Anything Christmassy at AYLI

Hello friends. It's new challenge day at

and it's Anything  Christmassy Goes

This last couple of years I have really enjoyed cross stitching again and have made quite a few projects. This is my latest FFO (fully finished object in cross stitch speak!!). The pattern is from Soda Stitch and called Merry Christmas. I used a mottled grey aida and threads from my stash, some called for and some alternatives that worked well.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to pay a visit. I have been dogged with ill health this past week so my good intentions to visit have been rather hindered. Migraine and vertigo were the culprits, A&E last weekend for an injection and a return visit to the GP yesterday. Hopefully the meds will sort me out now.

See you soon xx

 

Non-Card Project

 At As You Like It Challenge we have a theme to get you thinking outside the box. We would love to see your  non card project.

After a break of many years I have picked up  aida and DMC threads again and have been cross stitching. I have finished quite a few projects so far this year and have some festive ones in the pipeline too.

I subscribed to a  cross stitch magazine about twenty years ago and tore out charts that I fancied stitching. This was one of them that I found in a dusty folder. 

It was a lovely project to do as it stitched up quite quickly and I did a couple of motifs at a time. The navy frame was re-used and I.m not quite sure I like it but will pop it on the kitchen dresser for now and live with it for a bit.

Thank you for popping by, it's much appreciated xx

What makes you happy at Allsorts

Gail has given a fabulous optional theme at Allsorts Challenge this time.

What makes you happy? or Anything Goes

Two prizes of a Penny Black stamp and die set from Buddly Crafts

I have lots of things in my life that give me joy and my crafting life features many different types. Aside from papercrafting I have picked up Cross Stitch after a break of a few years. There are lots of amazing patterns available these days and this one really appealed to me after the long wet winter we endured.

I chose thread colours to match the little scrap of patchwork cotton that I found in my sewing box. Once washed and ironed I got the sewing machine out and stitched the aida to the cotton and framed it myself. 

Here is the first photobombed picture that I thought might make you smile...

Honestly, the hairy kids get everywhere!!

I hope you have a lovely weekend and I will see you soon xx

 

Bugs, Feathers or Fur at AYLI

 

The new challenge lands today at AYLI and we would love to know which of these is your favourite.

Bugs, Feathers or fur? and a little explanation is required too.

I am not a fan of bugs and the flapping of the feathery friends freak me out so I am sharing a horse today.  Wills isn't really furry at this time of year, more silky really but he does get softer fur in the winter and at any time of year there is nothing quite like the sniff of a velvet muzzle!! 

My lovely team mate Brenda recently mentioned tackling her UFOs (unfinished objects) and I have been making a concerted effort this year to do the same. I have reduced the pile a fair bit but along the way have rekindled my love of cross stitch which, in turn, meant the purchase of one or two kits, this horse being one of them from Zindagi Designs. I used all the called for colours and simply mounted in a hoop. I have a Christmas bird on the go at the moment that I'm finishing as well as quick stitch coasters for my work mates' Christmas gifts so no new starts on the horizon.

This is the closest I could get to that elegant horses paces and the face of a old middle aged lady concentrating!! It's taken two years to start rebuilding my confidence and it's still fragile at times. I bear a permanent reminder of my tumble and given that this lovely boy is  a little tinker I really ought to stop, but the need (like buying paper pads) just cannot be curtailed!!

See you at the weekend xx

Four legged friends at Allsorts

Happy Saturday everyone and I hope you are well. I am beyond delighted to be sharing my DT piece for

because I have picked the theme for you and it won't be a shock to my longstanding crafty friends to see that it's

Four legged friends.

Prizes from Craft Stash, Anna Marie Designs, AALL and Create, Oakwood, WOWVOW

This time I am sharing a foal that I cross stitched

This year I have made a huge effort to complete all those unfinished projects that have somehow accumulated over the years and this is one of them. I was stitching like billy-o up until last week to get this finished. I find it easier to cross stitch in the summer months when the light is better. That said I do have a Cotton and Twine Christmas sampler from a couple of years ago, so I'd better get my finger out!!

 Thank you for sharing your day with me and I hope that you will join us at Allsorts for my Four legged friend challenge. Anything Goes is also welcome too.

See you soon xx

Blooms, Bees & Butterflies

 I hope that the past week has been kind to you and that you have something nice planned for the weekend. Hopefully it will include a little bit of crafting and whatever you are doing please join in at Allsorts where you can share Anything Goes or opt to use our optional theme which, this week, is

Blooms, Bees and Butterflies as chosen by Ellie

I have something different to share with you today. I had a bit of a sort out last weekend and found some little cross stitch pattern books that came free with magazines decades ago. I found they had some really sweet, quick patterns so I dug out my embroidery thread, chose some colours and made this...

In real life, edge to edge including frame, it's about four inches. 

I hope that you will join us for a chance to win a prize from one of our lovely sponsors.

Prizes from Sizzix, AALL and Create, Aldridge Crafts, Lavinia and Ruth Hamilton Design

See you soon xx

A Pink Poinsettia

Hello friends. As it's the last challenge of the year we have an 

Anything Goes for Christmas theme at 

 My long suffering standing followers will know that each Christmas I make a little gift for my colleagues. This year it is the turn of cross stitch and I have been beavering away stitching motifs to go inside a three or four inch hoop. I have found them to be lovely little projects to do in the afternoon light. I found that my daylight lamp gave me migraine so had to give up stitching in the evening.

One of my colleagues LOVES pink so I did a pretty pink one for her.

That's the artistic shot out of the way...the reality is this....six more to press and put in the hoops. Still, I do have a couple of weeks yet so I am sure to get it done in time!!

If you have time it would lovely to see your Anything Goes for Christmas makes at the challenge where you can be sure of a warm welcome!!

Bye for now xx

Happy New Year and Thank You!!

Hello everyone and a great big 

Happy New Year!!

 I hope 2020 brings health, wealth and happiness to you all.

My card today is some inspiration for the new challenge at

We have made Thank You cards. 

I have been busy with needle and aida since Boxing Day and made this...

it was a free pattern from the amazingly talented Durene Jones that I adapted to suit my own thread stash and time constraints!! The stitched panel is just short of four inches, so I made a whopping eight inch card with a small silver inner frame and a lavender pearl board embossed mat. Nothing more needed.

So, that is my crafty year started off nicely and I hope you will have time to join in.

See you soon xx

Challenges

Allsorts Challenge #551/2 - Anything Goes

Love to Craft Challenge Blog #42 - Anything Goes

Not Just Cards December Challenge - Anything Goes