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Wednesday, 10 March 2010
At last - Beatrix Potter!


Click on picture for a closeup view


Here is Beatrix Potter in all her glory. Tomorrow is my sister Sue's 60th birthday and this, after a year's long slog, is her gift. I am quite safe posting a picture today as she does not read blogs, in fact she doesn't even own a computer! I chose a simple frame which I think compliments this sampler. I am so glad I persevered with the stitching and, as much as I disliked it during said stitching, I now think it looks rather beautiful! I am writing a piece which I will attach to the back; I had meant for it to be inserted inside the framing so that maybe, in say 200 years, time someone would open it and find it but I am sure a piece laminated and stuck to the back will suffice. 

No stitching yesterday as my cold has got worse and so I just slobbed out in front of the tv. I also woke up with 'sticky' eyes this morning - maybe they are protesting at the amount of miniature stitching they are expected to deal with?

Thanks for visiting
Take care


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Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Sew Animalistic

(Click on picture for a closeup view)


Sew Animalistic is the name chosen for new iStitch chart! There were so many good suggestions that I ended up putting those I liked into my little Nantucket basket and drawing one out - the winner is Barb of Barb's Ramblings - Stitching'n Things. Thank you Barb (please get in touch with me and I will send the chart out to you) and thanks to all for your suggestions.

Sew (or should that be So) - Sew Animalistic is the latest addition to my range of 'Sew' charts and is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS link on the sidebar. It is stitched on walnut dyed 36ct Edinburgh linen with Japanese Cosmo thread 2311 (kindly sent to me by the lovely Yuko) and hem-stitched with a DMC thread to match the linen.

By request, I am preparing a hemstitch tutorial and, although the text is done, unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped so please bear with me.




As I reported on January 8, Beatrix Potter is finally finished! It has taken a whole year to stitch this and I did not enjoy it at all but I persevered, mainly due the SAL blog, which blog is now open for new members for 2010. I personalised this by adding both my initials and my sister's initials, '1950-2010' and '60' in the spaces available. I really hope she likes this!



And here's WIP of the Travelling Sisterhood. As can be seen I am stitching 1*1 on, I think, a deep cream 30ct linen with the recommended DMC threads. I have not made any changes to the colours although, being a brunette, I would have changed this if she had been a blonde!

The snow has all but disappeared leaving dark, gloomy skies with occasional rain. Kirby has managed to return to Uni after her original plans were disrupted by a heavy snowfall last Friday evening resulting in Deal being completely cut off from the outside world over the weekend.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Thursday, 7 January 2010
Be careful what you wish for!





After complaining yesterday of the paltry amount of snow in our area, last night, around 7.30pm, it started to snow and this morning I woke up to a winter wonderland. I hope to go out later with my camera and take some more pictures. It's a lovely day today - crisp and clear with bright sunshine!

I stitched the last motif on Beatrix last night so only the initials and dates to go. I am so glad that this one is over and, no surprise, I have no plans whatsoever to stitch the Beatrix Potter Companion piece!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Monday, 4 January 2010
Two Quakers




This is Deb's Emblem of Love RR with three sections stitched. Deb chose a pink linen with a selection of threads leaving us to decide which threads we used for our section. I do not usually stitch on such a colourful fabric so I found this quite a challenge.




A close-up of the section I chose to stitch. I am trying to pick a different section on each one but this doesn't always work out towards the end of a RR. I apologise for the poor pictures - I think they actually look slightly better if you click on them to enlarge. It's very dark again today.




And now an update on Beatrix and, as you can see, I am nearly there! There was no stitching for me over the weekend as we had visitors but I will get back to it later this afternoon. Why did I leave that large motif at the top? I am now determined to finish this before I start anything new. There will be rejoicing when this one is finished!

Thank you to all who have suggested names for the latest iStitch chart. There are a couple that have caught my eye but I have not yet decided on a final name.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Saturday, 2 January 2010
Two freebie finishes




Suzanne of Berkshire Cottage blog sent me a picture of her version of my Christmas freebie which she finished as a very pretty pillow. She stitched this from fabric and thread from her stash. A delightful finish Suzanne - thanks for sharing.




Ann from With My Needle also stitched the same pattern - it will be interesting to see what finish Ann will do with this. It is stitched on a cream 35ct linen with DMC threads. Thank you for sharing with us Ann.

It's never too early to start stitching ornaments for Christmas 2010 and this chart is still available *here* (scroll down) or click on the CHARTS button on my side bar.

The 2009 Christmas Challenge has now become the 2010 Christmas Challenge. I am working to free up some space for new members by the end of January so, if you are interested in participating in this year's Challenge, please visit the blog again later in the month to check availability.

Despite wanting to have a New Year new start, I decided to carry on with Beatrix (sigh). On a good note I have only to finish a motif in the bottom right hand corner, the large 'oh why did I leave it til last?' flower motif in the top right hand section and to fill in with dates and initials. I am determined to complete this before I do anything else because, if I put it aside now, I will find it difficult to pick up again. My sister's birthday is on March 11 so I will need to allow time for framing. I will finish this ... I will finish this! I would like to thank Hazel over at the Beatrix Potter SAL as, without this SAL, the piece would have become a UFO months ago! I hope to be posting a picture in the not too distant future.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Friday, 1 January 2010
The winners!




Firstly a Happy New Year to all!

The basket (usually filled with stitching goodies) was emptied and refilled with the comments left on the giveaway post. I was going to use a random generator but I like the old-fashioned way!





Ken dipped his hand into the basket and pulled out the 3 winners - first out was Ann, second was Sue and the third was Kathy A. I then asked him to draw two more - Patsyanne and Blazensun - congratulations to you all. You should have received your charts by now except for Patsyanne who, despite leaving three comments, still forgot to leave me her email address and will now know that the moon is made of blue cheese! Please email me Patsyanne - you can find my email address in my profile and I will send your chart to you.


My section of Deb's Emblem of Love RR is finished well before the deadline and I will post a picture before I send it on. I then picked up Beatrix - two more motifs finished on this one. One motif, I must admit, has a mistake but I have decided to leave it. It does not affect the overall look of the sampler and you all know what a chore I have found stitching this one!

Decision for today - shall I carry on with Mistress B or have a New Year start?

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Beatrix Potter and a giveaway



I'm still plodding along with Miss Beatrix although not too much done for November - only the two motifs in the bottom, right-hand corner. I doubt I will find time to do any more on this one now, hence the posting before the end of the month. Sorry for the 'wrinkles' - Ken is decorating the kitchen area and I do not want to give him an excuse to stop by getting out the iron!

Berit is having a giveaway over on her blog but this is one giveaway I will not be entering as the prize is a choice of either Sew Noel or Sew Winter chart plus the free charts if you haven't already got them! So (or should that be 'sew'?) pop over to visit with Berit if you would like a chance to win. You have until midnight on November 26 to enter.

Now it's back to the Christmas ornaments for the children for me and I am determined that nothing else will tempt me until all of these are stitched and finished.

Thanks for visting
Take care

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Thursday, 22 October 2009
October update on Beatrix Potter


October has been a good month for my Beatrix Potter SAL but I think this was due to the all-day stitch-in at Caroline's house last weekend! I completed two large motifs, two small motifs and made a start on another at the bottom. I am determined to finish this by mid to end of February in time to get in framed for my sister's birthday in March. She is a great Beatrix Potter fan so, with any luck, she will be pleased to receive this.

I have also stitched a couple of Christmas ornaments but one was a disaster. It was stitched in red on white fabric so unpicking was not an option because red thread always seems to stain white fabric so I ditched the whole thing and will start that one again. The other one is stitched but needs to be finished.

The sun is shining today after a couple of really dark, gloomy and rainy days and I feel so much better. I have a lunch planned tomorrow with my friends from work and later in the afternoon I will be going to collect Kirby from Ashford train station. I have really missed her - chatting by text and on Facebook is just not the same!

The following weekend I am expecting a very special friend from across the channel for a quick visit - can you guess who that might be? I am so excited!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Beatrix Potter update



As you know, I am not enjoying stitching Beatrix Potter, but I am making slow progress with her! During the month of September I finished off the swan motif and made a start to the vine motif to the left of the swan. I am determined to finish this for my sister's 60th birthday in March 2010 as she is a great Beatrix Potter fan. I will personalise this for her once the motifs are all done.

I am procrastinating whether or not to join the Society of Soie Surfine. I am so tempted shall I, shan't I? It seems perfect for my miniature stitching ...

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Saturday, 29 August 2009
A gift!


A gift arrived across the English channel and amongst other goodies was this beautifully stitched and finished key tag/floss tag and a charming lace bobbin complete with some exquisite lace. Thank you my dear friend for your generosity!

I stitched a little more on Beatrix Potter SAL and posted on the SAL blog to show my progress for August.

I updated my Mac to 'Snow Leopard' yesterday although I haven't noticed much difference. Maybe it's a little faster?

Enjoy the weekend.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Thursday, 27 August 2009
Brown Bunny BAM



Brown Bunny, more affectionately known as BAM V, is now finished. Valie chose to stitch on a 40ct brown linen using DMC ecru, AVAS turquoise blue and tan threads. My friend has such a good eye for colour! And check out those rabbit/hare scissors. I really need a pair of these in my collection!



I chose to stitch on a 36ct creme French Gander linen using the recommended DMC floss 3032. I omitted the motif above 'bunny' as I had planned on adding a tiny rabbit charm in the space but he was a little too fat, maybe he has eaten far too well this summer? I have decided to 'finish' this as a pinkeep and I will attach the charm to the back.

The weather has changed dramatically and I do hope this is not the end of the summer! I have been charting motifs and alphabets into Macstitch and very soon I will begin to design.

Last night was our Stitch-n-Bitch group meeting. I worked a little on Beatrix Potter but I had to unpick at one point - too much chatting and not enough concentration!

'tpdebbie' asked me about Gander linen. It can be ordered from here although it looks as though they only do 32ct so I suggest that you email them and enquire about the higher count fabrics. I am lucky that my French friend makes sure I have a good supply :-)

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Something new, something old!


Edgar very kindly invited me to join his latest RR - With My Needle's An Emblem of Love. Luckily I had this pattern in my stash so I took a working copy and have chosen my fabric and thread in readiness for the start. The fabric is 36ct antique white Edinburgh linen and the thread is HDF Magpie Tears 2349 (formerly Kolbart Blue) the same colour that I used for Alphabets Blue (here). I ordered these from Vikki only a few days ago and they arrived this morning. As soon as the 'break-up' of the pattern arrives from San Francisco I will make a start.



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

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Monday, 29 June 2009
Beatrix Potter update


At last some progress on Beatrix Potter SAL. I was worried that I would not have enough fabric for the bottom motif but I managed to fit it on with just over an inch to spare.



I have not been able to stitch any more on my SWiM with Valie and this is the reason why. Whilst her mum and new dad are now honeymooning in Cuba, Georgia has been our house guest. Today we decided to visit with Auntie Nicola who has a hot tub in her garden!

Not much else to report except I am exhausted. I wonder why? So ...
thanks for visiting
Take care

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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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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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Monday, 23 March 2009
Beatrix Potter and SANQ



This will probably be my last post for a while but please bear with me and keep checking back because I will post as soon as I am able. I rang the hospital this morning to explain that I still had this long-lingering virus but she said to come in at the arranged time so it looks as though my surgery will go ahead. I just hope I don't cough on the operating table and they remove a couple of fingers by mistake! LOL

Yesterday I managed to stitch some on Beatrix Potter SAL. Not a huge amount but at least enough to post about. For some reason I am not enjoying BP as much as I did Hannah Beeby but maybe I will enjoy it more as I go along. I'm not very enthusiastic about anything at the moment, I think this bug is really getting me down - 9 weeks is a long time to feel off-colour.



My Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly arrived in the post this morning. I am tempted to settle down and read this now but I am thinking I should save it or maybe I will just take a peek inside?

To all of you who sent me e-cards, e-mails and left comments on my blog wishing me good luck for my surgery, please accept my sincere thanks. I appreciate each and everyone of them. 

Thanks for visiting
Take care 

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Tuesday, 3 March 2009
An award and a giveaway!


The lovely Yuko has given me the above award - isn't it sweet? Thank you Yuko. Now I have to choose 10 blogs/people to pass this on to. I love to blog surf; some blogs have beautiful stitching, some have wonderful pictures; some have both and some make me laugh (see numbers 7, 8 and 9)! I have numerous favourites so here are some of those in no particular order:

1  Dany
2  Loreta
3  Dovile
4  Nicole
5  Anne
6  Valie
7  Coni (& Stewey)
8  Charlotte
9  Monkee Maker who is sadly leaving blogland shortly :o(

and number 10 is back to Yuko!




A short while ago I won Staci's giveaway of the above patterns. When Staci announced my name I emailed her to say that although I would stitch the A-Z pattern, I doubted that I would stitch the Rainforest Romance so I suggested she draw another name. However, she has sent me both patterns and has no objections to me passing Rainforest on! So ... if anyone is interested in having this pattern, please leave me a comment saying you would like to be entered in the draw and I will announce the winner on Friday (March 6). Good luck. 

Still no stitching to show you although I have worked a little on a gift. I think my cold or whatever it was, is hopefully on it's way out although I am left with a cough, it's not as bad as it was so a doctor's visit skillfully avoided! 

After a really beautiful day yesterday, today is wet and dismal - roll on Summer!

Thank you to everyone who left such great comments on my recent exchanges - they are much appreciated! These are my last exchanges until after my hand surgery but I will resume exchanging once my hand is fully recovered. As I do not yet have a surgery date I will continue to stitch on gifts, ornaments for the 2009 Challenge, Beatrix Potter SAL and, of course, my miniature stitching!

Thanks for visiting
Take care 

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Thursday, 26 February 2009
A thimblecase to die for!


I received a incredible package in the mail today - my exchange from the lovely Su! She had told me to watch for my mail this morning so I was ready and waiting for that knock on the door. Inside the package I discovered the above. At first I thought it was an ornament but no it kind of 'rattled' - no, not a jingle bell but a thimble - you squeeze both ends and one of the sides opens to reveal a tiny hidey-hole wherein nestled a thimble! I love it!


The mosaic picture shows each of the three sides - one with two tiny little bluebirds and Su's initials - maybe this represent Su and I? A second side has a little squirrel and my initials and as you all know I adore squirrels so this was a great choice! The third side has a gorgeous pattern with a tiny rhodes heart and the date. Those of you who have received anything made by Su will know exactly how beautiful this thimblecase is. Her stitching and finishing are superb! 
  

Not only did Su send me that beautiful thimblecase, she enclosed some cuts of pretty finishing fabric, a tube of pastel coloured beads and a pair of stork scissors - now a girl can never have too many pairs of scissors can she? Thank you Su for such a wonderful exchange!



And, lastly, for those of you waiting to see my miniature red stitching, here it is. When I picked it up yesterday I could see a mistake - oh no - 1*1 on 40ct - I had left off one tiny cross on the bottom of the l so I had to unpick m, n and o! I thought about leaving it but being ever the perfectionist, and of course the p and q would not have fitted into the spaces between those tiny hearts, out those letters had to come! The Vikki Clayton silk floss is ideal for stitching 1*1 on high count fabrics as it's thinner than AVAS or NPI silks. I am enjoying this miniature stitching and I know that Beatrix Potter will seem enormous after this! 

My cough/cold bug is worse; when I lay down I cough; I've tried extra pillows but they don't help. I will leave it until after the weekend and if it's still bad, I will make an appointment with the doctor.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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