Category: Stash

Cross Stitch, Goals, Rotation, Stash

Project Listings for Rotation

Anne S

OK, here goes the first draft, with more to be added later after I unpack two more boxes … plus I have a number of newer projects that I want to add to the list, although they’re not actually kitted up yet (such as the soon-to-arrive Prairie Schooler charts, and various LHN kits and charts).  Perhaps I should wait until I actually stitch a few things before I add more … hmmm …

SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED PROJECTS

  1. January Sampler Accent – Periwinkle Promises
  2. 20 Flowers – Just Nan
  3. Angel Collector – Dimensions kit
  4. * Jumpin’ Jelly Beans – DKT Originals *
  5. High Hopes – Just Nan
  6. Mermaid Heart – Just Nan
  7. Ghastly Ghostly Ghouls – Just Nan
  8. Petit Ange (freebie: aurelle.over-blog.com)
  9. Poissons Bleus (freebie: silepointcompte)
  10. Aegean Twilight Small Sampler (freebie)
  11. French Garden – Drawn Thread
  12. Alphabet Tree (freebie) – Blue Ribbon Designs
  13. Snowflakes in Abundance – Sweetheart Tree
  14. Quaker Heart (freebie) – Janice Wood
  15. Quaker Hedgehog (freebie) – The Workbasket
  16. Treasured Holidays Sampler – Mill Hill
  17. Teenie Hardanger III – Sweetheart Tree
  18. Friendship in all Seasons – The Trilogy
  19. Proud Peacock (freebie: Stitching Parlour)
  20. Raphael’s Raspberries – FMNIS
  21. Winter in the Square – Just Nan
  22. Autumn in the Square – Just Nan
  23. Quaker Swan Case – Fancy Work
  24. Minute Spot – Drawn Thread
  25. Sweet Valentines – Sweetheart Tree
  26. Schwalm Whitework Pinkeep – Moss Creek
  27. Lavender Sachet – The Victoria Sampler
  28. Exercice de Flora (freebie: Couleur d’Etoile)
  29. Tiny Little Quaker (freebie) – Papillon Creations
  30. Boo Scissors Keeper & Purse – Drawn Thread
  31. Summer Grace – Calico Crossroads
  32. Wildflowers Needleroll – Sweetheart Tree
  33. In the Dark Needleroll – Designs by Lena Rose
  34. Topiary tree garden Bookmark
  35. Star Spangled Scissor Finder – Calico Crossroads
  36. Seashore Fob – Sweetheart Tree
  37. Just Ducky Fob – Sweetheart Tree
  38. Bee Keeper – Cindy Valentine
  39. Sunflower Sampler – CCN
  40. What a Hoot! – The Cat’s Whiskers
  41. Cherry Hill – CCN
  42. Rainbow Lorikeet (baby) – DMC
  43. Dragonfly Scissor Purse – Just Nan
  44. Is it too late? – Lizzie*Kate
  45. A Good Night – Lizzie*Kate
  46. Here Comes Santa Claus – Lizzie*Kate
  47. My Favourite Time – Lizzie*Kate
  48. Ready or Not – Lizzie*Kate
  49. Wanted! – Lizzie*Kate
  50. International Hearts – NZ – Victoria Sampler
  51. International Hearts – Ireland – Victoria Sampler
  52. Ladybug, Ladybug – LHN
  53. Quaker Flowers emery – Anita Diamond
  54. Merry Little Christmas – Drawn Thread
  55. Joyeux Noel – Drawn Thread

MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZED PROJECTS

  1. Blessed with Happiness Box – Cat’s Whiskers
  2. Christmas Workshop – Just Nan
  3. Quaker Huswif – Sampler Cove
  4. Acorn Sampler learning band – Drawn Thread
  5. Here Comes Santa Claus (2005 Ltd Ed) – Prairie Schooler
  6. Sapphire Star – Laura J Perin
  7. Autumn Arbor – Drawn Thread
  8. My Treasures Workstation – Judy Odell
  9. Lisianthus Accessory Pocket – Periwinkle Promises
  10. Acorn Needle Book – Periwinkle Promises
  11. Silk Pulled Thread Stitchery – Moss Creek
  12. Tiger Reflection – Dimensions
  13. A Secret Garden Needlebook – FMNIS
  14. * Lavenderblue Celtic Knot Quilt – From Nancy’s Needle *
  15. Treasured Christmas Trees – Mill Hill
  16. Strawberries & Cream – FMNIS
  17. Lavender Rose Sewing Case – Fancy Work
  18. Three Friends – Drawn Thread
  19. Summer Arbor – Drawn Thread
  20. Folding Cross Needlebook – Indigo Rose
  21. Trick or Treat Box – Just Nan
  22. Strawberries So Faire – With My Needle
  23. Onyx (Blackwork Blessings) – Paw Printings
  24. Red Lace Sewing Case – Drawn Thread
  25. Crimson Fire Sampler – The Victoria Sampler
  26. Apricot Elegance – Cindy Valentine
  27. Nature’s Resting Place – Stoney Creek
  28. Summer Snapperland – Bent Creek
  29. Winter Snapperland – Bent Creek
  30. Ete en Grece – Cousines et Compagnie
  31. Max’s Moon – Cross My Heart
  32. Walk the Gentle Path – Cross ‘n Patch
  33. A Little Blackwork – Drawn Thread
  34. Spot of Autumn, Winter, Summer & Spring – Drawn Thread
  35. Revival – Inspirations magazine
  36. Nine Lives – Inspirations magazine
  37. GCC Beginners Hardanger class
  38. GCC Gracie Stumpwork class
  39. Lily Pond – Just Nan
  40. When Barnabee Met Bella – Just Nan
  41. Needle Nick – Lizzie*Kate
  42. Terri’s Needlecase – Lorri Birmingham
  43. Renaissance Lace – Victoria Sampler
  44. Frightful – Just Nan
  45. Witchy Way – Just Nan
  46. Be Scary – Just Nan
  47. Dear Diary Hannah Purington – LHN
  48. Halloween Fairy – Mirabilia
  49. A is for Annabelle – Mirabilia
  50. Dragonfly Jewels – The Cat’s Whiskers

LARGE AND BAP SIZED PROJECTS

  1. Angel of Love – L&L
  2. Barnabee’s Quest – Just Nan
  3. Golden Garden Sweet Bag – FMNIS
  4. Macaw – Ross Originals
  5. 4 Wishes – Just Nan
  6. Rainbow Lorikeets – Ross Originals
  7. Moonlight Guardian – Dragon Dreams
  8. Koi Pond – Laura J Perin
  9. Stitching Leporello – Chatelaine
  10. * Egyptian Garden Mandala – Chatelaine *
  11. Le Jardin Silk Sampler – JCS
  12. Flight of the Bumblebees – Ruth Schmuff
  13. English Garden Sampler – Teresa Wentzler
  14. Noah’s Ark – Teresa Wentzler
  15. Winter Queen – Mirabilia
  16. Mermaid Bag – CA Wells
  17. Acorn Etui – CA Wells
  18. Pyramid Etui – CA Wells
  19. Cottage Etui – CA Wells
  20. Sailor’s Valentine – CA Wells
  21. Enchanted Mermaid – Mirabilia
  22. Crystal Christmas – Mirabilia
  23. Green Tree Frogs – Country Threads
  24. Rainbow Lorikeets – Country Threads
  25. Great Cats – Dimensions Gold
  26. Rex – Dimples Designs
  27. Snickerdoodle – Dimples Designs
  28. Wee Beasties – Dimples Designs
  29. Polynesian Paradise – Jen’s Jems
  30. Frangipani – Just Jude
  31. Hibiscus – Just Jude
  32. Siberian Tiger – Kustom Krafts
  33. Water Tiger – Kustom Krafts
  34. Celtic Spring – L&L
  35. Angel Proclamation – Mirabilia
  36. Magical Night – Teresa Wentzler
  37. Egyptian Sampler – Teresa Wentzler
  38. Lady of Shalott – Teresa Wentzler
  39. Frankincense – Victoria Sampler
  40. Myrrh – Victoria Sampler
  41. Quaker Samplings – With My Needle

WIP’s & UFO’s:

  1. Macaw – Ross Originals
  2. Beaded fish (class project)
  3. Stitching Leporello – Chatelaine
  4. Egyptian Garden Mandala – Chatelaine
  5. Le Jardin Silk Sampler – JCS
  6. Flight of the Bumblebees – Ruth Schmuff
  7. English Garden Sampler – Teresa Wentzler
  8. Noah’s Ark – Teresa Wentzler
  9. Winter Queen – Mirabilia
  10. Pyramid Etui – CA Wells
  11. Cottage Etui – CA Wells
  12. Sailor’s Valentine – CA Wells
  13. In the Dark Needleroll – Designs by Lena Rose
  14. Wildflowers Needleroll – Sweetheart Tree
  15. Apricot Elegance – Cindy Valentine
  16. Cream hearts square – JBW Designs
  17. Monica Hunt hussif
  18. Topiary tree garden Bookmark
  19. Nature’s Resting Place – Stoney Creek
  20. Oriental Poppy – Jane Nicholas
  21. Summer fruits pincushion – Inspirations magazine
  22. Wool beehive needlebook – E&XS magazine
  23. Stumpwork needlework accessory – pincushion wheel
  24. Pomegranates & Beetle – Jane Nicholas
  25. Martha Schmidt hussif
  26. Stumpwork needlework accessory – scissor keeper
  27. GCC Ornamental Delights
  28. Mediterranean village scene XS
  29. Dragonfly – Jane Nicholas
  30. Stumpwork needlework accessory – needlebook
  31. Goldwork Pea (class project)
  32. Stumpwork needlework accessory – bag
  33. Stumpwork needlework accessory – thimble pip
  34. Wool hot water bottle cover
  35. Honesty and Heartsease – Jane Nicholas
  36. Long stitch frogs
  37. Butterflies & Hearts needleroll – Lorri Birmingham
  38. Bullion rose facecloth
  39. * Berry Delightful Bag *
  40. Vicki’s Cot Quilt

Let the fun begin … 😀

Country Cottage Needleworks, Cross Stitch, Stash, Works in Progress

Quick stash post

Anne S

Just a really quick post before I head off to work – and holiday tonight – to show the stash that arrived this week.  First up is my stash haul from Colours Down Under … I won a $15 gift voucher from Janine for my August Xmas ornie, and figured I might as well add some extras to the prize to make the most of the postage, and this is what I got (compliments of their 15% off sale which is still on until the end of October, I think).  I still have one more blue Periwinkle Promises Accent kit that is on back-order, but I’m really REALLY impressed with the speed and service from Janine!!

Stash 09Oct08

Here’s a close-up of the blue threads – I’ve been trying to decide what thread to use for an upcoming RR of With My Needle’s “Ackworth Friendship Book“.  The thread in the middle is CC’s Milady’s Teal, which is what the original is stitched in, but it looks really wishy-washy and pale, so don’t think I’m going to use that – I think my ultimate favourite is Gloriana’s Slate Blue … in fact I think that has to be one of the scrummiest blues I’ve ever seen in threads, and it may just be my favourite silk of all-time at the moment … and that’s likely to be my choice for this project, I think (if not many more!).  I think I’m going to have to order a few more skeins ready for our RR to start after Christmas.

Silk threads

Next up is some scissors and tassels I picked up from an Ebay seller in France (thanks to Staci for mentioning her details) – again I only wanted to buy the antique reproduction scissors in the very bottom photo, but chucked these in to balance out the postage.  I chose the tassels ‘just because’ (and they’re scrumptious colours!), and the scissors I thought were very ‘spring-like’, just right for our current season.  Have to admit I don’t like these scissors as much as I expected to, but I’ll make a little spring fob to dress them up a bit.  (Talking of scissors, have you seen the latest ones from Ginghers?  Oh my, they’re to die for!!! – beautiful in turquoise and browns.)

Scissors and Tassels

And lucky last, this is the sum stitching I’ve managed this week … woohoo, two plant stalks!!  I’ve taken a photo anyway just to show the fabric that I bought especially for this piece for the pillow and covered buttons – hopefully it will look OK when finished … and of course here are the infamous scissors that I fell in love with from the French Ebay seller (sorry, don’t have time to find the details and links – if I remember next week I’ll add them if anyone wants them …).

LHN-Home Sweet Home 08Oct08

And on that note it’s time to finish packing and get off to work … See you some time next week 🙂

Cross Stitch, Stash, The Drawn Thread, Works in Progress

Can’t wait till tomorrow for stash report

Anne S

So, I’m doing an extra post today … do you think I’m trying to do anything to put off what I ‘should’ be doing today??? LOL.

Here’s what came in the mail on Thursday … one beloved item from my wishlist, all the way from France, and two new designs that I fell in love with 🙂

Stash 02Oct08

Add to that a few embellishment packs I picked up from Karen’s recent 20% off sale … ‘cos at the moment I have a SERIOUS urge to stitch up some of my Halloween designs, which are predominantly Just Nan’s … I just LOVE ’em 😀

Just Nan embellishments 02Oct08

And I also forgot to add one more chart to my wishlist pile that I am still drooling over months after seeing it for the first time on Monique’s blog … “Stitching is a Hoot” – I just adore this little fella, and love the colours … yep, it’s a ‘gotta have’!! 😀

In fact, I’ve just remembered that I still haven’t cashed in my $30 gift voucher from Colours Down Under, so I’d better make that another exception to my 25 Project Challenge … although technically that’s not using my own money … hmmm, maybe my Challenge will start on Monday to give me time to get my order in! LOLOL 😉

And finally, here’s proof that I really am NOT getting far with my stitching … the herb flowers band was finished last time, so that pitiful bit of stitching below is what I’ve managed to achieve in the entire week … I should be publicly flogged with wet floss!!! 😉

Drawn Thread-02Oct08

The good news, however, is that the pink flowers at the bottom is the final part of the sampler – I just have to finish that band, and add one more narrow band of double four-sided stitch, and add the little heart beads and charm … and it’s all finished …

So, what am I still doing here, I hear you ask?? Actually that’s what my head has been saying all morning … but yet I still sit here glued to the computer and trying to ignore that voice in my head … hmmm … 😉

In fact, I’m off to spend that gift voucher … when I should be stitching … c’est la vie … LOL.

C A Wells, Stash, The Drawn Thread, Uncategorized

Anyone seen my mojo???

Anne S

‘Tis quite pitiful the amount of stitching I’ve been getting done of late … the following is the sum total of 4 nights of stitching – I’d normally get this done in one night!!  Just pitiful, it is 😉

Drawn Thread-Garden Recipe 17Sep08

My current stitching (The Drawn Thread’s Garden Recipe) is something that was intended as a gift for someone some time ago, but I never got around to stitching it … it’s not ‘my thing’, so perhaps that is also holding me back from blatting through the stitching, or it could just be that I’m too darned tired at night these days and don’t feel like stitching a the weekends either (which is usually my stitching haven time).  Oh well, one day it will be finished, and every little stitch counts, right?  I’m going to have to swap out the pale apricot thread on this one, because you can’t see it on the fabric – it’s supposed to be stitched on a darker neutral colour, but I chose Flax Belfast … oh well, finding an apricot colour that will show up won’t be difficult 🙂

As for other news, I heard yesterday morning that I’ve got a “stay of execution” at work for 3 more months … that means I get to stay in Sydney until the middle of February.  My colleagues at work think it’s disgraceful that they’ve only extended it for 3 months instead of 6 or 12 … but I’m remaining positive, ‘cos it’s better than “0” months!  To be honest the job itself doesn’t jangle my bells heartily, but I DO love being here in Sydney – and having an extension means I can start looking at alternatives after Christmas within the company (if there are any).  I’ve already had a chat to my “big boss” down in Melbourne and told me my preference is to stay in Sydney – I thought it was only a courtesy to let him know my plans, although he’s also aware it might not pan out that way … but hey, I have 5 months left to worry about it 😉

I received my class projects this last week for my CA Wells class in May next year – this will likely be the last one I’ll attend, as it really is an expensive weekend away, even with discount travel … and I could be spending the same money and visiting somewhere further afield, such as the US or somewhere tropical.  So, this is likely to be my final CA class for the time-being (although I also said that last year too, until I saw the two projects that were going to be stitched!).  This time, though, I’m thinking of doing a ‘good job of visiting’ and bringing Mum over with me for a week’s holiday – we can then hire a car and see a bit more of what Perth and surrounds has to offer. I’d also love the chance to catch up with other fellow stitchers one weekend too, if possible – it would be lovely to finally put the faces to names of some of my WA pals 🙂 Anyway, here are the supplies of the two projects:

First up is the Mermaid Bag – with Annie colours!!!! Yippee!!!!

Mermaid Bag supplies

And then there’s the Acorn Etui – wanna guess what I’ll be doing with all that pink silk???? Yep, I sure ain’t gonna be stitching with it LOL. Just have to decide what colour would work best to substitute … of course my preference would be blue, but I thought perhaps I should do all the other stitching first, then make a decision … and I may change my mind and just ‘go with the pink’ … but maybe not – a rich gold may also work nicely 😛

Acorn Etui supplies

My name was drawn out of the hat for the August Xmas ornie challenge, which means I have been very lucky to receive some gifts donated by very generous ladies – the first prize arrived yesterday … 5 skeins of very scrummy silks from Jo at Dinky Dyes – I could sit and stroke them for hours!  I haven’t spent my other prize yet as I’m still deciding – I also won a gift certificate to spend at Colours Down Under … another very generous offering by Janine.  I have to say I’m really impressed by Janine’s selection of goods on offer, and I have a feeling I won’t be spending just the gift voucher when I finally decide to go shopping LOL.

Dinky Dyes silks

And lucky last, something completely different … this one is for Mum – on Wednesday night I was thrilled to see the final episode of the US “So You Think You Can Dance” … but also very sad it’s now finished.  The dancing this year was absolutely incredible, and this show remains one of my all-time very favourites and not to be missed (right up there with NCIS and ER!).  The winner was Joshua – and I’ve borrowed the shot from Fox News’ website so you can remember which one Joshua was, Mum (although I think you’d remember anyway).  I loved watching Joshua dance, especially when he was partnered with Katee … and it was fantastic to see him win! 😀

Joshua

And on that note, I’d better get into work!!!

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Darling Harbour, Finishes, Finishing, Friends & Family, Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Lizzie Kate, Stash, Sydney, Val's Stuff, Works in Progress

Ah, Bliss …

Anne S

Today I walked out from work at 5.10pm … and felt like a little kid skipping out of school early!  It feels really fantastic!  Helped that today was the first day that I haven’t been pulled in a million different directions due to urgent things being thrown at me, I managed to actually get some of my own work done for a change … serious bliss!

My rant did me good last night – on top of the productive day, and normal working hours, I feel much brighter today.  Apologies to Mum, as this is not how it sounds ‘cos I love having Mum visit, but it’s been really nice to come home to an empty place and not having to have a conversation – I have been anti-social for two days and have found it a great chance to unwind properly at the end of a stressful day without having to chat.  I’m hoping by the end of the week to be a bit more back to normal again 🙂

Mum returned home on Monday morning, but we had a wonderful weekend before she left.  On Friday we spent the afternoon visiting craft stores – although neither of the stores we visited were really ‘fantastic’ we did manage to find something at each one to spend a couple of dollars on.  At Lyn’s needlecraft I managed to buy some pink and cream fabric (yeah, me, pink!! LOL) … and a duck!! (I don’t have space for the ones I currently have, but that makes no difference LOL).  At Hobby Sew I bought a smaller version of the wire hanger I use for my embroidery scissors – this one is to hang my junk jewellery on, and was proudly hung on the side of my computer desk tonight.

Friday night saw us having dinner with Brenda and Nigel, and it was really wonderful to catch up with them again.  I’ve had to promise to visit again soon and stay the night – that’s no hardship, as I’m looking forward to it.

Saturday morning saw us up bright (OK maybe not) and early (most definitely) and driving into the city.  That’s my first attempt in driving into Sydney city itself, and I have to tip my hat to my TomTom GPS ‘cos he managed to instruct me perfectly and painlessly to the parking building I wanted.  We picked my friend Jason up at the airport then went to Darling Harbour in the freezing cold where we stuffed ourselves on a cooked breakfast, followed by the compulsory stop at the Lindt cafe for takeaway delices and a Mochaccino … yum!!  It was really nice to see Jason again, and I’m really glad we changed our plans to visit with him (he was transferring through Sydney on the way to Asia on holiday).

Anne and Jason

As soon as we showed Jason the way to the train station for his return to the airport we hot-footed it down the motorway to Rosehill Racecourse to the Stitches & Craft Show, where we met up with my good pals Alison and Amanda, and met some new ladies Karen and Rowena.  It was really awesome to catch up with these ladies again – they’re always such fun to spend time with.  I was pleasantly surprised with the contents of the show … we parted with a fair amount of cash, although when we got home we didn’t seem to have as much as we remembered 😉

My biggest splurges were two pieces of hand-dyed fabric – one from Peppermint Stitches (for Mirabilia’s Enchanted Mermaid hopefully), and one from Stitches & Spice (36ct mottled/vintage neutral colour), plus a big Santa for my main Christmas display this year (thanks to Dodgey Brothers R Us removalists, I no longer have my beautiful ceramic Christmas tree centrepiece, as it arrived in a squillion pieces).  Here’s a photo of the full stash haul (combining both mine and Mum’s purchases).  I nearly squealed with delight when I saw a butterfly charm (Susan Clarke design) that will match my Just Nan Dragonfly scissor purse … I didn’t care about the $27 price tag, I HAD to have it!!! (The Christmas items aren’t in the photo as I can’t be bothered unpacking them from the box.)

Stitch and Craft stash

Other purchases were some metal charms for scissor fobs, some Dress It Up buttons (snowflakes and stars), cheapo scissors for travelling, and the most adorable metal hanger for my Christmas quilted wallhanging.  Doesn’t it look perfect?

Xmas wallhanging

Crikey, I barely blog for two weeks and now I can’t shut up!!!

I’ll finish for the night by showing my very minimal stitching from the last week or so – here is my latest finish:

LizzieKate-Lifes a Stitch
“Life’s a Stitch” by Lizzie*Kate
stitched on 32ct natural Belfast linen
with recommended GAST threads

And here is my current work in progress – I’m trying to stitch predominantly those charts that I’ve bought special threads and embellishments for and are essentially kitted up.  Once I get through a few of them, I’ll add the designs to my trade list (I’d better hurry up and get stitching or you’ll be waiting for a while!).  This project is Just Nan’s “Evening Star” which is a retired class piece.  At my current stitching rate it should be finished some time in the middle of September haha.

Just Nan 1

Last night I was in such a cranky mood I vented my frustration by doing the finishing on my August Christmas ornie – if that’s the result of being angry with work, I should keep it going every night!! LOL.  I added a little white pom-pom-thing with glue once the pillow as finished 🙂

Kitty Klaus finished

And now it’s time to settle in and get some stitching in (after once again lugging up my next round of laundry washing – I figure the more I get done tonight, I won’t have much to do at the weekend).

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

Stitching-free home

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! 🙂

Trade with Coral

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! 🙂

Turtles 2

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.

Stash 21Jul08 1

Stash 21Jul08

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 😀

Gift from Susan

Little Duckie fob

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! 😉

TV and scissor hanger

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!!!!! 😀

Block roll, Finishes, Stash

Sunflowers are AWOL

Anne S

So much for spending my day off today stitching my little heart out … I managed to stitch for just over an hour when I first woke up and almost finished the ‘wording’ band of the Sunflower Sampler – but I haven’t bothered taking a photo of it.  I did, however, have a relatively productive day in other ways.

My day was made special by having an electrician finally turn up after a month of having no kitchen light – we’ve been surviving by using a bedside lamp on the kitchen bench, and swinging my Ott-Lite into the kitchen doorway for an extra special bit of a light.  Now, however, we have a beautiful white glowing bulb that seems bright enough to light up the entire neighbourhood.  That also means that I’ve been able to use the sewing machine after 5pm, as it’s getting dark by then (the dining table is in the kitchen, and that’s the only place available to set up the machine).

Anyway, today (after a trip to Spotlight to pick up some felt) I finally managed to put together a Block Roll – I’ve been wanting to make one of these for what seems like forever, and after receiving one from Katrina as a gift I’ve been in dire need of a larger one … poor Katrina’s one is almost bursting at the seams from all the stitching I have crowded inside it – so now I can split out my ornies etc from the larger pieces. It’s literally taken me all day to make this – partly ‘cos I kept having to find all the supplies, and partly because I’ve hardly touched my sewing machine since buying it last year, and I’m still not comfortable with using it. I’m pretty pleased with the overall result, though – I didn’t take a photo of the whole roll unravelled, but it’s really quite long (about 35″ in length).

The pattern is called “Block Roll” from That Raggedy One (by Kate Hampson, Australia).  Unfortunately taking the photo at night means the colours/photos aren’t fantastic …

Block Roll 2

Block Roll 1

Block Roll 3

Stitchers Roll 4

I remembered after finishing the stitching that I’d actually bought that butterfly fabric to make some summer pyjama pants … oops, I guess that won’t be happening now! 😉

I was originally going to finish my ‘infamous’ piece of stitching from a couple of weeks back into a pillow today, and got my fabric all ironed and ready, but ran out of time … instead, I took a photo of the fabric along with the other items of stash I bought from Berrima when Mum was over visiting last month.  I was thrilled to find the quilt hangers, and even though I didn’t need it, I just couldn’t resist that little duckie tape measure!

Berrima Stash Jun08

And ‘just for the sake of it’ I took a photo of my fabric stash … quite pitiful compared to many people’s, I’m sure, and it never seems to hold that ‘exact’ shade of fabric that I need, and invariably a trip to Spotlight is needed … (which of course always has a truly pitiful selection of fabrics anyway)

Fabric stash

Anyway, it’s time to go clean up the kitchen table from all the fabric scraps before Lisa comes home in the morning (not that she’ll really care!) and then hit the hay for the night – seeing as I only have two whole words left to stitch on the Sunflower Sampler, I may make that my mission before I curl up in bed, and given my electric blanket time to take the chill off of the sheets 🙂

Stash, Works in Progress

Bit of Stash and Progress

Anne S

Not much has been happening over the last 24 hours – Mum and I spent the entire day at home stitching our little hearts out (I didn’t even get out of my PJ’s until we went out to buy petrol at 7.30pm!!!).  I managed to quite a fair bit of stitching done on Mirabilia’s Winter Queen, which seems to be all I’ve been stitching on this month.  It would be lovely to actually get her finished, but I think once I’m back to work again that goal will still be quite some time away.  I’m probably just short of halfway through the stitching (you can see the full piccie in my sidebar).  In the meantime you’ll just have to get bored seeing her skirt in various stages of completion! Although I may soon unroll her and take a full photo … even I haven’t seen her in all her total glory as yet! 😉

Winter Queen 27May08

I’ve decided to take her off the floor stand for a few days, though, so I can work on a couple of smaller items for a short while – including finishing my biscornu, my monthly Christmas ornie, and something I want to stitch as a model for Karen.

Today we’re doing a bit of housework – the washing is in the machine, and the dishes are done, now we’re about to strip my bed and put freshly ironed sheets on … while it’s a pain in a patootie to iron those darned things, it’ll be sheer bliss to slip between them tonight!! They’re pure Egyptian cotton with a very heavy thread count, and unfortunately no polyester so they crease like hell in the washing machine.

Anyway, rather than bore you stupid with our mundane tasks for the day, I’ll leave you with a photo of our spoils from The Stitching Post on Monday … the only things not in the photo are the DMC skeins that Mum bought.  I don’t tend to buy too much these days – although in saying that there are some items on order from Karen that haven’t arrived yet … can’t wait for them to arrive!! 😀

Stash 26May08

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

Market garden kitchen and etui update

Anne S

Well, true to form, I’ve been lounging around in my PJ equivalent all day – trackpants and PJ top … and I’ve been stitching merrily away on my Cottage Etui.  Here’s a sneak preview of how far along I am so far … I’m pretty confident that I’ll get all the pieces finished by the end of tomorrow that I want to (I’m not bothering about getting the rooftop stitched yet – but if I get time before I fly out, I’ll try to start).

cottage-etui-1

Cottage-Etui-window

While stitching the Etui, it also reminded me that I haven’t shown you my latest stash purchases yet either – as soon as I took them out of the envelope, my Cottage Etui threads went straight onto one of them.  Monique makes the most gorgeous threadholders, and I truly adore them!  Small enough to be super portable, and no thread snags … plus they look so darned cute!!! 😀  What’s betting a certain senior citizen who will be visiting in May will try to snaffle one of them for herself??? haha.

threadholders

I also forgot to show your healthy spoils from a morning trip to Paddy’s Market in Flemington last weekend (before my friends arrived).  Lisa has bought a juicer and we’ve been having fresh fruit and vege juices every morning this last week … this is just a small sample of what is residing in our kitchen right now … boxes and boxes and lovely fruit and vege (some will be juiced and frozen).

Lovely peaches, with a tray of nectarines hiding underneath … plus boxes of pears, apples and oranges.

paddys-market-peaches

There is also a box full of Tahitian limes (just perfect for the bottles of Corona in the fridge), and melons galore, not to mention the pile of pumpkins and butternuts hiding underneath!

paddys-market-limes paddys-market-melons

And this one is for Mum … a box of Australian feijoas (which I’m sorry to say are really tiny and picked well before they are ripe, so they’re a bit disappointing … I really miss our feijoa tree from home – poor Mum has so many she doesn’t know what to do with them, and she keeps making me jealous talking about them!).

paddys-market-feijoas

Rightio, my dinner has finished nuking in the microwave, so it’s time to head back to my stitching position for the evening stitch-a-thon 🙂

Cross Stitch, Stash

Stashing instead of stitching

Anne S

My needles were given a rest, aside from putting a handful of stitches into Lanarte’s Sea Life WIP from quite some time ago (which means I’m now approx halfway through finishing the first design) – it’s hardly worth taking a photo, so instead I’ll share the stash bounty I came home with from a visit to Karen at The Stitching Post … as always, it was a wonderful flying visit (but not so ‘flying’ that I couldn’t come home with a bag full of goodies haha).  Here are my spoils (I can’t be bothered laying them out to take a photo, so here are some from my wishlist album etc):

Chatelaine – Mini Mandalas II; Nantucket Violet Basket & Stitcher’s Toys
Country Cottage Needleworks – Cherry Hill
Little House Needleworks – Schoolgirl Lessons; Blossoms & Blackbirds; Home of a Needleworker (too!)
Just Nan – When Barnabee Met Bella (biscornu)

chatelaine0minimandalas2-1700 chatelaine0nantucketvioletbasketandstitcherstoys2100 ccn-cherry_hill lhn-schoolgirl lessons lhn-blossoms & blackbirds lhn-home of a needleworker jn-when barnabee met bella biscornu

I also have the pleasure of having the wee Bella bee on loan while I do the stitching and finishing as a shop model for Karen – it is really cute in real life, and it will be lovely to see it all finished.

jn-barnabee's bride bella

The other stash hasn’t arrived yet, and that is a computer download chart direct from Martina at Chatelaine – Mermaid Box and treasures … I couldn’t wait for this one to come out as a printed chart, and I’ve been in love with this ever since I first lay eyes on it, so soon it will be mine, all mine 🙂

chatelaine-mermaid treasure box

Lucky last, Mum asked me to order some Flossaway bags etc for her from the US, so I placed a small ‘extra’ order at the same time from Needlecraft Corner for the following (the Christmas ones are for both Mum and I to enjoy) with my birthday discount:

The Cat’s Whiskers – Happy Holidays
The Sweetheart Tree – Queens Strawberry fob; Rhodes Butterfly fob; Blackberry fob
The Trilogy – Ornamentology
CCN – Sunflower Sampler
JBW Designs – Christmas Keepsakes II

happy holidays-the cat's whiskers teenietweenie0queensstrawberryfob800 teenietweenie0rhodesbutterflyfob800 sv-t94 ornamentology-the triology ccn-sunflower sampler jbw-christmas keepsakes ii

Rightio, time to race, as I need to do a quick spot of tidying up before heading to the other side of Sydney to see my best friend – I didn’t make it out there yesterday as the drive to the Stitching Post tired me out (the final stages of my bugs, I think, is that I tire really quickly still, and I could hardly keep my eyes open when I got home).  Then I need to kit up something relatively easy to stitch to take with me … I’m tossing up between the following (oh decisions, decisions!):

  • Just Nan – Beach Roses
  • LHN – Blossoms & Blackbirds
  • LHN – Melon threadpack
  • Drawn Thread – Sunflower Sampler