Glamour Puss-Not

I finally found my way to the post office this week, so there are little bits of cross stitch making their way around the globe. To everyone that is expecting something, I am so sorry for the delay.

I did make a start on the mail art envelope too. That is, I got as far as cutting out the fabric. When I went to get the threads for it, I found I didn't have all that was needed. This left me in a bit of a quandary as to what to do next. I must have spent about 10 minutes walking in circles trying to decide.

I eventually decided to get out the honeysuckle cushion and work on that rather than start something new. I have managed to stitch the first berry and have gone as far to the right as the design goes before the border.I went and bought my threads today, so the next chance I get to do some stitching, I will get onto the mail art envelope and finish Concorde.

I do have a finish though. This is a shawl I knitted using the foxy yarn which I used to knit the jacket. You can thank J for taking the photos, though I would have been much happier with different model.

I am not used to all this glamour stuff, my nights out seem to be something in my dim and distant pass. That's children for you.

Also on the needles, is a little baby bolero in white. Hopefully this should be a quick finish and done by the end of the weekend. With another bank holiday in the offing, I might get a fair bit done over the weekend.

Concorde has technical problems

The technical problem being, that I ran out of the blue! It would have been all finished otherwise. I did as much as the cross stitch and back stitch I could, so it will only take a few minutes to complete when I buy some more thread. I should be able to buy some on Wednesday and get this stitched at the weekend when the boys are out.

I decided to add the dates that Concorde was flying too as a reminder to J. She was certainly a spectacular plane to see flying and to be able to be that close when she retired is something the boys will never forget.

Once I had finished this, I got on with some more of J's jumper. It is amazing how much back there is to knit. Now why do they have to grow!

I have to go and pick the boys up today, so I don't think there will be a lot of stitching going on. If I do anything, it will have to be something small as I won't want to do anything complicated after travelling all day.

Productive Saturday

Getting up at 5.30am, no children and a housework strike seems to be the key to getting a lot accomplished.

After the RR was completed yesterday, I did as much stitching as I could on this rose. When ordering the threads, I missed one. Typical! This is on order as well as some embellishments. so should be completed as an ATC later this week. I didn't fancy making a start on the mail art envelope, so I thought I would stitch a design I saw in a magazine for J. However, as one does, I got distracted. I saw a design for a lavender sachet, but I thought with a bit of tweaking, I could use it to make a card.

I did the cross stitching yesterday, but made the card up this morning. As you can see, Tugger had to get in on the act. Fortunately, he stopped biting the lens long enough for me to get a photo. Inside I have stamped it with the message "With Love".

With what was remaining of daylight, I did begin a cross stitch for J. We used to live in Filton, Bristol which was the home of Concorde. We took the boys back there for her final flight, so when I saw the design of Concorde in Jane Greenoff's magazine, I thought it was perfect to do as a gift for one of the boys. I shall probably finish it off as a wall hanging. I'll show you the pictures when it stops looking like a line of stripy toothpaste.

Once the natural light was going, it was time to get the knitting out. That's not exciting enough to show a picture at the moment. It's black! Need I say more.

Not such an early start today, and I can't decide what to do. Do I stitch some more of Concorde, especially as it could be possible to complete the cross stitch today, or do I start on the mail art envelope. Think I'll have another cuppa and then decide. Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Stitchin Fingers Cross Stitch Round Robin

Well Terry, you will be pleased to know that the fabric you sent has begun to be used. The first piece is for a Round Robin on stitching fingers. There are six participants and I have chosen a bird theme. No matter where I have lived in the country, we have had robins in the garden, so this seemed to be a perfect choice and of course, very appropriate for a Round Robin. This little robin will be trotting around the globe for most of the rest of this year.

It didn't look as if this was going to be completed on time last week, but as long as I get to the post office this week, it will be sent out right on schedule. Couldn't have planned it better if I had tried!

The pattern for the robin came from the June 1994 copy of Needlecraft. It is stitch on 14 count aida using DMC threads. It looks as if I had made a start on two of the birds included and then abandoned them. I really like the whole series, so I think I will do the other three together and finish them the same way to match the round robin.

I cannot wait to see what everyone one else adds.

Baby Jumper and socks

While I was ill, I had over a week with no stitching or knitting at all, then I began to feel as if I should do something. The brain wasn't working too well, and I knew I couldn't really concentrate or stick at anything for any length of time. Knitting is the perfect solution.
This set took a little longer than normal as I just couldn't keep it up for any length of time, but the finishing touches were completed yesterday.

I was so proud of my crocheted button border and loops. I'm not sure if they are correct, but it certainly does the job and it stays buttoned up, so I'm happy.

My crochet skills should improve in a couple of weeks. I am booked in to do an hour session to learn how to follow patterns and to do finishing on knitted garments. Hopefully after that, I can actually make some crocheted items.

Now I am beginning to feel on top of things a bit more, I need to get cracking and catch up with a Round Robin and a mail art envelope. I've made a start on the RR, just have to see how much can be done over the weekend.

Colour Exchange

This lovely pin mattress has come from Rachael for the colour exchange on Exchange Heaven. My chosen colour was green and as you can see from the photo, it perfectly matches the walls in the front room. She couldn't have matched it better if she had come to visit.

Rachael personalised it for me on the bottom, and has put the date on the back.

This was a real delight to take out of the packaging, it is beautifully finished and I love it.

On a personal note, after feeling slightly better on Friday, I got worse again over the weekend. However, the last two nights I have had better sleep, so I am now on the mend. I just need to get the energy levels back up and then I should be steaming on all cylinders. Hopefully, I should get back to normal production on stitching and knitting. I have a lot to catch up on after a week or more of inactivity.

Thank you to everyone for their good wishes, they have been much appreciated.

Thank You

I have to say thank you to two lovely ladies. The first is to Kathy(Kay) that sent me this lovely fabric postcard as part of an exchange on Stitchin Fingers. It looks so bright and cheerful displayed in my front room, just what I have needed this week. The other thank you is to Terry (http://terrytreasures.blogspot.com/) who sent me a very full box of aida, linen and waste canvas.

Amongst the treasures was this piece of bordered aida. I just have to find the perfect design to go in the middle.

I think I already have an idea for these pieces, time will tell.

The good thing is, there were two pieces big enough for the round robin and the mail art envelope I need to start. The fact I haven't been able to get out to do shopping doesn't matter anymore.

Words can't even begin to describe how grateful I am that Terry considered sending this to me. Over the next few months, I hope she sees it being put to good use.

I haven't done anything on the stitching or knitting front this week, I have been quite poorly. Much to the boys delight, I had no voice yesterday but to their bitter disappointment, it has come back today. I am now beginning to feel more human, so I am hoping to pick up a needle of some sort over the next couple of days.

Anemone

I probably didn't get as much sewing done as I planned, but I was a good girl and got some cleaning done. Half the house is ready for visitors. By lunch time I thought, as it was bank holiday, I ought to sit down and do some stitching. The anemone card was completed and put together, so I have something to show for the day. I also got a few inches done on the back of J's jumper. It is slow going as I am now knitting adult sizes for him.

I also repaired a few picture frames so there are some pictures to go up on the walls. One was J's birth sampler. D didn't think I had done one for him, but I am sure I stitched it. Just need to find it and frame or finish it in some way for him to display it.

I am expecting a delivery today, but if it comes in time, I am hoping to go into town and get some fabric for my next project. Let's hope the postie is kind, and comes early.

It arrived

The sewing machine arrived Saturday morning. It is so much lighter and more compact than my old machine, it was a bit of a shock to the system. It was off for a bath to read the instruction book and then a couple of hours to practise.

The threading up is so much easier, especially the drop in spool. However, I just couldn't get the tension right stitching polycotton together. It seems better on thicker fabric. I am sure with a little perseverance, I will get the hang of it. One thing is for sure, the boys aren't getting their hands on the old one until I do! I did get to complete the last four catnip pouches I had to do, but I didn't get to finish the coasters. I only have to stitch where I turned them out, so hopefully that will be done today.

I have been stitching this anemone picture for a card. It is a kit I bought some years ago. Anemones were my mum's favourite flowers, which is why I bought this. I have one purple flower and a leaf to complete and then I can put this together.

It doesn't look as if I will be getting much done this week. Wednesday I have to collect J and then Friday I have my brother's ex wife and family coming to stay until Sunday or Monday. That is an extra seven people! Think peace and quiet are going to be rare commodities this week. Better make the most of today and tomorrow.

A day for finishes

It was really strange here with just D, no bickering and relative peace and quiet. This was very conducive to getting things finished.

The first off the list were the biscornus. The beads have now been added, so they are finally complete and ready to be posted. Once they reach their various destinations, I will show you the finished articles. They are definitely better than the first one I attempted. My second pin keep is complete too. I was able to find some fabric in my stash for the back, and also some ribbon for the edge. These are easier to put together once you know how.

The foxy jacket got finished too. I had to knit the collar this morning and then sew it all together. The sleeves seemed to go on forever, but it is very warm.

I was going to knit the foxy shawl, but I didn't have the right size needles. Instead, I started another jumper for J, in black! So far, the ribbing for the back has been knitted and I am ready to start the mock rib pattern for the back. I am going to try to do this without him realising, as a surprise. Wonder how successful that will be.

I missed delivery of my new sewing machine Thursday. It would have been helpful if I had known that was the day they were coming, but the card says it will be delivered the next working day. I am hoping that will be tomorrow and not Tuesday, I want to be able to play with it. I have a list of things to make when it arrives. Looking forward to going and getting some fabric.

My first pin keep

This was my very first attempt at a pin keep. Gaynor has received it and is happy, so I am too, even if I couldn't make up my mind on how to finish the ribbon.

I did learn some lessons from making this. Next time I will use thicker cardboard in the centre, I think it will help to give it more stability. I will try it when I put my second together, possibly Friday.

I did get some more knitting done yesterday and now have two fronts to go with the back of the foxy jacket. I have started a sleeve so hope to get that done today.

I have to take DS2 to the craft shop today to get him a project to do over the weekend. It was his request when I asked him what he wanted to do when big brother was away. I think I can cope with that sort of activity.

Cat pictures complete

The boys were taken out for a nice long walk yesterday, so I had some peace and quiet to spend with the sewing machine. We got on quite well too. These are nine little padded, hanging pictures using the cat motif fabric. One of my neighbour asked me to make some for her. There were nine different motifs, so I have used them all and then will let her chose which ones she wants. I am sure I will find a home for the others.

What made the day go even better, all the little hangers went on the right way, I was so chuffed!

The biscournu squares all got backed with fabric, so I will try and put those together today.

It's all in the preparation

Yesterday seemed to be the day that all the stitching was in preparation for some finishes this week. I now have a small pile of cross stitched squares ready to make into three biscornus. It will be good to get these completed and sent of to their various recipients.

I managed to complete the stitching on this Lizzie Kate design too. This will be made into a pin keep this week. It was quite fun doing the basket weave stitch.

If anyone would like this pattern let me know. I have stitched both charts now and would be happy to pass it on so someone else can enjoy it. I then cut all these up ready for sewing today. The top squares are to be made into little hanging pictures for a neighbour. I have the fronts and backs all cut ready. I just have to get some wadding cut and pin them all together. I am hoping that I will get the little hanging loop the right way, I always manage to do it so it is on the inside!

The bottom pile is ready to make into more catnip pouches. I completed two that were ready for stuffing yesterday. These ones need to be made from scratch and some little pouches to go inside for the catnip.

I may use some of these motifs to make cards. I would add some novelty buttons to them. I will do some experimenting and see how it goes.

Another furry beast

I was a good mum and took the boys to the RSPCA as requested. I hate those places and was so pleased to get out of the dog kennels. I hate hearing them all barking and having nowhere to go. Then it was to see the cats. The boys wouldn't let me bring any back, so I got out of there quick too. So I managed to go there, walk round and come home empty handed!

The furry beast is this cardigan. Well actually, it's just the back at the moment. It is knitted using a yarn called foxy, and it looks alive.

It doesn't take long to knit up either. This is about 3/4 hours knitting. The knitting is ok, I am just thinking of the sewing up, that will be a bit more tricky.

I am hoping for a good productive day today. I have quite a few things I would like to get finished, so I'd better get that bath and get started.

A finish

The trouble with stitching for exchanges is, you keep busy and have nothing to show for your hard work for several weeks. You'll just have to take my word for it that progress has been made. I can show you the jacket and bootees that I have finished. We just need one of the pregnant mum's I know, to have a boy.

I am hoping that there will be some other finishes this weekend that I can share. I have some more catnip pouches to make. All the ones I did last week have gone, and I need to make some little hanging pictures. I have to try and fit it in with a visit to the RSPCA.

They are having an open day and the boys want to go. They don't believe me when I say we aren't coming home with anything. I think they can still remember when we went out for the day and came home with two hens!

April Already

I can't believe the speed this year is passing. I know this last week seems to have flown past, but it is April already, a quarter of the way through the year!

The end of March ended on a really lovely note for me. I received this in the post from Lucy over on Exchange Heaven. This months theme was food and drink, so this was very appropriate. It has now taken it's place on my display shelf.I finally got the cat pouches hand sewn closed yesterday. The two that were paid for have already made their way across the road. Apparently, it they were well received by Felix.The baby jacket should be finished today. The main jacket has been sewn together and I have half of the buttonhole band to be knitted. The bootees have been knitted but need to be sewn up.

I did get some cross stitching done, but as they are all for swaps, I can't show you. I really must get them finished as there I have so many to do this month. Maybe there will be more time next week when I only have one child to look after, but I doubt it.