Reading with Jane

Phew it’s been a busy week, with back to school and doing 3 return journeys daily with little Miss just being at nursery each morning, I’m sure I will get into a routine very soon, it’s just been a shock to the system…plus I had an essay to write and submit too, so it’s been all go here, even the weekend has been busy trying to catch up once the writing was done.

I did manage to complete a small finish last night, I’ve been doing an hour on this each evening once my daily study had finished…

Reading with Jane – The Sampler Girl freebie

Stitched on Jayne’s Attic hand-dyed 28c evenweave ‘Sweet Pea’

DMC threads (own choice)

I think I will finish this into a little hanging for my desk!

Jo emailed to let me know she had received my private exchange piece which I sent to her…and loves it!

‘Signs of Autumn’ – Bent Creek

32c Murano Beige with GAST & WDW threads (own choice)

Finished as a long pillow

I have done a few stripes on my crochet throw…I’ll post a picture of that soon.

My work today has not finished yet, a chicken dinner to cook and devour and then clear up, kids to shower and bags to get ready for tomorrow, then my desk needs a clean and tidy ready for my revising for my exam mid October and I need to find some room for my new module books which have arrived and look fantastic!

Apologies for not leaving comments on blogs, I am so behind, my Google reader had almost 500 posts to catch up on, I’m afraid I had to mark them all as read and I will need to start again…but thank you for your continued reading and commenting on my blog, I really appreciate it!

Have a fab week…

Hugs & Stitches

3 Finishes but only 1 Reveal…

Wow! it seems ages since I last updated you all with anything stitchy, but I have managed quite a bit of stitching over the past week or so,I have managed to finish 3 designs, but unfortunately I can only show you one as the others are secret stitching for exchanges.

I have been wanting to stitch this gorgeous design by Tanya for so long and finally I have, it is my choice for my April ornament for the Year Long Christmas SAL blog..

The Sampler Girl – Christmas Eve Flight freebie

Fabric: 32c Murano Ivory with Carrie’s Creation threads

Finished as a hanging ornament with ric rac and beaded trim

Fiona has messaged me to let me know that my 400th post mystery giveaway has arrived to her…it included Strawberries and Bunny pillow, 2 knitted washcloths, a Suffolk puff flower, hand-dyed fabric, threads, a selection of trims and embellishments, calming teas and a handmade felt pincushion and needlecase..

here’s a closer look at the pin cushion and needlecase…

I am very excited as I have been invited to join a Round Robin with a few stitchy friends, in almost 30 years of stitching this is my first ever RR, the timeframe is manageable for me to fit around my studies so I took the plunge…this is the design I have decided on..

I’ve had it on my “to stitch” pile for a good while and I thought it was a very apt design. I ordered my threads last night for it with my refund I received back from the GOSM which very sadly is ceasing publication.

My kitchen is still a work in progress, I ordered some very traditional style cafe nets for my 2 windows and am going to start the curtain and pelmet making in the next day or two…will keep you up to date on that! I need to double check all my measurements before I start to cut as it’s Cath Kidston fabric I’m using at £18 a metre…no mistakes allowed!

I have submitted two more assignments this past week, I only have my End of Module biggie to work on now…that needs submitting at the beginning of May so plenty of time to work on it. I have a day school in Leeds on Saturday, it will hopefully help me decide on which assignment option to choose.

Finally….I have been attending Slimming World the past few weeks as I was finding it difficult to get to the Weightwatchers meeting I was originally attending and I am feeling great, I have lost 11lb in the past 2 weeks, all together I have lost 20lb in the past 2 months, it’s really starting to make a difference now, my clothes are much comfier and I have much more energy, I’ve also rediscovered cooking as I am now using all fresh ingredients and “cooking from scratch”!

Thanks for visiting today and welcome to any new visitors!

Hugs & Stitches

Back and Forth…

That’s what I will be doing to school the next few days, little soldier has gone back this morning, just for half days…my the time I’ve got to school and back it’s time to turn around and go and collect him…lol…it’s even slower as little miss is walking dawdling….so it takes twice as long! But he was happy to be back today…and so was I, his teacher is sending the afternoon work home with him so he can do that later with me…last thing I want is him falling behind with his schoolwork. I have managed to do the polishing, vacuuming & mopping downstairs, make the beds and the washing…in the past 90 minutes…so good going I think!

On to stitching…..firstly my iStitch mystery SAL piece, which I re-started as the 40c linen I was using didn’t have an “even weave” so it looked distorted…very tall and narrow….not square as it should do. I am now using 32c Murano Vanilla, with GAST “Rhubarb” and stitching 1 over 1, it’s tiny but I love it….

I have tried in vain to upload the special unclickable picture which Carol sent to me…but with no success…but you can see all the SAL pieces over at Carol’s blog…here

I finished my next TSG SAL piece, it was a really quick stitch and only took 3 evenings…

The Sampler Girl “A Little Bird’s Tea”

Sugar Maple Hand dyed linen (unsure of the count)

GAST & DMC threads

I am finishing this as a bedpost hanging pillow, I post a picture once completed….talking of completing…I have about 10 finished pieces to frame, make up into cushions, hangings etc., so hopefully I will be able to have a making up day very soon.

My next SAL peice for the TSG SAL is…

I will make a start on Wednesday evening…so will be able to post progress soon….

I have completed an exchange piece too, but cannot share this with you…tonight is Lizzie*Kate SAL night so some more work on 12 Blessings will be done.

A wonderful spell is floating in from the kitchen of a roasting chicken crown with a garlic and rosemary marinade…mmmm will be having that for dinner this evening with all the trimmings, roasties, veggies, gravy and Yorkshire Puddings of course!

I made a good start on some studies over the weekend, the module doesn’t officially start until 1st October, but I’m trying to get ahead with some reading, I read the chapter on Cleopatra which is part of my first assignment, made some notes and watched the DVD material too, along with the 1963 Elizabeth Taylor epic! I try to do at least 30 minutes to and hour of reading each evening…

Have a great week!

Hugs & Stitches

All By Myself!

Well that is what I have been this weekend….do you hear complaining?…no…it’s been just me and my stuff since Saturday morning, the kids have spent the weekend at their Dad’s and are due back at 11am today, yes I miss them, but I know they are fine and having fun and it gives me some time to just kick back and relax! I spend Saturday catching up on household chores, washing, ironing, housework etc., it didn't take half the time it usually does, probably as I didn’t have two little kiddiewinkles chasing around after me!

I spent some time stitching…of course…would be a crime not to don’t you think…I spend Saturday afternoon watching Columbo and making my little Sampler Girl finish into a hanging pillow to pop over the bedknob on my bed…

 

Saturday and Sunday evening I made a start on my next TSG SAL piece, which I couldn’t stitch on last Wednesday as I was in the hospital…it’s stitching up a lot faster than I thought it would, so I better start deciding on my next one….at least it gives me an excuse to but some stash…excuse the creases…I didn’t press it before photographing it! I like the colours on this one…

I have been in touch with Isaac’s head teacher, who is now aware of the situation with Isaac’s foot and lack of mobility at the moment, the main problem is Isaac is getting around with a frame and he can only go up and downstairs on his bottom…and he also needs to elevate his foot as often as he can to aid the healing and to stop swelling. His new classroom is up 2 flights of stairs, but the toilet facilities are downstairs…(he also needs help to visit the toilet) which obviously makes it slightly tricky. Therefore, he will probably start school a few days later than his fellow classmates and then when he does will only go into school for a few hours on a morning and I will home school him the rest of the time until he is mobile enough to go up and downstairs himself. His Dad’s girlfriend’s son has a wheelchair and shower seat which they are kindly lending us so we can get around, as with no transport we would have been stranded in the house. I have some good friends who live close by too who can aid with the getting out and about as I have Martha in a buggy and Isaac in a wheelchair and only one pair of hands, so they are lending the other pair of pushing hands!

A lovely bright and sunny albeit breezy day here, but I have washing to do (when the kids return) so that should dry nicely. Just awaiting my grocery delivery…thank goodness for that too…a supermarket visit would be nigh on impossible too at the moment!

Hope you all have a great Bank Holiday Monday!

Hugs & Stitches

Let It Snow & 3 Fat Birds & A Squirrel

I received this cutie ornament from Janet B in the mail this morning…for the Lizzie*Kate Exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging Blog…isn’t he just perfect, I love him thank you so much Janet!

I saw this little freebie on Tanya’s blog and just had to stitch it straight away…such a little cutie design, I stitched it whilst watching 3 hours of Wuthering Heights on TV last night…pure bliss!

The Sampler Girl “3 Birds & A Fat Squirrel” can be found here

Stitched on 28c Jayne’s Attic hand-dyed “Jonquil”

Crescent Colour threads

I’m going to make this into a little hanging ornament for my bedpost!

I had a childfree weekend so got lots done, household chores and I sorted a lot of stitching stash, I have bought a load of GAST & WDW threads from Michelle, so I catalogued them all and organised them all in little drawer organisers.

I also updated my stitching journal and decided on my next TSG design for the SAL over at Needlecraft Haven…I have chosen “A Little Bird’s Tea”, I’m  stitching it on hand-dyed linen I found in my stash unit and the recommended GAST & DMC threads.

Spending the next few days getting organised before Isaac goes into hospital on Wednesday, washing, ironing, housework, school uniform alterations etc…Going to also kit up a little project to take in with me as I feel the evenings will be long and very boring on the ward.

Hugs & Stitches

My Pins & Needle In Hand!

Yes I am back….my stitching mojo did a little hiding trick on me whilst I was feeling under the weather, but I’m now fighting fit and back with a needle in hand!

I wanted a small finish to get me back into the stitching groove…so I chose this little beauty…

Shepherd’s Bush “My Pins”

28c Jayne’s Attic Hand-dyed fabric “Rose” – DMC threads

Finished as a pin pillow with ruched ribbon edging

I received this cute pillow from Ruth today for the third round of the Lizzie*Kate Exchange…isn’t it just great…I love the saying and it’s pink so it’s perfect for me!!

I have a couple of new starts…firstly for the weekly L*K stitching night being held at the L*K Lovers blog…I have chosen “Housework” because the saying is so fun…especially for a cleaning obsessive like me!!

Secondly is the weekly TSG SAL over at NCH, I have chosen a non Miss Austen piece this time…it’s called “Pleasant Hill”, I didn’t get too much stitched but at least made a start!

Finally no Elisa posting would be complete without a touch of Ms Kidston….I needed to cheer myself up after my ill fortnight…so with a sale taking place at my favourite store…I just couldn’t resist….

A quiet weekend planned…with some stitching to take place. I hope you all enjoy yours no matter what you do!

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

BBD “Seaside Retreat”

Every stitch of this finish I have loved… now to find a frame to complement it and my newly decorated bathroom..

Blackbird Designs “Seaside Retreat” from the Stitcher’s Journey

28c Jayne’s Attic Hand-dyed COTM “Mistletoe”

Crescent Colours “Caribbean Waters”

Started 8th April 2011

Completed 12th April 2011

 

I also decided on a new start last night too…I ordered this design from Carol…’cause I just LOVED it as soon as I saw it..it’s “Sew A Brown Bunny”.I purchased another BBD booklet from Michelle…I think I am becoming slightly addicted to their designs :0)!

Not much else happening here…busy trying to get my stitching organised, I have sold quite a lot of old charts on eBay so I have started cataloguing all the remaining charts into some kind of order..I have seen another sampler by Tanya I think I may “need” to buy it’s “Lady Washington’s Sampler” which I love and it’s also so apt as her Christian name was Martha…that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

It’s TSG SAL tonight so I will be stitching on my Sense and Sensibility Sampler…I hope to get quite a good amount done on it.

Have a good evening…

Hugs & Stitches

123 Go!!…Maybe Not!!

It’s not been a fun few days here, Martha has been quite poorly, she started with an upset tummy on Saturday but was perky in herself, but by late Sunday evening she started vomiting which continued half hourly throughout the night and half way through Monday..I had to wash 4 sets of bedding and clothes etc in a no sleep state…lol. She still was bringing water back yesterday evening so I made a call to the out of doors doctors, they asked us to take her to the hospital immediately as she was at risk of dehydration. This was about 8.30pm, so we had to wake up Isaac and take him to my parents to sleep the night there and then head over to the hospital, they saw her straight away, gave her a full check over and asked that we try to get as much fluid into her as we could…difficult with a 2 year old who just doesn’t want to. Anyhow she is a bit perkier today and has drunk over a cup of juice and water, she’s still not eaten and is very sleepy and crying a lot more than the past few days, which I feel is a good sign. Let’s hope she has another good nights sleep and is brighter tomorrow.

Now onto something better…

I have a second finish of the year (the first cannot be revealed yet!)

It’s “Blueberry Tea” from the Shepherd’s Bush “Bramble Hearth” chart leaflet which I bought from Su’s stash sale! I loved stitching this and can’t wait to stitch the rest of them too!

Shepherd’s Bush “Blueberry Tea”

28c Jobelan Jayne’s Attic hand-dyed “Lily of the Valley”

DMC threads as charted

Started 14th January 2011

Finished 24th January 2011

I have done a bit of work on 2 of my WIP’s

Needlecraft Haven forum are currently running a SAL for The Sampler Girl designs, I have oodles of them to stitch, so I decided to join in…I will be starting “In the Garden with Jane Austen”…I am stitching it on 28c Jobelan Jayne’s Attic hand-dyed “Dick Whittington Streets of Gold” using my own choice of Dragon Floss and DMC threads…

  I will be back later in the week….with more updates I hope..

Hugs & Stitches