Monthly challenge revealed

Today is reveal day, and this was my finish for the monthly stitch challenge. I decided on a pinkeep finish, having joined Becky's monthly finishing blog, and got to do two challenges in one, is that cheating? It's stitched on 32ct Ray of Light Belfast linen, using a hand dyed thread. And I had so much trouble with that bow on the top, I can't tell you how long it took, but it didn't want to play. As you can see I used two colours of ribbon, as the green was too narrow on it's own, and the brown was too see through on it's own. The pins I picked up in a garden centre last year, but I think this is the first time I've used them.




And this is the first page of the Quaker round robin, I've nearly finished page two too. This thread is so pretty. It's GAST Boysenberry, and the fabric is antique ivory linen.

JN Sunday - again

You must be getting fed up of seeing this by now. I'm getting a bit fed up of just posting about this! As you can see I got loads done yesterday, thanks to the bank holiday, and to be honest there wasn't a lot to these bands. I still have to put the bees, butterflies and ants on this part, but then I still have to add them to part 1 too.
I've now made a start on the next round of the Quaker Round Robin, it's in a lovely colour, so hope to post a pic of that in the week.
We got up yesterday to snow, there was 2-3 inches of the stuff. The trees looked really pretty, but it was already starting to fall off them, or I would have gone outside with my camera. It's been a while since we've seen snow like that. It disappeared quickly, and then we had winds, rain, hail and snow all day. Today, there is snow covering the gardens and the cars, which has fallen in the night, but the paths and roads are clear. I have no plans for the day, but I'm sure other people will have plans to use me and my car. So I'll just see what the day brings. And then it's back to work tomorrow.

Sampler Garden Needle Casket

Here's my needle casket top and bottom. I finished stitching the top last month, and I have finally stitched the bottom, which I finished last night. I charted my name, but then was unsure about stitching it, and now I'm leaning towards just stitching my initials on it, so for the time being I'm leaving the bottom as it is, there's a while to go before we make the casket up, so I have plenty of time to decide.



And here is JN as of last Sunday night, I didn't stitch on it for long. I would have had the next band stitched, but I hadn't pulled one of the colours needed, so I put it away. I am already thinking about which JN to start after this one. I am also going to go through my JN charts, and sort some out for selling, so if you're a JN fan, watch this space.


I have finished stitching my SBEBB exchange, and need to make that up. I also need to make up my monthly challenge piece, and I've joined Becky's monthly finishing challenge too, so need to make that up too. I have a suitcase full of stitched pieces, so I'm hoping to make up some of these in the finishing challenge.

It's Easter weekend, so I have 4 days home, and although only 1 day has passed, I'm already feeling like I've been off ages. We had plans to have a garden wall built, but with the forecast for a wintery weekend I had to ring up on Wednesday night, and put on hold the delivery of bricks and building materials, and then cancel the cement mixer. Yesterday we had heavy rain in the afternoon, and high winds. Today, when I got up it was snowing, although it's not laid. I've had another busy week, and want to apologise for not visiting blogs and leaving comments. Today, I'm up to date with my blog reading (I've just caught up this morning), but I've not left any comments, and only scanned a lot of the posts, I did more 'picture looking', but you all have some wonderful things.
I'm hoping to do some finishing off this weekend, but won't promise anything, as my plans often go wrong. A couple of weeks ago, I got out a needleroll that I'd stitched last year, and I overlocked the side seems, pressed it, and then couldn't find the charms that needed to go on, and I've had a really good search, but they've vanished-very strange. I really need to do some organising. I want to sort out a finishing pile, and get all my UFO's in one place and list them, this may encourage me to finish them, as I forget what I have. Here's wishing you all....

Happy Easter

JN Sunday

Another week of no stitching until last night. We've been really busy, and I've just been collapsing in the chair for an hour before bed. The stitching I did last night is for an exchange, so I can't show.
As you can see I did stitch on Barnabee last Sunday, although I didn't do the bees and butterflies. I realised I need to get some Kreinik down from the loft, so I'll try and remember before this Sunday. So on with Part 2, I managed the border and the first band, which is a row of fuchsia's. I now have Michelle joining me with JN Sundays, and Berta left a comment that is was a great idea, so hopefully there' will be three of us soon.
On Monday I posted Tracy's round robin on to Sally, so I'm now waiting for the next one, not sure who's it is, but it'll be coming from Tracy. So I'm ready for the next round.

JN Sunday

Here's an update pic for last Sunday, I can't believe how much more I did. It seems like Sundays are my only stitching days at the moment. I've been really suffering with tiredness by evenings, so there's no stitching after work. I didn't pick up a needle again until last night. I started the March monthly challenge, which this month is Blue Ribbon Designs freebie called Alphabet Tree, sadly no longer available as a freebie. I can't show you that until reveal day, but once again I'm looking forward to JN Sunday, I still have the bees, butterflies and ladybug to stitch on this, and then it will be on to Part 2. I will leave all the beads and charms until the end.

Next weeks stitching plans include, finishing Part 2 of the Garden Sampler Casket, I still have to stitch the bottom. I think Part 3 will be out on the 15th. I then want to plan/decide the two SBEBB exchanges I've joined. Also it's mailing day next week for the RR, so I should be receiving the next one soon. And I've still not received my SBEBB Valentines Exchange. I know it's coming from Canada, and I know it was posted on 2nd Feb. I think I also have a good idea of who it's coming from, as there's someone from Canada who keeps visiting my blog! But I'm not going to say who it is yet! So come on postie, hurry up.

And today is International Womens Day, so here's wishing all you ladies out there a great day. And if you visit, I'd love you to leave a comment. I really appreciate everyone who visits, and everyone who leaves a comment. So here's to all of you -

THANK YOU

JN Sunday

Here's my progress on Barnabee last Sunday. This week has been so busy, and so tiring that I've not had time to blog. On Monday my mil was rushed in to hospital, so Monday night was spent there. Mil is fine now, well as well as she can be. (She has dementia, and is totally dependent and unable to converse). Tuesday, I was too tired to stitch and went to bed early, only to be woken up at 1am by an earthquake. I couldn't get back to sleep, so ended up staying up until nearly 3am, and then back to bed. This was the first time I've ever experienced a quake in the UK. Many years ago I did experience a tremor whilst holidaying on the Greek Island of Rhodes, but it wasn't as bad as this one. And the rest of the week was busy too, with my car needing it's annual service and MOT. Thankfully it passed. I was a little disappointed though, as I had my eye on a new car on the forecourt of the garage I go to. Oh well!

Back to Barnabee, I was really pleased with last weeks progress and can't wait to pick it up again tonight.



Now, look at this lovely fob I received from Mylene. Mylene had pictured some fobs she stitched, on her blog, and decided to give them away, you just had to leave a comment. In the end Mylene decided she couldn't leave anyone out, and is stitching more for those that didn't win the drawing. I was lucky enough to win the first drawing, and this is what she sent me, it's gorgeous.

You might notice shadows on the picture, it's actually sunny here!

February monthly challenge

This is the pattern voted for in the February monthly challenge. It's Valentine Heart by Dragonfly Stitches, it was a freebie but is no longer available. I decided I liked this thread which is Dragon floss and called Kisses with Stitches by Polstitches. With this thread I had to stitch on black for best effect, and I could only find a piece of 22ct hardanger, so I used that and stitched over 2. As you can see I decide on a cushion finish. The cushion is aprox. 14" x 9". Apologies for the blurred photo. I'll try to do better next time.

Valentines Day Exchange

My SBEBB Valentines Day exchange finally arrived with Suzanne, it took nearly 3 weeks to get there. Now it's the first time I've sent anything to Canada, so I'll have to remember that it takes longer to get there, and post out earlier. I was a day late in posting this, thanks to getting a puncture, and then the weather. Without my car I decided to walk to the post office, and got all ready to go, when I opened the door I changed my mind, it was very, very windy, and snow was forecast, with wind chill it was -7C so I changed my mind. I had parcelled it up without taking a photo so was a bit miffed-blamed the weather. Anyway, the next day, I decided to unwrap it before posting, and snap it. After all that, it's not a very good pic is it?
Anyway, as you can see, I made a needleroll. The pattern is a freebie by Liz Navickas, you can get the pattern here. I've stitched this a few times. This one is in DMC, and has antique gold beads on it. I also sent Suzanne some vintage linen, threads, ribbon and a box of chocolates. You have to have chocolates on Valentines Day don't you?




This week I've stitched on the Sampler Garden casket, and finished the top, I'll show a picture in the week. I've not stitched much on a night this week, I've been too tired after work. Today is JN Sunday, and I've already stitched a little. When I got up this morning there was a beautiful sunrise, and gorgeous blue sky, it could have been summer. Now it's grey and cloudy. Oh well.

JN Sunday is back

Just Nan Sunday is back. I just couldn't resist. I pulled the threads, well actually dd pulled them for me, and this is last nights progress. I would have completed the top row, but the colour needed was not in the thread list, so I didn't have it to hand. I can't wait til next Sunday. By the way, for those of you that don't know, it's Baranbee's Quest, which has been in my stash a long time.



Part 2 of Sampler Garden casket came out on Friday, and this is what I stitched on Saturday night, more to be done tonight, hopefully. Don't you think those bunnies are cute.




Then here's a peek of something I started on Valentine's Day, I'll show it all when it's completed, and made up. I just loved working on this.



And another peek of something else I stitched last week. I'll show this one, when it's made up too. I know exactly how I'm making this up.




Thanks for all your comments on my last posts. It seems that most want to see ST made up as a pillow. Well, I'll have to see. It's difficult to find nice finishing fabrics around here, so it may be awhile, as I don't think that I have anything that will be suitable. I'll have to take it on my travels, and see what I can find. I've not made up my challenge piece yet either, oops! nearly spilled the beans on that, just remembered, I'm not allowed to say!

A couple of finishes.

It's a while since I blogged, but I have been stitching honest. I've done some secret stitching, which obviously I can't show, and then I've stitched on the Monthly Challenge, but have yet to make that up, and that's another thing I can't show until reveal day. But I can show these ....

First we have Radiant Diamond Sampler by The Sweetheart Tree, I started this on Friday night, and finished it on Saturday night. I was just tidying my stash when I came across this pattern, it was probably an ebay win, and decided to stitch it there and then. It had the fabric with the chart, so I only had to pull the threads. I'm undecided how to finish it, so would love to hear your thoughts.


Next we have Tracy's Round Robin. I just hope that Tracy likes how I chose the colours.


As Tracy's main colour is the green, and then highlights in purple, I admit that I found it really hard to decide which parts to do in the purple in the second page. I was going to do all the flowers in purple, but then thought it would be just too much with those big flowers, and then there would be more purple than green. Anyway I suppose everyone would have stitched it differently, and it's easier to say with hindsight. But the idea is to make it individual, so fingers crossed that Tracy likes it.

Busy Sundays

Here's a picture of Lady Scarlet, finished at last. This was a Sunday SAL, a while back, but the group I was on kind of fell apart, and then I got busy stitching with ornaments and secret stitching. I think I worked on it for a couple of Sundays, and took photo's but never posted to my blog, so I might have to find them. At the time, I did decide I'd stitch Just Nan's every Sunday, as I have a lot in my stash, but I'm not sure now as I didn't stick to it. All it needed was one more Sunday, and it was done.



This is the book I bought the week before last, and I showed it to DD15 last Sunday morning. Shortly after, dh came home with a small tool bag, complete with garden hand tools, similar to this:

This gave DD an idea, a bag like that was just what she thought I needed to keep by my side,with my stitching bits and bobs in. And this is what she made me:



Two pockets at the front, one pocket at the back, and here's the inside, all lined and the seams bound. Don't you just love it? I must add, she made this that Sunday afternoon. Now I want a bigger one to match!

A surprise in the mail

Here's the pictures on my surprise mail. On Monday, it was my birthday, unfortunately it was my turn to stay late at work, and then not being organised, I had to supermarket shop on the way home. Eventually, I arrived home. I still had all my cards and presents to open, as I'd told my daughter I'd save them for the evening. When I arrived home, there was a small package from the US, and when I opened it there was this wonderful gift and a card from Carol. This is the first time anyone has ever stitched anything for me as a gift, and it's gorgeous. Thank you Carol, isn't she wonderful. Carol stitches so many gifts, and exchanges, I 'm not sure how she finds time to go out to work. And how did Carol arrange for it to be delivered on my birthday?



This was stitched as a monthly challenge. The pattern is a freebie called Eliza's Pyn Pillow, by With My Needle, available here. Today was reveal day, when we could all show our finishes. As you can see I made mine into a fob. I stitched 1 over 1 on 36 count evenweave. The stitch used for the basket was Narrow Closed Herringbone, but when I stitched the first row, I could tell it wasn't suitable for such small stitching, so then I stitched the second row in cross stitch, but that too was too bulky, so the rest of the basket was done in tent stitch, but I like the effect it gives at the top of the basket, it gives it some depth. The letters are done in cross stitch. I'm giving it too my friend Carol, when she visits tomorrow, so I added her name on the back.




And this is the first part of the Round Robin I'm taking part in. You can see the others here. I've been contemplating the thread colour for this for some time, I knew I wanted blue, but just couldn't decide on which shade. I finally decided on DMC 791. Now I can't wait to receive the next round. There's some lovely colours, that the others are doing. I think this pattern works really well for a Round Robin, we all get to stitch two pages each. And this is what it will look like when it's made up.

A few pictures

I've not had a good week this week, and haven't really done much stitching, but hoping to rectify that tonight, hoping to nearly finish the stitching on an exchange. Here's the picture of the sides and ends of the casket I'm doing as a SAL. Not a good picture, it's too big to get close.



And here's more pictures of the Christmas tuffet I received, so that you can see the details on the reverse. I just love it.



Pay it Forward, I haven't had any takers yet, so if you're thinking about it, please sign up, or I'll have to tell Carol that I can't take part. I think maybe there are too many PIF's around at the moment. Anyway fingures crossed someone signs up.

Pay it Forward

I've signed up for Carol's Pay It Forward, and would love you sign up with me. In case you don't know how this works, well the first 5 people that ask to join, I promise to make a gift for you, and in turn you Pay it Forward, by making the same promise on your Blog. You will receive your gift from me within the next 12 months, and in turn you will make a gift for the first 5 people that sign up with you within 12 months of you posting, and in turn they will each make 5 gifts for the first 5 people who sign up with them, and in turn.....LOL. I'm sure you all know how it works, so come on, please make me happy by signing up. I love stitching for others, the challenge is deciding what to stitch.




Look what I received on Tuesday, this gorgeous tuffet from Judy Odell, I can't believe how long it took to get here. Isn't it gorgeous. I'll photograph it another day, so you can see the back which has a cute little Christmas wreath charm. I have the pattern for this one, so I was thinking I may stitch this one as a PIF gift. Another reason for you to sign up.

I've also finished the sides and ends of Sampler Garden Casket, but it's just too dark to get a good picture today. The next part of the chart isn't out until middle of February, so I can now get on with my other plans as mentioned in the previous post.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone, hope everyone gets plenty of stitchy time. I think 2007 was a year when I stitched more than ever before, and this time I kept a diary of how much time I spent stitching and on what. I can't believe I stitched 43 things, although I haven't blogged about everyone, and I haven't uploaded pictures for all of them. I think I must do better on that front this year. There are also plenty of things that need making up, so I'm going to try harder with that too.
This month I have to get my SBEBB Valentines exchange finished and in the post. This will be the last SBEBB exchange, as the sadly the board is closing. All the best Becky.
I also have my Quaker RR to start.
I've joined a monthly challenge, and will be stitching Elizas Pyn Pillow. The challenge is to make it up into anything you like, and then we all post our finishes at the end of the month.
And then my new start for this year is:









I've joined the group at Just A Thought and we will be stitching this over 6 months. Here's my first progress pic. I started on New Years Eve, and this was taken on New Years Day, I've done a lot more since then. First I chose my colours to match my lining fabric, but then decided the colour I'd chosen for the birds and animals didn't show on my fabric, so I've now gone for a blue colour.
And the good news is that Mylene received my Stitched Gift Christmas ornament I sent her. And the bad news is that my Christmas Tuffet hasn't arrived, but I've not given up hope on that yet. It is absolutely stunning, as I've seen a photo, and I'll post it on here soon. It was designed and stitched by Judy Odell, and it's wow, so please everyone cross your fingers for me.

Exchanges and gifts.

Hi everyone, hope you all had a great Christmas. I can now share pictures of the needleroll exchange I took part in. This one was wrapped and couldn't be opened until Christmas day, and I was good. The first picture is the needleroll I stitched for Angie (no blog), and the second picture is the one I received from Kathy (I can't find her blog address at the minute). I love needlerolls, and love the one Kathy stitched for me, as I have admired that chart for a while.



Below we have a couple of Christmas ornaments, both for me. The first was stitched by Edera from my stitching club, she had stitched Tatty Ted in the summer, and I admired it, and jokingly I said she could stitch another for me - so she did. I then made it into a Christmas ornament. The second picture is the wonderful ornament I received in an exchange, again it was wrapped, and opened on Christmas day, it came with a cute little Christmas frame, and a gorgeous Dinky Dye silk. Thank you very much to my partner, I love it all (and I still don't know who you are).


Next we have Just Nan's Christmas Biscornu. You know I'm a JN fan, so obviously I couldn't resist this one could I? It was a lovely stitch, and it's so sparkly. I definitely recommend it. And speaking of Biscornu's, I've still not received mine from the exchange I did, but maybe it's lost-just like the ornament in my last post-I still do not know if my partner received it.


And here is a picture of an ornament that I made for a friend of mine. My friend Carol, is a spinner, and often buys sheep's fleece to dye and spin, so I couldn't resist making this for her. Hope you liked it Carol.


And lastly we have Shepherds Bush Chill bag, which I filled with Chocolate Snowmen, and gave it to DD with her Christmas gifts. It was very fiddly to stitch, as the bag was premade. This meant you had to stitch from the front only, and hold the bag with one hand inside, although thankfully it didn't take too long. Afterwards I suffered with contact dermatitis on the hand that I held the bag in, so I think it must be an allergy to the dye, it's cleared up now, but my hand just peeled for a couple of days, and left a large red sore patch. I had to stitch this in secret, so it was done whilst dd was away in Berlin, the week before Christmas.


I think that is all my Christmas stitching shown, but if I think of anything else, I'll be back.

Thanks to all my exchange partners, and many thanks to the organisers, and the group owners. Without you all we would not be able to take part in such great communities.