Tuesday Stitching Group

It was my turn to drive tonight ~ we were a little late and parking was horrid, but we arrived to find almost a full house including our teacher from when we used to meet at the LNS which was a lovely surprise.  There was much industry tonight ~ applique work, knitting, assisi work, tapestry ~ I sat in an easy chair and chatted!  How bad is that?
Over the years we have organised Secret Santa presents which we have exchanged during our Christmas evening out.  We plan to have a stitched/handmade gift exchange this year by way of a change and discussions are already in full flow as to how this will work.  Usually we draw names in November giving us 5/6 weeks to arrange our gifts, this year needs to be different and I think our name drawing will be done before the end of March, giving plenty of time for hatching plans/crafting/stitching and finishing.  I took a basket of small finishes with me tonight ~ some exchanged, some gifted and some of my own ~ to give ideas for designs/finishes etc.  I think it was helpful.    
Also, four of the first five birthday gifts were ready to be re-homed ~ # 5 has been unavoidably delayed on the sewing table due to the temporary loss of the fabric to complete the finishing!  I could have used something else from my stash, however the original choice I made is such a perfect match I could not bring myself to veer off course.

First is Bluebird by Blackbird Designs stitched on 36ct cashel linen with Dragon Floss # 6 Clear Day and finished as a pin cushion

Then Plaid Greeting by Ladybug Lane Designs from the 2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Edition.  Stitched on 32ct Misty Blue Belfast Linen with WDW # 1304 Onyx and #2264 Garnet.  Finished as a scissor keeper with a homemade cord.

This one is Alphabet Tree a retired freebie from Blue Ribbon Designs.  Stitched on 36ct Antique White cashel linen with Dragon Floss #74 Ancient Oak.  Finished as a needle book.

And finally Love a freebie design from Debbie Draper stitched on an ornament cut of hand dyed 28ct evenweave with Dragon Floss #73 Sea Witch.  Finished as a pin cushion/floss tag.

They are pictured to show the finishing fabrics too.  All were well received by their new owners.  Once I have #5 completed and re-homed I can start on the next batch of 4 which are due May/June.

I have a Christmas dinner Wednesday evening ~ yes I know it's February ~ it was originally scheduled for early December but was postponed due to bad weather.  

GB1 & GB2 are sleeping/gaming/eating us out of house and home and generally slouching around the place due to half term holidays this week and LM has business out of the area the next couple of days.  I have an offer of a trip to the Spring Quilt Festival in Edinburgh at the weekend ~ not sure if this is feasible yet but here's hoping.

Happy Tuesday Wednesday ~ hadn't realised it was so late!

Kate