Tuesday Stitching

Or more appropriately - lack of sewing!
It was my turn to host the group yesterday ~ I should have made lemonade scones but the good intentions fell by the wayside and it was good old M&S biccies instead.  I think perhaps I should make them to take when someone else is hosting and I'm not trying to do several other things simultaneously. 
We were 3 members down ~ 1 holidaying, 1 poorly and 1 overrun with work ~ hopefully the latter two will get back into the swing when they are feeling better/less stressed.  We did have an interloper ~ the lovely C joined us.
It was time to draw our names for who we will be stitching for this Christmas ~ the first time we have managed to draw on the first shot, we usually have to re-start due to someone picking their own name!  I am very happy to be stitching for my partner, not that I wouldn't be for any of the ladies ~ some are just easier to match with projects.
I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have left comments on my last post regarding Grace ~ whilst I have not yet decided I have certainly been given some food for thought.  You are all very kind and I truly appreciate that you have taken the time to pass on suggestions.
Tomorrow I have a day off work and the lovely C and I are off to the Pins & Needles show at the Arena, we're also booked in to do this workshop with Carol from Just Quilting.  I'm quite looking forward to it, I just need to make a list tonight of things I "need".
Happy Wednesday.

Kate

Oh Blogger!

I have a dilemma ~ Grace the lovely Sampler Lady has a mis-placed title!

Can you see that "Needleworker" is set to the left?  I'm not happy about it ~ but my dilemma is whether or not to unpick?
I know that I should as it's glaring however unpicking 1/1 is a w ee bit scary!
She's been like this since Wednesday and I am no further forward in my decision making.
In less depressing news I have laundry blowing on the line ~ one of my most favourite things!
LM has gone off on a run with the TVR Car Club down to Masham ~ I decided that my jobs should take priority over joining him today ~ lots of laundry/shopping/HW to do and I would like to start a new week all up to date.
The week ahead has much in store:
Tuesday Sitching Group at our house ~ we will be making the draw to find out who our Christmas partners are ~ have I bitten off more than I can chew in attempting to organise this!
LM is off to Stratford for business ~ I wish I could go with him.
I have my next hair appointment.
A trip to Pins & Needles, and hopefully
a decision on the dilemma!
Have a great week.

Kate

Teeny Snips

Take a look at these ~ Teresa's holding a giveaway which includes the cutest thread snips I've ever seen:
How sweet are they?

Kate

Look what arrived at my house!

I found it when I called home briefly after work yesterday before meeting friends for dinner ~ I knew what it was but still had to open the envelope to check.
It's absolutely beautiful, filled with gorgeous projects ~  not one that I don't like ~ how can I resist making a start on something!
Thanks to Sally for the advice on where to order ~ She pointed me in the direction of Anita's Little Stitches and what fabulous service.  Ordered Thursday last week and arrived yesterday.

Dinner was a chance to catch up with some old work colleagues, unfortunately one could not make it.  We had a lovely meal at Zizzi's in the Metro Centre, it was great to catch up on their news.  We all worked for the same company a couple of years ago.  It has been refreshing to hear that they, like me, feel that even though we are in temporary contracts it has been a very uplifting experience to break free of employment that was a bit oppressive.

We have plans for the weekend ~ LM and I are going to the Living North Live tomorrow, we've been to the Living North Christmas Fair for several years now but this will be our first visit to the Spring Fair and we're looking forward to it. GB1 and a friend are off to see the X Factor Live Tour at the Newcastle Arena ~ excited just doesn't come into it!  GB2 will no doubt just be doing the teenage thing!
LM also has a TVR Car Club run on Sunday ~ I'm not sure if I will be going yet as I have a wee backlog of housey jobs that I would like to clear before the start of next week.

I shall leave you with a picture if our goldfinches feeding on the thistle seed ~ aren't they gorgeous.  Only managed to catch three of them this time, we can have up to eight at times.  There was also a blue tit who was obviously camera shy as he's gone!  Not sure if the lovely spring weather we have had is going to hold out for the weekend ~ I hope so.  Enjoy your weekend!

Kate

Catch Up

Last week was my first week back to full time work and it passed very quickly.  The office is very quiet and the pace of work extremely sedate ~ quite a change from most of the other places I have worked!  This is not a complaint ~ I'm just pleasantly surprised that work can be completed within contracted hours!

It was our EG meeting on Saturday and there was a good turnout, the guest speaker told us about her life of collecting and the inspiration that brought to her work.  She brought with her a whole host of collectibles and some of her hand stitched/made items that were inspired by them. 

There was much action around the sale table due to the batches of upholstery/curtain fabric samples that were for sale.  I bought a couple of batches ~ not entirely sure where I will use them however one idea is for a covered journal/notebook ~ just don't hold your breath!  This is one of them ~ the other one is very similar but brown/cream mixes. 

I have done very little stitching over the weekend just a wee bit on my Sampler Lady.  There is plenty of planning going on at the moment and hopefully I should have some finishes to show very soon.  One will be the pincushion I completed for an exchange on The Friendly Stitchers group ~ need to wait for this to arrive with my partner first.

Tuesday stitching group was a very merry place to be last night ~ it wasn't a full compliment but we did have a lovely evening with plenty of friendly ribbing going on.   Unfortunately I did a little too much chatting which lead to mis-placed stitches that had to be reversed and then my thread did a major knotty-thing ~ so I put my stitching down.  Concentrating instead on consuming homemade cheese scones made by our lovely host ~ I could get a gold star for cheese scone eating!

I took Buzz to show off, this is the final item to be completed from a class that the lovely C and I recently attended at The Crafts House - Isn't he cute?
You can see the other items I made here.
He was made using fabric yoyos, the wings are layered with wadding and he has a stinger made with bungle bugle beads. 


LM has been to the North West today for a meeting and has more travel on the horizon during the next couple of weeks.  GB1 has completed his first two shifts at work and is now eagerly awaiting the tinkle of coinage into his bank account ~ or in other words payday!  GB2 is being laid back as per usual ~ he's a bit like Dylan from The Magic Roundabout.  I find this a little worrying at times ~ like today when he has a mock GCSE exam!

I have more pictures to share but I shall leave them until another day ~ off to do a bit of blog/group reading before bed.

Kate

Look who came to dinner

We are fortunate where we live in that we get visits from lots of lovely birds ~ at times the visitors are less glamorous than this guy.
Isn't he gorgeous?
We haven't seen him for a very lomg time and a couple of weeks ago he returned ~ as bright and beautiful as ever.  He even brought his lady friend with him.

Don't they make a lovely couple.
Please excuse the state of our shed - we're hoping that we will have warmer, drier weather this spring/summer and be able to complete all the overdue garden maintenance. 
And a quick update on Grace ~ My Sampler Lady ~ I was able to work on her at stitching group on Tuesday. 

I finished the border and added linen & pins ~ she looks a little more at home now.
It's been a little bit non-stop this week ~ I'm pleased that Friday has arrived!  LM has business in North Yorkshire today, I would have gone with him had I still been part-time.
I have my Embroiderer's Guild monthly meeting tomorrow which I'm looking forward to.

Happy weekend!

Kate

PMM!

Or in other words ~ Proud Mummy Moment!
The wonderfully talented GB1 had his first ever interview on Monday, his first ever trial shift on Tuesday and now has his first ever job!  Oh goodness ~ where did my baby go?
I am soooo proud of him ~ he went out several times armed with CV's and enquired in many and varied outlets in the Metro Centre looking for part time work and his perseverance has paid off. 
Work officially starts Saturday.
WELL DONE GB1 ~ Love Mum x