Playing Catch Up

Do you ever have the feeling that no matter how hard you try you just can't keep up?  I'm currently treading the hamster wheel of life!

Almost 2 weeks ago this wonderful package of goodies arrived, yes I am just telling you now!
This was a New Year's giveaway that I won on Sarah's blog ~ Craftymoo.  It's full of great charts and fabric & a little bag that could be used for small projects.  What I haven't pictured is the little tray of heart shaped chocolates that were also included ~ and that's not because I've eaten them either!  Thank you so much Sarah ~ I already have a plan for a few of the lovely things you sent.
I have nothing I am willing to share with you from my workshop at Just Quilting on Saturday ~ I'm waiting until things are a little more finished!  It was a small group and we all tried at least three of the available projects ~ another lovely day thanks to Carol & Doreen, even if we didn't get a carrot cake muffin!

Sunday was the meeting of The Diary Dames up at The Crafts House ~ as usual I had no fixed idea for what I wanted to create.  I looked around, there is just so much to see there, spoilt for choice really.

While I was mooching I found this absolutely gorgeous minature tray ~ I wasn't sure what I would do with this, still not sure yet, but it was definitely coming home with me. 

These bobbins where what I eventually decided to work on.  Painted on one side and decorative paper on the other ~ they will be put into service for storing ribbon, lace and trim.  I have a wooden box that originally held gift toiletries that may be perfect to house the bobbins so that could be my next painting project.

I have some lovely things to show you next time, just waiting for some decent light to take photographs ~ hopefully if won't be too long before I post again.

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

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!

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

 

Giveaway Win!

A few weeks ago I took part in Maggee's Name Yourself Day giveaway ~ you had to leave a comment describing what you would name yourself and the story behind choosing that name.  I was lucky enough to be drawn as one of the three winners!  Maggee very kindly sent the charts pictured ~ Seasoned Greetings by ByGone Stitches, French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs and Jolly Holiday by Lizzie Kate.  Maggee also included an eco friendly package ~ the small packet at bottom left ~ these are small flower shapes of bio degradable paper that is embedded with wild flower seeds.  I hope to pot these up soon and I'm looking forward to seeing the results.  Thank you so much Maggee.

We've been busy the last few days ~ LM spent Friday pottering outside, weed and feed was added to the lawn, the shed was re-painted, garden waste disposed, patio furniture and decking cleaned down ready for use and general outside clear up.  GB1 was providing service with a smile (I hope!) to the coffee drinking general public and I spent all day ~ yes All Day ~ in GB2's bedroom.  We cleaned ~ well that was mostly me,  matched electrical goods with their long lost cables, chargers & instructions, cleared the wardrobe of clothing that no longer fits etc etc.  Have you ever seen the Michael McIntyre sketch about "the man drawer" well basically that refers to GB2's bedroom!  The only difference ~ I think the man drawer is probably cleaner!
We've had birthday's too ~ my lovely Mum was 87 ~ I had a short visit with her on Saturday together with my Dad and Sis2.  LM clocked up another year too!
I joined Carol & Doreen at Just Quilting for a spot of sewing on Saturday afternoon ~ I started a new bag and got some fabric for making up The Sampler Lady.  To top Saturday off ~ LM and I enjoyed chinese take out for dinner.
I'm hoping that the weather improves for the remainder of the weekend as I'd like to spend some time outside.

I will be back quickly with an update on exchange goodies ~ just need some daylight for photographs.
Happy Easter.

Kate   

Anniversary

The Prmitive Hare is having a giveaway to celebrate their first anniversary on 11 April.  It's a surprise! 

I'm up late catching up with emails & blog reading ~ but hey tomorrow's today is Friday.

Kate

Edited ~ Adding Happy Birthday Wishes to Bro5

Road Trip!

Well day trip really ~ I decided that a trip out somewhere with my lovely friend C was in order as shortly I will be returning to working full time and won't have the opportunity for weekday jaunts. We didn't want to go too far and decided that driving range should be about an hour from home ~ this gives quite a few options, we could go west to Carlisle/Penrith, North to Jedburgh/Berwick, east is not an option as we're practically at the coast! We settled for south and having looked up the places in North Yorkshire with market days Ripon became the destination of choice. Picture from Google Images.

Thursday morning was bright and sunny but very cold, there were a couple of issues on the journey ~ a sat nav that peeled itself off the windscreen ~ note to self, must clean car!, and the horrid roadworks on the A1.

As we were looking for parking we spotted a couple of "must" go into shops ~ and we did!  Castle Furniture Store, a huge shop with furniture of all shapes, sizes and colour and also lots and lots of giftware, clocks, plaques, planters etc.  We spent ages here drooling over many many things ~ eventually I bought this ~ a present for my LM as it's his favourite.

I did have a photograph of the lid showing it's legend "Bee Happy" but it was very out of focus!

C bought a little plaque for her daughter.

We wandered around the market ~ did I mention that it was very cold? ~ Lovely plants & flowers, wool, fabric, foodstuffs and this fabulous little coffee boot!

What a great use for a wee Smart car!
This, by the way, is the only photograph I took on the day ~ I carried the camera around but it really was too cold to contemplate stopping still for too long!
We lunched at a warmer coffee shop - did I mention that it was cold?

Just off the Market Square was Abode - another shop filled with yummy goodness, pillows, vases, candles, spice jars, hearts in different styles and colours and lots besides ~ more drooling!

And over the road was The Curiosity Shop or it might have been The Curious Shop ~ lots of antique bits and pieces and they had a lovely "make do and mend" window display with lots of vintage knitting/crochet/quilting and sewing patterns, cards of darning wool, a clothing ration book etc.  Having always wanted to own some vintage thread bobbins I bought these.

Also of note was The March Hare Gallery on Duck Hill ~ what a fabulous address!  Full of artwork, pottery, handmade cards etc.
We managed, eventually, to find Barnyarns and got in just before closing to have a look at what they had to offer.
All in all a lovely day and definately a place I would return to quite happily.
It's stitching group for me tonight - I have a small amount of stitching to complete on one of my exchanges and then I shall be working on The Sampler Lady.  Picture post to follow later in the week.

Finally, take a look at Irina'a Blog aside from all the lovely work Irina is currently running a fantastic giveaway.

Chin up, we're almost halfway through the week!

Kate