Sorry it's not knitting

Unfortunately I haven't been able to take any photographs of my knitting as the hat and gloves are in almost constant use! I will keep trying! My latest project is a snood for DD1, I am guessing she will need it now she is back from the Dominican Republic. After that I must get back to my sweater or it will be summer before it is finished.

I have been stitching on Winter Wonderland and it is coming along nicely. Such lovely colours.

I haven't stitiched on anything else except a couple of things for Christmas gifts, I will post a pic when these have been received.

I think the countdown to Christmas has started in earnest now. We had our work Christmas do on Friday and I have a couple of days off to do shopping next week. In between we have a christmas lunch at work with a Secret Santa - don't know why I sign up as I never know what to get!

Here at last

I'm not sure where the time has been going lately - I thought I was keeping up to date with blogging and then I find that I haven't blogged at all this month! There are no excuses just too much to do and not enough time.
I do have a couple of stitchy updates for you although I am having probelms working the scanner with the new laptop. For example I'm sure that this scan was the right way round when I uploaded it! This is the design I stitched as a wedding gift. It is by Dessins DHC and I found it on Creative Poppy.

The next update is Winter Wonderland. Lovely design and stitches up beautifully though I will be glad when the house is finished and I can get on to the small motifs. I am quite a bit further now on than in this picture

 

I still want to do some ornaments for Christmas so had better get a move on! 

At least I have started my Christmas shopping, did some on Friday while getting DD2s birthday gifts and DD1s travel money for her holiday. The shops were very busy so am not looking forward to making many more trips.

This week I have also been knitting so my next blog will hopefully have some knitting pics for you.

Until next time, take care  and thanks for the lovely comments you leave.

Stitchy Update

As promised I am blogging a little stitching tonight. I don't have a lot to show but here is my update on Summer at the Shore by CCN. Did I mention that I love this design?

 

 Unfortunately it doesn't quite fit in the scanner.

I have also made a new start. It is a design called Wedded Bliss by Dessins DHC and is a wedding gift for 2 work colleagues who got married last week. I know it's late but I didn't have a chance to stitch anything with being on holiday. I am hoping to have it finished for when they get back from honeymoon.

I have knitted 2 squares for my sweater - when i have done a few more I will take a photo so you can see how it is going to look.

I am looking forward to the post arriving next week - I have ordered the last two LHN monthly threadpacks and the remaining threads that I need for BD Winter Wonderland. This is the chart that the lovely Barb sent me for my birthday back in March and it has taken me a while to get round to it I'm afraid. I thinking that if I start on November the 1st then I can either finish it in time for Christmas or have it as my Christmas stitch. Either way I will be very happy.

Speaking of BD have you seen the latest Anniversaries of the Heart? It is called Moonlight Visitor and is absolutely lovely. Can't wait to stitch that one!

By the way since I didn't get any responses to my PIF I will be doing 3 RAKs  ( at least) in 2011 as a little thank you to the people who  comment on my blog.

Back Home

in the cold rainy UK - just a week ago we were in Spain and the temperature was 25C!

We had a marvellous time in Andalucia - except for the first day when we went to the ancient town of Ronda ( you may have seen Jamie Oliver there in his latest series) - well it poured with rain and there was thunder and lightening! However before all that we did manage to get a photo of the bridge over the gorge that divides the town.

 

After that thought we spent 3 days in the beautiful city of Seville where we saw stunning architecture like this

 

and went to see flamenco!

and a day in Cordoba ( the temperature an reach almost 50C there in summer - so glad we went in October!) before going to Granada where we saw the incredible Alhambra.

 

These are just a small selection of the photos that DH took.

Everywhere we went there was stunning architecture and the Spanish people are so friendly. I can't wait to go back!

On the stitching front I don't have a lot to report - was going to show my progress on Summer At The Shore but the scanner isn't playing and I don't have the camera charged. Next time I promise. Also I started knitting a sweater tonight - it's from the latest issue of Let's Knit magazine which I have just discovered and is knitted in squares which you then sew together - great for me as I have problems holding heavy knitting. 

I mentioned that I signed up for Sally's PIF well I would like to extend the offer of a PIF on here. Now I know that not many people read my blog so please sign up if you do. If I don't get 3 people I will do as Barb has done and send a RAK instead.

Speaking of Barb she has a giveaway on her wonderful blog at present - I'm sure you will have already popped along there but if not tell her I sent you!

Off to Spain

Sorry there are no pictures to go with this post but my PC is playing up so I am posting this from DDs laptop. After a few days frantic washing/ironing/packing I think I am all ready to fly off to Spain tomorrow. I will be back next weekend so hopefully will have lots to show you (and some of it might even be stitching!)
This week I have mostly been stitching on Summer at the Shore - such a lovely easy stitch. I haven't quite decided what stitching to take with me - don't think I will get a lot of time but you never know!
I have signed up for Sally's PIF so I will be doing something similar on here after my holiday. I know there are only a few of you out there reading but that makes it that much more personal I think. I will post the details when I have decided on them.

Finally I just saw in Facebook that Vicky of India Grace  designs posted that she has a design in issue 68 of Stitch with The Embroider's Guild. It is hardanger and speciality stitches. Vicky is a lovely lady and her designs are beautiful. I will certainly be getting this one.

Happy Dancing Triangles

Finally here is my post about my Happy Dance! I have completed Cirque des Triangles which I started stitching as a SAL with Sandra . Needless to   say Sandra completed hers ages ago but I have persevered and here it is... stitched on 32ct antique white evenweave with Carries threads in Dried Sage. Not the best picture but if I wait for a good day to photograph it outside I might be waiting for ever!

I will now be getting Cirque des Cercles from my WIP pile to finish that and then I want to stitch Cirque des Carreaux ( I already have the threads - Carries Double Fudge Brownie).

As requested by Julie here are the squares for my crochet throw - I have done 7 squares so far and this is a long term project - I don't tend to work on it often.Some of the squares will have pink where the turquoise is , if that makes sense?
I bought a new ( to me) magazine today - Let's Knit! - it has knitting and crochet patterns and looks like a good read. A bit pricey at £4.99 so I may save it to take on holiday.

Since the big cat photos from our recent trip to the zoo were popular here area couple more.

Those cheetahs were very sleepy!!

Finally here is my progress on Summer at the Shore. I am loving this design and it stitches up so quickly! I doesn't quite fit on the scanner so apologies.

Thanks for reading and especially for the comments.. I love them. Until next time..

A day out and a new start

What's this, another post and you didn't have to wait a month for this one! I am trying to be more reliable so thank you if you are bearing with me.

We had a trip out to Chester Zoo the other week - I was brought up close to there and have been visiting all my life. It is interesting to see the huge changes that have been made. Conditions for the animals are much improved from what they used to be. Here are a few photos courtesy of DH.

Jaguars - we had to wait ages to see these but they are magnificent.

A zebra

My favourite - the spectacled bear

My new start is Summer at the Shore by CCN - I am stitching it on 28ct Wichelt lambswool linen using the called for threads - I am loving this  design, the colours are so pretty. No more stitching to show yet but I have only got 2 more triangles to do on Cirque des Triangles so there will be a Happy Dance soon ( if I can put SATS down for a bit). Also I won some yarn on Ebay to do more on my crocheted throw, must show you a pic of that sometime.

I'm afraid I haven't stitched any more on Shores - just haven't been feeling like it but am hopeful that I will get back to it very soon.
Thanks for reading and especially for the lovely comments. x

Tall Ships, a win and a little bit of stitching

Yet again I have gone a month between blogs - this is getting really bad, I must make more time to keep up to date. In my defence I have been quite busy lately.
Last Tuesday DH, DD2 and I went up to Hartlepool to see the Tall Ships leave port as part of the Tall Ships race. We picked my mum up on the way and spent the day watching the ships, then went to visit my brother ( who lives in Hartlepool) out for something to eat at his local and back to mum's to see my other brother.
DH took lots of photos - here are a few....

I also had some good news - Nikki Leeman of Country Cottage Needleworks had a giveaway on her blog and I won! I chose the chart "Summer at the Shore" as it will make a nice companion for Beach Cottage which I stitched a while ago. I am going to frame them and hang them in my bedroom. They are both nostalgic pieces which remind me of summers by the sea when the girls were small. I am ordering the threads I need from Mary Kathryn's new webshop and will be stitching this very soon.
I have only had time for a little stitching and am still getting used to our new scanner so these images are not the best.
First up is a chart from The Sampler Girl - I love this poem and am going to make this into a pillow one of these days . Stitched in Carrie's Raspberry on cream Belfast linen.

Next is my progress on Shores - not so much I'm afraid as I just can't stitch on this when I'm tired. However I got new glasses yesterday and the reading addition to my varifocal lenses has been increased so I hope that this will help.

Lastly is the May thread pack from LHN/CC - this one is almost finished and as September and October are on their way I had better get a move on if I want to finish these by the end of the year!

I haven't got the hang of the editing software yet as you can see!

Well that's all for now - hope to be back soon! thanks for reading and especially for the lovely comments.

July update

It seems that I am only managing to update this blog once a month - sorry about that, I will try to do better. I don't have a lot to show as I seemed to lose the stitching bug for a while but I think it's back now!
The good news is I have finished the college course I was doing for work, it was interesting but I don't think I will be doing any more - eats into the stitching time too much. Also the decorating is done in our bedroom - at long last and DH is busy assembling furniture as we speak. This last week has been spent decorating and buying furniture, bedding etc. I decided ion a very pale teal colour scheme with lots of white so it looks nice and restful. The new memory foam bed is great too for my aching arthritic bones..lol.
Since I haven't been much in the mood for stitching I did a couple of small pieces - March and April from LHN's monthly thread packs . I love these designs and the beautiful colour palettes.   I'm sorry about the quality of the scans - hopefully this will be improved in later posts as we just bought a new scanner/printer to replace our two ageing ones.The border of April is not finished as I managed to run out of thread. I am hoping that this colour turns up again in a later pack, otherwise I will buy a skein to complete it. Not sure how I will finish these - I would like to do two cubes I think, spring/summer and autumn /winter maybe.

I have also been doing some crochet, large granny squares to make myself a throw. I find crochet very soothing, even more so than stitching and it has the advantage that I don't need good light. I also worked on the cross stitch cushion I am stitching for Emma but can't lay my hands on the camera to photograph those for you.
Today is our 22nd wedding anniversary - doesn't time fly? Not doing anything special as the weather is rotten and we need to get stuff done in the house as mentioned above. We might have a trip out over the weekend. 

On the stitching front I am planning on stitching some more on Shores this weekend as I have got very behind. Hope to back with an update very soon.

Laura's House in the Woods

I haven't been feeling much like stitching  recently as I have been finding it difficult to concentrate so thought I would try something simple to stitch so I bought some e-charts from Tanya (The Sampler Girl ) in her Memorial Day sale. - I love getting charts by email - instant gratification!
 This is the first one I have  stitched - Laura's House in the Woods. I used to love Little House on the Prairie when I was a child. This was a quick stitch and very enjoyable - I want to make it into a pillow at some stage to go in my bedroom once it is decorated.

 The only other stitching I have done was on Bramble and the Rose - this is my progress for May. I like stitching this but am not sure about the colour I chose - somehow it just isn't "me" but I will persevere as I think it will look good when it is finished.

I took the day off today - feels like ages since I had a day off so I just did a bit of housework, a couple of hours on my college assignment and some stitching while watching Glee and NCIS Los Angeles which I recorded the other night. Back to work tomorrow until my next days off on Sunday and Monday.
I have ordered the next two LHN threadpacks May/June and July/August so I am going to try and stitch up March and April. It would be nice to get caught up with these and they are nice easy stitches. Then I really must get back to Shores which has been put aside as I just couldn't concentrate enough to stitch on it. Hopefully I will be blogging some more progress soon. Until then, thanks for reading.....

Stitching bloggers question

 Sorry it's been a while since I posted here but life seemed to get in the way. Stitching wise I finished the "Bride's Bouquet" and gave it to the bride in time for her wedding yesterday. I forgot to take a picture as I was in such a rush, I just hope she liked it.

I am still on block 3 of Shores - just got back to stitching on it today after a couple of days on Bramble and the Rose.When I have some decent progress I will show some pics.

I have signed up to do a course at uni - only 10 weeks but quite intensive, it's to do with work so I won't bore you with details but it will inevitably cut into my stitching time.

I saw this on another blog and thought it quite interesting. Lee has revivied the SBQ and the first question is:

Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.  
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching.  They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal.   Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.
Then there are those who are “project” stitchers.  They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching. 
If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be?  I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one.  And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life

I am most definitely a "process" stitcher - I really enjoy the stitching process and finishing is not essential to my enjoyment. The only pieces I seem to finish are those intended for gifts or exchanges. Interestingly I find that this is the opposite to my approach in my professional life where i am very goal orientated. I think that the different approach to stitching helps to balance things in some way. It certainly helps to reduce the stress levels.
I am interested to see what other people think.......

Back home but still busy

Well time seems to have got away from me again - seems ages since I blogged. We had a fun weekend in Great Yarmouth at the Queen Fan Club convention and will probably book to go again next year. We will have to get a better caravan though as it was absolutely freezing in the one we had this year.
The only down side was that our washing machine decided to give up the ghost while we were away. DD used it and the drum just kind of disintegrated, causing quite a bit of damage in the kitchen. It is still under warranty though but Hoover Candy are being very slow at getting it sorted so I am washing by hand and hoping I don't have to visit the laundrette..lol.
I had to go back to the dentist last week as my jaw was very painful and I couldn't open my mouth or chew. She said it was a side effect of the local anaesthetic injection and I had to rest it and take antiinflammatories. It is feeling a lot better now and I will be gong to see her again on Wednesday.
We have had a quiet weekend - I was off work for 3 of the 4 days and took the opportunity to take it easy on Sunday.

I haven't done a lot of stitching but did do some on my Bramble and the Rose SAL before the end of March deadline.

I also made a start on Brides Bouquet but had to frog a good deal yesterday due to one side being one thread out...I was not happy! It does not look like much at present so I will save doing a picture until it is completed. I'm afraid I have only done a little work on Shores so will have to get my act together and get on with that. The problem is I find the 36 ct very tiring on the eyes when I have been at work.
I can't believe it is April already - I will be going to the Nuneaton meet up at the end of the month. I went once before and it was a good day. This time I think I will just be going down for the day as I don't really know anyone very well and don't want to stay overnight somewhere on my own. Mind you if anyone reading this is going get in touch because I could be persuaded to change my mind!
Thanks for reading and also for those lovely comments. I have been reading everyone's blogs but often on my Blackberry which make commenting a bit of a pain so apologies if you have not had a comment from me.

Shores and a finish

Just thought I would show my completed block 2 of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. I didn't really enjoy stitching this block but now that it is done I like the way it looks. I am going to have a couple of nights stitching on one of my Ink Circles pieces and then I will start on block 3.

I also finished the first LHN monthly thread pack, although I did leave off the french knots on the snowman, I may add beads later on. This was such a relaxing stitch and I want to get on to the February one which I have already stitched once, then I need to order the next two from the U.S.

I won't have  a lot of stitching time this week as I am at work until Thursday and then we are going to Great Yarmouth for the weekend. It is the 25th anniversary of the Queen fan Club convention and as DH is a big Queen fan we are going for the weekend - it is held at a holiday park so we will be staying in a caravan. I hope that I will get to do some stitching while I am there!

I am also hoping that we will get time to find and visit my grandmother's grave as she is buried in Great Yarmouth . . I only have vague memories of her as I was only 8 when she died ( she died in1967). It would be nice to see the grave and leave some flowers, I would like to get a photo if that is possible as my mum has never been to see the grave.

I have decided that I don't have enough new starts and am going to stitch a wedding sampler for a work colleague. The design I have chosen is Bride's Bouquet by Lili Soleil which is available on the Creative Poppy site. What do people think? Is it a good choice? I was a bit stuck as the colour scheme and everything about the wedding is top secret so I thought I would go with something traditional.
thanks for reading and once again for the lovely comments. I have really become much more motivated with my stitching since I have been posting more regularly on here and the comments really help.

New starts

Here, as promised are the new starts I have made this month ( and yes I know there are too many of them). First up is The Bramble & the Rose by Ink Circles which was published in The Gift of Stitching magazine. This is a SAL on the Ink Circles Stitchers blog. I am stitching on 32 ct linen in Twilight using Carries threads "Night Storm".  This scan is a bit dark but hopefully doesn't look too bad.

Next is the LHN/CC thread pack "January" stitched on 28ct raw linen. I love the colours of Cresent colours threads, they are definitely my favourites at the moment

and thirdly the cushion design by Emily Peacock which was a free gift with Cross Stitcher at the end of last year. This is a nice easy stitch with 3 strands of DMC over 2 on 22 ct Oslo fabric. The cushion will go in my DDs room and I have just ordered the companion design "Kiss" to stitch once this one is done.

Last, but by no means least, is my latest update on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow - I need to focus on this for a while and get onto the next square

Well that's it for now - work in the morning so I had best get some sleep!!

Birthday and the dentist

Well foks it's my birthday today - one year on from the big 50 - surely I can stop counting now?
I decided to celebrate in non-traditional style by visiting the dentist. As I suspected I have a dental abscess so am now on antibiotics and having seen the xray of the tooth I need to decided whether to try and save it or just have it removed. I think I will be opting for removal as root canal work is painful and may not save it anyway.
So..the birthday hasn't really got started yet. DD2 bought me a lovely Charlie Bear called Daisy and Barb sent me this lovely chart and fabric. I was so delighted with this totally unexpected gift!

I will be shopping for the rest of my birthday presents later today and tomorrow.
I don't have any stitching to show today but I have made a few new starts, one is the January thread pack design by LHN - a nice quick stitch, another is Bramble and the Rose by Ink Circles - this is so much fun to stitch, and the third is a cushion design "HUG" by Emily Peacock from Cross Stitcher magazine. I am stitching the cushion for DDs new bedroom and it is stitched with 3 strands of DMC over 2 on 22ct evenweave, it should stitch up quickly.
I have a couple of days off this week so hope to blog again with pics very soon.
Thanks to all who read and especially those who leave such nice comments!

I hate winter

I am so fed up with it beigncold and dark and wet!! And now I have a really heavy cold as well, just when we are busy decorating DDs bedroom. Trust me trying to paint skirting boards while you are constantly sneezing is no fun - that was how I spent yesterday! I haven't even felt like stitching the last few days either although I've done a little on C des Triangles today.
I do have a couple of stitchy updates though, first my progress on Winter Mandala

My exchange partner in the Fair and Square exchange let me know that she received my squares so I can show them to you. I adapted the LHN February thread pack design and I like the way it turned out. I have the January and February designs to stitch for myself - must get on with them before I order the March/April set.

Think that's all for now!

Block One complete

tonight I had to work late unexpectedly but still managed to complete the first block of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings. looking forward to starting the next block but not tomorrow when I have to work again. Days off on Sunday and Monday!

Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow

Just popped in to let you all know that Kathy Barrick is posting up pictures of her new release on her blog. It is released at Nashville market and I think it looks great. Perhaps I will be stitching this next year?

Quick update

i have been busy stitching on SHRH this week - it is growing slowly and I really like the way it looks. Sally and I have been joined in our SAL by Nicki which is great - the more the merrier.
Here is my progress so far - still on course to complete this block by the end of the month.

Sorry it's a little crooked!

I have also been working on Winter Mandala by Ink Circles - really enjoying this design and I have done quite a bit more on Cirque des Triangles, however it's too big to fit in the scanner and I just couldn't get a decent photo in the dull depressing light we have here at the moment. Here is a pic of my progress on Winter Mandala. Loving those colours. It is stitched in DMC on 32 ct antique white linen.

I just joined the Ink Circles Stitchers blog with a view to joining in a SAL for The Bramble and the Rose - like I don't have enough on the go!! Can't decide on colours for it though.
I also have to stitch my Fair and Square exchange piece - have finally decided on a design after much thought. Can't tell yet but will post a pic when it has been received.
Other than stitching I don't have much news - feeling a bit down really, I think I am fed up of the winter weather. Hope to have more to tell next time.

Shores, snow and other things

I thought I would post a pic of my progress on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. I am really enjoying stitching this - it's the first time I have use 36ct fabric on a large piece and I am pleasantly surprised. I am using Zwiegart linen in Sand and DMC threads. This is a SAL with Sally and I hope I will be able to keep up and finish it in 2010.

Why is it though that when you check your stash and order the threads you need for a design that when you come to stitch it there is always one missing? I cannot find my DMC 860 anywhere so there will have to be a few gaps my stitching. Even more annoying I did another SewandSo order the other day to get threads for Winter Mandala and fabric for the LHN monthly series! Now I will have to wait a couple of weeks until I can get to Hobbycraft.

Thanks again for the lovely comments - Ursh I'm sorry if I enabled you..lol and Barb welcome to my blog.

I hope you are all managing to get about in the snow - I'm finding it a bit tedious now - I use public transport to get to work and it's adding at least an hour on to my daily commute as well as being lethal underfoot. I managed to fall the other day and now have a sore stitching arm!!
It's thawing here today and snowing at the same time.

Today I am joining Lisa and Sally's UFO SAL - I'm going to stitch on CdesT and then tonight I think I will do some knitting while I watch Wallander as I couldn't concentrate on stitching when I watched last weeks.

Did I mention that I got an e reader for Christmas? It's the Sony pocket one and I love it. I wanted one because I don't read nearly as much as I used to - don't have time to get to the library and they don't carry the books I want to read anyway. I am reluctant to buy more books as I just don't have the space to keep them so this seems like a good alternative. At the moment I am reading The Private Patient by PD James.

Think that's all for now - hope to be back soon with more stitching to show!

Here again

Well this is a good start, I've made it back to my blog!
First of all I would like to thanks all the people who left comments for me - thank you for the encouraging words and suggestions, you gave me quite a bit to think about.
I have been back at work since New Year's Eve - yesterday was pretty unpleasant trying to get there through the snow, none of the roads had been gritted, and as we watched the snow come down we were al wondering how we would get home again. Fortunately the snow stopped in the afternoon and there was a bit of a thaw. I'm not looking forward to next week though!
Thought I would show a pic of a gift I made for 2 colleagues who got married recently. Not a very good photo as I was experimenting with using my BlackBerry - perhaps I'll try the camera next time!
The design is by The Historical Sampler company - adapted from a design that was in CrossStitcher magazine last year.




Stitching wise I have made a small start on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow (Sally have you started?)
I thought I'd better get on with it as I am such a slow stitcher. I will post a progress pic the next time. I am stitching it on 36ct linen in sand with DMC threads 1 over 2. I don't usually use 36ct but I am really enjoying this. I think the 1 thread looks better than 2, what does any one else use?
My other new start ( yes I know!!!!) is Tracy Horner's Winter Mandala from the latest issue of Just Cross Stitch. The mag is available in an online version for the first time ( FREE!!) and while you cannot save it you can print it out. The design is lovely and there are going to be 3 more (but the mag may not be online or free) I wish it was easier to get hold of in the UK.
To see the design go to the Ink Circles site or Just Cross Stitch
That's all for now, off to get something to eat and settle down to an evening of stitching - Poirot and Wallander on TV tonight - great!