Whitmans Sampler Tin

Yesterday, the postie called, with a huge box. And just look what it contained. I was stunned, and words cannot say how much I liked the contents.

This was a tin exchange, at the JAT message board. The idea was to fill a tin with gifts, and you didn't have to stitch anything. As you can see, my partner decided to stitch for me, isn't it beautiful. And there was a tin still sealed, containing chocolates, which is going under my tree, and I will open that on Christmas day. I hope you can see the scissor fob and scissors, which were in the tin, and the other gifts. I've never seen a 2 year diary before, and then there's a Christmas decoration, a notebook and a highlighter. All these came from Lauren (no blog). Thank you Lauren.

This parcel was posted on 8th in the US, and arrived here in the UK on 11th. I sent my package out nearly 2 weeks ago, so where is it?

I also sent a package to the US about a month ago, and I have not heard from the recipient that it has been received, and this blogger has not updated their blog for some months, so I'm hoping they have received it. I'm going to share pics anyway, in the next few days, I'm sure they don't read my blog, so it should be OK. I have also posted off some Christmas ornaments, so I'm hoping to show those soon, and then there's the December SAL that I am doing with Sally, although I've not stitched on that this week. I have been really busy on an evening. On Monday night, I went shopping with DD, and by Wednesday night I was exhausted again, and was nodding off in the chair. This bug I have really takes it out of you. Thursday night, I was out with a group of friends from work for a Christmas meal. And last night I chilled out.

Gifts between friends

This is the wonderful exchange package that I received from Barbara. Don't you love it all, are you jealous. There's fabrics, thread, scissors, ribbon, thread drops, Sweetheart Tree chart and charm, a detailor (never seen one of these before, but looks like a nifty gadget) and chocolate, which dd can't wait for me to open, but I'm saving it for Christmas. Hope I didn't forget anything - oh such a cute little ornie in there too. I was going to save the package, but felt it would be rude not to post a pic before then.

Thank you Barbara.

And - once again I have been struck with illness, and still recovering. A flu type thing sending me to my bed, and leaving me exhausted by an evening. And if anyone would like this persistent cough, you're welcome to it.

The Creative Cross Stitch Challenge #1

Over at The Gift of Stitching blog, there's a challenge.

As soon as I saw the chart an idea popped into my head, and here is what I came up with. I stitched the design three times and back-stitched it.

And then I joined them all together, stuffed it with lavender - it smells wonderful. Then I added a beaded hanger, and tassel, and here is the finish, hung from my stitching lamp.

Dyeing linen

Today I decided to have a go at dyeing some 40ct linen. I only have white in 40ct, and I really wanted it to be darker, so with the help of tea leaves from the bottom of this mornings pot, here's the colour of my new fabric. It's laid on top of the original white just so you can see the difference. I'm really pleased with the result, and it was so quick and easy to do, I'll certainly be giving it another go. This linen is likely to be used in a Christmas project I have planned. More about that another time.

Cake anyone?

I've just realised that I never shared this pincushion with you. My dd was inspired by the pincushions I'd found on the Internet, and kept sharing with her. So this is what she made me, my own little cake, complete with a cherry on the top.

Yesterday, we had a great day at the show, but I only came home with a small bag of purchases - I did really well! The traveling there was not as bad as anticipated, so we got there in good time, just a little bit of slow moving traffic, mostly due to roadworks. We normally stop at a service station where they have a watch stand, with all watches for £5, and I usually buy a fashion watch, however we stopped at a different service station - so saved £5 - more to spend there. LOL. On the way home we made great progress - thankfully - as I was not well, and was in bed within 5 minutes of stepping in the door. I'm still ropey today, so taking things easy, and hence I'm here blogging AND dh hasn't got his trip out.

It's the weekend

I'm so glad it's the weekend, and today we have a beautiful sunrise. I don't think the photo's do it justice, I just stuck the camera outside the door to take them. I just love it when there's a mist on the field, it's so pretty.

I have a busy three days, I will be out to the hairdressers soon, and then I need to do some food shopping, this afternoon I will be visiting Sally. It's so long since we saw each other, and to be honest we've not been very good at keeping in touch via email either, so looking forward to a good chat. See you later Sally.




I took this photo this morning too. This fuchsia used to flower in the summer, but as gradually got later and later, sometimes flowering at Christmas, but this is what it looks like today. This has been in the ground for years, and often gets a good prune back, I'm surprised it's still living, as there are not too many things that will grow well in my front garden, they usually get eaten by something.


As I have a really hectic weekend, I thought I'd chill last night, and just look at my bath! I used the bath bomb that I got off Maddison, and the bath water turned the deepest pink you have ever seen. If you look really closely you might just see all the little pink and white hearts that were in the water too.





Tomorrow, I'm off to Crafts for Christmas, I really love this show, but the coach journey is horrendous. We usually end up in a traffic jam when we get nearer the NEC. The final few miles take about 1.5 to 2 hours! And then we rush around, as we never have long enough there!

And then on Sunday, dh wants to go to Harrogate for this show. We actually went to this show earlier in the year, when it was at the NEC, and I was just so bored, it really is not my cup of tea.

Chinese proverb pillow

Fortune Cookie
Design by Lucie Heaton
The World of Cross Stitching Magazine
Stitched on 32ct 'Ray of Light' Belfast linen
with DMC threads.

I made this little hanging pillow as a gift for one of my daughters friends, who turned 18 yesterday. I just thought it was cute, the saying on it, is a Chinese Proverb and says 'Keep your face to the sunshine, and you will never see shadows'. I just love that saying. I backed the pillow with the fabric in the background, but I think it's a little too dark to see.

It's November - already!

Just look at this great giveaway I received this week. I received this from Maddy, I just wish you could smell this package. I love it all, that pink velvet heart smells so divine, as does the Lush bath bomb, I love that shop and the smells that come from it when you walk passed. There's also a scented candle, and Rose perfumed DMC-anybody tried this yet? Maddy also included a rose keyring, I'm saving this as I'm looking to change my car again soon, and I will replace the Pudsey bear keyring that I've used for the last year, he's a bit grubby now. Then there was 28ct Cameo Rose Belfast linen. As you can see the theme was rose pink!

And then look at this cute biscornu, in pink blackwork, I love where Maddy added her initials, and the beads added in the middle-not sure they show on this photo.




Now I've been off work this last week, and had a productive week, both stitchy and otherwise. I was going to show you a finish today, but it would seem that dd has borrowed the camera cable-and she's not in, and I can't find it, so that will now be another day.

I would like to thank you all for your continued visits to my blog, and all the comments you wonderful people are leaving me, I really appreciate it. I have 670 blog posts to read so I want to apologise for not leaving comments, but one day I will catch up.

It's Halloween

Jinx

Jasper

From the Moon Riders chart by Just Nan

Scream Girls by Just Nan

I have a box full of these little frames, they are dark wood, with a gold line around, dd painted them for me, to suit these designs. The top ones are glittery, although it doesn't show in these pics.

Another exchange arrives

Design: Breast Cancer Awareness
Designer: Cosmic Handmade
36ct white linen with DMC threads

Here's my exchange piece for Jill for the beCAUSE it's Pink exchange. As you can see the design I chose to stitch is the same as the one I received- what a coincidence. (not sure why the picture isn't sharp on here, it looked fine before I uploaded it) I tried to peek in Jill's pink basket that she has on her blog to see if she already had this design. (Jill assures me she didn't have this one) And here's the extras I sent.



I'm thinking of buying some of these silicone cup cake moulds for myself, as I've seen those cute stitched buns that people have been making. Although I expect they'd end up being used for baking.

I always have trouble in deciding what extras to add. The only stitching related items in this package are beads and some ribbon, but I would have been happy to receive this package. Because the stitching items here in the UK are generally twice the price they are in the US, and the US has so much more choice, I feel it's a bit like sending coals to Newcastle - although I know that a stitcher can never have too much stash. What do you all think?

Finishes to share

My Halloween exchange arrived with Michelle, I am sorry I don't have a link for her blog. The design is by Just Nan, and I decide to top a tin with it, so I had to leave out the square border. I liked how it turned out.

The extras I included seemed to have an orange theme!


Back in July I offered a giveaway, and it was won by Barb - apologies to Barb, it took me an awful long time to get it in the mail to her. But Barb now has my gift, and this is it. The design is by Rosewood Manor and is included in the Inspiration chart booklet. The back of the fob has Barb's name on it.




I also got Barb a magazine, as I know she has a passion for the UK mags, and some fabric from her wishlist. I'm glad you liked it all Barb.

Halloween Exchange received

This is the great exchange package I received from Nic. Thank you Nic, I love everything, I have to say that my dd stole the socks - and I've not seen them since!
The pillow is a Lizzie Kate design, and I have added it to my small display of Autumn and Halloween finishes.
I just heard that my Halloween exchange has arrived, so I just need to find the pics, and then I can share.
Also, yesterday I received a wonderful package as a blogoversary that I won, wait while you see all of that. Thank you Maddy.

Pink Exchange from WendyJo

I received a lovely pinkeep from WendyJo, I just love this finish, and this is a really nice design, which is a freebie from Cosmic Handmade.


There was some wonderful extras too. I'm sorry the picture is not too clear, but there's some really cute Breast Cancer ribbon buttons, just to the left of the pinkeep.


Thank you very much WendyJo.

By the Sea from Erin

Just look what Erin made me, I love this small cushion, and the little shell she stitched on it is just so suited to the design.


There was also some great scissors, in gorgeous metallic blue, with a hand made scissor fob, which I just adore. I really love dolphins, and look at the cute dolphin bead, and it has a shell just like the pillow. There's a cute little notepad by Mary Engelbreit which fastens with a magnet, and some WDW too.


Wasn't it a great exchange package?

By the Sea exchange

I received a wonderful By the Sea exchange from Erin, and although I sent her an email at the time, from reading her blog it doesn't look like she received it. I have resent it, but who knows if it arrived. I really wanted to show you the wonderful pictures, but at this moment in time Blogger doesn't seem to want any pictures uploading. I've checked the status, and it does say blogger has been down, so maybe it's still not 100%. the bar to click upload is currently greyed out.

I have had an unplanned blogging break, and it has also been a break from the Internet. I have over 1000 emails, and about 800 blogging posts to read. So I don't think I'll catch up, I'm sorry to say a lot will be deleted.

I also have received my Halloween Exchange and BeCAUSE it's Pink exchange, so have lots to share. But that's just typical of late - there's always some reason it doesn't get done. So I'll try and get back later to see if I can upload photo's.

By the Sea exchange

My partner in the HOE By the Sea exchange was Faye, and here is the pinkeep I made her. As soon as this exchange was announced I knew what I wanted to stitch, so I waited impatiently for my partner's details to see if this design would be OK to make for them. And thankfully Faye liked it. I stitched it on some fabric by Polstitches, which came from a grab bag.

The design is taken from Sirens by the Sea sampler by Just Nan. I shall look forward to stitching the whole thing for myself. I still need to photograph the exchange I received from Erin, and wait while you see it, it's beautiful. I just need to clear some memory in my camera so that I can get a pic for you.

Summer House Exchange again

Here is the wonderful exchange I received from WendyJo, I had trouble including this picture in my previous post, it was just not happy there. So here we are, it now has it's own post. Thank you WendyJo, I love my little hanging pillow, now happily hung on my stitching lamp. And for those interested in the kitchen (Patti), this pillow is pictured on my new worktop.

Summer House Exchange

I was extremely late in posting my Summer House exchange to Ina R (no blog), but I've seen on the HOE blog that she's received it. This was a 'no extras' exchange, but I included some by way of an apology. I used a vintage blue linen, and finished it into a cube finish. This is a free design by Maryse.

August Needleroll

August needleroll
by Victoria Sampler

My friend Christine was 60 on August 6th. I met Christine at my cross stitch club a few years ago, and we've been to lots of craft shows together. I know that if I really want to go to a show, Christine will be willing to come along, unless she's on one of her many holidays around the globe. (Hope you had a great time in Tunisia my friend). I am unable to find a photo of the finished needleroll, I think I forgot to take one. I'll have to borrow the roll back for a photo finish.

The ring pillow

This is the ring pillow I made for a freinds daughter. I agonised over this, I wanted it to be perfect.

The first attempt was abandoned, it was too white, if you're not a follower of my blog, you can see the first attempt here.

I purchased two lots of Swarovski crystals, before deciding on Silver Shadow. I also used Mill Hill beads (Ice), and then ran out of those! I purchased white satin fabric, which was off white, but was too bright, so I had to go back and buy the pale grey. I had to visit 3 shops to do this. The design is based on one found in a book, but I changed it slightly. I also added the back-stitched border because I felt the writing I put around the edge looked lost. I was really pleased with the final result, and delivered it the day before the wedding. Unfortunately they decided not to use it in the ceremony, and just have it as a keepsake. I just hope the bride actually liked it.

August is nearly over

Well I can't believe it will be September in a couple of days, can you? I've noticed in the last week that the nights are drawing in, and by 8pm I need to put a light on if I am going to stitch. And it's certainly getting cooler. As I look out the window now, it's dull and overcast, but it's only 6.40am, so it could change. I hope to be back shortly with lots to share.

I'm going to make a list here, and then hopefully I can remember to post about them all-these are not in any order.

Needleroll SAL
Birthday needleroll
By the sea exchange
Summer House exchange
Halloween finishes
Scissor fob mini NR
JN Summer Whimzi
Wedding pillow

MIA

Just a quickie, I hope to be back with you soon. The kitchen is nearly there, it has honestly been a nightmare. Things went wrong on day 1, when they found a leaking water pipe, and then many things went wrong after that. The kitchen should have taken two weeks in total, they started July 13th. DH had the first week off, and I had the second week off. I then had the week after that off to get everything back in, and the room decorated etc, however the kitchen was not finished. And is still not finished. I will eventually take some photo's, and I have still not uploaded the before pictures, to be honest by the end of week 1 I wanted to move. I had totally lost interest in the new kitchen, and still don't have much interest in it. On Saturday, they came and replaced all the drawer and door fronts (this was the 3rd time for a couple of them!) The replacements are not the same as the first ones they put on, slightly different colour and finish - not sure I like them. They had to be replaced as they had fitted the wrong sized handles on. One of the problems with the doors near the oven is that the coating has buckled a couple of times, and again within 4 minutes of the guy leaving on Saturday. I spent every day of my two weeks off waiting in for people, be it electricians, plumbers, tilers or kitchen fitters. I am not at my best if I cannot get out of the house, I'm a bit like a caged animal. If I can get out of the house, I can quite happily stay in all week, but remove my freedom and I don't like it. I have not done a lot of stitching, I've just not been in the mood. I did pick a couple of things up, and stitch little bits, I have done a couple of needlerolls, one was for a friend from my cross stitch club, who turned 60 last week. I will eventually get around to publishing photo's. Apologies to my HOE Summer House partner, who I have not posted to yet, and the deadline was 30 July. I really need to get my act together. I returned to work last week, to find changes at work, not ones I wanted, but I'll have to live with them (they start next week-17th). And I was so shattered when I came home from work each night last week, that I couldn't keep my eyes open. I currently have nearly 700 blog posts to read -I'll only be looking at pictures! And if you've made it to the end of this post - well done, and thanks for sticking with me.