Contemplating my needle and thread

THANKYOU

2011-04-04T22:30:00.000+01:00

Thankyou everyone so much for your lovely lovely words and support, you really are all so very lovely, thankyou too for the cards I have received at home as well, I honestly appreciate it all and so does my family - I have passed on your words to them to.

Its very strange not having dad about or speaking to him on the phone and I know how strange and upsetting it is to mum too after all he was her husband, but Mum is doing OK as we all are Helen my sister has been amazing with her living so close to mum she has beenand still is a terrific help and support for her. My brother and I have been doing as much as we can as well I had the weekend gone over with mum and saw everyone too, and I'm making plans for the bank holiday/Easter to spend with mum again.

My best friend and her son are taking life a day at a time at the moment but are gradually returning to normality, both are going back to work again tomorrow, which is good and luckily there appears no lasting scars on her face and around her eyes, which is a good thing.

Work is settled again for the time being - I hate not knowing if I am going to be out of work and it keeps happening at the moment I really could do without that worry!!

I've still not done much in the way of finishing work, but have stitched a couple more small things, I'm also working on Finch Song. I will hopefully have something to share by the weekend as long as everything goes OK in my distracted world.

Ooo and Harry says to say Hello to his fans, he has grown such a lot but is still as cute as a button, and his training is coming along well.
Hugs and grateful thanks to you all

Not been blogging or around much

2011-03-24T18:55:00.000Z

As you may or may not have noticed but I haven't been around very much for a while, neither have I visited anyone very often at all. Its not that I haven't been thinking of you all or stitching or anything like that, but my family have had a bereavement and as this is primarily a stitching home blog, I thought it would be a little depressing of me to keep you informed of our sadness, especially as there has been so much sadness in other parts of the world at the same time.

So as I have been feeling way to sad for a while as I knew that my dad was very ill to really feel like being upbeat and happy and wanting to show my stitching I haven't. But this week was my Dads funeral and after his illness it was good that he wasn't suffering anymore and as a family we were all there when he passed on which I for one am convinced that he knew we were all there.

My Dad was a wonderful 'gentleman' who had a lovely smile and a quiet word for those who would listen, he also had a wicked sense of humour, I will miss him very much but I do have many, many happy memories of my life with him and I loved him very very much.

I have also had work problems and my best friend and her son have been involved in a very tragic car accident this week - though neither of them have been seriously hurt - I'm telling you you wouldn't believe my life at the moment - it would so make a good soap opera - Eastenders and Corrie have nowt on my life at present LOL!!

Hopefully I will pull myself out of the doldrums and get back into blogging I can't promise that it will be soon but then again I can't say it won't be - it will be probably a little sporadic for the meantime.

Anyway I hope that everyone is fine and well, I have to let you know that Harry is doing well and has grown considerably
Hugs

Sage Advice

2011-01-22T10:49:00.000Z

Sage advice I feel after everything that seems to be happening in my life at the moment, and its advice I'm taking LOL!
As yet its not been placed into its frame and mount, but I wnated to show it to you. The design is from the October 2010 Cross stitcher magazine. I have stitched it on 40 ct linen using Needlepoint silk, I loved stitching this and I hope to properly frame it today, but you can see it in the mount and frame I chose to put it in.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, Harry and I went for a walk this morning, but its just a bit too frosty I think for his little feet and he didn't want to go to far, I was all prepared for a long walk but he wasn't LOL! Don't forget to have a look at my sale stuff you might find something that you like - you never know LOL! I'm going to go through my fabrics next and maybe put some of them up for sale too.

Tombstone Angel

2011-01-21T22:00:00.000Z

This tiny little design is by Kelmscott Designs, its called Tombstone Angel, the little tombstone palette was part of the kit and is what sold it to me LOL! This was my first finish of 2011 that I promised to share with you.

Its stitched on 40ct iced cappuccino linen over 2 and I used leftovers of red silk thread that I had, the little braid you can see at the sides was part of the kit. You can see how tiny it is as its almost the same size as the Kelmscott Putford scissors next to it.

Thankyou again for looking and/or buying some of my stash, I really hadn't wanted to sell things but I'm afraid that needs must so I honestly have appreciated it, I have updated the 'For Sale' page again today if you would like to visit.

Hugs

THANKYOU

2011-01-21T15:23:00.000Z

A HUGE thankyou to those that purchased Shepherds Bush charts and kits from me, I cannot tell you how grateful I am, I have updated the for sale page again with many more designers charts etc, please visit again or for the first time even, and scroll down to the end of the page on the For sale page as there are many other designer charts there including Shepherds Bush, Just Nan (some charts hard to get as they are retired), Homespun Elegance, Designing Ladies, The cats whiskers and others.
Thankyou again for looking. Postage is seperate.

I willbe back later tonight with some sewing pics to share with you and I think that Harry might be posting over the weekend too.

Items for Sale

2011-01-09T10:59:00.000Z

I have decided to have a massive de-clutter of all my stash and will be listing charts and kits on my For Sale page, and it will be updated regularly. The first stash I am de-cluttering is Shepherds Bush and I have listed on the page what is for sale. Prices and details are as stated below the pictures, I will accept PAYPAL, cash or if from the UK I will also accept cheques (goods would be sent once cheque has cleared) and postal orders All prices are listed in English Stirling.

I will ship Anywhere

All prices DO NOT INCLUDE Postage & Packing
All charts are gently used.

You can contact me at my email address only for anything you would be interested in and you can find that in my profile. PLEASE do not leave a comment anywhere else.

Last finish of 2010

2011-01-04T16:46:00.000Z

My last finish of 2010, is Shepherds Bush - Holly and Ivy Sampler, I loved stitching this one, it was such a pretty one to do - Now to find the perfect frame in time for 2011 Christmas.

Happy 2011

2011-01-02T23:11:00.000Z

A little late I know, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best for what this year may hold for everyone - May it all be Good and Wonderful.
I'll be back tomorrow with my last finish of 2010, and I have already stitched my first for 2011, but not finished finished it LOL

2010-12-22T17:38:00.000Z

Thankyou all for your continued support, visits and comments I really appreciate it, even though I haven't been the best blogger this year.
I just would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas - I'm off tomorrow to the family for Christmas but should be back next week - weather permitting LOL This is the first Christmas with everyone for 15 years and I am so excited!!

Its a Dogs Life - Harry Update

2010-12-20T20:48:00.000Z

Good Evening my friends - Harry here, I've managed to sneak my last visit in before Christmas arrives, My mum says cos I've been good I will most likely get some pressies from Father Christmas - I do hope so, as all these strange parcels keep appearing with lots of new smells around them.

I've not been able to go outside all week, but Im quite happy about that as its very very cold on my toes, but mum bought me a wonderful red puffa coat to wear and I'm very snug in that, but my feet get too cold, so I haven't been out.

I found the warmest place in the house the other day, my mum put the fire on and oooo it was toasty, I put my bed here myself much to mums amusement - she never offered to help, she was laughing too much, then I gathered all my favourite things including the toy that was Tashas (its now mine) and I guard it with my life as you can see I cuddle it in my bed. Mum took this photo of me - just to show you all that I can be quiet too sometimes.

Well I wish you all a Merry Christmas, I expect mum will be on before Christmas with another posting - as far as I know mum says weather permitting I'm off to see Bailey and Bonnie for Christmas - yippppeee!! I hope the snow stays away so mum can drive over.

Hearts for Christmas

2010-12-18T23:07:00.000Z

Christmas Greetings

2010-12-16T18:23:00.000Z

Here we go, another Christmas Ornament, this time its designed by the lovely Carol R http://istitchaholic.blogspot.com/ this was a pretty little freebie that she designed for us last year.

This is for the Fobbles Christmas tree ornament exchange.
I have stitched it on 36ct antique cream linen and used a green NPI silk thread and a red (poinsetta) Gloriana silk thread. I have finished it very simply as I felt it really didn't need any enhancement to take away the lovely simplicity of this design, all its got is a red velvet ribbon hanger. Thankyou Carol for designing this lovely little ornament, I loved stitching it.

Til Later - Hugs

La -D-Da - Merry Christmas

2010-12-14T22:24:00.000Z

Yet another ornie!! This time its by one of my very very favourite designer - La-D-Da. This is from the 2009 JCS Ornie magazine.
I've stitched this on 30ct R&R linen - iced cappuccino and its 1/1 and I have totally changed the colours and picked my own, they are all Vicky Clayton silk threads, but I couldn't tell you their names as I lost all my labels. I've finished it with a pretty green/mauve moire shot silk and edged it with a varigated silk ribbon that I found amongst my ribbons - it was actually the ribbon shades that helped me choose the thread colours.
I'm not giving this one away, I'm keeping it, as I loved it so much.
Til Later - Hugs

Update from Harry

2010-12-13T23:29:00.000Z

Hello my fans, my mum says that some have asked about me and that my absence has been too long - Blame mum for that she has been too busy on this computer to let me anywhere near it - Its always 'Harry No!" these days - sigh...

I helped her with the Christmas decorations last week, that was great fun, I found some shiny round things which the Big fluffy thing called Tasha said were baubles?? anyway I had a good game with mum, she was a panting mess when she finally caught me, she spoilt it all a bit by hiding the shiny bauble, but I have seen where she put it but its a little too high for me to get, as its hanging from the light! It looked far better under the sofa with me than where she has put it.

That big fluffy thing seems to be getting a little nicer to me, she actually gave me a kiss the other day, but then I went an spoilt it all, by grabbing her 'normous' tail, she didn't like that and smacked me hard so I hid behind mum. She sat on top of my house last night and watched me the whole time - mum says thats good as she now wants to be in the same room as us, I don't know I think I preferred it when she wasn't with us, she gives me the 'evil' eye a lot especially when I go near the 'normous' tail.

I got weighed tonight I weigh 3lbs 9oz, I've put on 70z this week mum thinks I've grown a lot too, she says my tail doesn't look like a pencil lead any more, so since I came to live with mum I've gained loads of weight and grown a lot, as I only weighed 1lb 4 oz when I came here, Mum is very proud of me she says, especially as she says I'm a picky eater - I don't know what she means, her dinner always smells nice and I like the cheese cubes she gives me sometimes and I love fish - especially if its the fluffy things and I can steal it.

Well its time for bed so I have to go... Night night sleep tight and don't let the bugs bite

Angels Sent

2010-12-12T08:34:00.000Z

Another ornament from the 2010 JCS Ornament mag. This one is by 'Still stitching with Susan, LLC and is called Angels sent. I have stitched it on 32ct antique white linen and used a snippet of red silk thread I had in my stash - I've lost the label from the thread so I couldn't tell you what colour it is or make, but I was pleased with how the varigation turned out., I've trimmed it with some red pom pom braid.

Quiet weekend this weekend here, Harry and I have been out a couple of times for a little walk and we delivered cards and some pressies, he seemed to like that but there again he is a sociable little fella.
Til Later - Hugs

Christmas Magic

2010-12-11T14:43:00.000Z

Just a little ornie which I'm giving as a gift to a friend, its from the 2010 JCS Ornament mag, and its by Charlottes Web Needlework.

I've stitched it on 36ct antique white linen and used DMC threads, I've added white beads instead of the recommended glass beads and its trimmed with white braid and I've added silver and clear bugle beads.

Hope you are having a good weekend and its not too hectic, all our snow has gone for the moment, I hope it doesn't return anytime soon!

Til Later - Hugs

Shepherds Bush - Safe Keeping

2010-12-08T08:27:00.000Z

This delightful, little pretty is my latest SB finish - its a small kit and I have used all the recommended threads and fabric that was included in the kit, its such a pretty trifle and I do so love the gorgeous silk ribbon that was included the colours are so lovely. I found I had the perfect pair of scissors too within my scissor collection, the pinks match perfectly.

Hope that you are all keeping warm with this snowy weather it seems we are having a lot here in the UK and its predicted to carry on til Christmas, yet again work as deemed that we can't go in, I wouldn't mind if I got paid like the staff do when its adverse weather or that it is impossible to get to work, but as Agency personnel I don't get paid and I could get into work, if they would let me, I really don't need this, this close to Christmas, what with them already cutting our hours down every week, my poor bank balance is really suffering - at least I have the consolation that the rest of the Agency staff don't get paid either so we are all suffering the same problems - Sorry small vent, quite annoyed as you can tell.

I will fill my day with Harry, cleaning upstairs and wrapping some gifts I think, then hopefully a little more finishing work to be done. Do you like my new blog background? I thought I would go a little more Wintery.

Enjoy your day wherever you may be

Til Later - Hugs

Christmas decorating

2010-12-07T22:52:00.000Z

Til Later - Hugs

La-D-Da - Merry Christmas (Edited)

2010-12-05T22:10:00.002Z

Instantly recognisable I know, and I guess there are a lot of us stitchers out there that have done this pretty little Christmas ornie, but I do so love this one.

Edit: **I've been asked by some of you where the design is from - just to let you know its from 2005 edition of the JCS Christmas Ornament magazine.**

I have stitched it on 36ct white linen, using silk thread. The backing fabric is deep red slik moire and the trim is silk ribbon and silk roses.

I have been finishing a couple of other ornaments and also my knitting, I've made 2 pairs of socks and the most gorgeous bag, which I am just doing the final embellishment for, the socks and the bag are Christmas gifts, but I will show you them here first.
Hope that everyone is keeping warm and cosy, its really very cold, snowy and icy here in Cumbria, Harry doesn't like going out in it at all, so House training is much much slower than I wanted, but I can't let his little paws get too cold now can I!

He helped me put up the Decs yesterday - that was fun .... NOT!! LoL!!, I'll start sharing pics with you over the coming week, Have you got yours up yet??

Til Later - Hugs

Christmas is Coming

2010-11-22T21:29:00.000Z

Finally as promised the start of my Christmas stitching for this year.

This lovely little kit which included the gorgeous wooden frame, was given to me by my friend Jen, as soon as I received it I knew I wanted to get it started, but I have Harry around now and of course stitching has yet again taken a back seat a little, but I got this all finished and wanted to share it with you.

The design is by Olde Colonial Designs and is of course called 'Peace on Earth' as said in the stitching. All the fabric and the threads were included in the kit as were the tiny silver angel charms, I didn't change a thing. The whole thing measures about 3" high.

Thankyou Jen for the lovely surprise gift, I really loved stitching this pretty.

Other news is I have finished quite a few ornaments so far, but as yet not put them all together, I have plans though LOL!
I'm off to Harrogate this weekend, with Mum and Lil' Sis Helen and SIL Dawn, I am so looking forward to it as I haven't been for a couple of years now and Dawn has never been before, so its gonna be fun, fun, fun for the 4 of us. Anyone else going this year? Maybe we can arrange a quick meet up, that would be lovely.

Til Later, Hugs

Further adventures....

2010-11-22T16:51:00.000Z

...of Harry

HELLO!! Harry here, mum has finally let me post on the blog, she's been too busy to supervise me she says as she has been stitching and knitting and has stuff to show you all, and I keep stopping her, but I have dying to tell you about my visit to see 'Grandma' and mostly about visiting Bailey and Bonnie (who I might add is a grumpy old lady with no sense of fun!)

Mum took me over the other weekend and I met the rest of the family, Oh Bailey is my HERO!! He let me climb all over him and he has the most wonderful tail to chase and hang on too, I tried it with 'Grumpy drawers' but she was having none of it, kept telling me off, so I just gave her lots of cheek instead, but she did let me sleep near her.

I had the longest journey to get over there, but mum says I was very good and we can go again, in fact we are off to visit 'My HERO' again this weekend as mum is going to a place called Harrogate to a knit and stitch show and I can't go there, so I'm staying the day with Bailey and Grandad.

I have been leaarning to fetch and can do that quite well I think, and I have now had my last injections which hurt a little, and last Saturday I went out for my first walk, - Ooo that was scarey, but I'm getting used to it and people keep stopping to pet me as they think I'm incredibly cute and the smallest thing ever.

Molly commented in my last post and told me the big furry thing is a cat like her, well the 'Cat' thats here is getting a little better, but I like nothing better than when she is eating her tea, to try and pinch her biscuits, she gets all cross and I have to hide behind mum, but I always manage to pinch a couple of them LOL!

Rory said I would like the spiky stuff real soon and he was right its really nice excpet when its wet, then I get cold again, but I am getting better at my toilet habits and starting to go outside I just fgorget to ask mum to take me out sometimes ... sigh... its such a lot to remember and I am only 3 months old, Mum is quite good about it, but she gets cross if I just stop playing and start to go where I am stood, but thats getting better now and I hardly do that, and mum has been giving me some yellow stuff called cheese as a treat and I like that stuff so I am getting betterer and betterer. I have completely dry nights and I am dry through the day as I have one of mums friends coming to see me every lunchtime and she thinks I'm perfect so I don't want to spoil that.

I'll leave you with a picture mum took of me mountaineering on Bailey, he was ever so obliging and was laying on the floor so I wanted to lick his ears so I walked all over him to get there....

L'Cage de Eglantine

2010-11-13T14:51:00.001Z

Finally a finish to share with you, this is L'Cage de Eglantine, by Martine Leonard, a wonderful French Designer.

I first saw this on DanyBrods ( http://dany88.canalblog.com/archives/mes_broderies/p20-0.html ) blog earlier this year and fell in love with it, so thought I might do my version of it too, I also added like Dany a ring and a clasp instead of a stitched one, which I felt makes all the difference.

I have stitched mine on 40ct cream linen using the recommended DMC colours, the little bird is stitched 1/1 on 40ct and attached to the cage using a cream chiffon ribbon, the cage is 2/2. I have used a beautiful piece of embroidered lace trim to edge around the inside of the frame, and the frame is just a very simple creamy white 10"x8" from from Ikea.

Watch out for a Harry post soon as he has been pestering me as he wants to tell you all about his holiday to the North East and to reply to his 4-legged friends comments.

I also have a couple more finishes to share too, but these are more of a Christmas kind.

Til later Hugs

Am I not just the cutest....

2010-11-02T08:03:00.001Z

....dog you have ever seen, well at least thats what my new mum has told me!

Let me introduce myself my name is Harry and I'm here to cause havoc in 'her indoors' normally ordered life.
I've already got her to roll up her big cream rug - can't be doing with all the cream bits she has around, so I wee'd on it - I thought she wouldn't see it straight away but she has hawk eyes! She says she will unroll it once I've learnt some manners - Ha! we'll see eh! I kept her awake on Sunday night, she was in such a nice big bed and she had me on the floor in a cage - Ha! the indignity - and that big fluffy thing kept looking at me and licking "its" lips, my cuteness doesn't seem to work on "it"! "It" won't even introduce itself as "it" just keeps walking away from me - "it" is very scarey thing though! I must ask 'Her Indoors' what "it" is.

I tried to pull the feathers from round the edge of her fancy red velevet cushions, I only managed to get 1 before I got caught, but I will wait cos I know I will get the chance again.

'Her Indoors' took me to what she said was the garden - didn't like that at all, so I wouldn't wee until I got back in again where it was warm and there was a puppy pad which was soft on my feet, not that spiky green stuff called grass - I had the indignity of having a blue spotty harness put on me, to walk around the garden , don't tell 'her indoors' but I didn't really mind it I thought I looked quite grown up, I just wish she would knit me a jumper or something, cos baby its cold outside!
Well my little paws are aching doing this typing lark, but don't despair I will return when she lets me have a go again, but she wants to get on the computer she says.

Oh Wow

2010-10-30T10:08:00.000+01:00

Thankyou everyone for yor lovely comments and the wonderful welcome back, I sure have missed you guys... I will reply to my emails this weekend. Thankyou too for the lovely compliments, I really appreciated them, Helen is the pretty one of us girls as she is such a petite little thing and very dark haired and slim, I'm the clod hopper LOL!! and the fair haired one (take after my mums side of the family)

Harry had his first night with me and seemed to settle OK, I was a little worried as he hasn't really eaten - he has had a little drink, so I contacted the girl I got him from - as I had worried mum syndrome - she said put him in his cage through the day with door open and give him a little chicken twice a day plus make suer his puppy dried food was there all the time, - he woofed (apologise for the pun) the chicken back, had another drink and sniffed the biscuits - he had a cuddle from me til he dropped off to sleep and at the moment he is back on his bed in the cage, he slept all evening perchde on my shoulder its was so cute. He slept all night too in his bed in the cage beside me and was fine as well.

Tash knows he is here but is ignoring the whole business, just keeps smacking her lips (she does this when she is preturbed, but she is OK and I have made a big big fuss of her.

Will be showing some pics this next week of my other finish if I can manage to get it framed and also of course of Harry.

Til later

Hugs

So Sorry.........

2010-10-27T20:59:00.000+01:00

.... to have worried quite a few of you, thankyou so much for the concerned emails and phone calls and comments on here, but I am OK - honestly!

I just seemed to lose interest in a lot of things in my life, I needed some time to myself and find what I think is me again (that is still an ongoing process LOL!). There has been such a lot of changes for me over the last 18 months what with family changes and health issues, work status worries (still hanging in there at work by the fingernails) etc etc and I just think its all caught up with me in the end, without me realising it quick enough!

I don't have a lot of stitching to share with you as I don't seem to have done very much at all, stitching wise really, its been something I have been battling with in my mind for a while and so chose to take a break from that too.

But I want to share with you what I made for my lil' sis Helen for her birthday. Its stitched on natural linen using cream silk thread and framed in a Laura Ashley pearl frame - the silhouette reminded me very much of Helen and thought it was perfect for her.

I did pass my driving test on the 2nd attempt which was early August and I just LOVE driving. I drove over to mum and dads the 2nd weekend after I passed I was so proud of mysekf driving on my own to the opposite side of the country and made it in one piece. Mum and Dad was really proud of me too. Mum took my picture in her garden and as many of you haven't got a clue what I look like I thought I would share that with you too, if scarey sights upset you I suggest you scroll down a bit further and bypass that picture (I really hate my picture taken and I look like I am about to run off LOL!) Those that have met me will be able to see that I have grown my hair somewhat, gone very blonde and have lost 5 stone in weight (- hopefully Angela you will recognise me the next time we meet up)

Next up what to share - Fobbles exhibition, that was a lovely weekend and I made a small collage of some of the exhibits so I could share them with you - sorry its not the normal fobbles exhibition posting that I would normally do, but I thought a little something was better than nothing at all. I really recommend that if you could ever attend one of them that you should go, its lovely to see all the work shown and it seems to be getting bigger and bigger every year.

What else - weeeeeelllll I think its one of the most important things that is happening in my life at the moment and certainly the most exciting - I would like to introduce you to Harry!! Harry is coming to live with me as from Friday 29th October when he will be 8 weeks old, he stands about 4" tall and is about 6" long at the moment - of course he will grow but he will always be very very small, especially as he is the runt of the litter and both his parents were runts too - Can any of you guess what he is?

There will of course be more updates about Harry and his progress and I do have some other bits and pieces to share with you - Meeting the truely wonderful Jeannette Douglas and doing her workshop, the lovely Lynette Anderson meeting, Harry, Knitting and even more knitting and a tiny bit more stitching, I think I have probably bored you all silly by now - that is if anyone is still visiting me?

Love and Hugs

A week has passed.....

2010-07-17T09:04:00.000+01:00

.... and I cannot believe where the time is going. How are you all? Ok I hope, thankyou so much for the lovely comments that you left about Mum and Dads garden, I have passed them onto them, and Mum said to thank you all for visiting.

What have I got to show you today, well I have the finish that I made for Tizy for the 'French swap with Nina' exchange and I was delighted to hear from Tizy that she liked my choice for her and that it had finally arrived on her doormat. - Things seem to take such a long time to srrive to Italy from the UK - it takes longer to get there than it does to to the U.S.A. - It always seems that way, whenever I have sent anything to Italy - have you found that too?

As I so enjoyed stitching my little scissor holder and fob the other month from the design 'Ancien filet crochet' by Danybrod, I decided to do it again.

This time I stitched it on 40ct antique white linen and used, red silk thread. The backing I used a vintage style rose fabric I had in my stach and trimmed the scissor holder/pinkeep with red ric rac braid.

The scissors are by Kelmscott Designs and I felt matched perfectly with the rose designs of both the xstitch and the backing fabric, I also added a vintage style crochet lace trim to the scissor pocket, and a large MoP ring for holding thread at the top - again the ring was from Kelmscott Designs.

The weather here has been absolutley awful, we have had torrential rain and gale force winds, everyones garden have been wrecked, and I do believe I am starting to get webbed feet! Yesterday and Thursday there were power cuts in parts of the village due to the weather conditions - I had no electric when I first got up and then it came back on again and then when I got home from work - No electric again, this time it was off for a good 2-3 hours which is a real pain, but today it seems to be OK.

News to tell is that next Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th is Fobbles annual exhibition of craft work (all things stitchy loveliness, beading etc etc), so if you are up this way and would like to visit, its open all day on both days and I can meet you, which would be fun - there is a small admission fee as all the proceeds go to 'Hospice at Home'. If you can't get up to visit, I will of course have pics on my blog again.

I'll leave you with another picture of Mums garden

Ooo and BTW I sit my driving test next Thursday 22nd at 08:20am - wish me luck!!

I have been away.............

2010-07-10T08:50:00.000+01:00

.... visiting Mum an Dad, and whilst I was there I couldn't resist taking some pictures of their early summer garden .... sigh..... its so beautiful, Mum has such a great eye for planting. The weather was lovely too whilst I was there so I managed to get some really great pictures, so without further ado and because its said that a picture paints a thousand words I won't twitter on anymore I will just show you!!

The 'sparrow' bath

The foxgloves are just finishing

Dad dapper in his hat

The new 'hot' area, all the planting is in 'hot, hot, hot' colours which will be out arund end July/August

Bailey wanted his photo taken too

Mum captured doing a little weeding around the rockery

Rusty bird

Morning Coffee corner

There is always something else to find

Looking down one side of the garden

Bonnie saying thankyou for visiting today - 'I hope you enjoyed your visit'

I have so many more I could share with you, but thought I ought to stop, I can always show some more if you would like?

An exchange received

2010-06-21T18:15:00.000+01:00

I received today a wonderful exchange piece from Ellen I feel very lucky, this is from the Swap with Nina Round 4 - French Designer exchange. Mine hasn't been received yet by my swap partner, so I can't show that yet, but this one is stunning that Ellen has made for me.

Ellen tells me that the design is from Les Petites Croix de Christne and is a freebie. I didn't get just one pillow I got 2, the little pillow is made with the same fabric that Ellen used for the backing on the larger pillow. Aren't they just lovely!! I also received a wonderful array of goodies, fabric, needles, beads and buttons.

Many many Thanks Ellen for my exchange pieces, You are a very talented lady - please go and visit her blog, she has stitched and finished some wonderful things.

Hope that your weather is as wonderful as ours is here. I have Mum and Dad staying with me a for a week, and I am so enjoying it, Mum and I are starting a little SAL, that we hope to have finished by Thursday.
I'll leave you with this weeks flowers in my jug - mostly stolen roses from next doors garden (they do know that I have taken them LOL! and some peonies from my garden added too.

2010 Fob - Shepherds Bush

2010-06-13T21:20:00.001+01:00

What to do on a Rainy Sunday? Stumped for something to do? Well I thought I would do a little stitching and finishing and here are my results.

As you might see I made some changes, I didn't like the straw coloured fabric that came in the kit - now don't get me wrong I love straw fabric but this cutey seemed to me to cry out for a gentler, softer fabric and so I had a good ratch in my stash and came up with 'Mountain Rose' by silkweavers, this is 32ct linen.

The back of the design shows the fabric colours a little better I think, as you can see its a kind of bluey/grey/pink and I do like the stitched finish on this fabric better - I used all the recommended threads that came in the kit and I also used the wonderful over-dyed silk ribbon and the tiny little amethyst beads, it says in the kit that they are teal coloured beads, but to my eyes they are definitley amethyst not a greeny colour at all (which is what I think teal is - my car is teal blue and its not purple LOL). As you can see I have also treated myself to the ginghers, though not engraved ones, they are such lovely colours on the handles - reminded me a little of Renoir colour choices in his paintings.

Rainy Sunday

2010-06-13T12:13:00.000+01:00

After all the lovely weather we have had, its now raining, so I thought I would share with you some summer cottage sunshine, in the way of the flowers I bought on Friday.

A few white aliums, freesia and lysanthus and elephant grass, sitting in my creamy white jug on my mantle, they make me smile.

Hope you are having a good Sunday.

SweetHeart - Shepherds Bush

2010-06-12T00:14:00.000+01:00

I couldn't remember if I showed you all this, and I don't think I did, I finished it earlier this year, in fact just before Valentines Day.
I've stitched it on 40ct fabric - colour was alabaster and I played around slightly with the colours and finished it with a tiny green button and some antique french lace I had in my stash, which my sister had given me a while ago from her trip to France. I also added a small MoP heart button at the top where the ribbon starts.

I hope that you all have a really great weekend, its supposed to be hot and sunny here this weekend and I have plans to go out into the garden and do some weeding, cos after the rain we have had this week and the warm sun, the weeds have taken off, as has my grass so that needs cutting too, so a little work to do there Plus I want to finish painting my fence - one side of the garden is done and not the other so it looks a little odd. I also want to get up to the allotment and weed my onions, if I remember to take my camera with me I'll take some pics of their early progress, I was talking to the club chairman the other day and he reckons that I really stand a really really good chance this year to win as they are really lovely onions, but I won't hold my breathe yet - just in case something disastrous happens LOL! Its a long time til the show in September.

BIG Fish

2010-06-08T16:27:00.001+01:00

Another finish for the Fobbles exhibition next month, this time its Big Fish by CHS, - though why its called that I haven't a clue cos really he is just a minnow fish, he's not even as long as my hand and I stitched him on 30ct linen, using the recommended DMC threads to make him a little bigger, I decided to make him into a little pincushion, its such a cutey and I've christened him Fred!!.

Thanks for all your nice comments about my last couple of finishes I do appreciate them and that you made the time to leave them for me, comments are so encouraging and definitley brighten up my day and it was so interesting to see which of the flip flops you all preferred I do believe that most of you liked the seahorse one the best.

I've made a start on the SB 2010 scissor fob and its coming up a treat, though I have changed the linen fabric - the linen that came with the kit was just toooooo dull for this pretty design and the scissors.

I thought I would leave you with a picture of my Oriental poppies that have just popped open today, there are many more to come, but these are the first 2 of this year.

Some finishing

2010-06-06T16:42:00.000+01:00

I thought I would do a little finishing this weekend and decided that I would finish this pretty design by Danybrod which she designed in 2008. The design is called 'Ancien filet crochet'

I made it into a scissor keeper/thread holder, and I also made a scissor fob.

I edged it all with an ivory beaded trim and used a Kelmscott Designs thread ring.

This is the back of the scissor holder/thread keeper, I used a moda fabric and some 1/8" ribbon for the holder, and its the most perfect size for a pair of the Kelmscott 'Little gems' scissors.

The fob I trimmed with the same trim as the scissor holder, I also used the same ribbon. I finished it of with a MoP heart button so that it matched the MoP thread ring of the thread holder part.

Its all stitched it all on 32ct linen - colour unknown and I used silk thread - Belle Soie 'Vanilla Pudding'. I wanted it to have that soft vintage cameo look to it all and I am really pleased with how its turned out.

I do like Danys designs and have recently treated myself to a couple of them, I am looking forward to starting another soon.

I hope that you are all having a good weekend? The weather here yesterday was really nice - the sun was shining and it was very warm, but today we have had lots of thunder and now its raining quite heavily, but it still feels warm, I did a bit of work in my garden again yesterday for a while, and I am getting excited about my plants blooming in the next month or so, I really think its going to be quite pretty this year.

Holiday flip-flops

2010-06-05T09:56:00.000+01:00

This year the theme for Fobbles exhibition is the seaside, and at the moment I am busy stitching little things that reminds me of the seaside, and nothing was more perfect than flip-flops. These little cuties are by Cross-eyed Cricket and they were so easy to stitch and finish.

I've stitched them on 30ct linen using the recommended DMC colours. They are quite small about 31/2" long, - I can't decide which out these 2 is my favourite - which one is yours?

Many many Thanks.....

2010-06-02T22:50:00.000+01:00

....to all who have contacted me either by leaving a comment here or by private email, text and phone, I also appreciate the friendship and support you have shown here, I would have emailed you all personally, but I am finding this all so very upsetting, You never would think that something like this could happen where you live, this is such a 'sleepy hollow' area with very little crime. West Cumbria has been hit very hard over the past few months, what with the floods at Cockermouth and Workington and the death of the 'hero' policeman and also the tragic coach crash 10 days ago when the children were killed - today was the funeral of one of those children, it all seems so pointless and a waste of so many lives, today I have really questioned my faith, and I am not a particularly religious person, but I am sure that there must be a greater plan somewhere to account for all the horror and that something good must come out of this in the end, we are all tested in strange ways and I hope that the survivors of this mayhem find comfort in their faiths and love - I truely appreciate your thoughts for all those in my home area, its been such a long and tragic day, more so for so many who have really been touched by this as it was members of their families. Cumbrians are very resilient people I have found in the 26 years I have lived here, and they have such a strong bond with each other, especially around here.

I also really feel for the gunmans family, they will probably be finding this all the hardest to bear, and I truely hope they have no repercussions of all this. I really do wonder what can make a person flip..... to do something that is so out of character from what his neighbours and colleagues have said..... we will never know now why!

Utter Sadness

2010-06-02T17:54:00.000+01:00

This has happened in my village and surrounding area today, I personally know at least 2 of the people who have been killed today of some of the names that have been released, I am so upset by it all.

Twelve people have been killed and at least 25 others are injured after a gunman carried out a series of shootings in Cumbria.

The suspected attacker, taxi driver Derrick Bird, shot dead two colleagues in Whitehaven, Cumbria, before driving his cab through the countryside as he opened fire on other victims.

Following a manhunt, police found his body 20 miles away in woods near the hamlet of Boot about three-and-a-half hours later.
Officers have found a gun in the area and said he had taken his own life.

They added there were 30 separate crime scenes in the investigation.

Watch the latest developments live on Sky Player

Following the Whitehaven attacks, Bird, 52, drove south along the coast, shooting at people, apparently at random.

The gunman drove through Egremont, Gosforth and Seascale before turning inland and ending up in Boot.

Two people are thought to have been killed in Egremont.

A woman in her 60s is believed to have been shot dead outside the home of resident Billy Boakes.

Another man is understood to have been killed on the old bridge in the town. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a victim lying in a pool of blood.

A man was reportedly shot dead in Gosforth. The victim was apparently in a field trimming hedges with his uncle when Bird apparently drove past, wound down a car window and blasted him.
The victim has been named locally as Gary Purdham, son of farmer John Purdham.
Gary Purdham is the brother of Rob Purdham, who is a Harlequins rugby league player, Sky sources say.

Two people were killed in Seascale, where local GPs were called to the scene, according to Sky sources.

Stitchy Loveliness

2010-06-01T13:39:00.000+01:00

I recieved a most wonderful package from Aniko the other week, she sent me a Thankyou gift for doing her a favour and I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the parcel, inside I found this stunning thread holder/pin-cushion, scissors and fob, its ll stitched and finished absolutely perfectly. The fabric is 50ct - YES 50ct, and each stitch is a perfect cross stitch its so awesome in real life to see. The design is by one of my favourites - LA D-DA. Isn't it just wonderful! Its teeny tiny and just perfect. Thankyou again Aniko for the wonderful gift - I so love it.

Its my turn to say thankyou to you all for the lovely comments you have left me welcoming me back and about my lounge, I was very proud of my lounge finish and I loveed doing it. I will let mum know the praise you have given her regarding all my cushions that we made together.

The tour begins

2010-05-30T08:54:00.000+01:00

I thought I would start my tour with my lounge, its so hard to take photos of it, I have struggled a little so that I could try and give you an overview, but it was difficult, I hope that you like the snippets that I show, otherwise you will all just have to come and visit and see it for real LOL!

Let me start with yet another cushion, remember me?!! I stitched this pretty EEF design a little while ago, and mum suggested finishing it as a cushion, and this is the finished result.

Next up is the view when you walk through to the lounge on the right hand side of the room. The footstool mum and I recovered together, we had fun doing it.

Would you like a view of the little vignette I did in the corner - yes? Ok here it comes

Next up more of my cushions that Mum and I made together, it was mums idea to add the MoP buttons to the sides of this cushion,

Transfer was a freebie on the web, fabric from IKEA.

The mantle view - Stocks from Marks & Spencer, candles from Melt, light from Ikea

The opposite side of the room, print is by Sue Fenlon - a wonderful artist who lives in Northumbria, I have another above the other sofa

A close up of the Love Pillow that Mum made for me, we saw these when browsing one day in a posh shop and they were £80 each, so mum said she would make me one.

View through the looking glass

I hope you enjoyed the look around my lounge, its very very different to what it was before as I had a gold suite and deep cushions and different mirror and artwork on the walls now I'm very happy with it as it feels like my space. Of course there are things I would still love to change - I would love to remove the carpet and have wood flooring put down, I would also love to change the fireplace and fire, but I can't do that, so this is my finish, I can't wait now for Christmas and to change the way it looks again LOL!

After the Rain

2010-05-29T22:34:00.001+01:00

Two posts in One Day, almost a record for me I think LOL!!

Thankyou for not deserting me your comments mean so much and they give me great encouragement so thankyou!

I popped out in the garden earlier this evening once the rain had stopped and took a few pictures to share with you, I hope that you like them.

The one above is from my back garden, I can see this from my window, a few of the wild yellow poppies have appeared and look so pretty amongst the London Pride, Hosta, Day Lily and Meadowsweet.

This is my large oriental poppy

Grandma's bonnets (Aqaligia)

My lovely spring Clematis

Lace Cap Climbing Hydrangea, Hosta and Meadowsweet

A visitor among the Ivy

Tash amongst the self seeding plants in the front path

Well I hope you liked my little visit I made for you for the Garden, it looks so fresh after the rain today, I couldn't resist taking some photos and Tash as always had to join me, so that she didn't miss out on the photo-shoot LOL!

I'm Back!!

2010-05-29T11:58:00.000+01:00

Wow I can't believe its so long since I have posted or even been around the blogs, also I haven't even really been on the computer very much at all! Thankyou to all who have emailed me, rang me or posted a comment to me wondering where I am and if I'm OK!

As the saying goes : Keep Calm, Carry On!! and yes I have had to think about that wee saying on and off over the past few weeks, at times its been tumulteous, as it was the anniversary of 'the Break-up' which I struggled with and also it was 'his' birthday and the first without me being around 'him'. 'He' has been on holiday with his'chick' (I say the 'chick' word loosely as I would very much like to call her something very unprintable, un-writable etc LOL!) which I also struggled massively with. But.... then I thought about all the things I have achieved since he went and how my life is changing and what I have learnt and I gave myself a wee pat on the back and thought I have come on in myself quite a bit, what with learning to drive (not yet sat the practical test yet, but I have booked a date), I've bought a car, All that decorating and re-designing the house and losing weight, not that far off my target either now just another 28lbs to go, I am now lighter than I was in 1999!

The cushion above is what I made for 'Him' for his birthday, as the saying can also apply to how he has been feeling at times so I gather, so I hunted around the internet and found the freebie design and printed it off onto transfer paper and made the cushion. 'He' told me that he liked it so that was good!

The cushion behind it, is also one of new ones that I made a whole assortment of different ones with Mum when they were over for the weekend a couple of weeks ago now. These I will show soon.
I have had lots of visitors too, staying from a couple of nights to almost a week at a time, this is the first weekend in ages when I have had nobody here and its giving me the opportunity to blog etc.

I have taken lots of pics of the house and will show them soon and also I have been working incredibly hard on my garden, it might be only a little space but I had let it overgrow this past year and so have worked at it and its now full of plants and hopefully will look wonderful when they all flower. I even have a couple of tomato plants - courtesy of 'Him' and will have my own toms this year which I am looking forward too.

Great news to share

2010-04-13T22:22:00.000+01:00

Just a very quick pop in, but I am so excited I had to share with you all

I PASSED my Theory driving test today - so thats part 1 over and done with and I can fully concentrate on my actual driving and get ready to do my Driving test next, I got really good marks too whch so surprised me as I thought I wasn't ready for this part of the UK driving test yet and I passed first time with it, with flying colours- fingers crossed that the next part I can do first time too LOL, though I still keep stalling at traffic lights I must have a lesson soon I hope that I can sail through without making any mistakes.

Also Nephew number 2 sits his actual driving test on Thursday so I hope that he passes first time with it as he passed his theory test first time too a couple of weeks ago now.

A New Finish

2010-04-07T22:32:00.000+01:00

Well I hope you all had a really good Easter and received lots of delicious eggs? I had a wonderful few days over in the North East with my family. I stayed with my sister Helen but spent a lot of time with Mum and Dad and my brother and his 2 very handsome young teenagers came up on Saturday and it was so lovely to see them all, we had some good days out - we wnt to Yarm, Durham, Northallerton and Middlesbro', we also went to Helmsley on Sunday and went to a a wonderful craft fayre which was a lot of fun (sorry no pics as I forgot my camera this weekend) and I went shopping and bought a couple of things for the house and some fabric too. I also found inspiration for cushion making.

This cushion above is actually larger than it appears here, its a full sized cushion, and I stitched JBWs 'The Queen Bee for the centre using 28ct Natural Linen and cream silk thread. The cushion is made up of some lovely heavy linen fabric that I had and I trimmed the bottom corner with some 'Love' ribbon that I had in my stash - thats cos I am thinking of giving this as a gift for a very very dear friend.

The trim I have used is some fine crochet lace and I used 2 MoP buttons for added interest.

As I was away I didn't get chance to do any work in the Garden at all, and today has been the best day so far this week - hopefully this nice break in the weather will mean I can get outside and do a bit to it all - I really need to pressure wash and seal my decking before the weather gets to warm and I won't feel like doing it, plus I need to do something with my outside wooden furniture as its quite a mess. Tomorrow I get my onion plants in readiness to pot them on to give them a start before they need to go in the ground in May.

I am still doing a few finishing touches (like making cushions and covering my footstool aand possibly new lounge curtains - Can you tell my Mum and Dad are coming in May LOL) to the house and it should all be finished completely after the first May Bank Holiday and so during May time I will give you my tour, thankyou for your kind emails and comments about my 'tour' idea I hope it won't disappoint.
Mum and I are having a 'crafty' Bank Holiday that first weekend, as they are both coming over hopefully and Mum and I have plans LOL!

Happy Easter

2010-03-31T21:35:00.000+01:00

I really hope everyone has a very Happy and Fun Easter. I know I will I'm off to visit my family and stay with my sister for a couple of days - It will be great fun.

Thankyou for all your kind comments and many of you asked about the 'Onion Club' well what that is , its literally what it sounds - its a club and we all grow VERY VERY BIG Onions and show them in September, I have a couple of postings on my blog ( http://susimac.blogspot.com/2007/09/well-i-never.html ) about the shows, the best position I managed to win has been 3rd, ( http://susimac.blogspot.com/2008/09/proud-moment.html ) that was brilliant - there are 30 of us in the club.

I haven't finished taking pics yet of all my changes to my home and I have still to do a couple of little things left to do, but when the weather picks up I will really like to show it all to you so thankyou for telling me that you won't be bored and that you would love to see it.

I'll be back next week with some finishes to show you, I have finished all the stitching now on Cage D'Eglantine, I have just the framing to do, and I have bought myself a frame for it, so that might be a next week show to you, and I have also finished my SIL Dawns birthday gift which I will be handing over to her next weekend too when she is here, so thats a finish for you to see too.

Meantime we have had had lots of sleet/snow/rain and wind yesterday and today, the wind kept me awake half the night howling around my bedroom windows, I hope it howls itself off tonight and forgets to return LOL! there is lots of snow up on the Cumbrian Fells that I can see on my way home from work and from my guest room window, I wish 'Spring would hurry up and get here'!!

Follow My Heart

2010-03-28T16:02:00.000+01:00

I was so excited when NatalieJo opened her on-line stitching shop and knew immediately which one I was going to do first when I saw them there on screen for the first time.

Just to tease - here is the back of it - have you guessed which lovely it is yet? - Course you have its in the title of this post.

I have chosen to stitch my version of this on 40ct antique white linen 1/1 using the recommended thread colours apart from the writing which I stitched in an unknown overdye I had in my box, I think the colour is called zambuca and its a Six Strand Sweets thread.

You might wonder why I chose to stitch it this small, especially when its not hat huge anyway - well thats because quite a long time ago, mum bought me the smallest pair of scissors and I was always losing them, so I wanted something to keep them in and so it had to be as small as I could make it.

I followed the instructions putting it together, which was so easy as the instructions are very clear and easy to follow, and then I wanted something else on it as I always like to change things slightly (as you know) LOL! and I added 1/8" satin ribbon all around the edge - its the same ribbon as I used on the back on the scissor pocket. The wee pocket is made with some tilda fabric I bought when I was last over the North East its such a pretty duck egg blue with the smallest of polka dots on it, I know it looks quite big on my pictures but the whole piece together measures 2.75 inches long by about 1.75 inches wide.

I would also like to thank those of you that have given me this lovely award, that was so so kind of you, and really unnecessary I always feel such a fraud getting awards as there are far far nicer blogs out there in blogging land who post regularly and comment regularly - unlike me who is so errant its untrue and although I keep promising I'll be back out there visiting anc commenting more time just slips away from me with all my other things, and so I will nominate all of you who visit me here you are all so very very worthy of taking this award yourselves and Thankyou so much to the ladies who gave me the award - Love ya girls

You might wonder what I've been up too lately (and there again you might not LOL), well my sofas have arrived and I have been playing house, and trying to make it look like I want it too, I'm nearly there and I will have some pics for you at some point I promise - would you like a tour of my home? You might not, it might be a little boring but I'm excited as I love it when a plan starts coming together don't you?

Hope you are all having a great weekend - I'm off to Onion club tonight.

Blog Award

2010-03-14T17:23:00.001Z

Carol has very kindly nominated me for a Blog Award - I don't know what I have done to deserve this, but I am very thankful for it, as its so nice to receive awards especially from someone whose stitching and finishing I am always in awe of (not to mention her designing skills)

Here's how the award works. The rules are simple:

1. One must accept the award

2. Thank the person who gave you the award

3. Add a link to the person who gave you the award

4. Paste the award on your blog

5. Write 10 things about yourself that others might not know

6. Pass the award on to 10 others

The passing on bit is not in the least bit easy as I would like to say its to go to everyone that visits me and leaves me comments too, but I will enter into the spirit of the award and try my hardest to list just 10
1. Szentpyr
2. Dovile
3. Staci
4. Anna
5. Jane
6. Terri
7. Nina
8. Carol
9. Adriana
10.Hazel

Now this is another hard bit for me hmmmm 10 things that you might not know about me, now let me think!!!

1. I'm impulsive (so much so I have just splurged on 2 new sofas, when really I shouldn' have - but I don't regret it LOL)
2. I'm quite shy, but hide it well.
3. Libra is my star sign
4. I lived in Malta for 3 years
5. I am really enjoying being single, even though I thought I wouldn't
6. I am a fully trained and qualified Nurse
7. I'm originally from the South of England (Hampshire)- not the North of England even though I have a Northern accent
8. I've never been to America or Canada
9. So far I have lost 4 stone in weight over the past year (another 3 to go!) EDITED to tell you that there is 14lbs to a stone, so, I have so far lost 56lbs)
10. I love Interior Design, next to stitching its my other passion

..a little of this and a little of that...

2010-03-13T10:40:00.001Z

As promised here is my progress on my latest stitching, as soon as I saw this chart I knew I had to have it, and as soon as it plopped onto the carpet through the letterbox I kneew I was going to start it - no exceptions for any other pieces I'm doing, this was the one!!

The design is by Martine Leonard and is called 'La Cage D'Eglantine' isn't it pretty so far.

Next up is a picture of the workshop I did at Fobbles earlier this month...

We made needleboxes and it was great fun - Here are a few of the finishes taken from the top of them. THANKYOU Ladies for coming I really enjoyed teaching the class and I am looking forward very much to our next smalls workshop.

More on Fobbles later this post as it's some VERY VERY VERY Exciting news.

Next up is my stash acquisitions........

As you can see I have been treating myself, there is still some more to come, some MORE Blackbird Designs and some Homespun Elegance and some Shepherds Bush, I should be getting them early next week.

I bought 2 of NatalieJo beautiful designs and I am itching to start them too, her instructions for the finish are so lovely and clear and the charts are marvellous, I can't recommend them enough.

I also got myself the lovely Friendship Sweet Bag by Jeanette Douglas, its going to make the perfect gift for someone when I have stitched it.

Now talking of Jeanette Douglas, the very lady herself, will be teaching a workshop in Autumn 2010 at Fobbles I do beleive there may be a couple of spare places left, so if you contact Bev or Edna at Fobbles they will be able to tell you.

ALSO

There is more..... Next May (2011) Ellen Chester of With My Needle is coming to the UK and teaching at Fobbles as well (again, contact Fobbles for all the details if you fancy coming, their address and phone number are on there) - See, I told you I had exciting news, not One but Two lovely designers coming up to my pretty part of Cumbria and I am going to both, I can't wait, I'm so excited, and I mean excited, if you knew me, you would know that I won't stop talking about it and get all giddy with it all LOL!

Thankyou for asking about my driving lessons, they are going well, slowly but steadily - I can now parallel park the car and my turns in the road (3 point turn) are excellent if I say so myself, I have finally mastered the art of not stalling at every junction (now just every other - No just kidding I haven't stalled for a while now LOL), and I am finally enjoying going around roundabouts, which if you knew where I live you cannot get anywhere in this county without going around at least 3 roundabouts to get anywhere.

Hope you all have a good weekend, its Mothering Sunday here in the UK tomorrow, so Happy Mothers Day to all you Mums and most especially Mine xx

Quick visit

2010-03-10T19:16:00.000Z

Hello Everyone, No I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, but I have been so so busy. What with teaching a finishing class at Fobbles, Being away for a few days, decorating 2 rooms, work and driving lessons, I seem to have missed blogging out.

I have some new stash to show you, hopefully before the end of the week, and some stitching progress too.

Thankyou all for the wonderful, wonderful comments you left me for my EEF (previous post), WOW what can I say, they have really made my day, week, month, thankyou so so much.

Hope you are all well and stitching like mad, I will be visiting blogs again soon so I can see what you have all been up too, as soon as I am finished with the decorating.

Forget Me Not - EEF

2010-02-21T01:05:00.001Z

Well its finally finished and I am so sad about it as I really enjoyed stitching this lovely design. I said in a previous posting that it was called 'Remember Me' but its not when I re-looked at the chart packing its called 'Forget Me Not' - so I'm really sorry if I confused anyone out there in blogland.

I have stitched it on 36ct antique white linen using the recommended DMC threads. There were a few speciality stitches amongst it - Smyrna, eyelets, satin, rhodes and of course 1/1.

I hope you enjoy seeing this as much as I enjoyed stitching it - now to find the perfect frame for it.

Spring beauty

2010-02-20T11:54:00.000Z

I was standing in the shower this morning admiring my beautiful spring flowers I had bought yesterday and I had arranged at the end of the bath, I thought I just would have to share them with you too, its such a beautiful day here today - bright, frosty and if you get in the sun a little bit warm

Hope that you are all having a great weekend, I have almost finished my EEF design and hopefully will be able to post it up tomorrow.

A little finish

2010-02-16T21:59:00.000Z

Thought I would share this little finish I have done, it was a freebie from DanyBrod published quite a while ago now. I have stitched it on 40ct white linen using Kaallund silk thread (the same colour as I used for the Valentine Exchange and made it into a little ornament, the edging I used some 1/8 inch satin ribbon and the hanger is the 1/2 inch satin ribbon the same colour.
I was asked where I got my Kaallund silk thread from - well it was from Jaynes Attic who unfortunately is no longer trading I bought the whole range of colours a few years ago when she first stocked it, but unfortunately I too have no idea where to get it from now and its such a lovely thread to use too and the colours are so beautiful.

Thankyou for all your lovely comments about my progress, I have almost finished the EEF and am thinking about starting another of them if I can decide which one to so next.

Tonight was driving lesson time and I had a good lesson again, they seem to be getting better so maybe I am improving!!

Progress

2010-02-14T15:02:00.000Z

Two posts in one day LOL!

Thought I would share some progress with you on both my Shepherds Bush 'Finch Song' and my other new start which is EEF 'Remember Me'

First up is 'Finch Song' I do really like the colours used in this design and the silk threads give it such lustre.

Of course I had to get that wee sheep finished , but as you can see overall I haven't made loads of progress.

Next up is 'Remember Me' by Ewe & Eye & Frieds (EEF), as those who know me know, EEF are one of my favourite designers of all time, and this is such a pretty design as always with EEF it hasn't disappointed me.

I just love the variety of different stitches used on most of these designs and this one has lots - satin stitch, Eyelet stitch, Rhodes, smyrnas and some 1/1 as well.

I'm stitching this on 36ct Antique white linen, using 1 strand of DMC, and I am using the recommended colours, as I just loved them.

Hope you are all having a great Sunday

Valentine wishes

2010-02-14T10:39:00.000Z

I received yesterday the most beautiful Valentine ornament from Shay from the 'Holiday Exchange' I feel really fortunate, as this is sooooo lovely, look at the beautiful stitching and finishing, and ooo that charm is gorgeous. Shay told me in her card that it is by Just Nan - Thankyou very much Shay and also for the lovely extras that you have sent me.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful Valentines day and received lots of flowers and cards? Has DH or Partners spoiled you? I hope so.

I am again really busy at work which has delayed any kind of posting from me this week, I can't believe its over a week since I posted, but never mind I'm sure you understand, I must have a visit around your blogs in a bit, I've missed seeing what you have all been getting up to and what lovelies you have created.

My driving is going really well, I am enjoying it - not ready yet though to take my test, but hopefully a few more lessons and I will be, so far I have had 6 lessons, and I can do a turn in the road and not hit the kerb!

Valentines Exchange To Amy

2010-02-04T23:16:00.001Z

I joined in a Valentine exchange on the Holiday Exchange blog that Becky runs, my partner was Amy and I have just found out that she has received my exchange that I sent to her. Now I know that Amy wasn't too fond of the colour 'pink' sooooo I thought I would use shades of Coral when I stitched this pretty little design by Blackbird Designs, which is part of the 'New Love' sampler which is I think now out of print - it was one of the schoolgirl samplings that they brought out a few years ago.

I have stitched it on 36ct raw linen and its 1/1, I had such fun doing this and I have used Kalluund silk thread in fireglow. I also used the same thread to make the cord around the outer edge and the half tassel. This was such a small design I thought that I would make it into a floss ring tag. I hope that Amy was pleased with it, the poor love had also been my partner for the Christmas exchange, when I sent her a Shepherds Bush little ornie.

Thankyou all so much for your kind and truely wonderful comments about my guest room - Yes if you ever fancy a visit to the Lakes and a trip to Fobbles - get in touch, I always like to meet fellow stitchers!

I have also been asked a few times as to where I got 'my words' from - well they are from here: http://www.wisedecor.com/index.html its a lovely site, but I hasten to add if you order to the UK you will get stung by customs - my customs bill was almost the same as to what I spent on the words.

I'll be missing for a few days as I am off to visit Mum and Dad, should be back Sunday or Monday with new stitching to show - Have a great weekend!!

Guest Room (picture heavy posting)

2010-01-30T11:26:00.003Z

This is what I have been so busy doing and I might add really enjoying too.

Evening shot of the new style room

Peeping through the 'Looking Glass' would you like to come and stay?

Evening shadows falling in the room

Let me show you a better view of the pillows/cushions on the bed, the pillowcase came from Laura Ashley, the bird pillow I made to match the blind and the angel cushion my SIL Dawn made as a gift for me last year.

This wall has the script on it - I would love to say I wrote this freehand, but I didn't, I ordered it from America, as this wall was difficult to place pitures on as the you would have to walk round the bottom of the bed and they would get knocked I thought about this and decided as I didn't want it plain so when you woke up on a morning you just saaw a blank wall, I wanted my guests to feel a little inspired after a good nights sleep.

A little vignette on my lovely Ikea drawers that I built myself - I do have plans to paint and paper these the same as the tallboy drawers, but not just yet - these hold a lot of my stitching things.

The bed I built myself as well and its a small double bed, its a beautiful ivory iron bed and very comfy! The tallboy I painted with Dulux 'Timeless' and then papered the front of the drawers with 3 different Laura Ashley wallpapers, then added new drawer furniture in the way of little china bird handles. You can just see a snippet of my roman blind I made, the blind and the cushion fabric is by 'French General' its a soft linen and red colour - tres elegant!

The walls I painted in Soft Linen by Laura Ashley which is a beautiful matte paint but boy was it a pig to put on, it didn't like going over a satin paint at all.

The little chandelier lampshade, I bought in Dunelm Mill and had to build it together, which was a bit of a fiddle only having one pair of hands, but it looks lovely and when its turned on it casts little dew drops around the room on the walls.

I hope you enjoyed your stay, and will want to visit again, my door is always open and I still have a couple of more things to do in the room and add a couple more pictures on the wall, but its now at the stage where guests are welcome to come and stay.

I've joined my post to Cindys http://romantichome.blogspot.com/ show and tell Friday, Cindys blog is so lovely hope you'll pop over there too.

A surprise gift from Annemarie

2010-01-29T14:24:00.000Z

Truely Spoiled - yep thats what I am, I received a wee parcel from Annemarie (http://ortsandends.blogspot.com/) as I had won the lovely Goode Huswife chart giveaway she held last week, I expected an envelope to drop through the door. Imagine my total and utter surprise when its was a box that was being delivered, and inside the box was the chart and this wonderful wee pincushion made by Annemarie, its so wonderfully stitched and put together and the backing fabric is perfect for it too its vintage browns and lovely. Plus there were some threads and the most wonderful pink stripy pair of socks which I love and will wear tonight when I go for my driving lesson....... (that is if its still on its been snowing on and off since 11am this morning - great big flakes - fed up with snow, I want some sun and brightness and warmth!!)

I am sooooooooo lucky - Thankyou An again - hope you got my email.

Til later this weekend with more pics of mystery project (s) from posting below

and now for something totally different

2010-01-28T22:34:00.001Z

Just a little teaser of what I have been up to lately, I promise to share much more over the weekend, but I have been having fun and making my space my own!!

Thankyou too for all your encouragement for my 'other' new adventure into the world of driving I really have appreciated your encouraging words xx

Moi... Driving indeed

2010-01-26T22:02:00.001Z

Yes you heard it here first, I have finally succumbed and had my first driving lesson tonight - yep tonight - in the dark- in the drizzling rain - 51 years of age and finally learning to drive (pat on the back puullease).

How did it go? I hear you ask - well it went ok, I'm in one piece, the car is in one piece and the instructor hasn't reached for the valium yet, I had a lot of fun, and drove along an A road to Egremont (YES an A road not a B road or a country lane its a fully certified A road) and back, its a good 20 mins drive just one way and I also drove around a housing estate several times, I only stalled twice (both times at a junction, and I didn't kangaroo hop at all) can't wait for Friday when its my next lesson, mind you I have had to have 3 glasses of wine when I got in and a great lump of chocolate and my head is buzzing - just can't imagine sleeping at all LOL!!

Wish me luck for Friday!!

Garden of Life - Blackbird Designs

2010-01-24T18:28:00.003Z

An old finish finally framed. This is 'Garden of Life' by Blackbird Designs which was a SAL I joined in on, I finished it a couple of years ago and never got round to doing anything with, well now I have framed this lovely piece.

I've stitched it on 40ct cream linen using the recommended threads, and enclosed it in a lovely Mother of Pearl Frame I bought in Marks and Spencer, this is now sitting on the drawers in my bedroom.

Christening Gift

2010-01-23T19:42:00.001Z

My friend Gill asked me to make for her something she could give her daughter to commemorate Matthews christening next week, so after looing through my patterns trying like mad to find something suitable Gill chose this cute JBW design - Sampler rabbit - isn't it a cutey?
I have stitching him on 36ct Antique white linen using 1 strand of 'Denim' Carries Creation thread. As Gill left the finishing decisions up to me, I thought I would do a simple finish (and as I wasn't feeling 100% this week, I thought would be a bit of a no-brainer finish for me) but like all finishes the ideas just keep flapping around my head until I came up with the one above. I knew she didn't want anything to fancy so I made a small flat ornament and curved the edges. I added cording I did with DMC thread and then added some narrow navy ribbon for a bow tie for the rabbit and on the top of the flat ornie. The hanger is a cute cream and blue spot ribbon I had - just to add a little more interest. The backing fabric is navy and white gingham check fabric

How I am longing for some better weather now we have cold, rain and wind here in Cumbria - YUK!!

I am feeling much much better thankyou, your kind enquiries I have been very grateful for, as were your comments, I still have an abcess on the side of my gum, but that has started to drain - in total I had 3 - 2 on the gum and one starting on the offending tooth (and this from me who goes to the dentist and dental hygienist every 3 months) my face still feels a little sore as does the gum, but I feel lots better than I did.

Now someone asked me and I really apologise as to whoever it was as I can't remember who it was at all - re the heart finishing on the 'weekend stitchery' post - the answer to your question is I draw the shape on the fabric - allowing for seams and cut it out then I hand sew my finishes - I never use a sewing machine I like to feel in control of my pieces of fabric and the sewing machine never makes me feel like that - I know it takes a little longer by hand but I prefer the finish - HTH??

I am busy stitching a couple of gifts at the moment so will share them soon - again no work on 'Finch Song', but I do have some new ideas buzzing around my head for something a little different.....and ending on a final Happy Note I won a giveaway myself on Annemaries blog ( http://ortsandends.blogspot.com/ ) for a Goode Huswife chart which is OOP, so I was very happy and it really made my day, seeing as I haven't won anything for ages and ages and I have been feeling so very rotten so it was an exciting pick me up!! Another pick me up were the scissors from Yuko has arrived and ooo they are so pretty, I have been showing them off to my ex- SIL Dawn today tempting her to splurge and get some soon I hope!

I hope that you all have a good weekend

And the Winner is..........

2010-01-21T17:32:00.000Z

Margaret B - http://blog.thefrenchbear.ca/

I will email you tomorrow Margaret for your details, I have just had my tooth pulled out and am feeling quite queasy, so I am going to bed. for a lie down.

Giveaway

2010-01-17T21:43:00.000Z

I thought as I hadn't done a giveaway for quite some time and as I am getting truely fed up with the winter I would do a little giveaway for a softer, warmer time - Valentines Day!!

Now I do have a couple of little rules for you and these are:
1. All you have to do is leave your name in the comments part for THIS POST only if you leave a comment on another post I'm afraid you won't be entered, and neither will email entries

2. I also need to know how to contact you in case you are the winner! Please don't forget to leave me YOUR NAME & EMAIL details when you post in the comments (as again I will not be able to enter you into the drawing)

This is open to everyone even if you don't blog, and wherever you might live.

I will draw the winning name ON Thursday 21st January (usually between 15:30 - 16:30 GMT), so check back to see if you have won.

Now you are probably wondering what I'm giving away well its just a little trifle and I reall hope that you like it and want to join in ............

...... The designer is Heart in Hand and its called 'Roses are red', I've stitched it on 32ct Antique white linen, using Gentle Arts thread - my own choice as usual LOL! and I have added a little ribbon rosebud (I know its not red, but I only had the dark pink), then its finished as a little ornament with a satin ribbon hanger, sewn on with a mother of pearl button on the back.

Thankyou for your kind concern about my gum abcess, I have ended up off work for most of last week, my face swelled up on the right side - it was huge, my top lip looked like I had had botox (with half a trout pout) and I looked like a cross between Quasimodos sister and Churchill the dog, (Uk'ers will know who I mean for the dog) not at all attractive I can tell you, and usually I need all the help I can get to look part ways nice - most of the swelling has gone down, though there is still a bit there today on my top lip and under my cheek bone, but the antibiotics have certainly started to work, its been quite painful too, I can't lie on the pillow with my cheek on the right side (which is my normal way) as it gets much to painful and wakes me up. But I need to work so I am braving the banter of the guys I work with and going in tomorrow with plenty of pain killers and killer retorts LOL (I hope LOL)

So even though I have been off I have done little stitching apart from my giveaway and nothing on 'Finch Song', but I have stitched something for a friend this weekend to celebrate her grandsons christening, which I'll show later this week when I've done the finishing

Weekend Stitchery

2010-01-11T16:27:00.000Z

Well this was my weekend stitchery and finishing. The design is by Stacy Nash and is from the lovely booklet 'from Me to Thee, that I received for my birthday. The design is simply called Heart Pin cushion.

I've stitched it using DMC and on 30ct fabric which after stitching it all and finishing I soaked in strong coffee, I am pleased with the result very much.

I have hand-sewn it all together and the backing fabric is by Moda.

Well the rain has come and is beginning to wash the ice away - thank heavens and its not as cold as it was which is good. My ever troublesome gum abcess has reared itself up again and I'm suffering in silence, I am going to make an appointment for the dentist tomorrow...... - Yuk!

Snowy Night - CEC

2010-01-10T12:08:00.000Z

Due to the weather conditions we are having over here, I thought I would stitch myself one of the lovely strawberries (lateral thinking of summer LOL), from Cross Eyed Cricket and as 'Snowy' Night is very apt for most of us, thats the one I chose to stitch.

I did of course change the linen - mine is stitched on 32count Raw Linen and is stitched using 1 strand of thread. All threads are the recommended DMC. Instead of just stitching little x-stitched snowflakes I opted to use sparkly white petite beads, just to give it a bit of snowy sparkle effect.

The top is finishes with ribbon ruffles and a very large snowflake I found in my stash, though you can't see it here....

.......Also............

I thought I would show you my progress on Finch Song. This is a lovely design to stitch, and the silk threads are as always lovely colours and feel so nice to use.

Hope you are having a great weekend, mine has been filled with stitching and stitching and stitching... all my visitors cancelled coming this weekend due to the poor weather conditions and forecasts, so I ended up with no visitors but plenty of stitching!!

My Pins

2010-01-03T11:29:00.000Z

Another sweet design from Shepherds Bush, this was one of the kits I got from Fobbles last week, its a really rapid stitch and very easy finish - I did the lot yesterday, everything was included, the pin is delightful and finishes it off perfectly.

My Mum, Dad and brother Ian are arriving here with me later today and stopping for a night which will be lovely, I'm really looking forward to seeing them. I've put all my decorations away this morning and had a clean up, doesn't it always look bare when you take them down - even though I didn't have a lot up in the first place LOL!

My First 2010 finish

2010-01-01T21:57:00.000Z

Firstly I would like to say HUGE thankyous to all who came to my party, I really enjoyed seeing everyones 2009 finishes it was great fun - so much so I think I'll do it again at the end of this year.
Did you all have a good New Year?? I spent it with my Best Friend Karen and her family - which is quite usual for me, as we have our first BBQ of the year whether its raining or snowing - This year was wonderful we had no wind/rain or snow it was very bright and very very cold. We also had our usual fireworks which as always were spectacular.

This little wee finish is my first for 2010, the initial is a french freebie (I think its a Sajou one)When I had downloaded it so long ago now I didn't write on where it was from.

I've stitched it using Poinsetta Gloriana silk thread that I received from Cathy on our Christmas ornament exchange and I have stitched it on Antique white 35ct linen, it was just perfect for the little 2.5" x 3.5" frame I had already and will be going into my newly dramatically altered guest bedroom, photos of that I will show as soon as its completely finished its sooo different to what it was before and I am sooooo pleased with the result so far.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T10:11:00.002Z

A day early I know, but I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all my readers and commenters a Very Happy New Year.

Phew and what a year this has been for me and I hope that next year is MUCH MUCH better, I can't remember when I had such an awful year, but never mind, this year is almost over and a New and exciting one is about to begin.

Thankyou to my loyal readers for your support to me throughout this year, sometimes I don't know what I would have done without some of you and thankyou too for all the lovely comments that you have made about my stitching and finishing ..... You really don't know what they have meant to me. Without your encouragment and support I might have just stopped my stitching, especially over the last couple of months, my interest wained a little, but I think I am back with new plans and finishes in mind.

I always think that LIFE has a funny way of showing you the way forward and that its really one BIG adventure, I look forward to sharing lots of stitching, gardening and decorating projects with you in the coming months as I have a few things planned for my home and garden, some of which I have just about completed and will have to share with you.

So thankyou again for the time you spend with me here in blogland, I for one can't wait to see your lovely projects during next year.

Ooo and please come join the party - (post below) and add the link to your 2009 review it doesn't have to be in pictures, but it would be lovely to see or read what you have done and Mr Linky is free and easy to use to add you here - Thanks to Jane for being the first to join in and getting the party rolling.

Annual Stitchy Review 2009

2009-12-31T00:35:00.000Z

Well as promised its 'Party Time' to join my party all you have to do is to be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post. You will find Mr Linky at the end of this post.
Here are detailed instructions.

Please be sure to mention and provide a link back to the host blog, http://susimac.blogspot.com, so your readers will be able to find links to all the other annual review posts that day.

To use Mr. Linky, you will need the "permalink" to your Annual review post. What is a permalink? A permalink is the direct link to your Stitchy annual review post, instead of just your general blog address. It will give your visitors a way to find your post easily...even weeks later, without having to search through lots of other posts.

Permalink: It's easy to get the permalink for your Stitchy annual review post. All you will need to do is right click on the title of your Stitchy annual review post, select "copy shortcut", then paste that specific link into the Mr. Linky box you will see here when you come by to sign up. ...have fun! :-)
Looking forward to all your great Stitchy Annual review posts!

Remember it doesn't have to be a mosaic, it can be just a picture or a few to show your Stitchy review it can also just be text.
The more the merrier I say for all that join the party!!

So without further ado here is a sampling of my favourites I have done for this year!!

This is a sampling of my favourite Shepherds Bush finishes that I have done during 2009.

This is a small sample of some of my favourite 'picture' finishes I have completed during 2009..... and finally

Here is some of my very favourite 'Smalls' finishes that I have completed during 2009

I have so enjoyed showing you a few of my very favourites that I managed to complete this year and I can't wait to see yours, Mr Linky is below waiting for you to get started.

Hope that you are already planning your stitching for next year I know I am, I've been to Fobbles today and have treated myself to a few Shepherds Bush kits - Finch Song and Holly and Ivy being 2 of them, Finch Song I think will be my New Year start. Whats yours going to be??

Year in Review

2009-12-29T10:01:00.001Z

I've stolen this idea from a couple of blogs (not stitchy ones) and thought it was a wonderful idea - I'm going to host a stitching year in review party It will be this Thursday and I hope at least some of you can join in! It's a chance to look through old photos that you posted on your blog over 2009 and share your favorites in one post. You can either do a photo mosaic or just post individual photos. I'll put MckLinky up Thursday morning (with instructions on how to use it) if you would like to join in! - I hope that you will, I'll be posting mine up then too.

Glad Tidings - Shepherds Bush Part 2

2009-12-28T14:36:00.000Z

I mentioned in my earlier post that I had also completed 'Glad Tidings' the Picture as well as the little fob, and so without further ado - Here it is.......

......again this was a wonderful small sampler to do, I really enjoyed every stitch and the rich warm colours of the silk thread was a joy to use. This was of course a kit and I haven't changed anything about it - Yep you heard me right I haven't changed a thing, I loved the fabric and the design and the colours -- OO I could go on and on LOL!!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, I did, I was expecting it to be quiet for me as this was my first Christmas on my own, but it turned out not to be so. The 2 eldest nephews turned up on my doorstep this was after I had had lots of phone calls from my mum, dad, sister and smallest nephew and neice. (Mum and I opened presents over the phone together, which was great fun and quite a giggle).

They stopped by me before they went to their grandmothers (Marks mum), I was so delighted to see them, then after their Christmas dinner they turned up again and we spent the whole evening together, it was a wonderful surprise and I really enjoyed their company.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T12:43:00.000Z

Glad Tidings - Shepherds Bush

2009-12-24T07:32:00.000Z

Todays little ornament is Glad Tidings fob, by Shepherds Bush. this was a little kit and I used everything that was included and finished it how it was suggested. Isn't the little sheep a cutey. I have also stitched Glad Tidings large design which is a gorgeous one to do, I really recommend it if you are a Shepherds Bush fan, but I haven't taken any pictures of it yet, but I will soon.

I loved this little treasure when I was stitching it, the colours are so pretty.

Thankyou all for your very very nice comments about my Christmas decoration pictures, I didn't do an awful lot this year, but sometimes less is more as they say, I still have a couple more to show if you aren't getting tired of them by now.

Heres hoping that you don't all have to hectic a Christmas Eve, and if you have that last minute rush, that it goes smoothly. I received a box from Mum and Dad yesterday with some parcels inside, they are sitting there tempting me, but I will resist until tomorrow LOL!!

Candlelight

2009-12-23T17:01:00.002Z

Reflections of Christmas

2009-12-23T12:12:00.000Z

Fear Not - Shepherds Bush

2009-12-23T06:11:00.000Z

I loved this little Christmas Design by Shepherds Bush as soon as I saw it, just look at that little button and so I decided once I had finished stitching it that it was perfect for a little ornament.

Hope that you like it too!!

The snow is still lying around here in the Lake District, and its very cold, I'm glad to say I have now finished work until the 4th Jan, and have lots of plans of things I want to do over this festive time. Mostly, I want to get some of my framing done of all the pieces I stitched earlier this year, and I want to do some work on my patchwork quilts - Bev from Fobbles and I are going to have a day just quilt stitching together some time next week which will be fun.

On Christmas Eve I am going up to my friends Karen and Graham for a chilli and a few drinks - weather permitting of course, though they say we are going to have rain by Thursday, so it should be OK to walk UP the 'big' hill up to their home.

The rest of the time I will be spending it quietly and most likely getting phone calls from my family.

Well for all I don't have to be up for work Tasha hasn't seemed to realise that - so hence the early posting as she woke me up telling me it was past her breakfast time and that she wanted to go out to see what the weather was doing - Stupid Cat - I've made myself a nice cup of tea and I think I will go back to bed for an hour LOL!!

Hope that you have a great day and aren't running around too much.

Glass reflections

2009-12-22T18:51:00.000Z

My new cut glass bowl from Laura Ashley filled with some pretty glass ornaments and pearl strings

Exchange from mum

2009-12-22T16:02:00.000Z

Mum and I like to do an exchange if we can at Christmas and here is what mum made for me - isn't it lovely, its the perfect colours and as always mums stitching and finishing is fantastic - Thankyou mum again - I love it..
I have no photo of what I made for her as I forgot to take one before I mailed it - oops.

Do you want to see a little more?

2009-12-21T22:41:00.000Z

More Christmas exchanging

2009-12-21T16:52:00.001Z

Here is the Christmas ornament I sent to Amy, its from the 2009 JCS Ornament magazine and I have stitched it on 32ct fabric using my own thread choices and finished it as a wee hanging pillow. Oh and its by Shepherds Bush.

....and here is the lovely ornament I received from Cathy, isn't it lovely and I also got lots of super goodies too and felt very spoiled, I was going to leave opening this exchange until Christmas but in the end I couldn't resist.

I would just like to say a BIG thankyou to you all for continuing to visit me, I really appreciate it as I have been so tardy with visiting and posting, I really will make a concerted effort in the new year to go back to normal.

A glimpse of tree

2009-12-21T16:36:00.000Z

I actually haven't done much in the way of decorating for Christmas, but here is a glimpse of my tree......... more will follow.

Twinkling lights and glass baubles............

2009-12-20T15:22:00.001Z

Surround my mantle mirror - it gives me a very atmospheric effect when I'm sitting with the cat on an evening.... much more to share later...

Do you have your decorations up for Christmas or are you late like me LOL!!?

Sent and received

2009-12-20T13:44:00.004Z

This wonderful book is what I received from Vaida as we were part of the Swap exchange which Dear Nina has organised. I was truely awestruck when I received this beautifyl book as I have yearned for one for the longest time and Vaida is one of the most talented stitchers and finishers out in blogland - Thankyou so much for this wonderful treasure, its by one of my favourite designers of course which is Blackbird Designs and is stitchd on 32ct platinum linen.......... and also I received the scrummiest handmade biscuits from her daughter, they are perfect to have with my coffee, and I have almost ate them all now.

This is what I stitched and sent to Nina for the same 'swap' (we sent to different people, not to who was sending to us)its by Miss Cresents Crowne and is in the new JCS ornament magazine, I loved this as soon as I saw it and thought it would be perfect for her, I used my own choice of threads and finished it as a flat ornament, I added extras such as the beads on the garland (which don't show up to well) to give it a little sparkle. I have stitched it on 32ct white linen.

Christmas Magic

2009-12-20T00:27:00.001Z

Maybe you might like to see a little of what I have been up to lately.......... More to follow

Little changes

2009-11-21T20:21:00.001Z

always lead to bigger ones, I find and I have been making a start on changing things in my home.

My first project (which has taken me a week to do - but thats cos there were two of them), were my kitchen chairs.

This is what they looked like before:

Mind, I had started to sand them before I remembered to take a picture, so this shows one of them that I had only just light sanding too. Isn't it an ugly, unloved piece of furniture!!

This is what they look like after:

Not bad eh!!

I'm really pleased with the finished result especially as its all my own work.

I sanded them, primed them, painted them red in places,candle waxed them painted them cream - 3 times, then wire wooled them to bring out the red paint slightly and give that distressed look to them.
What do you think, think they look the part!!

The cushions on the seat are from Laura Ashley and are red and cream checked gingham, I loved them as soon as I saw them, and bought them in readiness for this project.

I'm Safe

2009-11-20T16:52:00.000Z

Thankyou to all who have contacted me to ask if I'm safe and dry, this is just a quick post to let you all know that I am and so is my stash and Tasha LOL!! Its been very bad here, though not as much in my village as some of the other villages around Cumbria, the local rivers are in flood and local roads are very bad to get past on, some are closed.

Its been sad that a local policman was washed away when a bridge collapsed at Workington.

The little tributary stream that runs along the side of the footpath near my house is running incredibly high and with a lot of force I've never seen it like that before. The rain has stopped throughout today, but we are forecast more rain and 60mph winds again this evening and all weekend, they reckon we will get at least 10" of rain from tonight til Monday - I really hope not!! To keep with the water theme, I've made myself fish pie for tea tonight.

Peek-a-boo.........

2009-11-19T20:10:00.002Z

............Can you see me?
Aren't I just beautiful, I really think Autumn colors really go with my ~~hair~~ fur!!

My mum thought I was being cute but really I was just waiting for the mouse that lives behind the hydrangea , but lucky for the mouse, he didn't want to play and I had to go in cold and disappointed.

Is it too early for Christmas?

2009-11-02T22:40:00.002Z

I know, I know I have neglected my blog terribly of late, and halloween has now just finished - I've put the broomstick away and my little old familiar cat is now curled up asleep after her jaunt around on the said broomstick, so I was wondering whether it was too early yet for Christmas, but I thought 'what the heck' I'll start showing some of my Christmas finishes.

Tonights little effort is my tin I made at the workshop class I taught in the summer, its the class I taught the girls how to make a tin finish. So I had to stitch one myself and do a step by step with the finish.

The design is by Crossed Wing Collection, and is from the 1998 JCS Christmas Ornament magazine. I really loved stitching this one, the little mouse is 1/1 as is the writing, the rest is 1/2 on 32ct evenweave. I used some sparkly thread in amongst the little bauble to give it a little more punch.

Life is pretty good at the moment, I have had a couple of weekends over at my parents and been out with my brother which has been fun, I've been working hard as always it seems, but I have also been stitching and framing things. Last Saturday I did another patchwork course at Fobbles, and the second part of it will be early next year, this time I was well stretched out of my comfort zone for this course, but I did enjoy it and I will take some pictures of my progress. My other progress on my other quilt has stopped, my heart is still not in it, but I will get it finished I am very sure of that, but it might not be any time real soon.

My poor dad had a fall last week and has managed to get himself quite a few stitches in his head, he was walking one of the dogs when he tripped on the pavement and went a clatter, he had an overnight stay at hospital nd has hurt his knee a little and his hand, and do you know (my time to vent), not one person went over to him to ask if he was ok when he fell, he was very shook up and was bleeding profusely from his head injury (he takes wharfarin whcih makes you bleed more too), Bailey (the dog), led dad home as he was in a daze a bit, which is so good that the dog did that, but I hasten to add, Dad is doing OK he's a little stiff and sore and has had a bad head for a few days, bt otherwise he is fine.

Hope you all have a good week, and thankyou for your continued visits and your patience in waiting for me to update my blog, I really appreciate your comments and visits very much.

For Yuko

2009-10-19T21:10:00.000+01:00

I was as always very very late sending dear Yuko her birthday gift, then I fretted that I had sent it to the wrong address, but now I know its arrived safey and that she is really happy with her gift.

I have stitched her a wee floss/scissor fob and pin cushion, both designs are by one of my very favourite designers EEF (Ewe and I and Friends. The fob is called 'Lovely'Lady ' fob, and I changed the colourways to suit for Yuko as I know how much she loves pink.The ring is one of the lovely large MoP rings from Kelmscott Designs and suited the fob perfectly I thought.

This wee pincushion is called 'Viney heart' and again I changed the colours and matched them with my colour choices for the fob.

The box I covered with the faded 'vintage' style rose fabric I had in my stash, and used the same fabric for the backing on the fob and the pincushion. Then I used a complemeting fabrics for the yoyos on the the box top. I used faded pink ric-rac and satin ribbon for the other trims on the box.

I have had a wonderful gift myself through the post from Melissa who was my partner for Stitching Bloggers Birthdays, I haven't taken a picture yet of it, as my camera was out of charge I had left it turned on in my handbag and so it now needs charging, I will take a picture tomorrow to show you all.
I had a lovely birthday with my family, it was very quiet but I had a wonderful family party, with balloons and banners and a big chocolate cake and trifle, we all had great fun and my young nephew and neice thought it was wonderful, and they had kept it all a secret from me.
Saturday my brother came up to see me especially and took the family out for dinner and then afterwards he and I went out to the pub for a few drinks and had a good laugh, which was just what I needed as I have been beginning to feel that I had lost my sense of fun somewhere along the way, but I think its back again now!!! LOL!!

I blame Avril ......

2009-10-13T18:24:00.002+01:00

....yes its all her fault, instead of stitching, what am I doing - knitting, Av by the way is my friend and an avid knitter and crocheter and has her very own wool shop!!
The wool is called Opal and the colour is called wintermarchern, I love the varigated effect its knitting up to, in fact I have almost finished the scarf, its just a 1 ball scarf (100g ball).

Do you see my gorgeous knitting needles they are KnitPro Bamboo needles and they are just the right length and have the right feel to them when I'm knitting, they are very psychadelic!!

For Edgar

2009-10-08T16:35:00.001+01:00

Edgar had a birthday and as always I am late in getting anyone anything to their actual birthdate. Edgar was my partner for the Stitching Bloggers birthdays, and I knew when it got closer to the date what I wanted to stitch for him

This is of course Blackbird designs and is taken from the lovely little book that they brought out earlier this year in conjunction with dear Niki, I stitched the little bag using my own choice of colours and then very carefully coffee splashed it to age it slightly, its stitched on 40ct linen, and then I made the strawberry - this is actually from the BD Loose Feathers chart 'Its Berry Time' and I used one of the colours (I forget the DMC number) that was in the bag to make it, and then the little pin cushion is also from the same book and is stitched on 32ct linen. The backing is a Moda fabric.

I added a wee black safety pin and 2 of my MoP buttons that I got from 'Duttons for Buttons' (Ooo how I love that shops name LOL!!)

Edgar likes it so I am happy about that, now to wait for the my next very late birthday gift to arrive at its destination, it had even further to go, so it may take a little longer.

I have been busy stitching a couple of Halloween ornies - yet to be finished finished and I have also made a good dent in my Christmas Ornamant stitching, but as yet now 'finishing' done. I have been really busy working most weekends, and next week I am having a long one away, at my parents as its my birthday then and I am going home for it - the first time in a very long time and I am looking forward to the break and seeing everyone.

I have also finished 'Autumn Bouquet' by Blackbird Designs and its going over with me as is a few of the other picture finishes I have shown over the last few months and I am getting them framed or at least I am hoping to find frames for them.

Hope you are all having a good week and an enjoyable weekend to come, I am at Fobbles on Saturday and then working on Sunday (just 1 day this weekend for a change). I hope too that the weather stays fine its been a glorious day today, but last weekend was horrendous with high winds and heavy heavy rain down pours, I thought it was never going to stop.

My Mums Garden

2009-09-15T07:59:00.000+01:00

Don't be fooled by the title, I'm not showing pictures of my mums garden on this post - even though my mum has one of those beautiful big, elegant gardens I can only dream of, this my mums garden is by Shepherds Bush.

This was another quick stitch really, and I loved doing it, I have a plan in my head to do this again, but with different fabric and colour changes, for mum for Christmas (now I can say this here as mum hasn't a computer and doesn't get to see my blog very often)

Again this is destined for the bedroom, I really better get a move on and get some frames and finish them, then I can take pics and show you all how it looks!!

Well may your day be filled with lots of the above, and you may well be wondering why on earth I am at home instead of work, well its all to do with the incompatance of DHL delivering my new computer, which was supposed to arrive with a Saturday delivery (which I paid extra for), then I left a note on the door yesterday and my neighbour (no not the dishy one), who was going to sign for it actually came over and spoke to the delivery guy who wouldn't let her sign for it, so took it away again and apparantly its coming today, after I rang their automated service, now I want to talk to someone from DHL and 'vent my spleen' as they say, as I have had to lose a days wages because they can't do things right, but can I find a number to talk to someone - No sireeee, but I'll keep trying. Mesh who I got the damn computer from have refunded by saturday delivery payment and were very nice, so maybe just maybe later today I'll have a brand spanking new pc, and I can play Sims on it and Sim Society and Sim city - oh bliss, finally!!!

Cherry Heart

2009-09-13T15:20:00.002+01:00

Another from Shepherds Bush and again destined for my bedroom, when I frame it, I have found the prettiest Mother of Pearl frame which I intend to use for this pretty.

I was really pleased with this pretty design, and I loved the ribbon which I think really finished it off, it really didn't look anything special without it, but it really lifted it all. The silk thread, fabric and silk ribbon and the small buttons are all part of the kit, the only additions I made was the use of the small beads within the buttons.

Hope that you are all having a great weekend - or at least whats left of it.Thanks so much for your continued visits and wonderful comments I really appreciate them.

Oh and before I forget I have changed my email address and hopefully let most know, but you can email me from blogger its in my profile and that goes to my new address.

Seasonal Exchange for Barbara

2009-09-07T16:10:00.002+01:00

I was really delighted to hear that my very last Seasonal exchange had arrived to its destination today Barbara and I have been doing this for a whole year - this is the last one, and I have really really enjoyed it, finding something that Barbara would like has been real fun, and I am really sorry it has all come to an end.

Barbara was the blogger who encouraged me to start blogging, many many moons ago, and we have become good friends ever since.

For our last one I stitched for her 'Dutch Strawberries' by Goode Huswife, what with her living in The Netherlands and strawberries are very summer season. I so loved how Nina had finished her fobs a while ago, I copied the finishing style LOL!

I have stitched it on 40ct Creme Brulee and have done it 1 over 1 (petit point style - as I have been asked about 1/1 on 40ct before, I don't do full crosses my poor eyes just wouldn't be able to take it LOL) I have used the recommended DMC threads and I used satin ribbon for the fob top and a little for the floss tag part to hold the ring in place. The back has a toning MODA fabric which toned really well with the colours and I am really happy that Barbara liked my choice. The little fob is only about 3 - 3.5 inches long and about 2 inches wide, I had such fun doing it I want one for myself now.

Gift from Mum

2009-09-05T09:32:00.002+01:00

When Mum and Dad visited last weekend, Mum came bearing gifts, she had made me this pretty and delicate little rose scented sachet bag, its really lovely, the design she said came from an old 1950's pattern she had found in amongst her stash, and she just changed the colours which she thought I would like and added beads, and made it into this lovely sachet, it smells divine of soft roses and looks wonderful next to my bed.

Thankyou again Mum and really love it and was the perfect choice for me.

In the French Style

2009-09-04T13:53:00.003+01:00

I had so much fun stitching this wee design by Brenda Keyes, its from the chart book 'In the French Style'.

I have stitched it on Antique white linen - 40ct, using Hand-dyed thread - Antique red and I have done it 1 over 1. As you can tell its quite small.

I have had this small wooden frame in my stash for ages and could never find the perfect design for it and when I saw this chart I knew it was perfect.

I used some of the wonderful toile fabric my friend Angela had given me for the background rather than use a mount and I attached the stitched piece on top of it, I was very happy with the result. The toile fabric is the same fabric I will be using for the BBD freebie I stitched a while ago and will do the same sort of thing for the background on that one too.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend filled with the things you like to do, I know I wll be stitching as usual LOL!! Last weekend Mum and Dad stayed over for a few days, mum and I got lots of stitching done - this one being the piece I stitched, I have other finishes but as yet no frames or photo's.

I have sent Barbara my last seasonal exchange last Tuesday and so hopefully will be arriving in the Netherlands in the near future so watch for the postman Barbara.

Tin box workshop

2009-08-12T16:37:00.004+01:00

Here are the tins the ladies did when I showed them how to make a tin box pretty. Sorry the photos aren't brilliant but I forgot my camera and my friend Helen lent me her iphone to take them, which I am really grateful for otherwise I wouldn't have been able to show anything of them to you apart from probably mine, Bev's and Jen B's at a later date..
Back L-R Ann, Lucy, Janet, Elsie, Jen B & Elaine
Front L-R Bev, Barbara, Judith, Jen & Me

Here are a few of them in a little more detail, this one was made by Ann and the one behind it was made by Lucy.

These were by Janet (Quaker one), Elsie and the beaded one with the owl was made by Jen B, Elaine's is at the back

Here are Jens, Mine (Christmas one), Jen B & Judith's

We had a great day and I enjoyed it very much, after my initial nervousness, I find it easy to show 1 person, but to show 10 was a bit different LOL! It was great to see everyones different types of finished tins and the different ideas for the stitched or beaded pieces.
I must add very special thanks to dear Yuko, who obtained the tins for me and sent me them over earlier this year, without them I couldn't have done the workshop as easily.

Flock of Birds

2009-08-10T21:53:00.002+01:00

I can't believe its over a week since I last visited my blog, where does time go.

Today I have another to show you that is again in need of a frame, this time its Blackbird Designs - Flock of Birds, taken from 'My heart be true' booklet. I have stitched it on 28ct WDW Checked linen that was recommended to use but have changed the threads using ones I had in my stash (Crescent colours & Carries Creations and DMC), so this is just a tadge brighter than the recommended threads would have been, but I still like the effect.

What have I been up too, well I spent a good part of last week preparing for a workshop that I did to show how to do a tin box finish. But stupid me forgot my camera, but Helen (no not my sister, but a friend), had her I-Phone with her and let me take some, of the wonderful finished tins, which I hope to show you tomorrow and tell you all about it then.

I have been busy stitching as always and have started on some Christmas ornaments, plus I had to do my tin box top, and I have also managed to slip in 'Cherry Heart' by Shepherds Bush, which I haven't photographed yet, but will show you later in the week - well at least thats the plan, but knowing how my life can change pretty quickly it could be next week.

Ooo talking of next week, my sister Helen is coming this Friday to stay with me for a week, though I will have to be at work for most of it, but nontheless I will enjoy her visit and as an extra bonus she is going to do my hair for me again - its great having a hairdresser/Beautician for a sister LOL!

Hope that you all have a great week....

Forget-Me-Not Sampler

2009-08-01T21:12:00.002+01:00

I just loved the colours on this one, so I used the stated DMC colours, this one again I think will be destined for my bedroom.

Its called Forget-Me-Not sampler and is a really old one (1988) by Sheepish Designs.
I've stitched it on 32ct cream linen 2/2.

I can hardly believe its the 1st of August, where has this year gone to?? I have been very slow in answering emails I am sorry about it, but please I hope that you will understand, I still don't really feel like talking much, and you are all very much in my thoughts and I do appreciate the emails very much they brighten up my day along with the wonderful comments that you all have been leaving me.

My Hearts Garden

2009-07-29T16:11:00.002+01:00

Another of my latest finishes - yet to be framed!! This one will go on my bedroom wall above or to the side of my bed as all my pictures in there are SB ones. I see this in a creamy white distressed frame, all delicate and pretty.

Its such a sweet little design and it is of course instantly recognisable as a Shepherds Bush, this one is called 'My Hearts Garden' I used all the silk colours and the fabric that was included in the kit, and it only took a couple of evenings to do, a real quicky!

PIF for Jessie

2009-07-28T15:26:00.003+01:00

Jes emailed me today to say that she received my PIF that I sent to her.

I was starting to get a little nervous that it wasn't going to get there as I sent it at the same time as Edgards, but I am happy to say that it has arrived and that Jes really likes it.

The design is Shepherds Bush - 'A Rosey Fob' and I do believe it is now Out of Print.
Its stitched on 32ct linen and I used DMC threads. I made the tassle myself and added crystal beads to the top and the bottom. The little button in the centre is a MoP I bought from York lasat year at Duttons for Buttons (I just love that shop name LOL!)

Fobbles Exhibition 2009

2009-07-26T20:18:00.003+01:00

Welcome to Fobbles exhibition for 2009. I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I enjoyed mine!!

This is the view (or part of the view) of the right of the room.

Part view of the left of the room

Now let me take you on a tour of a few of the wonderful exhibits that could be seen.

Mermaid doll which I think was made by Sheila.

Sewing set stitched and finished by Lucy

Quilted and applique work

Quilt and stumpwork picture by Ann, padded oval box by Jen and a glimpse of my padded embroidered box.

Various knitted projects, and jewellrey

Quilting and stitched projects

Beautiful cushion and various ribbon and stitched projects

Prim dolly

Various Hardanger, and stitched projects

More stitched projects including a picture (though not the most brilliant due to reflections) of Jens Red Snowman by Shepherds Bush

.... and this I have to admit was my very favourite quilt in the exhibition, which was made by Helen.

Hope that you enjoyed your quick visit, hopefully/maybe next year you might be able to attend in real life - We would love to see you there. Didn't the ladies make a wonderful job on setting it all up, it looked marvellous and the raising of funds (over £800 this year) for the Hospice at Home charity - which is what the exhibition was for.