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.

CHS - Marriage Sampler

Yet another finish to be framed. This is by Carriage House Samplings and I have stitched it using DMC and its on 35ct Cream linen. This one I stitched over a couple of evenings after Mark and I parted, I found it very cathartic LOL!!

I have always liked this design, but I have re-named it from 'The Marriage Sampler' to 'The Breakup Sampler' As to me the verse is more of a timely reminder for the next time, not a verse for a wedding.

Fobbles 1st opening day for the Exhibition was great, around a hundred people visited throughout the day and all entry fees are going to Hospice at Home Charity, so ... if you are fancying a day in the Lake District, and fancy a wonderful exhibition then come and call in, you'll be very very welcome. Pictures will follow over the next few days!

Sail Away finished

I actually finished this a few weeks ago, but with everything thats been happening, I hadn't photographed it or anything, so now I have and here it is.

So here it is in its entirity, This was my 50th birthday gift from my friends, plus the mount to go with it - This one I think will be going to the framers - I seem to have a lot to frame lately LOL!