Squazi & The Chickens

2011 Stitching In Review

2012-01-01T06:44:00.000+11:00

Once again we have reached a new year and I would like to review what I have achieved with my stitching:

I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit this year, especially since Felix was born and we have had quite a bit of illness in the house. My most satisfying accomplishments have been to finish some long standing WIPs. However, I now have more WIPs than I started the year with and some are quite large. I learnt quite a few new techniques and completed a good number of crochet projects as well.

This new year will be concentrating on completing a good number of WIPs, reducing my stash purchases to only what thread is required to complete designs which I have already kitted up, a small number of exchanges and the Casket Course through Thistle Threads. I am never too good at keeping my new resolutions when it comes to stitching, but we will see how I go.

Wishing you all a very happy new year!

Detailed list of finishes:

Bent Creek - Snapper Series - Red Thread - Ocean Voyage

Heart In Hand - Little Angel In The Clouds
Carriage House Samplings - Folk Art Pincushion
Bent Creek - Snapper Series - Red Thread - County Fair
Casey Buonaugurio - Frog Biscornu
Over The Moon Designs - Reindeer (HoE Reindeer Ornament Exchange)
Teresa Wentzler - English Cottage Sampler Ornament (PIF)
Barrick Samplers - My Love I Give Thee
Country Cottage Needleworks - Visions Of Sugar Plums
The Goode Huswife - Eliza Sloan
With My Needle - Christmas Swan Needlebook (HoE Quaker Ornament Exchange)
Blackbird Designs - Tulip Pincushion
Blackbird Designs - Summer Sachet
The Goode Huswife - Margaret Pence
Bent Creek - Snapper Series - Red Thread - Wreath
Bent Creek - Snapper Series - Red Thread - Thankful
Bent Creek - Snapper Series - Red Thread - Connected
Bent Creek - Snapper Series - Red Thread - Border
The Prairie Schooler - Carnations
Meg Shinall - Beginner's Hardanger Course (HC201, HC202, HC203)
Carriage House Samplings - Emma Blackwood Sampler
MTV Designs & Mingiustitch - Collaboration Spring Box - Scissor Fob
Lizzie*Kate - Flip-It - Song
Blackbird Designs - Summer Stars Pincushion
Blackbird Designs - Sarah's ABC Pincushion
Lizzie*Kate - Flip-It - Caring
Lizzie*Kate - Flip-It - Giving

A Merry Christmas To All!

2011-12-21T20:12:00.000+11:00

I would like to thank all my regular followers and all my new and recent followers for keeping up with my blog. I would especially like to thank each and every person who comments on my blog, whether regularly or occasionally, your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

This will be my last post until after Christmas. We have all been and are still unwell and with a backlog in chores and all the Christmas baking to get done, well I don't have much to share. I am hoping to get the ornaments finished, but I am not too hopeful. The parcel with the last bits I need has not arrived and I have quite a bit of stitching to get done.

I would like to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. May the coming year bring you good health and good fortune.

Christmas Ornaments and Other Things

2011-12-13T20:57:00.000+11:00

I have completed the first set of ornaments for the children. Following the tutorial on Le Monde de Sucrette for the Little Christmas Socks, I changed out the colours for each of the children. Amelie was happy with my colour selection and well Felix had no say and Aurelia wanted something with lots of colours, beads and sparkly things. I stitched each of the name tags and attached them to the stocking after it was done. It's a pretty easy piece to make and each can be easily done in a night. Best of all these stockings are great for using up lots of little bits of leftover yarn. I have candy canes, individually wrapped biscotti and chocolates to put in them for Christmas morning.

Design: Little Christmas Socks

Designer: Le Monde de Sucrette

The other ornaments are almost done, but I am awaiting an order from the US before I can finish them completely.

I have been working away at a very long running WIP. I was determined to complete 'The 12 Blessings Of Christmas' by Lizzie*Kate before Christmas and I can finally say it's done.

Design: Love, Friends, Hope, Charity, Joy, Song, Giving, Caring, Family, Faith, Home, Peace (12 Blessings Of Christmas)

Designer: Lizzie*Kate

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Platinum

Thread: Gentle Arts, Weeks Dye Works, DMC

I recently sent Rowyn a little pincushion as a thank you for sending me the magazine with the CHS chart. Rowyn received her parcel this week, so I can finally show the pincushion off. I tea stained the pillow and rickrack after the pillow had been assembled.

Design: Summer Stars Pincushion

Designer: Blackbird Designs (A Stitcher's Journey)

Fabric: 32ct R&R Reproductions linen - House Blend

Thread: Gentle Arts

Finish: Pincushion

Quite a while back I made a great friend via my blog. Cindy and I have kept in touch for quite some time now. I recently sent Cindy a pillow I made as a little gift and she let me know that it arrived today, so here it is.

Design: Sarah's ABC Pincushion

Designer: Blackbird Designs (Thank you, Sarah Tobias Book)

Fabric: 32ct R&R Reproductions linen - House Blend

Thread: Thread Gatherer Silk N' Colours & Anchor for braid

Finish: Pincushion

I had forgotten that I had stitched this little scissor fob quite some time ago, so here goes another finish. It was a fun and quick design to do.

Design: Collaboration Spring Box (Scissor Fob)

Designer: MTV Designs & Mingiustitch (Gift Of Stitching Magazine Issue 51 April 2010)

Fabric: 32ct Wichelt linen - Lambswool

Thread: DMC & Mill Hill beads

Finish: Scissor Fob

Felix's Baptism

2011-12-01T21:02:00.006+11:00

On the weekend was Felix's baptism and it was a lovely day spent with family. As usual I put on a massive spread of food and we have just finished the last of the leftovers today. I don't want to see another piece of dessert for a very long time! I will leave you with a collection of photos from the day.

A Day Out!

2011-11-19T07:42:00.001+11:00

Thank you to everyone for all the kind comments wishing us all the best. I am pleased to say that the girls have fully recovered and are back to their usual selves.

We had a lovely day out a few weeks ago with a visit to the Rozelle Markets. The markets are a great place for antiques and bric-a-brac and I had a lot of fun exploring. Aurelia spent most of her time taking photographs and looking at all the jewellery. I didn't come home with much, just a huge pile of play jewellery for the children.

We also visited the genius patissier Adriano Zumbo and purchased a small box of his famous macarons. Sadly they didn't last long enough to take a photo and nor did they last long enough for me to get one, but I do have a photo of the girls enjoying them. They tried a few flavours of Watermelon and Orange, Cola, Lemon Verbena and Passionfruit and Tonka Beans.

I have been stitching a little, but as they are gifts, I can't share until they are received. I checked out my WIP list and it's completely out of control. I am going to focus on these pieces after Christmas and try and get the list down before I start the 2012 Cabinet of Curiosities Course by Tricia Wilson of Thistle Threads.

An October I'd Rather Forget

2011-10-27T17:54:00.002+11:00

This month has been particularly difficult on everyone, My DH was away in the US at the end of September and came home sick with some sort of virus. He spent a week at home and then both girls got sick. They just seemed to get worse and worse running fevers of 40C for over a week. Even though they were on antibiotics from the word go, Aurelia developed pneumonia and ended up in hospital for a week and Amelie was there for two days. My DH spent the time with them in hospital as the doctors advised that Felix should be kept away from the hospital because of his age. Felix seemed to get a very mild dose of whatever the girls had and I am recovering from the same bug. It has been an experience that I would rather not repeat!

Here are photos of the children the day before they fell sick.

I have not been doing a whole lot of stitching, but I did start an online class with Robin Laukhuf from Olde Willow Stitchery. The piece is called "My Favourite Scottish Sampler" and I am stitching it on 36ct Lakeside linen with Needlepoint silks. So far I have only done a small part of class one. Those Algerian eyelets took forever and now I have to start the inside border of them.

For those people who are waiting to receive something from me, please be patient. I haven't forgotten, but I may be delayed a little longer until the whole household is better.

A mighty stash acquisition!

2011-09-21T18:39:00.003+10:00

This is a very long overdue post!

A few Saturdays ago my DH, the kids and I went for a lovely drive up to The Crewel Gobelin, where I acquired all this stash as part of my birthday present. I can't wait to stitch up some of these A&E charts, I especially love the Catharine Metcalf sampler. I purchased some Danish Flower Threads that I plan to use to stitch another A&E design some time in the future.

Afterwards we all went to lunch at a lovely beach side cafe. My DH and the girls went for a walk on the beach and built some sand castles, whilst Felix and I caught a much needed nap in the car.

My mother gave me all these lovely Japanese quilting fabrics for my birthday. I will be using them for all manner of finishing when I get a chance.

I did have a finish the previous week. I finished off the second class in the hardanger course in The Gift of Stitching magazine. I had a right time with this piece as I made some incorrect cuts and had to sew the linen threads back in (after I counted and counted and checked twice before cutting). Then I cut around the outside before I had done the stitching (by mistake) and so a lot of the outside lace work looks a bit wonky. All in all though I am happy with the result and I learned quite a few lessons in the making.

Design: Beginner's Hardanger Course (HC201, HC202, HC203)
Designer: Meg Shinall (The Gift Of Stitching Magazine Issues, 51 April 2010, 52 May 2010 & 53 June 2010)
Fabric: 20ct Irish linen - cream
Thread: Ginnie Thompson Flower Thread

I hit the jackpot on eBay a few weeks ago with all these items. I specifically wanted the Christmas Biscornu by Just Nan, but figured the rest of the items wouldn't be too bad as well. What I didn't realise was that the lot included Chatelaine's Egypt Garden fully kitted out by The European Cross Stitch Company. You won't believe this, but I purchased all of this for less than the cost of purchasing all the threads for the Christmas biscornu (oh yeah the fabric was included as well). What a bargain!

This week there has been quite a bit on sale on eBay again and well I couldn't resist a bargain. I purchased all these Just Nan charts with their embellishments for such a low price; I would never spend much on eBay.

This weeks finish is quite a quick piece by Carriage House Designs. I saw the design on Rowan's blog and she kindly lent me the magazine with the chart. It's a quick stitch, but when you have as little time as I do to stitch, it's a weeks worth of work.

Design: Emma Blackwood Sampler

Designer: Carriage House Samplings (JCS Magazine, June 2005)

Fabric: 36ct Edinburgh linen - sand

Thread: DMC

Today the stash I purchased from The Attic Needlework arrived. I have been waiting a very long time for these items because of back order issues, but Jean has been very helpful and patient with my inquiries. These are bits and pieces I needed to kit up a few different projects. Due to the lack of stitching time, I have been spending money on stash. I think I really need to stop now!

That's all for now, I have a few secret projects I am working on and then I need to start on all the Christmas ornaments for the children. I plan on stitching and finishing them this year and now that I have three to do, I really should start now. I must confess I still need to finish-finish the ones from last year!

I'll leave you with a few photos of Felix, Aurelia and Amelie.

Olde Willow Stitchery Fibres

2011-08-29T12:49:00.001+10:00

Edited: Thank you, for your help. I ordered my fibres from Wyndham Needleworks this afternoon.

Can you help?

Does anyone know where I can purchase threads by Olde Willow Stitchery? I have only found a few online stores that stock a very tiny selection and I have a significant number that I require in both cotton and silk.

Aurelia Turns Five!

2011-08-23T12:05:00.001+10:00

Thank you so much for all the wonderful and encouraging comments and emails I received. The day I wrote the previous post I was feeling very sorry for myself, but things are much better this week. I am glad to say that everyone is feeling much better and I feel that I am back on top of most of my chores.

Felix is sleeping in a much more predicable way at night, so I am having an hour or so each night to myself to stitch. I am only working on one project each week and I have put quite a few stitches into the Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler #3.

I recently won a whole lot of stash on the Samplers & Santas blog. Marly sent me a box absolutely stuffed full of lovely items. I spent a whole day playing with all this stash and it was so much fun. I took them all out again yesterday and had another play with everything.

I am happy to say that my two missing parcels finally turned up after waiting for more than a month. I purchased some lovely HDF silks and a whole stack of fabric. Now that I have a little stitching time, I need to finish a few WIPs before I start anything new. Having to wait is killing me, but I have a large enough WIP list for the moment.

As the title says, Aurelia turned five this last week. We had a birthday party for her on Sunday which went quite well. The theme was 'The Octonauts' which is a kids cartoon and she wanted a cake of the main character 'Captain Barnacles'. As usual, I made the cakes and my DH did the shaping and icing. I think he did a fantastic job considering he only worked from a screen shot from the cartoon.

It's my birthday on Sunday, so I wonder if this year I will receive any stitching stash, we will see. That's all for me, so I will leave you with some photos from the party.

Pity Party

2011-08-05T10:09:00.000+10:00

I feel like I'm sinking into a deep hole at the moment. Everyday I am falling further and further behind with my chores. I am far behind on my blog reading, I have hardly commented on any blogs, I haven't touched my stitching and even my crocheting has been neglected.

Amelie has a terrible cold, cough and ear infection, Aurelia has developed a tree nut allergy, which now has to be investigated and Felix is suffering from a cold and the effects of his recent immunisation. I don't feel the best either with the beginnings of a cold and feeling the side-effects of my recent whooping cough vaccine.

My DH is helping as much as he can, but has gone back to work. He is working shorter days to help out in the afternoon and evening.

I have Aurelia's birthday party to organise for two weeks time and I have visitors coming to stay in a weeks time.

To top it all off the postal system has lost two parcels coming from the US containing some stitching supplies.

Please accept my apologies if I don't comment on your blog. My plan today is to read through all the posts and make a scattering of comments.

Life Has Ground To A Halt

2011-07-27T18:22:00.000+10:00

I would like to thank everyone who left such kind comments on my blog and sent congratulatory emails. I have replied to everyone that I could and if I missed you I am sorry.

Things are not going as smoothly as I had hoped with Felix. He is not the greatest of sleepers and refuses to lay down in his bed most of the time. For the last six weeks at home I have basically held him in my arms during the day and most of the night and I don't have more than a couple of hours of sleep. I haven't touched my stitching since I left hospital, I am really starting to get withdrawal symptoms. I am not getting much done each day as Felix won't lay down in his rocker and hates the baby carrier and sling that I purchased. I get just a few things done each day and on the weekend my DH looks after him and the children while I get the house cleaned. In a way cleaning is a enjoyable thing as I get a little exercise and get moving about.

I realised that my DH hadn't given many details about Felix, so here they are.

Felix Remington

7 June 2011

3440g (7lb 9oz) 50cm

The week before Felix was born, I didn't get any stitching done, but I did do a lot of crochet. Here are all the pieces I made that week.

Design: Easy Chunky Beanie with Texture

Designer: Sarah Belcher (Ravelry)

Yarn: Patons Wilderness - 70% Wool, 20% Acrylic, 10% Viscose (Colour 0505)

Hook Size: 6mm/US J

Design: Patterned Beanie Hat

Designer: The Art Of Crochet Series - Issue 10

Yarn: Moda Vera Pure Wool 8 Ply (Colours 50, 04. 02, 01)

Hook Size: 3.5mm/US E and 4mm/US 6

Design: Scallop Crochet Scarf

Designer: Lion Brand

Yarn: Panda Magnum - 100% Acrylic (Colour 4602)

Hook Size: 4mm/US 6

Design: Margaret's Hat

Designer: Lion Brand

Yarn: Panda Magnum - 100% Acrylic (Colour 4602)

Hook Size: 4mm/US 6

Here is a scarf I threw together using a bunch of textured yarns. I am not really sure what the yarns are, but I made 150 ch, then each row is a row of dc (sc US) in a different yarn. Super easy!

I am happy to say that Jill finally received her PIF I sent oh so long ago. I sent it months ago and then it came back just after Felix was born and then I sent it again, but this time with success. So here is the little piece I stitched.

Design: Carnations

Designer: The Prairie Schooler

Fabric: 32ct Belfast - Sand

Thread: DMC

Finish: Pinkeep

Now the only craft I have been able to do has been crochet, usually when Felix is feeding or asleep on my lap. Here is my latest project; I have completed one for Amelie and I am currently working on one for Aurelia. This one was a little bit of a challenge sewing together as all the stripes had to match up perfectly. By the way I left off the snowflake on this as there enough going on already.

Design: Snowflake Hot Water Bottle Cover (without the snowflake)

Designer: The Art Of Crochet Series - Issue 14

Yarn: Moda Vera Pure Wool 8 Ply (Colours 50, 04. 02, 01, 54, 08)

Hook Size: 4mm/US 6

Say hello to Felix

2011-06-09T22:01:00.000+10:00

Hi all, DH again.

Here is a picture of Felix I promised.

Mum will be home on the weekend, so I am sure there will be more posts soon.

Cheers
Tim.

2011-06-07T11:01:00.000+10:00

Hi all, DH here.

It's a Boy! We have named him Felix.

Mum and Baby are fine. I will post some photos in a day or so.

Regards
Tim

Margaret Pence

2011-05-31T19:47:00.040+10:00

Blogger has been a little funny this last two weeks and I have been having trouble logging in and even commenting, the logging in part has been resolved, but the commenting part is still causing problems. If I haven't commented on your blog, it's not because I don't want to, it's because I can't.

Here is another piece that I finished Friday two weeks ago and it's my first A&E design. I am so happy to have this piece finished as I really struggled with lots of frogging and miscounting and such. I am really pleased how it has turned out though and I do want to coffee dye it one more time now that it's completed.

Design: Margaret Pence

Designer: The Goode Huswife

Fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen - White (coffee basted/baked)

Thread: DMC

The weather turned quite cold earlier this month and it was time to clean out the summer clothes and load the winter clothes into the wardrobe. Now Aurelia has grown quite a bit since last winter and she wanted me to crochet a new beanie for her. One afternoon's work and here is what I came up with.

Design: Shell Stitch Baby Hat & Flower from Best Baby Cloche (both on Ravelry)

Designer: Anna Ayling & Anneliese Shapiro

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8ply - 100% Pure New Australian Wool (Colours 2267, 1962, 0003)

Hook Size: 6mm/US J

Now I have been quite a busy stitcher and have finally finished the last square of the Red Thread series from Bent Creek. What a relief that after three years stitching on this piece it's finally finished! I realised that after the photos were taken, I had forgotten to sew on the buttons. Maybe a job to do just before I make this piece into a long pillow.

Design: The Red Thread Snappers- Snowman, Heart Of Love, Fly A Kite, Smell The Flowers, Maypole, Road Trip, Picnic, Ocean Voyage, County Fair, Wreath, Thankful, Connected

Designer: Bent Creek

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Platinum

Thread: Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler Thread, DMC with JABCo buttons

On Saturday I purchased quite a number of different yarns to complete some crochet projects I have a mind to get done when feeding the baby. That night I couldn't resist a start and made up this very quick scarf. It's so soft, but nice and chunky and warm. It will be good for our morning walks when the baby is born. I had enough wool left over, so I think I will be making a nice chunky beanie to go with it.

Design: Giant Scarf

Designer: The Art Of Crochet Series - Issue 4

Yarn: Patons Wilderness - 70% Wool, 20% Acrylic, 10% Viscose (Colour 0505)

Hook Size: 9mm/US M

Well, I only have 6 days to go before my due date. The house is in order, the freezer is full of meals I have prepared and all my sewing is packed to take to the hospital with me. Now the waiting game begins!

Mother's Day

2011-05-10T17:54:00.000+10:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day, I know I certainly did. We spent the day in Sydney, first by having Yum Cha for lunch, then I took a stroll to a very big yarn store all on my own (bliss). We then travelled by train down to the harbour where we took a lovely trip on a ferry across the harbour and back. I am feeling very worn out after all this travel, but it was fun and it is the last big family outing we will have before the baby is born.

For Mother's Day I made my Mother and Grandmother a pincushion each. I even put together the pins using some antique beads. These were a lot of fun, although I really couldn't count with my stitches very well and I have no idea how I came up with the numbers for the amount of fabric I needed, because I got that all wrong as well. At least they worked out well and I am really happy with them.

Design: Tulip Pincushion

Designer: Blackbird Designs (from the book A Stitcher's Journey)

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Ecru (coffee baked and basted)

Thread: DMC

Finish: Pincushion

Design: Summer Sachet

Designer: Blackbird Designs (from the book A Stitcher's Journey)

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Clay

Thread: DMC

Finish: Pincushion

Eliza Sloan

2011-05-06T16:33:00.001+10:00

This is just a very quick post to show you some of my recent finishes and an exchange I received.

Design: Eliza Sloan

Designer: The Goode Huswife

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Ecru

Thread: DMC

For the Hooked On Exchanging Quaker Ornament exchange, I stitched Kathy the following design. It was a very fun stitch and I must admit I liked stitching this in the octagonal shape and it was no more difficult than a square.

Design: Christmas Swan Needlebook

Designer: With My Needle (2004 JCS Ornament Issue)

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Toasted Almond

Thread: DMC

Finish: Christmas Ornament

I received the ornament that Amy stitched for me this week as well and it is so gorgeous. The design is by Milady's Needle and is called Quaker Smalls. Amy told me that her fourteen year old daughter did the finishing for this one. I think she did a fantastic job.

Finally, I finished last month the first letter in the Alphabet Block SAL that I am doing with Cheryl. Don't ask why I started with the letter F, but it was the wrong letter, so my layout for the book now has to change. I have stitched this design over one and there was no way that I was going to frog this one out.

A Hannah Milestone

2011-04-13T08:55:00.015+10:00

After stitching my little fingers to the bone this last week, I have finally reached a milestone with Hannah. I can now proudly say that the top third is complete. My next goal is to get the part with the house completed, which is going to be a massive chore. All those bricks and mortar stitching can be very boring. I will probably per her aside until after Easter and work on some of my neglected WIPs in the meantime.

Look what arrived this week! I entered a giveaway on Mylene's blog and won this very cute pin pillow. I love the detail of the two coloured beads around the edge and the Easter/Spring themed chicks. Thank you so much Mylene, I really love the pillow and already have it on display ready for Easter.

Thank you for all the great comments and visits to my blog I really do appreciate it. As to my health, I am not feeling too bad, just very tired and I get worn out very easily. I spend quite a bit of time sitting and stitching these days and the house work gets done at whatever pace I can. I only have eight weeks to go now and I tell you I can't wait for it to be over. I just want a little bit of my energy back!

A Day of Foraging

2011-04-03T09:29:00.001+10:00

Last Sunday we took the girls up into the mountains to pick some chestnuts and apples. It was a cool and drizzly day, but we had a wonderful time. Aurelia was so excited to pick the chestnuts up off the ground and was continually on the search for the biggest chestnut she could find. Everyone at the farm knew when she found one as she shouted it out at the top of her lungs.

After a very brief picnic on a cliff top (the weather was closing) we took a trip a little further down the mountains and did some apple and quince picking. The girls really enjoyed picking apples and munching away on them as we walked. I now have lots of yummy cooking apples ready for pie and crumble and quite a few quinces to poach and make into jam.

On the Monday, we took a trip to my LNS and I picked up the new Stacy Nash club exclusive. Our LNS will have four of these exclusive kits throughout the year and the first one is a redwork pinkeep. It is supposed to be stuffed with sawdust and then stained with walnut crystals. Then I just couldn't resist picking up the With My Needle design with the small hornbook. I think these will both be fun projects to stitch up. See the yard sale money did come in handy after all!

I made a new friend through my blog in the last few weeks. Cindy (no blog) contacted me about a chart on my wish list and sent it on to me. Cindy sent me Gingham Dog and Calico Cat by Carriage House Sampling and the chart for the letter E. Thank you so much Cindy, it was very generous of you. I am really happy to have another stitching friend to exchange emails with.

Hopefully I will have an update on Hannah Lancaster in the next few days. I have made some really great progress on her and will have reached a minor milstone.

Cash for Stash

2011-03-24T06:34:00.005+11:00

It's been a while since my last post, but I have been busy organising a yard sale. Last Saturday we finally had our yard sale that we have been waiting for a long time to get done. Happily most of the items have gone and that pile of junk that has been haunting us for many years has vanished. My house feels like it's gone back to normal and the backyard is no longer cluttered. The best part is that I now have a tidy little sum for some stash purchase. (My DH was more than happy for me to use the cash to buy stash) I don't think I need anything yet, so I will put it aside and spoil myself after the baby is born.

In other news, I am happy to say that Lisa received the PIF I stitched for her. We won't talk about how long it took me to send, suffice to say that it is done.

Design: English Cottage Sampler Ornament (freebie)

Designer: Teresa Wentzler

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Jobelan - White

Thread: DMC, Mill Hill Beads

Finish: Pincushion

First I have to apologise for the next lot of photos, they have been taken with my point and shoot (by me) and I have not pressed any of my stitching.

As I mentioned in my last post, I had lots of new starts and was close to a finish. Here is is the new start and finish that I was able to get done. I stitched this piece up whilst my DH was away in Japan and I personalised it with our initials. My DH got back from Japan less than 24 hours before the first earthquake hit.

Design: My Love I Give Thee

Designer: Barrick Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Linen - Ecru

Thread: DMC

I finally finished Amelie's Christmas ornament from last year. I used a piece of Green Mountain linen that I picked up on eBay a while ago. It's a shame that this linen is no longer available, it's such a lovely soft linen to work on. I now have quite a bit of finishing to get done. I think I will probably need an entire weekend to get all the pillows and ornaments finished. Now I have to start to concentrate on this years ornaments, I have to remember that I will need to get three finished this year.

Design: Visions Of Sugar Plums

Designer: Country Cottage Needleworks (2009 JCS Ornament Issue)

Fabric: 32ct Green Mountain linen - unknown colour

Thread: DMC

I don't know what came over me in the last few weeks, but I had this incredible urge to start new projects, and lots of them. So let me show you where I am up to with them.

First of all here is Eliza Sloan by The Goode Huswife I started. I love the dark colours of this one and because I am stitching it on 32ct it almost has this rustic feel to it. I think it will make a really nice lumpy old style type pillow once I finish and stain it.

Next I had been reading about so many people's progress on Mary Glover that Emmanuelle had so kindly offered on her blog. I signed up for the SAL and then went into my stash to see what fabric I had. I found the prefect piece of 40ct linen already cut to the exact size, so the deal was done. I am a little behind everyone, but I am steadily catching up. Although with the over one verse, 40ct may not have been the best choice, it's taking forever to stitch.

While I was stitching Amelie's ornament, on the opposite page in the JCS magazine, is a photo of this beautiful redwork pillow in an old issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly magazine. Well, you know how it is, if you look at a design long enough, the temptation to start it is great. Thankfully my friend Sandra came to the rescue and this is another piece I have started.

Finally I decided to make a new crochet blanket for my girls. The first one will be for Amelie, because I made Aurelia one a long time ago, although now she doesn't like it anymore and wants one just like Amelie's. I had purchased some Heirloom Magic Merino is twelve colours and then decided that twelve colours was not enough and purchased another twelve colours. The plan is to make eighty of these flowers and not have one the same colour combination. I am keeping track of the wool usage so that I use the same amount from each ball and that I am using a different colour combination each time. The photo only shows the flowers with two colours, once the flowers are all completed, I need to choose an additional colour to join each together as I go. It will certainly be a very bright and colourful blanket. The pattern is by Knitwhits and it's called Amelie's Throw.

Last night I pulled out my Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler and stitched a little more. It looked odd and I just couldn't pick what was wrong with it. Then I realised I have stitched the door in the wrong place. I threw it down in disgust and it will probably be another week before I decide to pick it up again.

Now I have to make a confession. I am making a new start with Cheryl this weekend. Cheryl and I are going to stitch the Carriage House Samplings Alphabet Blocks together in a SAL. We are not setting ourselves an impossible goal, just one block a month. See I told you something has got into me!

Stash, Finishes and Exchanges!

2011-03-02T16:34:00.001+11:00

I pre-ordered some new stash from Market a few weeks ago and what amazingly prompt service I received. My parcel only took 4 days to arrive and everything was prefect. As I mentioned in my previous post I purchased Miss Trenner's Needlework Academy Limited Edition Kit by With My Needle, I also purchased the hare thread winders and storklet scissors from Kelmscott Designs to go with the kit.

Then there were a few charts I just couldn't resist. The two new Blackbird Designs Anniversary Of The Heart series and their new Stitcher's Journey book (well worth the cost!!). I picked up the two charts from Carriage House Samplings, oldies, but goodies and finally one more chart by With My Needle.

There was plenty more stash in the way of fibres, but I decided not to photograph all of that as well.

This week I received the most gorgeous Christmas ornament from Lynn for the Hooked On Exchanging Reindeer Ornament Exchange. Lynn stitched a design by Daffycat and substituted the French knots with little beads. I can't wait to hang it up on my Christmas tree this year.

Then I heard that Lisa had received the ornament I stitched for her. I was a little undecided on the colour, but once it all came together, I was really pleased with the result. I purchased a wave blade for my rotary cutter and used that to cut out the felt. I think it turned out pretty good for a first go. A little more practice and I think I will have the technique down pat.

Design: Reindeer

Designer: Over The Moon Designs

Fabric: 28ct Cashel linen - White

Thread: DMC

Finish: Christmas ornament

Finally I made a final push and finished off my baby's blanket. A couple of nights work and it was all completed. I was a little undecided on the edging, but decided to go with the edging in the pattern. Sorry for the wavy shape of the blanket, I still haven't got round to blocking it.

Design: Granny's Baby Throw

Designer: Lion Brand - Pattern 90342B

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8ply - 100% Pure New Australian Wool
(Colours 2267, 1935, 2294, 1962, 0003)

I do have some new starts that I have been working on, but I am really close to another finish, so they will have to wait until another post. Sorry, I am such a tease, but I just want to make sure you come back for another visit!

WIP Finishes!!

2011-02-20T19:51:00.004+11:00

Firstly I would like to show you the cutest PIF Sonda sent. It arrived last week and being the slacker that I am, took this long to post to my blog. What a lovely surprise I had, I love autumn designs and colours and this piece is no exception. It's a part of the Autumn Band Sampler by Elizabeth Designs. Thank you Sonda, I love this piece and have already put it on display.

I have a confession to make, I did a naughty thing. Last weekend I put a massive order in to my favourite ONS for the new With My Needle - Miss Trenner's Needlework Academy Limited Edition Kit. I also purchased the scissors and thread winders to go with it, all the thread, the new Blackbird Designs book and several other charts, fibres and accessories. I figured that if I didn't order the Limited Edition kit, I would regret the decision and kick myself afterwards. Besides, it's probably the last order I will make until well after the baby is born. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I managed to get a few of my WIP's out of the way. The first is Aurelia's Christmas ornament from last year. I still need to finish it, but at least the stitching part is complete.

Design: Little Angel In The Clouds

Designer: Heart In Hand

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Dirty linen

Thread: Gentle Art, Weeks Dye Works & DMC

The next piece I finished stitching is the pincushion design from Carriage House Samplings. I purchased some black velvet to back this piece and I plan to coffee stain the piece before assembling. I hope that it all turns out how I picture it in my head. I am going to use the contents of my ort jar to stuff it, but will probably have to add some fibre-fill to bulk it up.

Design: Folk Art Pincushion

Designer: Carriage House Samplings

Fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen - White

Thread: DMC

I decided to get another WIP out of the way. This is a biscornu I started way back, perhaps the year before last and never got around to finishing it. I was after a frog button or bead for the top of the biscornu, but I just couldn't find what I was after. In the end I had to settle for the pink button instead.

Design: Frog Biscornu (freebie)

Designer: Casey Buonaugurio

Fabric: 28ct Jobelan - Mushroom

Thread: DMC

I spent some more time on Hannah Lancaster as well. You may not see the progress, but I filled a lot of the house in and started on the roof. I am now trying to work across the top of the piece.

I put a few more stitches into my hardanger piece as well and finished the second part of class two. Progress was slow as I was finding the bars a little difficult to wrap. The thread kept bunching up and I had to re-wrap the bar again and again. I have outlined the edge of where I have to start cutting for part three of the class, the Lacy Buttonhole Edge.

I have also completed another block of my Red Thread piece from Bent Creek. Aurelia was at me to attach the snaps to the piece, so we attached all that we could for the time being. I am not sure that I like the snaps, but they do finish each block. I am now down to only three blocks to go. I think I will concentrate on getting the border caught up to the blocks before stitching any more blocks.

I also completed the two PIFs which are ready to post out on this week and the reindeer ornament for the Hooked On Exchanging ornament exchange has already gone out. I will post pictures of these as they are received.

The made a new start with a freebie from Carriage House Samplings and it's called My Love I Give To Thee. As I started stitching using the recommended DMC, I wasn't so sure about the colours, but now the lady is finished I am happier with them.

I have been working on a number of other pieces as well, but I needed to reduce the size of my post. I will share them on a later post. I have a few other new starts lined up, but I need to build up the courage to cut my fat quarters of linen to the correct size. I am always looking at the best way to cut, so I can optimise the remaining fabric for future projects. (It's the engineer in me and I can't help it!)

Finally I don't think that I have shown this piece to you. I am crocheting a blanket for the baby. It's Granny's Baby Throw and a free design on the Lion Brand website. I am using pure Australian wool (Cleckheaton Country 8ply) for this project and chose colours that closely matched those on the website. I have almost completed three of the four blocks. So I am pretty confident that this will be completed before the baby is born.

Almost Melted!

2011-02-11T19:46:00.000+11:00

Unfortunately that's how we have been feeling the last week. Sunday was the eighth day straight that we had really hot weather. Most days had been 40C or above and the nights were not cooling down very much. We were impatiently waiting the cool change that was supposed to arrive on Sunday morning, so we could open the house up and allow it to cool down, unfortunately it came way to late in the afternoon. The girls had been stuck in the house most of the time because it's too hot to go outside. On top of that DH had been in Japan for 10 days and the girls had been driving me crazy.

He arrived home last Wednesday and the first thing we did was to take the girls down to the indoor pool to cool down. On Thursday we took them to the Jenolan Caves, again a nice welcome cool down, the caves are a very pleasant 18C all the time. My two little explorers had an awesome time and enjoyed going down into the caves and enjoyed a great picnic afterwards.

While my DH has been away and the weather too hot to go out, I have been stitching as much as I can. The heat has seen to in that most days my hands are too sweaty to even touch fabric and thread, but with the air-conditioner and ceiling fans on in the evening, I have been able to enjoy many an hour stitching away. Another post will follow tomorrow.

WIP Update

2011-01-16T18:43:00.000+11:00

I have noticed quite a few people listing all their WIPs on their blog. I have created a special page on my blog for my 2011 WIPs. I think that I have all of them on there, but there may be a few lurking about that have escaped my search.

These are all the pieces I have been working on on the last few weeks. The first two are the ornaments I had kitted up to be stitched as the girls 2010 ornaments. I hope to have these finished in the next month or so, then I can begin stitching the ones for this year, although this year I will have three to stitch up.

Heart In Hand - Little Angel In The Clouds

Country Cottage Needleworks - Visions Of Sugar Plums

I decided this year I have to absolutely finish my Bent Creek Red Thread piece. I have eight of the blocks completed and only four and the border to go. I suppose this block is my first finish for 2011. When I purchased my fabric for this, there was a slight miscalculation in the fabric I required. I have a massive fabric border on the top and bottom. As I have stitched in the middle of the piece and the extra fabric is too narrow to stitch anything on, I have decided to use it to make the piece into one very long pillow and the extra fabric can be the backing of the pillow.

Bent Creek - Ocean Voyage

Bent Creek - Red Thread Series

I have picked up Hannah Lancaster again after neglecting her for many months. I spent quite a few nights on her and added the top border, the lion, pine tree and flower basket. I really love stitching on her.

The Porcupine Collection - Hannah Lancaster

Next is a small pincushion kit from The Scarlet Letter and stitched over one using silks. There many not look like a lot of progress, but this many, many nights work.

The Scarlet Letter - c.1800 Gift Pincushion

I pulled out my second piece of hardanger that I have been working on. It's a kit I purchased from The Gift Of Stitching Magazine and follows a series of classes in the magazine. At the moment I am working on the bars and dove's eyes around the outside.

Meg Shinall - Beginner's Hardanger Course - HC202

I just couldn't resist starting the third of the Blackbird Designs mystery sampler series. I found that once I had started I just couldn't put it down. So here is my progress so far.

Blackbird Designs - Mystery Sampler #3

Here is a piece I have been stitching on for some time, but for whatever reason, I have never shown it on my blog. It's an Icelandic biscornu design and I have completed the first side of it. It's all stitched over one on white and then the other side is stitched in a ecru variegated thread on red fabric.

Linda Björk Eiríksdóttir - Icelandic Biscornu

This is a biscornu I started a long time ago, I think not long after Amelie was born. I had completed the first side, but for whatever reason I put aside and forgot about it. It's a design by Casey Buonaugurio and it's very cute.

Casey Buonaugurio - Frog Biscornu

Finally I picked up Margaret Pence by The Goode Huswife again. I had completed the fig tree until I discovered I had miscounted with one leaf and a bird, so I frogged it out, but had not had time to stitch it again.

The Goode Huswife - Margaret Pence

A Catch Up On Last Year

2011-01-03T13:30:00.159+11:00

I have been pretty slack with updates of what we have been up to in the last few months. This is a bit of a long post with lots of photos, so please bear with me.

First of all I would like to show you some photos of Amelie's 2nd birthday party way back in October. I feel kind of bad not having posted this earlier, considering I posted Aurelia's a few days after her birthday.

My DH decorated the cake again this year and we chose The Hungry Caterpillar as the theme. I think he did an awesome job with the decorating.

Later in the year my DH was presented with his Long Service Medal for 16 years of voluntary service with the NSW Rural Fire Service. There was a nice formal presentation held at our fire brigade. Later that evening along with the children and my parents, we celebrated at a wonderful Swiss restaurant. My DH had the cheese fondue and absolutely loved it.

Finally, here are some photos of the girls at Christmas. As you can see from the last photo Aurelia received a whole lot of Lego. It was the toy of choice by all concerned.

A new year has begun, so it's a time to reflect on what I achieved with my stitching over the previous year.

12 Blessings of Christmas by Lizzie Kate - still not finished but one square closer
Red Thread by Bent Creek - only just over halfway there, so very little change from last year
Angel of Winter by Lavender Angels - not a stitch was put in her for another year
Two exchanges for Hooked On Exchanging
Two exchanges for Friends Through Thread
Put a little more stitching into finishing the Little House Needleworks RR
Completed the Emblem Of Love RR
21 finishes
12 finishes for myself
9 finishes for others
15 WIP's

Sadly I didn't stitch anywhere near what I had hoped, but I did stitch more for myself that I did for others which is a good thing. I also stitched some larger pieces than usual, but now I have more WIP's than I did this time last year. I did finish stitching my PIF's, so those waiting on them, I am so very sorry and will get my act together and post them out this month.

Here is a detailed list of my finishes:

The Sampling - Bent Creek

Flax Fields - Carriage House Samplings

My Needle and My Floss - Waxing Moon Designs

The Red Thread Snappers - Bent Creek - Picnic

An Emblem Of Love - With My Needle - Edgar's RR

Alphabet Tree - Blue Ribbon Designs (FTT Pinkeep exchange)

An Emblem Of Love - Wendy Jo's RR - With My Needle

Savoir Faire - Blackbird Designs (Gift)

Rites Of Spring - Blackbird Designs

An Emblem Of Love - With My Needle - Maragret's RR

Sweet Baby - Shepherd's Bush Printworks

Running Stag - Carriage House Samplings

An Emblem Of Love - With My Needle - Carol's RR

Where My Heart Blooms Mystery Bonus #1 - Blackbird Designs

Five Birds - Barrick Samplers (HoE ABC exchange)

Noel - Prairie Moon

Wee Rooster - Heart In Hand (HoE For The Birds exchange)

Beginner's Hardanger Course - Meg Shinall

Rites Of Spring Mystery Bonus #2 - Blackbird Designs

Necessities Sampler - Little House Needleworks (FTT LHN exchange)

12 Blessings Of Christmas - Lizzie*Kate - Hope

I have begun stitching again, so my next post will have lots of stitchy pictures.

Merry Christmas To One and All

2010-12-23T10:27:00.001+11:00

I would like to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

I would like to thank all my readers for visiting my blog throughout the year and thank everyone one of you who have left comments. I apologise for neglecting my blog and everyone else's blog these last few months. I am feeling much better now and I am tyring to catch up on all the housework that has been sadly neglected these last few months.

I hope that you will all continue to visit my blog as I vow to get back into my stitching and blogging with the new year. That's all for me for this year and I hope to be back better than ever on January 1.

Long Time Missing

2010-11-30T12:15:00.000+11:00

It's been quite a while since I last blogged or even commented on a blog. I have barely stitched or knitted or crocheted for nearly eight weeks. Why you ask!!!

I have been suffering morning sickness from morning to night and then into the wee hours when I can't sleep. I barely sleep, I have a permanent back ache and I don't even have enough energy to lift a crochet hook. It's times like this I wonder what on earth was I thinking. I am hoping that I start to feel better soon, I just miss my stitching and I am sick of feeling sick. Today I am into the second trimester, so I am hoping that the energetic feeling hits me soon.

A Blanket for Me

2010-10-14T10:55:00.000+11:00

The weather has warmed up and I have lost my stitching mojo. Every night I have been sweating terribly and haven't touched my stitching for at least two weeks. Before my slump I did get a little bit done. Actually I have been in a mega slump for a while. I haven't been commenting on blogs very much, although I have been reading them and I haven't posted for so long.

Here is where I am up to with Margaret Pence by The Goode Huswife. I have completed Adam & Eve and started on the fig tree, but this is where it's going to stay until I get my mojo back.

I pulled out my 12 Blessings Of Christmas by Lizzie*Kate and finished another block. This leaves me with only three more blocks to go. (I really hope this is finished for this Christmas, only several years late!)

My knitted squares blanket is coming along well enough. I have been having trouble with blocking some of the squares. Although I have not touched the iron to the blocks and have only very lightly patted the squares into shape with my hand, some of the stitches look a little squashed and flat.

I have a few more blocks completed for my crocheted squares blanket as well. Sorry I haven't blocked all the squares out before I took the photo.

Finally, here is the project I have been working on most of my time. It's an octagon blanket that I am crocheting for myself. It's a free pattern that I picked up at the Lionbrand website. I sewed a few blocks together to see what it would look like, but I think I will need to block all the pieces first, they look a little bit wavy.

Never An Idle Moment

2010-09-17T13:39:00.004+10:00

This post has been a long time coming. My DH purchased a new computer for me, so this last week has been spent getting it to how I like it and making sure that all my software is loaded and works correctly. I am very behind on my blog reading and posting. But I am sure that I will get back on top of it this coming week.

My order for my birthday arrived this week. How fun to open the package and find all this. I received some excellent service from the ONS that I ordered from. They were able to get a number of items for me that were not on their website.

With my DH back, I have a photo of the great items be brought back for me from Japan. I love all those Japanese bowls and these ones have a cute little cat on them and the bottom of the bowls has the cat paw prints. My DH very kindly searched in many bookstores for a few crochet books I was after. Although they are in Japanese, the diagrams are in standard international format and quite easy to follow. I have done a little research and discovered what various different symbols mean, so they make much better sense now. If anyone is interested in more information, just contact me as I have a little cheat document to help decipher these Japanese patterns.

I would like to show you what I had stitched for Ronel in the Friends Through Thread Little House Needlework exchange.

Design: Necessities Sampler

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Ecru

Thread: DMC

Finish: Pillow

Although my DH had been away, I didn't stop stitching. In actual fact, as the house had been cleaner than usual I had been stitching, knitting and crocheting more than ever before.

My knitting skills are a little ordinary, so I have decided to start knitting a basic throw. Each square teaches a different skill. I have finished three squares, but I am trying not to look too closely at them. I know that I am improving with each square and discovering my mistakes, but they still look a little rough. The only problem I can't seem to work out is why my yarn is getting all twisted up. I have tried taking the yarn from the centre of the ball and then the outside with no difference. I have checked that I am doing all my stitches correctly, so what am I doing wrong?

I have also decided to do the same kind of throw, but in crochet instead, so here is my first square.

I have lots more stitching progress, but that's for another post.

Blackbird Designs Mystery Bonus #2

2010-09-09T14:49:00.004+10:00

Design: Rites Of Spring Mystery Bonus #2 (Loose Feathers #31)
Designer: Blackbird Designs
Fabric: 30ct R&R Reproductions - Irish Cream

Thread: Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works

I have finished the Blackbird Designs Mystery Bonus #2 that Danielle and I have been working on in a SAL. I really want to start the third one, but I am awaiting my order from overseas to come in with some of the threads that I have started to run quite low on. In this design I couldn't decide on which initials to use, my initials are quite boring (SS). Then I wasn't really sure if I should use my husbands (TP) or my daughter's first letters of their names together which would be AA (not really the right ones to use). In the end I used AP as both of their initials are the same, so two daughters, one initial, yeah! (The stitcher in me must have subconsciously thought of this dilemma when we named them.)

I have been really getting into some crochet and knitting lately. Too much time on my hand with my DH gone. By the way he is back and he bought back some lovely things for me and the girls. I will post again this coming week with lots more to show.

A Little Stitching

2010-08-31T12:56:00.000+10:00

I can finally show some finishing I have completed recently. The first is a pinkeep I stitched for Nic in the Hooked On Exchanging For The Birds exchange.

Design: Wee Rooster
Designer: Heart In Hand
Fabric: 36ct Sew-It-All linen - Brown Cloud
Thread: DMC
Finish: Pinkeep

One last little push and here is my very first hardanger piece completed and finished into a needlebook. It wasn't anywhere near as hard as I thought and once I got over the fear that I was cutting the fabric so close to the stitching, it was a breeze.

Design: Beginner's Hardanger Course (HC101, HC102, HC103)
Designer: Meg Shinall (The Gift Of Stitching Magazine Issues, 51 April 2010, 52 May 2010 & 53 June 2010)
Fabric: 20ct linen - cream
Thread: Ginnie Thompson Flower Thread
Finish: Needlebook

Here is a cute little pillow that my MIL stitched for me on my birthday.

My DH gave me some money to make a purchase of some items from my favourite ONS. I made this order and I am now just waiting for items to come in. I have picked up some threads, Blackbird designs charts and a few JCS issues, including the ornament issue. Can't wait till it all arrives! On a sad note, my DH had to leave for Japan for work on my birthday. He will only be gone for 10 days, but I must say that I have been a little on the lonely side and the girls and I are missing him. On the upside, the house is spotlessly clean and I am super up to date with all my household chores.

Aurelia's 4th Birthday

2010-08-19T09:40:00.000+10:00

As you would have read in the last post, Aurelia turned 4 on the weekend. I will leave you with some photos of Aurelia and Amelie enjoying the party.

This and That

2010-08-16T08:49:00.006+10:00

First I would like to say sorry to Gwen, she sent me a beautiful exchange piece for the Hooked On Exchanging For The Birds Exchange. It had been held up in quarantine for a week or so and I finally received it last week. I promised to post a picture straight away, but with cleaning and organising a birthday party, time slipped away from me.

Here is the pillow Gwen sent me. It's a design called Pumpkin Blossom by Blackbird Designs. Gwen sewed some beads on to it and filled it with crushed walnut shells (that's why quarantine held it). It's such a beautiful pillow and I love it. Thank you Gwen. I also have to thank the quarantine officer whom I spoke to. She very carefully unpicked the stitching of the pillow so that she could examine it's contents and then taped it back up. When the pillow arrived it took me five minutes to sew the pillow closed and you would never know that anyone had touched it.

Yesterday was Aurelia's 4th birthday and we had a lovely big party for her. I cooked a mountain of food over two days and I must say that I am now exhausted today. She had a wonderful time and was the perfect child, with lots of thankyou's, please's and making sure that everyone was fed and happy. I can see her being the perfect party hostess one day. My DH hasn't downloaded the photos yet, so I will post them in the next day or so.

In between all this work for the party, in the evenings I made some time to sit, relax and sew. I finally finished Aurelia's Christmas ornament. I am mostly pleased with how it turned out, although I had a really hard time turning this piece out once I had sewn around it. I had to unpick and restitch some of the inside corners, so I don't quite know what I did wrong. Does anyone have any advice on how to sew this odd-shaped pillow ornaments?

Design: Noel
Designer: Prairie Moon (JCS Ornament Issue 2008)
Fabric: 28ct Cashel Linen - Platinum
Threads: Belle Soie Silk
Finish: Christmas ornament

My Emblem Of Love RR made it's way home on Friday and I am so excited. The piece looks beautiful. Sorry it looks so wrinkled, but I want to finish stitching the date and then I am going to give it a good iron. I would like to thank Carol, Margaret, Edgar, Wendy Jo and Deb for stitching on my piece, you all did a fabulous job.

Design: An Emblem Of Love
Designer: With My Needle
Fabric: 36ct Edinburgh Linen - Cream
Threads: DMC, The Gentle Art, Olde Willow Stitchery

Exchange Received and a Little Trip

2010-08-05T17:26:00.006+10:00

I received this beautiful ornament from Marie in the Friends Through Thread LHN exchange. This is a beautiful design and I love the ruched ribbon edging Marie has stitched on. Thank you Marie, I really love it.

We took a little trip to our nations capital Canberra on the weekend. We spent two lovely nights in a great hotel and saw some great sights. The girls were particularly excited that they were able to sleep together in a double bed. However, Amelie migrated out of the bed and onto the floor so many times. I can't begin to count how many times I got up and put her back onto the bed. When I tucked her in she crawled under the covers to the foot of the bed.

We took the children to the science museum Questacon and the girls loved it. I think the thing they liked the most is that they could touch most of the exhibits and there were lots of buttons to press. Aurelia was most impressed with the animatronics dinosaurs they had on display. The two of us went for a ride on the roller coaster simulator and I don't think I have ever heard her laugh so much.

We also went for a drive out the the Canberra Space Centre. Aurelia loved all the small models of the space exploration satellites and needed to know the name of all of them and their mission. She loved the display of the Mars Rover as well, although Amelie was a little scared of it for some reason.

The day we took them up Black Mountain Tower, the weather had turned particularly cold and a very strong wind was blowing. The wind was so strong, it was almost difficult to walk up on the tower. Aurelia though it was great and I think she liked the feeling of the wind blowing her along.

Our final destination was the Parliament House. I explained to Aurelia that this was the place that the people who run the country come talk about what they want to do. She exclaimed back "Oh, this is the house where the people who talk to much come from". When parliament is sitting, it is broadcast on TV in the time slot before the children's afternoon cartoons. If there is something very important being discussed or someone important is speaking, the cartoon are often delayed. Aurelia is always upset and tells me to "make the man who talks too much stop talking". At least she knows what she's talking about!

Updates

2010-07-21T13:57:00.009+10:00

First of all I would like to thank everyone who left comments and sent emails wishing us a speedy recovery. We are on the mend, but the girls have this really annoying cough that won't go away. In all it has been five weeks that we have been unwell. The children are coughing in the night and keeping DH and I awake. The last few nights have been particularly difficult, but the coughs are improving.

I have made up for lost time with my stitching. I have started the kit by Midsummer Nights Designs that I purchased at the craft show. The design is from the Gift Of Stitching magazine and the kit included everything required to finish the project.

I have almost completed the first part of the hardanger course, also from the Gift Of Stitching magazine. I have found the hardanger is quite enjoyable and not as difficult as I first thought, although the cutting of the linen did make my heart race a little faster.

I have some more progress on my Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler. There are quite a lot of colour changes in this portion, so it's taking a while. The circle is another thing that takes a long time. Lots of counting going on as I really do want the circle to join eventually.

I made a new start the other day as I found the most amazing Babushka fabric and Aurelia would love me to stitch a pillow using the fabric. Gazette94 has some beautiful patterns, so I am using three of these and going to stitch her a long pillow.

While I was sick, concentrating on stitching gave me an enormous headache, so I did a little crocheting. I made the girls a pair of slippers each using leftover yarn. Amelie's are quite plain, but Aurelia wanted fairy slippers and chose this amazing textured hand-dyed yarn. The only problem the colour of the yarn changed as I went along, so one slipper is quite purple and the other more pink. I also had a hard time getting the strap across the top to line up. I measured and measured and measured and still I got it wrong. The girls loved their slippers until Grandma bought them pink fairy slippers and now these are considered yucky.

I made a start on The Scarlet Letter's 1800 Gift Pincushion. I haven't got very far because it's all over one. Believe it or not, this is one nights work, pretty lame!

Aurelia thankfully changed her mind about her Christmas ornament for this year and has decided on an angel, the original one was the Snow Globe from last years JCS ornament issue. So here is the progress on Noel by Prairie Moon from the 2008 JCS ornament issue.

Here is the progress on my Folk Art Pincushion by Carriage House Samplings. I have stitched it over two using DMC on 40ct linen. I basically only have the background filling to finish, but it's taking so long.

I have made a pitiful restart on Margaret Pence by The Goode Huswife, but as you can see from the photo, there is very little done. I was quite annoyed that I had to frog this design out three times before I got it right. Serves me right for stitching when I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.

I have also made a little more progress on Hannah Lancaster. I have stopped working on her though, as I wait for Sandra, Deb and Sandra's friend Tawny to catch up. She is really hard to just let go and not touch. Despite the fact that I hate stitching borders, this one is not too bad and I am actually enjoying it.

Apart from all that I have two exchanges that I am working on, but can't share for a while. I also have two PIF's that have to be mailed, one just needs the final finishing and I will share those once they have been received.

All in all, I think I have way too much going on and I need to get some of these pieces finished and out of the way. Perhaps starting so many projects was not such a great idea.

I Am In Heaven

2010-07-15T09:34:00.007+10:00

Last Thursday my parents returned from their seven week European holiday. I had asked my mother that if they happened past any needlework shops that if she could buy me a few bits and pieces. Well I have to say this is so much more than I expected. She thought to buy extra as a nice early birthday present.

Some thimbles to add to my growing collection.

Some 45ct Graziano linen and a beautiful bag to carry all my needlework. A few Italian cross stitch magazines

Great buttons, a lovely pair of larger scissors from Germany, ribbons from Austria.

My parents specially sought out Des Fils Et Une Aiguille whilst in Paris and purchased this great haul.

The charts are from Lili Points and are some Christmas designs. DMC stitching accessories, eight different pieces of linen and a spool of Soie Surfine thread.

Look at the beautiful ribbons.

Decorative pins by the French designer Butterfly Couture.

Some Kelmscott owl scissors and thread keep, mother of peal buttons and an Eiffel Tower charm the owner gave as a gift.

To say that I have been spoilt is an understatement. It's not often that anyone in my family purchases me anything for my stitching, but when they do, they don't do half measures.

Some Exchanges

2010-07-01T16:17:00.006+10:00

Not much to say at the moment. The girls and myself are all sick with the flu and feeling miserable and sorry for ourselves. My stitching has not been touched and that makes me sad.

I received a beautiful exchange from Nicole this week for the Hooked On Exchanging ABC exchange. Nicole writes that it Four Winter Wishes "Friendship" ornament by Blue Ribbon Designs from the Gift Of Stitching Magazine, December 2007. It has been stitched using DMC threads on 32ct Mushroom Lugana.

Now I love Blue Ribbon Designs ornaments and this one has been stitched and finished perfectly. Thank you very much Nicole for this beautiful ornament.

Last week Carol received the piece I stitched for her for the ABC exchange. It's my first attempt at a mattress pincushion and I was really pleased with how it turned out.

Design: Five Birds
Designer: Barrick Samplers
Fabric: 28ct Jobelan - Mushroom
Thread: DMC
Finish: Mattress Pincushion

Can you hear the crickets chirping........

2010-06-20T17:47:00.007+10:00

It's been a bit like that over the last few weeks on my blog. I have been busy of sorts. Not really sure what I have been doing, but busy enough that blogging has been neglected and my stitching time has been limited to evenings.

Last weekend, we took the girls for a bush walk to Wentworth Falls to see the Empress Falls. Aurelia being the champion that she is, walked all the way to the bottom on her own. It's quite a big walk with lots of steep stairs. Her favourite part was walking across the stepping stones on the waterfall. My DH is an avid photographer and took some great photos of the waterfall.

This weekend, my DH took me and the girls to the Craft Show in the city. I had an awesome day, firstly I was able to look at all the stands on my own, my DH took care of the girls. Secondly I was able to purchase some great items. The photos below show the overall purchase and then a close up of the kits from The Gift Of Stitching.

The first is all the materials I need to complete the ten part Hardanger course, the second is a kit for the fob, needlebook and bag from Midsummer Nights Designs and finally the last is an Elizabethan Blackwork jacket and stand. I have loved this project since the first time I saw it, although when the time for construction comes I am sure that I will regret my decision. I am going to do a little practice with some blackwork before I make a start and practice a few of the finishing stitches first. When I do come to construction, I figure if I take my time and don't rush, it should come out like the picture.

I have been putting a little stitching into Hannah Lancaster and she is growing slowly. Some motifs can be pretty tedious and I am glad that I am not stitching on her everyday.

I made a good start on the next part of the Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler. The fabric is a little out of shape, but I hope that it won't affect the piece once it is stitched together.

Finally, I have made a start on Margaret Pence by The Goode Huswife, but I have frogged it out three times already so I put it away in disgust. Maybe I will make a new start again this week.

I will leave you with a photo of the potholder I sent Carol. It was a lovely piece to crochet.

Design: Scalloped Potholder

Designer: Priscilla Hewitt

Thread: Panda - Regal 4 Ply Cotton - Natural

Finish: Potholder

Blackbird Designs Mystery Bonus #1

2010-05-29T16:03:00.006+10:00

I am happy to say that I have finished the Blackbird Designs Mystery Bonus #1 and I am just about ready to start the second one. Danielle and I have been working on this project together and I think she is almost done as well.

Design: Where My Heart Blooms Mystery Bonus #1 (Loose Feathers #31)

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric: 30ct R&R Reproductions - Korty's Blend

Thread: Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works

The weather has been miserable the last few days and tomorrow should be the worst of it, although it is supposed to rain the rest of the week. Looks like tomorrow is a great day to stay home and sew. I have a mountain of washing to get done, but I am only washing the barest of minimum to get us through the week. My house looks like a laundromat, with clothes and towels hanging around all over the place. I have used the drier a bit, but with the cold temperatures in the house and the high humidity, everything starts dripping with moisture. Can't wait for the sunny weather at the end of this coming week.

Emblem of Love RR Completed

2010-05-22T16:24:00.006+10:00

Today I have completed the last stitch on Carol's RR, which brings to an end the Emblem Of Love RR. I love the silk that Carol has used and have been completely sold on Vicki Clayton silks. The colour is Magpie Tears and the silk is amazing to work with, although when the weather has been as dry as we have had and there is static electricity in the air, I find the silk sticks to everything and can make stitching very frustrating.

I am kind of sad that it is all finished, but I am sure that I will be involved in another RR again one day. I would like to thank Edgar for being so fantastic in organising this RR, your patience is amazing. I would also like to thank Wendy Jo, Margaret, Deb, Carol and Edgar for all stitching on myy RR, I can't wait till it arrives home.

A Flurry Of Finishes!

2010-05-17T16:02:00.010+10:00

As the title states, I have had a few finishes in the last two weeks. I pulled out some old WIP's and decided that they needed to be finished and "finished". Both of these are ornaments I started for Amelie, one the year she was born and one last year, I am terribly slack! I decided to give some different finishes a go. The Shepherd's Bush design is my very first attempt at stitching a pillow finish with the fabric border. It wasn't as hard as I thought and once my sewing machine and I had made peace, I found it quite easy in the end. I just need to practice at accurate cutting now.

Design: Sweet Baby (JCS Ornament Issue 2007)

Designer: Shepherd's Bush Printworks

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Coffee baked and basted

Thread: Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler Threads, DMC;
Charm: Shepherd's Bush silver charm

Finish: Christmas Ornament

The Carriage House finish is a velvet pillow I made and the piece has been blind stitched onto the pillow. I then used some generic seed beads and made the decorative hanger. This was a very satisfying finish.

Design: Running Stag (JCS Ornament Issue 2004)

Designer: Carriage House Samplings

Fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen - white

Thread: Needlepoint Silk & Mill Hill beads

Finish: Christmas Ornament

I have had a large quantity of tapestry wool hanging around and I haven't been able to sell it or give it away. I was reading Staci's blog a few weeks back and was inspired by her granny squares she was crocheting with tapestry wool. This is my first attempt at joining motifs and if you don't look too closely, it's actually not too bad. It's a long scarf and a little bit stiff, but not too bad at all.

I have been working furiously on Carol's RR and it's almost ready to post to her, so by the next post, it should be on it's way and there will be a photo to share.

My Mother's Day was quite good with a family lunch at an Italian restaurant. The day before we went out for a picnic and a bush walk. My DH took the children to the park while I went to my LNS. I was under strict instructions to purchase whatever I wanted as a Mother's Day gift. Here is my stash haul, although I think I was rather restrained.

Chart Giveaway Winners!

2010-05-16T08:43:00.003+10:00

I used the random generator and for some charts there was only one taker and the following people received the charts:

Lanarte - AboutMe

Holly Days - Pike

Kimono - xstitch2009

Iris - Aussie Stitcher

Hugga Bears - Penny B

Bears Reunion - Chiloe

Celebration in Cards - Pike

Amish Quilt - Chantel

I Love My Garden - Chiloe

If you could please email me your address and I will get them into the post as soon as I can. Thank you all for finding new homes for my charts. I still have some left and will be putting them on my Trade/Wishlist blog. If you want one, just ask!

M.I.A and Giant Giveaway (Picture Heavy Post)

2010-05-03T08:29:00.013+10:00

I know, I know, I have been a bad blogger...

The last few weeks have been crazy with new carpet installation, building furniture and sick children. I have done some stitching, but it hasn't been very much.

Last week we had new carpet installed in our office and my craft room, which is such a relief. The floor feels so much warmer and cleaner! We also took a trip to Ikea, where we had to leave the children behind with my parents so that we had enough room in the car to take everything home. We purchased some new office furniture and best of all, I purchased new furniture for my craft room. I decided to go with Ikea's kitchen furniture and what an improvement it has made. All my craft stuff is organised in draws and boxes and can be easily found.

Several weeks ago I had finished stitching Margaret's RR, but had delayed the posting because of the airline issues. Nobody wants an RR to go missing! As it turned out, I ended up posting late, but not due to the airline issues, but because I just got too caught up with everything else going on. Anyway, here is a photo of Margaret's RR, only one more section to stitch.

We have all had the most horrible cold for the last few weeks. We had sore throats that lasted a week and now still the have the blocked noses and sinuses. I wish it would just go away!

My long forgotten crochet hooks made a show again these last few weeks. I crocheted Aurelia a cute little hat, but she stretched it so big, it almost looks silly on her. I used a French mohair/acrylic blend that's very soft and fluffy but a pain to crochet with.

Design: Vintage Rose Cap

Designer: My Little City Girl

Fibre: Welcomme - Le Super Mohair

I also tried my hand at making a wash cloth. This was very quick, easy and fun and I see lots more in the future as soon as I can find some more cotton or bamboo fibres.

Design: Washboard Dishcloth

Designer: The Crochet Cottage by Priscilla Hewitt

Fibre: Cleckheaton Natural Cotton 8ply

GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY

Whilst cleaning up my craft room, I have come across some charts and magazines that I would like to share with you all. There is nothing complicated to this giveaway and is open to everyone. Just leave a comment of which charts you would like and then I will draw names for each of these charts on the 15th May. Sorry, these are charts only and I don't have any supplies left for any of the kits or if I do, I don't know where they have disappeared to.

Teddy Bear's Reunion

Angel Of Harmony

Holly Days Stocking

Amish Rainbow Quilt

Country Bouquet

I Love My Garden

Classic Kimono

Floral Artistry - Summer

Hugga Bears

Patons 14Ply Chunky Knit Pattern

Lanarte - Flower Vase

Irises

Celebrations in Cross Stitch - Cards

Rites Of Spring!

2010-04-13T08:21:00.010+10:00

Although we are well into our autumn here I have finished Rites Of Spring by Blackbird Designs that I was stitching with Kajsa. I am quite pleased with how this one has turned out and will make another lovely addition to my planned sampler wall. I have already kitted up my next project of Margaret Pence, but want to finish stitching on Margaret's RR before I start.

Design: Loose Feathers Pattern 30 - Rites Of Spring

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric: 30ct R & R Reproductions linen - Irish Creme

Thread: Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts

I also stitched the following design for my friend Sandra. Sandra has become a good friend and I thought it would be nice to send her a little pinkeep as a thank you.

Design: Savior Faire
Designer: Blackbird Designs
Fabric: 32ct Sew It All linen - Green Cloud
Thread: DMC, Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts

Finish: Pinkeep

I suppose I should show you my progress on my other pieces as well. I have stitched quite a considerable amount on Hannah Lancaster, but I have put her aside for a while because I stitched almost the whole Easter weekend on her.

Here is my Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Part One. I think I should be able to get this one finished this weekend if I work hard enough.

Last weekend I pulled out some wool and decided to crochet Amelie a winter hat. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out, although my flower on the side is a little bit odd looking. It looks a little like someone pulled some of the petals off.

I Need A Rest (Warning: Picture Heavy Post!!!)

2010-04-06T08:43:00.008+10:00

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend. What a busy Easter weekend we have had. On Thursday my parents, DH and I took the children to The Sydney Royal Easter Show. It was a really long day, but I think they both enjoyed it. First order of the day was the Farmyard Nursery where the kids had a little fun. Aurelia loved feeding all the animals, but Amelie was quite frightened. The sheep and goats travelled around in this huge herd and ran at anyone who had food. She tried to climb up onto my head several times when the group came near us.

As you can see from the picture, quite an intimidating bunch when your so small. Next up we had a good look around the art, craft and cooking sections. The cakes were still being judged when we went through, so I didn't really get a good look at them. The craft work was beautiful and first off is a photo of the winning piece on linen 28ct and above.

I think my favourite exhibit in the show is the district exhibit in the food pavilion. Here districts showcase their produce in a beautiful display. I think my favorite is the one with the cows.

Finally here is a photo of Aurelia with my DH on the giant slide. When she got off she told me that she held daddy's hand because he was very scared and she looked after him so he felt better, how cute!

On Easter Sunday, we started the day off on a bad note. Amelie fell on the coffee table and bit almost all the way through her lip. As it was early (daylight savings had just finished) and Easter sunday, no doctor's surgeries were open, so we had to take her to the ER. They were very nice about it and quite quick to see her (about 2 hours). The plastic surgeon took a look and said she only needed a little glue to hold the cut together and she shouldn't have too much of a scar. By lunch time she was really happy, but trying for little sympathy from everyone. Amelie was wandering around my Mum's place after lunch pointing to her lip, pulling puppy-dog eyes and whimpering 'ow'. Talk about hamming it up!! Sunday turned out to be a lovely day having lunch with my parents, grandmother, brother and sister in-law and her parents.

Monday my DH and I spent the whole morning making a really yummy lunch, showcasing beautiful new season vegetables and a roast turkey. I had visited the Farmer's Markets on Saturday morning and picked up the freshest organic vegetables I have ever seen. I even roasted new season pears and apples and they were to die for. We have so many leftovers, but at least I don't have to cook for the next few days.

Despite how busy a weekend I had, I did manage to get some serious stitching in, but that's for another post.

I am a slacker

2010-03-27T17:15:00.003+11:00

I was shocked this morning to read that Kathy of Carriage House Samplings will no longer be designing and as of the end of the year her charts will no longer be available. Kathy's Black Willow Farm was the first chart for linen I ever purchased and I have completely fallen in love with her designs. I have slowly been collecting her charts, but I still have a long list on my wish list I want to still purchase. Perhaps I can make a few more purchases as the year goes on. Even though I am really sad and disappointed, I wish Kathy luck on her future endeavours.

Now why am I a slacker, well I have been meaning to post for the last week and a half and just couldn't get my act together. I have been stitching as much as time would permit, but I have been spending most of my time getting my house in order and my garden tidied up ready for Easter. With the new pergola going up, the garden was left in a mess, with the grass trampled and leaves and dirt everywhere. I purchased my DH a pressure cleaner on the weekend and he has been cleaning all my paving. I never realised how dirty the pavers were until they were cleaned, it's a job we really should have done a long time ago.

Here is my progress on my current WIP's. First of all is Rites of Spring by Blackbird Designs and as you can see I am don't have too much more to go, I figure perhaps two weeks and it will be done.

Next up is The Mystery Bonus Sampler Part 1 by Blackbird Designs. I am really enjoying stitching this one and can't wait for the next part.

Finally, here is Hannah Lancaster by The Porcupine Collection. Although I spend a lot of time stitching on her, there never seems to be much progress. I have really fallen in love with stitching samplers and can see many more in the future.

Now here is another reason that I have been such a slacker. Both Margaret and Lynn gave me awards, but I haven't acknowledged them on my blog. Sorry Margaret and Lynn, I do appreciate being nominated, so here it is.

Now for ten things you may not know about me.

I am obsessed with organisation. I love to make lists, have all my things sorted. I can't stand when a set has something missing and will spend hours searching until it is found.
I have a passion for cooking. When I renovated the kitchen, I spent way more than I should have and installed the best appliances that I could afford and had a cabinet built especially for my collection of cook books and cooking magazines. I have enough dinner plates and cutlery to feed a small army.
My favourite part of the day is after the children have gone to bed and I can sit and sew in peace in front of the TV. I am usually in a very bad mood if I don't get to do this.
I hate the hot weather or even warm weather for that matter. I would prefer to have very cold weather all year round.
I love growing phalaenopsis orchids and have three beautiful specimens. I hope to add to my collection over time, but these are another expensive hobby.
I hate shopping, except stash shopping. I hate clothes shopping so much, I haven't updated or renewed my wardrobe for over five years. I pick up only what I desperately need and that's all. Although this year I think my hand has been forced, with many of my clothes looking very daggy and falling apart.
I have a break in my collarbone which I discovered one day and have no idea how I did it.
I am scared of seaweed, so I don't go swimming in the sea or where I can't see the bottom. I was particularly frightened when I went snorkeling with my DH.
When I was young, I was a very good short distance runner, but never pursued this particular talent.
I can play the piano, although I don't have one and haven't touched one for a very long time.

I know that I am supposed to pass this award on, but this time I am just going to have to pass on it, I know I'm a slacker!

Updates

2010-03-09T14:44:00.008+11:00

Firstly thank you for all the kind comments and emails about my sick family. Thankfully everyone is doing well and back to their usual selves. I can happily say that I avoided this bout of illness which is a good thing. On the other hand, I cut my ring finger quite badly while chopping up pumpkin. I was trying to rush and well I sliced right into the tip of my finger. I looks quite bad and yucky, but I think it should be OK. I have disinfected it and bandaged it and now I can only hope it heals up well. What I am most thankful for is that it's not my stitching finger!

Becky has received the pinkeep I made her for the Friends Through Thread pinkeep exchange. I thought I would try something different and make a scissor/needle pocket at the back. After a few attempts at sewing the lace on, I am really happy with the way it all turned out.

Design: Alphabet Tree (old freebie no longer available)

Designer: Blue Ribbon Designs

Fabric: 28ct Cashel linen - White

Thread: Thread Gatherer Silk N' Colors - Royalty

Finish: Pinkeep with scissor pocket

I have also been able to get my portion of Wendy Jo's RR completed for the Emblem of Love RR. It's stitched over one using Crescent Colours Wavy Navy. This was a pleasure to stitch as it's quite different from mine. I stitched the swan motif and the bird in the apple tree motif.

Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Secret Garden Kit

2010-03-04T14:22:00.002+11:00

I am kicking myself silly as I have just missed out on purchasing Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Secret Garden Kit on eBay. I have been looking for this one everywhere and I was outbid at the last moment. I was wondering if anyone had this kit in their stash that they would be willing to sell. I am prepared to pay good money for it and will pay all postage and handling costs. If anyone can help, could you please email me.

Thanks for the good wishes for my children and DH's health. Aurelia is well and happy, but Amelie is miserable and not sleeping at all. My DH is not much better, but at least I am feeling well still. Finger's crossed that I remain feeling well.

Sick Kids!

2010-03-03T11:26:00.006+11:00

All last week Aurelia was sick, not with one bug, but two. She had a high fever for three days and was as miserable as can be. Her fever disappeared for a day and a half and then came back, but with a cold this time. She is feeling better this week though. This week it seems it is Amelie and my DH's turn. So far I seem to be OK apart from feeling a little tired. I have hardly been able to get anything done. I did manage to finish and post my Friends Through Thread exchange. I tried something a little different this time and I am really excited at how it turned out.

On the weekend my DH took down our pergola out the back. Hopefully next week they will be putting the new one up. Unfortunately this means that my back garden and my house are a mess. I just wish all this work would come to a finish soon.

On Monday the postman delivered a lovely pinkeep from Jill. She stitched me some motifs from the Sarah Tobias book by Blackbird Designs. I love this design particularly and it goes beautifully with the long pillow I received from Joan a while back. I am disappointed with our postal service though. It took over ten days to reach me from the US. This time last year it was only taking five days at the most. Thank you Jill for the beautiful pinkeep!

The only stitching I have managed apart from the exchange this last week has been my Rites Of Spring by Blackbird Designs. I have now stitched just a little over half way and I am really pleased at how it looks.

Another Step Closer!

2010-02-18T10:33:00.006+11:00

Yes, another step closer to having all the renovations completed. My ensuite has been completed and I can't tell you how happy I am with it. My DH hasn't finished painting the timber work due to the high humidity, but the rest is completed. Once he has finished, hopefully this weekend, I need to give it all a thorough clean and then we can use it. This will be the first time we will have used this bathroom in the almost nine years we have lived in the house.

Also after almost nine years of living with an internal sliding door in our bedroom, we finally have a wall. How great is this, two bare walls waiting on some needlework to adorn it. My DH has been working so hard to get all the painting work done. His next job is to paint our bedroom and then we can finally move back in. My mattress is on the floor in the lounge room, which is also the children's play room. It has become their trampoline and I am sick of finding pieces of Lego and plastic animals in the bed each night.

I received three beautiful scissors which I purchased from Yuko this week and I decided that my scissor collection was much too nice to hide away in a draw. Taking inspiration from Vonna, I made myself a scissor display board. I have hung all my scissors and scissor fobs on the board, but have not hung it on the wall yet. After asking my DH to hang it, he pointed out the fact there was no carpet installed below where I wanted to hang it and he is concerned that if they fall off they will be ruined on the concrete floor. How considerate of him, it would probably not have occurred to me until it was too late.

I did get a chance to stitch over this last week, so here is my progress on my projects. I have spent so much time this week frogging out what I have stitched, it's very disappointing.

Hannah Lancaster - By The Porcupine Collection (SAL with Sandra)

Rites Of Spring - By Blackbird Designs (SAL with Kajsa and Ranae)

Blackbird Designs Mystery Bonus Sampler - Part 1 (SAL with Danielle)

Finally, here is my Little House Needlework RR. I have started to add the border in the top left corner, but I am not sure that it's enough or even the right border to use. What do you think, should I frog this one out and find a different border or add something else around the outside edge of this one? Whatever I choose must be from one of the Little House Needleworks Designs.

Charts For Trade!

2010-02-12T15:24:00.005+11:00

Just to let you know, I am still here, but I am just very busy. The bathroom renovation has been completed and I am just awaiting my DH to finish the painting. The sliding door in our bedrrom has been removed and replaced with a wall (YEAH!!) and the electrician has completed half the electrical work around the house. Not much stitching to show as it has been way too humid to stitch.

I have updated my Wishlist Blog to include some charts and kits I would like to trade. If you are interested in any of the charts or kits, I am happy to trade for items on my wish list. Just contact me via my email address on this blog.

I have come to the sad realisation that I have too much stash and some of my tastes have changed and I just don't have enough time. I hope all these items can go to good homes.

A Nice Surprise!

2010-02-03T15:44:00.005+11:00

The other day I received an email from Diane. She sent me a photo of the ornaments she stitched using my free design from a few Christmas's ago, found here. Diane, you have no idea how happy this makes me, to know that someone stitched my design.

Diane has done a great job, not once but twelve times! Diane used a lovely green Aida and some Ecru DMC thread. She finished them with cream Mill Hill beads.

Thank you Diane for sharing this photo and choosing to stitch my design!

Winner!

2010-01-27T08:48:00.005+11:00

Aurelia did a draw of a name yesterday and the winner of the travelling pattern is:

Gaby of Einschies blog

Congratulations, I have sent you an email and will send it out as soon as I have your details.

On another note, I have done a little more stitching, I finished my section of Edgar's Emblem Of Love RR and it has been posted off to Carol.

I stitched a little more on Rites Of Spring by Blackbird Designs.

I did stitch more on Hannah Lancaster by The Porcupine Collection, although it doesn't look like it. I stitched a whole stack more on the house. There are a lot of bricks in this house and I am about one quarter of the way through.

I also spent time stitching on my LHN RR, but I will show that on my next post as I need some advice on what I should do with the border.

First Finishes for 2010 and the Travelling Pattern Giveaway!

2010-01-10T09:13:00.020+11:00

I can't believe it, I'm on a role. I just pulled some WIP's out and decided that it was time to get some finished and as a reward started two new projects.

Design: My Needle and My Floss
Designer: Waxing Moon Designs
Fabric: 40ct Sew-It-All linen - Lemon cloud
Thread: Weeks Dye Works

Sonda sent me this design and set it up as another Travelling Pattern. Now that I have completed her, I would like to make the offer on my blog, so that someone can become the third recipient of this lovely design. If you would like the opportunity to receive this travelling pattern, please leave a comment on this post only indicating that you would like to receive this pattern. I will draw a name on Tuesday 26th January.

Design: Flax Fields
Designer: Carriage House Samplings
Fabric: 40ct R&R Reproductions - Sheep's Straw
Thread: Gloriana and Needlepoint Silks

Design: The Sampling
Designer: Bent Creek
Fabric: 32ct R&R Reproductions - Houseblend
Thread: Weeks Dye Works and DMC

I have made a new start for the year. It's Rites of Spring by Blackbird Designs. I received it all kitted up as a gift from Petra last year for participating in her daily trivia quiz. I have never stitched on Wichelt linen before, and despite the fabric being all out of shape, it's not too bad to stitch on. I am used to a very soft type of linen, but the only thing I have found with this fabric is that I need to change the tension of stitches to be a little more loose. I think I may just have to use this fabric again in the future.

Sandra has been tempting me with this beautiful sampler called 'Hannah Lancaster' by The Porcupine Collection. I have never stitched a sampler before and after seeing all of Sandra's beautiful samplers, what else could a girl do? I just couldn't resist any longer, so I pulled out some 40ct linen and the called for DMC threads and started stitching. I figured if I started with the most boring part, the house, I have interesting parts to look forward to. Although I stitched all day, progress is slow. If bricklayers laid bricks at the rate I am stitching them, the house would take a hundred years to build.

I pulled out my Red Thread piece by Bent Creek and finished another square. The design is 'Picnic'. I am officially over the halfway mark. Sadly I didn't even touch this piece last year, so that's all a bit sad, but I do hope to stitch more of it this year.

That's all my stitching for now. My bathroom renovations start on Friday and because of the access into the bathroom, the girls cannot be left on their own to play in the lounge room as the front door will be open all the time to allow access to the builders. Although the way out will be blocked, I am sure it won't take either of them long to work out how to get out of the lounge room and out the front door. This means that I am going to have to sit with them and sew and supervise. What a terrible shame, two weeks of sitting and sewing. It's a difficult job, but I think I am up to the task.

This morning we started to remove the wallpaper from our bedroom. I am not too keen on the colour scheme, (and yes, that is three different types of wall paper) it's more appropriate for an older style of home, which ours isn't. As you can see from the photo, both of the girls helped remove the paper from the wall. Amelie thought it was a hoot and put her whole body into getting that wallpaper down. Who knows, maybe they feel the same way about the paper as I do. The rail on the wall is coming out and we will be painting the walls ecru, which will match the colour scheme for our bathroom perfectly and the timber work a slightly darker shade. Can't wait till it's all over!

Finally I will leave you with photos of what my daughter ate for dinner the other night. I made a really yummy vegetarian chili and this is what she ate. Rice on bread!!!

A Year In Review

2010-01-01T11:03:00.003+11:00

A new year has begun, so it's a time to reflect what I achieved with my stitching over the last year.

12 Blessings of Christmas by Lizzie Kate - still not finished
Red Thread by Bent Creek - still only halfway there
Angel of Winter by Lavender Angels - not a stitch was put in her
One exchange for Fair & Square
Two exchanges for Hooked On Exchanging
Three exchanges for the Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange
Four exchanges for Friends Through Thread
One exchange for the Lizzie Kate Exchange
Completed the Little House Needleworks RR
Started the Emblem Of Love RR
32 finishes
9 finishes for myself
23 finishes for others
13 WIP's

I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit this year, but sadly very little of the stitching was for myself. This year I still want to participate in some exchanges, but I am going to limit myself to a significantly smaller number. I learnt so many new techniques and attempted many new finishes, but I need some of these for myself. I am going to start to tackle the list of charts that I have kitted up and see where I go from there.

Wishing you all a very happy new year!

Detailed list of finishes:

Fancy Work - O Tannenbaum
Lizzie*Kate - Spring Sampler (HoE)
Barbara Ana Designs - Halloween Biscornu (BoB)
Lody Steward - Stitcher's Journey Fob One
The Prairie Schooler - Prairie Birds - Sparrows (F&S #11)
Debbie Draper Designs - Spring Flowers (BoB)
The Prairie Schooler - Autumn Leaves - Autumn Foursome (YLPSE)
The Drawn Thread - motifs from Toccata Number II (FTT)
Little House Needleworks - Joan's RR square
Elizabeth's Designs - Dear Friend (Gift)
The Drawn Thread - Little Spot Sampler
Lody Steward - Summer Flowers Sewing Set - Biscornu (BoB)
Blackbird Designs - Their Song - Stitcher's Book (FTT)
The Prairie Schooler - Spring & Fall - May (YLPSE)
Little House Needleworks - Julianne's RR square
Sally Gilpin - Victorian Blooms
Teresa Wentzler - Beginner Whitework Project
The Prairie Schooler - Floral Bookmark (Gift)
With My Needle - Emblem of Love - My RR
River Fish Sampler - Lisa's RR
Marie Auriau - Black Needles Needlebook (FTT)
With My Needle - Emblem of Love - Deb's RR
The Prairie Schooler - When Witches Go Riding - Border (HoE)
Lizzie Kate - Summer ABC's (LKE)
The Primitive Needle - Earth Sampler
With My Needle - Acorn Sewing Case - Needlebook
Praiseworthy Stitches - Christmas Poinsettia Topiary (FTT)
Bent Creek - Red Winged Blackbird (PIF)
Lizzie Kate - Life's A Stitch (PIF)
Prairie Schooler Santa - The Prairie Schooler (YLPSE)
Elizabeth's Designs - Bee Hive (PIF)
Lody Steward - A Stitcher's Journey Fob Two (Gift)

Pre-Christmas High & a Post Christmas Low

2009-12-26T18:54:00.018+11:00

The week prior to the Christmas week my DH was home for a little holiday before Christmas. We had a fun time and took Aurelia horse riding. She was lead around on a horse for 10 minutes, but she was a real natural moving around quite comfortably with the horse.

We also went for a picnic and a little walk down to the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. I took Amelie in the backpack with me and my DH walked with Aurelia. As you can see from the photo, the steps are quite steep, but she happily walked down and back up on her own.

Aurelia and I spent some time during the week before Christmas baking. We made some clove and almond shortbread, espresso shortbread, cranberry and almond cantucci and a Christmas fruit cake. These were for my parents as a Christmas gift. They have so many things, we just didn't know what to buy them, so we thought a whole bunch of baked goods would go down a treat and they did!

Next my Little House Needlework RR has returned. I would like to thank all the wonderful ladies who stitched on my piece and made it look so beautiful. So a big thank you goes to Nicki, who organised the RR, Cathy, Melissa, Joan, Julianne, Joanne and Debbie (even though she was too sick to finish). Here is a photo of how the RR returned to me, it looks great doesn't it!

Nicki had my RR for a little while and as an apology sent me all this wonderful stash. It was completely unnecessary as I knew that my RR was in safe hands, but I really do appreciate it as the fabric, threads, ribbon and pattern are all items that I can really use.

This year I took the opportunity to shop at the Black Friday sales and with the great bargains going, couldn't resist the opportunity to enhance my stash. Similar to Kathy, I have a "naughty clicky finger" as well. This is what I purchased at the first ONS. Lots of Carriage House Samplings and Birds Of A Feather designs and lots of Weeks Dye Works threads and Gentle Arts threads to build my collection. Oh and how can I forget the 2009 JCS ornament issue.

I made a visit to the local quilting store and stocked up on some great backing fabrics. My favourite piece I found was this great piece released for the anniversary of the moon landing, with which I am going to make something for Aurelia.

Finally I made a visit to the local chain store craft store and stocked up on some gingham fabric which I have plans for next year, some ribbon and scrapbooking card which has been put to great use making ribbon holders.

I had seen on Tempus Fugit blog these great ribbon and lace holders which she had covered in fabric. I downloaded the template from Sarah's blog and I gave it a go and found mine were a complete disaster. Instead I decided to use the scrapbooking card to line a thick piece of card on both sides. The card is acid free and doesn't rub off onto fabric and is perfect for the job. It certainly makes it much easier to store lots of ribbon and looks quite pretty. Maybe one day when I have a little more patience and time I will give the fabric ones a go again.

Here are a few photos of the girls on Christmas day and the yummy dessert I prepared for my Mum's lunch, it's a Choc-Cherry Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake.

You are probably wondering the post Christmas low? For almost a week I had my in-laws visiting. It was a busy five days of running around, keeping up with the household chores, feeding the children and entertaining and feeding the guests. I was so busy preparing meals and cleaning up after everyone each day, that this week I have no energy left. The kids have had their routines completely disrupted and have gone silly and are driving me nuts. I feel drained and unenthusiastic. I think I need to buy some more stash and do lots of stitching.

A Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T15:56:00.003+11:00

As this will be my last post before Christmas, I would like to thank all the wonderful people who read my blog. I would especially like to thank those people who leave comments. These comments have been inspiring, thoughtful and comforting and I look forward to reading them. Thank you all, you are great friends.

I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas. I hope that all your wishes for Christmas come true and that you can spend the day with the people that you love.

I have plenty to share after Christmas so keep an eye out for the next post!

The Last Of The Secret Stitching

2009-12-12T15:42:00.006+11:00

I haven't heard from everyone about the PIFs I sent, but I hope that they have been received and that everyone has just been a little too busy. I know I am at this time of the year. This is the design I sent to Heather. Yes, you may have seen it before, but this time I stitched and finished it as a gift.

Design: Bee Hive

Designer: Elizabeth's Designs

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - Vintage Country Mocha

Threads: Gentle Art Sampler Thread

Finish: Pinkeep

Finally, I heard from Peg (no blog) that she had received the blogaversary gift I stitched for her. It took some time to get finished, don't know why, I think things just happened. The important thing is that it is completed and in Peg possession.

Design: A Stitcher's Journey Fob Two

Designer: Lody Steward (Gift Of Stitching Magazine, Issue 35 December 2008)

Fabric: 28ct Cashel Linen - White

Threads: DMC

Finish: Scissor Fob

More Stitching To Show

2009-12-09T08:46:00.007+11:00

I read on Klaudia's blog that she had received the PIF I sent her. This is another design I enjoyed stitching. I made some colour changes as I had used DMC thread and the conversion saw the flowers a not so nice orange colour. I found the cutest little chicken fabric that I just couldn't resist using as the backing.

Design: Life's A Stitch
Designer: Lizzie Kate
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Linen - Dirty Linen
Thread: DMC
Finish: Pinkeep

I also heard from Ellen (no blog) that she had received the ornament I stitched for her for the Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange. I decided to go the traditional Prairie Schooler finish on the ornament and I really like how it turned out.

Design: Prairie Schooler Santa

Designer: The Prairie Schooler

(Gift Of Stitching Magazine, Issue 34 November 2008)

Fabric: 32ct Jobelan - Sage

Thread: DMC

Finish: Christmas Ornament

At Long Last Some Secret Stitching

2009-12-05T15:06:00.014+11:00

I would like to say thank you to all the people who left words of encouragement and advise about my chore planner it was just what I needed. It has been four weeks now and I think everything seems to have settled into a great routine. The children can make as much mess as they like where their toys are as long as they don't drag toys over the rest of the house. This leaves them with the entire lounge room and entryway for their mess. I have more quality time to spend with the girls and more stitching time (except when DH is home and then everything seems to get out of hand!). I feel much happier about my home and I don't get into a panic when visitors arrive unannounced.

The year is coming to a close and I have finished all my stitching commitments. This means a little more me stitching, I have done very little of it this year. To celebrate, this is the first item I stitched. It's a little needlebook, which has been completely hand finished. I feel so good about it. Not only did I make something useful, but I followed the instructions and found they were quite easy to understand. I tried some new skills (nun's stitch and buttonhole stitch) and they were not as scary as I thought. I used a handmade antique bead for the closure.

Design: Acorn Sampler Sewing Case - Needlebook

Designer: With My Needle

Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen- Ecru

Threads: DMC

Finish: Needlebook

Next is the ornament I stitched for Marie for the Friends Through Thread ornament exchange. This was a new finish for me, as I have never made anything that wasn't square of rectangular. By lacing it by hand, I found that it wasn't as hard as I first thought.

Design: Christmas Poinsettia Topiary

Designer: Praiseworthy Stitches (Gift of Stitching Magazine, Issue 34 November 2008)

Fabric: 36ct Edinburgh linen - Cream

Threads: Gentle Art Sampler Threads

Finish: Christmas Ornament

This is the PIF I stitched for Kathy. I haven't heard from her yet, but she should have received it by now as it only takes two days at the most by post from my location to hers. I finished this little ornament with a beaded trim on the bottom, it just seemed to need a little something else.

Design: Red Winged Blackbird

Designer: Bent Creek

Fabric: 28ct Belfast linen - Putty

Threads: DMC

Finish: Ornament

Finally, I would like to say that I have one more place available for a PIF. If you would like to participate and receive one of my hand stitched items, please leave a comment indicating your interest. If you would like to know more about the PIF check out this post.

Ornaments Received

2009-12-03T14:46:00.007+11:00

Yesterday, the most gorgeous little ornament arrived from Cathy for the Friends Through Thread ornament exchange. Cathy has stitched a little Santa by Homespun Elegance and I think it is a very appropriate design for a stitcher. Now who doesn't want linen, floss and time to stitch. I only wish Santa would bring all those things for me. OK, OK just the linen and the floss!

Thank you Cathy, your stitching and finishing is impeccable as always. I really love the tiny little braid you used around the edge of the design.

Today I received this cute ornament from Kathy for the Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange. I love the Prairie Schooler Santa and so I am really pleased to have received this one. I love how Kathy has finished this one off. Thank you Kathy for this wonderful ornament.

Thank You!

2009-11-21T15:58:00.002+11:00

I would like to extend my thanks to each and everyone of the kind and loving people who left so many wonderful messages of comfort and support. I have made so many exceptional friends through blogging and I treasure every one. So thank you one and all from the bottom of my heart.

The Winner Is...

2009-11-21T12:48:00.007+11:00

Aurelia drew a name out of the Altoid tin for The Earth Sampler chart

Congratulations Kajsa!

Kajsa if you could please send me your postal address via the email button on my sidebar, I will get the Earth Sampler chart into the mail for you this week.

Giveaway

2009-11-20T08:20:00.002+11:00

Don't forget, tomorrow I will be drawing a name to receive the chart Earth Sampler by The Primitive Needle. Make sure that you leave a comment on this post only saying that you would like to be entered into the draw.

Earth Sampler

2009-11-11T16:01:00.003+11:00

First I would like to say thank you to all the lovely people who sent me emails of condolences for the passing of my grandmother. I think I have sent all of you an email of thanks. My family and myself appreciate all the sentiments and that your thoughts and prayers were with us during this time.

Well, well, well! My missing threads finally came in and I was able to finish the last few numbers of Earth Sampler. I was on such a role and then I ran out of WDW Charcoal. It took several weeks for my order to come in and then I somehow lost my enthusiasm to finish. The other night I decided enough was enough and I pulled that baby out of the basket and finished it, yeah!!

Design: Earth Sampler

Designer: The Primitive Needle

Fabric: 40ct Natural linen by SewItAll

Thread: Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works

I received this chart from Karen when she had a giveaway on her blog. Now I would like to do the same here. If you would like to go into the draw for the chart "Earth Sampler" by The Primitive Needle, just leave a comment indicating that you would like to be entered in the draw. I will be drawing a name on the 21st November.

A few weeks ago I had read on Cheryl's blog that she was trying the Motivated Mums, chore planner. Now, I am terrible at getting my chores done and sometimes the house is quite disgraceful. So I downloaded the last few months of the year planner and I am giving it a trial to see how I go. I started on Sunday, and so far it seems to be working. The house is cleaner than ever before, but I have two whinging, whining children who seem to know when I need to get work done and are on a mission to make the house as messy as possible. The two follow me around wanting to be picked up and carried about, they pull things from the shelves and cupboards and spread them throughout the house. I love my kids to bits, but they can be so trying at times. Some chores take a long time, especially with three bathrooms in the house and with two kids, some chores need to be done a little more often than the planner suggests, but so far so good. The only things I can't seem to get done are the Sunday "Pamper Yourself" and the daily "Quiet Time". Oh well, can't win them all!