Sunshine Times

I have been enjoying such a busy week this week. My and my mum went to look around Winchester town and the University that I'm going to next year. It's the most gorgeous town, and we found an amazing haberdashery and craft store that I couldn't resist buying a few trims from. I'm saving these up for summer when I've got so much more time to do finishing. Other days this week, I've spent the mornings revising and filing all my work and then the afternoons stitching or scrapbooking. We've had such wonderful weather in England recently that one afternoon, I sat outside and finished this little cutie.



It is a freebie from Kreinik called Halloween Cats and I think it's adorable. I didn't have any of the Kreinik threads it called for, so I just used odds and ends I found in my stash. I'm really pleased with this one, and it gave me a nice boost as it's been awhile since I've finished anything.
I'm still thoroughly enjoying every stitch on Nature's Beauty. Here's where I'm up to on this piece . . .

I think I'm about half way through on this one and I can see it being the project I relax to after hours of revising.

If you get the chance, pop over and see Sarah at Kiwi Gets Crafty. She is a new blogger that I've only just discovered and she's a student too! Sarah is learning all kinds of crafty things, as well as cooking and baking; check it out.
I'm spending the Easter weekend with my boyfriend and we've got a big roast dinner planned! And lots of chocolate of course :) I hope you have a lovely Easter, spending time with family and loved ones.
Best wishes,

Another Giveaway

This time not from me, but from the lovely Angela at Hooked on Finishes. Angela does such beautiful finishing work and she's offering to make a chosen finish for the winner of her Third Blogaversary. Just click on the picture to go over and have a look, it'll be well worth it :)

Drumroll please!

So I didn't manage time in the week for an update, but I did make time to announce the winner of my very first giveaway, in celebration of my first blogaversary. The winner will receive this little pile of loveliness which includes; spring finishing fabric, some 32ct Belfast Linen, scissors, a skein of Duchess thread and some chocolate, because it's Easter :)

And my soon-to-be-finished surprise bookmark too.

I decided to go old school in drawing a name, as this was my first giveaway. I of course used very technical equipment . . .

And the name my father drew out was . . . (I would have taken a picture of the paper too, but this evening light wasn't good for my flash camera)

. . .

. . .

Nancy, from Cross Stitches and Kitty Kisses!!

Congratulations Nancy, please email me your address and I will get the parcel out to you as soon as possible. - My email is on my profile :)

Thank you all so much for entering my humble giveaway, it means a lot to me :) I'd love to have more giveaways and more community projects. I think the summer will be the time to hold them though, I've got exams to get through first! I hope you're all having a joyful start to Spring, and I hope to be back with another post before Easter - she says :)

Best wishes,

Announcing My Giveaway!

And only one day later than planned :) This giveaway is just a small parcel in celebration of my very first blogaversary. It contains fabric, some threads and a few other treats. I'm afraid I don't have a picture to share as it's still coming together.

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this parcel, just leave a comment ON THIS POST ONLY. There's no need to post a link to your page, but if you would like to, that would be lovely. I will be drawing the winning name on my blogaversary day (next Saturday) in the evening. I will hopefully post the prize soon after.

Good luck to all! I'll be back with a stitchy post in the week. I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful weekend,

Sneaky Peek

EDITED: Sorry about the pictures! I hope they're showing up alright now :)

What a fortnight it's been! We're wrapping up all the schoolwork before the Easter holidays so I've been a very busy bee typing up all my coursework and notes, making revision packs and extra reading etc. etc. Then last week, I was struck down by one of those awful bugs that cause horrible sickness. My mum thought it might be food poisoning, but we couldn't pin down what I'd eaten to make me so sick. I was out for four days; I couldn't even stitch! So between schoolwork and sickness, I haven't been able to do as much stitching as I would like to. My Nature's Beauty is coming along rather well though . . .

I can't wait to have this framed and on my wall! In other news, I have been putting together my very first giveaway. I will warn you now, it is not by any stretch of the imagination a very large giveaway. It's just a neat little package ready to gift someone who takes enjoyment from my blog :) I'm not very confident in my finishing techniques yet, but I am making something stitched for the winner - a bookmark! I won't tell you what it is, just give you a sneaky peak. I can tell you it's a design from a British based company.

My giveaway will be announced on Saturday, so make sure you look out for it :) We've got a week to go before we break up for the holidays. I know I'm going bowling and watching the royal wedding (of course) but other than that, it looks like I've got a lot of revision in front of me. At least stitching will provide some light relief :)

Have a wonderful week,