Completed Hydrangea

I'm very pleased to report that I finished the Hydrangea on Friday night (yay!) I'm very pleased with how it turned out so now I need to measure up Hydrangea and my Irises and get them framed and mounted. I have a feeling I will need to have frames made for both of them. We've a good little frame shop in town so I'll pop in and get a quote next time I go into town. I found it quite hard to decide on what to stitch next so I got all the threads ready for the next 4 projects. I think I'll get all the fabby ready for them too today. I'm still waiting for a thread order to come so I decided to start one of the little Disney kits and did Pluto last night. I shall back stitch him tonight and start Donald Duck. I just need to find a day time project that I can do in front of DS.

My friend has asked me to make her a handbag so I went fabric shopping for her yesterday and happened to pick up a few remnants too. The green with rose buds at the top is the fabric for Sarah-Jane's bag. I love this fabric and I will use the left overs to make a bag for me in a different style . As for the remnants, they were all less than £2. The pink checked is for a handbag and cost £1. The cream will make a great lining fabric and was 50p. The cupcake one I have ambitions to make a pram blanket for DD's play buggy. (designing in my head as we speak) The multi coloured one with the hearts and flowers and the green floral print in the middle are the only ones I have no plans for yet.

Time for the penultimate question...Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from stitching?

I Don't think I have any tips that most stitchers don't already know. I prefer to start with the loop method, I usually photocopy my charts so I can mark off on the spare copy. I think the most important thing is to enjoy what you are stitching, it is supposed to be fun after all.  

Thanks for reading and have a lovely Sunday. x

Back on track

Well the stitchy bug came home and brought the turbo needle and the frog with it so I was over run with stitchy visitors, one not quite so welcome though. I stitched a small section in the wrong colour as I'd parked the thread in in the wrong place. Despite the frog I hit my target last night (YAY!!) 300 stitches and now I feel like I'm back on track with Hydrangea. today I must write a list of the projects I need to do in the run up to Christmas to keep me organised. (I do love a list).

I can't believe I've almost finished the questions and I've enjoyed telling you all about my stitching. so here's the next one. Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides stitching? What are they, and did learning to cross stitch come before or after learning these other crafts?I've crafted for as long as I can remember. I've always made cards for birthdays and I've had a go at scrap booking too. I made a whole scrapbook for some dear friends who moved to Durham 6 years ago and then they asked me to do another for them a couple of years ago. I've only ever done a couple of pages for myself. I started making beaded jewellery about 20 years ago. That has been the main other craft hobby and this is one of my favourite pieces I've made. I made all the tiaras for my wedding too.

Necklace, earrings and bracelet made using AB finished glass beads on black findings.

Lets see if I can list everything I've had a go at...Glass painting, decoupage, knitting, quilling, fimo, pottery (for GCSE), embroidery, long stitch. There must be others but I honestly can't remember any more. I often had making kits for Christmas and that is where alot of my passing fads have started. It's been the needlepoint, paper crafts and the jewellery that have stuck. The needle work is my favourite even though Cross Stitch is something I've only been doing for 7 years. I have recently tried crochet and it's just one that repeately defeats me so I shall persevere with it. I'm enjoying the machine sewing too and I need to go fabric shopping for a bag I've been asked to make. I'm looking forward to learning to make alsorts on that.

Right time to get that list started as there is only 3 months until Christmas. Eek! Happy Crafting. x

Monday - Hydrangea update

Good morning one and all. I hope today finds you all well. It's been a busy morning and I'm yet to crack the housework. I've been Christmas shopping this morning and to Tesco. I feel worn out all ready.

I had a fab stitchy session yesterday and did almost 400 stitches on Hy which was a really good total for me. I also managed to do a bit on my Circles embroidery and now I only have 2 circles to complete to finish it. It been a fun bit of stitching. So here is the Hydrangea as it looks now. I'm hoping for another good session on it tonight too.

Hydrangea update as of 18/9/11

I really need to order the threads I need for my next project other wise I'll be ready to start and they wont be here for me. Which leads me nicely on to todays question...

Day 27: How do you acquire most of your stash? Online retailers, local shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favourite?I get threads and most of my fabby from Cross Stitch Heaven as I tend to do alot of designs from magazine charts rather than kits. If I do do a kit it's usually one I've picked up when I've gone to the Hobby Craft show at the NEC (6 weeks and counting Rach!!) I do love my local shops too The Cotton Reel and Creative Hands. I use them for buttons, fabric and ribbon and also the odd skein when I'm desperate to get on with something. The staff are so helpful in both of them.

Thanks for reading and have a lovely day. xx

Overwhelmed

I really had to do this blog to say how overwhelmed I was with all your comments on my Owl Biscornu. I really am touched by all your kind words. Thank you to each one of you who took the time to leave me such uplifting comments. We had a lovely time at the cinema too. Secondly welcome to my new follower Butterfly. I hope you'll pop back from time to time.

My fellow blogger, the fabulously talented Lori is having a giveaway over on her blog Hippywitch crafts. You can win a beautiful crocheted witch and felt heart. I've put my name in the hat. I'm looking forward to reaching a landmark so I can have a giveaway to one of you lovely folks.

Yesterday I received my ATC's from my first bubble swap. They were two fab ones and I'm looking forward to doing the October swap. I'm thinking as its going to be halloween very close to the date of posting I might do a couple of themed ones. I have a chart for a fab spider that I've wanted to stitch for ages. 

My first ATC's recieved

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a stitch-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

I join in with the Bubble UFO SAL on a Monday. Its helped me get through alot of little UFO's I've had knocking about and I even conquered my fear of french knots when a bookmark I was stitching required 120 of them. I actually quite like doing them now. I'm currently working on my circles embroidery for it. next on the list is to start doing my HAED on a Monday night as I've not stitched on it for months. It might take me 2 years to get it done though just stitching it on a Monday.

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend. Thanks for stopping by. x

muesli musings

Well it's a damp saturday here in my corner of the world which is a bit of a shame as I am taking DS out this morning to see Day of the Diesels, the new Thomas Tank Engine film as he's somewhat obsessed with all things railway. We're taking his best friend too so should be a nice morning with lots of popcorn and maybe a Macdonalds for lunch. 

The Hydrangea is moving along slowly but surely. I do enjoy stitching it and I only have around 2100 stitches to do so I'm well on target for my end of September finish, but I really do need to hit my 300 stitches target each night in the stitchathons with the lovely Rach. I'll post an updated wip pic on Monday

My exchange partners have recieved their gifts now so here is a pic of the biscornu. It's one of my absolute favourite biscornu's that I've made. The owl on the branch is part of a design from WOXS 172 - Funky owl cards, stitched on 14ct sky blue aida and beaded with Mill Hill beads 0556. I found the owl button in House of Fraser and the flower button is from one of my local sewing shops I brought recently and popped in my button tin, knowing it would be perfect for a biscornu at some point.

Ivory's Owl biscornu

Bottom of Owl Biscornu

Day 25: Do you have a book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, wish lists? Post a picture of it!

I certainly do have a little notebook where I keep all my notes, lists ideas and thread orders. I've used it for about 3 years. It has my DMC shade card slipped in the front along with odd designs and notes. I also have the lovely stitching diary too made for me by Bubbler Chloe last year as part of a stitching diary exchange.

Stitching Diary and my Stitchy notebook

Well the sun is now shining and the sky blue so best I get ready for the day. Have a fab weekend friends. x 

Thursday ponderings

Hello followers, I hope this Thursday finds you all well in your corner of the world. I thought I'd write a quick blog as I munch my muesli. I had a completely stitch free day yesterday as we had friends for dinner. I'm enjoying stitching the Hydrangea so much, I really missed not stitching it yesterday. I have given myself a computer time limit this morning to maximise my stitchy time.

I recieved a lovely bookmark yesterday a part of crafty lauras gift exchange on bubble from Jo. I have 3 ATC's due to come to me over the next week or so then that'll be it with the exchanges for a while whilst I catch up with birthday cards.

Bookmark from Jo

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern? How did it turn out?I've designed a few things over the years. Sometimes it's just a new sampler layout from designs from magazines. I've designed several biscornu. One thing I did for 2 special families was to make them mini samplers for their homes. I got the idea when round at one of their houses I noticed she had several minature pictures in a row above a door frame. I knew I had some tiny wooden frames so designed a mini sampler to fit. its the first time I'd used cross stitch design software, usually I just get out the graph paper and do it like that, anyway heres one of them.



Mini Sampler

Well folks thats me for today. I'm off for a quick gander at bubble. Thanks for reading. x

Hydrangea update

So last night saw me finish the leaves and stems on the Hydrangea. So here's a new WIP pic of the Hydrangea

I'm thoroughly enjoying stitching this. I find Sheila Hudson's designs a joy to stitch. This is the 3rd one of hers I've done and I have 5 more on my to do list. 

Below is a pic of me sat in my stitching corner taken a couple of nights ago. As you can see I'm all set for the night with my favourite choccie and a glass of rose.

I finished the biscornu for the gift swap and all I need to do is to sew it up, something I plan to do later today. Its a really cute owl one and I'll post a pic later in the week when it's found its way to it's new owner. I recieved my exchange gift today a very sweet tissue holder and card from my Bubble swap partner Ivory.

I'll do one question today although I'm a little behind and that is,
Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?
There are a few design on my wish list that I'd love and after my visit to the hobbycraft show hopefully I'll have a couple of them. They are blackwork designs one of a Dragon and the other two are Art Nouveau designs - one called Pink Window and the other is the Waterlily both are found here. Purely for on the patience part it would be to get some more done on my HAED.

Thanks for reading and happy crafting everyone. xx

Not alot to report but I thought I'd have a catch up with my questions and see how you all are doing. welcome to my new follower passionatlypink...about time too Rach!!!
Day 20: Do you stitch in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?I'll stitch anywhere and it's not uncommon for me to stitch on the bus when I'm child free, in the park whilst watching the children play or at birthday parties my son goes to. I'm not sure how people could be offended by it, Sometimes I get little comments about it, generally people admiring it and/or my ability just to do it. It's lead to me finding out about other stitchers and crafters. The first time I took it to a kids party one of the other mums was very glad and promply got out her knitting.

Day 21: Do you stitch gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?I love to stitch for friends and family for Christmas and birthdays. I have for the last few years stitched my Hubby a dragon themed card for our wedding anniversary, my best friend Sarah gets something most birthdays even if it's just a stitched card. My son likes me stitching things for him too and will put in a request every now and again. My favourite person to stitch for is my Mum. She's had a couple of pictures and lots of cards. I've got her christmas present and card all planned, along with my son's. they'll only be small bits, but that way everyone gets a little something. I've done a few cards for bubblers too.

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-stitch-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last stitched gift to them?I've never stricken anyone from my list, but over the years I've learnt which friends to stitch for. It now means I only stitch about 12 Christmas cards now and thats enough for me and I can say I've got 7 done already yay!!

Hydrangea is coming along well, spurred on by my evening stitchathons with Rach. Today I should get the leaves finished and post a progress pic for you all tomorrow. I've been thinking about my stash reduction for the bubble group and what 5 to pick for next year. I think I've got 4 out of the 5 already

1. A nudge from mom (needle treasures)
2. QS Iris (HAED)
3. Lickle Greetings (Lickle Ted)
4. Japanese Bookmark (V&A collection by Anchor)

I'm not sure what the 5th will be yet, i'll probably do a floral design from one of the many magazine charts I have on my to do list.

Have a fab day folks. x

Last day of the summer hols

Well I'm predicting today will be a busy one with all the preparation for back to school tomorrow. I still need to sew in some nametapes, an onerous task if ever there was one, along with a couple of other jobs.

I put aside all the little projects and got the Hydrangea out yesterday. I felt I wasn't getting anywhere with it as I'd been stitching alot for exchanges. I did 550 stitches on it or there abouts yesterday and finally looks like something rather than a green splodge on the fabric. (It's 2 green splodges now!) so here's my progress pic. An image of the competed design can be seen on the right.

Day 19: Do you watch television or listen to music whilst you stitch? What are your favourite things to stitch to?The TV is usually on when I'm stitching, and is normally a crime drama of some description, last night it was Gently on BBC1. I do watch some sport too whilst I stitch. I'm a big fan of Formula 1 so I watch or rather listen to that, also Tennis and big events like the Olympics. I like comedies too like Miranda and Big Bang Theory if there really is nothing on then the DVD's of the Gilmore Girls come out. How about you readers?

Have a lovely week everyone .xx

short and sweet Sunday

Good morning friends, I hope this Sunday finds you well. Just a short and sweet blog today as it's all quiet round here. 

I completed another ATC yesterday so here are my first 3 all together. They're for 2 different swaps, one on bubble and one for Debs for her Fibromyalgia fundraising. See her blog here. I haven't decided which is for what yet but I'll be getting them in the post this week. The designs are all from Cross Stitch Collection 200 and I've put them together in my own arrangement. I used up threads from the card packs that come free with the mags and the card they are mounted on are actually the backing cards from the packs cut to size - no sense in wasting it.

My first ATC's



Day 18: Do you have a favourite stitching magazine?

I don't think I could choose between Cross Stitcher or WOXS. I have subs to both and I find each has it's good and bad points. I use the WOXS design libraries alot especially since I've been stitching themed stuff for exchanges. I occasionally buy Crazy, Gold or Collection if a design catches my eye.

So as it's a wet and miserable day here, I plan on spending it with a needle in hand as much as I can. Have a lovely Sunday. xx

catch up Saturday

Morning folks,

Today I'm having a bit of a catch up the house as it looks like it is lived in by a gang of tramps with hoover phobia. I was going to wait until the children go back to school but frankly I cannot stand another 4 days of mess so I will be spending time doing this today. not my idea if fun, I'd rather be stitching! So to keep up with the catching up theme I thought i'd post 3 pics that were meant to go on other blogs and didn't quite make it for whatever reason.

Here are the seaside sachets all made up. they're now hung up in the cloakroom. The middle one is a little wonky but hey, it's handmade!

This is the birth sampler I did for my son. It was my most challenging piece as a novice stitcher (day 8's question). It had tweeding, french knots, fractionals and took alot of counting to get the characters in the right place.

finally heres the Stitchlet exchange i recieced from Bubbler Anne.  I love mouseloft kits, they're so sweet and the blue flowers will look great on ATC's too.

Day 17: Have you ever had a project that you loved become ruined? What’s the story behind it?
I've never had a piece of stitching ruined although when I was sewing up the height chart last week the iron was spitting out limescale so that was a bit of a hairy moment. So far anything thats been spilt has come out in the wash and when I was stitching Elvis for Mum, I cut the fabby too small and only left about an inch on 2 of the sides for framing. It was ok and framed up nicely.

So I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I just want to send my best wishes to Laura as she gets married today. have a wonderful day. x

Kerry. x

Thursday already

Yesterday I recieved my stitchlet exchange from Anne and had this lovely little stitchlet, card and embelishment. It was my first stitchlet swap and good fun to do. I spent alot of yesterday evening sketching out a ATC design for the swap on bubble as I only have 10 days or so to get them done. One got finished yesterday and I used the CSC design again but did a blackwork version, I kind of just did the outline of the main flower and then just let the needle take me where it did. I started the second one too and I shall continue to work on that today. I'll post a pic in my next blog when they are both made up into ATCs. I also finished a design for a coaster. I used the top of a biscornu design from the totally fab Kincavel Krosses.

All stitched and ready to be made into coaster

Laura (check out her blog here) recieved her wedding parcel I'd made for her yesterday so I can now do the big reveal for that! I stitched her a card and matching tag from Cross Stitcher issue 225 and stitched this blackwork lucky horseshoe from a DMC booklet called Blackwork Occasions. Both designs required beading and I went into town armed with the one side of the design to match the beads as I'd changed the colours to match Laura's colour scheme, not realising that the card needed beads too. anyhoo I brought beads that went very well (Mill Hill 2018) got them home to realise that the card needed beads too and would you believe they were the right colour - see the horseshoe is lucky already! I also made Laura a little parcel of heart and love themed sweets for a bit of fun. All that remains is to wish her and her Fiance all the very best for Saturday and every happiness together.

Back of Horseshoe

Front of Horseshoe

Wedding Card for Laura

Ok I think I need to catch up with some questions so here are 3 to see me up to date (I think)

Day 13: Have you ever taught anyone to stitch?I taught my mum to do tapestry's, she won't try cross stitch as much as I've offered to teach her, I'll keep persevering. I think if she ever completely falls in love with a design then that would be when she'd learn, but knowing my luck she'd get me to stitch it! I'd be happy to teach anyone who'd pick up a needle.

Day 14: What’s the worst threads or fabric that you’ve worked with and why?

I've gone of working with metallics and no amount of thread heaven will make me change my mind at the moment. I can't think of a fabric athough recently I did a round robin where my fabric was an aida band, as with many bands it was very loosely woven and impossible to do fractionals on. It gave one of my fellow robiners quite a headache.

Day 15: What was your least favorite pattern and why?I can't think of anything I've stitched where I've really disliked the pattern. I only tend to stitch things that I like the pattern for, even when doing gifts. I did start a flower fairy once from a card kit and just couldn't get into it. It didn't ever get finished and I passed it on to a penpal to do.

Thanks for reading folks and stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your day. x

Bank Holiday Monday

Well I spent a hour sunday tidying my ribbon tin and winding them all on strips of card. It was such a mess before and had frustrated me when I couldn't see what I had. It was a good job done even if I did have 'help' from the children.
I finished a little ornament yesterday and I'm very pleased with the outcome. It turned out better than I'd hoped despite having to stitch the one side twice. I sat and sketched out a design for the ATC yesterday too and stitched it this morning. the design is from the Cross Stitcher website here (scroll down to the cross stitch collection entry.) It's an interpretation of it as I thought it was a great quick design and took me 90mins to stitch using threads in my left overs pot. I'm very tempted to join the September ATC swap on bubble if I can make them as quicky as that. I have a feeling ATC's will become another addiction, saying that I've not made a biscornu in over a week, but I do have one to do for an exchange very soon.

Day 11: Do you have a “Stitching Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share!
Hmm stitching hero, now thats a toughie, I admire anyone who stitches HAED's or designs of a simular size, nature, complexity. My hat's off to you guys. There are 3 people who spring to mind who challenge me as a stitcher. My good friend Rach who keeps me motivated when I need it and was my first stitching friend, Ann for her generosity and kindness and Laura who sent me my first biscornu and inspired me to have a go myself. Thank you lovely ladies.

Day 12: Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!



My 'boxes under the bed'



Tidied ribbon tin

Here there and everywhere is the correct answer! I have 3 boxes under the bed, one with bits and bobs in, finished pieces and to be honest who knows what else, and 2 other boxes with kits in. One for the the large kits and another for the cover kits, stitchlets etc.  Lastly is the bookcase which has 8 mag files full of stitch and craft mags and a fair few books too. The garage also contains my machine sewing stuff, along with stuff to make cards, jewellery and scrapbooks. Now before I photograph this lot I'm off for a little tidy up (except for the garage as its waaayyyyy too big a job!)
Well I hope the bank holibob was a good one for you all. Thanks for stopping by. Kerry. x

Mamma Mia

Well last night was a rather soggy one spent on the pitch at Worcestershire Country Cricket ground watching the open air screening of Mamma Mia. I went down with my best mate Sarah armed with waterproofs, picnic blankets and some yummy food.

Sarah (left) and me huddled under a brolly

Fortunatly the rain stayed off for most of the film so Sarah and I sat there with a lovely glass of wine (or two) and some nibbles and had a good laugh. loads of people were up and dancing at the end of the film and walking away speculating what we'd see in the wet next year. Guesses are most welcome. So far they've shown Grease and Dirty Dancing. Sarah and I thought maybe the John Travolta version of Hairspray as it needs to be family friendly and with a good soundtrack.

Our Picnic

And so to Craft, whilst sewing up the height chart earlier in the week,  I made a little decoration for my cloakroom. I did alot of the sewing on the machine and spent an hour this morning finishing them off. Hopefully i'll have a pic soon. As for the stitching I shall be starting a little design for an ATC swap that my fellow blogger Deb is doing to raise money for Fibromyalgia. See her blog here. I can relate to this illness so much as I have M.E. This will be the first ATC that i've made so i'm excited and a little nervous about it too.

Lastly the question...

Day 10: Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?I love Sheila Hudson's floral designs, but really I go for the design more than the designer. Margaret Sherry does some very cute and funny animals, I'm not a big fan of her cats, They are brilliantly drawn but I wouldn't want to stitch them, but then i'm not a cat person at all.

Thanks for reading and have a fab bank holiday weekend folks!

Kerry. x

A day without blogging is like a day without chocolate! My laptop died a couple of days ago (R.I.P, you've been a good friend) so I shall blog and bubble as often as I can until I can get a new one. Lessons were learnt when my previous one died and photos were backed up athough not all the rest of the stuff :-( The upside was that I got the sewing machine out and finally made up the height chart! I just need the dowel to hang it by. A good job done.

Hubby brought me some lovely Gladioli to cheer me up after the laptop giving up the ghost, the colours are gorgeous. As for stitching, I've been finishing a present and a card for a friend, so i spent last night beading the design. I've not used beads on a design other than a biscornu for ages so i was very pleased with the outcome. No pics yet but hopefully i'll have some for you over the weekend.

So to the questions for days 7, 8, and 9 thankfully I'd emailed this to Laura so I could retrieve it from my sent box.
Day 7: What is your least favorite piece you have stitched?My least favourite must be a Spurs emblem which I stitched for my footie mad best friend, but after stitching it realised it was the old style emblem and not the new bird on a basket ball one. I've still got it somewhere in the deep dark depths of my stitching odds and ends box.

Day 8: What’s your most challenging project?
My most challenging...I'd say the birth sampler I did for my son. I was still a very new stitcher with this only being my 3 design. It had colour blending, french knots and a tonne of fractionals. 7 years on I'd probably say my HAED, even though with it being whole stitches, just the size of the design, the number of colour changes and the challenge of stitching on 25ct.

Day 9: What fabric and thread do you love working with?
I've been using evenweave alot lately and i'm loving it. I love the fine finish it gives. As for threads, most of my collection is DMC, but I do love 2 of the anchor varigated threads which are rainbow (1335) and a jewel coloured one (harlequin 1375). I've used them quite alot recently in projects and they work really well in blackwork designs.
Well, I'm off to catch up with your blogs. Thanks for reading and have a fab day.
Kerry. x

My favourite piece

So todays question is...
Day 6: What is your favourite piece that you’ve stitched?

It has to be my Irises by Sheila Hudson. I love stitching floral designs and especially ones this vibrant. It took me a while to do as it got shelved for other things including a couple of long stitchy breaks. I finished it last year and i've yet to frame it. (such a shame) but as soon as i've finished the Hydrangea they will be framed in matching frames.

I have another design I love which is a blackwork design called Art Nouveau window. There are 2 other simular designs that i'm hoping to get at the November NEC Hobbycrafts show as it was a lovely stitch and I think it looks fab. it now hangs in my hall in a silver frame which with the blue mount, I think compliments it very well.

I was a very lucky girl today as Mum brought me a pair of dressmaking shears. I went in for some beads and ribbon for a design i'm doing and whilst I was browsing the buttons (another addiction) Mum got me them. She had to wait until I was away from the counter as I would have talked her out of it. It's fab having a Mum who crafts too as she understands the need for stash and good equipment! Thank you Mum!!!xxx

Hope everyone has had a lovely day. I'm off to get sorted in the house ready for my evening stitchy session. Thanks for reading and happy crafting.

Kerry. xx

Monday, Monday

Good morning blogland! The children let me sleep until 6.30am today, seems like such a luxury!

Day 5: Describe what your work space looks like.

Right my workspace. I always sit in the same place on the sofa in the window so I get very good lighting in the day. My floor frame is always up as I use the lamp and chart clip even if I don't use the stand. I have a little unit with 2 baskets in that holds all the bits I use alot like stuffing for the biscornu, cover kits, bags of threads. On top of the spotty box is my stitching diary (made for me by a Bubbler Chloe), my note book and my button tin. It's a gorgeous one with a stitch in time on top. I asked Mum last Christmas to buy me a nice tin to put my ever growing button collection in. We found this one in Boots and was perfect.

You can see some mags behind the table, I keep current issues and mags with designs I'm using down there in a mag file, with my blackwork books. I'm always dipping in and out of them so keep them close to hand. There is also a bag of fabby and my 2 big wips in a pillow case to keep them clean. Sat on the radiator is my pako and also the thread pots, one for oddments to be reused and the other for the rubbish.

My spotty box was a bargain in my local sewing shop. I paid a fiver for it a few months back and it was filled with DMC stuff, so now it has all my essential bits in, it does look rather staged but honestly all I did this morning was open the draw to take the picture. The big tin has a few bobbins of thread in that haven't been put away yet, I always have a pencil in there for sketching out designs etc. The scissors were a present from Mum and are fantastic. I've never used such good ones. I think they are Prym ones. I want to get a longer bladed pair for cutting fabric too. Inside the top of the box is a couple of bits of fabric, my current wip (say no more) and a few more pens and highlighters. 

As I mentioned in yesterdays blog that only got posted this morning for some reason, I've sewn up the biscornu for Ann's necklaces and here they are made up into necklaces. 

So I hope you enjoyed the little peek into my stitching world. Have a fabulous crafty day. We're off to the Post Office later to post the necklaces and no doubt the park too.

Kerry. x  

Sleepy Sunday

My children have been deciding that sleep is for the weak and getting up very early indeed. so I thought at 7.30 this morning that it was time to sew up the last 3 small biscornu for Ann's necklaces.

Day 4: How did you learn how to stitch?

I've embroidered on and off for years, my Nan taught me to embroider when I was about 12, just doing some straight stitches. I stitched this little tray cloth which I still have now. I also did one of those little samplers on binca at school that most kids did aged about 7. As for cross stitching I learnt about 7 years ago with the eeyore kit. I just picked it up and gave it ago. I don't think we ever stop learning about our crafts and developing techniques and methods to make it more challenging and enjoyable.

I finished the purple biscornu and I love how its turned out. It has a beaded border and I've used the star buttons. I'm going to post it off to Steff tomorrow so watch this space for a photo soon.

Well thats me for today. Happy crafting, Kerry. x

30 day challenge - days 2 and 3

As I didn't get chance to post this yesterday, here are questions 2 and 3.

Day 2: What is current stitching project?

Which one is the answer to that one!! If I had to narrow it down to one it would be the purple biscornu. The top is now done, fully backstitched. Last night i started the bottom and got all the cross stitching and back stitching done. It's going to be personalised so I need to get that bit stitched as I sat and charted it yesterday morning. It's not as purple as originally planned but it is stitched on lilac aida with purple and green threads.

Day 3: Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?

Yup, certainly do - the two pic's at the bottom of my blog are the 2 big projects that I have on the go. The Hydrangea and the Iris. I love stitching florals. They must be my favourite thing to stitch, saying that I do only have 2 big completed ones. If i'm doing something for me then flowers are what I usually stitch and make up most of my wish and to stitch list too.

I've also been ferreting in the garage for my card making stuff and made up the popcorn card for the exchange. I just need to parcel it up now along with the stitchlet and charms and send it on its merry way.

I tried to make a 1/3" biscornu yesterday morning, utter madness I know. It didn't work as it frayed where i'd only left 1 aida block, so I will persevere as i'd managed to sew up 5 of the 8 sides before this happened. I have 2 choices - iron on some vilene before cutting up and use a sharp to sew it up or leave 2 aida blocks. If neither of those work then I may have to concede defeat, however there may be a third way but then I think I may need the men in white coats.

The children and I had a lovely morning out on Thursday at the bowling alley with some of the boys from DS's class. It was lovely to sit around with a coffee whilst the boys had loads of fun. We all had lunch too  and even after 4 hours it was hard to drag the boys away.

My bead order arrived this morning. I didn't order much just some findings and some pretty glass beads. I did manage to order the wrong jump rings (d'oh) so i'll just have to order some more along with some pretty beads too. so heres a pic of my little bits along with some buttons I found in the garage which have found their way to my button tin, and the buttons I brought for the biscornu (bottom left).

Have a fab and craft filled weekend everyone.
Kerry. x

30 days challenge

Firstly welcome to my new followers and thank you for all your kind comments on my work.

I made great guns on the purple extravaganza yesterday and I'm very pleased with how it looks so far. I've finished the cross stitching on top of the biscornu, so I just need to back stitch. It's a celtic design so needs the backstitch for the definition of the knotwork. The bottom is much simpler so wont take long to stitch. DS helped choose the colours and I must say he has a very good eye for colour.

So to the title of this post. whilst reading Laura's blog Cute Crocheted Creations I came across a post with a 30 days of crocheting. I loved the idea and there doesn't appear to be one I could find based on stitching. I read through the questions on CCC and thought that alot could be applied to stitching too. I've re written all the questions, adding in a few of mine where the question couldn't be made to be stitching related and here goes for my 30 day challenge:

Day 1: What was your first finished project?

My first finished project was an Eeyore design by Designer Stitches. I saw it in a catalogue and thought wonder if I could cross stitch? apparently I could! It came as a pair and I made a fair few mistakes on it. I had no idea about fractionals and no one to ask so I had to frog a fair bit. Dividing the threads seemed barmy to me, but I did do it and looking at it now I don't think it was a bad effort. The pair hang on the wall in DD's pink palace now.