Advent Calendar

I'm not going to make any further excuses about my lack of blog posting - I'll just get on with sharing some stuff and pretend the gap never happened LOL.

I've just finished up this advent calendar panel for Connor.  I made Lia one (different design) years ago and of course now she wants one like his because it's bigger.  Pointing out that the pockets are the same size hasn't changed her mind LOL.  So I've told her she can't have one this year as I'm in the middle of making three more of the same design for my nephew and two great nieces...

I'm pleased with how this came out as I did a lot of the quilting by hand- the holly leaves and stars (which I did with glittery gold thread) and a few other little bits.  You can't really see from the pic but I put a hanging sleeve at the top so it's all ready for two weeks time.

I have another seven of these panels (not all the same design) but I'm totally box-pleated out for this year so the other kids destined to have one will have to be patient.

1st Fat Man finish

A better picture this time although the fabric colour is still washed out.  'Snowed In' by Lizzie*Kate stitched on a one-off hand dyed fabric.

I shall be putting him aside now and picking up a WIP again.  If I can get another finish this month I'll do the next Fat Man...

Here we go a Haunting

My fourth finish for this month! It was also my first new start of the year. It's a kit from Shepherds Bush and I was lucky enough to get on of the limited edition versions that came in a small wooden box with the design on the top. I'm not sure what I will do with the box but I know this will be heading to Karen V after payday...

More finish finishes

Again, these have been done by Karen V's Finishing Service so I can take no credit for the finishing other than saying yes, your choices of how to finish my stuff are fab LOL.

TW's Tempest in a Teacup pinkeep

The Trilogy's Secret Snowdrift ornament

CCN's Joyful Summer wall hanging

I had the hanger in my stash - I'm not sure if it's a bit small but it'll do for now for sure.  To be honest I'd totally forgotten about it otherwise I'd have asked Karen to put the hanging loops a bit further apart.  Still I can always do that myself at some point.

Yet again I'm really pleased with the results and two of them are already hanging on the walls. I'm now trying to decide what will get sent next. I'm hoping to get a few more batches done between now and Christmas as I think after that money will be a bit tighter. Plus I don't have that many smalls left to have made up so it'll be more a case of stitch something and then send it to Karen.

I also received my invoice from Drema at Needlecraft Corner in the post today.  No we won't discuss the amount, but it does mean the package should arrive in the next few days.  Not only that I caved, emptied out my dragon money box, and ordered a Layer Cake and Jelly Roll of Moda's Trick or Treat.  Naughty I know but I also know I'll regret it if I don't and then can't get them.

Finally on the stitching front, I should have a fourth happy dance this month as I'm very close to finishing my Shepherds Bush Here we go a Haunting.  One more evening of stitching on it and it should be done.  I'm also pretty sure this will be in the next batch I send to Karen.

It's been really busy here the last week and a half.  Since getting back from visiting my family we've been all over the place visiting friends and tomorrow our Goddaughters are coming for a couple of days and I'm bravely taking them and my two to London for the day on Thursday!  My Aussie cousin is due to spend the day with us on Saturday (she's on a whistlestop tour) and then Sunday DH is running another half marathon.  Connor's back at nursery on Monday and Lia at school on Tuesday when I'll be back at work.

I think I'll be going back to work for a rest LOL.

4 Wishes Finish!

Wow, three finishes this month, that's some kind of record for me LOL.

So here it is, a bit wonky but I'm sure you'll forgive...

Not bad for a WIP that started out like this in January:

I did make a couple of alterations - I left of the final snowflake band as I think it's better without it plus I started it and felt it just didn't show up very well.  I also didn't stitch the over 1 acorns in the Autumn band, basically because I couldn't be bothered and I don't think the piece loses anything without them.

There's an error in one of the verses (an extra thread between letters) and an error in the border on the left corrected by an extra thread at the bottom.  Unfortunately for me I'm a bit picky about things like this and I know that I'll always notice the errors.  I'm not correcting them now though, I'm hoping that I can convince myself I don't need to LOL.

Birth Sampler Finish

Yay, it's done!  It's finally done!!!

I finished it up last night and I am unlikely to ever do another one.  The stitching is boring (all those greys) and the backstitching is awful but they are cute when they're done.

Apologies for the crap dark pic, I might try for a better one over the weekend.

This is for my 2nd Great Niece - I did one for her older sister back in 2007 and so couldn't refuse doing another even though I really wanted to LOL.

Noah's Ark Afghan Finish

Finally!  The child this was bought for is now 4, I started stitching it for Connor before he was born and now I'm going to gift it to my Godson's baby brother who is five weeks old LOL.

I can safely say I won't be doing another printed afghan ever...

Snowman Trio Finish

Yay, finally a finish.  These are Snowman Trio from Stitching Kitty done on a piece of 'Cosmos' from Polstitches.

They've been a WIP for quite some time and I'm happy they're finally done.  They've been added to the pile of 'Karen's Finishing Service' wants LOL

As usual picture is clickable for a bigger version.

Halloween Night HD!

So here's my first HD of 2011 - Halloween Night by Shepherds Bush.

It's stitched on the recommended 20ct Cappuccino WDW Linen using Weeks, GAST and Crescent Colors with buttons from JABC. It was quite a quick stitch (3 over 2) but all the back stitching in the top section was a big of a pain! The fabric is more yellowy IRL - it's a bit washed out thanks to the flash.