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.

More Christmas in July

As I was behind in blog reading, I didn't see on the HOE blog that Lisa had already received the Christmas ornament I made for her. I stitched Christmas is Love by Shepherds Bush and made it into a little hanger. I included linen, beads, finishing braid and chocolates - now you just have to have chocolates at Christmas, don't you agree.

Christmas in July exchange

Here's pictures of the wonderful exchange I received from Becky in the Christmas in July exchange at HOE. I love the ornament, and I received one of these from Andrea last year, so one day I may complete the set, as I'd love to stitch some. Becky also included some wonderful goodies, and a Shepherds Bush kit - look forward to stitching that - I love SB. Thank you Becky.

I've not heard that my exchange has been received yet, but it did have a long way to go.

The kitchen nightmare is keeping me away from the pc, and a normal life, but hopefully not long left. I will not give details here, but promise to show some before and after pics, for those that want them - Patti! I can't wait to have a working kitchen back - running water will be so nice. I'm even looking forward to cleaning up, and laundry!

I now have two weeks off work, so looking forward to trying to do a bit of chilling.

A quick post

Just a quickie to let you know I'm still around. Finished the ring pillow, just in time, lots of problems over finishing supplies, but got there in the end. And I loved it when it was finished.

I've also received my Christmas in July exchange piece, but need to get some pics so that I can share with you all.

DD has also been busy again, this time she has made me a chocolate bun from felt for a pincushion, it's so cute.

I'm really busy at the mo, my kitchen is to be refitted starting on Monday, it will take two weeks, so no more cooking for me for a couple of weeks. We will have to eat out, and maybe a couple of takeaways, but the plates will have to be washed up in the bathroom! Would anyone like four extra people for tea? I can't believe that one room has such an impact on the rest of the house, finding places to put things. I might even share some progress pics of the kitchen.

I'll be back soon with photos to share.

Hardanger pillow - thoughts please.

Hardanger pillow - number one




Hardanger pillow number two

Last month or maybe even earlier than that, I started work on a Hardanger pillow. This is to be a Ring pillow for a friends daughter, and I am adapting a pattern I found in a book. I was not happy with my first attempt - the white was just too bright - you see I'd been unable to find my ball of DMC #8 in blanc. I used Caron Watercolours - but it was just wrong. (I do intend finishing this though - but not as a ring pillow)

So, on to a second start, when I finally found the right perle. This is in DMC blanc in #8 and #12, and is much better. I have to finish the stitching, and have some Swarovski crystals, and some seed beads to attach to it, and intend putting the names, date, and place for the wedding around the edge. The wedding is on 11th July- not long. My problem is, what do I put on the inside of the pillow, and what fabric shall I finish the pillow in. I have some ideas, but need to find the fabric - and quickly. The crystals are Silver Shadow, as the brides dress is decorated with silver crystals. I thought I'd do the lettering in silver around the edges too. What do you think. All thoughts appreciated -whether good or bad - constructive criticism is great. I have limited places to shop where I live, and due to time restraints also limited time to shop online.

Inspiration to share - drawing.

I used the random number generator, and the winning number was 22 (sorry I don't know how to show that on here-so you'll just have to trust me).

Comment number 22 was left by Barbara

So Barb, please send me your address.

Some crafty makes

All these were made by my daughter Jenni, during the last month, there's another couple of things too, but one is on her camera, and another on her phone.


Ron Weasley, made from own pattern.

16th birthday card for someone with a passion for photography.

A card for a friend



Strawberries for a friend, a felt strawberry made into a keyring, and Hama beads used to create a Strawberry coaster, own pattern. These were both given as gifts to her friend who loves Strawberries, other gifts given with these were a strawberry shaped handbag mirror, and some strawberry shower gel.

JN exchange arrives

I have now heard from Sharon that my JN exchange has arrived, so here's the pics. I used the JN ornamental letters chart, and made her a scissor fob, as Sharon loves stitching accessories, and she tells me it was a perfect choice. I also added a few extras - fabric, chart, soap and a fold up tote. Please visit Sharon's blog, she has some wonderful free charts, and if you visit - don't forget to wish her well, as she is suffering with a bad leg - see her post - June 7th.

I now need to make up my Christmas in July exchange and get it in the post.

Don't forget if you want to enter my draw, please leave me a comment on the 'Inspiration to Share' posting. - Not long left now.

Quick update

Inspiration
by Rosewood Manor

Parts 1 to 6 now completed. And still loving it.

Inspiration to share

I thought I'd have a little give away. The Inspiration chart has a couple of smaller charts, and I have stitched one, which will be made into a scissor fob. If you would like to win this fob, please leave a comment on this post. I've not decided when I'll make the drawing yet! But it will not be before next Wednesday. I may add a picture and I may not! Do you need a photo before you can enter? Go on, why not leave me a message to say you want to be included.

Yikes

I guess it's time for a new template, and if you're reading this via a blog reader you'll have no idea what I am talking about. Just take a look at my blog!!!


I just want to thank all of you for commenting on Inspiration, I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as I am.

I'm now on the search for a new template, and then my technical adviser will be employed. Be back soon - hopefully.


Edited - found this on the blog where I got the template from -

Sorry about the issues with photobucket- this is a problem that will be fixed in the next day or two so please be patient. I just had forgot to change the credit card information on my paypal account because my credit card had expired and I forgot to put in the information for the new card.

I have contacted photobucket and hopefully they will get to fixing this problem today.

thank you for your patience and understanding.


Lena

Bored

Are you bored yet? I'm not, I'm loving this one, I have now completed page 4, the next update will be after page 6, as that page is not a full page - if you know what I mean. I can't wait to get to the picture in the centre border.

The whole thing is 6 charts wide, by 5 charts high. Each chart is generally 70 high by 40 wide, but the right hand edge is only 20 wide. And the final 6 charts are only very small, I think they are about 10 stitches high, so they will be a breeze.

Inspiration update

Inspiration
by Rosewood Manor

Pages 1 to 3 now done, for those who are interested it looks like this when complete.

Just Nan Exchange received

I received this wonderful package from Natasha for the HOE Just Nan exchange. Natasha must have been reading my blog - as you can see the extras are spot on for me. Pins, mints (Altoids tin for finishing), beads and threads, wow.

Now the exchange piece is JN Crystal Heart, and this is wonderful, a shame my photo doesn't do it justice. I haven't come across this JN design for me, so it was a perfect gift for me. My regular stitching readers will know that I love JN, and have lots and lots of JN charts.

Thank you Natasha.

This has been another busy week for me, I had hoped to blog more this week, but on Tuesday I had to work later, and was only home for 35mins before I had to go out to my stitching club meet. I can't remember what happened on Wed night but I'm sure something did. Then on Thursday it was my dd's birthday - 17, and there was an unplanned 'bit of a do', so it was a trip to the supermarket on the way home from work, and then food for her and her friends. Friday, we went shopping for the day, to get her a new mobile phone, this was planned for Thursday, as she was to meet me after work, but her friends descended at 1pm, and then stayed for food. So we had a good shopping day on Friday, I bought new home phones too, and then home for a quick bite to eat, and then to sis and bil's, as it was bil's birthday. So, as usual, I now have nearly 400 blog entries to read, and a bulging email box. Hope you're all well.

More inspiration

This is pages 1 and 2, and the start of page 3 - I accidentally deleted the picture I took after page 2. I wish you could see the colours in real life, as they look totally different on this monitor - but maybe they are OK on yours - who knows.