An Award and an Ornie

Clare has very kindly given my blog an award. Thank You so much Clare. :0) I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that folks enjoy visiting my blog. It's nice to be awarded for doing something that is such fun to do............ and it's especially nice to know that my wafflings don't bore the pants off everyone! LOL

The award details are: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with."

I always find choosing a limited number of blogs so difficult as it feels awful leaving so many out when I enjoy every one that I read..... and that list is an ever-growing one as more wonderful blogs are discovered. Please don't feel upset (or insulted!) if you're not on this list. :0)

1] Clare (by return);
2] Julie;
3] Helen;
4] Karen (LOL I know your feelings on awards but I reckon you deserve this one anyway, for all the kindnesses you do);
5] Lynn;
6] Mylene;
7] Angela;
8] Christine.

There are so many I would also love to have included on this list but can't due to being limited to 8. :0(

Now for the ornie. I finally extracted my digit on Wednesday and did the finishing on my February ornie for the JA/S&S Forum Christmas Ornie SAL and here it is:

• Design: Winter Wonderland
• Designer: Andree Langhorn
• Freebie kit with UK Cross Stitcher magazine
• Fabric: 14ct white aida, as supplied
• Threads: Anchor, as supplied
  

That's one less kit in my stash. LOL The ornie, although it may not look like it in the pic, is actually slightly padded - it's backed with red felt. Quite a cute design but I didn't really enjoy stitching it. Still, it's finished now and that's another ornie to add to my tree this year! :0)

The next lot of Challenges are now up. For the JA/S&S Forum the March Challenge is any one of the Quaker freebies from The Work Basket - design is chosen and chart printed out ready to go....... though I may yet change my mind before making a start, as I've since had an idea for a finish I'd like to do and the design chosen isn't quite right for it. I'll make a final decision some time over the weekend - I need to concentrate on Sea Stars first.

The Challenge for a Finish March Challenge is a scissor case finish in green/s, as it's Spring. I haven't yet got a clue for this one and that finish will be a first for me, so am a bit nervous about it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained though. :0) Anyone know of a suitable freebie design, in blackwork or cross stitch, that would fit the bill, please?

Next there's a decision to be made on which design to stitch as March's Christmas ornie. Got my eye on two designs - both are quick and easy and both are already printed out already. I deliberately decided to opt for quick and easy this month to leave me more time for the two Challenges and their finishing. Yes, I know it's not March yet but I want to get a flying start as I want to fit in a couple of extra stitchy smalls, if possible - something that I didn't manage this month despite all best intentions.

I have stitched on NW this week and even put in a second night as it didn't seem to grow much on Tuesday. Will take a pic later and post it another time though. Stitched on SS last night but, again, didn't feel like much was achieved so am going to spend some time on it again today. I'm working on the huge motif in the middle so it's going to take a while to get that done....... and it's probably why it looks and feels like I haven't done much. It's not quite the same instant gratification you get with the tiny fishes and the small motifs. LOL

DH went out to someones retirement "do" out at Brigg last night - he had to be good though as he was driving. He's out again tonight as it's one of the foreign contractors final day today and they want to give him a good send off, as he's been there a while, was really good to work with and he's well liked. Tonight they are going round town, so there's no driving involved, and DH has had yet another brain-hurting/stress inducing week at work to get out of his system so he may well indulge a little more than he usually does. I was invited along to both events but declined - as I said to DH: I'll stay home with my stitching and DVD's thanks, as listening to them all yakking about work all night like a bunch of boring old farts just doesn't appeal somehow. LOL

DS is out at a Carpe Jugulum rehearsal tonight though he's still taking it steady. He went to the Doctor's the other morning to get himself checked out. Diagnosis: badly bruised, though a possibility of a cracked rib - not broken as his lungs are OK and he's not in enough pain for that. Treatment: deep breathing exercises to expand his ribcage and keep things moving, pain killers as and when required...... let time do the rest. He's bought a Deep Heat spray and has been using that and getting a reasonable amount of relief with it. Guess he won't be quite so gung-ho next time he goes Karting then. ;0)

Julie: yes, I used the Crop-A-Dile to set the eyelet in the floss tag. You just have to make a small hole through the fabric and wadding first, to insert the eyelet, then use the C-A-D to fix it. Extremely easy to use, no noise at all and no damage to the eyelet. I haven't always got a great grip with my hands but I can use this with no problems at all. :0)

Many thanks for the kind comments, they're greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend. :0)