less than perfect finishings
Posted by: claire93 on: February 9, 2010
I mentioned early January that my big resolution for 2010 is to make sure I finish what I start. I’m going great guns with my Russian Doll SAL, being very firm with myself and should soon have photos of not only the finished stitching, but also a complete “assembly job” (not 100% sure how I’ll be finishing it, but have several days to mull it over). In the meantime, my sewing machine has been purring away with me in the pilot’s seat. Was a little temperamental this morning but I refused to be beaten as I absolutely HAD to finish off something I started way back in 2005. The project 5 years ago was this, or rather these . . . 
the complete set of animal heads by Rheinhardy that were available in kits by Janlynn. I even had my photo printed when the set was stitched lol, my 5 minutes of fame 
and then, as is usual for me, these pieces got stuffed in a drawer because, when push came to shove, I couldn’t quite get up the courage to buy ten identical frames nor even begin to figure out where I was going to find wall-space to hang the lot. The “fun” for me was the stitching part, and in this instance, the hunting down of each kit (some bought on ebay, some I had to write in to magazines to locate) and once complete I simply lost interest.
BUT as of today, these animals (which I still love as much as when I was stitching them) will now be on permanent display in the living room because I have turned them into an afghan of sorts. As the title says, it’s a less than perfect finish – but at least it is a finish – so there’s happy dancing today ^^ 
AND . . . while I had my machine plugged in, and spool still full of white cotton, not to mention 102 zips to choose from . . . I also whipped up a second zipper bag ^^ This was with the completed mini SAL organised by Mad: L’amour tous en choeur”. Would have thought, after my last zipper pouch that this one would go smoothly but it didn’t. Zip I used was perhaps a little on the short side (because I wanted it on the side and not on the top). And while I centered my heart well left to right, I didn’t leave enough fabric at the top . . . but too late now to do anything about that. 
It will still do the job – the idea was to make myself a little pouch to slip a paperback novel in ^^ Some of my English students have been lending me books to read, and it’ my way of making sure I take good care of them when not actually reading 
SAL progress
Posted by: claire93 on: February 8, 2010
As much as I wanted to do some more stitching on my Colourful Lorikeets (which has remained untouched for almost 2 weeks now) I’ve been concentrating on Louamaryllis’ Russian Doll SAL and the end is almost in sight. Have added three dolls since my last post 
Each new doll seems to get brighter and brighter ^^ and I’m a little worried about how pale January seems in comparison. Might unpick and stitch her in something darker but will wait until I’ve completed the full set before I decide.
And . . . have completed the 9 on-line stages of Mad’s mini mystery SAL: L’amour tous en choeur. Am now waiting for Mad to send the final stage by email so that I can finish this rather zany heart design and do another quick happy jig ^^ 
stitching for three PLOUMs ^^
Posted by: claire93 on: February 8, 2010
A while ago, when visiting various blogs and admiring other people’s handicraft, I came across Le Petit Monde de Noisettine http://noisettine.canalblog.com/ who is not a cross stitcher, but does the most beautiful machine embroidery, lots of dress-making, and toy-making. Noisettine’s trademark is a little creature called a PLOUM that she often makes and slips in parcels to exchange partners or for friends’ birthdays . . . and I fell in love with these little creatures ^^
Never backwards in coming forwards, I wrote and asked if she would make a couple of Ploum for the big kids in this house . . . and we agreed to do a little exchange.
Here is what I sent to Noisettine: 
a funny cat keyring (design by Barbara Ana); pair of scissors & fob, and a matching coaster along with some Smarties for Noisettine’s four children. 
And here is what I received . . . 
the cat was an extra special surprise for me ^^
and the three Ploums – which have been hidden and will be given to my big kids at Easter ^^
totally ZIP mad ^^
Posted by: claire93 on: February 5, 2010
Why is it that I never do things in moderation? Why is it that my daughter (going on 16) sometimes looks at me in despair as I gleefully show off my latest bargain-buying, as if I were a 5-year old needing to be humoured? Must be that my bargain-hunting streak sometimes gets the better of me, and off I go in a whirlwind of enthusiasm imagining GREAT things and before you know it, I end up with more than 100 zips lol.
Those of you who stop by to read my blog, have deduced that I’m not the world’s fastest stitcher nor the world’s greatest seamstress. But I get top marks for trying ^^. After finishing off a recent SAL into a pouch with zip (photo to remind you) 
which wasn’t actually my first attempt with zips as I had made two pencil cases for my nieces in 2008 
I decided that for Christmas 2010 I want to make zippy presents for other family members . . . BUT zips are expensive, and in shops here, zips are priced between 3.50 euros and 5.70 euros EACH. So . . . off I went on ebay where I found someone selling off a job lot of 100 zips (yep, one hundred) for only 23 euros, including packaging . . . and of course, my little brain did the maths – only 23 centimes per zip !!!!! Okay, so I won’t need one hundred, and some of them are rather drab colours but I figure if I only use half a dozen, I’ll still make a saving and can then pass the others on to a dress-making friend of mine for whom they will always come in useful.
Anyway, parcel postie has been today and this zip-addict is totally gleeful with the contents of the parcel. 
They are all different lengths and colours, ranging from 10cm to 30cm, some metal, some plastic and there are, in fact, 102 of the things ^^ 
Daughter has come round to my way of thinking on seeing the variety, I have to add . . . her BJD dress-making mind has spotted the shortest zips that will be great for doll-sized clothes so even she is beginning to share some of my enthusiasm ^^
And, on another note . . . following my new resolution of yesterday to get the Russian doll SAL back on the road, I am proud to present JULY 
only five more to stitch ^^
I’ve started, so I’ll finish . . .
Posted by: claire93 on: February 4, 2010
Those used to be the famous words of Magnus Magnesson, didn’t they? Of “Mastermind”. Used to love watching that as a kid, even though I could never answer many of the questions ^^ Anyway, that little phrase was going through my mind this morning when I read Sandra’s comment, saying I was an “enabler” – roughly translated, that actually means I don’t stop tempting her with new projects to add to her agenda and I think she’s going to give into temptation with me and begin the “My Little Heart” SAL (see earlier post).
However . . . while I’ve been looking at my fabric stash and trying to decide which piece to use, I also came across a plastic bag containing a SAL that got abandonned in May 2009. For the silliest of reasons: I made a miscount in one of my Russian dolls and couldn’t be bothered to unpick immediately, so fabric got stuffed in a bag, bunged in a drawer, and forgotten about. I was soon out-distanced by the other stitchers in the SAL and just watched, on the forum NOS PLASIRS CREATIFS as stitchers completed the 12 months in December. BUT today, when I stumbled across this unfinished SAL I decided I really must finish it, or I won’t be able to look at myself in the mirror if I begin another one over 12 months ^^
So . . . here’s what my fabric looked like this morning, with the miscounted doll on the right (and too close to her sister) 
Here’s how things looked at lunchtime, after frogging and stitching again in a brighter shade of green which I much prefer 
and here is how things looked at 5pm today, after a nice quiet afternoon in my armchair with Le Bleu trying to eat the chart and tangle my threads 
Needless to say, nothing else got done around the house and I won’t be able to give the next few days over to solid stitching because I am supposed to do a minimum of house-wifely things about the home . . . but now I have corrected my mistake and begun work on these little dolls once again, I have decided to make them my priority and hopefully get the remaining six stitched over the next week. That way, I’ll be living up to old Magnus’ motto and will be able to begin the “My Little Heart” SAL around Valentine’s Day (which somehow seems very appropriate ^^.
the best place to sleep
Posted by: claire93 on: February 3, 2010
No need to watch the weather forecast in this house to know what the weather is like outside – just need to see where some of the animals choose to sleep. This morning, taking advantage of the fact that I’m in front of my computer and NOT in my comfy armchair stitching, certain 4-legged members have found the best place to sleep.
Blackjack, for once, is actually using his bed (well half on, half off), but cats being cats, Merlin and Le Bleu have taken over my cross stitch corner. Just as well I keep important things in folders or plastic bags because Merlin would be leaving cat hair everywhere as he prefers to sleep ON folders or plastic bags right next to the radiator ^^
and, in case anyone is wondering about the sorry-looking white monkey on the back of my armchair . . . he is needed for stitching projects too ^^ Bought him at a carboot sale for only 50 centimes, and after a good wash in the machine, he is what I use for stuffing all my little projects: biscornu, keyrings etc . . . his head is totally empty these days but there’s still lots more wadding in his body, arms & legs to use.
if you’re looking for a SAL in 2010
Posted by: claire93 on: February 3, 2010
- In: chit chat
- 4 Comments
If anyone has room on their stitching agenda for another SAL this year (yeah, right!) check out Sylvia’s blog here http://syku66.blogspot.com/
She is organising the most gorgeous SAL over 12 months: “My Little Heart” – link to previous posts on the right under that heading – and, from the looks of the first two stages, it’s going to be a beauty! My German is a bit rusty, but from what I understand, there’s no need to sign up. Sylvia will be posting one stage each month on her blog and they will be available to all. She has even given stitchers the choice of three variations for February – and I’m SO tempted to join in lol.
The complete size, with border is going to be 125 x 125 stitches, or 109 x 109 without the heart border . . . and each months design will be 29 x 35 . . . so ideal simply for small card designs if you don’t fancy stitching the entire calendar.
“l’amour tous en choeur” – mystery SAL (stage 7)
Posted by: claire93 on: February 1, 2010
- In: WIP
- 2 Comments
After showing off the finished January Mystery SAL yesterday, I got out needle and thread to catch up on Mad’s mystery SAL: “L”amour tous en choeur”. http://madymade.canalblog.com/ It’s been all back-stitch for the last few parts, and I’m continuing to combine the most unlikely of colours ^^ which gives a very bright, modern, graffiti type design. The end is soon in sight as Mad will be posting final stages before Valentine’s Day. Here’s how my heart looks at stage 7.
Happy Dancing for January Mystery SAL
Posted by: claire93 on: January 31, 2010
- In: 1| finished projects
- 3 Comments
A happy jig going on here today – not only did I finish Hélène’s Mystery SAL on time BUT I have also been having fun with my sewing machine (now that’s something I never thought I’d say ^^ ) and here’s what I produced. 
I finished it off into a little pouch, with a zip and all ^^ Fabric in background is what I used for the back of the pouch and, as it’s only light-weight cotton, I lined the whole thing with plain white cotton to give it a bit more body. Not perfect, I know, but I’m a better cross-stitcher than seamstress . . . and I personally am feeling rather pleased with this little bit of sewing.
Also been a busy bee this weekend with lots of small exchange projects – but you’ll have to be patient for photos as these projects are due to be sent early February and I can’t show photos until they have been received and opened.
ode to Diana
Posted by: claire93 on: January 26, 2010
- In: chit chat
- 2 Comments
This post is going to seem a bit maudlin to some but that’s not my intention although, as I type, I’m feeling rather sad and listening to Marvin Gaye’s “If I should die tonight” because that sort of sums up my emotions. Today I want to write an ode to Diana – my best friend who died in July 2007. Why on earth wait more than 2 years to do this? Because grieving is a strange process and sometimes it just takes a little something to set the tears off again. The little something, in this case, being a HUGE box delivered from Australia yesterday.
I first “met” Diana in 2000 through a cross stitch penpal advert. Nothing exceptional about that, except that we hit it if off from the word go, and e-mailing soon turned to daily chats on-line, which in turn led to our two families meeting in person. In no time at all, Diana and her family became an extension of our family and we would talk about everything and anything under the sun with total honesty. Diana was an incredible person and I won’t try to find adjectives to describe her – suffice it to say that she was my closest friend (despite living on the other side of the world) with a huge heart, a big booming laugh and an incredible sense of humour. She was also, sadly, in very bad health but stitching was one of her outlets for pain, and she would stitch for hours on end, producing the most beautiful work, to help her remain positive on really bad days.
She always used to joke (though we all knew the seriousness of the situation) that when she died, she wanted me to have her cross stitch supplies because only a stitcher would really appreciate them. And THAT is the reason I’m feeling somewhat emotional since this huge parcel arrived yesterday. Diana’s husband has decided he needs to begin to try and move on . . . and to honour Diana’s wishes, he had packaged up her stash and sent it to me. I haven’t taken photos of everything, just part, to show you what Diana wanted me to have.
Her husband also sent the last project Diana was working on when she died, which I shall sit down and finish in memory of Diana, who hated to see a UFO.
as well as a bag I had made for her, stitching only two of the three original women. I’m the one on the left and Diana is the lady in the purple hat ^^
because, she loved this poem by Jenny Joseph.
Warning – When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves and satin candles, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells and run my stick along the public railings and make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain and pick the flowers in other people’s gardens and learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat and eat three pounds of sausages at a go or only bread and pickles for a week and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry and pay our rent and not swear in the street and set a good example for children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised when suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
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