*Happy Halloween*

A big spooky hello to those of you who celebrate the Halloween Holiday. Here in Australia we don't actually get a holiday for this occasion but it is still celebrated a little with young children wandering around, trick or treating throughout the neighbourhood. The stores of course like to get into the act and sell a variety of Halloween costumes and an assortment of related products. Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying the celebrations whatever you do to mark the occasion.

It's been a while since I dropped by last so I thought I better do an update to let you know that all is well. Actually, all was not well last week. I was home all week with the flu and will go back to work tomorrow for the first time since. I still have the last bit of it lingering but I can't stay home forever, right? My girls (cats) enjoyed having me home. A little more entertainment for them during the day. Plus they were able to get a snack here and there that they don't normally have while I'm at work. Still, I'm sure they'll love the peace and quiet when I go back.

So the picture up above is one I've taken and played around with for Halloween. It's of Shepherd's Bush Little Witch that I stitched up a number of years ago. It's got the Jill Rensel mat around it and has a black wooden frame with detail. I thought it was quite suitable for this time of year to show you a picture of it.

The other things I have to show you is some charts I bought a short while ago from Country Stitches. I love Brenda's designs and find it hard not to add them to my stash every now and then.

Broom Hilda, St. Noel, Pumpkin Farm, and Fruit For A Song charts by Country Stitches

Nothing else to show right now. I'm still not stitching which is quite annoying (to you and to me). I'll have to find something really tiny to do, to get back into it. I know I have some small projects in my stash, it's just a matter of sorting through them and finding one that suits. I've had a couple of offers for SALs which is very nice but I'm not in the right frame of mind to tackle this. So I will have to decline on the offers, sorry. I will do one again some day, I'm sure.

That's it for now. Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

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What's New Pussy Cat?

A few people lately have been wanting to know when I was going to do another edition of my famous 'Pussy Magazine'. Well, wait no more! Here it is...

(Remember this is supposed to be light hearted and meant to give you a laugh. I don't intend to offend anyone.)

So this cover has my youngest Birman, Charlotte on it. She's gazing out the window wondering where the sun has gone. Since we are still in Winter here, this edition has articles relating to the season. Pity you only get the chance to view the front cover because you'll be amazed what's inside! Good luck finding yourself a copy.

Just dropping by!

I'm sorry that my blog's been very quiet lately but my lack of stitching has led to a lack of enthusiasm for blogging. I still haven't started anything new but I do have something to show you. It's the latest Girl Club Stacy Nash kit for which I'm a member through Country Sampler. It arrived recently and I thought I would share some pictures with you.

It's called the Country Sampler Liberty 1776 Sewing Pouch. It includes lovely pieces of fabrics as always, so you're never disappointed. There's some 32ct Dirty linen, reproduction cotton print fabric in natural with a red flower dotted throughout, a piece each of natural and olive silk matka, and your thread along with a mother-of-pearl button. Stacy has been raving lately about the silk matka and now I can see why. It's really lovely and quite rustic looking with its uneven weave. I don't know whether you would cross stitch on it but you could probably try if you like a challenge. I think it's purpose is more of a fabric than a linen if you know what I mean. So using it as a backing or applique would serve it better.

I see a few others are going through a bit of a lull with their needlework so I'm in good company. We all have highs and lows with whatever we do in life. I don't want to force the issue with my stitching because then it will feel like a chore, which it shouldn't. I will get the enthusiasm back again in time so please stay with me and look out for a future post update. Thanks to those who have emailed or commented on how I am. Everything is fine, though it's still dam cold here where I live. Maybe when the warmer weather comes and there is more light I will want to pick up my needle again. Thank you all for the time you take to comment and read my blog.

Just before I go I will leave you with a picture of my adorable cats. I love them to bits and they are both keeping warm during this cold weather we're having. They get along so well and are truly great friends for each other. They keep each other company while Mum spends long days at work. This photo was taken while they were on their cat house. They both just squeeze themselves on the top of it and sometimes have a battle of the wills to see who can push the other off so they can have it all to themselves. This day though, they were happy to share.

Til next time...

My First Shepherd's Bush - Evening Sampler

My, how long it's been since my last post. I must apologise for the absence but to tell you the truth, I haven't felt like stitching or blogging lately. I guess we all go through these moments but mine seems to be going on for a while. Just as a fill-in I have something to show you from many years ago.

Shepherd's Bush - Evening Sampler

Stitched in 1994

This one is going back sixteen years to 1994. It was my first Shepherd's Bush pattern that I stitched. Designed by Tina Richards Herman in 1991, Evening Sampler is one of many of her creations that I like. I worked it using mainly the recommended threads except for the house filled in with a purple colour instead of a grey. The fabric was a Lugana 25ct in Mushroom or Bone (can't quite remember now). I used two threads for the most part and one for the words and other details. Plenty of beads are used throughout as well. This design is still available at Shepherd's Bush and takes you back to their earlier style of patterns.

There's a house to call home.

Children playing with their kite.

A verse to read with ducks a waddling.

The frame I chose for it is red wood with an aqua colour filled around the edges to tone in with the aqua in the stitched piece. I had this framed many years ago as well, not just recently.

These earlier patterns of SB come with more than just one design. Evening Sampler includes three small patterns that they placed on fabric blocks. They also have a needle roll shown that they've taken elements of the main design to create. Lovely little bonuses from the one chart. The needle roll would be nice to do one day. This picture I've taken from the chart.

It's Winter time here so I thought I'd change my blog background to coincide with it. We're getting a proper Winter with cold mornings, cold days, and cold nights. It's just so cold! Rain and cloudy days are the order of the day. I go into hibernation mode like a grizzly, old, bear. Maybe not so much the grizzly, hopefully not the old, but definitely bear like behaviour by trying to keep warm. I just dream of those of you who are in the northern climes and are getting some sunny weather now. Enjoy those warm days ahead. I'll just snuggle up with my mohair blanket and crank the heat up!

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.