Current projects

Hi friends, well you could say my yarn mojo has returned - it's been several years since I had both a crochet project and knitted socks on the go at the same time, and I am thoroughly enjoying working on each.  My reading lunchtime break has been replaced by one or another, even if it's only twenty minutes or so, I can get a row of crochet done or a few rows on the sock. 

My new crochet project is the Summer Vintage blanket by Amanda Hurrell, Eight by Six on Instagram and Facebook.  I purchased the Yarnsmiths cotton/linen yarn from the Wool Warehouse in the UK, and it arrived here to New Zealand in just a week's time.  Took me a minute or two to try to remember how to do a treble stitch, ha ha.  

Gorgeous colours. I did forget to add the lighter yellow, Buttercup, to my order, but never mind.

Over the past week I've knitted the heel and now onto the foot part of these socks 

For many years, during May, I'd participate in Stitchmaynia, starting several new projects throughout the month of May. This was so much fun, deciding what to stitch, kitting up each project.  This year I decided to do a "WIP" May, and hunted out one of my oldest wips, Lizzie Kate's Christmas ABCs.  I couldn't even say when I started this design.  It's actually my second time stitching as the first time I stitched it and gifted it to my Mum.  

The fabric is 32 count Mint belfast linen and most of the recommended threads.  

The other WIP project that I'm currently focusing on is Martha's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush, another project I've not stitched on in ages. 

Last week I ordered some ultra firm stabliser from Rainbow Stash for some new project folders and added these cute fat quarters and a thread holder to my order. 

Last weekend I spent Saturday with some friends - I couldn't decide what to work on so took everything ha ha.

Two little projects finished completely: a freebie from Primrose Cottage Stitches

Hope anchors the Soul, also by Primrose Cottage Stitches, made into a scissor fob.

Many thanks for stopping by, see you soon x

My to do list

This new project bag came together just like I'd planned, lol.  My To Do List, is a lovely pattern by one of my all time favourite designers, Lizzie Kate, and I'm still sad Linda retired from designing patterns. 

I've had this stitched for a few months and when I was recently looking through some fabrics spotted these two fat quarters of fabric given to me last year by a friend.  Who can resist cute bunnies and owls. This fabric range is by Lynette Anderson.

I followed the easy tutorial by Liz from Elizabethanncanstitch on You Tube, which I've used several times before.

This now contains my latest stitching project, The Rabbit & Rose by Brenda Gervais, which I'm thoroughly enjoying stitching.  

Some other happy stitching news, a parcel of charts arrived yesterday from Art & Frame, here in New Zealand. That just made my day, containing some new designs by Jeanette Douglas, Erica Michaels and some of the new Blackbird Designs, it will be hard decision to pick out what to stitch first! 

Enjoy your weekend, see you soon xx

A Stitching Round Up

This week you can tell winter is well and truly here in New Zealand. After some miserable bleak weather last weekend, the winter sun has been out and we've had a few mornings with good frosts and chilly starts but then a day of sunshine follows.

This coming weekend we get an extra day off work for the Queen's Birthday public holiday on Monday, and after having spent the past few weekends helping with my in law's move to their newly built house, an extra day at home will be great to catch up on some home jobs and maybe even some sewing time.

Lately I've been enjoying having the diffuser going in the living area. Earlier in the week I bought a new synergy blend from the local health shop. Called Stress Relief, it has bergamot, ylang ylang, patchouli, orange sweet and lavender, and smells so divine. Most of the oils I use are made locally by Lotus Oils. 

Onto a stitching update:

I'm so enjoying stitching the Flea Market Flowers design, the colours are so pretty.  

I pulled out a 2020 Stitchmaynia project last weekend to stitch and made some good progress on All Joys for Thine.

Sew by Row is coming along too:

Last week I finished the Last Ripe Berries by Blackbird Designs

Stitched using the recommended fabric and threads:

I've also stitched more on My To Do list:

I've also got a new knitting project on the go, having finally finished the pair of socks that have been on the go since January 2020! A friend from work has a new grand daughter so I've started a little baby cardigan and will match it with a hat and booties too.  

Have you started any new projects lately? 

See you soon xx

On the go

Today's post is a round up of other projects I've also had on the go during March.

My To Do List has been in my stitching basket for ages, and I just love this saying. When this is finished, I'm going to display it on a wall in my work office. The fabric I'm using is 32 count Smokey Pearl Belfast. 

A new start for #santasundayxs, Berries in Bloom, a free chart by Cathy from Hands on Design.

More dish cloth knitting, February's pattern from the Kitchen Shop. If you sign up to receive the newsletter, a dishcloth pattern will be emailed to you every month throughout 2021.

I'm still working on Merry Old Soul for #merrymondayxs.

The clips holding my extra fabric were given to me by a friend the other day, they are magnetic cable clips. Isn't this a great idea, I've ordered some more. 

Last night I started another new project, I've never had so many stitching projects on the go!  I'll share an update about this when I've done a decent amount of stitching on it lol.

See you soon x

 

Last of the Christmas Ornaments

Hello friends, thank you for the all the lovely messages on my last post.  I am extremely grateful that here in New Zealand, as we are at Level 1, we can continue our daily lives with minimal disruption - go to work, school when it returns, be with family and friends, go on holidays around our beautiful country if we wish, etc. I am aware however, how this virus can change things so quickly, and we've had reminder of this over the weekend with the first community case for over nearly two months.

I've decided to break up all the stitching things I want to share into a series of posts over the week so today it's all about some stitching finishes that were the last of my 2020 ornaments for family and friends. Many of these I worked on over our winter months.

These few are by Lizzie Kate, from various Tiny Tiding Charts. If you'd like to know the specific chart, leave a comment for me and I can let you know.

A small design by Heart in Hand:

Fabric stars using a free tutorial found here:

Some little stitchery hangings made up with embroideries found via Pinterest

My Christmas Song by MTV Designs, 2018 Just Cross Stitch Magazine

Joy by Rovaris, 2018 Just Cross Stitch ornaments magazine

A free design by Needlework Press, which I found via Pinterest:

Lastly for today, Sleigh by Lizzie Kate, a bonus chart on Part 2 of the Holly and Hearts mystery sampler. This was stitched and sent to my dear friend Andrea in the UK. 

As I mentioned, if you would like any further details about any of these ornaments, feel free to get in touch.  Until next time, stay safe and happy stitching xx

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas to all! These are the last of my 2020 Christmas ornaments, given to family and friends.

This will be my last post for awhile, possibly until mid January, so I wanted to take the time to thank each and everyone of you - thank you so much for visiting my blog, sending me messages and emails, and always leaving positive comments here and on Instagram. It always makes my day to hear from you. Greatly appreciated xx

I know this Christmas for many around the world is not what a lot of you planned and you can't be with your loved ones, friends and family. I hope that whatever your situation, through distance, loss, separation or grief, I sincerely wish you peace and joy, and many happy blessings for the year ahead. And of course, lots of happy, happy stitching and crafting times.

Take care, stay safe and Merry Christmas!

Katrina xx