Another update!

So sorry for the delay from my last post, where did the Summer go? Although it still feels like summer here in the sunny north east. 

Since my last post I have been stitching, just not as much due to the heat and the fact my pregnancy has zapped a lot of energy after a day's work!

After Lakeside Village I picked out Sammy Squirrel out of the bag and here she is:

The confetti in that leaf is crazy, but I felt I made good progress on page 3. 

Next out was Beacon Ridge. Lots of blocks of colours which was nice after all the confetti!

Lots of sky, but hopefully get to top of lighthouse soon. 

Last time I told you that I was expecting a baby boy in December. Of course I must make him something! I've decided on this chart:

It's official name is Baby Hugs Savannah Birth Record, but I'll probably call it Safari Sampler! We're decorating his nursery this week so it will be nice to put this there when finished to tie in with the theme. 

Whilst I'm waiting, I'll be stitching Beverley's Owl for 10 hours. Hoping for cooler weather so I can stitch in the evenings more. 

Happy Stitching!  

A page finish and some other news...

Hello all, 

I know it's been a long time between posts again. I've been on holiday which took a lot of planning and recovery from! We went to France, touring all over for the Euros so I've just not had much time to stitch. 

Also now I've got more time, this hot weather is really not conducive to stitching either. 

Oh well, the next one out was Lakeside Village which I really love. 

I've now got a little boat and more water. I love the colours in this one. 

Next out was Greek Steps which I actually did for more than 10 hours since was so close to a page finish!

And so here it is, only one other page to do, so I'm looking forward to finishing this in its entirety. 

I'm currently stitching Snowy Friends which I love and will share a picture soon. 

Another reason I haven't stitched much is that if not been feeling too well due to something worth celebrating. 

I'm expecting Stitchy Sam Junior in December!  

Yes I've been looking at the various samplers for him since we found out it's a boy the other day! I'll post pics of those when I've got a short list for your opinions soon! 

I'm now feeling so much better so hope the weather cools so can get some stitching in before baby arrives! 

Happy Stitching!

Better late than never...

Hello my loyal followers. I'm so sorry for the delay in posting an update. I've been so busy and not stitched quite as much as I usually do. 

Anyhow, last time I told you I was stitching Ladybu Love but there wasn't much progress. After 10 hours here's what she looks like:

It's a lot of confetti, but the face should stitch up quickly after I've finished all that hair!

Since it was a refreshed bag of tricks, next out was Playtime Kitten so soon after I last stitched her. 

I almost finished the leaves and started one of the geraniums. Looking forward to getting this one out again!

Last time I told you I was toying with starting a new one called Paris so once I finished kitting it up, I couldn't stop myself from starting it!

It's 2 over 1 tent stitch. Not much to see, but I love the rich colours. I think I'll enjoy it coming together. 

Next was Frogs Kissing which as you know I've been struggling with. The light colours teamed with the confetti doesn't make it an enjoyable stitch. Anyway I persevered with the ties on right frog. 

I hope you'll agree that it was worth it! I'll finish this column next time. 

I have A day in the Iife of Hello Kitty which has been a pleasure to have a break from confetti! I call it stitch by numbers! 

It's our holiday next month, I'll be taking a small design, probably Greek Steps but not sure how much time I'll have since we're seeing 6 of the Euros matches and staying in 8 different locations to explore!

I'll try and post something before we go. 

In the meantime, happy stitching!

Stitching marathon!

Hello all, hope you're enjoying your Easter weekend. I certainly am. I've been on a stitching marathon since I last posted and continuing to enjoy my rotation. 

Here's my first out the bag - Playtime Kitten:

I so love this design, she's so cute! I started the back stitch since that's what brings her to life. I really need a name, suggestions welcome!

Next was Beverley's Owl and I had a page finish!

I then moved to pg 2 to start the outline. It's a much smaller page so should stitch up nicely. 

Then the final name out of the bag was this little chap Frederick the Literate but I like to call him Fred!

I like I can see his head now and will probably do some back stitch next time to add some detail. I don't like leaving it til the end!

So the bag was empty, so needed swapping so had all designs to choose from this time. Hubby picked out Love Spring which is so apt I thought. 

As you can see, I finished pages 3 and 4! I love this design and should be finished this year. 

Hubby has picked Ladybug Love from the bag, but not much to show just yet so will wait til the 10 hours are over first. 

Now confession time, I know I said no new starts or purchases, but my current stash has been calling me!  This design is called Paris and I bought it just before Christmas. 

Since we're going to France in a couple of months, I think it would create a lovely memory.   Hubby who dislikes me having new starts actually likes it and has agreed it can be put in the bag to be started when it gets picked out.

Sk that takes my WIPs up to 14, but I'm not sad, far from it, this is something completely different to my usual designs, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in!

Happy Stitching!

March Updates

Hello all!

I hope Spring has started wherever you are, although officially it's not til 23rd March. 

Got some lovely pictures of designs developing nicely to show you. 

As I mentioned last time, I did 10 hours on Ladybug Love which has a lot of confetti in it, but there's quite a bit of progress nonetheless. 

Next was Lakeside Village which I really love, the colours are so vibrant and I've got a boat now!

And lastly, I did a small amount of SnowyFriends. Ten hours does not allow much progress on such a detailed design, but when I reduce the number of WIPs I have, they'll rotate faster. 

As I said before, I want to reduce my WIPs from 13 to single figures so the next new start shall not be until I get to 9 or even 8 WIPs. So that's 4 or even 5 finishes to do! Possibly not this year, but we shall see!

HappyStitching! Xx 

February update!

Hello all,

I've continued to make good progress on a few designs despite work, my cards and my course that I'm doing. 

Last time I told you Owl came out and wasn't happy, however, once I started it again I got into it and really enjoyed it! 

As you can see page 1 is nearly finished and will be during the next 10 hours!

Next was the return of Day in the Life of Hello Kitty which is stitching up very quickly. I like the break of s detailed design then these blocks of colours. 

I then returned to Millenium Sampler and finished the next block with a Spitfire in it. 

I also started the next block's border:

I'm currently working on Ladybug Love which is confetti hell, but I'm hoping to make some noticeable progress next picture. 

Happy Stitching! Xxx 

January Updates!

Hello all,

I hope you're having a fab New Year! I've already done 3 10 hour rotations so thought I'd share some updates. 

Firstly is my new start A Day in Life of Hello Kitty. Big blocks of colours which is very relaxing after all my detailed designs. 

I got these scissors and scissors keep for Christmas from a dear friend. 

Next I got QS Frogs Kissing by HAED. I finished Frog 2's head which was a nightmare, but looks pretty good. 

Next out was Love Spring which I was so pleased about. I don't particularly like the metallic thread, but I've finished page 1...

And almost page 3!

I decided to go straight down as the bottom pages are quite small. 

I've got Beverley's Owl out next which I'm not pleased about, but should finish page 1 this time around. 

Happy Stitching! xxx

2016 Goals and Ambitions!

Happy New Year All!

Hope you had a lovely evening last night and have some wonderful dreams for 2016.

Before I share with you my goals for 2016, I thought I'd show you my Ort (Old Raggerty Threads) Jar for 2015.

Full Really Useful Box: 

Threads free range!:

Mainly boring colours, so I'm hoping to change that this year with a variety of colours throughout the year!

Now onto 2016.  I plan on sticking to my 10 hour rotation, with the 10 hours relaxed a little if I'm nearing a page or completed finish within a few hours (even if my husband doesn't approve of this variation)!

I hope to do 500 hours stitching (50 rotations) and hope to achieve the following:

1. Millennium Sampler - Finish 4 squares
2. Snowy Friends - Finish Page 2
3. Beacon Ridge - Finish Page 2
4. Ladybug Love - Page 1
5. Lakeside Village - Finish Page 2
6. Greek Steps - Complete whole design (pages 1 and 2)
7. Frederick the Literate - Finish Page 1
8. Frogs Kissing - Finish Page 2, but will push to complete!
9. Playtime Kitten - Complete
10. Sammy Squirrel - Start and Finish page 3
11. Beverley's Owl - Finish Pages 1 & 2
12. Love Spring - Complete all full stitches and hoping to make real progress or even finish the back stitch!
13. My final goal is my New Year's New Start which I'll start today!

A Day in the Life of Hello Kitty

My target is to finish it since it's a small design and loads of blocks of colours (mainly pink)!!! 

So 13 goals, 13 WIPs - I don't see it as bad luck, just a baker's dozen!

My other non stitchy goals are to:

• read at least 20 books
• bake more often and use my British Bake Off Books!

Thank you for continuing to read my blog into 2016.

Happy Stitching New Year! xxx