Have to get this one!

Shepherd's Bush have posted on their blog and they show a picture of the new kit called Purple Snowman. I just adore it and love the little sheepies in it too! Here it is...

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Purple Snowman

I've stitched Green Snowman myself, have Red Snowman in my stash, and will look forward to doing this one someday as well. Here's Green Snowman that I stitched March last year.

I've also just found out that I have a package awaiting collection at the post office, so I'll pick that up today. It's probably going to be my order from The Rocking Horse. More stash! Yippee!! Stay tuned for the next update...

Green Snowman finished

Managed to finish Green Snowman today. How cute does he look?

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Green Snowman

Started 21 March 2008

Finished 31 March 2008

Fabric is 30ct WDW Guacamole with silk threads as per kit

Green Snowman with leftover threads

I should get back into My Needle's Work and sort out this vine problem. Still have so much to do in the garden also, it's such a tug of war on my mind. What to do - stitching or gardening. I know what I would like to do the most. Yep, stitching! I'll have to compromise :)

Not much to go

Hopefully another stitching session and I should finish Green Snowman. The weather's turned sour here and hasn't been very good to do any gardening, so I thought I'd turn a negative into a positive and do some more stitching. He's looking a bit armless at the moment, but I'll soon take care of that.

Green Snowman - 29 Mar 2008

It helps to read instructions

I got some more of GS done tonight. I've worked out how to do the squares throughout the hill. They are done in grey, and also stitched as a smyrna cross over the original cross stitches. I hadn't read the entire instructions and tonight I thought I would look over the other sheets to see if I could find any more information. Funnily I did. How silly am I? So I did those, finished the backstitch on the first house window, and started the snowman.

Green Snowman

Some more of GS to show

Here's a pic of what I added to Green Snowman today. Thought I'd do the houses next. After stitching the hill, I wanted to have a break from all that creme thread. I just know the snowman will take longer than I think. Actually the whole design is taking longer than I first thought. Still liking it though.

Green Snowman - progress on 27 Mar 2008

I'm lucky I got this much done. One of my cats, Charlotte, decided that she would like to hop on my knee later in the day and have a cuddle. Very cute I know, but frustrating if you want to get some stitching done :)

Green Snowman & new stash

I stitched on Green Snowman for a short while late yesterday. Got the hill finally done but for the little squares scattered throughout it. Haven't been able to work out what colour they did them in because the chart doesn't seem to mention it, unless I've missed something. Nicole, I know you have the kit, are you able to figure this out for me? My guess is they're done in grey.

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SB Green Snowman progress at 25 Mar 2008

Got home today after being out having my car serviced and filling in time at the shops, and there's a small packet waiting for me at the front door. It was my order from The Busy Needle which was really quick to arrive. I think it was only posted last Thursday. Considering the Easter break, that's really fast. Great service too as they've sent that the same day they received my payment details.

I ordered the LHN shop exclusive kit called The Busy Needle, and since they were having a 25% off sale I decided to get the Heart Of America kit, and a few more threads. The list being:

Gloriana - Dried Pink Roses

Gentle Art - Tarnished Gold, Straw Bonnet, and Gingersnap

Crescent Colours - Ye Olde Gold, Roasted Chestnut, and another Weeping Willow (though this one has dark green going through it too, I can't win)

WDW - Swamp Water

The Busy Needle shop exclusive kit 'The Busy Needle' and Heart Of America kit both by LHN

The Busy Needle kit showing threads included

Heart Of America kit with threads and buttons included with the chart

I best be off and get some dinner for these cats. They're starting to meow that they're hungry.

Got some more done today

I stitched a bit more this afternoon. Once I get over this hill (ha, ha!) it will be smooth sailing from there on. I think the rest of the design won't take as long to do. I'm really enjoying it and the fabric looks great with the threads.

Scanned image of Green Snowman

More Green Snowman

I worked a bit more on Green Snowman late yesterday and there's now some colour in it. The hill is taking longer than I thought it would, but will look lovely when finished.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Green Snowman progress 22 Mar 2008

Below is a photo with my usual scissors I use for needlework. It's a cat fob which I bought from a needlework shop in Malvern, Victoria, years ago called The French Knot. It's no longer under the same owner which is a shame because it was the best shop I've come by ever. The lady that ran it knew about running a shop. It was well stocked and presented. It's changed owners a couple of times now. It became Bustle & Bows (they have a shop in Surrey Hills too, which is still open) and now it's called The Needlepoint. Haven't been back there since it was known as The French Knot. I should go there one day to see what it's like, though the memories of what it used to be are holding me back.

Green Snowman with my favourite Lift-n-Snip scissors

I love using these scissors because they have a little hook at the end that you're able to lift up threads quite easily when cutting them. The cat fob is filled with dried lavender and even after having it for a number of years, you can still smell the lavender slightly. These were the first scissors I bought and are definitely my favourite pair.

A new beginning

After being so frustrated with MNW I decided to start on something else last night. Shepherd's Bush Green Snowman was looking very yummy to do, so I grabbed the kit, ironed the fabric, sorted the threads, and began stitching. Didn't have a lot of time to work on it, but this is what I got done.

It was lovely going back to silk threads. I just adore them. They glide through your work so easily. The fabric is 30ct WDW Guacamole which is quite rich in colour. Lovely for something a bit different. This design has a whimsical feel to it which I love. This picture below shows a more accurate colour of the fabric. Depending on what light you take the photo in, will determine the colour it comes out.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Green Snowman kitted

I've decided to think about what to do with MNW. I don't want to rush into a decision that I'll regret later on. With the design being the same on either side, I'd have to place an extra stitch in the wording (perhaps in the 'L') and in the middle of the bottom pattern, if I wasn't going to pull out the vine and start again. I just need some time and a fresh look at it. Thanks for your suggestions to leave it as is, you're more forgiving than I am :) Chrissie, the fabric I'm using is Lakeside Linen 28ct Vintage Lentil which is what the pattern calls for.

I've been out in the garden today. It's a lovely, sunny day and a good chance to tidy up. I've just had a late bite to eat, and thought I'd give an update on what I'm doing with my stitching. Hope every one's having a lovely Easter break and take care.

Green Snowman

I've just had a quick look at Shepherd's Bush site, hoping they'd have it updated, and they have! The new design that's really caught my eye is Green Snowman. How cute is it? A companion to Red Snowman (which of course is in my stash) and just as gorgeous. I love the hat he's wearing, all the buttons down his front, and the flower covered snow hill. I never get tired of seeing Tina's new designs.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Green Snowman