A Kiwi Stitching

This Week's Finishes

2009-07-12T12:09:00.005+12:00

Meet Besty! All finished, and what a lovely stitch it was.

I choose to replace the US flag with a little bit of Betsy's own stitching

Besty by Sheepish Designs

stitched on 32 ct Lambswool Jobelan

with DMC threads

I've also finished Hannah's 2009 ornament

Santa by Knotted Tree Needlearts

Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornaments Magazine

stitched on 32ct mocha belfast linen

using Weeks, GAST and DMC threads

I also have a new knitting finish, this sideways jacket is for a friend's new baby - the wool is actually not as pink as it shows in this photo but more red/orange.

So its been a very productive week. All round in fact, as Glenn and I have had a major sort through in our garage, tidying up and getting rid of unwanted things. He's recently put in some new storage - our Christmas tree and decorations have their very own cupboard! LOL. I've also been sorting through the clothes in my wardrobe and have been very selective in what I'm keeping, hee hee, I'll look forward to some clothes shopping in the spring time!

The rain continues on here, I think this our sixth wet weekend in a row? So my oven is certainly getting a good work out on these wet days, making soup and trying out some new baking recipes. On today's baking agenda were banana choc chip muffins, apple dessert cake, a tea loaf, and pikelets for Glenn and Hannah's lunch. Its quite funny though, although I love baking, I'm not really a big eater of sweet things.

Til the next time, happy stitching and thanks for stopping by!

Rain, rain go away

2009-07-01T14:21:00.003+12:00

For four days now, its been teeming down with rain, and its been so cold, so so cold. But oh so nice and cozy, to be sitting beside the fire, stitching or knitting the evenings away.

Hannah is much improved now, thank you for your get well soon wishes. Her appetite has certainly returned with avengence, lol. She's always been a happy eater so that is a sure sign for us that something is going on when she turns down her food. She's also recently cut three new teeth so that had probably added to her misery.

I'm feeling rather pleased with myself - Block 3 & 4 are now done on Leanne's House. Just the stitchery bits to add on later, and the applique pieces.

(My pics today aren't too flash sorry)

My progress so far on Ladybugs and Bumblebees by Country Cottage Needleworks, I've wanted to stitch this since it first came out.

I also got a wee bit more stitched on the Santa ornament:

And a few rows knitted on the jumper - the wool looks very grey here but its actually more turquoise.

I'm counting down the sleeps until Saturday - I'm going on an overnight trip with a friend to see the show Starlight Express in Wellington. I can't wait, we're hoping to hit the shops and maybe go out somewhere nice for dinner. Its going to be a lovely weekend all round as on Sunday, relatives from Australia are going to be arriving to spend a few days at Mum and Dads so it will be wonderful to catch up with them.

Now I'm finally going to get around to replying to a few recent comments left me:

- Kim B, I purchased several of my Tralala charts from The Thread Basket. Great service, and my orders arrived very promptly to here in New Zealand.

- Maren, I'll try to remember to write up my lasagne recipe in my next post.

- Deb, yes, I am using the DMC threads listed in the Betsy sampler. I hope to work some more on this tonight so will have a new progress pic to share next time.

- Alice, I can't seem to find an email address for you so can you please email me? my address is in my profile.

Have a happy day!

Part Three Ackworth RR

2009-06-27T14:11:00.003+12:00

Poor little Hannah has been very sick over the past few days with a nasty flu virus - we've had her to the doctors twice to get checked over, and now fingers crossed, she's on the mend. I've been at home most of the week with her so I've a bit of extra time to stitch and sew while she's been napping.

I've finished my blocks on Nicki's RR and its now on the way to Barbara.

Nicki has chosen a great colour combination for her piece, it looks wonderful and it was a pleasure to stitch with the lovely silk thread. You can more progress on our RR here.

I've started two new projects this week - Ladybugs and Bumblebees by Country Cottage Needleworks, and a funnel neck jumper for myself. I found a pattern in this book that I really liked and have chosen a lovely turquoise wool for it. Might take me a while though!!

Well Hannah is due to wake from nap very shortly so I'd better get going. Have a great weekend and I'll be back with some new progress pics soon, and also, to answer a couple of questions that have been left for me.

Bye for now, take care :)

A Stitchey Get Together

2009-06-21T10:08:00.003+12:00

Yesterday afternoon I invited Kath and our friend Clare to spend the afternoon and evening stitching at my house. Its been quite awhile since we last stitched together and we had so much fun stitching and chatting away.

I decided to start on Hannah's 2009 ornie - Knotted Tree Needlearts Santa from the 2007 Just Cross Stitch ornie magazine.

I also worked on Betsy a little. There's now a whole flock of sheepies- too cute!

Kath was working on one of her Leanne's House quilt blocks - looks wonderful :)

and Clare was stitching on a new project too, some Homespun Elegance Santas.

I made beef lasagne for our dinner -yum, my favourite!

Clare brought along a salad,

and Kath provided the dessert, some little date cakes that we had some butterscotch sauce with and it was delicious! What a lovely time we had :)

I sewed the buttons onto Hannah's new cardigan the other day - she loves it, calls it "pretty". She stood still long enough to snap a quick photo of it! For anyone that is interested in the pattern, it can be found as a free download at Ravelry.

You have to request an invitation to join and this particular pattern is called Boheme

I couldn't resist ordering this exclusive Just Nan biscornu recently and it came in yesterday's mail - I've got it all kitted ready to start later today.

Here's a small finish from earlier in the week, the 2nd of the Be Blox ornaments by Lizzie Kate.

Finally for this morning, when I was sorting through some photos I came across the ones of Hannah's birthday cross stitch that I framed recently and remembered that I hadn't shared a pic of it.

There's a bit of glare from the glass showing, I'd forgotten to take a photo before the glass went in, lol.

Hope you're having a great weekend, and thanks for the wonderful comments! See you soon!

Ahh its the weekend

2009-06-14T12:19:00.002+12:00

We're enjoying a bit of sunshine today, just what we need after some dreary cold winter days this past week. I might even head out for a walk later :)

Betsy seems to be a very popular design as many of you had mentionned you'd either stitched it or have it as a wip. Here's where I'm at after a few hours on it the other night.

Those sheepies are too cute!

Last night Zoe came to stay with us and this morning Hannah actually let her put a hair bobble in - they only last five minutes in when I try!

as you can see, Zoe recently lost one of her front teeth.

I have started on Nicki's RR but this weekend felt like stitching something quick and easy so here's the first of two Lizzie Kate Christmas ornaments from the Be Blox Kit.

And finally for today, guess what's finally seen the light over the past few days? My Leanne's House Quilt blocks!!

I recently had lunch with Kath and she got me all inspired as she's been working on hers - our friend Clare has been giving Kath some help with it. So I decided to get mine out on Friday afternoon while Hannah was napping. Here's Block 1 & 2 all done, just the stitchery work to do on them.

I can't believe I haven't done anything on this since early 2007!! I'm going to make this my Friday afternoon project over the winter months.

righto, I'm going to find some lunch then tackle the weekly pile of ironing :) Thanks for stopping by!

Knitting and a Betsy Update

2009-06-10T11:15:00.003+12:00

Can it be the middle of another week already? And its been a pretty full on few days too, with work and other things.

Hannah and I spent last weekend in Palmerston North, staying with my cousin Donna for a few days. We did a bit of shopping and went visiting, a change of scenery was just what I needed after being sick.

I haven't stitched much lately as I've been knitting for Hannah - since this photo I've almost reached the end, just need to measure the length on Hannah and cast off. A pretty quick project as the wool I used is very chunky. I'd bought two balls but will only need the one to complete it.

But when my stitching has come out, Betsy by Sheepish Designs is my current focus project. I really love the colours used in this. I chose to stitch it on 32ct Lambswool jobelan fabric, such a soft fabric.

I've actually stitched a bit more than in the pics, probably over 3/4's done now? I'll have to put this aside for a few days as Nicki's Ackworth Friendship RR is waiting for me to get started on it.

Looking forward to a few quiet days at home this coming weekend, we've got no plans except for my niece Zoe coming to stay with us Saturday night, which will be fun, and catching up on some bookwork for Glenn.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of the week!

A Long Weekend

2009-05-31T11:12:00.002+12:00

Its a public holiday here in New Zealand on Monday so we are having a three day weekend, yay! Last night Hannah went to stay at her Nannie and Grandad's so Glenn and I were able to go out for dinner with friends for a delicious meal at our favourite local restaurants.

I was up early this morning as I've been on a mission - to tidy up one very messy office/craft room. Whew, its finally all done! I'd actually started sorting through some things before I got sick and haven't been able to get back to it since so there's been boxes and piles of magazines, patterns, etc, everywhere. Now I can see the floor and my desk is actually clutter free. Boy, that feels good. My niece Zoe is having a gala day at her school in a couple of weekends time and they are looking for donations of goodies to sell, well, I have two boxes for Zoe to take along now, lol.

Just in time for the end of May, is another Christmas ornament I finished stitching on Friday:

Christmas Angel Ornament

Midsummer Night Designs

Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornaments Magazine

stitched on 32ct mocha belfast with DMCs

I've made some really good progress on the knitting project I showed the wool for in my last post. Its knitting up quite quickly so I might even get it finished in the next few days.

Later today I'm to a baby shower for one of my cousins - it will be lovely to catch up with some of my aunties and cousins. I'd better get going as I still have to wrap the gifts.

Have a fun weekend!

First May Ornie and Some Knitting

2009-05-28T12:24:00.002+12:00

At long last I'm starting to feel back to my normal self, still a bit snuffly and sore throat, but my energy levels have greatly improved, even since just the weekend. I've actually felt like stitching this week, some nights I haven't wanted to put it down to go to bed, but early nights are what I need at the moment.

This is the first of my May Christmas ornaments, a cute little design I've been wanting to stitch for quite some time.

Design: Jingle all the Way by Angie Williams of Sweet Pea Designs

Just Cross Stitch magazine December 2007

Fabric: unknown 32ct

Threads: DMC and Gentle Art Sampler

I mentionned that I've been knitting booties -this pattern is so simple. One of Glenn's aunties made some of these booties for Hannah and I found they were really good at staying on, lol.

I recently joined Ravelry -there are heaps and heaps of patterns on there I want to knit for Hannah, lol, this one I thought was just gorgeous. Yesterday I stopped by the local knitting shop and found some variegated wool that will be just perfect.

Lastly for today, here's a latest pic of Miss Cheeky, she's watching Barney on dvd :)

Have a great rest of the week, take care, bye for now!

Catching Up

2009-05-20T13:05:00.002+12:00

For the best part of a week now I've been quite sick with a nasty viral infection. I'm coming right now, so hopefully in a few days I'll be back to my normal self. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I've already had my fair share of germs for the winter season!

We celebrated Hannah's first birthday on the Saturday after her actual birthday with a few of our family and friends. Hannah and all the kids enjoyed themselves, and she loved her birthday cake :)

It was also Mother's Day here the same weekend so I made a few gifts for my lovely Mum and MIL, Heather.

These are the cards I made:

and some painted canvases - these are so easy to do.

From Hannah I received her first ever painting to hang on the wall, and DH took us out to a local newly opened family restaurant for dinner, it was delicious.

There hasn't been alot of stitching going on here lately but I've done a little bit of knitting,some booties, as I've got two close friends having babies early next month. I do have a new stitching start, Betsy by Sheepish Designs, so will share a progress pic next time.

Thats all for today, as always, thanks for your lovely comments and return visits. Until next time, take care :)

A Year Ago Today.....

2009-05-07T14:13:00.000+12:00

A year ago today we welcomed our precious darling daughter Hannah May to our family. I can't believe how fast the time has flown.

Hannah, aged 5 days old, May 2008

Having Hannah in our lives has been an amazing experience and I know its only going to get better.

Hannah, aged 11 1/2 months, April 2009

Our baby girl never ceases to amaze me with her boundless energy and cheerful nature, her laugh is infectious, and she is so busy, SO BUSY, a little exhausting at times for us, but we love to watch Hannah play and learn. I look forward to what the next year might bring.

Happy first birthday my darling, we love you, to the moon and back :)

Ackworth Friendship RR Part Two

2009-05-06T21:09:00.004+12:00

Its turned bitterly cold here today, brrrr, winter is well and truly on its way. I finished my pages on Anne's RR earlier in the week - I just love the thread colour Anne has chosen.

A few belated birthday treats from Carol arrived on Monday - Carol always totally spoils me, and as I haven't had any new scissors in quite some time, I was just thrilled with my new ones :)

She also sent a beautifully stitched and finished fob, and this sweet bookmark. Thanks so much Carol!

righto, I'm off to bed now, to snuggle down and start a new book, the Alchemist's Daughter by Katharine McMahon.

Last Finish for April

2009-05-01T09:57:00.002+12:00

I managed to squeeze in another ornament for April, Lizzie Kate's Santa Wants to Know. This one will be for my MIL, she'll get a good laugh out of it.

Design: Santa wants to Know by Lizzie Kate

Fabric: 30ct Northern Cross linen

Threads: Gentle Art Sampler and DMC

I'm going to have to get my turbo needles out this weekend and getting cracking on Anne's Ackworth Friendship Book RR, one block done and one block to go - Anne's colour choice is so lovely, I wish I had of thought to use a brighter blue thread myself. You can check out our progress here.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments and for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

All finished

2009-04-26T15:10:00.002+12:00

As promised, here's my finish of Jour de Cueillette by Tralala:

Design: Jour de Cueillette by Tralala

Fabric: 32ct cream belfast

Threads: DMC and Atalie threads

I can now take this to my friend to be framed in time for Hannah's first birthday early next month. Several of you have asked me where I bought the Tralala pattern - I purchased several of the designs last year from The Thread Basket - they offer a wonderful service, and quick shipping to here in New Zealand too.

Next up for this afternoon is my April ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challange:

Design: Pearl Angel by Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct opalescent belfast
Threads: DMC

I've had this little kit sitting in my To Do basket for a very long time, since it was first released, lol. As its too pretty to be put away until Christmas time, I found a spot on my bookcase alongside some of other stitched pieces.

Now for some very exciting news - Miss Hannah is walking! well, not consistently but she has been taking more than a dozen or so steps before she plonks herself back down, lol. This weekend she has really been up and about, golly me, she'll be running before we know it!

Tralala progress and lots of great books

2009-04-22T20:17:00.003+12:00

Earlier in the week I took this pic of my progress on Tralala's Jour de Cueillette. I sat up late last night to watch the final of New Zealand's Dancing with the Stars and actually got it finished so will have a completed pic to share in the next few days. It was a lovely stitch, I hope to stitch more by this designer sometime soon.

One of the local charity organisations held its annual secondhand Bookarama last Friday and Saturday, and I was able to be there when it first opened. This is the pile of books I got for just $15.00 NZ.

These will keep me going over the coming winter months don't you think?

The Pink Hare Sampler

2009-04-15T20:14:00.003+12:00

I can now share a little bit of secret stitching I did last month for an Easter gift for Kath:

Design: The Pink Hare Sampler by Ewe & Eye & Friends

Fabric: 32ct cream belfast

Threads: Weeks and GAST

I hadn't realised until Kath mentionned it but I used the same swirly green fabric in the little pillow I made her last Easter :) The buttons came from the huge collection of buttons we have at my work, it was alot of fun rummaging through them.

Many thanks for the comments on my recent posts - have a great rest of the week, and thanks for stopping by!

Good Friday

2009-04-10T14:28:00.003+12:00

Just in time for Easter, here is the little gift I stitched for Hannah, who probably won't be eating many chocolate Easter eggs this year, lol.

Design: Hoppy Easter Bunny by Barbara Ana, can be found here

Fabric: 32 count Ice Blue Beflast

Threads: DMC

Our poor wee girl has had a major dose of the chicken pox this past week, which seem to be rampant around our town at the moment. But she's on the mend now, thank goodness, and most of her spots have cleared up except for a couple on her face.

Yesterday afternoon Hannah was enjoying some quiet time in her bedroom with her pal, Poppy. I couldn't resist taking this pic :)

Yesterday it was my 35th birthday - goodness that came around fast this year. I had a wonderful day and got very spoilt with some great pressies from my family and friends. Glenn and Hannah gave me a lovely heart charm for my Pandora bracelet. We're celebrating tonight with our parents and a few friends coming around home for dinner.

Happy Easter, wishing all my dear stitching friends a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, whatever you may be up to :)

More Finishing

2009-04-08T09:52:00.004+12:00

Earlier in the week I made the redwork Christmas freebie into a small hanging pillow, and you can see the backing the fabric I used in the background.

B is for Bunny is now all stitched up too. I found this pretty fabric at my local sewing shop to make it into a pillow, it reminded me of small Easter Eggs.

Design: B is for Bunny by the Sweetheart Tree

Fabric: 28count Summer Khaki

Threads: DMC and Wisper

I'm really looking forward to our Easter break coming up - a four day weekend, yay. We haven't got much planned, except for a whole lot of outside jobs - tidy up the gardens, plant more vegetable seedlings, sweeping, etc, all those before winter jobs you like to get done.

I've kitted up a small project to start sometime over the break - Jour de Cueillette by Tralala. This will be for Hannah for her first birthday next month.

I have two more small finishes this week but I'll share them in my next post. Bye for now, thanks for visiting!

One more March Finish

2009-04-02T10:18:00.004+13:00

I managed to sneak in another March ornament finish earlier in the week:

Design: Freebie by Gazette94

Fabric: 32ct cream belfast

Thread: DMC 498

and here is this week's stocking progress:

Did I mention that I have started a new kit, B is for Bunny by the Sweetheart Tree?

I hope to have this finished in plenty of time for Easter next week. Some of the little bunnies are stitched with Wisper thread and its the first time in many years since I've used it, I think the last time I stitched with it was in Angel Proclaimation which I stitched years ago!

Thank you for stopping by, wonderful to hear from you, enjoy your stitching :)

Last week's Finishing and Stocking Stitching

2009-03-30T20:06:00.005+13:00

Hannah is really getting herself about now, crawling everywhere, walking around furniture, taking the odd step but not quite walking on her own - don't think its far away though. The other day I was sorting through some washing and of course, my little girl has to help me :) She has so much fun throwing everything out, then putting it back in, and then climbing in the basket too.

Over the recent weekend we had my cousin Donna staying with us for a few days so we could both attend our local high school's 50th Jubilee. It was great catching up with some old school friends, some I hadn't seen since my university days.

I found a little bit of time for some finishing last week- here's Happy Bunny Bunny Day made into a flat fold.

I also made some good progress on Hannah's stocking too - got the wing done, that took ages.

This week I'm intending to tackle the dress part - lots of red stitching coming up. I did have a new start last night, just another small Easter project, B is for Bunny by the Sweetheart Tree.

as always, thanks for the lovely comments you leave me, I always enjoy hearing from you. Have a fun week! until next time, be happy!

A Mon Ami Pierre Pin Keep

2009-03-26T11:04:00.002+13:00

Here is the little pin keep I gave my dear friend Wendy for her birthday earlier in the week.

Design: A Mon Ami Pierre Freebie (found here)

Fabric: 32ct cream belfast

Thread: Rose of Sharon Belle Soie silk thread by Crescent Colours

This was the first time I've stitched with Belle Soie, and very nice to stitch with it was too :)

Stocking Sunday and an Easter finish

2009-03-19T11:25:00.005+13:00

Last October I started a Shepherds Bush stocking for Hannah, the Anna design, and didn't get too far on it at all. So I've decided to start stitching on it on Sundays and Mondays each week.

before Sunday and Monday

after

I really enjoy doing these stockings, very easy and they stitch up so quick using the DMC pearl 5 threads. The fabric I'm using is 18ct natural floba.

With Easter now only a few weeks away now I've got several small Easter designs that I'd like to get stitched. This one had been kitted since early 2008 and I just didn't get around to any Easter stitching last year except for an exchange.

Happy Bunny Bunny Day -The Trilogy

stitched on 32ct mocha Belfast

Weeks, GAST and DMCs.

Last night I started another Christmas ornament, another freebie I found here, and I also finished a small design for a friend's birthday coming up. Its been a very productive week!

A Little Bit of Finishing

2009-03-13T10:46:00.002+13:00

My cold from last week turned a bit nasty on Monday so I ended up spending the next few days in bed. But I'm on the mend now, nearly back to 100%.

Here's Hannah wearing her jacket I finished the other day. Its been cool enough here this week for her to be rugged up in winter clothes. Like the expression on her face ? lol

I got my March ornie made up too, its sitting on the backing fabric I used. I've been wanting to use this fabric for ages and thought it matched perfectly.

Yay, the weekend is almost here - first though, I'm heading into work later this afternoon for a bit of catching up. I'm hoping to get to the movies with Kath, my MIL Heather and our friend Patti Saturday afternoon.

Have a great weekend, whatever you might be up too, catch up next week!

Weekend Catch Up

2009-03-08T13:13:00.002+13:00

It was Zoe's 8th birthday yesterday so I made her a small banana cake with chocolate icing. She thought it was neat - then proceeded to eat all the lollies off it!!

The last few days Hannah and I have both had colds and sore throats that seem to be doing the rounds at the moment. Instead of getting my stitching out, I've been knitting, something I find much easier to pick up and down and not have to concentrate too much on while my head has been a bit fuzzy. I've had my first knitting finish for 2009, a hooded jacket for Hannah.

I started this at the end of last winter I think. Just need to sew a couple of buttons on.

Kath and I visited one of our favourite stitching places recently, Heirlooms (no website). Sherelyn had quite a few of the Nashville patterns but I was very good and only came away with these two patterns:

Holiday Holly Biscornu by the Sweetheart Tree and A Very Merry Winter by JBW Designs. I don't usually go for snowman patterns but this will be for a friend :)

Last night I finished up the first of my March ornaments for the 2009 Christmas Ornament Challenge.

Freebie from here

stitched on 32ct cream belfast with DMC 115

I really enjoyed stitching this, quick and easy, so might have a hunt through my freebie Christmas ornaments folder later to find some more similiar ones.

righto, I'm off to enjoy the sunshine and get out in the vege garden - there's 5 plunnets of vege seedlings waiting to be planted :)

Our Beach Weekend

2009-03-02T14:08:00.001+13:00

As it was forecasted, we ended up getting a lot of rain on Saturday but we didn't let it spoil our weekend away.

This was the view out the lounge window on Saturday afternoon:

And this was the view on Sunday morning, the two days couldn't have been more different!

We all enjoyed a long stroll down the beach after breakfast. I love this pic of Glenn testing out the water :)

Hannah enjoyed the fresh air with her Daddy too

our niece Zoe had a ball too, she was in her element. Later on in the day when it warmed up, lol, she even went for a paddle. I got wet up to my knees, and that was as far as I was going in!!

It was a super weekend and we all thoroughly chilled out and relaxed, which was the whole point to the weekend. I got quite alot of stitching done, I'd taken a small Easter design to work on, and read lots of my book. We all had naps during the weekend, or snoozie woozies as my Dad calls them, lol, so came back home yesterday afternoon feeling very refreshed.

Thanks for coming by here, and for the wonderful comments left about Blessings and Kind Wishes, really appreciate them.

Bye for now :)

Blessings and Kind Wishes

2009-02-27T10:27:00.002+13:00

Finally, a big finish for 2009.

Blessings and Kind Wishes by Blackbird Designs, stitched on R & R 28ct Flax Fields with DMCs and Crescent Colours.

finished 26th February 2009

Umm, what to stitch on next? I think I might get a few smaller projects out and I have some Easter designs kitted up too.

This weekend we're off to beach! We've hired a holiday house for the weekend. The weather forecast isn't looking too great though, lots of rain on its way, so we could be stuck inside unfortunately. Just as well I've packed loads of magazines, books and of course, my stitching.

Bye for now!