Slow Sunday stitching

 Goodness September is just galloping away!  Its been a beautiful month with mostly lovely weather but apparently tomorrow it changes so I have to decide if I want to catch up on some sewing or cut the grass?  Today would normally start with a long walk in the forest but the UK is feeling the effects of no/low fuel at the petrol pumps.  Every news item is saying we don't have a fuel shortage, just an HGV driver shortage.  That still means our nearest petrol station has run out of fuel because everyone has been panic buying (remember the toilet roll drama during the height of the pandemic?)  So we have decided because we've got a busy day tomorrow (and have to use the car) we will stay local.

I've been trying to catch up with my Faby Reilly stitch a long project.  I'm about two weeks behind.  But I'm really enjoying the process and now we are getting onto more fancy stitches and some stumpwork.

I really love the effect of the whipped backed stitch.

The sequins and beads were attached yesterday, raised satin stitch has been added to the dragonflies eye and I've started on the woven Picot stitch.  But I'm not very happy with the top end of the tail - looks like its been squished in something.  So I have to decide whether to carry on and see if it looks OK or start again?  Probably start on part 7 and decide later.

I also managed to finish my cotton and twine subscription project and just need to add a few more stitches to secure it to the zipped pouch.

The colours and style of this pattern really appeal to me so I've enjoyed this one very much.

I haven't had the chance recently to look at many blogs so I am linking up to Kathy's for some slow Sunday stitching and I shall settle down later this afternoon and catch up on what my fellow stitchers have been working on!

Do what you love and love what you do!

 We've spent a lovely few days away in North Devon and then Dartmoor in our motorhome and it feels like its recharged our batteries!  Between some lovely coastal and moor land walks I have managed to do some cross stitch.  Here's progress over the last two weeks on my Cotton and Twine subscription box.

And of course not happy with one project I had to have a second one on the go!

This is stitched on 32ct linen and is quite hard on the eyes so slow progress, but it will hopefully be finished by Christmas and can be part of Amber's 1st Christmas present.

I spy and red work heart

 I have two finishes to share this week (it really is feast or famine with me!) The first is an I Spy quilt (probably for Amber?) It's quilted and the binding is on, all I need to do is attach a label.

And the second is my Bee red work heart from Dandilion designs.  I've been a fan of Mandy's designs for several years now and they never disappoint!

The weather has turned a bit chilly!  The beautiful purple heather and bracken are dying back in the forest and some of the trees are starting to turn.  Autumn in the New Forest is always lovely though.  It made me realise that I need to buy a 2022 diary - I've definitely got things to go in it already (not exciting things just boiler service and car MOT)!  The last few years I've bought a plain diary and made a cover for it.  So I sorted out a couple of UFOs to see if any of them would be suitable for an A5 book

The elephant and the abstract on the left would take some lovely embellishment embroidery but I think I'm going to use the sweet little hummingbird. He is called Sugar Baby and is a free pattern from Lillyella and although he has lots of tiny components the paper piecing goes together really easily and I think he will be nice to look at for a whole year don't you?  Watch this space!!

PS Apologies for not responding to comments from last week but our internet has been a bit hit and miss.  But thank you for taking the time to visit!

Little Sisters and cross stitch

It's been a busy week (it always feels as if it's a busy week!)  We looked after our granddaughter Amber for a night while her mum and dad went away to a hotel for a belated birthday celebration.  She is always a joy to have around but oh the responsibility of looking after a 7 month old!  We were both exhausted, despite her being as good as gold.  I guess when we last did it we were 35 years younger! Consequently I don't have very much to show for this week,

 I managed to sew together eight little sister blocks for my table runner and cut out another two and some corner pieces.

I really enjoyed making these and could go on and make a whole quilt of them! The cutting instructions can be found HERE

Not much to show from my cotton and twine project!  I do like the two tone letters though.

That's all for this week, hope you have a good one!