Look what I got today....

Isn't it lovely, Vonna said that she would love to do a tin exchange with me and............



this is what came in the post today - I just love it, I love bees and bee skeps and so Vonnas' choice was just perfect,



its all so beautifully lined with a really sweet fabric and really wonderfully finished, I love it - and Vonna spoiled me and kindly sent some goodies which was very unexpected, I really love my tin - thankyou so much Vonna.



I haven't done an awful lot yet on Vonnas tin, due to other commitments, but I will have it done soon and be sending to her.

I've been forced to change to the new blogger, not sure that I like this very much, I had no problem uploading pictures on the whole before but with the new blogger
its not playing nice, so its giving me quite a few problems to upload these ones, I'll give it a fair trial, but if it carries on like this then I might have to move blogs.

Valentines finish

Our eldest nephew Ryan (soon to be 16yr), asked me when I was over at his home the other weekend if I would make him something for his girlfriend Lauren as a small gift for Valentines day, so of course I said YES, I was very flattered that he wanted me to, so I made a small ornament and trimmed it with a beaded trim.

The design is by Ewe&Eye&Friends and is called 'I give my heart to thee' Ryan is quite a romantic young man and so I thought it fitted him perfectly, he thought so too when I showed him it.



I've stitched it on 36ct antique white linen and used mostly DMC thread apart from the writing which is an overdye and the crosses in the heart itself - again an overdye by WDW called Romance - very fitting I thought.



Now what else on the stitching front - I've been busy finishing exchanges and so I can't show them yet, but there are 2 valentines and a needlework smalls exchange to show you.

I'm doing 3 tin exchanges now as Argone (Vivi) has said she would love to do one with me so I was delighted. I have found some small altoid sized tins and they are from Marks & Spencer and contain extra strong mints and they only cost around 90p they are the perfect size and have hinged lids. So I am busy planning what to stitch on all 3 of them, plus its coming up to mums birthday and I want to stitch something for her too, so I'll have to get a move on with that as its real soon.

Thankyou so much for visiting my blog and leaving comments I really do appreciate them very much, even if you don't leave a comment I appreciate your visit.

Knitting & Finishing

Well I have a finish to show and some knitting!! - First the finish, the design is by Ewe&Eye&Friends and its called Brown bunny. I have changed the colour ways (as usual), Its stitched on 32ct hand dyed linen by Polstitches and the colour is called Hot Chocolate and I stitched it using dragonfloss which is a hand-dye by Polstitches and the colour is pearl.



The brown bunny and writing is stitched using DMC. The design had a mixture of stitches. I finished it as a pin keep, it looks a bit bumpy on the picture but it is quite smooth IRL.

The next to show is my knitting - I haven't picked up a pair of knitting needles for a good 10 years or more but I saw this wool and fell in love with it, unfortunately I thought I would have got more stitched than I have but other things keep side tracking me, but I have got one part completed and I have strted knitting a bit more - Can you guess what its is? The blob on the right is a finished knitted bit, not a ball of wool LOL!!!



Vonna and Eva have both said they would like to do a tin exchange with me, both ladies are such wonderful stitchers and finishers I am honoured that they wanted to, so watch this space for the results of our exchanges.

The weather here has been dreadful - really high winds - yesterday a few areas at work were sent home because of it - unfortunately we weren't one of them, but I don't think it would have mattered if we had cos when Mark and I got in yesterday afternoon we had no electricity, it had been off apparantly since lunchtime and came back on again at 5pm, but at least it stayed on when it did come back on again.
The weathermen are reporting that the Lake District will have snow on Sunday and Monday - hope we do then it will feel like winter!!

Hope evreyone has a great weekend!

Winter Quaker Exchange

I heard today that Cathy has received her Winter Quaker exchange piece from myself. It really got to Australia fast. Our theme from SBEBB was Blue and white so I stitched on 32ct white linen using an overdye that I had in my stash.

I chose to stitch the Balckbird Designs Quaker strawberry that was in the Christmas 2006 Ornament book, this was my first attempt at a strawberry and wasn't to sure whether I had made it up correctly, I trimmed it with some white glass headed pins as I felt it looked a bit plain, Mark thought it looked good (but there again, when have I ever listened), but I still wasn't to sure so I explained to Cathy that it was my first attempt and that if she wanted me to stitch something else for her I wouldn't be offended at all, but I think she seems happy with it.

No I've been asked for directions on how to decorate the biscuit tin, if you go Here there are some wonderful step by step pictures on how to do it. If you scroll right down to the bottom of the page and click on the わたしの空き缶リメイク text it will bring you to the step by step. All the other text above are wonderful tins that have been covered, its a very inspirational site. I hope that helps?? Does anyone fancy doing a small tin box exchange with me?????

Knitting pics will be added before the weekend!!

Loads to show

Yay - Part 1 of my blackbird SAL is the first thing, what a great design we have picked this time to stitch its 'Garden of Life' I opted to stitch mine on 40ct cream linen using the recommended threads, its such a quick stitch so far and I'm really delighted with it, you can see more of our pictures here http://perso.bellapix.com/SALBLACKBIRD this time there are 21 of us in the SAL.


My next picture to show you or should I say the next 2 pictures to show you (and I apologise for the yellow tone, its just so dark here at the moment - I will edit and replace with better pictures when the lighting improves a bit) is the wonderful Quaker Exchange I received from Becky today, she has made me the most beautiful pinkeep and I was well and truely spoiled with some wonderful goodies too.

Front of pinkeep


Back of Pinkeep


Now whats next? - Ah yes I have completed my part on Rachaels Neighbourhood RR, I really hope that she likes it, I have adapted about 4 Elizabeth Designs charts to do this square and I really hope that she likes it as much as I liked stitching it.




I was away for part of last week getting my hair cut etc etc - I had an extra long weekend and stayed with my SIL and family - it was Kiers birthday and as a surprise we went Go-Karting - now bear in mind I can't drive a car, so with trepidation I sat in this very low Kart, when we set off (we had the track to ourselves, so there was just us 5 on it), the boys soon realised that Aunty Su was not going to be any competition - in fact the birthday boy shunted me out of the way once and I crashed once which wasn't so bad as Dawn who can drive she crashed twice. Well I couldn't manage the 30 laps of the track after about the 18th and my fastest lap (21seconds) I felt very nauseated and had to pull in to the pits, its to low to the ground for me and the diesel fumes and the bends soon took their toll. Still it was an experience I really had fun doing and at least I can say I did it and the boys were really proud that I managed it (I think they think I'm ancient), but I won't rush to have another go, course now the back/shoulders and forearms ache like mad LOL!!

Oh and guess what else I have started doing which I haven't done in a long time - knitting - more o show of that later in the week along with a couple of finishes I have done too.

My first 2007 project finished

This is the project I started that has grew and grew. The design is by Aux fils des Reves and I have wanted to stitch it for ages, but I didn't want to do it in the colours given in the kit, so I finally decided to stitch it using soi d'alger silk thread in soft pinks and blues and greens on 36ct linen fabric and I was happy with how it looked.



I already had a biscuit tin and I knew I wanted to finish it as a padded tin lid, but thats when my idea just sort of grew a bit. I lined the inside with co-ordinating material, the darker pink I received from Annemarie and the lighter one I already had in my stash. I then padded the inside of the lid using the darker fabric and made a pocket with the lighter colour and added some thread rings.



Then of course the tin was empty so using parts of the design I made a wee pin keeper and a small scissor fob, the pin keeper is edged with the same crochet white lace I had used for the tin top - I just had enough left to do it. I used small glass headed pins in pale pink and white around the pin keep. On the back of the wee fob I have stitched my initials.



So this is the finished project Atelier de Brodeuse by Aux fils des Reves

You know when.......

a project just seems to get bigger and bigger, well my forst finish of 2007 has gone that way. I was hoping to be finished with pictures to show, well half of it is finished and I'm really pleased with how it looks, but as I have decided to add extras its still growing, so there won't be any pictures of it til next week.

Also on the stitching front I have been stitching on Rachaels Neighbourhood RR and its looking pretty good if I say so myself, our next posting date is January 15th. I have also got all my bits and bobs together for our next Blackbird Designs SAL, this time we are doing Garden of Life. I am going to stitch it on 40ct soft cream linen and use the recommended threads. Both mum and Helen are part of this SAL too.

I have finished my Quaker exchange for SBEBB, I only have to sew it up, so nothing to show yet for that one, and I have finished my SBEBB smalls exchange and thats all sewn and finished, but again I can't show that one yet, those 2, both get sent this month.

I have also stitched both my SBEBB Valentines exchange and Jaynes Attic Valentines exchange and I am also moderator for both those exchanges, neither piece I want to part with, but of course I must, but will definitley be stitching them again for myself, they are both due to be posted on February 1st.

Now what else have I stitched over Christmas, I did make a start on 1 of the PIF's (Pay it Forwards), its stitched but not finished and I also can't decide which girl to send it too... decisions, decisions.

This afternoon when I got in from work I took down our decorations, the lounge always looks so bare doesn't it after they have gone.
I spoke to mum last night and passed on all the wonderful comments that you made about the box she did for me and she was delighted and said to say a BIG thankyou to you all. I wish I could get her a computer and get her learning to use it, but funds don't stretch that far, but Helen and I pass messages on and Helen lets her visit the blogs on hers, and of course she does when she visits me.

We also had some very sad news today Mums oldest dog Gemma (she was 15yrs - which is 105yr in doggy years) has had to be put to sleep this afternoon, she hasn't been well for a little while, so we are all really sad. Poor Gem, we will certainly all miss her as she was such a sweet wee bijon and had such a wonderful personality.

From my Mum

For Christmas mum had stitched for me this lovely box for my thread bobbins, it was a real surprise as I had no idea, and its really lovely.



She has stitched the design on pink evenweave fabric and added a wee silver heart as a door knocker - can you see? isn't it sweet.



The trees have small pearlescent beads in amongst them. It really is lovely and I love it very much and so now I will be filling it with threads.

I have completed my first stitching of 2007, I started it on New Years day and finished the stitching last night, hopefully I'll get the finishing done tonight and I will post it up tomorrow. My first 2007 project is by Au fils des Reves, but I have totally altered the look of it as I have changed all the thread colours!!

Thankyou too - I'm amazed by all the wonderful comments that you have all left me for 'French Heart' I really appreciate them and welcome too to new readers.

Final posting of 2006

Well this year is almost at an end and a new one about to start, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who stops by,

I've been terribly lazy this past week or so and have hardly turned the computer on, never mind blogged, but I have enjoyed the rest and have accomplished a few finishes and finishing, here is one I stitched quite a long time ago, this is what I strted with for the finishing - Can you guess what its going to be??



The design is called French Heart and its by Shepherds Bush it came as a kit and included the silk thread and the fabric (32ct) and included a wonderful little shoe.



I actually completed this design about 3 or 4 years ago, but could never decide whether I wanted to frame it or finish it as something, I didn't really want to make a cushion of it. So I looked in my finishing box of beads etc and found some heavy lace that I had and some beads and ribbon



and I finally came up with the idea of making it into a bag, which is now hanging from my mirror, I was quite pleased with how it has turned out.

.........to you all. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

Thankyou for visiting me throughout the year I very much appreciate it.

I'll see you all again next week sometime

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree

This year it was decided to put up the small tree (Marks choice), so here is a picture of it, I have tiny cross stitched ornaments, nutcrackers and glass santas on it as well as all the tiny china and glass ornaments I have.



The next picture is of my garland - I love my garland and I decorate it up every year.



Sitting in the middle of the fire below the garland is my prized German wooden santa smoker, which a friend brought me back from a weekend away, I just love him.



This is close-up of part of the garland the tin trees are new and I have one hanging on each side.



Here is a not too brilliant picture of my ornamanet tree, which I have placed in the lounge with the lovely ornaments that I have received and some I have stitched myself. It usually sits in my sewing room, with scissors and fobs hanging from it, as its quite delicate, but I wanted somewhere to hang the lovely ornaments I received this year as the small tree really is too small for them so I brought it down for Christmas

I've finally finished

Well I've finally finish - join me in a happy dance :-)
This is BD - When you see this remember me, I've stitched it on 30ct American chestnut R&R Linen and used the recommended thread colours too.- All GAST & WDW.
I was stitching this as part of a SAL and was supposed to have finished it in October, but other things took over and the ladies of the SAL have been cheering myself and Janice to conclusion - come on Janice you can do it!! The grass was an absolute pain to stitch - endless!! But I am pleased with the finished piece, now to frame it.

Final Christmas Exchange

I received in the post this morning a wonderful exchange as part of Renees stitching board it was from Catherine Michelle its really wonderful and I love him very much, its so wonderfully stitched and finished as a small cushion. Plus Catherine Michelle sent me some wonderful goodies too, some Mill Hill beads and trasures, Krienik thread and a doily to stitch. Thankyou so much.

I'm having real problems leaving comments on beta blogs at the moment, blogger just won't let me do it - I am visiting you all with beta blogs and I'm really sorry I haven't left comments, I keep trying, hopefully blogger will sort out the problem soon.

Well the weather has finally stopped raining and its bright today, it has rained solidly in Cumbria for 2 days now and rain on and off for a week before that, I think I am developing web feet and a duck bill we have had that much rain!!

For Myself

EDITED 18/12/06 - FRANCOISE HAS LET ME KNOW THAT THE CHART AND DESIGNER IS La Petite Brodeuse" BY d'Anagram Diffusion - Thankyou Francoise I appreciate that.
My friend Maria found this chart sent me it and it arrived last weekend, and you know when you get something and you just have to do it, well this is one of them, as soon as I saw her I had to stitch her. Does any-one know who the designer is?? we certainly don't and there is nothing on the chart giving any clues, its just literally a chart, so if anyone knows can you let me know. I've called her 'Molly' and as you can see she's got her stitching in her hands.

I have stitched her on 32ct vintage linen 1/2 using Vicky Clayton silk called Heartwood which is a wonderful reddish brown




I rushed round to the hobby shop this afternoon and I have framed and mounted her myself, the frame is avery, very dark red, almost black colour and I used a plain deep red mount, which I added some crochet lace all the way round, as when it was plain it didn't look right at all. I'm going to get Mark to put some hooks in the back to frame her and hopefully she will be hung on the wall tonight.

Last ornie this week

This is the last Christmas Ornament for this week - Its designed by Pat Rogers counted collection and was in the 1997 JCS Christmas ornie book. This is the first time I have finished an ornament this way and I'm not quite sure about it, I think I got it slightly skewiff!!! Its stitched on 32ct linen and I have added red silk ribbon to the hearts.

I have been stitching something lovely for myself this week, which I finally finished last night, I should have been working on BD - Remember me, but I will go back to it tonight and get some more done - its the grass on this its driving me mad!!! If I hadn't been in a SAL I don't think I would be finishing it.

Penultimate Ornie

This one is by Gentle Arts, and is called Bird and Berries. I used bright red mill hill seed beads for the berries instead of french knots, they stood out better I thought and I have finished it using 3 different colours of silk ribbon. Its quite dinky this one and I'm going to be sending it as a gift to a lovely friend.
Tomorrows ornie will be the last one I have made this year.

I've been asked about the SB newsletter, well I know if you go onto their website that their snail mail address is there and you send a dollar to that address with your details. For those outside the USA I really don't know what you do, I managed to get mine from ebay but I have only 3 or 4 of them.

How Husbands get out of shopping

My friend Angie sent me this today - I just had to share it its so funny!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Fenton are retired, Mrs. Fenton insists her husband go with her to Walmart, He prefers to get in and get out quickly, but Mrs.
Fenton loves to browse. HE must find a outlet for his boredom at
Walmart....SO after about 25 shopping trips...Here's a letter Walmart
sent to Mrs. Fenton:

Dear Mrs. Fenton,
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may ban both of you from our stores. We have documented all incidents on our video surveillance equipment.

All complaints against Mr. Fenton are listed below.

Things Mr. Bill Fenton has done while his SPOUSE was shopping in Walmart:

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the restrooms.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in house wares..... and watched what happened.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and asked to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. September 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they'll bring pillows from the bedding department.
8. September 23: When a clerk asks if they can help him, he begins to cry and asks, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, and picked his nose.
10. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, asked the clerk if he knows where the antidepressants are.
11. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.
12. December 6: In the auto department, practiced his "Madonna look" using different size funnels.
13. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browse through, yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"
14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed the fetal position and screams "NO ! NO! It's those voices again!!!!"

And last, but not least ....
15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then screamed very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!"

Regards,
Walmart

Christmas exchange Part 5

This is the last ornie I have exchanged this year, I stitched it for Karin I read on her blog that she liked sparkly things so I adapted the SB Freebie newsletter pattern so that it was more sparklier (which of course my photo doesn't show very well) and of course I changed the colours and the fabric colour and I'm pleased to say that she liked it. I'm still waiting for an ornie to arrive to me from someone so I am getting quite excited now!!

I was asked for the Jean Farish website for the freebie design of a couple of days ago, so here it is www.jeanfarish.com/

Thanks so much everyone for your comments I really do appreciate them and makes stitching worthwhile and I really appreciate them. - how did I ever cope before blogging?!!!

I'm awful slow at getting my cards and pressies posted as well, for some reason, but I am intending to get to the post office this week and send things on their merry way.

Another day, another ornament

Well here is another of my Christmas ornies, this one is a gift for a dear friend, I really enjoyed stitching this one. Its stitched on 28ct linen, the wee partridge is 2/1 tent stitch which has been tweeded to give the mottled effect. The design is by Hillside Samplings and is called Christmas 1996 - I call it partridge in a pear tree LOL!!!.

More ornaments

This one just has to be my favourite one I have stitched this year, originally it was going to be for an exchange, but I loved it so much I changed my mind and have kept it for myself, I intend to do all the wee birds from the JCS ornie issues. The design is by La-D-Da.