A BEACH HUT WITH A DIFFERENCE . . .

I have a finish but not exactly what it should be!!!

BUT before that I want to say a big thankyou to all of you who left Congratulations on my last post regarding DD's successful exam results ~ she has read them too and we are both touched by your kind words and praise xxx

Now if you remember my last stitchy start was a Beach Hut design from a cross stitch magazine that would, should, didn't end up being the intended 3D doorstop.

There were no templates to cut out with the design for the fabric panels that would join the stitched front or any full instructions on how to assemble the pieces and more importantly in which order, just dimensions to cut out the coordinated fabric pieces which I did to the nearest millimetre ~ honest!

After one, two, three hours of stitching, unpicking, recutting, using a choice of select words and finally my sewing machine hitting a large pin head and breaking ~ I gave up!

So, guess what?  I made a Pillow finish again!  I didn't know what else to do with it really and I didn't want to waste the stitched front.  I stuffed it with the normal soft toy filling but added some vanilla and coconut Potpourri and it's now sitting in the downstairs cloakroom smelling very sweet and not too beach-worn!

I thought I'd start something I'd be a little more confident with next, so due to the kindness of Lynn http://kearnelskorner.blogspot.com I have started Sweet Little Berries by LHN . . . 

I followed Lynn's progress on this when she stitched it earlier on in the year and I was thrilled when she said she would send it to me, it's really as 'sweet' as its title says it is and I love the colours too.

A little retail therapy now . . .

I found this lovely cream washed frame which I think Gingham Bunny sits in just fine, I hated stitching this one as it was 1 over 1 and I really struggled with it but I'm pleased with the result now it's framed and probably hate to say it but WAS worth the effort!

And now for something different! 

I've always liked the Tilda dolls created by Tone Finnanger and there are all sorts of lovely Tilda products available now ~ fabrics, trims and design books (which have gorgeous bunnies in them) and more.

At the weekend I found this kit in a store and fell in love with it, it's called Kitchengarden Angel and comes with everything to complete it (apart from a new sewing machine, unfortunately!)

Encouraged by my children to buy it there and then, I almost passed out when I turned the box over and saw the price of £25.99 ~ ouch!  The box was slightly damaged and had been opened and when I asked the Sales Assistant if they had another one, she said that was the last and the shop would reduce it by 10%.

Still feeling a very big 'Ouch', even at that price and a touch guilty, but not being able to resist, I gave in!  My credit card whining as I took it out to pay ~ low and behold ~ it was in the Sale anyway and the till rang up £12.99!

Brilliant, I shouldn't feel guilty if it was reduced by that much, should I?  'No,' I said, 'you shouldn't' so what did I do . . . . . . . . 

I bought a Tilda sewing box as well !!!!!

Well, that's been my stitchy news to-date.  Like so many of you my thoughts are with those overseas who have had to endure Hurricane Irene and although I've read that some of my blogging friends are safe, there are a couple yet to post so fingers crossed.  I saw the devastation Hurricane Katrina left behind when I was in Florida in 2005 and it's a horrible sight to see ~ our natural world, so beautiful but so cruel at times.

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

NEWS FLASH . . . .

SUCCESS!

Reports are coming in of big celebrations and very happy bunnies in the Sussex area of the United Kingdom.

The darling daughter of Jane of Buttons and Stitches x x x rose at crack of dawn this morning, held her breath, crossed everything possible and collected her exam results....

4 passes ~ 2 A Grades and 2 B Grades

Eyewitnesses claim that Jane showed clear signs of nerves and stress whilst she awaited the news but loud joyous cheers and laughter were heard shortly after 11am and it is believed celebrations will continue well into the night ahead!!!

A BUNNY FINISH . . .

I've just finished this bunny pillow for another really good cause ~ http://pumpkinpatchandcobreastfund.blogspot.com/2010/02/welcome.html

This truly is a wonderful opportunity to stitch a little something and help raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.  The above link will give you all the info you need, it's not too late ~ stitched items have until November to be sent in ~ come on ladies! just one contribution will mean so much!

'Printemps des Lapins' by Danybrod

stitched on Sand 28count linen with suggested DMC threads

I did ask Tilly and Oscar if they would like to pose with the bunny pillow but it's a fairly hot day here in Sussex and they are out in the garden making the most of it ~ here's their reactions to my request . . . .

'Not now Mum, this tunnel is sooooo cool for my hot paws, anyway can't you see? I'm pretending I don't know you're there!' 

'I'm not even going to pretend I'm asleep ~ I'm out for the count in Bunnyland!!!'

I'm still clicking my knitting needles in the evenings and making squares for 'Stitching for Charity' as shown in my last post ~ I must say, I was really disappointed to have only had 2 comments, again this is such a worthy cause.

I've also just finished stitching my gifts for Lainey's Summer Exchange and tomorrow they will be on their way to their recipient.  I thoroughly  enjoyed putting this package together and it has given me inspiration for a few ideas for our recently decorated cloakroom . . . .

I thought this was very English seaside and rather cute ~ a seaside Beach Hut!  My chosen DMC colours are a little darker than the stitched model ~ the blue is a denim blue to match some new hand towels and the red is more burgundy red which will match some wooden hearts to hang in the room also.  I'm not too confident with how it's finished but will have a go . . . . watch this space!

School holidays are now well under way and so far so good!  The twins are out socialising at a School Reunion (even though they're only 14 years old now!) and are going away camping to Somerset with their Church group all of next week.  DD has just booked her first driving lesson for this Friday and next week will get her exam results ~ Oh! my goodness, my 1st born now looking at University options and learning to drive ~ do I feel old or what!!!
Thanks for stopping by
HAPPY STITCHING
xxx

A CHANGE OF NEEDLES!

I've changed needles at the moment!

My cross stitch needle is taking a well-earned break and in its place are a pair of 4mm bamboo knitting needles and this is what they are producing . . . .

Cath from The Stitchin' Chicken posted on her blog a request for any knitters to join the Stitch for Charity challenge to help knit a total of 1000 4"squares to make into blankets and jumpers for babies and children in Lesotho in South Africa.  I feel this is such a great cause and takes such little effort so out came the needles and clickety click they go each evening and the bonus is I get to watch the TV at the same time!  If you can help here's the link to Cath's request http://stitchinchicken.blogspot.com/2011/07/woolly-challenge-for-sfc.html
You have until 25 December so if all knitting bloggers out there only knit 1 square that would amount to a good percentage!

Now, here's something weird!  I say clickety click in the info above but I'm actually a silent knitter as I use bamboo needles ~ 'what's strange about that?' you ask!  Well, if I use metal needles they bend, I am quite a tight knitter but not to the extent that the needles bends completely out of shape resulting in wonky knitting!  I can hold metal cutlery and without any force it does the same thing and more bizarre . . . . I have never ever needed to replace a watch battery even with watches that I have worn for several years . . . . . is this an X-Files moment or does anyone else have the same experiences?

A big Thank You to Cath also for nominating me for a Stylish Blogger award.  I have, though, already received it before so on this occasion will have to pass but I am touched that I was one of Cath's choices, it means a lot to me xxx

It's a mini-heatwave here in the South this week but it's forecast to be followed by heavy rain and thunderstorms so it will be shortlived, never mind we are just about to light the BBQ and make good use of the sun whilst it's here.

Thanks for stopping by
HAPPY STITCHING
xxx