To have and to hold...

I stitched this for the happy couple.

It has been a year for wedding this year, DD was married in April, as was a work colleague and then last Saturday I took Dad to Skye for the wedding of a very dear friends' daughter. I saw Skye at its very best dressed in sunshine. The wedding was a treat, kilts apleanty, but sadly no bagpipes. I excelled at the welly tossing, but couldn't hit the Haggis!

Taking a road trip

Off to Skye with my dear old Papa, to a wedding here http://www.flodigarry.co.uk/ I am hoping for bagpipes and kilts at the very least.

Bit of a theme ...

Prarie schooler - When Witches go riding

Just Nan - Moon Riders - Jasper

Just Nan - Moon Riders - Jinx


M Designs - Trick or Treat

Maryanne Moreck - Pumpkin Fridge Magnet


Stitching away as you can see - hadn't realised I had a theme going.

LHN exchange to Aubree

I have just read that Aubree has received her LHN exchange. She has taken some lovely photos here http://meadows08.blogspot.com/ I stitched Cherries, using recommended threads on 28 count Antique White linen from my stash, and made it into a tote bag.

Quaker RR 2010

Here at last is the first section of our Quaker RR for 2010.

We are stitching "The Hunt" by Homespun Samplar, designed by Linda McNally

I am stitching on 32 count Zweigart Belfast Linen Antique White

Using Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colours in Fading Ink
Having just posted this picture I can see a glaring mistake - looks like I'll be unpicking now!

So much for being finished.

HOE LHN exchange

I received this lovely ornament from April in the recent LHN exchange on HOE.

Another finish

Another stitched piece finished - well the stitching part at least! This is one of the delightful series that is designed by Carol at http://istitchaholic.blogspot.com called "Sew Autumn". It was stitched on a 40 count cream linen, using Gloriana silk "Autumn Arbor". It was a great stitch for me. Now just have to "finish" it!

A week of contrasts

The white stuff looks set to be with us for a while longer, very picturesque, but chilly!
Because I have made a major counting error on my Willie's square, I was already to bin it! But wiser heads than mine advised leaving it for a while and coming back to it with fresh eyes, so that is what I decided to do. Here is my new start "Sew Autumn", stitched on 40 count cream linen, using Gloriana silk "Autumn Arbor"

My Willie square, the alphabet does not match up on the right hand side, I am 4 threads out - have looked and looked, but cannot see where I have "gone wrong. If you can see my error, please let me know, I will be very grateful.

Finally a HD for the new year, I completed this LHN Wool Needlebook for my friend Gillian, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. Gillian was one of the first people I met when we moved into the village 20 years ago. She has been a great friend, always ready with a cuppa and a share loved of all things stitching!

LHN Needlebook, stitched on 32 count Flax linen, using recommended DMC threads. Finished using brown hobby felt and buttons from Boyes.

I have also started a Rotation for my stitching this year, when having a clear out after Christmas, I discovered my paperwork for the rotation I did in 2006, I seemed to complete a fair number of items, so am having another go!

Thank you for your comments on my last post, it was a lovely welcome back after such a long break.

Time for ...

an update!

Sorry if you thought I'd left the planet, just had an unintended break from blogging. A New Year often heralds a new start so here it is...

Firstly the return of my Quaker Friendship RR, isn't it just beautiful. I chose a hand dyed linen and Gloriana Silk "Autumn Arbor", the effect is really stunning. Thanks to Jinger, Deb, Sharyn, Marti and Lynda for sharing this stitching adventure with me.

Belated seasonal wishes to all, I received these very smart Emma Bridgewater mugs for Christmas, they make for a very festive cuppa!

and lastly, deep and crisp and even it is, making car deforsting a chore, but window viewing a delight!

Happy New Year

Clare

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?

QFRR - my progress on Jinger's piece

I am participating in a Quaker Friendship RR. Here is my progress so far on Jinger's http://raeofsunstitches.blogspot.com/ piece.

A great big thank you to all who responed to my sock SOS.

It seems I was knitting on the wrong side of the needles!

I have started again - and will keep you updated on their progress - this WILL probably take all year, I am a very SLOW knitter.

(You have been warned.)

Sock SOS

A plea for help from all you sock knitters out there. I am attempting my first pair of socks, and am struggling somewhat - my problem seem to be that I am knitting this sock inside out! What am I doing wrong? Suggestions or remedies greatly appreciated.

Secret santa Swap

My stitching group held a secret santa Swap this Christmas. My partner was Heidineedlenecessities.blogspot.com/ and I stiched this cushion for her, it is a Lizzie Kate chart "Friendship begins with kindness".
Here is the full swap.

In return I was delighted to receive from Barbara www.granniesblog-barbara.blogspot.com. this host of delightful goodies. I have to say that the scarf and teacosy are most welcome, she also sent a lovely fabric bundle, threads and a book.

Thank you Barbara.

Happy New Year

May I wish each and every one of you a Happy and healthy New Year.