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

The End of A Long & Busy Week…

Wow it’s been one of those stinkers of a week, I have been feeling dreadful, with the most awful headaches, backache and generally feeling rotten, I finally managed to get an appointment with the GP yesterday…getting an appointment at my surgery is nigh on impossible, anyway I had the full check over, prodded, poked, everything tested and looked at….anyway I have a viral infection….which in layman’s terms I took to mean “we have obviously no idea what is wrong with you!”, they prescribed rest…yeah right, being on my own with a 7 and 3 year old….as if that is going to happen!

Anyway, the backache has slightly decreased today, I still have a headache…I had my eyes tested just before Christmas so I know that isn’t the problem, so I will just have to “sit it out” and see what happens.

I managed to submit my next assignment on Wednesday, 1500 words split into two assignments one about a Benin bronze artefact and and the other on museum displays…mmmm exciting eh!

Well…..onto nicer stitchy and knitty stuff, the kids were at their Dad’s last weekend so once I had done my daily 4 hours of study I managed some knitting and stitching, firstly 3 washcloths…3 different patterns, a garter striped one, a stocking and garter stitch square and a box waffle type one, all knitted in Lily Sugar & Cream.

I have been mainly working on larger projects and I was getting the finish itch, so I kitted up a few smalls, that I could finish quickly to satisfy my craving for a finish or two..

Shepherd's Bush – Be True

Fabric: 28c Belfast Linen – Antique Ivory

Threads: Six Strand Sweet – Huckleberry Cobbler, Mojitos, Gooseberry Compote, White Peach, Very Berry, Mulberry Wine & Oatmeal Cookies

Started 26.2.12 – Finished 27.2.12

I haven’t decided on how to finish it yet….

Primitive Betty’s – Strawberries & Bunny free design

Fabric: 32c evenweave – Light Mocha

Threads: DMC

Started 25.2.12 – Finished 26.2.12

I managed a little progress on my UFO..

I also kitted up my March Christmas Ornament for the monthly SAL too

Talking of SAL’s. Michelle and I start our new one this evening, we will stitch every Friday on it, we are stitching BBD Ann’s Sewing Tray, from the Schoolgirls Work book.

I also sent out the first of my private exchanges for the year to Mouse, I will reveal it when it arrives safely to Mousehouse :0)

Finally….(thank goodness I hear you say!), it was World Book Day yesterday and Martha had to dress up for nursery as a storybook character…she decided she would be Snow White for the day…

….also Isaac was delighted this week as he received a reply to a letter he sent to Julia Donaldson (author of The Gruffalo), it was handwritten by her and she answered all the questions…how fantastic eh!

Well thanks for reading and if you have got this far…you are certainly doing well!

Have a great weekend whatever you do!

Hugs & Stitches

Sweet Cherries

As soon as I saw this little freebie design…I just knew I had to stitch it…because I love cherries, they are my favourite fruit…

“Le Temps des Cerises” freebie from Le Chalet des Perelles it can be found here

Stitched on 32c Murano “Vanilla” with DMC’s stitcher’s choice

Finished as a little ornament using Cath Kidston cherry fabric (as shown on my Stitching Journal) with a red ruched ribbon trim.

Last night didn’t go quite as planned…Martha decided to take a tumble at dinner time and bumped (an understatement) her mouth on the corner of her toy box…which consequently led to a 4 hour wait in Accident & Emergency, her top teeth had cut through her bottom lip leaving a large v shaped gaping gash…I have never seen so much blood…I was covered in it and so was she…good job it was only the hospital we were going to, they have seen worse I am sure. We had to wait to see a facial injury consultant so they could decide whether to operate to stitch it together…but finally a decision was made to leave it to heal naturally as they didn’t want to have to put her under general anaesthetic. She slept well last night (Calpol induced) and is quite bright and breezy today…she has managed to eat some plain simple food and drink juice…but is happy with her dummy today..kids eh…they certainly know how to panic us!

Hopefully stitching will commence this evening…

Hugs & Stitches

Sunday Show & Tell (photo heavy)

Wow it seems an age since I last posted to my blog, but with the half-term holidays, blogger playing up and general life I just haven’t got around to it…. I have managed some stitching though….I did finish this on Friday evening…

The Sampler Girl “Sense & Sensibility” Sampler

28c Jubilee tea-dyed by myself using the charted DMC threads

Started 25th March 2011 – Completed 3rd June 2011

For the TSG SAL at Needlecraft Haven (NCH)

My wooden cigar style boxes arrived from Craft Depot on Thursday..so yesterday (as childfree) I spent a good few hours making my first stitcher’s box, with my BBD design I finished a few weeks ago.

I used cream pearlised cording and a pretty floral fabric I had in my stash…I am really pleased how this has turned out.

    Marie has posted to the HOE blog that she has received my Prairie Schooler Season’s exchange piece which I sent to her…Edgar organised this exchange (thanks Edgar it was a fun one), our partner decided on which season they wished to receive…Marie chose Summer

Prairie Schooler “Summer” design – GOSM February 2008

28c Brittney “Olive” using the charted DMC threads

Finished as a pillow with a ruche ribbon trim

Last Sunday was reveal day for the monthly challenge over at NCH (shows how far I am behind!!)..I decided to stitch this in the blue & white colourway…finishing it as a lavender filled lace trimmed pillow for my Gran for her birthday this week.

Barb sent me a wonderful RAK a few weeks ago and then last week she also sent me the SB “Sophie’s Roses” chart she had just stitched and finished with…so I wanted to stitch a thank you for her…when I saw this little freebie chart (I have searched the net to find it but unfortunately cannot find the link) I just knew it was “Barb” as she adores sheep…I made it into a scissor/floss keep..

  

Elizabeth’s Designs Freebie “ Full Moon”

28c Beige evenweave using DMC threads of my choice

Well no more pictures…thank goodness you cry! Another childfree day today (until 4pm), so I intend to “break eggs with big stitcks”, some ironing to do, presents to wrap, grass to cut front and back, a couple of new starts to kit up….a new piece for the TSG SAL on Wednesday, I think I may do a few smaller designs to make into bedpost hanging pillows…I also am going to make a start on Sophie’s Roses, but just need to do a thread conversion on that…I also have made a start on scarf # 4 so I fit knitting in here and there….if I don’t have enough to do…!

Well waffling anymore will not get those eggs broken…have a great Sunday and enjoy it whatever you do!

Hugs & Stitches