The end of July is nigh and it's time for an update on Beatrix Potter SAL. July was a busy month for me and I was only able to stitch the top right hand motif and the tiny one underneath that one but at least I made some progress albeit small. I apologise for the poor photos - we are forecast rain and it's dull and overcast and maybe I should have invited Georgia to take them?

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Yesterday was Ken's birthday so we decided to go for a family meal at a local pub/restaurant. This is 'Birthday Boy' with 4 of the grandchildren! After this picture was taken Georgia decided that it would be fun to be photographer for the evening.

Firstly a few 'normal' - mmnn - family pictures ...

I blatantly stole these pictures from Valie's blog (with permission of course) so you may have already seen them but believe me they are so much nicer than the ones I took! Here is yet another of the tiny cube pincushions - this time stitched with black AVAS silk thread on 35ct white Brussels linen with 7mm white silk ribbon. I also added black Swaroski and Delica silver beaded pins.

I also stitched for her a teeny needleroll (freebie here - number 6) on the same 35ct linen using HDF Magpie Tears with a tiny V using HDF Luteous Green to match the silk ribbon bows. I added a charm so Valie would know I had stitched this especially for her!

It's raining hard today so I have sorted fabric and floss for a new start.

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Valie and I exchanged gifts in Paris. For me - a beautiful note pad holder using the BBD pattern 'Souvenir de France' (here). Isn't this gorgeous? Stitched on a delicate blue linen with co-ordinating blue thread and, not only this, I also received an exquisite beaded scissor fob with a tiny Eiffel Tower charm.

The note pad fits into the pocket on the muted blue fabric back and the pad holder is edged with pretty cream braid. I love my gift - thank you dear friend!

Once again I am a day late in posting a picture of my TUSAL orts jar. It doesn't look too much different from the last New Moon picture but there are some extra blue, black and red threads inside. I will try and post on the right day next time!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

We returned today from our long weekend in Paris and what a wonderful weekend. We arrived late on Friday afternoon with only one slight detour where we missed the turning! After checking into our hotel we met with Valie and her husband. The following day they took us into the centre of Paris and of course we had to visit the Eiffel Tower. Isn't that a great picture taken directly underneath? We took a train, a bus and a river bus too.

Sunday morning found Valie and I making beaded fobs and I was able to check out all her beautiful stitching. Believe me her sampler wall (here) is amazing! Later in the day we took a trip to Versailles where we toured the beautiful gardens and visited the 'playthings' of Marie-Antoinette. I loved the delightful miniature farm and the tiny theatre where she entertained her friends.

Being in the centre of Paris I had to visit 'Des Fils et Une Aiguille' - a charming little needlework shop. You may remember the BBD ladies made a visit to the same shop on their recent trip to Paris.

Valie and I enjoyed our recent SWiM (Stitch With Me). This design is Alphabets Blue by The Work Basket and was Valie's choice - our next SWiM will be our own design! As you already know mine is stitched on 55ct linen with HDF Colbart Blue silk thread whereas Valie chose to stitch on 36ct flax linen using HDF Zebra Dove silk thread. Isn't it amazing how individual the same design is when stitched on different fabrics and in different shade of thread?

Thanks for visiting

Take care

I have got a little further with Alphabets Blue, my BAM (Brode Avec Moi) with Valie. I have discovered that it's not 50ct linen but 55ct - no wonder it's such a tiny project! It's hard going, not only that it's such a high count fabric, but the pattern is not even so it's difficult to get any sort of rhythm going but saying that I am really enjoying it and will use this fabric again albeit with a finer silk like Soie Surfine. I am feeling a little guilty as I know that Valie has already finished her BAM; I am trying my best to 'catch up'!

A quick post to tell you there's a great giveaway over on Volarium's blog (here) of this Cross Stitch Letters Bible by Valerie Lejeune. You have until July 19 to enter.

It's extremely windy here today with some sunshine, lots of clouds and rain forecast for later. I cannot decide whether to sit out and read or stay inside and stitch!

Thanks for visiting

Take care