Fair and Square from Kathy A

This is the delightful square and wonderful goodies I received from KathyA in the Fair and Square exchange - she very thoughtfully included threads and fabrics in my favourite colours, as well as a lovely Quaker chart, needles and holder.

Thank you Kathy - I loved it all!

A tiny treat

I stitched this recently for my friend Pam, and learnt that it had arrived safely.

Thread gatherer silk - Autumn Leaves, over one on a scrap of fabric I had.

Fair and Square part II

This was my exchange from SueW. Her design was adapted from a Drawn Thread design in beautiful subtle colours. Thank you Sue, I shall treasure it.

Fair and Square - Earth Day

My Fair and Square exchange to SueW.

ebay stash

My ebay win this week, 4 very pretty fat quarters - greens - sorry the photo isn't too clear. So now No excuses for not finishing anything.

Quaker Progress

A update on my progress on this delightful sampler. Hoping to add some more this weekend, or maybe have a new start! Mmmm...

Pillow Finish

A couple of photos of the pillow I stitched this weekend. Sorry about the light quality. This is what you get when you take pictures at night!

It was Sweet Exemplary by Ewe & Eye and Friends. Stitched on a remnant of hand dyed linen using American Thread company 1502. It was a fun quick stitch and finish, just to prove to myself that I can actually complete something . I have to thank my good friend Pam for this chart, thanks Pam, and also for the eggs you see in the background.

I was also busy finishing my Earth Day Holiday round for the Fair and Square exchange - but I can't show pictures just yet.

Happy Easter

This is the Easter arrangement I did at my flower class last Wednesday. The moss basket was made in class at Christmas, and has kept really well - a squirt with the water spray greened it up.

I then used those lovely orange-peach roses, and added a certain something with the wonderful ginuea fowl feathers. Surprisingly the small chocolate eggs have stayed put, (I did count them!) and the paper eggs were purchased from work.

My Mum loved to arrange flowers, so this is for her.

Happy Easter to one and all.

Rebecca Margaret Alice

21 years ago today we welcomed Rebecca into the world.

She has brought us untold joy, sleepless nights, stress, laughter, a unique view of the world, boyfriends, black t shirts, cats, a dislike of washing up, and a whole life time of love.

Thank you baby girl!

Progress ... Simple Little sampler

My progress so far... this is a very relaxing stitch. I am also using Petites for the first time.

A PS to the roof repairs that took place on Wednesday - they blew off again Thursday night - what did I say......................I'll leave that to your imaginations.

Thanks for all your lovely comments - they truly enhance my stitching and blogging experience.

Fair and Square exchange

My postman brought this wonderful exchange this morning. I had had a rather fraught morning at work, and this made my day. My exchange partner Tracyhttp://tajinaz.blogspot.com/ had included a pin cushion, hanging, space dyed threads and charms as well as stitching this beautiful peacock.

Thank you Tracy - it is delightful, your thouhgtfulness is much apriciated.

12 Houses - The Drawn Thread

12 Houses Sampler

The Drawn Thread

Stitched on recommended fabric using DMC threads

I finished this today. I have stitched it for an old friend of mine who will be moving house later this month. It was an enjoyable stitch, apart from the chain stitch on the right hand side, which I found difficult to make even! Off to the framers now.

Thank you for looking.

Beginning and End...

My new start this week Papillon Creations Simple Little Quaker, stitching on 36ct Chantilly creme with WDW Twilight.

This is my stitching for the first ornament of the Bride's Tree SAL. It was adapted from a freebie found at The Floss Box. It was stitched on Polstitches Mythical Mermaid using Gloriana silks -Cranberry and Vikki Clayton silks - Haywains.

We are also without several roof tiles and front guttering - thanks to the January gales last night - hay ho, is that another battle with the Insurance company I see looming ahead of me.

Unexpected treat

An unexpected treat this afternoon - an afternoon at home - as the forecast snow has arrived. This was the scene at noon today from my living room window. I wonder what I can possibly find to do - ? (HA HA)

Back at last...

It is nice to be back among the blogging community after an enforced holiday due to computer problems!

The Drawn Thread 12 Houses Sampler, I am using recommended threads and fabric.

Right: My Christmas stitching Heartstrings The Santa Factory, can't remember which fabric I used , but it was suggested DMC threads - I still have 4 small hearts to add at some point.

May I wish all visitors to this blog (new and old) a very Happy New Year, and wish you all lots of time and opportunity to stitch (and enhance your stash!)

Seasons Greetings - Ho! Ho! Ho!

Belated Christmas wishes and best wishes for 2008 to all my friends out there on the web.

This year has been full of changes and has brought me to a rather comtempaltive mood as we face another year. Age is really just a year tally, but it brings with it strange thoughts and the need for projects that stretch and challenge. Quite what these will be is in the lap of the Gods, but I feel the need to be bolder, and more focused, to plan and think ahead, not one of my strong points...

as the New Year comes a creepin' my thoughts turn to my Mum, who would have celebrated her birthday on New Year's Eve, forever the optomist, like her I will look for the "silver lining" while cloud watching.

Quaker Tree

I seem to be on a roll at the moment with my stitching - and am making the most of it.

This is a freebie from The Workbasket called Quaker Tree.

Stitched on 32 count Permin Linen (sorry don't know the colour) using Needle Necessities 139. Not quite sure how I am going to finish it - suggestions welcome!

The North wind doth blow....

The Drawn Thread

Four Fat Friends

Stitched on 32 count Antique Green Linen

using WDW threads

The North Wind doth blow

and we shall have snow

and what will the Robin do then poor thing?

He'll sit in the barn

and keep himself warm

with his head tucked under his wing

poor thing.

Traditional Nursery Rhyme

The first of my Christmas stitching , and a wonderfully jolly quartet they are - don't you think?

Like Mother used to make...

Talking with my DD the other day when preparing a meal, we were laughing about the fact that she can't make Egg and Tomato sandwiches that taste like mine - at least that is what she claims. But it got me thinking - because despite following her recipies to the letter, there are one or two dishes Mum used to cook, that I cannot replicate!

She used to make the most delicious Trifle, and I make it every "holiday", and yet there is always that question, its good, but not quite like Mum's. Likewise her Potato and Onion Pie.

Has anyone else come across this - or is it me!

3 Finishes this week

Tote made from a fabric bit I had in my box

Drawn Thread Little Spot sampler - using stated DMC threads

LHN Cherries using Crescent Colours

Please forgive the first photograph, and don't try and strain your neck looking at it, but it is a small tote I have made for my God-daughter for christmas. I was quite impressed with the finish, that I have another in construction,.

Finally the Drawn Thread little Spot sampler is finished - this has been a WIP for a while, and needless to say didn't take long to complete, once I'd sat down to it. The LHN Cherries, was a lovely quick stitch, both this and the Little spot were birthday gifts from Nicola.

Having this weekend at home to start some Christmas stitching - so who knows what I might achieve.

Thanks to everyone who has left comments recently - I do appreciate you taking the time.