Camera Issues

Sorry no photos of works started or of Harry, I'm having a few camera issues at the moment, having hardly used my camera in 18 months its refusing to work properly or charge, so perhaps I need another.
While I'm on the subject of photos, now that Picnic has closed down any idea anyone as to where I can go to oomph up my pics when I finally take some?

Thanks all that have commented on my first posting of the year, Its really nice to know that I haven't been forgotten out here in stitchy blogland.

Now what am I stitching? I so wanted to show you how it was coming along, but without pics that's a hard to do, but I can tell you I'm stitching Beyond my Heart which is Loose Feathers pattern 32, of course by the wonderful Blackbird Designs. Stitching is slow going but hey whose in a rush, my speed has so slowed down for larger pieces (well maybe not larger pieces but definitely bigger than ornie size). Plus my work hours are longer than they used to be as I have a different job which I love, so my evening stitching is reduced by a good 3 hours, plus I am so into reading Debbie Macomber books - thanks to my sis and mum who have got me into them, I've almost finished reading the Cedar Cove series and I am currently on the 3rd novel of the Blossom Street series, such light reading but very enjoyable escapism.

So..................... as soon as I get the camera going I'll show pics.
Meantime if anyone can recommend a site like Picnic to make my pics look good, please do as I am so out of doing anything on the computer other than play games.

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

Popping my head over the parapet having been such an absent blogger and visitor for the last 18 months or more, where has the time gone?? Does anyone remember me??

I just would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and that 2013 is all you hope it to be. - I hope to pick up a needle and thread more during 2013 and actually do some finishing of the things that I have actually stitched over the last 18 months. - I think I have just made my first New Years resolution HAHA!!
My second is to visit you all more as I have been very absent in doing that too, and looking at all your wonderful stitching and finishing, and getting some inspiration.

Lots to tell and tales of Harry to share, but will save until another day.

Hope everyone is well and has a happy, healthy and inspirational 2013

Love

and of course            

THANKYOU

Thankyou everyone so much for your lovely lovely words and support, you really are all so very lovely, thankyou too for the cards I have received at home as well, I honestly appreciate it all and so does my family - I have passed on your words to them to.

Its very strange not having dad about or speaking to him on the phone and I know how strange and upsetting it is to mum too after all he was her husband, but Mum is doing OK as we all are Helen my sister has been amazing with her living so close to mum she has beenand still is a terrific help and support for her. My brother and I have been doing as much as we can as well I had the weekend gone over with mum and saw everyone too, and I'm making plans for the bank holiday/Easter to spend with mum again.

My best friend and her son are taking life a day at a time at the moment but are gradually returning to normality, both are going back to work again tomorrow, which is good and luckily there appears no lasting scars on her face and around her eyes, which is a good thing.

Work is settled again for the time being - I hate not knowing if I am going to be out of work and it keeps happening at the moment I really could do without that worry!!

I've still not done much in the way of finishing work, but have stitched a couple more small things, I'm also working on Finch Song. I will hopefully have something to share by the weekend as long as everything goes OK in my distracted world.

Ooo and Harry says to say Hello to his fans, he has grown such a lot but is still as cute as a button, and his training is coming along well.
Hugs and grateful thanks to you all

 

Not been blogging or around much

As you may or may not have noticed but I haven't been around very much for a while, neither have I visited anyone very often at all. Its not that I haven't been thinking of you all or stitching or anything like that, but my family have had a bereavement and as this is primarily a stitching home blog, I thought it would be a little  depressing of me to keep you informed of our sadness, especially as there has been so much sadness in other parts of the world at the same time.

So as I have been feeling way to sad for a while as I knew that my dad was very ill to really feel like being upbeat and happy and wanting to show my stitching I haven't. But this week was my Dads funeral and after his illness it was good that he wasn't suffering anymore and as a family we were all there when he passed on which I for one am convinced that he knew we were all there.

My Dad was a wonderful 'gentleman' who had a lovely smile and a quiet word for those who would listen, he also had a wicked sense of humour, I will miss him very much but I do have many, many happy memories of my life with him and I loved him very very much.

I have also had work problems and my best friend and her son have been involved in a very tragic car accident this week - though neither of them have been seriously hurt - I'm telling you you wouldn't believe my life at the moment - it would so make a good soap opera - Eastenders and Corrie have nowt on my life at present LOL!!

Hopefully I will pull myself out of the doldrums and get back into blogging I can't promise that it will be soon but then again I can't say it won't be - it will be probably a little sporadic for the meantime.

Anyway I hope that everyone is fine and well, I have to let you know that Harry is doing well and has grown considerably
Hugs

 

Sage Advice

Sage advice I feel after everything that seems to be happening in my life at the moment, and its advice I'm taking LOL!
As yet its not been placed into its frame and mount, but I wnated to show it to you. The design is from the October 2010 Cross stitcher magazine. I have stitched it on 40 ct linen using Needlepoint silk, I loved stitching this and I hope to properly frame it today, but you can see it in the mount and frame I chose to put it in.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, Harry and I went for a walk this morning, but its just a bit too frosty I think for his little feet and he didn't want to go to far, I was all prepared for a long walk but he wasn't LOL! Don't forget to have a look at my sale stuff you might find something that you like - you never know LOL! I'm going to go through my fabrics next and maybe put some of them up for sale too.

Tombstone Angel

This tiny little design is by Kelmscott Designs, its called Tombstone Angel, the little tombstone palette was part of the kit and is what sold it to me LOL! This was my first finish of 2011 that I promised to share with you.

Its stitched on 40ct iced cappuccino linen over 2 and I used leftovers of red silk thread that I had, the little braid you can see at the sides was part of the kit. You can see how tiny it is as its almost the same size as the Kelmscott Putford scissors next to it.

Thankyou again for looking and/or buying some of my stash, I really hadn't wanted to sell things but  I'm afraid that needs must so I honestly have appreciated it, I have updated the 'For Sale' page again today if you would like to visit.

Hugs

 

THANKYOU

A HUGE thankyou to those that purchased Shepherds Bush charts and kits from me, I cannot tell you how grateful I am, I have updated the for sale page again with many more designers charts etc, please visit again or for the first time even, and scroll down to the end of the page on the For sale page as there are many other designer charts there including Shepherds Bush, Just Nan (some charts hard to get as they are retired), Homespun Elegance, Designing Ladies, The cats whiskers and others.
Thankyou again for looking. Postage is seperate.

I willbe back later tonight with some sewing pics to share with you and I think that Harry might be posting over the weekend too.

Items for Sale

I have decided to have a massive de-clutter of all my stash and will be listing charts and kits on my For Sale page, and it will be updated regularly. The first stash I am de-cluttering is Shepherds Bush and I have listed on the page what is for sale.  Prices and details are as stated below the pictures, I will accept PAYPAL, cash or if from the UK I will also accept cheques (goods would be sent once cheque has cleared) and postal orders All prices are listed in English Stirling.

I will ship Anywhere

All prices DO NOT INCLUDE Postage & Packing
All charts are gently used.

You can contact me at my email address only for anything you would be interested in and you can find that in my profile. PLEASE do not leave a comment anywhere else.

Last finish of 2010

My last finish of 2010, is Shepherds Bush - Holly and Ivy Sampler, I loved stitching this one, it was such a pretty one to do - Now to find the perfect frame in time for 2011 Christmas.

 

Happy 2011

A little late I know, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best for what this year may hold for everyone - May it all be Good and Wonderful.
I'll be back tomorrow with my last finish of 2010, and I have already stitched my first for 2011, but not finished finished it LOL

 

Thankyou all for your continued support, visits and comments I really appreciate it, even though I haven't been the best blogger this year.
I just would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas - I'm off tomorrow to the family for Christmas but should be back next week - weather permitting LOL This is the first Christmas with everyone for 15 years and I am so excited!!

Its a Dogs Life - Harry Update

Good Evening my friends - Harry here, I've managed to sneak my last visit in before Christmas arrives, My mum says cos I've been good I will most likely get some pressies from Father Christmas - I do hope so, as all these strange parcels keep appearing with lots of new smells around them.

I've not been able to go outside all week, but Im quite happy about that as its very very cold on my toes, but mum bought me a wonderful red puffa coat to wear and I'm very snug in that, but my feet get too cold, so I haven't been out.

I found the warmest place in the house the other day, my mum put the fire on and oooo it was toasty, I put my bed here myself much to mums amusement - she never offered to help, she was laughing too much, then I gathered all my favourite things including the toy that was Tashas (its now mine) and I guard it with my life as you can see I cuddle it in my bed. Mum took this photo of me - just to show you all that I can be quiet too sometimes.

Well I wish you all a Merry Christmas, I expect mum will be on before Christmas with another posting - as far as I know mum says weather permitting I'm off to see Bailey and Bonnie for Christmas - yippppeee!! I hope the snow stays away so mum can drive over.

Hearts for Christmas

Christmas Greetings

Here we go, another Christmas Ornament, this time its designed by the lovely Carol R http://istitchaholic.blogspot.com/ this was a pretty little freebie that she designed for us last year.

This is for the Fobbles Christmas tree ornament exchange.
I have stitched it on 36ct antique cream linen and used a green NPI silk thread and a red (poinsetta) Gloriana silk thread. I have finished it very simply as I felt it really didn't need any enhancement to take away the lovely simplicity of this design, all its got is a red velvet ribbon hanger. Thankyou Carol for designing this lovely little ornament, I loved stitching it.

Til Later - Hugs

 

La -D-Da - Merry Christmas

Yet another ornie!! This time its by one of my very very favourite designer - La-D-Da. This is from the 2009 JCS Ornie magazine.
I've stitched this on 30ct R&R linen - iced cappuccino and its 1/1 and I have totally changed the colours and picked my own, they are all Vicky Clayton silk threads, but I couldn't tell you their names as I lost all my labels. I've finished it with a pretty green/mauve moire shot silk and edged it with a varigated silk ribbon that I found amongst my ribbons - it was actually the ribbon shades that helped me choose the thread colours.
I'm not giving this one away, I'm keeping it, as I loved it so much.
Til Later - Hugs

 

Update from Harry

Hello my fans, my mum says that some have asked about me and that my absence has been too long - Blame mum for that she has been too busy on this computer to let me anywhere near it - Its always 'Harry No!" these days - sigh...

I helped her with the Christmas decorations last week, that was great fun, I found some shiny round things which the Big fluffy thing called Tasha said were baubles?? anyway I had a good game with mum, she was a panting mess when she finally caught me, she spoilt it all a bit by hiding the shiny bauble, but I have seen where she put it but its a little too high for me to get, as its hanging from the light! It looked far better under the sofa with me than where she has put it.

That big fluffy thing seems to be getting a little nicer to me, she actually gave me a kiss the other day, but then I went an spoilt it all, by grabbing her 'normous' tail, she didn't like that and smacked me hard so I hid behind mum. She sat on top of my house last night and watched me the whole time - mum says thats good as she now wants to be in the same room as us, I don't know I think I preferred it when she wasn't with us, she gives me the 'evil' eye a lot especially when I go near the 'normous' tail.

I got weighed tonight I weigh 3lbs 9oz, I've put on 70z this week mum thinks I've grown a lot too, she says my tail doesn't look like a pencil lead any more, so since I came to live with mum I've gained loads of weight and grown a lot, as I only weighed 1lb 4 oz when I came here, Mum is very proud of me she says, especially as she says I'm a picky eater - I don't know what she means, her dinner always smells nice and I like the cheese cubes she gives me sometimes and I love fish - especially if its the fluffy things and I can steal it.

Well its time for bed so I have to go... Night night sleep tight and don't let the bugs bite

Angels Sent

Another ornament from the 2010 JCS Ornament mag. This one is by 'Still stitching with Susan, LLC and is called Angels sent. I have stitched it on 32ct antique white linen and used a snippet of red silk thread I had in my stash - I've lost the label from the thread so I couldn't tell you what colour it is or make, but I was pleased with how the varigation turned out., I've trimmed it with some red pom pom braid.

Quiet weekend this weekend here, Harry and I have been out a couple of times for a little walk and we delivered cards and some pressies, he seemed to like that but there again he is a sociable little fella.
Til Later - Hugs

 

Christmas Magic

Just a little ornie which I'm giving as a gift to a friend, its from the 2010 JCS Ornament mag, and its by Charlottes Web Needlework.

I've stitched it on 36ct antique white linen and used DMC threads, I've added white beads instead of the recommended glass beads and its trimmed with white braid and I've added silver and clear bugle beads.

Hope you are having a good weekend and its not too hectic, all our snow has gone for the moment, I hope it doesn't return anytime soon!

Til Later - Hugs

 

Shepherds Bush - Safe Keeping

This delightful, little pretty is my latest SB finish - its a small kit and I have used all the recommended threads and fabric that was included in the kit, its such a pretty trifle and I do so love the gorgeous silk ribbon that was included the colours are so lovely. I found I had the perfect pair of scissors too within my scissor collection, the pinks match perfectly.

Hope that you are all keeping warm with this snowy weather it seems we are having a lot here in the UK and its predicted to carry on til Christmas, yet again work as deemed that we can't go in, I wouldn't mind if I got paid like the staff do when its adverse weather or that it is impossible to get to work, but as Agency personnel I don't get paid and I could get into work, if they would let me, I really don't need this, this close to Christmas, what with them already cutting our hours down every week, my poor bank balance is really suffering - at least I have the consolation that the rest of the Agency staff don't get paid either so we are all suffering the same problems - Sorry small vent, quite annoyed as you can tell.

I will fill my day with Harry, cleaning upstairs and wrapping some gifts I think, then hopefully a little more finishing work to be done. Do you like my new blog background? I thought I would go a little more Wintery.

Enjoy your day wherever you may be

Til Later - Hugs

 

Christmas decorating

Til Later - Hugs