Category: Cross Stitch

Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Gifts TO BE FIXED, Stash, Works in Progress

Stitching update

Anne S

I had to take a day off work yesterday just to get some stitching in … well, actually it was because I felt like cr*p, and couldn’t face work – my sore throat turned into a bit of laryngitis on Tuesday night, and I hardly slept at all. When I woke up yesterday morning I felt really groggy and as though I’d been run over. This morning I still feel pretty rough – I’m more blocked up in the nose, and my throat is sore again, but my voice isn’t quite as laryngitis-like. Fingers crossed I’ll be OK to get back to work again tomorrow. It does mean, though, that I managed to get a bit of stitching done – and a bit of frogging too ;P I still have two stitches to fix up in the vines that I noticed I managed to miss yesterday, and they’re easily added in – but I’m slowly catching up to you, Carol 😀 I’ll continue to get this panel finished (the whole of part 1), then I have to get my ducks RR done to get in the mail by 1 July … then it’s “Dratteds, here I come!!!” 😀

Just a quick post today, as my concentration at the computer isn’t great – I tried catching up on some more blog reading yesterday, but I ended up reading most things three times, and gave up. Off to have another Lemsip Cold & Flu, then cuddle up under my blanket again in my not-so-glamorous PJ’s for the day …

(Updated) Crikey, I just realised that I hadn’t posted piccies of my previous stash arrivals … for some reason I thought I’d already done it, but just checked back in my blog posts, and lo and behold nothing was there! Oops – I’d forget my head these days if it wasn’t permanently attached!! Anyway, here are the piccies of stash I received as gifts from some very generous ladies – thanks so much again Cathy and Nancy – your generosity is amazing, and I love everything (I know I’ve sent personal emails already, but just wanted to reiterate it now) 😀 Unfortunately blogger is, just for a change, having a hissy fit about adding more photos, so I’ve had to use Photobucket, which of course means you can’t click for a bigger piccie, sorry 😦

Here are my wonderful spoils from Cathy:
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And my wonderful spoils from Nancy:
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Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Finishes, SBQ, Stitching Smalls

SBQ’s and a very quick update

Anne S

And still no stash photos – just haven’t had time … have hardly spent any time at my PC all week, but have been working hard to get my exchanges finished instead, as well as trying to unpack after my holiday, and tidy up a bit (my little flat looks like a bomb has exploded in it).

Anyway, just quickly I’ve managed to get my scissors fob exchange into the mail to Nicola (I’m safe to post piccies, because she doesn’t read my blog) – the stitching was all finished before I flew to NZ, I just had to whipstitch it, make the tassel and cording, and put it together … then while I was in NZ I just never got around to getting it done, and ended up bringing it back home with me (geez, I’m useless!!). Anyway, it’s finally in its little envelope and on its way back to NZ again phew!! And just for a change, blogger is having a hissy fit about posting photos, so I’m giving up … here are photos uploaded from Photobucket – and if you want to see a close-up of the front click here, and the back is here.
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My mail art is all finished with the stitching – I hope the recipient likes it, but I have to admit to being a bit worried about it … I think I struggled as I couldn’t work out the recipient’s preferences, as there is no online album that I could find, or wishlist, so I feel like I’ve been stitching ‘blind’. Today I have the job of putting it all together into it’s envelope shape etc – I was going to do it yesterday, but it was day 7 of work, after doing the last 3 days with 5am shifts, and I was worried with my tiredness I’d stuff it up … best to leave it until today … although I still feel half asleep, so I don’t know … haha.

This weekend is our needleroll SAL, but I don’t know whether I’m going to manage to get one stitched, as I really do need to get that mail art 100% finished – maybe I’ll get some time tomorrow to put a few stitches in. If I do, I think I’ll be working on my half-finished ‘sample’ one I was making for the Melanie’s Exchange, and try to get a little bit more stitched on it.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Rightio, lastly on to the SBQ’s before I sign off … I now have 4 SBQ’s to catch up on, so I thought I’d bite the bullet and get them all out of the way today, ‘cos before I know it there’ll be another one being posted 😛 I’ve decided to just answer the first 3 initially, as the other one needs photos, and I’m not yet organised for that one.

17 May – Today’s SBQ was suggested by Jenna and is:

“Lately, it seems that many stitching bloggers have experienced a loss of their stitching mojo. Have you ever lost your stitching mojo? If so, how did you get it back and how long did it take?”

I lost my mojo when I first moved to Melbourne, due to appalling living conditions that just weren’t conducive to stitching – but as soon as I moved out with Fraze and we got our own place I bought a cheap recliner, set up my stitching station, and never looked back … in fact I’ve stitched more in the last 24 months than I’ve ever stitched, I think 🙂 I did get a bit overwhelmed with my commitment stitching etc over the last couple of months, which has been detrimental to my overall stitching … I think sometimes it’s a bit of a carry-over from when I had concussion years ago – even now if I get over-tired, I struggle to ‘focus’ on things – I find I have to make lists etc to keep on track, but when I get overwhelmed with ‘stuff’ my head almost gets too cluttered and I lose track. I can sit in a chair, knowing I have lots of things I must get done, but half an hour later I’m still sat there, and don’t know where the time has gone hmmm. Now I’m realising that I need to be more realistic with my stitching time, especially as sometimes I get really tired with my shift work, so I can be more in control.

24 May – Today’s SBQ was suggested by Nancy and is:

“What is your favorite specialty stitch? Which one is your least favorite? Why?”

I don’t know what my favourite stitch is at the moment – I enjoy doing Rhodes stitches in whatever shape or form (which is probably a good thing, seeing as there are so many in the Bordeaux Mystery Sampler!), and I really enjoyed doing the Waffle stitch for my Melanie’s Exchange needleroll – I just enjoy the variety of loads of different stitches. Probably my least favourite would have to be bullion knots and french knots … definitely a lot easier to answer! haha.

31 May – Today’s SBQ was suggested by Carol and is:

“Do you collect charts by one particular designer, yet have never stitched anything by that designer? If so, which designer and why do you collect the charts but have not yet stitched any of them?”

Perhaps the designs that come to mind here are Teresa Wentzler … I went through a phase where I had to buy every single design that TW had put out, and continued to do so for quite some time, including trading and tracking down copies all over the world (prior to knowing about Ebay!). I’ve never actually stitched any of them in their entirety, although I do have two of them that are currently UFO’s, so I do expect to eventually finish them both. I doubt I’ll stitch much of my collection, but it’s the only one I’ll be hard pushed to part with. Even if I never stitch them, I love flicking through the charts in my folder like a book of fine art – it’s uplifting for the soul to just feast your eyes on such beauty 🙂

I also started doing the same with Mirabilia charts, and used to received her new charts automatically – but the designs changed and I no longer loved them as I used to, so I stopped … I’ll still buy one if I fall in love with it, but it’s more rare these days, and I’ve even been putting a few up for trade that I know I’ll never stitch in a month of Sundays. They’re probably the main two designers I’m guilty of collecting.

Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Stash

My boot runneth over …

Anne S

… and so does my lounge room now, as my freight is home (well actually, four boxes are still in the boot of my car – I could only face bringing 5 of them up 3 floors today – the rest can wait)! My car is still living so far … the RACV man jump-started my car yesterday, and the run to the Post Office charged the battery up enough to keep it going … if it was dead again this morning I had to get a new battery, but luckily it’s managed to last the distance and I got to the airport without any problems. The freight guys all had a good laugh at my car, and even made a special trip out of the building to see it … hmmm. You see, my car is parked underneath a tree that has possums in it – and they must have had a field day while I was away, inviting all the possums in the neighbourhood over to play … you see my car is now covered in possum poo and heaven knows what else haha. The motorway trip managed to dislodge a lot of it, but it still looks a disgrace – it will have to wait until I can get to a valet … I think in this case it’ll definitely be worth the expense to have someone else wash it haha. Now, on to stitchy stuff …

My poor postman had a bit of a workout yesterday when I went to the Post Office – he had to carry my parcels out with both arms … and it totally filled one of my shopping bags. There were a few items that I was expecting, but there were also some surprises in there – all I can say is “WOW!!” I won’t overpower today’s post with oodles of piccies, but I’ll post a couple, with more to follow later. Here’s the list of goodies that came:

  • Options in Hardanger Group Correspondence Course (through CyberStitchers branch of the EGA)
  • Melanie’s Exchange from Jenna
  • Biscornu Exchange from Melissa and Danielle
  • Goodie parcel from Nancy
  • Goodie parcel from Cathy
  • Monthly Mystery Bits from SB&B
  • Parcels from SB&B
  • Eventide needleroll chart from Ebay win
  • Threads from Village Mountain Stitchery sale
  • Finishing kits from Jackie du Plessis (Strawberries So Faire and Quaker needleroll)

The piccies I’ll share today are of my exchanges that I received from the SBEBB – then tomorrow I’ll post the piccies of my goodies from Nancy and Cathy.

The first one is my Melanie’s Exchange from Jenna … it’s a freebie design by Martina Weber of Chatelaine fame, and it’s absolutely exquisite – the finishing and stitching is amazing, and I totally adore it! It’s currently sitting on a ‘plate stand’ I’d had sitting around just waiting for something to go in it … and it’s sitting by my blue vase with sunflowers, right opposite where I sit and stitch, so I can see it every night 🙂 And along with the exchange piece I also got spoilt rotten with a couple of pieces of fabbie (what a scrummy blue!), some makeup and nail clippers (also in yummy blue – you know me very well, Jenna! haha), and a lovely card, as well as the exchange leftovers … I just love everything!

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Blogger is giving me the “proverbials”, because it won’t upload the piccies, so I’ve had to resort to Photobucket, and can’t work out how to add links to the photos for the main photos – if you want to see the larger piccie of the photos click on the links … photo 1 here, and photo 2 here.

The next photos are of my Biscornu Exchange – unfortunately my exchange partner wasn’t able to stitch something for me so Melissa and Danielle came to the rescue and kindly sent some exchange pieces. Melissa stitched a beautiful biscornu – isn’t it adorable? I just love the design used, and the buttons are the most perfect finishing touch – you did a great job, Melissa – thanks so much for stitching a biscornu for me, that was really sweet 🙂 And Danielle sent me a parcel of goodies too – full of amazing little treats! There is the new chart by Just Nan called Mermaid Heart, along with the embellishments and charm for it (and it’s going to be a great companion piece to Beach Roses, that I just received from SB&B!) – that would have been plenty all on its own, but there is also a packet of needles, some Needle Necessities flosses, and some gorgeous little stationery pads (I adore stationery!) … I just love everything in there. Thanks also to you, Danielle, for putting a little goodie parcel together on top of your own exchange commitments – it was very sweet of you, and the thought is much appreciated 🙂

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And again, the photo links are following – photo 1 here, photo 2 here, and photo 3 here.

Both the exchanges were great fun – and it definitely won’t be the last time I participate … in fact, I’m about to commit myself to the Redwork one on the SBEBB, and waiting for the Hardanger one (hopefully much later haha), plus I’m already signed up for the Needleroll exchange on Renee’s Robin’s Nest BB.

Talking of Hardanger … one of the other parcels I received is for a hardanger correspondence course (Options in Hardanger – click on the link for the piccie) by Dale Sokolow – but first I want to complete the Beginner’s Hardanger (and click again) class by Marion Scoular. I signed up for the Beginner’s one just before I moved to Melbourne, but my less-than-perfect living conditions when I got here meant no stitching done for almost 8 months, so it got put to one side … I had the opportunity to take one class for reduced costs through CyberStitchers branch of the EGA this year, so I chose the Options in Hardanger class – I won’t have time to stitch it for evaluation, but it will be something to pick up in the future and stitch, and will hopefully be a good resource.

OK, I suppose I’ve waffled on enough for now, so I’ll just quickly answer a couple of questions that have been asked in the comments recently, then I’ll post again tomorrow with an update of the postal goodies 🙂

For Margaret and Andie – funnily enough, I nearly got to the South Island … I had staff tickets for Mum and I to fly down to then drive to Nelson to see my best friend, but we ran out of time to fit it in – maybe on the next trip over I’ll have to make it a compulsory stop 🙂

For Carin – the Pacific Pohutukawa chart is by Jen’s Jems (Jennifer Griffin), a New Zealand designer. You can buy her designs from Nancy’s Embroidery Shop in Wellington 🙂 They don’t have a great deal on display on their website, but you could always email them to see what designs they have in stock. Hope that helps 🙂

For moomoo – unfortunately the design for the biscornu is one that I put together myself. The blackwork part is from an Indigo Rose online freebie that is still on the Caron Collection website – the mosaic border I just made up myself – and the beaded border is from an old Stitcher’s World magazine. I can help you with the thread colour, though – it’s an Anchor variegated thread, number 1349 … just love those colours! Sorry I can’t be more help with that one.

One quick last comment … I ate myself silly with a big plate of feijoas every couple of days at home, but now I have my own version here so I don’t have to miss them too much – I bought a bottle of Feijoa Vodka in duty free teehee … it really really smells like the real thing, and is divine with ‘lemon, lime & bitters’ … yummo – doesn’t go too well with stitching though ;P

Back to work tomorrow – civilised hours, though … 8am starts for 3 days – then 4 days of 5am starts yuk! ;P

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Finishes

Down, Down Under

Anne S

Well, I managed to arrive safe and sound on the shores of Auckland city at 3am on Monday morning … which was absolutely exhausting seeing as I’d worked a 6am shift on Sunday and hadn’t had any sleep at all since then (as well as working 6 days straight) – unfortunately the plane was late leaving Melbourne, so a late arrival into Auckland. Got into bed at about 4am and managed to get about 4 1/2 hours sleep before an unexpected wakeup call hmmm. Let’s just say I was a bit of a zombie, and to be honest I still feel quite wrecked 3 days later! I’ve slept for 10 hours both the last two nights … fingers crossed I’ll be starting to feel a bit more ‘normal’ again soon …

I haven’t managed to get much done … although my priority has been to parcel up all my XS charts etc, ready for freighting, and I’ve nearly accomplished the mission – still have to go through my books as well … and I think there will be quite a number of charts heading over to Ebay when I get them home. There are LOADS of rip outs from magazines that I know I’ll never stitch in a month of Sundays, so they’ll all be free to a good home for the cost of the postage if anyone wants them …

The rest of my time has been spent trying not to get Dad’s blood on the carpet … to say it’s been “trying” at times would be a serious understatement. I had to jump in the shower last night before I lost my cool at him. I love my Dad ‘cos he’s my Dad, but I don’t always like him very much. I’d forgotten when I come home that usually by the 2nd day here my tension levels are sky high, and my patience levels are very slim. Mum and I went out for dinner in Auckland city last night for her birthday, which was lovely … and much to my Mum’s disgust it was my shout yay. Dad, of course, being the miserable sod that he is, refused to come out with us, even though we chose a steak restaurant that he would have enjoyed. Considering we had a party for his 70th birthday two years ago, Mum had already been warned we weren’t allowed to have one for her … I’ll leave my comments unwritten on that score, but I think it’s pretty poor … but then again, that’s my Dad to a T – very very selfish. Oh well, we still had a good time out, and to be honest it was probably more enjoyable with just the two of us …

As for stitching, I didn’t even get out of my PJ’s on Monday, so did a bit of stitching instead to try to keep my eyelids open … I started Santa’s Stash by Full Circle Designs, as part of the Ornament challenge/SAL on the Welcome Friends BB. But I forgot to pack the Mill Hill beads, and needed to buy some buttons and two of the DMC colours before I could finish it, so Mum and I popped out to Spotlight on Tuesday, and by midnight Tuesday night the final stitches were put into place.

If you were wondering why there are amazing shifts in weather patterns at the moment, you can blame my Mum! At the grand old age of 70 she’s finally decided she wants to learn how to XS haha. So we bought her a little kit of Frangipani (gee whizz, I wonder who chose that?!!), and she managed to put a few stitches in before I got chance to teach her … she’s keen! I bought some aida cloth offcuts over for her to try stitching on, and we’ve been looking for some easy Christmas designs for her to stitch some ornaments – now I’ll have to start hiding my stash from her teehee. She used to do tapestries and she knits, so she’ll be just fine 🙂

Mum’s dial-up connection is absolutely appalling, but I finally managed to get Blogger to upload more piccies – I just have to share these before I get home … these photos are of a scissor fob that Pauline stitched for me as part of the StitchNZ scissor fob exchange, and posted to Mum’s address … it is the most awesomely exquisite fob ever! The colours are just to die for … they are so “ME” … totally stunning! I will always treasure it – thanks so much Pauline 😀


Rightio, I suppose it’s back to the salt mines again … aka “the garage” … groan … Mind you, by the sounds of it, Dad’s already brought more boxes into the lounge for me to sort through – a less than subtle hint! haha. If I manage to find my way out again, I’ll see if I get time to post again – otherwise it won’t be until I get home again. I think I need an entire month to go through all my stuff – I’m starting to wonder how in heck I’m going to get everything done that I’d planned 😦

Hope everyone is having a good week 🙂

Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Finishes

Three sleeps to go & an exchange (updated)

Anne S

(Updated to add the following piccie etc) Just quickly popped over to see if any new exchanges had been received on the SBEBB, and it looks like Annette has received the biscornu I stitched for her … as I mentioned before, it turned out to be a lot bigger than I expected, but it still looks OK. I used a DMC variegated thread (which is one of my favourite colourways) and added some beads for extra effect. It’s another conglomeration of a few designs – the infamous Indigo Rose freebie that I can’t seem to get enough of just lately (you may recognise elements from my pinkeep in the centre) – as well as part of a cushion design in a Stitchers World magazine from years ago (Earth Laughs by designer Anne Stanton). I ended up leaving off the tassels because it looked too fussy. Here is the photo of the finished front, and the actual stitching (I won’t bother showing the back).


I can’t believe that’s all there is to go now, before I fly out – 3 sleeps, woohoo!! And during my visit I’ll hopefully be meeting Nicki and Kerry from the blogging world in Auckland – that will be wonderful! 😀 As well as that, I’ve got an appointment set up already for me to see my old Physiotherapist, who is going to manipulate my back/neck and hopefully help to get it back in alignment again – I used to see him just for 1 or 2 visits yearly, and that would get me through the whole next year … but I haven’t been for 2 years now, and my neck has been giving me grief for months now – every morning I wake up with neck pain and feel like I haven’t slept properly … and sometimes the pain wakes me up during the night … can’t wait to get that ‘clicked’ back in again, it’s going to be sheer bliss!!

Nothing really to report – there will be no blog reading tonight (or stitching, for that matter), as I’m on a short turnaround time for my shifts, ie I finish work at 6pm (and won’t be home until about 7pm), and have to be asleep by 9pm at the latest in order to try and get 8 hours sleep, as I move to my 6am shifts. I think I’ll be sleeping my first 24 hours in NZ haha.

No stitching or blogging done yesterday either, as I forgot I had a training day in the city from 9-5, and met up with a friend for drinks after we finished, as she works in the same building as the training – we then decided to have dinner at the Rose Garden in Elizabeth Street … a very cheap and ‘nasty’ Asian eating place that has very very nice food – it was a great treat, and a wonderful night catching up. Unfortunately Hayles has decided to move to Perth, though, so she will be winging her way over to the west coast in July. Just means I’ll have to make an effort and go for a holiday over there – which I’d love to do, as I’ve always wanted to visit Perth.

I also managed to visit the Post Office the other day, and picked up my stitching treat that was sitting there waiting for me – it was the M Designs Christmas needleroll from Katrina from a recent trade … woohoo, another one to stitch for my collection! Thanks heaps Katrina! 😀

I’m still waiting for my SB&B orders to arrive – using my birthday money, plus a second treat in the next sale not long after … in both cases there is just one thing that is out of stock – one item has been “in transit from the supplier” for quite some time now (I didn’t realise you still use the Pony Express in the US haha), and the other one still on back order … there were some items in there I wanted for my last two exchanges, plus I’m getting a bit impatient, so I’ve asked for everything else to be shipped, and have the others sent later with some extra fabric I’ve just ordered (a fat 1/4 each of 32ct and 28ct Lavender Bliss). Hopefully they’ll arrive some time soon after I get home from NZ.

Anyway, time to shut up and get ready for work – I’m really rambling on about nothing just to wake up, I think, and I didn’t sleep too well last night … maybe I should head to work early and pick up a cappuccino on the way to truly wake up!

Exchanges, Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Round Robins

A mixed bag of allsorts!

Anne S

Before I forget, for Myrna – the needleroll SAL is Katrina’s brainchild (and she is the QUEEN of Needlerolls LOL) … we’re doing this the 2nd weekend of every month – it’d be great if you could join us 😀

At the start of the month I posted what my commitment stitching deadlines were – I decided to post it again now, just for my own motivation, so I can see I’ve actually made some headway in meeting those goals, as well as seeing what’s left to meet … I feel as though I’ve still got huge weights hanging over me with stitching deadlines, so it helps for me to map it all out and see it’s really not as bad as I think …

* 12 May – Melanie’s Exchange (SBEBB)
* 15 May – Biscornu Exchange (SBEBB)
* 15 May – Batman logo quilt block (Jordan B)
* 25 May – Scissors fob exchange (StitchNZ)
* 5 June – Mail Art Exchange (SBEBB)
* 22 June – final Christmas RR ornie (Ornaments RRBB)
* 1 July – Round Robin first posting due (my first real RR)
* 1 July – Strawberries So Faire SAL
* 15 July – Racing cars quilt block (Jay B)
* 15 August – Dragon quilt block (Caitlin R)
* late Aug/early Sep – Needleroll exchange (Robin’s Nest BB)

The scissor fob is under control (meaning I’ve at least made a start on it – but my headache didn’t ease off, so not a great deal of progress yet), but I’ve decided to wait until I get to NZ to post it, as it’ll probably arrive more quickly at its destination that way. I still have no idea what to stitch for the mail art exchange – it might have been easier having a set theme … hopefully inspiration will hit soon hmmm. As for my own RR, I’ve decided to stick to my original plan of having four of the blocks from the Stoney Creek Wings of the Wild afghan series from way back in 1991 … I thought I’d send copies of all the charts I have with me (9 out of the 11), and the other three people can choose a duck square, so I still get a bit of a surprise when it’s stitched up 🙂 Being duck-mad, and owning loads of duck charts, it’s pretty bad that I’ve never actually stitched one for myself yet – having this theme will make this RR extra special for me, and will give me something to truly treasure every day I cast my eyes upon it. This is what the original afghan looks like:


On non-stitching news, I want to extend a HUGE congratulations to my Aunt and her partner in Canada – Monica and Norbert tied the knot (finally) in Las Vegas at the end of April … congratulations to Mr and Mrs Schwarzer! Norbert, it’s about time you made a decent woman out of her! teehee (running and ducking for cover …)

And continuing with non-stitching ‘stuff’ … I’m excited to be going home for many reasons this coming weekend – aside from catching up with people I haven’t seen for a couple of years, I’ll be going through all my stitching stash, and possibly parcelling everything up and freighting it over here … that would be wonderful! … but aside from all that, it’s FEIJOA SEASON!!!!! I nearly fell over when I saw a plastic bag filled with feijoas in our work kitchen last week, but they were so tiny they weren’t ripe yet and very sour (didn’t stop me from eating some though, just ‘cos I’d missed them so much! LOL). I intend stuffing myself silly with feijoas every day I’m over there … I just love them! I originally thought they were a NZ fruit, but according to Wikipedia, the Feijoa originated in the highlands of southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina, and is also known as the Pineapple Guava. Yummo!!!!!!!!! Mum and Dad have a tree in their garden, and we used to give bags and bags of them away … they won’t get chance while I’m over this time haha.

A reasonable week of work shifts this week – starting with 3 x 10am shifts, and finishing with 3 x 6am shifts. It’s amazing how quickly my body has become adjusted to not doing shift work – it’s a bit of a shock to the system to get back into it, but it’s just a case of getting into the routine again. Luckily while I’m way I’m getting out of my least favourite shift – 6pm to 2am … I hate those shifts, as I don’t start feeling tired until about 4am, so I might as well do a “doggo” (overnight) shift – unfortunately it means whoever is covering me while I’m on annual leave will have to do them … there are so many benefits to being a ‘permanent’ Hotliner – having a stable shift roster is without a doubt the best!! Forgot to say, I had a huge highlight in my job last week … after having a slight meltdown in my patience threshold, the next day (the mentally challenging one) the Consultant I was helping out with this horrible problem for almost 2 hours, came and gave me a “Luv Ya Work” award … I was so touched! We have a new programme at work to award your colleagues when they’ve done something exceptional – you fill out the award and the Supervisor keeps the details in a central register, and you can eventually cash them in – 2 awards gets you an hour off work before or after your shift starts, 4 awards gives you two hours off or a $10 voucher from stores like Myer, JB HiFi or a bookstore … it’s a really nice way to recognise internally that you’re doing a good job, and it was designed to lift morale – I think it works 🙂 I got another one last week, too, as I got a score of all 5’s for my evaluation (where they listen in to 6 of your phone calls, and make sure you’re giving the correct information, creating a rapport, etc etc) … which means I now have a sum total of 5 awards sitting in my folder since the programme started a couple of months ago – how wonderful! 😀

OK, enough rambling, time to get ready for work … Have a great week everyone – hope to catch up on all your blogs this week, as I doubt I’ll get chance in NZ (Mum has the worst dial-up connection in the world!).

SBQ

SBQ and thanks

Anne S

Thanks everyone for your generous comments about my needleroll(s) – a bit more explanation about Paula’s needleroll … the exchange was organised in two different parts – firstly you’re told what colour preferences (if there were any) the final recipient had, then we had to send some thread and embellishments to the next person, and that person then had to stitch something for the final recipient using those items. Elanor, the thread that was used was a Gentle Art Sampler Thread in the colour of “Blueberry” – I had a skein of the same colour in my stash but it was almost grey when I took it out to compare … the exchange skein was much more vibrant and beautiful in colour. The embellishments I received were some Mill Hill beads in blue … it was definitely a challenge thinking of something with the threads and beads sitting in front of you – as I’d never tried anything like that before!

After my stitchfest yesterday, I’ve woken up this morning with a throbbing headache … I seem to remember that happened last time, too, so I think I’m going to have to stop doing it 😦 Once I get back into my rotation again, I think it will be better, as I’ll be stitching more regularly again. Mind you, I also slept for just over 11 hours last night, and woke up a bit sinusey, so that might be the other reason I have a headache. I’ve just taken a couple of tablets, so hopefully that’ll nip it in the bud so it won’t spoil my day off today.

I was going to drive into work today to check my PO Box, as apparently there’s mail there that won’t fit into the box … but curiosity will have to wait, I think – with the price of petrol never going down, it’s an expensive exercise if I don’t have to go out for anything else – I’ll just have to settle myself until tomorrow, then my curiosity can be put out of its misery LOL.

I forgot to answer last week’s SBQ, so here it is for this week (better hurry up and get in before the next one arrives haha):

“When you stitch from a kit and use the supplied floss do you have leftovers? If so, how much and what do you do with them? If not, do you usually have just enough or do you have to dig into your stash to finish?”

I have to admit, this is one of the reasons I hate kits and will only rarely buy them – I often end up with leftovers of some of the flosses, but some of the colours invariably run out … I’ve had that happen on three separate occasions, and it’s as frustrating as heck! On each occasion the manufacturer sent me some replacement thread, but I had to put the projects on hold until it arrived. Some of the threads are appalling too, such as the Bucilla kit I did for a friend’s baby – the yellow kept shredding, it was such poor quality. I swore blind I’d never buy another Bucilla kit ever again, and I’ve stuck to my guns there. As wasteful as it sounds, if it’s cotton floss left over, I just chuck it out – if it’s silks, then I keep it ‘just in case’. In the case of the M Designs Thistle Bag that was gifted to me by Toby, there was just enough of the silk threads for Von to stitch another one, which was awesome! I love Moss Creek Designs’ kits – they have full skeins of each thread (mind you, they’re also extremely expensive!).

Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Finishes, Needlerolls, Stitch-alongs

Finally able to post a piccie :) (updated)

Anne S

It appears from the SBEBB that Paula has received her Melanie’s Exchange I stitched for her, so I can post a piccie. I have to admit, I really really struggled with the choice for this one … I was originally going to stitch a pinkeep for Paula, and had the design all mapped out, then Jo beat me to it by stitching a pinkeep for the Spring exchange (which was beautiful!), so it was back to the drawing board again (but at least I got to keep the mock run one, which you’ve now seen!) … in the end I decided on a needleroll, and the design is a collaboration I made from various design sources – there are bands from Just Nan’s Evening Star, Dragonfly Stitches freebie needleroll (for the blackwork ‘flowers’ and other bands), Indigo Rose online freebie for the Rhodes hearts, as well as another freebie online chart for inspiration for the beaded bands. The only thing is that I struggled to find some narrow ribbon to match for it, and ended up using something that I had on hand … and I wished I’d waited to check out a few more stores before posting – but it looks OK. Here’s a photo of the actual stitching, and the finished needleroll. I tried stitching our names inside the back ‘flowers’, but it’s very teeny tiny LOL. I really enjoyed stitching it 🙂


I should also have another photo to share a bit later on today – I’m in the middle of stitching The Sweetheart Tree Strawberry needleroll, for our weekend needleroll SAL … I started it last night, and slept in this morning so missed the charity walk (oops! – mind you, it turns out we were all doing it ‘on our own’ so it probably doesn’t matter – the money is still being donated anyway) … so I’ve been sitting up in bed catching up on taped TV programmes from during the week and doing a bit more stitching. I was originally going to start a Shepherd’s Bush one, but I needed to stitch some calico to the sides as the fabric is quite small, and I can’t stitch in hand … the Strawberry fob was the only one basted up and ready to go 🙂 It also means that I’m now inadvertently copying Katrina, as that’s the needleroll she’s planning on stitching too 🙂 It’s really pretty so far – the colours are lovely … the DMC 816 is such a rich red, it’s gorgeous! I’m about 2/3 finished, so should be able to post a piccie by the end of the day 🙂

I should be stitching my fob for the scissor fob exchange on StitchNZ, but I just wanted to take some ‘time out’ from commitment stitching and stitching something else – and the needleroll SAL is the perfect thing to a quick “me” stitch 🙂

(Update before day’s end) And here’s the final piccie for today – the finished stitching of my strawberry needleroll … which also means I met the 24 hour challenge on the FGBB as well yippee! 😀 Leaves me tomorrow free for working out my scissor fob yay 🙂

Charity Stitching, Finishes

Nearly there … (updated)

Anne S

Managed to get a reasonable amount of my Batman square stitched last night, and more tonight, so I think my deadline will easily be reached to have it in the mail on Wednesday … I’m starting to get a bit goggle-eyed tonight, after my early shift (it’s amazing how quickly you get out of the habit!!), so I don’t know how much more I’ll get done tonight – I was originally hoping to finish it off, but I don’t think my energy levels are going to stand up to the pressure LOL.

Tomorrow after work I intend to find a button or something to finish off my biscornu, then it can get posted on Wednesday too – it feels sooooo0 good to have those commitments off my shoulders. I still feel really bad about not reading blogs, but I’m glad I made that decision, or I’d still be struggling with the first deadline! Hopefully by the end of the week, I’ll be back to normal again, and my deadline stitching will be easily fitted around my normal routine 🙂 I look forward to seeing what you’ve all been up to while I’ve been “M.I.A.” 😀

UPDATED!!! OK, I don’t know what happened, but I got a second wind and managed to find the energy to finish my Batman logo – woohoo!! What a relief to finally get that out of the way … I think I’ll be sleeping soundly tonight! LOL. Now I just have my scissor fob exchange and mail art exchange pieces to get done … 😀

SBQ

Help requested

Anne S

It’s been a while since I posted (and even longer since I read anyone’s blogs), and I still have no stitching to share, but I’d like to ask your advice about something, if that’s OK …

I’m almost ready to start the Bordeaux Sampler with Carol – I’ve been drooling over this one ever since she mentioned it, and finally succumbed to the arm-twisting I’d been giving myself … the VC silks have arrived, but now I’m struggling over my fabric choices. The chart calls for 36ct Magnolia Lakeside Linens, which according to the LL website is equivalent to DMC 3865 … which according to another webside is also the equivalent to 36ct Antique White Edinborough linen. Aside from the fact I would have to buy a huge piece, and it’s incredibly expensive, I’m also eager to start working on this very very soon, and don’t want to wait for months for a hand-dyed fabbie to arrive (and the LL would be over US$40 plus postage!). The design is 131 stitches wide x 394 stitches high – if I include a 4″ margin on each side, this makes the fabric needed to be 16″ x 30″ … the stitching itself measures 8″ x 22″ … hence my dilemma – I have sitting in my stash a piece of Edinburgh antique white linen that is 18″ x 27″ – if I use that it will mean a margin of only 2.5″ on the top and bottom … do you think that would be OK?? I really don’t want to have to buy more if I can get away with it – and I was thinking I could add a small strip of calico to both ends, to help give more space for lacing/framing … anyway, I’d love to know what you all think, before I commit myself to buying more fabbie 😀

With actual stitching, I’m almost finished with both my exchange pieces, so that’s my priority this week and weekend, along with my Batman logo for the charity quilt block, as the deadlines are next week for all of them! Hence part of the reason I’ve been avoiding blog reading etc – I’m trying to devote all my free time now to getting those finished. I thought I had plenty of time, but all of a sudden the deadline is around the corner without me realising it had snuck up on me! After those commitments are out the way, I still have two more exchanges to finish (scissors fob and mail art) – then I’d really love to catch up on my Bunnies in my Garden SAL piece, and was thinking I could take that with me to NZ during my visit in case I get chance to have some quiet stitching time in the evenings. All this talk of commitment stitching brings me to the SBQ’s, as I forgot I hadn’t answered the last one yet …

19 April’s SBQ was suggested by Jenna and is:

“Do you do obligation or deadline-based stitching? Why or why not? If you do, do you tend to get in over your head and why?”

I’ve only just started doing deadline-based stitching – by joining the SBEBB I thought it was a good chance to increase my confidence in stitching ‘smalls’, and a wonderful way to exchange stitched gifts with others. To say I’ve stitched a number of gifts for other people, my close friends don’t stitch, so I’ve never received a stitched gift especially with me in mind in return – the first thing I’ve ever received that someone else has made was the Christmas ornie from Jenna last year, so it will always be treasured 🙂 I’ve also been stitching my first charity quilt blocks for Quilts4Kids this year (3 finished and posted so far, with another one due this month, and two more I’ve signed up for over the next couple of months), as well as the panel of names for the World Trade Center charity quilt. I think in my enthusiasm for joining in with everything, I’ve definitely bitten off a bit more than I should have done in one hit – I’m dying to get back to my rotation, and find I can’t until I’ve finished my deadlines. That’s not to say I’m not enjoying doing my commitment stitching, it’s just that I’ve found it hard juggling that and my own stitching mainly because everything seems to be due around the same time. With the next two charity quilt blocks, I’ve chosen projects more around the stitching deadline than around the actual theme, to give me a break. I’ve also added a charity block “slot” into my rotation for when I get back into it, so that I can stitch a block as part of my normal rotation – much easier to stick to the deadline that way. I’m also supposed to be doing a number of SAL’s with the Yahoo Stitching Smalls group, but with all the other commitments happening, I’ve had to put my participation to one side, which is disappointing – hence in future I’ll be more limited in what I sign up for! My problem at the moment is that I want to join in with everything, so I keep signing up … then struggling to meet the deadlines ‘cos I want to do everything else as well!!

Now I want to make a list of my actual commitment deadlines coming up – this is more for my own use and memory than anything else … and it seems like the perfect place to jot it down – and that’s not including the SAL’s that I’ve committed myself to (at least one a month yikes!!):

* 12 May – Melanie’s Exchange (SBEBB)
* 15 May – Biscornu Exchange (SBEBB)
* 15 May – Batman logo quilt block (Jordan B)
* 25 May – Scissors fob exchange (StitchNZ)
* 5 June – Mail Art Exchange (SBEBB)
* 22 June – final Christmas RR ornie (Ornaments RRBB)
* 1 July – Round Robin first posting (my first real RR)
* 15 July – Racing cars quilt block (Jay B)
* 15 August – Dragon quilt block (Caitlin R)

3 May’s SBQ is:

“Do you or have you stitched with over-dyed threads? (Weeks Dye Works, The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, Six Strand Sweets, etc.) If so, what is your opinion concerning them? If not, why not?”

Yes, I’ve stitched with a number of overdyed threads, especially WDW, GAST, Needle Necessities and more recently Carrie’s Threads – I love the look of overdyed threads in stitching, but I have to admit to not enjoying doing the actual stitching … I don’t like stitching every XS cross individually, as I find it slows me down considerably, but that’s the only downside. It’s interesting how each thread feels so different – I love the feel of Carrie’s Threads and NN more than the WDW/GAST when I’m stitching with them. I’ve been using them quite a bit just lately with exchanges etc, and just love them to bits! 😀

And just a little photo from my collection from a friend’s wedding out by Bethell’s Beach in the countryside of Auckland, New Zealand (seeing as I have no stitching piccies to share yet again – geez I’m getting boring LOL). Actually the weather in this photo matches our Melbourne weather today – grey, overcast and drizzly!