Round Robin & Other Stuff

Firstly thank you for your lovely comments and emails messages of support on my previous post, I’m trying to take each day at a time. It’s also been a worrying week as my Dad was rushed into hospital midweek, they still haven’t made a decision what is exactly wrong with him so it’s a waiting game…hopefully we may know more today with it being Monday as all the departments re-open on a Monday so he can have the scan he’s been waiting for since Friday!!

It’s a teacher training day today so no school, which looking at the horrendous rain and wind outside may be a blessing in disguise…I have had chat’s with the kiddiewinks and explained how I feel when they are naughty and arguing constantly, we have now set chore and behaviour reward charts so let’s see if they make a difference!

My Round Robin made it’s way back to me mid week, I had the top part to finish which I completed saturday evening…thank you to Angela, Lesleyanne, Lisa and Michelle for doing such a fantastic job on it……

Little House Needleworks – The Friendship Tree

32c Belfast Linen ‘Tea-dyed’ by me

Charted DMC threads

I will be framing this..eventually!!

(the chart is now for sale too, it’s in pristine condition as a working copy was used…email me !)

I have a few other little finishes to show you….firstly the scarf I have finished for my Dad for Christmas…

I eventually got around to making up my ‘Reading with Jane’ finish as a cube….it stands on my bookcase with all my Jane books :)

I also finished up a few felt decorations and some Christmas tree bunting…

which was put to use yesterday…when the tree was put up!

It was book week at school last week and on the Friday the children were asked to dress up as a literary character…..bet you can’t guess who Isaac went as…lol!

Well that’s all folks, I am busy hooking blankets and ear warmers for Miss M and myself and I now have orders from friends so plenty to do….as well as studying 5th Century Athens, theatre, the Acropolis and the Parthenon…..

Enjoy your week

Hugs & Stitches

Catching Up…...

Slowly but surely I’m catching up with everything, but my study and revision is eating into all my time, I have about an hour each evening for ME, but it’ll be worth it in the end…that’s what I keep telling myself anyway!

I completed the stitching on my portion (top left) of Lisa’s RR last night, it’s a lovely design and stitch…I hope Lisa is pleased with it so far…it will be travelling along to Michelle to complete the final section.

I also received my private exchange piece from Jo…and wow it’s wonderful, she couldn't decide which design to stitch so stitched them both and sent me a gorgeous double sided pillow..

Jo decided on 2 Erica Michael’s designs and used 28c tan evenweave and stitched with GAST, Stef Francis and DMC threads, the beaded trim is perfect and the gorgeous acorn button is just so sweet…thank you so much Jo I love it so much :)

I had a tutorial on Saturday morning and then went into York for a few hours in the afternoon, I had a wander around but was very good and didn't buy anything….but that’s probably because I steered clear of Cath Kidston, but I am excited to say that I can now get a 10% discount in her stores as a student card holder :), I did treat myself to these beauties though….such pretty colours…

I have organised my desk and bookcase ready for my next module….here is my next selection of module books and DVDs…

My new kitchen floor was put down on Friday and my new cooker arrived on Sunday…so finally my kitchen is almost complete, just a few little bits to complete then I will take some pictures of it all done :)

We are getting used to the 3 return trips to school each day….it won;t be fun in the depths of winter though…brrrr

Have a good week all and thanks for visiting

Hugs & Stitches

Still Around

Sorry I haven’t been around much recently, things have been getting a little on top of me, both Martha and I suffered from a viral infection for almost 10 days which generally made you feel listless, rotten and our entire bodies were covered in a lumpy itchy rash, everything got behind, finances, household chores etc., I am now getting back to normal..or as normal as possible.

The only good side is due to not being able to do anything strenuous, some stitching took place…firstly I completed my part of Lesleyanne’s Round Robin, it was a delight to stitch..I stitched the ‘Snowed In’ square….I finished this up very early it is not due to travel on until August, but I have lots of study to do the next few month so thought I would take the opportunity when I had it!

I also completed 5 items for a Facebook PIF I took part in….I used 4 free designs from Alexandrina’s blog and stitched them in pretty spring colours…I finishes them by adding a satin stitched heart or spider web stitch rose in the centre, I trimmed them with co-coordinating ric rac and a button.

I completed my first ever patchwork over the weekend…I used the patchwork pincushion template from Cath Kidston’s ‘Patch’ book….it has come out huge….Martha has decided she would like it for her dolly’s cot, which I have said she can, I will make another one with a smaller template…I used Provence Rose fabric in both green and blue and the blue and pink spots.

Once I had completed my bunting for the kitchen…which is still waiting to be hung….as I said everything has fallen behind, I had a little fabric left and I remembered I had bought these bright plant pots a while ago…so after a evening of a little had sewing and the use of double sided tape….this is what appeared…I now need to find 2 nice flowering plants to pop in them to brighten up my kitchen windowsill!

I had a little walk into York last week to blow away the cobwebs and found myself inside my favourite shop…lol…it’s didn’t take much arm twisting though I can assure you! I picked up the Provence rose fabric and this lovely mug which is a new design for this season….I love it so much and holds a sturdy sized cuppa!

Just before the half-term break, the school held a Jubilee party for all the children, they all had a great time, unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures which didn’t include other children so cannot post them, but I did get this one of little Miss tucking into nibbles….

Well enough of my waffling, it’s almost time to go to collect the kiddiewinks from school and nursery…we have a busy weekend, my little man is making his First Holy Communion on Sunday, so I will be back with photos early next week!

Take care….Hugs & Stitches

Just a Fleeting Visit….

I am still around, busy with blinds, window dressings and bunting making, lots of reading for my studies, I have a months overlap with the end of my current module which finishes at the end of May and my new one which starts at the beginning of May, so my blogging and stitching will be taking a back seat for a month or so!

I have made up a couple of recent finishes…which I showed you in my last post…

I’ve also made a start on my Round Robin piece, I’ve almost stitched my first part, I wanted to get it stitched before the start of May and study madness….just the final 4 little blocks and it’s ready to travel!

I received my first set books for my module which starts in September - Exploring the Classical World…

and also my first textbooks for my module which starts in May – Making sense of things: an introduction to material culture..

It’s my young man’s 8th Birthday on Friday…where do the years go? So I shall be back with some pictures for you to see!

Thanks for visiting my blog today

Hugs & Stitches

2 Little Ones and a Postie Treat!

The end of another wet and cold week, what’s the betting that when the kids head back to school tomorrow the sun shines and the temperatures increase…grrrrr!

I stitched a couple of little designs this past week that I can show you, firstly I discovered The Little Stitcher blog this past week and what beautiful designs, I chose this little one which I am going to make into a little teabag holder to go with a nice china mug (I still need to purchase) for my Grandmother’s 90th birthday in June….please excuse the creases, I haven't pressed it yet!

Secondly…this little design is for Isaac’s teacher as an end of year gift, I just wanted something small, I’m not sure how to finish it off yet….any ideas?

Bent Creek – Buzzzz

28c Jobelan “Olive” with WDW, GAST & DMC threads

My Round Robin design is all kitted up and ready to start, I’m using the recommended DMC threads and my own tea dyed 32c Murano fabric.

I received a lovely package in the post last week, I was one of 3 lucky stitchers to win one of Andrea’s stash spring cleaning lots and here it is…not only did it include the beautiful chart, but also the finishing kit too, isn’t it beautiful.

Also Andrea included the most exquisite hand made card..here’s a closer look..

Thank you so very much Andrea…I am very spoilt!

Finally just a bit of a study update for those who may be interested…if not just skip this bit…lol, I have now submitted all my set assignments for my current module, I can hardly believe it’s coming to an end, I have my 2000 word End of Module Assessment to write and submit, I have decided to choose the Sacred Sites and Spaces option as I hope to tag on a few Religious Studies/ Theology modules at the end of my Classical Studies modules. I spent a great day at Leeds Metropolitan University yesterday for a day school, attending lectures and workshops and then in true student fashion…finishing off at the pub!

I shall finish my waffling now, off to stitch and watch Titanic (very apt today) and then Homeland…which I have to say is one of the most fantastic drama’s I’ve seen in a long time.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and I hope you have a great week!

Hugs & Stitches