my Christmas ornament for this month for the Christmas All Year Round SAL :)

With much love

Sally

xxxx

Birthday Gifts for Friends and Other Stories!

Sorry to have disappeared for a couple of weeks. I just haven't felt like posting but thought it was time I sorted myself out so I now have a few photos to share.

First of all it was my friend Lisa B's birthday last week. I'd had something stitched but hadn't got around to making it up so was a wee bit late sending it to her. Lisa loved it which made me very happy.

Little House Needleworks Home

Unknown fabric

DMC

Started 26th June 2012

Finished 28th June 2012

Birthday Gift for Lisa B.

Saturday was my dear friend Karan's birthday and this is what I stitched for her.

Homespun Elegance Making My Heart Happy.

32 count fabric

DMC

Started 15th June 2012

Finished 16th June 2012

Birthday Gift for Karan.

I had a lovely thank you card from her yesterday which said that she loves the heart and sentiment:) I'm so glad you liked it Karan:)

Well over a year ago Christina kindly sent me a needleroll kit she had in her stash but wouldn't stitch. I was looking through my stash for something new to start but was feeling too lazy to kit up so thought this was ideal as everything was in the kit.

Lori Birmingham Stitcher's Needleroll ( as kitted)

Started 28th June 2012

Finished 29th June 2012

I'd like to pass the chart and leftover threads on to someone else who would like to stitch it so just say in your comment if you'd like to :) If more than one person is interested I will pick a name :)

I've also done some finishing on a couple of bits I'd finished stitching while I could do nothing more than stitch or knit! I have to rely on Abi or Jess to lift my sewing machine out for me.

This one is Shepherd's Bush Elizabethan Needlecushion.

And this one is Shepherd's Bush Our Hearts Pincushion.

My stitching has slowed up a lot now that I am able to do a bit more and I'm getting out walking more too. I still have to behave on the lifting front but I do forget sometimes and know I've done it. I desperately want to have a good dust and clean but it's getting myself motivated to do it although Jess says he will help me and we're going to do a room a day.

Anyway back to stitching. I had a new start at the end of June. It's Carriage House Samplings Wash Day which I am thoroughly enjoying. I have done a bit more to this since I took the photo. I must admit I've got a bit fed-up with my stitching. I think because I've been able to do such a lot ( which was great if I'm honest. Who doesn't want to sit and stitch all day!) and now I have such a lot to make up which I've had a crisis of confidence with I just don't want to do it so much. So at the moment I only have 3 WIPs. Yep 3 one of which I can't show! 

I've also been getting on with my SAL with Mouse; Little House Needleworks A Stitcher's Heart. It is almost finished then I'll start on the Shakespeare's Peddlar piece. 

I'm trying to be good and not buy anymore new charts for a bit longer. It's hard though when you look through what you have and don't want to stitch any of it ( I do have SB stuff that I want to stitch!) but I still love what I have. So I'm going to use the money from sales I've made to kit up stuff I already have.

I have been doing some knitting. I take my Crest of a Wave Baktus to craft club with me on a Tuesday. I'm really enjoying being able to go there again. I've been searching Ravelry for an afghan to knit as I'd love to have one to hand down and found a free one so I asked my DH if he'd mind me buying some wool. I bought some on sale from Kemps so I'm good to go when I've finished some other bits. I'd also seen one in a magazine that I'd picked up at craft club when one of the ladies had brought some in for us to have but it was in two parts. Nic very kindly sent me the mag with it in so I can knit that one too! Anyway this has been keeping me busy.

This is one of Abi's mitts. She chose them ( Alderman Mitts a free download on ravelry) but I wasn't sure I could knit them. I've never used DPNs before plus they're cabled and the thought of all those needles filled me with dread! As you can imagine I am rather proud of myself. The other one is about halfway done then I have to start on some for Jess as she has decided she would like some too but she wants hers red and black.

Last but by no means least my dear friend Michelle went to France on a stitching retreat the other weekend and very kindly sent me this lovely coaster. I have it on my little table by where I sit to stitch. Thank you so much Michelle. It's so sweet of you to think of me.

Almost forgot Abi has started up a blog. She doesn't stitch but she's using it to show her photography and just general chatter. I'd really appreciate it if you have a spare minute just to pop on over and say hello:) http://apocketfulofwonderland.blogspot.co.uk/

Well I think that's everything for now. I still have a few bits for sale if you'd like to have a look:)

Until next time.

With much love

Sally

xxxx 

Happiness......

Begins with one little stitch as My Big Toe Designs says and if it wasn't for my stitching ( and a bit of knitting) over the last few weeks I think I'd have been tearing my hair out. It's been a week since my last blog post as I just haven't felt like posting so here's a few finishes.

My Big Toe Designs Happiness

32 count Kiwi Illusions Silver Birch 

GAST

Started 6th June 2012

Finished 17th June 2012

I loved stitching this one and am, hopefully, going to mount it into the top on the DMC box I bought with my birthday money the year before last.

I finished my June ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. We had a free choice this month so this is the one I chose.

Plum Street Samplers Yuletide

32 count cobblestone linen

GAST & DMC

Started 12th June 2012

Finished 21st June 2012

This one doesn't look quite right as bits of are stitched upside down but it will be a pouch for a Just Nan Sheep Winder once I get around to making it up.

Just Nan Christmas Sheep

28 count Polstitches Sky High evenweave

DMC & GAST

Started 9th June 2012

Finished 24th June 2012

Final finish is my SAL with Barb.

Shepherd's Bush Elizabethan pincushion ( kit)

Started 4th June 2012

Finished 25th June 2012

I have had two other finishes and two starts but I can't show those as they are exchange pieces or gifts.

So the only WIP I can show is my SAL with Mouse of LHN A Stitcher's Heart. Loving how this looks.

I have some charts for sale at the moment if you would like to have a look. These are all ones that I have stitched in the past few weeks other than a couple that were already on the page and those I have reduced a little.

This is my progress on the Crest of a Wave Baktus. I'm halfway there so started the decreasing now.

Personal stuff now so if you want to stop reading please do :) After 10 months without a period I started last Wednesday. To say I was not a happy bunny is a huge understatement! I cried :( I know that is silly as it's not the end of the world and there are people in this world going through horrible things but I just didn't need it and I had settled to the fact that I was going to have no more. Two more months and I'd have been classed as being done with it.

Yesterday I had my post surgery appointment at the hospital. I didn't see the consultant who had done my surgery but I did see one of the doctors I had seen whilst I was in hospital so at least it was a familiar face. I told him about still feeling uncomfortable and how worried I was. However he did say it was still early days yet and it takes time for things to settle. He examined me and said that everything looked as it should, no signs of infection or stitches having come apart but I have another appointment for 3 months time. It did put my mind at ease a little but at the back of my mind I am still wondering if I'll ever feel any different. I know I must think positive! I forgot to ask what I can and can't do now so just going to build myself steadily with some light housework and no lifting still.

I do apologise for still not being back to visiting and commenting on your blogs properly. I have been commenting on a few but I really need to get back to visiting all the ones I usually do. I miss seeing what you are all stitching.

Thank you for all your lovely comments and for continuing to visit me :)

With much love

Sally

xxxx

The Next Stitcher .......

For the Lizzie*Kate Life's a Stitch chart is....................

Michelle! Michelle I'll get the chart in the post to you tomorrow:) I hope you enjoy stitching it:)

Keep an eye on Michelle's blog if you'd like to be considered to be the next stitcher.

I'll be back another day with some stitching updates. I've had a finish and an almost finish :)

With much love

Sally

xxx

Travelling Pattern and Other Stories

I was lucky enough to be chosen by Susan to be the next stitcher of the Lizzie*Kate Life's a Stitch travelling pattern a while ago and it arrived the other day along with one of Susan's gorgeous handmade project bags.

As soon as I'd taken this photo I popped my LHN/ SP chartpack in it along with the fabric I'm stitching both pieces on. It is so pretty and I absolutely love it. Thank you so much Susan {{{{hugs}}}} It will be put to good use and I will treasure it.

So I duly started stitching the pattern and finished it last night. I did mess up but didn't realise until I'd got so far on the satin stitch border so I frogged that and have left it off. 

Lizzie*Kate Life's a Stitch

Polstitches fabric from grab bag.

DMC Variations

Started 13th June 2012

Finished 14th June 2012.

So let's get this travelling pattern on the move again! If you would like to be the next stitcher please leave a comment on this post saying that you would like to be considered. You must have a blog to participate and you must be prepared to drop everything and stitch it in a timely manner and offer it up again on your blog.

On Wednesday a package arrived from my lovely blogging friend Shirlee. Inside beautifully wrapped were a fantastic knitting magazine ( loads in it I would love to knit!) and a gorgeous Shepherd's Bush kit Snowman Treat Bag. Thank you so much Shirlee {{{{hugs}}}}. I hope you received my email. Naughty me still hasn't replied to yours but I will get soon:) 

Onto my other stitching now. I don't seem to have achieved much this week  ( considering what I have been achieving) considering I have nothing else to do but I have, hangs head in shame, been looking at knitting yarns online and have spent lots of time on Ravelry. Don't worry knitting isn't going to take over from cross stitch as for one it seems to be quite an expensive hobby but there are several things I really want to knit. Anyway I've had a new start this week. June is flying by so I thought I'd better get on with my ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. This month is a free choice so I chose Plum Street Samplers Yuletide from last years JCS ornament magazine. I love this one. I decided to use the suggested GAST apart from one that I didn't have.

Monday was SAL night with Barb and I stitched more on my SB Elizabethan pincushion. This piece is so delicate looking. I should have it finished next week.

I've stitched a bit more on My Big Toe Designs Happiness. 

Nothing on LHN A Stitcher's Heart with Mouse this week as I wanted to get the travelling pattern done. Also nothing on JN Christmas Sheep.

Knitting now and I decided to use my spare ball of yarn from my Holden Shawlette to cast on the Crest of a Wave Baktus. I decided to see how I felt when I got up Tuesday morning and DH's auntie took me to the needlework group at the museum and I took this with me and managed to get a bit more done. I did feel a bit off it while I was there but I have to get myself going again and get out or at the rate I'm going I never will. It was nice to see the ladies again and they were all pleased to see me which was nice. 

That's it from me for now. I'm managing to walk a bit further now but must admit it's a bit scary! Still feeling uncomfortable and unsure if the surgery has done what it should however I'm trying to be positive but the more time passes the less confident I feel but whatever will be will be!

I just want to say a huge thank you to all those of you who have stuck with me, visited my little blog and left comments. it means a lot to me {{{{hugs}}}}

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

  

A Few Finishes

It's been a while since I blogged last as my heart just hasn't been in it. So I've quite a bit to show in this post as I've had a few finishes, some new starts and a knitting finish. Not sure what to do with the old knitting now. I have a ball of wool left from my shawl as I bought two just incase and for all I really like the colour I don't fancy knitting anything else in it unless I try a pair of socks which I have never done before and not sure I can do it! I have picked out my next project which is Crest of a Wave and it's a Baktus. I'd love to get some nice sock wool for it but I could really do to see it IRL rather than online so I'll see. 

So here's my Holden Shawlette. It needs the ends weaving in and blocking as it's a funny shape at the moment, the top should be straight, but I really don't want to be down on my hands and knees pulling it about and pinning it plus I have no where to leave it with it Jess being home as I use her bedroom floor with towels on it!

Stitching now. I've had three finishes since my last post. First one is The Sampler Girls Diamond Jubilee Sampler. The photo does not do this piece and the fabric justice.

The Sampler Girl Diamond Jubilee Sampler

Fabric from Polstitches grab bag

DMC

Started 28th May 2012

Finished 1st June 2012

Next finish is another Sampler Girl one.

The Sampler Northanger Abbey

I think the fabric is 32 count Bay Leaf

DMC

Started 21st May 2012

Finished 7th June 2012

Final finish is the JBW Designs chart which Karan sent me. 

JBW Designs French Country Flower Basket

Fabric from Polstitches grab bag

Victorian Motto Antique Hydrangea

Started & finished 8th June 2012

My SAL with Mouse is going quite well. Mouse is stitching hers on a lovely piece of Silkweaver fabric. 

As Monday was SB SAL night with Barb I started a kit I'd had in my stash for a while. In fact Barb kindly bought me it for my birthday a few years ago. This one is Elizabethan Pincushion and it is so pretty. I had to frog some of it as I'd messed up!

I've been itching to start My Big Toe Designs Happiness so on Wednesday I did just that. There are two colourways for this, Autumn and Spring, and I chose Spring because I had all the GAST needed for it. 

Final piece of stitching is Just Nan Christmas Sheep which I started yesterday.

Just a bit now about me and my recovery so if you don't want to read stop here!

I am now 4 1/2 weeks post surgery and I still find some days better than others. Remember the I won't overdo it again quote from my last post. Yeah it didn't work! My DH thought I could go grocery shopping with him and Abi yesterday around our local Tesco. They would do the shopping and I would just walk round with them. I thought OK maybe I can do that. Not one of his best ideas! I got round but really did not feel well and by the time I was back in the car I burst into tears. I felt so fed-up and sorry for myself. 

My phone appointment with my GP did not do much to reassure me when the first thing she said to me when I'd explained was sadly it can come back out again. Not what I wanted to hear at all especially when I have done nothing to make it happen. However she did go on to say that it can take 6 to 8 weeks for everything to settle so it's just a case of wait and see. It is very disheartening though to have gone through surgery and for it to feel no different. I have a follow up appointment with my consultant ( or one of his team) on 26th June so I'm sure I'll find out then.

That's it from me for now. I've been blog reading and commenting a little and it's been good to catch up a bit.

With much love

Sally

xxxxx

A Little Knitting and Lots of Stitching

I am still stitching and knitting away and doing as I'm told and not doing much of anything else. I still have a nap some days depending on how I feel. I have been feeling a bit low as I'm not convinced that my surgery has done what it should so I have been thinking about seeing my GP but I have to rely on my DH to take me in the car as I know I won't make it that far walking. I don't really want to waste an appointment when I would just basically be asking for reassurance so, as I had to ring to get an appointment for Abi's repeat blood tests, I asked if my GP could ring me and lo and behold they do phone appointments! I never knew that. Anyway she had none left for today so she's ringing me tomorrow. I know I'm probably worrying about nothing as it's probably still swollen and bruised but I just need that reassurance. 

So I've been stitching and knitting quite a bit since my last post. Not sure where to start so guess the finishes would be a good place.

Chessie & Me Scarlet's Christmas Sampler

36 count Lakeside Linens Vintage Pearled Barley Linen

GAST

Started 18th May 2012

Finished 27th May 2012

I absolutely loved stitching this one although there are a few mistakes where I've stitched the wrong colour ( part of the tree and the pot) plus I chose not to stitch the smyrnas and just did cross stitches instead.

Next finish is my SB SAL with Barb.

Shepherd's Bush Our Hearts Pincushion ( as kitted)

Started 14th May 2012

Finished 28th May 2012.

I do have to add the buttons but it'll have to wait until I'm allowed to lift an iron so I can get the creases out!

Last Wednesday Mouse and I started our SAL of Little House Needleworks A Stitcher's Heart/ Shakespeare's Peddler Gentle Stitches. This is my little bit.

I've been enjoying stitching The Sampler Girl Northanger Abbey and stitched loads on it on Sunday.

I treated myself in The Sampler Girl's Memorial Day sale to her new Queen's Diamond Jubilee Sampler. I much prefer to buy printed patterns but decided on the PDF of this one or it wouldn't get stitched in time. I made a small start on it yesterday.

Please excuse my photos. The colours are not true to life as I took them in a bit of a hurry and not where I normally take them.

Last week I had some lovely cards and gifts through the post. First off my dear friend Elaine sent me a lovely card, a gorgeous Shepherd's Bush ornament and a knitting magazine. See the red jumper? I'd love to have a go at that! Thank you so much Lainey for thinking of me. I will treasure the ornament and the mag will definitely be put to good use {{{{hugs}}}}

Then my dear friend Karan sent me this lovely card and a very pretty JBW Designs chart. I'm going to start this one soon as it'll be an everlasting basket of flowers to aid my recovery :) Thank you so much for thinking of me Karan {{{{hugs}}}}

Finally I was rather confused when a Graze box popped through my letter box! It was from my dear friend Heather and her daughter Marion. Look at the yummies inside which I shared with Abi. It was delicious! Thank you so much Heather and Marion for thinking of me {{{hugs}}}

Knitting time now. I finished knitting Abi's snood on Sunday. I do have to block it and sew it up but that will have to wait. That cute little penguin is what Abi bought me when I was hospital. Isn't it sweet?

So yesterday I finally plucked up the courage to cast on the Holden Shawlette. I'm a little scared but I'm going to give it a good go! This is how far I've got. I'm using Stylecraft Special 4 ply in raspberry.

Last week I gave myself one hell of a scare. As I said in my last post I'd had a couple of short walks so when Abi got in from her lesson on Wednesday ( after my blog post) I decided I'd see if I could make it to the PO and shop around the corner. Not much further than I already walked but I got into the PO and thought I was going to pass out. I was so damned scared and I have never been so happy to see my house when we got back! It scared me so much that I didn't go out again until Saturday when we went to the hairdressers in the car and I walked the little way from the car park. It really knocked my confidence to get out but I have walked just a little way each day since. I won't overdo it again. 

That's it from me for this time. Going to get my stitching out later  and maybe also get in some knitting if I can.

Thank you for all your lovely comments. I'm only sorry that I'm not leaving many myself at the moment but I will get there!

With much love.

Sally

xxxx