I've Been Meaning To Post

Actually I've been meaning to do many things.
This week between Christmas & New Year should have been an hive of activity.  I had lots planned ~ stitching, quilting, sorting out my stash together with clearing the ubiquitous piles of assorted "stuff" that I manage to acquire.  In reality I have done very little ~ much of my inactivity has been related to feeling well under par, thankfully this is now starting to pass.

We made a family visit on Tuesday ~ my only trip out.  It was lovely to see the assorted clan, many of whom we don't see often enough.
I painted this a while ago for the most recent member of the family ~ we meet Isla Rose for the first time on Tuesday, what an absolute sweetheart she is.  She cooed and gurgled away contentedly while we all had cuddles. 

Talking of angels, this one was stitched quite a few years ago.  It was a kit that I received as a birthday gift from a friend.  All that was left to do was to finish had stitching the binding and adding a hanger ~ I borrowed a cropodile which punched the holes and set the snowflake eyelets, a bit of wire was added secured with a couple of polka dots buttons. I'm very happy that I have finally finished this.

 

My final TUSAL of 2011 and the complete year of ORTs in my Christmas bauble ~ that's a lot of old ragged threads!  Not the best pictures.

I have spent the last couple of days stitching yet another Christmas piece!

This is Ho Ho Ho in a Row by Lizzie Kate ~ I have the buttons to add to the wreath and the colour blocks to add to the bottom border and it's done.  I'm debating whether to change the colour blocks from the charted pink, red & green to filling them all with the blue ~ can't decide, which is why it's not finished. 

I have a few other ornament finishes that have not been revealed yet ~ perhaps I will show them during the dark days of January.

I would like to thank all of you for reading me here, and for all the lovely comments that have been left over the past 11 months.  2011 has been a year of both great joy and great sadness for me, in some ways I am sorry to see it close, but close it must.  Here's to a bright, happy & healthy 2012.

Kate

And The Winner is.......

...... Sally from Stitchtyangel's Treasure - could you please email me your mailing address and I will send out a wee package after Christmas.

Kate

Just a Quicky

Aren't stitchers just the most generous of people? - Parsley over at Seasons of My Mind is hosting a fabulous Christmas giveaway - check it out.

Kate

A Larger Tree

With our theme of silver, glass & red.

A Little Bit of Christmas

Originally I bought this thinking it would work as an ornament tree, however when I hung some ornaments I didn't like it - neither the tree nor the ornaments showed up very well, I have to admit to being disappointed.  So I tried the little jingle bells that were bought to spruce up our door wreath and didn't make it there.  I love how it looks, and the light it sheds is a lovely warm white.
The little angel sitting under the tree is the project that Sandra from The Crafts House designed for our Tuesday Stitching Group's last visit back in November.  She looks just perfect sitting there with the warm glow of the tree above her.

And here she is a little more clearly ~ we painted, glued, shaded, stamped, blushed, beaded and twisted ~ isn't she sweet!

The LM is off on his travels again tomorrow and on Saturday GB1 is off to a medical taster course at Nottingham University ~ a whole 5 days away from home, by himself!  As I'm sure many of you have experienced with your own children he's not phased in the slightest at the prospect ~ me? I'm a wee bit apprehensive.

Sleep is calling my name ~ eventually, with barely 5 hours in the land of nod between the last couple of nights ~ I'm off, night.

Kate

Oh Wow!

100 followers - how fantastic. Thanks to each and every one of you for taking the time to read my ramblings, it's lovely to think that you keep coming back for more! I love to receive your comments and I read them all. I know from my short time blogging (less than a year) how it can be difficult to keep up with reading let alone commenting on posts, so I truly appreciate the time you take in doing so.
To mark this milestone & as a thank you I will be putting together a little something - not sure what yet, promise it won't be leftover turkey though! A name will be drawn from existing followers only - after all you are my centuplicate**. The name will be announced later in the week, however I would not plan to mail out the goodies until the silly season at the Post Office is over to minimise the risk of a) delay between my house and yours & b) disappearance.
Thanks

Kate




**Disclaimer - this may be poetic use of the word centuplicate, however it suits my purpose so it stays!

Exchange Updates

I have now heard that my last two ornaments have reached their destinations.

This was sent to Joyce in Texas who was my partner on the Friendly Stitchers group.  It's Noel by Log Cabin Needleworks, stitched on 18ct Rustico with DMC threads.  I really love this design and will be stitching it again for myself ~ hopefully soon.

Sandra in Wales was my partner for TGOSM group's ornament exchange and I stitched Winter by The Stitcherhood.  Another design that I really like ~ this one is on 32ct Sand Linen with DMC threads.  I have already stitched this one for myself  on a smaller scale.

I'm still stitching ornaments for the Christmas Ornament Challenge 2011 but they will probably all be staying in our home.  I'm hoping to finish my Secret Santa piece for Tuesday Stitching group ~ we'll be exchanging these at our Christmas dinner mid-month.

Today has been spent shopping with the LM ~ at a fairly sedate pace I have to say, although the trip on public transport nearly ruined the day!   LM doesn't really "do" public transport.  In addition to Christmas things we have been investigating new phones ~ so many handsets/deals/bundles, and would you expect to hear words like gingerbread & ice cream sandwich in a phone shop?

There are those of you out there who know that in our house the LM does most of the cooking, including some very lovely cakes ~ well not today!  Tonight we've had homemade roasted butternut squash & sweet potato soup and I'm feeling quite pleased with myself as it was very tasty, there's even leftovers for another day.  We have a surplus of apples so tomorrow I may make Eve's pudding ~ a favourite of mine as my lovely Mum made it many times for us.

I'm off to watch Strictly ~ enjoy your evening.

Kate

Ornament Stitcing

Aside from stitching for the Christmas Ornament Challenge 2011 I have participated in three ornament exchanges this year.

Last week (I think) this arrived all the way from Texas ~ Joyce from The Friendly Stitcher Group was my partner and stitched this lovely JBW design.  I can't show you what I sent just yet as I have not heard from Joyce as to whether it has been received.

Today was reveal day for the Needlecraft Haven ornament exchange ~ Ursh sent me this gorgeous snowman, such a lot of work and I love the ruched ribbon trim.  I just love snowmen so it's perfect.         

I was to stitch for Julie and this is the ornament I sent ~ it's from the November issue of The Gift of Stitching, the fabric shown is what was used as the backing.

Finally, from my partner Sandra on TGOSM exchange I received this lovely piece ~ the design is from The Drawn Thread Company.  Again, I am waiting to hear from Sandra that she has received my package before I show it here.

Thanks so much to all my partners for the lovely ornaments I have received ~ they will be displayed in our home for many years to come.  I recently bought a little tree from a local garden centre which I hope will work for hanging all the ornaments I have received from exchanges over the years ~ I guess as it's now December I should unpack it and see how it works.

Kate

Twisty Tuesday

That's how I feel my day will turn out. I was far too late going to sleep last night (the stitching bug was to blame) and roused very early when the LM left for London at 04:40, leaving without saying hello/bye is not really allowed here ~ can't imagine who decided that should be the rule! I should have been going with him but as I've missed so much work I can't really take more time off to jaunt around the country. So as well as getting frustrated with lack of hearing today I may be slightly tetchy ~ if I were you I'd give me a wide berth. I'm off to see if porridge can save the day.

Kate

No Snow This Year...

... for our trip to the Knitting & Stitching show at Harrogate ~ thank goodness.

My shopping list was relatively short this year ~ mostly threads to complete patterns I already have.  The charm pack will be used to finish the L*K pattern shown plus another one I have (once they are stitched!) into pillows.
The felt is for a project from this Rosalie Quinlan book I recently bought at Just Quilting together with something else I am working on. 
Our day was not as leisurely as usual as the exhibition seemed to be far busier than we have experienced in recent years ~ perhaps people were getting in on day one in case the weather turned nasty and prevented them from going.  I have started saving for next year already.

Kate

A Spot of Painting & TUSAL

Our Tuesday Stitching Group have our next meeting at The Crafts House this week for our Christmas project ~ I'm really looking forward to it, I have an idea of what we will be making but you will have to wait and see.

 This is our last project from back in September - a cute row of gingerbread men in a frame.  We always have a great time with Sandra and I'm sure that Tuesday will be as enjoyable as ever.

I have also been spending some Sunday mornings painting with the Diary Dames ~ this snowman with his mug of hot chocolate was one of my recent finishes.  I have a couple of others to share with you soon ~ they just need some final titivating before they make an appearance.

 I will leave you with pictures of my ORTs ~ at least a couple of month's worth as I have missed posting, together with the year so far in the Christmas bauble.  Check out the crocheted flower pin cushion too ~ a gift from the Lovely C

We're almost back at Monday ~ again!  Hope you have a good week.

Kate

Fabulous Fabric

and lots of it.
Given to me by one of the Ladies at our Tuesday Stitching Group ~ how lucky am I?  Lots of 32ct & 36ct and a few others too.
I have to confess that it's not all in the picture either as I have already used some of it!

Kate

Hermit Weekend Update

After a few housebound days I made a visit to see my Dad on Saturday morning ~ I figured that as I was feeling much better (and seriously fed up with being stuck indoors) this would be OK.  We spent time drinking coffee and just chatting about all manner of things ~ he's doing great, well apart from a little tumble that has left him bruised and sore.  Dad's is off to Scotland later in the week for a stay with Sis2 and her family ~ I think that they are all looking forward to it.
I had a couple of shopping stops to make on the way home and stitching started shortly after lunch.

My first two projects were quick finishes:

 

This is an internet freebie from Alexandrina.  I have stitched this on 32ct evenweave, not sure of the colour as it is a piece I was recently given, with DMC 890.  Finished with a homemade cord in the same colour.

 

My second ornament is also a freebie from Alexandrina, stitched with the same fabric and thread.

I really enjoyed completing these two ornaments to add to my collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday I managed to complete the finishing on two ornaments for exchanges ~ obviously I can't show you these until after they have been received by my partners.  They were both great to stitch.

Next up was the SAL from The Thread Basket and C Mon Monde

 

I'm using a mix of GAST and Crescent Colours for this one.  The linen is from Permin, can't remember the colour name at the moment.  I don't use Permin fabric much and this is quite stiff ~ however I do like the way it's coming together.  Hopefully Part II should arrive today.

I spent a couple of hours with The Diary Dames and Sandra at The Crafts House yesterday ~ I was really pleased with what I managed to achieve.  The usual dose of hilarity was included along with coffee, mince pies and some lovely projects ~ I'll share mine with you soon.

Today I had expected to return to work ~ my right ear had other plans!  A quick visit to the Doctor confirmed an infection ~ so antibiotics and pain killers are on the menu for me.  Hoping to make it back tomorrow once the meds have kicked in.

A less than happy Monday ~ on the upside it's our annual visit to Harrogate on Thursday.

Kate

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend

I've seen updates on this event many times before so I thought I'd give it a go myself! I have a SAL and Christmas ornament stitching to catch up with so hopefully this will keep the momentum going. I have been huddled up with my quilt for the last couple of days trying to fend off the lurgy - another couple of sedentary days can't hurt.

Hope you enjoy whatever your weekend brings you.

Kate

I hope you can forgive me....

..... for being just a little late in announcing the next stop on the Travelling Pattern's epic tour.  We have been away for a furiously busy weekend, arriving home in time for bed Sunday evening ~ more on that later ~ and Monday was just a blur!

The next stitcher is:

Jo at Serendipitous Stitching

Jo could you please contact me with your address and I will mail the patten on to you.  Many thanks to all those who left comments.  Remember to follow the pattern for a chance to become a member of The Stitcherhood.

Happy Tuesday.

Kate

SAL Finale

The mystery SAL from Carol at iStitch is now finished ~ aside from stitching the bonus pin pillow and making up.  This has been a really lovely project to participate in ~ mine already holds many, many memories.  I have stitched this here a home and also on holiday in France with my LM and the GB's, through our most happy and sad events of the year.

Stitched on 40 ct Antique White Linen

1/2 with Dinky Dyes Limited Edition Silk

Kate

A Quick Finish

 Joy Ambigram by Meg Shinall

From November Issue of TGOSM

Stitched on 28 ct White Cashel Linen

DMC threads

Homemade Cord

This was such a quick finish ~ I completed the stitching Monday evening and put it together Tuesday at Stitching Group.

Seasonal stitching is quite prevalent in my world at the moment and I will have more ornament finishes to share with you soon.

Don't forget the Travelling Pattern is waiting to be assigned a enew home on Sunday ~ leave a comment on my last post if you are interested in joining The Stitcherhood.

Kate

Sharing the Stitcherhood

The travelling pattern has been delayed while staying in our home, and for this I apologise ~ sadly I had other things to think about.
It has travelled well and had visited 7 homes before ours ~ you can check out all the gorgeous finishes at the following blogs:
Hooked On Stitches
Loretta Stitching Blog
Old Ragged Threads
Reflections In The Pond
Erica's Places
My New Perspective
Buttons & Stitches

My version is stitched on 18ct Floba with a mix of DMC, Six Stands Sweet and Crescent Colours.  I added some lace trim in place of the satin stitch border and a couple of tiny buttons.  I have a plan for finishing this however the aid of the LM is required so I need to wait until he has time to assist me.

If you would like to be part of this sweet Travelling Pattern here are the rules:


1. Comment on this post, saying you would like to be part of the Stitcherhood.

2. You agree (if you are chosen) to stitch the design and send it along to the next person in a timely manner. If this means dropping everything in your rotation to concentrate on this project...so be it. If you can't bring yourself to do this ~ don't sign up.

3. You must have an active blog to participate. If you have a blog but never post to it ~ you won't be chosen to be the next stitcher.

4. This is a giveaway-type Travelling Pattern. That means you must follow it from blogger to blogger to enter each time it is ready to send along. Commenting on this post doesn't make you a guaranteed part of the Stitcherhood.


If you would like the chance to become part of the Stitcherhood then please leave a comment against this post only ~ I hope to announce the next stitcher on Sunday 13 November.

Kate

iStitch SAL Update

I've re-posted the pictures as the first comment received advised that there was a problem viewing them ~ hope it has worked this time!

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

Just waiting on the final part to finish this now.  It's been lovely to stitch so a huge thank you to Carol for sharing her wonderful design with us.

Kate

Our First Lady

and my Lovely Mum

Veda Ann
22 April 1924 to 24 September 2011

I haven't had the heart to be blogging recently  - my last post was full of excitement for visiting my WP's at my Lovely Mum's new "home".  Sadly this visit started earlier than expected and was for the purpose of waiting for an ambulance to return Mum to the hospital which she was discharged from just the day before. 

Mum is terribly missed by our Wonderful Dad, us 11 children together with our spouses/partners, 21 grandchildren some with spouses/partners, 9 great grandchildren and all those who have had the privilege of knowing her.

We are so grateful for all the lovely cards, messages, kind thoughts and prayers sent to our family.

A memorable message from one of the cards Dad received:
"Kindness is a word that the deaf can hear and the blind can see - and Veda had this in abundance for anyone she met"

We are all very fortunate to have had this incredibly special lady in our lives.

A messsage from Dad to Mum, written from his heart almost 70 years ago.
Whereso'er I am, below or else above you,
Whereso'er you are my heart shall always love you.
Thank you for reading.

Kate

Stitcherhood Winner

It's me!
I've just heard that my name came out as the next stitcher and I'm quite excited about it.  Jane was the last stitcher and you can see her finished piece here - I love the fabric and button - well it is a heart! - that Jane has used to finish her little pillow.
I'm a huge fan of L*K designs and it's ages since I stitched one so I am really looking forward to getting started with this one.

I've heard that my lovely Mum was released from hospital yesterday so I'll be off to visit her & Dad later this afternoon.  I'm looking forward to seeing them in her new surroundings.
Don't know about you but I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Kate

SAL Update

A quick update on my iStitch SAL - this is part III completed.  I am really enjoying this SAL even if I am a little behind.  Part IV arrived into my inbox today and I plan to work on this tonight at quilt group - yes I know it's not a quilt, however I don't have the time to go looking for and organising something more quilty for today.
I also have progress to share with you on my Best Friends SAL - this will have to wait as I have yet to photograph it.  My stitching has been limited to these two projects recently, hopefully that will change shortly.
I'm still (im)patiently waiting for my engagement ring to be returned from being re-made - 2 weeks down possibly 4 more to go.  Still I know that it is worth waiting for!
GB1 seems to have settled into A Level studies quite well, he was so fed up and restless by the end of the holidays that he was beginning to wear everyones' nerves!  We are so very proud of his acheivement with his GCSE exams - 6 A*, 5A & 2 B - who wouldn't be proud?  We're certain that he will carry this on through his A Level studies too.
GB2 is now into his final year of GCSE studies, he's not a naturally studious person and often needs a nudge to keep on top of things, however we know that he will do his best - mostly because we will make him!
LM & I are mostly back into the swing of work, albeit that mine is still on a temporary basis - oh for a Euromillions win & retirement!
Mum is still recovering well from her hip operation and should be released from hospital towards the end of this week and moving into a new residential home.  We're all looking forward to not having the restriction of hospital visiting hours, especially Dad.  Hopefully Mum will settle into the new surroundings quickly and enjoy spending the days with Dad and any other visitors who drop in - there are certainly plenty of them.  I'll be one of them on Friday
I shall leave with a this - somebody told me today that there are 95 days till Christmas!

Kate

iStitch SAL etc

Just a quick update on one of my holiday stitching projects.
This is Part II of the SAL that Carol is currently running.  I was a little late submitting my picture so have just received the chart for Part III today, and I am planning to stitch it this evening at Tuesday Stitching Group.
You must forgive me if I am a little quiet on the blogging front - my Mum had another fall while we were on holiday.  One hip replacement later & fingers crossed that the recouperation continues well.  There's planning afoot this week for physiotherapy to get her mobile again ~ hopefully the upright kind of mobile.
There should have been a family gathering this coming weekend to mark my Dad's 90th birthday ~ I'm not sure what will happen at the moment as I'm quite certain that Dad would prefer to have Mum by his side to mark this fantastic milestone. 
Last weekend was a LM (I may have to re-name him FM - Fiance Man!) family gathering to celebrate his Parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary.  A fabulous time was had by all ~ some more than others I have to say.  We were able to catch up with people we don't see often enough, particularly the two who travelled from Australia.  Lots of people were desperate to see my engagement ring, unfortunately it is still with the designer being re-made to fit!  So they had to content themselves with the picture on my phone ~ as I have to, one week down, possibly still 5 to go before I get to wear it. 
I haven't had a proper look at the photographs from the weekend yet but I should be able to show you the cakes that LM had made for his Mum & Dad at some point ~ they were brilliant and very well received.
Hope you've all weathered the storm safely.
 
Kate

Ta Da!

Haven't had one of these moments for a while ~ well apart from my proposal news!

This is my finished Summer Holiday Exchange piece from the Needlecraft Haven Yuku Group.  Not that we have exactly been having much flip flop weather this summer in the UK!
Stitched on 25ct Floba with the recommended DMC threads which were all sent to me by my secret partner - the reveal is coming up on the group very soon.
I'll show a picture of what I made this into shortly.

Kate

I Have A Little News To Share

Yesterday, while I was here my LM proposed!  We had a lovely day wandering around different places on the Ile de Re and just before we set off back to our temporary home in St-Jean-de-Monts he took me to sit where we could look over the harbour wall and hear the water lapping and asked me to become his wife. 
The sun was shining and the vista was just perfect ~ he's been keeping this secret for some time and decided that this was where we should be.  We visited the Ile de Re  about 3 years ago, again while staying at St-Jean-de-Monts, and fell in love with the whole island.

And didn't he do well choosing a ring too ~ I love it!  We need to go back to the jewellers to have it re-sized when we get home ~ which will be all too soon.  This was secretly packed along with a bottle of champagne ~ we won't be bringing that home!
LM took a video of the moment when he asked my Dad for his blessing so as you can imagine there were a few tears when he played this for me yesterday.  The GB's are with us on holiday and are both delighted by the news ~ GB1 has decided that he will be planning the wedding!
I'm off to enjoy my last few days of French life before we all have to return to the world of school and work.

Kate

PS  I have been stitching too.

It's Raining Again!

Anybody remember that Supertramp song?  Very fitting for today in my part of the world ~ typical UK Bank Holiday Weekend weather!
I hope that whatever you are doing the rain doesn't spoil it for you.

Kate

Tartan Lovely Ness

I first saw these when LM and I were in Scotland with the TVR Club back in April ~ loved them immediately.

Recently I had an email to say the Ness were having an online sale so I thought I would just have a wee look.  I'm not really keen on buying shoes online when I have no experience of the makers sizes.  I took a gamble though and it has paid off ~ last night I walked around the house for an hour or so wearing them, looking down at the tartan gorgeousNess of them and they fit perfectly. 

 I have a dinner date with a few friends tonight and I'm trying to work out what to wear that will allow me to give my new footwear their debut ~ little things!  Speaking of dinner ~ it's a final get together for four of us who worked together before Jen disappears off to Italy for her wedding next week.  I'm looking forward to it.

Hope Tuesday is good to you.

Kate

Kind Words, Flowers & Memories

My latest temporary assignment drew to a close on Friday last week.  Fortunately I have been asked stay on for a while longer to carry out some system reviews and report my findings & recommendations.

To mark the end of my "watch" the MD organised a little thank you ~ these pretty roses were part of it.  I was very touched by the kind words and gifts ~ I've really enjoyed working with the staff there.

Now I have to admit to having a wee irrational phobia where roses are concerned.  When we were young we walked with Dad to visit Grandma & Grandpa each Sunday morning while Mum was busy making lunch and baking.  Often when Dad's roses were in bloom he would cut a bunch to take for Grandma ~ I remember one time when I was carrying said bunch of roses that an earwig came creeping out and I have associated roses with this ever since ~ silly or what?  Our Sunday morning visits were memorable for other reasons too as we were always treated to fizzy orange, cheese puffs and chocolate teacakes while the grown ups were having their cup of tea. 

As gorgeous as these roses are I couldn't keep them at home ~ my Mum has always loved roses so she now has them in her room ~ they brought a smile when I visited on Saturday, I can only wonder at what her thoughts were ~ I bet she wasn't thinking about earwigs though!

My weekend has been full of allsorts ~ shopping, ironing, opticians appointments, organising and wondering what the week ahead will bring.  GB2 has a birthday to celebrate, GB1 has exam results to collect, we have dentist appointments to attend, new glasses to collect and general busy-ness to sort things out for the return to school in September.

Have a good week.

Kate

Blog Giveaways

Sharon at Daffycat has stitched two real cuties for her giveaway based on a Bent Creek design with gnomes - a lovely scissor fob and tiny needle minder.  Beautifully stitched and finished!

Terri at Dixiesampler is having a welcome back to blogging giveaway following a bit if a traumatic time with internet/blogging related matters.  I just love the huge wooden button in Terri's profile picture ~ I need one!

It's Tuesday Stitching Group for me tonight - I should get very close to a finish!  Tomorrow evening the Lovely C is hosting a few of us from the Wednesday Quilting Group - there is usually a wee bit of hilarity so I am looking forward to it.  Quilting Group will start to meet again in early September - I think I may even get onto a quilting project when we reconvene!  I have signed up to a BOM quilt being run by Carol at Just Quilting - it's a Christmas wall hanging and I shall work on this at quilt group ~ I haven't allowed myself to start this yet as I really must get a few other things out of the way first ~ famous last words!

Smile today - people will wonder what you're up to!

Kate

 

Exchange Piece & SAL Progress

I mentioned a while ago the Summer Holiday Exchange on the Needlecraft Haven Group ~ we were to kit up a freebie pattern on a summer theme and send it to another participant.  Once we had received our kits we have the 6 weeks summer holidays to stitch and finish them ~ there will be a reveal day on the group in September and we will then learn who sent our kits to us.

This is my progress so far ~ I did tell you it was bright didn't I?

I'm not too sure why I didn't take a photograph of the package when it arrived, but I didn't! 

It's stitched on 25ct Floba with DMC thread ~ I have a plan for finishing but I can't tell you about that until later ~ I hope it works!  I managed to stitch a little more on this today while visiting Mum as she slept most of the time I was there.

This is the Best Friends SAL from Atelier Perdu ~ sadly I am way behind with this piece.  This is my progress on Part I, Part II has already arrived and Part III is due to be released very soon!

I am really enjoying this however I am finding that natural light is the best when stitching over one on 32ct fabric ~ unfortunately working 5 days a week really gets in the way.  I have a wee bit of unpicking to do ~ not something I am looking forward to ~ but I'll get there ~ eventually!

It's Monday again ~ hope you have a great week.

Kate

Ooops!

I seem to have started something new!

This is the mystery SAL from Carol at Istitchaholic

stitched on 40ct Antique White Newcastle linen with a Limited Edition hand dyed silk from Dinky Dyes called Nanna.  This was a lovely quick stitch ~ Carol provided the whole border pattern with part I, my plan is to stitch the border as I complete the subsequent parts ~ there are eight in total released every two weeks. 

The thread came in a Christmas mystery pack a few years ago ~ the theme was Pantomime and the pack contained fabulous hand dyed fabric with names like Streets of Gold & Prince Charming.  It also contained a whole host of threads ~ the Dinky Dyes ones were themed on Peter Pan, 4 in total ~ Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell & Nanna.

It's dull and overcast here this morning and I'm pleased to report that it's not raining ~ I have housey jobs to complete then I'm off to visit Mum again for the afternoon, some of the jobs may still be waiting when I return!

Have a great Sunday.

Kate

Summer Biscornu Exchange

I've had confirmation that my partner has now received the biscornu that I sent in The Friendly Stitchers Summer Biscornu Exchange.

So here is the one I stitched for Mouse ~ an internet freebie that I paid particular attention to writing down the name of the site, unfortunately it's in that "safe place" so I am unable to tell you where it came from!

Stitched on Count on Me Fabric from Jayne's Attic (no longer trading) in Rose with DMC 3608 and Caron Waterlillies Caramel.  I didn't use the whole pattern as I liked the result at this stage ~ the colours remind me of neopolitan ice cream!  And here is the back ~ I finished the biscornu with MOP buttons.  I was so pleased to hear that Mouse was delighted with her exchange piece.

You can see the biscornu that Mouse made for me here on my blog and also here on Mouse's blog ~ her pictures are better than mine.

My next post will follow quickly as I have a new SAL to show you.

Kate.

OK! Nobody Panic

Monday is nearly over and if We all stay quiet and behave it may pass by without incident ~ at least I hope so.  I still haven't worked out how Mondays can be so stealthy ~ I finish work on Friday evening and then bam! it's Monday again.
My weekend was fairly non-stop ~ Saturday having already been covered in my previous post I shall move swiftly on to Sunday

I spent the morning painting at The Crafts House and this is the completed ornament that I made.  As usual we had a few chuckles which is always good and Sandra had made a cake to celebrate Sarah's birthday ~ cake is definitely good too.

The wire hanger needs to be made a little more secure but on the whole I am very happy with my efforts ~ this will be my ornament finish for August.  Unfortunately I am still a wee bit behind as June's ornament WIP has disappeared into an incredibly "safe place" and July's hasn't been started, or chosen if I'm admitting to mis-demeanors.

I passed the afternoon visiting my Mum ~ I had collected a couple of magazines on my way so was able to read to her a little, I think she quite enjoyed just looking at the pictures too.  I managed a little stitching on my Summer Holiday Exchange piece while Mum dozed ~ I hope to have a picture to show you soon, it's bright so remember to bring your sunglasses!

While blog reading recently I stumbled upon a SAL that Carol of Istitchaholic is running ~ Part I is to be released this coming weekend and I'm looking forward to it.  I'm off to check whether I have sufficient 40ct fabric and to check out what thread I might use for it.

Remember, stay quiet and keep out of mischief ~ I'll try my best too!

Kate

Another Sunday

and that means that Monday will arrive soon!

We had torrential rain yesterday ~ I was out and about for much of the day ~ weigh in followed by a visit to see my Mum with my Sis2 who was down from Scotland for the weekend.  Managed a short visit to Just Quilting on my way home to collect some batting that I needed.  Always a pleasure to be welcomed there, the assembled ladies were doing a class making quilts from jelly rolls with Lucie and they were all looking fabulous.

The rain seemed at it's worst on my journey home and I made a detour from my usual route as part of it was flooded and I wasn't sure that little Jazzy would have managed to wade her way through the volume of water ~ she probably would have been fine but better safe than sorry.

I'm off for a bit of painting therapy with Sandra at The Crafts House and the Diary Dames this morning ~ this is Sandra's pet name for our wee group ~ Carol, Doreen , Lucie and her fantastically talented daughter Sarah and me ~ the hanger on!  Afterwards I'm visiting with my Mum again for the afternoon ~ it will be good to get some alone time with her ~ it's likely that Mum will snooze the time away but I'll have my stitching to keep me company if she does.

Hope you enjoy your Sunday.

Kate

I'm late, I'm late .........

and other white rabbit happenings.  How can it be August already?

I'm back in the unenviable position of being behind on everything again hence the title ~ I don't think I'm actually late per se, more agitated that I'm not finishing things. 

 First up is my unofficial TUSAL reporting which was due 30 July ~ yeah I guess I am late for this!  I took the photographs to take my mind off other things on Saturday but didn't get round to posting them till now.

There seems to be quite a lot considering the small volume of stitching that I have achieved for July.  I have so many things at present which I'm sure would take just moments (relatively speaking) to complete, I'm just missing the inclination.  And I'm sure you know that trying to finish something when you're really not in the mood to be doing it can spell utter disaster ~ so things have been left.

Secondly, I joined a summer biscornu exchange on the Friendly Stitchers Yahoo Group and this is the lovely one stitched for me by my partner ~ isn't it gorgeous?  There was a lovely note enclosed with it and it arrived super quick after partner's details were issued - Mouse clearly has smokin' needles.  Thanks so much Mouse, yours is almost ready to mail out, I should manage that this week.

Next is my top secret project which is coming along ~ slowly!  Part II arrived in the mail last week ~ there isn't as much stitching as in Part I but still I am behind.  No photographs just yet.

Then we come to the summer holiday exchange on Needlecraft Haven ~ I have started this but it hasn't had much time devoted to it and there are no pictures ~ these need to show me working on the project. 

Now, blog reading, groups & emails ~ waaaaay behind.  Housework, laundry etc ~ waaaaay behind.  Bit of a theme really and not one I care for too much! 

A new month has arrived and I'm hoping that I shall manage some catch up.  It will be a busy month ~ LM has a few business trips coming up, the GB's are off for a few days to a wedding.  I have applications to follow up and interviews to attend, the GB's have exam results to collect and digest and we have family matters to discuss and plans to be instigated. 

I won't tell you about the rat incident..... 

Till next time.

Kate