Hello friends, it's time for a stitching update - as always, I have lots of things on the go, makes life interesting ha ha.

Sampler September, a stitch along on Instagram,  is underway and unlike previous years, where I've started a new project, this year I've chosen to concentrate on getting one or two of my current works in progress possibly finished, fingers crossed.

I've made some great progress on the Light of Winter by Brenda Gervais. This is being stitched on 36 count Ballet Slippers by Fox & Rabbit using the recommended threads. I started this at the start of December 2023.

The light isn't so good on these photos sorry.

These next two fully finished pillows are some Easter stitching.  This little pillow is from the Jelly Bean Jubilee booklet by Brenda Gervais, stitched on 40 count vintage mocha Belfast linen.

Spring Awakens, also by Brenda Gervais, and stitched on 36 count vintage mocha Belfast linen.

For both of these, I twisted some DMC chenille to make the trim.

Here's Christmas Bird, from the Pastel Collection by Country Cottage Needleworks, finished as a flat ornament.

This is going to be the first Christmas ornament for our friends' new baby grand daughter, born on the 14th August, Margot Florence. I can't wait to have baby cuddles when they come to visit in a few weeks time.

 

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon x

The Rabbit & Rose

 

Stitched during Easter this year, I finally finished this sweet design, the Rabbit & the Rose by Brenda Gervais recently. 

Stitched on 32 count vintage mocha Belfast linen and I used most of the recommended threads.

I used this pretty fabric for the backing and the trim is "Rainy" by Lady Dot Creates.

See you soon x

Easter Stitching Plans

Stitching for Easter 2021 is now underway. I have a couple patterns already kitted with fabric and thread from last year that I didn't get done so they'll be included on the list to stitch too.

First up, Harietta and Co by Brenda Gervais. I'm unsure of the fabric I'm using, and it doesn't show up in this photo, but it has a slight vintage wash look about it. I'm using most of the recommended threads and the ones I didn't have I've substituted DMC threads.

Here are some of the charts from my Easter stitching project bag:

- recent purchases from the Tiny Modernist and Crocette a Gogo, buy, print and stitch - love a PDF chart! 

- A chart from Hands on Design;

- and have you seen this very cute free chart by Christine of Whilst Iris Naps? 

There are so many lovely Easter/Spring stitching charts available. Of course, here in New Zealand we are now going into our autumn season and yay, I can hear it raining - we are so much in need of some decent rain here, we've probably had two days of rain all year so far, it was a very dry summer for us.

See you soon x

 

Holiday Hoopla - Easter

 Most years I like to stitch a few Easter designs but this year I only finished this little cutie.

 

I used the recommended threads with 32 count cream linen. I found a small hoop in my collection so it didn't take long at all to mount the stitching in the hoop and finish it with a simple bow, it's now all  ready for Easter 2021.

See you soon xx

Easter Stitching

I've had this little chart for awhile now so I found the threads and some fabric to get it underway. I've got a couple of other Easter charts that I'd like to stitch this year so will work on them over the next few weeks.

Last night after work I started a major sort out and reorganisation in my craft office - I've been wanting to make a start in there for ages. I'm planning to look through every single item and then buy some new storage boxes for threads, etc. Unwanted items will be passed onto my stitching friends or the local op shop. This might take me awhile though, especially in the heat we've been having lately :)

See you soon xx

Blackbird Designs Easter Parade

This design is by Blackbird Designs, Easter Parade, and it had been on my Easter stitching list for several years, so I decided this year to actually get it done.

I did start this back in late March but with Hannah getting sick, then myself, plans to have done by this Easter went out the window! 

I really enjoyed stitching this bunny - the thread colours and the little eyelets make it a lovely stitch.
I used all the recommended threads and cream 32 count Belfast linen.

See you soon xx

Easter Stitching Finishes

Every year I like to stitch a few Easter designs to add to my collection and I also stitch something for my friend Kath as well.

This year I gave Kath this sweet little Prairie Schooler bunny pillow. The chart for this bunny is from the April chart.

The trim is by Lady Dot Creates and is Ballerina, so pretty.

I also sent Kath a few extras:

Another cute little design I finished is this one:

Egg Hunt by Lizzie Kate, I used my own choice of colours for this design

I have one more Easter wip to finish and then only a few hours of stitching left on the Cross Stitch Nation, both of which I'm planning to get done this weekend as then I'd really like to get my Stitch Maynia 2019 underway!  This will be my first year participating and I have a mixture of new starts and some wips planned.  Watch this space!

See you soon xxx

Some Finishing Done

Over the recent weekend I spent a bit of time catching up on some finishing and sewing of some of my recent projects.

Here a Peep There a Peep, by Brenda Gervais was stitched with a selection of DMCs and the recommended threads on 32 count belfast linen.

Lady Dot Creates trim in the Rainy colourway

Some dotty fabric for the back

Next up Candy Cane Wishes, also by Brenda Gervais.

I used 32 count Waterlily Jobelan fabric with the recommended threads:

Finished into a flat hanging ornament.

See you soon xx

Easter 2019

We had an enjoyable Easter break, enjoyed the sunshine, catching up with family, getting some jobs ticked off our To Do list, and had a few sleep ins. This week has been rather strange though, holiday Monday, two days at work, another public holiday yesterday for ANZAC Day and then back to work today. Hannah's next school term starts on Monday so the normal weekly schedule will resume then!

As usual, we set up our annual display of Easter decorations and crafts.

Many of these lovely stitched pieces have been given to me by Kath in our annual Easter exchange over recent years. I do have a couple of new stitched Easter pieces to share soon!

Hannah received some lovely treats from the Easter bunny:

She also made her favourite Easter treat, bunny bait :

On Sunday we spent the afternoon with Glenn's family for our annual Easter lunch and Egg Hunt with Hannah's cousins.

Easter lunch was delicious - glazed ham, lamb, beef and lots of lovely vegetable side dishes followed by apple crumble for dessert.

The girls had a lot of fun finding their Easter eggs and other games:

A wonderful few days and even better, to be feeling well and healthy again after the previous week.

See you soon xx

Easter Peep Parade

Easter Peep Parade - Brenda Gervais, With Thy Needle and Thread

I had hoped to have this finished by Easter but I found the stitching on this dark chestnut linen very slow going! I used mostly all the recommended threads, and had trouble matching the cocoa thread for the bunny, all my skeins were different so that's why the bunny looks two toned!! A lovely stitch though. The trim is vintage pom pom trim by Lady Dot Creates.

See you soon xx

Hippity Hoppity

Hip Hop by Lizzie Kate

Most years I stitch something to add to my Easter collection of small pillows and other decorations. This little kit was a pleasure to stitch, love the bright colours! The fabrics, beads and buttons were supplied in the kit, even the dotty ribbon.

I have a few other Easter themed projects planned, whether they get finished on time is another story!

See you soon xx

This Week

We've been treated to some stunning sunsets this week after some very hot days. I just love watching the colour change within a matter of seconds. 

Hannah has been learning some more cooking skills and she really enjoys making pikelets for lunch on the weekends. Her favourite topping, maple syrup :)

Kath had given me this cute Lizzie Kate kit last Christmas and when I sorting out some charts recently I decided to pull it out and get it underway. Fun colours in this one!

 It was a good mail day earlier in the week:

Finally!

Of course I couldn't resist starting this one.  I'm using 32 count vintage mocha Belfast linen with most of the recommended threads, DMC 3685 instead of Bamboo, and I'm going to make them into ornaments. Very much looking forward to stitching this series over the next few months.

See you soon xx

A little bit of finishing

It's been quite awhile since I made any time to sit down and do some "finishing" of any of my stitched projects. I think I've been a bit caught up with my sock knitting addiction, ha ha.

Well, I'm going to try and remedy that over the next few weeks.

These two sweet finishes were the first on my To Finish list:

Lizzie Kate Celebrate with Charm Basket Flip It

Natalie Bird, Birdhouse Designs, Deck the Halls stitchery

See you soon xx