It's now April

Hello friends,

thank you for your condolences, and kind and thoughtful messages, it really means so much xx 

Today I'm going to jump back in and start sharing my recent stitching projects, and what else I've been on working on over the past few weeks.  Although our weekends and evenings after work have been filled with lots of admin tasks, and the process of sorting Glenn's Dad house, shed and workshop, I've been trying to squeeze in as much stitching or reading as I can. Presently I'm trying to get a few older projects completed, some ornaments stitched and I have had one new start, for Easter. I have some new goodies on the way, some Nashville releases and other charts from my wish list, threads and fabrics.  These I'll share when they arrive. I also had a very special delivery, all the way from Japan, with an item I'd been wishing for a long time, so once I get some photos sorted, I'll share that here too.  

I think with all the sorting, tidying and decluttering at my father in law's house, I must have been in the right frame of mind as I've made a small start on the absolute "mess" that is my craft storage/office.  In the past year, this small room has become our junk storage space. I hadn't done any sewing in there for ages, and there's piles of stuff, fabric, etc just waiting to be sorted out.  During the summer holidays, Glenn and I rearranged our garage, moving our chest freezer and fridge to other side, creating space for a new store cupboard to go. Glenn finished making this last weekend and we've been able to move quite a bit of stuff out of the office into there. So now I can get stuck in, when I have the time, go through absolutely everything and rearrange to make it work better. A friend of mine is organising a fabric de-stash sale in June, so that's my goal to have it all done by then as she'll take any of my unwanted fabrics, charts, etc.  Watch this space!

I'm not sure why, because this I love the colours in this design, but I hadn't stitched on this project for ages. I'm using all the recommended threads and 36 count Black Swan linen by Fox & Rabbit. 

Another of my focus projects recently, please excuse the wrinkles, Green Coat Santa by Teresa Kogut. I'd started this mid year last year, could have been during #jollyjuly? I'm stitching this on 32 count natural linen and the recommended threads. 

Lastly for today, here's our handsome boy, we are so lucky to have Diesel x

See you soon x

And just like that, it's July

How did it get to be July already, the last few weeks seem to have just whizzed by and here in New Zealand we're now fully into winter with some chilly days but also sunny days which help to keep the winter blues away.

I'm getting through my pile of stitching to be finished ever so slowly, ha ha.  This design by Primrose Cottage Stitches was my choice for April's ornament.

Then for May, I chose Winter Blessings by Plum Street Samplers.

Each week I pick one of my sampler projects out of my stitching basket to focus on, and then over the weekend I'll pick up something "small" to stitch on. Lately it's been these cute designs by Satsuma Street, Lolly Claus and Candy Claus.

 

They have been a lot of fun to stitch, I haven't stitched anything on perforated paper for a long time. I have several others in the series to stitch over the coming months.

Finally, I finished these socks which I'm pretty sure have been on the go for over two years! The yarn is by Mondim and I used the Basic 4ply Sock knitting pattern by Christine from Winwick Mum. 

My knitting mojo has well and truly returned as I've also been doing some knitting for a friend having a baby in August.

We try and get out walking with Diesel as often as we can, and this past Sunday was fairly warm while we walked by the river. We have several good tracks to pick from.

Of course, Diesel doesn't hesitate to jump straight in the water! 

This was my recently pile of library reserves. I've been reading a lot lately, taking my book to read during my lunch break, otherwise I'd have my lunch and go back straight to work.  

Have you read anything good lately?

Now I'm off to kit up one or two new projects for Jolly July, have a happy week.

See you soon x

Now it's June

Hello friends, it's now officially winter here in New Zealand and where I live, on the east coast of the North Island we've had some settled weather, a tad cold but mostly sunny days and not a lot of rain lately. This morning we had a boomer frost and it was only 1 c when I left for work. Brrr, out came the handwarmers!

This past weekend we enjoyed a three day weekend thanks to King's weekend on Monday 3rd June. We had no plans except for the usual jobs around the house and I was able to get outside for a few hours on Sunday in the gardens, get the vegetable gardens tidied up and the lawns were mown. There's still a few vegetables growing in the garden - lettuce, silver beet, and the winter seedlings are in too - spinach, cauli, brocoli and cabbage. Glenn worked on his latest project, a small pergola coming out from the deck by our laundry door and also spent a day out cutting firewood. Hannah enjoyed a few nights' away at her friend's house, and I also spent a few hours with my Dad, popping up to Hastings to collect some painting materials, having a coffee at one of the local cafes, and visiting his brother, whom we hadn't seen in a few months. Other exciting news this week, Hannah now has her Learner's Drivers licence so her driving lessons can begin! This was the theory test and she can sit the practical, or restricted licence at the end of the year. She was so very excited!

Now for some stitching news - I recently came across this little freebie chart by Teresa Kogut, you can find it here as well as some other great freebie charts.

I used the recommended DMC threads and the linen is a piece by Fox & Rabbit, which I can't recall the name of.

Last week's sampler project out of my stitching basket was This Happy Morning by Plum Street Samplers, I couldn't get an accurate photo of the colours. I started this back in April 2023 and I'm using the recommended threads and Fox & Rabbit's Black Swan linen.

I feel much better about being able to get some finishing done recently, the little pile of things to work on has been growing! 

Here's a couple of Hands On Designs ornaments - from Oh Christmas Three, a pattern I bought during the 2022 Jingle Ball.

As it's been awhile since I last shared a photo of Mr Diesel so here he is, enjoying a spot of sunshine recently. 

This lovely boy brings us so much joy and laughter. He loves a good snuggle, and will cozy right up to me at night when I'm stitching, and snore away quite loudly, it's so funny.  He's going to be two years old next month.

Enjoy the rest of the week, see you soon x

Time for a WIP Parade

Hello friends, recently I decided to get out all my projects and have an ironing session so I can share a WIP Parade. Loading up these photos, I've realised I didn't get a current progress pic of the Shepherd's Bush stocking I have on the go, Martha. It's been awhile since I lasted stitched on it but will share an update another time.

First up, is a new start I had during my summer holidays, Christmas Parade by Cottage Garden Samplings. Featuring Santa and his forest friends, I couldn't resist this design.  I'm using 32 count Fossil Fox & Rabbit linen and the recommended threads. I had so much trouble stitching Santa's beard, I had to restitch parts of it several times!

Another start I had in early December, The Light of Winter by Brenda Gervais. Stitching on 36 count Ballet Slippers by Fox & Rabbit using the recommended threads. Sadly, I haven't picked this up since so must get back to it one day soon.

Humming of the Bees by Blackbird Designs, started September 2022, stitching on 36 count vintage mocha Belfast linen, using recommended threads, another project I haven't worked on for ages.

Next up, Plum Street Samplers This Happy Morning, which was one of my birthday starts last April. This washed out photo is not really showing the colour of the linen correctly, which is 36 count Black Swan by Fox & Rabbit, using the recommended threads.

Oh Joyous Day by Blackbird Designs, started way back in September 2020, a stitch along with my friends Clare and Nicki, the fabric is 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus and using the recommended threads.

Winter Rose Manor by Brenda Gervais, also stitched on 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus, not too much to go now but why did I leave all the house stitching til last??

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.

Kringles by Little House Needleworks, started in 2020 during our first Covid lockdown, this has been quite neglected but I pull this out every now and then. Stitched on 32 count smokey white Belfast linen.

Wilhemina by Fox & Rabbit, which was a Patreon club chart last year, I'll try and finish this before this Easter. This chart is being released for the Nashville Market.

I also have the 2023 Tiny Modernist mystery Christmas stitch along on the go to, which I'll have an update for next time.  

Two other projects from my stitching basket, I've decided not to continue with so both have been "let go" - that felt good as I know I'm not interested in stitching the designs anymore.  

Do you have any stitching goals or plans for 2024? Are there any charts you are looking forward to being released during the Nashville Market? 

See you soon x

April - three new starts & new goodies

Over Easter weekend I started three new projects and I am thoroughly enjoying each one. 

First up, my birthday start was This Happy Morning by Plum Street Samplers and I've chosen to stitch the dark version.  I'm using the recommended threads and Black Swan linen by Fox & Rabbit.

Next up was the 2022 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand, I love these sweet little pillow designs. Fabric and buttons included in the kit.

A fun project to work on over the coming winter months is going to be this lovely chart by Primrose Cottage Stitches. So cute and the booklet is amazing, so easy to read the chart.

I received some lovely crafty birthday gifts from a couple of my friends - cute fabrics for project bags and DMC threads.

Patterns of my wish list from Misty at Luminous Fiber Arts.

More pretty fabrics, dishcloth cotton and yarn for making handwarmers, and a small Nurge stitching hoop. My friends at work have gone crazy for Nurge hoops and we all stocked up from our local sewing shop so are currently waiting for the next order to come in.  

One of my friends also made me this gorgeous project bag - the stitched piece is by Cosford Rise Stitchery.

See you soon xxx

This week's Stitching Round Up

This year, for the first time in quite a few years, I decided not to participate in Stitchmaynia, but instead, focus on getting some good progress made on a few of my already started projects. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have already seen these progress pics.

Lois Stocking by Shepherds Bush- I don't think I've stitched on this since last winter!  I'd better get a move on with it as I have plans to stitch another two stocking designs this year.

I've now almost finished the 2021 Christmas stitch along by the Tiny Modernist, this has been a fun project to stitch.

Back at the start of May I did start a new sampler, This is the Day by Plum Street Samplers. I just love the colours in this design.  I'm using most of the recommended threads and some cream linen.

A little parcel arrived during the week - these are the mini scissors by Cohana. I'd been on the lookout for these for quite some time so when I came across a NZ stockist, I couldn't add them to the shopping cart quick enough!

We've had some very mild and sunny weather here this week but it looks like wind and rain are coming for the weekend.  I've got lots of gardening jobs to do but they may have to wait for another weekend. Glenn has started work on our second bathroom, we're replacing the ceiling, shower and toilet, and also, he has been remodeling the cupboard in the hallway where our hot water cylinder used to be as we've recently switched over to gas. It's going to be wonderful to have additional storage shelves.  Another home project in future weeks is replacing our existing fire place and relocating the new one to another part of our lounge.  I'll share some update pics next week.

Have a fun weekend - see you soon xx