Saturday, December 20, 2008

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.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

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.

Friday, December 12, 2008

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.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

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.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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!

Sunday, December 07, 2008

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.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

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.