Sew by Row Progress & Books

Here's the latest update on Sew by Row, a pattern by Lori Holt. I'm trying to spend a few hours each week on it but missed last week as I'd pulled out some knitting to do, I've done very little knitting since last winter so felt like a change. My hairdresser is having a baby in a few months so I'm planning to knit a couple of hats and some booties.

It's quite hard to tell from this photo but the fabric is more blue than it's showing.

This is a fun project so far.

Here's February's choice of books - one new book and two that have finally come in for me at the local library. I've already finished the Nora Roberts, the first in a new series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

See you soon x

Friday Finishing

My sewing machine is back out for 2021 and first up, some recent finishes, made into simple pillows.

 

Merry and Minty, a free design offered by Brenda Gervais in December 2020.

Merry & Bright, by Pineberry Lane. This can be purchased from the Pineberry Lane website in PDF file.

 

I've got a little pile of stitched things from last year to finish so I'll try and make a dent on this over the next few weeks. 

See you soon x

 

All the Blackbirds

The dahlias in the garden at my work have been stunning this summer, and they are almost to the end of flowering. One of my staff members left these ones on my desk earlier in the week, just gorgeous.

Over the past few weeks I've been spending a bit of time each week on some of the Blackbird Designs I'd started last year and others that have been languishing in my stitching basket.

This is not my usual stitching basket, but I thought I'd better give some of these WIPs a good iron before taking some progress pics to share, ha ha!

Merrily Merrily We Welcome Spring, fabric is 36 count Oaken linen by Picture this Plus. This has been on the go for a couple of years now.

Oh Joyous Day, started back in our spring time September 2020

The Last Ripe Berries, 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus, started last April 2020.

Winter Rose Manor, started a few weeks ago

All Joys for Thine, a 2020 Stitch Maynia start, fabric is vintage mocha belfast.

It sure feels good to have made a tiny bit of progress on each of these!

See you soon x

Stitching on Sundays & Mondays

Here's the first of the ornaments I've stitched from Spirit of Christmas Set 2 by Lila's Studio, so sweet.

I'm stitching on 36 count Summer khaki linen with most of the recommended threads. The plan is to stitch one of these lovely designs every month, there's 8 in total.

Next up for #santasundayxs and #merrymondayxs is Merry Old Soul by Brenda Gervais.

I've been wanting to stitch this for absolutely ages. I'm using most of the recommended threads and the fabric is 32 count Smokey Pearl Belfast linen. 

For tomorrow's post I'll have an update about all the Blackbird Designs I've been working on over the past few weeks.

See you soon x

Beach Fun

As it was a public holiday here on Monday, we decided to have a small break away at the beach, our last trip out there this summer.

Despite the rain on Friday and early Saturday, the skies cleared, and Sunday and Monday were beautiful days.

The sea was a bit rough for swimming and fishing but that didn't stop the guys from having a try!

Looking back towards the farm where we stay, such a gorgeous spot

It was a very chilled out weekend, my parents and our friends and kids were with us so lots of good chats, hilarious games of petanque in the paddock, walks along the beach, delicious food and as always, lots of laughs. My heart is full.

See you soon xx

This Week

Just like that, it's February! We have a long weekend coming up so we're heading to the beach for our last stay there of the summer. I'm looking forward to some chilled out days and I've packed plenty of stitching, including a new project to work on.

Last week I was happy to see Sew by Row by Lori Holt had been released as a PDF chart. I found a piece of 28 count ice blue Lugana in my stash and I'm going to use the suggested DMC threads. This will be a fun design to stitch.

 

I forgot to share this little finish the other day, Merry and Bright by Pineberry Lane. I stitched on this during my summer break. I used most of the recommended threads and the fabric is 36 count Light Examplar I think?

The new school year started for Hannah this week and her usual activities are underway again - swim squad, dance classes, orchestra, etc. Year 8 this year and off to high school next year, where have the years gone?

See you soon xx

 

 

Recent Finishes

I had a few stitching finishes in January, so first up, the 2020 Santa by the Prairie Schooler, stitched on 32 count vintage mocha Belfast using the recommended threads.

A quick weekend project, Eat Sleep Stitch by Lori Holt. I used most of the recommended threads on white Lugana fabric.

Merry & Minty, a free pattern offered in December by Brenda Gervais. Stitched on 32 count cream linen with mostly DMC threads.

One weekend soon I'll try and get to my sewing machine to actually finish these off.

Have a happy week - see you soon x