Finishing...blurgh!

In my previous post I promised to show a couple of Christmas ornies that I'd stitched. Unfortunately I only got around to finishing one of them. I'm pleased I'm not the only one who finds finishing a chore - I've read several stitching blogs this week where fellow stitchers have had a little grumble about finishing. I'll do anything to get out of it!! I must admit, once I'm done I sit and look at the finished piece for ages, enjoying the feeling of accomplishment. But, I can't help feeling that the few hours it takes me to finish a piece would have been better spent stitching!


Sapin Noel
Gazette94 freebie
40ct Natural Linen

A while ago, whilst watching Kirstie Allsopp's 'Homemade Home' I fell in love with a cross stitch pillow Kirstie was making. The image below is taken from the designer Emily Peacock's web page. Unfortunately the kit is well out of my price range, but I can drool anyway! Don't you just love those pom poms?! It seems that the programme had the desired effect as the designer was experiencing a huge order back log since the show aired (despite the huge price tag!).



I owe a big THANK YOU to Lainey who sent me a glorious package last week. After reading about my quest for 'Santa's List' she sent me lots of images of Santa cross stitch charts that she has in her stash and wondered if I'd like to stitch any of them. One that caught my eye was 'Charming Santa' pictured below. It's taken from Better Homes & Gardens 'Cross Stitch Christmas 2002'.



I would love to use the called for charms, but when I had a look on 123stitch.com it would cost me in excess of £15 just for the buttons and charms! I think a little compromise may be in order.

Lainey didn't just send me the chart though, she included all of the goodies pictured below (there is also a set of gold beads not pictured - Iris snaffled them to wear before I could take a photo!). I'm well and truly spoiled. She also sent a copy of the key from Lizzie Kate's Baby Sampler. I mentioned in my previous post that my DD stuck Peppa Pig stickers all over my copy of the key. Thanks so much for remembering Lainey - so very thoughtful.



The news on 'Spirit of Christmas' is that I've almost finished! Hopefully in my next post there will be a photo of it all done and dusted. I've really enjoyed stitching it, in fact I couldn't put it down at times. I'm glad that I gave myself until October to stitch it though. I find that If I give myself unrealistic targets I just don't bother doing anything at all!

I'll leave it there, got to fit some more stitching in whilst Iris naps. I'm itching to get 'Spirit of Christmas' finished before March arrives!

Regards,

Christina

Ruched Ribbon Returns!

As the title suggests I have at last made my peace with ruching ribbon! It's still not the easiest (or quickest) of finishes for me but I really like how it looks once I'm done. My latest 'ruching' episode was for a birth announcement ornie. My sister's best friend Laura had a baby girl last month. She's such a lovely person I couldn't resist putting 'Spirit of Christmas' down for a couple of evenings to get this done. I used Lizzie Kate's Baby Sampler with my own choice of DMC threads. This wasn't intentional, but my DD decided to stick Peppa Pig stickers on the key of the chart and when I peeled them off, half the chart came too!





'Baby Sampler' #115 by Lizzie Kate
32ct Ivory Linen

Harriet is such a lovely name and they've already shortened it to Hatty which is so cute. Luckily it wasn't on our list of girls names!

Feb 1st was the posting date for the latest Seasonal Exchange round. I got to stitch for Michele which I was really pleased about as I was already a follower of her fantastic blog. She sent me a lovely email yesterday to thank me for the ornie that I sent her. Sigh of relief, another parcel reaches its destination in one piece and the recipient likes it!


'Holly House' by Elizabeth Designs
JCS Christmas Issue 2008

In my last post I mentioned my quest to find 'Santa's List' by Cross Stitch & Country Crafts. I managed to trace a book on Amazon that has 101 CS&CC designs including Santa's List - hoorah! It only cost £4.50 inc postage...bargain!
But take a look at the chart...wowzers, it's going to be a killer. I counted over 70 DMC colours. The chart is tiny so I'm going to have to try to make an enlarged working copy. Do coloured charts copy well? I've never tried it before. I'm also going to change the names on the list to match those in my family. I love how I get these fancy schmancy ideas, like it's going to be so easy to do!




YIKES!!

Below is my progress on L&L 'Spirit of Christmas'. I'm definitely on track to get this finished by October 30th (uh oh, famous last words). I'm really enjoying stitching it, although the million shades of white, cream, light grey on the trim of his coat were a bit of a nightmare, especially in false lighting. How am I going to give this one away? It's a good job I'm really fond of my Aunty Margaret or Santa would definitely be staying with me!


'Spirit of Christmas'
13th February 2011

I'll leave it there for now. I do have a couple of Christmas finishes to show but I'll save those for next time. I'm going to have a wee snooze on the sofa for half an hour or so. My friend and I took Iris on a walk by the Thames this morning so she could feed the swans and it's left me shattered! Only 7ish weeks to go...how will I cope with 2 munchkins to look after?!!!

Regards,

Christina