Exchange arrives at last

I saw on SBEBB that my Garden Themed exchange had finally arrived. So I can finally share pictures. I had loved this design since I saw it, but was not really sure what I'd stitch it for. Anyway I decided on a hanging pillow. The colours are not great on the pictures, so I've shown a couple, to give you an idea. I stitched a little birdhouse on the back, and our initials with the year. I'm glad it arrived safely. The exchange was for Debbi, and I included a chart from her wish list, and boy does Debbi have a wish list!, as well as chocolates, ribbon, fabric and flower buttons.

It's Friday

I'm not sure what to blog about, it's been so long. There's not been any progress on the making up of the casket and accessories, although this is what I decided to stitch on the bottom. I also did the stitching of the needleroll, but it's not made up yet.
I did lose my stitching mojo, but it has returned this week. It had to as I had some exchanges to get sorted. LOL, and being off work helped too. I also stitched a JBW design for me, but not decided on the finishing of it yet, there's not much spare fabric as I just stitched it on a scrap. I've been busy on the next round of the Quaker, as that has to be in the post next week, although the frogs have a hold on that one too. (Sorry Lisa)
I posted an exchange at the beginning of May, and I haven't heard that it's arrived yet, so I'm getting worried about that. I'm hoping I hear soon.
Apart from stitching, dh and I had our 20th Anniversary, where did those years go? I've looked into cancelling my car insurance, and going elsewhere to enable ds to be able to drive my car, but I'm still thinking about that. My premium will increase by about 800%, and ds doesn't really go out much, and he does not work so cannot contribute towards the cost, so there's a lot to think about, especially with the price of petrol, which seems to go up at least once a week. DS only has 3 weeks left at college, and then all of his exams will be over, and he just needs to wait for the results, before going on to University. Hopefully, he will find a job for the summer. DD only has 10 days, and then she has finished all her exams, and will move on to 6th form college in September, she has no intention of getting a job for the summer! Although, I have said I'll employ her as cleaner and chef, but I'm still waiting for the answer. DD is a wonderful cook, and often makes the meals. Anyway, I've rambled, so better get going. Thanks to everyone who visits, and leaves comments, I'm sorry I have not done the same. I have 593 unread blog articles, so I know I have no way of catching up. But will try to look at all the pictures!

Sampler Garden Casket

This weekend was the finishing weekend for Sampler Garden Casket, as you can see I didn't get very far. I had a busy weekend, so didn't have a lot of time, but this is my slow progress. I do prefer to take my time with the finishing though. I hope to get the bottom finished next weekend, and the casket lid. To see the casket and accessories, you'll find them on Judy's site. This was the Designing Ladies 2007 project.

For the third Sunday in a row, there was no JN.

And need to add, that we finally got the car going last Monday evening. Then on Tuesday night, the washing machine door fastener broke-arrggghhhh, but a new one is now on order, and I worked out a way to open the door using a teaspoon! More good news, DS17 passed his driving test on Thursday, and the bad news - the insurance company I'm with won't let me include him to drive my car. And I'm still waiting for them to get back to me to tell me why.

SBEBB Garden Theme exchange received

Look at this beautiful exchange I received. Carol stitched made me a mattress finish, this is my first ever one, I think I'm going to have to make one of these. Carol stitched this design with one over one, and it's stunning, the colours are beautiful. And here's a pic of the whole exchange. Carol included ribbon, Dragon floss, finishing fabric, Silkweaver fabric, vanilla teabags, and a highlighter, which was quickly claimed by DD, who is busy doing lots of revision for her GCSE's. Thank you Carol.

LONDON

We had a great day in London, DD and I, but it was tiring, and we had sore feet when we got home. The taxi I had booked to take us to the station arrived on time, and we were at the station in plenty of time. There's not much traffic at that time in the morning - 6.15 am, although a few people walking/staggering the streets on their way home from a Friday night out.

DD got a new camera last week, so she had to get some photo's of the sights. For those who don't know London, we have the London Eye and Big Ben.





And this is Liberty, I'd never been before, so we had a wander around inside, and I bought some soap, there were some nice clothes, but a bit out of my price range. They had some lovely fabric and buttons, and lace, but I didn't buy.


I've not done any stitching in the last few days, and I am late mailing my Garden theme exchange, I hope my partner likes what I've made, it will be in the post tomorrow. My car still does not work, but it's back to work for me tomorrow, and I'll be on the bus again, oh well. I've ordered my grocery shopping online, and that will be delivered on Wednesday night. I am out tomorrow night, so I think I'll have to walk there, I hope my feet have recovered by then.

TGIF

What a week, and not a lot of stitching. There was no JN Sunday last weekend, I'll try and do better this weekend.

I've had another week with problems. DS and DD had dentist on Wednesday teatime. I came home from work on the bus, we have to take turns to use the car park at work since January, so I only go in car every other week, and this week wasn't my turn. Anyway I got home from work, got changed, and went to get the car out of my garage, it was dead, a completely flat battery. So we had to walk to the dentist, fortunately I had allowed plenty of time to get there in car, so we managed the twenty minute walk to the dentist, and made it just on time. We have a battery charger, so that was put onto charge, and the plan being that we could start it from that on Thursday night, alas no luck, although it did seem to charge the battery a little bit. The charger was once again put on to charge overnight, and DS and I tried again this morning to start the car, but still no luck. I rang sis, and she came down with her friend, we tried to jump it from her friends car, but still no luck. Arrgghh. DH has now decided that the car has more wrong than just the battery. I'm not so sure. By this time it was this afternoon, and too late to get the garage to come out. Now they won't come out on a Saturday, and they aren't open on Sunday, or Monday as we have a bank holiday. I can't get them to come out Tues, Weds or Thurs as I'll be at work, so who know when I'll have my car back. I think it's time for a bit of online supermarket shopping.

Tomorrow, I'm off to the big city. DD and I are going to London for the day, and we'll shop. It's an early start, and I've had to order a Taxi to get us to the station, I hope it turns up. I have experience of ordering a taxi in the past to go for a train, and it didn't turn up, I ended up having to go in my car and got to the train with seconds to spare. This time car won't be an option.

Our printer has decided it's not happy, so that's another thing that's annoying me. I've now replaced the black cartridge 3 times in 3 days, and it's still not happy. I've still not got a new telephone either, and I'm really missing my answerphone.

Anyway, more on my age on Monday and Tuesday I was 52, that's what work does to me. LOL. On Wednesday I got down to 42, and yesterday to 40, but today I'm 48. And for all those guessing, I'm going on the WiiFit daily, it's brilliant. I've been exercising everyday, and I'm hoping to keep it up.

SBEBB Spring House and Garden Exchange

Just look at what I received from Yuko, isn't it wonderful. Yuko stitched a Prairie Schooler designed, and finished it into a small mirror. I love it. Thank you so much.


And look at these wonderful goodies Yuko sent. I love the green fabrics, and trimmings. I really love the colours, and I'm going to make something special from these bits, and then there was chocolate-strawberry flavour-yum, yum. And tea, with a gorgeous little teaspoon, with a lilac crystal head, it's so pretty. I've not tried the tea yet, but will let you know what it's like.




I sent my exchange piece to Edgar, as you can see I made another pin keep, I think this is becoming my favourite finish. I think Edgar liked it too.



I had hoped to meet up with Sally on Friday, but once again events took over, and I never got there. Please wish us luck for the next time.

I seem to have lost my way in life at the moment, soon I hope to be back on track. I'll leave you with this - on Friday I was 49, on Saturday I was 40yrs, and today I'm 31years old. At this rate, I'll be reborn next weekend. Can anyone guess why? (Sally, shhhh)

JN Sunday

Just a quick post, I didn't realise it had been over a week since my last post. I finished the needle roll, but still need to make it up. Otherwise I've not stitched much at all. I posted me next exchange piece on Monday, so hopefully that's well on it's way.

What a week I had last week. On Tues/Wed my phone decided it no longer wanted to be part of the phone. I have one of these all in one, caller display, answerphone, directory type phones and something inside must have failed, as it constantly makes a horrible noise, and asks us to replace the handset. So now we're having to use a couple of old phones, until I sort out another. I really miss the caller display, and answerphone. On Friday, I was going to meet Sally, and having set off early, as I needed to go a couple of places on route, my car started making a strange noise, so I ended up driving to the garage, where it was diagnosed as not fit for the road, and I had to leave it there, whilst they ordered the part. So I was disappointed not to meet up with Sally, but we'll try again this week. I got my car back the following door, at a cost of nearly £200 ($400).
On Sunday i got up and when I turned the pc on, it decided I'd never used an email account before, and wanted me to set one up! All my emails, and address book had completely gone. My blog reader had also gone, and my browser programme had also decided it was new, no favourite sites for me. I was devastated! I got the engineer out of bed at 8.20, he doesn't normally get out of bed until lunchtime. Anyway a full morning was spent updating, reinstalling, deleting, reinstalling, and eventually my address book was found. Then having offered to bake a cake if my emails could be found, they were also found hidden in a backup folder. Next was my favourites, and my blogs, however my blog reader could not be sorted. So I now have a different program for my blog reader, and my blogs have to be added one by one. I'll get there eventually, and might even be able to post comments.

Also a big thank you to Cathy, who was kind enough to send me a JN chart with left over beads that she had finished with. Once I've stitched it I'll be offering it up, so watch this space.

JN Sunday, and a new start

Sunday was a good stitching day, I got a good start on Part 3 of Barnabee, and I'm pleased with my progress. I'm not really in the mood for chatting, I'm too tired, so I'll just leave you with a little pic of my new start, unfortunately the first row needs frogging, as I mis counted, those long stitches should be groups of 7, and I only did 6. I suppose it's not all bad, as the following bands can just be extended, so at least I don't have to frog those. This is Holly needle roll by The Sweetheart Tree, last year I promised I'd swap this pattern with Andrea, so I thought I'd better stitch it, I hope she still wants it.

Simple Harvest

I finished Simple Harvest by Blackbird Designs, and I am in love with this fabric, although I have no idea what it is, as it was not labeled. I bought it in a bag with others from a Sew It All at a Harrogate show, a couple of years ago. The thread I use is called 'Come floss with me' Dragon Floss. I just have to decide how to finish it now.
Today is JN day, so hope to stitch on Barnabee later today. My stitching plans for the week will be a needleroll for the monthly finishing blog, and to make up my Spring House and Garden exchange, which is stitched the other week. I have just joined another couple of exchanges, and already know exactly what I'm doing for one of them, so hope to pull fabric and threads for that, it should be a quick stitch. I hope to update the side bar of my blog soon, and maybe even get back in to updating webshots, and maybe it's time for a change on the blog look, I think I've seen enough pink, and that clock has to go.
Wishing you all a nice weekend.

JN Sunday

Well, I managed a little stitching on Barnabee. I stitched the final band on Part 2, and back stitched the final band on Part1, which I'd never done. I still need to add the bees, ants, etc, but they will be done soon.



On Monday night I picked out fabric and threads for the monthly challenge which is The Caron Keeper, and stitched that. I can't show that yet though, until reveal day, but I have already decided how I'm going to make it up.

I originally picked the fabric you see below, but then decided it would be perfect for this sampler, and just had to start it next, so here it is. This is Blackbird Designs Simple Harvest, and this is what I did last night, hoping to stitch more on that tonight.

Sampler Garden Accessories

The next parts of the Sampler Garden chart were released this week, well actually it is the final part, we received the chart for all of the accessories. Here's the first pics, I have stitched two of the accessories, just one more to go, and then next month we will receive the finishing instructions, and there's a finishing weekend planned. I'm looking forward to that.

For those who read and commented about my wall, your good wishes worked. The weather yesterday was changeable, but dh and bil got a good start, there was one really heavy downpour, but thankfully it didn't last long, and they managed to work through the small showers. Today, it's bright sunshine, although only 3C first thing, but hopefully they'll finish. Dh expects the rain by this afternoon. We've been lucky. The wall nearly didn't go ahead, when I received a phone call, on Friday lunch, from the care home, where my mil lives. They had been unable to wake her for lunch, and had called her GP. He came straight away, and she was grey and unresponsive, he diagnosed a massive stroke, and said to just put her in her bed, and if she was still alive by Monday, to call him again. (His exact words). I rang dh at work, and rang around the family, then tried to establish times for my building materials, and the mixer I had hired, asking them if they could hurry as I had to go out. The next thing, just over a hour since the first call, it's the home, and mil is awake and trying to get out of bed, so they were going to get her up, and for me not to rush there. After deliveries had arrived, I picked dh up from work, and we went to see her. There she was, back to normal, and had been walking around the home for nearly two hours! (She has dementia, and spends most of her days walking). As you can imagine this was a very Up and Down day, but a good ending, and I was completely drained by the evening. Doctors - what do they know?

For those of you who I have failed to email, a big sorry, and I will catch up soon.

Valentines Day Exchange received.

On Monday I received my Valentine Day exchange, isn't it gorgeous? It's from Wendy, but I had guessed this, as I had seen that she had been visiting my blog, around the time of the exchange. Wendy says this is her first tin finish, and she's done a great job on it too. I love the lining.
Here's a pic of the goodies that Wendy sent with the exchange, dd couldn't wait to open the packet of buttons, so they've gone into the tin. And I have started those yummy Lindt hearts. Wendy said it's not Valentines Day without chocolates - how true.

Now, last weekend I finished the second page of Quaker Friends RR, and the posting date for that is not until the end of April, but I like to get it done, as you never know what might happen.


Do I hear anyone asking where's JN Sunday? Well, it never happened, in fact I've not stitched since Saturday! I'm hoping to remedy that tonight, if I can get my act together. I've been in a whirlwind since Saturday, and my feet haven't touched the ground. I'm now trying to catch up on all my emails. What have I been doing. To be honest I'm not really sure, but I have been busy, busy, busy, and I have picked up some needles - knitting needles to be exact. A knitting UFO, I have been doing this two or three rows at a time, but just never enough time to get a little bit of stitching done.

The garden wall which I was having built at Easter, and was cancelled due to the winter weather (snow), has now been rearranged for this weekend, but once again the weather forecast is bad, so please everyone cross your fingers. The building materials will be delivered tomorrow, and I don't want them stuck outside for too long.

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.