Some old exchanges...

 

I've been meaning to post these for ages. Initially I needed to wait for them to arrive to their destinations around the world, but then I just kept forgetting. And just now I've had to look on three devices to find the photos that I took... Back in February!

Anyway, absolutely ages ago (in March 2011, eeeek!) Lindsay of Caring Stitcher (http://purplepds.blogspot.co.uk) won a giveaway on my blog. I stitched the piece up really quickly and then just never got round to finishing and posting it.  Mostly because I couldn't settle on backing fabric. It's Bluebirds Song by Blackbird Designs, finished into a cushion using the fabric it's sitting on.

For my more recent giveaway to celebrate my 300th post back in August last year, I stitched two versions of the same TW design, Greetings. The blue version went to Ana Christina (http://anacristinap.blogspot.co.uk) in Brazil. The multicolour version went to Monique of Cross Stitch Ramblings (http://crossstitchramblings.blogspot.co.uk) in South Africa. It was fun sending the parcels out to two different continents :) the backing fabric is a remnant of fabulous Liberty fabric that I picked up cheap ages ago.

I'm beginning to get the hang of the blogger app on my iPad. I've FINALLY managed to set the picture size so they don't overlap with the menus on the side. But I can't remember how to code adding in a URL, and there isn't a quick button (that I can see). I'll get there eventually...

This weekend I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so am spending the days sat on the some doing very little. But a small amount of simple xs. I just can't not pick my current projects up!

Birds in the garden, birds in the house

It seems appropriate that I've finished Backbird Designs' Spring Song while all the birds have been scoffing seeds and fat balls (they are especially greedy this year!) at our feeding station and as the coal tits nesting next door and the many house sparrows in the area started to fledge. I really enjoyed this design, and the photo really doesn't do it justice. My only alteration was to add two extra rows of the blue 'training fabric' threads. I'm delighted with the result.

My latest new start is The Curse of the Raven by Carriage House Samplings. I'm stitching it in the suggested floss, but instead of the called for 40 count camofudge I'm using a piece of 28ct echo that I picked up in a sale. My plan is to stitch The Raven's Roost by the Goode Huswife on the same piece of fabric. Annoyingly only half my order of floss came in. And I placed the order in late April. After a quick call to the company I found out it was a delay from a US supplier when sending to the UK. I've just reordered with a different company, I hope the have the right colours in stock.

So this makes me wonder, where do people buy their stash from? I try to use UK sellers(avoiding the dangers of import tax and associated fees), but find many only have partial listings in their web sites, so it's hard to know if you've looked at all of the charts by certain designers. I used to use sewandso all the time, but find their range of charts don't really match my current tastes, and their over dyed floss is expensive. I've used Wye needlecraft, often in person if I'm in Bakewell, but less often by post (no idea why, and I always get the JCS ornies issue from them). I've been using Thread Bear recently, but have had a few supply issues (did I mention my entire Christmas present from Eddy, which he placed in November, didn't come in until the end of Jan - no presents under the tree for me, I was not impressed). So this time I'm trying The Patchwork Rabbit, where I have often browsed but rarely bought. I'd love to hear where other people shop!

I'm off work this week, so have been busy in the garden and just generally chillaxing. Today's rain has designated it a crafting day. So far I've browse the internet a lot, but at least I finally posted my happy dance. Time for lunch, then a good stash dive I think. Or maybe some finishing. Or...

Happy stitching folks x

Beautiful birdie

I wanted a change from Peacock Majesty (NB: it is the TW petite, NOT the full peacock tapestry). So I decided to work on some Blackbird Designs pieces. After doing the simple Quaker pin cushion in my last post I decided to work on Spring's Song from the Mary Ann Blackburn booklet. I love that every tenth row, a length of thread is pulled put of the linen and replaced with blue, to mimic the 'training linen' in the original sampler. I decided to do this 8 times, not just 6 as in the model, so the pattern extends to the edge of the piece. It's been quite a quick stitch, and I kept forgetting to post pics. This is where I am up to, just the top border to go:

Sorry for the crumpled linen, I'm stitching this one in-hand!

I've also finished-finished Rose Garden (a while back, but failed to share), here's a quick photo. It's resting on the fabric I used for the backing.

I've just got back from an epic shopping trip to buy myself a new (slightly larger) ball gown. My friend Julia helped me pick one that's outside of my comfort zone but stunning. Can't wait for Friday now. Of course I'm now shattered so it's time to put my feet up, have a cuppa and do some stitching!

Happy stitching folks x

Night Happy Dance

I've been busy travelling with work again, hence the lack of posts. After the trip to Slovenia and Croatia I've been to a conference in York, a meeting in London, a PhD viva in Copenhagen and two conferences in Canada. Good job I love to travel!

I've been taking Peacock Majesty along as my travelling piece, but as you can imagine progress has been slow.  I have now finished the bottom half of the project though:

When I've been at home I've been focussing on Maria Sharrenberg's Night, which I finished just before the trips to Copenhagen and Calgary. I was so busy travelling I nearly forgot to happy dance!

I got back at 10pm Monday, delayed by 13 hours due to a cancelled flight. I did not expect to eat my dinner in Amtserdam on Monday! (London to Amsterdam to Leeds in neither logical nor fun, but it was that or spend the night at Heathrow).

I was back in work the following morning, but luckily the long day on Monday was a great way to get over the jet lag quickly! We get Friday, Monday and Tuesday off for Easter at the University. Friday I mostly slept, and Saturday I had a headache, but on Sunday I was sufficiently relaxed to start a new project - which I finished this morning. This is Summer Stars Pincushion from A Stitcher's Journey by Blackbird Designs. I substituted the pink from Woodrose to Antique Rose, as I didn't have the former in my stash. Caramel Corn was too close in colour to the fabric, so I switched that with Aged Pewter. I'm really pleased with the result. It's stitched on 30ct Sheep's Staw by R&R Reproductions.

I hope everyone is havinga lovely Easter break, and managed to find some stitching time :)

Travelling stitching

Last weekend I got back from a work trip in Croatia and Slovenia, and then set off again right away to a Wedding in Shropshire... Which means I've not had much R&R time of late, and this week I've been so shattered after work I haven't really stitched as much as usual.

I took Peacock Majesty on tour with me, and enjoyed working away on it during the flight to Ljubijana and again on the flight back from Zagreb. I did some more on Monday and Tuesday night this week, and I've completed the wall:

While I was away travelling I mised the early March TUSAL, so here is a very late picture. Most of the orts are from Peacock Majesty.

I had to go into work today too, but now I am free for the next 36 hours..  Time to settle down on the sofa and get some stitching done. I fancy a change in project, but nothing is calling out to me yet. I think. I can't settle because I've been so busy, but I am sure after a little WIP / stash diving I can find something suitable!

What are your weekend plans? Hope they are fun and relaxing. 

Happy stitching folks xx

Introducing Herbert Junior...

In the run up to Christmas I was a bit rubbish at posting, and I forgot to post a happy dance. In actual fact I completely forgot I'd stitched the piece until I found it in a bag while tidying up last night! This is Herbert by Hand on Heart, I actually stitched him years ago and gave him away as a present. Herbert Junior is MINE...

This also means I managed to forget to include him in my stitchy finishes for 2013 (I THINK he was done before the new year). Oops. He is stitched an a scrap of silk weaver Lugana fabric, but I can't remember what it's called, but I used all the flosses suggested on the chart. The fabric isn't quite as purply as the photo suggests.

This week has been hugely busy so I've not sat and stitched much, but I have finished the bottom section of the tail on peacock majesty and started on the wall.

I have friends staying this weekend, so I don't think I'll get as much done as usual - I'll be out having fun! 

Happy stitching folks x

Peacock Majesty

I started this piece while on a work trip to South Africa 18 months ago, and never got past the background on the right side. Once I finished Rose Garden I felt like a TW so I picked it up again. In just over a week I've almost completed the tail - and I love the colours.

In the week I ordered some new fabric, so I can start a Blackbird Designs - probably one of the two smaller charts in Mary Ann Blackburn, but I've not decided which yet. I bought all the threads while in the US last April, so I SHOULD be good to go...

Right now I'm waiting for Sonia so we can go to a Sheffield Lacemakers working day - I'm taking Wisteria, and I'd like to get round the first corner today.

Hope everyone else is having a fun, stitchy weekend xxx