Anne S

Cityscapes, Lighthouses, Photo Hunt, PhotoHunt, seascapes, Travel - Hong Kong

Photo Hunt – Cloud(s)

2 August, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

This week’s theme is “Cloud(s)” and instead of hanging outside in all weathers trying to find some decent cloud shots, I’ve decided to choose a photo that wasn’t actually of the clouds, but a lighthouse, but where the sky and clouds really appealed to me when I uploaded it. I’ve cropped the clouds out on their own … then followed with the original shot.

Also, here’s a shot looking back from the other side of the lighthouse.

This is the lighthouse from Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW Australia.

And to finish, here’s a shot of the city’s night lights reflecting off the clouds of Hong Kong harbour – we got very used to seeing those clouds, in fact I don’t remember a blue sky at all during our visit!

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Lack of posting

2 August, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Aside from work being manic as usual, there may be more of a lack of posting from me than usual over the next few weeks … ‘cos …

“She’s baaaaaaaaack … !!!”

Yep, the Dragon arrived safe and sound into Sydney Airport this morning, and we’ll be spending time over the next three weeks when I’m not slaving away at work, doing the mother-daughter bonding thing. Hopefully that’ll also mean my stitching mojo returning as there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in front of the TV with a good DVD on with my Mum as my stitching partner. In fact I sat and put a few stitches into a new project today while Mum had a lengthy snooze on the sofa. It was very peaceful.

I’ve been feeling ever so slightly ‘flat’ of late due to work stresses, so it was a really nice pick-me-up to have Mum’s company today. Unfortunately I may end up going into work over the long weekend this weekend to try to bring some sanity to my working week next week, but the sooner I catch up at work the better for my future health and mental state!

If I’m not around, you’ll understand why – I’ll be hanging out in the Dragon’s Den! 😉

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Finishes, Full Circle Designs

July Christmas ornie

30 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Just a really quick post as I’m really dead on my feet – I didn’t get home from work until 8.50pm … isn’t it nice to see my work has slowed down a bit? Hmmmph …

Anyway I’ve made what feels like a superhuman effort to stitch my Christmas ornie for this month, and the final bit of backstitching went in tonight during my hour’s ‘home time’.

“The Decorator” by Full Circle Designs
from 2007 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue
stitched on 28ct mystery linen (rue green maybe?)
using DMC plus Carrie’s Thread (Gold Glow) for the hat trim

Cross Stitch, Finishes, scissor pockets, Stitching Smalls, The Cat's Whiskers

Alyssum Scissor Pocket

28 July, 20089 August, 2024 Anne S

My stitching mojo seems to have deserted me over the last week or so (in fact every kind of mojo has, I think, including my blogging mojo) – I’ve been too tired to do much at all, but I forced myself to put the needle to fabric yesterday and put the finishing touches into my scissor pocket.

“Alyssum Scissor Pocket” by The Cat’s Whiskers
Stitched on 32ct Blue Ice hand-dyed linen by Country Stitch
using Dinky Dyes silk from the kit

I have to say I think the silk colour is a strange choice for these scissors, as there is more turquoise blue than the greeney-blue of this silk – I was actually tempted to replace the silk, but then I thought it would be a waste of money, so I just bit the bullet and started stitching … It may not be the perfect match for the scissors, but I still really love it 🙂

I also made a start on this month’s Christmas ornie late last night, but I may not get it finished by the deadline of Thursday – will give it a go, though.

Just a short post, as I need to finish getting ready for work.

Animals & Insects, Photo Hunt, PhotoHunt

Photo Hunt – Hanging

26 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

PhotoHunt | PhotoHunt

This week’s theme is “Hanging” and even though I’ve used the bats before, I thought they were a good choice for this week’s theme as well.

Cross Stitch, Gifts TO BE FIXED, scissor fobs, Stash

Stitching-free home

21 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Unfortunately work has been frantic for a change … I was on my own again for the latter half of last week, and as per normal when that happens dramas abound ho-hum. Anyway, I was so shattered over the weekend, which is my normal stitching haven time, I didn’t even pick up a needle, and haven’t done so for almost a week. Instead I moved the furniture around in my bedroom, in readiness for more unpacking and getting more ‘settled’, and probably helped get a bit of tired frustration out of my system.

My secondment at work is coming to an end in November, which is a worrying close 4 months away now – I’m so settled in Sydney I really don’t want to go back to Melbourne (although I miss some friends in Melbourne dearly – hi Sharon and Tannia especially!!) … but I guess I have to go where they tell me to go. I just have my fingers crossed that my secondment gets extended. Mind you with redundancies occurring around the place I should probably be happy to continue to have a job wherever I end up in November!

Even though I don’t have any physical stitching to share (I haven’t even managed to get my scissor keeper finished, and that is SUCH a quick stitch!) … I do have some wonderful mail to share instead.

Firstly thanks so much to Coral for a really awesome trade – I definitely got the best part of the deal, and truly love this design! I hadn’t looked at it too seriously until I saw it stitched up last year, and then loved it. Thanks again Coral for offering the trade, it’s just wonderful! 🙂

Then I had a recent mad stash splurge from Nordic Needle – I only wanted to buy a Dololly for Mum, but they were the only online store that I could find that sold it … here’s a piccie of it – Mum chose the turtle design, which wouldn’t have been my first choice, but when it arrived I have to admit I think they’re quite gorgeous! 🙂

Seeing as NN charge USD15 just for handling charges PLUS the postage costs, I figured I might as well make the most of it and ordered a few more items that are really difficult/expensive in Aussie … here’s the entire haul – unfortunately I stuffed up the order for Mill Hill Treasures as I miscounted the packets needed (these are pretty much all for the Enchanted Mermaid by Mirabilia). I was very restrained and only bought one chart (Reflecting Pools by Laura J Perin – a canvaswork design) – I still have a number of items on backorder from Dragonfly Dreams (charts and threads), so I tried to stick to just needlework tools and things I can’t buy here. It’s hard to see from the photo what everything is, so I’ll list it: The Laura J Perin design; JCS ornament preview issue; Mill Hill colour chart; fabric for TW’s Tropical Dream (off-white, unfortunately, as they didn’t have the bone colour); 32ct vintage mocha Belfast linen; Flossaway bags (can never have enough of those!); a beading box to trial it for MH beads; needlework awl; laying tool; pair of Seaford scissors (for What a Hoot! scissor keeper); Star de-tailor; 18ct eggshell mono canvas.

Last, but certainly not least, is the absolutely gorgeous gift that Susan sent me recently – I just realised this morning that I hadn’t posted a piccie of it online yet, so I decided to rectify that oversight. I’m sure you can tell why I adore it so much … such a CUTE little duckie!!!!! I just love, love, love it to death 😀

The last photo I have to share is purely for Mum’s benefit … but you might find the hanging display in the background of interest – I bought this hanger from Berrima when Mum was visiting, thinking it would be great to hang my scissor and fob collection until I can afford to get a proper glass display cabinet … I think it’s quite fun having them all hung up (although a couple of pairs are still missing ‘cos they’re currently in use). The only fobs I’ve stitched myself are on the far left hook – all the others are treasured gifts or exchanges … I love every single one of them! As you can see, I was still catching up on season 2 of Supernatural last night! 😉

And on that note I’ll sign off for the night. It’s likely to be another busy week, so don’t expect too much from me online for the rest of the week … I’ll try to set some time aside this coming weekend to get the needle moving a small amount so I don’t forget how it works 😉

PS: Just got the latest newsletter from Karen at Dragonfly Dreams – check out the Scissoroo scissors on the home page … they ROCK!!!!! 😀

Food, Photo Hunt, PhotoHunt

Photo Hunt – What IS that?

19 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

PhotoHunt | PhotoHunt

This week’s theme is “What IS that?” and quite frankly I’m stumped with what to use … rather than not post anything at all, however, I’ll show you this photo …

As for what it is? It’s called a Dragonfruit … to be honest I personally think it tastes bland and very very uninteresting – I’ll try most things once if they intrigue me, but this will definitely stay on the “once” list! Unless of course anyone can give me tips on how to eat it – we ate it raw as it is … ho-hum …

Works in Progress

New Project

14 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Just a tiny bit of stitching from last night – I’ve also completed the flower pot above the “2008”, but I can’t be bothered unrolling the scroll bars … Here’s my first WIP piccie of The Cat’s Whiskers Alyssum scissor keeper (yet again a crappy photo due to the evening photography session):

Just one more flower to go before I can hop on over to the left-hand side of the fabric to start stitching the lining section – then I can roll up the scroll bars and finish off both the tops. Hopefully I’ll get chance to finish this one off either before/during the coming week/weekend 🙂

Bellpulls, Cross Stitch, Finishes, The Drawn Thread

Sunflowers galore!!!

13 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I’ve had a lazy day sat in front of the goggle box today – no Christmas ornies completed, but I do have one other very happy dance! I’ve managed to finish off my Sunflower Sampler – I was surprised how long it’s taken me to get the final bands finished, but finally it’s off the scroll bars … that block roll will have a new resident for a while 🙂

Unfortunately the photos are grotty again, as it’s early evening and I can never get a good shot at night 😦

“Sunflower Sampler” by The Drawn Thread
stitched on 32ct Lambswool linen by Wichelt
using recommended threads (DMC and WDW)

Here are a few closer photos of the individual bands:

I think this very last ‘triangular’ band is my absolute favourite of the whole piece … followed by the house and birds.

I just love the beading accents on this piece, it really brings it to life a bit more 🙂

Now is the big decision what to stitch next … I have no major urges to start anything in particular, so goodness knows what I’ll come up with … I’d offer a poll to help make a decision, but WordPress won’t allow polls (one of the very few things that is annoying about WP – everything else I much prefer over Blogger). Never mind, I’m sure I’ll come up with something to stitch over the next week! 😉

Block roll, Cross Stitch, Finishes, Pauline's Needlework, pillows

It’s no wonder the weather has changed!

12 July, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I’ve been little Miss Homemaker on my time off … up early this morning (although still in my PJ’s now at lunchtime haha) I yanked the shower curtain off the rail and chopped about 3″ off the bottom, then turned up and stitched a new hem on the machine. Our shower curtain has needed a trim since we moved in in January, but 6 months later it is finally done. That means once Lisa and I have had our showers today it can go in the washing machine, and for once we won’t be tripping up on it in the bottom of the bath!

After finishing the shower curtain, I was all set to put a beef and red wine casserole mix into the slow cooker, but alas the meat still hasn’t defrosted yet, so a change in dinner plans tonight, I guess. What I did manage to get done, though, is my first ever flanged pillow – I think it’s WAY too over-stuffed, but I guess I’ll know better next time. All the same, I still think it turned out cute. If you’re interested in knowing what the design is, you’ll have to look back through previous posts – for obvious reasons I’m not re-posting that information now. I think I’ll have to re-do the girls’ hair ribbons, though, as they got a bit mutilated while I was turning the pillow inside-out.

I also managed to take some clearer shots of the Block Roll, including one of it opened up – half a dozen projects are now comfortably residing in the rolls, ready to have some more playmates once my needles get back into action again. (I’ll go back and replace the photos in the previous post as well.)

Updated to add: Thanks for the question, Joanne – the centre of the roll is a pool noodle cut into an 18″ length. I think I might make another longer one so that it’ll cater for my Mirabilia finishes (once I have done!). The white fabric is actually felt, which grips like glue onto whatever you place on it … not entirely sure how much I like that, but at least they won’t slip and slide while rolling it up! Each pool noodle will give you enough length for 3 block rolls, so it’s likely you’ll see another one or two popping up on the blog at some stage … especially as the noodles came in a pack of 3 as well! 😀

As for ‘what now?’ … I’m not entirely sure what I feel like doing – I know I have a whole bunch of ornies to be finish-finished, but I think I may have a break from finishing today and do a tiny bit of stitching on my Sunflower Sampler – hmmmm, perhaps I should have my shower and get dressed then decide … I really do need to get those ornies finished … hmmm …