Finished stuff!

First off, I must apologise for missing my YOTA post, I didn't stitch anything of them so honestly, nothing to see here!

You may remember me mentioning a bit ago that I'd been stitching something as a gift, well it's now been received so I can share photo's!

It's a kit from Anchor called Together Forever designed by Margaret Sherry:

It's stitched on 32ct Fairy Forest Opalescent Murano from Crafty Kitten.  I took a picture prior to personalising as they preferred for their detail not to be shared online and of course I respected that. It was framed in a modern, gloss white frame with an off-white mat.  I did find it hard to get through as it wasn't my choice and although it's cute, the fact it was for someone else put that "obligation" on me to HAVE to stitch it.  I am very pleased with the result and the fabric looked amazing and was wonderful to stitch on.

My next finish is my "Go-Bag" stitching.  I've not shared any pictures of this before mainly because it generally in my bag ready to go!  It's a nice easy to stitch design that is just 1 solid colour, so perfect for when you are out of the house!

Sorry for the slightly creased picture!  This was a free design from Love Thy Thread, who sadly are no longer trading.  It's stitched on a piece of 28ct fabric from Colour Cascades Fabric that has gold opal threads running through it.  It'a actually a little more red than the picture shows.  I can't tell you what the colour is as it was an oddment from one of the month sales from the FaceBook group.

I don't think I've shared a picture of my framed Pyramid with you all yet.  I've had it back for a while, just haven't managed to get a good picture of it, however I'll share one of the ones we've taken of it!

I hope this gives you some idea of how it looks.  We still haven't decided where to hang it, but hopefully once it's on the wall it'll be easier to photograph!

Also, my most recent progress photo of The Three Fates:

I was going to switch away from this but couldn't decide what to switch to.  hubby suggested using a random number generator and picking that way, so I did....seemed the Fates have conspired and are insisting I continue as this was the number that came up!  I think I'll switch back to the left side and continue down, maybe I'll reach the bottom corner, although that may be slightly too ambitious!

Finally, I want to thank you all for your lovely well wishes; I am feeling better now (well at least as good as I get!) and Charlie is doing well too.  Lets hope we continue feeling well until our little trip away at the start of June!

IHSW - April

Thank you for all your kind messages about my health after my last post, I was on the mend but sadly had a bit of a setback last week and ended up stuck in bed for a few days.  I am recovering, I'm just having to take it very easy and go slowly....something I tend to struggle with!

Also, poor little Charlie, our American Cocker Spaniel has been under the weather too, He's getting old now and every time a Vet visit is required I always worry, thankfully it's not anything too serious, just rest and time, so we are chilling out together!

As a lot of you may know, it was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend this weekend and I actually managed to get a bit of stitching done, thanks to my forced "taking it easy"!

On Saturday, I dug out Candy Cane Christmas by Ursula Michael that I've been stitching along with Linda and Sasha (check the Saturday SAL tab out for more info).

March

April

I know Linda has been taking part in various challenges so I've not stitched on it every week as I don't want to get too far ahead, it's hard as it's such a fun stitch!

Then Sunday I carried on with stitching The Three Fates - Jasmine Becket-Griffith (HAED).

Friday

Monday

Not masses done, but at least enough to see a little difference :)  I'm going to take it off the QSnaps later so I'll take a full photo then.

Overall I'm really thrilled with the progress and it's been a good weekend!

Thank you to the new followers, I hope that enjoy reading and looking at the pictures.  Please feel free to leave comments, it's always great to hear from people!  I'm sneaking ever closer to the 100 mark, once I hit it, I think it might be time for another give-away!

Back at it.....

First off...I'd like to say a big hello and welcome to the new followers!  If I reach 100 I think it may be time for another giveaway to celebrate!

I've finally gotten back to stitching and I've a few updates to share!  I picked up Mini Starlight - Linda Ravenscroft (HAED).  It's been a long while and she's been a bit neglected but this year she's going to get a bit of love!

September 2014

February 2015

Not loads done, but a little progress and anything is a step towards that finishing line.

The Three Fates - Jasmine Becket-Griffith has also been out to play:

October 2014

February 2015

Last up, I've not been stitching on the Saturday SAL as there have been the "Crazy Challenges" in tribute to Debbie, who very sadly passed away last year.  However, I caved last weekend and pulled out Candy Cane Christmas!

December 2014

February 2015

I've dropped off Pyramid 4 with the framer so hopefully I should have it back in the next couple of weeks.  I really love the frame we've gone with and I really hope it work well.  To say I'm nervous leaving my stitching with a framer I've not used before would be an understatement, however we chatted and I'm confident that he will do a good job!  I can't wait to be able to share it with you!

OMG....I did it!

I did it!  I completed my first large HAED design!  It's not had a bath yet but I was so excited and wanted to share.

I started it when we went on honeymoon to Egypt, as hubby thought it would be a great idea to stitch something Egypt themed while we were there.  We chose the chart together and rather than buying something new, we picked this one which had been in my stash for years!  

For those that wish to know, the "technical" details:

Started: 30th March 2013

Finished: 30th January 2015

Stitched on 25ct White Magic Guide by DMC, 1 over 1 using DMC thread. 

From Heaven and Earth Designs, designed by Michele Sayetta
Original artwork By Ciro Marchetti

I am really thrilled with the outcome and whilst being quite confetti heavy due to all the detail, was still very enjoyable to stitch.  Now I need to find a good framer as this is one I don't fancy trying to frame myself!  If anyone knows of a good framer in the Manchester, UK area, I would be really grateful for the details!

By pushing to get this finished, I've neglected to keep up with the blog reading this week.  I'm going to try to get through as many as I can today though.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments I've had whilst stitching this and I've really appreciated the encouragement.

Christmas Stitching & Presents

I haven't made a post yet to thank the people who were lovely enough to buy me stitching gifts this year for Christmas, apologies for all the pictures!

Kim from Sense and Stitchability gifted me the gorgeous Elsa - Kordek from Tilton Crafts

Alicia, The Crafty Princess gifted me not 1 but 2 lovely charts from Heaven and Earth Designs!

Mini Snowflake Daydreams

and A Little Bit of Magic - Spangler

The lovely lady from Pull The Other Thread gifted me the stunning Anastasia - Zielinska, also from Heaven and Earth Designs

The poorly Nikki, who's been suffering from stitching withdrawal after a shoulder surgery gifted me the wonderful chart for  Once Upon a Midnight Dreary - JBG along with the material pack for it that Heaven and Earth Designs also sell!  I suspect she's trying to lead me astray!

I was also lucky enough to receive an Amazon voucher from the lovely Rachel and her sister Petrina, who have a knitting and stitching blog here!  

Hubby, the well trained man that he is, also bought me some stitchy bits too!  I got a kit from Gecko Rouge called Jaunee - Koresh.  

He knows of my love of Angels and my taste in art and picked really well!  I was also fortunate enough to get a voucher for Gecko Rouge from my dear friend Lesli, so I'm taking my time to pick something else out too!  There are several that have caught my eye and deciding is hard!  I've joined the Gecko Rouge FB group and one of the new releases is this:

I keep going back to look at it so this may well be my next purchase!  Although Maleficent, Black Magic Unicorn and Daemon in Rosa are also right there too!

Hubby also bought me my first Gorjuss kit too!  He chose The Fox, which is so cute....well they all are really!

What can I say, but a massive Thank You to all of my lovely friends.  I count myself so blessed to have met so many wonderful people through online forums and blogs.  You make my life so much brighter!

No willpower.......

This will not come as a shock to many of you.....but I have no willpower, particularly when it comes to stitchy goodness.  I mentioned in my last post that Nene Thomas charts were being retired from HAED, well, Michele has managed to get 3 new ones finished just in time for people to grab them before they disappear.  She has also extended the sale for an extra day to help, although the charts will be available until 15th October.

Carousel Horse Raven Black

Lord of Snows

Prophecy

I have loved the picture "Prophecy" since I first saw it and it was one of the pictures I was particularly sad that HAED would not be able to chart, so when I awoke this morning to the news it had been charted, I ran off to buy it!

As you may suspect, Prophecy wasn't the only chart I bought!  I also added Mini Winter Wings, Mini Wind Moon, Mini Moon Indigo, Mariposa and SK Deidre!

Mini Moon Indigo

Mini Wind Moon

Mariposa

SK Deidre

Mini Winter Wings

I also had to grab Elsa from Tilton Crafts as it is also being retired and I have to stitch it for my niece....ok who am I kidding...I need to have it :)

So between all the charts, a couple of extra pieces of Crafty Kitten fabric, can you believe I'm still thinking of joining the Lizzie*Kate SAL and also possibly the Passione Ricamo SAL as well!  My Hubby does keep trying to talk me out of them, not due to a financial reason, but from a time point of view.  I moan that I never get enough stitching time to get everything I want to stitch done!  I admit, he may be right, but it doesn't stop me from looking and longing does it?

I also have an update of The Three Fates to show you!

I had been stitching the right side of the design and now I'm going to switch back to the left side for a while.  I foresee a fair bit of blue in my future!

Artist retiring from HAED

I just wanted to make a small post to highlight the announcement that Nene Thomas is retiring from Heaven and Earth Designs effective from 15th October 2014.  I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to purchase these before they are no longer available.  There is also a 25% sale at present, so it makes sense to grab them whilst they are a little cheaper.

This comes as great disappointment to me as I very much love her artwork, however I have purchased a  large number of her charts over the years so I will have plenty to stitch.

This is a small selection of some of her charts that I own and hope to stitch in future.  I would also like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Nene for allowing her artwork to have been charted for such a long time and I'm sure she didn't make the decision to no longer license her artwork for cross stitch lightly.