The weather's turned foul!

We had shocking weather yesterday. There were gale force winds, rain, and plummeting temperatures. Since it was Sunday and not a work day, I decided the only good that could come out of the day was to stitch!

Moonlit Garden - 26 April 2009

I got a bit more work done on the house. All that's left is some more brickwork, a window, and of course the roof. Then it's on to the rest of the design.

A start on Moonlit Garden

I started working on Moonlit Garden yesterday afternoon.

BBD Moonlit Garden - started 25 April 2009

The fabric is a lot darker than what's coming out in the photos. It's an R & R linen called Broomstick Brown. I just love the names they come up for these fabrics. It's a reasonably stiff one but that doesn't bother me too much.

The thread colours are quite rich which carries well with the darker fabric. I thought since it's still Autumn here, I would pick something to do that has Autumn colours. Plus I thought this one would be nice and easy with just plain cross stitch throughout.

I'll make sure I show you more progress as I work through it. It should be interesting with the change of colour from what I've been doing lately. I did try to pick something other than Shepherd's Bush. :)

Scissor Collection

For those of you who don't know, Nina's having a giveaway on her site until 30th April, 2009. Included are a pair of scissors, a fob she's made, thread, and a gorgeous wooden box with a design she's stitched on the top. She is certainly a very talented stitcher.

To enter her competition she'd like you to show your collection of scissors, be it small or large. I thought it would be a good opportunity to show you mine. I'm sure I have some others somewhere but these are the main ones I have.

I have three pairs of Gingher scissors with Shepherd's Bush engraved one side and the year on the other. These were purchased direct from them. They release a fob kit each year and you can get the engraved Gingher scissors to compliment it. I got this year's recently which are the green and blue handled ones. The white handled ones with flowers have their 2004 fob attached. This was the first fob I've ever finished! The other Gingher pair I have are called Glory which have the US flag theme on the handles (I just love these ones). The scissors I use most of the time are the Lift n Snip type with the cat fob, top left of the picture.

I haven't really started out to collect scissors, but it's already turning into a collection. If I see a pair I like I will usually get them. It's not an obsession though! I have it under control... lol

My next project

I don't have any new stitching to show you but I thought I would share with you what my next new project will be. It's a Blackbird Designs chart called Moonlit Garden. It was released in 2006 and is from their Loose Feathers Club designs. I have gone with the called for fabric and threads and hope to start it this weekend.

BBD - Moonlit Garden kitted

Showing fabric and threads - 30ct R & R Broomstick Brown and Weeks Dye Works threads

I'm glad you liked my finished result of Autumn Blessings framed. After having it as a UFO for a couple of years and now seeing it as it is, I feel I have done it justice and am very pleased with it. Thanks for all your gorgeous comments and thoughts!

Autumn Blessings ~ framed

Here's the other piece I got framed recently. It's another Shepherd's Bush one called Autumn Blessings which I finished stitching last month. I had the mats for it which I bought online from The Silver Needle and had seen a frame the last time I was at the framer's which I thought would suit it. It's exactly what I was looking for and am delighted with the finished result.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH Autumn Blessings - framed 17 April 2009

It was really hard to get some good photos of this one. Being a larger piece and having glass, the reflection would show in most of the pictures. Then it was a matter of with or without the flash. Here's some of both...

Without flash

With flash

It looks so much better in real life, believe me!

Millennium Child ~ framed

I've had another two finishes at the framers recently and picked them up yesterday. This is one of them called Millennium Child from Shepherd's Bush. It's a shop exclusive kit which includes the mats and everything else to finish it. I decided on an elaborate looking frame for this one. It's a simple design and I thought I'd jazz it up a bit through the framing. Got to celebrate the turn of the century in style!

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Millennium Child framed 17 April 2009

I stitched this one in 2006 and not in the year 2000 unfortunately. This tiny matter doesn't bother me. It still marks the occasion no matter when it was created. Again, I'm very happy with the frame.

I haven't started a new project yet. Still not decided which I'll do. Thought I'd just have a bit of a break. My stitching can be a bit erratic. I'll stitch like a mad woman sometimes, then I'll ease back a bit at other times.

Thanks for stopping by!

Easter Parade ~ finished!

I managed to complete Easter Parade yesterday. Just in time for the Easter holiday!

DESIGNER ~ Shepherd's Bush

PATTERN ~ Easter Parade

FABRIC ~ 32ct Light Sand Linen

THREADS ~ Au Ver a Soie and Overdyed silk

EMBELLISHMENTS ~ yellow beads and JABC pink heart

STARTED ~ 27 March 2009

FINISHED ~ 10 April 2009

If I had to pick my favourite egg, it would be the last one with the star on it. I do like them all though. :)

Now it's onto something new. I haven't decided yet what it will be. I really should pick a different designer to Shepherd's Bush, but this I can not guarantee. A fondle through my stash should help me find something. I'll see if there's anything that calls out for me to do.

~~~

Til next time... Don't eat too many chocolate eggs!! :)

Happy Easter ~ with eggs

I have finished stitching all the eggs in Easter Parade. I did the final two last night. Now all that's left is the heading. This is done over one, with flowers either side. Another finish on the horizon.

Easter Parade - 9 April 2009

Wishing you all a safe and happy Easter time. Take care ~~~

My Needle's Work ~ framed

Here is the other piece I got framed recently...

LHN My Needle's Work - framed 4 April 2009

I love this frame too and how it has a rolled edging. I think it goes well with the border in the needlework design.

I am so, so, so pleased with how it looks. After all the hours you put into the stitching, it's nice to see the final result like this.

This design is by Little House Needleworks called My Needle's Work. It comes as a threadpack (chart and threads) and all you have to do is choose which fabric you want to stitch it on. I know a few people have stitched this one as it's such a pretty design. Mine is done on 28ct Vintage Lentil linen using the included Crescent Colours threads. I finished it April of 2008 and now it's fully completed as a framed piece.

SB 2009 Fob & Scissors ~ stash

So I've mentioned before that I liked the Shepherd's Bush 2009 Fob kit. Is it any surprise that I caved in to temptation and ordered it? Probably not. :) I phoned an order through direct with SB and along with the Fob kit, I got the engraved Gingher scissors to go with it, and also some nail files which they have pictured on their website. Yesterday my order arrived in the mail and here's some pictures of it all.

SB 2009 Fob kit, engraved Gingher scissors, four nail files (the front one shows what is on the back of them all).

SB 2009 Fob kit - front and back

Gingher scissors - engraved with Shepherd's Bush on one side of the scissor blade, and 2009 on the other side.

I've now got three of their engraved scissors - 2004, 2005, and 2009. I was going to get last year's but never got around to it. For a SB fan they're very special to have. A real collectors item too!

Six down ~ Two to go

Six eggs I'm up to now. I stitched another couple over the weekend.

Easter Parade - 4 April 2009

Colonial Dry Goods ~ Framed

As you may know I've been trying to find another framer for my needlework. There's not many local ones around, and their choice of frames can be limited. One which I knew of, and thought their prices were going to be way too expensive, has turned out to be quite reasonable. They're not cheap mind you, but worth it for the excellent work they do. They have some interesting frames as well. Ones with a bit of character, style, and interest.

I've had two pieces framed, and two more I've left with them to be framed. Here's one to show you...

LHN ~ Colonial Dry Goods

Framed 4 April 2009

This is a LHN design called Colonial Dry Goods which I started in 2005 and didn't finish it until March 2008. It's one I had 'put aside' for a while and took too long to pick it up again to complete. It's stitched on 32ct Americana Blend linen using DMC and Crescent Colours threads.

I am so thrilled with the way it looks in this frame. There's a blue colour on the frame which ties in with the colour on my needlework. I just love the style of frame too. I'm very happy with the end result!

Two more makes four

Going at a slow pace, I've added two more eggs to my Parade. Can't you tell I'm back at work? :)

Easter Parade - 3 April 2009

I've got housework to do, and I maybe going out tomorrow, but I'll try to get some more progress done this weekend. That's all for now! Happy stitching~~~

Blogging Award

Hi everyone out there in stitching land! How are all those wonderful projects going? I'm about to catch up with you once I finish this post, via your blogs, to find out what you're all up to.

I've slowed down a little myself since going back to work. We're in the process of moving premises this week, so it's been a bit disorganized, which I think has rubbed off with my stitching or lack there of. Too much on my mind at the moment.

Anyway, enough of boring work talk. I've just dropped by to say thank you to Adriana for honouring me with an award. She's so very kind and it was such a surprise. My blog allows me to log my process, be a little creative with my photos, and it's a wonderful information tool. The fact that other people are enjoying looking at it just makes it more pleasurable. So thank you to everyone who takes the time to visit my corner of the world, whether you comment or just end up browsing.

Now I need to pass the award onto four others. This is always a hard task to pick just a few because I end up leaving people out that are deserving as well. But four it is...

Loreta ~ If you think my photos are good, then take a look at Loreta's blog. Her pictures are sensational and her needlework is beautiful.

Dovile ~ Again, wonderful pictures and such interesting projects.

Melissa ~ She's only got back to doing needlework within the last year, but her enthusiasm for the craft is wonderful. She loves collecting stash too - always a plus!

Nicole ~ So inspiring with the pace she stitches at and the number of finishes she gets through.

These people are some of my blogging friends. I visit their blogs regularly, comment often, and am inspired so much by their works. Please, if you don't already, take some time to drop by and visit their wonderful stitching blogs.

Thanks for visiting!