HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNETTE

All can now be revealed, on recent posts I have mentioned I could not show what I have been stitching.... as it was a  gift for a friend who I know reads my blog, parcel has now safely arrived and I can share the pieces I stitched. Happy Birthday to Annette who enjoyed a birthday this week.
 I love needed work accessories and delight in making them, the set I made for her is made up of a pincushion......... a pin whimsy.... and a tassel fob for her scissors. Bullion Stitch roses worked on silk using Chameleon  Perle 12 threads. The pin cushion has 4 small bead feet making it look a little like a Victorian foot stool.

 

I love Pin whimsys as they are the easiest way to store and carry pins, This one has layers of sheep's wool between felt inside and finished with a ribbon edge, I have not used this method of finishing before, but recently received a gift with this finish and I was most impressed and had to try it out. The ribbon is stitched on using coral knot stitch.



 

This is my effort at decorating a bought tassel and the last piece is a little extra tucked in with the parcel a pomegranate fob attached to a small plastic ruler. I  find a 6 inch /15cm ruler most useful to have in my embroidery hussif and  I came up with the idea of having a fob attached to it, I bought some clear ones and  Paul drilled small hole at the top of each one for me and I have now something different to add to my small gifts. You cannot see much of the ruler in the photo !

I am currently working on two challenges to send off and hope to be able to share these with you soon.. Little bunny has finished his travels within New Zealand and he should be heading off overseas again by the end of the week.

it is meant to be spring but the weather has been quite wintery, good for sitting by the fire stitching... where ever you are I hope you are managing lots of stitching time.

 

BIRD HOUSE

I could not wait to share this with you all, really wanted to photograph it outside hanging from a tree but as it is too windy had to settle for hanging it from one of my flowering baskets on the back porch.
It is a gift from Ann who brought it down for me on her recent visit I  have no idea who the designer is but it is a real delight, and beautifully stitch and put together. Thank you Ann

 

 

 

P.I.F. post has arrived

It is always good news when one hears that something has arrived safely by post and I have now heard that both the " Pay if forward" items have arrived. Posted on the same day  but to two different countries the first to arrive was  this little heart sent to Mouse of Tales of a Stitching Mouse.   I was surprised how quickly it arrived.

In Autumn tonings, the fabric is soft apricot Belfast linen and I managed to find some Chameleon Perle threads for the Roses.   There are always plenty of pinks to be had but good apricots and reds are harder to find in the perle threads that I like for the bullion stitch roses.

 

Just when I wondered if the 2nd one had gone astray in the post I received word from Evelyn of EEF's Needle..... that it had safely arrived. This one is stitched on linen that has been dyed with a fruit tea and  that has given it a pink blush, again stitched with Chameleon Perle threads. These threads are hand dyed and come from South Africa and there are a lovely range of shades.

 

I have notced too that the number of followers for my blog has increased, welcome to the new ones,

I hope you will visit often and find something you enjoy reading about here.

 Have a good day everyone with plenty of stitching.

 

 

A MUCH TRAVELLED BUNNY

If he could claim air points this little Bunny will have done well.l as far as I have been able to trace he started his travels in America then popped over to England returning to America he moved around that country at least three times, then Annette of California Stitcher sent him to visit Bea in Canada, from there he came away down south to New Zealand. He is going to do a couple of more visits in New Zealand and will be ready to fly off again at the end of the month. If you would like to receive this travelling pattern leave a message on this posting.

 He comes with a selection of threads and bits he has collected on the way, I have however stitched him with silks from my odds and ends box. and plan to mount him as a fob on this green material.

 

 

Now some good news-

Pay it forward.

Pay It Forward (PIF)~ verb: "1. to repay the good deeds one has received by doing good things for other unrelated people

March 29^th 2011 I announced who was to receive my PIF Challenge. The rules were that I had 365 days in which to fulfill my part of the challenge and will do my best to stitch pieces that are quite special and sent to 3 further people.. Then if you are chosen as one of my PIF recipients, once you have received something from me then you must offer the same on your blog to keep the kindness going.

Those following my blog will know that within a few months of that posting life here was turned upside down firstly with the flooded room that took some months to restore to normal and then by my husbands illness, unfortunately I have failed to meet the commitment of 365 days  but I  am pleased to say i finally posted out to two PIF's last friday so Mouse from Tales of a Stitching Mouse blog (U.K.) and Evelyne from EEF's needle blog ( France) watch your mail boxes.  hopefully these will arrive next week.

 

Lilian Pilar from Spain if you are reading this i would still like to send something to you but you have not answered my email asking for a postal address ..I will catch up with Diane from Didi's beaded goodies ( NZ) as she lives here in Stratford.

 Yes thats 4 not 3 but as I only had 4 replies how could you pick only 3.

 

Last weekend was IHSW and although I did not register this time i did manage to get a small piece stitched and mounted.. will share that at a later date as it is a birthday gift.

 

 

 

 

 



 

ANOTHER MOUSE FOR CAITLIN

  Firstly a big thank you to everyone who has left messages during the past month , they have been much appreciate. we have come through one month with no dramas- no dash trips to emergency dept at hospital. And  today 's blood test was a good reading. Paul is now having blood transfusions every two weeks and although they will not cure the problem ( leukemia) it is hoped that they will improve his quality of life.
 There was one very special moment for me this week... Caitlin our youngest grand daughter turned 15. along with her birthday gift I had added  another little mouse to her embroidery set made for her previously.( This photo is some of her set)

The new piece was a floss ring tag  and  having said thank you grandma for the embroidery she stood there and just  fingered the thread cards I think she knew just how long and how much precious energy  it took her Granddad  to cut them for her, he has also promised her the embroidery thread to put on them but she needs to decide for herself what threads and what colours.

I found floss ring tags through seeing them on peoples blogs and they are one of the most useful things I have and Í now have several. That is just one example of how through the world of blogging one gains new ideas and inspiration.  I do enjoy reading your blogs and seeing what wondeful designs you have found and have stitched. Thank you everyone for your sharing.

A LITTLE STITCHING TO SHARE

The last two weeks have been kinder to us... no sudden dashes to hospital although Paul is down there today, but this is the new programme of fortnightly transfusions. I have managed to finish some pieces. Firstly Stitching friend's challenge was a needle book and I had recently bought the charts ACCEPT THIS POSEY by With my Needle and it adapted nicely for the needle book

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 Wish my photo was clearer but it was taken in a rush in poor light as I wanted to pass it on last night at Guild when I knew I would be seeing Naomi who it was stitched for. The chart had a variety of stitches along with cross stitch with some  parts  stitched over 1 thread and the lady's hair was closed herringbone stitch.  The little bird with the rose bud stitched in the corner of the flannel was over one thread, I have not done this before on flannel and was pleased with the results. Another idea tucked away for the future.

Today's mail brought the challenge piece stitched by Lyn for me, what a delight she has made me a needle folder to hold packets of needles, although many miles apart she made just what I needed, my one stitched many years ago is falling apart from all the use it has had.

Its such a special piece,  stitched by a very special friend, we met many many years ago at Bible Class, then made contact again about 25 years . The Message on the flap is one I shared with her some years past. and reads.....

Neatly lightly swiftly sew

Clicking softly as you go

Shining needle none shall be

Ever better friends than we.





 

Lifting the flap up and you can see the lovely stitched panels of Wessex Stitchery. Lyn was in my very first Wessex class, taught long before you could buy a book on that type of embroidery, she has continued to enjoy stitching and sharing Wessex and I have on earlier posts shown some of her work.
See my posting Nov. 26 2009 for her lovely hussif with Wessex stitchery.

The Flannel under the flap has been dyed to match the outer fabric, and this too is special as both have been dyed by Lyn's daughter Cheryl  who is part of the team at Distressed Threads and are creating wonderful fabrics. see their website here. The colour in this photo is a little light but having had so much trouble getting the computer to up load my photos from the camera I am not going to try again however not going to take another one put the true shade can be seen in the photos above.

 Yesterday I played the DVD of the Pioneers of Stitch Exhibition at the last Embroiderers Conference in July., viewing it on the computer  was excellent and there was  some outstanding pieces to admire, but it seems to have upset some of my settings, hopefully I will get them right again, meanwhile its one of those cool winter days so I am off to sit by the fire and hopefully get a little stitching done.

 

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK

A lovely mild day yesterday, and a walk round the garden provided a pleasant surprise with this bunch of miniature daffodils and some winter roses.  Oh! the poor garden is so neglected partly because of the weather but also there are only so many hours in a day. The past month has been a very trying one, with several ups and downs and rushed visits to hospital, it is also taking time to adjust to the changes we have to make to our life style,  Paul's health will never improve however he is now to receive blood transfusions fortnightly and it is hope that these at least will provide some stability

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Thank you for all the encouraging comments left on my last posting on the Junior embroiderers successes. The group has now been handed over to Maree and Mary and I know it is in good hands. Caitlin now comes once a week after school and we sit and stitch together, so I will share from time to time what she is doing.  Finding time to stitch has not been easy although I always have something small in my handbag to fill in time waiting for appointments. 

One item of stitching that was finished was for a friend's special birthday, unfortunatly it  was quite late in getting there This tiny pocket is a mon ami Pierre design and I stitched it on 40 count Permin linen using Chameleon Strand threads in the lovely grey-blue shade called Thatch. And my stitchers challenge piece stitched at the same time was one of those small projects that could be carried with me... we did  a small tissue case of the paper pocket tissues. here is mine.





The border design came from Round the World in 80 stitches by Papillion Creations, I have started but not got very far with this project but hopefully now I will get a chance to get back to stitching again. I did stitch for the last IHSW but did not get a chance to post my effort and as the next weekend is not far away I will show my few stitches then.

 I have tried to visit everyones blogs and love reading your news, not been very good at leaving comments special when time has been limited, however hopfully will call on you soon and say Hi.

I AM OVER THE MOON

I am over the moon and possibly way out in outer space...news from the National exhibitions has been just so great. Maree phoned as soon as the awards for the Junior Embroiderers section had been announced Tauranga Juniors took the overall award with a group piece and that left 8 awards..... AND 5 of them came to our Stratford junior embroiderers. Over the years we have had our different Juniors win awards but never 5 in one National Exhibition.

 And as a Grandmother I am specially thrilled as  Caitlin won the 13-18 yrs age group with her Kea done in blackwork The kea was worked from photographs her Uncle took and stitch in hand dyed threads from Jane Van Keulin.

Caitlin who is now 14 years of age first entered work in a national exhibition at the age of 6 yrs and won the younger section that year with her Very Colourful Owl. and has had work in every national Exhibition and Regional since.  National Exhibitions are every 2 years with Regional Exhibitions in the in between years.

She also won the award for the best piece of Traditional Embroidery over both age groups, while Grace entering for the first time  took the award for the best Contemporary piece of embroidery again over both age groups..

Little 6yr old Hannah  took 3rd place in the 12 years and under section and  Sarah Lee ( who is 10yrs) took 2nd place in the same section with her blackwork piece "My dog Jackson" Sarah-Lee has had work in Regional exhibitions but this was her first entry in a National.

Jackson has taken hours of work over many months and is a great piece of blackwork I am specially proud at how she kept at it, coming in to embroidery once a week during the school terms.

 I only have photos of these two pieces as they were both framed by Paul.

And Maree who also teaches the Juniors with me also won with her piece of work in the miniatures section.

 It is school holidays here at present but when school starts again next week there will be some very excited young girls back at embroidery. 

After 9 years here I  retired  from teaching the junior group at the end of last term,  the group is in good hands with Maree and Mary both very experienced needlewomen there to teach them For me I have been fortunate to retire on a high, thanks to the childrens success.

Catlin's Very Colourful Owl.

I've been hacked

Ive been hacket and I am hacket off.

well just when I thought I was begining to cope with all that is happening some hacker took over my account and left me with all empty files for my emails, no in mail no records of what I had sent and worst of all no contacts. even my files had been deleted.
Most of my contacts received a email saying I was stranded in Madrid, Spain and needed money! Of course I was not there but I did have to put on my best begging expression when I told Paul the cost of having the computor and the lap top checked to see if the hacker had left any damage on it.
The computor is now  up and running again and with the start of a new month, the sun is shining and I hope for a good month ahead.... back soon with some stitching news.

IHSW and A VISITOR

My IHSW started of quite well till I decided  the design was going to be to big on the fabric count I was working on. no problem decided to stitch over one thread on Lugano instead going well TILL I HAD A VISITOR, that very unfriendly fog took over, and result was not one but several rip rip rips. 

And so this is all I have to show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on BBD Wild Garden

After telling unfriendly frog he was not welcome I picked up some other embroidery and all went smoothly but I cant show these yet. hopefully they will be out in the post this week and not too long before I can share. Hope everyone else had a good weekend stitching.

SHARING........

My sister,Joan and Denis (her husband)  with a friend recently visited Eastwoodhill Aboretum near Gisborne, she shared with me her photos including  these ones of the lovely colours of some of the trees. I was thrilled she shared her photos with me as it will no longer be possible for Paul and I to visit such places where one walks around to enjoy the surrounding beauty.

Thanks to Anntte of California Stitcher (you can visit her here) who sent me Blackbird Designs chart Yellow bird along with lovely chocolate coloured silk and fabric. I am now able to share the chart with others  Now that I have finished stitching the piece the chart will be posted out this week going first to Australia to Lisa in Perth then across the seas to Gracie and Mouse. I hope you all enjoy stitching it as much as I did. her is my finished piece that has yet to be mounted, shown here with the fabric I plan to use. Later when it has arrived at its destination I will share what I made it up as.

I can also share with you what I received for the Stitching Friends Acorn Challenge. This delightful small pocket came from Ann and is beautifully stitched on 40 count linen. It is a real treasure.

This is IHSW weekend and I am about to start a new piece. I have Blackbird designs Wild garden

Nothing to show yet as I still have to put in the first stitch, will report back on progress at the end of the weekend. here is the picture from the chart.

Happy stitching to all taking part in IHSW

ACORN CHALLENGE

Hi everyone I am posting from my lap top, find it very different from using my computor. I have visited everyones postings but having trouble leaving a messages will get back to saying hi to everyone when my computor comes back, monday I hope, Stitching friend's last challenge was an item on the them of acorn/ acorns that would be useful to an embroiderers. First here is the pocket I stitcht for Heather the design is a freebie  I will give the link later,  I made a stitchers pocket with a needle case on the front. The little squirrel was on the back. From all reports it was avery successful challenge and I hope to share with you what the others stitch later.

Before  mycomputor went away I hurriedly put together this collage of my piece,