AT LAST . . . . . SOME FINISHES!

Five yummy cakes baked, iced and finished!

I thoroughly enjoyed stitching this one, the colours are lovely and pretty and a real tonic compared to the continual gloomy weather here in the UK

Unfortunately the finished design size is not a standard frame size so I'll be searching the charity shops for a second-hand one that I can rub down and give a washed paint finish to.  No luck so far but I did find the cupcakes book shown in the photo below and the recipes inside are just too tempting to ignore!

'Cup Cakes' by The Historical Sampler Company

stitched in the DMC threads provided on 32-count linen

Remember 'I Love You Little Rabbit' ~ my first completion of the year?

The sewing machine had an outing out last weekend and was put to good use, I did my usual pillow finish with a coffee coloured polka dot fabric and natural coloured lace.

Although I had finished Lizzie Kate's 'Love' design I hadn't been able to decide on a finish and couldn't find any matching fabrics or appropriate frames. We have a set of four small cushions in the lounge which are just a plain natural and cream gingham and have been screaming out for a bit of colour so thought this was just the right thing for the first one.  Somewhere hidden in the box of stash are charts with designs of hearts with union jacks so I may stitch those too in the same colours and make a co-ordinating set of cushions!

I had a small piece of the 'I Love You Little Rabbit' fabric left so co-ordinated it with a matching dark brown polka-dot fabric and a spotty blue button and put together 'Coffee, Chocolate & Men' by Waxing Moon.

I dread to think how long this cross stitch has sat patiently waiting in 'that' box but it finally saw daylight and I'm pleased with the result ~ now blogging friends which is your preference ~ coffee, chocolate or men?

For me, none of them have to be rich, but can I live without them? ummmmm! not sure about that one!

A new WIP  started only last night and I'm going to find it hard to put this one down, I wonder if any of you know this design and what this little bunny is up to?  I have a fairly chilled weekend coming up as the men-folk are off to football on Saturday and Twin II has a match to play on Sunday so I hope to have a good stitching session then and post the results next time.

Looks like this little bunny is already chilling!  Gorgeous Tilly, still so affectionate and brings so much joy to our lives, just love her to bits.

Finally, I am going to try and de-stash a little so have set up a sale page of charts and a few kits which I no longer require, there's a link at the top of the page if anyone wants to take a look! 

Thank you for stopping by, it's so appreciated

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

SMILES, A HAPPY DANCE & STASH

Let's start this post a little happier than the last one ~ I have my smile back!!!

My lovely dentist has given me my smile back, all be it a temporary one for the next 4 months whilst the gum heals but the new tooth looks so realistic I'm really pleased.  Thank you everyone for your kind messages of support ~ they really do mean a lot to me and are so encouraging xxx

Now, more importantly I HAVE A HAPPY DANCE TO REPORT!

How cute is this?  Bothy Threads Gorjuss kit ~ 'I Love You Little Rabbit' stitched on my choice of 32-count linen fabric with the threads supplied.  The little girls dress should have french knots stitched over it but as I'm not a lover of stitching them I have left it plain and placed the little heart button at the bottom of her dress for decoration instead.  The colours of the rabbit are perfect and portray my very-much missed Buttons and adorable Tilly perfectly.

Talking of rabbits did you know it's The Year of the Rabbit?

In the Chinese Astrology Horoscope, 2011 is the year of the Rabbit and the forecast is:

A placid year, very much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger.

Good taste and refinement will shine on everything and people will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations and politics will be given a front seat again. We will act with discretion and make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty.

A time to watch out that we do not become too indulgent. The influence of the Rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort and thus impair their effectiveness and sense of duty.

The scene is quiet and calm, even deteriorating to the point of somnolence. We will all have a tendency to put off disagreeable tasks as long as possible.

Money can be made without too much labor. Our life style will be languid and leisurely as we allow ourselves the luxuries we have always craved for. A temperate year with unhurried pace. For once, it may seem possible for us to be carefree and happy without too many annoyances!

It's a good forecast isn't it with much to look forward to!!!

Still on the subject of rabbits, look what Lois from http://ofneedlespinsand.blogspot.com/ sent me:

'Bunnies Galore' by Leisure Arts with (wait for it) 50, yes 50, that's 50, a big 50, bunny designs!  Cross stitch heaven for me, I love it, thank you so much Lois for thinking of me, I can assure you it will be put to very good use!

I started stitching this one a couple of nights ago:

Lizzie*Kate 'Love Crazy' which I'm stitching on 28-count linen in my choice of GAS threads, really easy stitch and only 5 colours needed.

And I promised a stash update!

I found the most fantastic needlework store this year in Florida called Needle Orts with the most helpful and friendliest owner who also does mail order.  The store was lovely, clean and spacious (and even had comfy seats for the men in my life to sit in and chill) and the chart selection and threads was just out of this world.

Yummy, yummy charts ~ Plum Street Samplers 'Hares Christmas', LHN 'Spot of Coffee', 'Joy to the World', 'Red House in Winter' and 'Peppermint Twist', Hinzeit Charmed Flakes 'Deck the Halls', Little by Little 'Hot Chocolate', Erica Michaels 'Button Button', L*K 'Snowman 10' and JBW Designs 'The Bunny Collection'.  A few threads to top up and my choice of fabric oddments which were stored by the bag load, good sizes perfect for ornaments and 5 pieces for only $3 . . . . .  ahhhhhhh, heaven!

 

These 3 kits I found in another store and all took my fancy for future projects ~ Dimensions Feltworks Applique kits 'Holiday Pocket Ornaments' & 'Snowman Cheer Stocking' and another cutie by Candamar Designs 'Guess How Much I Love You'.

Oh Dear! Did I just read in the above forecast that this is  'A time to watch out that we do not become too indulgent'!  No more stash for me!  ALTHOUGH  Hobbycraft have a Sale on, the Stitch & Craft Show in London is fast approaching and the Knit and Sewing Show in Brighton is just around the corner, I'll just go and have a look, just a look, just in case!!!

Take care everyone and have a fab week.

Thanks for stopping by.

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx