Alphabets old and older

This is my progress on my Quaker square this week.

I am sorry the photo is such poor quality, I am just getting used to my new camera ( a touch too much flash there Butch!)
Despite the showers, I was out and about this week. I thought this inscribed tablet that I saw at Eggleston Abbey was just wonderful, especially when you consider it must be at least 600 years old!
I may just go back for a rubbing - when its dry.

Just Nan Exchange

I stitched the Jingle tin for Tracy http://madstitching.blogspot.com/
I am happy to say that she liked it.

Location, location!

Seem on a walk around our village earlier this spring - a welcome reminder that despite a dramatic turn in the weather today - we live in a very beautiful place.
This summer I aim to become a "local tourist" and catch up on all the places I see, every day, without really looking. Come join me.

From the Postman

On Monday morning the postman brought me
This great HOE Just Nan exchange from April

As well as this beautiful Blackbird design , from Encarnacion, for the Blackbird Exchange.

What a great start to the week.

So far...

This is the biscornu I stitched for Jen in the HOE exchange. The design was taken from the gift of stitching, using a pale blue linen and stitched with six strand sweets .
My christmas stitching to date - I am SO going to be ready this December!

A new start, Willie's Quaker Square #7.

No smoking needles - but progress nevertheless.

Look what came in the Mail...

I had a wonderful week last week, my mail was full of delights, firstly my HOE Biscornu from Jane. Thank you Jane - it is a Thea Dueck design stitched on Pewter linen.

Then Heidi http://needlenecessities.blogspot.com/ sent me this super scissor fob, with an acorn and leaf charm on the end,I love acorns! She wrapped it in the above fabric - which I thought was a lovely way to wrap a gift.

Then Nicola http://talesfrommyneedle.blogspot.com/ sent me this beautiful pinkeep. We had planned to meet up when she visited the Dales, however I had a family event and couldn't make it. So she sent me this. It is a Prairie Schooler design. Aren't the colours so fresh .

It cetainly made my week.

Springberries Needlecase

I stitched this lovely needlecase a design from Cinderberry stitches
Inside!

However I used a hand dyed thread, and didn't check for colourfastness.

As a result, when I steam pressed the design, the dye ran, as you can see here.

I was very disappointed, as I had planned to send it to a friend as a gift, my God-daughter, hearing of this, stepped into the breach and "found it a good home"!

I am working on a second attempt, with colour fast thread.

Why is learning from one's mistakes so painful?