Stitching we don't like doing!

I have had a little stitching job waiting for me since Christmas! Like everyone I visited the sales and picked up a couple of bargains, I got two pairs of jeans the only problem was the length they needed altering, well yesterday 4 months later I managed to do it so today I am now wearing my jeans.

While I was at it I shortened 3 pairs of work trousers and moved 3 buttons so I was feeling rather pleased with myself when I had finished.

Gifted gorgeous sal

I have not done much stitching this month, but I do have some things to share. I received a wounderful surprise last week from Kim over at Wisdom with needle and thread, Kim was a stitching angel after a disappointing exchange at Halloween, she contacted me and said she had put a little something in the post, this is what I received, Kim was very genourous in what she sent.

This is stitched over 1,

And some loverly coasters.

Here is the Sheep I stitched for HOE exchange in March.

I finished it as a scissor/thread keep.

Nearly over

Why do holidays go so fast? I have had a lazy week walking the dogs and drinking coffee.

I did pick this up by Just Nan that I started before Xmas.

We decided to come to York today instead of tomorrow what a difference, very quite not getting jostled  by other visitors.

Been to Boyes for some zips as I want to make a bag to keep my current stitching project in, also to take to workshops.

Just had to walk past this shop in the Shambles yes a wool shop.

Then off cause we went for a coffee.

I should be paid advertising by Costa the amount of times I show pictures of their coffee.

On holiday

I have 13 days off work but it is going way to fast, all ready 6 days in, I started with a needle craft show at Birmingham NEC I was invited to join an organised trip otherwise I would not have gone,

Off course I had to buy some stash I have a jelly roll at home so I had to have this book

Them some more fabric I do have a quilting workshop coming up!

Since I am into sheep I was looking for some sheep fabric to go with my scissor keep for a needle case look what I found,

When I went to get my scissor keep out I found this cute sheep magnet which my husband had hidden in my box waiting for me to find it.

Very cute!

I had also gone to get some knitting needles I have become a fan of circular needles as they are easier to use in the car or when travelling so I have begun to collect interchangeable one's.

I bought these LHN patterns "Giving Thanks" came with the threads it also includes a bonus pattern, the "Old  colonial" pattern is part of a new series but I am not keen on the rest of the collection as I nearly had signed up for it to be auto shipped as they are released but I will wait and see if I like any off the other ones as I do like LHN patterns

Sunday was my Mums 75th Birthday went to my sisters for lunch.

It is also my Sisters 40th Birthday on Wednesday she has gone to Centerparks this is her cake that she had made

Gifted Georgeousness

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers in the UK, I spent the day with my mother, we went to Skipton and stopped off at Embssay Mills for a bit of lunch and a look around.

I have been working on finishing this, my mother gave me it, I have finished the stitching just need to put it together doesn't look easy!

Just noticed not stitched the spades to go with the buckets, as there is a stitch missing on the bottom line.

Nearly there just need to make a twisted cord and finish the top.

The post below can also be included in this SAL as I received the below ornament as a gift in the HOE Sheep exchange I still cannot share what I stitched yet as it has not been received in the post yet, so next month I will share it.

Hoe Exchange arrived

The last exchange was to include a sheep, this year it is the Chinese year of the Sheep. 

I had Edgar as my exchange partner he stitched me this beautifully finished ornament it is from Prairie  Schooler book 23 called Prairie Year II stitched on 28 ct Pecan Sandy with DMC threads.

Stitching for me.

So far this year I have taken part in 3 exchanges the last one been posted last week. I feel it is now time to stitch for me, I have so many WIP's that I going to try and finish a few, I have made a start and have a finish, I started this last summer while on holiday it is a Sue Hawkin's scissor keep, this is I where I had got too

This is it finished.

I am doing the Country Cottage Needleworks Classic Ornament Collection this is number 2 in the series, this is as far as I had got when I picked it up last week

now the finished stitching just need to make it up, Vonna Pfeiffer from the Twisted Stitcher has stitched the models and done the finishes which you can find on her tutorial page on her blog.

This year is the Chinese Year of the Sheep, I am already on my 3rd sheep this year my last exchange was a sheep theme which I cannot share yet, I have picked up another start, it is the Little Sheep Virtues by Little House Needleworks in 2012, 

I had not got very far all I had started was the border which what I have been stitching this evening, 

Again with the sheep, we where in McDonalds last week and the happy meals are giving away Shawn the Sheep goodies,

when I saw this I just had to have it, it is a sandwich box but I have other ideals for it at the moment I have this stored in it,

Wandering in Blogland

What do you do on another wet Sunday afternoon ?

I had a wander  through Blogland and this caught my eye a Folded Granny Square Christmas Tree. I want to try and use up some off my stash this year I have all these 25g balls of wool from the Art of Crochet magazine,

the quality of the wool is not that good but ok for crafts I have already made a blanket for my Jack Russell she wasn't worried about quality!

I have crochet the first square.

I am also stitching an exchange but can't show that at the moment.

Gifted Geogeousness Sal and exchanges

It is time for the Gifted Gorgeousness Sal, I have been busy sewing for exchanges this last month so this fits the criteria for the sal. I took part in two exchanges which were valantine related.

The first one was the Initial Heart Swap with Gone Stitching, it had to have hearts on or be heart shaped and include the persons initials this is what I stitched for Florence in France,

I adapted the Valentine Bird by Hand on Heart and made it into a needle case with a pocket.

I also sent a bar of chocolate as well but forgot to take picture of it. I received this from Judith in Germany a loverly heart shaped ornament and some sweets.

The 2nd exchange was Send a Little Love Swap organised by Madaboutbags, we had to send 5 things which  had to include something red and something heart shaped.

I decided to have a go at knitting a face cloth I found the pattern here.

I also stitched a scented sachet that I scented with lavender,

I was partnered with Anne who lives in Scotland she sent me the following loverly goodies.

I did a giveaway with the Grow your Blog Party, I made  the thread catcher in red as it was to be drawn on valantine day,

I got my Hubby to pick the lucky person,

The lucky person was Sue Kosec an e-mail is on it's way for your address details.

Desperate for a new start!

I was itching to start something new tonight but managed to hold myself back too many WIPS already, so I got my little beach hut out.

Stitched some French knots in the flower pots. I them made some more thread catchers one for my give away at the weekend with the GYB party.

I have taken part in 2 exchanges this month so I am now stalking the post box everyday! I posted one of my exchanges today staying in the UK so not far to go.

As you can see from the red wrapping paper it is a valentine themed exchange.