The Tiny Modernist Mystery Sampler

 For the past few years I've signed up the Tiny Modernist's mystery Christmas Sampler. It starts on the 1st September each year with the first part of the chart being released, then parts 2, 3 and 4 follow through until December.  

It soon becomes a "non mystery" though, as I can never keep up with the parts being released ha ha.

I have totally enjoyed stitching this fun design and the colours used are so bright and cheery.  I made this my focus piece late February and have pretty much only stitched on this during the week, with smaller projects on the weekend.

I think this will make a lovely Christmas cushion so I will take it along to my local sewing shop to match up some backing fabric.

Fabric used was 32 count Prehistoric linen by Fox & Rabbit and the recommended DMC threads.

See you soon x

A few finishes, family and sunflowers

 Hello friends

I have a couple of finishes to show today, these were both stitched last year and I made them into ornaments last week.  

A Classic Christmas by Hands on Designs, stitched on 32 count vintage mocha, made into a pillow, Lady Dot chenille trim.

Joyful Santa, 2022 Annual ornament by Homespun Elegance, stitched on 32 count cream belfast linen, made into a pillow, Lady Dot chenille trim.

My other sewing job last week, ribbons for our ballerina's new pointe shoes. Hannah recently had the opportunity to have a ballet class with some of the members of the Royal New Zealand ballet company, a great experience for her.

As it's been awhile, here's Mr Diesel, the goodest boy. Last weekend Glenn went away on a fishing weekend and Diesel was a bit sad, he sat by this window for quite some time after he left. 

We recently had our lovely nieces, Alice and Sally, come to stay for a few nights with us, and Buddy their black labrador. It was so good to spend some time with the girls, and Diesel had so much fun with Buddy. 

Some days I get to do some really fun things at my work, and this week we took our clients out to a local sunflower field.  It was the perfect weather for viewing sunflowers, they were amazing. We got some awesome photos of everyone.

On our way back into town we stopped at the scenic lookout, where you view our town, Waipukurau, beside the Tuki Tuki river.

I made many wishes in this wishing well as a kid ha ha.

See you soon x

Welcome to the North Pole

Sorting out some photo files on my computer, I realised I hadn't share any photos of this cute design which I finished stitching at the end of December.

Welcome to the North Pole by Primrose Cottage Stitches, stitched on 32 count platinum belfast linen with the recommended DMC threads. 

Such a cute project, I'm not sure how I'll fully finish this one yet so into the finishing box for now.

See you soon x

Stitching finishes, new stash and other news

After the past few weekends away in our campervan (still need to share photos from last weekend), it was lovely to be at home this past weekend, catching up on jobs around the house, getting lots of stitching done and catching up on some sleep, lol.

Hannah and I went along to a local production of Snow White on Sunday afternoon. Several of the younger girls from Hannah's dance school were in the cast so it was wonderful to see them perform. The show was really funny and had lots of great songs, we really enjoyed it.

It was held in one of our beautiful town halls - the CHB Municipal Theatre.

Sunday was a rainy day so perfect to spend some time in the kitchen, baking and prepping some food for the week ahead. I made Pappi's savoury scones for lunch, these are so yummy. Recipe can be found here:

Next up was Fay's mumbles, a slice we enjoyed for morning tea on our rail cart trip back in October. 

I've been working on getting through a pile of stitched ornaments and have nearly finished getting them completed ready for gifting.

2020 Wee Santa by Heart in Hand Needlearts

Dancer's Friends by Teresa Kogut.

I received a few charts in the mail recently from Farmgirl Dry Goods, two new and one older Brenda Gervais charts.  All of these are going to be kitted up so I can stitch on these during December and January. Can't wait to start the sampler!

Enjoy the rest of the week, see you soon xx

All the Stitching

 Lots of stitching happening here lately - as well as my own projects, I've been stitching away on ornaments and a few gifts for Christmas and birthday presents.  I'd really like to get a few things finished as I have several new charts on the way from the US, the 2023 Jingle Ball is coming up and there's bound to be lots of lovely patterns released for it, and I have several other projects waiting to get started.

During the recent long weekend I pulled this lovely chart out and made a start.  It's the first time I've stitched a Silver Creek Samplers design. I'm using some cream linen from my stash and the recommended threads. 

Over the winter months here, I stitched a lot on this cute design and now only have the last part to go, Welcome to the North Pole by Primrose Cottage Stitches.

For the past two years I've participated in the Tiny Modernist's Mystery Christmas stitchalong and decided to join this year's - The Night Before Christmas. 

Part 1 is done - I'm using the recommended threads and the linen is Elephant Run by Fox & Rabbit.

Several Stitching with the Housewives ornaments have been stitched and finished. 

Have a fun weekend - see you soon xx

More ornament finishes & end of September

Hello friends, I have two more ornaments fully finished, both stitched earlier in the year.

You know Dasher, which is a freebie design by Helen D, the Eastcoast Crafter and can be found on this page, scroll down.

Peace on Earth is by Misty from Luminous Fibres Arts:

I have several more finished, I just need to sew on trims, etc.  

Two charts arrived in the mail at the end of the week from Art & Frame in Christchurch. I'd been looking forward to getting both of these charts and over the weekend I started the Wee Santa, I love the colours used in this year's Santa.

Mr Diesel has been living his best life while Hannah has been on school holidays, spending lots of time curled up with her, all snuggly and sleepy, watching movies together. So cute!

Over the past few months Glenn has been working on another project, the outside deck and giving it a make over, relining the walls and painting to freshen up. As part of this, we have started painting the outside of our house, so now the wall on the inside of the deck has painted. It's going to look so different once the whole house has been completed but this might take awhile over the summer months.

It's been awhile since I did any weekend baking so I enjoyed making a few treats recently - chocolate fudge slice:

Chocolate chip muffins 

Jars of sunshine, or lemon honey, using a bag of lemons and eggs given to me a friend.  

Yum, this is so delicious on toast in the mornings.

I can't believe it's now October and last weekend Daylight savings hours started. Our spring weather certainly has been a mixed bag lately, very cold over the weekend after some lovely days, and fresh snow again on the ranges near here.  

Later this week Glenn and I are off on little trip away for a few days, the destination is somewhere here in New Zealand that neither of us have been to before. Starting in Taumarunui, we are doing a two day rail cart journey, staying overnight at the famous Whangamomona Hotel, then finishing in Stratford, Taranaki. Should be lots of fun!  

See you soon xx

Ornament Finishes x 4

Lately I've been working on getting a pile of stitched ornaments from earlier this year fully finished. Even if it's just a half hour at a time at my sewing machine, I'm slowly making good progress.

Yuletide Angel by the Humble Stitcher

Santa's Tree Farm, from the roundabout series by Stitching with the Housewives

Merry & Bright, another cute design from Stitching with the Housewives

The 2023 Santa by Prairie Schooler

Have a fun weekend, see you soon xx