Finishes, a PIF Gift, Edwood & a Cheeky Monkey!! (Lots of Pictures)

I have been doing some finishing today, these pieces were stitched in February, but I have only just got around to making them up.

This piece is a freebie design by Casa Mia and is stitched on 28c Ivory Jobelan with Carrie’s Thread in Plymouth Red. This is part of my Mum’s Mother’s Day gift alongside some Cath Kidston goodies!!

This piece was a freebie design I had in my stash, by Les Chroniques de Frimousse. It is stitched on 28c Jayne’s Attic COM hand dyed fabbie “Enchanted”, with DMC threads, I finished it as a pinkeep with a scissor pocket at the back, this is a gift for me for my workbox!

Isn’t this gorgeous, this is the PIG gift I received from Rachael this morning, I just love it, the picture does not do the colours and stitching justice, it is perfect. Thank you so much Rachael, for the goodies too, I have hidden the choccies until after lent, how good am I!!

My very special stitching friend Michelle has recently returned from a holiday in South Africa and this little chap came all the way with her to live with me, Michelle knows I love all things African and wooden carvings are just my favourite, so this little elephant is perfect, his name is Edwood!!

And now from an elephant to a cheeky monkey…here is my daughter aged 15 weeks on Friday and what a funny little lass she is, she is always chuckling and chatting away, she even sings in her cot, unfortunately at 5am which is not that much fun!!

I have also made a start on the Stitch & Stash Monthly Challenge piece, which is a Workbasket freebie design, I am about a third through that. I have also stitched and completed my March Christmas Ornament this evening, ready for making up tomorrow.

Little man is off colour, so I should imagine there will be no school tomorrow, so a DVD & Stitching afternoon will be on the cards I feel.

Hugs & Stitches

Thanks Christine for the link!!

Think Pink SAL Reveal

Here is my reveal for the S&S Breast Cancer Freebie SAL, I decided to stitch two peices, (mainly as I loved them both) the first I revealed earlier in the month which was the Butterfly Wings PINKeep and this is the second finish.

Freebie designby Painted Giraffe Stitchery

Stitched on Jayne's hand dyed Count on Me fabbie in Nude,

with the recommended DMC threads

Finished as a pillow, with gorgeous pink ribbon fabbie backing and frilly pink lace

I have lots of other stitchy bits and non stitchy bits to waffle about but I am so tired tonight...I will take piccies tomorrow and post them when my fingers can type a little easier.

Night night all

Hugs

Prepare to be jealous!!......(lots of pictures)

Oh yes girls....( and boys) prepare to be jealous...lol. I discovered this morning that we have a new shop in town....Cath Kidston...OMG that place is heaven, talk about drool, it is a wonder I didn't pass out with the excitement of it all....what a treasure trove of prettiness and delightfulness. Now I could have spent a small fortune...but unfortunately I have not had a visit from the Secret Millionaire as yet so bought a few little items...which in total came to £21.


The items I bought were stitchy related...of course, they had the most exquisite sewing boxes and little workboxes but I could't justify £58!! So these are the lovely tins I treated myself to...a pin tin (with pins inside), a button tin (no buttons inside...but I have hundreds anyway!) and a thread tin (which has a range of cottons inside too)

Aren't they so adorable and girlie....my family have been asking me what I would like for my birthday....I think I will just give them directions to this shop and say...."anything from there and I will be happy happy happy!!"

My fabbie fabric arrived from Creative Fabrics yesterday, so I can now start on my Christmas Gifts, I went to Duttons for Buttons haderdashery this morning too and got a vast array of ribbons in co-ordinating and contrasting colours and some little ribbon roses too.

My final purchase of the morning was from Borders, they had a special offer of 3 for 2 on all classic books, I bought myself three Jane Austen titles; Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey. It only cost £9.98 for all three boks, which was a bargain. My collection is now almost complete of Austen titles...then I will start on the Bronte books!!

My COM hand dyed fabbie arrived from Jayne this morning, this month is Aster and is a gorgeous pink and white blend. On the stitching front, I started and almost completed my 4th Christmas decoration for this month, it is one of the L*K Double Flips 2008, I hope to complete it this afternoon, then I can make that and my Autumn exchange peice up tomorrow. I won't be able to do any stitching tonight as it is my NCT Committee Meeting. Mum and Dad are babysitting for me, I have invited them for dinner too, toad in the hole, mashed spuds, green beans, carrots and onion gravy....well if you weren't jealous before you will be now...lmao!!

Happy Tuesday

Hugs

Monthly Challenge Reveal

Today is reveal day so here is my finish for the Stitch & Stash Monthly Stitching Challenge.

Design: A Mon Ami Pierre's Free Chart

Fabric: 32c Witchelt Linen in Lambswool

Threads: DMC's 150,326,320, 335, 3862, 319

Finished as a pinkeep

Hugs

Monochrome Exchange & Little Tiger.....

Rachael has received my Monochrome Exchange peices I made for her, so I can now show you a picture of them. I decided to do a pincushion and a scissor fob, the design is The Follow the Leader Needle Art Designs - Imagination Running Wild, it is stitched on 28c Jobelan in Moss, with Dinky Dyes Silk in Emerald, I enjoyed stitching this peice as it included a variety of stitches not just cross-stitch. I know that Rachael liked it too.

Here is a photo of my little tiger, we went to the Monks Cross Shopping Centre on Saturday and it turned out to be the 10th Anniversary, so there were magic shows, face painting, local radio etc. Isaac had his face painted for the first time and he decided he wanted to be a tiger....he looked fantastic. I have had a great but tiring weekend, Dave and his girls came to stay for 4 nights, so we have spent alot of time out and about, walking, shopping and eating, I have not eaten so much rubbish for ages...I need to get back onto the healthy foods otherwise I will suffer later.

I am at the doctors in around an hour to check if I will be going back to work on Wednesday, I must admit I am just starting to relax, I am still getting headaches with some lightheadedness and nausea thrown in, which I will tell him about, he did say last time he would sign me off for 2 weeks initially, but to inform my work that it is a distinct possibility that I would be off the rest of my pregnancy, so we will see the outcome later today. Tomorrow I am at the midwife's for my 26 weeks check up and I have my second diabetes check on Friday, so quite a busy week for the old medical side!!

My stitching has not been looked at since Wednesday last week, I do have the JA S&S Monthly Challenge kitted up and ready to go, I was supposed to be going out for a meal with a few friends from work this evening, but a couple have sicked out, so I am not sure if it is going ahead now, if not then I intend to make a start on the peice this evening.

Well I better go and sort the washing out of the tumble drier....yes for a change it is raining!!

Hugs and Happy Stitching

Torrential Rain Tuesday

Oh blimey...is this rain ever going to stop?? It is pouring down outside, poor Isaac has been stuck playing in the house for 4 days now...it is driving him crazy and me even crazier...lol!! We did go out into town for a few hours yesterday and had a fish and chip lunch and looked in the new Boots whilst I waitied for my prescription to be done...I am keeping gaviscon in business at the moment I think with this non stop heartburn I am suffering with....lol.

I just found this picture, isn't it lovely...such a feel good picture.

Well I have completed another goal on my August list, but I am unable to reveal it to you as it is for a secret private exchange, it is a bookmark exchange, I am delighted how it has turned out and I do hope my partner will be pleased too.

I am going to start on goal number 3 today which is a scissor fob for the Monthly Finishing Challenge, that should be completed today as it is only a small design in a few colours...then onto the JA Stitch & Stash Monthly Challenge design....I was good and kitted all the 5 smalls up on Sunday morning, so now I only have to pick each one up.

I want to get as much stitching done before Thursday as Dave and the girls are coming on Thursday to stay for a long weekend....I CAN'T WAIT....I am like a child on Christmas Eve all excited, I need to do the tidying up and some grocery shopping to be delivered on Thursday.

Not sure what we are going to do, I suppose that will depend on the weather....fingers crossed it is at least dry....Thanks for all your lovely comments on Elliott :)

Hugs and Happy Stitching

An "E" for Elisa!!

Wow...wow....wow...here is the gorgeous pinkeep I received from Su for the JA Stitch & Stash Redwork/Monochrome Exchange, it is a beautiful pinkeep with a design in my initial from Casamia, stitched in Vikki Clayton silk "Chocolate", Su obviously must be aware of my love of the brown stuff...lol!! The whole pinkeep is lovely...thank you so much Su.

Well I have not picked up a needle for a week....naughty me!! especially with the amount of goals I have set myself this month...I need to get my finger out and get them needles smoking!!

I have been signed off work with hypertension & high blood pressure, mainly due to the stress and hassle I have had over the last few months, and during pregnancy it is not a good thing, the GP has signed me off for 2 weeks initially and if my blood pressure has not lowered when I go back to see him, then he thinks I will be off my whole pregnancy...!! So I am under orders to relax and put my feet up...so plenty of stitching should occur!

Isaac & I spent a few days in Whitby with David and his daughters this past week, it was a perfect few days (apart from all the steps!!) we were treated so specially (something I am not used to) I certainly could get used to it. I am now missing him like mad, so I think I may be being told something there!!

Well a few bits to do this Saturday morning and then a relaxing afternoon is on the cards...

Hugs and Happy Stitching to all

Biscornu Revealed

Not a very exciting title but nevertheless I am finally able to show you the Biscornu which I stitched for Jane as part of the secret biscornu exchange on the JA Stitch & Stash Forum. I forgot to take a picture of the other bits I included, but off the top of my head I think it was a bookmark kit and some threads. Losing my memory I think...lol

The design is Heart's Desire by Debbie Draper, stitched on mystery navy 28c evenweave with Painter's Threads in Van Gogh finished off with 2 wooden flower shaped buttons.

Well I managed to make a good start on my food themed napkin exchange, it is the first time I have used waste canvas and was relatively easy to use, as long as it is tacked on firmly. I have done one corner so just need to do the opposite one now, I can't reveal this as yet.

I have quite a few finishes which are completed but I cannot reveal them yet, they are both on the JA Stitch & Stash forum firstly the Monthly Challenge; reveal date next Sunday and secondly the Redwork/Monochrome Exchange; reveal date 15th August.

Well not up to much today, we will probably head into town to get some lunch and have a fight in NEXT at the kiddies clothes (if there is anything left after yesterday), but not alot planned really.

Hope you all have a good Sunday

Happy stitching

Hugs

I Love Cross-stitch...

....hope you do too! Finally a finish I can show you, I have had 3 finishes in the past couple of weeks, but two of them are secret for a while, one is the July Monthly Challenge and the other is the Monochrome/Redwork Exchange both are on the JA Stitch and Stash Forum.

This appeared in the July edition of The Gift of Stitching Magazine and was one of the many designs in this months I fell in love with. The design is called "I Love Stitching" by Maryse Dupont. The recommended threads were GAST, of which I own only one...lol, so I decided to stitch the design in Six Strand Sweet threads on Zweigart 28c Annabelle in Ivory.

The threads I used were Blue Curacao, Violets Sugared, Sweet Babycakes and Lavendar Haze. I completed the design by adding a sweet purple heart shaped button, backing it with lilac and white spotted fabric and edging with lilac ruched ribbon.

This pinkeep is a gift for a friend....but who you ask...well that is asking...lol!!

Had a pleasant day today, I took the little master to school, then came back and my grandad came and cut my lawn, I have always done it but my dad says I am too pregnant to be lifting the lawnmower, my grandad is an addicted gardener so he happily volunteered an hour once a week to sort mine...:) Whilst grandad was doing that I had a quick polish and vacuum downstairs and then did my online grocery shopping.

Once I had collected Isey from school, we headed into town, I had arranged that we were meeting Daddy for lunch as a suprise for him...he was so happy when he saw Daddy :) We had a nice lunch in McDonalds...lol, then to the ELC to choose something to spend pocket money on, 3 construction vehicles were chosen...always something with wheels!! Daddy then headed off to do his washing and ironing and we went and chose my dad's birthday presents.

I spend the rest of the afternoon, writing some letters and then finished my pinkeep as shown above. Back to work tomorrow, but then I am off for all of next week apart from Friday. I am planning a relaxing weekend with plenty of stitching.

Happy Stitching

Hugs

What a "Bobby Dazzler!"

This is the picture of my new Silver Cross pram I have just bought from my friend this morning, it comes along with this a car seat which fixes to the chasis, this carry cot can be used in the house on a special stand as a bed, I also got all the other extras too, sun canopy, rain cover, change bag, sheets, cozytoes etc, it is a gorgeous navy & cream, new baby is going to be very swish going out in this...:)

I also went to the NCT Nearly New Sale yesterday and bought some other bargains including a bouncy chair, a baby gym, clothes, sheets, toys, nappy wraps as I am going to use reusables this time round. I now need to find some space for it all. I have now made room for the coat in my bedroom so that needs moving upstairs so that the pram can be stored in the conservatory. I am just washing all the bits I got before I can put them away.

I have finished the front of the stitching for the redwork/monochrome exchange on the Stitch & Stash forum, I need to do the back and then the little addition to go with it...no pictures I am afraid as it is a secret exchange.

Well I am off to to do some tidying up then some stitching....

Hugs

Seeing Flippin' Double!!

I have finally found the time and motivation to do a little more work on my Lizzie*Kate Double Flips, 4 down...with another 8 to go....these are very simple and enjoyable to stitch...it is just finding the motivation to do them...the small projects come along and being honest I am someone who likes to see finishes quite quickly so the smalls mean I can do that :)

I received my 2 monthly thread clubs from Jayne on Monday, my Polstitches Dragon Floss, which is my new collection, I love the colours, names, feel and look of these threads.

Here is my monthly Carries Threads...and from what Jayne tells me I have only a few left of these to collect now....hurrah!! Carrie's threads are so colourful, bright and rich.

I have completed my S &S July Monthly Challenge which was the Debbie Draper design "Love" this was not the one I voted for I have to be honest but I enjoyed doing it, I started it on Saturday evening and then completed the making up of the finish on Sunday evening.

I have joined the Redwork/Monochrome exchange on the S&S board too, I have an idea of which design I want to do...and an idea of the colour too. I will give the Mill Hill bead exchange a miss though, I am not a big bead user so not really the one for me.

I have to start work on a food themed napkin for one of my groups, I have a couple of ideas to what I would like to do, one of my good stitching friends Michelle has a great chart which she is kindly allowing me to borrow, which she feels will be ideal for the napkin...thank you Michelle :)

Magazines....wow the July edition of TGOSM is a winner...so many designs in there this month I must stitch...I have particularly fallen in love with the strawberries...well it is Wimbledon fortnight!! I also reeived my copy of Cross-Stitch Collection yesterday, alas my last copy as I have decided just to stick to the 2 magazines namely JCS & TGOSM, but there are a few British wildlife designs in there I particularly like.

Well I have decided to write myself a July to do list for stitching so here goes...

1. Food Themed Napkin

2. Monochrome/Redwork Exchange

3. Complete Listen & Learn L*K Double Flips

4. Make a Strawberry

5. I Love Stitching Pinkeep

6. Restart Papillion Garden Mystery sampler

Let's see if I stick to the above...I must admit I am having more time for "me" since my break up...I am getting used to the quiet on an evening once the little man is in bed and quite enjoying it!!

It is school sports day today...the weather man forecast rain but no not as yet...the sun is shining..have a good rest of Thursday to you all and thanks for continuing to read and comment on my ramblings....lol

Happy Stitching

Hugs

Beautiful Biscornu & Loads-a-Stash!!

Here is a photo of the beautiful biscornu I received today from my secret partner from the exchange on the JA Stitch & Stash Forum, it is beautiful, the photo does not do the colours justice, a delicate pale blue fabbie and gorgeous varigated threads. Along with the biscornu came a fantastic smelling Yankee Candle and a skein of CaronWildflowers in Ocean Breeze. Thank you so much to my partner, I can't wait til 11th when I can thank you personally :)

LHN Sampler Lady

LHN M'Lady's Strawberries, Ialso purchased the Crescent Colour threads for this too (not shown as it was a blurry picture)

Some lovely fabbies, 28c Jobelan, 32c Evenweave and some 28c Quaker Cloth

A selection of Caron Wildflowers

Here is a couple of piccies of my stash I ordered from Sew and So last week, as they sent it recorded delivery and I wasn't in on Friday, I had to have it redelivered and the first day was today...I have been chomping at the bit for it to arrive and it did cheer up my morning, especially as I also received my Biscornu package too.

I have picked up my L*K Double Flips the past few evenings and made some progress on GIVE, I have had tired eyes so haven't done vast amounts but it has kept me occupied for a couple of hours each evening.

Thanks to everyone for all your messages and all you lovely comments on Acorns and Owls, I really do appreciate them...cyber friends really are the BEST!!

Happy Stitching

Hugs