Author: Anne S

Brightening my life one stitch or one card at a time, and sharing my joy of needlework and card-making.
Gifts TO BE FIXED

My mailbox runneth over!

Anne S

Imagine my surprise when I went to my PO Box to clear my mail yesterday morning before work, and the mailman came out with a HUGE box of goodies for me – he even laughed at the look on my face, bless him! Cindy went crazy and put together the most incredible selection of stitching goodies for me … I’m still in awe of everything, and feel like one of those plastic dogs that sits in the back of the car with it’s head shaking with every bump, except mine’s just shaking in the sheer amazement at Cindy’s generosity. Thank you again, Cindy, I’m still totally blown away and don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it! I love it all … and you may have noticed the Kahlua choccies didn’t even survive 24 hours – I was kind and shared them at work yesterday with my closest colleagues, and they were totally delicious! And the notebook is already in use for some stitching lists I’ve been wanting to do for a few weeks now, and the page sizes and lines are just perfect for it. I’m always running out of Floss-away bags, and all the charts are awesome, and the fabric, and the threads, and oh my my head is spinning again! 😀 Thanks so much for making my day! 😀


On a down note I finally cracked it with a certain ONS (SB&B to be exact) … after waiting since August (!) for some backordered items for Mum and me, I finally got the advice they were ready to ship … I quickly sent off an email asking if they could add two skeins of WDW for Katrina to save postage, plus 2 Kreinik braids, and no answer … when I went to the library to check emails (my phone line was down at this stage), I’d received a refund notice from PayPal – not even SB&B themselves – for an amount for the Aida Mum had had on backorder … no explanation or anything, and no answers to the previous emails I’d sent re the extra threads. I finally sent an email from work cracking it about their lack of communication and demanding they tell me what the hell was going on … a very quick response then, stating they’d apparently sent me emails etc, but then just shipped the parcel “as is”. I wouldn’t mind, but we’ve been waiting 4 months for the fabric, that was then refunded (and for a totally different amount that I’d been invoiced for too!) … 4 months for Floss-away bags and WDW threads for Needle Nick (which of course is now too late to stitch for this Christmas anyway). It’s amazing how invoices have no problem reaching my email addy, but answers to queries have a major issue … sorry about the vent, but it makes my blood boil! I don’t usually like to bad-mouth a specific company on here, and the last time I vented I didn’t name names, but this time I’ve reached my limits … mutter mutter mutter. I’ve been signed up for the Monthly Bits for a while now, but I’m starting to reconsider that option as well.

In this instance Karen at Dragonfly Dreams came to the rescue, as I’ve ordered the other threads through Karen now – from one extreme to the other, the service is exceptionally quick and communication first rate … it’s a shame we have to pay so much more ‘down under’, but I’m starting to think it’s perhaps a better option when taking service levels into consideration. Food for thought for me for the New Year … not that I’ll be buying much for a while yet anyway, as my finances are still in tight check for a while longer hmmm.

Rightio, that’s my venting out of my system … phew! Now I’m off to think about what to stitch next – I think perhaps it’s time to start on a birthday gift I want to stitch … either that or maybe start that canvaswork pincushion from the Inspirations magazine and try to knock off another goal before year end haha. I’m actually quite excited, as I only have 2 more working days left (from a total of 7), then I’m on a 5-day break yippee … gee whiz, I wonder what I’ll be doing next week?? LOL … although it’ll take me 1-2 days just to catch up on blogs from the last couple of weeks!

Uncategorized

2006 Finishes & 2007 Goals

Anne S

Yes, it’s that time of the year again when we look back and see what we accomplished during the past year, and set our goals for the next one. I have to admit, I had a fantastic year for stitching finishes, even though most of them were ‘small’ projects. Here’s the entire list:

1. Love needleroll ornament (Jeannette Douglas Designs)
2. Spring needleroll kit (Lorri Birmingham)
3. And Many More needlecase (Just Nan)
4. Merry Yule ornament (Erica Michaels Designs)
5. Becky’s Bees mirror
6. Oriental flowers 1 – charity quilt block (design by Sue Page)
7. Oriental flowers 2 – charity quilt block (design by Sue Page)
8. Thistle Treasure Bag (M Designs)
9. Shooting star scissors fob for Jenna (DMC freebie with modifications)
10. Home for Christmas ornament (Brightneedle)
11. World Trade Center charity quilt square
12. Star of Wonder ornament (With My Needle)
13. Herald Angels ornament (The Prairie Schooler)
14. Peace*Joy*Love ornament (Lizzie*Kate)
15. Echidna charity quilt block
16. Golden Garland ornament (Paw Printings)
17. Pinkeep (Indigo Rose freebie with modifications)
18. Melanie’s Exchange needleroll (mix of many designs – SBEBB)
19. Batman logo charity quilt block
20. Biscornu Exchange (Indigo Rose freebie with modifications – SBEBB)
21. Strawberry needleroll (The Sweetheart Tree)
22. Santa’s Stash ornament (Full Circle Designs)
23. Scissor fob exchange (Hardanger – StitchNZ group)
24. Redheads ducks square for round robin (Wings of the Wild Afghan, Stoney Creek)
25. Racing Cars charity quilt block (internet freebie)
26. Peace needleroll ornament (Jeannette Douglas Designs)
27. Blue needleroll for Isabelle (own mix of many designs)
28. Christmas Tree ornament (Elizabeth’s Designs)
29. Teddy Bear Santa Stocking (Lorri Birmingham)
30. White Christmas ornament – Beyond XS kit (The Victoria Sampler)
31. Fire Breathing Dragon charity quilt square (Pegasus Publications)
32. Summer at the Ocean needleroll (Jeannette Douglas Designs)
33. Parula Warbler for Vash’s RR (Vermillion Designs freebie)
34. Needleroll in redwork for Nicki (own design mix – Robin’s Nest BB)
35. Redwork exchange for Nancy (online freebie with changes – SBEBB)
36. Thisbe’s Needleroll (Shepherd’s Bush)
37. A Stitcher’s Needleroll (Lorri Birmingham)
38. Mail Art for Zohrah
39. Bumble the Bee: Waxer Pocket (Moss Creek Designs)
40. Cherry Blossoms Fob for Katrina (The Sweetheart Tree)
41. Winter Sampler Snippet for Lynn’s RR (Lizzie*Kate)
42. Dolphins Domain for Vicki & John (Cross My Heart)
43. Scented Keepsake lavender sachet for Jenna (Classic Stitches freebie)
44. Just Jack freebie (Just Nan)
45. Silken Roses Fob for Su (Sweetheart Tree – Robin’s Nest BB)
46. Winter (Country Seasons) by Prairie Schooler (Lynn’s RR)
47. Starry Starry Night ornament (JBW Designs)
48. Summer Solstice needleroll by Eventide Designs
49. Coffee Menu by Little House Needleworks
50. Winter’s Eve ornament by Country Cottage Needleworks
51. Christmas Tree ornament by Elizabeth’s Designs
52. Merry Yule ornament by Erica Michaels Designs
53. Pacific Pohutukawa by Jen’s Jems
54. Christmas Eve ornie by Elizabeth’s Designs
55. Bunnies in my Garden by With My Needle
56. Snow Fall needleroll by Shepherd’s Bush

My 2006 goals didn’t seem too bad at the time, but life got in the way and my accomplishments were quite poor. Here’s how I went:

Completed:
â–ª Dolphins Domain UFO (yes – completed)
â–ª One more UFO (yes – completed)
â–ª Participate in 2 exchanges on SBEBB (yes – completed 3)
â–ª Christmas Ornie exchange RR (yes – completed)
â–ª Learn to make flat-fold (yes – completed)
â–ª Learn to make a biscornu (yes – completed)
â–ª Stitch a needleroll (yes – a couple completed)
â–ª Stitch a scissors fob (yes – completed)
â–ª Summer Into Autumn by Drawn Thread (yes – completed)
â–ª Bunnies in my Garden SAL by With My Needle (yes – stitching completed)

Started but not finished:
â–ª Apricot Elegance SAL by Cindy Valentine … started, but not finished
â–ª Nature’s Rest UFO … did a few hours, but not completed
â–ª Continue with my rotation … um sort of, off and on
â–ª Continue stitching from my stash … again sort of, off and on

Not touched:
â–ª Secret Garden SAL by FMNIS … still waiting for the SAL to start
â–ª Folding Cross Needlbook SAL by Indigo Rose … um, no
â–ª Lavender Thistle Collection SAL by Twisted Oaks … um, no
â–ª Strawberries So Faire SAL by With My Needle … SAL didn’t happen, unless I missed it!
â–ª A December Box SAL by Cherished Stitches … um, no
â–ª Stitch a pincushion … um, no but still hopeful!
â–ª Start Angel of Love by L&L … there are still a couple of days left yet!
â–ª One project from Inspirations magazines … um, no but still hopeful! (a canvaswork pincushion is kitted up to kill 2 birds with 1 stone!)

Seeing as I did so badly with my 2006 goals, my goals for 2007 are quite simple –

â–ª Participate in Needleroll SAL weekends
â–ª Participate in Christmas Ornament SAL weekends
â–ª Participate in Quaker Friendship RR
â–ª Complete my 50 Project Challenge
â–ª Build my confidence by actually ‘finish-finishing’ a few things (eg And Many More needlecase, Bumble the Bee Waxer Pocket)
â–ª Enjoy my stitching and not set too many goals!

SBQ, Stitching Smalls

SBQ – Finishing Links

Anne S

(Edited to add a few more links I tracked down, as the original pages had been moved…)

Today’s SBQ was suggested by Carol and is:

“Do you have any good internet links to tutorials for your favorite finishing techniques that you would like to share?”

Funnily enough, I’ve been thinking for a while now to have a page set up on my blog dedicated to my finishing links! Here goes my list of finishing links and tutorials – there are loads here that others have no doubt already listed, but there may be some other unknown ones (I thought I had some others too, but I can’t find them at the moment):

Different Techniques:

Biscornu/Pincushions/Pinkeeps:

Needleroll instructions:

Wallhangings/Bellpulls:

Needlebook/Needlecase:

Scissor case:

Scissor fobs:

Pillows:

Bookmarks:

Fabric Book Covers:

Flat-fold/Cube-it:

Sachets/Bags:

Ornaments:

Nametag:

Cording, Tassels, & Miscellaneous:

Blogging Memes, Gifts TO BE FIXED, Stash

Christmas Gifties

Anne S

As promised, here are piccies of the beautiful gifts received from my stitching pals – I apologise for the poor quality of the photos, as the light is almost as bad this morning as it was last night … and I ended up taking them on top of my clothes that are drying (or in this case a bedsheet … guess who will be ironing again soon? LOL). Piccies are not in any particular order 🙂

First up is a beautiful biscornu from Jenna – I have to admit, I knew what this one was, but it was still a wonderful surprise to see it first-hand and hold it 🙂 And Jenna’s stitching and finishing is perfection in itself – I just love it! 😀 It’s going straight on display in my basket!

Next up is my gift from Katrina – how cool is this?? I adore the frangipani memo board, and it’s really going to brighten up my fridge … it’s just perfect! And that would have been plenty enough, but I also received a gorgeous needlework roll … funnily enough I have the chart bought all ready to make one for myself, but I just haven’t pulled my finger out to give it a try yet … and now there’s no hurry! I just adore it!! And how perfect is it going to be for all my unfinished ornies to keep them in one place before they get finished? Thanks Katrina – I love everything! 😀

Next up is a beautiful wallhanging from Sylvie – how did you ladies know I love blue so much? LOLOL. How gorgeous is this? I’ve never had a wallhanging before, and it’s taking pride of place hanging up on the side of my computer desk so I can admire it every day – I just love it! Thank you so much Sylie, I adore it! 😀

And last, but not least, here’s another stunner – this time from Nicki. What a stunning ornie, and not one I’d attempt myself (mainly due to the finishing) – once again perfect finishing and stitching, and the colours are just beautiful. I’ve got two photos this time so you can see more of the stitching. Thanks Nicki, I truly love it!

And finally my gift to myself – bought just before my finances went bust … I can finally drool all over my Gingher’s Alyssa scissors – they’re just so beautiful! Thanks to Jenna’s ingenuity, I had to wait until now before I could see my little purchase … and they were definitely worth waiting for!

Thanks again ladies for making my Christmas Day so special – I love all my gifts, and I’ll treasure everything always {{hugs}}.

Ooh, I almost forgot … this gave me a giggle … how appropriate!! I obviously love the tree so much I turn myself into one!!! LOLOLOL.

You Are a Tree
You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you’re goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

WhatChristmas Ornament Are You?

Now it’s off to work again – it’s freezing outside (I’m sat here in my winter PJ’s and dressing gown, go figure!), so I’ll be bundling up in my jeans and polar fleece for the day … what happened to those 43C days? LOL.

Have a wonderful day everyone! 😀

Finishes, Needlerolls

Christmas Stitching

Anne S

I had a wonderful Christmas Day today – even though I worked all day, we made it a special event. We were allowed 1 hour for lunch (instead of the usual 1/2 hour) and we were treated to a meal of ham off the bone, chicken, smoked salmon, pasta salad, pumpkin and coriander salad, potato salad and Greek salad, followed by chocolate ripple cake for dessert … we could hardly walk back to our desks afterwards! It was a wonderful way to spend the day – the phones were also pretty quiet, so I’m glad I went in prepared and took some stitching. Usually the only shift I can stitch on is the overnight shift, but today was special 😉

Yesterday I put the final stitches into Bunnies in my Garden – but I won’t be finishing it for a while yet, as I need to buy some wool batting and decide on the lining fabric and ribbon for ruching. For Chelle, I have to admit I had the same thought as you, and put aside some Flax linen to use instead of the Summer Khaki, but when I put the threads against both, the Summer Khaki was much better for my skeins as it made the colour stand out more – the Flax was too pale, and the paleness of the threads just looked bland. I surprised myself and ended up using the Summer Khaki, and it looks OK.

Main body of the sewing case (most accurate colour)

Scissor fob – front (on the left) and back (on the right)
Then today I put the final stitches in my Snowfall Needleroll by Shepherd’s Bush … finally! So I guess that’s two more items off my 50 Project Challenge yippee 🙂

I was going to post my list of finishes for 2006, but perhaps I’d better hold off haha. Mind you, I’m now on 7 days straight at work, so not as much stitching will be taking place between now and the end of the year … but there might just be one more small finish yet … maybe 😉

It’s bizarre, but in the middle of summer we’ve had a weather change – they had snow in the hills not that far from us and the coldest Christmas Day on record … yep, a white Christmas in Australia, whatever next!!?

This morning I cranked up the stereo with Christmas carols, then called home and had a chat to Mum and Dad while opening my gifts. I have received some beautiful gifts from Sylvie, Nicki, Jenna and Katrina – and I’ll post some piccies of everything tomorrow … the light’s disappearing quite quickly tonight, and it’s hard to get a nice photo 😦 It’s worth waiting for, though, as they’re really lovely and everything will be treasured 😀

Rightio, time to crack open the stocking (ie the Asti that’s hiding within it), and settle in for a quiet night – I hope you’re all enjoying your day, in whatever way you celebrate! 😀

Finishes

Merry Christmas to All!

Anne S

Just a short post to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and the best of wishes to you and your families for the festive season – I hope 2007 sees all of your hopes and dreams come true!

It’s been a pleasure knowing you throughout 2006, and I look forward to continuing the association in 2007!

Now, on to the WIP piccies I promised yesterday – this is my progress to date on the Chatelaine Leporello, but it’s now on hold until I touch base with Jenna to work out our SAL schedule.

Next is my latest WIP, Bunnies in my Garden by With My Needle – Chelle, I was supposed to do this with the StitchingSmalls SAL too, but didn’t find the time to fit it in … it’s actually quite a fun stitch 🙂 I switched the nun’s stitch thread from the horrible dusky pink, and replaced it with the light blue used in the bird, but in hindsight after stitching the bird I should have used a darker blue for the nun’s stitch, never mind. With the bird you’re supposed to use the light part of the skein for the belly, and the darker part for the top/main part of the bird, but my skein barely shows any difference in the colour variegation at all – in the end I pulled out my Needle Necessities threads and stitched the main part of the bird in 101 (Desdemona’s Violets), and I think it looks OK. I now just have the main piece to stitch and the scissor fob – with any luck I just might get this one finished before the end of the year 🙂


Needlepages

Pinkeep – front (left) and back (right)

Gifts TO BE FIXED

Spoilt rotten … piccies galore

Anne S

I have so much to show and tell from the last week or so, I just don’t know where to start! I do want to say, though, a huge thanks to everyone for their friendship and support, especially during recent times – you’ve all helped me to stay positive and keep my head up above the water line, and I’m extremely grateful 😀 Thanks also to all the ladies who have spoilt me rotten lately … and here are the spoils … (to try and placate Blogger I decided to use the ‘small’ photo settings – just click on each one for the bigger piccie)

Dearest Carol, who sent me the beads for AoL I needed … as well as a most exquisite fob with a beautiful wee blue bird on it – on Christmas Day they will be sitting on my Alyssa Gingher’s in prime position 🙂 I’m also considering using the darker DMC variegated thread for a Quaker RR I’m about to start with some wonderful blogging pals 😀 I love everything, thank you Carol 😀

Thanks also to Christine, who sent me the most gorgeous Santa ornament – and look, he’s in blue!!! 😀 I just love him to death, and he went straight onto the tree as soon as he arrived 🙂 Thank you so much for your caring thought, it’s awesome and he’ll be treasured every year when he graces my tree! 😀

Thanks also to Nicole (aka Elanor) for this wonderful parcel of goodies … how awesome is that fabric??? I think I’m going to try and make a quilted wall hanging out of the duckie squares … I just love it! And another exquisite ornie that’s now gracing my tree – a beautiful quaker in my favourite colours that will be hanging from my computer desk year-round until next Christmas. But if that wasn’t enough, which it was, there was also some scrummy threads and beads, and {{drool}} choccies (although please note the numbers in that bag have seriously dwindled since taking the piccie haha). Thanks again Nicole!

And last, but certainly not least, I was gobsmacked by a parcel from KarenV yesterday – I have to admit I knew this one was coming (although it still surprised me when it did), and I knew there was something off my wishlist in it … but I was floored when I opened the envelope and found a HUGE selection off my wishlist. LHN’s Winter Wonderland was pretty much at the top of my wishlist when I saw it recently, and I may just have to start that one as my 1st project for 2007 – and the Beehive NR has been on my wishlist for quite some time now. And the threads are almost all for a specific ornie both Mum and I wanted to stitch, so Mum and I will have to do a SAL when she arrives in February. Once again, I’m gobsmacked, and I really love everything thanks Karen! {{hugs}}

Seeing as there are so many goodies to share, I thought I’d have a separate post for them – tomorrow I’ll do the stitching updates (not that there’s much to show haha). The other gifties I received were wrapped up, so they’re sitting under the tree until Christmas Day … although the temptation is getting harder and harder to resist LOL.

Thanks again to everyone for their gifts – I feel a bit bad that I couldn’t reciprocate this year, but I am very grateful for your friendship and support and I just adore everything! {{hugs}}.

Uncategorized

I’m Baaaaaack!!!!!

Anne S

Just in the nick of time before Christmas … the phone technician very kindly came in to visit me on his day off, just so he can try to rectify my problems before Santa’s visitations, and because it could be quite some time before my shifts allow him to come see me inbetween public holidays. Anyway, we thought we were up for a major rewriting job, then at the last moment he managed to access a line, and I have phone access again. Woohoo 😀

This is just a really quick post to let you know I’m back online again, but it will take me a while to catch up on the 460+ unread feeds, and 200+ new emails, so please bear with me 🙂 I’ll post properly when I’m a bit better organised … I don’t have much stitching to show for my ‘spare time’ – what is that about “the best laid plans…”? haha. I did do a tiny bit on the Leporello, but didn’t want to do too much as that would spoil the SAL with Jenna … but I just couldn’t resist making a tiny start 😉 So instead I put a few stitches into Bunnies in my Garden …

Anyway, I’ll post more tomorrow with piccies, as well as piccies of all the lovely gifties I’ve been receiving this week. I’ve been grinning from ear to ear all week from all the lovely items that have been appearing, and my spirits are positively soaring! 😀 More details to follow tomorrow …

Now I’m off to kick back with some egg nog (first time I’ve tried it, and I think I’m hooked!! – but this is the Aussie version, on loads of ice! :D), and an old DVD (as an aside, oh what a blessing, I can access the TV Guide online again now woohoo), and my stitching … life is good! Especially as I now have two days off, the supervisor on duty also let us Hotliners go home 1/2 hour early tonight, and I got two more Luv Ya Work awards today … life really IS good 😀

Uncategorized

Great news for a change!

Anne S

Sorry about the really rushed post yesterday – I’ve managed to book a spot at the library today, and have a whole 30 minutes to play with woohoo 😉

First up a big thank you for Christine D … sorry, but I forgot to bring your email addy with me to the library … I wanted to say thanks so much for your beautiful ornie – I love it! It’s look stunning on my little ornie tree … I’ll post a piccie as soon as I get up and running properly again. Just wanted to let you know it arrived safe and sound, and it’s awesome 😀

The way I’m going my first post after Christmas is gonna be laden with piccies haha.

Now, on to the GREAT news … I couldn’t wait until later to announce it to the world haha. Today I was told I was one of the nominees for an “Excel Award” – which is basically when people think you’ve gone ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ and given excellence in service … and I won it! I don’t know who nominated me yet, but apparently that also gets me nominated for the overall yearly award (I doubt I’ll get that though) … and the best thing of all, I get a $150 gift voucher from David Jones to spend, as well as a certificate of excellence. How cool is that? Can you tell I’m rapt?? LOL. After struggling so much financially these last two months, it’s going to be wonderful going shopping for something totally non-essential yippee … and I think I may have already spent it in my mind. I’ve been dying to get an iPod for ages, and they’ve come down in price recently, so I think that’s what I’ll get … I’m grinning from ear to ear! 😀

I also heard from the phone technician today – he wanted to come and visit this morning, but of course I was at work – he’s going to ‘try’ to get to my place late tomorrow afternoon, but no guarantees. That’ll pretty much be the last chance he’ll get before Christmas, so my fingers are seriously crossed he can make it … that would be just awesome!

Aside from that I got a whole hour of stitching done last night on the Leporello … it took me two nights gridding the fabric (not helped by Silkweaver cutting the edges on an angle, so I had difficulty getting everything in OK) … so right now I just have a tiny blue blob on the fabric – by the time I’m internet-ready again, I might have something worth seeing 😉

Rightio, better run – I still need to do some internet banking and email reading, and my minutes are counting down rapidly … (PS: Ally, I might have to check into your options of McD’s – will have to check the yellow pages to see if any of them here have internet access … I’m sure I could survive buying something to surf for a while LOL.)