Sunday 19 June 2011

The clouds have gathered but the Sun will shine again!

We are having our fair share off lifes challenges just now. Three family members with cancer, MIL with dementia and other family members are going for hospital tests this week too. I don;t want to get into anymore detail as I don;t want to frighten off people reading my blog. I just wanted to let you know why I haven;t been around as much and I also want to thank my friends out there who have given me love and support. My stitching and stitching friends are helping to keep me sane right now. Here are some stitchy and other up-dates on what I have been doing.


I finally made my April SAL piece into this little pillow. Mays piece has been stitched but hard to believe when you see my new button collection I don;t have the two tiny spider and ghost buttons to finish it off. If anyone can help me out I will send something in return. June;s ornie is also halloween themed but I haven;t had time to start it yet.   



My current stitching project is Here I Am by SamSarah Designs. My Mum asked me to stitch a Birthday gift for twin girls. I've decided to do this one twice, different coloured threads on each of them. Another awful picture. The large heart and swirls are stitched with sparkly krenik threads. I will hopefully get a better picture when they are both completely finished. 



Last week my DD H and myself had a baking day. We both made the tray-bakes, H made the chocolate cake I made the bran loaf and button cake. It must have tasted okay as there is not a crumb left. If anyone would like the recipes for anything just drop me an email.






My stitching Sister Elaine surprised me with this wonderful package off goodies. While chatting recently I told her I needed some small baggies to put my hand-dyed threads in ( I was expecting a few she sent me 100..lol) and I;ve been nagging her for ages to make me another piece of dyed fabric. How fab are these? As usual the photo doesn;t show the true colours, they are a beautiful pale blue and pale green. The blue one is screaming Snowman and I can really see some Sheep grazing on the green. Elaine also kept asking me what kind of buttons I needed. It;s raining buttons..lol! All shapes, sizes , colours I just had to take a picture to show how many buttons came out of that one bag. Here in the UK I can pay £4/$8  for a little piece of card with six buttons attached. This huge bag cost $6 I was gobsmacked..lol. My DH like Elaine is a huge Green Bay Packers fun and he was over the moon when she sent him a cap from this years Super Bowl win. 










Isn;t this Heilan Cow just darling! Sweet Sarah kindly sent me this card and fabric as a thank-you for borrowing one of my Lizzie Kate charts. We both have a bit of a Moo thing going on...lol.




My dear friend Michelle RAK'd me with this wonderful package off fabric. So many pretty colours and just perfect for Ornies. Aren;t stitchy friends just the best.




I;m still plodding along with Willow House. My windows and roof are now done so the house is complete. I;ve also added some visitors too my tree. I have quite a few pieces I need to stitch in July so it;s back to the WIP pile just now.






I hope everyone has a good week. I;m looking forward to watching Andy Murray at Wimbeldon and getting some time to chill out and stitch. Hugs! 






25 comments:

Annie said...

Sorry to hear about all the family issues. Sending good thoughts your way.

Your Sal piece is adorable and Willow House is looking good.

And those baked goods are making me hungry!

Some great surprises in the mail. Enjoy them!

Gabi said...

It must be devastating for you to go through all this. Sadly I know how it feels.
Your little pillow is adorable. So is your Wip.
Great new stash :)

Catherine said...

I know you have had your plate full recently - thoughts and prayers are still heading your way!

As for the rest of your post - wow! Great goodies all the way around, stitched and baked! Being a Packers fan myself - I love the hat!!

HUGS!

Karen said...

All of your goodies look great.... hope life settles down for you soon!

happy stitching....

Bette said...

So sorry you're having so many family problems. Will be praying for you.

Love the stitching and the stash. You have wonderful friends!

Friendship Crossing said...

Hey Lainey,
So good to see you post again! I hope things will calm down soon for you, sweetie!
WoWZA~ you hit the jackpot w/all those goodies!
Your pillow and other stitching turned out wonderful!

Thanks for visiting recently!
Chat soon!

Tanya

Teresa said...

Nice to see you posting. Sorry about the family issues we have a few here too! Blogging helps me get away.
When we visited Scotland we ate these wonderful cookies with shortbread on the bottom, then caramel with a chcolate topping. Is that is what is in the little wrappers. If so I sm sooooooo
jealous, I loved them.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Lesleyanne said...

Sorry to hear about your family issues. Hope things pick up for you soon. A great finish. Lovely progress on your stitching. Gorgeous new stash. Stitchers really are the best.

Edit said...

Sorry to hear about the health issues in your family. I wish you lots of strength to deal with it.

Your ornament finish is so great! I love it a lot. And all those cakes! i took up baking recently and I enjoy it a lot, though I only make a few kinds yet. I am still learning how to use my new oven :)

You received really nice surprises, I am sure you will have good use of them all. Looking forward to see them soon in your blog :)

I wish you and your family all the best,
Edit

Unknown said...

I wish you and your family all the best, i hope that things will be beter real soon.

Let's hope that Andy Murray can play at Wimbledon for a long time, so you can watch hin play and do some stitching , that will be a good way to relax.

Hugs Yvon.

Jane said...

Sending thoughts and best wishes to all your family for healthier times and the strength to cope with these hard times.
All your stitching is so pretty, the colours are lovely and soft and I look forward to seeing more.
What fabulous gifts you've received, I'm sure you'll make good use of all of them.
Wimbledon ...... mmmmm, rain! oh dear, need I say more?
xxx

Sally said...

So good to see you posting Lainey. Lots of love and hugs coming your way.

Lovely stitching and gorgeous gifts :) I can't get over all those buttons!

Beth said...

When I had a serious health issue, stitching helped to keep me sane and focused - I hope it does the same for you as you sort through some difficult times.

Michelle said...

Sending you many hugs and love - I am so sorry things have been difficult for you - I am glad you liked your fabric xx

Colleen said...

Hi Sweetie. WOW...look at all the new stash! All the fabric & I can't believe all the buttons. Your stitching is beautiful, as always.
I've been thinking of you in your difficult times & hope things will turn around for you soon.
Stitchers are tremendous friends...
Hugs & love to you, Lainey.

Brigitte said...

So sorry to hear about the health problems in your family. Hopefully it will soon become better.
Enjoy all your new goodies and play with them to your heart's content. Willow House is looking so great.

Justflo said...

Wow what great surprises you've had through the post. Like your little pillow, looks lovely.

HOW MANY BUTTONS?? You sure are going to have fun with those you'll have to start all sorts of thing now to use them!!!


Hope the sun shines for you soon :)

Pam said...

I'm sorry to hear about the family issues you are having. I hope that everyone is okay.

The package that your sister sent you is great!! What an awesome surprise to get in the mail. Enjoy all of it!

♥ Nia said...

So sorry to hear about your family.. hard time around there =/
Sending hugs and good thoughts for you all!!

Mylene said...

Sending good thoughts for your family, Elaine.
Lovely goodies and willow house is looking beautiful!

Annette said...

Sending you hugs for all the problems you have in your family.. Hope your getting ther a bit!!!

You made great pieces and got also very great pieces..you got very spoiled.. you earned it!!!
Can't wait to see the pieces for the twins done...love them!!!

take care!!

Hugs

Lillie said...

Sorry to read about the family issues, sending good thoughts your way.

Awesome gifts received and the food look yummy.

Take care!

Angela said...

I am sorry to hear about your family health issues, I am thinking of you :)

I love your Snowman pillow finish, it's too cute with the pom pom edging!

You baked some awesome goodies, that cake with the buttons on top looks so yummy! Can I have a piece? LOL.

Willow House is looking great! I'll let you know as soon as our mail is back to work :) I'm getting really frustrated with it!

Louise said...

Oh my gosh! You amaze me!!! All your stitching, baking, pretties...what a neat picture at the top of your blog too. Sorry I don't comment as often as I should. LOVE your blog!

Raggedystitches,
Louise in FL

Siobhán said...

Oh Lainey, I am so sorry about the family issues. My MIL had a stroke last summer and has the beginnings of dementia. She's a handfull as a it is--don't know how her daughters will manage as the problems progress. Big hugs to you.

Beautiful stitching and gifts!