HAPPY DANCE AND SPECIAL FRIENDS . . .

Thank you everyone for all your kind comments on my Dobby finish in my last post, glad you liked him!

I was determined to squeeze in one Halloween finish this year, so sorry it's a bit late but please Happy Dance with me as I have just finished . . .

Little Witch ~ complete kit by Shepherd's Bush

Loved this one and it stitched up so quickly, the muted colours are gorgeous and as always the silks provided are a joy to work with.

The pumpkin face button comes with the kit.  Nice hair!!!

Anyone who knows this design will notice I have not stitched 2 horizontal rows of pattern at the bottom, one was a vine and flower and the other a zigzag but I wanted this design to match a couple of others I've already completed so . . .

Now they all match and have the same satin stitch triangular finish at the bottom.

Ssshhhhh!  I'm not shouting from the rooftops but another birthday has come and gone ~ like Christmases they just come around too quick!

My dear friend Lesleyanne remembered me though and I received a lovely parcel from her, she had not pre-warned me that anything was on its way, so it was a complete surprise and I was thrilled to bits with all that she had chosen to send me . . .

Three fat-quarters of pretty fabrics, co-ordinating ribbons and tassel, Bent Creek 'Smell the Flowers' chart and . . . OMG! deep breath . . . 7 skeins of Belle Soie ......... just the touch of them is good enough, let alone the colours she chose and the names ~ Butterscotch, Mudpie, Plush Plum, Old Crow, Attic Tea, Sister Scarlet and Vanilla Pudding ~ now which shall I eat stitch with first!

Thank you so much Lesleyanne, you have truly spoilt me and your kindness means the world xxx

The sun must have been shining down on me as I was also lucky enough to win Vickie's giveaway of the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament 2012 issue.  I told Vickie they are literally like golddust here in the UK so it was a lovely prize to win and when it arrived Vickie had also added the most gorgeous beaded pins ever ~ so pretty ~ between Lesleyanne and Vickie I am a very happy bunny and have lots of projects ahead of me ~ you are both very special blogging friends to have xxx

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

TOO CUTE FOR HALLOWEEN . . .

It's Halloween tomorrow night and due to my chaotic year so far, I've managed to stitch a BIG FAT NOTHING towards it!

In my last post I did mention that I was quite close to finishing a WIP but struggling rather .... well, being back in blogland again and hearing from so many of you must have spurred me on and

ABRACADABRA

(come on! it is nearly Halloween!)

let me show you . . .

DOBBY

I don't think there will be anyone out there who doesn't know who this little cheeky chap is but just in case (where have you been?) ~ he's the cute house-elf from Harry Potter and in our house we love him to bits!

He was stitched in just 10 shades of DMC on 18-count white Aida, I had thought about changing to a linen or evenweave but as the design was stitched edge to edge, it didn't seem worth it.  I started him back in September so I suppose not too long in completing but as you can see from the next picture, there is no definite parts of the design to stitch, it's just random patches of colour and quite often just 1 or 2 crosses of a shade in the middle of another colour!  It was only when I put it down each time at the end of 2 or 3 nights stitching that I could see any definition of the image!

Anyway, hope you like him ~ this is the only design I will have done in time for Halloween and although he's not the prettiest, he's just toooooooooooooooooo cute!

A little finishing to show too . . .

Christmas Patches ~ now a simple pillow and finished with the fabric shown in the background!

Have a fun Halloween everyone

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK!

Slightly longer than anticipated but

A BIG HELLO

 to everyone and it feels good to be back again!

I have to start with an update on my loved ones, you were all so kind with your support and prayers back in July and I'm so pleased to say both my dear dad and mother-in-law have come through their major ops and are making excellent progress, I can't tell you the relief we all feel, it's been an emotional roller-coaster ride for most of this year but at long last we can put these ordeals behind us and concentrate on brighter days!

So am I a happy bunny?

Well, as half of my heart now lies in Bournemouth, NO!

I've dreaded counting the days down on the calendar but the day finally came on 15th September and on that day we took DD to her new life at University ~ a horrible 104 miles and 2 hours drive away :(

I know, you've all done it, gone through it, felt it, BUT you have to admit it's the most emotional time ever and some 4 weeks later, I'm still struggling ~ thank goodness for SKYPE and without our video chats and all the gossip I don't know what I'd do?  But you have to stay strong don't you?  Keep smiling, keep encouraging them and remind them what a dreadful nag you are by asking if they're eating properly, cleaning their room and keeping the washing up to date!

If ever I needed a pick-me-up then Cath  http://stitchinchicken.blogspot.co.uk was the one to do it!

Look at this pretty little cushion that popped through the letterbox last week ~ a complete surprise and a lovely card with such kind words too.

Thank you Cath from the bottom of my heart ~ such perfect timing and as I've said to you I so appreciate your friendship and if you could move nearer that would be great!!!

I bet by now you're asking 'Well, what about some stitching progress?'

and I do actually have some, not a lot but will this do for now . . .

Christmas Patches finally completed ~ WOW! there's a whole lot of backstitching to this one but it's so worth it ~ it literally comes alive as you stitch.

  

I wondered if anyone would like the Leisure Arts booklet I stitched it from? 

It does have some smaller motifs too and are all so lovely and colourful.  The booklet is a bit shabby around the edges but perfectly fine for someone else to have the pleasure of using. I don't want anything for it and am happy to send worldwide. If you are interested, let me know in a comment below and should there be more than one person, I'll pick a name and let you know in my next post!

I did start another project straight after finishing Santa but have to admit I'm struggling a bit even though it's about 75% complete!  Other than that, I'm a bit of a failure this year and my 2012 Happy Dance list proves this!  I've also been completely out of touch with my blogging friends, I just haven't had the time to spare, but hopefully it's full steam ahead now and I look forward to catching up with you all soon ~ am I forgiven?

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx  

TIME FOR A BREAK!

Following my last post, I'm disappointed to say things have not gone well!

After all the preparation and worry leading up to my dear Dad's major surgery yesterday, we got as far as completing the last minute pre-op assessments and changing into his surgical gown to being told that the x-ray machinery needed to assist the surgeon during the operation had broken down and the electrician was unable to repair it that same day!  He was sent back home with a new date of 8 August ~ that's an unbelievable further 5 weeks of sitting on a time bomb and hoping that the aneurysm doesn't rupture.

As you can probably imagine we are all devastated at this news and both my Mum and Dad were in pieces yesterday, my Mum especially as she knows this is a high-risk operation for him and whereas today we were hoping to be waking up to good news and the recovery process starting ~ we are back to Square 1.

I thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart for the heartfelt comments you all left, your kindness, prayers and hugs have meant the world both to me and my family ~ thank you so so much xxx

I'm going to take a break from blogging for a little while, I don't have anything creative to share with you and time is so precious at the moment and needed for my loved ones.  I don't like to continually write sad posts so I'm hoping that in a few weeks or so I can come back with happy news and lots of new creations.

Thank you again for your support ~ you are true friends xxx

SO MANY WORRIES . . .

Life is full of worries at the moment and stitching time is very limited!

To update my regular readers . . .

my dear Dad has been waiting for a life-saving operation to fit stents to stop a rapidly growing aneurysm from rupturing and at long last he has been given a date for the procedure ~ 4th July ~ it's a 4-5 hour operation and high risk with his other medical conditions!

♥

 my dear MIL who has breast cancer will have a double mastectomy on July 23rd and again this is high-risk, especially for the recovery and the healing afterwards ~ we keep optimistic for both of them

♥

my DH has a dear Aunt who is now 88, unmarried and has no children.  She was diagnosed with dementia 3 months ago, although the signs have been there for very much longer.  She has been in an Assessment Unit for the last 5 weeks and the decision has been made that she now cannot return to her flat and live alone safely so last Tuesday DH and I have moved her to a Care Home where she will be constantly looked after and be comfortable.  It was a 2hour round trip to visit her before and now she is literally a 5minute car journey away ~ the home is an old convent and has been beautifully refurbished with lovely grounds and accommodation.  I have been able to visit her every day so far and although our chats together are very random and are very much from the past, she still knows who I am and this weekend we are allowed to take her to the local park where she will enjoy the greenery and flowers so so much as gardening and nature was her passion.  Going through her possessions and clearing her flat ready for re-sale is very hard and it's funny how these situations give other family members every excuse not to be able to help!  Never mind, I know that DH and I were the ones who knew her best, love her dearly and are doing everything with as much compassion and feeling as we can.

♥

a bit of good news though ~ my MRI scan came back with the 'all clear' and I have started physiotherapy ~ the first session left me in more pain then when I started but I'm told to expect a 6-8 week wait before I see any improvement in movement!!!

Oh, difficult and stressful days ahead of me, please keep your fingers crossed that my loved ones get through these ordeals without too much suffering xxx

I haven't got round to starting my new WIP, my concentration levels are not what they should be and when I do get 5 minutes at home it's a case of catching up on all the household chores and then bed!

I've picked 'A Wise Old Owl' up a couple of times and there is a little progress and another little owl has now appeared . . .

I want to pick up my crochet needle again and begin a granny blanket for our Aunt, we are allowed to decorate her room with photos and possesions and I've found some nice colours that will make a blanket and match the other room decor perfectly so IF I find a spare 5 minutes that's what I will begin next!

If you've got this far then a very big THANK YOU to you, it's rather a depressing post I know but it does help to be able to share my problems and your kind comments and support are always gratefully received and mean so much.

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

WONDERLAND AND COCONUT

Hi everyone from a very windy 70mph South of England!
(All summer bedding, sewing threads and bunny ears secured due to the risk of take-off!!!)

I didn't realise it's been 2 weeks since my last post and in that time I've managed a new start and completion!

I fancied starting this one . . .

'Wonderland' kit by The Trilogy

BUT it turned out to be another one that I just couldn't put down and 7 days later . . .

stitched on my own choice of linen ~ 28count 'Platinum' Cashel

with some of the hand-dyed threads supplied and my choice of DMC threads for the border

If you like doing Rhodes stitches, then this design is definitely the one for you ~ there are 155 of them in total!

finished into a pillow with the chequered crimson red fabric shown in the background with snowflake embellishments

I was naughty a few weeks back and gave in to temptation when JJ's sent me an email saying they were having a Memorial Weekend Sale with a 20% discount and as there's been a kit sitting at the top of my wishlist that's just been calling my name for so long . . . I couldn't resist!  

So in the meantime, between hijacking Mr. Postie every morning and getting him to check and then double-check his delivery sack, the knitting needles have been out again . . .

Coconut and Cable Cushion

This is a 6" cable stitch cushion, really quick to knit with just a small pillow insert needed for inside and 3 buttons.  The pattern called it Rose and Cable cushion but as I didn't have any pink wool or rose oil, I used a cream fleck instead and sprayed the inside filler with coconut oil ~ good enough to eat!

Yippee, Thursday came and so did Mr. Postie with my kit.  I'll keep you waiting until I've made a start but it's gorgeous and very unusual!!!

Have a good weekend everyone

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

SOPHIE'S NEW FRIEND . . .

You may remember me saying in my last post that 'I couldn't put this one down' so I'm happy to say 'Sophie's Roses' is complete and I'm really pleased with it . . .

A few decisions to make along the way ~ there was a second border to stitch but I just felt this floral and vine one was so pretty and quite busy that I would leave it as it was . . .

but that gap at the bottom right hand corner bothered me!

more flowers? maybe a bird?  a watering can?

you guessed it ~ a little bunny with white bobtail fits perfectly and what every little girl and garden needs . . .

finished this morning into a pillow with the polka dot fabric shown in the background ~ a perfect match to Sophie's shoes xxx

Big celebrations this weekend in the UK as we celebrate our Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a 4-day holiday, hopefully the sun will shine and some time in the garden with the BBQ (and some cross-stitching) will be the order of the day!

Now, don't get the wrong idea, yes this is a can of Pimm's and yes, at 1.20pm in the afternoon it is OPEN!

but this is not a regular indulgence ~ I'm trying to steady my nerves as DD has just left for college and about to sit her first A level exam and as calm as she is . . . I'M NOT!  She's given 110% throughout her college years and really deserves to do well but it is a worry and her dream of Uni is dependent on successful results ~ Good Luck DD, love you lots xxx

Tomorrow DD and I are off to see Coldplay in concert in London ~ it's a sell-out Tour and tomorrow will see a crowd of 60,000 enjoying their brilliant music ~ can't wait, we shall leave early, have lunch out and then sing our hearts out!

Have a lovely weekend everybody

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS . . .

Summer has finally arrived in England and gorgeous temperatures of 80 degrees have come to stay xxx

So good job Sophie now has a sun hat to wear . . .

I thought if I gave her a watering can too she'd look more comfortable with something in her hand rather than thin air . . .

Hey Pesto!  now that looks better ~ a bouquet of flowers and buttons . . .

WOW! definitely green fingers here ~ flowers and vines rapidly growing up the side too . . .

Just can't put this one down, I'm really enjoying it.

Quick health update ~ I saw the Orthopaedic Surgeon on Monday and he decided more investigations were needed before he could give me a diagnosis  and treatment plan so I returned on Wednesday and had a MRI  scan (YUK!) and now comes the waiting game yet again!

So, what to do in the meantime with all this lovely sunshine?

Al-fresco dining of course!

Hope you all have a lovely stitchy weekend

Thanks for stopping by

xxx

MORE OWLS AND A NEW START

Just loving this kit 'A Wise Old Owl', I'm stitching it rather randomly ~ an owl if I feel like it or as in today's case ~ some of the wording so I could see that thread colour in action! ~ anyway it's now 3 down and 6 to go!

I do like owls and talking of which . . .

A few more sitting around the house ~ the 3 ceramic ones all have space in the back for a tealight so that their eyes light up when it's dark and the other 3 . . .

Say Hello to 'TWO' Little Hoots ~ we bought this for our twins when they were just starting to read but as you will see from the wording on the box, it came with 'A' Little Hoot and what a nightmare it was to persuade the Seller to send us another one ~ if you have twins, you'll understand!

And if you have a third child, you'll understand even more why there's another little owl on the bottom shelf!!!

The set is still in lovely condition and it's tucked away safely for any further 'patter of tiny feet' in years to come, now that is wishing my life away but the way I feel at the moment with my aches and pains, I feel at least 20 years older so it just might arrive sooner than I think . . . talking of which . . .

I'm off to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon tomorrow to try and find out what my bones are up to, not particularly looking forward to it but if it's the start to recovery then it will be worth it?  I find it hard to walk any distance now without pain and driving isn't great . . . talking of which . . . I forgot to tell you DD passed her driving test last week and now has her new car . . .

Needless to say, there's already pink floor mats and a pink air freshener inside and if you look closely you'll see Disney's 'Stitch' sitting on the back shelf!  She's a really good new driver though and I thoroughly enjoyed being taken out this afternoon and seeing all the countryside as a passenger, you miss so much when you're the driver.

OK, so my new start . . .

'Sophie's Roses' by Shepherds Bush

This, too, is stitching up a treat and the pastel colours are gorgeous xxx

I have also had the knitting needles out again but will save that for next time, I want to give poor Sophie a hat to wear, although the weather is miserable here, there is the promise of some lovely sunny weather by the end of the week so she'll need some shade over her head!

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

AN UNLOVED TEAPOT . . .

Sitting at the back of one of our kitchen cupboards was this . . .

This was our first teapot when we set up home 26 years ago and the red and white matched everything else in the kitchen.  Although DH loves a cuppa, it's a definite NO! for me, I am a self-confessed total coffee addict so being the most useless tea maker I always resort to a teabag hence this has been forgotten ~ well, I think it's time to show this teapot some love!

Mmmm, interesting ~ 6 balls of wall on the go at the same time . . .

resulting in a lovely tweed effect . . .

blanket stitch and a googly eye???

Say Hello to my 'Morning Owl'.  He knitted up really quickly, a little fiddley to piece together but I'm pleased with the result.  His eyes make me laugh, the black pupil moves around and sometimes he looks like he's been out on the town having a very good time!

I must be having an owl fetish at the moment as I've started this kit too . . .

'A Wise Old Owl' by The Historical Sampler Company stitched on 32-count linen with DMC threads

One down, eight to go!

Have a lovely weekend ~ hope the sun shines in your lives.

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

A HERB WITH A DIFFERENCE . . .

Good afternoon everyone!

I have to start with another very big Thank You to those kind friends that left me further messages of support and good wishes for my two biopsy results ~ I am pleased to say that both are benign and my worst fears have been taken away, unfortunately I am still in pain and will now undergo MRI scans for further investigations.  I'm hoping the month of May will bring much brighter days for my family and I, certainly the first 4 months of 2012 have been horrible!

So, what have I been up to?  Well, my mood is still pretty low and I haven't picked my cross stitching up since my last post, I'm sure my mojo will return but I think, like me, for now it needs a short holiday to perk up again.  But I haven't been completely idle ~ the knitting needles have seen daylight instead and this is what several nights of clicking have to show . . .

'Basil' Bunny

knitted in Sirdar Eco DK Wool

complete with bob tail

felt pads for his feet

and a hoody to give him a bit of street credit !

A small heart button on his hoody and there he is . . . . cute!

and this 'Basil' will hopefully last a little longer than the potted ones outside ~ I wonder which two little furries would be the culprits of that???

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx