A big thank you to Ghislaine who sent me a lovely plump enveloppe full of bookmarks for my collection
one of which is signed by the author!
Thank you to Lindashee, for this fantasy bookmark she picked up thinking of her “old Mum” ^^
and thank you to Titia, who saw this and thought of me ^^
It’s the little things in life that matter, and bring a smile to my face 
I come picking your brains today, with a question: What on earth is this?
I think it’s something to do with sewing, but I’m not sure. Photographed on the inch side of my cutting mat, to give you an idea of size. The two “acorns” are made of wood. They do not unscrew. There are no prizes for the right answer lol . . . just the pleasure of knowing you’ve helped solve a mystery 
The new latest stages of Hélène & Mahélia’s Mystery SAL look like this.
Part 7 – the hair is complete
Part 8 – not quite sure what to make of this part. I still reckon it’s a little angel with wings . . . but what is all that cream?
Stay tuned . . . next stage and back stitch is just around the corner.
Hmmmm, Hélène has revealed a little more with the next two stages of her mystery SAL which I’m following on her blog Hélène & Mahélia. About time too ^^ because with part 4 we were already half way through.
Anyway, here’s part 5 and a face is starting to take shape
Followed by more face . . . although I’m not too sure about my choice of thread here. Didn’t have the recommended colour and mine looks a little too “pink”, but I’ll stick with it.
I’m still confused with the pale blue stitches . . . is this going to be an angel kind of character or not?
Stay tuned for the next parts lol.
Three totally unrelated subjects ^^ but does it really matter? Much easier to do one post than three . . . so here we go for the “thank yous” which are actually “merci”.
Merci to Yvonne who always remembers my birthday, and sends me a little handmade gift and card without fail. This year she sent me a lovely little scissor keep
Merci to Monique who also sent me some gorgeous mail for my birthday – a bookmark and lovely card
Merci to Titia and eldest son whose card I forgot to show
and Merci to my sister-in-law – I will be smelling so nice !!!
Next – a very naughty spending spree . . . yep, sorry, but I needed some retail therapy and despite (or rather because of) receiving some Moda “Somerset” charm squares for my birthday . . . I went and bought some stash packs and solids on Pelenna Patchworks. Stash packs of some of the Moda “Somerset” fabrics because they are so gorgeous (photo doesn’t do them justice because taken in artificial light without flash).
Now, I originally went browsing on Pelenna Patchworks because I needed some solids (white and other light neutral colours) because I have lots of print fabric but not so much plain solids, and I have plans for the 5” squares Avis sent for my birthday (photo to remind you and show better colours – stash packs are the same as the “flower” bottom left)
Problem is . . . on Pelenna Patchworks, if you spend £25 or more, they send you a free pack of sixteen 5” squares lol . . . so I didn’t want to miss out on that now, did I? Which explains how the stash packs found their way into my cart when I was shopping for solids lol. And I duly received my free 5” squares
. . . oooh look, another “Somerset” square ^^
I also made use of their free sample service . . . and asked for 10 samples of other fabrics that I wanted a closer look at
Lots of beautiful colours . . . just what I needed ^^
And last photos . . . to show you that Merlin has finally decided to use the cat tree !!! Now we bought the tree before Christmas, and seeing as the cats didn’t seem interested, I had been using it as a coffee table, and leaving all my stitching bits on it. Obviously, since it became a coffee table, Merlin suddenly took an interest
although at the moment, he seems to take an interest in lots of things. He has also taken to sleeping on my computer desk, right next to screen
He seems to think it’s a radiator, as it does give off some heat ^^
All throughout 2014 I stitched a full set of little cupcakes, designed by Lorraine Clarke and downloadable for free on Cyberstitchers. They turned out various sizes because I was using leftover pieces of fabric, and were not necessarily in the “correct” colours because I used leftover threads. As with many of my stitchings, they were then bunged into a drawer ^^ However . . . I knew they were there, and my little brain had saved an idea inspired by Yvonne (from February 2013), when she sent me a needle book and a pin book. I had seen tutorials for this kind of thing for example on Cats ‘n Cart Crafts and here on Make it Do.
I therefore decided to make some of my own . . .
nothing could be easier! Some card, some felt, a stapler, and some needles or pins.
Anyway, two of these needle books have already been posted as little birthday gifts . . . saying that, I’m not very good with remembering birthdays, so I’ve decided that the rest will be posted as the year progresses . . . and make little surprise “UNbirthday” gifts to some of my blogging, stitching friends ^^ You never know, you may be one of the lucky people . . . if not, they really are so simple to make, I suggest you give it a try.
Two more little cards I stitched recently, and can now show, because birthday gal and boy have both blown out their candles ^^
As always, I use free charts, when I can, for cards – always a great way of using up some leftover threads because colours can be mixed and matched as I go.
The little rabbit is more suited for an Easter card, but I thought he was cute, and stitched him up for eldest son’s birthday. Rabbit s a free design by Aliolka.
The little puppy dog is another Lindashee design. She didn’t do a dog for her “I love” series, but I asked her to design one for me to make a birthday card especially for Avis. And she did 
That’s one of the advantages of being the artist’s daughter ^^
