Owl Stitch Along and Giveaways Galore

I have just joined a group called OakHaven Designs Yahoo Group and I am participating in there Stitch along.  So here is a picture of the January Owl.  I just loved this owl from the moment I saw him.  Just need to finish the February Owls and I will be on track to start March.   Just 11 more for me to stitch.  It's the first time I have joined a SAL and everyone stitching the same thing!  Oh, I am enjoying this!   If you want to see more OakHaven Designs have a look at there blog.

OakHaven Designs by Tonia Pappan - January Owl.  

 I've finally pick up my "Time and Season Sampler", so I thought I would show you an update on it.  There is still lots to stitch.  Hopefully by next week I will be able to show you a bit more done.

Time and Season Sampler by Moira Blackburn.

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Giveaways Galore

There are quite a few giveaways again.

Notes from under the Mountain is having a little stitching giveaway.  Become a follower and leave a comment on her blog in February and say what part of the world you live in.  Draw will be in March.

Samplings from a Blue Ribbon Girl is Celebrating 100 designs and is having a giveaway.  Simply leave one comment telling me your favorite Blue Ribbon Design and why.  Draw is on 26 February.

Loretta's Stitching Blog is celebrating 100 + followers Giveaway.  Drawn of 6 March.

Feathers in the Nest is holding a Spring Fever Give-a-way.   Winner will be picked on 1st March.

My Life in Stitches 60 followers giveaway.  Pick a winner on 26 February.

Willow Tree Pond First year of blog giveaway.  Winner will be picked out of 26 February.

Nutmegger Stitcher's Work.  Reached over 100 followers.  Pick a winner on 24 February.

Crafty Lil' Witch Some stash to giveaway.  Draw names on Sunday 27 February.

Pine Mountain Designs  All you have to do is "Post a comment anytime in the month of February for a chance to win a free March Kit!  Follow Me for another entry!  Good Luck!"

Joanie's World  I'm tired of Winter Giveaway!  Draw the lucky winner on the 1st day of Spring, 20 March.


Craftymoo   Spring Giveaway.  Draw will be 5 March.

Well I hope that's all!!  You never know, more might turn up soon.  I have added more since I first posted this.

Happy Stitching

Woke up this morning to Snow

This is what I woke up to this morning.  Lots of snow.

It was only supposed to be on the high ground, but they don't always get the forecast right!

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Giveaway

A New Giveaway this time from Craftymoo.    The Prize is 2 lots of Silkweaver Fabric, 4 Vicky Clayton Silk Threads, 4 DMC Variegated threads and of course some wonderful Moo stickers. There will be something in the sweet/chocolate line added too.  Do go and have a look at her blog.  You never know, you might be a winner.  It will be drawn on Saturday 5th March.  Good Luck Everyone.

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Well, I'm back on track and have picked up my "Time and Season Sampler" again.    It's going to be a stitchy week-end for me, so I hope to show you how hard I have been working and will post a picture of it at the beginning of next week.

Happy Stitching

Hardanger

I've been stitching this Hardanger most of this week and have had a few problems, which meant that I had to unpick.  But I got there in the end.   I originally got this design from Nordic Needle, but this freebie is not on there anymore.  I made just one change to the original.  I put some sequins on it instead of some satin diamonds.

This was stitched with variegated DMC No. 4030 thread/floss.

Happy Stitching

Stitching Hearts

For those who love stitching here is a 'Stitching Heart' from "A Mon Ami Pierre".

Here is the free pdf

You will find some more freebies from the same designer here.
If you like this design, have a look at some more here.

French Inspired Heart

Here is the free pdf for the peacocks heart.

And here is another link for some more freebies from Cross Stitch Treasures.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone and Happy Stitching

Valentine Giveaway

More Giveaways.  Happiness is cross stitching by Lynn B has a Valentine Giveaway, and here is a picture of what you could win.

Also there is still a chance for you also to win from Lynn B on the One World One Heart Giveaway.  The winner will be drawn on 17 February 2011.  And here is a picture of what you could win.

I thought you would like to see "The Kiss" Valentine Card all made up.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone and Happy Stitching

The Georgian Garden

Here is another finish.  "The Georgian Garden" by the Textile Heritage Collection.  The photograph does not do it justice. This was a birthday present from my husband some time ago.  I think he will be pleased to see something he chose for me to stitch, actually done.

The Georgian Garden

In Georgian times the naturalistic garden became popular with wide lawns, trees, lakes, temples and bridges.  While this fashion could be given full scope in the grounds of a stately home, for the most modest garden weeping willows and planted tubs with citrus trees were an alternative.  Although in such gardens the peacock was a decorative, if noisy, addition, in earlier religious embroidery it was a symbol of the resurrection, due to the annual renewal of its gorgeous plumage.  The delicate pinks and blues of this design are particularly evocative of the Georgian era and the work of the architect and designer Robert Adam (1728-92).  His Temple of Victory in the gardens of Audley End House in Essex inspired the central feature of this kit.  The magnificent eighteenth century landscape park at Audley End was devised by 'Capability' Brown.  For further information about Audley End House and Gardens, which are now in the care of English Heritgae, and open to the public just click here.  [This information was taken from the kit.]

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Yesterday started out a bit dull, but we were promised some nice weather, or though a bit cold.  I went out with some friends into the countryside and visited the Ladybower Reservoir in the Derwent Valley.  Here are some pictures that I took.

Pheasant

Greylag Goose

Reflection in the water of trees

Bracket fungi

 

Views of the surrounding countryside at Ladybower in the Upper Derwent Valley.

Happy Stitching 
  

Garden Gossip

I've finally finished "Garden Gossip" and I am very please at how he turned out.  

I'm also glad I stitched him on blue.

"Garden Gossip" by Margaret Sherry

 New Giveaway

Have a look at Notes from under the Mountain.  Lee is having a giveaway.  All you have to do is become a follower of her blog, post a comment on it during the month of February and say what part of the world you are from.  You never know, you could be a winner!

Happy Stitching 

Hardanger

Instead of cross stitching, I decided to do some Hardanger.  I've been looking through some of the freebies you can get from Nordic Needle and found "Crystals 4" pattern.  Here is the pdf link.  I've been doing Hardanger for a few years now, but I still feel like I'm a beginner as there are so many stitches to learn.  So every piece is a learning piece.  So far I have only done small items.  This way I can build myself up to do something bigger.

Well, here's my first Hardanger of 2011.

Crystals 4 - design by Roz Watnemo of Nordic Needle, Inc.

This was stitched with variegated thread from DMC 4030.

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I done this next one last year for a friend's granddaughters' 18th birthday.  Another Nordic Needle design called "Ocean Waves", but I changed the colours to pink.  Here is the pdf link.

Close up of "Ocean Waves" design by Roz Watnemo of Nordic Needle, Inc.

This was stitched with variegated thread from Anchor 1320.

Hannah Joy's 18th Birthday Card

Happy Stitching

What have I been up to!

Welcome to all my followers.  It's lovely to see so many following me and thank you for all your lovely comments.

What have I been up to!  You ask.  Well, my friends are having there little boy baptised on Sunday, so I have made a little card for him.

Johnny's Baptism Card

This is also a freebie chart from 'The Chart Shop' and here is the link.

I have also finished another Margaret Sherry Christmas Mouse.

Christmas Mouse

I've also, almost finished another Margaret Sherry design called "Garden Gossip".  All I need to do is finish the back stitching, and you know how tricky that can be.

Giveaways

I have noticed that there are quite a few Giveaways on different blog sites which I want to share with you.  First there is the "One World One Heart Giveaway" from Happiness is Cross Stitching.   All you need to do is leave a comment on the blog.  What you can win is A needlepouch, Scissor keep - scissors not included, Needlecase with polymer clay cupcake and strawberry pins inside, Polymer clay handmade buttons and a little teapot, and 6 'made with love' metal tags.  The winner will be drawn on 17 February 2011.

The other Giveaway is from Samplings from a Blue Ribbon Girl.  This is a "Stitching Pouch & Tools Giveaway" as Belinda has now over 400 followers.  Just follow the rules and leave a comment.  You have until the 5 February to enter.

Happy Stitching