Several finishes, knitting, beach trips and more

Hi friends, lots of stitching and putting the final touches on previous stitching finishes has been happening lately. The craft sales event I'm donating some items to is now only a few weeks away. I gave myself a deadline to have everything finished by the first Friday in November.  Whew, I made it! Now I can get back into some of my own stitching projects and finish a few gifts.

These ornaments were fun to stitch and make up.

Lori Holt - Vintage Christmas sampler, a selection of the little squares. 

Little House Needleworks - Gingerbread Cookie, one of my all time favourite ornament designs, which I think I've stitched about four times now.

Lori Holt - Vintage Christmas sampler, a section of the design.

Stitching with the Housewives - Santa's Pals

Finished earlier this year, the 2024 Christmas Stitch along by the Tiny Modernist

Stitching with the Housewives - Claus Christmas, stitched in late 2024

Cottage Garden Samplings - Christmas Parade, stitched in 2024

I also knitted up some booties over a couple of nights. Pattern can be found here

We did make it out to Porangahau Beach late last month for four days.  The weather had been terrible all week, and there had been wind warnings too.  It was pretty much windy the entire time we were there but we still had a good couple of days with our friends and enjoyed the break.

Last week we decided to go out to the beach after work on Friday afternoon, this time we went to Pourerere Beach.  The weather was the complete opposite to our previous trip - sunny and hot, just perfect. 

It was a very relaxing weekend, I read one book, read half of another, and watched a couple of movies. 

Glenn was happy with his fishing efforts, and Hannah and her friend enjoyed several swims in the sea and going boogie boarding.

This past week has seen the first of the roses in my garden bloom - I always like to see which one is first. This year it was "Courage", the rose given to us by friends when Glenn's dad passed away earlier in the year.

The gorgeous smelling Freesia was next, 

When we got home on Sunday,  the stunning Blackberry Nip was out too, just divine.

This coming weekend, Glenn and I are heading to Auckland with my brother in law and sister in law for a concert.  There might just be some time to start some Christmas shopping!

See you soon x

Time for a WIP Parade

Hello friends, recently I decided to get out all my projects and have an ironing session so I can share a WIP Parade. Loading up these photos, I've realised I didn't get a current progress pic of the Shepherd's Bush stocking I have on the go, Martha. It's been awhile since I lasted stitched on it but will share an update another time.

First up, is a new start I had during my summer holidays, Christmas Parade by Cottage Garden Samplings. Featuring Santa and his forest friends, I couldn't resist this design.  I'm using 32 count Fossil Fox & Rabbit linen and the recommended threads. I had so much trouble stitching Santa's beard, I had to restitch parts of it several times!

Another start I had in early December, The Light of Winter by Brenda Gervais. Stitching on 36 count Ballet Slippers by Fox & Rabbit using the recommended threads. Sadly, I haven't picked this up since so must get back to it one day soon.

Humming of the Bees by Blackbird Designs, started September 2022, stitching on 36 count vintage mocha Belfast linen, using recommended threads, another project I haven't worked on for ages.

Next up, Plum Street Samplers This Happy Morning, which was one of my birthday starts last April. This washed out photo is not really showing the colour of the linen correctly, which is 36 count Black Swan by Fox & Rabbit, using the recommended threads.

Oh Joyous Day by Blackbird Designs, started way back in September 2020, a stitch along with my friends Clare and Nicki, the fabric is 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus and using the recommended threads.

Winter Rose Manor by Brenda Gervais, also stitched on 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus, not too much to go now but why did I leave all the house stitching til last??

Merrily Merrily We Welcome Spring, fabric is 36 count Oaken linen by Picture this Plus. This has been on the go for a couple of years now.

Kringles by Little House Needleworks, started in 2020 during our first Covid lockdown, this has been quite neglected but I pull this out every now and then. Stitched on 32 count smokey white Belfast linen.

Wilhemina by Fox & Rabbit, which was a Patreon club chart last year, I'll try and finish this before this Easter. This chart is being released for the Nashville Market.

I also have the 2023 Tiny Modernist mystery Christmas stitch along on the go to, which I'll have an update for next time.  

Two other projects from my stitching basket, I've decided not to continue with so both have been "let go" - that felt good as I know I'm not interested in stitching the designs anymore.  

Do you have any stitching goals or plans for 2024? Are there any charts you are looking forward to being released during the Nashville Market? 

See you soon x

Fully Finished x 3

It was my good friend Sonia's birthday recently and when I spotted some new Lynette Anderson fabrics in my local sewing shop I thought they'd be a perfect match for this Little House Needleworks stitched piece from several years ago.  I followed the project bag tutorial from Elizabeth Ann Can Stitch you tube, I've made several of these now. 

Accessorised with a silver heart and a macrame key fob, I was really happy with how it all came together. 

Next up from my finishing pile is Dear Santa by Teresa Kogut, I loved stitching this design.  This pattern was from the July Patreon club.

This Autumn pillow by Scarlett House was a kit from the Silver Needle's Stitching with my Friends club.

The linen, threads, and trim were included in the kit.

See you soon xx

Jolly July is on it's way

For a few years now I've participated in Jolly July, a stitch along on Instagram organised by Kimberly from the Fat Quarter Shop, and Priscilla and Chelsea of Stitching with the Housewives. As I stitch Christmas designs all year round, I usually spend all of July working on these.  This year I've decided to have a mixture of new starts and also get some stitching done on some older projects including one or two started last year during Jolly July.

I spent a couple of happy hours on the weekend getting fabric, charts and threads organised for this month and also, checking out what ornaments I've already stitched during 2021.

I haven't shared any of these so here we go, all stitched - just to be finished some time.

Jolly St Nick and Rudolph, by Stitching with the Housewives

Berries in Bloom, a freebie by Hands on Designs

Mouse's Christmas Decorating by Tiny Modernist

Ho Ho Ho by Trellis & Thyme

2020 Santa by the Prairie Schooler

Joy - Lila's Studio

Peace - Lila's Studio

Noel - Lila's Studio

Gingerbread Cookies by Little House Needleworks

Snow Joyful by Homespun Elegance

Dazzlin' Deer by Heart in Hand

Are you going to be participating in Jolly July? 

See you soon xxx

Harietta Bunny & a pillow finish

I have really been enjoying stitching a few Easter designs this month. At the end of February I spent a bit of time choosing some designs, finding fabrics and the threads so I could get straight into Easter stitching once March was here. Some of the charts I had already last year, some are freebies and others are new charts I've purchased as PDFs.

This little cutie was a joy to stitch, Harietta & Co by Brenda Gervais, With Thy Needle and Thread.

I used a piece of 32 count white linen from my stash that has a washed out look about it and most of the recommend threads.

 

Some dotty fabric for the back and I sewed on some of the DMC chenille trim I bought recently from my local sewing and knitting shop. The perfect match!

My "Friday Finishing" sewing sessions continue and the latest stitched piece to get some attention is Jack Frost's Tree Farm. I stitched this throughout 2020, a block a month.  The fabric was 36 count Wren fabric by Picture this Plus.

 

Made into a pillow with a small edging out of the backing fabric.

Thanks for stopping by - see you soon xx