Cross Stitch – Page 50 – Feather Stitching

On a roll … another finish under my belt!!

21 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I think my needles are possessed!! I can’t believe that I have yet another finish this week – I’ve been superglued to my stitching chair the last two days, and I’ve loved every single minute of it! I had a hair appointment today to get my hair cut and coloured by a work colleague’s sister-in-law, and I almost cancelled due to feeling unwell during the week, but I’m glad I didn’t as I felt a fair bit better today … and I’m now sporting a new hairdo just past shoulder length – after not cutting my hair for almost 6 months, it was really ratty so we had a radical chop done, and I love it! Just what the doctor ordered for cheering me up! 🙂

It also means by feeling better I should be able to drive over to Brenda and Nigel’s over the next two days to see my very best friend and her three children (one of whom I haven’t met yet), plus her Mum, as they’re over visiting from New Zealand. It will be really wonderful to see her again, as I haven’t seen her for about 3 years now.

Rightio, on to my latest finish – this has taken me a full two days to stitch, which really surprised me … thanks mainly to all the many colour changes and over-one stitched faces I think (my heart sank when I saw all the over-one stitching to be done, ho-hum). I’ve taken a couple of close-ups of the little frogs sitting in the cauldron, as well as the wacky hairdo in Kreinik braid – the colours literally pop right off the fabric, I just love the brightness of it!

“Another Girls Night Out” by Just Nan
Stitched on 32ct Vintage linen by Wichelt
using recommended threads

As for what’s up next for stitching, I really don’t know … I’ve been eyeing another couple of LHN designs up over the last 24 hours, either that or Drawn Thread’s Autumn Arbor that I’m really keen to start … I’m just really really loving stitching from my stash right now, and don’t want to stop the rhythm! 🙂

Bent Creek Summer Snapperland – Help!!

20 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Just wondering if anyone has a copy of the border chart for Summer Snapperland?

I’ve tried contacting Bent Creek via email a couple of times, and given up on a reply, where I’m trying to find a copy of the border chart. I really want to stitch Summer Snapperland quite soon, which will be a bit of a reminder of my move to “the beach” here in Sydney, but don’t want to start stitching until I know how the border will fit on the fabric etc.

If anyone has a copy, I’m happy to do a trade for it – just leave me a comment here, or drop me an email … it would be so much appreciated 🙂

Cross Stitch, Finishes, Stitching Smalls

A whole lotta stitching going on

20 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I went back to the local GP today, and was MUCH more impressed with the doctor I saw today. I woke up feeling a bit dizzy this morning, a new symptom to add to the rest ho-hum … anyway after sitting for 1 1/2 hours in the waiting room at the medical centre everything got the better of me, and I was surprised to find a few tears escaping while sitting there. I think I’m just feeling generally ‘over it’ while struggling to get over these bugs. I felt more embarrassed than anything else by the time I saw the GP, but he definitely had a much better bedside manner than the woman GP I saw earlier in the week. As a new patient I was surprised she didn’t take a family history in general or take my blood pressure etc – I told her I had a small list of things to discuss with her, and her answer was “that’s not the way we do things here, we can only deal with the most important thing” hmmm.

Anyway, at least I have a medical certificate for these last two days, and the male GP has told me to come back to see him if I find I’m still having problems after Easter. I’ve picked up some herbal teas to help me to get fluids down me (at the GP’s suggestion), so fingers crossed my energy levels will pick up soon, and I can stop feeling sorry for myself!

The one great thing that being sick has done, is that it’s given me plenty of time for stitching – I’ve been stitching like a madwoman, and have finished another project – this is Bees scissors fob by Shepherd’s Bush … I replaced the WDW thread for the “Bees” word with a Stef Francis thread called Bluebell that KarenV gifted me with a while ago – I totally ADORE this colour thread, and it is soooooo pretty in real life! (Sorry about the blurry photo, but my hand kept shaking – I really need a tripod!!)

“Bees” scissors fob by Shepherd’s Bush
stitched on 32ct cream/antique white Belfast linen (can’t remember which!)
with DMC threads and Stef Francis “Bluebell” over-dyed floss

I actually should be stitching my CA Wells project pieces, but the terrible thing is that I have no desire whatsoever to stitch either of them – the projects don’t thrill me entirely, but also I need to concentrate on them both and I haven’t had the mental energy to do that for a while. Never mind, I guess I could still attend the class even if I don’t have any stitching done and learn how to put everything together … or fingers crossed, by the end of this weekend I’ll get my mental energy back and can make a start on the Cottage Etui.

In the meantime, it’s time to choose another fun stitching project for me to work on from my existing stash … I’ve been totally LOVING stitching this week and seeing all these finishes … I can’t get enough of it! Without my stitching I think I would have been in tears days ago haha 😀

Christmas Ornaments, Finishes, Stitch-alongs

Small ornie finish

19 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Still feeling like cr*p, so I took another day off work today to blob out … and managed to start and finish this ornie for this month’s SAL challenge on the XSers Yahoo group.

Poinsettia by Brittercup Designs
from 2007 JCS Christmas Ornament magazine
Stitched on 28ct mystery linen
Substituted threads with those in my stash – used GAST Gold Leaf, Crescent Colours Cupid and Weeping Willow

The Nurofen I’ve been chewing every day has been doing wonders for my foot, if nothing else! Probably helped by the fact I’ve been sat on my fat backside all day on my bed … 😉

Cross Stitch, Finishes, Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Works in Progress

Piccies of finishes … and a Frangipani plant

18 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

As promised a few days ago, here are my photos of recent finishes:

Winter Wonderland by Little House Needleworks
Stitched on 32ct Golden Harvest linen by Silkweaver
with recommended threads

Blueberries by Little House Needleworks & Crescent Colours
Stitched on 32ct cream Belfast linen
with recommended threads

Also, here is LHN’s Sampler Lady in all her topless work-in-progress glory … she’s still waiting for her blouse to be finished, the poor love – it’s a good job the weather’s still warm down here in Sydney!!! 😉

Next up is a photo for Mum of my wee $9.95 Frangipani tree in its pot on the balcony – as you can see it has some company in the form of fresh herbs … I just adore those blue pots!! No flowers on the frangipani yet, but a new leaf has grown, plus it’s a wee bit taller than when we first arrived. My other (first) Frangipani plant isn’t doing too well since having its top knocked off by Nigel and Brenda’s dog, but I live in hope it might perk up a bit more by next summer before I replace it with something else.

Lucky last is my ‘new’ smalls display in the new flat – complete with my Wessex sampler on the wall – this place is fantastic for all the wall hooks!!

And I’ll finish my post there. Since being sick I haven’t had chance to do housework for two weeks, but once caught up I’ll take piccies of the new abode now we’re almost 100% unpacked (aside from the boxes in my bedroom of ‘unimportant stuff’).

Talking of which, I ended up leaving work early yesterday ‘cos I felt grotty (I survived an entire 1 1/2 hours!), and am now on antibiotics for about 13 days compliments of a local GP … fingers crossed it does the trick! 🙂

The other thing I haven’t spoken about is the excruciating heel pain I’ve been having over the last few months – it’s good to know my self-diagnosis was correct, and I have likely got plantar fascitis (spelling?). I’ve been applying ice packs and anti-inflammatories when it’s been really bad, and have since bought some orthotics for padding the heel that’ve been working a treat. Fingers crossed that my heel pains will soon be a thing of the past (or at least I won’t be woken up in the middle of the night from the throbbing pain!!).

Rightio, time to go chill out again … I’m doing my online things in short bursts …

Cross Stitch, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Still living … just

12 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Sorry I’ve been offline, but I literally haven’t opened up my laptop at home for just over a week and a half (a week last Saturday morning to be exact!). I’m currently posting this really quickly at work before I head off home. I’ve been flat out at work, then got a horrendous cold so I’ve been fighting that off over the last 4-5 days … I have, however, managed to get HEAPS of stitching done by starting and almost finishing LHN’s Winter Wonderland (just have one DMC colour that’s gone AWOL for now) and LHN’s Sampler Lady (just have the blue in the blouse left to stitch – and she’s so beautiful in real life!). I’ve also just started last night the LHN/CC Blueberries kit, so that should be finished over the next couple of days hopefully.

I intend to ignore my computer for a while longer, although I will jump in at some stage and check emails, but at the moment it’s been nice to get some selfish stitching in instead, especially while getting over my viral bugs!

If you see my Photo Hunt posts they’ve all been pre-prepared for weeks now to take me pretty much into April/May, so even though I’m not online you’ll see at least one post per week for a while!

OK, time to shut down and head off home … late, just for a change!! 😦

Cross Stitch

Halloween House for Deb

1 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

This may not be what you’re looking for, Deb … but if you want it, I’ll pop it in the post for you 🙂

Cross Stitch

Stitch Pink

1 March, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Just a quick community service announcement if you’re not already aware of it … Chris has kindly donated this exclusive design from Little House Needleworks and Crescent Colours, called “Where There is Life”. Not only the chart itself, but the fabric and threads required to complete it. If you have chance please do visit the Stitch Pink blog where awareness of breast cancer and screening is promoted along with stitching pink 🙂

The draw for this prize will take place on March 15th so hop on over while you can! 🙂

Cross Stitch, Stitch-alongs

The week’s recap

29 February, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Wow, what an amazing adventure last weekend was!! I haven’t had time to sit at the laptop since returning home, but I had an absolute blast at the stitching get-together in Robertson – everyone was so lovely and chatty, and I got to see some exquisite stitched pieces both in Margaret’s home and show-and-tell from all those prolific stitchers! It truly was a sheer joy, and I can’t wait until the next one rolls around! I’ve been in a major stitching slump over the last two months, but after spending time chatting about stitching, and seeing so much finished stitching and WIP’s, when I got home I actually got my needle out and started stitching for an hour or two on Sunday night 😀

On arrival at the SAL I was extremely spoilt by Alison – she came bearing gifts of cans of L&P for me (aka liquid gold!!) … thanks again so much Alison, that was soooo sweet of you to think about me! {{hugs}} It was also really great to put a name to the face of Alison, and she had a wonderful wicked sense of humour, which is shared equally by Amanda – Amanda and I did a wee stitching trade a while ago, so it was nice to meet up in real life as well … and I think it’s going to be the start of many more get-togethers I hope. In fact, I hope I get to meet up with the entire group on a more regular basis!!

Margaret was the perfect hostess with the mostest – her home is like a needlework store full of stitched models – what a treat to spend the day there. I’ve never seen so many exquisite stitched pieces on the walls in a home in all my life … and possibly won’t ever again! I must’ve looked soooo attractive wandering around like a goldfish with my mouth gaping open in awe! 😉

Robyn and I actually started the day off really well by making a slight detour to Victoria House at Mittagong. I have to admit to not buying much, apart from two Christmassy charts for Mum from the sale basket … but it was lovely to see all the stitched models on the walls 🙂

Here are a couple of photos of our stitching group from Sunday – unfortunately the photo is missing two members who had popped up the road, but we managed to get most people in 🙂

Next up is my small finish – this is what I started on Sunday night, and I put the final stitches in on Monday night – I can’t believe it took me so long to stitch it, I really HAVE lost my stitching mojo!! This is Lizzie*Kate’s Joy ornament from the 2007 JCS ornie magazine. This was for the February ornie challenge on the Yahoo xsers group.

“Joy” by Lizzie*Kate
Stitched on ‘mystery’ linen with the recommended
green threads, but the red and white were substituted threads

After finishing “Joy”, I started my ‘commitment’ stitching – one of the CA Wells projects for my April class. To be honest, in hindsight I wish I hadn’t signed up for this one, as the project really does nothing for me, so it’s been pretty low on the list for stitching … that also might be affecting my overall stitching motivation hmmm. Anyway, I’ve made a start now, so hopefully it will be easier to keep the motivation happening.

I do have some other goodies to post about, but I need to send emails of thanks to everyone involved before posting piccies … and my flatmate is calling me for dinner, so I’d better head off! I’ll try to post again on Sunday night, as I’m heading over to stay with Brenda and Nigel tomorrow night so may not have much free time. Unfortunately I haven’t had much time to sit down tonight either, as I’ve been chatting to Mum on the phone for a while, then sitting having dinner with Lisa and her friend who’s flown up to stay here for the weekend with ‘us’ …

What can I say? Sydney is great!!! Socially I’m fitting in and settling so much more quickly than I ever did when I first moved to Melbourne … Life is good! 😀

Cross Stitch, Gifts TO BE FIXED, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Happy Mail!

12 February, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Finally I can share with you a couple of amazing gifts I received last week from two very generous online friends. After such a stressful time, it was amazing to open up my PO Box and find two envelopes bursting with goodness sitting in there!

First up was a scrummy skein of Gloriana silk from Susan – it might be a bit fuzzier than it originally arrived, as I kept stroking it at work haha. For anyone who hasn’t fondled a skein of Gloriana before, it’s a sheer joy! Thanks so much for your lovely thoughtful gift Susan, it’s been a pleasure to call you “friend”, and your gift really touched me! {{hugs}} 🙂

Next up is an absolutely exquisite biscornu from Andrea – this is so perfectly “me” in every sense of the word!! Look at those scrummy colours and that beautiful finishing … isn’t it a real stunner?!! This was a gift to welcome me into my new home, and it’s now sitting on display in the lounge with my other smalls – it will always be treasured, Andrea, I really love it to death! I love the personalisation on the back too! 😀

See, I told you last week the piccies would be worth waiting for … and I was right, huh? 😀

Thanks again to my two dear friends for making last week a wonderful one!

* * * * * * * * * *

A quick update on the car is that it’s running nicely again – everything requested was fixed … although admittedly it was a bit more than I expected in the end, as the alternator ran into a few difficulties so it ended up costing an extra $100 – anyway, all up it was just over $750 so it didn’t quite hit the $1,000 horror mark … and I’m so happy that everything is now fixed, including the airconditioning and aerial … I’m one happy camper!!! And to top things off I’ll be using it to drive down ‘south’ next weekend to my first stitching weekend in Sydney – I’m really looking forward to meeting a few more stitchers up here 🙂

We have a friend from work coming up from Melbourne tomorrow morning to stay with us for 2 nights until Friday, which will be fun. That means we’re off out to dinner for the next two nights – tomorrow night we’re just popping across the road to the local RSL, then Thursday night we’re heading into the city for the first time. I still haven’t worked out what to do for my birthday yet, hmmm … no doubt I’ll make my decision on Friday night – 24 hours notice is OK right? haha.

I’ve also just been very bad and organised Mum’s birthday gift … we’re now off to see Phantom of the Opera here in Sydney. Mum’s never seen it before, and she’s always wanted to see the live show, but we’ve never managed to organise it before. It’s so awesome to finally get tickets for her to see it … and of course I get to share the gift as well (even though I saw it in New York years ago, I’m looking forward to seeing it again). I hope it lives up to your expectations Mum! 🙂

Rightio, time to quickly run around with a vacuum cleaner before hitting the hay for the night, as I think we’ll be having a late night for the next two nights, and I’ve spent most of tonight in the kitchen cooking … time to quickly cram the entire night’s housework into 15 minutes hmmm 🙂