A Post at Last...

I suddenly realised that I hadn't posted in a long time.  I always say that I'm going to post regularly and then think that there is nothing happening so decide to wait till there is and then I have lots to tell.  Here goes, I think I will spread everything over a few posts.

This first post will be dedicated to an exchange I took part in over the summer.  This was organised by Elaine at Stitched with Love Exchanges and was the 2nd exchange I took part in.  I really love doing these exchanges and have taken part in more since this one.  This is a photograph of my exchange package that I sent.

This was all the goodies that I included in the package.  The stitched piece was a Blackbird Design from their book A Stitcher's Journery.  I used a piece of Lakeside Linen and a custom dyed Victorian Motto Sampler Thread called Oceans Waves that I had received at a Cross Stitch Pals Retreat a year ago, I love Nancy's threads.  I finished the design as a flatfold, which I think turned out stunning, even I do say so myself.  I used Vonna from a Twisted Stitcher's instructions, which were very easy to follow, this was the first time I had made a flatfold, but it surely will not be my last.  The finished piece is sitting on the fabric that I used for the finishing and the final touch was a piece of ric rac braid hand dyed by Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler.

Hope you have enjoyed seeing this the first of my exchange pieces and my stitching.

Hugs

Fiona

Summer is almost over...

Well it has been a pretty busy 6 weeks off from work.  Firstly, on the stitching front.  I had taken part in an exchabge on the The Stitched with Love Exchange blog and sent to Catherine here is a photo of what I sent her.

I stitched the Summer Sachet from Blackbird Design's book A Stitcher's Journey.  I made it into a little pin pillow.  I also added some little pins that I had made.  This was the first time I had made any decorative pins, and I think they turned out pretty cute.  I received from Pam in the US, she  had stitched a really cute needlebook with her house and my house on it.  There were lots of really cute and fun things included in my package from Pam, thank you. 

We had decided not to go away on holiday as a family this year as my eldest son didn't want to come with us in our caravan.  He was away on a camp for a week, so the rest of us sneaked off for some time away from home.  We visited Rothiemurchus and did some cycling, there are some fantastic off road trails around this area.  This is a picture of Loch an Eilean Castle, which we passed on one of our cycle trips.

When we got home DS #2 and I headed off to Northern Ireland.  We left at 4am on a wet Saturday morning to travel to the ferry terminal.  We eventually arrived at where we were staying by 5pm, we live really far north and it always takes us a long time to get anywhere.  We had a busy week and on one of the days we took an open top bus tour around Belfast, it is really interesting to hear the history behind the troubles in Northern Ireland and also to see the Peace Wall and the murals that are painted on the walls and the gable ends of buildings.

 

After my week in Northern Ireland it was home again for a few days.  Then my youngest DS travelled to Glasgow for a basketball clinic with Gannon Baker.  He had a fantastic time and learned a lot of new skills.  I didn't travel with him, but his coach and the team manager were there and they both said it all the players involved had a fantastic time. Here he is doing one of the skills that he learned and Gannon Baker doing the same.



 While on holiday I also decoupaged and

painted this handy little set of drawers.

I have also spent some time stitching and sewing.  I made a start on getting my Etui finished.  It has been sitting for months waiting on me having the time to put it together, well it is almost there, I just have to put the back piece of fabric on and sew the binding on to that.  Once I get started on the hand sewing of the binding it should go pretty quickly.  Hopefully, I will get it finished by the weekend.  I also made myself a new handbag.  I had picked the fabric, clasp and pattern up in Myrtle Beach last October and only now got around to making it.  I love how it looks and hope to make some more.

I can't share anymore of my stitching and sewing at the moment as they are for exchanges.  As soon as I am able I will post a photograph.  Hope everyone has a good summer and enjoyed reading and seeing some of the things I have done during my time off work.

Playing Catch Up...

I have been really busy with DS#3's basketball, so haven't been around to post much.  I stitched this Egg for Michele, Just Another Stitching Blog and made a little frog ORT bag for her too as part of an exchange that we shared.

The next photograph was what I received in the exchange, Michele had made me some very pretty pins.  Just last week, I thought I would give making pins a try, I made 3 that I think are pretty, but they are for an exchange so I can't let you see them just yet.

I also made a pillow for Faye, Carolina Stitcher's, pink basket.  This was from a freebie chart that I received at last year's Pals Fall Fling in Myrtle Beach in October.  I used Victorian Motto Sampler threads and some

pretty hand dyed trim to finish it off. 

I signed up for a Summer Exchange at Lainey's Stitching Hoose and now have my package ready to mail out, but can't let anyone see it just yet.

I will be finished work for our 6 week summer holiday in 2 weeks time and I can hardly wait, it has been a long term and life should slow down a bit for those 6 weeks.  I plan on reorganising my house and clearing some stuff out too.  Then I am going to get my sewing maching out and make lots of things that I have been planning for a long time.  I owe 3 people a PIF from my previous post and as ther wee only 4 comments to the PIF post I have decided that all 4 will receive something hand made by me.  So watch your mail boxes in around 3 weeks time for a surprise from Scotland. 

As far as stitching goes I am patiently waiting the first 2 parts of Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler, I was a bit slow in signing up for this, and when it arrives, that will be one of my summer projects.  I also have some Christmas ornaments to finish and some exchange pieces all in time for my trip to the 2011 Pals Fall Fling.  I think I have caught up as best I can and will endeavour to keep things more up  to date.

Pay It Forward....

I was lucky enough to be picked for Amy's PAY IT FORWARD.  So here is mine, If you would like to be considered, please post a comment to this thread and I will pick 3 people to PIF.  If you are picked, I will send you something handmade by the summer.  You in turn have to PIF to 3 people.  Hope this makes sense.
I was busy yesterday finishing.  At the moment the only things completely finished are gifts, so no pictures yet.  I finished a couple of Christmas ornaments for exchanging at the Cross Stitch Pals Fall Fling in October, but they still need hangers.  Plan on doing these tonight or tomorrow, so will post pictures once they are finished.  It has been another busy day at basketball, I'm really looking forward to the end of season in May when I get a whole weekend at home to do all the housework, stitching and finishing that I want.

Been busy...

I have been busy stitching, but no pictures yet, as they are gifts.  As soon as they are  received, in a couple of weeks, I will post pictures.  Life has been really hectic, with driving kids around, especially DS #3 to and from his basketball training and games, it is a 150 mile round trip each time.  Have just pulled the fabric and threads for a new start.  The photo is all I can give away at the moment, as again this piece is a gift. The fabric is a hand dyed evenweave, that is pale blue (the photo doesn't show the colour great).  The threads are Weeks, but not exactly what the design calls for and the ribbon is for the trim around the outside of the finished piece.

 I plan on spending some time next week finishing some of my recent finishes, so watch this space.

Stitching Update...



Count Your Blessings Etui

 I finished stitching The Victoria Sampler, Count Your Blessings Etui a last week, but just now got round to taking a photograph.  I still have the beads to put on and then the finishing.

I have also finished stitching the Scissor Pocket from the this set and am almost finished the Pin Keep, that just leaves the Scissor Fob.  There is a hardanger heart to put on the front that still needs stitched.  I think that I've left it till the end to pluck of the courage to attempt it.  I've only done hardanger a couple of times and find the chart/instructions a bit daunting.  Probably will get to it eventually. 

Once all the stitching is finished it will be finishing.  Will have to set a whole weekend aside to finish all the pieces.  I'm looking forward to the completely finished piece.

Count Your Blessings Scissor Pocket and Pin Keep

I will have to practice taking photographs, these ones aren't very clear, but hopefully you will have some idea of what they look like.  All the pieces have lots of different stitches and it has been a fun stitch.



My Boys...

The boys Christmas dance that was postponed is happening tonight.  I managed to get a photograph of my two eldest sons on their way to the dance.  Unfortunately, my youngest son is missing his first High School dance as he has gone skiing instead.  He won a weekend ski trip and decided he would rather go skiing than dancing.  The tartan on the boys' kilts is Modern Brown, it is a family name and entitles the boys to wear it. 

If you have a look at an earlier post you will see my youngest son in his kilt too.  Someday I will manage to get them all together and smiling.  I think they are at that age where Mum with a camera is just a pain