Little changes

always lead to bigger ones, I find and I have been making a start on changing things in my home.

My first project (which has taken me a week to do - but thats cos there were two of them), were my kitchen chairs.

This is what they looked like before:

Mind, I had started to sand them before I remembered to take a picture, so this shows one of them that I had only just light sanding too. Isn't it an ugly, unloved piece of furniture!!

This is what they look like after:

Not bad eh!!

I'm really pleased with the finished result especially as its all my own work.

I sanded them, primed them, painted them red in places,candle waxed them  painted them cream - 3 times, then wire wooled them to bring out the red paint slightly and give that distressed look to them.
What do you think, think they look the part!!

The cushions on the seat are from Laura Ashley and are red and cream checked gingham, I loved them as soon as I saw them, and bought them in readiness for this project.

I'm Safe

Thankyou to all who have contacted me to ask if I'm safe and dry, this is just a quick post to let you all know that I am and so is my stash and Tasha LOL!! Its been very bad here, though not as much in my village as some of the other villages around Cumbria, the local rivers are in flood and local roads are very bad to get past on, some are closed.

Its been sad that a local policman was washed away when a bridge collapsed at Workington.

The little tributary stream that runs along the side of the footpath near my house is running incredibly high and with a lot of force I've never seen it like that before. The rain has stopped throughout today, but we are forecast more rain and 60mph winds again this evening and all weekend, they reckon we will get at least 10" of rain from tonight til Monday - I really hope not!! To keep with the water theme, I've made myself fish pie for tea tonight.

Peek-a-boo.........

............Can you see me?
Aren't I just beautiful, I really think Autumn colors really go with my hair fur!!

My mum thought I was being cute but really I was just waiting for the mouse that lives behind the hydrangea , but lucky for the mouse, he didn't want to play and I had to go in cold and disappointed.

Is it too early for Christmas?

I know, I know I have neglected my blog terribly of late, and halloween has now just finished - I've put the broomstick away and my little old familiar cat is now curled up asleep after her jaunt around on the said broomstick, so I was wondering whether it was too early yet for Christmas, but I thought 'what the heck' I'll start showing some of my Christmas finishes.

Tonights little effort is my tin I made at the workshop class I taught in the summer, its the class I taught the girls how to make a tin finish. So I had to stitch one myself and do a step by step with the finish.

The design is by Crossed Wing Collection, and is from the 1998 JCS Christmas Ornament magazine. I really loved stitching this one, the little mouse is 1/1 as is the writing, the rest is 1/2 on 32ct evenweave. I used some sparkly thread in amongst the little bauble to give it a little more punch.

Life is pretty good at the moment, I have had a couple of weekends over at my parents and been out with my brother which has been fun, I've been working hard as always it seems, but I have also been stitching and framing things. Last Saturday I did another patchwork course at Fobbles, and the second part of it will be early next year, this time I was well stretched out of my comfort zone for this course, but I did enjoy it and I will take some pictures of my progress. My other progress on my other quilt has stopped, my heart is still not in it, but I will get it finished I am very sure of that, but it might not be any time real soon.

My poor dad had a fall last week and has managed to get himself quite a few stitches in his head, he was walking one of the dogs when he tripped on the pavement and went a clatter, he had an overnight stay at hospital nd has hurt his knee a little and his hand, and do you know (my time to vent), not one person went over to him to ask if he was ok when he fell, he was very shook up and was bleeding profusely from his head injury (he takes wharfarin whcih makes you bleed more too), Bailey (the dog), led dad home as he was in a daze a bit, which is so good that the dog did that, but I hasten to add, Dad is doing OK he's a little stiff and sore and has had a bad head for a few days, bt otherwise he is fine.

Hope you all have a good week, and thankyou for your continued visits and your patience in waiting for me to update my blog, I really appreciate your comments and visits very much.

For Yuko

I was as always very very late sending dear Yuko her birthday gift, then I fretted that I had sent it to the wrong address, but now I know its arrived safey and that she is really happy with her gift.

I have stitched her a wee floss/scissor fob and pin cushion, both designs are by one of my very favourite designers EEF (Ewe and I and Friends. The fob is called 'Lovely'Lady ' fob, and I changed the colourways to suit for Yuko as I know how much she loves pink.The ring is one of the lovely large MoP rings from Kelmscott Designs and suited the fob perfectly I thought.

This wee pincushion is called 'Viney heart' and again I changed the colours and matched them with my colour choices for the fob.

The box I covered with the faded 'vintage' style rose fabric I had in my stash, and used the same fabric for the backing on the fob and the pincushion. Then I used a complemeting fabrics for the yoyos on the the box top. I used faded pink ric-rac and satin ribbon for the other trims on the box.

I have had a wonderful gift myself through the post from Melissa who was my partner for Stitching Bloggers Birthdays, I haven't taken a picture yet of it, as my camera was out of charge I had left it turned on in my handbag and so it now needs charging, I will take a picture tomorrow to show you all.
I had a lovely birthday with my family, it was very quiet but I had a wonderful family party, with balloons and banners and a big chocolate cake and trifle, we all had great fun and my young nephew and neice thought it was wonderful, and they had kept it all a secret from me.
Saturday my brother came up to see me especially and took the family out for dinner and then afterwards he and I went out to the pub for a few drinks and had a good laugh, which was just what I needed as I have been beginning to feel that I had lost my sense of fun somewhere along the way, but I think its back again now!!! LOL!!

I blame Avril ......

....yes its all her fault, instead of stitching, what am I doing - knitting, Av by the way is my friend and an avid knitter and crocheter and has her very own wool shop!!
The wool is called Opal and the colour is called wintermarchern, I love the varigated effect its knitting up to, in fact I have almost finished the scarf, its just a 1 ball scarf (100g ball).

Do you see my gorgeous knitting needles they are KnitPro Bamboo needles and they are just the right length and have the right feel to them when I'm knitting, they are very psychadelic!!

For Edgar

Edgar had a birthday and as always I am late in getting anyone anything to their actual birthdate. Edgar was my partner for the Stitching Bloggers birthdays, and I knew when it got closer to the date what I wanted to stitch for him

This is of course Blackbird designs and is taken from the lovely little book that they brought out earlier this year in conjunction with dear Niki, I stitched the little bag using my own choice of colours and then very carefully coffee splashed it to age it slightly, its stitched on 40ct linen, and then I made the strawberry - this is actually from the BD Loose Feathers chart 'Its Berry Time' and I used one of the colours (I forget the DMC number) that was in the bag to make it, and then the little pin cushion is also from the same book and is stitched on 32ct linen. The backing is a Moda fabric.

I added a wee black safety pin and 2 of my MoP buttons that I got from 'Duttons for Buttons' (Ooo how I love that shops name LOL!!)

Edgar likes it so I am happy about that, now to wait for the my next very late birthday gift to arrive at its destination, it had even further to go, so it may take a little longer.

I have been busy stitching a couple of Halloween ornies - yet to be finished finished and I have also made a good dent in my Christmas Ornamant stitching, but as yet now 'finishing' done. I have been really busy working most weekends, and next week I am having a long one away, at my parents as its my birthday then and I am going home for it - the first time in a very long time and I am looking forward to the break and seeing everyone.

I have also finished 'Autumn Bouquet' by Blackbird Designs and its going over with me as is a few of the other picture finishes I have shown over the last few months and I am getting them framed or at least I am hoping to find frames for them.

Hope you are all having a good week and an enjoyable weekend to come, I am at Fobbles on Saturday and then working on Sunday (just 1 day this weekend for a change). I hope too that the weather stays fine its been a glorious day today, but last weekend was horrendous with high winds and heavy heavy rain down pours, I thought it was never going to stop.

My Mums Garden

Don't be fooled by the title, I'm not showing pictures of my mums garden on this post - even though my mum has one of those beautiful big, elegant gardens I can only dream of, this my mums garden is by Shepherds Bush.

This was another quick stitch really, and I loved doing it, I have a plan in my head to do this again, but with different fabric and colour changes, for mum for Christmas (now I can say this here as mum hasn't a computer and doesn't get to see my blog very often)

Again this is destined for the bedroom, I really better get a move on and get some frames and finish them, then I can take pics and show you all how it looks!!

Well may your day be filled with lots of the above, and you may well be wondering why on earth I am at home instead of work, well its all to do with the incompatance of DHL delivering my new computer, which was supposed to arrive with a Saturday delivery (which I paid extra for), then I left a note on the door yesterday and my neighbour (no not the dishy one), who was going to sign for it actually came over and spoke to the delivery guy who wouldn't let her sign for it, so took it away again and apparantly its coming today, after I rang their automated service, now I want to talk to someone from DHL and 'vent my spleen' as they say, as I have had to lose a days wages because they can't do things right, but can I find a number to talk to someone - No sireeee, but I'll keep trying. Mesh who I got the damn computer from have refunded by saturday delivery payment and were very nice, so maybe just maybe later today I'll have a brand spanking new pc, and I can play Sims on it and Sim Society and Sim city - oh bliss, finally!!!

Cherry Heart

Another from Shepherds Bush and again destined for my bedroom, when I frame it, I have found the prettiest Mother of Pearl frame which I intend to use for this pretty.

I was really pleased with this pretty design, and I loved the ribbon which I think really finished it off, it really didn't look anything special without it, but it really lifted it all. The silk thread, fabric and silk ribbon and the small buttons are all part of the kit, the only additions I made was the use of the small beads within the buttons.

Hope that you are all having a great weekend - or at least whats left of it.Thanks so much for your continued visits and wonderful comments I really appreciate them.

Oh and before I forget I have changed my email address and hopefully let most know, but you can email me from blogger its in my profile and that goes to my new address.

Seasonal Exchange for Barbara

I was really delighted to hear that my very last Seasonal exchange had arrived to its destination today Barbara and I have been doing this for a whole year - this is the last one, and I have really really enjoyed it, finding something that Barbara would like has been real fun, and I am really sorry it has all come to an end.

Barbara was the blogger who encouraged me to start blogging, many many moons ago, and we have become good friends ever since.

For our last one I stitched for her 'Dutch Strawberries' by Goode Huswife, what with her living in The Netherlands and strawberries are very summer season. I so loved how Nina had finished her fobs a while ago, I copied the finishing style LOL!

I have stitched it on 40ct Creme Brulee and have done it 1 over 1 (petit point style - as I have been asked about 1/1 on 40ct before, I don't do full crosses my poor eyes just wouldn't be able to take it LOL) I have used the recommended DMC threads and I used satin ribbon for the fob top and a little for the floss tag part to hold the ring in place. The back has a toning MODA fabric which toned really well with the colours and I am really happy that Barbara liked my choice. The little fob is only about 3 - 3.5 inches long and about 2 inches wide, I had such fun doing it I want one for myself now.

Gift from Mum

When Mum and Dad visited last weekend, Mum came bearing gifts, she had made me this pretty and delicate little rose scented sachet bag, its really lovely, the design she said came from an old 1950's pattern she had found in amongst her stash, and she just changed the colours which she thought I would like and added beads, and made it into this lovely sachet, it smells divine of soft roses and looks wonderful next to my bed.

Thankyou again Mum and really love it and was the perfect choice for me.

In the French Style

I had so much fun stitching this wee design by Brenda Keyes, its from the chart book 'In the French Style'.

I have stitched it on Antique white linen - 40ct, using Hand-dyed thread - Antique red and I have done it 1 over 1. As you can tell its quite small.

I have had this small wooden frame in my stash for ages and could never find the perfect design for it and when I saw this chart I knew it was perfect.

I used some of the wonderful toile fabric my friend Angela had given me for the background rather than use a mount and I attached the stitched piece on top of it, I was very happy with the result. The toile fabric is the same fabric I will be using for the BBD freebie I stitched a while ago and will do the same sort of thing for the background on that one too.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend filled with the things you like to do, I know I wll be stitching as usual LOL!! Last weekend Mum and Dad stayed over for a few days, mum and I got lots of stitching done - this one being the piece I stitched, I have other finishes but as yet no frames or photo's.

I have sent Barbara my last seasonal exchange last Tuesday and so hopefully will be arriving in the Netherlands in the near future so watch for the postman Barbara.

Tin box workshop

Here are the tins the ladies did when I showed them how to make a tin box pretty. Sorry the photos aren't brilliant but I forgot my camera and my friend Helen lent me her iphone to take them, which I am really grateful for otherwise I wouldn't have been able to show anything of them to you apart from probably mine, Bev's and Jen B's at a later date..
Back L-R Ann, Lucy, Janet, Elsie, Jen B & Elaine
Front L-R Bev, Barbara, Judith, Jen & Me

Here are a few of them in a little more detail, this one was made by Ann and the one behind it was made by Lucy.

These were by Janet (Quaker one), Elsie and the beaded one with the owl was made by Jen B, Elaine's is at the back

Here are Jens, Mine (Christmas one), Jen B & Judith's

We had a great day and I enjoyed it very much, after my initial nervousness, I find it easy to show 1 person, but to show 10 was a bit different LOL! It was great to see everyones different types of finished tins and the different ideas for the stitched or beaded pieces.
I must add very special thanks to dear Yuko, who obtained the tins for me and sent me them over earlier this year, without them I couldn't have done the workshop as easily.

Flock of Birds

I can't believe its over a week since I last visited my blog, where does time go.

Today I have another to show you that is again in need of a frame, this time its Blackbird Designs - Flock of Birds, taken from 'My heart be true' booklet. I have stitched it on 28ct WDW Checked linen that was recommended to use but have changed the threads using ones I had in my stash (Crescent colours & Carries Creations and DMC), so this is just a tadge brighter than the recommended threads would have been, but I still like the effect.

What have I been up too, well I spent a good part of last week preparing for a workshop that I did to show how to do a tin box finish. But stupid me forgot my camera, but Helen (no not my sister, but a friend), had her I-Phone with her and let me take some, of the wonderful finished tins, which I hope to show you tomorrow and tell you all about it then.

I have been busy stitching as always and have started on some Christmas ornaments, plus I had to do my tin box top, and I have also managed to slip in 'Cherry Heart' by Shepherds Bush, which I haven't photographed yet, but will show you later in the week - well at least thats the plan, but knowing how my life can change pretty quickly it could be next week.

Ooo talking of next week, my sister Helen is coming this Friday to stay with me for a week, though I will have to be at work for most of it, but nontheless I will enjoy her visit and as an extra bonus she is going to do my hair for me again - its great having a hairdresser/Beautician for a sister LOL!

Hope that you all have a great week....

Forget-Me-Not Sampler

I just loved the colours on this one, so I used the stated DMC colours, this one again I think will be destined for my bedroom.

Its called Forget-Me-Not sampler and is a really old one (1988) by Sheepish Designs.
I've stitched it on 32ct cream linen 2/2.

I can hardly believe its the 1st of August, where has this year gone to?? I have been very slow in answering emails I am sorry about it, but please I hope that you will understand, I still don't really feel like talking much, and you are all very much in my thoughts and I do appreciate the emails very much they brighten up my day along with the wonderful comments that you all have been leaving me.

My Hearts Garden

Another of my latest finishes - yet to be framed!! This one will go on my bedroom wall above or to the side of my bed as all my pictures in there are SB ones. I see this in a creamy white distressed frame, all delicate and pretty.

Its such a sweet little design and it is of course instantly recognisable as a Shepherds Bush, this one is called 'My Hearts Garden' I used all the silk colours and the fabric that was included in the kit, and it only took a couple of evenings to do, a real quicky!

PIF for Jessie

Jes emailed me today to say that she received my PIF that I sent to her.

I was starting to get a little nervous that it wasn't going to get there as I sent it at the same time as Edgards, but I am happy to say that it has arrived and that Jes really likes it.

The design is Shepherds Bush - 'A Rosey Fob' and I do believe it is now Out of Print.
Its stitched on 32ct linen and I used DMC threads. I made the tassle myself and added crystal beads to the top and the bottom. The little button in the centre is a MoP I bought from York lasat year at Duttons for Buttons (I just love that shop name LOL!)

Fobbles Exhibition 2009

Welcome to Fobbles exhibition for 2009. I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I enjoyed mine!!

This is the view (or part of the view) of the right of the room.

Part view of the left of the room

Now let me take you on a tour of a few of the wonderful exhibits that could be seen.

Mermaid doll which I think was made by Sheila.

Sewing set stitched and finished by Lucy

Quilted and applique work

Quilt and stumpwork picture by Ann, padded oval box by Jen and a glimpse of my padded embroidered box.

Various knitted projects, and jewellrey

Quilting and stitched projects

Beautiful cushion and various ribbon and stitched projects

Prim dolly

Various Hardanger, and stitched projects

More stitched projects including a picture (though not the most brilliant due to reflections) of Jens Red Snowman by Shepherds Bush

.... and this I have to admit was my very favourite quilt in the exhibition, which was made by Helen.

Hope that you enjoyed your quick visit, hopefully/maybe next year you might be able to attend in real life - We would love to see you there. Didn't the ladies make a wonderful job on setting it all up, it looked marvellous and the raising of funds (over £800 this year) for the Hospice at Home charity - which is what the exhibition was for.