Packed Post

Lots of things to show you…so I will keep the wording on the light side….firstly I can reveal my exchange received and sent for the Summer Holiday Exchange on the “Stitched With Love Exchange” blog…this is what I received from April…

and this is what I sent to Shannon…

I stitched Tanya’s freebie “To The Beach” using hand-dyed linen and Crescent Colour threads and edged it in ruched ribbon.

I finally got around to making up some pillows today..

I did have a little spurge at my favourite shop yesterday….a mug in a tin, sewing scissors in a case, vintage buttons (used on the pillows), a fat quarter bundle and some green/rosebud fabric (used for the garden pillow)

No more writing…it’s getting late…have a good Monday

Hugs & Stitches

As Promised…

Here is my Just Nan “Needlestory” HD, I just loved stitching this piece, it was my first JN design and it certainly won’t be my last.

 

I stitched it using DMC threads and perle with Kreinik gold braid on 28c Antique White Jubilee.

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

News from the cubby hole under my stairs…

Well I am back online after my house move…there has been many teething problems including shutters which could not be removed, no gas for heating, broken windows and doors topped off today by a mains gas leak so all fun here…all on top of the most dreadful cold/flu bug which we have all had for the past 10 days…but hey ho these things are sent to try us. My pc is currently in its residence in the cupboard under the stairs which once it is decorated and empty of boxes will be my little office space for doing my “paid work”.

I have been managing a little stitching during the move, I just kept one project unpacked which was my Just Nan NeedleStory design which I put the last stitches in last night…I just need to add a final few beads and charm this evening and it will be ready to be photographed.

On the day I was originally due to move (which was then put back a week) I received a package from Yasuko in Japan for the Stitcher’s Showcase “Spring” Exchange and here is the lovely contents of this package for you to share…

She included the most delightful extras too, some Japanese fabric, threads, a wooden needle box and a package of needles too….a delightful package to receive I’m sure you will agree.

Another treat came in the mail on Saturday, I am a member of the “Stitch It & Pass It On” blog and and the final person on the “Four Friends” rotation, Hazel was the person to stitch and pass on the finished piece to me and here is the gorgeous pinkeep she sent me she has stitched it using her own choice of Crescent Colour threads…thanks so much Hazel I love it.

I now stitch the design and finish it in my own way and pass it on to Tracy to complete the rotation.

Lots to do in the house….the whole place needs decorating (it’s a tip being honest), but it will take time (and money) but I’ll get there in the end….here’s a few piccies of the kitchen and lounge to give you an idea….check out the original colour wallpaper before it was nicotine coloured….lol

So my blog will now have house improvement pictures occasionally as well as stitching for you all to share….lol.

I am very behind with all my blog reading…about 800 posts behind in fact so please bear with me whilst I get back on track…

Back with JN pictures tomorrow hopefully.

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

You’ve Been Framed!!

I finally managed to get to the Range at the weekend and get a couple of frames to frame a couple of finishes, firstly a 2009 finish Primitive Betty’s “Spring Tyme Sampler”, it’s impossible to buy square frames unless there is already a picture in it, so that is what I had to do…here it is…

My second framing was Carol’s “Sew Pink” design, which I found difficult to find a frame for it as it’s not a standard size, so I had to make a fabric & ribbon trimmed mount/border for it…

 

Not a lot of stitching took place on my JN SAL piece last night as it took 3 hours to do the framing, but I managed a few satin stitch strawberries and mosaic flowers during Law & Order UK and Larkrise to Candleford which I recorded from Sunday evening as I am a Dancing on Ice addict…lol!

I am waiting with baited breath for the mail this week as I have some packages on their way, firstly 2 pairs of Yuko’s divine scissors, 2 charts from Tanya at The Sampler Girl; “Jane Austen & Me…The Emma Project” and “From Pleasant Hill” and I also purchased a couple of Stacy Nash charts from Staci, that should make a change from the bills!!

I am doing well on my scarf knitting project…about half a scarf knitted so far…I hope to finish it so I can wear it at least once this year…they do say to expect more snow so that may be a reality.

Hope you all have a good week and as always many thanks for all your comments I really do appreciate your time and compliments.

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

A PIF, An Exchange & A Happy Dance

Good morning on this drizzly damp Saturday, a good post day here, firstly the postman arrived with a parcel for me this morning from Chris, I had forgotten that I was one of her PIF recipients and I opened the parcel to reveal this gorgeous scissor pouch, scissors and beaded fob all in my favourite girly colour “PINK”

One side of the pouch has my initial and the other side a gorgeous Quaker motif, it’s finished beautifully and the scissor fob has a gorgeous bee charm. Thank you so much Chris I just love it.

 

Conny has messaged me to let me know that the replacement exchange has arrived for the Lizzie*Kate Exchange Blog.

This design is L*K “Spring-ily Boxer” which I stitched on “Count on Me” “Perfect Pastels Green” 28c Jubilee using the recommended DMC threads, I used my own mini heart buttons to personalise it and finished it as a long cushion with a matching green ribbon.

Finally my Happy Dance, I mentioned in a previous post that I had started stitching The Sweetheart Tree’s “Opalescent Heart” for my Mum as a Mother’s day gift, I finished finishing it up last night…or actually at 12.34am this morning…my eyes were boggling with the beaded edging but I wanted to complete this so I can then get on with completing my LHN “Pear Tree”

I stitched this piece on 28c jobelan in “Mushroom” with the recommended DMC threads using Mill Hill beads in frosted pink, metallic pink and miscellaneous pearl beads from my stash.

I backed it with the same fabric and used the metallic beads to edge it too…The design appeared in the GOSM June 2007.

I have stuck to my rotation again this week, my JN and CB SALs are coming along well, I want to complete my LHN ornie and make a start on the next one.

I have also made a start on knitting my scarf…it’s looking great, I like knitting as you can just pick it up and do a few rows when you have a spare few moments and before long you are making good progress.

A quiet weekend here…not really sure one what I am going to do really, as long as I fit in some stitching then I will be happy.

Hope you all have a great one whatever you do.

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

January Progress & Other Offerings

Well that was a quick month, but I am delighted in how much stitching I managed to achieve.

Here is where I am on my WIP’s

First my “Bouquet for Cheryl” piece, for the Stitchers Showcase SAL, I am so loving stitching this design and I love the thread I have chosen. I am stitching it on 32c Murano in Vanilla using Dragon Floss in Precious.

Secondly my Just Nan SAL piece which I am stitching with the girls over at the Stitch & Stash board, again I am loving this, it’s my first ever JN piece and certainly will not be my last, highly addictive.

My third SAL this year is the LHN Monthly Ornament SAL organised by Vonna, this month is “Pear Tree” and here is my progress on the second ornament.

I haven’t made a lot more progress on BBD “Their Song” as I have only stitched on this for one evening this month…but I have added about 3 small motifs..

I have been doing some smalls stitching too, firstly a re-stitch for an exchange piece which I posted on the 9th January which has disappeared in the postal Bermuda triangle, so I cannot show this. Secondly I am also doing another repeat stitch on the “Sweetheart Tree’s Opalescent Heart” which I stitched for myself about a year ago, my Mum has always admired it, so I have decided to stitch this for her for Mothering Sunday.

I have started knitting again, I started with dishcloths to get myself back into practice and when I went to Helmsley last Saturday I found a little wool shop so couldn’t resist in a little purchase…these bargains were only 50p a ball…perfect for a scarf I thought. :)

Then I found these lovely colours in Boyes on Friday…something for Martha I think will be made from these…

I didn’t have a bag for my knitting, so I decided to put one of my Cath Kidston bags to use…

Almost done folks….lol

Thought you may like to see this picture of my monkeys…cuties eh!!

Well that’s all folks….as always a huge thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my waffles..much appreciated.

Have a great week

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

More Progress Pictures

Not a very exciting title…but I couldn’t think of anything better…lol!

I have been following my rotation really well and am really enjoying stitching on a different piece each day…

Monday night is my Just Nan SAL night and I stitched another 2 small bands last night, there is only 14 in total so I will probably not stitch on this now until next month and carry on with my WIPs and UFOs on a Monday instead.

I have made a little progress with the second LHN ornament and hope to make some more on it this week.

I am just loving stitching this Smalls piece it’s “Sew Pink” by Carol at “iStitch”, I am stitching it on Count on Me hand-dyed 28c evenweave in “Rose” using Dinky Dyes silk in “Tinkerbell”.

My final picture is my WIP progress of BBD “Their Song”, which I am stitching on my own tea-dyed Jubilee fabric using the recommended threads.

My other SAL piece is “Bouquet for Cheryl” but progress reveal is not until 5th February so I won’t reveal that until then, tonight is my stitching evening for this piece, but I have a School Governors meeting so I hope to get an hours stitching on it this afternoon whilst Martha has her nap and maybe an hour when I get home after the meeting…depending on how long it goes on for.

Martha now has 7 teeth fully through and more trying to get through…she is standing unaided and walking now with help…so almost on the move…lord help me!!

Well the washing machine beckons so I must keep it happy and the sooner the chores are done then the sooner I can sit and stitch…

Have a good day!!

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

Progress…

I am taking part in the Just Nan SAL on the Stitch & Stash board and have set aside Monday evenings to stitch on this piece, it’s my first ever JN piece and I am loving it…here is my progress on Needlestory so far…

I have been working on my “Bouquet for Cheryl” SAL piece and am also loving this too, I can’t show you progress pictures on this until 5th February…

I have completed a PIF gift and that will be on its way across the ocean to Carol tomorrow, once I know she has received it I will share it with you.

The snow is finally melting here but it’s still a big struggle pushing a pram through it to school and back twice a day…I will have great arm muscles…lol!!

Well no more news here so I will sign off for the night…

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

Happy 2010 (lots of photos)

Gosh it doesn’t seem long since we were celebrating the millennium and here we are 10 years later…where do the years go :0(

Well like the rest of the UK we are blessed or unblessed (your choice) with snow…here are a few photos I took this morning I went out in my crocs and my feet disappeared that is how deep it is here…

My poor bird bath is looking a bit worse for wear, but I have been putting bird food out over the past few weeks to ensure our little feathered friends have their lunch!

We had a quiet new year, like many I think…here are a couple of photos of the kids for you to see..

   

I went shopping over the weekend and bought a few little treats for me in the sales..

This box was a bargain at £8 from Dunelm Mill and is perfect for all my current WIP’s and SALs…. This one I just had to have…it is on my stitching cabinet but haven’t decided what is going in it yet…another bargain £5 from the Range..   

Stitching wise…I have completed my exchange piece for the Lizzie*Kate blog but cannot show a picture of that yet. I have made a start on my Just Nan SAL piece and my “Cheryl’s Bouquet” SAL piece and am enjoying them. My second LHN ornie chart arrived from DSL this morning so I will kit that up ready to make a start. I intend to work to a rota during the week, leaving weekends to stitch on what I fancy, I don’t get alot of stitching done on a weekend as Mark is usually here and we are out and about doing stuff.

Well it is snowing again here…so wrap up and stay warm…

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x