Blackbird Design Bountiful Harvest Cross-Stitch

Just a quickie to show my completed and framed Blackbird Design Bountiful Harvest Cross-Stitch. I won't point out my mistake 😬 but I will tell you about the small change to the pattern I made. The alphabet in the middle is stitched one over one and the very pale green (see the photo of the pattern) I just found impossible to do. The tone of the green against the linen was just too close, so I stitched all of the alphabet in the darker green shade.

And a finish! Day 12 of ‘Lockdown’

I’ve finished my ‘Ye Old Crow Sampler’ cross-stich AND made it up into a small pillow, which will become part of my Autumn/Halloween decorations. So, it'll be put away for now ………. that's if I can discover where exactly I decided to store them last year! Possibly in the loft.

I even managed to find a backing fabric and tiny pompom trim to match perfectly.

Did anyone watch the National Theatre Live production of ‘One Man, Two Guvnors, starring James Corden on YouTube? It was being broadcast free of charge. Boy, it was very funny ....... and who's not in need of a good old belly laugh at the moment!

Cross-stitching (day 2)

Well, I made a good bit of progress this afternoon on my ‘Ye Old Crow Sampler’ by Heart in Hand cross-stitch ..... I’ll never be as fast as Wendy though - she’s a super quick stitcher! I’ve probably nicked the idea for this pattern from Wendy actually - can’t remember, but I’ve been ‘inspired’ by her work once or twice!

And then when I’d had enough of that I decided to have a go at making some ginger biscuits. This time ’inspired’ by Simone. She made some yesterday. Mine though; well a bit of a disaster! I cook and bake regularly, but I’ve never made biscuits before! I didn’t know I needed to leave loads of space between each one 😕 so what came out of the oven was one big square gingernut biscuit. All I could do after it had cooled a bit was to cut it into smaller squares. So not your conventional gingernuts! But, hey, they still taste nice ...... dunked a couple in a cuppa after I’d had my tea. 

Hope you’re all managing to keep busy and well. 

Ye Old Crow sampler

So, all of those ‘to do’ crafty projects will now turn into ‘finished’ projects ………. won’t they?!

And yesterday I decided to start a ‘Halloween’ theme cross-stitch – completely the wrong time of year I know, but just to make sure it’s completed in time J It’s only a small pincushion/pillow, so shouldn’t be a problem. It’s called Ye Old Crow Sampler by Heart in Hand – all done in the one colour, so even easier!

I’m going to try to post more regularly, so will post an update soon ……. 

Post-op Crafting re-cap!!

I shall be going back to work on Monday next week after 10 weeks off following my knee replacement surgery – rather glad to be getting back to normal actually!! So I thought I would do a little re-cap on what ‘crafty’ things I’ve achieved during my enforced rest!

No.1: Cross-Stitch

I love this - Jolly Happy Soul cross-stitch by Brenda Gervais – very rustic in style

No. 2: Christmas Stockings

These two stockings were from some free fabric I received from the Home Shopping channel ‘Sewing Quarter’. I was placing an order anyway; and this was a free offer on the day – there were 4 half metres, plus a couple of other things. The fabric was unknown, but I was really pleased with all of it when it arrived. The stockings were made with two of the pieces of fabric and I gave the stockings to 2 lovely little boys I know.

No. 3: Baby Quilts

I made two special quilts for two very special little boys – although the sex of the babies was unknown when I set to on them. I love that the parents didn’t choose to know in these days where most young couples want to know – I’m clearly rather old fashioned!!  My Great Nephew, Mika was then born on 2nd December – my nephew’s wife, Hafsa, chose the ‘elephants’; and then William Owen was born on 27^th December and his quilt ‘the bunnies’ was sent all the way over to Australia where he lives with his mommy and daddy, Ross and Amy. Ross is my nephew’s cousin (not blood related to me); but he did grow up calling me ‘auntie’.

No. 4: Padded Christmas Trees

I made two of these and gave them both away. I made a couple a few years ago from (I think) a Simplicity pattern. I no longer have the pattern, but I remembered how they were made, so they were easy enough.

No. 5: Triangle Christmas Tree

I also made two of these! I didn’t know what else to call it, but ‘Triangle Christmas Tree’ seems appropriate. I made a couple some years ago; and I really don’t remember where I had the idea from – all I know is I couldn’t have come up with the idea myself. I’ve clearly ‘nicked’ it from somewhere - probably Pinterest!!One has been given away and the other will be.

And no Artist Teddy Bears!! I haven’t stopped making them; it’s just me being me and getting distracted by so many other things to make. In fact, I do have two bears prepped (thank you to Wendy for suggesting it), but haven’t gotten around to them yet. My next project, apart from finishing off some hand quilting, will probably be my next Waldorf Doll ………. can’t wait to make that!!

So, my stitching will likely slow down a bit once I’m back at work – I anticipate being a wee bit shattered at first, even only working half days – so wish me luck!!

And I’ll take the opportunity to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Pressies!!

You just sometimes know when a package is going to fill you with joy – and this one certainly did! It was waiting for me when I got home this morning. Lovely Wendy has sent me a ‘cheer-you-upness’ Autumn themed package following my knee replacement surgery 5½ weeks ago. I clearly laid on the ’sympathy vote’ thing well didn’t I? It has been painful though ….. see, there I go again! Wendy is a very talented crafter and her prim, rusticy kind of style is very ‘me’. So, here we go with the reveal!! First I opened the box to see it filled to the brim!

Then, one by one, I eagerly opened each package and I was not disappointed.

My eyes immediately fell on the Maltester Truffles – Maltesers are my favourite chocolates by the way, so they will not last beyond today!! And so on to this gorgeous velvet pumpkin pincushion with three of those lovely decorated pins. Isn't it fabulous?!

Next this really lovely cross-stitch sampler cushion – Wendy is a very prolific cross-stitch expert – check out her blog for proof and see the exceptional work she produces. Also, the sweetest little felt blackbird sitting on a wooden bobbin – just so lovely!

And lastly, this ‘Salted Caramel Pumpkin’ candle in a jar – what can I say except Mmmmmmm, yummy – can you smell it? It’s so scrummy I can’t tell you!!

So that just leaves me to say a massive BIG thank you to my lovely, kind and very talented bloggy friend, Wendy – I absolutely love it all! You’re such a very kind friend xxx

‘Jolly Happy Soul’ - finished!

So, here’s my ‘Frosty’ (real name, ‘Jolly Happy Soul’) cross-stitch all complete and made up into a little decorative cushion – it’s a Brenda Gervais design. The original was designed as a pincushion I think, but as mine is bigger, I’ll just call it a small cushion. And that’s because I’ve used 28-count linen, instead of the 40-count called for by the pattern ……….. eyes and all that!! Now I hope none of you are cruel enough to attempt a close-up of those cardinal birds, because I can tell you, some of that was guesswork, owing to the one strand of floss over one thread. Even in lovely bright daylight yesterday afternoon, I was struggling with seeing where the needle needed to go – so be kind to me and look through squinted eyes LOL

I just love the way the holly leaves look ……. they have a very vintage look!

To finish it off, I used a dull red colour seambinding ribbon that I was lucky to have plenty of – I didn’t have any white/ivory, but I think I like the red anyway. And on the back, I’ve used a piece of hand-dyed cotton velvet (hand dyed by me several years ago), which also matched in quite well. Depending on your screen, it may look rather bright, but that’s probably the afternoon light I’ve just taken the photos in, so it’s not as bright as it looks.

I’m very pleased with it – I hope you like it too!

Jolly Happy Soul - progress so far!

So here I am lying in my sickbed after my knee op …….. Well okay, I’m not in a sickbed! I am, in fact, becoming quite the master of these here crutches – getting around (so far) pretty well on them.

And while I’m fairly well being waited on hand, foot and finger by my lovely sister-in-law, Ruth, I’ve been keeping myself entertained with my Frosty cross-stitch – actually the pattern is called ‘Jolly Happy Soul’ and it’s by Brenda Gervais. Seeing that I have little else to do (apart that is from all the exercises I MUST do each day) I’ve gotten on quite well.

I’m leaving the trickier parts until last – that being those tiny little cardinal birds, which are stitched with one strand of floss over one thread – can you just about see them on the pattern? Don’t know how I shall mange those. I have considered popping them in the post to the lovely Wendy, who is so clever, she works on 40-count linen (mine is 28-count), but she must have 20/20 vision I’ve decided. Wendy would sort those cardinals in no time! Don’t worry Wendy, I wouldn’t do that really, because then it wouldn’t be ‘all my own work’ ……….. such pride LOL    I shall have to make sure I do them in nice bright daylight and then I might stand a chance. I won’t worry about them though for a couple of days!

I do love the holly leaves; and when the red berries are added, it'll really 'pop'! Maybe I’ll have it done by the weekend!

Get the violins out please!!

So, in chronological order, the following photos show what I’ve been up to since the beginning of last weekend.

First, I finished off a set of underwear for my little Waldorf doll (now named Annie – thank you Vivi). This is part of the Facebook MAL I’m following with Astrid. And as it’s getting a bit chilly, I thought I’d better knit her a little bonnet too :0)

Then on Thursday, I went into hospital for my knee replacement surgery – see before and after photos. All sympathy very welcome as it’s still quite painful ……. Ouch! I was so brave ….. NOT!

(I've edited the last one a bit by the way, because I didn't think you'd want to see the bit of blood oozing through the plaster!)

As soon as I could show the Physiotherapists at the hospital that I could climb the stairs, I was discharged yesterday afternoon ….. they don’t waste any time I can tell you – plenty of other patients lined up for my bed.

The next image shows just some of the exercises I must endure at least a few times a day for the next 6 weeks or so – and I’d be a fool not to follow them. But I do HATE exercise!!

And so to reward myself for all that hard work, I have started my ‘Mr Frosty’ cross-stitch by Brenda Gervais. There’s not much to show I grant you. It didn’t help that I started with the Eggshell colour in a very dull electric light, but I’ve started it and will soon get on with it.

So, that's been my very exciting week!!

Ye Old Crow Sampler

I saw this cross-stitch made up on somebody's blog, or Instagram feed or Facebook ...... I really can't remember now, but I liked it a lot and decided it shouldn't be too taxing, as it's small and only one colour thread, so no chopping & changing threads constantly! Actually, I thought I'd seen it on Wendy's blog recently, but I can't see it there, so it must have been somebody else's idea I'm nicking!

Cheap too! The pattern comes together with the three small buttons needed and i only had to buy two skeins of Weeks Dye Works thread. Of course, it won't be ready for this Halloween, but hopefully next year. I'm doing what Wendy said I should do and prepping plenty of craft things ready for my recuperation period after my knee replacement operation .......... next Thursday - it's getting close now!!!

Easter Parade all made up:0)

Just a short post to show my lovely 'Easter Parade' cross-stitch made up into a small cushion. It is bigger than it's meant to be, but that's down to having done it on the 28-count linen instead of the 40-count. Fortunately, I had some of the same kind of olive green ribbon needed for the edging. I know I didn't have to do it exactly the same, but I like it.