Cross Stitch Crazy

Hello!

2011-11-13T17:07:00.005Z

Wow - how long since I last posted? I'm really not very good at this anymore.

Dragonfly is still progressing slowly, however I have finished another page of Curl Up With a Good Book so he now looks like this:-

I've also just finished a piece I started last year (I think). I really can't remember where it came from except that it was a freebee on the internet somewhere. Sorry, that's not very helpful is it. If anybody knows the design and can point me in the right direction I will give the designer the full credit that she/he deserves. What this picture doesn't show very well is that each stitch is intertwined with a sparkly silver thread so the whole design has a sparkle to it.

An update at last!

2011-07-30T12:06:00.003+01:00

I may not have posted for a while but I have been busy with my stitching. I did a bit more on Dragonfly and then gave in and moved on to Curl Up With A Good Book. So here is an update picture of both.

First off, Dragonfly, now into page 11.and then Curl Up with a Good Book, well into page 4.

Decisions Decisions!

2011-07-01T15:24:00.002+01:00

Page 4 of Curl Up with a Good Book has arrived. I can just make out the dragons arm in the chart and I really want to stitch him, but I'm really rocking on Dragonfly and loving that and really want to stitch that too. Oh what a nice dilema to have!

Dragonfly Progress

2011-06-20T16:11:00.002+01:00

Dragonfly has been progressing nicely, if a little slowley. Page 10 is nearly complete now and with page 11 the dragon should start to appear. I can't wait to see him.

A close up of page 10.

I think I might be hooked on HAED designs now as I've signed up for the story keep SAL. I've got page 1 of the chart now but I haven't had time to start it yet - which is probably not a bad thing.

Up Date

2011-06-09T15:21:00.002+01:00

Well it's been a long time since I've posted anything here. So here is an update of Curl Up With A Good Book. Page 3 is now finished (it was only a small one!) and the whole thing is half way through. Next page released in July!

TUSAL update

2011-05-06T13:48:00.005+01:00

Appologies for this being a couple of days late unfortunatley we've been without internet access for a couple of days. However, better late than never here is my TUSAL jar. I'm not sure it's changed much as I really don't seem to have done much stitcing of late. The weather has been so nice I seem to have been making the most of it.

The pinky bits of thread are from Dragonfly which is the only bit of progress I've made and that's not much.

Page 3 of Curl Up With a Good Book has arrived so I'm hoping to make some progress on that shortly.

Dragonfly Update

2011-04-08T11:10:00.001+01:00

Here she is - Dragonfly page 9 complete. I'm working on her again now until the new page comes out for Curl up.

TUSAL and Update

2011-04-04T18:17:00.003+01:00

Well here is my TUSAL update. I'm a day late due to my daughter taking the camera with her on the school skiing trip so I've been unable to take a pic. I can't really say too much about what the threads are as I dropped the jar twice and all the threads fell out and got mixed up together. The white ones on the top are from the candle in Curl Up with a Good Book and if you can see any sparkly gold, then that is from Celtic Summer (yes I actually stitched a little bit of that one!).

And here is Curl Up with A Good Book. This is page 2 finished and I know have to wait until May for page 3. Am still loving it though.

Page 1 Finish

2011-03-11T16:39:00.004Z

Here it is, I've finished page 1 of Curl Up with a Good Book. I love the little dragon appearing at the bottom of the page.

Page 2 arrived at the begining of the month and the fabric is now gridded and ready to go! The next page has a lot less confetti and should stitch up a lot quicker.

I actually picked up Celtic Summer this week. It was amazing how much bigger the stitches felt and it seemed odd stitching with two threads again. However, she's had her stint for now and she's going back into the box. The question is, which to do, Curl Up or Dragonfly?

TUSAL

2011-03-04T15:21:00.002Z

I can't believe that the new moon has come around already! Well here is my TUSAL. The white threads are from Dragonfly, having done quite a bit of her face and the colour is from Curl Up With A Good Book. Update on progress on both of these to come soon.

Curl Up Update

2011-02-18T10:45:00.002Z

I spent last week stitching on Curl Up With A Good Book and there is definatley progress. I hope to finish this page in it's next rotation which will be the begining of March. By then the next page will be available so I will be falling behind, but then these things aren't a race, it's all about the job of stitching.

This week has been spent on Dragon Fly and I will post a pic when it swap to Enchanted Flute tomorrow.

Happy stitching all.

TUSAL

2011-02-05T15:05:00.002Z

Ok it's a day late (you didn't really expect it on time did you?). All the black on the top is from Dragonfly. I know I promised a pic but really all I've done is more black! So just look at the last picture and imagine her hair a bit longer and that's where I am.

This week's rotation is Curl Up with a Good Book and then back to Dragonfly so hopefully then there will be more to show on her.

Whoops!

2011-02-03T14:58:00.003Z

Ok where did this week go? I ment to update this on Friday, I took a piccy and everything and now it's nearly the next Friday. Somebody slow the world down please!

Last week's stitching was on Enchanted Flute and I did make some progress. For some reason I was dreading stitching on it, as you may have noticed it has been ignored for some time. I think this is because of the amount of confetti stitching and the size of fabric I chose (32 ct - must have been mad). Anyway, I actually really enjoyed it, just didn't get as much done as I would have liked.

However, page 4 is very nearlly finished now and will certainly be done on it's next rotation.

This week has been back to Dragonfly so look out for an update tomorrow on that (hopefully) and my TUSAL!

Black, Black and a bit of 310!

2011-01-21T11:23:00.003Z

Yep! All I seem to have stitched this week is good old 310! Her hair is definately growing though! By the bottom of this page of chart I think the whole row is 310 so there is still plenty more to go.

But Dragonfly goes away now for a week while I stitch on the much neglected Enchanted Flute. There isn't too much to do to finish page 4 on this one so that is my aim for this week and the colours will definatley make a change to black.

Christmas already?

2011-01-14T11:29:00.007Z

I know, Christmas is only just over but if I don't make some early progress on the advent calender I don't think it will ever be finished! So here are numbers 6 and 7.

And here is my progress on Curl Up With a Good Book.

I am getting really torn between my three HAED projects so I'm going to try to do them on rotation but making Dragonfly my priority so the plan is (and knowing me it is subject to change!) one week Dragonfly, one week Enchanted Flute, one week Dragonfly, one week Curl Up one week Dragonfly etc. Advent calender - nights when DH is away.

Unfortuantly this leaves Celtic Summer out in the cold, so to speak and I'm trying to work out the best way to slot her in and make progress on things. Maybe she and Enchanted Flute should take it in turns as a few solid weeks work on her could see her finished. Anyway, solution to be decided on that one.

Happy stitching all.

Post Delivery and New Start

2011-01-07T15:29:00.008Z

Look what arrived in the post yesterday! The missing threads for "Curl Up with a Good Book".

So I spent all of last night winding them on to bobbins and fitting them into my storage boxes in the right order, which involved moving nearly every one that was already in there. A long process but worth it.

As I thought though, I have been unable to resist starting Curl Up even though I didn't have all the threads. This is the first time I've gridded the fabric using a dressmakers pen. I've tried before using thread but didn't get on with the whole process but this is a god send. I tend to stitch cross country anyway so having the grids just makes that so much easier and more accurate. Anyway, here is the progress after one night's work.

TUSAL

2011-01-04T15:35:00.003Z

It's the first New Moon, so here is my jar of ORT's for the Totally Useless Stitch Along. Not a lot to show but this is just from the start of the year.

My fabric has arrived today ready for Curl Up with a Good Book, threads have been dispatched so I'm hoping they will be here tomorrow. But I do have some of the colours already, so I may just have to put a few stitches in tonight!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T15:35:00.004Z

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you have had a good Christmas and that the next 12 months are kind to you. Is everybody making New Year's resolutions? I thought I would promise not to start another project until I've finished one, but as I've signed up for the HAED SAL and am just waiting for my materials to arrive, I know I don't stand a chance of keeping that one!

I thought a good way to start this year's blogging would be to take up to date photos of all my projects so that I can see where I am with everything and can record my progress at the end of the year. So here is Poppies as it stands at the moment (not a lot done!).

Then we have Enchanted Flute, good start so far (page 5, in think) but not been stitched on for some time.

Next is Dragonfly, still my favourite stitch and close to finishing page 8.

And then there is Cletic Summer. A good session on this and it could quite quickly be finished, relatively speaking, as she is the smallest project I've got on the go.

And, of course, there is the new start, a HAED quick stitch of Curl up with a good book. This won't be the whole chart but just a small part of it, hence quick stitch! Nothing to show of yet but I'm sure the first stitch will go in as soon as the material arrives.

I've started my new ort jar for the TUSAL (actually it's the same one as last time I've just emptied it and started again) a picture will be posted on 4 January (the first new moon).

Here's to a good year everybody, may you all be happy and healthy!

Christmas Gifts

2010-12-20T20:52:00.002Z

The snow has finally reached us in South Wales today. It's taken me three hours to get home from work, a trip that normally takes 20mins. The frustrating things is that the conditions weren't that bad, it was just gridlock trying to get out of the city.

Anyway, here are some pics of work done by girls. These tags were stitched by Rebecca (13) for some of her school friends.

and these were stitched by Gemma (10) for her friends.

They have all gone down very well.

If I don't get back on here before the special day, Merry Christmas everybody.

Totally Useless SAL

2010-12-07T21:01:00.002Z

I started getting involved in this earlier this year and it fell by the wayside as the originators blog stopped. However, Daffycat is going to run it next year so I'm taking part again. If anyone is interested in joining in, all in the name of fun, it serves no purpose as the title of this post suggests, pop over to her blog and have look. She's running a giveaway with it as well.

Update!

2010-12-04T11:51:00.006Z

Dragonfly continues to progress. Page 7 is now complete only 13 more to go.

I've taken a little break though and just stitched some Christmas gift tags from the latest issue of Cross Stitcher.

We're starting to feel quite festive in the house now, there is quite a danger that the decs might go up this weekend!

Getting Festive

2010-11-03T17:37:00.006Z

I hope you all had a good time at haloween. My children when out trick or treating and came back with enough sweets to keep them going until Christmas. They thought it was very successful.

Over the last few weeks, when Hubby has been away of an evening, I've taken a break from Dragonfly and continued to stitch on the Advent calender. I've now finished through to No. 5 and No.6 just need the backstitch adding. Hopefully, I'll finish that tonight.

I'm still not sure how I'm going to finish them, I was going to cut them out, fray the edges and sew onto littlebags that I was going to make, but now I'm not so sure (just because of the work really). I've stitched them all onto one piece of fabric so they will have to be cut out and turned into something. Any inspiring ideas greatfully accepted. Although why I'm worrying about finishing them at the moment is beyond me - it's taken nearly two years to stitch this many!

The eyes have it!

2010-10-08T14:30:00.003+01:00

Yes, my Dragonfly girl has two eyes now. She looks back at me as I work. I've now finished 6 pages of the 20 and an still happy working on her. I really thought I would want a change by now but appart from feeling guilty about not stitching on Enchanted Flute, there are no projects I would rather be doing.

I have managed to do a bit more of the EMS Advent Calender (if anybody remembers I was even doing it.) I'll try to get some update pics next time hubby is away. I'm currently on number 5 - it's only taken me two years! I'm only stitching on it when he is away so it's taking along time. It won't be ready this Christmas but maybe next year ?

Long Time No See!

2010-09-16T16:16:00.004+01:00

Where have I been? I don't really know. My only excuse is Life - it just gets in the way of everything I want to do. Please could somebody add another few hours to the day - and then stop me beeing too tired to enjoy them!

Anyway, my abscence from the bloggy world has not meant an abscence from my stitching. I have taken a break from Dragonfly and stitched some more on Celtic Summer. She now looks like this:-

All the gold made me start to think of Christmas, and that reminded me of a beading kit I had started for last Christmas, attaching about three beads and then abandoning it. In need of a quick finish and a break from all my BAPS I went back to it. The result is this (appologies for the appauling photograph):-

As far as Dragonfly is concerned, I've done about half a page since my last post and the second eye is now appearing.

I will try to post more regularly again, but you know what they say - the best laid plans ....

Happy stitching all and if anybody is still watching this blog, thank you for visiting and your patience.

Eye Eye!

2010-07-22T17:06:00.004+01:00

Well one eye anyway. I've finished page 5 of Dragonfly. I've taken a week off work this week to be with the children and they've dissapeared with their friends all day, leaving me with the time to stitch - what a luxury. No don't remind me about all the chores I should have been doing!

I'm really impressed with how the eye has turned out. It's got so much depth to it, I couldn't see it while I was stitching but as soon as I stepped back from her Wow. And that's not blowing my own trumpet it's all credit to the charters at HAED and, of course, the original artist, Selina Fenech.

Whooops!

2010-07-22T15:01:00.003+01:00

As you can see I've been messing about with my blog and I really don't know what has happened. Stay with me, hopefully I'll get it sorted some time!

Edit - think I've done it - let that be a lesson to me, it's taken me about 3 hours to sort it out!

Dragonfly update

2010-07-11T18:34:00.002+01:00

I've been working hard on Dragonfly and I've now finished page 4, that's the first row of pages complete. As you can see I've also made a good start of page five, this has one of her eyes on so she will soon be looking back at me.

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-05T16:04:00.003+01:00

I've put down Dragonfly long enough to stitch this piece for my sister who moved into her new home last week. I've made it up into a hanger but forgot to take a picture of it finished.

I've still been very busy with Dragonfly and have actually finished page 4 and started page five (the second row of pages - so exciting). I'll try and get a pic in the next few days and update you.

Dragonfly has wings

2010-06-02T07:44:00.002+01:00

Wow, it's been over a month since I posted. Where does the time go? I guess that as I'm working on bigger projects at the moment there is less to show, I'll try to post once a month though at least. This makes a good record for me if nothing else.

So here is dragonfly. I've now finished page three of the chart and started on page four. I think this will stitch up quicker than page three as the wings were more confetti stitch and therefore slower to do.

Happy stitching all, and thanks for your visit.

Response to Patricia

2010-05-02T17:25:00.002+01:00

This is a piece called Enchanted Flute from Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) by Josephine Wall. The link will take you to the right page of the web site. Warning though, they have loads of beautiful designs which may well tempt you.

Let me know if you do get anything.

Happy stitching.

Another butterfly

2010-04-28T14:54:00.003+01:00

I've spent the past week stitching on Enchanted Flute again. Another butterfly is appearing in the picture and there is another larger butterfly to do before the page is finished.

I'm really torn between stitchingon this and on Dragonfly. They are both addictive. For now I'll will stick to a weekly rotation (changing on a Monday), but I might change that to fortnightly so that Enchanted Flute can progress a bit quicker. There are so many confetti stitches in it that it does grow very slowly.

Happy stitching and thanks for your visit.

Page 2

2010-04-19T18:46:00.003+01:00

Here she is, page 2 of Dragonfly is complete.

I'm going back to Enchanted Flute for this week's stitching. Have a good one everybody.

A New Start

2010-04-02T08:14:00.002+01:00

Well I just couldn't resist. I've done it, I've started Dragonfly. This is a finished page 1 and a tiny bit of page 2. There's 20 pages in total, although the last 4 are all partical pages. I am absolutely hooked on this one at the moment. She seems to develope so much quicker than Enchanted Flute probably because there are a lot less confetti stitches in this one.

Anyway, thank you for visiting, and enjoy your stitching.

I've been spending money!

2010-03-18T14:57:00.005Z

They had a one day sale on the HAED sight yesterday to mark St Patricks day and there is a chart I've had my eye on for a while (You can see where this is going can't you!)

Yep, I gave in and bought Dragonfly

It's not as extravagent as it looks. To start with there was 30% off the chart, then I've already got the fabric and most of the threads. I've just ordered the rest of the threads from Sew and So they are always very quick at deliverying them so I should have them either tomorrow or Saturday. When I think I'm going to have time to actually stitch this, of course, is a different matter. Watch this space!

Butterfly Pattern

2010-03-17T15:59:00.004Z

The butterfly pattern in my last post can be found here

I'm Back!

2010-03-15T17:43:00.006Z

I know I haven't been around for a long time. I completely lost any urge to stitch and got into a couple of computer games which used up all my spare time. However, over the last few week I've started stitching again - hurray!

So what progress do I have to show you? Well I got started again by stitiching this butterfly for cancer research. I thought it would be something fairly simple, just one colour thread and would give me a finish quickly to encourage me to get going on my other things. So here is the butterfly.

Since then I have got going again and put some time into Celtic Summer. She now looks like this.

I'm spending this week stitching on Enchanted Flute so I'll have something to show on that shortly.

Take care everyone and thanks for your visit.

Tatty Ted Finish

2009-11-10T14:56:00.004Z

Well here he is. The Tatty Ted height chart is finished. Well the stitching anyway, I've still got to finish finish him. This is Gemma holding it up for all to see.

And here are a couple of closer shots so that you can see them properly.

I need to get some backing fabric to finish it off and to add the baby's name and date of birth when we know it. (It's due 1st January)

So for now, it's back to Enchanted Flute - at least until I've finished page 3!

This Week's Progress

2009-10-13T14:43:00.004+01:00

This past week has been spent on Enchanted Flute again. I've got about half way through page three of the chart and the butterfly is begining to show.

So, it's gone away now for another week and Tatty Ted has come back out. I know they are all I seem to show at the moment, but then they are all I stitch on! I can't put Enchanted Flute down, and Tatty Ted has a deadline so I'm forced to make room for him. However, hubby is away one night this week so I might just get the advent stuff back out, although there is no chance of that being done for this christmas now - after all I'm still only on number 3!

Happy stitching to all, may the frog stay away, and thank you for visiting.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear......

2009-10-03T11:28:00.003+01:00

I've spent the last week working on Tatty Teddy - and I now have two teddy bears (well almost - the second one still needs to be backstitched). I just need to add the third teddy and a few stars - oh yes and the balloon strings and then we are there.

They are going away now for a week while I go back to Enchanted Flute - I really want to see that butterfly appear. I'll do weekly rotation between the Teddies and Enchanted Flute until the Teddies are finished, then I'll bring Celtic Summer and Poppies back into the rotation.

Have a happy stitchy week everybody.

More Enchanted Flute

2009-09-27T09:20:00.008+01:00

This week's stitching has been dedicated to Enchanted Flute and there is good progress to show on it. I'm still waiting for the butterfly to make an appearance but I'm sure it will before this page is finished. The stitching is now the full width of page three so I guess I've got about ¼ of the page done (allowing for all the confetti stitches).

I'm still really enjoying this but it is going to go away now this week and I will spend the week on Tatty Teddy. Then it really depends on how he is progressing as to whether I go back to this or continue with him - or maybe I should spend some time with my Celtic Lady or even visit my Poppy Fields. Oh dear too many BAPs on the go and not enough time.

2009-09-18T09:08:00.002+01:00

I recently bought two Mill Hill kits as something small and different to do. This first one was a Tiny Treasured Diamond called Icy Snowflake. I had seen this one last year and liked the look of it so I gave in this time and bought it. It actually stitched up really quickly, only taking me three days to get it done.

I also bought Orchid Tassel which is stitched on paper which I've not used before. I let you know how it turns out. I've not started it yet.

At last I've managed to finish page 2 of Enchanted Flute. The next page of the chart gets a lot lighter as there is a clear change in the colours. I'll be moving on to the butterfly soon.

Tatty Ted is still continuing. I shall be making him top priority now. I've finished all the numbers down the side and am working on the second of the three teddies. I'll post a pic when there is a bit more to show.

Thank you for visiting.

New Moon

2009-08-25T17:44:00.004+01:00

Well it was last week anyway. My excuse for, once again, being late with the Totally Useless SAL is that we were away. (Which is actually true!). So here is my jar as it stands now.

It's amazing how the stuff keeps on going in although the jar appears to be full.

For our week away, I decided to take Celtic Summer with me. I looked out all the threads (except two which I don't appear to have - I could have swarn I ordered them all!). I bagged everything up carefully, put them in the case - and then left it all in the car for the week! Ooops!

So progress isn't as good as it should be, but she is definately coming along.

I think I really need to devise some kind of rotation to my stitching. That way, something might get finished and I might see some reall progress with stuff. For now, I think it is back to Tatty Teddy as I do have a deadline for him (even if it's January).

Hope everybody is keeping well, and happy stitching to all.

We Have Lift Off!

2009-08-06T10:26:00.003+01:00

Well almost! I've made a start on the Tatty Ted height chart and it is actually coming along quite quickly. We have one of the three teddies and some balloons. I just need to attach him to them and finish off the height guide to the right and then that is the top half of the chart done. I have to say it's a fun stitch after enchanted flute! The other day Rachael reminded me about the EMS advent calender that I had started. I was ashaimed to say that I had got no further than number 1. So I got it out again the other day. I have now finished number 2 .....

and made a start on number 3. Hubby is out tonight and tomorrow night so hopefully I will finish number 3 in that time. I still think I'm expecting too much to get this finished for the end of November but we will see how it goes.

Happy stitching everybody!

I'M BACK

2009-07-25T07:48:00.005+01:00

Have you missed me? To be honest I really don't know where the time has gone and I had no idea that it's been over two months since I posted. Life just gets in the way sometimes doesn't it? I'm still working - my contract has just been extended to the end of August, not bad seeing it was originally to the end of March! Children have broken up for school summer holidays - eldest has now left primary school and starts comp in September - again, where has the time gone?

Now for stitchy updates!

To be honest, I hardly stitched for about a month so progress may not be as great as you expect. Most of what I have done has been on Enchanted Flute and she now looks like this:-

I've nearly finished page 2 of the chart and I'm moving away from navy and black into pale blues and greens.

I've also started a new piece by Anchor called A Host of Poppies. This is what it should look like when finished:-

And this is how it looks at the moment:-

This piece was actually bought for me for my birthday and is not one I would have chosen. Having said that I'm really enjoying stitching it. Funny how things turn out.

Celtic Summer is the other piece that is in progress. I've not taken a pic of her as I didn't think I had stitched on her, but having looked at the last pic posted here I have done some more so I'll post a pic next time.

I am going to have to put all these projects on hold for a while (or at least add to the list). I've kind of started a tradition of stitching something for each new arrival in our family, and as the next one is due in January I really ought to make a start. I've chosen the kit and it has arrived, so hopefully I'll make a start over the next day or two - although I would like to finish page 2 of Enchanted flute first.

Anyway, this is the piece I've chosen. It's a height chart of Tatty Teddy.

And finally, my Totally Useless SAL. This is what my jar looks like now.

Thanks for visiting and I'll try not to leave it another two months before I post again. Happy stitching to one and all.

Baking day!

2009-05-12T19:10:00.003+01:00

I don't mean really hot, I mean baking as in cooking. I used to make fancy fun birthday cakes for my children but as they've got a bit older, and life has got bussier, I've stopped doing it. However, my sisters friend found out about it and I have just done my first commissioned cake. I'm glad to say that the recipient was very pleased with it, as was her father who it was for.

On a stitching front, I've been working on Enchanted Flute whenever I get the chance, and I've finished the last part of my round robin. I really haven't had much time at all so progress on enchanted flute is slow.

The Lady Returns

2009-04-27T18:55:00.003+01:00

Yep! I've got her back. Celtic Winter is home from the framers. Yes it was expensive, but they have done a great job! I've had to take the pic from an angle otherwise all you'll see is the reflection but you get the idea.And here is an update on Enchanted Flute. There is progress, really! This is really my main project at the moment, and I'm not stitching much else, so posts will be slow for a while. I'm still really loving doing it though - just as well as there's another 23 pages of chart to go.

A Disaster and a Solution

2009-04-15T14:51:00.005+01:00

Ok, maybe disaster is a bit dramatic, but it got your attention!!

The Disaster - You see, I was merrily stitching away on Enchanted Flute when the highlighter that I use to mark of my stitching ran out. Well the design is so full of confetti stitching that I didn't dare continue to stitch until I had another highlighter. It would have been asking for trouble to stitch on that without marking it. But what to do? I couldn't spend the evening without stitching.

The Solution - So I started Celtic Summer. Naturally. I mean, if I can't stitch on one BAP, I'll just start another. Can't say I got a lot done but it is a start.

(That's the top of the back of her skirt if you see what I mean!)

I am now going to do weekly rotations of the two. So today until next Wednesday is Enchanted Flute, then a week of Celtic Summer.

Oh, and I took Celtic Winter to be framed today. Gulp! HOW MUCH! If she doesn't look stunning when she comes back ..............

Doggy Finish

2009-04-13T15:12:00.004+01:00

It seems to have been ages since I posted anything, but I do have a finish to show you all. Remember the black and white stitching I had you all guessing over? Well the Golden Retriever has finally materialised. Here he is completed and framed in all his glory, ready to go to my DH's grandmother for her 92 birthday later this week.

I've also completed the Round Robin piece and sent that on. I've now got the next one to stitch and will crack on with that next week.

Yesterday, I managed to put in quite a bit of time on Enchanted Flute. There are so many confetti stitches that all though I've probably done another4-500 stitches, no more of the pattern is showing. I'll give it another couple of sessions before I post another pic, that way there should be more to show in general.

Hope everybody has had a great easter break. Now back into the garden to make the most of this lovely weather! Ironing? What Ironing? That can wait for tomorrow!!!!

Spring has sprung!

2009-04-02T16:02:00.002+01:00

Wow, it is a glorious day today. It's a shame I've been stuck in an office for most of it.

My stitching progresses - here is the completed page one of Enchanted Flute.

I ordered the rest of the threads for this the other day so ordered the fabric and threads that I need for Celtic Summer while I was at it. Now, if I could leave Enchanted Flute alone for long enough I could make a start on it.

The golden retriever is also coming along, and is begining to look recognisable. I'll try to post a pic towards the end of the weekend so you can see the progress for yourselves.

The round robin is almost done, I've run out of thread so I will need to get some more, just not quite sure when! Does anybody know how close DMC is to Anchor? If I swap mid stitching will it show?

Lets hope this wonderful weather continues over the weekend and we get lots of lovely, bright sunshine for stitching in!

TUSAL Day

2009-03-26T16:17:00.003Z

It's a new moon so time to show my TUSAL (Totally Useless Stitch Along)

Progress actually looks very good, but I did have to start a lot of threads for Enchanted Flute so there are a fair number of thread wrappers in there.

I've been working on the round robin since my last post so have nothing else to show at the moment.

It's funny though, when I started reading peoples blogs they would talk about projects they had forgotten they had started and really must get on with and finish. To me, this sounded so strange (I was a one piece at a time girl back then). However, I've just had a quick glance through my stash box (I never used to have one of those either!) and found two projects that I'd forgotten about. And I really do mean forgotten. I've got other UFO's as well but these I really had forgotten I'd even started them. What is happening to me? - too much contact with enablers I think. Will they ever get finished - I don't know - one of them hopefully, the other I'm not sure about.

Anyway, enough rambling. I've got a really busy weekend ahead, away tomorrow night then lots of socialising so probably not much stitching will be done.

Have a good weekend all.

More Enchanted Flute

2009-03-23T16:39:00.003Z

Well, here is the result of all my stitching time since my last post! I am loving this and really can't put it down at the moment. I've very nearly finished the first page, leaving about 23 to go!!!!

I am going to have to put this down now for a week or so as I must do the next part of the round robin stitching and finish the Golden Retriever, both of which are needed by early April. So until they are done this will have to wait.

I hope everybody is getting plenty of stitching time.

HAED Update

2009-03-11T16:54:00.003Z

I have to admit to concentrating on Enchanted Flute since I last blogged. I'm really enjoying the challenge of it, and have even joined Our Friends HEAD sal blog to keep me motivated and watch what others are doing. There is some amazing stitching going on there and worth a look even if you're not a HEAD fan.

My camera and I have had a long talk about it's recent behaviour and I've even threatened it with the scanner. I've always believe that you shouldn't make a threat that you won't carry out, so I've used the scanner and the camera to take pics of Enchanged Flute. I am posting them both in the interests of research, so that I know which looks best and if the camera and I have a future!

So, this one is from the scanner:-

and this is from the camera.

In fairness, I think the camera has justified itself. The colour are much truer. They should be blues, not purples. Interesting experiment though, and shows that the camera is worth perservering with.

Happy stitching all.

A Little Finsh and Some Fun

2009-03-08T10:19:00.004Z

Most of my stitching time recently has been taken up with "Enchanted Flute" which is actually starting to show some progress. I'm keen to continue on this for now as I'm sure I will lose enthusiasm at some stage, so want to do as much as I can now.

However, I was having a little sort out (or rather through, as nothing actually goes out!) and realised I had rather a lot of WIP's and it was time I finished one. So here it is, a little biscornu. It still needs a button, but I don't have anything suitable at the moment. I'm not sure that the green colour really works but otherwise, I quite like it.

And now for the fun! I came across The Totally Useless SAL link from Rachael's Blog and thought I'd join in. I can't justify a purpose bought jar, so I'm making do with an old Honey Jar. The idea is to keep all your orts in the jar, and then post an update pic on each new moon showing how much you have collected. (Next post is 26 March).

Progress Update

2009-02-23T12:41:00.007Z

I've not had a chance to blog much recently but I have been busy stitching. I'm taking part in my first round robin and my initial part of that is almost done, ready to send out to the other participants.

I've also done number one and started number two of the EMS advent freebie. I'm doing this as a surprise for hubby and trying to stitch on it when he is not around - which is not easy. Trying to get all 24 done my be quite a challenge. Anyway here is 1 and half of 2.

I've also been doing biscournu which is close to being stitched together. I might try to finish that tonight to get something out of the way and completed. But my biggest progress in on Enchanted Flute a HAED design. I've done about 2,000 stitches which is about 1/3rd of the first page. I am stitching 1 over 1 on 32 count so the stitched area so far is very small - anyway that's my excuse for an appauling photograph (I think I need some lessons). But I think you can get the jist of how it is developing. I'll see if hubby can take something better when he gets home.

A Bag and Snow

2009-02-13T14:06:00.004Z

This is a little bag that I stitched for a friend who is a card maker. She had bought the kit some time ago as a card topper but hasn't got round to stitiching it. So, I've stitched it for her. Sorry the pic is out of focus, but I only took one photo and it's gone back to her now. It was a fun little stitch.

I've been give an award by Rachael which I am very honoured to receive. I shall give the idea some thought and then pass it on.

I pomised a pic of the snow here. Well I was suddenly late for work and by the time I got home the whole lot had gone. We did have more on the Thursday, and the closed the school but again it was gone by the end of the day. The children weren't happy about school being closed either as the eldest was supposed to be going on a school trip and the youngest had her class assembley. They did enjoy playing in it though!

Oh - and great guess by Pumpkin. It is indeed a dog - a Golden Retreiver to be exact. Well done - give yourself a pat on the back.

What is it?

2009-02-03T08:48:00.003Z

Ok I've got a bit of a guessing game for you. We were away last week so I took a small project with me to do. I've done about a quarter of it so far and I don't think you can tell at all what it is going to be. So here is your chance to prove me wrong. Any ideas? Sorry, no prizes just the feel good factor of getting it right.

I've also started a biscornu just for the fun of it. Actually that's nearly finished so I'll post a pic soon. I've also bought the chart for Celtic Summer. I got all the speciality bits in a great deal a little while ago, so just need to get some fabric and then I can make a start.

Thank you everybody who commented on my Celtic Winter. It was lovely to see some new faces, I hope you visit again. She's still waiting to be framed at the moment (and probably will do for a couple of months while we recover financially from the holiday).

We've actually had some snow here! I'll get a picture and post it later.

Celtic Winter Finish

2009-01-16T09:01:00.003Z

Well she's taken 6 months to complete but she will shortly be sent to the framers. Here she is, fully beaded and ready to go - Ladies and Gentlemen I present - Celtic Winter!

And here is a close up of her.

As you know I got my bargins on the thread packs for Celtic Spring and Celtic Summer - so the question is, which one next!

I plan on doing some more of my HAED design today and over the weekend so hopefully there will be something to show by the end of the weekend.

Happy Dance

2009-01-12T21:06:00.003Z

Here he is, I've done it. I've finished "Tempest". He was a pleasure to stitch in the end. I did have my doubts to start with, what with all the blending and half stitches, but I think he was worth it.

I did make a start on the HAED design. I managed to put in about 600 stitches but it is so small, and the colours are so simillar that I really don't think it would show in a photo, it would just look like a black blob. I've loved what I've done of it, but it does take real concentration and plenty of day light. I've got a light that I stitch by but it's just not good enough for the job, I may have to invest in a daylight bulb. Anyway, I'll have another go at it this Friday and see if I can't get a picture then.

Happy stitching.

Thank you

2009-01-07T16:42:00.003Z

Thank you all for your nice comments about "Walking in a Winter Wonderland".

Wendy - it's from issue number 194 of CrossStitcher and is designed by the Histocial Sampler Company. I think they sell the chart as well so you could try that if you can't get hold of the magazine.

I've done some more work on Tempest and am now on the backstitch of this, so he hopefully won't be too much longer.

I hope to start my HAED design on Friday. Actually, that's a slight lie - I've already made two starts on it, this will be my third. I started off doing 2 over 1 on 25ct fabric. I did about 300 stitches but it all looked a bit too tight and close together. So I decided to try 1 over 1 on the 25ct, but this didn't give enough coverage, you could easily see the white fabric through the dark threads.

So I made a big decision and decided that I liked the 1 over 1 coverage I had on Celtic Winter so have bought some white 32ct fabric. It is on this piece of fabric that I will start on Friday. So I'm about 600 stitches down with nothing to show for it. Oh well, it's a decision best made now rather than later on.

Happy stitching everybody.

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T16:22:00.003Z

Happy New Year to everybody!

We've had a busy Christmas period, lots of friends and lots of fun which is what it's all about.

I had a huge list of stitching things that I asked for for Christmas but actually only got one - a lap stand. And I'm loving it. It really makes a difference not having to hold the hoop.

So, I know Christmas is officially over, but I thought I would show you a finish I did for last Christmas (2007). I wasn't blogging at the time so haven't had a chance to show you. Anyway, here is Walking In A Winter Wonderland which was a chart in CrossStitcher.

I've been quite busy on Tempest and he is definately coming along well.

Crazy or just stupid?

2008-12-13T13:53:00.002Z

I've done it! I've gone and bought a HAED design! It seemed like a good idea and now I've printed it out and OMG! There is so much of it. And the chart is so complicated you can't tell which page is what part of the design! Gulp! I chose Enchanted Flute . That's a big descission in itself, they have so many lovely designs to choose from.

Oh well. Off to check what threads I need, then I'll order them and some fabric, although a start might have to wait until after Christmas.

Storm in a Tea Cup

2008-12-12T14:21:00.005Z

Well, I did it. I made it back here before Christmas, what do you know!

I thought I'd post an update on Tempest for all to see. It's slow progress but he's coming along. I'm really enjoying him. There is a lot of thread blending and I did say never again after The Wave but, hey, I guess I'm just a sucker for punishment.

I've had a bit of a hic-cup with HDYGG. The fabric I've used isn't long enough! Nightmare. I'm going to have to improvise somehow. I knew that it was going to be tight when I selected the fabric - it was an off-cut from something else, but I thought I would just about get away with it. How wrong was I? If you've got the pattern and have any brigth ideas they will be gratefully received. Here's my problem:-

At the bottom of the dark green stitching there should be another large flower mirroring the one at the top in the picture below. There is obviously no space for this. So, I don't know. I may just do as many of the other flowers that will fit and leave the bottom one completely.

Where does the time go?

2008-12-06T11:58:00.004Z

I really can't believe it's been a month since I've updated the blog. What can I say. Only that life is hectic - all in a good way I'm glad to say. DH's new job is keeping him very busy and currently working from home so I don't get much of a chance to get near the computer. I guess the two things have conspired to prevent me from updating this.

Firstly, I would like to say a big and belated thank you to Rachael for my lovely prize. I took part in a draw on her blog and was lucky enough to be one of the winners. She very kindly sent me some hand died fabric and threads all in blue - one of my favourite colours!

I promise to do them all justic Rachael. Thank you.

What else it there to tell you? Well I've done quite a bit of the beading on Celtic Winter. I'm using invisible thread to do this. I love the result of this, however, it is exactly what it says and very difficult to use in artifical light. As I don't get much time for daylight stitching, this is being very slow progress.

I've found myself another bargin though! I was in hobbycraft buying some Christmas presents when I came across the speciality threads pack for Celtic Summer - in the sale. The original price was:-

But this was reduced to:-

And for this price I got:-

That's six packs of Mill Hill Beads, four bobbins of Petite Gold thread and twelve skeins of Needle Paints threads. Ohhhh! I do love a bargin.

There has also been some progress on Tempest, he is now sitting in half a cup! I'll sort a picture another day. And I've been stitching on HDYGG. I've now on part 11 and I've chosen and started some of the beads. So things are happening slowly.

Now, I have every intention of posting again before Christmas - but they way things are, who knows. So I know it's early, but just in case - Merry Christmas everybody, hope you all have a good one!

Tempest

2008-11-05T16:38:00.003Z

Here is my progress so far on Tempest. I'm really enjoying it as it's a small design and is taking shape quite quickly. I've only had to frog about 3 parts so far!!!!!! I've really not spent much time on it as we had our sofas cleaned on Monday and they're still wet so I've nowhere comfortable to sit. I spending too much time on the computer instead.

One Small Stitch

2008-11-02T10:45:00.005Z

Celtic Winter is continuing to progress. I've restitched her face and hand one over one. Rachael was right, it does look very odd when you start out but I'm really happy with the result.

I've now finished all the stitching on her so it's just the beading to do now for a finish.

I've also decided to do a Teresa Wentzler design. It's a freebee from her site called Tempest in a Tea Cup. All the goodies were delivered yesterday.

I've made a small start but not enough to show you just yet. I'm loving the colours of it although there are a lot of fractionals and colour blending, but it's only a small piece so I'm sure I'll be fine as long as I concentrate.

Long time - no blogging!

2008-10-27T16:55:00.004Z

I can't believe it's over a week since I last blogged. Where does the time go!

Here, at last, is the picture of the Snow Poem that I'm doing as part of a SAL at Threads and Yarns. The picture doesn't show it very well but I've used a silver blending thread in with the red and the green so that it glistens to give it a festive feel.

It really won't take all that long to finish now. It's the piece I take with me to do while the girls do their swimming and ballet, so a few more lessons and it will soon be done.

I've also been putting in a lot of work on my Celtic Winter, and this is how she is looking now. I've still got quite a bit of white to put in on the front of her skirt in amongst the swirls.

I have decided to do her face and hand one over one, so the scissors are coming out tonight and I'm going to frog her features. This is her "Close Up" as she is.

I've given it quite a bit of thought, but having seen other people's when they've done one over one it does look really nice, and as the plan is to do all four seasons and they will be around the house for quite some time I think it is worth the effort to do it right now. I know that nobody would think "she should have done the face one over one" but I would know it could have been better so - wish me luck!

Happy stitiching everybody and thank you for your continued visits.

A Finish

2008-10-19T17:07:00.002+01:00

I've managed to finish a piece. Here is the bookmark that I've been doing from my mother in law. Olive is the name of the lady that it is for. I hope they will both be happy with it.

Playing games

2008-10-18T14:15:00.004+01:00

I've been tagged by Rachael. Here are the rules of the game.

• Link to the person who tagged you.
• Post the rules on your blog.
• Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself.
• Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
• Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
• Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

So here are my six random things:-

1) I don't like bananas
2) I once absailed down the outside of a 13 storey building in the middle of Bristol - I still don't quite believe I actually did it and it was years ago.
3) I am supposed to be related to Oliver Cromwell (not that we shout about that!)
4) I kill every plant I ever own except one which I've had for 20 years!
5) I'm typing this sitting at an antique desk that used to belong to my grandfather.
6) I love musicals - particularly things like Annie Get Your Gun and Severn Brides for Severn Brothers.

So my six nominies to play along (if they wish - nobody is forced to do this) are:-

Julie
Jackie
Lisa
Pumpkin
Kay
miss376

Ta Ta for now

Bargin of the day

2008-10-17T14:59:00.003+01:00

Well I've had an exciting trip to the hospital again today and can happily say that DD has had her cast taken off the her arm has been given the OK! She's not allowed to play netball for six weeks or do PE (which is currently football so she's not worried about that).

Anyway, on the way home from the hospital we stopped at Hobbycraft. It's is quite literaly on the way - honest. The only detour was into the car park. We needed to get some PVA glue for a project she has to do for school, but of course I just had to visit the cross stitch section. And I'm so glad I did. I've just picked up the beeds and specialist thread pack for Celtic Spring (I promise to finish Cletic Winter first). Anyway, it was on clearance reduced from £14.99 to an unbelievable £4.99. Well it was too good an opportunity to leave, wouldn't you agree? It's got four packs of mill hill beeds and four lots of gold braid. It would definately have cost me more to buy them separately.

I noticed I've been taged by Rachael and I promise to carry it on - soon.

I've also picked up a couple more eggs so please click on them to help them survive.

Many thanks to all who visit.

First Commission

2008-10-11T13:37:00.005+01:00

I've got my first commission! It's only for a bookmark for my mother-in-law but it's a commission never the less. I'm doing a design from issue 201 of CrossStitcher. The design is for a card but it should be ok as a bookmark, and where it says "With Sympathy" I'm going to put "Olive" as that is the name of the lady it's for, and is more appropriate, don't you think.

Here is progress so far.

I haven't forgotten that I promised a pic of "Snow Poem" and I will get one done.

You may have noticed the Dragon Egg on the side bar. If you would click on it I would be truly grateful as every click helps it to grow and hatch. Pop back from time to time to see how it's getting on. When it will hatch I don't know. It's all a game of wait and see. Fun though!

Bunny Wabbit!

2008-10-04T11:22:00.003+01:00

I have a little finish to show you all. It's for the ongoing charity stitchalong over at Stitch Clubs. Here's my little rabbit!

I'm also joining in the Snow Poem stitchalong at threads and yarns, so I'll post a pic of my progress of that shortly.

Good news on DD's arm though. She just needs it in plaster for two more weeks, not the origianl four that we had been told. She will soon be running around as normal.

And DH finally starts the new job on Monday! Can't believe how long it has taken. Still have to wait a month for a pay pack of course, but at least we know it's coming now.

Happy stitching everyone!

Stitching Progress!

2008-09-25T09:37:00.003+01:00

At last I have something to show you all. It's not a finished piece of work but it sure show progress. How Does Your Garden Grow! I've now stitched this up to part eight. Part nine has been released and I hope to stitch that shortly.

I'm still missing beads on this, partly because I don't have any yet and partly because I would leave them to the end anyway. Each part stitches up really quickly and I'm enjoying learning all the speciality stitches.

Back to the hospital tomorrow to get DD's plaster changed. She's been in school yesterday and today and managed OK although she can't actually right anything. They let her use the computer to do her work, although even that is slow going with just her left hand to type with.

Back to it!

2008-09-22T19:49:00.002+01:00

Life has got so mad recently, what happened to all my stitchy time? I'm sorry to everybody that I've not been around much but I hope to get back with it now and get up-to-date on all your blogs.

We had a slight disaster on Sunday, in that eldest daughter (10) managed to fall off her scooter and break her right arm. We got to the A&E at 8.50pm and got home at 2.30am - yep that's right nearly 6 hours in casualty. She's got a temp cast on at the moment which will be replaced with one of those fancy light ones on Friday. It was all a bit traumatic and we're both really tired so I'm off to bed in a moment.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for your continued visits and watch this space for a proper stitchy update soon.

Ta Ta for now.

Boing!

2008-09-09T18:15:00.003+01:00

Here's a little frog I've stitched. The pattern is from Cyberstitchers and was a really quick stitch. It kind of sums things up for us recently.

However, things have improved. Hubby has been offered a job. Yippeee! He doesn't have a start date yet but it should be later this month. And I'm really enjoying my job so I think things are on an upward turn, at last. The job has meant I've not been updating my blog as often as I would like but I hope to improve on that. Thank you all for your words on encouragement, it is really appreciated and has helped over the last few weeks.

I've also been stitching away at Celtic Winter although progress has slowed down on that as I seem to be more tired in the evenings at the moment. Anyway, here's to happier times. Thank you all, again.

Winter Advances

2008-08-30T10:07:00.006+01:00

I've been busy on my Celtic Lady recently. I hadn't thought I'd made all that much progress until I looked at the last pick I took. I'm really in to this one at the moment. I'm just getting to the detail at the bottom of the skirt and really looking forward to tackling that.

I do have one dilema though. I've just seen Rachael's update of her Celtic Lady and she's done the face and hands 1/1. I think it looks great like that, much finer and am tempted to unstitch what I've done and do it 1/1 as well. It's not that large an area when you think of the whole design. The question is, is it really worth it? I'll have to give it some more thought.

On a completely different subject, I have just started some part time work! It's a very odd feeling after 11 years at home with the children. But I think I'm going to enjoy it. Hubby is still spending all his time job hunting and the money I'm making is nowhere near what he was on but it does mean our savings will go another month before we are really in difficulty. It's amazing how much you can save when you really have to. We've had no luxuries at all this month but we've survived. Here's to hubby getting a job soon.

Happy Dance

2008-08-24T10:46:00.002+01:00

I've done it. I've finished Boquet for Cheryl. Just need to make it up into a cushion now. I've got the cushion pad, salvaged from an old one we were throwing out but I'll still need to get some material to finish it off.

Back to Black

2008-08-22T14:29:00.003+01:00

After a nudge from Rachael (Brokenfairy ) I have picked up my Boquet for Cheryl again. It's been quite a while now, officially a UFO I feel. However, lighter nights have ment faster progress and this is now rapidly approaching a finish. I still plan to turn it into a cushion for the "play room".

I plan to concentrate on this for now and get the finish under my belt. Then probably back to Celtic Winter. My MIL has her eye on the HDYGG design so I'll gift that to her when it's finished.

Back already!

2008-08-18T09:03:00.002+01:00

I've read this on Rachael's blog and, I guess like everybody, I'm also interested in who's visiting my blog. So, please leave a comment and lets get to know each other. It doesn't have to be much, just a "Hello" will do.

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! And if we’ve never met in real life, leave me a comment of your favorite post I wrote and why it was your favorite.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually really funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.
3.Do you read my posts from a reader,blogroll or is this your first visit?
Thank you

I'm Back

2008-08-18T08:30:00.003+01:00

Hello everybody. (I was going to say "Good Morning" but it may be afternoon where you are, or afternoon when you read this so I stuck with "Hello"!)

Sorry I've not been on here recently. I've been looking after my father who had a stroke last year. My mum went to a wedding in Estonia and he couldn't make it so we've been living up there and they don't have the internet.

However, I've not been idle. I took Celtic Winter up with me and have been working away on that and I've also completed parts 3 and 4 and started part 5 on How Does Your Garden Grow. So HDYGG now looks like this:-

I was a little worried about doing the rhodes hearts (the yellow bits in the strip that goes across). I have been reading Rachael's blog and she said she struggled with them and has given up. I've always admired Rachael's work (especially her hardanger) so I was worried that if she struggled so would I. I did have to frog the first one a couple of times but I got there eventually and the others seemed to flow from there.

Stitchy Update

2008-08-11T14:12:00.003+01:00

I've spent the last few evenings working my Celtic Lady and she is progressing nicely. I've also completed part two of How Does Your Garden Grow. I'm really enjoying the challenge of the different stitches.

I've still not got any beads for this yet but they will probably be easiest to add at the end anyway.

I got the latest issue of Cross Stitcher this week and they've got a lovely advent calender to stitch. I would really love to give it a go but it will have to wait for now.

Life's a B.....

2008-08-07T11:19:00.004+01:00

We've had bad news in the family this week - it looks like hubby will be out of a job before long. This is worrying from a finiancial point of view and he is currently going all out to find another one. This does mean that we've put a hold on all non-essential spending (and this, of course, includes stitching supplies). So I appologise now for all those SAL's I said I'd do but I'm going to have to pull out. I still want to do them and hopefully this situation won't last too long and then, maybe, I can catch up with you all.

However, until then I still have plenty of projects on the go. I'm over halfway through a wabbit for the charity squares at Stitch Clubs; I've only done part one of How Does your Garden Grow and there are six parts available; Boquet for Cheryl has become a UFO and is three quarters done, and then, of course, there's my Celtic Lady which is enough to keep me going for quite some time on her own.

Here is an update of the Lady herself.

Long and the short of the whole thing is, that I will still be around if a little less active on the SAL front (which hubby would think is a good thing anyway! lol).

Just In Time

2008-08-01T16:44:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I finished the July Juggy Bug square. Talk about leaving it close. I started it ages ago and only had the sprinkles and the word July to add. So, already for August now, as soon as it is released.

I haven't got round to doing any more of my celtic lady yet. I struggling in that every time I concentrate on the stitiching I feel like everything is rocking. It's a hangover from being on the narrowboat but it doesn't usually last quite this long. Hopefully I'll be felling OK again soon.

I'm also going to take part in a stitch along over on Threads and Yarns. Just need to sort out some fabric (I don't have any spare at the moment so I'm going to have to order some in).

Happy stitching.

I Love My Postman!

2008-07-31T16:13:00.004+01:00

Having spent yesteday chasing a parcel that the post office had failed to deliver on Tuesday they finally re-delivered it this morning. It was my Christmas in July exchange from Johanna. A lovely stiched ornie, some Polstitches Rippling Rosebud thread, some pretty candles and yummt chocy.

Thank you very much Jo, it is all lovely and I feel very spoilt.

However, this wasn't the only treat the postman bought. There was another parcel with a post stamp from DMC! Hubby asked what I'd been ordering now and I honestly replied "nothing!" It was very exciting. It turns out that I had won the spring DMC/Cross Stitcher competition and the envlope was stuffed with four charts/kits.

There's a gardening bag kit and an orchid kit (bottom two shown) and then two charts by Kate Knight (Timless and Lacy Flowers). I've been smiling all day, it was such a suprise. I don't think they are charts I would have chosen, but I'm sure I will enjoy them. I officially have unplanned for stash for the first time. I usually buy things and do them.

Anyway, off to finish the July Juggy Bug square now, before August is issued tomorrow.

HDYGG Progress

2008-07-29T16:22:00.004+01:00

Well, I worked on this last night and a bit today and I've now finished part one (except for the beads). I had intended to use some purple ones that I've already got but they just look to big for the design so I will have to get some more at some stage.

Tuesday today, so I might get out the Bouqet for Cheryl and try to make some progress on that tonight.

I think my parcel for the Christmas in July exchange arrived today, but we were out at the cinema watching the 2nd Narnia film, so I'll have to go and pick that up tomorrow. (It was a great film though!).

I'm Back

2008-07-28T19:22:00.004+01:00

We've had a fantastic week away, cruising the Oxford Canal. Totally relaxed and all sporting great suntans!

While I was away Rachael has given my blog an award.

Thank you Rachael, I've never received one before and really appreciate it.

As for stitching, well it's all very quiet. I did very little while we were away (as expected). I'm planning to do a bit more of the HDYGG tonight so that there will actually be something worth photographing and showing you later.

Thanks again, Rachael, for the award, I'm really touched.

How does your garden grow?

2008-07-19T08:17:00.004+01:00

I've decided that I need a small project to take away on holiday. Cletic Winter is just to big and detailed for the confines of a narrow boat. So I'm going to give How does you garden grow? a go. I'm going to do the speciality version and teach myself some new stitches. The fabric I'm stitching it on is an off cut from the Juggy Bug piece and is just big enough, leaving me with very little to finish it, so I will have to be creative about that when the time comes.

Anyway here is a pic of work so far (not a lot!)

And, just to keep you all in the picture, here is Celtic Winter as she is now.

I've also been working on the July Juggy Bugs which is very nearly finished. I'll try to finish that off today, before we go away and if I have time I'll update later.

The Lady Progresses

2008-07-13T11:01:00.002+01:00

All I've been working on recently is my Celtic Winter lady and, on the whole, I'm really enjoying her. I've hit a tough bit at the moment using the whisper thread, a fluffy white one. It uses two strand of whisper and one of DMC which makes it so thick to work with, combined with the fluffyness of it, it's just a real struggle. Thankfully there's not much more of it to do but my heart sinks each time I think about it. I've decided that I'll do one needle's worth of work in the whisper and then one of plain DMC and alternate. Hopefully it will soon be done then and it won't put me off the project.

Celtic Winter Update

2008-07-07T11:13:00.004+01:00

I've not managed to get much stitching done this weekend but there is still some progress to show.

My eldest has been stitching a bookmark with her name on and she has nearly finished it now. I can't quite remember when she started it, it's taken her so long. She's taken it into school today to show the class at show and tell. If she does actually finish it soon I'll post a pic.

Happy stitching!

Christmas in July

2008-07-05T11:59:00.004+01:00

My christmas ornie and other gifts have safely arrived with Rachael. Unfortunatley I forgot to take a picture before I sent it so if you want to see what I made you'll have to visit Rachael's Blog.

I'm still really enjoying Celtic Winter and she now has hair. I don't really like to take her with me to the children's swimming lessons etc so I'm also stitching a Wabbit as my "on the move" piece.

Hope everybody is doing well and thank you for visiting.

Edited: I managed to copy the pic from Rachael's blog (hope you don't mind!).

Celtic Winter

2008-07-02T12:57:00.002+01:00

I've managed to unpick everything now and have made really good progress. Here is an update.

As you can see I couldn't resist adding a few beads just to see what they are like. I'll leave the rest to the end now as they will get in the way of the frame as I work. I am still really enjoying this.

Happy Today

2008-06-30T14:28:00.003+01:00

I'm glad to say that after some hard work I have no unpicked all of Celtic Winter and restitched to beyond where I had got to. So I'm making progress in the right direction now.

The July Juggy Bug design is out now. As usual I need to get some of the thread colours for it (oh dear, what a hardship lol). It's an ice cream cone - very summery, just right for today! Looking forward to stitching it.

Disaster

2008-06-28T15:38:00.002+01:00

I was showing Cletic Winter to my parents last night as it was birthday money from them that I used to buy it. And as I looked at the picture I realised a horrible mistake. When I measured in from the top left to start stitching I hadn't allowed for the skirt which sticks out of the frame at the bottom left. So the whole thing is too far to the left. It needs to be moved over about 30 stitches to the right. So there has been nothing for it but to unpick the whole lot!

I'm nearly done now, I want to get it finished so I can start stitching again tonight. And I shall be locking the door and putting frog repelent roung the windows! That little green creature will not be visiting me again!

This is the first time I've ever had to take so much of my work out and I'm only grateful that I realised my mistake now and not when I got down to the skirt.

Celtic Lady Start

2008-06-27T08:29:00.004+01:00

Well here it is. The start of my Celtic Winter lady. I am so enjoying this one. All I can think about is when I can next pick up the needle.

I've just ordered some beading needles, invisible thread and Thread Heaven, which, if I'm lucky, will be here today. As expected the gold thread frays as I stitch and I've heard people talk about Thread Heaven so thought I'd give it a go.

I've not put any beads on yet. I've not done any real beading before and I'm not sure whether to do it as I go along or wait until the end. I'd like to do them as I go along but I'm worried they'd get caught or broken in the hoop. What little beading I have done in the past I've used a normal needle but I thought this project was worth buying a beading needle for, so again it will be interesting to see if it's really any different. Anyway, can't wait to do some more this afternoon (hopefull), must finish work and clean bathroom first :(

Stash Arrival!!!!

2008-06-25T12:45:00.004+01:00

My order from 123 Stitch arrived this morning Yeah! It's a week exactly since I ordered it so can't complain about that. Here's a pic.

Really can't wait to get started on her now. I think there's a Euro2008 cup match on tonight so at least hubby won't miss me.

I've also stitched my item for the Christmas in July swap, but can't show that just yet.

Boquet Update

2008-06-21T11:37:00.001+01:00

I've been working on the Boquet for Cheryl over the last week or so and thought it was time for an update pic. So here it is:-

Having just done a little bit here and a little bit there I hadn't realised how much progress I had made until I looked back at the last pic I posted.

The speciality threads that I ordered from Thread Bear arrived the day after I ordered them. I've not used Thread Bear before but the service was very prompt and the threads came wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a piece of thread which I thought was a lovely touch. I will happily use them again. Here are the threads:-

The white one is all fluffy, I've never used a fluffy thread before so look forward to that. Not sure I'm over keen on 4 lots of the metlic gold (gulp!) just hoping that the Rainbow Gallery ones are nicer than those I've used in the past.

Have a good weekend everybody and that you for your continued support and interest.

Stash Order

2008-06-18T19:35:00.002+01:00

I've got nothing to show at the moment - although boquet for cheryl is progressing quite nicely now. BUT..... I've just placed an order from 123 Stitch for the Lavender and Lace Celtic Winter design, material, threads and beads. It's got to come from the states so might take a while but I've had confirmation that it's all been sent. Really excited now. Will be stalking the postman from Monday! If you don't know the design there's a pic here . I've been drooling over other people's stitching of the Celtic Lady designs and been dreaming of it for ages and I've finally gone for it.

What amazed me was, that even with a $10 postage charge I still saved about £8 on the total for all the stuff. Don't you just love the current UK/US exchange rate!

I've also signed up for a Christmas in July exchange. Got a few ideas bubbling away, but will wait to see who my partner is first.

A Couple of Finishes

2008-06-16T10:33:00.003+01:00

I can't believe it's nearly a week since I last blogged. Where does the time go? Well I've been quiet but I do have a couple of little finishes. First up is the bookmark I did for my daughter (finally made it up!).

I backed it with this star patterned felt which she likes.

The other finish is the scissor fob. I still think it's a bit too big so I'll add a cord at some stage and hang it somewhere (possibly my car as that is green!)

Happy stitching all.

A bit of fun.

2008-06-10T18:58:00.003+01:00

This is just a silly thing I saw on Rachael's Blog but had to have a go.

Here’s how it goes:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.

3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food? right now?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. What is your favourite drink?

7. What is your dream vacation?

8. What is your favourite dessert?

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. What is one word that describes you?

12. What is your flickr name?

(I pinched this word for word from you Rachael - hope you don't mind!)

2008-06-09T11:29:00.003+01:00

I haven't done any stitching over the weekend as I've been away on a girly weekend. Six of us left our children with our other halves and went to see another friend in Plymouth. Had a lovely lunch in a little harbour village (can't remember it's name) in a pub garden and then hit the beach. No sooner had we got there than the heavens opened and we were subjected to a thunder storm and hail. The great British weather!!!

However, spent a lovely evening in Plymouth, eating and drinking far too much and then we all came home on Sunday. So, no stitching but a great time.

My little project at the moment is a scissor fob. I've done one side and am currently finishing off the other so should have a finish pretty soon. This is the way it looks so far.

Having taken the picture with the scissors, is it too big for a scissor fob? I'm doing the same design again for the other side and will then stitch them together along the backstitched boarder. Maybe it will just have to be an orni.

Juggy Bug June

2008-06-04T10:03:00.004+01:00

I stitched the June design of the Juggy Bug monthly quilt squares last night. Another lovely design Julie, thank you. Great fun to stitch. I can't believe we're half way through it though. It really doesn't seem like six months since we started it, where does the time go?

This is the first time I've done a monthly reveal stitch along and I'm really enjoying it. Makes me want to do some more actually. I've been downloading loads of them so I gues it's just a case of deciding which one I want to do.

I'm still working on the boquet so I'll hopefully have a pic of that soon.

Bye for now and thanks for dropping by.