a thumbs up for Lindashee

I don’t usually do “advertising”, but today is an exception.  Just wanted to let you know that my daughter, of the blog Lindashee  has just opened her on-line etsy store.  On her blog, over the years, she has built up quite a selection of small cross stitch designs, which she offers as free instant downloads on her blog.  Her new etsy store is a place where she will be selling her new selection of cross stitch charts (also in pdf form, instant download), and only available in her etsy store. 

She only has a few charts in her store for the moment, but is busy working on several new designs she hopes to add before the end of the year.    LindasheesStitches is the name of her store and this is the banner to look out for with an example of some of her new designs.

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SAL update – “Getting Ready” #1

As SAL members and regular readers know, Avis and I had a happy dance for the last SAL update with our “Cirque des Triangles”. A lovely monochrome design which we both made totally our own through choice of fabric and thread colours.  Way before we came to the end of that project, we had already been discussing what our next SAL project would be. 

It just so happens that the two of us did a little spending in the Christmas sales on sewandso, last year, among other things, both buying the following kit.

“Getting Ready”, a kit by Design Works, adapted from the artwork of South African artist, Ronald West.  We both fell in love with the very quirky style, not to mention that the price, in the sales, was simply too good to miss. 

Anyway . . . this is what we’ll both be working on over the coming months.  However, while we are going to try and pace ourselves, so we keep up roughly the same stitching speed, we are going to tackle it each in our own way.

My way is rather erratic.  I’ve decided to start top left, so my first stage looks like this.

You’ll have to hop over to Avis blog to see where she began stitching.

And don’t forget, if you have the time, to do some blog-hopping to see what other members are up to.  Here is a list of links to visit the rest of our stitching group.  Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy ,  Heidi , Connie and Jackie.

Next update will be on 29th October.  Hope to see you then!

finish one a month #2 – September

Early in August I boasted that I was going to tackle finishing off my “finished” projects, and attempt to do one a month.  Well September almost came and went without me keeping that resolution . . . almost, but not quite!

I am very pleased to say that I finished not one, but THREE cross stitch projects!  Yep – three in one afternoon.  Not that any of the following took much time to do, it was more a question of just getting down to work.  First of all . . . some framing.  I bought two identical 50cm x 70cm frames a while back for my two Ink Circles cross stitch projects, but had to wait a few weeks for the cardboard mounts to arrive.  I’m not too sure about the colour of my mounts, but there wasn’t a great deal of choice in the shop I went to.  I’ll probably get used to them, the more I see them.

So, a drum roll please for a framed “Cirque des Cercles” and matching “Cirque des Triangles”.

I do have a picture hook on the wall opposite, for “Cirque des Triangles” but wanted to show both together.

And third finished finish . . . a very quick sewing project . . . just adding a zip and using some beige denim from a pair of jeans I cut up which no longer fit.

To make myself a little pouch for my crochet hooks.  I know some people make needle rolls, but I just wanted to whizz up something really quickly to keep all my hooks together in one place.  Not the world’s most creative (or brilliant) sewing, but it’ll do the job.

SAL update – Cirque des Triangles #11

Avis and I are having a happy dance with this update.  Our “Cirque des Triangles”, by Tracey Horner, of Ink Circles, is finished – yay!

I stitched, over two, on a Lugana “Forest Green” 25 count evenweave, using Threadworx “Wild Poppies”.  Now I need to do some framing, as I plan on framing this piece, along with the matching “Cirque des Cercles” to have them both hanging in my sewing room.

Avis and I have already chosen our project to continue the SAL.  But we’re going to keep it a surprise until next time lol.

Don’t forget to stop by and admire progress of other SAL members.  Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy ,  Heidi , Connie and Jackie.

Next update on 8th October.

feathers & sugar skulls

Photo of my latest tunic, which will be going straight in the wardrobe, and won’t be worn until next year.

Made using NewLook 6086 (again) because I needed a pattern with the front piece cut on the fold, so I didn’t have to worry about pattern matching.  A very simple tunic, with slits up both sides.  Only 3 pattern pieces and then binding for neck and armholes.  I’ve still got loads of feather fabric left . . . but never fear, it won’t go to waste!

And, just so my cross stitching followers don’t think I’ve given up on cross stitch of late . . .

This is the small project I’m currently working on.  “Sugar Skull” a Design Works Craft Inc kit.  It came with 14 count aida, but I’m stitching on 20 count, still in 2 threads, to keep colours very vibrant and have the design stitch up a lot smaller.  On 20 count, skull is going to measure 3.5” x 4.5” (as opposed to 5” x 7”). I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with it when it’s finished . . . I just like the design, which is why I bought it!

cats, “Yarn Cats” and some surprise mail

Couldn’t resist sharing this photo with you of a peaceful moment . . . that’s Ducky to the left, and Abby to the right (our brother & sister act) having a cuddly snooze in one of their favourite spots.  Aww, don’t they look cute?

Unlike this trio who have got themselves in a right tangle.

This is “Yarn Cats”, a kit by Design Works that I snapped up in the xmas sales on sewandso last year.  A nice little stitching project, even though I didn’t much enjoy all the backstitch at the end.  Anyway, a small happy dance going on with that . . . and thinking cap on already to actually make this into something rather than just stuffing it in a drawer.

And not only was I happy dancing because of a finished xstitch . . . I was also prancing around with glee because I received some surprise mail (ie I had another unbirthday).  This little stash from Kate of by the babbling brooke.  A lovely hand-made “tag” with some pretty yoyo flowers; a bookmark cross stitch kit, and a quilting pattern. A big thank you to Kate!

SAL update – Cirque des Triangles #10

Avis and I are now so close to a finish on this design:  “Cirque des Triangles” by Tracey Horner of Ink Circles. 

Only a couple of blank spaces to fill in for next time, and we’ll be having a happy dance! 

I wonder what other SAL members have been up to?  You can find out, by clicking on the following links.  Avis, is working on the same CdesT design, but in totally different colours.  Other members are all working on a wonderful variety of projects:  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy and our two newest members Heidi and Connie.

And come back to check out more progress in 3 weeks time, on 17th September. .