GOOD NEWS ALL ROUND

Well it's good news so far for Tilly and Oscar ~ we're now 2 weeks through the 4 week course of medication and Tilly remains stable and Oscar fully fit!  Tilly still has her head tilt but we had been warned that that might stay and hopefully she'll learn to cope with it, certainly at the moment these two little bunnies are full of life and sensing Spring is on the doorstep ~ thank you all for your lovely comments, thoughts and prayers xxx

Good news for me too as I saw the Orthopaedic Surgeon on Monday night and my foot is making good progress.  I am still having some pain and swelling underneath the foot which may take some time to improve so I am now waiting to see another Specialist who can make me an orthosis so I can gradually transfer from the air cast boot to a normal shoe ~ nearly a Happy Dance!!!

And .... even more good news ~ I actually have 2 finishes to show you!

That's quite an achievement to me after my poor offering of 3 last year!

They are 2 more Mill Hill Santa's . . .

Holly & Ivy Santa

Lapland Santa

With the one I finished in December I think they will make a nice trio on the tree next Christmas, it's hard to see the beads sparkling in a photo but they are really pretty when the light catches them.

Our promise of snow here in the South of the UK has still not happened, we have the odd flurry and it settles on the roof and car tops for a little while but doesn't hang around for long

so disappointing ~ Monty's waiting so patiently  . . .

So whilst we sit and wait I've started my next stitch and at the moment it has about as much snow as we have had . . .

A Beautiful Dream

This is my 2nd attempt on this design as the first one was using the DMC colours listed on the chart and the result was really dull colours and not too my taste so whilst the air turned slightly blue as I unpicked the 2 middle houses a 2nd attempt began and as shown above it's with my choice of hand-dyed threads!

I'm trying to keep it as Christmassy as possible so lots of Christmas reds and the greens are my choice for the trees, the fabric is as suggested ~ what a brilliant fabric ~ just imagine stitching all that falling snow!

Tomorrow night the Great British Sewing Bee is starting its 3rd series, love this show, 10 contestants whittled down each week to the final 3 and along the way showing us some fantastic (some not) skills and ideas on their sewing machines ~ this will definitely be a me-time with a Do Not Disturb Sign on the door!

Thank you for stopping by

Stay warm if you have the white stuff and if you have lots of it could you send me just a little bit!

{{{Hugs)))

Jane

x

EASTER = BUNNIES

Little Nutbrown Hare spotted a tadpole in a pool.

It was a tiny tadpole, as wriggly as could be.

'It will grow up to be a frog' said Big Nutbrown Hare.

'Like that frog over there?'

'Just the same as that one,' said Big Nutbrown Hare.

~~~oOo~~~

Easter  and Sunshine today ~ we are being spoilt!

Talking of which, I had the most lovely surprise this week sitting on my doorstep . . .

My dear blogging friend Barb gifted me this absolutely gorgeous bunny mug, choccie eggs and Easter card

It's by the company Two Bad Mice who do the most sweetest illustrations of bunnies ~ this one is called 'Cloud Watching' ~ some very chilled bunnies there I think!

This little fellow is on the back of the mug ~ something's got his nose twitching?

I was thrilled to bits with my gift, really touched at Barb's kindness.  We are both keeping our fingers crossed for good news this coming week, Barb let me know as soon as you get yours and I will do the same!  You know how much this meant to me ~ Hugs xxx

I've collected a  few other cards from this company which always make me smile when I look at them . . .

This is just so Tilly and Oscar!

This is us isn't it blogging friends?  Putting the world to rights with our girlie chats!

A new Hare sitting on the mantlepiece ~ found this on the High Street, couldn't resist!

And another unexpected prezzie ~ this one's from DH who had only gone out to get a loaf of bread up the village but spotted these in a shop on the way ~ too cute!

So it's a bunny overload for me this Easter but thought I should finish this post with the real thing 

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

Thanks for stopping by
xxx

BIRTHDAY GIFTS AND ROSIE . . .

Good afternoon everyone and I hope the weather is being kinder to you than it is to the South of England  . . . a snow storm blew in yesterday afternoon and during its short visit caused havoc!  Today the surrounding roads are still very dangerous, some are impassable, many many cars have been abandoned and nearly all the schools and colleges are shut yet as I post this bizarre weather news to you the sky is blue and the sun is shining?

Please, Spring, hurry up and come!

A couple of dear blogging friends have celebrated birthdays recently so my needle and thread have been busy.

Firstly for Barb I stitched a pillow of a floral teacup with teabag and finished it with blue and cream spotted fabric and blue ribbon . . .

And secondly I stitched another pillow for Lesleyanne with a small grey and white bird holding a pink button, I finished this one with a darker blue and cream spotted fabric, cream ric-rac and a heart button with a wicker embellishment to help this little bird with any future nest building! . . .

I was so happy to hear from both recipients that they were happy with their gifts and they are now hanging in their homes in the appropriate places.  I stitched both of these designs from the UK CrossStitcher magazine which I have plenty of issues of but never seem to use.  I often pick a design out when I buy the magazine each month but then completely forget about it so whilst I ploughed through them picking out designs for the birthday gifts I noted down all the ones I would like to stitch, as you can see, along with all my cross stitching books, filed magazines and two further boxes of charts, there are a fair few to choose from!

And the first one from the list is Rosie the Rabbit . . .

Isn't she cute? ~ a grey and white mini-lop who is one of the characters from the RSPCA Perfect Pets range.

My little Oscar came from the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and they do fabulous work in rescuing abused and abandoned animals and re-homing them.  Oscar came from an abused home, details of which I was not allowed to know nor would want to know, but he has come far since then and now has complete trust in us and is truly adorable, full of cheeky character and very gentle.   I would love to have had Rosie Rabbit  all sewn up and finished today but I'm out of pillow stuffing and due to the hazardous roads it will have to wait a little while longer.

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

x x x

CHRISTMAS KINDNESS

Well, finally normality returns to our house and DH and gang are all back to work, college and school so albeit a little belated ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My own start to 2012 has so far been 2 weeks laundry from Florida, re-stocking the larder, fridges and freezer and a visit to the Doctor yesterday with a toe infection ~ mmmmmmmmmmmmm! good job when I came back there were 3 little parcels waiting to cheer me up . . .

Shell from 'The Raspberry Rabbits' sent me this gorgeous bunny ornament ~isn't it cute?

I've decided this is not one for packing away so it' not seen until the following Christmas so it's hanging from my daylight lamp so I can see it all year round and think of Shell's adorable bunnies ~ Lady Hannah and Sir Walter Harrington ~ who very kindly included a pack of dried banana chips for my duo ~ thank you!

Annette from 'Annette's Pieces' handcrafted 30 of these lovely little heart felt ornaments and I was one of the lucky ones to receive one ~ the perfect colours for me, cream with red stars, it matches my kitchen decor so guess what? this one's staying out all year round too!

and finally Cath from 'The Stitchin' Chicken' sent me this sweet little trio ~ a hand-knitted stocking, a beaded scissor fob and, as always in my house, a much needed pair of crafting scissors!

Thank you to all three of you for your kindness and for thinking of me ~ I love all my gifts and they are all very special to me xxx

I'm having a sort out later today of the already over-flowing stash cupboard, there's literally NO room for my Florida additions so I'll post again shortly with an update on what I'm currently stitching and what's on the agenda for 2012.

Tilly and Oscar survived their Christmas Holiday too and are settled back home happy and content.

Last Christmas when we just had Tilly, we bought her a wicker house which she made a good start on demolising renovating straight away.  The addition of Oscar later in the year sped things up even quicker so this Christmas saw a new property arrive and as you can see work is already in progress.  Tilly is working on a window in the roof and Oscar is thinking a little more light downstairs would be helpful too ~ now can you 2 bunnies work on DH and tell him an addition of my OWN stitching room would be most appreciated!

OOOpps, just noticed I still have the Christmas countdown at the top of my Blog page ~ bah! humbug, I'm keeping it there so none of you forget it will be here again in 355 days, 10 hours ........

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

from my Best Buddies . . .

 Merry Christmas 
Scrapbooking Ideas Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

WINTER PILLOW AND A NEW START

I have to start this post with yet another very big thank you to my lovely blogging friends who left me messages of good wishes and support on my recent 24 hours of blood pressure excitement, delights, TORTURE!  I am so pleased to report that although the night was certainly one to remember! the results were good and have put my mind at rest ~ the thought that now I have to endure this 24hr agony once every 12 months does not appeal too much but it's so worth it when the results can be downloaded the very next day and told to me immediately!

Stitchy news ~ a small finish with a few hiccups along the way . . .

I ordered this Pine Mountain kit in an on-line Sale recently and thought it was really cute but when it arrived the stitching fabric was completely different?  The material described on the front picture description is not what is shown in the photograph ~ naughty Pine Mountain!  As it is already pre-sewn and I did not have anything that remotely resembled what the picture showed, I stuck with it but a couple of the threads supplied just didn't show up so I have had to change the colour choices . . .

I contacted Pine Mountain and have to say they have been really fast in their response telling me that the fabric shown is no longer available so it has been substituted with another and for my disappointment they have let me choose another kit which they will send on to me at no cost.  I am disappointed that it hasn't turned out as I hoped but I cannot fault Pine Mountain for their fantastic response!

It does look pretty doesn't it ~ it reminds me of a hand-wrapped candy waiting to be opened!

I wonder if any of you know what this next project is?

I'm wondering if I say it's stitched with silk threads 1 over 2 on Cranberry Bog 32-count linen whether it will give it away but this designer is a first for me and I'm loving it!

Only problem is ~ this little rascal is shedding fur at the moment and boy! do they show up on red linen!

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

TWO LITTLE BUNNIES . . .

TILLY & OSCAR WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU . . .

A

HAPPY

HALLOWEEN

xxx
Please note ~ Nobunny was hurt or distressed during the making of this post and are currently in full sleeping mode after consuming a large reward of carrots & watercress for their perfect posing!!!

'MUM! WE'RE GOING' . . . .

Thank you to everyone who responded to my last Post and has sent me back pieces of my missing mojo!!!

I think I'm basically just a bit down in the dumps at the moment with too many worrying things going on around me but that doesn't make a good post to read does it?  so here goes with my progress on 'Deck The Halls' snowman trio and it's really coming on rather well . . .

As you can see I'm still missing the final 'La' but will make a start on that this evening and then it will just need the wording underneath so a Happy Dance in sight I think!

Last weekend was the Knitting & Stitching Show at The Alexandra Place in London and not having been before I had been counting the days down on the calendar and itching to get there and have a nosy!

My mojo and self-esteem on a bit of a downer I went to bed the night before and thought I just can't be bothered and I get so fed up that I don't have any stitchy friends to go with, I'll go next time!

Well, that was until DS (aka Twin II) woke me up and said 'Mum, WE'RE going, get yourself ready, our train leaves in 1 hour and we're take a picnic!'

Bless him, how could I refuse?

The Palace and park grounds were beautiful (annoyingly I forgot to take my camera with me) but the goodies inside were even more beautiful and in the 4 hours we spent there we only got round half of the exhibitors!

'Hand-dyed' was the order of the day for me ~ when you have no needlecraft shop in existence around you and you have to order on-line the whole time, it's so difficult to choose hand-dyed fabrics and threads so this really was heaven for me . . . .  OK I'm rambling . . . . here's the stash . . . . 

100gsm hand-dyed cotton thread

Hand-dyed 28-count fabrics in Midnight ~ the one on the left is Brittney with silver flecks and the one on the right is Lugana ~ it's amazing how different the same dye looks on two different fabrics!

More hand-dyed sample pieces ~ perfect size for small ornaments

Hand-dyed felt squares in Autumn shades, 2 rustic FQs and ric-rac

Christmas Fat Quarters ~ I think the brown heart one will go well with the snowmen I'm stitching?

And because DS insisted ~ Augustus the Tortoise who comes as a kit and has rather a lot of buttons to sew on his shell when finished!!!

So all in all a lovely, lovely day and all down to my kind and very caring DS.

Thank you DS, I know it was a hard choice ~ needlecraft or football (not!) and we could count the number of men who were there on one hand and you were so outnumbered that we were even using the Men's Toilets BUT it was a special day for me and I've marked it on next year's calendar already so you don't forget !!!! xxx

Sunny days here in the UK but very chilly . . . 

Guess it's okay when you can snuggle up like this!

Thanks for stopping by ~ enjoy your weekend

HAPPY STITCHING

x x x

THE TRAVELLING PATTERN IS ON ITS WAY TO . . .

Thank you to everyone who left their name to become the next stitcher of the Travelling Pattern  ~ Lizzie*Kate's 'Life's A Stitch'.  

The next stitcher is . . .

KATE

http://katesflossbox.blogspot.com/

Welcome to The Stitcherhood Kate, if you can send me your address details I'll pop it in the post to you!

As soon as Kate has stitched it, it will need another home to travel to so keep an eye on her blog and she can keep you up-to-date.

Tuesday, 20th September was a day of memories for DH and I as we celebrated

We received some lovely cards, bouquets of flowers, bottles of wine and some very calorific chocolates.

Our plan was to have a celebratory day out and both being void of present ideas would choose something together BUT unfortunately Twin II fell ill the day before and was really quite poorly, so much so that our planned day out together was put on hold and we played at being nursemaids instead!

Our celebratory meal that evening was a take-away and a bottle of bubbly ~ now how's that for a bit of romance???  It didn't matter to me though ~ DH and my 3 lovely children around me, I don't need anymore ~ it's been a great 25 years so far and I look forward to the next 25.

Oh yes, I hadn't forgotten you two!

Stitching news ~ well, a bit frustrating really!  I was a naughty girl a little while back and gave in to some on-line Sales but, due to so many other people doing the same thing, shipping orders has been dreadfully slow and communications with up-dates even more so!

I finally blew a fuse yesterday and had a rant at the culprits and Hey Presto! emails appeared immediately and orders are now being processed and some of them actually shipped!

In the meantime while I impatiently patiently wait I have started this one . . .

This is 'Gather a Harvest' by Lizzie*Kate which I'm stitching on linen with Gentle Art Sampler threads.  I don't have the exact listed thread colours but as Autumn colours are my favourites I think I can do it justice with what I have in my box already.

Take care everyone!

Thanks for stopping by

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

A BIRD OF HAPPINESS . . . .

I won't start this post with the words 'Good Afternoon' as the weather here is foul ~ strong gales and continual driving rain since yesterday hence I have spent the whole day indoors with the lights on to see !!!

So I think the words 'Happy Dance' would be more appropriate . . . .

I have just finished another item for http://pumpkinpatchandcobreastfund.blogspot.com/ silent auction which will take place later in the year.  My other stitch for this very worthy cause was bunnies (no shock there!) and keeping with a wildlife theme this time I chose this little birdie and finished him (or her) as an ornament . . . .

I think this is such a pretty design by Brooke's Books Publishing and is actually from their set of 12 'Bride's Tree Heirloom' ornaments, this is number 5 and is called 'Happiness'.

I've stitched him (yes, I've decided it's a him) on 28~count Sand Carolina Linen with the listed  DMC conversions, added small beads for the flowers and a silver 'made with love' charm at the bottom.  The backing fabric is a pale pink and white dot shown in the piccie above.

This is the chart I used . . . .

and if anyone is interested in also stitching it then I am happy to send it on (worldwide!) ~ just leave a comment on this post and should there be more than one interest, I will get Tilly and Oscar to pick a name next week!

That's if the pair of them ever decide to stop snoozing . . .

Oh! what a life!

My other W.I.P. (Sweet Little Berries)  is coming along a treat and I hope this week will see a finish.

I'm saving stitching the strawberries until last as I know the lovely rich red they are stitched in will give it the WOW factor . . .

Tomorrow DH and I are taking DD to Portsmouth to have a look at the Univeristy there ~ it's offering a course she's very interested in and although it's a year away before she begins Uni, applications have to be in by middle-October.  I feel guilty, as I suppose like all Mums, I'm being selfish and don't want her to be away from home but as this is a 3year course and some 2 hours away it will mean exactly that but hey! I know we all have to go through it and it's not as if it's the other side of the world (although I'm sure it will feel like it!)

Thanks for stopping by and a big hello and welcome to my new followers

HAPPY STITCHING

xxx

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