Christmas Cardinal & Crochet

Not a lot of stitching to show you, but I have just finished up my July Ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL….

Crossed Wing Collection ‘Christmas Cardinal’ November 2000 Free Chart

Fabric – Wichelt Linen ‘Lambswool’

Threads – DMC

Finished as a flat hanging ornament

I have also managed a little crocheting on my throw….it’s about half way there…

I’ve spent quite a lot of this week studying and working in the garden….the constant dry and short sunny spells have allowed it to grow like wildfire…so I have been tackling the grass and weeds. I have been reading about body parts as exhibits this week…not a pleasant subject but more interesting than you may think and also researching lunar rocks for a group project…talk about diverse!!

More studying and gardening and sorting on the cards for this week….hope you have a great week!

Hugs & Stitches

Christmas, China & Crochet…

Back again, 3 posts in as many days, I am really spoiling you this week, I seem to have got some order into life this past week, I’ve caught up with my studies, laundry, household chores (well most of them…some can wait..lol!).

I  finished my June Christmas Ornament…here it is…

Giulia Manfredini – Christmas Heart (GOSM November 2011)

Fabric 28c Ivory Evenweave (stitched over one)

Needlepoint Silk in Peacock Green & Crimson Tide

Finished as a heart ornament with ruched ribbon trim.

I crocheted up these little cuties last night…I thought my 2 candles were looking a little plain…so an hour later, they looked like this…

My Mum has been having a loft clear out, she used to collect antique china but has now sold them all, but she thought I would appreciate these little treasures…

……aren’t they just beautiful, they are Royal Doulton, I have just been to buy some plate stands…they will look divine on my kitchen shelves!

Here is what I spend yesterday morning doing…some framing and hammering…

my wall is getting fuller….just got to finish off my kitchen then my stitching sideboard can come downstairs and will live in the alcove just below these….

Finally Lei emailed me to let me know that my private exchange to her had arrived and that she loves it…I’m delighted she does, I wanted to do a bright and summery design….

Lizzie*Kate – Life’s A Beach

28c evenweave – Sassy’s Hand painted French Vanilla

DMC threads own choice

Finished as a pinkeep with ric-rac trim

That’s all folks…..have fun in the sun today….

Hugs & Stitches

A Fleeting Visit

It’s been a busy one today, the kiddiewinks have gone to Grandma’s & Grandpa’s, I have spent the day doing housework and laundry catch up, baking some fruit loaves and ironing our Sunday best ready for tomorrows First Holy Communion Mass, it starts at 9.30am so an early start!

A little stitchy stuff to share with you…I finally got around to making my Gingerbread Village May ornie up for the Christmas All Year Round blog…here’s a pic

I also completed my June ornie too, I haven;t made that one up yet but here is a piccie..

Giulia Manfredini – Christmas Heart (GOSM November 2011)

28c Ivory Evenweave  (stitched over one)

Needlepoint Silks – Peacock Green & Crimson Tide

Finally I finished one of my UFO….this had been in my in and out pile for ages…but I decided it was so near completion to get my finger out and finish it…

Little House Needleworks – Prairie Sampler

28c Wichelt Linen Lambswool

Crescent Colour Threads

I started this early 2010…not quite sure of the date…Completed 15th June 2012

I am now selling this chart if anyone is interested please email me!

Thanks for visiting today…enjoy your weekend!

Hugs & Stitches

The Sun Has Got His Hat On…. (Photo Heavy)

…..hip hip hip hooray! Finally we see the sun after months of cold and rain, we are finally basking in glorious weather…it does make you feel so much better…..apart from the humidity but we can;t have it all can we…lol!

It was school sports activity day Monday last and it was Martha's first one…she had a fabulous time joining in with all the other children, they were both in the same team…

I received little Miss’ school yesterday…I’ve taken a snapshot of it to share with you all…

still not a lot of stitching done, there are so many other chores to do at the moment, especially the garden with this warmer weather, but I did finish up my May Christmas Ornament for the SAL, the theme was Gingerbread person…(apologies it’s not been pressed yet), I added some mini buttons and used black beads for the eyes…

Little House Needleworks – Gingerbread Village

28c Quaker Cloth Light Mocha – DMC threads

The crochet hook has had an outing though….I finished up this little gift for my gran, it’s a little tissue pouch…with Cath Kidston tissues inside too…!

I managed a few more stripes on my throw….it’s going to be big when it’s all done…

These beauties came home with me this week…Cath Kidston of course!

this is a perfect addiction for my ever growing yarn stash…

as you can see……

and I couldn’t resist these…they smell divine too!

A little study update for those of you who are interested, I have submitted my End of Module Assignment and my course officially ends tomorrow….I am now into weeks 3 of my newest module and it’s fascinating, I will keep you updated.

A little life update…I have now lost 27lbs in weight and have started swimming, I went for the first time yesterday and bearing in mind it was my first exercise in 25 years, I managed 9 lengths of an Olympic sized pool….I am aching today though I tell you…lol

I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine….thanks for visiting!

Hugs & Stitches

Bitten!!

Yes I have been bitten well and truly by the crochet bug, after wanting to do it for so long, I am totally addicted to it…I have crocheted half of the first pot holder, I need to do two to be layered on top of each other to be the required thickness…I then have another two do afterwards too…here’s one of them…it is the same blue cotton yarn I used to knit my tea cosy!

I also jumped if in feet first and began a throw/blanket….here is a few hours work so far on it…..it will be a large project so will take some time to complete…

I managed a little stitching last night whilst watching Lewis, here is my Gingerbread Village for my May Christmas Ornament…No other stitching has been achieved, I have 2 small motifs to complete on my Round Robin piece, then it’s all ready to travel!

I had to pop into town this morning to the post office, so grabbed a few bits and pieces whilst I was out….being a student, gives me the perfect opportunity to satisfy one of my other addictions…stationery…lol…after a quick visit to WHSmiths and Rymans, I purchased these…lol…I have my first tutorial for my new module this weekend, so they will be put to good use!

When I returned from town, a envelope containing a lovely gift from my gorgeous friend Michelle had arrived…here is the gift…a wonderful magnetic bookmark from the Jane Austen museum in Bath….

and it has already been put to use on my current text book….Thank you so very much Michelle xx

Finally a little monkey picture, it’s been a while since you have seen one….

Thanks for visiting today…..

Hugs & Stitches

Crochet and Sacred Sites!

Strange title I know but that is what my last few days has been all about….I spent 6 hours yesterday writing my End of Module assignment on Sacred Sites, Pilgrimages and Mass Tourism….2005 words done, it has headed to my mum for a “fresh eyes” read over, then just some tidying up to do with it and I can submit it! My new module began last weekend, I have completed my introductory activities and will start on the real stuff later today, it’s called Making Sense of Material Culture, therefore studying and analysing objects, relics, remains etc.…very interesting stuff! I had a rummage around a charity bookshop the other day and discovered these treasures …which will be of use for my next module!

I have managed a small amount of stitching here and there throughout the week….I finished my third little heart for my PIF on Facebook, it’s by Alexandrina, I used DMC threads.

Secondly I started my May Christmas Ornament for the Year Long Christmas SAL…it’s LHN Gingerbread Village, May’s theme is Gingerbread person/s!

Sally very kindly sent me Shepherd’s Bush “The Journey” that she had completed, Barb had very kindly passed it to her, so once I have stitched it then I in turn shall be passing it along!

Sending you get well hugs and wishes too Sally!

Crochet…as many of you may know this has been on my to learn list for several years…I tried late last year but it didn't quite work, but I bit the bullet and watched some YouTube tutorials, my first attempt was very wonky and odd, but here is my second attempt…I am going to start on a blanket/throw in the next few days so will show you progress on that!

Finally for you fellow tea lovers….my Mum works where I used to work and a few of the weekend girls which work there are students from the university who are over from Taiwan, they have just returned from a visit back home and brought these little gifts back. Mum is not a tea drinker but she knows I am…

 

Chrysanthemum tea…in little muslin bags…aren’t they sweet…I am going to have one of these later today!

Well the sun is shining but there are many black clouds in the sky, so I am going to get the strimmer on my back garden which is resembling a meadow at the present time…before the rain decides to fall…yet again!

Have a great Sunday…Hugs & Stitches

This & That

Just a quick catch up over at study house…lol…I received my mark back from my previous essay 3 marks short of a distinction, so I was delighted, I am now working on my Sacred Spaces/Pilgrimage end of Module assignment….and my new module started today too, so am taking my new study companion up to bed with me for a read before sleepy time….

It was lovely Michelle’s birthday on Thursday, I wanted to stitch her something special to go along with her other gifts…this is what I chose, Michelle messaged me to say she loved it, so I was delighted!

Happy Day – Subrosa free design here

Fabric: 32c Murano – Ivory

Carries Creation Threads

I’ve done a little stitching this week…I am making some little gifts for a PIF I have taken part on on Facebook….I’ve completed 2 and have another 3 to complete…I’m going to finish them into little lavender filled hanging heart shaped sachets!

Heart Free Designs by Alexandrina here

Fabric 28c Jobelan – Antique White

DMC threads – personal choice

I have chosen my May ornament for the All Year Round Christmas SAL…LHN Gingerbread Village…it’s my first ever gingerbread person design so I’m looking forward to it!

I treated myself to some goodies this week….

and the reason I did this is…because I have finally started doing this…

yes it’s a bit untidy and wonky and I’ve obviously added a stitch somehow at the end of each row…lol….but for my first attempt at crochet I’m pleased….I’ve been watching tutorials on YouTube which have really helped me…it can only get better with practise…!

Well girls and boys, it’s getting late here, I have reading to do and essay planning to do in the morning, so I shall bid you all a goodnight and a Happy Sunday and to my UK friends a Happy Bank Holiday too!

Hugs & Stitches