Followers

Friday 29 July 2011

Bookmark Cat

Another week is almost over and I have a finish.  This time a bookmark, with a cat holding a heart shaped balloon.  Yet another gorgeous design by Margaret Sherry.

Cat Bookmark by Margaret Sherry

 
Other Margaret Sherry Cat Designs that I have stitched.


Birthday Card for Joyce

It was also my friends birthday this week and here is a picture of the card I sent her.






I thought I would share with you some of the places I have visited in July.


Nottingham, famous for Robin Hood.


Nottingham Town Hall, The Castle Gate House, Statue of Robin Hood and the Castle Gardens.



Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire


Gainsborough Old Hall is among the biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses in England. 
It is part timber-framed but mostly brick-built. It was built in the latter part of the 15th century
 with Elizabethan additions.


Chesterfield 


Chesterfield in Derbyshire, is famous for it's crooked spire.


Happy Stitching Everyone


Tuesday 19 July 2011

Stitching Cat

Hi Everyone

Here is my latest piece, a "Stitching Cat", which comes from the Margaret Sherry Alphabet, "X" for Cross Stitch.  But I have not stitched the "X".  I started it and finished it today!
ABC Charts can be found here or here..  And here it is.

Margaret Sherry's Stitching Cat.

 Now all I need to do is make it into a Needle Book,
Scissor Case or fob.  
You shall have to wait and see what I do.


Happy Stitching Everyone

Sunday 17 July 2011

A quick finish!

I can't believe it myself!  I've already finished my July Owl!  And here it is.  Isn't it good when things go well.  Now I will have to wait until August to get the next chart!


July Owl

OakHaven Designs - January - July

Now, I wonder what I will do next?  Shall I start something else, or finished something I have already started?  You will have to wait until next time!!!

Happy Stitching Everyone




Saturday 16 July 2011

WIPS and Lots of Giveaways!!

First of all I want to say "Welcome" to my new followers.  I'm always pleasantly surprised to see so many  people following me.  Thank You All.   

I have finally finished my OakHaven Designs Group June Owl SAL and will shortly be starting the July Owl.  
Here are what they look like so far.

June Owl


OakHaven Owl SAL


I've also move on a little bit further with the, "Little Lace Learning Hardanger SAL", by Abi Gurden at
"The Stitch Specialists" Yahoo Group.  Just need to finish the bottom section before I start cutting out the middles and start the needle weaving.




Lots of Giveaways

I've been amazed at how many Giveaways there has been recently.
I now post them on my right hand sidebar for all to see.
But as there has been so many, I've listed them below.
Do check them out.


!Happiness is cross stitching!

!Happiness is cross stitching!
Lynn B is having a Giveaway, which ends 31 July 2011.


Teresa is having a Giveaway at "Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches". The winner will be announced on Monday 18 July 2011.

Lori at "Notforgotten Farm" is having a Giveaway. The draw will be held on Wednesday 20 July 2011.

Parsley is have a Giveaway at "Seasons Of My Mind". The draw will take place on 25 July 2011. Please note for US residents only.

Valerie is having a Giveaway at "A Shenandoah Sampler". The Giveaway will close on 25 July 2011. The winner will be chosen the next day.

Jennifer is having a Giveaway at "Feathers in the Nest". The draw ends 6 August 2011.

June is having a Giveaway at "Butterfly Wings", to celebrate her first blog. The draw ends on 12 August 2011.


Happy Stitching Everyone

Sunday 10 July 2011

Hardanger Birthday Card

I've just finished putting together a card for my friends 80th birthday.  I hope she likes it!  I often have different Hardanger pieces that I already stitched.  Then when a special occasion occurs I make them into cards that I hope suites the person.  Here is what it turned out like.



More Holiday Photo's of the Mosel in Germany

Kinheim
Kinheim

Mosel
Bernkastel & Kues

Until next time, Happy Stitching


Wednesday 6 July 2011

WIP Update

Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my Hardanger, and to all those who have asked about the threads I use.  So, I have taken a photo of the Anchor Multicolour threads so that you can see what they are like.

 Multicoloured threads by Anchor

Anchor Pearl Cotton Multicolour

 Anchor Stranded cotton Multicolour

I'm finding it harder and harder to buy these threads in a shop in the UK.  Most don't do Pearl Cotton, and those that stock Anchor stop before the multicolour threads.  The last time I bought some was in Belgium about 3 years ago, which had a wonderful supply of everything and in sizes I have never seen before.  The only way left open to get supplies is internet shopping.

New WIP

I've started something new by Abi Gurden called "Little Lace Learning Hardanger SAL".  I know what you are thinking.  Why a Learning Hardanger SAL?  Well first of all, I liked the pattern and secondly, it has cable stitch in it and I've not done it properly before.  I joined "The Stitch Specialists" Yahoo Group in May and started the Tree of Stitches.  I could not also resist starting the Hardanger.  The instructions by Abi are just so good and easy to follow.  I've completed the cable stitch and I've happy with how it looks.  There is also a motif between the cable, which I am not happy with.  Mostly because the multicoloured threads look most unevenly spaced.  So I thought I would unpick it and choose another thread to complement the rest, something like a soft green.  I will have a look at my stash to find something. 

Top piece with Satin, Cable and Eyelet Stitch, plus 2 motifs.

Here is what I have done so far.

Half way through.

All I need to do now is duplicate it again, for the bottom half.  Cut the bits away on the Kloster blocks and then do the needle weaving.  Once you get the hang of it, it makes up quite quickly.


Mosel Holiday in Germany

Many of you have asked about my holiday and if I had any pictures.  Well, I always have my camera with me and I did take a lot of pictures.  Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain and there was a cold wind at times.  
But I did get some pictures of blue sky and we did see the sun.  We visited a castle and many churches and cathedrals along the way, and we also took a trip down the Mosel river by boat.

Aachan

Beilstein

Cochem


But we did have lots of lovely food and wine and saw beautiful fruits and flowers.
By the way did you spot the Japanese Tourists?


Until next time, Happy Stitching Everyone.


Friday 1 July 2011

I'm Back!!

Yes, I've been away and visited Germany - I will have to post some photo's later.  But I did take some stitching with me, and I have just finished them.  Yes, that's right I stitched two Hardanger pieces and here they are.

Based on Hardanger Crystal 3 by Nordic Needle

Based on Hardanger Crystal 4 by Nordic Needle


I changed the needle weaving in the the middle on Crystal 3 and also added beads instead of crystals.  
The only thing missing on Crystal 4 are the crystals.  The threads I used are Anchor 1345, pearl cotton and stranded cotton.



Until next time, Happy Stitching