Sealed with a Kiss

Progress pic as of last night. I now plan on stitching on this until it's finished, so looks like JN Sunday will be taking a back seat again. There are 7 squares to complete and the border to stitch. Now you're going to count the empty ones aren't you? Well I have stitched another couple of squares since this photo was taken - so I can count really!. I am way behind on emails and blogs - again. We have had this week off work and have been out and about, and then dh goes on the pc when I want to be on it. Hopefully back to normal next week, back at work, and then will have to play catch up. Hope you're all enjoying the weekend, and if you're in the UK - the much warmer weather. Not that I'd call it warm, but you know what I mean.

Another Valentine exchange arrives

Planted Hearts
by Lavender Wings

I heard from Karen that the HOE Valentine exchange package has arrived. I was getting worried, as it seemed to take forever. I stitched a scissor fob from the Lavender Wings chart - Planted Hearts, and added Karen's name to the back. I also included this box, which I couldn't resist when I found it in a local shop. I originally intended adding some stitching to the top, but then decided it was too pretty, the box itself is in a very pale silver grey, and then topped with cream lace, and gorgeous tassel.


I also included some heart shaped post it notes, a heart shaped emery keyring, and pink threads. (I meant to put some fabric in, but realised a few days later I'd forgotten it - sorry Karen)

Valentine from Su

Just look at this gorgeous Valentine pillow from Su. This was a private exchange with just the two of us. This mini pillow is truly stunning, and I'm sure that Su will have some better photo's on her blog, I'm not the best photographer in the world. I just loved everything about this when I opened it, the colours are just me, and it's so pretty. Don't you agree?

Happy Valentines Day

Spots Of Valentines
by Pine Mountain Designs

This was a kit I had, and a quick stitch. I made this for DD, for her room. The top picture represents the colours of this cute cushion. Now does anyone know what the spot on the bottom left is? A candle? I have no idea.

Patti-sorry it's on Aida. LOL

Today I went to the embroidery society meet up, and the speaker was Sandra Wallace, who had some wonderful beaded items on display.

Edited - to add. I am reliably informed that the bottom left spot is a Chocolate Kiss (Hershey's) - something we don't have in the UK. Thanks for letting me know.

Valentine Exchange for Su

The Vintage Look
Design by Brenda Keyes

This the Valentine Exchange I made for Su. I just had to stitch this for Su, but then got a bit scared that the heart shape would go wrong, so changed my mind and started Plan B. Now Plan B was something that I'd seen in Su's photo album, and she had made it for her sister, however I then stitched something in the wrong place, and it could not be frogged. This meant I could not completed the stitching as on the pattern. I then made something up to fill another space, and couldn't think of anything else for the last space - notice I'm being a bit cagey here. I'll reveal when I eventually decide what to do. Anyways, after that disaster, I went back to Plan A. I really liked the colours in this design, and was pleased how the heart pillow turned out. I then stitched and gathered the ribbon around the edge-another first for me, but I'll be doing more of this finishing method. Su says she likes it, so that was a relief. I sometimes wonder why I join exchanges, as I give myself so much stress and grief over choosing the design, and the making up.

Today we have snow. It snowed non stop for over 6 hours, at first it didn't lay, but after a couple of hours it started to, and we probably have a couple of inches on the ground. I just popped my head out of the door, and it's thawing now, I can hear it dripping from the trees. I hope it doesn't freeze overnight, or the roads will be treacherous tomorrow.

Thank you

Just a quick blog entry - just to say I am still in the land of the living - just in case anyone is missing me.

I've been pretty busy with life - and therefore not much stitching has been happening here. And the first thing to go when I get busy is UFO stitching, and JN Sunday's, so I have no updates to show you either.

My first finish for 2009 was posted some time ago, and I expect it will have arrived at it's destination by now. If I don't hear anything by the weekend then I'll post a picture anyway, as I'm sure the recipient doesn't read my blog.

And the Thank you goes to all of you who have entered my competition. I can't believe how many things you expect me to finish this year. All I can say is I'll do my best, and you are giving me encouragement. And I know I need to get out many things that need making up into something - is it a FUFO? If so, then I've go a lot of FUFO's. LOL

I was going to post a photo on Friday, but my camera decided to freeze! and I couldn't get it to work, I was going to show you a picture of my car. On Friday I said good-bye to my car - with some sadness, as I've had her a long time, so I thought it would be fitting to say goodbye publicly, and as I drove her out of my garage, I got the camera out, but it was not meant to be. I hope somebody nice becomes her new owner. I did exchange her for another car, but I'm not attached to this one yet!

Competiton closing

Just a quick post, to say my competition will close at the end of today, so if you want to enter please leave a message on that post. Or if you want to change your guess, just leave a message on that post.

Can you believe it's February tomorrow! There's not been much stitching happening here in the last few days, I've just been so tired.

Valentine Exchange received

This morning the postman delivered a package. And here's the photo, a lovely Valentine exchange from Gwen. Thank you Gwen I love it. It's a scissor fob with Four Little Hearts design by Indigo Rose, and in my favourite pink and green too. And Gwen included Mill Hill beads, fabric and DMC thread. I'm going to hang this fob in my bedroom.

SWAK update

Sealed with a Kiss
by
Blue Ribbon Designs

Just a quick update photo for you. I'm still loving this, and have plans to get it framed - something I rarely do. I had a new start last night, but I can't show you it yet, it's a secret, but I'll tell you it's Valentine related.

I need to go and get the ironing done now, and then I'm going out to a Charity Bingo, so there'll be no stitching for me tonight. I'll look forward to tomorrow night though, when I plan to finish my needle roll.

JN Sunday update

Band 2 and half of Band 3 now completed. I did have a visit from the frogs, but I a loving the colours of this one. Tonight I'll be stitching on this months needle roll, well I'm hoping to finish it, I only need to put the lace on, sew on some beads and a charm, and stitch it together, which I will do by hand. I already know which needle roll I will do for next month, and it may be linked to Valentines Day. I'm in the mood for some more hearts.

More UFO stitching

TW - Noah's Ark

More UFO stitching with Let's Stitch Friday night SAT. I intended stitching another pair of animals, and started on the next square, but I was too tired for that over one stitching. So I added more of the border, see my post from last weekend to see the progress.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. And I forget to tell you in my last post that I had my first finish of the year. I can't show you what it is yet, as it's travelling a long way. It was for a Valentine Exchange, so I'll be able to show you when it reaches it's destination.

Another birthday gift

Last night a neighbour came knocking with a box from the US for me. I was excited, as this year I joined the Stitching Bloggers Birthday Club, organised by Edgar, and this was my present. Sorry about the photo quality, but I did take them in the shadows of the electric light last night. As you can see I now have a small Scrap booking album, with stitched insert, together with scrap booking adhesive, pens and scraps (100 sheets of card to use when scrap booking). I did have a go at scrap booking once about 3 years ago, at a local shop that had not been open long, and I made a sheet for their wall - the shop has since closed down. My present was from Margaret, and she also sent me notelets, magnetic memo pad, and memo pad with pen, all by Laura Ashley.
Margaret tells me she was making me a pinkeep, but had a disaster, so had to turn to Plan B. Thank you Margaret, I think a scrap booking album was a unique idea.

A Birthday Gift and an Award

Today is my birthday, so Happy Birthday to me. And just look at the wonderful gift I received from Sally. I just love it. This design was on my wishlist, and it was only Friday that Sally was asking me when my birthday was. I usually keep quiet about it. Little did I know she was already stitcing away! Not only did Sally stitch the pinkeep/scissor keep, she also included the scissors, and they are beautiful. It's funny, but it was only Friday we had a conversation about scissors, I think I'm becoming a collector. I'm just in the middle of ordering some Gingher's. I'm orderin my self stash - a present to me. I won't say how old I am, but I am now starting the countdown to the big one - five oh, oh no. I'm not sure how I became this age, I'm only 20 in my head! Apologies for the poor quality pictures, and I have no idea why the photo of the back (below) appears pink. Taken within a minute of each other, same place, same lighting - who knows?.




And now for an award. I was given this by Dawn, and I was thrilled, so as part of this I need to list my top 5 addictions, and also give the award to 5 bloggers-which is always the hardest part. I just love so many blogs, but I will choose 5, but please don't be disappointed if you're not on there, it doesn't mean that I don't love your blog any less.



My 5 addictions are:

1. My children - I love them to pieces
2. Chocolate - I could live on it
3. Stitching - I could stitch all day
4. The Internet - I could browse all day
5. Shopping - for stash - is there any other shopping?

5 awards to

Carol R
Sally
Su
Carol S
Nicole

Just Nan Sunday - update

This is my progress pic for tonight's stitching, this means Band 1 is now completed, not sure how many there are altogether.

I've also stitched an exchange piece this weekend, so hope to get that made up tomorrow night, and ready for mailing.

And for those that wondered - I made it to Sally's on Friday afternoon, and we had a nice stitching chat.

Oh, and nearly forgot, there's still time to enter my blog competition, and have something made for you, by me, see my post on 11th of this month - you need to leave a comment on that post to enter, or if you have my email address you can email me your guess.

UFO stitching and a Christmas Exchange

Last night was my UFO stitch night, and I got another pair of animals done - the pigs. This is the second time I'd stitched these, the first time had to be frogged, and after that this piece became a UFO. Here's the before pic, for those who wanted to see the full thing.


And here is the after pic, I also back stitched the horns on the Big Horn Sheep.




And here is an exchange I received before Christmas. I took part in the Christmas bag exchange on Judy O'dell's board. As it was organised late, it was decided to not do an ornament exchange as there wasn't a lot of time for stitching if people were already tied in to other exchanges. And Judy gave us an incentive to join in, there would be a $75 drawing for the completed exchanges. The idea was to give a bag and gifts. There were some really lovely bags, but look what I got. I received a Nantucket basket, complete with kit to stitch the top with my initials, and there was a Charles craft mini stocking, some Sky blue linen, Waterlillies thread, 2 skeins of Ecru DMC, a cute Mill Hill reindeer magnet, a couple of tuck pillows, a mini Christmas ornament kit, and a Mill Hill Silk angel kit. I just love the basket, and have already stitched the top. I'll show you it when it's finished and stuck on the basket. The instructions also include how to make a bag lining, so I'm hoping to do that too.



Here's a pic of the goodies I sent to Becky, I originally planned to make a bag, but time was not on my side, so I bought a green velvet one, with bells on it, silver lace, and a silver rope with tassels. I was late posting too, but it made it there on Christmas Eve - phew. I made a scissor fob using some beads I bought from the NEC, or was it the Knitting and Stitching Show. I did do some beading last month, and made some ear-rings. I'll have to get you some pics.

JN Sunday and WIP's

Here's my progress pic from Sunday. I've only worked on this one once before, back in October, and then I completed the white on the right. I was not keen on this, I think it was the stitching of DMC#8 on the linen, it makes it fluff, and not so neat, but now I'm passed that I love the colours. I can't wait for Sunday to work on it again.


And here's my progress on SWAK, I've stitched lots more squares, and now need to fill them in. The last square I filled in needs to be frogged, and that's why I went back to the outline. Easy stitching when you're watching the telly.



And here's SB Garden Roll, I've nearly finished this one, just need to stitch the lace on, and some more beads, and the sun charm of course.


It's 7.40 am, and it's time to head off to the supermarket for the weekly shop. This afternoon I'm going to visit Sally. The last time we planned this, my car wouldn't start, and once before I didn't get there due to car problems, so fingers crossed.

Thanks to everyone who's entered my competition, and if you haven't please join in, there's plenty of time left - see post below.

Blog competition and New WIP's

Here's my blog competition, and I hope you will all join in. This maybe a little different to other blog competitions, and it will be a long time before you receive you prize, but it is just for fun, and I really do hope you will all join in. So, what do you have to do, well all you have to do is guess - How many things I will finish this year? That is right up to midnight on 31.12.09.
I have no idea, but I hope your guesses will give me some encouragement. A finish will be something I stitched in previous years, and make into something (just framing it won't count-unless I make the frame myself), it could be something I complete the stitching on this year, and may have started this year or previously. Or something else I make and complete (not stitched). I hope that makes it clear. All you have to do is leave a comment on this posting. Entry closes on 31 January 2009. I will list entries on the side of this blog. The prize will be - something I stitch just for you. Any questions - just shout. (Carol, Pam, Jackie - you can all join in too - you know who you are!)


Now, here's some stitching to show, my New Years Eve start - as I don't go out on New Years Eve, I like to have a new stitchy start, although it nearly didn't happen this time, as I'd been at work in the day, and had a headache, but I forced myself to get some material out and cut it, and that was after 9pm, so a bit of a late start, but I'm loving it. It's called Sealed with a Kiss, and is by Blue Ribbon Designs, I bought the pattern in 2006, and have been wanting to start it for a while. I'm using 40ct white linen, and loving stitching on this fabric, and I'm using the recommended threads. When I started I was thinking I'd do 10 squares a week, but I couldn't put it down. There's 100 squares altogether.


Next up, is Shepherds Bush Garden Roll. Sally and I have decided to do a needle roll a month, so this is my first one. I was going to do the Millenium Roll this month, but when I went to get it out the stash, this one shouted the loudest. I suppose I'm dreaming of Summer. As the temperature soared upwards to -2 yesterday! Although today we now have 9 degrees, and expect some rain, which will be a change. Anyway, I started this one last night.



Friday night was Becky's SAT, I joined the Let's Stitch blog when Becky set it up, with the idea of digging out some old UFO's. I don't think I've blogged my progress on them on my blog, but I will try from now on. I did give the last few Fridays a miss though. So this UFO is Teresa Wentzler's Noah's Ark, and was started many years ago, but I have made good progress by joining in the SAT. As you can see, I completed another square, although I need to back stitch it yet. If you're not familiar with this, there are 22 squares surrounding the ark, and they all contain pairs of animal's stitched over 1.

Before

After

I'm also hoping to return to my Just Nan Sunday's, maybe I'm turning into a rotation stitcher? That's it for now, but I still have some Christmas stuff to share, so hope to be back with those soon. I'm off to get the JN out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just a quick post to wish you all a Happy New Year. I've not really been on the PC much, and I have loads of photo's to share, but just need to get them organised, uploaded etc. Hope you all had a nice relaxing Christmas.

I going to hold a little blog competition, and the prize will be something made by me. So please come back soon to check out what it is.

Chris

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.