To All My Followers...

....Old and new

2011 has gone, but don't be blue

2012 will come... have no fear!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!

xx

2012 WIPocalypse Aims

I have spent the last couple of days thinking about the WIPocalypse and what I aim to complete.

Off the top of my head I have 3 HAED, Avarice, Twilight Magic and Flower Bride (storykeep) to do.

I also have a large map on the go... I (shamefully) started this one some time ago and I discovered it during packing to move as a forgotten WIP.

There is a pic of the Titanic - the poster used to advertise atlantic crossings... that needs finishing.

I have some small cute stitches too - Winnie the Pooh, Me to You and so on... I think about 4 of those so I want some finishes there too.

In between I have a ton of Birthday cards to do for an exchange I signed up for.. I think there are about 24 participants in all.

So. It looks like 2012 will be a busy stitchy year for me. I aim to reduce my stash too and my collection of books and magazines. I will start 2013 in some sort of order!

Merry Christmas everyone!

From me to you wishing all of you out there reading this the most prosperous of new years too.

A little Christmas fun to share:

THINGS YOU CAN ONLY SAY AT CHRISTMAS:

1: I prefer breasts to legs.

2: Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.

3: Smother the butter all over the breasts.

4: If I don't undo my trousers, I'll burst!

5: I've never seen a better spread!

6: I fancy a little dark meat for a change.

7: Are you ready for seconds yet?

8: It's a little dry, do you still want to eat it?

9: Just wait your turn, you'll get some!

10: Don't play with your meat!

11: Stuff it up between the legs as far as it will go.

12: Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?

13: I didn't expect everyone to come at the same time!

14: You still have a little bit on your chin.

15: How long will it take after you put it in?

16: You'll know it's ready when it pops up.

17: Just pull the end and wait for the bang.

18: That's the biggest bird I've ever had!

19: I'm so full, I've been gobbling nuts all morning.

20: Wow, I didn't think I could handle all that and still want more!!!

My little star!

Victoria was featured in a magazine this month. Cross Stitch Crazy - for their crazy kids slot.

Bless her she was so pleased to see her  name and picture in print! The pic is of her interpretation of a flower basket.

xx

WIPocalypse!

I have just asked to be signed up for a WIPocalypse for next year. I have lots of WIPS and this is a great idea to get some completed. Have a look here for more information about it. I will not start any more projects until I have cleared these - or at least I am on the way to clearing them! I will need to do a few small cards for birthdays which I am involved in an exchange for though..... but thats it, no other new starts.

I need to get on with downsizing my stash too. Keep an eye up there ^ on the for sale tab. I have lots of magazines and kits, especially Winnie the Pooh, and I will be listing a few hopefully next week.

I am settling into my house now, and I have pledged to do at least an hour of stitching a night. It helps me to wind down and relax. I picked up Avarice last night although tonight I won't be stitching as I don't feel 100% and there is no sense in stitching when I am not right as knowing me I will end up frogging it.

Off to meet up with my Sis and a couple of friends tomorrow. Last time really before the festive season kicks in properly., I want to dedicate Friday in the house and get prepared for the best Christmas... ever!!

Will post a WIP soon

xx

What a week!

Ok, so its over a week since I blogged.. but I have been sooo busy!!

The last week has gone thus:

On Monday our house purchase finally completed and we officially own our house... well half of it anyway until the mortgage is paid off.

Tuesday we came and looked again at what we had bought and got very excited. The previous owner called in to see us too and it was lovely to see him. Seems he had had just as many problems with miscommunication as we had.

Wednesday was the big move. Our day started at just after 6. I got the girls off to their schools and the little one to my Sister who was minding her for me then we got cracking!

There were 7 of us altogether moving an entire house load and it took us almost a full day. I stayed at the old house to close it down and when I got to my new home it was all I could do to not sit and sob. There were boxes EVERYWHERE. Not a place to sit. There was a path through the rooms so we could go from room to room but that was all. The kids thought it was great though - camping on mattresses while waiting for new beds really did appeal to them.

We got to bed and had a quiet but uncomfortable night. Lauren decided at 1.30 AM to join Jon and I. We had only just got to sleep and then the fidget midget decided to keep us awake until I eventually had enough after an hour or so and turfed her back to her own bed.

When Thursday broke we got up ready for another busy day. I had aching joints and muscles and my feet were soo painful I thought they were going to disown me! My friend arrived about 10, after the big girls had gone to school and yet again we got started clearing away the mattresses ready for the imminent arrival of our beds. The first one arrived in good time and my friend set about assembling it while Jon and I sorted out the other rooms. Then all hell broke loose when the main beds came. They were placed in and the mess from the packaging was unbelievable. So much!!

Jon went out later that evening and got us a real Christmas tree.

Friday Jon went back to work so it was just me on my own until my Sister came for an hour or so. Just in the nick of time as my Sofas, fridge and freezer arrived too. I spent Friday afternoon assembliing the sofa backs (recliners) and continuing the big put - away.

My new table and chairs arrived with that little lot and today I started their assembly. Whew! The table weighs about 60 kg so its pretty weighty for one. My nephew baby sat for me tonight as I had a little downtime and before we left for the Ice Hockey we turned the table to its right side so thats another job done.

So how are we all doing? Well Lauren is a little unsettled, the big girls are tired and bickering quite alot at the moment and I... well.. I am just shattered. Jon is away in Torquay for a few days working but he will be back over the Christmas Break.

This house truly feels like home already even though we have only been in 4 days. The last house is a distant memory. How easily I forgot it. I was talking to my Sister tonight and it seems an age away.

I can't wait for the work I want doing to be completed in the new year,, I especially cannot wait for the summer.

I am so happy right now.

Oh and the Sheffield Steelers won their match.... 5 - 3! Sorry Fife. Tonight belonged to us.

xx

Tiny update.....

We are 6 days away from moving!

Our house contracts were exchanged today and the sale is due to complete on Monday. Cue one very happy family!

We will be spending Christmas in our new home. I can't wait. I am so excited!

Our move won't actually take place until Wednesday even though the house is legally ours from Monday as Jon is away until Monday night then we have a little more to pack here that I can't/won't do. Mainly loft. I won't go up there. Man's domain!

So the next week is shaping up thus:
Tomorrow and Sunday Ice Hockey and packing inbetween times

Monday finish what I can pack
Tuesday Jon and I work together
Wednesday the big move
Thursday Hannah's 10th birthday!


What a busy week! I don't know when I will manage to blog next, but I am sure you all understand. I will try and log in and at least read some. I am sure I will  need to eat at some point so I might be able to look on then.


xx

What a week! And it's only Wednesday!

Our planned house move won't be happening this weekend. There is yet another problem with our seller's purchase clogging up the whole process. Seems this time though rather than the vendor being at fault its actually the mortgager. So frustrating!

Still it gives me a little more packing time I guess,. Every cloud and all that.

Not done a stitch yet. I started this:

But I have not stitched for a few nights. She is called Twilight Magic, a HAED, and was featured across 2 issues of World of Cross Stitching magazine here in the UK.

I am giving Avarice a break for a while. I don't want to get bored with her so I figure if I do a bit of this one then I will be ok.

Right, back to the packing!

xx

Tired today...

We have been busy working on packing for our new home. My husband is such a magpie! We have thrown away so much stuff, its just not true. He likes to gather. He won't be at the new home tho!
Mind you, having said that, I am a gatherer of craft stuff. My stash is e nor mous!! If you notice I have added a for sale tab and I will be putting a few bits on there in the new year. I have many, many magazines, and some kits that I can easily part with and not miss.
Jon is home now until we move. I am quite glad really as I have had a small crisis with boxes and cannot seem to source any. Its a good job I saved some and had a fair stash. The clearout is keeping me busy!
Anyway, its 11pm and I am going to bed in a mo. Ready to start the last week of our occupancy here, Its so exciting to be finally moving to a bigger, better home. It can only benefit me and my family.

Stitchy update soon xx

IHSW and news!

Well this IHSW I didn't get to do all that much for one reason or another. I am going to make you wait for the pics though until I get out my thoughts.

On Friday I got the call I have been waiting 14 weeks for. Our new family home will be properly ours either later this week or early  next week so we have set a moving date!

We will begin our new life on 3rd December. I will be offline for 12 days until things get sorted with internet access etc. I have my phone, so I may be able to post text but not pics as bizarrely when my phone posts to Blogger it rotates my pictures.

So I probably won't do much... if any.. stitching til around Christmas or maybe even after!

This weekend I barely sat down. I caught myself going backwards! Saturday I went to arrange transfer of our Mortgage deposit and I ordered some of the furniture I want for our house. Of course I was doing this with 3 children in tow so it was not the easiest of situations but I managed. Saturday evening I did some stitching.

On Sunday my girls actually for the first time ever all slept in until 8 am. It was a bit of a shock to my system as I have been used to 6 am starts for many a year now. It was rather nice lying in bed waiting to hear the sound of feet crossing the hall.

Sunday evening we (me, my 2 biggest girls, and my stepfather) went to the Ice Hockey. Our local team is the Sheffield Steelers and the match was full of drama! After scuffles and fights, flying pucks and a few goals we were treated to an extra time win over the Nottingham Panthers from the Steelers. made a rather nice round off to the weekend. I love my Ice Hockey and I am very lucky that I am actually a friend of the owner of the Sheffield Steelers and I get either free or discounted tickets dependent on the match.

I ended the weekend really feeling quite happy and content for the first time in a long time. I woke up this morning knowing I could put things into motion for our move and I have a warm feeling.

And so to Avarice. As I say, I didn't do an awful lot on her. I completed the page midweek so I guess really I probably got all stitched out doing that but anyway. Here's a before and after pic.

My thumb int he bottom pic for good measure!

Until the next update...

Ooh by the way... if you look at the top of my page I am going to do a repair tutorial soon. I helped someone as after they frogged a HAED they managed to break a couple of threads so I thought it would make a good tutorial.. how to mend rather than restart!!

xx

TUSAL anyone??

The lovely DaffyCat has opened the TUSAL for 2012. Details are on her blog and the rules!

The TUSAL is a fun thing., I haven't joined one this year but I have followed lots of them. I have signed up for next year though! Its quite interesting to see the posts.

Getting ready for IHSW although I will be a stitchy session down - Ice Hockey calls on Sunday afternoon. I will just have to make my needle fly on Friday evening and Saturday.

The magazine Victoria is in will be published sometime in the new year so we are eagerly anticipating that, and of course I will blog it for her.

 Well today I am off to the supermarket as its real Mother Hubbard stuff here. Goodness knows what I would do without my Stepdad to take me. Our weekly ritual of shopping is now less painful as he takes the strain and drives us there.

Right, must stop procrastinating and get on!

xx

A page finish and lovely news!

Finally finished page 3 of Avarice last night. In the absence of a move stitching is keeping me sane.
Here she is in all her glory and a close up of the finished face for good measure too.

In other news.... the house move we are still waiting for. Its getting a bit silly now.

And I am living with a media star!!

I answered a request for Cross Stitch Crazy magazine for their Crazy Kids feature and my Victoria is going to be featured in issue 160!!

I had a pic of her stitching from when she just started aged 5 and I sent it in, well it caught Lucy's eye and she emailed me to ask for confirmation that she can use the pic! Victoria was so delighted yesterday. She is now watching the letterbox too as there is a prize promised... probably stitchy goodies which will delight her no end I am sure.

Its IHSW this weekend, if you are not sure what it is then look at the lovely Joysze's blog, all will be explained there. Put your name in the list, pick up your needle and get stuck in!

xx

Could not wait to post this!!

Avarice has a face! Well, the top half LOL

Her eyes just sort of... appeared. I was stitching away and I could see features forming but then I put down my needle and looked and there they were.. and her nose too. I am working on the jeweled hair decoration on the side of her head. hoping to have this page finished in a couple of days.

I managed to tweak the camera settings on my phone so its a bit of a raw image, but it means you can see the confetti stitches properly and just how many colours have made up the gems. I have been constantly surprised by the palette. You would think that it is all browns and golds but there are a fair few purples and plums and amethyst shades as you can see from the left side of her face. It also looks wonky because I had to de frame the piece and use an 8" hoop instead.

xx

My Biscornu arrived!

My Autumn themed Biscornu that I made has arrived with its recipient so I can now share it with you all.

I chose not to do the usual Biscornu with a repeating pattern and I used Keats poem To Autumn as inspiration.

Hope you like it.

Here is the original poem: (courtesy Wikipedia )

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find

Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;

Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,

Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook

Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:

And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep

Steady thy laden head across a brook;

Or by a cider-press, with patient look,

Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,-

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn

Among the river sallows, borne aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

 

xx

Weekend progress

I managed to spend a fair bit of time on Avarice this weekend. This page is about halfway through. Dosen't look like it but there's a fair bit of confetti stitching. The dark part is not just black - its several shades of black and dark brown.

So, I  kept my promise - I did some!!

xx

A Busy Week! And not a STITCH!!

I have been super busy this week. Hallowe'en Monday, one child in school, 2 at  home for Monday and Tuesday then hubs was home from work,
I really did make it crack though when he was home - Wednesday we were off to the supermarket and getting gifts for a 1st birthday and a 21st birthday. We took the kids out for tea later.
Thursday I met my lovely sis and had a cuppa with her and a school friend before coming home and cracking on clearing out our garden with hubby and a couple of friends.

I actually don't feel as though my feet have touched the floor all week.

I haven't done a stitch. Inbetween filling our skip, caring for the children and doing the jobs I have done I am so tired I have been sleeping at every opportunity.

I really want to stitch this weekend so I am going to. No ice hockey fixture so I am getting on with Avarice :-))

xx

Happy Hallowe'en everyone!

Here is a seasonal pic for you - Lauren and her punky. Bless her she can't manage to say Pumpkin!

Oh where do I start??

So much has happened since I updated this blog. I am so naughty not doing it but I am sure you will understand why.

I have  been having a really tough time with my MH. I went off my meds for a while and didn't cope too well. It was a silly thing to do. But I am back on now and sorted. I think the pressure of the move got too much and rather stupidly I thought I could cope better without my little pill.

I have been quite ill too. I had tonsilitis which I recovered from after about 2 weeks then another cold hit me. I feel like I am about to come down with something again so I am fighting it. I know why. I am run down .. See next paragraph.

The move. Well. Nothing is happening. Still. I have done nothing but be on at my Solicitor and try and get things going but to no avail. Our sellers seller has managed to produce contracts so we are at enquiry stage.

I should explain that the UK house purchase system is IMO old and antiquated and the wheels move slowly. For a straightforward purchase of a new build property its usually around 6 weeks but when you are buying an existing property that can increase to around 8 weeks. Of course when there are people buying from you or selling to your seller then it can take exponentially longer..The timings allow for searches to see what services go to the property, the ground it stands on, the surrounding area, to check for relevant planning permissions to be in place etc etc. Also you obv have to get a mortgage secured too. Its such a long slow process that conveyancing solicitors really know how to make their money. Anyway.

This move is affecting my physical and mental wellbeing. It needs to happen soon. otherwise I will be cared off to the funny farm in one of those white coat thingys.

Stitchy news. Not done much. I made a Biscornu for a forum exchange, pic to follow once the recipient has it. I am hoping to get stuck back into Avarice at some point this weekend. The girls are off for Half Term at the moment so I am savouring time with them. Of course I have been packing stuff too so  while not stitching I have kept myself busy.

Avarice as I left her:

Today's agenda is to sort out their pit of a bedroom. I left it tidy at the start of Half Term and now it looks like someone dropped a grenade in it and wandered off. They are all going to help.

I think I have about covered things. I have kept up with other blogs on my lost over there --->

I missed IHSW this month as I was just too busy/stressed/ill. But next month... I will be baaaaaaaaaaaack!

Till next update (hopefully not as long!)

xx

Did it again..

Long time no post.

Long time no stitch either

Have completely lost my mojo at the moment. Been  busy with house stuff and am absolutely shattered. Last thing I think about is stitching.

The house:

2 problems have arisen there, firstly our seller is buying and their seller has not informed their solicitor yet! So it looks as though its going to be a good few weeks yet.

The conservatory is built on a sewer. Necessary permits were not obtained and so it has to have indemnity insurance on it now which our sellers will have to pay for. Another delay.

The move:

I am a good way packed and sorted at home. Hubby had a few days off this week so I got him stuck into the man areas of the house so I actually feel as though I have made progress.

Hubs:

Its  his birthday today. (1st Oct) and what did we do? Had a bloomin fight :( Sorted now, but I feel awful about allowing it to escalate so far that we were fighting.

Kids:

All being pain in the bums. I am sure they are as affected by this move as we are although I have tried my best to keep things on a constant for them. Hannah,. my eldest, took herself off to the park the other day and I was so cross with her. She was meant to be popping to our local shop for some vegetables for me and another neighbour called me to tell me where she was. Very irresponsible of her so the trust I had built with her has been damaged somewhat.
Victoria has been getting herself into a tangle about her new school. She hasn't even seen the place yet and is already saying she dosen't like it. They have a full programme of after school activities and all sorts to keep her going.
Lauren - well. Her speech is coming on so good you can't shut her up! :D

Stitching:

Not a damn thing done!! I need to get my bum in gear and make a put but I am just so blah at the mo. Tiredness taking its toll.

Oh well. Thats it for this mammoth post. Off to the Ice Hockey tonight with the kids. Maybe after that I will feel like picking up my needle...

xx

Shout out for a friend of mine

A budding artist. Kelli is a friend of mine working on mural art. Followers gratefully appreciated for her and any suggestions for future work noted. Have a look at her brand new blog here
xx

IHSW

Well, its been a bit of an odd IHSW for me this month.

I had no computer due to Lauren meeting cold coffee for a fortnight so therefore have been busy around the homestead.

Got a fair way with the packing although we are not at exchange of contracts yet. Its a great excuse to declutter.

So what have I been doing?

Well, I ended up taking Avarice off the scroll frame. I really struggled with it although it was a little faster the bulk of it just got annoying so now it sits in an 8" hoop, the excess fabric gathered with clothes pegs! Doubtless it will be absolutely filthy by the time I finish stitching it!

This IHSW I did a little on Avarice. I didn't manage to sign up till Saturday for the stitchathon. I have also been sorting through my stash so really although I haven't stitched as much as I would like I have still dedicated my time to my hobby. Having said that little has been thrown away and after our move I really must downsize it. I have so, so many magazines its just not funny so I reckon come the new year ebay will have a few! I am planning to dedicate the first 6 months of 2012 to ebaying and downsizing as opposed to buying! The latter half I am hoping will be guilt free stitch time and as long as the world dosen't end in December I aim to have Avarice finished and at least another HAED started.

Anyway enough rambling. Here is a progress pic of page 3. I am almost halfway, the top of her hair is becoming visible. The black rectangle was 2 squares of stitching that were all the same colour so I did those while having an evening of not being able to concentrate much!!

Until the next update xx

And again! Almost a fortnight!

Well I do have a good excuse.

She is 2 1/2

Lauren decided to pull down a cup of cold coffee and throw it all over my laptop just as it was shutting down. Needless to say I was not especially happy with her. It got no better.

She also manage to destroy my Golden Buddha piece. My eldest daughter brought her down one morning and Lauren rooted out my scissors and attacked the Golden Buddha. And there are now several holes in it where they cannot be patched or repaired.

In other news. I have been very busy with lots of stuff. Endless trips to banks and solicitors to sort out my house move. The good news is we are ready to exchange contracts once Hubs has signed the mortgage deed which should be the early part of the week.

While I have had no computer I have been sorting out and packing up this house where I can and also I have
put in some work on Avarice.

I am about halfway through page 3 of her now, half a skip of rubbish and clutter out of the house and more than a dozen boxes packed.

I actually feel like we are getting somewhere with this move now. Its so close I can almost reach out and touch it.

Stitchy update tomorrow maybe

xx

Another week goes by..

And I realised I have not blogged!!

Soon sort that out! I have been busy this week.

My girls go back to school on Tuesday so I have been shopping for school uniform for both the bigger girls and shoes for all 3. I daren't buy them any earlier because they grow so fast! Clothes I bought for them at new year are so small on them both and I bought them with room to grow!

I began packing up this house ready for our impending move too. I have been sorting books and magazines out and throwing the tatty stuff away. Might have to downsize my stash as at the moment the only stuff packed is stitchy stuff and I have more to do and its already a fair few boxes!!

Anyway - I have been busy working on Golden Buddha. I don't know how much more stitching I am going to get in before I move but I am sure going to try!

Here it is!

While having a rest from Avarice...

I am stitching this: I am about 30 hours in so far.

Avarice Page 2 is complete!

Its finally done :) Short break from this piece now though, am a bit worn out after all the confetti lol

After IHSW....

Here's what Avarice is looking like. Another day or so and this page will be complete. Page 3 starts on the lady with her hair so I am quite looking forward to that! Something different than gems!!

Apologies. The pic is LOUSY. Goodness only knows what is going on with my phone 

An actual stitchy update!

Been a bit wayward of late with stitching but still managed some progress.

First a completed piece for Victoria's bedroom (if we get the house but even so its hers anyway) Excuse the fact that it is neither cleaned nor ironed. I am a slattern ;)

Secondly its another IHSW coming up. If you don't know about IHSW and the concept,then go over to Joysze's blog  .

Here is Avarice before the start. I am hoping to finish page 2 as its a bit labour intensive, Theres alot of confetti and colour changes on the gems. Looks easy but its frustrating to say the least!

So two opposing designs! Lets see what the weekend brings!

And the winner is....!

Peggy!

I used the high tech put the names in a box and let child take one out method ;-)

Congratulations Peggy, I will email you shortly xx

Links to Peggy's blogs: here and here

 

Thank you all so much!

To everyone who is now a) following me, b) entered my giveaway and c) promoted my giveaway on their blog!

Far too many to mention but if you look on my giveaway post and look at the comments, click on names and you should find a link to the person's own blog on there!

I will be collating the entries over the next couple of days and drawing the winner on Thursday 18th August. Good luck to all who have entered!

In other news, I have been working on Avarice a little more. I am working alot of confetti which I can really only do during the day as it strains my eyes at night. Been doing a small piece for my daughter and I have started on Buddha.

I have in the stitching queue a Biscornu and a butterfly piece to produce so after I have finished Victoria's piece they are my next starts. I need to get those finished and sent as soon as possible before I (hopefully) move.

Off to the bank to ask for the mortgage tomorrow - exciting stuff! :D

xx

Giveaway closure

My giveaway closes tonight at midnight, 16 hours to get those entries in!!

xx

Not much stitchy stuff going on!

Been very busy with gathering information for a mortgage application this last week or so.

Lots of stress looking after my girls and working and running a home while doing this too. Been very tough.

However, I have managed a little more on Avarice, probs about halfway through page 2 now, been doing a small Cinderella pic for my Daughters and I bought (naughty me) the materials and threads for Joan Elliott's Buddha wall hanging which was featured in her Bookazine :)

Here's what it will look like (shamelessly pinched from a webshots album I found the image on) although I plan to do it as a wall hanging like in the bookazine as opposed to framing it.

OMG NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Aarrgghh!! It had to happen! Lauren and coffee and Avarice.

Luckily this is on the edge of my stitching. Even so. Not what I wanted to happen.

Child is a menace!! :-D

Another giveaway!

Not from me lol

On this blog, the lovely Jules who is having a giveaway to promote her etsy shop!

Some stunning beaded jewellery there, take a look!

xx

Time for an update and welcomes!

Firstly, if you are a new follower, welcome :-))

Lovely to see so many now! If you have commented on my Giveaway post then you are in the draw unless you tell me not to! If not and you fancy some christmassy stitchy bits post a comment with your email and you're in!

A little about me:

I started this blog back in April and I am sure no one wants to go trawling through to the beginning to my about me post, so I am going to do another here.

My name is Nicky and I am 36 years old. I am married (14 years now!) to Jon and a Mum to 3 girls. They are Hannah (9) Victoria (7) and Lauren (2) My husband is a coach driver taking people on holidays and short breaks so I spend alot of time on my own just me and my girls, After they go to bed its time to stitch!

I live in Yorkshire, England in a very tiny house and I am moving later this year into a bigger house to accommodate not only our family, but the business I run from home (weight management) and a new business to do with stitching that I want to start.

I have been a stitcher since I was 14. My mother bought me a sampler one Christmas after I stitched a blackwork butterfly for her without anyone teaching me and it... sort of stuck with me!!

I like to stitch most things, but earlier this year I discovered HAED and I am currently stitching 2 pieces. The Flower Bride storykeep and Avarice from the Sins series. I plan on doing all the sins.. and I have Envy already!

I have a big stitchy stash. I have more than I can stitch but it looks like my girls are going to take after me and stitch themselves as they like to have a go with me.

What else can I say?? Oh.. I am on Facebook link and I love to get new friends so if you are on there then do feel free to add me.

I like music, I am pretty eclectic. I like my TV medical dramas and mysteries.

I think that's it.... if you can think of anything you want to know, leave a comment!!!

xx

Come on you lot!!

Only one comment for my giveaway?!?!?!

Might have to put in a surprise to sweeten the deal!

At the moment Adrienne  is a shoe-in for the prize!!

Lets see some comments Ladies, especially from my new followers!

Edit: Many thanks to the ladies who have linked my giveaway on their blogs. At this rate I will be celebrating 50 followers!!! :-D

Edit 2.. Rapidly approaching 60! :-D

xx

Its Giveaway time!!

Right, I have delved into my stash and come up with a giveaway.

Seeing as its the last day of July I decided to do a Christmas themed giveaway seeing as many of us are thinking about it already!

In the prize:

5 x laminated cards DMC Christmas bead and cross stitch designs

A piece of 14 count Aida 12 x 18" in white

12 c6 cards: 6 gold and 6 silver with envelopes

3 skeins of Madeira Metallics in christmassy colours (red, blue, silver)

An assortment of embellishments - charms, skeleton leaves, angels, holly, bows.

3 x size 28 gold needles


Rules:

1) follow my blog

2) comment on this or any subsequent post between now and 15 August

3)I will post worldwide

4) ensure I have your email address so I can send your prize out!

Giveaway now closed!


I will draw names out on 18th August and post asap afterwards.

Good luck!

xx

Thinking about a giveaway!

I reckon seeing as I have almost 40 followers now I should have a followers giveaway!

I will have a look in my mountainous stash over the weekend and sort out a prize..

Watch this space!

xx

Page one finished!

Took me another couple of days but page one is finally done. I could have finished it last night. I had 10 stitches left and I was so tired I couldn't find the floss colour I wanted so I took the decision to stop and finish this morning.
Page 2 will take longer for 3 reasons. I am helping a friend grid some fabric, I have a biscornu to make and page 2 has a lot of confetti.

Victoria put in the final stitch for me!

Ps I know the pic is lousy but hubs slr camera has run out of charge and I have no clue how to charge it.
xx

Avarice Update

9 days in. I think I am probably about 3/4 of the way through the first page. I was hoping to do a page a week but seeing as I was so ill last week I haven't achieved that target this week!

School's out... almost!

One of the bigger girls finished school today, the other finishes tomorrow. Hannah, my eldest (9) brought this home today xx

Everything has ground to a halt!

I have been struck with Tonsilitis :(

Last weekend - ISHW, I started with a cold. Got a sore throat then progressively worse then better. I thought by Monday I was coming through the other side of it and was on the mend.

Tuesday I was just incredibly tired and sleepy. My toddler went for her nap and I was planning to stitch but - you guessed it - I slept.

On Wednesday I got up feeling as horrendous as I did on Saturday. My throat felt like razor blades and I was wooly headed and had the chills etc etc. I looked in my throat and discovered that both my tonsils were the size of golf balls. It was then I knew I needed to get to a doctor. 10 1/2 years ago I had a bout of tonsilitis which almost killed me so I am very wary of it now and I ensure that I get treated.

So. upshot is I have 7 days of antibiotics - 4 doses of 2 tablets a day. Paracetamol for my temperature and I have to keep up with fluids.

No stitching to speak of has been done. I maybe have done 100 stitches over the last couple of days. As I get on the mend I plan to get my head down and get a cracking on it as I am now behind the schedule I have set myself

xx

Fruits of my labour!

I had an awful cold this weekend and I am still not great now. But I started Avarice! I am (I reckon) just over 1600 stitches in and it looks great. I am loving the way it feels under my hands too if that makes sense.
There are about 20 different colours in just this small section. So intricately charted. I have to say though I am enjoying every stitch so far even though the cold has made me feel cruddy!

If you are reading and aren't following - Follow! It only takes a second!

xx

IHSW

Ready for a new start! Its International Hermit and Stitch weekend this weekend. If you don't know about it, then pop over to Joysze's blog and discover more!

I am finally starting Avarice. Excuse the terrible photo but I wanted to post this today even though I had poor light and a toddler trying to steal elements of my pic!

On my pic: Pattern file, scroll frame, fabric, threads and scissors all ready.

I got some good news today - someone saw Sayuri and wants me to stitch for them. Pattern undecided yet, but its exciting to have a commission!

xx

Meet Sayuri

The protagonist from the film Memoirs of a Geisha

Ok so its actually Zhang Ziyi in character!

19,530 whole stitches, 19 colours on the palette, approx 4 weeks of stitching.She has been freshly washed and steamed flat.

For my Sister's birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday Sis xx

Hermiting myself away!

I have till Wednesday to complete this. I reckon there's about 1400 stitches. Some confetti and a lot of black to do. My sisters birthday is looming!
Hoping to have the bulk finished today then a bit tomorrow. A wash and press and voila!

Xx

Free pattern for breast cancer ribbon

Anyone stitch for charity? I found this while looking for a pattern for a forum buddy

free pattern breast cancer ribbon

There are 2 sizes to choose from, great if you want to raise a bit of money for Breast Cancer research

xx

The internet is a big place but its a small world!

I follow a few blogs over there ------->

When I checked for new blog posts imagine my surprise! 2 stitching ladies posting the same finish within a couple of hours of each other!

ComeStitchWithMe

Random Ramblings

Beautiful work from both ladies. Never stitched a Mandala myself but these are lovely

xx

Weekend progress

Page 2 of the Geisha is finished and I have made a start on page 3.

Been hard going as I temporarily lost my stitching bug but I really need this finished now. I want to get on with other things.

xx

Had to share this!!

Ten Reasons for Adding to your Stash...

(I can claim no credit for the cleverness of this list.  It was posted on Freddysmama's blog)

1.It  insulates the cupboard where it is kept.

2. It keeps the economy moving.  It is my duty to support cross stitch shops.

3. It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.

4. I'm participating in a contest - the one who dies with the most cross stitch wins.

5. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, you never have to feed it, change it, wipe it's nose or walk it.

6. Beacuse I'm worth it.

7. Like dust, it's good for protecting previously unprotected spaces in the house; like the dining room table.

8. It not immoral, illegal or fattening.  It calms the nerves, soothes the soul and makes me feel good.

9. Because it is on sale... Because that is such a beautiful design...I've never seen it before...I must have it.

10. Buy it now, before your husband  retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions.

Previous stitching

Some pictures of a wedding sampler I made for a friend last year. I modified the flowers and colours from an existing pattern to match the wedding colours then embellished with the border and scrolls. I used bugle beads for the flower centres and some seed beads to further decorate.

xx

Wedding Anniversary today

My husband and I have been wed 14 years today.
Had our moments of rockiness but I wouldn't swop him for the world.

Here's a piccie of us both taken last year

Much stitching this weekend - and a lovely surprise!!

I managed a fair bit of stitching over the weekend inbetween going to Interflora for Mum in Law, post office visit, town trip, parenting and all other bits which distract me.

Her second eye is coming along nicely. The confetti where her hair comes over the facial features is a pain but I am stitching up a strand of block colour, then a strand of confetti stitches to break it up a bit.

This piece is likely going to need blocking as I am very naughty and often leave my work in the hoop which I shouldn't....

Hoping to finish the eye today and some more of the confetti

Had a lovely surprise this weekend when reading through blogs to find that the lovely Norwegianstitch had mentioned me on her blog - how nice! 

Its so nice to see I have so many followers now and the lovely comments that are posted. I thank you all for that. My blog is linked to my phone so I can be anywhere and it pings a comment! So exciting! I love reading them and although I don't reply individually I do appreciate that you take the time.

Until the next update
xx

Slow progress

This week seems to have been unusually hard as far as stitching is concerned.

I haven't lost my mojo as such but I seem to sew and sew and not get anywhere.

I had a break from the Geisha yesterday and did a bit more gridding for Avarice and I am hoping that this weekend will be much more productive!

xx

Look what happens...

When you stitch too fast lol. Think I warmed the needle too much and it bent!

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend

So here is my weekend progress. Am probably an evening's stitch away from finishing the first quarter of 6111 stitches. I really really need to crack on and get this one done. I am loving the way its stitching up. The detail is just fab although the colour palette bizarrely looks better under electric light than in natural.

xx

Geisha WIP

Upper left about halfway I reckon. Can see the nose, cheek and am working towards the eye.  This is about 4 days, about 16 hours I reckon although am not keeping a real track!

xx

I love it when...

Parcels like this arrive in the post. Still in their protective cellophane till I am ready to use them here are my threads for Avarice courtesy of Leisure Craft Tewkesbury. Ready wound onto bobbins for me, all I need to do is get cracking when the bloomin gridding is done!!

xx

Slight change of plan!

My sister is having a birthday next month.

We chose her this in cross stitch for her birthday. She is a stitcher herself but she has asked me to sew it for her. I have NOOOO problem with that!!

Its the book cover for Memoirs of a Geisha - one of her favourites. We saw the kit and had to purchase it.

The piece I am stitching dosen't have the writing, just the image.  I will post a WIP of it soon xx

Getting ready for a new project...

Isn't she fab??

Avarice - one of the Seven Deadly Sins by Marta Dahlig charted by Michele Sayetta.
Purchased from Heaven and Earth Designs

88 colours
240,000 whole cross stitches over 42 pages of chart
I will be stitching this on 25 count fabric one over one.
Finished measurement 16" wide x 24" high

Goodness knows how long it will take me!

I also purchased the chart for Envy. I would like Sloth, Lust, Gluttony,Vanity and Wrath too. These ones I am definitely stitching for myself.

xx

Quiet times!

Been a bit busy with the first week back at school for the girlies and hubby managed an entire day home! Woo!

I am going to order my threads for a biggie HAED later I think. A friend is doing one of the others in the series mine comes from and seeing as she has finished her current WIP I am sure she will be wanting to start and I think we should have a SAL.

We have had all sorts of bizarre weather here this week. Rain, Hail, Thunder and Lightning and hot sun. Seen numerous rainbows and every day I get up its a struggle to decide what to wear!


I am off to town tomorrow. Hubs is off to Scotland for a few days with work in the morning so its goodbye from him again. Peace at last ;-))

xx

A Very Public Apology!

To Kreinik!

I received an email today:

Hi Nicola - saw your blog post about hating Kreinik threads. We hate the thought that you hate our threads. We can’t have that - stitching should be fun. Maybe we can figure out the problem. My first thought is to switch to a slightly larger needle. A needle with a too-small eye, or even a slight burr in the eye can cause a thread to fray.

Which thread are you using? #4 Braid or #8 Braid?

Don’t give up on us J We will figure it out.

Regards,

Dena from Kreinik

Its not just Kreinik threads, its all metallics. Light Effects, Madeira, Jewels. I just hate the feel of them and I get very frustrated sewing with them.

My post was not intended to bash Kreinik as a manufacturer and I apologise for that.

The project I am doing requires no 4 fine braid and is on a small count fabric so I expected fraying. I never expected Kreinik to be reading my posts though!!!

Once again, I apologise for any confusion and I think the quality of Kreinik threads are great, my blog posts reflect my personal preference.

Until my next update... xx

She has a face!

All those tiny stitches and the confetti that has driven me crazy has turned this out.

Page one of this design is now complete!

I started on page 2 which should be a bit faster as theres alot of block colour in it although there is a bouquet to do so the confetti is back...

Who would have thought..

That I would hate this stuff so much?
I am working with short lengths and conditioning it but still it frays.
Aarrgghh!!

Got a few things going on...

My Kreinik threads have arrived and I am getting stuck into the metallics for my Storykeep.

My cloth arrived for my big project too so I am spending time gridding that.

And Half Term is almost over so this weekend I am focusing even more on the children and I have a surprise up my sleeve for them....

Not much else to say really - will post a new WIP pic when I have broken the back on the hated metallics. I loathe working with them... but I am sure it will look great once they are in.

Until the next WIP
XX

Heaven and Earth Progress

After a bank holiday stitchalong I seem to have made some progress! The confetti has driven me bananas on the head dress but you can see that there is the start of a face and hair.
I am waiting for my kreinik for the bit on the top right. It's not finished on width either there's another page 15 stitches wide to add to the right.

Rainy bank holidays and early starts!

Well, its spring bank holiday here in the UK. And its raining.

My hubby was home briefly last night and I got up with him to make him breakfast before he went off to work for the week and he brought my 2 year old daughter down with him after he had got dressed. That was at 5 am.

The upside (if there is one!) of getting up early is a bit of peaceful stitching, forum mooching and I have just ordered a new new stitchy bits. Some kreinik thread which I need for my storykeep, a new hoop, a new pattern (secret) and a piece of Lugana 25 count.

Today I am off to see my Mum for a bit. Should be home around lunchtime though and then the girls will no doubt monopolise the computer for the afternoon.

Until I next manage to nab my  laptop back....
xx

Small scale...

Here is a progress pic of my storykeep. Approx 1400 stitches in. It also shows how tiny it is. I am working this half cross stitch on 28 count evenweave. One strand of floss over one. So small I can only work on it for short periods of time, an hour in evening under daylight lamp and maybe 2 hours in the daytime if parenting permits!

A Mystery in the house...

Seeing as I have finished my Orchid I wanted to get cracking on the next project on my list last night.

A few days ago I found a chart by Durene Jones of a stained glass style seasons cushion front in a magazine.

I thought 'i'm stitching that next....'

Do you think I can find the magazine? Can I taters.

I have hunted high and low and I just cannot find it anywhere.

The last time I saw it it was bedtime reading and thats when I decided to stitch it. I have searched in my bedroom and its not there.

Methinks the fairies have been <sigh>

Good job I found a Rennie Mackintosh one to do (another fab Sheila Hudson design)

Until later x

A finish

Finally finished my orchid after gritting my teeth and staying awake!