Tatty Ted/Me To You Bears!

Over the years I have stitched many Tatty Ted Designs.  My first one was for my daughters 21st Birthday card.  My boss saw what I had been stitching and suggested that I could stitch a card for her daughter Hannah, who was just a little younger than mine.  So, for many years I stitched Birthday and Christmas cards for both of them.  I did most of the Christmas designs twice, but not all the birthday ones.  There was one problem!  I hated the backstitching for Tatty Ted.  So the best way around it was to stitch two at the same time, but leave the backstitching until the end.  I knew I had to finish them both, and on time.   So here are some pictures of what I have stitched.  These were mostly taken on my old camera (pre digital), so not always good photo's.

First the Christmas Cards.

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Next, Birthday Cards.

Surprise Post!

I have had some lovely things come in the post for me during this month, but I keep forgetting to post pictures of them for you to see.  First I received a package from Kate at MSCSG (Margaret Sherry's Cross Stitch Group).  I won a competition and was asked what prize I would like.  So I chose some DMC threads/floss, as I find it difficult to buy in the shops.  And a package came with some lovely purple ribbon also.  Here's a picture.

And just last week I received a "Giveraway" prize from Christina who's blog is called "Fugue".  I'm just so lucky.  I love the Christmas Ornaments Magazine and can't wait to get stitching.

 

Giveaways

There are some lovely Giveaways about at the moment.   Do go have have a look at the following:-

Patty C is having a Giveaway at "Hanging On By A Thread". The Winner will be announced on Thanksgiving Day (24 November 2011).

Tanya is having a Giveaway at "Friendship Crossing". Draw will take place on 25 November 2011. Now extended till 30 November 2011.

Lisa at "Hocky Mom Stitchin' Hobby" is celebrating 3 years blogoversary and is having a Giveaway. There will be two winners!! Deadline to enter is 27 November 2011.

I will also update my sidebar with more Giveaways as soon as I spot them.

-ooOoo-

Well, I think that's all from me!   So, Happy Stitching Everyone.

Past Christmas Cards

It's a long time since I last posted.  I'm in the middle of a Christmas Card for my daughter at the moment.  I've had to do some frogging, but it's now coming along nicely.  So, I thought I would share with you some of the Christmas Cards that I have stitched in the past.

Country Companions

Close up.  Stitch in 2010.

Forever Friends

Close up.  Stitched in 2009

Me To You (Tatty Ted).

Close up.

From Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch Australia.

Close up.

Seraphina

Seraphina - close up.

Seraphina.

Close up.

Angel from Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch Australia.

Tom Mouse from Country Companions

Close up.

My First Christmas Card.

These are just some of the cards that I have stitched for my daughter over the years.  The last one is a bit crumpled.  I used glue to stick it in the card, which I will never do again.  I now use double sided tape, which is much better.  I also pad out my cards to give a raised effect.  I find you don't need too much as it can distort your card when folding it together.

Must get back to doing some more stitching.  Christmas is just around the corner!!

Happy Stitching Everyone

Bonfire Night! and Quilting Show

Tonight is Bonfire Night.  In the UK we remember Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament.  We build bonfires and place an effigy of Guy Fawkes on the fire, and watch him burn.  Followed by lots of fireworks.  As I'm writing this, I'm listen to lots of fireworks going off.  It's been like it since it got dark and will carrying on until midnight or a bit later.

Today I've been to a Quilt Show.  I found out about it from Arlene from one of the forums that I'm on.  I decided to walk, and it took me 40 minutes to get there.  I am glad to say I arrived on time at 10 am.  The first person to greet me was Arlene.  I also got a warm welcome from the Totley Brook Quilters.  Great, there was a shop for me to buy some more books and some new fabrics.  The ladies are also excellent cooks.  So I have a lovely cup of tea and come cake.  Yum Yum.  Then there was the exhibition to look around.  There were some lovely quilts.  All different sizes and on display inside a church.  As usual I had my camera ready to hand.  And here are just some of the quilts that I saw.

Close ups of some of the quilts

More close ups of some of the quilts

Some close ups of the quilts

The exhibition of quilts

These were all made by Anne Smith.  They look better in real life.  My photo's don't do them justice.

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What an unusual Christmas Stocking!  No I did not buy it.

Perhaps one day I will finish off the quilt I started 28 years ago!  Well, you never know.  At least I know where it is.  But I've still got lots of other stitching to do before Christmas.  And plenty to do next year!

Until next time, Happy Stitching.

Two Birthdays

I just wanted to share with you the two cards I sent to 2 stitching friends who's birthdays are on the same day, 1 November.

Birthday Care for Mary Grace

Birthday Card for Lee

I'm just happy to say they both received them on time.

Next year I have some big Birthdays coming up.  I have 4, 50th and 1, 70th Birthday Cards to stitch for.  I just hope I have them all prepared in time.  I think I will be sending some Hardanger Cards for the girls and something special for my brother, not sure what yet, men are so hard to find the right design for.

Now I will have to catch up on my Christmas Cards that need stitching as it's only 1 month, 3 weeks and 3 days till Christmas!!!

Oh, and here I have captured a picture of one of our grey squirrels that comes into our garden.  They just can't resist the bird food.

Grey Squirrel

Happy Stitching Everyone