Moving at a Fast Pace

Melissa and I are working our way through BK&BT and yesterday I was able to get the woman, flowers, and a couple of birdies done. I ended up stitching day and night until 12am to get this far! I really wanted to finish her off before I went to bed. Her eyes will come later as they're done with French Knots. Melissa has started work on the tree and finished the man, so she's doing the opposite side to me.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 23 February 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

I've had a busier day today with things to get done so I'm only going to get a few hours in of this SAL tonight. It will be a few hours well spent anyway.

Now I have some new/old scissors to show you, which I'm sure you've noticed in the photos above. They're genuine antique style which I bought on eBay recently. I thought they looked a bit like the ones Stacy Nash uses in her photos. They just have a bit more detail on them. They're only 3 3/4" in length and are more for decoration rather than proper needlework scissors.

I better head off now as I've got stitching to be done. Drop by Melissa's blog and see where she's up to on her progress. I'm sure she'll be glad you did!

Counting To Ten

I'm able to count to ten, now that I've stitched these numbers! :)

Be Kind & Be True - started 20 February 2010

I made a start on BK&BT yesterday and was able to get a number of hours of stitching time done on it. I'm starting from the bottom and working my way up. As a coincidence, I hear Melissa is doing the same and has completed as much as I did. How's that for synchronization? I think she's going to post her progress in the next day or so.

I love WDW fabrics and the 35ct is my favourite. The colour Linen which I'm working on is very versatile and would suit a lot of designs. Some fabric colours you're limited to what it would go with but this colour could blend in well with many colour palettes.

The scissors in my photos, I got from Yuko. I thought they looked lovely with this style of design.

I've been out most of today so I'm going to have a quiet night at home. I'll pick up this project tomorrow and work some more on it then.

Thanks for stopping by and checking up on my progress.

Scissors from Yuko

Last week I received a package from Japan! They had inside scissors I'd ordered from dear Yuko. Now these scissors are just divine and I think a few of us have bought them from her so you may see them popping up in our photos from time to time.

My favourites and the one I'd seen before but didn't know where to get them, are the right ones with the beautiful detailed handles. Though I'm happy with each of the others just as much because they're all different. They range in size from about 4 - 4 1/2 inches. They don't feel big to handle which is how I like them.

Now if you're interested in getting some of them for yourself (or even a gift), you can visit Yuko's Scissor Blog for details. Please though, don't expect her to have endless amounts on hand since she has to order them in herself and may not be able to get many from her supplier. She has listed her email if you have any enquiries/questions.

I just wanted to thank her for allowing us the opportunity to be able to get these types of scissors. Thanks so much Yuko!!!

A Little More of a Glimpse

Here's more of a glimpse into what I got from The Silver Needle this week. The latest designer to join my list of favourites is With Thy Needle & Thread. I adored stitching Miss Snow Fairy and there's a number of their charts that have captured my eye. I was able to get some of them through The Silver Needle.

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Along with these I ordered the Witch scissors to go with the SB Scaredy Sheep Scissor Fob (which I have bought previously), and a purse size Crystal Nail File by Dovo. I have the larger version of the nail file already and I love it. It's supposed to never dull down and is gentle on your nails.

More goodies to show next time!

Almost done

My Snowman is stitched with his scarf and mittens, now all that's left is the missing variegated thread, beading and embellishments.

Snow Patch - 31 July 2009

I must admit, the mittens were a bit fiddly to do. Needless to say this wasn't my favourite part of the design. Though I still think he's looking pretty cute!

I'll let you in on a little secret - I have actually finished it all off today. So I'll take some photos tomorrow and show you the finished result.

A number of you commented on the scissors I had in my photos on a previous post. They are a Gingher brand from 2005 (actually released in 2004 and now retired) called Olivia. I purchased them direct from Shepherd's Bush along with their 2005 Fob kit. They are engraved with Shepherd's Bush on one side of the blade, and 2005 on the other. Each year for the last few years or so Shepherd's Bush have designed a fob to go with the latest release of Gingher's Designer Series scissors. They have them engraved, but you need to buy them directly from SB themselves. Since they're my favourite designers, I just think it's a great collectors item.

Don't forget, my finished photos of Snow Patch I'll post tomorrow. :)

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

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!

Bees and Skeps

I'm moving along with The Potting Shed. I worked some more last night and this afternoon on it. The herbs are now hanging and I was able to complete the bees and skeps which are quite cute. Here in Australia we call skeps, hives as in bee hives. I didn't think of changing the wording because it's an American design and I like to keep the authenticity of it. Of course it would be quite easy to change if you wanted to.

The Potting Shed - 10 March 2009

I love stitching these narrow samplers because you can work through them and feel like you're getting somewhere quickly. This one was designed by Tina Richards Herman of Shepherd's Bush in 1995, and there's a lot of her earlier samplers like this one that I love. Probably most of them I have too! :)

Another sampler I'd started in 2004 which I adore is called Saint Peter's Fair. After working on it I'd realised that I was out with my thread count on the sides. I continued on, trying to work with it, but ended up losing interest. I tend to do that. If I know there's a mistake, the enthusiasm seems to go. I would love to get back to this one some day. I've got a few unfinished designs sitting there that need to be completed. It's funny how some you just love and can't wait to finish, then others seem like a chore. Needlework shouldn't be a chore, that's why I end up putting them away for a while. Though a while always seems to be a long time. :)

More Snowy Morn

I did a little bit more work on Snowy Morn last night. Normally I don't feel like stitching at night time but lately I haven't minded it. I use my Ott-lite which is a great help.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Snowy Morn 26 April 2008

Snowy Morn with Putford scissors

The fabric which comes with the kit is 32ct Dirty Linen. I love the idea of Shepherd's Bush kits because they include everything needed, so you can complete the whole design without having to find fabric, buttons, and threads elsewhere. Plus their instructions are fairly easy to follow.

I'm looking forward to doing the border on this one. It looks interesting. Hope it's not too difficult! :)

Gingher Glory Scissors

Well, my scissors arrived in the mail yesterday! How cute are these? I just love things a bit different, plus they're in an Americana design (even better). I got these from Homespun Hearth http://homespunhearth.com/ which is more of a fabric/patchwork shop I think. Less chance of them selling out than at a needlework shop. They were a good price too which helped out with the postage. Since these are a limited design I thought I'd better do something about getting them. I saw them selling on Ebay for more than I paid, including the postage as well!

I've got four days off work now and was hoping to do some gardening, but it looks like we're in for a heat wave. Hopefully I'll still be able to do something. Maybe I should look at doing some stitching. That would be unusual for me lately. I've still got SB Autumn Blessings sitting there. I was put off with it by the colour of the words. It looked different to what the picture had. I hate when that happens.

It's not like I'm short for ideas to work on. Here's my latest stash list:

2004 Fob Kit/Scissors *
2005 Fob Kit/Scissors
A Lamb’s Egg Kit
A Rosey Garden Kit (with mat) *
Adore Kit
Advent Sampler Kit
All Through The Year Chart
Americana Folio Chart *
Americana Roll Kit
Americana Scissor Fob Kit
An American Sampler Kit
An Elizabethan Needle Cushion
Angel Song Chart
Angel’s Song Kit
Antique Heart Roll Kit
Apple Kissed Autumn Kit
Autumn Blessings Kit/Mat
Autumn Chart
Baa Baa Little Sheep Chart
Baby Bug Ball Kit
Beekeeper’s Cottage Kit/Mat *
Bee Scissor Fob Kit
Be Happy Freebie Kit
Be Mine Kit
Bertie’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Bethlehem Christmas Chart
Better Not Pout Kit *
Birdhouse Roll Kit
Bloom Kit
Blackberie Sampler Kit
Bramble Hearth Chart *
Bulb MM Chart
Busy Kit
Buttoned Yule Chart
Buttons: Angel (3), Dancing Lamb, Moon (2), Santa, Sheep
Buzz Buzz Bee SE Kit
Charmed Heart Kit
Charms: Beehive, Bethlehem Inn (2), Folk Heart, Garden Girl, Horn, Leaping Lamb, Moon, Rosebud, Shepherd, Shepherd’s Crook, Standing Sheep, Star, Tulip, Wiseman Jar
Checkered Sheep Chart
Christian’s Snowman Kit
Christian’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Christmas Cheer Pin Cushion Kit
Christmas Drawers Kit *
Christmas Treat Bag Kit
Columbine Kit
Come Tarry Kit
Cornwall Sampler Kit
Costswold Sampler Kit
Cranberry Pinafore Kit
Dancing Lambs Chart/Button
Dartmoor Sampler Kit
Devon Hedge Chart
Earth Gatherer Kit/Mat
Easter Egg Roll Kit
Easter Parade Kit
Easter Treat Bag
Egg Kit
Egg Basket SE Kit
Elisabeth’s Stocking Charms
Emmanuel’s Song Kit
English Christmas Roll Kit
English Garden Chart
Evening Sampler Chart *
Fair Philomel’s Sampler Kit
Fa La La Kit *
Father Yule Chart
Fear Not Kit *
February YIS Chart/Button
Flag MM Chart
Folio 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Folk Heart Roll Kit
Forget Me Not Kit
French Heart Kit
Fright Kit
Garden Gate Kit
Gentle Flock Chart
Girl & Goose SE Kids Kit
Gloria Kit
Grow Love Kit
Gypsy Heart Kit
Halloween Treat Bag Kit
Happy Day Roll Kit
Hark Kit
Harry’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Harvest Moon Kit *
Heart Blooms Kit
Heart Treat Bag Kit
Herb Gatherer Kit/Mat
Hive MM Chart
Hollyhock Hill Kit
Home Sweet Home Kit
Hunt Kit
January YIS Chart/Button
Jillian’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Jingle Kit
Joy Kit
Joyful Christmas Chart
July YIS Chart/Button
Lamb MM Chart
Liberty Child SE Kit *
Little Witch Kit/Mat *
Long May She Wave Roll Kit
Love Kit
Love MM Chart
Love Scissor Fob Kit
Mary’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Merry & Bright Kit (with mat)
Merry Souls Kit
Millennium Child SE Kit *
Millennium Sampler Kit
Mistress Mary SE Kit
Mother’s Hearts Kit/Mat
My Earth Kit
My Heart’s Garden Kit
My Garden Kit
Nantucket Roll Kit (class exclusive)
Oh Say Kit *
Old Glory Kit
Pansy Roll Kit
Pansy Walk Kit
Patriotic Thoughts Kit
Peace Kit
Peace For All Kit *
Peter’s Patch Kit
Peter’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Plaid Heart Kit
Primrose Kit
Pumpkin Stew Chart
Queen Bee Kit
Red Snowman Kit
Reed’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Rejoice Kit
Road To Bethlehem Kit
Robert’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Roma’s Garden Kit *
Sailor’s Collar Kit
Santa’s Christmas Chart
Santa’s Fill SE Kit
Santaberry Pudding Chart
School Needle Roll Kit
Sheep In The Meadow SE Kit
Shepherd’s Earth Chart *
Shepherd’s Eve Chart
Shepherd’s Hill Kit
Shepherd’s Purse Kit
Shepherd’s Roll Kit
Shepherd’s Scissor Fob
Shepherd’s Spring Kit *
Sheree’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Simple Egg Kit
Simple Threads Chart
Skelton School Sampler Kit
Snow Child Kit *
Snow Fall Roll Kit
Snow Folio Chart
Snow Hill Kit *
Snow MM Chart
Snow Patch Kit
Snow Treat Bag Kit
Snowy Morn Kit
Sophie’s Roses Kit */Mat
Spooky Spots Kit
Spring Chart/Buttons
Spring Folio Chart
Spring Scissor Fob Kit
St Peter’s Fair Kit
Stripes Kit
Summer Chart/Buttons
Summer Song Kit
Sunflower Summer Kit
Sweet Land SE Kit
Sweet Pea Kit
Thankful Sheep Kit *
The Orchard Mini Chart
The Potting Shed Kit
The Promise Kit
The Root Garden Mini Chart
The Stockings Kit
Thoughtful Heart Kit
Three Pale Eggs Kit
Tina’s Stocking Chart/Charms
Tiny Flag Kit
Toy Gatherer Chart
Toy Gatherer Kit/Mat
Trick Or Treat Kit
Victorian Sampler Kit (pink)
Vintage Tina: Evening's Children (Blueberry Tea), Flock Of Briar Root, Hedgerow Sampler, Merry And Bright, VAC A Grand Celebration, VAC A Linen Symphony, VAC A Pink Parfait, VAC A Shepherd’s Sampler, VAC Folk Tales, VAC In Times Past, VAC Lavender & Old Lace, VAC Lavender Tea, VAC Special Effects, VAC Weatherbee Farm
Violets Mini Chart
Wandering Vine Chart *
Water Woods Kit
Welcome Baby Roll Kit *
Winter Chart/Buttons
Winter Children Chart
Winter Dreams Kit
Winter Hearts Chart
Winter Moon Kit
Wintertide Sampler Kit
Wool Gatherer Kit/Mat
Wooly Winter Kit
Yuletide Sampler Kit

* Denotes completed

This is just my Shepherd's Bush stash too. I've got a whole lot of charts/fabric of other designers as well. Would you like to see the list of other charts I have? Course you do:

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK: Book Marks #3568
BETTER HOMES: Gathering Honey #22
BETTER HOMES: The Little Aviator #031625
BETTER HOMES: The Tea Party #029447
BLACKBIRD DESIGNS: Flea Market Souvenir
BLACKBIRD DESIGNS: Maggie’s Needlecase
BRIGHTNEEDLE: Nantucket Sampler #46
BRIGHTNEEDLE: Pretty In Pink #75
CHARLAND DESIGNS: Flower Swirls Emery kit
CHARTS COLOR: Reflections Of The Past #00904
CHARTS COLOR: Stopping In The Garden #00104
DEBBIE MUMM: Checkerboard ABC’s #6797
DEBBIE MUMM: Mini Mumms #261
DESIGN WORKS: Country Bloomers #9235
DIMENSIONS: Antique Carousel #233
DIMENSIONS: Baby Keepsakes #210
DIMENSIONS: Bygone Summer #102
DIMENSIONS: Country ABC’s #169
DIMENSIONS: Country Ark #219
DIMENSIONS: Country Pleasures #256
DIMENSIONS: Country Quickies #239
DIMENSIONS: Family Moments #103
DIMENSIONS: Home Sampler #162
DIMENSIONS: Morning Song #197
DIMENSIONS: Tender Care #101
FIRST LOVE DESIGNS: The Beehive #BK 102
FORGET-ME-NOTS: Picking Wildflowers #463
FORGET-ME-NOTS: School Days Sampler #465
GRAPHWORKS INTERNATIONAL: Summer Days – Picnic Vol. 1
GREEN APPLE CO: The Old Woman Who Lived In The Shoe #576 *
HEART IN HAND: Wee Garden Gate #Wee One
HOMESPUN ELEGANCE: A Christmas Sampler 11 #176
HOMESPUN ELEGANCE: Cinnamon Stick Christmas X1X ‘Rejoice In Peace’ #189
HOMESPUN ELEGANCE: Delivering Americana #CS-18
HOMESPUN ELEGANCE: Delivering Harvest/with embellishments #CS-22
HOMESPUN SAMPLER: Olde Shaker Tune #130
HOMESPUN ELEGANCE: Pointedly Stitched Ornaments 1 ‘Santa & Nativity’ #PS-01
JBW DESIGNS: Heart Song #17
JUST NAN EXCLUSIVE: 20 Flowers Kit
JUST NAN EXCLUSIVE: And Many More Kit
LA D DA: Garden Angel *
LA D DA: Old Glory Angel
LAVENDER WINGS: Planted Hearts
LEISURE ARTS: A Little Girl’s Fancy #631
LEISURE ARTS: Bear Hugs #2065
LEISURE ARTS: Bookmark Collection #420
LEISURE ARTS: Let’s Pretend #680
LEISURE ARTS: Little Women #590
LEISURE ARTS: Make Believe #2317
LEISURE ARTS: The Seamstress #825
LINDA MYERS: Amish Quilt Show NS-08
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: Americana Sampling Kit 2005 Limited Edition
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: A Stitcher’s Prayer #8
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: City Stitcher Country Stitcher #11
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: Coffee Menu #25
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: Colonial Dry Goods #16
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: Home Of A Needleworker #4
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: Quilt Time Sampler #18
LITTLE HOUSE OF NEEDLEWORKS: Spot Of Coffee #LHNPC-06
LORRI BIRMINGHAM DESIGNS: Sarah Belle Kit #441K
LORRI BIRMINGHAM DESIGNS: The Joy Of My Heart Kit #438K
MIRABILIA: Garden Verses
MIRABILIA: Rose Celebration #23
PRAIRIE MOON: Cow Weathervane
PRAIRIE MOON: Gardenin’ Angel
SHEEPISH DESIGNS: H Is For House (Pillow 2)
SHEEPISH DESIGNS: S Is For Sheep (Pillow 4)
SOMETHING IN COMMON: Garden Stroll #047
STONEY CREEK: Sally’s Friend #19
THE ARTISTS COLLECTION: Monograms In Tapestry #AC-57
THE ARTISTS COLLECTION: The Angel Of Dreams #AC-105
THE ARTISTS COLLECTION: The Twelve Days Of Christmas #ACT-7
THE CITY STITCHER: Weeping Tree Sampler #25
THE CITY STITCHER: Willow Trees Sampler
THE CROSS-EYED CRICKET: Friendship Tea #102
THE DRAWN THREAD: Random Thoughts (chartpack)
THE GOODE HUSWIFE: Live Simply
THE SCARLET THREAD: Collector’s Item 1
THE SCARLET THREAD: Collector’s Item III
THE SCARLET THREAD: Collector’s Item V
THE VICTORIA SAMPLER: Butterfly Garden Sampler #28
TOLD IN A GARDEN: Amish Welcome #5
TOLD IN A GARDEN: Bird In Hand #16
TOLD IN A GARDEN: Home Of A Quilter #17
TOLD IN A GARDEN: Raspberry Homecoming #42
TOLD IN A GARDEN: Schoolhouse Sampler #25
TRUE COLORS: Baby’s Nap Time #BCL-10031
WITH MY NEEDLE: Cherished Workes
WITH MY NEEDLE: My Treasures Sewing Case

Who thinks I'll complete everything on my lists? Maybe in a few lifetimes. I think I'll be pushing it in this one. Still it's a hobby and I get a lot of enjoyment from it. You have to have some sort of vice in life, and this along with chocolate are mine.