Spot Sampler

I am very pleased to say that I have completed the stitching for the chart that Joan sent me for the Drawn Thread exchange. Thank you Joan, it was just the incentive I needed to get back into the stitching groove. I loved all the specialty stitches, but I think I am most pleased with the Queen stitches. I was a little nervous doing these ones, but I am really pleased with how they turned out.

Design: Little Spot Sampler

Designer: The Drawn Thread

Fabric: 36ct Edinburgh linen - Summer Khaki

Thread: DMC (as recommended)

Here is an update of my Totally Useless SAL bowl. As you can see I have been adding furiously to this one.

Unfortunately that's all the stitching I can show for the time being. Back to exchange and gift stitching for me. I just hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.

First Post of the Month

What a busy few weeks it's been. Amelie had been unwell with a very upset tummy for a week. I can't believe how many nappies I changed that week. She is improving slowly, now that she it taking some probiotics, although the community nurse said that it could be another few weeks before her system is back to normal. She now has two teeth and has started on solids. She was really keen on them to start with, but has lost interest in the last few days. She has also started to crawl all around the place. She has this kind of commando crawl and roll system going, it's very cute. Aurelia was also sick over Easter with a high fever for 24 hours but she seems to be getting back to normal as well.

I am pleased to say that I have completed Joan's square for the Little House Needleworks RR. Joan asked to have a needlework theme, so I took elements from 'Quilt Time Sampler' and 'Early America' to come up with this. I have a photo of my square and an overall photo of Joan's RR. I think it looks fantastic.

I have also made a start on the travelling pattern 'My Needle and My Floss' by Waxing Moon Designs. I decided to use a 40ct linen in a lemon colour. I am not so sure of the fabric anymore though. The threads of the fabric are really thin and 1 thread of floss gives very poor coverage. I have had to use two threads of floss to get a good coverage. It's a brand by Sew-It-All and I am not sure I like the feel and texture of this one. The Weeks Dye Works thread has been a little disappointing as it has been shredding quite badly even though I am using quite short lengths. This new batch looks much thinner than the old batch. Did they perhaps change the quality of their threads?

I have also made a start on 'Little Spot Sampler' by the Drawn Thread that Joan sent me as part of the Drawn Thread exchange. This one is a lot of fun and really a quick stitch, when I get some stitching time.

This morning I received a fantastic parcel in the post from Down Sunshine Lane. Petra had sent me a prize for doing her daily trivia quiz. She was so incredibly generous and here is what she sent. A great mesh project bag, 'Rites of Spring' by Blackbird Designs, the fabric and recommended thread, scissors, and a magnetic button (which I think is a needle keep). Thank you very much Petra for this wonderful gift.

I can now show you one of the gifts I stitched. Kathy should have received this by the time this post is published.

Design: Dear Friend

Designer: Elizabeth's Designs
Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Toasted Almond
Thread: DMC
Finish: Pinkeep