A little bit of progress

Good morning everyone! I just thought I'd post a quick update on my latest WIP. I'm  enjoying every stitch on this All Our Yesterday's design called Dolly's Stroll. It's going to look even better when the finishing touch of the backstitch gets added. Still got a few more crosses to stitch before that point though. Here is my progress as of last night (sorry for the wrinkles!).

My days have been filled with Uni work. We have more assignments this semester than any previous one, so it's a case of getting my head down to work hard. It's not all hard graft though. I'm off to a tea party this afternoon with some fellow Creative Writing students. I'm very much looking forward to it :)

I hope you have a lovely day planned too.

Best wishes,

 

Stitch From Stash Update: January

Here I am with my first Stitch From Stash update! It's been a very busy month for me, but I always find time to pick up my needle. I find it so relaxing after a hard day of study. 

Money spent: £0 - not a penny! I'm saving up for when I truly need some new things.

Finished WIPs:

So pleased to have finally finished the Pokemon Project completely! These three are displayed in Lawrie's room at University. He says he's very proud to own something I've made specially for him. He is a sweetie, isn't he?

I finished up this sunflower bear this month too. It was a nice and gentle stitch. I'm hoping to finish it up soon so that I can gift it to my grandmother.

I finished this little Halloween ornament too this month. I have two more of these kits in my stash. I've got this idea of Halloween themed bunting in my head, using these designs. Let's see if I can pull it off!

New starts:

This All Our Yesterday's design has progressed a lot since this picture, but I haven't had a chance to update it. I think this will definitely be a finish for February. 

I've started a couple of card designs this month too. Using scraps of fabric and leftover threads from kits, these two will be finished in no time. 

There we are, my first post for the month. I'm determined to post every month, fingers crossed I can!

Best wishes,

 

Full Team

Hello everyone. Lawrence just sent me this picture and I had to share it with you all. I've finally finished the Pokemon project for my lovely boyfriend :) Here they are all together:

Just a quick post from me today. I've just completed my first week of work experience at Ransom Publishing. It's brilliant and I'm learning so much. But this week has left me feeling rather sleepy, so I'm lining up pyjamas, stitching and good DVDs for tonight!

Best wishes to all,

A Good Start

Hello my friends! I hope you've all had a fabulous start to the New Year. I know the weather is not making it easier for any of us. I've never known rain to be so continuous. Still, it's the perfect excuse to stay inside and stitch :) My only stitching-related New Year goal is to keep up with the Stitch From Stash posts. I'd like to get my post in for every month, and stay within budget of course :) I'm doing well so far, not a penny has been spent. 

I have my first finish of 2014 to share! Hurrah! I started this little guy in December. He sure helped get me through the last few days of last semester. I think he's got a very sweet face :) 

I'm hoping to make him up into a large scale ornament and send him to live with my grandmother :) We'll see how long it takes me to do just that :P

And I have my second finish of 2014 to share! Hurrah hurrah! This was a cute kit I had in my stash. I decided to leave off parts of it, including the backstitching. It's just how I wanted it to be :)  

It needs to be fixed on the hanger you can see in the picture. Then it will be all ready for Hallowe'en :) I have a couple more of these kits in my stash, so I'm sure they'll be making an appearance soon.

And finally, I have my latest start to share. Cath really did spoil me with a birthday parcel full of lovely kits. I've pulled out another one to help me think of summer days when the wind is howling outside. I really love All Our Yesterdays designs, long time readers will remember this is not my first pattern from this range. You can see other designs I have stitched here.

I think this piece will keep me out of trouble for awhile :)

This week is all about getting ready for my final semester. I can't believe I'll be all finished with Uni by the summer. But I'm trying not to think about that just now. I'm just going to take things one day at a time :)

I hope you are cosy and warm wherever you are!

 

Stitch from Stash 2014 Planning

I'm looking forward to the beginning of the Stitch from Stash challenge. Mel from Epic Stitching is running this year-long event and I'm so excited to be taking part.

I thought this was the right time of year to have a sift through my stash and dig out some projects. Do you know, I don't think I'll have to spend much at all this year! I unearthed some real treasures, including some pieces that I have been generously gifted with over the years since I started blogging. Here's my selection of designs I've got lined up, as soon as I've finished my current WIPs of course.

I have no idea which one I will be stitching first. I shall have to see what I feel like :)

I also dug out some cross stitching magazines that I knew I had. Most of my magazines have been organised into files, but I kept these three whole. They've all got lovely designs in them, so I've got plenty of projects to be getting on with!

I am in awe when I see pictures of stunning craft rooms. I keep all of my crafting supplies in various boxes around my room. I didn't realise I had half the stuff I've rediscovered during my sorting out today. Who knew I had 7 pairs of scissors?! 

I wish you all warmest wishes for the New Year. I can see 2014 being a very exciting year for me :)

 

Season of Joy

Hello all! Well, I'm having a fab time in Glastonbury. My mum is spoiling me rotten! I've had all manner of sweet treats and goodies throughout this week. I'll need my running shoes lots when I get home :P

I hope you all shared a wonderful Christmas with the important people in your life. I'm so pleased I arrived in Glastonbury early. I travelled here last Sunday, which was just before the big storms hit. I don't know if I would have made it if I left it any later. I felt grateful that night to be tucked up in my bed, safe and warm from the howling weather. We only had a little damage here, a bit of flooding in the cellar. After watching the news, it seems Glastonbury got off lightly!

On Christmas Day, we spent it quietly at home, watching movies, eating and drinking - it was perfect. I was very lucky to receive lots of presents from my parents, ranging from the practical to the pretty.

My mum's pristine Christmas tree!

Lovely presents for me - socks/cake slice/books/DVDs/mugs/fancy cake wrappers and toppers/napkins and a box of my favourite chocolate Brazil nuts :)

This is the gift I'm most pleased with. The photo has decided to sit the wrong way round, but you get the gist. Mum made me this cushion after I mentioned to her about my back. I sometimes get pain in my lower back and I know it's because I don't sit properly when I'm writing or stitching. Now I have this great cushion to help support it. It was such a thoughtful present.

I couldn't resist buying myself a gift just before the big day. I stopped buying cross stitch magazines when I went to University. Firstly, because I couldn't justify the expense and secondly, because I already had quite a few! But if you can't treat yourself at Christmas, when can you :)

There are lots of charts in this edition of CrossStitcher, as it came with a free booklet filled with retro charts. I must admit, I picked this one over the others in the shop because of the Camper van chart. I do love the old fashioned Camper vans! This is probably going to be my last stitching related purchase before the Stitch from Stash challenge begins. Is anyone else joining in with Mel's new group? I signed up straight away! Not only will it help me save money and stitch up a few things that have been hiding away in drawers, but I might win prizes too! Do let me know if you're taking part as well :) The original post explaining all is here. 

I head back to Winchester tomorrow after a wonderful week in Glastonbury. I will cherish the time I have spent with my family, but I am looking forward to returning to my independent life in Winchester. New stitching projects await!

Best wishes to all, and Happy New Year!!! 

Festive Cheer (picture heavy!)

 Thank you all so much for the lovely comments left on my last post. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, filled with friends, family and food!

I thought I'd do a picture walk today of all the Christmas goings on in my student house. I'm so looking forward to be spending Christmas with my family, but it's still nice to spend time with my house mates and decorate our house too :)

Here is our humble tree, complete with presents and home made decorations!

I'm sure you will recognise these little ornaments from my previous blog posts :) It's great to finally be able to display them properly. 

Also on display for the first time this year is my framed CCN Gingerbread House.

We had our house Christmas meal on Thursday, seeing as most of us were travelling on different days to get home. We didn't take the traditional route for food. We had a Mexican night! I was on cooking duty, which I love. I take such joy in preparing food for others, that we can all sit around the table and enjoy. I made two different types of chilli and a batch of rice, and we also had home made guacamole and Christmas tree-shaped tortilla chips! Very festive!

White rice and veggie chilli (sweet potato, spinach, peas, onion, kidney beans)

Meat chilli in the slow cooker (beef mince, pork mince and bacon)

After we were thoroughly stuffed from our delicious meal, it was time for presents! I received such a wonderful gift from my house mates. It was so thoughtful and perfect for me :) 

Isn't it charming? It's a wooden suitcase that's been decorated to look vintage. It's just so pretty and I love it! But even better, there were more goodies inside. 

A DVD from my wishlist, two vintage style coasters (I collect these) and an X-men comic. 

I feel truly lucky to have been given such a gorgeous gift. Big thank you to Kathryn and Lucy!!

I feel spoilt already and the big day isn't even here yet. I'm travelling tomorrow. I've got my tickets and booked seats so it should be fine, but you never know with our railway systems. Fingers crossed I make it to Glasto in good time. Yes, I am taking my stitching on the train :)

Best wishes and Merry Christmas,