Confessions of a Fabric Floozy

I'm so slack

2011-06-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Gosh here it is almost the middle of June and I see that my last post was in April!! Well I can't guarantee I'll post more often but here's a few pics of what I've been up to!

First up is the piece I was working on for an Easter/Spring SAL:

Bent Creek - Easter Snapper

stitched as charted on 32ct jobelan

I then stitched up this little cutie:

Lizzie Kate - Egg Hunt

Stitched as charted on 28ct Antique White monaco.

Buttons from stash.

I also worked on one of my January Crazy 15 Challenge pieces, here's

my pitiful progress!

Lizzie Kate - Christmas Flip-its progress as at May 31, 2011.

I did manage to finish 2 of my other January Crazy Challenge piece

s which brings my total to 9 out of 15 finished. The last 6 pieces are are a bit bigger though and they include the above flip-its as well as Blue Ribbon Designs - Autumn Leaves & Sunflower Seeds; Jeanette Douglas Designs - Spring Stitches; Shakespeares Peddler - Sampler Roundy; Victoria Sampler - Christmas Treasures & M Designs - Floral Sampler. I still have quite a bit of stitching ahead of me if I am to finish these pieces this year, which is the goal!! Anyway, here's a couple of pics of finishes number 8 & 9 from the challenge.

Finish #8

Mill Hill Santa ornament

stitched as charted on perforated paper with DMC.

Stitching completed April 26, 2011.

This was my first Mill Hill ornament and won't be my last. I discovered that perforated paper is great to stitch on while travelling in the car, so I'll be making sure I have a kit handy the next long car trip we take as a family!

Finish #9

Just Nan - Tulip Time

Stitched as charted on 32ct Lavender Belfast.

Loved stitching this one and need to pull another Just Nan out of the stash!

Well that's it for me, I'm currently stitching on one of my other wips, Elizabeth Designs - In The Garden of My Heart, and am making some progress so I'll be sure to post a pic next time!

Happy Stitching & thanks for visiting!

hugs

Amanda

Wow, it's been a while....

2011-04-02T18:45:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Gosh what happened to March! I didn't realise I had missed a whole month of posting. I've been working on my crazy January challenge pieces and also on some of my older wips. So without further ado, here's some pics!

First up, here's my March ornament:Country Cottage Needleworks - Visions of Sugar Plums unknown 28ct linen with DMC

I was so sorry to hear the bad news about Lisa from the Primitive Needle as were a lot of others. I decided to stitch one of her designs. Here's a little witch:

Fabric is a remnant from my stash, think it was part of a hand-dyed grab bag from silkweavers. Threads used were Crescent Colours - Raven, GAST - Fragrant Cloves & GAST Avocado.

In March I made some progress on my crazy challenge piece, Blue Ribbon Designs - Autumn Leaves & Sunflower Seeds. This month I finished the squirrel block & the house block. Here's a pic of my progress:

The last few weeks I've been stitching on an older wip, Mirabilia's Mermaids of the Deep Blue. The last time I touched this I had to frog a bit and ended up putting it away. I was just past the halfway mark. Here's a progress pic of the whole project, I've been working on the left mermaid and you can see with the mermaid on the right where I was at previously.

Here's a close-up of the area I've been working on, it seems blogger has turned the pic sideways for some reason though. Sorry for the lousy pics, my camera seems to be playing up!

Well that's it for now, I'm currently working on Bent Creek's Easter Snapper for an Easter SAL I'm in with one of my yahoo groups. As I only started it last night I haven't got a pic yet but will endeavour to get one soon.

Thanks for looking and as always, your comments if you have a chance to post one are most welcome!

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Hearts for valentines...

2011-02-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well as last week began with Valentine's Day I decided it was time to give some attention to one of my wips, Drawn Thread's An Open Heart.

Here's where I was at before:

Here's where I'm at now:I'm so glad to have finished the heart at the top, it seemed to take me forever!!

My 12 days of s.e.x exchange is now over, here's a pic of my goodies, all Halloween goodness! This was such a lot of fun and an exchange I will definitely participate in again!

This week I am working on one of January Crazy challenge pieces, Lizzie Kate's Snowman '10. I'm hoping he will be finished soon!

Thanks for looking and your comments are much aprpeciated!

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Some w.i.p progress & more exchange goodies!

2011-02-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well as promised here's my wip progress for this week, it's a bit pathetic really but I worked back a few nights this past week so that's my excuse :) This week I managed the small garden box on the right hand side, the one below it and a bit of the border.

The 12 days of s.e.x exchange continues, here's what I got for days 3 & 4. There is a definite theme to these gifts & I am just loving it!

Day 3 - various Halloween ribbons.

Day 4 - Haunted house photo holder, can be used to hold small stitched pieces too.

Well that's all for me today, I'll endeavour to post more progress & exchange pics this week.

Happy stitching

hugs

Amanda

I'm back..........

2011-02-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well now I am back to work my stitching time has been drastically reduced but nevertheless I have some pics for you! Some are from the last week in January before I went back to work.

First up is another finish from my crazy January challenge:

Meet Ozzy!

The Cat's Whiskers - What A Hoot!

Stitched as charted with recommended DMC.

Stitching completed January 2011.

Next up are some progress pics on a couple of other crazy January pieces:

Victoria Sampler - Christmas Treasures
progress as at January 31, 2011
Blue Ribbon Designs - Autumn Leaves & Sunflower Seeds progress as at February 4, 2011

Last weekend I hosted a get together at my house. A lot of fun was had by all, some stitching was done & we even managed a couple of finishes! An amazing feat as usually there is too much laughter & chat to even stitch! I am so glad we have airconditioning as it was the hottest day of the summer here and was still 36C outside at 6pm! Thanks to all who came, we need to do it again soon! I didn't manage any stitching as was chatting too much but after the ladies left I managed to kit up a piece for a SAL I participated in. I started him on Sunday afternoon and finished him on Monday night! Just love him!

Heart in Hand - Leggy Snowman

stitched as charted with DMC

28ct Smoke Linen

stitching completed February 7, 2011

I'm currently participating in a 12 days of S.E.X exchange with some friends and we started opening parcel on the 10th, here's my first 2 parcels, I'm sensing a definite theme here!

Day 1

Day 2

I'm currently working on on of my previous wips as I'm hoping to get some of them finished this year too, at the moment it's Elizabeth's Designs - In the Garden of my Heart. I'll try and post a progress pic tomorrow.

Well that's enough from me for today, if you've stayed with me this long, thank you!!

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Another crazy finish!

2011-01-24T17:12:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well in the last few days I have managed to work on a few of my crazy challenge pieces and even finished another one! Boy am I glad I chose smaller projects for this challenge! First up here's my finish:

Shepherds Bush - Halloween Grins
32ct Cream Belfast
Crescent Colours, GAST, WDW & DMC
Stitching completed January 23, 2011

My thanks to Mar who got the chart & button for me when it first came out!

Here's my wip progress pics

Mill Hill - Father Frost - this is the hat all done, now onto the face!

Shakespeares Peddler - Sampler Roundy

Lizzie Kate Snowman '10
The Cat's Whiskers - What a Hoot

I also managed to finish another LHN ornament, this one was started last year in December and languished for a while due to the time of year. It then got put aside for the challenge starts so I'm glad it's finally finished!

Little House Needleworks - Frosty Flakes
32ct Raw/Natural Belfast
Crescent Colours & DMC
Stitching completed January 24, 2011

Well thanks for looking & thanks for all your comments too!

Happy Stitching

Amanda

2 more Crazy January finishes!

2011-01-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Wow 2 posts in 2 days, has to be a first for me! As is 2 finishes in one day! Here's what I managed to get finished yesterday! First up is the little Homespun Elegance piece. I used a button from the stash rather than the charted one but am not 100% sure of it, I think it may need to be moved a little or.......

Homespun Elegance - Blessings to all

Finished Jan 18th, 2011

32ct sandstone belfast

DMC& WDW

Next up is Just Nan's Frost on the Pumpkin. I think this piece took me longer to decide what fabric to use than it did to actually stitch it! It's so cute & sparkly though & I'm really pleased with it.

Just Nan - Frost on the Pumpkin

finished Jan 18th, 2011

28ct sage cashel

DMC & charted beads

Well that's all for me today, not sure which project I will pick up today but there may even be another finish in the wings!

Thanks for all your comments, I really appreciate you taking the time to post.

Happy Stitching
hugs
Amanda

Crazy January Challenge Day 15 - A finish!

2011-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well there was no stitching done after the wedding. Don't know what I was thinking but drinking wine & stitching do not mix, lol!! Anyway, I started my 15th new start on Sunday the 16th instead and as it was still on the q-snaps I thought I might as well finish it! So without further ado, here's my 15th start for the year & my 1st finish! Please excuse the wrinkles as I haven't ironed it yet!

Little House Needleworks - Peppermint Twist
Stitched as charted with DMC & Crescent Colours
28ct Flax cashel ( least I think it's flax!)
Started January 16th, 2011
Completed January 17th, 2011

As I still had a bit of stitching time yesterday I pulled out one of my starts and got a bit more done it, it should be finished later today as all that's left to do is a candy cane & reindeer and then add a charm :) Here's my progress on Homespun Elegances December freebie

Well that's all for today, look for another finish real soon!

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

Crazy January Challenge Day 14

2011-01-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Here's my 14th start, started January 14th.

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Spring Stitches

36ct sand edinburgh linen

accessory pack - gloriana, NPI & kreinik silk mori

This is the 3rd in the series, after this I have Summer Stitches to go. As I'm stitching all 4 on the same piece of fabric I've included a pic of where Spring fits in :).

Had an almost disaster while stitching this which is why there isn't more progress. I spilt my cup of coffee and a bit splashed on this project. Luckily none got on the stitched parts so I will be able to rinse the small part of the fabric carefully. Unfortunately the chart didn't fare quite as well and ended up with a bit of a soaking!! It has come out ok as it was cleaned up pretty quick but the chart is no longer in the best shape!

Well I have a wedding to attend in a couple of hours, my DH is the best man. It should be a lot of fun as it's the 2nd wedding for both parties and as the bride has small children, they have hired a jumping castle and there will be a pool for the kids to swim in! I'm hoping I'll still be able to meet my goal and start the 15th and final project this evening when I get home, if not I'll start it tomorrow instead.

Thanks for looking
Happy Stitching
Amanda

Crazy January challenge pics so far..

2011-01-13T16:24:00.001-08:00

Hi all

Here are the pics of my starts so far, apologies as this post will be pic heavy!

Start #1 - started January 1st

Victoria Sampler - Christmas Treasures

28ct taupe cashel linen

threads as charted (Gloriana, NPI, Kreinik Mori, Caron Waterlilies)

Pathetic start on this but I was at my parents house & couldn't find my tape measure so had to start in the middle rather than on the border. The lighting was awful too as I didn't have my stitching lamp.

Start #2 - started January 2nd

Mill Hill - Charmed Santa Faces - Series II - Father Frost

perforated paper

DMC & mill hill beads

Start #3 - started January 3rd

Just Nan - Tulip Time

32ct lilac belfast

DMC

Another pathetic start but my girls insisted we go to the beach!

Start #4 - started January 5th

Shakespeares Peddlar - Sampler Roundy

28ct cream cashel

GAST & DMC

What can I say, vacation locations are not ideal for stitching. I started this one at my friend Shelley's house & there was a lot more talking than stitching happening!

Start #5 - started January 6th

Lizzie Kate - Snowman '10

32ct tea dyed monaco (I think) - unlabelled fabric from stash

Crescent Colours, Weeks Dye Works & DMC

Start #6 - started January 9th

The Cat's Whiskers - What A Hoot!

32ct Sandstone linen

DMC

Start #7 - started January 9th

Ink Circles - The Huddle

40ct kit linen

Carries Creations hand dyed silks

Start #8 - started January 10th

Lizzie Kate - 2008 Christmas double flip-its

28ct Vintage Country Mocha cashel

Weeks Dye Works & DMC for border

Start # 9 - started January 11th

Blue Ribbon Designs - Autumn Leaves & Sunflower Seeds

36ct antique white lugana

Crescent Colours Belle Soie Silks

Loved this one, it was hard to put it down. I am using 1 strand of silk over 2.

Start # 10 started January 11th

Homespun Elegance - Blessings to all

32ct Sand Belfast

GAST, Weeks Dye Works, DMC

Start # 11 - started January 12th

Shepherds Bush - Halloween Grins

32ct Cream Belfast

Crescent Colours, Weeks Dye Works, GAST & DMC

Start #12 - started January 12th

Just Nan - Frost on the Pumpkin

28ct Sage cashel

DMC threads

Start #13 - started January 13th

M Designs Floral Sampler

32ct Vintage Country Cream Belfast

DMC & Gloriana hand-dyed silks & ribbon

So I am now back on track with 2 more starts to go. Today will be Jeanette Douglas Designs - Spring Stitches and tomorrow I'll start my last piece, one of the LHN ornaments from last year, I'm leaning towards "Under The Tree".

If you've stayed with me this long, thank you! That's all for now.

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

Catching up!

2011-01-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hi all

I hope the new year finds you all healthy, wealth & wise and that you all had a wonderful Christmas (if celebrated).

I guess I have no real excuses for being absent so long except for work, home etc being extremely busy leading up to Christmas and then I've been away as well visiting my parents in Victoria. I also got to meet up with a fellow stitching blogger which was a nice surprise! Hi Jo! http://josxsblog.blogspot.com/

I decided that I would participated in the crazy challenge that a lot of people are participating in, 15 starts in 15 days to be completed by years end. As I usually partake in guilt free January this will work well for me. The challenge was to start a new project each day for 15 days, I have missed a few days as was busy with family activities and driving home from Vic (10 hours) was not conducive to stitching either so I am a few days behind already. The 15 will be started by the end of the month though! Here's my list so far:

Victoria Sampler - Christmas Treasures (started Jan 1st)
Mill Hill - Charmed Santa Faces - Father Frost (started Jan 2nd)
Just Nan - Tulip Time (started Jan 3rd)
Shakespeares Peddler - Sampler Roundy (started Jan 5th)
Lizzie Kate - Snowman '10 (started Jan 6th)
Lizzie Kate - Christmas Spirit
Ink Circles - The Huddle
The Cat's Whiskers - What A Hoot
Blue Ribbon Designs - Autumn Leaves & Sunflower Seeds
Just Nan - Frost on the Pumpkin
M Designs - Floral Sampler
Shepherds Bush - Halloween Grins
Homespun Elegance - Christmas 2010 freebie (Blessings to all)
Jeanette Douglas Designs - Spring Stitches
LHN 2010 monthly ornaments (I have 10 more to do and will start at least 1 but haven't decided which one it will be yet)

I finished up my Jan 1st 2010 piece just before I left on my trip, Just Nan's Needle In a Garden, fitting that it was both my first start & my final finish for 2010. Here's a pic, sorry it's not the best as it's from the scanner, I'll post some close-ups later along with pics of my challenge new starts:

Well I must go as have some chores to do but look for another post soon with some more pics and a round up of my 2010 stitching. I'm on holidays now for 3 more weeks so should have some time on my hands for a change!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

November catch-up

2010-11-20T16:28:00.001-08:00

Hi all

Well it's been a bit longer between posts than anticipated but I have some pics to share! Not as many as I thought I would though as I have had a touch of vertigo this past couple of weeks which has not made it easy to stitch! Anyway, here.s some pics of what I managed this month so far.

First up I finished my wip of The Trilogy - Family

Stitched as charted on 28ct bone jobelan with DMC, WDW & GAST. Stitching completed November 4, 2010

Next up was an ornament for an exchange I'm in. I decided on La D Da's 'Tis Red from the 2010 JCS ornament issue. It's even "finished" now too!

Stitched as charted on 28ct antique white monaco with DMC #4210. Stitching completed November 12,2010.

Here's a pic of it "finished" which I did yesterday. Hope the recipient likes it!

I also finished a couple of other items yesterday, here's some pics:

JBW Christmas star 2010 JCS ornament issue. Finished as a pillow ornament.
This pic shows the backing fabric and glittery gold ric rac I used for both ornaments. Love this ric rac!! Need to find some more!

I also finished my Just Nan Horrified into it's whimsy frame. Here's a pic:

I did get the sewing done on a couple of other items but need to add trim & hangers to them yet, so no pics just now.

Last night I finished another ornament. LHN's Happy Skater and I plan on starting the companion, Merry Skater tonight. Here it is:

Little House Needleworks - Happy Skater. 2010 JCS ornament issue. Stitching completed November 20, 2010. Stitched as charted on 32ct raw belfast with DMC. Mill hill beads 00557 substituted for gold dmc stitches.

Well that's all for me today. Once again, thanks for reading my blog, please leave a comment if you have a spare moment.

Happy Stitching

Amanda

The final spooky finishes

2010-10-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well I guess it's fitting that today being halloween I post pics of what is no doubt my final spooky finishes for this year! I also managed to finish a wip and an ornament too! So here's some pics of what I have been up to since my last post.

Lizzie Kate Hocus Pocus Stitched with DMC, GAST & WDW on 28ct hand-dyed lugana. Stitching completed October 2010. I had to get a bit creative with this one on the bottom border as I mis-counted.

Just Nan - Horrified Stitched as charted with DMC on 32ct cobblestone linen. Stitching completed October 2010. Will be put in a whimsy frame.

Shepherds Bush - Halloween (from House Haunting leaflet)

Stitched on 32ct sand belfast with DMC & GAST. Ghost button to be added on tombstone row. Stitching completed October 2010. This one was fun to stitch, it was charted for 20ct fabric. I swapped out quite few of the colours on this. The border was supposed to be black and the words orange, I felt it needed some purple!

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Heart Collector

Stitched as charted on 32ct antique white belfast with GAST, WDW & Needle Necessities. Stitching completed October 27 2010. This was my wip from Valentine's Day this year, thought it was about time I finished it!

JBW Designs - French Country Star Stitched with DMC 4210 1x1 28ct ant. white monaco JCS 2010 ornament issue. Stitching completed Oct 2010. This one was fun & quick to stitch! I started it and finished it on the same day, doesn't happen for me much lately!

I'm currently stitching on another of my wips that has been languishing for far too long, Trilogy Family! For such a small piece it sure has been a lengthy process, think I got bogged down on the mountain but as that's now all done the rest should go fairly quickly. Here's a pic of how I left it the last time http://ausamanda.blogspot.com/2010/03/finish-some-wip-pics.html, no new pic yet as I hoping the next pic will be a finished one!

Well that's enough for me today.

Happy halloween to all

hugs

Amanda

Some more spookiness & a tiny finish

2010-10-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Been a while, totally forgot about posting last weekend, darn facebook games! As a consequence not much stitching has been happening but I did manage a couple of small finishes and yesterday took advantage of the long weekend and got some finishing done on a few other pieces.

Here's my latest spooky finish, this was a fun piece to stitch. I started it and finished it the same day. Plan on doing the "finishing"on it today

Lizzie Kate - Eek! scissor fob Stitched as charted on 28ct hand-dyed lugana. Stitching completed September 20, 2010.

Next up is another little finish (which will also be "finished"later today)

Just Nan - Winter Violets Stitched as charted on 32ct opalescent lugana from silkweavers.

Stitching completed September 2010.

Here's the results of my finishing spree:Just Nan - Fraidy Frog pillow ornament,fabric in background is what's on the back.

Blue Ribbon Designs - Perched On A Pumpkin. Felt backed flat ornament

Hillside Samplings - Come In For A Bite - pillow finish

Plum Pudding Needleart 4 Bats & A Cat.

Biscornu finish with pumpkin bell embellishments. For some reason blogger keeps posting this pic sideways. I tried uploading it 3 times but each time was the same result, guess you'll have to turn your head on the side to see it properly :o)

Last but not least, here's Shepherds Bush - Scaredy Sheep Scissor Fob, finished as per kit instructions.

Well that's all for me for today, I'm currently stitching on Lizzie Kate's Hocus Pocus and hopefully it will be done soon. Also want to get some more finishing done as the finished box is getting a bit full! Christmas ornaments might have to be next on the list!

Thanks for looking and happy stitching!

hugs

Amanda

4 Bats & A Cat!

2010-09-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Here's my latest spooky finish, I plan on making this into a really big biscornu with some cool pumpkin bells on the corners having been inspired to "copy" the finish seen on another blog. I have left the alphabet off (even though it was cool lettering) as didn't think it would work properly with the finish I had in mind. I also changed the thread used for the pumpkins to GAST Bittersweet.

Plum Pudding Needleart - 4 Bats & a Cat

stitched on 28ct antique white monaco. Stitching completed September 15, 2010.

I haven't stitched anything for the past couple of days so plan on kitting a couple more autumn/halloween charts up today so they are ready to go. Of course I should be stitching on my wips but they can wait.

Thanks for looking

Amanda

Scaredy Sheep!

2010-09-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

Hi all
I finally remembered to scan my finished Shepherds Bush Scaredy Sheep fob. Of course it's not "finished" finished yet as I haven't had a chance yet, hopefully this weekend!

Here's a pic, please excuse the wrinkles as I haven't even ironed it yet!

Stitched as charted with kit supplies. Stitching completed approx. August 5th, 2010.

Back to more Autumn/Halloween stitching!

Edited to add: I finally remembered to correct the typo in my blog title! It had been bugging me for ages!!!

hugs

Amanda

Halloween finish

2010-09-07T23:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Just a quick post for today.

Here's another Halloween finish from the JCS halloween ornament issue. This one was a nice quick one and only involved 3 colours:

Ink Circles - Full Moon

28ct grey linen, stitched with DMC & GAST.

I recently finished Shepherds Bush - Scaredy Sheep Scissor Fob but need to get a pic of it.
So look for a few more spooky finishes as I am on a real Halloween kick at the moment, my most recent start is Plum Pudding Needleart's 4 Bats & A Cat.

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Been a while....

2010-08-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Been a while since I posted between getting sick, too sick to even stitch, and then trying to catch up on stuff I haven't had a chance to post. Once I got back to stitching after being sick, I have managed to actually finish a couple of small projects and before I got sick I did make some progress on one of my wips so here's some pics.

Wip progress:

Just Nan - Needle in a Garden

Progress as at August 22, 2010.

Ornament finish:

Country Cottage Needleworks - Season of Love

stitched as charted on 32ct belfast completed August 14 2010

Halloween finish

Blue Ribbon Designs - Perched on a Pumpkin

stitched with charted DMC on hand painted lugana. Completed August 21, 2010.

Well that's if for me, I've just had to change the background on here as for some reason my old one disappeared!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

A finish & some wip progress!

2010-07-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Forgot to post this little finish last week so here it is:

Shepherds Bush - Santa's Coming

Stitched as charted with Crescent Colours on 28ct "rustic" linen

Stitching completed June 26, 2010

This past week I have been working on my Chatelaine Watergarden wip after a friend asked how I was progressing on it! Thought I had better make some progress as it had been a while since I had touched it! So here's my measly progress for this week:

I've been working on the left hand side and finished the lilies and have started on the corner garden bit. I also got some of the beading done on the centre portion. There are gold beads all the way round and I have about a quarter to go on them!

I plan on working on this a bit more as I'm enjoying it so hopefully my next pic will have more progress.

It's school holidays here now and whilst I only have an extra day off each week, my girls will be staying at the in-laws so I might have more stitching time of an evening! We plan on seeing Eclipse at the movies tomorrow though which should be good! Might do a bit of shopping too, as a reward for them both for getting excellent school reports!

Back to the stitching now! As always, thanks for reading.

hugs

Amanda

Ornament finish & w.i.p progress

2010-06-16T03:28:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Well this past week or so I have finished a tiny ornament which was a freebie from http://www.thestitcherhood.com/ It's no longer available, but they have some other nice ones there.

"Rudolph"freebie from the Stitcherhood

Stitched with 1 strand Silk Mill silk over 2 on 32ct antique white lugana.

I've also been working on one of my w.í.p's, Elizabeth's Designs In The Garden of my Heart. Here's my progress so far:

I also got some early birthday stash from an order! My first real stash order for the year! Here's a pic of my goodies!Here's what I got: Plum Street Samplers - Thirteen Owls, Jeanette Douglas Designs - Autumn Biscornu Stackers & Mini Silver Needle Stitches & Shepherds Bush - Winter Snows & Spring Glows. I'm waiting on the buttons for the 2 Shepherds Bush charts, they were on back order.

Saturday I am going to a big craft show with a bunch of stitching friends, should be a great day and without a doubt more stash will be purchased!!

Well I'm off to stitch on something now, thanks for seeing what I've been up to!

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

I've been busy

2010-06-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well I've been busy lately and have a few finishes to share amongst other thing!

A couple of weekends ago I caught up with a good friend who is also a stitching buddy from Scotland who's in Australia visiting her family. We didn't get to go to any LNS's as they were all closed, so decided to find some antique shops instead! I managed to pick up this great "flower frog"for my scissors, actually my friend purchased it for me as a really early Christmas present! Here's a pic with my latest 2 scissor purchases!

Here's a closer pic of just the flower frog

Here's some pics of my latest stitching finishes.Eventide Designs - By The Sea needleroll

Stitching completed May 2010. Stitched as charted with DMC & Mill Hill beads on 28ct Bay leaf jobelan. Charm from stash substituted for charted button. The finishing has been done on this too, pic below. It's for an exchange and I love it so will definitely be stitching it again for me!The Sweetheart Tree - Holly ornament (2009 JCS ornament issue)

Stitching completed 2nd June, 2010. Stitched with charted DMC on 32ct antique white lugana. Blackbird Designs - Tulip Border stocking (May)

Stitching completed June 5, 2010. Stitched with Crescent Colours - Pea Pod & Needle Necessities #148 on 28ct tea dyed monaco.

I also manged to get the finishing done on the 2 needlerolls I stitched recently.

Shepherds Bush - Bee Hive needleroll

Finishing completed June 5, 2010

Eventide Designs - By The Sea Needleroll

Finishing completed June 5, 2010.

Well that's all from me for today. I plan on stitching up a little freebie ornament tonight and then getting back to my wip's.

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

I'm so slack.....

2010-05-25T01:23:00.001-07:00

You know you haven't posted for a while when blogger asks you to sign in again! Sorry for the longer than intended absence folks, I was away the weekend before last which was when I planned a post! As a bonus I actually have a finish to share instead of just an updated w.i.p pic!

Here's what I've been working on for the past few weeks:

Just Nan - Needle In A Garden - 2 more bands finished

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Heart Collector - a band and a half finished

Indigo Rose - Forget Me Knots needlebook - finished except for the backstitched edging needed to whip stitch for finishing.

Here's my finish, Drawn Thread - Morning Glory

Stitched as charted on 34ct cafe au lait linen with recommended silks.

Stitching completed May 22, 2010.

And here's what I'm working on at the moment, it's for an exchange I'm in and hopefully will be finished tonight or tomorrow! Eventide Designs - By The Sea needleroll.

Thanks for looking hopefully my next post won't be so long in coming!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T00:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! I've had a lovely day although no stitching yet!!! Had lunch at the mother in laws after opening my pressies and have just sat down now before getting dinner ready! Hope all the Mum's out there had a great day and everyone else too for that matter!

No stitching pics to post at the moment as I haven't had a chance to scan any of my projects! Barely any progress was made on a few of them anyway this past couple of weeks, was sick with a cold for 1 week which meant I didn't feel like stitching much. What stitching I have done has been on my wip's. I worked on Indigo Rose Forget Me Knots, the needlebook is basically done now, did a couple of Bands on Jeanette Douglas Heart Collector and Just Nan Needle In a Garden and last night I picked up Drawn Thread's Morning Glory. It's still on the q-snaps so I might end up working on it some more tonight.

Happy Stitching all
hugs
Amanda

A couple of quick finishes

2010-04-26T01:54:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well this past week has been very productive! I managed to start & finish 3 new projects! Of course they were all small!

First up is my ornament for this month.

Carousel Charts - Do you see what I see?

2007 Gift of Stitching magazine ornament issue.
Stitched as charted with DMC on 28ct tea dyed monaco.Stitching completed April 18, 2010

Then I started a needleroll from Shepherds Bush.

Shepherds Bush Beehive Needleroll
Stitched as charted with kit supplies
Stitching completed April 20, 2010

And last, but not least, my first Blackbird Designs piece!

Blackbird Designs Small Token
32ct "Primitive"hand-dyed linen from silkweavers
Stitched as charted with recommended Crescent Colours. Stitching completed April 25, 2010

Not sure what I will tackle this week, maybe back to my wip's but maybe another small new start is the go! Will definitely be back to my wip's when May begins though!

Today I planned on visiting my not so local LNS as we had to drive right past it to visit some friends. Much to my disappointment it was closed!! I guess that will teach me to check & see if they are open on Monday's which are public holidays won't it! So no new stash for me still!!

Thanks for all your comments on my previous finishes and as always, thanks for taking time out of your day to see what I've been up to!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

Some wip finishes!

2010-04-17T20:23:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Well time got away from me again and I missed posting last week! As a consequence I now have 2 finished wip's to share with you!! Both of these were started in January 2009 and I am pleased to cross them off the wip list!

First up is Shepherds Bush Spooky Spots:

Shepherds Bush Spooky Spots

Stitched with kit supplies (32ct Autumn Blush linen, AVAS, SNC & Gloriana silks). Stitching completed April 10, 2010

Next is a freebie from Passione Riccamo - Winter 2008. This one gave me no end of trouble for such a small piece! I lost count of the times I had to frog sections on this one! Here's a pic:

Passione Riccamo - Winter 2008 freebie

Stitched with charted DMC on 32ct Reflections Powder Blue belfast linen from silkweavers. Stitching completed April 16, 2010.

I started this month's ornament last night and should have it finished today, then I might reward myself for finishing 2 wips with a new start from the stash!!

Thanks for looking everyone

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

An Easter Finish & some more wip updates!

2010-04-06T01:46:00.001-07:00

Hi all

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and that the bunny brought you all plenty of chocolates!!

This weekend I decided I needed to stitch something for Easter as I haven't had too many Easter related finishes in the past. I decided on The Trilogy - Happy Bunny Bunny Day after seeing it on someone elses blog! Here's my version:
Stitched as charted on 28ct "dirty"cashel linen with WDW. Buttons from stash. Stitching started April 2 and completed April 5, 2010.

This past week I also made some progress on 2 of my wip's, one was my valentine's day start which I realised I hadn't previously posted a pic of!! Here's my wip updates:

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Heart Collector

This is scanning a bit pinker than it really is but at least you can get the general idea. I'm stitching this as charted with a combination of various hand dyed threads. It uses WDW, GAST & Needle Necessities. Fabric is 32ct Antique White belfast linen.

Elizabeth's Designs - In the Garden of my Heart

This piece was the last of my guilt-free January starts. I haven't shown this one before either but the previous pic would have been pretty boring as it was just border boxes. Fabric is 32ct lambswool jobelan and threads used are WDW & DMC.

Well that's all for me from this past week, had a couple of nights without any stitching so not as much progress as I would have liked but at least I made some progress!

Not sure what will be on the agenda this week but it will be back to the wip's for me!

Thanks for checking out what I've been up to!

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

A finish & some w.i.p pics!

2010-03-27T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Thanks for your compliments on my finishes of last. The JBW piece was a fun quick piece and I am resisting the urge to start another! This past week I made some minor progress on a couple of my wips and started & finished my ornament for March. First up here's my ornament:

Little House Needleworks - Home for the Holidays

This one is from the 2005 JCS ornament issue. It's stitched almost as charted, except I used DMC B5200 for the snowman and snowflakes as I wanted them to be dfferent to the house. I also used mill hill petite white beads for the "falling snow"at the top instead of stitches. Fabric is 28ct "butterscotch glitz"opalescent hand dyed lugana from silkweavers. Stitching completed March 26, 2010. There sure was a lot of stitching involved in this one for an ornament but I am really pleased with how it turned out!

Now for some progress pics on my wip's:

Bucilla - Paper Dolly teddy kit - worked a bit on the basket, lots of colour changes in this little motif.Drawn Thread - An Open Heart - stitched few motifs in the top heart. I think one the heart is done it might progress a bit faster.
Ink Circles - Blackstone Fantasy Garden: a bit more done on this one, I'm sort of half way now. This is a fun easy piece to stitch.

OK this is the last one! It's The Trilogy - Family ( also known as, least to me anyway, the great brown blob!). I've been dragging my heels on this one since January 2009! The brown mountain has been my downfall. It's supposed to be sitched in WDW but I have done it in DMC instead. As the mountain is nearly done, I'm hoping the rest of the piece goes quicker, couldn't go any slower that's for sure!!

I'm trying to spend some time with all my wips so there might be similar posts coming!

As always, thanks for taking the time out of your day to see what I've been up to! Your comments keep me going!

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

A finish or two!

2010-03-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well these past couple of weeks have been fairly productive! I managed a couple of finishes and worked on 2 of my wip's, received an exchange parcel and went to a craft show with Anne and Alison!

First up here's my purchases from the craft show, it was only a small show and I had a limited budget but still managed to pick up some bargains!

Here's 2 charts from my wish list and some cute scissors for my collection.Here's some ribbon & cording for finishing. Some felt to make scissor pouches for my new scissors, some cute bee finishing fabric, dragonfly charms and Shepherds Bush Halloween needleroll which I got for a good price! I also got a couple of packs of buttons, some small yellow stars and some snowflakes which I forgot to include in the pic!

Here's a pic of the great spring/easter exchange parcel I received from Cheryl (no blog) unfortunately the chocolates which included melted a bit on the treat bag but luckily not on the actual stitching. Chocolates are in the fridge so aren't included in the pic, but they 2 little bees & 2 little ladybugs! Thanks again Cheryl I love it!
Ok now here's my last couple of finishes, one I only finished last night!

JBW Designs - Plum Pudding

28ct tea dyed monaco with DMC & WDW. stitching completed March 14, 2010.

Prairie Schooler 2010 Spring freebie. All colours changed!

Stitched with DMC on 28ct "primitive"hand-dyed linen from silkweavers. Stitching completed March 19, 2010.

In addition to the 2 finishes I also made some good progress on my Ink Circles - Blackstone Fantasy Garden and got a bit more done on Drawn Thread - An Open Heart but I haven't taken pics of them yet. will do that for my next post.

This week I'm planning on doing this month's ornament (yet to be decided exaclty which one it will be) and I hope to make some progress on at least one or more of my other wip's too!

Thanks in advance for looking, I appreciate all your comments.

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Cube finished!

2010-03-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

Oh my, 2 posts in 2 days, that's got to be a first for me!! I had to show a pic though as I "finished" my cube last night for an upcoming exchange!! This took quite a while as there's lots of whip stitching involed but I really love how it turned out! It will be hard to send it off to my partner but I have told myself I can always make another! So without further ado, here's my cube!

It's stuffed with a combination of poly pellets & fibrefill. The pellets are to give it a bit of weight. I meant to sew one of those charms on the top which say hand made etc but forgot. Had a cute butterfy one too, oh well, next time! So you can get an idea of the size, it's stitched on 28ct jobelan and the whipstitching was 36 stitches each side and measures 2.5"square. I backed each side with the stiffest iron on interfacing I could find.

Thanks in adance for looking at my blog, your comments spur me on!

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

January 1st piece progress & exchange update

2010-03-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I have finished the 4 stitched squares for my exchange piece and plan on doing the other 2 sides this afternoon , and hopefully "finishing" it tomorrow or tonight! Here's how it looks so far

Stitched as charted apart from the beehive, I subbed WDW whiskey for the DMC. Threads used are WDW, GAST & DMC. Stitching completed March 4, 2010.

Next up is my progress on my January 1st piece, Just Nan's Needle In A Garden, I'm just over a quarter of the way on this one now.

Well that's all I've managed the past 2 weeks, been putting in long hours at work as we have been so busy. Bonus is, I will get a couple of days off from the extra hours!

So far my no stash buying is going pretty good, I've only succumbed once and grabbed an Ink Circles designs ornament - Reindeer Huddle! I'm still getting my JCS mags too. Going to a craft show with some friends next week though and I'm sure I'll find something I can't live without!

Well that's it for me, need to go stitch the other 2 squares for my cube so I can get the finishing done!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

A finish & some w.i.p pics!

2010-02-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I finally remembered to post a pic of my ornament for January and I manged the finishing Sunflower Sampler too! I started a new project this week, well 2 actually but 1 is my Valentine's project and I really don't have enough done to show yet. The other piece is for a Spring/Easter exchange.

First up here's my ornament:

My Mark Designs - Be Merry

2008 JCS ornament issue.

Stitched over 1 with recommended threads on 25ct antique white lugana

Stitching completed Feb 7, 2010

And here's my "finished"sunflower sampler needleroll

Country Cottage Needleworks - Sunflower Sampler

Finished as a needleroll Feb 14, 2010

Here's my new wip, I plan on finishing this as a cube which should be interesting! Hope it works out!

Hollis Designs - Budding Littles

progress as at 14 February 2010.

Thanks in advance for looking. Hope everyone has had a wonderful Valentine's day. DH & I went out for lunch which was nice. It's been a very wet weekend here which has brought some much needed relief from the awful humidity we have had, been almost too hot to stitch! Thank goodness for fans & airconditioners! I think we could do with some of the snow that our friends in the northern hemisphere have been experiencing!

Happy Stitching

hugs
Amanda

Some guilt free finishes

2010-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I finished couple of my guilt free January starts, one was actually finished at the end of January but I didn't get a chance to post a pic.

First up is Jeanette Douglas Designs - Tiny Christmas biscornu. This was my final January start and I finished it January 31st.

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Tiny Christmas biscornu

Stitched as charted with DMC on 32ct lambswool jobelan

Stitching completed January 31st, 2010

Here's my other finish, it's Country Cottage Needleworks - Sunflower Sampler. I plan on finishing it as a needleroll so have left the border off. It's already for the final finishing, just need to get the sewing machine out which will hopefully be today.

Country Cottage Needleworks - Sunflower Sampler

Stitched as charted (minus border) with DMC & WDW on 32ct waterlily jobelan

Stitching completed February 5th, 2010.

Next up to stitch is my ornament for this month and a valentine's piece. As I've already started the ornament, I'm hoping it will be done today, might even manage 2 posts in 1 day, that will be a first!

Thanks for looking

hugs

Amanda

A Guilt-free finish!

2010-01-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I have finished one of my guilt free January starts already! It's Brittercup Designs - Raising Hooves. As this one is for my youngest daughter, she wasn't going to let me leave this one languishing in the wip pile for too long!! As I was enjoying stitching it, I just kept on going and before I knew it, it was finished!

Brittercup Designs - Raising Hooves. Stitched as charted with WDW & GAST on recommended fabric, 32ct Queen Annes Lace hand dyed jobelan. Stitching completed January 22, 2010.

Here's another pic "pre finishing"of the fob from Indigo Rose Designs - Forget Me Knots. I finished this one the other day. I just have the needleroll & needlebook to go, lol!

Indigo Rose Designs - Forget Me Knots fob. Stitched as charted with DMC on 32ct antique ivory belfast. Stitching completed January 18, 2010.

Thanks for looking

hugs

Amanda

It's been too long...

2010-01-18T15:38:00.000-08:00

Wow I didn't realise it had been so long since I posted! This year I resolve to post more often!!

Had a great Christmas & New Years and spent a couple of weeks with my parents which was great as I hadn't seen them since last Christmas! The girls & I drove down to their house on the Hume Highway (the short route) and as Daryl joined us on New Years eve, we drove back the coast road (long way) and visited Philip Island and a number of coastal towns which I hadn't been to before. We even went to 2 cheese factories, yum!! We also stopped at Mogo zoo which my youngest daughter had been wanting to got to for a long time! Mogo zoo is only a small zoo but it's quite good as you can get pretty close to the animals. Here's a couple of shots of the beautiful scenery we saw on the way.This was taken at "Nobbies" on Philip Island, you can see the seals on the far island through telescopes & binoculars. This was taken at Eden on the far south coast of NSW it was about 7am!Here's a shot of the giraffe at Mogo Zoo, he came right up to the fence, almost close enough to touch!!

On the stitching front, my "mojo"has returned!! Yippee!!!!!!! I have a couple of finishes to share and a new wip or 2 for guilt-free January!

I finally finished a small Sweetheart Tree piece which should have been finished in 2009 but seemed to take me weeks! Would have been finished while I was at my parents house but I inadvertently left the chart at home!! Here's a pic:Sweetheart Tree - Pirouette In Purple, stitched as charted with kit supplies, DMC & Needle Necessities. Stitching completed January 10, 2010.

Next up is an ornament freebie which I had intended to be my December ornament but that didn't happen!!Plum Pudding Needleart - Fa La La. Stitched as charted on 28ct tea dyed monaco. Stitching completed January 14, 2010.

Here's a wip pic of my January 1st new start piece.Just Nan - Needle in a Garden. I'm stitching this one as charted on the recommended fabric.

Here's a list of my planned "guilt-free"January starts.

Brittercup Designs - Raising Hooves (started this one on January 15 and am almost done with it!)

Indigo Rose - Forget Me Knots (started this one and have finished the stitching on the fob)

The following I plan on starting but haven't done so yet!

Victoria Sampler - Ravenhill Herb Farm

JBW Designs - Plum Pudding

Country Cottage Needleworks - Sunflower Sampler

Elizabeth's Designs - In The Garden of My Heart

Look for some wip pics of these pieces soon!!

Well that's it for me for now. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Happy stitching

Amanda

Sorry it's been a while....

2009-12-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Sorry it's been a while since I posted! I see I didn't even make one in November!! Been so busy with work and home life that just haven't had a chance, even my stitching has slowed down!! I did manage a couple of finished for November. Here's the pics:

First up is Just Nan's Fraidy Frog from the JCS Halloween Issue:

And finally Raise The Roof Designs - Snow Daddy which is a gift for a work mate!

Well that's it for me today, short & sweet!! Can't wait for holidays in 3 weeks!

Happy Stitching

Amanda

A finish

2009-10-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone

Well this past week was not productive at all! Working back every night did not help the stitching one bit. I did manage to finish the ornament I needed for an exchange though and have just now done the "finishing"on it too! Decided to go with a pin keep finish as it's a big big for a tree ornament, least I think so anyway.

Here's a pic:

Helga Mandl - Just Add Snow

Fabric: 28ct opalescent "butterscotch glitz"lugana from silkweavers

Stitched as charted with DMC.

Stitching completed October 29, 2009

The fabric in the background is what I've backed it with. Will send it with a little stand so the recipient will have a way to display it.

Last week Alison asked for the name of my new gingher scissors, sorry I forgot to add that in the original post. The mutli-coloured ones are the new Elena design and the green ones are called Sarah.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween for those who celebrate it. We don't but I love to stitch Halloween designs, go figure! Didn't get any done though which is a bit annoying, so I am now going to focus on my current wip of Shepherds Bush - Spooky Spots.

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

A finish & scissors, scissors everywhere!

2009-10-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone

Thanks for your comments on my last finish, it was a fun piece to stitch! Let me present you with my latest finish, Victoria Sampler - Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm. First here's a close-up of the final section:

and here's a pic of the whole piece:

Victoria Sampler - Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm

Stitched as charted, fabric 28ct hand-dyed jazlyn from Country Stitch, stitching completed October 22, 2009.

I succumbed to some new scissors the other day, how could I resist with our $$ being so good at the moment and the tempation of ginghers calling me! Here's a pic of my latest additions:

And here's a pic of the majority of my collection, there are a few pairs not here which are in projects! My DH said to me the other day when I told him about the new scissors, why do you need so many scissors? My response was, "need" has nothing to do with it, lol!!! DH is very good about my stash purchases and never says anything about them.

Well that it's for me this time, thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. I need to do an ornament for an exchange and then I will either start some halloween stitching, which is really tempting me, or focus on another wip! Maybe I can accomplish both of these at the same time as one of my wip's is a halloween piece. We will have to see I guess, whatever calls the loudest will be answered, lol!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

A finish!

2009-10-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well here's what I've been stitching on this past week, I saw it on someone's blog (sorry can't remember who it was) and just had to stitch it!

The Primitive Needle - Earth Sampler

Stitched with GAST & WDW

Fabric: 32ct Belfast "Primitive" from Silkweavers

Stitching completed October 8, 2010.

I discovered an error in the key for this piece but I had almost finished it so just went with how it was except for stitching the rabbit in WDW Chestnut. This was a fun piece to stitch!

Now it's back to my VS Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm as I would really like it finished soon!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

Catching up...

2009-09-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

Boy it's been a while! I didn't realise how long it has been since I posted here, time sure does get away from you! Here's bunch of pics which will show what I've been up to this past month! First up is my only finish for the month, it's Hillside Samplings - Come in for a Bite!

Hillside Samplings - Come in for a Bite

Stitched as charted with kit materials - 32ct Northern Cross natural linen, WDW & DMC.

Next up are some progress pics.

Victoria Sampler - Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm

Passione Riccamo - Winter freebie

Papillon Creations - How Does Your Garden Grow.

This one was an inherited w.i.p from my dear friend June who passed away in February last year, losing her battle with breast cancer.

Ink Circles - Blackstone Fantasy Garden

Here are a couple of new starts to celebrate me being 2 years cancer free!

The Drawn Thread - An Open Heart

The Drawn Thread - Morning Glory

Next up are a couple of pieces I managed the "finishing"

The Drawn Thread - Little Acorn Learning Band Sampler

(waiting on the bellpull end for this one)

Drawn Thread - Random Thoughts

This one has been waiting for me to do the hem stitching since 2006! It's good to have it finally done and hanging on the wall!

I've also recently updated my trade list - you can see the link in my side bar. Feel free to drop me a line if you are interested in anything!

Well that's enough from me for now. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, hopefully I can post a bit more frequently!

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

Some finishes & some stash!

2009-08-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well I have a couple of finishes pics to share and some stash that I bought at the Stitches n Craft show yesterday! First up here's the finishesPrairie Schooler Snowman Ornament freebie card 2008 Stitched with DMC as charted.

Midnight Stitching Quaker Acorn 1&2 finished into an Acorn shape!

Stitched as charted with Dinky Dyes silk #151 Nabilla

Here's the stash I picked up yesterday. First up is a chart & some crescent colours & some Canadian hand dyed silk & silk ribbon

Next up are 3 boxes of fancy trims that I couldn't pass up! They were $20 for a box of 27 spools and as I couldn't choose just 1 colour I had to get the 3 boxes I loved the most! First up is the Plum box the pic makes some of them look pinker than they are, they are all mostly a really beauitful plum/purple colour.Next is the Pink box
Last is the Cream/Gold box And here's the final pic, this piece was a Round Robin which was finished years ago, I finally got around to making it up into a pillow for my step grand daughter who loves Disney Princesses. It was originally planned for my girls, but they are a bit beyond the Disney Princesses now.

Well that's all for me today, tonight Rachael (eldest daughter) & I are going to see Pink! in concert which should be great! We are expecting to be a bit on the deaf side tomorrow, lol!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

Just a quick note...

2009-08-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

Had to pop in quickly, no new pics for today but I had to let you know that Mel is having a super blogiversary giveaway to celebrate 8 years of blogging! Here's a pic of her giveaway prize

I hope to have a finish to show you tomorrow!

hugs

Amanda

Been a while....

2009-08-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Been a while since I posted here. Work has been hellish and I haven't felt like doing much of anything. Anyway, things seem to be slowing down and I have a couple of little finishes to share. First up is Little House Needleworks - Reading

Stitched as charted on 25ct Antique White lugana Stitching completed 3 August 2009

Next up is my latest finish from last night, it's an exclusive retreat piece from Midnight Stitching and is the first in the set of 2 that I plan on stitching. It's Quaker Acorn

Stitched as charted on 32 count grab bag lugana from Country Stitch with Dinky Dyes silk #151 Nabilla. Stitching completed August 15, 2009.

That's all for now but hopefully it won't be so long between posts. I need to show you all the wonderful piece I received in a recent exchange and just as soon as I take a pic I'll do just that!

hugs

Amanda

A productive week...

2009-07-20T03:23:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Well this past week was relatively productive. I managed to finish an ornament freebie that I had been wanting to do for a while and I even finished one of my wip's!
First up is the ornament freebie. It's actually a biscornu chart, I just added a hanger to ornamentify it! Chart was from here http://aurelle.overblog.com/ I'm not sure if it is still available or not. Here's the pic:

Stitching completed July 16, 2009

Stitched as charted with DMC Color Variations #4210 Fabric: 32ct white belfast

Next up is a pic of my finished w.i.p, Jeanette Douglas Designs - Winter Stitches. I'm stitching all 4 together on the one piece of fabric, so far I have Autumn & Winter done.

Stitching completed July 19, 2009 Stitched as charted with accessory pack threads, fabric 36ct sand linen.

Here's a pic of both Autumn & winter together

Well that's it for this week, next weekend I'm away with some stitching friends, we have rented a house for the weekend and plan on some serious stitching time as well as other fun activities!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

A finish or two!

2009-07-12T17:50:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Meant to post last weekend and time got away from me, but now I have more to share, so here goes!

First up, I finished one of my wip's Drawn Thread Little Acorn Learning Band Sampler

Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast, Threads: Needlepoint Inc silks

Next up I got some finishing done on a couple of items, first is my Just Nan - In the tin Hop needlebook scissor fob

Next up is the Cat's Whiskers Pink ribbon Scissor Keeper. This was pretty fiddly to finish but I love the results! The lining fabric I used is white with little pink ribbon symbols on it.

Here's an ornament I finished for an exchange. It's kind of my own creation but I took some of the elements from other ornaments in one of the JCS ornament issues. This was the first time I made my own tassel too! I can't show the back yet but you'll just have to believe me that it's stitched too, lol!

Stitched on 32ct antique white belfast, with DMC, kreinik #4 braid & mill hill beads.

And hot off the needle is my latest finish. I got this one finished last night, it's Just Nan Over The Top - Sizzle.

Stitched as charted on 28ct Meadow mist cashel with recommended DMC.

Thanks for looking, I'm hoping for some wip pic updates next time!

Happy Stitching

Amanda

A finish or 2!

2009-06-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone

Well this past week or so I finished up a piece for a biscornu exchange, finished up this month's ornament and picked up my dragon heart from the framer's! Here's the pics!

Barbara Ana Designs - Halloween Biscornu

28ct hand-dyed jubilee - Colours Down Under

Val's Stuff - Christmas is a Time To Share

2008 JCS ornament issue

Stitched as charted on 28ct unknown linen

Black Swan Designs - Dragon Heart framed

Close-up of frame & mat including filet.

For now it's back to the wip's although I am sorely tempted to start something new and may just have to succumb!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

I have been stitching......

2009-06-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well a bit anyway, but not as much as usual. Been distracted by computer games of late! Here's a couple of finishes from the past 3 weeks.

First up here's Just Nan - Joyous Ark which was stitched as charted.

Next up is The Sweetheart Tree - By The Sea Sampler, stitched as charted from kit supplies.

Finally is a little Indigo Rose freebie - Spring Garden. I swapped out the blue thread for a darker purple as the blue just wasn't showing up on my fabric, which is 28ct waterlily jobelan.

It was my youngest daughter's 9th birthday last Thursday and as she was having a party, a cake was required! She requested a rainbow butterfly please Mum! Here's a pic of the cake mix in the tin prior to baking and a pic of the finished product! Cake decorating is not really one of my skills but she was happy!

Well yesterday was spent in very pleasant company indeed and a great day was had by all. I went to the annual Sydney Quilt & Craft Fair yesterday along with Anne, Alison, Karen & Row. Many laughs were had and some very yummy cakes were enjoyed at the Lindt Cafe afterwards. Thanks for a great day ladies!!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

Some w.i.p progress

2009-05-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well my visit to the LNS last weekend was really not that exciting. This LNS is so frustrating, you can never find any charts and what you can see is old! They are good for threads & fabric though, which is the main reason I went! I picked up a few pieces of fabric, a couple of Mill Hill ornament kits, an OOP (think it's OOP anyway) Just Nan chart for a friend and my girls picked up a little kit each too. I needed some white belfast for a project, whilst I has 32ct lugana I really wanted linen for this piece, it's the pink ribbon scissor slide by the Cat's Whiskers which Janine sent to me, along with the matching scissors. I finished the stitching up last weekend and had planned to do the finishing this weekend but I need some skirtex first. a nasty headcold this week kept me from the planned visit to Hobby Sew to pick this up so I guess it will have to wait a bit longer now! Anyway, here's a pic of the stitching, it's really quite lousy as my scanner doesn't like white fabric so I have had to darken it up a bit so the stitching was visible as the thread colour is really soft and pale.

Prior to stitching this, I had been working on my New Years start piece, Victoria Sampler Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm, here's my progress as at last weekendThis time around I stitched the band containing the deer and the over one wording.

This past week I've been home from work all week, first couple of days my daughter had a cold then she shared it with me and I spent the last 3 days home sick myself! Managed about 2 hours at work on Thursday before they sent me home! Was good for the stitching and I picked up my Chatelaine Watergarden w.i.p which hadn't seen any progress for a while. Here's the before pic and the after pic.

Well that's all for now, not sure what I'll be stitching on this weekend, DH wants to go to the movies tonight to see the new Star Wars flick so guess I won't be getting much done today!

Have a good weekend all

Happy stitching

Amanda

This week's update..

2009-05-15T03:05:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well This week has been a fairly good week stitching wise. I managed a couple of finishes and the highlight of the week was receiving this wonderful scavenger hunt exchange parcel from Jennifer Thanks Jennifer for a wonderful parcel, I just love everything you sent!

Here's some close-ups of the goodies and the gorgeous pin keep Jennifer stitched for me!

Now here's a pic of a framed finish I picked up from the framer's a couple of weeks ago. It's Heinzit Designs - Wine and is framed in the recommended frame. This is a gift for my eldest brother who loves his wine!

Here's a pic of my first finish for this week, it's Just Nan's In The Tin - Hop needlebook fob and is the matching partner for the tin I finished last year. Now I just need to do the "finishing"on it! It's stitched as charted but not on the recommended fabric. The fabric I used was a remnant and I have no idea of the colour, it is 28ct lugana though. Stitching was completed on the 10th May I think!

Here's my latest finish. This is Serendipity Designs - Blackwork Star and it's from the 1998 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. This is my May ornament. It's stitched as charted with DMC on antique white lugana, 32ct I think! I finished the stitching on this last night and am still deciding wether to attempt to sew it into a pillow with my sewing machine or to add another border and whip stitch it by hand. I finished this last night, May 14.

Well that's all for me for now. I'm planning a trip to the LNS this weekend with my 2 girls as it's their annual May sale! Perfect excuse I say! That and my DH is off camping!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

Some stash & a finish

2009-05-09T01:15:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Well I've been a bit absent as my kids got me side-traked playing this game called Virtual Villagers! What a time waster it is! Amusing though, that's for sure. So for about a week there I didn't put a single stitch in!

Have managed a bit more of late although no update pics yet! Today I even started something new to kick start the mojo a bit, Just Nan's In The Tin - Hop Needlebook fob. It 's only little so shouldn't take too long to stitch up. Otherwise I've been working on my VS Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm and have almost finished part 4, just a bit more of the over one lettering to go, then I'll post another pic.

I do have a couple of pics for you this time around though, wouldn't be the same without a pic or two now would it!

Here's a stash order I made the other day when I was bored at work! Courtesy of ABC Stitch and their clearance page as well as a few other additions! No affiliation etc etc...

Just Nan Over The Top Snow & Grow, Just Nan Wicked & a Just Nan Bell pull.

I also did th e finishing on a fob, this was my ïn the car"project so took longer than it would if I had done it at home. I filled the fob with some of those plastic pellets which are normally used for filling bears, they work well and give a good weight to the fob too. Thanks for the tip Lynne! Here's apic of it attached to the Kelmscott Love scissors which have been waiting for a fob for a while now!

Heart in Hand Wee Flowers scissor fob.

Well that's all for now, hopefully it won't be quite as long between posts!

Oh, almost forgot, I was asked by one of my readers which project was my favourite or if I indeed had one. I don't really have a set favourite and tend to enjoy whichever project I am stitching on at the time.

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

A finish & some w.i.p pics!

2009-04-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well as promised here's some updated w.i.p pics and even a finish! First up here's my finish

Elizabeth's Designs Four Seasons Stitching Club - Summer

Stitched as charted on 28ct cashel

Stitching completed April 25, 2009

Next up is my w.i.p pics:

Bucilla Paper Doll Teddy progress as at 25 April 2009
I added the topiary rabbit this time around.

Drawn Thread Little Acorn Learning Band Sampler progress as at 25 April 2009

a couple more rows added

Ink Circles Blackstone Fantasy Garden - progress as at 25 April 2009

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Winter Stitches progress as at 25 April 2009

the outer border is now finished, I'm up to the fun stuff!

Shepherds Bush Spooky Spots progress as at 25 April 2009

Teresa Wentzler Castle Sampler progress as at 25 April 2009

worked a bit on the outer border, the over 1 letters and dividing flowers.

Well that's all for now. Thanks again for all the compliments on my finishing frenzies, I really appreciate them! Alison, still more room in the house, although my DH might disagree! LOL.

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Another finish spree!

2009-04-23T04:09:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well I had another finishing spree last weekend. Here's the pics of what I achieved, some of these have been waiting a while!! Please excuse the quality of the pics, it's been raining here all week. Rain is great but not so good for good pics!

Teresa Wentzler - Futurecast pin keep
Brittercup Bunny pin keep
Elizabeth's Design pumpkin pin keep
The Trilogy Garden Spots pin keep
Shepherds Bush ornaments
Dragon Dreams ornaments
Needleplay Needleworks & Ursula Michaels ornaments
Lizzie Kate Peace, Love & a Cure pillow
Bent Creek Dance of the Bumblebee pillow
Lizzie Kate Fun in the Sun pillow
Drawn Thread Welcome Spot Sampler pillow

As you can see I got quite a few pieces done, amazing what you can get done when it's raining and the kids are occupied! I was trying out a new to me way of doing the pillows using the folded corners, this method is not quite what I was aiming for but have an idea of what to try next time.

Will try and get some updated wip pics happening tomorrow as I have another long weekend, got to love school holidays, gives me the perfect excuse for days off work!

Thanks to all for taking the time out of your busy days to look at my blog.

hugs

Amanda

Easter finishing spree!

2009-04-14T02:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well I spent my Easter weekend doing some finishing! Here's the results:

Shepherds Bush

Stitchers Needleroll

Jeanette Douglas Designs

Joy Needleroll

Just Nan Bee Hive Violets pin keep

Homespun Elegance Ho Ho Tired pin keep

The Sweetheart Tree Blue Mountain Bunny pin keep

Halloween ornaments: Just Nan, Prairie Schooler & Jeanette Douglas Designs

Christmas ornaments:

In order they are: 2 Jeanette Douglas Designs, Patricia Ann Designs, Prairie Schooler, JBW Designs & The Sunflower Seed.

Thanks for looking everyone and once again, thanks for your compliments on my previous post!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

A couple of quick finishes

2009-04-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Here's a couple of pics of some quick finishes I've had this week. Thought I would post a pic before I do the "finishing"on them!

First up is my piece for an exchange:

Shepherds Bush - Stitchers Needleroll

stitched as charted on 32ct ivory linen

stitching completed April 5, 2009

Next is this months ornament:

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Joy Needleroll

stitched almost as charted with most recommended threads!

fabric is 32ct ivory belfast

stitching completed April 8, 2009

Do you sense a theme here? LOL

Thanks for looking everyone and thanks for the compliments on my previous post too!

Happy Easter to all

hugs
Amanda

March summary a bit late!

2009-04-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Meant to post at the end of March and time got away from me! After my big dragon finish, I decided it was time to work on some of my January starts. I even got one finished!!

Here's my finished one:

Homespun Elegance - Ho Ho Tired

stitched as charted with GAST

fabric: 28ct English Rose jobelan

stitching completed March 27, 2009

And here's some progress pics:

Just Nan Joyous Ark

progress as at March 30, 2009

Passione Riccamo - Winter freebie

progress as at March 30, 2009

Little House Needleworks - Reading

Progress as at March 30, 2009

The Sweetheart Tree - By The Sea Sampler

progress as at March 30, 2009

I also finished an ornament in March, almost forgot it!! Here's a pic:

JBW Designs - Christmas Sleigh

stitched as charted on 28ct jobelan - colour unknown

stitching completed March 18, 2009

design from 1999 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue.

Thanks for looking everyone and thanks for the compliments on my dragons, they are now at the framers!

hugs

Amanda

It's finished!

2009-03-17T01:38:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Woo hoo!! I finished my dragon's at 11:59pm on March 15, 2009!! Here's a pic still in the Q-snaps:

And some close-ups of the Dragon faces, castle & knight:

This will be a wedding present for some good friends of ours who get married in August, once it's framed of course! Now it's time for this month's ornament and then on to my other wip's!

I also received an exchange parcel a while ago, here's a pic of all the wonderful goodies that Marilynne sent me!

In the parcel was: Tim Horton's coffee, Second Cup coffee, some purple coasters with a pack of matching cards, a purple notepad, a small frame, Ink Circles - Sea Stars chart + all the DMC for it! Thanks loads Marilynne for a wonderful parcel!

Thanks everyone for all your wonderful comments and for taking the time to look at my blog!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

Dragon Heart wip update

2009-02-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Here's another update pic on my Black Swan Dragon Heart piece. This is my progress as of last night. The end is almost in sight now!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

finally an update!

2009-02-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well it's been too long again! Work has gotten in the way of the fun things lately!! I have been stitching although not as much as normal, just too tired! It's time for an update though so here goes!

This month I have stuck to the plan and stitched the first 2 weeks on my oldest wip, Black Swan's Dragon Heart. Here's my progress before this month:

Here's how it looks now, this is my progress as at February 14. Sorry it's not a great pic, I had to put it on the scanner as the camera batteries were flat!
Next up I decided I had better do this month's ornament. My youngest dd picked this one from the 1998 JCS ornament issue. It's Prairie Schooler Two by Two: Deer.

Stitched as charted on 28ct unknown jobelan with DMC. Stitching completed 16 Feb 2009.

Next up I have been working on my January 1st. SAL piece, Victoria Sampler - Jingle Bells Tree Farm. I've finished Section 2 now and here's a pic of my progress as at last night, 20 Feb 2009.

Thanks for looking everyone, hopefully the next update won't be so far away!

Happy Stitching!

Amanda

January summary! (Pic heavy)

2009-01-31T18:50:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well "guilt free January" is over now so I thought you might like to see what I got up to! I managed to start 13 new projects and finished 2!!

Here's my progress pics on all the new starts, in order:

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Winter Stitches

Fabric - 36 ct sand Edinburgh linen

Threads - recommended (thread pack)

The Trilogy - Family

Fabric - 28 ct jobelan (not sure of colour)

Threads - recommended WDW & DMC

The Drawn Thread - Acorn Sampler

Fabric - 32ct Cream Belfast linen

Threads - recommended NPI silks

Little House Needleworks - Reading

Fabric - 28ct Antique White jobelan

Threads - recommended Crescent Colours

scan is not so good on this one, it's really brighter than this.

The Sweetheart Tree - By The Sea Sampler

Fabric - from kit - 32ct Confederate Grey belfast linen

Threads - from kit - DMC & WDW

Shepherds Bush - Spooky Spots Sampler

Fabric - from kit - 32ct Autumn Blush hand-dyed linen

Threads - from kit - AVAS, Gloriana & Silk n Colors silks

Just Nan - Joyous Ark

Fabric - 32ct opalescent natural Belfast

Threads - recommended DMC & Kreinik

Elizabeth's Designs - Four Seasons Stitching club - Summer

Fabric - 28ct antique ivory cashel linen

Threads - recommended DMC & Needle Necessities

Homespun Elegance - Ho Ho Tired

Fabric - 28 English Rose jobelan

Threads - recommended Gentle Arts Sampler threads

Passione Riccamo - Winter ornament (freebie)

Fabric - 32ct hand-dyed Powder Blue Reflections Belfast linen (Silkweavers)

Threads - recommended DMC

Here's my completed ornament for this month too. The finishing on this is not great, I would not reccomend doing a star like this again unless it was bigger! It's only for me though so am not too bothered!

Homespun Elegance - Starry Santa

from 1997 JCS Ornament Issue

fabric & threads changed!

I also put some time into one of my existing wip's. I managed the name at the top and the first set of clothes down the bottom!

Bucilla - Paper Doll Teddy progress as at 31 January 2009

Well I think this ismy longest post yet so you are probably all bored and falling asleep by now!! Anyway, February is "Finish It" month. Not sure that too much of that will be happening but we will see! My long term goal for this year is to finish up all my wip's including these new ones!! First up is my oldest project, Black Swan's - Dragon Heart which is at about the 50% mark!

I won't be starting any more new projects for a while now and will have to survive with just a new start on an ornament a month!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

A finish and a wip pic update!

2009-01-19T00:38:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I finished one of those little projects I started. Here's a pic of Just Nan Bee Hive Violets.

Just Nan - Bee Hive Violets

28ct Antique Ivory cashel

stitching completed January 15, 2009

I forgot one of my new starts in my previous post too, I also started By The Sea Sampler - The Sweetheart Tree!

Here's an update pic of my VS Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm. This is my progress as of this afternoon. The entire first band is now finished apart from the star on the top of the tree (which I leave till later). The next part should go quicker.

Victoria Sampler - Jingle Bells Xmas Tree Farm

progress as at 19 January 2009

Till next time,

Happy Stitching
Amanda

I'm back!

2009-01-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

Hi all

I'm back from my trip to my parents house. Was nice to get away but good to be home too! my girls & I had a great visit with my parents and had a lovely couple of days catching up with a stitching buddy too!

I no sooner got home then it was off to the tennis in Sydney for the first day of the Medibank International! Boy was it hot there and despite lashings of sunscreen I still managed to get burnt arms! Here's a pic of Serena Williams in her first match! She was playing Sam Stosur who almost beat her, it was a very exciting match!

On the stitching front, I've been taking advantage of "guilt free January" and have started loads of new projects!! Here's a list of what I've started so far:

Dec 29 - Jeanette Douglas Designs - Winter Stitches

Jan 1 - Victoria Sampler - Jingle Bells Christmas Tree Farm

Jan 5 - The Trilogy - Family

Jan 7 - The Drawn Thread - The Acorn Sampler

Jan 12 - Little House Needleworks - Reading

Jan 13 - Shepherds Bush - Spooky Spots

Jan 13 - Just Nan - Bee Hive Violets

Here's a pic of my progress on VS Jingle Bells Tree Farm:

Well that's all for me for now, I'm off to dig some more in the stash and see what other projects I can come up with to start this month!! My goals for the rest of the year will be to finish all of these new starts as well as my pre-existing wip's!!

Happy Stitching all!

Amanda

A Christmas Happy Dance

2008-12-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Last night I finished another small piece, bit late for Christmas this year but never mind. I plan on putting it in the proper frame later today. This will be probably be my last finish for the year but you never know!

Here's the pic:

Just Nan - Blitzen Glistens

Fabric - 32ct opalescent belfast

Threads - DMc & RG Petite Treasure Braid

Completed - December 26, 2008.

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

A Couple of Ornament finishes!

2008-12-20T15:56:00.001-08:00

Hi all

Well I got my December ornament stitched up and decided that it needed it's companion piece too! Both are by Jeanette Douglas Designs. The first one was in the 2007 JCS ornament issue and the second one was in the 2007 JCS ornament preview issue (Oct). Both are stitched on 36ct Winters Eve linen from Stitches n Spice and are done with the recommended threads. I just left out the background on them both! Let me tell you, stitching the year on the first one over one is not a lot of fun on 36ct, lol!!

Here's the pics:

Merry Christmas all!

hugs

Amanda

A Happy Dance

2008-12-18T00:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone

Wow 2 posts in as many days, who'd have thunk it, lol!!

Anyway, last night I managed another finish. This one is for my DH. I just need to work out how I'm going to finish it now!

Here's a pic:

Sweetheart Tree - Celtic Cross

Fabric: hand-dyed jubilee from Country Stitch

Recommended threads and beads.

Tonight the plan is to do this month's ornament so look for another finish soon!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

Some framing pics!

2008-12-17T00:21:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well after my regular framer closed down over 2 years ago now, I have finally found another decent framer! Dropped off 5 pieces last month and picked them up last weekend. Here's some pics!!

Here's Chatelaine - Mini Mandala #2

Mirabilia - Halloween Fairy

Mirabilia - Blossom Harvest

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Prairie West Sampler

and finally Legends of The Dragons - Teresa Wentzler, Black Swan Designs & Dragon Dreams

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

No pic this week.

2008-12-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I haven't got a pic for this week as I've been stitching on a piece for a friend and as she reads my blog, I can't post the pic here, cause I don't want her to see it, lol!!

Needless to say, it wasn't one of my existing wips!! I also had another new start, The Sweetheart Tree - Celtic Cross, not much done yet so will post a pic of it later.

Had a great day yesterday with some stitching friends and also met some patchworking ladies. Was a lovely day of chatting, eating & a bit of show n tell!

Today I need to get all my christmas decorations up so that it starts to feel a bit more like christmas around here!! May even get a few pics later.

Happy Stitching all
Amanda

A finish!

2008-11-29T15:27:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well this past week I didn't feel like stitching on any of my wips so decided a new start was in order. I decided on stitching Shepherd Bush's Friendship Collaboration. This chart was from my friend June's stash who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer in February of this year. I remember when June bought the chart and how she planned on finishing it into a needleroll. I was going to stitch it after her and even bough the charm in preparation. Things got away from both of us and neither of us ended up stitching it. So here it is all stitched up and finished into a needleroll in memory of June.

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

WIP update

2008-11-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Well as promised, here's a pic of this week's wip. I've been working on Ink Circles - Blackstone Fantasy Garden. The pic doesn't show the true colours very well, they are quite vibrant in real life. Such a fun project to stitch on, I'm almost at the halfway mark now.

Here's the before pic:

And here's the after pic:hugs

Amanda

Some finishing pics & exchanges!

2008-11-21T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hi all

This post could be a bit pic intensive as I have a few to upload!! Hoping blogger won't lose my post again too, as this is the second time I've tried to do this post!!

Firstly, some finishing.

Here's my ornament I stitched and finished for an exchange. My partner liked Lizzie Kate designs so I went with one from the latest Tiny Tidings leaflet, Dec 25. This was a lot bigger than I thought it would be, hope my partner likes it!

Next up, I finally got the finishing done on my CCN Cowboy Dreams wallhanging. The bottom is a bit crooked but overall I'm happy with how it came out, sewing is not my forte!!

I also got the finishing done on my SB Happy Pumpkin neeedleroll and scissor fob.

Here's some exchanges I received this week:

First up is a lovely Santa ornament and stitched card from Lizzie, thanks loads Lizzie, I love Santa!!

Then I have a Secret Santa parcel from Lori, thanks for the goodies Lori!Will post a pic of this week's w.i.p a bit later.

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

November ornament done!

2008-11-12T00:57:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well I finally decided on my ornament for November and it sure was a quick one! Started and finished in one night! Here's a pic:

Charland Designs - Tipsy Tree

2007 JCS ornament isse

stitched with DMC on 28ct jobelan, no idea what the colour is!

Now it's time to stitch my ornament for an exchange! Hope to get it finished this week so I can do some finishing on the weekend!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

Another quick finish!

2008-11-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

Hi all

I decided that seeing as I had finished the SB needleroll, I really should stitch the matching fob up! I managed to finish it up last night. I didn't have the kit for this one so the fabric and charm are just ones from my stash and the scissors a friend got me from ebay. Now I just need to do the finishing on it, hopefully later today!

Shepherds Bush Happy Pumpkin scissor fob

28ct "kiwifruit" hand-dyed lugana from Country Stitch

stitched with DMC & WDW as charted

Stitching completed November 7, 2008

Now I need to sort out an what ornament I am going to stitch for this month and work out an ornament for an exchange due soon too! Then I plan on going back to my wip's!

Happy Stitching all

Amanda

WIP pic update

2008-11-04T23:20:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Here's an updated wip pic of my teddy bear project.

Bucilla Paper Doll Teddy

Progress as at October 30, 2008.

Quite a few people have asked me what the finished project will look like, so I thought I would scan the kit cover pic. Here it is:

Since I had been working on this project for 3 weeks solid, I thought it was time to reward myself with a new start. I started SB Happy Pumpkin needleroll and finished the stitching on it last night. Bit late for Halloween this year but not to worry! The plan is to do the "Finishing" on it this weekend.

Well last weekend I went to the framers with some friends and after some 2 or 3 years, I am at long last getting some pieces professionally framed, 5 in fact!! They will be ready in about 5 weeks so I'll post some pics then! Can't wait, it's been so long!! My old framer closed down which is why I haven't had anything done for so long.

Happy Stitching all
Amanda

Exchange received!

2008-10-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Another post for today!! Well this week was a good mail week!! I received an exchange parcel this week from Lavon. The exchange wasn't due until November but Lavon sent early and when you see the pic you'll understand why!! Thanks Lavon, I absolutely love everything!! The little witch pin keep is just perfect!!

Thanks again Lavon, I love everything and am really tempted to start one or both of the halloween kits this weekend!! The chocolates will definately be savoured, lol!!

hugs

Amanda

WIP pic update

2008-10-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well it's been a while since I posted. Have had loads of computer problems this past week but it seems they are all sorted out now, thanks to a good friend who's a computer guru!! For the past couple of weeks I've been stitching exclusively on one of my wip's, just haven't wanted to put it down! Here's some progress pics.

Before:

Bucilla Paper/Doll Teddy progress as at 8 August, 2008

Stitched on 28ct antique white monaco with kit threads.

And here's my progress as of last night:

Bucilla Paper Doll/Teddy Progress as at October 24, 2008

Stitched on 28ct Antique White monaco with kit threads

This is the bulk of the centrepiece all done, just need to add the gold metallics in the gaps and around the edges, the rest of the border and then all the backstitching!!

This design is from a Bucilla kit, when I purchased it, many years ago, I hadn't stitched on evenweave, used metallics, added charms or used blended threads!! Boy have things changed since then, lol!

Not sure if I'll continue stitching this piece for the upcoming week or will pick up another one of my wip's, guess you'll find out when I post this time next week hey, lol!

Thanks for reading my blog.
Happy Stitching
Amanda

October's ornament finished!

2008-10-11T20:15:00.001-07:00

Hi all

Well I decided I would start my October ornament last night and managed to finish it as well! I went with the Loupy Loo Designs one from the 2007 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. I stitched it as charted except for the bugle beads, which were just some I had in the stash. Here's a pic

Loupy Loo Designs - Christmas Joy

Fabric: 28ct Antique White cashel

Threads: DMC

Stitching completed October 11, 2008

Happy Stitching everyone!

hugs

Amanda

TW Castle Sampler w.i.p progress

2008-10-11T01:58:00.001-07:00

Ok I worked out what the problem was, it wasn't blogger, it was me!!! Here's my progress pics:1st pic is my progress as at 8 August 2008 and the 2nd pic is as at October 10, 2008.

Now to decide wether to continue working on my TW wip as it's TW month on the Wagon BB or to pic up another wip! Need to sort out this month's ornament too!

Happy Stitching all!

Amanda

Some w.i.p progress pics!

2008-10-11T01:45:00.000-07:00

As promised, all be it a bit late, here's some progress pics of a couple of my wip's. I'll post before and after pics.

Chatelaine - Watergarden w.i.p 1st pic is from 8 August 2008, 2nd pic is as at today, 10 October 2008.

Will post the TW one in another post as blogger isn't letting me add another pic, in fact it won't let me add a pic to another post either, so will try a bit later!

Amanda

Weekend finish pic!

2008-10-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well no progress pics on my wip's as I haven't had a chance to take a pic, didn't get to pick up my Black Swan piece either. We went away for the weekend to see my DH's sons and it really wasn't conducive to stitching on complex large pieces. Instead I went through the stash and picked up a small project to do instead. Started it while I was there and finished it last night, here's a pic:

The Sweetheart Tree - Blue Mountain Bunny

Stitched as charted with Dinky Dyes silk - Blue Mountains

Fabric: 28ct lavender linen

Stitching completed October 6, 2008

Now it's back to my wip's and hopefully I'll make some decent progress this week!

Happy Stitching
Amanda

A W.I.P finish!

2008-09-29T01:26:00.000-07:00

Whoo Hoo 1 w.i.p down only 10 to go!! I finished this one up on Sunday afternoon. I plan on making it into a quilted banner for my step grand-son's birthday in November.

Country Cottage Needleworks - Cowboy Dreams

stitched as charted with Crescent Colours & DMC

Fabric: 28 light mocha quaker (I think)

Stitching completed September 28, 2008

I'm currently working on one of my other wip's which hasn't seen any attention lately, up for the next few days is Chatelaine - Watergarden. Will post a progress pic when I change projects over.

My current objective is to get some of my wip's finished so I can start some of the other great projects waiting in my stash! Oh and I am on a self-imposed stash embargo! No new purchases for me unless previously committed! At the moment the only things I am committed to is the Just Nan Over The Top/In The Tin series, the LK Christmas Double Flip-its and the new JN Frost on the Pumpkin.There's only 1 more to go in the tin series and 1 more installment of the last 2 double flip-its to go in the LK's so after that I should be all set, oh probably for the next 100 years or so, lol!! Not sure how long this will last but we will see!! I even visited my LNS on Saturday and walked out without any threads, charts, fabric or embellishments!! The only thing I purchased was a small frame for a SB project I finished a while back and a little something to put in an exchange parcel!

Happy Stitching everyone

hugs

Amanda

Some finishing & a finish!

2008-09-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well I got the finishing done on my Shepherds Bush Friendship needleroll on Saturday, here's a pic of the finished product.

Shepherds Bush Friendship needleroll

Finishing completed September 20, 2008

I also started some pieces for an exchange I am in, I can't show the back of the pieces in case the recipient sees this but here's a pic of the fronts. I decided on using Little House Needleworks Rose Sampler and made a scissor fob, a floss tag (my first) and a needlebook (also my first). I'm pretty happy with the results and hope that the recipient likes them too. Here's the pic!

Little House Needleworks - Rose Sampler

Scissor fob, Needlebook & Floss tag

Stitched with DMC on 32ct Antique White lugana

Completed September 22, 2008

Back to the wip's now for me!

Happy Stitching all

hugs

Amanda

A w.i.p finish!

2008-09-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

Wow I seem to be on a roll this month!! Last night I finished up the stitching on Shepherds Bush Friendship Needleroll. The plan is to get the finishing done this weekend. I have to say I hated the stiff linen that was included in the kit for this one! The only thing it was good for was that it made the hem stitching easier as the folds actually stayed where they were! Here's a pic pre-finishing!

Shepherds Bush - Friendship Needleroll

Stitched as charted with kit supplies

Stitching completed September 18, 2008

hugs

Amanda

September Ornament finished

2008-09-16T02:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well here's this month's ornament which I finished last night. It's from the 2007 JCS ornament issue. I will say one thing for anyone planning to stitch this, cut the fabric larger than the recommended size as on 32ct it's 4" x 4" and the recommended fabric size is only 6" x 6". I found this really awkward seeing as I don't normally stitch in hand. Ended up the only way to get the border done was to stitch it in hand.

The Sunflower Seed - A Star, A Star

stitched with DMC & RG Petite Treasure Braid

on 32ct Antique White belfast

stitching completed September 15, 2008

Now it's back to some of my w.i.p's and to decide on what I'm going to stitch for an exchange due soon.

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Another Halloween finish!

2008-09-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

Well, what a stitchy weekend I had!! I actually got to stitch both Saturday & Sunday afternoons, most unusual for me lately!! With all that time, I managed to finish my 3rd halloween ornament from the JCS mag. Here's a pic:

Prairie Schooler - Night Owl

Stitched with charted DMC on 32ct Silkweaver Solo lugana

Stitching completed September 14, 2008

I also made a really good start on my ornament for this month and should have it finished tonight as I only have a bit of the border to go!! Decided not to leave it till the last minute for a change, lol! So look for another finish pic tomorrow!

That's all for now.

Happy Stitching

Amanda

Another Halloween finish!

2008-09-11T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well here's my second Halloween ornament from the JCS mag. It's Jeanette Douglas Designs - Halloween Pumpkin. I finished it last night. These are such cute ornaments and it's nice to have some quick finishes!

Jeanette Douglas Designs - Halloween Pumpkin

28ct Antique Ivory Cashel

DMC threads

completed September 10, 2008

A finish!

2008-09-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

Hi all

I'm on a halloween kick at the moment and am hoping to finish quite a few of the Halloween ornaments from the latest Just Cross Stitch mag. Here's the first of hopefully quite a few finishes.

Just Nan - Batty Jack

Stitched on 28ct cashel

Stitching completed 8 September, 2008

Happy Stitching

hugs

Amanda

I can't believe I'm blogging.....

2008-09-08T01:21:00.000-07:00

Yep despite my many protestations, I have been convinced to start a blog! So not sure how often I will post to this but it will primarily be about my cross stitch.

For those who don't know me, I'm a stash-a-holic and have been told that my fabric collection is SABLE, my threads collection is probably the same! My logic is by having a large collection, I am bound to have the right piece of fabric and threads and can therefore start pretty much anything in my stash. That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it!!

Happy Stitching all!

Amanda (in Oz)