More finishes to share

Here's the pinkeep I made for Becky on the MAW board. At first I couldn't make my mind up about the design I was going to do, and then The Gift of Stitching appeared, and this design 'Birds of a Feather' by The Victoria Sampler seemed appropriate. I just stitched this part of the design, and replaced the heart between the stitchers with a bee, as that seemed appropriate. I also changed the colours and used only DMC. I was late posting this to Becky, but she was very patient with me, and then the package took an age to get there.




Then I've seen on the HOE blog that this package arrived with Georgie, and this one took over 3 weeks to get to it's destination, and I was late in posting this one too. I hope Georgie likes it and the gifts too.



This month has just flown by, and this week has whistled so fast I didn't notice it. I've not had time for the pc, and spent a couple of days shopping for something to wear for a night out, anyway that's been and gone now, and I finally got my cards posted. I just need to tidy up a few loose ends, and buy some vouchers and I'm done with Christmas. I need to plan a bit better next year.

I also need to get a picture of my SAL with Sally, I've just seen on her blog that she's finished - eek, I need to catch up.

Christmas Ornament exchange

On Wednesday I had hoped to visit Sally, unfortunately my car had other ideas, and it wouldn't start, so my visit was cancelled. We then hoped I would get there on Friday (Sally's birthday) as dh was off work, and could have a look at it, but no, my car still wouldn't start.

Anyway, Sally and I had agreed to do a Christmas ornament exchange between us, and exchange on our meet up, so on Friday afternoon, I walked to the PO and sent Sallys ornaments, as I couldn't guarantee that I could get there next week. Sally, also went to the post office and sent mine, together with some thread she had got me, and I had fabric for her also. Anyway, thankfully, we got what we paid for - a first class postal service, and we both received the packages the next day. Well done Royal Mail.

Here's the wonderful ornament Sally made for me, with a lovely velvet ribbon, and this is my not so wonderful pic, I just couldn't seem to get a clear shot. I love it, and hung it on my tree straight away.


Here are the ornaments I sent Sally, they are both from Christmas Keepsakes II by JBW Designs. This was the first time I've finished an ornament with a felt backing, but it won't be the last.



Now, as I said it was Sally's birthday on Friday, so I sent her this Whitmans tin, I also made the matching accessories using Jane Timmers pattern (Fancy Work). I stitched Sallys name on the back of the pin cushion. Now the little tassel is for a fob for a small pair of scissors to fit in the tin, but I've not been able to find any scissors small enough. So, we are on the look out. I didn't know if Sally would have any, but I don't think she does.






And, just in case you are wondering, my car finally worked on Saturday, after being left on charge all day Friday.

DH gets crafty

Last Friday dh had the day off work. I went out early to the hairdressers, and told him I'd be gone most of the morning. When I came home he was making this. DH has never made a wreath before, but I think he did a great job. It's huge, I asked him if he thought we lived in a big house with a huge door. LOL. Anyway, so far my visitors have all loved the wreath, and loved it even more when I've told them dh made it. It's all natural, he made the circle by stripping some willow, he cut off a tree, it then has some lovely non prickly holly, with red berries, and then some very prickly green holly, which has attacked me twice so far. I had trouble getting a good photo of it, partly because of it's size, and it's pretty dull here, so I've used a photo editor to lighten the pic a little, but I hope you can get the idea of it's size and you like it too. Wish you all lived nearer, and then I'd get him to make you one too.

Spots of Winter

I can now share a picture of this little tuck pillow I stitched for my DD. My dd and I have given each other advent gifts, and this was one of hers. I stitched it a while back when she was out of the way. It's a kit by Pine Mountain Designs, and is called Spots of Winter, I just thought it was so cute, and she really likes it too.




And here is a picture of more spots of winter, which I took last week. This was the scene when I left my local cross stitch club meeting last Tuesday evening. Thankfully the snow has gone now. Although at the weekend we went to the Christmas Craft Fair at Sledmere House, and they still had lots of snow, in fact where they made us park the car, the car was wheel deep in snow, and we had to get help to be pushed off, along with other cars that were stuck.

And talking of cars, yesterday I was going to visit Sally, and when I went to get my car out of the garage it wouldn't start. (I've not used it since Saturday). So now I feel like I am a prisoner, and I'm not happy, dh says he'll look at the weekend, thankfully his weekend will start tomorrow, as he has the day off work. At the moment I am only working two days a week, as I was due lots of time off - I could get used to two days.

SBEBB ornament exchange

I've now heard from Ulla that she received the SBEBB ornament exchange package last week, so now I can share the pictures. I made this hanging pillow from the 2008 JCS ornament issue. I really love this design, and tried to keep to the snow theme, so included some snowflake candles, and also some threads and fabric. I've just realised that I also had some snowflake napkins, and I forgot to put them in the package. Sorry Ulla. Ulla is in Finland, so I'm sure she has plenty of snow, I hope she didn't mind getting a snowman!

Chardonnay - Finished

This was a really quick stitch. I started it on the Saturday night, and finished it on the Sunday night. Just a bit too quick for my liking. I don't think I'll be doing another. It will be back to cross stitch for me.

I have some exchanges on their travels, and one in particular seems to be taking an age to get there. I get so impatient once I've posted an exchange. LOL Hopefully I'll be able to share them soon.

Gifts galore

Just look what the post man brought me. A RAK from Andrea at The Craft Room, I am totally lost for words. Isn't this cute pillow stunning. Thank you Andrea, I love it.


Then another gift, this was a Christmas ornament from Carol at Garden of Stitches, this was the gorgeous ornament for the SBEBB Christmas ornament exchange, isn't it wonderful? I have been lucky enough to have Carol receive my name several times this year, and you just know you're in for a treat when you see Carol's name on the package.




And there was loads of extras too, some lovely scissors, beads, fabric and threads. Those beads go so well with the scissors, I feel a beaded scissor fob coming on. Thank you very much Carol.




And on top of all that, I received a floss tag from Carol's PIF which I joined in January, I told her she didn't need to send anything as I had trouble getting takers, but Carol didn't want me to go without, and made me this cute little floss tag with my initial on it.

Chardonnay - A new start

This is my new start, I started this last night. It's a canvas work project from West End Embroidery, which I bought at Harrogate last weekend. I have admired and resisted their projects for a long time, but I fell in love with this one, as it's nice and Christmassy. it's stitched with DMC#8, Kreinik braid, Threadworx in Candy Cane, and Rainbow Gallery Neon Rays. It's stitching up pretty fast too, but I'm not sure on what I will do with it when it's finished. Any ideas apart from framing, or a cushion? It won't be made into a cushion, as there are lots of long stitches, and a cushion would not be practical for this. So, please share your ideas with me. Thanks for reading.

I'm planning on a few new starts, so keep watching. My next one will be tomorrow, when I start a SAL with Sally.

Beading

If you've been one of my regular readers for a long time, you'll know I love beads. I just love beads, although I've not added beads to so many things this year. Now last week at the NEC I saw this bracelet kit, and couldn't resist buying it. It's basically knitted using very fine wire and the beads are incorporated. I thought knitting with wire would be a little tricky, but found it really easy, and this was whizzed up in about an hour. I don't think that I'll wear it very much, but that's not the point is it?

I had a great time at the Knitting and Stitching show on Saturday. I met up with Colette, and then met up with Lisa, it's so nice to put a face to a blog. LOL

And what did I buy, well that would be telling, you'll have to wait.

A needleroll finish

I made this needleroll last month for Hannah in the HOE needleroll exchange. I didn't actually join in the exchange, but Hannah's partner disappeared, so I offered to send her an exchange. This needleroll is partly from Carol Tinson's needleroll, which appeared in the Gift of Stitching in the summer. I missed a couple of the bands off, and then in the centre I used part of a JN design. I used DMC variations and B5200. The variations were chosen by my DD, and I was really pleased with the result.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well, in our cold snap. I've just come home in snow! My PC tells me it's 4C outside. Brrr!

Last Saturday whilst I was at the NEC, it turns out there were other bloggers there, namely Clare, Lindsay, Andrea and I can't remember who else! How about we all meet up,if we go again next year? Although I did hope to meet up with Clare, but I just didn't have enough time because of the delay in getting there.

Tomorrow, I will be going to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Harrogate, so I'm looking forward to that. I already have plans to buy fabric and scissors, and who knows what else. I've arranged to meet the lovely Colette from Col's Creations

Christmas Ornament received

Look at the wonderful exchange package I received from Carol. I love all of it, and the ornament is exquisite, so delicate, which is what I like. Carol put a bell inside so that it jingles-wasn't that a great idea. Carol included a wonderful handmade beaded scissor keep, and marker pens. And look I've got some of those thread drops with my name on, I've drooled over those when I've seen them on blogs. There was also finishing fabric, stitching fabric and thread, and also a reel of red velvet ribbon, which somehow escaped being photographed. Please visit Carol's blog to see better photographs. Unfortunately I'm only home when it's dark.

Thank you Carol.

And a big sorry to my secret partner, as I haven't posted mine yet, but the organiser is aware.

I've got a Bourse

I made a wish on the Make A Wish board (where else) for a bourse, and Amy granted my wish. I received this lovely bourse, but I don't think my photo's do it justice, it's a pretty lilac colour, and the outside fabric has little hearts on it. When I saw the inside it put a big smile on my face. I love it.

On the stitching front, nothing to show, and no stitching done! I went to the Crafts for Christmas show yesterday at the NEC and really enjoyed it, even though it took 4 hours to get there on the coach, due to the heavy traffic. There was a raffle on the coach and I was lucky enough to be a winner. I won a great big bag full of card making stuff, I do make cards occasionally so I'm sure we'll (dd and I) will be making some soon. I didn't buy a real lot there, one stitching chart, some magazines, 6 strings of beads for beadmaking, but I may be adding some to ornaments if I get the chance. I also bought a bracelet kit, a pork pie, some nuts, and some danish pastries.

Next weekend I'll be going the Knitting & Stitching show at Harrogate, so another day out, I plan on buying some fabric.

Christmas Ornament received.

I made a wish for a Christmas Ornament on the 'Make A Wish' board, and Shelleen chose to grant me my wish. Shelleen discovered I liked snowmen, and stitched this cute ornament from this years Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazine. It's so cute. This was the ornament my dd chose out of the magazine for me to stitch, and Shelleen has saved me a job. Thank you very much. I love it.

For a long time I have been unable to upload my stitching photo's to Webshots, it was just not compatible with Linux, it was also difficult to view other peoples photo's, I could usually see the album, but when you click on a photo to look in more detail, the photo was blank. Recently I noticed this problem seemed to have gone away. Anyway, yesterday I thought I'd try to upload photo's, and low and behold it works now. Yay. So now, I need to get all my pics found and added, not that I really have time for this, but it is nice to have all your photo's in one place. I've now added the link back to my sidebar. And when I get organised I hope to add a wish/trade/sell page too.

Thank you all for your comments on My treasure workstation, I've never had so many comments. I really appreciate your comments, and if you visit without leaving a comment, I appreciate you too. I don't leave comments much myself due to time restraints-I'd never get any stitching done, but I do look at all your wonderful pictures.

Biscornu gift

I made a small biscornu as a gift for Carol and it arrived the other day. The fabric was some left over from a recent exchange that I made Carol, and the thread is Dragon Floss. I found two large pearls which I stitched on either side. The Pattern is a free one, and is different on the other side. I forgot to take photo's, so I stole this from Carol's blog, I hope she doesn't mind.

It's finished

My Treasure Workstation
by Judy Odell
Stitched on 32ct Cameo Rose Linen
with DMC threads

This is the result of my online finishing class. I really enjoyed putting this together. Unfortunately I had to take the photo's under electric light. On my pictures the colours do not look right, but as I can't see what it looks like to you, I can't really say if they look right for you. LOL This project was over 7 months, 6 monthly installments of stitching, and then the final finishing class. I did not start stitching mine at the beginning, as I couldn't make my mind up on colours. My original colour choices, were nothing like this. Think pinks and lilacs, these were my original choices, with baby blue linen, or baby pink linen, but this was what I ended up with. I am pleased with my final colour choice, and although it looks Christmassy, it is not red, but deep rust in colour.

I now must think about finishing my Garden casket and accessories. And I can't wait for the next Designing Ladies. I'm sure I'll be joining in.

Weekend plans

This is the plan for the weekend, to make this up. It's the online finishing class today and tomorrow. Wish me luck, and no mess.

Trick or Treat

Smell my Feet by La-D-Da
Stitched on 28 ct khaki evenweave
DMC threads

I realised I'd not posted pics of the Halloween Exchange I sent to Edgar, so as it's Halloween here they are. DD now wants me to stitch this for her. I think if/when I stitch this again I'll add some glow in the dark Kreinik to the legs.

Pumpkin Patch exchange

Long time, no blog. Sorry, just not in the mood. Not in the mood for much lately. I think I need SUN.

I took part in the Pumpkin Patch exchange at SBEBB, and I received this wonderful little bag from Cindy, it's so cute, look at the little mini pumpkins she made on the end of the ribbon. (there's a better pic on her blog. Cindy also made me a pin cushion, that will be going in my sewing box. I find when I have my machine out, I never have enough pincushions, as I always end up with pins everywhere. I think I might be using that later. And Cindy added a chocolate cook book, as she saw that I liked to bake, looking forward to making something from that.



For the exchange I stitched JBW Pumpkin, but opted to not stitch the word pumpkin at the bottom, as I liked the look of it without, although once made into a pinkeep, I wondered if I should have stitched the word below, but too late then. Oh well. I backed it with the same fabric as the FQ I sent, which was maybe not the right choice, but I struggled to find what I would have liked to have put on the back.

Design: JBW - Pumpkin
28 ct Raw belfast linen
DMC55

A picture of the whole exchange package.

Just Nan Sunday has not happened the last two Sundays. I've not done a lot of stitching recently, but I have made an ornament from the new JCS ornament mag, well I've stitched it, picture to follow after I've made it up, unless I decide to give it as a gift, and then you'll have to wait. I have to finish a Make A Wish gift, and get that in the post tomorrow. I really hate being last minute with these, but it does seem that I always am. I'll be late for my own funeral. LOL. Which my mum was, the driver took us the wrong way, only to find it was a dead end, this was because there'd been an accident and the route we would have taken was closed. (not funny at the time, but it is when you look back). Spooky, just realised it's actually 3 years to the day that the funeral took place.

Anyway, it's really cold here today, we woke up to a bad frost. DH and I had planned to go out for the day, as we are both off work this week. We went to Pickering, and then Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, and it was chilly. I wished I'd taken my camera, and brought you some photo's, when we went out this morning, it was lovely and sunny, and very clear across the Yorkshire Wolds. At Scarbrough it was cloudy, and windy, and there were about 50 surfers out, we had a lovely sea view across the bay from the Fish and chip restaurant we went in. I don't think they caught much surf though, and I can't imagine how cold the sea would have been. BBrrrrrr!!!. According to my PC it's 34F outside now, and going down. Time to go and sit by the fire I think. Chat soon.

Just Nan Sunday

Here's my new Just Nan start for Sundays. As you can see I chose Queen of the Needle, I didn't stitch for long on Sunday, but any progress is good progress.

And here's a little sneak on what else I've been stitching. I can't tell you what this is, but dd chose the colours, and I'm really liking the way they look on this fabric. I can't tell you what it is, but this motif is based on a JN motif.

Another exchange completed

I received a wonderful exchange from Goldie, this was for the SBEBB Halloween exchange. Don't you just love that JN floss tag. As you all know I'm a JN fan, so I was bound to love it. DD did the photography for me in her room. You see the card has some bats hanging from the branches, well two of them come off to make a pair of earrings-too cute. DD is after them. LOL

I just heard that the exchange I sent has reached my partner, but at this minute I can't find my pics so I'll be back to post as soon as I do. I can't sit for too long at the computer as my back hurts when I sit on the computer chair. I did have a new JN start on Sunday, but only stitched a little, so I'll be posting pics of that soon.

Just Nan Sunday finish

Last Sunday seems so long ago, but I had a finish that I wanted to share. Last Sunday I finished 'With My Needle' by Just Nan. I really loved the colours in this one. It took a lot longer to finish than I thought on Sunday, and I did stitch on it a little bit on Saturday night, as I really wanted to get it finished. I have stitched on this primarily on Sundays, and now I'm wondering what to choose for it's replacement.

This week has been really busy for me, and once again I am behind on blog reading, and emailing. I hadn't even stitched from last Sunday night, until last night when I went back to my UFO stitching. I really need to get myself organised. I have some exchanges to decide on and kit up, and then I can get started on them. I always find that the choosing takes the most time.

This week I have been feeling exhausting, and suffering with lower back pain, and then I've had toothache, so I suppose that doesn't help. I managed to get a dentist appointment on Thursday after work, and although he couldn't see anything wrong he gave me the option of having the filling replaced, and I took it. They had a cancellation yesterday afternoon, so I was able to go and get the filling redone then. Now I am in more pain, than I was! I'm just hoping it will go away.

I have an exchange which should have been mailed yesterday-sorry. I have been unable to get the finishing supplies, as the local shops have been waiting for what I want to come in, I stitched the piece weeks ago. Now it has to go in the post today - a day late. I think I need to change my strategy, maybe decide on what I'm making, and get all the finishing supplies before I stitch. That way I can change if I need to before hand.

Think Pink from me

I heard from Joan that my Think Pink exchange arrived with her yesterday. So now I can show you the pictures. The chart is a free design, the link can be found on the Stitch Pink blog, it's by Dragonfly Stitches. I included a phone charm from my local breast cancer charity - Her Breast Friends - which had a small butterfly on it.

This week I have been working on some UFO's. Thanks to Becky and the Let's Stitch blog. So I'll be posting pictures soon, and I've realised that I didn't post last Sunday's progress on JN, so that will also be here soon, and watch out for a finish. This next week will be secret stitching.

Think Pink exchange received.

I joined the Think Pink exchange on SBEBB, and today I received this wonderful package from Goldie today. The flatfold is stunning it's not blurred in real life, and the extras. I cannot tell you how long I have wanted some of that check linen. Thank you Goldie.