This,That & Everything Else!

Hello! Thought I would come by and give anyone who hasn't given up on me an up-to-date on what's been happening here lately.It's supposed to be a blog mainly about stitching so let's start there. 

At the beginning of May I gave myself a talking to and got down to some finishing. All three designs were freebie charts. The blue-bird pillow was given to my dear friend June as a Birthday gift. The other two will be mailed out soon as RAK's to some other lovely friends.

My DD & DS bought me Little House Needleworks Summer Joy chart and threads for Mothers Day way back in March. I started it in May but as you can see I didn't get very far and haven't picked it up since. I really must make an effort as the colours are so pretty.

I'm a very lucky girl with such generous stitching friends. A few months ago dear Sally and Mouse surprised me with these longed for charts from my wishlist.

Curly Q Ewe from Mouse

My Sheep hear My Voice from Sally

Anyone that knows me knows I'm mad about sheep so I couldn't wait to start on the Curly Q chart. Sally and Mouse decided to join me in a stitch-a-long. Dear Mouse sent me some lovely fabric but my head in the clouds as usual I never noticed until I had started stitching that it was linen. I find it much easier to stitch on evenweave. I felt as if every stitch was taking forever and that little green frog started jumping all over it. Into the lost box it has gone. 

A few days later I found a lovely piece of lambswool in my stash so off I went again. Few hours into my stitches I realised I had made another mistake. I started frogging and oh dear lord it was a nightmare the thread just wouldn;t come out the holes. It kept fraying and splitting. You thought I had stuck it with super glue..lol. Enough was enough off to the lost box it went. 

Once I calmed down I was determined to try again. This time I found a piece of evenweave that I had stitched on recently, perfect or so I thought. I was so anxious to get started what did I do? I cut my fabric wrong, it was too small!!! I was in tears now, I had wanted to stitch this chart for so long and three attempts later I was getting no where. I thought about giving up and working on my Summer Joy but when I saw Sally's progress pictures I just had to give it another go. I ordered some fabric from Sewandso which with their amazing service arrived the next day. I've begun again and so far it looks good, though right now my lady looks like an alien..lol and off course it wouldn't be right if I didn't get something wrong. It was only when Mouse showed me her lovely progress picture I realised I've stitched the jacket in the wrong colour. There is NO way I;m frogging this one. Wish me luck please and pray this one doesn't end up in the lost box.

Not sure if I should be making any more stitching plans just now but I'm planning to be stuck in front of the tv in the next few weeks watching Wimbledon. I've got three small pieces I'm hoping to tackle. All being well I shall share in my next post.

Well if your still with me here is what else has been going on around here. Our DD Heather completed her third year at University and now has a BA degree in 3D Computer Animation. She had majors exams when her Dad was having his Operation and awaiting his results so it was extra pressure. We are so proud and we know she will do well in her Honours year.

Craig is still having a tough time and we are still waiting to hear from the hospital but some recent blood tests have showed some deficiencies. Hopefully the new medication will help and he also started a new job on Monday. The contract is only for four months but we are hoping that this will also give him a boost. I tried to sneak a photo of him all grown-up in his shirt and tie but that wasn't happening..lol.

On the May bank holiday we had a lovely family day out with my Mum and Dad. We visited Floors Castle in the Borders area of Scotland. As you can see it was rather a dull day but the castle still looks rather impressive. Sadly your not allowed photos inside. The tapestries were stunning! 

On our way home my DH treated me to this little beauty. I told him I would use it daily to drink my tea from but it's just too pretty. How appropriate for me is that name on the bottom..lol! 

For the last few weeks we have been blessed with some spells of decent dry weather. Ian was on holiday last week so we've been busy working in the garden. A lovely new shed and fresh stones in the driveway has given the outside a boost. New plants in the garden and the pots have been filled. I didn't want to bore everyone with too many photos so I just took a few of the garden plants and some from the pots. Hope you enjoy.

I hope you have enjoyed catching up. I will try harder not to make it so long until my next post. All being well I should have some puppy pictures to share next time as our new little family member may be born next week. We are all so excited!!!!!!

Take care everyone and happy stitches. Hugs!