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Friday, 29 May 2009
And the winners are ...


Rather than use an online random number generator, I decided to do it the old-fashioned way so ... the names went into the basket ...


... and the first name to be drawn was Patti! So Patti could you please let me know which of the fobs you would like to have, the rose quartz, the mauve Swarovski crystal or the mystery fob. Once Patti has chosen, I will ask Natasha to choose her prize and Lisa will get the remaining fob.

Thank you to all those who entered my fun giveaway!

Yuko is having a blogoversary giveaway on her blog so pay her a visit and leave a comment to have the chance of winning a beautiful pinkeep.

My eye is swollen and bruised but not as bad as I thought it would be. One of the worst things was removing the eye patch without removing a layer of skin off my face - ouch! It will be a sunglasses job for a few days yet! Thank you for all your good wishes. 

Have a good weekend
Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 11:52 | Permalink | 15 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Home!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that my eye surgery went well. I'm home, one eye patched over but I can take this off later today. No idea what it looks like underneath but the surgeon seemed pleased with his handiwork! Please forgive me if I don't answer any emails or make any posts in the next few days but I will return asap.

Thanks for your support
Take care




 
Photobucket posted by Carol R at 08:29 | Permalink | 19 comments Photobucket
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
The return of Beatrix Potter


The above picture shows how far I had got with Miss Beatrix before my hand surgery at the end of March.



And this picture shows how much I have stitched over the past week. Not too much to show but at least it's an update! To my horror I have discovered that the bottom motif (you can see a tiny peek) is coming dangerously low to the bottom of the fabric. I am going to finish this motif and if I cannot fit it in or there is only a slip of fabric left, I am going to ditch the whole thing. What is annoying is that there's a 3" border at the top! I obviously miscounted or the fabric is not the 36ct as purchased. I suppose I should have started in the middle and worked outwards from there. I really do not like this project!

 

I also stitched a bit more on the Dutch Band Sampler. Again, not a lot, but a few stitches soon mounts up. I need to change one of the colours as it was  the same shade as the fabric and disappeared, hence the gaps. I think I will choose a much darker shade of this colour rather than pick a completely different colour.



As it was New Moon on May 24, I was supposed to post an orts update for TUSAL on that date, opps, here it is now. If you look carefully, you can pick out the Raisin Wine from BP and the threads from the DBS! 

I am sorry for the 'worse than normal' photographs but it's dull, gloomy and raining heavily here and therefore not ideal conditions to take photographs!

Tomorrow is the day of my minor eye surgery. I am a bit apprehensive and the thought of a needle being inserted near my eye is worrying me quite a bit. Maybe they will use eye drops?

I have no idea when I will be able to post again so ...

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:34 | Permalink | 13 comments Photobucket
Friday, 22 May 2009
Giveaway ... with a twist!


* Draw closed *

As a thank you to all for the lovely comments, the emails, get well cards and gifts I received after my hand surgery, I decided to have a giveway and here it is. 

First I took a 'posed' shot of the beaded fobs but realised that, as pretty as it is, the fobs are not shown very clearly, so here's a shot taken on my beading tray! No frills just the fobs ...



Not such a pretty picture but you can clearly see the beaded fobs which are up for grabs in my giveaway! One is made from Swaroski crystals and gold-plated beads with a butterfly charm and the other from Cloisonne, rose quartz and silver-plated beads with a flower charm. 

I am offering both of these fobs as prizes but ... with a twist. Now 'what's the twist'? The winner, who will be chosen randomly, gets to pick which of the above fobs she/he would like to have but ... now here comes the twist ... there is a third 'mystery' fob! So the winner will have to decide whether to play safe and choose one of the above fobs, or go for the mystery fob. Once she has decided, the second winner gets to choose between the remaining two fobs and the third winner gets what's left over! 

All you need to do is leave a comment (on this post only) and then put a link on your own blog. This giveaway is open to all visitors whether you live in the north pole, the south pole or any of those bits in between! The draw will be made on Friday, May 29. Good luck to all!



Back in early March, I ordered a lamp/magnifier from Needle Needs and today it arrived in it's new home! The delay was caused when the premises of the manufacturer of the bases were broken into and their machines were vandalised. I wonder what joy these hooligans got from destroying these machines and probably putting the company at risk in this economic climate?Anyway, I now have my lamp/magnifier so I feel some miniature stitching coming on!

It's yet another lovely day so you get one guess as to where I will be today.

Enjoy the bank holiday weekend and
Thanks for visiting
Take care 

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:09 | Permalink | 51 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 21 May 2009
For Yuko


I heard from Yuko that she has received the gifts that I sent to her and Sweetie. The post between the UK and Japan is very fast as this was only posted last Saturday. Yuko has always admired the tiny square pincushions that I have stitched for others and even last week, whilst chatting on Facebook, she said how much she liked them. I had to smile to myself because, unbeknown to her, I had already stitched one for her before my surgery but had not got round to sending it! There are many more (and much better) pictures on Yuko's blog (here)  - I think she likes it! It is stitched on my favourite 35ct Brussels linen with DMC white perle 12 and Soie Crystal 0068 which I chose because pink is Yuko's favourite colour. The ribbons are 7mm silk and the pattern is from CA Wells.

Yesterday I put a few more stitches into Beatrix Potter and I will work on her again today. I also made the scissor fob for my upcoming giveaway and, as I have now decided that I will make another one, participants will get two chances to win! Don't forget to come back as this giveaway will be posted shortly.

'Lost' came to the end of the fifth series last weekend - what a cliffhanger - how can I wait until 2010? And 'Dexter' is back - well actually he's been back for a few weeks - but what is going on? He seems to be settling down or ..... is he? 

Thanks for visiting
Take care  

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 08:31 | Permalink | 24 comments Photobucket
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
A willow basket



Back in 2001 I was lucky enough to attend a CA Wells' Living Legacy weekend in Harwich Port, Cape Cod MA. One of the first classes was 'lining a basket' with Marcia Brown of The Binding Stitch. I had not lined a basket before and I was quite pleased with my first (and last) effort!



This is the cartouche that I stitched for the bottom of the basket. There were other items to go into the basket; a photo album with a stitched front cover and a slider purse. If you have never attended a CA class and get a chance - go for it as her classes are fun and you will learn a lot.



A group photo - are you there?


And now if you are of a nervous disposition , look away ...


... this is the scar I am left with on my right hand after my surgery and as you can see it's healed up nicely. My hand is still a little stiff at times and occasionally swells slightly, mostly when I've overdone it and, strangely enough, the weather affects it too! Now to get my eye sorted and I shall be as good as new. The date for this surgery is May 27 so not long to wait now. The wedding is on June 20 so I hope that I will not have too much of a black eye. Nicola has loaned me a great pair of Chanel sunglasses that not only match my dress but will add that air of mystery too!

I did pick up the Dutch Band Sampler last night but not enough progress to post a picture. Some of the beads and the lobster claws I ordered arrived this morning so as soon as the rest arrive, I will be making some more beaded scissor fobs. I will be having a fob giveaway shortly, so please come back if you don't want to miss out!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:24 | Permalink | 18 comments Photobucket
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Un cadeau de France!



Yesterday the mailman delivered a delightful package from across the English channel. Look at the perfect stitching on this lovely pinkeep. The fabric on the reverse shows a map of Paris with a strip of intricate lace and see the scissors - the Eiffel Tower! There were other goodies too - I have been spoiled again - there are much better pictures here. A perfect gift from a dear friend. Beaucoup de mercis mon cher ami doux! 

No stitching for me these past couple of day as I have been reading a book that I got out from the library. It's one of those books that once you start, you can put down. 'The House at Riverton' by Kate Morton tells the story of Grace, a one-time housemaid at Riverton Manor. It neatly jumps from 1914, when Grace, at 14 years of age goes into service at the manor, to 1999 when Grace, now 98, is visited by a young director wishing to make a film. "Ghosts awaken and old memories - long-consigned to the dark reaches of Grace's mind - begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge, something history has forgotten but Grace never could." Read it - I promise you will enjoy it.

I have also made some more beaded scissor fobs but I did not take any pictures before they went into the mail on their way to their new owners. I shall make some more! 

Strange weather we are having - bright sunshine one minute, dark clouds and rain showers the next. I think I will stitch.

Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend
Take care


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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:27 | Permalink | 23 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Yes another DBS update!



Here's yet another update on the Dutch Band Sampler which seems to be the only thing I have to work on at present - well that's if you ignore those UFOs loitering in the back of the cupboard! In January 2008, I posted about the Loara Standish sampler (here) which sampler I started way back in ... 1999! This is such a beautiful sampler and it's almost 2/3rds finished so I really should get back to it. There is also Beatrix Potter. I am trying to ignore her as I've gone right off her (sorry Beatrix) maybe I should work a motif or two to keep her happy. 

Tonight is our Stitch-n-Bitch meeting which I am looking forward to. Caroline has taken herself off to Cornwall this week so there will only be the five of us but I am sure we will have plenty to stitch and bitch about!

It's dull and gloomy here today but at least the high winds have dropped and we didn't get the heavy rainful that was forecast. I can't really complain but exactly when is the long hot summer going to start?

Not much else happening here so ...

thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:01 | Permalink | 14 comments Photobucket
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
From Amy



A short while ago I won Amy's blogoversary giveaway and this morning I received the above. Amy has really spoiled me with two Indigo Rose biscornu kits; Pretty in Pink and The Bee Charmer, an Ink Circles pattern and a tube of Peach scented Stitchers Lotion. A wonderful giveaway Amy, thank you so much!


And for those of you who could not see the 'face in the clouds' yesterday - here is a close-up. Can you see it now? 

My dental appointment went as I thought it would - 'great teeth Carol - see you in 6 months'. I am thinking of what stash I could have bought with £20! He also told me that he was leaving early next week to go to Thailand, not as I imagined on a luxury holiday, but to give dental treatment in a refugee camp. He's not only a very nice man but a very compassionate one too!

I saw a wonderful Atalie finish on this blog (here). It takes a little while to load and is in Japanese but there are some beautiful pieces of needlework to see. And now I must find this Atalie pattern - why do I always see patterns that I really must have and then when I have them I don't get round to stitching them! So own up, who else is guilty of this?  

I have no idea where my day went to yesterday so I have no stitching to show but, once I have finished my chores today, I am definitely picking up the Dutch Band Sampler. So the quicker I get off the computer, the quicker my chores will be finished and the quicker I can stitch!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:54 | Permalink | 10 comments Photobucket
Monday, 11 May 2009
And clouds!


Although I did not stitch at all over the weekend, I can still show you an update of the Dutch Band Sampler. As you can see I did a fair bit on Friday but rather overdid it as far as my hand is concerned - opps! More about my visit to the consultant later.


This morning's post brought me a package from dear Deb containing some 'shopping' she did for me and also enclosing a few 'extras'; a tin of Altoids, a tape measure from the Stitch & Bitch Cafe (perfect for a member of a Stitch-n-Bitch group!) and some of her sweetest floss tags. Deb makes these floss tags and believe me they are absolutely gorgeous - far superior to those that I can make! Quite often these can be found for sale on her stash sale on her blog so it's always worth checking. Thank you so much Deb you have made my day!

I have a dental checkup later today. I don't mind going to the dentist, in fact Mr Brown is a very nice man but ... why is there always a but? ... although he was an NHS dentist, he has now gone private so a checkup will cost me £20! Yes £20 for a 4-5 minute look into my mouth to tell me that all is ok (well I hope all is ok)! Don't we all wish that we could earn £240 an hour? After the dentist I plan to go to the library and stock up on reading material for the week.

My visit to the consultant last week didn't go quite as I planned. Although he was very pleased with my progress he is still a little worried about my index finger.  Let me explain.  In 2007 I had the same surgery to my ring, middle and index fingers but this time he said my index finger was not so bad so he operated on the ring and middle fingers and injected steroids (I think it was steroids) into the index finger. He has not discharged me and has given me an appointment to see him again in September and, if the index finger is not to his satisfaction, he wants to operate again - I think not! I think enough is enough and I have to yet to go through my eye surgery at the end of this month! I only hope that this heals quickly and that I do not have a black eye for my son's wedding on June 20!

In case you were wondering about the title of my post ... 




... while I was in the garden yesterday I was gazing up at the clouds and to my amazement I saw this face appear! I called Ken but he could not see it - I guess he has no imagination. Do you see a face?

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:28 | Permalink | 11 comments Photobucket
Saturday, 9 May 2009
An gift from Japan!


Today I received an unexpected package in the mail. I could see from the return address it was from my dear sweet friend Yuko. As you all know I lack patience (although I do try) so, without further ado, I tore excitedly into the package and found this beautifully stitched gift for Mother's Day (May 10 in Japan)! Anyone who has been the recipient of Yuko's stitching will know exactly what I mean when I say how exquisite this is and that she chose the perfect frame and mat to compliment this pretty design. 


Here is a close up of the perfect stitches! I am not the world's best photographer although I really do try so I suggest you pop over to Yuko's blog (here) as, she is not only a talented stitcher, but is also a fantastic photographer and is sure to post much better pictures than mine.  

Now you may wonder why Yuko sent me a Mother's Day gift? If you are a regular reader of her blog you will know that her MIL is not the most nicest of MIL's that a girl can have. In fact, she seems rather cruel and nasty and treats Yuko quite badly so Yuko and I decided that I will be her 'Surrogate Mother in Law'! Have you noticed that we often put 'SMILe' on our comments? So if you wondered what this meant - now you know!

Thank you so much Yuko - I love it. It's already hanging in a prominent position in my home so I can see it and think of you and your dear little son!


Also this week, the mail brought an ebay win of a glass flower frog. Just the thing for my scissors collection so I gave it a good wash and filled the holes with some of my scissors! I really must sort out all of my scissors to show! What is it with stitchers that we need to own more than one pair of scissors? 

I discovered Les Ciseaux d'Emmanuel whose scissors make me positively drool at the prospect of owning a pair. These scissors are completely hand-made by Emmanuel who tells me that each pair can take 20-40 hours to make depending on the complexity of the design. The cost for a simple design is 170.00€ and for the most complex is 350.00€. If you are able to indulge yourself and want to make not only me but the rest of the stitching/blogging world really envious, email me and I will let you have Emmanuel's email address. Now why couldn't I win the £112 million on the Euro Millions Lottery draw so I could keep Emmanuel in employment for the rest of his life?

And last but not least, I also received another package from dear Edgar containing a sweet treat of Midnight Milky Ways - yummy! Thank you Edgar.

Stitching wise, the Dutch Band Sampler is coming along nicely although I think I overdid it with a couple of hours stitching yesterday afternoon and then for most of the evening. My hand is letting me know today that it's not ready for stitching marathons!  

Thanks for visiting - enjoy the weekend
Take care 

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 12:13 | Permalink | 23 comments Photobucket
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Dutch Band Sampler


I have been working on the Dutch Band Sampler and although I haven't done much to it, there are a few additional stitches. As you can see I have been 'playing' with Photoshop too!

Now why, you may ask, am I showing a pair of stork scissors? Well these stork scissors are no ordinary run-of-the-mill stork scissors! They were found in a box in the attic of a firm of solicitors over 20 years ago and were probably part of someone's long-forgotten estate. The partners of the firm, knowing that I was a keen stitcher, said that I could have them, along with another pair of 'not so nice' scissors. I used them for many years but now they are purely for 'show' although they are still fairly sharp. I think they are probably gold or maybe gold plated; I cannot see if they are hall-marked. The blades of the scissors, together with the wings of the stork, are silver not gold and the wings seems to be 'inset' rather than part of the scissors. I often wonder how old they actually are and, indeed, who originally owned these beautiful scissors?

I have a follow-up appointment with the consultant later today to check my hand and, hopefully, he will now discharge me. As I could remember the exercises I was shown by the physio when I had the same surgery on my left hand in 2007, I have been doing these and there is much improvement. I cannot stitch for long periods but I am sure this will happen with time!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 10:50 | Permalink | 17 comments Photobucket
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Three giveaways and a new blogger!


This cute little rabbit is a 5000 hits giveaway prize at Joy's Perfect Purses  (here) - just leave a comment and put a link on your own blog. You have until May 8.

The second giveaway is on Steph's blog (here) - she's reached 10,000 blog hits and is celebrating with $100 gift certificate giveaway! Announce it on your blog to gain two additional chances to win. The winner will be randomly chosen on May 9.

The third giveaway is on Simone's blog (here). Simone has been blogging for two years and in celebration she is giving away a huge grab bag full of goodies! You have until May 9 to leave a comment and a link on your own blog.

Susan has started a blog (here) so wander over and welcome her to blogland. Susan runs Hanging By a Thread, a London-based company which sources all those stitching bits and bobs not generally available in the UK. She also runs great classes with well-known teachers - Lauren Sauer of Forget Me Nots in Stitches is visiting in September to teach two delightful projects - Red Rabbit Needlebook and A Token of Friendship and CA Wells is here on the weekend of 14 and 15 November to teach not only her Nantucket Cottage & Lobster Trap Pincushion but also her incredible Chocolate Box with Truffle Pincushion and Chocolate Fob. All classes are advertised under 'Class Schedule' on the Hanging By a Thread website (here).  

I've stitched a bit more on my Dutch Band Sampler and will post an update photo tomorrow when, hopefully, I will have done some more!

Not much else to report so ...

thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 09:08 | Permalink | 4 comments Photobucket
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
A new start, a gift and some good news!



A week of no stitching as I could not decide what to stitch - shall I continue with Beatrix Potter which, since stitching Petites Lettres Rouges, now seems absolutely enormous? Shall I continue with my miniature stitching? Good idea but I am still waiting on Needle Needs for the lamp/magnifier I ordered ages ago but they are having problems sourcing bases or shall I start something new? And, as you can see, I chose the latter. This is a Dutch Band Sampler, from the Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly, reproduced by Katie Trendell of An Elne of Lynnyn. Although it was recommend to be stitched on 36ct puck hand-dyed linen from Elne of Lynnyn (I did purchase this fabric but used it for Beatrix Potter) I chose a 40ct flax Edinburgh linen. It was charted for either Gloriana silk floss or DMC but as I do not have many skeins of Gloriana (not my first choice for silk threads), I firstly sorted out the DMC threads and then matched Au Ver a Soie silks of a lighter hue. I think I am going to enjoy this one.



Last week I received a delightful gift. A beautiful fabric pocket and inside a gift of 'something to do with scissors' but 'not quite scissors' - it was a perfect size for the pocket! Also enclosed was this fabric heart - so perfect, so lovely, merci mon cher ami!

Edgar is having his second year blogoversary giveaway this week. You have until May 9 to leave a comment and then post on your own blog about the giveaway - simple! And let me tell you Edgar puts together amazing giveaways with heaps of goodies and a piece of his incredible stitching. I should know as I won his first blogoversary giveaway (here)

Kirby had great news for us last week - she has got into Loughborough University for her degree course in Fashion and Design. Well done darling, we are very proud of you and love you lots!

Thanks to all who left such great comments on the Petites Lettres Rouges post. I really enjoyed stitching this sweet little sampler even if I didn't win the contest! I have been thinking of stitching one with my mother's name and DOB and framing them together and then I thought why stop there? Why not stitch one with my own name and maybe another for my daughter and then Kirby too or do you think I will be sick of it by the time I get to Kirby? But wouldn't it make a fabulous family heirloom?

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Photobucket posted by Carol R at 08:32 | Permalink | 17 comments Photobucket
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