Rain, rain go away

Brrrrr, I'm not enjoying this cold, rainy weather. We've just had cavity wall insulation installed, so in theory the house should be toasty warm- but I clearly turned down the heat setting a bit too far!

It seems an age since I was in sunny, hot South Africa. Oh, wait... it is quite a while. And silly me hasn't posted any stitchy pics! I took this little kit to South Africa with me, and started it in the plane. The kit is 'two grey hills' by NP Designs. It's a lovely memento of our holiday to the American South West and I've found it hard to put down. I'm getting bored of the grey now, though, so have picked up something more complicated from my WIP pile :)

I've also taken a photo of my ORT jar. I've completely lost track of the TUSAl, but here it is. When do I need to try and post this again????

Anyway, if anyone else is experiencing the wrath of autumn, I guess they are also snuggled up inside, with a hot cuppa and some lovely stitching too! Happy stitching folks.

Under African Skies

This summer I've been lucky enough to return to South Africa for another research trip. I did work my butt off (honest), but I took one day off, and was treated to a trip to Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Marius acted as tour guide, and drive us to the park, showed us around some archaeological sites, and made sure we each had a set of binoculars so we could see the game...

Here is a selection of some of my best snaps. Bear in mind I only have a small point and shoot. And there is clearly a smudge on the lens...

Marius the 'Tour Guide' in the 'man cave' (men's area of the Iron Age site we were visiting - no women allowed!)

The tour group: Jenny's mum (Jane, if I remember correctly, jeesh brain cells, it was just over a week ago) Jolandie, me, Marius, Jenny

Udu

Giraffes!

Pick nick South Africa style :)

Zebra (honest...)

Wildebeast

Impala? I think... or maybe a springbok. We saw a lot of Bok!

Hippos. There were some crocodiles nearby too, but they didn't show up in my snaps (lol, sorry, can't resist)

We also saw a lion and an elephant, and many many other animals, birds a turtle and some fish in the lake, but either my photos were dreadful, or they were so far away that I didn't bother!

Anyway, I'll share a stitchy update soon.

Griffin and dragon

Well I'm back from South Africa. I'll write a post about my trip when I have more time!

I did get to the bottom of Gaelic Banner before I left, and I took a photo, but didn't have time to post it, so here it is:

Golden griffin

I've finally reached the bottom of Gaelic Banner! This weekend I stitched the golden griffin, and last night I started the green dragon. I'm going away on Saturday and I'd really like to finish this page of the pattern before I go. We'll see!

Lots and lots of green!

The last 2 weeks I have been completely addicted to the Olympics. It's been on pretty much non-stop when I'm at home. I've loved the variety of sports, and it's been fun seeing team GB do well, and the entire country get behind them. Quite surprised by that, to be honest, as we are a nation of cynics and had assumed London 2012 would be dreadful. That said, I've not had to travel anywhere near London, or live through several years worth of tube upgrades in the run up to them - unlike my sister. That said, it turns out that she's been secretly impressed too!

So, what have I been stitching while it was on? Well, to finish of the Amish Star quilt I had to pop out and buy black thread. This was tricky, as I had to time it not to fall during an important sporting event. So I nipped out part way through the women's cycling road race, making sure I'd be back in plenty of time to see the finish. As for the actual quilting - well there were a few points when I had to break off mid pattern to watch a rowing race, or someone swimming.... But I did finish it before the end of my holiday:

Since then I've been focussed on Gaelic Banner. Sadly I was back in work on Monday, so my Olympic watching and stitching time declined rapidly... but I've made great progress. I'm now half way through the cross stitch:

I'm really looking forward to the Closing Ceremony tonight, and to the next stage in stitching - two cute little dragons!

 Goodness knows what I'll find to watch on TV next week...

 Happy stitching x

Sweetheart Tree happy dance

I made this scissor fob as a birthday present for Margaret. It's the first time I've tried a beaded edge and I was really happy with the results.

Let's Get Fancy Scissor Fob
(c) The Sweetheart Tree

So many projects, so little time!

The last 3 weeks have flown past.... How have I not found time to write a blog post? To be fair, I was travelling a lot for one of the weeks (7 nights, 6 different hotels/flats/houses...), making it up to Orkney, to Stirling Castle, home, then south to Nottingham and London. So to be fair I didn't stitch or blog much that week, but the other two? I expect when I had spare time I was picking up a needle rather than the laptop!

I've had itchy stitchy fingers of late, finding it hard to settle to one project. Possibly because I've been working so much on Gaelic Banner. It's not that I've fallen out of love with Gaelic Banner, but I think I just needed a change! This is where I've got up to:

Ed and I have taken a fortnight off work - we're now half way through. Very much a staycation. We did go to London last weekend for a party (so happy it was before the Olympics, don't think I could be bothered with the crowds), then my sister came to stay for two days, so we went to Skipton and to Hollingworth Lake - both lovely days out. We might make it to Harlow Carr next week, and Margaret is coming to stay next weekend, but for the most part we are just pottering at home.

Yesterday I finished the Amish Star quilt top. I popped out and bought backing fabric, binding fabric (plain black) and batting, but I've run out of black sewing thread.... So I'll pop out again today. Anyway, here is a photo:

Last night, while watching the Olympics opening ceremony (fabulous and bonkers and VERY British), I started Blackbird Designs' Summer Iris. It's a bit wonky and washed out in the photo though:

Finally, I never shared this happy dance - the final heart of the four Heartstruck Quakers designs. It looks a little washed out here:

Right, it's time for lunch, and there's a needle shouting at me from the arm of the sofa (my 'pin cushion'). Happy stitching folks!