Flying

This week has been flying along. So sit back an relax there's plenty to report, stitching and otherwise.

The weather has still been hot and sunny only a few storms. I think this year us brits can't be moaning we've not had a summer.

Firstly on with the stitching. I've finished a rotation on Sarah Kay.

Before:

And now:

Decent progress and its a nice summery picture to have been stitching this last week. I have been enjoying it more than I have on previous rotations so maybe it's grown on me.

This weekend was Sunderland international air show with it being on the doorstep and free...well apart from all the stalls, games, food vans etc,  so it'd be rude not too. It was it's 25th anniversary. I remember going to airshows as a little un, I got Vincent far to excited telling him from the Friday we were going to see the aeroplanes and on Saturday as soon as he was dressed he was at the door asking for the keys, flying didn't start for it until 1pm but the boys really enjoyed it.

Vincent is having a language explosion this last week, full sentences, he's now babbling on about aeroplanes and we went to a museum in Newcastle to see some lifesize inflatable whales, dolphins and sharks. Vincent is big into fish at the moment and now has learnt loads of marine words.... I was so proud when he actually told grandma he saw a whale. It was also the first time Henry has been out of the pram on his reins, he thought he was amazing being a big boy. People aren't kidding when they say they grow so fast.

I had applied to be a stitched for Crossstitchermagazine but I wasn't successful. However the letter they sent with my returned stitching was nice mentioning my neatness in my work.

I also received prize for having my letter printed. How nice was it to receive this in the post...drool. all the most beautiful variegated colours. I do have an idea that they would be perfect for but I am trying to stay focused...yeah right...bets on showing before I crack lol

I got some time when hubby took the boys out to work on my memory angels.

 

They now are fully stitched and the clothes have been cut out from grandma's clothes. They are just pinned but they look amazing so far.

 

I have one for me, one for my dad and one for my sister and the red one will be a Christmas one. 

 

For mine I had been given a little hat grandma had knit...best is she used to love wearing the same type of hat all the time so makes a perfect addition for my memory Angel.

 

 I also realised that the clip on earrings she had loads of make brilliant brooches for them too.

I just need to get some sewing machine time to fix the clothes together and get the wings sorted. Then its just hair and face. They also have hold of items in the book they are from. So I'm thinking a roses for most of them and probably stitch a pillow with Noel on it for the Christmas one...Grandma used to sing that all year long.

So all in all I'm rather pleased with all my stitching progress and non stitching progress too. I've even managed to be collecting plenty on my thimbles. So I've got that blog to be updating too. And on with the next rotation.

Keep Stitching....

Stitching up a serenade

I've been up to allsorts since my last post so settle in for a catch up.

Firstly I opened my sub of Cross Stitch Collection magazine this morning. So excited to find my stitching featured on the letters page.

I will have an update on my rotation of Sarah Kay very soon as I only have a couple of hours left on that.

I'd had an idea to stitch something out of some of my grandma's clothes since she passed. I got some dresses and a card I that I remember her wearing a lot.

I have made a start on making up some angels and I'm going to dress them in the clothes.

I've only got the bodies cut out ready to assemble after the hubby took the boys out for me to get the sewing machine out this afternoon...so good of him. I've got ones to make for more of the family as well.

 I know my grandma would have loved them. She loved fairies and angels. 

The cardi was a bit trickier I've never really dabbled with knit so much so wasn't sure if I could make anything. My mother is a big pintrest fan and sent me loads ideas. And little did I know what amazing pile of ideas there are out there for upcycling your knitwear. Mother was like I'm off to the charity shops now for jumpers ha ha. You know what grandma would have been stuck right in there too.

Anyway these are the starts I've made.

I did this pen pot for my dad

It's pretty good but the bits I've stitched seem to have stretched compared to the rest of it. Hmm maybe just practise to avoid this.

I also found this pattern on pintrest for mittens.

I've only done the one so far as the machine decided it was jamming the bottom thread and I  decided to have a break break rather than risk ruining anything. But they look pretty cool I do say so myself.

keep stitching...

Cupcakes and covers

Firstly thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers it means a lot.

 

I've took solace in stitching and have some finishes to show. It was just over a week ago I got my issue of cross stitch collection through the door and found the most amazing cupcake charts inside. I've been trying my hardest to be good and focus on my WIPs but I was too tempted and dived into the stash to find the bits.

I did sub some colours as to what I had to hand and also added a bit of Madeira glissen gloss into the icing as I had some that coordinated with the pink.

 

 

I have had the sewing machine out today while the Hubby took the muchkins out for a walk. So I've whipped it up into a kindle cosey for my mother's birthday coming up. Just like real cupcakes they are rather moreish I'm just itching to stitch about a dozen.

 

I also stitched up a book cover. I've finally finished reading A Feast For Crows George RR Martin and its in a hell of a state from being chucked all over and on the bottom of the pram etc. And the next book I want to read are nice hardbacks that I want to keep nice to go back on the shelf. So viola

I am sure that should help keep my books nice. The fabric I had in my stash of fat quarters of pretty fabrics. Just love this floral design and I'm not normally one for pink but its dreamy. And I also got to use on of the lovely buttons from my hubby's groma's stash.So a pretty productive day.

 

Now back to my failing misson of keeping focused and stopping my WIPs becoming a host of UFOs.

 

Keep stitching....

On the door mat

 

Hearing a thud on the door mat always gives me a thrill as it usually heralds the arrival of one of my cross stitch magazine subs.

 

 

 

I can't wait to thumb through cooing I'm gonna stitch that and that and that!! I have a huge stack of back issues all with things just waiting to be rediscovered - oh yes I was going to stitch that wasn't I.

 

I think the best thing about them arriving is not the new additions to my to do list but the renewed vigour that it gives me for getting on with some serious stitching. I think its the thought of more to do that makes me think right best get cracking on.

 

I do tend to go through them whenever I get the 'I must stitch a card or something for X' bug or like my current project I knew I wanted to do an afghan and just going through the pile of magazines found the perfect designs for it.

 

 I know I'll always be daydreaming and stash increasing through reading them but I really wouldn't change having them thump through the door only to end up in the pile with the rest of them next month.

 

I haven't any progress to show its not very impressive - more like 10 stitches than 10 hours. Seems when one cherub is sleeping the other is fussing lol

 

I did find a little time to do my yearly pumpkin carving with a bit of hubby help so he's my vehicle pumpkins for my two boys!!! Just gotta find time to make the pies now.

 

Happy Halloween!

 

Keep stitching



Let the Games begin

Hi all for some reason it feels like an eternity since I've posted and caught up on all your blogs but its only been 10 days.

The most exciting thing that I have been up to has been seeing the Olympic Torch pass through our city, this is just 10 mins from my house.

I couldn't miss the chance to see it and take the tot not something you can say you've seen everyday. Just a shame about the drizzly weather there was a big celebration on at one of the parks but we gave it a miss due to the weather. Vinnie wasn't sure at first a bit overwhelmed by the noisy floats giving out freebie bits but he got into it by the time that torch passed and was mega cute waving his flag. I'm looking forward to the Olympics I'm not really that into my sport but there is just something about the occasion that I can't get enough when its on. And of course it's something good to stitch to.

I have completed my 10 hours on Motherly Devotion not in my usual time which accounts for the tardiness in updating.

So here is where I was up to:

And now:

Its still a lovely stitch and I'm loving every minute I spend on it the 10 hours seem to fly by.

I am having a bit of an issue with the chart though. Cross stitch Collection magazine has published this one as a giant pull out chart. Which sounds a good idea at first with the no page turns etc. But with being folded round my magnetic board and in and out of my basket with the rotations it has got rather dog eared.

Just look at it! Sigh! It looks worse folded out as well. So I'm not sure for this size project that the giant chart is such a great idea but what can you do.

I have just been looking at my current rotations and I have Motherly Devotion, then the baby afghan that I have done one square on and then I finished the others so I need to add 2 more projects to the list but first I'll be starting a new square on the afghan but I'm feeling too lazy for stash driving tonight so I think I'll do a sneaky bit extra on Motherly Devotion.

So watch this space for some fresh things in rotation but I should will be picking them from my crazy January list.

Damn it my coffee's gone cold - don't you just hate it when that happens lol

Keep stitching.....

Progress, WIPocalypse and plans oh my!

I've been plugging away at things nicely. I've maybe not had as much time this week as last but I've been on sorting my son's stuff for his party tomorrow and his birthday on Tuesday. I can't believe my little boy is going to be 1 year old - I even got proper choked up buying him his first birthday card!

I've also been thinking - influenced by other blogs about trying to start a rotation otherwise I think that I'm going to drowned in this pile of Crazy January starts and not even get to anything I set out for WIPocalypse both of which I started to help increase productivity not hinder lol.

So I started Thursday - I'll still work with Motherly Devotion then I'm going to see if I can tear myself away and I think next I will pick up one off my WIPocalypse list either Starry Night or Tapestry Cat which has been a UFO that was never meant to be and has been lurking for too many years now.

Anyway here's this weeks progress on Motherly Devotion

Yipee some colours!!! Baby Jesus is complete bar his halo but I prefer to do the Kreinik at the end of the X stitch. I think once the collar and cuffs are done I'm going to do Mary's head. Then I'll have probably switched project provided I don't get cold feet lol.

I've also managed to sort getting into blogger on my mobile which means I can keep up to date with everyone's blogs better as most of the time I don't get much chance to get near the laptop - hubby hogs it all evening lol! Only thing is it doesn't seem to let me comment so I'll have to just do those as I manage to snag some computer time.

Well I've got a busy few days coming up starting with getting off here and tidying up Vincent has got Nanna, Grandpa and Auntie Lottie (my folks) coming to visit today!! Which kicks off his birthday celebrations, party tomorrow, then we're thinking of taking him to the local sealife centre on Sunday cos I'm at work on his birthday day boo. But hubby took the day off so I'm sure they'll find something to get up to. So I'll be on a squeeze to fit in some lovely XX's but I'm sure in my current stitchy zone I'll make some time!

Have a lovely week.

Keep stitching

Can't get enough of this one!

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster week this one but has been great on the stitching front.

I had my 14 week scan on Monday which went well all is ok. Just loved seeing the little one wiggling on the screen! Only thing was I was sick as a dog - everyone wrote it off as morning sickness but I knew really it was a stomach bug - which hubby confirmed by coming down with it at the end of the week. But every cloud and all that, it has meant I have rested up with my needle!!!

So here's my progress with Motherly Devotion.



I'm so pleased it seems to be flying off the needle and I'm so addicted to this one I can't get enough of it. It's one I finding myself daydreaming about getting to times I can stitch. Also when my son is taking his nap I'm finding myself thinking I'm tired too but I want to stitch more than sleep!!! I have bearly been able to tear myself away to catch up on everyones blogs and update this one lol.

I think what makes Joan Elliot designs so stitchable is the way you can work on a section like its its own mini project. I'm so excited to be nearly finished all of Baby Jesus!! I just love when you start to really be able to see the design coming out as well.

And haven't I been so good I've stuck to doing the blanket even with all its greys. I can't wait till it's done and I can start on with all those lovely colours. 

Keep stitching...

Motherly devotion progress from CJC start

I've picked up Motherly Devotion, Joan Elliot's design from Crossstitch collection from my Crazy January pile this week. Just to recap this is the design

It was one of the ones that I was loathed to put down. I love the way that Joan's designs stitch up.

This is where I got up on day 11 of CJC.

And here is where I'm up to now

Not too shabby eh? Think I have my stitching mojo back. In fact I've been feeling a bit back on my game in general which is nice. Finally going to get my first scan on Monday so can't wait to meet baby 2 and check that they are doing ok.

Shame the middle throws you straight into the greys of the blanket but I'm being good and sticking with it and I'm hoping to get that section completed first. But I'm so tempted to wander with all those other lovely colours begging to be stitched.

I was chatting with my friend, who also stitches (her Joan Elliot Celestial Dragon was in the last issue of collection - I was super proud of her) and she asked me about Starry Night. This then made me feel like I was cheating on it lol. Like I have said before normally I work with one big project and a small side project at a time so I'm not used to all this flitting about. Think maybe I'll have to get onto it soon but it's hard having so much stuff on the go at once. I love it all and want to stitch it now.

So much to stitch and so little time.

Keep stitching...

Let the stitching begin in ernest

Well I did it!!! Woop Woop. There was a little while I thought I mightn't get it done, but I've slogged it out and made a start on all my 15.

Day 10: Gift Tags Cross stitcher number 234

Stitched all of one of the tags it just needs trimming and making up.

Day 11: Motherly Devotion Cross stitch collection

Fabric Pack finally arrived this very day so I thought it was rude not to start it right away. Still had been having sleepless nights with my teething son so could hardly keep my eyes open. But I was really loathed to put this one away for the next.

Day 12: Ornies Cross stitcher magazine

 Made a good start. Uses three strands so will be super rich colourwise. But ouch on the threads so will have to see how far supplies get me!

Day 13: Kingfisher in Flight.

 After having been up since 4am I had a busy zombiefied day ended up out at the shops longer than I wanted but luckily I had stopped for a large peice of choccy cake to fuel me along. So really thought I wasn't going to get any stitching done. But being so close to the end I camped out in bed and stitched a length.

Day 14: Christmas Angel

 Did a little bit still was low on energy.

Day 15: Middle Earth

Doesn't look much but did take a bit of sorting firstly I nearly all the threads for this needed winding onto bobbins and it's stitched 2 over 1 so will look really good.

Now to sort the mess out......and where to start arrrrgggghhhhh!! lol

Keep stitching...

Crazies fatigue

I'm soldiering on with my crazy 15, have to admit this week I've found that all these new starts a bit of a fatigue. I used to think starting a new kit was the most exciting thing but I think I've took the comfortable middle stitching time for granted. I struggled a couple of days with having to get all the new bits together and starting but I'm over halfway so I'm sticking with it. But I'm so looking forward to the end of this so I can get on with the pleasure of working towards finishes.

 So here's my varying progresses on my crazies

Day 5: Reindeer cake band Cross stitcher free kit issue 245

I know barely started - too much distractions but that's a story for another day lol.

Day 6:World of Sarah Kay kit

Much better than day 5 seems a nice kit - got loads lovely colours, metallics and a huge tub of beads that look like more than the chart needs - always nice to end up with extras for the stash.

Day 7: Gingerbread Houses

Got nearly all the X stitch for one end of the house done. Took quite a while to measure out the fabric to make sure all the pieces would leave enough room for each other. So looking forward to getting these done I can't wait to see how it goes together to make the 3D houses.

Day 8: Tigger and Pooh

Again not much of a start but think I was lamenting putting the gingerbread houses away.

Day 9: Flaming June

Not bad but this was one of those where I needed loads of stuff out and didn't have to hand. So a lot of time wasted rummaging etc. I was a little nervous when I started as the chart recommended starting from the top corner which I never do but I have a large enough piece of fabric so have gave it a go. But then it also means I've started in the clouds - boring colour-wise doh!!!

Bit concerned I ordered the fabric pack from Cross stitch collection for the motherly devotion but it's yet to arrive and I'm soon gonna run out of time - although I do have other kits I can pull at the last. And here I am on day 10 saying about not having had as much time but I'm here blogging lol

So I'm off to kick my butt into action.

Keep stitching...

Christmas comes early

My main stitch this year has been one I've had on my stitch list for ages, fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. So hear it is Joan Elliot's Father Christmas from issue 177 of Cross Stitch Collection which is from 2009.

I decided to bring this to the top of my stitch list after stitching 2 bulldogs followed by a Tatty Ted I was screaming out for some colour to stitch! And this definitely gave me plenty of that. It took me about 7 months to complete which is not bad considering I started this stitch just before my son came along and I think it went well and truly on the back burner for a while. I love all the detail in this design.

 The sack of toys think was my favourite bit to stitch as I stitched each present at a time. All the metallic extras and beading give it a real Christmassy feel. I'm planning on backing it with some fabric to make it into a banner. So it is easy to roll up and store with the Christmas decorations. I think he's going to stick around from now until Christmas though seems rude to put him away for such a short time after I have spent most of the year with him on the stand, making my hubby sing Christmas carols in June lol

I received my new copy of Cross Stitch Collection the other day and what luck! Joan Elliot's newest design Madonna and child is just going to be the perfect companion piece so this will be going on my stitch list but I've got a few things that a still ahead of it at the moment. I'm a big fan of Joan Elliot's designs having done a few of hers now.

Loving the fact that the chart is a fold out so its all on one page as my 2009 copy with Father Christmas is looking rather dog eared pages falling out the lot.

So if your looking for a large traditional style Santa then this one is a must, and will be gracing our home every Christmas for years to come. If your looking to get a hold of a copy of the chart it can be found more recently in The Ultimate Joan Elliot Cross Stitch Collection bookazine. Which has added about 10 years onto my stitch list lol.

Keep stitching..