Apricot Elegance, Beading, Bullion roses, Canvaswork, Chatelaine, Cindy Valentine, Cross Stitch, Egyptian Garden Mandala, English Garden Sampler, Goldwork, Graeme Ross, Hussif, Jane Nicholas, JBW Designs, Le Jardin Silk Sampler, Lorri Birmingham, Martha Schmidt, Noah's Ark, Quilting, Rotation, Ruth Schmuff, Stoney Creek, Stumpwork, Sweetheart Tree, Teresa Wentzler, Textile Heritage, Wool embroidery, Works in Progress

WIP’s and UFO’s

Anne S

This is especially for Kathy of the Blig Blog … here are photos of the current state of all my UFO’s (I could pretend that they were WIP’s but seeing as the majority haven’t seen a stitch put into them in over 12 months, 95% would definitely be deemed as UFO status!):

Macaw by Ross Originals Beaded Fish WIPs
Macaw -&- Beaded Fish

EG-01May07 TW English Garden Sampler
Egyptian Garden Mandala -&- English Garden Sampler

Le Jardin Silk Sampler 21Jan05 Flight of the Bumblebees at 2Jan07
Le Jardin Silk Sampler -&- Flight of the Bumblebees

TW Noahs Ark Winter Queen 01Jun08 1
Noah’s Ark -&- Winter Queen

Designs by Lena Rose-In the Dark needleroll 1 With Love & Affection
In the Dark Needleroll -&- Love & Affection

st-wildflower-needleroll Apricot Elegance
Wildflowers Needleroll -&- Apricot Elegance

Hussif by Monica Hunt XS Bookmark
Monica Hunt Hussif -&- Classical Garden Bookmark

Nature's Resting Place Beehive Needlecase
Nature’s Resting Place -&- Wool Beehive Needlebook

Oriental Poppy & Cornflower Summer Fruits
Oriental Poppy -&- Summer Fruits Pincushion

Pomegranates, Snail & Gold Bug HOCS Hussif
Pomegranates & Beetle – Martha Schmidt Hussif

Thimble Pipkin Thimble Pipkin Thimble Pipkin
Stumpwork Needlework Accessories

Goldwork Pea Pods Wool Embroidery
Goldwork Pea -&- Wool hot water bottle cover

Honesty & Heartsease stumpwork Bullion Roses
Honesty & Heartsease -&- Bullion Rose Facecloth

Frog Longstitch Butterflies & Hearts needleroll
Long stitch frogs -&- Butterflies & Hearts Needleroll

Dragonfly Common Hawker Dragonfly
Stumpwork Dragonfly

Berry Delightful Bag Mediterranean XS
Berry Delightful Bag -&- Mediterranean Village XS

quilting-ufo-2
Vicki’s Cot Quilt

Stitching Leporello isn’t included in the photos, as I’ve been stitching a complete section each time, so no individual section is in progress at the moment. And I can’t put my hands to either a photo or the actual project of GCC Ornamental Delights, so I guess that one won’t be getting stitched in a hurry haha.

Very sad that some of these projects are over halfway and never finished, however there are many there that are barely started … I’m sorely tempted to just unpick the bullion rose facecloth, for example, as I don’t know if I truly ever want to finish it, the same with a couple more projects in there … will see how I feel after one more stitching session on them, I guess, before I make the ultimate decision to turf out. It’s funny when you look back through the photos and remember why you stopped working on them … for example the Lorri Birmingham Butterflies & Hearts needleroll, I really hated the colours used, as I felt the wording etc just faded into the background, so no doubt that whole piece will be unpicked and started again from scratch with my choice of threads 🙂

I’ve already gone out and pulled numbers out of the hat for the first round, and highlighted the text in bold in the main list in the previous post … and I’m really looking forward to starting my rotation – I just want to finish my current piece first … although I guess I could just choose to start at the “free choice” slot and start counting my hours, that way I can continue with my current project and be starting my actual rotation at the same time – ooh, I like it when a plan comes together!!! 😀

That means my new current rotation is as follows:

  1. Focus Piece:  CA Wells class projects
  2. Medium/Large:  Lavenderblue Celtic Knot Quilt – From Nancy’s Needle
  3. WIP’s/UFO’s:  Berry Delightful Bag
  4. Focus Piece:  CA Wells class projects
  5. Small/Medium: Jumpin’ Jelly Beans – DKT Originals (freebie)
  6. Large/BAP’s:  Egyptian Garden Mandala
  7. Focus Piece:  CA Wells class projects
  8. Christmas Ornaments
  9. Finishing
  10. Free Choice
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 … 😀

Cross Stitch, Rotation

Thoughts of a Rotation

Anne S

I used to follow a stitching rotation and loved it immensely, but it fell by the wayside when I started housesitting last year and I became somewhat of a one-at-a-time stitcher.  I don’t feel I’ve achieved as much stitching as I have in the past, and wonder if getting back into a formal rotation will help.  I’ve been considering this for some time now (since my mojo kept disappearing), and Nicki published a recent post that has helped to spur me into action.

Following are my thoughts on my new rotation …

Half of my trouble is that I can’t decide what to stitch next as so many wonderful, awesome projects are all screaming at me at the same time, so following Nicki’s ideas, I decided to split my kitted-up projects into groups … then I’m using my old “UFO” method to decide what to stitch next – I used to have a numerical list of all my UnFinished Objects, then on Tuesday nights I’d draw a numbered tiddlywink counter/disc out of a pot, and whatever project matched the number on the plastic disc would get my attention for the evening.  This worked perfectly for those projects that I truly disliked, but one night was enough to get some progress happening … some projects would only get one length of thread stitched, but eventually those UFO’s on the list started getting whittled down in numbers.

Anyway, I thought I’d keep a numbered list within each of my groups of projects, and randomly draw a number out of my tiddlywink counters/discs whenever I need a new project to start … and I’ve kept a “Free Choice” slot for those occasions when I just HAVE to stitch something in particular and can’t wait for its number to be drawn.

Here’s the new rotation, all designed to be for 10-hour slots:

  1. Focus Piece
  2. Medium to Large
  3. WIP’s & UFO’s
  4. Focus Piece
  5. Small to Medium
  6. Large & BAP’s
  7. Focus Piece
  8. Christmas Ornaments
  9. Finishing
  10. Free Choice

As for what projects are on the list, I’ll post a separate post of all those little goodies in the groups, as at the moment it’s a “work in progress” while I find them all!  I may end up publishing it, then adding as I find more …

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

Anne S

What a wonderful, wonderful weekend away I’ve had … this is probably the first ‘real’ girlie weekend I’ve had away – just me, Brenda and Kerrie, and another lady called Rhonda.  Kerrie and her husband own a 2-bdrm unit up in Toowoon Bay, and it’s a beautiful setting up there.

On Friday night we sat and had a drink and nibbles before sitting down properly to have tacos for dinner – then eventually Rhonda faded at about 10 or 11pm, and the rest of us chatted until 1.30am … assisted by a few drinks.

Saturday saw us having a relatively early start to the day, and we wandered down to the beach to the Surf Lifesaving Club Cafe where we had breakfast.  After a yummy start to the day of bacon and eggs and coffee we headed back to the unit where Rhonda picked up her beach gear and headed back to soak up the sun that had just started to appear from behind the clouds, while the rest of us went and wandered around the two small shops where I bought part of Brenda’s birthday present plus a couple of bleached starfish.  Afterwards we headed off to meet Rhonda on the beach where we lay like beached whales for an hour or two, then Brenda and Kerrie headed off to visit Kerrie’s Dad.  I continued to blob out on the beach for another hour until the thunderclaps overhead started getting a bit close for comfort!!

Saturday night we took our food over to the local park and heated up a BBQ for dinner … washed down with yet more wine (we’d already been on the cocktails at about 4pm haha) … it was a wonderfully social day, but I to admit we were all knackered by 9pm and hit the pillows early.

I woke up at 7am this morning and lay in bed for 3 whole lazy hours to finish the book I’d taken with me, while Brenda and Kerrie chatted their heads off in the bedroom.  The rest of the morning was finished off by a sort walk around the local streets (but Rhonda left us and went straight to the beach), then walked back up the beach … I managed to saturate my 3/4 pants by going into the ocean over my knees and paddling up the beach … it was awesome!!  We ended up at the Surf Lifesaving Club again for lunch where we spent the next two hours just chatting and watching the world go by …

I haven’t been that relaxed in absolutely ages – it was an awesome weekend away … and just what the doctor ordered after a relatively stressful week at work.  I didn’t put a single stitch into my stitching, even though I took it with me, but I’m thrilled to finally get my book finished (I’ve been picking it up every now and then since December last year) … it was a great book, that I really enjoyed immensely (Tami Hoag’s Ashes to Ashes).  I really should get back into the audiobooks again, I really love reading, and I haven’t done any for so long …

Anyway, time to go start thinking about getting dinner ready, and getting my work clothes ready for tomorrow … or maybe doing a bit of stitching … I’m so relaxed I don’t feel like doing chores, so perhaps stitcing will win out … 😀

Friends & Family, Photo Hunt, PhotoHunt, Rio, sculptures, Travel - Fiji

Photo Hunt – Lazy

Anne S

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
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This week’s theme is “Lazy” and these are this week’s choices for me …

We have Dad being Lazy on a quiet beach in Fiji:

Dad at Dokko's

Then we have our old cat Rio (no longer with us) being Lazy in Auckland:

Rio on the path

And this guy just makes me think “Lazy and relaxed” – one of the artworks/sculptures on display at the Enchanted Maze Gardens on the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne:

DSC_0245

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 🙂

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Probably offline for a few days

Anne S

Just so no-one worries, it’s possible I’ll be offline all week – an unexpected event at work kept me there until 10pm tonight, and it’s likely the issue will continue tomorrow … it’s highly unlikely I’ll have the energy to get online after work much this week, and I’m heading away for a girl’s weekend away on Friday.  Lisa will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet on her own LOL.

With any luck, though, I’ll be able to get some stitching in this weekend, so there may be a bit more pink to show … then it’s highly likely that a Halloween design will be showing its face (especially for you, Giovanna! LOL).

Have a great week everyone!

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

Housewarming Party

Anne S

I forgot all about adding a couple of photos from a Housewarming Party I went to on Saturday night (what a social butterfly I was this last weekend – very very unusual for me!) … here are a couple of photos taken of me with friends during the evening (I’m the one in the blue top – how unusual LOL).

n616108287_831073_2582
Alex, Anne and Lisa

n616108287_831085_6014
Nat, Katie and Anne

n616108287_831077_3658
Anne, Katie and Lisa

And just to prove this is still a stitching blog, here’s my bit of stitching from Sunday night and late yesterday afternoon – LHN’s “Home Sweet Home” on 28ct cream Jazlyn (I think it’s Jazlyn) (stitched in pink, so obviously this one isn’t for me teehee).  Even though I don’t enjoy stitching in pink normally, I DO love the Pink Peony darker pink colour in this one … and have to admit I’d almost be tempted to keep this one, except I already have visions of re-stitching it in scrummy blues 😉  This one, however, is destined to live with Karen at The Stitching Post in Katoomba – finished as a cushion like the cover model.  I’ve bought what I hope is the most perfect finishing fabric, but time will tell when it’s stitched up 🙂

LHN-Home Sweet Home 06Oct08

I’ve had a couple of pieces where I’ve ironed the fabric all ready for stitching, and the kits all sitting in a shopping bag – I’ve got the fabric hanging up on a “skirt hanger” to keep the pieces crisp and flat, so I’ve been working my way through those pieces before starting on anything else.  I still have a serious urge to start some other pieces, especially a Halloween piece, but want to get some of these hung-up projects finished off.  This LHN piece was one of those projects – as was Just Nan’s Evening Star and Drawn Thread’s Garden Recipe … at least this project I’m actually enjoying stitching!  The remaining two projects with fabric hung up are Victoria Sampler’s Crimson Fire sampler and Calico Crossroads’ Spring cushion – then the fun starts again deciding “what next” … although I’m thinking of using a “pick a number” system like I used to do with my UFO’s, then I don’t have to actually decide!  We’ll see what I feel like when I finish this one … ‘cos tomorrow’s another day! LOL 😀

Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Music, Sydney

NRL Grand Final

Anne S

Yesterday was a fun day as Lisa and I joined 1000’s of Rugby League fans for the Grand Final match between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm.  Neither Lisa or I are League fans, but at least I’m a Union girl so I knew a fair few of the ‘basic’ rules.  It was a really fun trip out, and Melbourne Storm got a total a**-kicking at 40-0 … sorry Melbourne, but that’s just pitiful, especially as the Premier winners from 2007 – I bet a few Melbourne supporters were hanging their heads after last night.  Manly had a very deserving win, and the local crowd went nuts at the end, very understandably ‘cos the better team most definitely won on the night!!

NRL 6

Personally we felt the highlights of the match for us (heathens that we are) were the pre-match entertainment sessions.  We were treated to songs by Jon Stevens of Noiseworks fame … and loved the “BBQ lids” banging session, it was like a live version of Tap Dogs – it was great fun!

NRL 9

NRL 8

We were then treated to a couple of songs by Living End (including their current hit White Noise) – the pyrotechnics were fun!

NRL 7

NRL 4

NRL 5

Finished off by the National Anthem sung by Anthony Warlow – what a terrific voice … we were unfortunate not to see him sing at Phantom earlier this year, but now at least I’ve seen him perform live, even just for the one song 😉

Our final highlight before the match was when a sea hawk helicopter flew into the stadium and landed smack bang in the middle of the stadium to hand over the trophy … that was awesome!

NRL 3
NRL 2

As for the game, the final 1/4 hour was thrilling watching Manly score try after try … but otherwise to be totally honest I found it a pretty boring game (I’m obviously a Union girl still at heart LOL).

NRL 1

Straight after the game Lisa got the train home and I drove over to Brenda and Nigel’s to stay the night.  It was a lovely relaxed evening sat drinking wine and watching a DVD while getting a little bit of stitching in.  Then we went out to the local Flower Power garden nursery for lunch today, and I bought a stunning blue pot and a few plants to make a succulent display for our balcony, and a few herbs ready to be potted up this week.  Nigel also kindly donated one of his stunning tomato plants to me, along with some basil plants, bless him.  I ended up unexpectedly staying for dinner as well tonight, and got to watch the Golden Compass DVD before driving the hour’s trip home.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend full of socialising with good friends 😀

But now it’s time to hit the hay ready for another wee of torture at work …

Cross Stitch, Finishes, The Drawn Thread

Hallelujah!!!!

Anne S

A few hours glued to the TV set with a needle in hand, and I’ve finally put the last stitches in that dratted sampler.  I have to admit it doesn’t look too bad now it’s all finished, but I’m really glad it’s all over now!

Drawn Thread-Garden Recipe
“Garden Recipe” by The Drawn Thread
stitched on 32ct Flax Belfast linen
with recommended threads (DMC) and kit embellishments

Drawn Thread-Garden Recipe top half
Drawn Thread-Garden Recipe bottom half

Sorry for the crappy photos but it’s a rainy overcast day today and not much natural light to be had – even using Photoshop Elements I can’t get a decent representation of the colours ho-hum …