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Sunday, 27 January 2013
Sew Irish - Sneak Peek







I was hoping to post an update of my SAL JHA 1905 piece today but didn't get round to stitching Part 5 last night. The reason being I was busy stitching the model of Sew Irish - the latest in the iStitch Designs range of tiny 'Sew' samplers. Above shows a 'sneak peek' and just wait til you see the 'surprise' in the bottom right hand corner! It's stitched 1*2 on 40ct Antique White Newcastle linen with a variegated green thread with a few colours thrown in the mix. I must admit (being Welsh) I am not a great St Patty's fan but I did enjoy both designing and stitching this one. It's due for release to US retailers at the Nashville show but will be available on the iStitch Designs blog shortly for those of you who prefer pdf files. I need to decide on a final finish and have in mind either a pinkeep or a cute little pillow. Sew Valentine will also be released once the model is stitched and finished. 






We had snow last weekend - I took a few pictures while the sun was out but then it turned really dark and snowed all day until the area turned into a winter wonderland. Can you see the beautiful castle in the background of picture 3? Surprisingly now the snow has completely disappeared. I can see that my Spring bulbs are already pushing their way up through the earth and have worked out that in approximately  6 or 7 weeks dear sweet Tommy will be awaking from his hibernation.  I will be pleased to see him!




Thank you to all those who supported my stash sale. Keep coming back as there will be more goodies listed shortly. If there is anything you are particularly looking for, please ask now as I just might have it in my stash and I may even be willing to part with it! I have discovered over the years that my taste has changed somewhat and things that I just 'had to have' at the time are not so important now and they are just cluttering up my limited space. I will be adding a Stash Sale button on the sidebar for easy access to the sale blog shortly. 

Thanks for visiting 
Take care


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Thursday, 24 January 2013
Stash Sale


As we are decorating, I am having a clear out of stash that I will never stitch. I have opened a 'Stash Sale' blog *here* so if you are interested in a bargain please go check it out. I will be adding to this blog as the de-stashing continues so please keep checking back.

I have also been working on two new iStitch Designs for release at the Nashville show. The models are being stitched and will be released on the iStitch Designs blog too. 

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Saturday, 31 July 2010
A little stash and some pictures





No stitching pictures to show except for a little stash photo. These are Vikki Clayton HDF silk threads in a variety of shades lying on a bed of Gander linen. 




I was sitting out in the garden earlier this week and noticed this unusual cloud formation so out came the camera and I took a few shots. 




And then I took a picture of one of the flower pots on the wall of the house. I think the yellow and blue look really pretty together.





And last but not least, here is Tommy dining out on tomatoes and lettuce! 


I have not yet made a start on Jane Rees as I still need to cut and overlock (serge) the linen. My friend Caroline from Stitch-n-Bitch brought herself a new overlocker and kindly gave me her old one complete with instructions and a list of swear words! I managed to get it threaded up, I hope correctly, and will be cutting my linen to size and trying it out shortly. I have also been stitching up the new pink design but I stitched one row of letters one row down too far so out these had to come and I will be putting these stitches back in right place later. 

Not much else to report so ...

Thanks for visiting, have a lovely weekend and
Take care

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Tuesday, 31 March 2009
I don't need ...


... two hands to accumulate more stash! 

A short while ago I won a Down Sunshine Lane Gift Certificate on the Monthly Finishing Challenge and here's what I got with it. I had also ordered Thank You Sarah Tobias which was out of stock and probably a good thing as Patti has now sent it to me as a gift! There are some lovely patterns in the BBD book and the Winter Wonderland chart came with a gorgeous Dinky Dyes variagated silk floss (aptly called 'Winter Wonderland') and two tiny star buttons. I am just itching to stitch.

Yesterday I was very good and, even though the sunshine showed that my windows were dirty after the wind and rain over the weekend,  I completely ignored it and put my feet up and read. Nicola came round and gave my hair a good wash and blow-dried and straightened it for me so I feel a bit more of my old self today. 

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Thursday, 29 January 2009
A gift or two!



Kirby came round yesterday to work on her uni project - I think maybe she gets peace and quiet here. While we were having lunch, the postman came with a box and I could see from the return address that it had come from Yuko in Japan and I was very suprised as I was not expecting anything from her. I put the box to one side (such patience) whilst I finished my lunch. Kirby was most intrigued with the box and said she wondered what was inside so I told her she could open it. She didn't need telling twice and when she opened it she found not only a package addressed to me but one for her too! Her face lit up and even more so when she saw that Yuko had sent to her a beautiful cami knitted by her dear sweet mum especially for Kirby. She put it on immediately - a perfect fit and said she can't wait to show it off to all her friends. It matches her knitted socks too! Thank you to Yuko and her much talented mum for such a thoughtful gift. Yuko obviously gets both her talent and her kind heart from her mum.



And now to my package! Yuko tells me she has been sorting out her stash and decided to share some with her friends and knowing that blue is my favourite colour she put together a 'blue' package for me. It certainly didn't make me feel blue; such pretty fabric and trims - thank you Yuko for your kindness.

I have put some time into finishing some exchange pieces and have one more to stitch and finish. These will be my last exchanges for a while as I am due to have surgery for mutiple trigger finger on my right hand sometime this year and I would not want to sign up for exchanges and be unable to fulfill my commitments. As I have already had the same surgery on my left hand in 2007, I know that I will be unable to stitch for at least 6-8 weeks so I will stock up with books and dvds to keep me amused. I hope it won't be too long before I can resume exchanging as I enjoy choosing something to stitch for my partner and putting together a goodie package too. 

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Buttons and Bows?


I forgot to post a better picture of the cute little button fob that I had enquiries about (here) and (here), so I added it to the picture of some new embellishment stash which I won on Ebay. The stash buy is two colours of teeny teeny heart buttons in blue and pink and some cute charms.

Yesterday I realised that the deadline for the HOE Christmas ornament exchange is all but 2 weeks away so I made a start on my ornament. It will be three-sided and I have already stitched one side completely and nearly finished the second. I hope to be able to finish the stitching today and then I think I should have a 'finishing' day as I still have other ornaments to make up too. So no stitching photos today.

If are wondering where the 'bows' are, there aren't any - just a catchy title!

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Saturday, 25 October 2008
It's a Girl!


Some new stash arrived today. My JCS 2008 Ornament mag - I must admit that I am a bit disappointed with it this year as there is nothing that immediately jumps out saying 'Stitch Me' 'Stitch Me' but I will read through it again later and maybe that will happen. Along with the magazine were two gorgeous cuts of fabric, a piece of 40ct linen in Bisque and some 36ct pearled barley linen - I have no idea what I will be stitching on these but I am positive they will not go to waste! The two skeins of threads that make an appearance in the picture are Caron Waterlilies in Peacock and Polar Ice. And yes the scissors you can see are the Chinese Dragons that I won on Ebay a few weeks back. These have pretty engraved handles but the reflection of the sun makes it difficult to see - try clicking on the picture - you can just make out the engraving.    
 

And now an update on Quaker Blackbird. As you can see I had a good run on this last night but ... why is there always a 'but'? ... I thought the fabric I was using was 36ct - it certainly had a tag in the corner that said 36ct - but alas I think it's 32ct as the design is stitching up larger than I had wanted. I will finish stitching it but I will have to re-think my finish. It certainly is a lot easier on the eyes to stitch on 32ct but I do so love the delicacy of a higher count fabric so I will probably stitch this again at some point.

I also finished the Quaker SAL with Yuko but as it needs ironing I will wait for it to be framed before I show a 'finished' picture. Yuko and I are now planning on another SAL and have chosen a LHN piece this time round. 


And now, in case you were wondering about the title of my post ...

As you know Mr Mouse passed away last Wednesday and I thank you all for your kind words and condolences. He was laid to rest in a befitting matter although some of his friends imbibed too much Apple juice at the wake and caused a riot but that is another story! 

May I now introduce to you the latest addition to the family. Ken called into 'Mouse World' (or did he say PC World?) after he finished work last night and chose from a large litter this beautiful little girl mouse who I shall henceforth call 'Milly'. Isn't Milly beautiful? Just look at her glossy white coat and that adorable little scroll button and she behaves perfectly too. She not only scrolls upwards and sideways but downwards too! I think Milly and I will be very happy together. 

Thanks for visiting - enjoy the weekend and
Take care

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Saturday, 11 October 2008
Alexandra Palace


Last Thursday Stitch-n-Bitch went 'on tour' to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in London. We set out bright and early and, to make the trip even more pleasant, the sun decided to pay us a visit. Inside the foyer was a coral reef completely made from wool and also a huge piece of knitting on gigantic needles. Once inside the main hall we split up and arranged to meet for lunch. Apart from stalls there were also exhibits from design students although I am not sure I could see me in that 'Jack Frost' hat or those pretty dresses! I saw that Edgar had a stall there too - where were you Edgar? At 1.30pm we met at our designated meeting place and, as it was such a beautiful day, we went outside to sit on the steps to eat our picnic lunches. From the steps we had a wonderful view over London and we even managed to get a photo of us together. The day passed very quickly and even though we left London at 3.45pm, we did not get home until gone 7pm - the traffic was horrendous.   

 

And now to the stash haul. I was a tad disappointed that there were not as many stitching stalls as I would have liked but I did manage to pick up some pretty finishing fabrics, some teeny weeny buttons, some Glorianna silk threads, some abc braiding and a beautiful jade scissor fob. I think this is actually a mobile (cell) phone charm but who says I can't use it as a scissor fob? The symbol means 'Double Happiness'. 

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Monday, 15 September 2008
Stash and a stitch



A little stash arrived this morning, firstly an Ebay purchase, The Goode Huswife's 'A Quaker Four Corners Sampler' which I am going to alter slightly and make into a biscornu. I will stitch this on 40ct linen with the Waterlillies Cherry silk floss which also arrived in the mail today. The scissor fob which I purchased from Yuko's Etsy shop also arrived. This was beautifully packaged and is made from some really pretty flower beads with a gorgeous mother-of-pearl butterfly at the bottom. Unfortunately the butterfly doesn't show up in the picture so have a look at the one on Yuko's blog - isn't it just gorgeous? 

I have a lot of projects ready for finishing so I need another marathon finishing day but yesterday I wanted something small to stitch out in the garden so the tiny house is the beginning of a Christmas ornament. *I have no idea who the designer is - maybe someone knows? I am stitching from a picture that I found on the internet. It looks as though it was originally stitched in variagated threads but I am using DMC on 36ct lambswool linen. 

Tomorrow I am back at work for the rest of this week, 4 days next week and 2 the week after that so I don't suppose I will get much stitching or blogging done so I am off to finish my chores and maybe make a start on some finishing.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

* Edited - Jennifer tells me this is Drawn Thread's Home for the Holidays (here) - thank's Jennifer!

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Wednesday, 10 September 2008
A Crop-a-Dile and stash



Today the mailman brought me a couple of Ebay wins. Firstly a Crop-a-dile. I had heard that these were a bit expensive but a much better buy that the ordinary eyelet punches on the market and as I have stitched a couple of floss tags I wanted something that would work and not ruin the projects. I looked at a lot of UK craft sites but most places were selling these around £30 so I went onto Ebay and found this one with a starting bid of £14.99 so I placed my bid and waited and now it's mine. It came complete with the pink carry case and the eyelets. I will further report on this after I have tried it out.

My second Ebay 'win' was Little by Little's Quaker Blackbird. This is such a lovely pattern and I can't wait to stitch it. I have two others patterns that I also won but they haven't arrived yet. Also in this picture are some more of my personalized thread drops - the recipients names are on the back and I will be sending these out to them shortly. 

I am still working on exchanges and gifts - most are stitched so I really need a marathon finishing session but today it was bright and sunny here so I am sure you can probably guess where I spent most of the day!

Have you seen the beautiful scissor keeps that Yuko has for sale in her Etsy shop? They are really gorgeous and I could not resist buying the shell butterfly one. Go have a look and see if you can resist them!

Thanks for visiting
Take care 

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Monday, 1 September 2008
A cat with four ears?


Firstly an update on Hannah - I am actually going to be sorry when she's finished! I love stitching with one strand on 40ct linen as the effect is so delicate. I did have a few problems on Friday evening as my eyes were a bit sore - probably from too much time on the computer at work and at home! I still have to finish off the motif with the B inside but I jumped over to work on the motif alongside as it was easier to focus on.


A few bits of stash arrived in the mail including the Fall issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly. Inside there is a lovely Dutch sampler pattern which I really must stitch and I have already enquired about the fabric from The Sampler Guild! The fabric I ordered for Beatrix Potter Quaker sampler - 36ct Edinburgh linen in 'Days Gone By' - arrived from Silkweaver so this will probably be my next Quaker stitch once Hannah is finished. My order of silk ribbons also arrived, as did the pattern from Giulia Punti Antichi - Old Italian Sewing Set which pattern I have been after for ages. I am expecting a few more goodies to arrive soon :o) so watch this space!
 

Kirby starts her Fashion and Design course today at the University College of Art at Canterbury. She has been working really hard on her pre-course project and above is part of a piece she did on animals in historical art. She designed and stitched her own spot sampler and she allowed me to photograph the page from her portfolio to show you. I think I may have already told you that Kirby has been stitching since she was four years old and produces some wonderful pieces of needlework. Click on the picture for a closeup to see how neatly she stitches.   

 

Lastly I thought you would like to see this photo of 'Yoda', a cat with 4 ears, who featured in the UK press this past week! If you want to read the article go here I am in love with this cat - he is so cute and how amazing for him to have two sets of ears. 

I am working this week but only for three days, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so hopefully I will be able to fit in some stitching time too.

Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Friday, 15 August 2008
Some stash and a harvest!


The silk thread I had ordered from Vicki Clayton arrived this morning. I had planned on using this for the Beatrix Potter sampler, which sampler I have been wanting to stitch for ages but couldn't decide on fabric and floss. When I stitched on Mindi's QFRR using Vicky's Raisin Wine, I just knew this was the colour I wanted for BP but as my QFRR piece (along with Edgar's and Rowyn's) has gone missing and we are thinking that a re-stitch is the way to go, I am wondering whether to use this gorgeous colour for my re-stitch. Decisions, decisions!  Also in my package was some 1/2 yard 'tags' and some cloisonne frogs (which I couldn't resist). 

Hannah Beeby is stitching up quickly now I have forgone the SAL. I seem to be the only one stitching and posting progress and as I was getting rather lonely I have decided to just get on with it now. I will post a picture in the next few days. 

I am really looking forward to Sunday as my Stitch-n-Bitch group have an all-day stitch-in with a 'bring a dish' lunch. Maybe there will be more stitching than bitching but who knows :o). I'll take my camera along so expect some 'action' shots next week!   
  


This week I harvested one of the patio bags in which I have been growing potatoes. Not the biggest of crops but they did have a lovely flavour! My tomatoes were doing well but we have had awful weather this past week with really high winds and rain which has certainly played havoc with my garden. I am beginning to think that my first effort of gardening may be the last. 

Have a good weekend
Thanks for visiting
Take care

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Saturday, 26 July 2008
Hannah Beeby update, some stash and some pretty pictures!


First up an update on Hannah Beeby.  Isn't she beautiful? I am enjoying each and every stitch I make in her. I am undecided as whether to continue working across or whether to work down the left hand side to the bottom and then work across. 


I also had a little stash buy. On the left of the picture is 'Le Plateau Monochrone' by Les Grilles de Maryse and on the right side is 'Doux Coeur Tyrol' by Tournicoton. I am looking forward to stitching both of these. I found a UK website (Crafty Ribbons) that was having a sale on silk ribbons so I ordered 6 different colours. 


My garden was looking really pretty yesterday so I decided to take a few photos. It's a fairly small l-shaped garden which has sun in one part or the other throughout the day which suits me fine! The old wall you can see belongs English Heritage and encloses the Captain's Garden, which is part of Deal Castle. It was going to be restored to its original state but, after many hours of clearing, it looks as though the work has now stopped but it's great to know that they can never build upon it or turn it into a car park.   


While I had my camera out I spied this tiny bee making the rounds of my lobelia so had to take his picture even if he did turn his back at the last minute.

No stitching today as I was invited out to a girl-friend's house, with other girl-friends, where we had lunch in her garden. This lunch went on to 7pm as we had lots to talk about. Tomorrow is Ken's birthday so we are having a family lunch out so no cooking for me this weekend.

Thanks for visiting
Take care  

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Friday, 18 July 2008
Long time - no post!
Working has its disadvantages like no stitching and no blogging! But I'm back even though I will probably be working next week too. Ok so here goes - quite  a few pictures to show you. 

Firstly Helen asked me about the fob she spied hanging off the basket from which I drew the names for the Quaker biscornu draw. Here is photos of both the back and front. I stitched this at "Stitching in the Garden" a CA Wells' class held in Cape Cod in 2002. It was originally attached to a pencil but I removed it so I could hang from one of my Nantucket baskets. The back is a silk fabric with an embroidered bee on it. There was also another fob hanging from the basket which I will show you another time. 



Next up is a Christmas ornament which I stitched a couple of weeks ago and, if you remember, I did give you a tiny glimpse of it. I finished this off today.  It's the fob from Sampler Cove's Rhapsody in Red III which I amended into an ornament. The ribbon was a bit thick to do the ruching around the edge but I think it looks ok and I know my friend will appreciate it. It's stitched on my favorite white 35ct Brussels linen with a red and green Splendor silk thread. 

I also finished my piece for Jayne's Attic Monthly Finishing Challenge but I cannot show any photos until the reveal day on July 27.



And then I got some stash in the mail from Golden Needle.
 

This is The Stitching Parlor's "My First Sewing Box and Scissor Fob" pattern with the fabric, threads and the Whitman's tin to finish it. These are not usually colours I would choose but I am looking forward to doing something different. 


Cathy from Golden Needle also asked me if I would stitch for the Habitat project. Lizzie Kate donated the patterns, another customer donated the fabric so all I had to do was supply the DMC threads and my time for stitching. It was a quick stitch on 14ct Rustico. It's a long time since I have stitched on Aida fabric. These pieces are going to made into banners for those people who were made homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Cathy also enclosed a second piece of fabric and pattern for Kirby to stitch one too which I am sure she will do once she returns from her girly trip to Majorca.

Last Wednesday evening was our Stitch-n-Bitch group meeting. It was a bit of an effort to go but I am so glad I did as we had a great time and I managed to stitch some more on Mindi's QFRR piece.  It won't be too long before this is ready to be mailed on. 

While I was there a pair of the Dovo scissors again caught my attention so I decided to treat myself - check out the top two pictures - aren't they just gorgeous?

Thanks for visiting - have a great weekend
Take care 

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