Gift from Becka….

I was one of the lucky girls chosen to receive one of Becka’s Birthday packages this year….when I returned home the other day a lovely parcel was waiting for me on the doormat….some gorgeous fabric, lace, ribbon, a Halloween themed kit, some CK tissues, buttons…oh and some love heart sweets but they didn’t make it to the photo…tee hee!! Thank you Becka it was such a treat to receive it :)

I have finished a few Christmas gifts off this week….I am unable to show you those I’m afraid….but I can show you these….my finally finished kitchen complete with new floor, cooker and pinboard…it’s taken 10 months but it is finally there….

 

We went trick or treating on Wednesday evening, unfortunately the weather was unkind to us and we got absolutely soaked to the skin but the kiddiewinks loved it…..anything for copious amounts of sweeties…

I have been to a tutorial in Leeds this morning it was very interesting discussing Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad and looking at Greek pottery….the kiddiewinks have spent the day with my parents and have gone to a bonfire party, tomorrow they are with their Dad for the day so I hope to do some studies in the morning and some crafts after lunch…

Thanks for visiting my blog today and for all your kind comments,,,,

Hugs & Stitches

Hello Folks….

Brrrrr autumn is well and truly here….but I must admit it is my favourite season, darker nights, cooler weather and lots of cosiness in the house :) I am back to normal amounts of studying now that my exam is over and my first assignment has been submitted….therefore I have been able to do crafting…

Firstly I finished up the crochet Aran scarf for my mum for Christmas…

I have started one for my dad now, his is a darker chocolate brown Aran…

I have started this for Martha too, the first of two, this one will be for her bedroom and I will be hooking a pram blanket too for her new gift which Santa will bring :), her favourite colour is yellow so it is the main colour…this picture was taken a few days ago, I’ve done about 10 more rows since then so it’s growing very quickly.

I spent Sunday afternoon and evening doing this little beauty….

It’s from a company called Hatched and Patched, this is for a project SAL I have joined for 2013…more of that to follow, I used WDW threads, it’s ages since I did some embroidery and I so enjoyed it…I will be doing more very soon!

I have done some cross-stitch too but it’s secret exchange and gift stitching so alas no pictures this time.

I have been getting organised for Christmas, lots of gifts bought and made, more still to do….we also had a toy clear-out on Monday from the kiddiewinks bedrooms, some have gone to the charity shops and some have been sold on….I had a clothes clear-out too…feels good to have a good sort twice a year…I hate clutter, I love seeing it in others homes, but I can’ live with it…I wish I could!

My friends and I are taking the kiddies out trick or treating this evening, lets hope the rain stays away otherwise I will have a soggy ghoul and pumpkin to entertain..lol!

Finally….after 28 years I have finally done this….I started at 13 years old…

I gave up smoking on the 1st October, I did it cold turkey too, no patches, gum, electronic substitutes, it’s Day 31 now….I have put on a stone in weight but I am going back to diet class to deal with that….I am not going to beat myself up about that fact…..

I also have started to do some voluntary teaching, but not at school, I have become a Catechist at church, I am currently leading the First Holy Communion course for parents of the children taking their First Holy Communion next year, it is great as it has helped me to strengthen my faith and look at things differently too….

Well wishing everyone Happy Halloween….

Hugs & Stitches

Summer Iris from Gracie

Wow what a lovely package dropped through my letterbox today, this beautiful pin pillow from Gracie…for the Summer Exchange on the Seasonal Exchange blog…isn’t it wonderful I just love it….thank you so much Gracie!!

Not a lot happening here really, I have stitched up an exchange piece but cannot reveal that…my set books and DVD for my first course arrived from Amazon and I went into town to buy some notebooks, pens, hi-lighters etc for my note taking and some goodies for an exchange package…but apart from that a quiet week.

The kids are at their grandparents today so I am going to catch up with the ironing this morning and then sit and stitch this afternoon…which is something I don’t often get chance to do.

Hope you all have a relaxing weekend!

Hugs & Stitches

Miserable Monday :0(

…not me…just the weather, where is the heat wave they promised us, it’s like winter with the gales and rain!

I had a childfree weekend so I managed to finish a few little projects..I can show 2 but one is a secret stitch so can reveal that once it has been received.

Lizzie*Kate “Friendship Grows” freebie

32c Murano Ivory - DMC threads of my choice

Finished as a Brodiere Anglais lace trimmed pillow

Teachers gift

My third finish from the “Stitcher’s Journey” book…

BBD “Summer Stars” Pin Pillow

32c Belfast Linen “Raw Flax” – GAST threads as charted

Finished as a tasselled pillow

I have decided to mount my “Prairie House” finish on a wooden box, I have just placed an order for 2 lacquered cigar style boxes, so fingers crossed they won’t take too long to arrive. It will be my first box finish so I am hoping I don’t mess it up!!

I finished knitting Christmas Scarf #3, just the tassels to make and attach, then I will take pictures of them all for you to see.

I need to take a trip to town to Boyes for some more wool…may wait til next week as it’s the half-term school holidays..

A lasagne is in the oven for dinner…the kids and my favourite…and a homemade chocolate cake for pudding…yummy!

Hope to do some stitching on my CHS Gingham Dog & Calico Cat this evening…it’s fallen a bit by the wayside, have some catching up on it to do!

Have a good evening all

Hugs & Stitches

Frosty Flakes & Summer Pillow

I received a lovely package in the mail today, Lynn from the Seasonal Exchange blog has stitched me this lovely L*K design and finished it as a beaded edged pillow…isn’t it sweet…thanks Lynn I adore it!

I have managed to complete 2 pieces of stitching this past week, firstly the latest LHN ornie for the year long SAL…here he is…

LHN “Frosty Flakes”

Stitched on 32c Murano “Beige” using DMC threads and black seed beads

Finished as a hanging ornament with garden twine

I can’t wait for the next one…..I have also completed stitching LHN “Lavender Hill” this is a gift for my Mum’s birthday, I need to finish it and then I will reveal it for you to see.

I have also been busy Christmas gift making and popped into town this morning for a few supplies, I also picked up some lovely lace and ribbon for the pillow for my Mum.

Isaac is heading away on holiday with my parents and nieces tomorrow for a week…it’s the longest time we have been apart, but I am sure he will have fun. Mark, Martha and I are having a few days break next week at the East Coast…finger’s crossed for the weather…I need to decide what stitching to take with me…decisions decisions…lol!!

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

Catching Up…

Finally I am back on track with my Stitcher’s Showcase “Cheryl” SAL…it had fallen by the wayside, but following a week of stitching on it…I am now back on track for completion by the end of the year…(please excuse the crumpled fabric)

32c Murano fabric in “Vanilla”

Polstitches Dragon Floss in “Precious”

I have almost completed another LHN Ornie “Merry Skater” I will put the final stitches into that after lunch, I then have two to make up into ornies :0)

I have made a start on making my Christmas gifts….I can’t say what so you will have to wait…lol!!

Isaac’s last day of the school year today so he went with arms full of gifts for this teacher and assistants…I think they are watching a DVD after lunch today so no schoolwork…he is sure to come home with lots of pictures etc which he has made throughout the year for me to display!!

Hopefully the weather will be good this weekend as I have some gardening to do..I am still waiting for the trees to be removed so it limits what I can do, but as long as I manage to keep the grass cut and the weeds down then that is a good job done.

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

This “n” That

No stitchy pics to show you today, I have finished stitching LHN “Winter Sheep and need to finish it up as an ornie, I have also been stitching and finishing my final PIF which will be on it’s way to Gaynor in the next day or so!! I made a start on CCN “Little Ballerina’s” last night and ending up frogging it all as I miscounted…grrrr…so I will start that again today.

I have had a man free and child free weekend, Mark has gone on holiday with his family for the week, we were invited but I refuse to take Isaac out of school during term time…education I feel is too important. The children are at their Daddy’s so I have had lots of “me” time. I had to do a good dust and vacuum through yesterday morning as I have had the council in doing lots of repairs so lots of dust and mess…I got a new fire and surround…

also the “artwork” mentioned in my previous post which was all cleaned away, the internal doors were replaced and they measured up for my new front door as the other one also has “artwork” on it. The tree surgeon is coming this week to remove the dead conifers and cut the rest to a manageable level, then the new fencing can go up and they also need to remove all the rubbish from behind the trees'…finally things are moving!

I took a few pictures of my pots for you to see….

I can’t wait for those fuchsia buds to open…I chose a purple and pink fuchsia…my 2 favourite colours :0)

I will take more photo’s when they flower for you to see..

Off to do some stitching now I think..

Hugs & Stitches

Elisa x

Finishes & Filey!!(Photo Heavy)

I managed to finally complete and finish up some smalls last week as Isaac was off school poorly all week, he developed a viral infection which caused him sickness and diarrhoea, painful legs and a red rash all over his face…he was very tired for 3 days, the last 2 he felt ok in himself but unfortunately his tummy was still upset. He is back to full form now though…just in time for half-term!!

My first finish was LHN “Pear Tree” which I stitched in the recommended DMC threads on 32 Murano fabric in “Ivory”, I backed it in a contrasting checked fabric and trimmed it with a bought braid.

My second finish is the 3rd of the LHN Ornie series “He’s A Flake”, which is again stitched in the recommended DMC threads on 28c Jobelan in “Bay Leaf”, backed with Christmas fabric and edged with a metallic braid. I have got slightly behind with this SAL due to the house move and illnesses but I am now half way through number 4.

I have stitched and finished this piece for Isaac’s teacher for her end of year gift…slightly early but at least I know it’s all completed in time for the end of school. It’s “best Friends” by Lizzie*Kate, stitched on 28c French Linen in “Cashmere” using Vikki Clayton silks, finished as a pinkeep.

I have 3 other finishes too, but unfortunately cannot reveal them at the moment as 2 re for exchanges and 1 is for a PIF, but I will reveal them as soon as I can.

We had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday was spent at the Designer Outlet, buying some new shoes for Miss Martha. Sunday we headed off to Knaresborough and Harrogate which was lovely, Isaac got a toy car, Martha a little fluffy pig (she loves piggies!), Mummy a handbag from TK Max a bargain at £12 (original RRP £50!!), I also managed to pick up a sleeping/grobag for Martha as he current one is too small so I was delighted.

Yesterday we headed to Filey for the day along with my parents and neices, it was very warm and blowy…a little decieving as I have a burnt nose, chest area and arms, Mark looks like Rudolf and even Martha and Isaac have rosy cheeks and nose :0)

   

Hope you all had a great weekend and enjoy the half-term break!!

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

SAL’s & Treats

Well it seems ages since I posted an update, this is mainly due to the fact I have no stitching to show…not because I have not been doing any, quite the opposite, I have been doing lots of exchanges, gifts and secret stitching, my Christmas Mailart Exchange is now complete and made up, just a handmade card to make up now to go with it. I have stitched my October Christmas Ornie for the S&S SAL and the 2 Christmas Ornies for the Stitchers Showcase and Stitching Exchanging exchanges, they are just to all make up, I may make that my task for today.

Talking about SALs, I have joined 3 for next year, firstly the LHN Ornies SAL, the first design is pictured below, Vonna is running the blog and has also arranged the we can get auto shipment each month of the new design from Down Sunshine Lane, if you would like to join this year long SAL please visit the blog here.

The second SAL I have signed up for is at the Stitch & Stash board and it is a Just Nan SAL, I am ashamed to admit I have never stitched one of her designs, so this was the perfect opportunity to do so, I have decided on NeedleStory, which funnily enough I already had the chart and embellishment pack for, so I just had to make a little trip to Sew and So to purchase the thread requirements, I have some fabric which I have decided on too (not pictured)

The third SAL is on the Stitcher’s Showcase Cross-Stitch Group and is the “Bouquet for Cheryl” design, I am actually running this SAL so if you would like to join it please email me at the address at the top and I will invite you to join the group, I am also setting up a blog for this so that all the progress pictures can be seen in one place.

I thought you may like to see this photo of Miss Martha, taken this morning, with a lovely toothy grin, she is a year old in 3 weeks, can you believe how quickly this year has gone, I certainly can’t. She is crawling everywhere now (thank goodness for playpens), and getting very fussy with her food, she hates mashed and lumpy food and is not too keen on finger food….lol, so it’s trial and error every mealtime, but it is lots of fun :0)

I still had some birthday money left and had decided to buy the Cath Kidston “Sew” book, which had a RRP of £15, but my treasured friend Michelle messaged me to let me know that she had found it on Amazon for only £8.99…fantastic…so I went straight on and found it…I also wanted the “Make” book too, which was at the same cost…as most of my regular readers know I am a bit of a CK devotee and visit the shop at least once a week (we are lucky enough to have one here in York) and I have always wanted the sticker book too, which is full of stick on labels and stickers for gifts, jam pots etc, but I have always thought it was a little too pricey…BUT good old Amazon had a deal for the 2 books “sew” & “make” and the label book all for £22…WOW…they were just meant to be all mine…lol…and here is a picture of the beauties for you to see :0)

Last Monday we had to head to Leeds as Isaac had a check up at the hospital, nothing to worry about he just has an annual check up with his consultant in regard to the operations he had as a baby. We went with my parents and did a bit of shopping before the appointment and headed to Primark where I bought some lovely clothes for Miss Martha and some little Christmas gifts too. I also bought my bi-monthly magazine indulgence…this is the ONLY magazine I regularly buy now and I just adore it….it’s so pretty and all the projects in it are so pretty too.

 

Finally if you haven’t fallen asleep by now…these baskets below have arrived in my house a lot sooner than I ever imagined, my Mum bought these from Ikea….donkey’s years ago and I have always admired (wanted) them….every time my Mum has gone to Ikea she has searched for them…but no luck, it therefore became a family joke that I would get them in her “will”….but my Mum was having a sort out last week and decided it was time for the baskets to come to their new mum….so they are now taking pride of place on the stitching cabinet…I haven’t filled them as yet….but once I do I will let you know what treasures have the honour of going in them :0)

Well my stitching friends…it is a very wet and miserable Sunday here…definitely a sit and stitch day with DVD’s, comfort food and fluffy slippers.

Thank you as always for taking the time to read and comment on my posts I really do appreciate your time….

Happy Stitching

Elisa x