"Almost" Happy Dances.....

The reason I say almost is that I have completed my Baby Sampler...apart from the date of course....I have now received a date for my caesarean which is Friday 21st November, but the little lady may decide she wants to make an appearance earlier than that....so we still are on tenderhooks. Almost everything is ready now for her arrival, cot and Moses basket ready, my hospital case all packed, nappies and muslin sheets all washed (yes I am being "green" and using real nappies).

The sampler is a Judy Whitman design based on American quilts, I stitched it on baby pink 28c Jobelan in DMC threads in lilacs, mauves and peppermint green, I am pleased how it is looking. Once the date is stitched on it, I intend to make it into a quilted wall hanging and have decided to use Cath Kidston Ballerina fabric. The reason I used DMC for this project was so I could make a wall hanging and not have to worry when it needed to be washed.

Now onto October goals, I am delighted to announce that I acheived every single goal this month....

1. Complete PAP Part 4 (Completed)
2. S&S - Monthly Challenge 2 Breast Cancer Peices (2 COMPLETED)
3. S&S Halloween Exchange Peice (COMPLETED)
4. Needle Nanny (COMPLETED)
5. X-stitch Monthly - Secret Santa Exchange Peice (COMPLETED)
6. Work on the Baby Sampler (Completed apart from the date)
7. SMO Baa Tuck Hanger (COMPLETED)
8. Start Sheep Sampler (Started)

Here is my PAP progress so far...

........and here is the progress on my Sheep Sampler (not a good picture)

November Goals....well I didn't want to over challenge myself for November, for obvious reasons, I hope to be able get some stitching done whilst in hospital, I will be in for 3-5 days...so a couple of small projects or my sheep sampler will go with me.

November Goals

1. S&S Christmas Ornament Exchange

2. Crafty Natter Christmas Ornament Exchange

3. RRFriends Birdhouse Ornament

4. PAP Sampler Complete parts5&6

5. Work on Sheep sampler

6. RRFriends Card & Thread Exchange

7. Christmas Gifts

And last but by no way least...here is my little pumpkin just before his trip of "trick or treating" last night....that pumpkin pail is now full of sweeties that will last 'til Christmas....!!

Well all my chores are done so I intend to settle down and do some stitching this afternoon....I think I will work on my PAP this afternoon and my Sheep sampler this evening...it's disco night on X-Factor so dig out them flares and platforms....lmao!!

Have a great weekend

Hugs

Almost October...

I know this post is a couple of days early but I love October...it could have something to do with it being my birth month. I am a libran and have been told by several sources and folks that I am a very typical one too. As I had some childfree time I spent a very good part of yesterday sorting all my stash and kitting up for for the next few months. Therefore I have decided to post my goals a few days early as I am so organised...LMAO

September Goals

1. Work on the Baby Sampler (GOOD PROGRESS MADE)
2. Complete PAP parts 2 & 3 (Parts 2 & 3 COMPLETE)
3. Work on LK Double Flips ("Listen" COMPLETED)
4. X-stitch Monthly - Autumn Exchange (COMPLETED)
5. 4 Christmas Ornaments (4 COMPLETED)
6. MFC - Floss Tag Ring (COMPLETED)
7. S&S - Monthly Challenge (COMPLETED)

Well wasn't I a good girl this month...I am delighted that I managed to do everything I set out to do and maybe even a little bit more :)

So here are my October Goals

1. Complete PAP part 4

2. Complete 2 Breast Cancer Awareness peices for the S&S Challenge

3. S&S Halloween Exchange Peice

4. Needle Nanny

5. X-Stitch Monthly Secret Santa Exchange Peice

6. Patchwork Baby Sampler

7. SMO Baa Tuck Hanger

8. Start Sheep Sampler

I did get some stash delivered on Saturday...but silly me in my organised state, put it all away before photographing it, but here is a list of what I got: my fabbie and threads for my Beatrix Potter Sampler to start January 2009. My Sheep Sampler chart and WDW threads to stitch it, selection of pins, bobbins, floss rings and some special offer DMC's.

I have been good this morning, all the housework has been done and I have washed my first dozen Terry Nappies and they are blowing on the line, it is bright, sunny but somewhat chilly today. A beef and veg stew is in the slow cooker and now I can spend the afternoon doing what I want to, before going to school as it is parent's evening today. My mum is coming to look after the little man whilst I go and see his teacher and then both her and my dad are sharing the stew and dumplings with us.

Well lunchtime beckons and my tummy is telling me it is time too...have a good day.

Hugs

Happy Holly.....

Here is my 4th Christmas Ornament of the month...I am delighted as I aimed to make 4 this month and have acheived this!! It is one of the Lizzie*Kate Christmas Double Flips 2008, I haven' t stitched the full design, just the words, holly leaves and border.

I have backed it with Rose & Hubble fabric, which I had in my fabbie drawer and finished into a pinkeep, the ribbon is lovely too, red with gold dots on it, so is really Christmassy and red pins.

I also finished my Autumn Exchange peice for the Stitch & Stash forum today too, of which I can't show you a picture of for quite a while, reveal/opening day is 2nd November.....so a long wait is required!!

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments about my Cath Kidston goodies, for those of you who want to...you can order online from her website and there is also a list of all her shop locations too....maybe I should ask her for commission for getting everyone so interested in these tins...lol!!

I can't decide whether to stitch on my PAP sampler or the baby sampler tonight...I will see how I feel a little later when I get the chance to sit down.

Have a good evening...whatever you decide to do

Hugs

Stitch-a-licious Saturday

Well I have had an unexpected stitch-a-licious Saturday, Dave and the girls were due to come over last night for the weekend but both of the girls caught a 24 hour sickie bug so they could not come as obviously Dave didn't want to pass the germs onto us. So I thought I would do a bit of stitching today, well as much as my little chap allows me to. But a phone call from my mum at 10am changed that as my parent's were taking my neices to the seaside for the day and asked if the little man would like to go too...to which he said a big "YES"!! I therefore had a whole day to myself to do whatever I wanted...I therefore sat and stitched and finished all day long (apart from my frequent loo breaks, as baby bump is getting quite large now)

My first stitch and finish was my first ever Floss Ring Tag for the Monthly Finishing Challenge blog, the design is adapted from a freebie I had in my stash, I stitched it on a scrap of 28c cream Anabelle fabric using Dragon Floss thread in Thistle. I luckily have an eyelet making tool from my papercrafting, so was able to finish it straight away. It is not perfect but for my first attempt I am pleased with it.

This Christmas Ornament was also stitched and finished today, it is the Cat's Whiskers 2004 Freebie ornament which I stitched on 28c Coffee Quaker Cloth with Carries Thread in Plymouth Red. I backed it with some Rose and Hubble Christmas Fabric from my stash.

This was the peice I finished earlier in the week, I finshed this and backed it with some more Rose and Hubble stash fabric.

Here is my final finish for today it's the Prairie Schooler freebie for Christmas 2008, stitched on 32c Witchelt Linen in Lambswool using Carries Threads in Emerald and Holly Days again it is backed with Rose and Hubble stash fabbie.
I am delighted with my finishing today as it takes me even closer to completing my monthly goals, I only need to finish up my Monthly Challenge peice and make another Christmads ornament. I am going to spend the rest of this weekend working on the Patchwork Baby Sampler as it won't be long before baby bump is a bump no longer.

Happy weekend and stitching to you all

Hugs

A Christmas Cheer.....

That is what I am doing...cheering lol, why you may ask? Well mainly beacuse I have stitched my first official Christmas ornament peice, I say official as I have also completed the JA Stitch & Stash Monthly Challenge peice, which is also a Christmas design, which has also turned out rather nice if I must say so myself. This a picture of my official first peice, in it's un-made-up state.

Design: Jeanette Douglas Designs from the JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Edition Fabric: Witchelt 32c linen in Lambswool Threads: Carries Creation in Emerald & Kreinik Gold Metallic

I must admit I slightly adapted the design as I was only using the 2 colours, but am pleased how it has turned out.

I have started on Christmas Ornament number 2 today and that is a Prairie Schooler Freebie, that should hopefully be finished tonight, then I can have a mammoth make up of the 3 things tomorrow.

I usually stitch my family little gifts, like scented bags, cushions etc, this year I am stitching everyone a dated Christmas Ornament, which they can hang on their tree, so I am going to amend the goals for the month to 4 Christmas Ornaments and remove the presents.

Well almost time to pop the little man in the bath...I may be back tomoorw with some made up peices to show

Have a great evening

Hugs

Autumnal Finish

Here are a few pictures of my latest finish, it is for the Autumn Exchange on the X-Stitch Monthly Group, it is now on it's way to Gaynor in Ireland, I know that she does not read my blog so I am safe to pop the pictures up for you to see.

The design is a SanMan Originals Freebie called Autumn Spendor, it is stitched on 28c Annabelle in cream and stitched with the recommended Six Strand Sweet threads in Green Tea Ice-Cream, Spiced Orange Cider, Toffee, Sandy's Autumn Splendor & Spice Drop.

I backed the design with some pretty checked fabric in greens and oranges which I purchased from the little stitching shop in Gavray, France back in May, when on my stitching weekend and edged it with orange and green satin ribbon and gold and green pearl topped pins. I do hope Gaynor enjoys the pinkeep as much as I did stitching and finishing it for her.

I have managed to stick quite well to my rotation this past week, I did start doing some of my Papillion Sampler but I was so tired I only managed to complete a few flowers and I was away at Dave's on Saturday night so did not manage to get any stitching in then. I have been very tired this past week though, I think it was to do with getting back into the routine of getting up early for school and doing lots of housework as being honest I hadn't done hardly anything during the holidays, but I managed to crack on and get everything up to date, so now all I need to do is a little each day to keep on top of it.

I am about 2/3 through the stitching on the Stitch & Stash Monthly Challenge, I hopefully should complete that and finish it this week, then onto another small exchange peice.

I am excited as I have joined the Needleprint Beatrix Potter Quaker SAL Blog, I have been looking to start a traditional sampler for the past couple of years and when I saw this on Julie's blog, I went all giddy as it is just "up my street", so I contacted Hazel who has set up the blog and she has very kindly allowed me to join, I have emailed Jacqueline to purchase the chart, so finger's crossed I will receive an email back. I have an idea on the colours I will use for this, but I will keep that under wraps until I have made a firm decision.

Well enough of my waffles, time to carry on with some stitching before collecting the little master from school. Wishing everyone a great week.

Hugs & Happy Stitching

Sunny September and New Goals

Happy September to one and all....well after the terrible rain yesterday it is nice to see Mr Sunshine this morning, let's see how long he lasts, at least one thing it seems a bit fresher, the humidlty this past week or so has been killing me, it is bad enough when you are not pregnant, but heck when you are it is hell!!

August was a funny old month, being signed off sick and getting used to being at home full-time, meeting a new man and his children and getting back into stitching. I hope to be able to settle down in September and once little man starts school (tomorrow) I should be able to get myself into some sort of a routine.

Well here are my August goals and how I got on with them...

1. Work on the Baby Sampler - small progress made.
2. Complete PAP part 2 - no progress made
3. Bookmark Exchange (Private Exchange) COMPLETED
4. Monthly Challenge (Stitch & Stash Forum) COMPLETED
5. Scissor Fob (Monthly Finishing Challenge) - I ran out of time
6. Halloween Ornie Exchange COMPLETED
7. Mythical Beastie Ornament Exchange COMPLETED

In addition to the above, I made the Flower Garden Biscornu for my Mum for her birthday, so I suppose this took the place of the 2 things I did not achieve.

Here are my Goals for September...

1. Work on the Baby Sampler
2. Complete PAP parts 2 & 3
3. Work on LK Double Flips
4. X-Stitch Monthly - Autumn/Halloween Exchange (design decided on)
5. Complete 2 Small Christmas Ornaments (at least)
6. Complete 2 Small Christmas Gifts (at least)
7. RR_Friends - Birdhouse SAL (design TBC)
8. Monthly Finishing Challenge - Floss Ring Tag (design TBC)
9. Stitch & Stash - Monthly Stitching Challenge (design TBC)

I hope I have not over challenged myself, I intend to start a rotation of my stitching, so that I work on my WIP's a little each week and not just the smalls.

I hope everyone else has a great September, a big thank you to everyone who stops by and reads my blog and a special thanks to those who take time to leave a comment, they are all much appreciated.

Hugs & Happy Stitching

Torrential Rain Tuesday

Oh blimey...is this rain ever going to stop?? It is pouring down outside, poor Isaac has been stuck playing in the house for 4 days now...it is driving him crazy and me even crazier...lol!! We did go out into town for a few hours yesterday and had a fish and chip lunch and looked in the new Boots whilst I waitied for my prescription to be done...I am keeping gaviscon in business at the moment I think with this non stop heartburn I am suffering with....lol.

I just found this picture, isn't it lovely...such a feel good picture.

Well I have completed another goal on my August list, but I am unable to reveal it to you as it is for a secret private exchange, it is a bookmark exchange, I am delighted how it has turned out and I do hope my partner will be pleased too.

I am going to start on goal number 3 today which is a scissor fob for the Monthly Finishing Challenge, that should be completed today as it is only a small design in a few colours...then onto the JA Stitch & Stash Monthly Challenge design....I was good and kitted all the 5 smalls up on Sunday morning, so now I only have to pick each one up.

I want to get as much stitching done before Thursday as Dave and the girls are coming on Thursday to stay for a long weekend....I CAN'T WAIT....I am like a child on Christmas Eve all excited, I need to do the tidying up and some grocery shopping to be delivered on Thursday.

Not sure what we are going to do, I suppose that will depend on the weather....fingers crossed it is at least dry....Thanks for all your lovely comments on Elliott :)

Hugs and Happy Stitching

Elliott the Dragon

Stitched on 28c Antique white Jobelan in Six Strand Sweets Leprechaun Green, the pattern is an unknown freebie I had in my stash, it is backed with green checked fabric and edged with green ribbon and coloured metallic toppped pins in green, gold and blue.

I couldn't think what else to call him, then I remembered that Isaac loves the film "Pete's Dragon" and thed ragon in that film is called Elliott, so hence why the post is Elliott the Dragon...lol.

This little chap I have stitched for a themed exchange of Mythical Beasties for the Phoenix Stitchers, I do not know my partner for this exchange as yet and as the majority of them do not read my blog I decided it would be safe to pop a picture of three onto my blog, I finished the stitching last night about 9.30pm and then made it up immediately into a mini pinkeep, rather than an ornament...I think it looks rather effective.

So that is my first August goal completed....I have 4 more little projects to start on for this month, I have decided on the 4 designs, I just need to kit them up and then decide which one to start first...so once I have done the tidying around this morning and had a shower and got dressed that will be the rest of Sunday taken up....PERFECT!!

Happy Sunday to all

Hugs

A pinch and a punch....

for the 1st of the month....Happy August to all!!

I found this picture on the net and thought it was lovely

and it cheers up this somewhat boring post....lol

Well here is an update on my July Goals and how I got on:-

1. Food Themed Napkin (completed)
2. Monochrome/Redwork Exchange

(all stitched, finished and ready to go...)
3. Complete Listen & Learn L*K Double Flips

(I didn't quite manage this)
4. Make a Strawberry ((completed)
5. I Love Stitching Pinkeep (completed)
6. Restart Papillion Garden Mystery sampler

(Part 1 SS version completed and part 2 started)

I also started a Patchwork Baby Sampler which wasn't on the list....

I actually blame David (new chap in my life) for my lack of stitching this month...LMAO...he keeps calling me and we talk for hours each day...but hey guys I am joking....I like the chatting for hours everyday, I just need to get a headset so I can stitch at the same time...lol...now there is a business opportunity!!

Here is my August Goals...I think I may have been slightly over ambitious this month...

but we shall see how I get on...

1. Mythical Beastie Ornament Exchange

(The_Phoenix_Stitchers)

2. Halloween Ornie Exchange

(The_Phoenix_Stitchers) - can be deferred to September

3. Scissor Fob (Monthly Finishing Challenge)

4. Monthly Challenge (Stitch & Stash Forum)

5. Bookmark Exchange (Private Exchange)

6. Complete PAP part 2

7. Work on the Baby Sampler

A lot there to be getting on with...so some smoking needles vibes please to be sent to me....I intend to have a quiet weekend...in theory so hopefully I will make a mark on one of the above....

Happy stitching and weekend to you all...whatever you do!!

Hugs