Memories Part 2

Last nights' plan of carrying on with the Memories SAL worked out nicely and an uninterrupted evening of stitching resulted in a Mini HD when Part 2 was completed:This is a dream to stitch and I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far, so roll on Part 3!

Today's stitching plan is to finally tackle some of the dreaded metallic backstitching on Egyptian Tablet, as it's UFO Tuesday today. I've had two weeks off, so I could catch up with my SAL's, but I now get the feeling that Mr Stick is on the look-out for me and is in no mood to take any prisoners this week...... so I'd best be good and definitely get some done. When that's out of the way it's on to Part 2 of the Ozark Mystery Sampler. :0)

I had been thinking of having another trip to the library today, to take back one of the books I've finished reading, then to the sewing shop for some cording but with a combination of waking up with a touch of sinusitis/headache and the weather turning cold and windy again soon changed my mind. Quite a few of the properties down the High Street have old slate roofs which have a nasty habit of losing the odd slate in windy weather, so it's best avoided on days like today. It's not horrendously windy: just fierce enough to skittle the plastic watering cans (since been filled with water, so they ain't going anywhere now) and free-wheel the empty compost bin around the garden (not bothering rescuing it, as it'll just be off again in the next good gust). It does feel like it's building up though and I've heard that some other parts of the UK are getting it much worse, so I hope everyone is OK and staying safely indoors.

Right, I'm off to try and gain back some of those lost brownie points with Mr Stick. ;0)

Thanks for visiting and stay safe. :0)

Next, Please!

Well, after finishing Part 1 of the For Amanda SAL and completing the finishing on the monthly challenge the next item on the list was Part 2 of the Memories SAL, which I finally got around to starting last night. Thoroughly enjoyed stitching the three bands and the alphabet is stitching up much quicker than expected. Here's where I left off last night: No stitching during the day today, as it's my regular Monday routine of getting jobs done ready for Alex popping in for a coffee and natter, but I hope to get back to this tonight to complete it. :0)

Next item on the list is Part 2 of the Ozark Mystery SAL and I really should start on the backstitch on Egyptian Tablet, especially as it'll be UFO Tuesday again tomorrow. Mr Stick has been pretty lenient with me so far - don't want to push my luck any further! ;0)

I've also been playing around with various ideas for making up a couple of Christmas ornies I stitched some time ago and want to do them at some point this week too. Taking part in the monthly challenge is doing my confidence a lot of good as I now want to try different finishing techniques: instead of thinking "Oo, that looks hard - I can't do that" it's more a case of "I like the look of that - I want to have a go". Many thanks Karen and Julie: this change in attitude is down to you both and my drawer full of sad, neglected little stitched pieces, once transformed and on display, will also be eternally grateful! :0)

Yesterday didn't go quite as planned but was a good day anyway. We had been thinking of having a trip over to Newark to visit the Mind, Body and Spirit event on there but when it came to it we decided we didn't fancy the travelling. DH had had a horrendous week at work - with no end in sight for the problems just yet - and instead of just a morning at work on Saturday it ended up being most of the day, so he was shattered. The project he's involved with is called Caster 5 - it's now more commonly known across the works as Disaster 5!
I shared my day between the computer, my stitching, pottering and making tea and, after a quiet morning, DH disappeared into the loft in the afternoon to continue fitting the overflow tank for the boiler. He claimed it was a nice distraction from the stresses of work - who am I to argue? Whatever floats your boat! LOL

As for the tagging: thanks for the comments. I guess, after reading the tag post, it's a case of all those who thought I was a bit weird having their suspicions confirmed for real now. LOL ;0) I've enjoyed seeing what others have posted too: it's amazing how much some of us have in common - although not referring to weirdness here, just general similarities. Wonder if it's the stitchy gene that promotes that? :0)

Thank you again for taking the time out of your day to come visit - hope you're all having a good start to the week. :0)

TAG, You're It!

It's definitely the month for firsts! I've just been tagged for the first time ever by Mylene and have to name seven weird or random facts about myself. Hope I've figured this out properly and get it right!

First, the Rules:

1 Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2 Post the Rules on your blog.
3 Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4 Tag 7 people and link them.
5 Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Second, 7 weird or random facts about me:

1) I can read things even when they are upside down or back-to-front (although that excludes GP's writing - I defy anyone to decipher Doctors writing any which way up it is!);
2) I hate all fairground rides, apart from the Dodgems, and won't ride on them for anything (not even for mega-bucks!);
3) I love the smell and feel of clean bedding on my bed - bliss!;
4) I openly confess to being a sci-fi buff and a Trekkie and can do a Vulcan "Live long and prosper" salute with either hand (am also ambidextrous when flipping the bird too LOL) :0) ;
5) I love my garden and pottering around in it but am not much of a gardener and don't plan: if a plant is pretty and smells nice it gets in, usually the nearest available space, then it has to fend for itself;
6) I believe in ghosts/spirits and love watching anything about them (especially Most Haunted) but don't like watching horror movies because they are too scary!;
7) When I was a very small toddler I tripped and fell hands first into an open fire at my Gran's house - don't remember anything about it but I was scared of fires, especially big bonfires, and wouldn't hold sparklers for a long time until Mum told me what had happened when I was about 10 or 11 - been OK ever since, though still have some minor scarring on both hands as a reminder.

I have tagged:

Claire; Helen; Julie; Karen; Elisa; Dawn and Sally.

My apologies if you've already been tagged - I'm new to this and not sure of what the etiquette is. If you do participate, please come back to my blog and leave a comment. I look forward to reading your posts. :0)

A Thank You, an Update and a Reveal

First of all I'd like to thank all you lovely ladies for the kind comments and well wishes re: my first solo excursion. It was a big hurdle for me and it's taken a long time to get to this point, so your kindness means a great deal. Knowing you're there "cheering me on" will help me go out on my own again and to start venturing further afield - so a BIG thank you to you all. :0)

When he heard DH was so pleased he took us out to the Malt Shovel that night for a celebration meal. I was boring and had the poached salmon in dill sauce again (it is rather good) :0)

Yesterday I felt a bit like I'd run a marathon so had a quiet day. After discovering it was reveal day for the JA Monthly Challenge I had a bit of an "Oh dear" moment ;0) and set to stitching the back of the piece and getting it ready for making up. Guess who thought reveal day wasn't until next week? Double Doh! In the evening I felt quite tired and didn't want to risk making a mistake on that or on Part 2 of Memories SAL so decided it was the turn of Night Watchman to grow a bit, as it's fairly straightforward to stitch:

Not huge progress but it's more of an "in between" project so am not in any rush to finish it.

As DH was up and out early, due to having to work today, and DS shot off a bit later to the monthly Farmers Market in Brigg with Alex, I decided it was the ideal time to tackle the Challenge finishing. It's the first time I've done a heart-shaped finish and it's nowhere near perfect in shape, but am pretty pleased with how it's turned out, more or less as I'd visualised it....... especially as it took me most of the flipping afternoon and several false starts/unpicks to finally decide how to sew the two halves together!

It was stitched 3 over 2.
On the back I stitched the bottom heart motif from the front (2 over 2) and added a cherub charm, then took the letters (mine and DH's initials) from a freebie chart here (1 over1) and the rose motif (1 over 1) from another freebie here. Thanks to those ladies for them. :0)

The fabric is Polstitches 28ct evenweave in Pearl; thread is Rajmahal art silk #379 and the chart is a freebie by Kristine Herber of Dragonfly Stitches. Many thanks for the chart Kris - it was lovely to stitch. :0)

I love the reveal and so enjoyed looking at all the pics of the pieces the other Challenge stitchers had done: so many pretty colours of fabric and thread and it's amazing to see how different the same design can look just by changing these. There were some interesting finishing techniques used too and quite a few I'd like to try out at some point.

The three freebie choices for next months Challenge are now up for voting. It's been made seriously hard this time around, as I love all of the designs and would like to stitch them all, but my vote has been cast. Can't wait to find out which one we'll be stitching. :0)

Well if I'm going to get any of Part 2 of Memories stitched today I'd better go and get on with it.

Hope you're all having a good weekend and thanks for taking the time to stop by. :0)

Putting the Flags Out!

WhooooHoooo! Am putting the flags out and celebrating: I did it! I did it! I did it at last!
After two days of failed attempts to get out of the house and walk down to the library on my own I finally managed to do it earlier this afternoon. WhaaaayHaaay!
My heart was bumping so fast it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest when I first stepped out of the door but I asked my Guardian Angel to walk with me and give me strength to do it, kept my mind focused on each step and before I knew it I was walking in the library and getting my books re-stamped. Then browsed the talking book section and took out one of those to try, then, as it was only on the opposite side of the road, walked over to the Tesco Express store and got a few groceries for tea before walking back home again. Not a panic attack in sight either!
OK, it ain't as exciting as climbing Mount Everest or walking the wilds of Outer Mongolia but it was one of the main hurdles to overcome in a long, slow recovery from agoraphobia/panic attacks and it feels like I'm now finally going to get my life back to normal. :0)

I realised late last night that I hadn't posted a pic of the surprise package I received from Dusty last week. The Valentine's card is fun and sings "Who let the dogs out!" when opened (made me jump a mile the first time LOL!). The Emie Bishop hardanger heart is very pretty and is going on my "To Do" list straightaway, the buttons are so sweet and I haven't got many DMC variegated, so will enjoy trying that out at some point. If you're reading this Dusty: thanks again, you made my day. :0)
Last night was good too, as I finished the pulled thread inner border on the Amanda SAL, so Part 1 is now completed. Mini HD for that. :0) DH still hasn't sorted out the digicam port thingy (yeah, real tech speak! LOL) and it won't all fit on the scanner but you'll get an overall idea of what it's like from the pic:
Apart from a couple of minor frog visits (miscounting due to tv programme being too interesting) it was a joy to stitch - definitely 10/10 for Carol. Love those DD silks too - they're definitely next in line for a Monthly Collectors Club once I've got all of the Carrie's threads in my stash. Today's stitch will be Part 2 of Jayne's Memories SAL, so I can catch up with that before the next part of the Ozark SAL arrives (any time now).

Have you all seen Christine's new releases over at Alchemy Stitchcraft yet? They're all gorgeous but I just love Knot Garden - so much so that I've ordered the chart from Jayne and can't wait to get my hot little hands on it! WTG Christine!

My DSis has had her thumb checked over and the nurse said it's healing well, with no sign of infection. :0) The butterfly strips come off Monday or Tuesday next week and the nurse said she could do that herself, especially as she also has some spare bandages to re-dress it at home. Saves her having to make the trip to the surgery so she's a happy bunny.

Rebecca: many thanks for posting the info on the shop in Grimsby. I shall keep my eyes open for it next time we go. :0)

Well I reckon I've now settled down a bit, after being as high as a kite since my trip out, so I reckon a little stitching may be in order, don't you?

Thanks again to all those who take the time to visit my blog - hope you don't get too bored with all the waffling on. :0)

Frost, Fog and Fun

We've been having hard frosts for days now, making it bitterly cold, but the last couple of days the fog has descended in the early evening and has been hanging around most of the next morning too. I hate fog! Before I married I worked in a residential hospital that wasn't on a direct bus route, so I had a 25 minute to walk to get there. The morning shift began at 7.15am. Imagine the walk to work when the fogs were pea-soupers and you could barely see a foot in front of you........ then you hear footsteps. You can hear them but the fog muffles them, so you can't tell which direction they're coming from, and you can't see who or what is making them.
I tell you, it cured me of reading scarey books and watching horror films because it's just not nice remembering every single gory detail in circumstances like that! I reeeeeeaaaalllly hate fog! LOL

Am having a fun day, despite the hated fog. I got a really nice surprise when a pinkie turned up on the doorstep. Had I ordered something from Jayne, then developed a sudden bout of amnesia? No, Julie had recycled the packaging and very kindly sent me a couple of Cafe Creme tins so I can have a go at tin finishing. Thank you again for your kindness Julie - I shall enjoy expanding my finishing techniques with these. :0)

I also got a package from Jenny, a fellow member of the Stitch'n'Stash Forum. She's been having a stash clear out and I just had to re-home this little fella for her:
I haven't yet stitched a Newton piece but I love the little chap and have got quite a few kits in my stash waiting to go. Why haven't I stitched one yet, when I like him so much? Well, I've been playing around with the idea of stitching my favourite designs from the range on an afghan, rather than as individual pictures, as I shall run out of wall space otherwise! What do you reckon?

I also got this particular kit from Jenny to stitch as a surprise for my DH:

He's had quite a few working trips to Italy this last year or so, mostly flying via Venice airport, and actually managed a little sight-seeing on a couple of occasions, which he thoroughly enjoyed. I though it would make a nice memento for him. Plus stitching and framing it will solve the birthday present dilemma this year! :0)

I've also had fun making a card for my MIL, who has her 70th birthday later this month. As it's a milestone birthday, and due to it being her first birthday since she lost her DD to cancer in March last year (those firsts are always hard), I wanted to make it a little extra special. It's got a layer of glitter card, as well as glitzy sequins and gems on it, so sparkles much more IRL. She loves her garden and flowers, as did her DD, so the theme was easy to choose. I love those cards that just fall into place as you go. :0)

I carried on with the Amanda SAL last night, so now have all of the green cross and backstitch bits and some of the cross stitch berries completed. There are a few more berries to do and a pulled stitch inner border, then that's Part 1 completed - won't post another pic until it's all done. Next up will be Part 2 of Jayne's Memories SAL - can't wait! Oh, and I guess I'd better get on with doing the finishing on the Monthly Challenge too. I know what I want to do, I can see the picture of it in my head....... it's transferring that into a reality that's stumping me! >rolleyes<

Update on my DSis: her thumb and arm (where she had the anti-tet shot) are sore but she's doing OK otherwise. She goes to see the nurse on Thursday to have it checked and the dressing changed. She's stated she's not going to be buying tins of corned beef any more. Don't blame her!

Many thanks to all who visit and for the kind comments - they make my day. :0)

Amanda and a New Start

Back after the weekend and now trying to catch my breath.
Friday and Saturday I managed to concentrate on my stitching for a few extended periods and the Amanda SAL has seen the benefit of that. Here's where I got up to by Saturday evening: It's a little bit fiddlier than I expected, so it seems to be taking a bit longer to grow than I'd hoped. Got to get it done though, as Part 2 of Memories is already waiting and Part 2 of the Ozark SAL is due out any time soon.

DH didn't mind me stitching on Saturday as we decided to stay in so he could get on with fitting an exterior expansion tank for the central heating boiler. Not sure quite how this works but it goes up in the loft, plumbed in next to the other water tanks, and replaces the internal expansion bag that isn't working. Currently if the boiler pressure drops below a certain amount it cuts out and we freeze our butts off until someone tweaks a small tap next to the boiler to increase the pressure again. Fixing it this way was the cheaper option - those internal expansion bags for condensing boilers cost an arm and a leg and don't seem to last long at all. DH seemed to spend an awful lot of time searching for bits he needed for fitting it and not much time actually working - don't think he fancied being up in the rather cold loft, as we've had so many hard frosts lately it makes you glad you're not a brass monkey! Wish I knew a plumber - I'd have him in while DH is at work, get it all sorted in an hour or two and save a lot of hassle from yet another long drawn out DIY job!

I also had a new start over the weekend. Well, I had to test out the No-Sew Clip frame, didn't I? Can you guess what it is? No, I guess not - even I can't from that little bit LOL.
It's Night Watchman, the beautiful owl kit from Heritage Stitchcraft that I got in a sale earlier this year - it's been calling loudly to me ever since I got it and I couldn't ignore it any more. I swapped the Aida in the kit for some 28ct cream Brittany I had in my stash - those weird fractionals Heritage love are definitely best done on evenweave.

Sunday we went to my DSis's for the day, as she needed help moving a huge wardrobe so she could continue painting the box room. I did a little stitching on NW whilst there but had to drop it when we had an unexpected trip to casualty. DSis had a fight with a corned beef tin, lost and got a nasty deep gash across her right thumb pad - haven't seen that much blood in a long time! Several pieces of kitchen roll and lots of compression later and the bleeding had slowed down a little but would start again as soon as she moved it. Off to DRI to be told there was a three to four hour wait (too many people using it as a Doctor's surgery and not as an A&E, methinks!). Luckily the nice woman we spoke to told us there was a Small Injuries Unit at a small hospital in Mexborough, so a 25-30 minutes journey later we were there and DSis was seen and treated in under 35 minutes. She had it butterfly stripped and bandaged and had an anti-tetanus shot. Back at hers and I told her we were lucky: she hadn't bled on the corned beef, so we could still have it for tea. LOL Her reply is unrepeatable in polite company but at least it brought back some colour to her cheeks and got her laughing again. When she realised it would get her out of doing pot washing and cashing up at work she was definitely in a happier frame of mind. LOL

It's half term here, so Alex hasn't been for her usual Monday natter, but I did my regular jobs anyway and a few extras. I'm now feeling quite the virtuous housewife (doesn't happen often) and shall reward myself with a quiet evening of stitching in front of the TV. ;0) It looks like DH will have to work late, so I'll get to watch whatever I want as well - and there's a Most Haunted on. WhoooHoo! :0)

Hope you've all had a good weekend and that the week has got off to a good start for you. :0)