A Quick Finish ~ Buzz Buzz Bee

Instant satisfaction with this one! Only a day's stitching involved and already a finish is created. I stitched this small kit on Saturday and here's the end result.

For me to stitch this in a day, it has to be small. The design size measures 1" x 3 1/2" approx. which makes it very tiny. Done in silk threads with a gorgeous bee charm to add.

As mentioned in my last post, this little kit is a Shepherd's Bush exclusive and can be purchased via them direct only. The kit comes with the surrounding mat and all that it needs is the frame.

DESIGNER ~ Shepherd's Bush

PATTERN ~ Buzz Buzz Bee (shop exclusive kit)

FABRIC ~ Shepherd's Tan 32ct hand-dyed linen

THREADS ~ Au Ver A Soie & Silk Moire (1 over 2)

EMBELLISHMENT ~ Bee charm

STARTED/FINISHED ~ 22 May 2010

I knew I wasn't going to get through a bigger design very quickly and I wanted something that would be quick to do, so I knew I could count on a SB piece to suit. Unlike me, I haven't done any of their designs this year so I needed to rectify that. Now I'm happy, and I have another finish under my belt (albeit a small one) and I can do a little happy dance!

So small was this one that I could even use my mini hoop to stitch it up. So cute!

I hope you've had fun drooling over my pictures, and as always, thanks so much for dropping by. Until my next little adventure... happy stitching!

Shepherd's Bush ~ Shop Exclusive

I've picked up my needle again and have chosen a Shepherd's Bush kit as my next project. Since I haven't done any of their designs so far this year, I thought I would have a look in my stash and find a quick one of theirs to do. It's a shop exclusive which means you can only buy it direct from them, not through other needlework shops. I bought a number of their exclusive kits a while back, so you may see more of them popping up on my blog in the future.

This one's called Buzz Buzz Bee and comes complete with everything needed to stitch it up, including the Jill Rensel mat for when it's ready to be framed.

Buzz Buzz Bee - Shepherd's Bush Shop Exclusive Kit

It has in the kit this gorgeous little bee charm and of course comes with silk threads.

I started it today and have already finished it! So quick to do. I'll show you some pictures next time.

I also wanted to mention that my eye has completely recovered from the infection. Thank you all for your kind thoughts. It meant a lot to me.

Enjoy your weekend and I hope you get some time to stitch.

Simple Joys and Other Pleasures

Thank you all so much for your kind words on my Ah, 'Tis Spring finish. I forgot to mention that the chart calls for two skeins of DMC 3848 (or WDW Dove if using the conversion). Since I did mine on 35ct fabric using one thread, I only needed one skein, though I didn't have much left over from that skein. The pattern was a joy to stitch, and now my Mum wants to stitch it too!

Talking of joy, I've just had a look at Little House Needleworks blog and saw some new releases. I love all three of them! These pictures are from their site.

Simple Joys by Little House Needleworks

The Mercantile by Little House Needleworks

The Merry Skater by Little House Needleworks

Diane has done well with these ones. I love how The Mercantile has Post Office included because that's where I work. So I think I'll definitely have to stitch this one some day.

Not much else happening. Haven't started a new project yet but thought I'd do a quick update on my blog. Have a pleasant weekend!

I Had To Add The Words

I had planned on posting a lot sooner than now, so I'm sorry if you've been waiting for the surprise I mentioned in my last update. I said you'd probably see Ah, 'Tis Spring pop up again and here she is. All finished with the words added. I know I could have left it as it was but I felt that the words complimented the folksy feel of the piece. I also added the bunny's nose and mouth.


I actually got this finished at the start of the month. Then for the past week I've had an eye infection and have hardly been on the computer at all. I'm still needing to take drops for my eye but it's a lot more comfortable than what it was, though still a little sore. So I thought I'd update my blog before more time passed.

Now onto my finish. This was such a fun pattern to work on and I've loved the colour changes to the original pattern. I can't take credit for coming up with the different thread choices though. They have been worked out by the lovely ladies at Shepherd's Bush. Lots of variegated colours in cotton threads, using assorted brands, but still in keeping with the original colour scheme. This is my version of Ah, 'Tis Spring...

DESIGNER ~ Notforgotten Farm

PATTERN ~ Ah, 'Tis Spring

FABRIC ~ 35ct Sand Linen

THREADS ~ Sampler Threads, Crescent Colours, and Weeks Dye Works (1 over 2 - except for the pocket and carrot sticking out, which I did with 2 over 2)

STARTED ~ 17 March 2010

FINISHED ~ 1 May 2010

So I promised I'd list the threads once I finished this one and here they are.

DMC ~ SUBSTITUTE

310 ~ Wood Trail (Sampler Threads)
434~ Onion Skin (Crescent Colours)
610 ~ Dublin Bay (Crescent Colours)
611 ~ Bunny Honey (Crescent Colours)
612 ~ Stepping Stones (Crescent Colours)
644 ~ Linen (Weeks Dye Works)
730 ~ Pea Pod (Crescent Colours)
732 ~ Bean Sprout (Crescent Colours)
733 ~ Guacamole (Weeks Dye Works)
758 ~ Sand (Weeks Dye Works)
783 ~ Copper Penny (Crescent Colours)
921 ~ Clay Pot (Crescent Colours)
3013 ~ Bean Sprout (Crescent Colours)
3021 ~ Picnic Basket (Sampler Threads)
3848 ~ Dove (Weeks Dye Works)
Ecru ~ Linen Weeks Dye Works)


The changes to these that I made was the carrot tops in the grass at the bottom, which I did in Guacamole. I thought they stood out more using this than the darker green would have. I got the symbols mixed up and did the basket pattern in Bean Sprout rather than Onion Skin. I quite liked it so I decided to leave it that way. The last change was with the wording. SB had chosen Dublin Bay which is a darker blue. I wasn't going to be comfortable with that and chose Onion Skin instead. The original chart had called for a 'drab brown' colour and thought Onion Skin fitted nicely. I'm so pleased with the result. I also wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thanks to Loraine for helping me with the threads too. She was my angel in need with this project. Please take the time to drop by her blog if you haven't lately, as she's just been on a short trip which is so interesting to read about, and is also working on Ah, 'Tis Spring (with a different colour palette).

A few more photos for your pleasure.


I haven't started on anything new as I haven't felt like stitching with my sore eye. I'm seriously considering working on the latest Stacy Nash Group project I received in the mail recently (see last post). I really like it! Whatever I do, it will be something small. I'm just not stitching a lot lately to get through a bigger piece.

Thanks for your dear comments and kindness, my stitching friends. Have a lovely week and I do hope those mothers out there who celebrated Mother's Day this past Sunday, had a wonderful day.

Stacy Nash Girl Club ~ Kit Two

I received my second kit for the year in the mail, of the Stacy Nash Girl Club, that's organised by Jeanne of Country Sampler. This one's a sewing roll and I just love it! The fabrics, thread colours, and design, are all wonderful. There's even a piece of silk ribbon included to complete the kit.

Country Sampler Queen Of Spring Sewing Roll

I've been wondering whether to continue with this club but I'm glad I've stayed with it because I would have missed out on this little gem.

There hasn't been a lot happening with my needlework of late but I do have a surprise to show you next time. Til then, thanks for taking the time to stop by.