Time for TUSAL again

Yes it's time to show my little ORT jar for May..... where does the time go?    Here it is..

Shall I ever see this jar full?   The pinky threads on the top are Dinky Dyes silk, lovely thread to stitch with. I'm using it on FS Dawn of Spring SAL designed by Mouse (see link to her blog at the side).  I've just finished part 3 which included some drawn thread work and bullion knots.  So I'm getting to do stitches I haven't tried before.  Can't wait for June and the next part to arrive.  Here's my progress so far..

I may have to take out the left hand side spider rose.... it's too high, didn't notice until I saw this photo, and some of the bullion knot leaves are a bit wayward.  I do hate it when I know its not right!!

Not much work done this month on my Mary Wigham sampler, because I have started something new.

  Rug hooking!!    Take a look at   http://gnomes-home.blogspot.co.uk/  for Barb's tutorials.

Here's my starting kit, isn't that wool a gorgeous colour.


and how far I have got..

 I'm just practising hooking straight lines at the moment.  I don't intend to make rugs for the floor, more wall hangings and table toppers.  I also want to dye my own wool, but can't seem to find a supplier in UK of wool fabric suitable for hooking.  Lots of  US sites which I may have to look into, but postage could be high.



I'll leave you with a photo of my Clivia,  it has 5 flower heads on which I haven't seen before, usually 2 or 3 at most.  It obviously likes being where it is, and had a good winter.  I think the secret is to keep them cool in winter, and it goes outside for the summer.

Happy stitching

TUSAL and a quick update!

My ORT jar is slowly filling up, not much stitching has been going on, or I have been very good with my threads and stitched til the last inch.  Fingers crossed, cos the frogs have kept away too.

I've nearly completed part 2 of Dawn of Spring sampler, and it's looking good.  But I made a huge mistake in measuring my fabric and have only a half inch at each side, will have to work something out when I finish stitching.  Maybe Mouse can advise me on options to overcome it.

I've also been working on my Mary Wigham sampler, progress is slow but I am determined to finish it one day.   At the moment I am randomly picking colours out of my stash of Crescent Colours floss and so far I like it.

 These photos are not very good sorry, as my camera battery was dead, I had to use my phone which I upgraded last week and so am still learning how to use it.  It's got a touch screen too which is taking me a while to get to grips with.  Still the screen is bigger and I can see more of it without getting my specs out.

The weather has been wet and windy for the past week so I didn't get into my garden, which now looks so overgrown ugh!! must try tomorrow to do some weeding.  I'll leave you with a view of what was flowering
 a couple of weeks ago.  The daffodils now need deadheading, I'll never have a tidy garden but it is used a lot by the birds.  The resident blackbird is at this moment sitting on her nest in the ivy on the fence just a few feet away from my kitchen window so I think I'm lucky to be able to watch her.  I want to try and get a photo but not if it means she is disturbed and leaves the nest.  We have baby blackbirds most years but last year I couldn't see where she built her nest.  So this year I'm on cat watch..... we have two that journey thru the garden, which is ok as long as they pass on and don't stop.  I love cats but also like to watch the birds

Happy stitching

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
 

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

I'm late..... I'm late....... for TUSAL

Oh dear......  I should have posted this yesterday, but I have been suffering with migraine attacks this week and spent most of yesterday in bed under the quilt.  No excuse I hear you cry.... ok so here is my ORT jar

Not a lot added this month, but do you see lots of brown?  I have been stitching LHN Coffee Menu and it has lots of lovely browns, hand-dyed ones too. It is nearly finished so if my head is up to it I may just get it done tomorrow.  

Here is the Spring biscornu I made for FS exchange, I know my partner has now received it so can show you.  I do enjoy making these and I'm sure I shall be starting another one soon.

I did manage to finish one of my crazy 15 this week,  it only needed a few buttons added.  It's filled with lavender from my garden and hangs from my bedroom door knob.  I also have  my French Hen stitched and waiting for framing, no pic yet sorry. 

Happy stitching

A date to remember ......

It is nearly the end of our special day,  yes......... our wedding anniversary.  I just can't believe it is 42 years ago DH and I signed that wedding register, and he's still the handsome, loveable, funny man I said yes to.  Where does the time go?   So on the theme of romance I've put together a collage of a few of the hearts I have made over the years, in time for next week and Valentines Day

On the stitching front, things have been very slow.  I seem to have lost my mojo, I did finish a spring biscornu for an exchange but otherwise nothing to show.  The crazy 15 challenge was hard work but I did manage to start a project each day ( have yet to add photos to the page to update).    Hopefully that mojo will be back with me this week.

Happy stitching

A Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long (TUSAL)

 I've joined in the TUSAL for 2012.  I had seen it on several blogs last year and wondered how it worked..... here is the link to explain 
http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2011/11/totally-useless-stitch-long.html

So here is my jar........

As a reminder, I have added a tag with all the new moon dates for 2012.  Wonder how long it will take to fill it?  I'm planning on using all the scrap threads in some machine made fabric,  cos it sounds like fun.


happy stitching

First post of 2012

Firstly, A Very Happy New Year to all who read this new post of 2012.

I started the Crazy 15 Challenge on January 1st, if you would like to see my progress and what I decided to stitch, please click on the tab above.  That page is to show my progress until January 15th when I should have all projects started.  Progress and finishes thru the year will be posted here.  
January is always a hard month for me, the cold and dull days make me want to hibernate, and I get the 'winter blues'..... roll on spring!  I'm going to try and keep myself busy and hopefully get at least two finishes before the end of the month. 

I'll leave you with a lovely orchid I have on my kitchen window sill, this is its second flower stalk.

and Petra if your reading this .... yes, it is the one you gave me in the summer when you were over here.  Thank you, it gives me much pleasure.

Happy stitching

One finished.... another to start

Yes.... so pleased with myself, I have finished one sock.  Now the hard part is to get another finished, but I will push myself to get it done by the end of the year.   That will be my knitting craze finished with for another year.  Actually they are fairly easy to do, it's just the first few rounds that are a bit fiddly but after that working with so many needles was no bother, even with all five needles in play for the heel.    Had a bit of a problem understanding how to graft the toe but after watching a Utube tutorial it became clear.  Take a look....

and it fits perfectly.

Now I can show the Christmas ornie I sent to my partner on FS group, as I know she has received it.  I am still waiting for mine, post is a little slow sometimes across the pond.  It's a LHN chart, Gingerbread Village.  I have already started stitching another for a little surprise for a family member.... not saying who, they may read this. 

I am still kitting up my Crazy 15 ready for January...... now need to find 4 more charts,  I have taken one out .. far too large for me, I stitch better with smallish items.  Going to cut and neater edges of all the fabric I have waiting.... make a list of floss needed and look thru my stash.  Hope I shall be ready for Jan 1st.  It is very hard not to start some of the ones I have already kitted. Patience is not one of my virtues, but I do work better under pressure, and the pressure will be on to be ready. 

Ok I'm  off to browse for charts and will leave you with a snap of what's in flower in my sun-room.... ugh! where's the sun?

Happy stitching

A new start and a near finish

My new start is ...... 'drum roll'.......  socks, yes I'm knitting again.  Don't do much of it but now and again I see something and I think 'I can knit that'..... well, I saw these socks when blog browsing and found a kit online.  The kit includes yarn, set of five needles, pattern and cute little stitch markers.  Wish I had picked a brighter colour now but I could always do a second pair.  I don't class myself as a knitter by any means, but I think I am doing ok so far.  What do you think?

 
My 'near' finish is a LHN Deck the Halls, it is a lovely little piece to stitch.  Will be adding it to my Crazy 15 Challenge for next year.  I must spend some time today looking at how much fabric and floss I need to buy ready for this challenge.   I also need to add 3 more to make up my 15.   I'm thinking Christmas, then I may be ready next year with a few ornies made. 

LHN Deck the Halls

I shall have it finished this week, so watch this space...... need to look for fabric to make up into a little pillow.  I did finished one Christmassy ornie this week but can't show as its on its way across the pond for our Friendly Stitchers swap, and I don't want to spoil a surprise.

The weather here is bright and sunny today, but a definite chill in the air.  I'll leave you with a few snaps of what's in my garden this week.

I love the colours of Autumn, Fall..... but feel sad as I know it means the cold of winter is on its way..brrrr...


Happy stitching