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.

15 sided biscornu

I started this the other week, then it was put aside, and I couldn't pick it up again as I couldn't find the thread I had used. The colours were chosen by DD as she thought it should be 'funky'. 15 different Blackwork squares, they each measure one inch.

Last weekend was Bank Holiday weekend, and I searched my stash and found the thread, and sat in the garden and finished it. Guess what - I forgot to leave a border around each square, it would have looked so much better with space between the squares - but I didn't think of that until I came to join them up - a bit fiddly with small squares, and it looks a bit busy - but I was determined to make it up having stitched them. I might make this again - remembering to leave a bigger space when stitching. LOL And it will be in a different colourway.

Inspiration

Inspiration by Rosewood Manor

Page 1 of 30.

Knitting in May

And another new start, I have finished some stitching, but will only share once it's made up. This knitting is a bag kit I got a couple of Christmases ago, and I made a start on it last night. It's a lot bigger than I thought, and I don't think I'll be using it outside, but I'm sure I can find a project or two to keep in it.

Another new start

I can't seem to stop myself starting something new. Anyway this is what I started last night.

I bought this pattern earlier this year.



Then I was persuaded to buy the scissors to go with the pattern. Now, when I say I was persuaded - it didn't take much. I didn't have any Ginghers and I was offered these at half price - so that persuaded me to go for it. As you can see they go nicely together, after all the thread was a limited edition to go with the scissors, wasn't it.


I was disappointed to find the scissors and the thread looked like this -


as you can see - not really anything in common, the thread is mainly blue and pink, and I think you'd struggle to be able to do two cross stitches in the yellow. When Sally came the other week I showed her and she laughed, they are just nothing like.


So, on to my new start, this is my version. I have chosen 32ct Belfast in Ray of Light, and I'm using an Anchor thread which I found in my stash, and I think it goes brilliantly with the scissors. What do you think?
I must say it makes me really want some Fruit Salad sweets, as that is what the colour changes in this thread remind me of.

Hope you're all having a great weekend, as we have had lots of sun, and I'm just going outside to sit in it.

Sampler Lady

The Sampler Lady
by Little House Needleworks

I finished this up last night, having started it the week before, it was intended to be a quick stitch, and I only had a few words, the flowers and border to do by last Friday, but there has not been a lot of stitching happening, so it took longer than I hoped. I'm thinking of turning this into a stitchers wallet.

If anyone would like this chart I'm looking to swap it for for another of the Needlework Designs by LHN. I've already stitched My Needle's Work, and there are two or three on that page that I'm not really wanting, but plenty that I do, LOL, so if you're interested, just let me know. ***Now traded***

I'm hoping to have a new JN start on Sunday, not the one I had planned but one for an exchange, I'm just waiting to find out who my partner is to help me decide what will be best for them.

Tonight I'm going to start Millenium Needleroll by Shepherds Bush. Now I know that we have already had the year 2000, but I am on a SAL with Sally, and we aim to stitch one a month, and eventually have them all done. I think I've only blogged about the one in January so far, but I have stitched on a needleroll each month, and I need to do the finishing up. So stay tuned for more finishes. I also have a couple of other things that need finishing up too.

More blackberries

Blackberry Fob
by The Sweetheart Tree

I've had this chart in my stash for a while, so it was nice to find I had a little bit of gingham fabric left over from the Biscornu kit. I was also able to use the left over threads too. So that's another one off the stash pile. If anyone would like to swap the biscornu chart or fob chart for another one by the Sweetheart Tree, please let me know. This was a really quick stitch, and I have another couple of these fob charts, so I think I'll have to get them out.