Thursday 22 March 2012

Time for TUSAL again!

March 22nd


Yes its time to show my ORT jar,  not a lot has gone in this month.  Can you see the pinky, purple fuzzy silk floss near the top.... that was from some frogging of cushion stitch..  Could I get it right?, no sir, I had three attempts before I thought 'that's enough it will have to do'.  It's part 1 of a SAL, Dawn of Spring, designed by Mouse of FS.  The fabric is 28ct evenweave which I dyed with Dye-N-Flow and floss is Dinky Dyes silk Floral Lei, with Mill Hill sead beads.  Now waiting for the next part..... thank you Mouse, take a peek at the Mouse House (link on right).

Dawn of Spring SAL

Packages flew past each other across the pond this last week, my pincushion in IHS group Easter/Spring swap arrived the same morning my partner received hers.  Mary made the cutest little acorn with a real acorn top, and hand-stitched all.   This is what was in my package...
From Mary of IHS
and here's what I stitched for Mary...
IHS Spring pincushion swap
I added a few choccy bunnies, you know the ones in gold paper, to the bag and was pleased they arrived safe and in one piece.  What would I do without bubble wrap

Weather is finally looking good, just might get into the garden tomorrow and tidy up after a hard winter.  I know I have lost a few plants, but I'm pleased to see my daffs and tulips are in flower.  Will try and take a photo if the sun shines.

Happy stitching
 

Saturday 3 March 2012

Progress at last........ 3rd crazy finish

Finally got myself into gear with my stitching and finished another crazy, so that makes three so far this year.  They still need framing but the stitching is finished.  Not sure about the frame for my French Hen, think I may just paint it white or use a crackle glaze on it.  It's not fixed in yet so will leave for a while to see if any inspiration comes my way.


My third finish is LHN Coffee Menu, which I love.  Might have to take this to be framed as it's an odd size, but I need to find a local framer.

I'm now well into my Pagoda, fingers crossed I should finish that this week.  I changed the thread from the one I started with as it was a little dull on the fabric.  Now using a Dinky Dyes silk,  it's lovely.  First time I have used silk thread and it is beautiful to stitch with,  ok, so it costs a lot more than good old DMC or Anchor but oh, it is worth it.  Just know I shall be shopping for more.


Here is the lovely biscornu Tina sent me in our FS Spring exchange.  Thank you Tina, it's stitched beautifully and sits in my basket with my growing collection.






We have had a few days of great weather, lots of sunshine and birds chirping.  But now... its changing and getting colder, just when I thought Spring had arrived the weather presenter started talking of sleet and snow for the next couple of days brrrr. 
I'll leave you with some crocus I found enjoying the sunshine last week in my garden.

Happy stitching