A Christmas Happy Dance

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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.....

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)