Jaynes stitching tales

Not much happening

2011-11-04T11:02:00.003+01:00

I have been busy making these thread bins I have made 5 so far, I am going away for the weekend to Glasgow to visit some sampler collections in a couple of stately homes on a stitching weekend with Jane Greenoff so I have made these for myself , my mum, Kath and Val who are also on the trip.In September I attended a bead workshop with Laura MacCabe at Robinhoods Bay this is part of a necklace watch this space for the finished necklace.
I received this HOE Xmas ornament this week from Gwen it is beautifully finished off.
Jayne

NEC Festival of Quilts

2011-08-19T11:35:00.004+02:00

Last week it was the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham it was on for 4 days we went on the Friday and unfortunately ended up in a traffic jam when we were only 15mins away from the NEC we sat in slow moving traffic for 90minutes so we did not arrive till 11.30 when we set off at 7am and should have been there by 10 am.

This particular quilt which looks like log cabin is actually knitted with a fabric backing which as quilted together a clever idea.

I have actually seen the Bayeux Tapestry in France the detail on this was amazing.

I thought this was brilliant!!

This one reminded me of my holiday in France this year we have been a Battle field tour and I had climbed a couple of tall towers this just reminded me of all the steps.

The detail on this was brilliant as you can see see quilted the body using words about how you become over weight.

There were plenty of stall selling loads of fabric so of course I bought some to swell my stash, we are away at the caravan for the next week so I have taken my cutting board and fabric with me so that I can start on some cutting out!!

Jayne

Beading in Robinhoods Bay

2011-08-19T11:25:00.003+02:00

I have been going to my usual bead work classes over the Summer in Robinhoods Bay,

These 2 necklaces are from a wire work class by Julie Ashby from Spellbound Bead Co we also had a class with her last year our Tutor Jenny invites guest Teachers.

This Necklace is one of Jenny's designs which had a Elizabethan influence when she designed it we actually managed to do this in a day usually we don't finish what we have started and may take weeks to finish items I have alot of UFO's.

Jayne

Hoe Lizzie Kate

2011-08-19T00:10:00.003+02:00

I have not done much stitching recently so do not have much to show, I have done another exchange with HOE this was the Lizzie Kate Christmas HOE, in the post this morning I received this wonderful Pinkeep from Ina in the Netherlands I have been a bit late in sending my Exchange off but it will be on its way in the morning.

Jayne

HOE Snowman exchange

2011-06-17T13:22:00.002+02:00

It is a while since I have written anything but I seem to have lost my stitching mojo so there has been nothing to show, I did decide to take part in an exchange with HOE and this is what I received through the post from Amy, it is He's a Flake from LHN.

I had also decided to do the same pattern for my partner but I have missed the tree of.

Jayne

HOE Raindeer

2011-03-03T21:20:00.004+01:00

There was a knock at the door today and there stood the Postman with a parcel for me which I had to sign for unfortunately I had an angry Jack Russell under my arm as she hates the Postman so it was very hard to sign for it. Once I had it open I found this lovely Raindeer Floss Tag from Becky Kirkbride it is from The Needle's Content. It is stitched on a sparking fabric which doesn't show up on the picture.

I have not done much stitching recently as I have been knitting a soft toy I am off to a Bead Fair at the weekend.

Jayne

HOE Reindeer Ornament

2011-02-07T20:45:00.003+01:00

This is what I have stitched for the HOE Reindeer Christmas Ornament, it is called the Christmas Eve Deer from Prairie Schooler published in Gift of Stitching 2009.

Just about finished this LHN monthly Ornament just needs its beads attaching, I have received the 1st LHN monthly ornament for this year, but need to complete last years first.

JAYNE

End of January already

2011-01-30T18:22:00.003+01:00

I cannot believe it is already the end of January, I do not have much stitching to show for it, I have been trying to finish the LHN Monthly Ornaments this is my 2nd one this month, just 2 more to go, I have signed up for the auto shipping for this years LHN ornaments and the 1st one is in the post from the USA so should arrive anytime.

My Birthday was in December I forgot to show what my mother bought me it is one of Sue Hawkins Biscornu's stitched on canvas I also got a pair of scissors to go with it.

I told my Husband that I wanted a glass frog for Christmas and I thought this might be an impossible request, I had seen quite a few on eBay but he will not buy of this site so this left us going into Charity shops, Antique shops and Flee Market and luckily we actually found one in Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors, I am very pleased with it so I can now display my Scissors, We know a chap who does wood turning to I am going to see If I can get a little dish made for it to stand on.

I know this is a strange picture but I just had to show you my new hammer, there is a great Hardwear shop in York called Barnitts which just has everything in you would every want for the household, when we were wondering about the other week my Hubby saw this hammer and thought it would be ideal for my stitching as I do occasional need to use a hammer so I have my very own one now it fits nicely into one of my stitching bags.

JAYNE

A New Year

2011-01-02T21:44:00.004+01:00

This is my first bit of stitching for 2011 I have as yet to finish the 12 ornaments from LHN Ornament of the month series, I am on ornament 8 so as I am still a member of the Sal 2011 blog, this is my first UFO for the year to be finished as I intend to collect this years ornament of the month, there is a preview of the first ornament on the LHN blog.This is what I made for my mother-in-law for Christmas she has a basket of Biscornu so as we had had alot of
snow I thought it was an ideal pattern it is from Faby Reilly called the Snowman.

Here is a panel from the Quilt I made for my mother I have now quilted it just need to bind the edges she is very pleased with it.

This was taken by my Husband before Christmas it is the River Nidd in Knaresborough it is frozen when we went down to look at it I could not believe the amount of footprints there where on the ice even the tracks of a bike.

Jayne

Christmas Stitching

2010-12-20T23:38:00.004+01:00

As of Friday this was my mothers Christmas present alot of cut oblongs I have been wanting to stitch her a lap quilt for a while I have left it a bit late to complete it by Christmas but over the weekend I managed to assemble the quilt top all I have to do is sandwich it together and quilt it, but I think it will have to wait till after Christmas when I have some days off as I am working Christmas.

I took part in 2 exchanges this one is the HOE Christmas Ornament which I received from Natasha B it is a lovely Hardanger Ornament and it is beautifully finished.I will have to find the photo of what I stitched for her.

I did a private exchange with Raffaella as I had already been her partner twice this year she did this wonderful Snowman from Lizzie Kate

even the back is wonderful it will make a beautiful addition to my tree.

JAYNE

Too Much Snow

2010-12-01T12:14:00.003+01:00

It is snowing at the moment Hubby and I should have been going to a Human League concert in Sheffield this evening, Hotel was booked so that we could stay overnight but the snow is even worst in Sheffield so we have decided not to go, I am just hoping they are going to cancel the concert so that we can get our money back I have changed the booking for the Hotel as we are going to see strictly come dancing on tour in January if the weather is OK them.

Last Week I was on holiday it went far too fast we closed the Caravan down for the season spent 4 days there in the rain, fortunately the snow had not started then, we then went to Sheffield and saw A-HA in concert they were great we also saw them on tour in the 80's, Morton Hackett still looks good for his age as do all the band.

Then it was off to the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate I went for 2 days, my mother came with me for one of those days. We should have been meeting a couple of friends there but there Coach trip was cancelled due to the snow.

The above 2 photos are from one of the exhibitions at the show.

Someone borrowed alot of sheets/table cloths for this exhibition!!

This exhibition was a knitted Christmas.

I have no stitching to show at the moment as it is all for exchanges or presents.

Jayne

HOE Halloween

2010-10-18T17:56:00.003+02:00

This is what I sent to Leigh for the Halloween HOE I seem to have a passion for making Thread Holders at the moment, the pattern is from this years Just Cross-Stitching Magazine Halloween edition by Val's Stuff.

Jayne

Halloween Exchange received

2010-10-11T18:04:00.005+02:00

We spent a couple of days in London last week I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexander Palace as seen below. I was very restrained and didn't buy much what I did buy I cannot show as they are presents. I only just managed to get round the show in the time I had. I will also be going to the one in Harrogate as well, the London show has exhibitors who do not come up North.

I got Hubby to take this picture of a shop window display on Oxford Circus as it was full of old sewing machines and looked fantastic, it was a men's wear shop. We also went too the theatre saw Legally Blonde which was fantastic which was my choice Hubby wanted to see Love Never Dies which is the follow on from the Phantom of the Opera all I can say was I didn't enjoy that one at all but Hubby liked it.

It was my friend Jeans' Birthday at the beginning of the month so I made her a necklace with a Red Jasper pendant I used my new wire skills to make the lovely piece.

This is what we did when Laura McCabe came to teach a class at Robin Hood Bay, a great day was had by all we all managed to make one component and some did two, Laura had also bought some other goodies with her which we all had to buy.

This is what it should look like when finished but I am going to try and adapt it to make a necklace, each component takes about 4-5 hours to stitch.

Laura McCabe.

I received my Halloween HOE it is a lovely needle case as you can see from the pictures I was also lucky to receive some extras as well also pictured apart from the chocolate which has already been eaten. I think this exchange was from Caroline P but she forgot to include any information. I would be interested to know where the design was from?

Jayne

Thread Holder Exchange

2010-09-21T23:21:00.006+02:00

I took part in Beckys Thread Holder Exchange my partner was Raffaella unfortunately she does not have a blog, I was becoming worried that it had got lost in the post as it has taken 3 weeks to get to the USA.

I stitched this on 28 count linen band which I find is great for making Thread Holders the pattern is from LHN chart No 78 "Needle and Thread", I have used suggested threads.

We have been away to the Coast again and I have been on another bead workshop this time we had a Guest Teacher Jenny had arranged for Laura Macabe to teach us a class as she was over in the UK from the States doing a Teaching Tour photos to follow!!!

JAYNE

Been away

2010-08-30T11:55:00.003+02:00

We have just come back from a week away at the Caravan at the Coast, my MIL has bought herself another caravan so we had to unpack everything first, when we were making the bed up and the fitted sheets wouldn't fit we realised it was a King sized bed who would have thought in a Caravan. So that was a shopping trip for some new bedding.I had plenty of time for stitching,

I managed to finish off LHN Peace on Earth and I finished the next one but just need to put the beads on.

I also attended a Bead Workshop at Robinhoods Bay with Jenny, from the picture we have stitched a pendent in delica's, crystals and size15's and I am now making the rest of the necklace it is a 5 bead tube (delica's) in brick stitch I have stitched about 8 inch so far about another 7 inch to go, I want to try and get it finished by the next class in 2 weeks time.
This is Penny she sat on the window ledge in the new Caravan watching for people to bark at!!!

Jayne

Festival of Quilts

2010-08-29T17:38:00.004+02:00

As I mentioned in my last post I was off to the Festival of Quilt, It is a 4 day show at the NEC in Birmingham this year I went on the Friday, which I think was a good day to visit as it wasn't too crowded, My Hubby did the driving, takes about 2 1/2 hrs to get there but we where there before it opened. I bumped into two Twin Sister I knew in the queue they had come for all four days and both brought an empty suite case each!!

The stash I bought, I stuck to my list!!

I loved the center of this Quilt as it was ribbon embroidery.

The detail on this quilt was amazing as you can see from the Maori.

This is just a panel from the Winning Quilt alot of the flowers where in 3D.

I thought these pegs where great.

I always come back very inspired but nothing seems to happen, I have all the squares for a sampler Quilt which I did on a course learning different techniques, I just need to stitch them together.

Jayne

Thread Holder Exchange Received

2010-08-19T21:14:00.003+02:00

I had taken part in Becky's Thread Holder Exchange earlier this week I received this from Suzel in France it is a Freebie pattern from Caron Threads. I have actually stitched this twice before and given them away as gifts or exchanges so I am quite pleases to have one myself now.

I am off to Birmingham tomorrow to the Festival of Quilts so my Stash is going to increase!!!

Jayne

Birthday Present

2010-08-15T17:18:00.004+02:00

It was my Mother-in-Laws birthday last week and she is stitching herself a basket of biscornu so I decided to add to her collection, I had already stitched this for the HOE ABC Exchange and enjoyed doing it, so I decided to do it again in another colourway, it is stitched on blue variegated fabric 28ct with a Purple/blue variegated thread. I stitched beads around the edge.

I have also managed to do some stitching on my Sal piece it seems to grow quite quickly due to the large count.

JAYNE

ABC Exchange received.

2010-08-05T18:36:00.003+02:00

My partner for the ABC Exchange was Edgar unfortunately he had to stitch twice for me as the first one went missing in the post, it is called letters and leaves from La-D-Da stitched on 36ct linen with Variegated threads, it is beautifully finished off as a pinkeep.

JAYNE

Catching up

2010-08-01T18:27:00.003+02:00

I finally have something to show, this is what I am stitching on the 2010 SAL, this is my 2nd piece of work for this SAL I found posting on this SAL each week does try and keep me focused to try and complete a piece of work.

I have also managed to finish another LHN monthly piece this one is Snowy Pines I am not stitching them in order, I stitched the trees in a variegated thread as I felt this gave a better effect. Each month when I receive the pattern I put all the threads into the packet and the piece of fabric then I am ready to stitch them.

I am also waiting for an Exchange to arrive, I was very lucky and had Edgar as my partner for the HOE ABC exchange but unfortunately the 1st parcel never arrived in the post so he has restitched for me, he posted it last Monday so it has been a week now I hope it arrives soon.

JAYNE

More finishes

2010-07-21T14:10:00.004+02:00

I made this bracelet, it is a kit from the Bead Merchant, it is mainly stitched in Herringbone stitch even the blackberries I have a necklace that I made a few years ago which also has berries on.I have completed another two of the LHN monthly releases he,s a flake is below I changed the colour of his scarf and the tree pot it looks brighter now.
The Red Christmas House was a quick stitch I have completed 4 now not quite sure how I am going to finish them yet, I might make them into a wall hanging.
We are away at the coast, at the moment we are sat on North Bay at Scarborough the tide is in and it is like a mill pond, it is 21.5 C which is warm enough for me, we have just had some bacon sandwiches for lunch from a great cafe on the beach front called Oasis. we are sat just watching the world go by and I will be getting my stitching out soon.

JAYNE

Something new

2010-07-11T21:26:00.003+02:00

I have set myself another challenge to do with the SAL 2010 Blog, I received the last Loose Feathers pattern this week from Blackbird Design, I also have the recommended fabric as well which Thread Bear has been sending me, so I decided to treat myself to the threads as well I had hoped to have started it by now but been at work all weekend too tired been to bed early instead.

Jayne

ABC Exchange

2010-07-04T17:10:00.004+02:00

We have been away again, this time to Scotland we have a Timeshare in Carrbridge just outside Aviemore, we had lovely weather, this caught my eye on the beach while we were Dolphin watching.

Here is everyone with their cameras waiting for them to show, my Hubby is 3rd from the right next to the dog, we spent two hours watching 1 did jump but he missed it!! we have great photo's from previous years it is the luck of the draw if you manage to capture them as you do not know where they are going to come up.

Here is the ABC Exchange I sent Blyn I had her as my partner at Christmas.

It is an Atalie Biscornu pattern.

Stitched on variegated fabric that I had in my stash worked in WDW Sophies Choice.

Jayne

Holiday in Italy

2010-06-27T17:35:00.005+02:00

Here are some photos of my holiday in Italy. We went on a 9 day coach tour visiting Rome, Pompeii and Sorrento and we also managed a brief visit to lake Garda on our way back. Rome was beautiful but now that I have visited it I have no urge to go again I found it very expensive and as for the Drivers it is very dangerous crossing the road in Italy.

This is St Peters in the Vatican. we were also lucky to go into the Sistine Chapel which was beautiful but a bit crowed with all the visitors.

This was the view from Sorrento across the bay to Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the background.

A view across the roof tops from Castel Sant'angelo.

Castel sant'angelo we claimed to the top the view across Rome was amazing.

This was at lake Garda.

The view from the Monastery of Montecassino.

This is me in blue I look bored! far from it this was the day we visited Pompeii and we are listening to the guide.

Pompeii.

Trevi Fountain

Coliseum

Below is a Roman legionnaire if you have seen a previous picture I posted of a Viking Texting this is in the same Vein a Roman Smoking!

HOE LHN Exchange from a Stitching Angel

2010-06-04T18:23:00.002+02:00

I am back from my holiday in Italy I have as yet to look at our photos so that I can share some with you we had a great time even if Hubby did get blisters the day we went to Rome!! I would definitely go to Italy again.

While we were away this is what I stitched in my spare moments when we were travelling around, I have also bought the pin cushion bed so all I need do now is make it up.

This is the 2nd ornament in the LHN Monthly ornament series I need to put the beads on yet. I have nearly completed the 3rd one.

I took part in the HOE LHN Exchange but unfortunately my partner did not complete the Exchange so Carol was kind enough to find a Stitching Angle to complete my Exchange her name was Melissa Cahill from the USA, she has made me a Tin finish which is beautiful the inside is covered in magnetic strip, I also received some goodies from both Carol and Melissa. I found this Exchange in the post when I came home from Holiday so it was a lovely surprise.

Jayne

HOE Early Christmas Ornament from Amsterdam

2010-05-21T21:56:00.004+02:00

I received this lovely Ornament from Lisette in the post this week, the candy cane are stitched in sparkly threads which does not show on the photo.

Here is a photo of Penny using my Hubby as a cushion watching TV while we were at the Caravan. We are off to Italy tomorrow for 9 days so should have some great photos to share when we are back.

Jayne

HOE Early Christmas Exchange

2010-05-20T11:57:00.003+02:00

I have heard from Cindy that she has received my HOE Early Christmas Exchange, it is from Just Cross Stitch 2007 Christmas issue I stitched it on natural 32ct linen with recommended threads. I really enjoyed stitching this and may do a few more to give to friends at Christmas.

This is one of my Hubbies photo's he visited this Village on the North Coast of England when I was at my bead workshop a few weeks ago it is a tiny Village called Staiths you have to walk down a steep hill to get to it like so many of the Towns/Villages on the North Coast.

Here is my Nephew Thomas with his Parents outside the church on the day of his Christening, he was very good as the Christening was at the beginning of the service and we were in church for over an hour.

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I was doing a class in wire and bead work here is a finished piece, we usually make alot of samples in class so that we learn the technique, so I have managed to make a necklace from some of the techniques learnt. Wrapped loops, use of head pins, double jump rings and curly links, as you can see my beads are in my favorite colour purple.

Jayne

Geoff the Giraffe

2010-05-03T16:13:00.005+02:00

It has been a sad time these pass few weeks, my Father died on the 24/4/10 he had prostate cancer which had spread, he spent his last 2 weeks of life in a hospice with his family around him he received superb care and died peacefully. He had wanted to go to his grandsons christening which was yesterday but it was not to be.

I have found my cross-stitch a great help as I took it to the hospice and sat by his bedside and stitched for many hours.

I had already mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to knit a soft toy to go with the Birth Sampler I made for my Nephew Christening here he is Geoff the Giraffe he was taken from Knitted Wild Animals by Sarah Keen, I may have to knit a couple more of them as he was very popular once people saw him.

Here is the Birth sampler framed it was not easy choosing a mount to go with the stitching, I am very pleased by the end result.

I went to a workshop at Robinhoods Bay last week which was a welcome distraction, It had been arranged by Jenny we had requested a workshop on finishing Techniques so she had invited Julie from Spellbound Beads who worked us hard all day. She showed us how to make loops with wire and wrapped loops, how to open jumprings, Calotte crimps and beading threads, Alternative endings for multi-stranded designs, use of stranded beading wire and crimps how you hide the thread in beads and the use of lace ends.

When we arrived all the equipment needed had been provided for our use and she had brought loads of beads for us to uses, we had all been given a bag of findings we would need to use. We all came away with many finished items earrings, necklaces and bracelets, usually I came away with a bit of beadwork about 2-3 inches long and certainly not finished.

Jayne

Birth Sampler Finished

2010-04-12T15:05:00.003+02:00

I have finished my Sampler for my Nephews Christening, it has taken me just over 3 months to do, I decided to do the storks on the center panel in white as they where more in keeping with the real thing as this is for a boy.

I have nearly finished Knitting the soft toy to go with the sampler so will post a picture soon.

I will now have to find a new project to stitch, I have many things waiting in the wings also a few UFO's.

Jayne

Pin Pillow Exchange

2010-04-12T14:39:00.003+02:00

I took part in Becky's Pin Pillow Exchange, here is what I stitched for Raffaella it is the Pin Pillow from Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers Pattern 39, it is stitched in recommended threads on 32ct evenweave.

Jayne

Sampler

2010-04-04T12:54:00.002+02:00

As you can see I have nearly finished my Sampler. I am on the last panel in the center, there are 2 stork's on this panel, they are meant to be pink not sure as this is for a boy, I tried one out in the pale blue/grey which is already used on the sampler but I can not decide which to use what do you think?

I have also decided to knit an animal on the sampler watch this space to see which one I do.

Pin Pillow Exchange

2010-04-01T21:27:00.005+02:00

As you can see I have nearly finished my Sampler I hope to have it completed by this weekend so watch this space!

I took part in Becky's Pin pillow Exchange on her blog and I received a beautiful Pin Pillow from Anne she has used a Quaker pattern and stitched it in my favorite colour purple, you cannot see from the picture but it is also edged in purple beads. I have just sent my Exchange off to the USA so will show a picture once it has been received.

Jayne

HOE LHN

2010-03-19T19:43:00.004+01:00

I took part in HOE Little House Needlework Exchange I had Linda as my partner who lives in Singapore.

I decided to make her a needle case I used the top of the chart from LHN Winter berries.

I also decided to make Linda a Thread Tag using small motifs from the pattern.

More Snow

2010-02-21T16:34:00.007+01:00

We woke up to more snow this morning by lunchtime we had had about 5cm of snow the dogs love it, Penny the little one just loves catching snowballs.

I have also been working on my felted bag this week as we had a car trip, we went to the Coal Mining Museum at Wakefield as they had a photography exhibition on which my Hubby wanted to see, while we were there we also went down the mine which was very interesting, learning about the history of coal mining and the advances in technology.

I have been working on the bottom right hand corner this week and outlined two other boxes, two people on the SAL have finished there projects this week hopefully it will not be long before I finish mine.

Jayne

SAL and TUSAL

2010-02-14T19:08:00.005+01:00

I joined the TUSAL last month so here is my 1st post of my waste threads, I have also included the thread labels and some trimmings of fabric.My Sampler is growing, I finished two boxes this week, I love the Tigers, I have about a third left to do. I have also been working on my HOE LHN exchange but I can't show that yet.
Jayne

SAL and Wirework.

2010-02-07T17:42:00.002+01:00

I have managed to finish the letters P to T and outline the next box and do some of the external border on the left side. I thought I would show my Sister what I had done just to get her reaction and she said she liked it so that is a great weight off my mind.

I have now attended 3 of my Bead and Wire classes, we have been making jump rings and we had to make a bracelet which is below I made it with two different sizes of jump rings. This week and next week we have been given a Valentine project to do not very keen on what we are doing so I am just focusing on the technique rather than what we are doing.

Jayne

Felted bag

2010-02-02T10:57:00.002+01:00

When I was at the Knitting and Stitching show last November I picked up this Felted Bag kit, I had the wool changed in the kit to my favorite colour which is purple, like many things it has been sat waiting in my stash for my attention. When I am on a long car journey I like to have something to do so I knit or stitch, as we when to Sheffield last week I thought this was the ideal opportunity to get it out.

On reading the instructions I needed two stitch markers which I didn't have, while at the show I had seen a stand selling just stitch markers and she had made them on bead stringing wire, so I delved into my bead stash

and came up with these.

Here is the progress of my bag knitted on a circular needle, it is rather big and flimsy at the moment, I have never felted any knitting before so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Jayne

Trip and SAL

2010-01-31T11:25:00.004+01:00

I have had a busy week Steve and I have been away for a couple of days, we went to Sheffield to see Strictly Come Dancing on tour which was excellent, we stayed overnight in case the weather was bad as we had been forecast more snow and didn't fancy travelling hone afterwards as it takes 1hr 20 min on the motorway, so we spent yesterday shopping in Meadowhall. We stayed in a Travel lodge Hotel which was excellent considering how cheap it was.

I have now finished the top half of my sampler, I completed the Zebra and started the next portion of the alphabet, I haven't done as much as I have in previous weeks but I am still on target to get it finished by the end of March.

Jayne

1st finish for 2010 and SAL

2010-01-24T17:41:00.005+01:00

I have been on Holiday this week so have been busy doing many things.

The sampler is growing quite quickly I have managed to do A-F the row of lions and finish the top left corner of the boarder.
Here is my 1st finish for the year I have managed to finish Fa La La, I have added more beads to the finish, the snow flakes and the lamp light are in beads, and I had to change the colour of the writing otherwise it would not bee seen on my light coloured fabric. Not quite sure on the final finish yet my Mother-in-law Vera thinks a wall hanging of them all.

Jayne

Wire work class

2010-01-22T21:17:00.003+01:00

Today was my 2nd Bead and Wirework Class, I had done my homework so I turned up with 3 lengths of wire with beads twisted on, waiting to be assembled,here is the finished necklace which I was very pleased with,it is actually something I will wear not just a sample piece, we also went through the different diameters of wire we will be using and the tools we need to use, next week we will be making jump rings which we were shown before we finished the class I am quite interested in this as I would like to have a go at making chain mail jewellery which uses alot of jump rings so I think it will be cheaper to make them myself.

I also signed up for TUSAL(Totally Useless Sal) this week anyone who doesn't know what this is they can look Here . You keep all your thread waste, labels or material scraps in the Jar(clear container) then on the New Moon each month you post a picture of how you Jar is filling, Feb 14th is the next New Moon .
Jayne

SAL and Wirework

2010-01-17T18:41:00.003+01:00

I enrolled on a class at adult education before Christmas called WIRE AND BEAD WORK it started on Friday, it is for 2 hour and runs for 10 weeks, I do alot of bead weaving but this is something different a new technique to learn as you can see below I have 3 coils of wire to be combined with some beads, it is going to turn into a necklace which will be finished in class next week.

I was going to take my Xmas cards to be recycled, then I had an ideal how I could recycle the fronts of the cards, I have turned them into thread tags they are blank on the back so I can write the thread numbers on the back.

I have done quit alot on my birth sampler I have managed to complete most of the upper right hand corner of the chart as I have not stitched anything else.

Jayne

Mushroom freebie pincushions

2010-01-13T21:48:00.004+01:00

I was looking through blogs as you do and came across a freebie Mushroom Pincushion Here.

Too much snow and Sal progress

2010-01-11T00:02:00.003+01:00

I feel we have had too much snow now, for the more than 3 weeks it has snowed here in the UK we are lucky usually just to get a couple of days this is me yet again having to dig our drive out.
Here is a picture of what I have done so far on the Birth sampler I started in the middle and have stitched right across the middle now, I love the paw prints in the boarder, I shall put his Name and other details in last as I have not charted them yet.

Jayne

Something new

2010-01-09T22:39:00.003+01:00

I Have wanted to learn how to crochet for a while, so I thought I would give it a go with this partwork magazine, but every news agents I went to had sold out, so I have had to subscribe as I do not think I will make it to the news agents each week to get each copy.

Jayne

New Starts and an Exchange

2010-01-03T14:00:00.004+01:00

As I sit here and write this it is yet again snowing here we have had a White Christmas, I know for some people this is not unusual but we have had had snow on and off for the last 2 weeks it does look nice when it is just laid but has not been fun to walk on once it has become compacted I dare say there has been alot of broken bones!

I have finally started Fa-La-La by LHN, I did actually start it 3 times as I could not decide the count of fabric or the colour, I finally decided on a light apricot 32ct linen which I had in my stash, it still seems quite big on that.

I have also started my Birth Sampler which needs to be stitched by the end of March so that I have time to have it Framed for May 2nd when I am a Godparent for my Nephew Thomas, I have not done any large projects for a while and was horrified when I was getting the fabric ready how big it was.Unfortunately I have 3 nights to do this week so that means no stitching for 3 days.

I received this from Sonda in the post on New Years Eve it is a lovely square from The Prairie Schooler called Cranberry Christmas, it was from JCS 2007 Ornie issue. I shall be making this up soon to go on my Tree next year.

Jayne

Fair and Square

2009-12-27T18:36:00.002+01:00

I did not get my big tree out this year as we have started to strip wallpaper as we were rewired earlier this year, but I did find a small tree which I decorated with the ornaments I have made and received in exchanges over the last 2 years.

Sonda let me know that she had received the squares I stitched for her in The Fair and Square Christmas Exchange, I had already stitched this once and made it into a biscornu for the HOE Christmas ornament so I stitched hers so she could finish it in the same way. it was stitched on 32ct antique white evenweave with recommended threads the pattern was from Novembers GOS.

Jayne

Christmas Gifts I stitched.

2009-12-27T18:20:00.003+01:00

I didn't do much stitching this year for christmas but here are the pictures of the gifts I stitched for the Mothers.

This is what I made for my Mother-in-law Vera for Christmas it is Just Nan's When Barnabee met Bella Biscornu it took quite alot of work I have been stitching it for quite a few months on and off.

I had treated my Mum already to the Jane Greenoff workshop we did in November as a Christmas present but I still felt I needed to make her something to I stitched The Sweetheart Tree's The Stitcher's Favorite Fob but I turned it into a Chatelaine I also made the beaded scissor fob I have also my myself one.

Jayne

One more week

2009-12-18T18:17:00.003+01:00

My mother is a member of her local Flower Arranger group (N.A.F.A.S) she is on the committee so every year I go with her to the Christmas Flower arranging demonstration as we get good seats, then you spend a couple of hour watching those huge flower arrangements been put together and listen to the demonstrator telling you all his stories so it is a good night.

At the end of the night the arrangements are raffled so you could end up going home with one, it is my worst nightmare because they are so big you would have trouble getting them in the car fortunately I have never won one yet. I always end up folding the raffle tickets though as my Mum and another lady sell them.

Do many other ladies have problems reaching the magazines? My husband thought this made a good photo as I and another lady where unable to reach the top shelf to leaf though the magazines alot of ladies are vertically challenged, but I don't think shops think about this.

This is what I am stitching at the moment a late Xmas present for my Mum I have already treated her to a stitching day out as her Christmas present but I thought I would make her a little something to open, it is the stitcher's favorite fob from The Sweetheart Tree but I intend to finish it as a Chatelaine.

JAYNE

Exchanges received

2009-12-12T22:05:00.005+01:00

Two out of the three exchanges have now been received, I stitched this Prairie Schooler Santa from Last years GOS ornament edition for the year long Prairie Schooler Exchange Juanita received it. I stitched it on cream 28ct even weave with the recommended threads.

The biscornu was from this years GOS Christmas ornament edition, as soon as I saw the pattern I know it would make a fabulous biscorun,this was the HOE Christmas Ornament which Blyn has received, it is hanging on her tree already I stitched it on antique white 32count evenweave with the recommended threads.
Jayne

Prairie Schooler Exchange

2009-12-09T21:52:00.002+01:00

I received this in the post yesterday from Alice she has stitched the Prairie Schooler 1999 Santa it is finished off as an ornament it is backed with fabric covered in gingerbread men, she has finished it with piping.

JAYNE

All Posted!

2009-12-05T21:42:00.003+01:00

I have posted the last of my exchanges today I had 3 to be finished and posted in December which I managed, I have even received one back.

In the post yesterday I received from Nicola this wonderful Christmas ornament from the Christmas HOE, this is the 2nd exchange I have received from Nicola this year I also had a pinkeep from the Summerhouse HOE.This is from Novembers GOS a prairie Schooler pattern stitched on 32ct Summer Khaki Belfast Linen with the recommended DMC threads.

Now that I have finished my exchanges for the year, that leaves me 3 weeks till Christmas to finish my Christmas stitching, I have been working on one piece for a while but can't show it yet. Alot of my stitching this year has been exchanges I have not really done much for myself I am going to have to be more selective next year as I have a big project to complete by the end of March so that I have time to get it framed by the beginning of May which is the Birth Sampler for my Nephews Christening hopefully the 2010 weekly Stitch along will help me to do this as I show my progress each week.

My Hubby took these 2 pictures of my dogs Whisky(above) and Penny(below) while I was making dinner they where waiting for any titbits that might come their way.
Unfortunately my camera has given up the ghost I am going to have to get a new one but I will wait till March when we are going to a Camera Show at the NEC Birmingham called "In Focus" I will have to do my homework and see what I want before I go as you can get some good deals but it will have to be a Canon as my Hubby is a Canon man, I will have to borrow one of his many camera's till then or get him to take my photos as he has got a Degree in this subject.

JAYNE

Been Busy

2009-11-29T18:38:00.007+01:00

Well I have been busy, I have finished and posted my Prairie Schooler Exchange I have just about finished my HOE and F+S exchanges which should be posted this week, I signed up to the Little House Ornament Sa l which starts 1st Dec but my chart hasn't arrived yet from the States. I have also signed up for the 2010 weekly stitch along Sal which starts in January as it will motivate me to do my birth sampler for my nephew who is been christened in May as I want to give it as a christening gift.

Jayne

1st Blogoversary

2009-11-18T21:43:00.006+01:00

Well this is the end of my 1st year of writing a blog I have enjoyed sharing with people what I have been stitching and showing all the exchanges I have received from other people. thank you to all the people who have left comments I enjoy reading them, I do spend alot of time reading other blogs there is alot of inspiration out there you get so many idea's from seeing what other people are doing.

The other weekend I attended a workshop by Jane Greenoff of The Cross Stitch Guild with my mother, it was actually a weekend workshop but as it was only in Leeds which is 20 miles away we just attended for the day.

Jane is above(in red) showing a Lady what to do.

Since it was so close to Christmas it had a Christmas Theme, there was two projects which we were given I decided to do the Christmas Biscornu decoration which is above.

Here is my Mum she snipping her threads on the Hardanger part.

Here are some of the other ladies and off course there was a shop to add to our stash, I was very good I didn't buy anything but my Mum did.

Jayne

On holiday

2009-11-15T13:32:00.003+01:00

Here we are again I usually always have this week off in November as there is a large Knitting and Stitching show on here in Harrogate which I will be visiting for a few days, I was quite fortunate in that I was able to visit this show in October when it was in London, you tend to find that exhibitors are different in the south and do not travel up North!! I have also booked some workshops to do which will break the day up, Saturday I will be going with my Mum and meeting some other friends there.

We have started the week at the caravan, we have been here since Thursday, hoping the weather was going to be kind to us but as usual it hasn't, we have had gales and rain so the site is very wet one of the other owner has put out duckboards as the ground is so wet he doesn't have a path to his caravan. We are here to close it down for the season which we will do on Monday before we go home at the moment we are sat on North Bay in Scarborough watching the world go by, I have my stitching and we have just had some great bacon sandwiches from a road side cafe here.

Jayne

Halloween Exchange

2009-10-31T19:06:00.002+01:00

This is what I stitched for the basket of Biscornu challenge for October it is in Hardanger from the New stitches magazine I stitched it on cream evenweave and variegated Caron threads.

Here is the HOE Halloween exchange I received from Lisa V she has done a tin finish for me which is my first. she also enclosed some other goodies.

Jayne

Exchanges

2009-10-27T22:44:00.002+01:00

I have been busy with exchanges I have some to share with you. Boo Moon designed by Val's Stuff was stitched for Terry for the Fall exchange in the All season Ornament Exchange, it was from the Just Cross-stitch Magazine Halloween issue 2009. The Ornament she stitched for me was double sided with the Witch and the Jack-o-lantern, stitched on my favorite colour purple she finished the sides with beads.

The Halloween ornament I stitched for Sadie in the HOE Halloween exchange, this was also taken from the Just Cross-stitch Halloween issue it was designed by La-D-Da.

I also received an exchange fro Australia from Lisa but I have forgotten to take a picture she put her stitching on top of a tin so watch this space for the Picture.

We are having problems with our Internet connection and I am unable to use our Desktop computer at the moment so I am having to use my Husbands Laptop which is not ideal as I hate it.

Jayne

Finished Tudor Rose

2009-10-07T20:17:00.008+02:00

I have finished the Tudor Rose Necklace I did on the Jill Devon Masterclass in June, I am off to the Knitting and Stitching Show in London on Friday so I wanted to finish the necklace to show her I am very pleased with the end result my Hubby even said it had a Tudor influence not knowing the name of the necklace.
We are off to London tomorrow for 3 days, I have booked some theatre tickets as well, we are off to see Sister Act and Oliver, I enjoy going to the Theatre when we are in London, my feet are aching already in anticipation of all the walking we will do.

Jayne

Bead Treat at the Bay.

2009-09-22T21:18:00.003+02:00

I have just returned from the Coast, I spent a fantastic day at a Bead Workshop with Diane Fitzgerald an American Bead Teacher, the day was arranged by Jenny Boyle who's classes I attend through out the year. Jenny had also arranged for some of us to go out for a meal the night before in Robin Hoods Bay we had a great evening at the Victoria Hotel which over looks the bay so we had a beautiful view to watch while we were eating.

As you can see from the picture below we were all working hard. Diane was a good teacher we learn alot of good tips, using a double thread and melting the knot with a cigarette lighter just had to go out and buy one, this was alot easier than having to stitch you ends in.

Here is her latest book which I bought on amazon as it was cheaper and of course I had it signed by her.

This is what we spent the day doing we started with the pointed oval to get the technique then we did the Celtic Trefoil, these were done doing peyote stitch.

Jayne

Been beading

2009-09-09T23:46:00.007+02:00

While I was away at the weekend I attended a bead workshop at Robinhoods Bay with Jenny Boyle, we made a Scarab Pendant,the bead in the center of the pendent is a Scarab beetle, for the Egyptians the scarab beetle was the most popular amulet providing protection. They were associated with the creator god Khepri who pushed the sun across the sky. The Scarab is a symbol of re-birth into the afterlife. As you can see I have not used the usual strong Egyptian colours but my favorite colour purple as guess what I have loads of purple beads.

I have done quite a bit of beading this week I have also been working on the Tudor Rose Necklace from the workshop I did in June with Jill Devon of The Bead Merchant, I will hopefully start to put it together soon as I would like to have it finished by the time I go to the Knitting and stitching show in London in October so I can show it to her as she hadn't actually worked this necklace as a full sample.

Here is Penny my Jack Russell she is usually to be found on my lap when I am trying to do any stitching or beading I was sat on the bed beading and watching TV she just had to come and join in.

Jayne

Time to stitch

2009-09-07T20:38:00.006+02:00

I have been on holiday for the last week back to work tomorrow. Here is what I stitched for the YLPS exchange for April it arrived very quickly within 5 days, i made it into a mattress pincushion.

I have done some more stitching, 4th,5th,6th and 7th Days of The Twelve Days of Christmas(Just Nan) for the Christmas Challenge 2009 which I set myself, just need to make them up then I will post them on the blog.

I also went to a quilt and embroidery show in Harrogate, there was some beautiful quilts on display and of course I had to add to my stash there was a couple of things I have seen in the recent quilting magazines so I bought the material to make them. Now that September is here I start to think about Christmas and what gifts I can make people so this stash will come in handy.
Jayne

Bank Holiday

2009-08-31T13:50:00.003+02:00

Here we are a August Bank Holiday weekend, at this moment in time I am sat on North Bay in Scarborough, it is warm and sunny we have a static caravan here on the Coast, I had trouble trying to connect to google this morning sat 10 mins with no sign of connecting, had our lunch then tried again and within minutes we were connected, we are sat here just watching the world go by, I have my stitching with me and shortly we will take our 2 dogs for a walk as they are getting restless. The tide is in and we are watching people surf as there are some good waves.

No pictures to post at the moment all stitching at the moment gifts or exchanges.

Jayne

YLPS Exchange arrived.

2009-08-26T23:34:00.007+02:00

The postman left me two nice packages today, the first I opened was the YLPS Exchange from Nic who lives in the UK only an hour down the road from me so it didn't have far to travel,she stitched E for Embroidery from the chart D*E*F in Book 99, she stitched it while she has been listening to the Cricket. I have stitched my exchange piece just need to make it up so will be posted on time.

The other package was from Violarium I ordered the Halloween issue of Just Cross stitch and the September Biscornu from Atalie which has the alphabet on I love stitching alphabets. it also contained the threads required just need to dig some material out. I will have to order some threads now so that I can stitch some of the Halloween ornaments for Exchanges that I will be signing up for.

Jayne

HOE Summer House

2009-08-14T13:40:00.008+02:00

I was away when Lisa received my exchange so this is the first time I have had to show you what I made, I took this from Country Cottages Needlework's "Home Sweet Home" I made it into a needle case with a pocket. My Hubby put the picture together for me he says he will teach me how to do it but it looks complicated.

Jayne

Busy few weeks

2009-07-30T21:07:00.005+02:00

I still have holes in my walls after 5 weeks still waiting for the plasterer, in the mean time we have been on holiday, I have completed my HOE Summer House it is a well travelled piece of x-stitch as I did it while I was away in France.

When I returned from France I found a package in the post on opening it I found the HOE Summer House from Nicola who lives in the UK so it didn't have far to travel, she stitched it on 36ct Antique White Edinburgh Linen using DMC threads, it is a beautiful pinkeep. The pattern is from Cross Stitcher June 1995.

As I have already mentioned we have just been to France, we stayed in a town called Arras, my Husband has an interest in the 1st World War so we went on a battle field tour which was a coach trip, this is our 2nd trip they are very interesting as I have a very limited knowledge on this subject. Last year they opened The Wellington Tunnels under Arras which were used to house troops before a major battle then they were used again during the 2nd World War. We also managed to go in some of the Tunnels under Vimy Ridge which were also interesting. We were lucky and had good weather as the rain now seems to have set in for the summer.

This is one of my Hubby's photo's of Arras the architecture was very impressive in parts very Flemish.

I also managed to find a news agents as I love the French Cross-stitch magazines so as you see I bought a few.

Unable to share what I am stitching at the moment as they are for an exchange and a gift.

Jayne

Still no time to stitch

2009-07-18T12:20:00.004+02:00

We have been re-wired now but are still waiting for the Plasterer to come and fill in all the holes he is meant to be coming today but he has not arrived yet. All my stitching is in boxes and I can not get to it, this has been going on for 3 weeks we go to France on Holiday for 5 days and I have to pack yet, then I will have to start decorating when I get back so again the stitching will go out of the window.

This is what I stitched for the HOE Christmas in July exchange I did it while we were away in Scotland, it was stitched 1 over 1 and took me the whole week.
This is when we were starting to pack the car before we came back from Carrbridge in Scotland which is just below Inverness. We had really hot weather which is unusual for us as it usually rains. As you can see we stayed in lovely log cabins we took our dogs with us but it was too hot for them.

Jayne

No Time to Stitch

2009-06-29T23:42:00.002+02:00

I have no time to stitch at the moment, we were on holiday last week in Scotland I have some photos once I download them, it took me all week to stitch my Christmas in July Exchange I didn't notice that it was stitched over 1 thread till I started it and saw how big it would turn out but it was too late to find another pattern as we where away so I did it over 1 thread, I most say it looks great my Hubby can't understand why I give them away when they take so long to make but I like the thrill of receiving my exchange in the post.

We are having the house rewired so this is why I have no time as I am having to clear rooms so the Electricians can rip up my floor boards, my Hubby has now seen how large my Stash is and I am banned from buying anymore fabric till I have used up some of my Stash, I am going to have to spend my money on redecorating anyway so it is a good job I have such a large Stash.

JAYNE

HOE Christmas in July

2009-06-18T21:59:00.003+02:00

I received this in the post today from Ellen S from the Christmas in July Exchange on HOE, Ellen is obviously more organised then I am as I have only just started to stitch my exchange piece I am beginning to think it is too big. Ellen's Ornie is from a Lizzie Kate pattern she was also very kind and added some extras.

JAYNE

Beading workshops

2009-06-14T15:29:00.008+02:00

I was fortunate to spend Friday and Saturday doing two beading Masterclasses with Jill Devon of The Bead Merchant. The workshops where organised by Cath who I attend other classes with at Robin Hoods Bay she had started a local group who bead the 1st Saturday of the month and call themselves the Bandroom Beaders as they meet in a band room. The location is in the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors in the middle of nowhere in a Village called Farndale down a very narrow road!, Took me about 1 hr 15 mins to Drive there both days the weather was glorious so the views where spectacular on the top of Sutton Bank.

On Friday we did the Alston Lariat there was 5 colour ways to choose from I did the above it has a grey background and is embellished with coloured beads which do not show up the band is right angle weave. You can also adapt it to make a bracelet.

Saturday we did the Tudor Rose workshop there where 3 Colour ways my Choice is in the picture below. There was more right angle weave I think Jill rather dose like this stitch.

As you can see I really got alot done over the 2 days!!!

Here is my retail therapy more beads and 2 necklace kits to add to my already large stash. I had a lovely 2 days with the ladies if I can get myself organised and request some Saturdays off I might go and join the group.

Jayne

Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange

2009-06-11T14:09:00.004+02:00

I have had a e-mail from Suzanne to say that she has received my Prairie Schooler Exchange which I am glad about it appears to take about 10 days to travel to Australia. I am very fond of alphabets so I did a scissor keep and thread tag from the Farmers Alphabet book no 76.

Jayne

New Nephew

2009-06-10T21:37:00.003+02:00

I have had a busy week no time for stitching my sister finally had her baby a week late he is called Thomas and here he is , my Hubby managed to cut off the top of my head but it is still a nice photo.

We also have to have our house rewired so I am having to de-clutter it is amazing what I have found which I cannot remember buying.

Jayne

Prairie Schooler Exchange

2009-06-01T23:30:00.005+02:00

I received this lovely needle case from Barbara at the weekend, she had been reading my blog and had seen that I go fishing with my Husband so used that as the theme, she has given the needle case the look of a wicker tackle box. I also posted what I had stitched but I cannot show that yet.

Jayne

Already May

2009-05-11T21:06:00.006+02:00

I have been very busy for the last four weeks I have not had time to blog, I received this lovely Spring Ornie from Joan on the Seasonal Exchange Blog I will have to find a picture of the Ornie I stitched for her.
I must have been into spring because I also did seasonal exchange on Fair and Square Susan P sent me these lovely squares which I think I will turn into a mattress pin cushion.

Also here is May's Biscornu for the Basket of Biscornu Blog, the pattern is from this months GOS it was a quick make. I have nearly finished 5 Gold rings for the Christmas Challenge and I still need to make up 4 Calling Birds from Just Nans 12 Days of Christmas.

I really need to Focus myself now as I need to start a birth sampler for my sister her baby is due on the 1st of June, I have the pattern and the threads.

I have loads of pictures to share yet from my holiday in Germany when I visited Zweigart.

Jayne

Canvass Work

2009-04-01T20:36:00.007+02:00

I love doing canvass work this is one of Sue Hawkins kits(link in posting below), I also have a larger one to do as well, this is a scissor keep and I also have a pin cushion to do.

I have also learnt a new skill I have made my first Dorset button it was a little fiddly

as it was so small.

This kit used variegated and solid colours on 18 count canvas.

I was also fortunate to visit a Bead Fair on Sunday I didn't buy too much stash as I do not really need any more beads, but I could not resist some lampwork beads which I did splash out on, I intend to make them into a necklace before I go on holiday in 2 weeks time!!!

Jayne

Stitching Show NEC, Birmingham

2009-03-20T01:55:00.009+01:00

Last week I was on holiday, it was a very busy week but I did manage to fit in a trip to a stitching show at the Nec, the picture shows Sue Hawkins who is a talented designer on her stand, I have been fortunate to do many of her workshops and I have been on stitching orientated holidays with her and Jane Greenoff from The Cross Stitch Guild, I did of course buy some

of Canvas Work kits as I love her canvas work but have not got a photo of the stash I bought. I also bought some delica beads from T he Bead Merchant for a Workshop I am doing in September with Diane Fitzgerald who is an American Teacher who is coming over here to teach some workshops.

I finished Three French Hens for the Christmas Challenge 2009 blog and I have stitched together last months Two Turtle Doves these are from Just Nans 12 Days of Christmas.

Jayne

Hobbies

2009-03-18T19:55:00.007+01:00

My Hubby and I have hobbies which are well matched, as you can see from the 2nd photo my husband and I were visiting a Flyfishing show in Newark on Trent about a month ago, a lady was sat on a stand with her husband who was demonstrating tying salmon flies and she was stitching to pass the time, I have passed many an hour stitching/knitting while my hubby was fishing. I enjoy going to these shows as you never know what you will find which will be interchangeable, pike flies seem to be very popular and one chap was tying them with beading wire and didn't know where to get more so I was able to tell him where to obtain more, over the years I have bought all sorts and my hubby is always interested in my threads for tying flies especially the sparkly ones. The other photo is me with Paul young he is an Actor who presents alot of Fishing programs that we watch so I thought I would be cheeky and get my photo taken with him.

Jayne

Spring may be here

2009-03-15T13:30:00.002+01:00

I am at the Coast this weekend my mother-in-law has a static caravan near Filey, which we have opened up for the season. Today it is sunny and warm we are sat on North Bay at Scarborough enjoying the weather, we are going to walk the dogs on the beach shortly as it is low tide, then I intent to sit in the car and stitch and watch the world go by.

Jayne

Prairie schooler Exchange

2009-03-11T23:19:00.003+01:00

Here is a Picture of the Mattress Pincushion I made for Kim in the Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange, I like doing this type of finish. I have been working on my Just Nan Ornaments for the Christmas Challenge and have completed 3 French Hens now but need to take a picture yet.

On Holiday this week, off to a needlecraft show at the NEC in Birmingham tomorrow then off to our Caravan at the Coast on Friday to open it up for the Season.

Jayne

HOE Biscornu

2009-02-28T21:10:00.002+01:00

Here is the Biscornu I stitched for Leigh in the HOE Biscornu exchange the pattern is from tantezelders web site they have some loverly patterns which would stitch up loverly as biscornu.

Jayne

Busy Week

2009-02-28T20:50:00.008+01:00

This is 2 Turtle Doves for The Christmas Challenge Blog from Just Nan as yet I have not had time to put the ornament together yet, I stitched this and the Biscornu below while I was away at Wortley Hall.

Here is my biscornu for the Basket of biscornu challenge, I made it as a scissor keep for a pair of pinking shears I received for Christmas thinking the handles where grey/red I did it in those colours but when I got the scissors out to my horror I found the handles where actually grey/orange so I will have to make another one.

As I have already mentioned I have been staying at Wortley Hall this week doing a course I thought I would show you a couple of photos of what a beautiful place it was. Inside it was like a maze it took a long time to find my room when I booked in, the food was lovely, I had a very stimulating week doing Health and safety and did loads of networking with the other midwives on the course.

Jayne

Health and safety

2009-02-25T19:17:00.003+01:00

I am still away at Wortley Hall at the moment on my Health and Safety Course to be a Health and safety Steward for my local branch of the Royal College of Midwives. I am with a lovely bunch of midwives and doing alot of networking. The food is lovely so I am going to come back fatter after 5 days here.

Jayne

A lot of Vikings

2009-02-22T18:21:00.007+01:00

I pinched these photos from my Husband, we live close to York and spent the day there shopping yesterday, on the way in on the radio we heard there was a Viking Festival my Hubby happen to have bought his SLR with him. The top shot is one of my hubby's street photography shots and the one's below are some of the Vikings we just loved the one who was texting.
Since I was in York we had to have a trip to the Viking Loom which is a needlecraft shop, because I needed some threads!
Tomorrow I am off on a course with the RCM for a week, as I am the Health and Safety Stewart I am going to stay at Wortley Hall just outside Sheffield so it should be interesting I did have my arm twisted to do this just because I deal with the Health and safety Risk assessments on my Unit.

Jayne

HOE Biscornu Arrived

2009-02-19T15:35:00.008+01:00

I had a parcel from Iceland waiting for me today in the post from Edda it was the Hoe Biscornu Exchange

it is a pattern by Papillon Creations published in The Gift of stitching issue 27. It is stitched in my favorite colour and finished with beads on the edge and is beautifully stitched . She also sent me a lovely Prairie Schooler pattern and some needles.

I have just finished stitching my Biscornu for the exchange I just need to whip stitch the edges then it will be ready to be posted hopefully by Saturday. I have been on Nights this week so have not had much time for stitching.

At last all the snow has gone and the weather has improved my hubby and I went for a walk this morning with our dogs, we went to the beautiful Harewood House the grounds are open now that it is half term week, the Red Kites were active and we saw them flying above us, I have recently seen them on the way to work so they are certainly well established now as there was a release programme about 10 years ago by the RSPB at Harewood House.

Jayne

More Snow

2009-02-12T14:58:00.004+01:00

I thought we had seen the last of the snow! but as I sit here and write this it is snowing and it has been for the last 4 hours, it is starting to settle trying to work up the energy to go to the gym.

I am working on a couple of exchanges so nothing to show yet.

Jayne

Surprise in the Post

2009-02-03T23:56:00.007+01:00

Here is my Jack Russell Penny enjoying the snow she loves to catch snowballs and eat them, this snow fall appears to have brought the UK to a stand still I didn't have the luxuary of staying of work, I work for the NHS and I was expected to be at work as babies do not delivery themselves!! well they do if they are in a hurry!!!

I received a lovely surprise in the post today it was my exchange from The Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange from Marie, it was very appropriate since we have had so much snow in the last few days it was a Prairie Schooler Snowman entitled Christmas Trees II from Book 87. It is beautifully stitched and finished. I have been working on my exchange piece so hopefully that will be finished by the end of the week.

Jayne

Exciting Day

2009-02-02T17:37:00.005+01:00

Does anyone like Strictly Come Dancing my Hubby and I went to watch them on Saturday afternoon at Sheffield Arena it was great show the celebrities which took part where Tom Chambers, Julian Clary, Jill Halfpenny, Gethin Jones, Jodie Kidd, Kenny Logan, Cherie Lungi and Rachel Stevens. Julian Clary was so funny he had as much make-up on as all the females and to listen to the banter between the judges and him had us all in stitches. I also have tickets for the Dancing on Ice tour in April.

Does anyone Like chocolate? Saturday we had a 40th Birthday Party to go too as well, as you can see there was a chocolate fountain, the chocolate was to die for and we had healthy options to dip in it as well.
No stitching done today.

Jayne

I forgot to show.

2009-02-01T01:14:00.003+01:00

I forgot to show what I had stitched for the Lizzie Kate Exchange on HOE my partner received this early last week she was also called Jayne. I finished it as a needle case which was a new finish for me, I was pleased with the finished result I had also made some counting pins and an unpicker for her to match the colours in the fabric. I enjoy doing exchanges on HOE as you get to try different finishes which you might not have done before so you are learning new things all the time.
Jayne

Busy Week

2009-01-31T01:02:00.006+01:00

I have had quite a busy week this week I managed to finish my ornament for the Christmas challenge I am doing the 12 days of Christmas by Just Nan I am pleased with the finish I also stitched on the back "A Partridge in a Pear Tree"

I also received my HOE Lizzie Kate Exchange from Jen Regan, this is our third exchange now, Jen has come up
with a beautiful finish it is needle work box, it has been lined inside and she added some lovely extras which was very generous I have never had the chocolate mints before as I have never seen then in the UK.
I also signed up this week to the challenge of a basket of biscornu and I even managed to make one and post it for January. It was a freebie design.
Jayne

Exchange stitching

2009-01-22T22:47:00.004+01:00

I am working on my Prairie Schooler exchange at the moment so no pictures to show yet. I have a birth sampler that I want to start my Sister is pregnant and due at the beginning of June so I keep telling myself I have plenty of time to start it. I have bought all the threads and have the fabric which I purchased at the Knitting and Stitching Show in November along with the pattern from the Historical Sampler Company.

Jayne

Counting Pins

2009-01-14T18:15:00.002+01:00

I had a go at making some counting pins last night and I was quite pleased with my effort I also made a stitch unpicker as well, I finished my Lizzie Kate HOE stitching quite pleased with my finish I hope my partner will like it. Now on to the next exchange which is the Prairie Schooler one, will have to choose a pattern.

Jayne

Christmas challenge

2009-01-12T12:38:00.005+01:00

I have started my ornament for the Christmas challenge I have decided to do a theme so I chose the 12 days of Christmas by Just Nan this was one of the patterns I bought last week. They are small enough that I hope I will be able to complete one every month as you can see I am well on with the 1st one I might even try and do an ornament for each of my family as well.

Jayne

Ready for the New Year

2009-01-11T13:30:00.008+01:00

When I started this blog I did wounder if anyone would read it and I am delighted now as people have actually left comments, I really enjoy reading other peoples blogs and seeing what they have stitched and how they finish them, I have learnt alot about different finishes. As you can see I dabble in many crafts I have many UFO's and hope to try and finish a few this year.

Last year I did alot of exchanges so I found I didn't have much time for personal stitching I am going to try and get a better balance this year.

I have finished my stitching for the Lizzie Kate exchange on HOE just have to make it up so once it has been received I will post a picture. I have also signed up for the 2009 Christmas Challenge and the Year long Prairie Schooler exchange.

I am on Holiday at the moment my Hubby and I had a trip out on Friday, in Feb I have to spend a week at Wortly Hall near Sheffield (for work) this means a trip down the M1 I do not like motorway driving so we had a trip out to find it, it is a beautiful Stately Home turned into a hotel and it was a really cold morning so everything was still covered in ice so it looked wonderful. We then went to Climax Fishing Store the other side of Sheffield as my Hubby is a fisherman then we went to Bakewell which has a lovely needle craft shop called Wye Needlecraft as you can see I have been adding to my stash I bought some charts for all these exchanges I am going to be doing.

I also popped in to the quilt shop at Darley Dale called Heirs and Graces so it was a good day out the temperature never went above O so everything had frost on, the moorside just looked spectacular I should have taken pictures but forgot Hubby always has a camera with him on his belt. I also obtained some of these charts from Sew and so a great website I use.

Jayne

Christmas is over.

2008-12-28T17:51:00.008+01:00

Unfortunately these pictures are bit blurred, this is a picture of a Fuchsia I made for my mother-in-law for Christmas it was the last one in a series of 8 which I have been doing over the last few years they are from Mary Hickmont magazine New Stitches there is a picture of them all below but I did them separately.

I also bead I don't know if many people have seen the lovely Swaroski crystal rivolis which you can buy and you embezzle them, this one is turned into a necklace for my friend for Christmas.

Here is a picture of the piece I stitched for the Jayne's Attic Christmas Ornament Exchange, I find this a lovely finish for ornaments and doesn't take long to do. I had had to borrow my mothers pinking shears but my Hushand has now bought me a pair as part of my Christmas box.

I did actually work Christmas and Boxing Day we had 4 babies born on Christmas day spread out over the day so it was a loverly atmosphere at work.

Jayne

Exchanges finished

2008-12-10T21:26:00.005+01:00

I have finished and posted the last of my exchanges for this year, I have really enjoyed doing them and receiving the lovely parcels through the post. Now I need to concentrate on my Xmas pressies not been very organised this year. My mother on visiting the Knitting and stitching show in Harrogate persuaded me to knit a jacket for her for Christmas the stall holder assured me it takes only 10 hours to knit as you can see it is on

large needles which are 15mm and you knit with four strands of thread, I must admit it does knit up quickly as you can see I have all ready finished the back and started one side of the front which I have actually now nearly finished.
Jayne

Still unwell

2008-12-07T20:21:00.004+01:00

I am still feeling sorry for myself I had to go to the Dr's as my cold hadn't gone after a week and it turns out to be bronchitis so no wounder I couldn't stop coughing so hopefully now that I have some antibiotics I should start to feel better in a few days and maybe get some sleep.

Not felt like stitching for the last few days but have had a Xmas ornament to finish for an exchange but I cannot reveal that yet.

Here is the picture of the ornament I stitched for my partner in the HOE Xmas Ornament, I stitched this for Sonda.

We had Snow

2008-12-04T17:49:00.003+01:00

The weather forecast was right for once we did get snow, we woke up this morning to a thick covering of snow, as per usual the whole town came to a stand still, you have to go up a hill to get into our town from all directions. At the moment it is melting so we will probably have flood warnings now!

feeling sorry for myself

2008-12-02T15:28:00.004+01:00

I am Feeling very sorry for myself today full of cold and have a nasty cough which kept me awake all night and the other half. He has gone of to the cinema to see a film didn't go as I would spoil it for everyone.

I thought I would post pictures of what I stitches for my partner in the Christmas Fair and Square exchange, Jen has posted she has received it but not posted a picture yet.

Christmas Exchange Fair and Square

2008-11-27T17:13:00.006+01:00

Yesterday I received a lovely package in the post from Jen R who lives in the States, the post coming from the states is arriving within a week, the exchanges I have sent recently still have not arrived one I sent out in October so I have 3 exchanges out there somewhere which I hope I do not have to re-stitch.

The lovely Squares from Jen I will turn into Christmas Tree ornament, this is my 2nd exchange from Jen this year she was also my secret partner for the HOE Halloween exchange and I received the lovely ornament which was stitched over one thread, I had also done the same pattern for my Halloween Fair and Square exchange partner.

Christmas Ornament HOE from Jill

2008-11-24T21:26:00.006+01:00

I sent my Husband to the sorting office to pick this package up as I was out on Saturday when they tried to delivery it, I just love opening these exchanges to see what has been stitched, this beautiful ornament that is stitched from a Lizzie Kate pattern, I just love the buttons which have been added, it is stitched on 32 count dark teal Belfast linen, the sheep has been stitched with whisper thread so he is fluffy.
Jill has also added some other goodies and she made me a stitch/thread counter as well.

I have had quite a busy day today went to York with my Sister Xmas shopping but I think it was really an excuse for a girlie day out as we didn't do much Xmas shopping as we have already done it in the pre-Xmas sales this year, but we have this day out each year.

Knitting and stitching show

2008-11-23T20:55:00.003+01:00

I have had a busy few days, it has been the knitting and stitching show in Harrogate I am afraid to say I spent 3 days at this show. I had a day to myself, I spent a day there with my mum then another day with some friends of ours which we met on Saturday. I tried not to spend too much money but my knitting side won out and I did buy some kits, one you knit on size 15 needles with 4 strands of wool, this is a jacket which they say you can knit in 10 hours I have done the back already, my mum is expecting this as a Christmas present, then a rather expensive knitted doll from a company from Australia I couldn't resist it and she has a wardrobe full of patterns to knit for her they also had patterns for what they called huggable friends these could also be used as for heated wheat/rice bags which I thought was a good idea and would make lovely presents. I also got some fashion yarns to make the french knitting necklaces with the pendents to match or when I have time I will bead them. I will take some pictures of my stash and show them next time.

HOE Picture.

2008-11-19T17:03:00.000+01:00

Here is a picture of my last exchange that I received from HOE it was the Thread Tag exchange that I took part in it is beautifully stitched over 1 thread on 40 count linen and I received some other goodies from Carol.