The Snow flower Diaries

Hi Everyone

Doesn't time fly.  It's already the second instalment of the "Joyful World" SAL from The Snow Flower Diaries.  The next one comes out on 10 February 2016.

There is still time to join in the fun.

Take Care and Happy Stitching Everyone

The Snow Flower Diaries

Hi Everyone

I have been looking at some of my fellow bloggers posts and noticed that Maja from The Snowflower Diaries is starting a SAL called 'Joyful World', and is a primitive monthly calendar.  The first pattern for January is already up on her blog and also on Facebook.  The next pattern is due out on 10 January 2016.  This looks a fun SAL to join.

Take Care and Happy Stitching Everyone

Some Finnishes a New Arrival!! and a Freebie.

Hi Everyone, So glad you could pop by and have a look at what I've been up too.

Well, lets start with the finishes.  I've done two more of the "Starry Night" tree decorations by The Prairie Schooler.  

I've already started the next one, just two more to go.  I have really enjoyed stitching these.

And now for the New Arrival!!

Jingles has arrived safely.

Jingles the bear has arrived safely, together with his stash of food, as it was a long journey from the USA to the UK.  Together with a beautiful card from Tricia of The Stamper's Stitches and of course the Lizzie Kate "Fa La La La La" chart.  Tricia had a Giveaway at the beginning of September and I'm glad to say "I won".  Thank you so much Tricia, I just Love Jingles, and I will have to get started on stitching "Fa La La La La".

FREEBIES!

I've been searching for freebies on the web and found this Winter Sampler from Leisure Arts.

Winter Sampler by Leisure Arts.

This is an old freebie on a blog dated 11 December 2011.  If you want to try some more of there "Downloadable Christmas Patters!" and not just cross stitch, but other craft items also, just click on this link.

Well, that's all for now, so until Next time, Happy Stitching Everyone.

A Finish, A Freebie and Bobbins

Hi Everyone

It's some time since I've had a finish.  But "Popcorn" is ready and posted off today.  Here are some photo's of him.  I can't believe that it's taken me 3 months to stitch!!

Close up of Popcorn.

Finished Card of Popcorn.

-ooOoo-

I have began a new start on a freebie from DMC.  It's of Ollie Owl from the "Woodland Folk" and you can download the free chart from here.  Here's how it's progressing.

Free Ollie Owl from DMC.

-ooOoo-

Bobbins

I've noticed a few blogs regarding bobbins, that I wanted to share with you.   The first is by "Wild Olive".

These Wound-Up Thread/Floss Bobbins are all set for you to print out on card stock and wind up your own embroidery thread/floss on. The PDF has 20 bobbins, each with a different colour thread/floss on it...but of course, you can use them for all your lovely colours!

The next one is by Las Telitas de Mariisa, who gives a tutorial on how to make and cover bobbins with  material.   They also look great with ribbon or lace wound around them!

And lastly, I found some lovely pretty designs for you.  You will have to scroll down to find lots of different designs.  Aurorebbb.canalblog.  Or you can try the archive list here.

 Until Next time, Happy Stitching Everyone

"Waiting for Santa" and "Ice Skating Penguin"

Hi Everyone

I've just finished stitching Margaret Sherry's new freebie "Waiting for Santa".  I just love her cat designs.  He's just so cute, I had to stitch him straight away.  Fortunately, I had all but one of the Anchor colours, but I found a similar colour to replace it.

"Waiting for Santa"

Just click on  Margaret Sherry Kits

I've also stitched an Ice Skating Penguin from "Enjoy Cross Stitch at Christmas!"  Issue no. 1, which came out in 2008.  This magazine supplied all the threads and aida fabric.  I used the threads provided and hated them.  I also used three strands instead of two, so that it covered the fabric better.  I love the designs but not the threads.

Happy Stitching Everyone

George and the Dragon

It's been a long time since I last posted.  As usual I have been out and about visiting interesting places.  But I have been stitching some of the time.  I have just finished George and the Dragon.  It's a freebie chart from Barbi's blog and you can find it here.  I have changed a few of the colours and am happy with the outcome.  I just need to mount it in a card to finish it off.

George and the Dragon

Out and About

Autumn has come and the leaves have dropped quite quickly.   Here are some photo's I have taken.

Conkers from Horse Chestnut Tree.

Fungi (Puff Balls & Toadstools) & Autumn Trees

Pilgrim Fathers

The other week I went on a Pilgrim Fathers trail in Nottinghamshire to discover who and where the Pilgrim Fathers came from. 

A modern painting at Babworth Church.

Stained Glass Window at St Helena's Church, Austerfield.

I really enjoyed our tour of the Pilgrim Fathers.  Or though there was not much inside the churches.  It was the records about the individuals and the history about them that made it interesting.  I was not taught much about them in history at school.  I thought they were Quakers that boarded the Mayflower!  Apparently, they were part of the Separatist movement.  If you would like to know a bit more, have a look at Wikipedia - click here.  I visited All Saint's Church at Babworth, St Helena's Church at Austerfield and St Wilfrid's Church at Scrooby as they all had some connection with the Pilgrim Fathers.  It just goes to show, you are never too old to learn!

Happy Stitching Everyone

Quick Finish!

Cross Stitcher Magazine has a new freebie by Margaret Sherry called "New Haircut", which can be found here.  It was posted on Monday and I have finished stitching it today (Wednesday).    The most difficult bit was the writing with all the french knots.  And here it is.

Margaret Sherry Design.

More News.  My Owl heart hanging ornament appeared in Cross Stitcher magazine issue 243, and it was also the Star Letter.  Yesterday, I received a lovely large bunch of flowers, which was my gift from the magazine.  Here are some photo's.

Until next time, Happy Stitching Everyone

Hardanger Owl

This must be the year of the Owl.  I started the year off with OakHaven Designs Owl SAL, I've stitched an owl heart hanger, a blackwork owl and now a Hardanger owl.  I wonder what else I will stitch by the end of the year. It was only a couple of days ago that I found the Hardanger Owl at JMD Designs.  (The freebie chart can be found on 12 May 2011.)  I fell in love with the design and I just had to stitch it.  And here he is.

Hardanger Owl

Close up.

Last week I went back to Norfolk for a short stay.  I just had to see how the ducklings were growing.  As you can see they are getting bigger.

But this time I also saw some fallow deer and was lucky to get some photos.

Please remember to look on the right hand side bar for
"Some Fun Giveaways", which I will update regularly.
So far I have had 6 giveaways this month.

Happy Stitching Everyone

Japan

In aid of the Japanese tsunami disaster.

For all of you that that love Dragons, there is a new chart from Dragon Dreams.  

It's called "Compassion" and was designed for the Japan disaster of March 2011.  

Please make a donation of any kind to the Red Cross in your country to help the Japanese people rebuild.

Kathy at Gracewood Stitches has also a lovely design called "Sanctuary", which is also in aid of the Japanese relief.  You can download it directly from Needleprint.

Happy Stitching Everyone

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.

-ooOoo-

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