A Little More Productiveness!

I appear to be on a wee bit of a roll with the old finishing this week. It probably won't last but two more ornaments are now ready to hang plus I finished up something I stitched while I was recuperating from my surgery way back in May.

So I'll show the ornaments first. The first one is Plum Street Samplers Yuletide from one of the JCS ornament magazines. I edged it with ric rac and was going to do a ric rac bow in the same colour but I couldn't find it so guess I must have used it all! So I used a yellowy one. I'm really pleased with how this turned out.

Next ornament is Blackbird Designs Christmas Ornament 2004 from the 2004 JCS ornament magazine. I edged this with chenille trim from Crescent Colours. Really pleased with this too.

I have finally properly finished off Midsummer Night Designs Remember Me Stitching Pocket. I had got it all sewn up but it needed some braiding stitching on as well as the felt/ wool piece stitching inside so I set on and did this yesterday. 

I've had two finishes this week. Monday evening was Blackbird Designs SAL night with Barb but Barb was busy so I'm hoping she'll be back next Monday:). I finished my piece and think I'm going to stitch a Christmas ornament. 

Blackbird Designs Small Token

28 count Jayne's Attic COM Rose

DMC

Started 10th September 2012

Finished 8th October 2012

Last night I popped the last few stitches into this one.

The Sampler Girl Know Your Own Happiness ( from the Valentine Booklet)

32 count Gander rose linen

DMC

Started 26th September 2012

Finished 11th October 2012

Wednesday evening I popped on over to the parlour on Needlecraft Haven to join some of the ladies for The Little House in the Country with The Sampler Girl SAL. The brickwork is almost done on my house so I should be able to start putting the windows and door in and put the roof on before the snow comes! Lol!

Last night I had planned on starting my ornament for this month for the Christmas All Year Round SAL but HAED Qs Holly Fairy was still calling to me after my stint on her on Tuesday evening so out she came. She will look better once she's all done and I can wash the Magic Guide lines out as you can see them under the lighter stitches. 

This month I'd signed myself up for a HAED Halloween exchange on Facebook. The lady who organised it, Tammy, decided to hold it early, for those of us who wanted to, to coincide with the HAED Columbus Day Sale so I did it early. The person who I sent to was Paula and I chose Snowy Treasures by Hannah Lynn to send to her:) Vivienne was the person sending to me and she kindly sent me not one but two gorgeous charts off my wish list. 

This one is Mini Christmas Mailbox by Ruth Sanderson.

And this one is Storykeep Dragons History by Randal Spangler. 

I am hoping to start Mini Christmas Mailbox in January.

Tonight my hunky angel will be coming out to play again and I'm hoping to make good progress on him. I would really like to have the page I'm stitching on finished sometime in November! Lol! 

My JCS Christmas Ornament magazine was in at the newsagents when I went in the other day:) I look forward to this every single year even though I may not get many stitched. I think this years is as good as ever and was so happy to see that Shepherd's Bush had gone back to their usual style as I did not care for the one in last year's issue. There are at least three that I'd love to have on my tree for this year and they are Lizzie*Kate, The Sampler Girl and The Primitive Hare:)

That's all my news for now except that I have turned off accepting anonymous comments. I am sick and tired of spam and even though I moderate all comments it's getting beyond a joke now. I get all excited thinking I have a nice comment to publish to my blog and it turns out to be nasty spam!

Thank you so much again to those of you who do take time to comment. You all make me day.

Until next time.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

Productive Sunday

I had a lovely productive Sunday on the old finishing front! I don't know why I didn't sit down sooner to do it as I'm very happy with what I achieved. The only problem is I get my sewing machine out, sew stuff up then it's the adding the trim that I can't be bothered to do! So last night I decided no stitching just adding trim so here's what I got done :)

First one is Little House Needleworks Summer Splendor which I actually stitched a while ago and it's been languishing in my finishing pile. The trim I used was in a prize package that I received from Kate earlier on in the year. I'm really pleased with this one:)

Also finally finished Little House Needleworks A Stitcher's Heart. I was undecided whether to gather the ric rac like it is on the model or sew it on straight as I was bothered I'd run out but I bit the bullet and gathered it and had more than enough:) This one is so pretty.

Scarlet has finally been reunited with her friend Belle Pepper on my wall. Yep Chessie and Me's Scarlet's Christmas Sampler is finished up and I've hung her with LHN Belle Pepper:) I'm very pleased with this one too.

Final finish up is a simple one of Shepherd's Bush The Angel's Sang. I've finished the rest of these simply but I may add something else to them before I hang them all on my tree. I think I have one more to stitch to complete the set.

I have more to do yet but am happy that I am steadily getting down them!

As I said in my last post I was joining in a SAL on Needlecraft Haven so I had my new start on Wednesday evening. This is Little House Needlworks Home of a Needleworker ( Too!). I'm stitching it using the called for Crescent Colours, 1 strand over 1 on 25 count fabric. I think this is Stormy Skies from Silkweaver. I am a wee bit disappointed with my CC Old Blue Jeans as it's dull compared to the one used in the model but I find that many times with overdyed threads.

I've made more progress on both my HAEDs. QS Holly Fairy is coming along nicely. I decided after stitching on the hair I'd do a bit more of the background.

I'm very happy with my progress on Guardian this time as I almost got 20 rows completed on page 9. If I can do this every time I pick him up I could get a page done maybe in a month. 

It's SAL night with Barb tonight so hopefully I can get BBD Small Token finished:) Not sure which BBD I will pick next. Will have to see.

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post. It makes me happy to know that there are so many lovely stitchers out there reading my ramblings:)

With much love.

Sally

xxxxx

Sheep and Stuff

Last week it was my dear friend Lainey's birthday and as everyone who knows her will know she is rather partial to sheep and snowmen. Well my gift for her last year was a snowman so this year it just had to be a sheep didn't it? So this is what I stitched for her.

JBW Designs French Country Lamb

32 count white Jobelan

DMC

Started 12th September 2012

Finished 17th September 2012

Birthday gift for Lainey.

Lainey loved it so I am very happy. I love it when my stitching brings a smile to someone's face:) The chart is now for sale if anyone is interested. I still have some other bits for sale too. Please take a look and see if you can take anything off my hands!

So what have been up to stitching wise? Well I had a wee new start last week. Shouldn't have as I'll be going into overload and having a stitching melt down! I wasn't going to show this as it's going to be an RAK I think but I'm yet to decide who I'll send it to. I haven't done an RAK for a while so thought it was time. I took this to craft club with me yesterday and took everything I needed except............. a needle! 

I had another two evenings on HAED Guardian Friday and Saturday. I almost got the top 12 rows of page 9 stitched. I'm in it for the long haul on this now. I will grit my teeth with sheer determination to keep going and actually finish it. I was looking back yesterday in my stitching diaries and I started it in April 2007! It's shameful as had I kept going I'd have finished it by now!

I still haven't finished my September ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. I thought I had apart from stitching a horn ( not buying the charm as it's too expensive!) but then after I'd taken the photo I realised I had to back stitch the vines at the bottom. I've chosen a Sam Sarah Design for this month.

Monday was SAL night with Barb and I was hoping to get mine finished but it did not happen. I did make good progress though and I think my mojo is returning fast now. 

Last night I picked up HAED QS Holly Fairy. I had stitched a bit more since my update last week and it was going well until last night's session! I had to frog some , got it restitched then realised I'd stitched a bit in the wrong shade of grey. Needless to say that hasn't been frogged. I don't think it's too noticeable and even I'm not sure which bit it is! I think I'm having bother with the Magic Guide fabric now. It was fine when I was just stitching rows of black but now I'm getting to the bits with lots of colours it's a bit more difficult to do. I'm so used to gridding in blocks of 10 x 10 and this is blocks of 20 x 20. I'm quite tempted to grid it but I'll get used to it I guess!

Tonight I'm having a new start. Yes I know what you're thinking! What is wrong with this woman?! Barb was telling me a while ago about a SAL on Needlecraft Haven ( a friendly forum run by the lovely Clare). Now I used to be a regular on NH but haven't been on it for ages now and this SAL is going to be perfect for, hopefully, getting me back on there. It's called The Little House in the Country with The Sampler Girl SAL and you can stitch Little House Needleworks, Country Cottage Needleworks or The Sampler Girl so I'm starting this.

Luckily, after forgetting my needle at craft club yesterday ( and no one had a suitable needle lol) I had also taken my afghan with me. It's growing nicely but yesterday I kept having to take it back ( I seriously think I should not have knitted or stitched yesterday but today is a new day!). I am onto the third square now and it's a lovely pattern.

That's all my news for today. Hopefully I'll be back sooner and get into regular blogging again. Thank you for continuing to visit me and for your lovely comments. They are appreciated more than you know :)

With much love

Sally

xxxxx

A Little Progress

No more making up finished as yet but I have stitching and knitting.

A little progress was made on HAED Guardian. Not as much as I would have liked but I did finish my 8th page and gridded ready to start page 9. I do still have to fill in where I ripped out the metallic on the angel's wings yet but will do that a bi at a time. I have to say that my love of HAEDs has been renewed and at the moment I'm at my happiest with my stitching when I'm stitching on the two I have on the go. 

Monday was BBD SAL night with Barb and I had quite a good evening on this. I love how it's looking on the pink fabric.

Not much stitching was accomplished last night so not much progress on HAED QS Holly Fairy. I did finish the black along the top 20 rows of the first page. Yay I can move onto a different colour now:)

Sunday I picked up my ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL and did a little bit. I need to get this finished before Monday!

Knitting now. My knitting seems to call to me quite a lot lately so I'm making quite good progress on my Arsenic and Old Lace Afghan. I finished the first square which doesn't look that square and also managed to finish the second square at craft club yesterday. The first one is quite tight and the second one isn't so I shall have to be careful when I join the first row of squares to the second row. I'm really enjoying this though.

I have sorted through my chart stash and been quite brutal so have updated my for sale/ trade list which you can find in the tabs at the top of my blog. If you are interested in anything please email me ( email in my profile). Prices do not include postage.

Yesterday I had my second post surgery follow-up appointment for the gynae surgery I had back in May. Well what a carry on! When I went for my original appointment and my first follow-up I was seen very quickly. This time I was called almost an hour after my appointment should have been. We were so fed-up! My DH took me and Abi came with us as we were popping to see Jess ( she goes to the uni in the city where the hospital is) afterwards. It was only when I went and asked when I was going to be seen that a nurse wrote on the board that they were an hour behind. There was only one doctor there from my consultant's team. Not very good. Anyway I explained my concerns about not feeling any different and she said that if she examined me she'd only find what the last doctor had in that everything was healing nicely and looked as it should. I think she must have seen the look on my face as she did go on to say that she would examine me to put my mind at ease. She said that everything was fine and it's never going to feel the same as it did but now I really feel as though I've gone through surgery for nothing. I just may as well have not bothered. She also made me bleed which she did not tell me about but I saw the instruments in the disposal bag when she'd finished and walked away. I was so p****d that I didn't ask why. I am guessing that I won't be seen again. I just wanted to cry when we got back to the car. To top it off the short journey from the hospital to Jess' house took an hour because of road works ( yeah road works and rush hour) and by the time we'd got to her house, done a little shopping in Boots, grabbed a bite to eat and got home it was nearly 8 pm! We left home at 3 pm. Needless to say I couldn't wait to settle down with some stitching and watch Holby City! 

Do you remember several weeks ago I had my wisdom tooth out? Well my tongue still feels strange! Apparently it's normal providing it tingles. Lol! 

Well enough of my ramblings. I'd better get off here and do a little housework before I go my exercises.

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

Making Up

Hmmmm this new layout is a little strange! It'll take some getting used to I think. Why do they have to change things that work just fine????

I've been busy with my sewing machine but still have a few things to finish yet. Some are Christmas ornaments and I'm going to finish those as a flat ornament. I was going to get SB The Journey done but when I came to sew it up I'd cut my backing fabric too small! Duh!!! I really shouldn't be allowed!

So here's the Christmas ornaments I've finished. All have been shown before but just not sewn up. I've finished them simply as I don't seem to be able to turn my mind to doing anything else at the moment.

This pin cushion will be going to Nic, who I don't think reads my blog, as a thank you for sending me a knitting magazine I was after from a couple of years ago.

Onto my stitching progress now. Since my decision to abandon BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler I've felt a bit happier with my stitching. Not fully back in the swing yet but definitely getting there. I have been thoroughly enjoying HAED QS Holly Fairy ( artwork by the wonderfully talented Jasmine Becket- Griffith) although it has been simple so far as it's all black! There will be some other colours in it next time I pick it up! This is almost the first 20 rows of the first page done.

I had hoped to get my 8th page on HAED Guardian ( artwork by the equally talented Selina Fenech) finished but it didn't happen. Hopefully it will tonight then I can start on the 9th page. Just 22 to go! If I was a one at a time girl I'd have it finished so much quicker but I just can't stitch one thing!

My BBD SAL with Barb is growing slowly but surely. This photo is awful though as the fabric is supposed to be pink!

Finally I started my ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. It's a free choice this month so I decided to stitch Shepherd's Bush The Angels Sang.

Sadly I've had no takers for my BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler WIP so will have to rethink and probably just sell the chart. Life's too short to stitch on something you hate that much it makes you not want to stitch! I'm also going to be going through my stash next week and having a sort out anyway so watch this space!

Well I had better end here and catch up on some blog reading and commenting. It's when I have no enthusiasm for that and I end up aimlessly surfing the net that I know I'm low:(

Thank you for all your lovely comments and for continuing to visit me even though I haven't been visiting you. It means a lot to me.

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally

xxxx

BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler

Just a quick post for now. I'm trying to do some finishing, not getting far and getting very frustrated! Anyway remember my WIP?

Well I hate it! Don't ask me why as I don't know. I loved the design so much when I saw it stitched up by KarenV that I bought the chart but now I can't stand to stitch it anymore. This is what it looks like finished.

So I was wondering if anyone was interested in buying my WIP with the chart and threads ( GAST). I can't afford to give it away as it cost me about £25 with the chart, threads and fabric. So I would like to sell it for about £15 plus postage. So please someone take it off my hands so I don't have to keep stitching it lol! If you are interested please email me ( email is in my profile).

Fingers crossed I'll be back in a day or two with some actual finished pieces!

With much love

Sally

xx

A Stitching Crisis Lol!

A stitching crisis indeed! I blame all those weeks of having nothing else to do but stitch whilst I was recovering from my surgery. It was all very nice at the time but now I'm struggling. I won't say that I hate cross stitching but I'm finding it hard to get myself motivated. In my attempt to get back to how I was I've even picked up HAED Guardian again. I really feel the need for my hunky angel to help me out here and hear my pleas for some good things to happen to give us some hope and not just a fear of doom and gloom that we seem to have these days. I think part of my problem could be that I feel so despondent. I've gone off track a little there! Lol! I don't seem to be enjoying my stitching as much as I did and I'm not even sure that I like the few things I'm stitching on at the moment. So what to do? Start a load of new stuff? Persevere with what I'm stitching and see how it goes? 

Anyway enough of that. Time to show some actual stitching and some knitting. 

Barb and I both finished our Blackbird Designs last week so this Monday it was new start time. I chose Small Token and here's the little bit I stitched.

Last night I decided on a new start. Possibly going to be a big mistake as it'll mean I have two HAEDs on the go but I promised Abi I'd stitch this one for her. I did start it ages ago but the fabric wasn't right for my plan not to stitch the black background so this time I'm stitching the background. This means lots of black and here's my 400 stitches from last night. As you can see I'm using Magic Guide fabric which is brilliant! You just wash your piece when it's done and the marks wash out. Saves lots of times spent gridding:)

I've made a bit of progress on BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler. Not enjoying this as much as I had hoped.

As I said earlier I have picked up HAED Guardian again. I'm not sure if I will actually stitch the whole thing so I will just see how it goes. This chart was gifted to me for a reason by my surrogate sis Lisa and it means a lot to me. I think I managed about 500 stitches over two nights.

I've finally remembered to take a photo of my framed Lizzie*Kate 6 Fat Men. I still haven't got it hung on the wall!

Lastly some knitting. At craft club a couple of weeks ago I finished my Crest of a Wave Baktus. I'm really pleased with how it turned out but when I was sorting some needles for my next project I realised I'd knitted it on smaller needles than I should have! Duh! 

I had to get Jess' mitts finished before she moved back to her student house and I did. She wanted hers red and black and I love how they look. Oh that is her hamster Wesley getting in on the act!

Finally I started a new knitting project and this will be what I take to craft club with me each week and I may well do a bit at home when I've had enough of stitching in an evening. It is the Arsenic and Old Lace Afghan which I found on Ravelry. It is a huge undertaking but so far it's looking OK. This is my first block. I'm knitting it in Woolcraft Aran.

I'm hoping to get the enthusiasm back for blog commenting properly too. I feel so bad that I haven't been doing much but I just seem to be able to get myself motivated. I think I need a swift kick up the butt!

Need to get my finishing stuff out too and make a start on the boat load of stitching that needs making up ( OK boat load is a bit of an exaggeration but for me it's a lot!

Take care everyone.

With much love.

Sally

xxxxx

Finishes and Stuff

I can't believe it's nearly 2 weeks since I last posted. Anyone miss me? Lol! I honestly don't know where the time has gone but we have been busy what with one thing and another.

I have been stitching and have had a few finishes. I finally popped the last few stitches and did the backstitch on Just Nan Floral Fifteen. I was thinking earlier when I took the photo that I was ready to stitch it all together but I've just realised I need to sew the beads on! So glad I realised now.

Just Nan Floral Fifteen

Country vintage cream and country vintage green linen

DMC

Started 19th July 2012

Finished 29th August 2012

It's going to be fun ( not) putting it together!

I didn't quite get my August ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL finished in August but never mind. I did leave the border off as I think I like it better without.

Little By Little Designs Making Spirits Bright

36 count linen

DMC

Started 15th August 2012

Finished 2nd September 2012

Barb and I have been stitching away on our BBD pieces on a Monday evening and I finished mine this week. Not sure what I'm going to decide on next but I loved stitching this one. The chart is now for sale

Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers no.6 Truly Thine

28 count Jayne's Attic Count on Me Carnation

Victorian Motto Threads Antique Rose

Started 6th August 2012

Finished 3rd September 2012

I've made very little progress on BOAF Sally Spencer Sampler but at least it's a little progress!

I had a new start last night of the Home Sweet Home chart from Cross Stitcher which June kindly sent me. Love this so far.

I finally got L*K 6 Fat Men back from my framer but haven't taken a photo of it yet. I've had it over a week and it still isn't even up on the wall! I need to stop stitching larger pieces as I'm running out of wall space!

My DH had another week off last week but we spent much of it at his Dad's house trying to get it cleared out as it is sold subject to contract. Obviously they have to wait until everything sorted before it can go through but we all want to get it cleared so we can move on. Not forget but move on. It has been a very emotional time for us all. However we did have a day out on Thursday and we went to Whitby. Well what a day we chose! When we set off it wasn't too bad but as got on our way the rain started to come down. It rained and rained and rained some more! We got wet through and we were so cold as the wind was howling! We did enjoy it though and I've got quite a few photos of the abbey ( cannot believe it cost the four of us £23 to get in to see it! A bit of a rip of I think personally!). Trying to get photos was fun in the wind!

My visit to the dentist went OK and I was very brave and had my wisdom tooth out with just a local. I will admit I was very scared but it's done and will only cost me £49 instead of at least £200. I still haven't got full feeling back in my tongue but I know that can take a while to be right again and my gum is still healing from where the wisdom tooth was ( and boy was it a huge tooth!). 

Well I had better go as I'm off cleaning kitchen cupboards at DH's Dads after lunch ready for the new owners once it all goes through.

Will catch up with everyone is stitching soon.

With much love

Sally

xxxx