Seaside Stitcher

IHSW

2012-01-23T13:40:00.000+11:00

I worked on 3 projects and didn't get as much stitching time in as I would have liked.


HM - Just a touch more blue


Rochelle page 5 © HAED


Winter Whites © LHN

Weekly wrap up of stitching
2 New Starts
0 Finishes
Hours stitched
25.10

Hope everyone has a wonderful stitchy week.

Annette B

Thursday where has the week gone

2012-01-19T09:30:00.000+11:00

I can't believe we are on the down side of this week. Where did it go to.

Firstly last week's Stitching wrap up.
1 Finish and 1 Start.
Total hrs stitched for the week: 12.10hrs

This is the January Cottage © CCN that I started last week. I am waiting for the colour for the roof to arrive, hopefully today.

January Cottage © Country Cottage Needlework

Also this week I started a new one. I am not saying what the pattern is called just that the initials are HM and it is from Cross Stitch Gold.

HM © Jane Netley Mayhew - Cross Stitch Gold

The next 10 rows and you will be able to guess it easily. Till next time have many great stitchy days.

Annette B

A couple of Finishes

2012-01-13T11:02:00.000+11:00

I have no idea where time goes to. One minute it is Sunday the start of a new week and the next it is Friday. Had a busy week with my SIL staying over the week-end and she headed back home with her beautiful grandchild on Tuesday.

I love tennis season as it is a good excuse to sit and stitch............LOL

First finish is Sentimental Xmas Trio. Now I just have to hang them on the wall.


Sentimental Xmas Trio - Jenny Reynolds

Handmade Vol 29 No 8

Time: 7.45 hrs

I also finished stitching Wisdom © LHN. I love how this turned out and now I just need to cover the back with felt and do a hanger for it. This has been my first LHN for 2012.


Widsom © LHN

Threads: Crescent

Fabric: Lt Mocha 28ct

Time 12.25 hrs

So please stay warm of cool depending on where you live in this world.

Old Blue Jeans

2012-01-03T17:52:00.004+11:00

I loved stitching this block. It tooke me back to my youth when life was fancy free and we had not a care in the world. The pace of life was definitely slower and then there were the days at the beach working on a tan. I remember my first pair of jeans with flared bottoms, a matching denim jacket and a checked red shirt.............the height of fashion............LOL.


Old Blue Jeans - Some Kind of Wonderful

Block 4 © Annie Downes

First FInishes

2012-01-02T11:20:00.000+11:00

I love these designs by Jenny Reynolds of Elefantz There are 3 designs but I have run out of the staples that I am using to staple the fabric onto the back of the artist canvas. These designs were in the Christmas Issue of Handmade Vol 29 No 8. I am so pleased with how they turned out and they are too nice just to bring out at Christmas time so I am going to hang them in my craft room all year round.


Sentimental Xmas Duo © Jenny Reyonald

Handmade Vol 29 No 8

I like the idea of the artist's canvases and I am going to try and mount a cross stitch on them and just see how it turns out.

I do hope everyone is enjoying their time off and getting lots of stitching done. As the holidays season finishes and the reality of the New Year set in I hope and pray that you will all be safe.

Annette B

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:37:00.003+11:00

Where did 2011 go and why does time have to go so fast - or am I just getting older.

As I look back over the past year it was one that I do not want to repeat. At one stage I was so sick, they told me I had pulmonary fibrosis and had 5 years to live. I put my life in the hands of our dear Saviour and friend and after lots of tests the decision was reversed to one of bronchiectasis, while not life threatening is serious. A simple cold turns into something major. They are not happy with my lungs at this stage and are considering putting me in hospital to have antibotics given to me in a drip.

I have so many things to be thankful for, my Daughter and her fiance arrived home safely and how wonderful it is to have her living close again. I have a family that love me so much. I also have a church family who are caring I am so blessed in many ways.

This year our church is doing a daily Bible programme and also reading the book called The Desire of Ages, which is about the life of Christ. It is one of my favourite books besides the Bible.

So from my house to your have a Blessed New Year.

Getting around....

2011-12-22T10:56:00.000+11:00

I am just getting around to updating from the International Hermits week-end. Things have been rather hectic around here. DH's brother (who is mentally handicapped and suffers severe epilepsy) had a fall and broke his neck. They won't operate to put a metal halo because if he has another fall, it will sever his spinal cord. The sad thing is that he can't understand what is going on. Some days he knows who we are and others he doesn't. He just want's to go home.

I did have a finish though.


Elizabeth McGuire © LHN (Dear Diary Series)

28 count natural linen

DMC threads

Hours: 15.20

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This one has been a UFO for toooooo long. So will try and finish it off in 2012. I have also kitted up my projects for the New Year. Can't wait to start them now.


Sweet Nectar © Dimensions

Hope everyone is up todate with their Christmas preparationgs - I know I'm not.

Annette B

2011-12-14T11:21:00.001+11:00

Hot off the press is Block 3 of Some Kind of Wonderful. I love how this turned and I just adore the colours. I have started stitching Block 4.


Cup of Tea © Annie Downes (Some Kind of Wonderful)

Here are a few of my Snowmen that I collect. I don't quite know why I luv Snowmen but I just do.


Meeting of Snowmen

Have a wonderful week what is left of it

.Annette B

Rites of Spring Finished

2011-12-12T10:04:00.001+11:00

This will possibly be my last finish for the year. I love the soft palette of colours. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a full alphabet to personalise it. I was lucky that 2 of the letters were in my initials.


Rites of Spring © Blackbird Designs

Fabric: 30 count Angel Hair

Threads: Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works

Hours: 27 hours

I also worked on Elizabeth McGuire © LHN and maybe I will finish this before the end of the year. I am really enjoying stitching on this piece.

Snowman Kisses © CherryWood Designs is such a fun stitch and it stitches up fast.

My new designed added to my rotation in Sweet Nectar that I have been trying to finish for about 2 years or even more. It is really beautiful and I am over the 1/2 way mark.

Annette B

All Thumbs

2011-12-07T07:45:00.001+11:00

Have you ever had a stitching day where you had two thumbs? Well yesterday was that day.

I worked on Some Kind of Wonderful Cup of Tea Block and kept sewing the background fabric together and then there was the needle threading - all day long I had trouble threading the needle.

Then there was the reverse stitch which happened quite a lot yesterday. Somehow I think I should have quit for the day - but like a devoted needleworker I took the good with the bad and carried on regardless.

This is some of what I worked on last week. My rotation for 2012 has already been changed. I am now going to work for 10 hrs on a project and then move on. I realised that some weeks will be busier than others so to give every piece a fair chance this is what I will try.

Snowman Kissess © CherryWood Designs

Elizabeth McGuire © LHN

I have been wanting a little outdoor setting to put in the courtyard outside our bedroom so that I can sit and do my Bible study in the morning and then sit and stitch throughout the day. We found one that was perfect and at an even better price then we expected. I have been looking forward to using this so much BUT guess what, the weather has been abysmal and is set to continue on like this for the rest of the week.

Where did Summer go, it is too cold to sit outside as well as overcast and rainy and looking at the weather map this morning it looks like we are going to get more rain in a short while.

May you day be filled with laughter and peace.

Annette B

WIP Wednesday and 2012 Goals

2011-11-30T09:09:00.001+11:00

It had come to that time of the year again where it is nearly over - where did it go.

I am getting in early and changing my rotation and will trial it in December to see whether it is achievable. I have decided to do a project a week for 4 weeks and then I will start at the beginning of the rotation again. I am also going to have a Monthly Focus project. I also want to add in there a BOM and Designer for the year.

The Designer that I want to stitch this year is LHN/CCN and see how many I can stitch in a year.

So December is going to look like this.
Week 1
Rochelle QS HAED
Week 2
Rites of Spring - Blackbird Designs
Week 3
Sentimental Xmas Trio - Handmade Vol 29 No 8
Week 4
Snow in Love -LHN

MONTHLY FOCUS is
Snowman Kisses - CherryWood Designs (a new start)
BOM
Some Kind of Wonderful - Annie Downes
LHN
Elizabeth McGuire - Dear Diary Series

Yikes when I write that all down it looks a lot. We will see how I go. I think I need to grow another pair of hands.

Last Month I Focused on Please My Angel Wings Take Me Away © HAED, I am doing this as a SAL with my friend Kim and here is what I have done so far.

PMAWTMA - page 2 completed

I have been stitching on Terra © HAED as a SAL with the BB. I love this piece and how it looks - the greens are so pretty and she is a joy to stitch.


Terra 3 pages

Till next time.

Annette B

Week's stitching

2011-11-28T11:20:00.001+11:00

These are what I have been working on this last week.

I managed to finish Block 2 of Some Kind of Wonderful

Singing in the Rain - Block 2 - Some Kind of Wonderful

I also finished off the the pillow for the Dear Diary Series that I am stitching - this one is Kindness. I am doing them all on one piece of fabric. I also started the Sampler..

Kindness - LHN


Elizabeth McGuire Sampler - LHN

I have been working on Sentimental Xmas Trio Stitchery by Jenny of Elefantz. These are 3 stitcheries that were published in Handmade Vol 29 No 8. I finished Peace and will stitch the other 2 before mounting them. They are beautiful and easy to stitch.


Peace Stitchery - HandmadeVol 29 No 8

I have just been to the Drs and all their computers are down, so I have no results yet from the tests done. I have to ring them this afternoon. I have developed a throbbing headache, so will go and down a few painkillers.

May you all have a wonderful week.

Annette B

I won

2011-11-24T07:55:00.001+11:00

A little while back I entered a competition in Homespun to win some Lynette Anderson fabric. You had to write in 25 words or less about animals and what they mean to us. When the date they were picking a winner passed and I didn't hear anything I promptly forgot all about it. It was a few months later when I got a notification from the PO that there was a parcel to pick up, I couldn't figure out what it might be as I hadn't ordered anything.

Even when I saw the name Universal as the sender it still didn't twig until I got home and started to open the parcel and saw the Congratulations letter. So here is a picture of the beautiful fabric and I am not quite sure what I am going to make with yet.
Annette B

Flora

2011-11-23T09:44:00.001+11:00


Flora for Circles of Life BOM

Isn't this the most beautiful fabric. These are the fat eights that I am using for Circles of Life BOM that is in the Elefantz Magazine. As soon as I saw these at the Fat Quarter Shop, I knew that they were the ones I wanted to use for this Quilt.. I had to wait for them to become available but I can assure you that the wait was worth it. Also the ladies at the Fat Quarter Shop were wonderful to deal with. I could spend hours drooling over the fabrics on this site.

The green feathers and yellow red flowers fabric under the fat eights are for the borders around the blocks. Now to find time to start this Quilt. Ohhh to have more hours in the day.

The weather today is just stunning, so I am enjoying it while I can as big storms are predicted over the next few days. Have a fantastic day everyone.

Annette B

International Hermit Week-end

2011-11-21T08:51:00.001+11:00

I was a real hermit this week-end and I loved it. It was just what the Dr. ordered - stay home and stitch. The only time I went out was to buy some strips to test my sugar levels. I hope everyone else had a productive week-end.

I worked on a few different pieces. I finished the Patty Cake block for Somekind of Wonderful SAL and started the Singing in the rain Block

The next piece I worked on was a square in the Dear Diary series by Little House of Needleworks. I am making a large pillow out of the little extra designs in this series. I finished Julia Flynn a little while ago and am now working on Elizabeth McGuire.

Lastly was Rites of Spring by Blackbird Designs- I just love stitching on this piece. I am about 2/3rds of the way through.

Annette B

This and That

2011-11-20T10:19:00.001+11:00

Finally I have gotten around to taking some photos. I have been having a really yucky time with my health. A simple cold on the chest again and my sugar levels are off the planet. They have come back, but I am eating basically nothing to keep them at a reasonable level but even then they are not within the normal range.

I have also joined in with the International Hermit and Stitch Week-end. I have managed to do quite a bit of stitching which I will share with you tomorrow.

So here is what I have been working on - Odd Couple was my Focus piece last month and I was really pleased with how much I managed to get done. This is for my DS & DIL.

Odd Couple

I finished Love Never Fails a while back and realised that I didn't post a picture of it finished. I just need to find a wall hanger for it now.


Love Never Fails © Val Laird

May God Bless you and keep you safe in the coming week.Annette B

Stitching Mojo Back

2011-10-28T12:07:00.001+11:00

The stitching mojo is back but at the moment it is finding time to stitch.

My beautiful daughter is back from overseas and planning a wedding in just under a years time. At the moment she is only working casual and is hoping to pick up a teaching contract for next year. So when she get the chance she is down here and we are having a wonderful time making plans.

When she is working full time we will not have as much time together so I am just treasuring the moments together - the stitching can happen later.

I have finished a few things.


Joy of Christmas - Gail Pan - A Christmas Club design

The Joy of Christmas - I am so pleased with how this turned even though I didn't use Christmas fabric.


Rites of Spring - Blackbird Designs

The colours are so beautiful and so antique looking. The threads are a mixture of Weeks Dyed and Sampler.


Love... Block 1

One down and only 9 to go. I loved stitching this block and can't wait to start on No. 2.

I have also been working on Od Couple as my monthly focus piece. I have pulled all the fabric for a SAL
of Some King of Wonderful by Annie Downes. I have everything I need to start now. I also ordered some fabice from the Fat Quarter Shop to do The Circle of Friends by Jenny Elefantz, I have been waiting it seems forever for all the fabric to come in.

I did finish the Love Never fails Quilt but just realised that I didn't take a photo of it, so it can wait till next time - which hopefully will not be as long as last time.

Annette B

Trying out blogger app

2011-09-09T07:38:00.001+10:00

Just a small post to see how it works
.

I seem to have lost my stitching mojo, so.if anyone finds it please tell it to come home.

WOW Wednesday

2011-08-11T09:26:00.001+10:00

I have had a much better week. I still have a hacking cough and I see the Specialist Monday, so hopefully he will have some answers. I am sporting a swollen finger as I mashed it in Nathan's wardrobe door. It is still throbing. That will teach me to look at what I am doing.

This week I finished Christmas Card Holder and just love it.

Front of the Christmas Card Holder


Inside already filled with cards and names.

I also am working on The Joy of Christmas a beautiful stitchery by Gail Pan, it was the first pattern from Cookies & Cream Christmas Club. I love this. I had this beautiful batik fabric that is the perfect colour and the binding will be in the same green as the prairie points.

The Joy of Christmas - Gail Pan

To see what everyone else has been up to go and check out Esther's Blog.
Till next week God BlessAnnette B

WIP Wednesday

2011-08-03T15:42:00.000+10:00

How can a simple cold be so complicated. The lung specalist has told me that I have bronchiectasis, I have had further tests and am trying to come to terms with it all. I caught a simple cold which turned into major complications and am informed that this is what will happen every time I get a cold. The Dr. put me on 2 types of antibotics at once, his words were "We rarely do this, but it is a case of keeping you out of hospital." I am starting to feel a little better but have lost my voice at the moment.

I have been working on a Christmas Card Holder designed by Ann Francene Dimmer. The pattern is from Handmade magazine.

Close up of the embroidery on the front

Front and Back


Inside

I am really pleased with how it is looking and thanks to Jenny of Elefantz (she has a timely tutorial on doing binding and mitred corners) I am now ready to stitch the binding down and add a few little emblishments to it and then it is finished.

I have also been working a little on Sweet Nectar - this is a long time UFO


Sweet Nectar - Dimensions kit

To see what everyone else is up to on WIP Wednesday go and check out Esther's Blog

May God bless you and give you peace this week.

Annette B

WIP Wednesday

2011-06-29T15:43:00.001+10:00

Thank you all for your kind words. I managed to get in to see the Lung Specialist on Monday as they had a cancellation. He is doing more tests and is quite worried about my heart rate, so I am off to have an echocardiogram. I also had to have another CT scan of the lungs, this time with dye injected. He told me I am a very complicated case.....LOL. Nothing is ever simple.

This is my first time with WIP in progress Wednesday run by Freshly Pieced so go and check out what everyone else is working on.

Love Never Fails

This is what I have been up to the last week.

I finally got the back and wadding cut out after 3 botched attempts. I have hand quilted in the ditch around the squares and now have to hand quilt around the applique. Not much more to go before it is finished and hanging on the wall.

Odd Couple

I also stitched some more fish on Odd Couple. Next week there should be a little more pink in the piece.

Odd Couple 1.45hrs
Rochelle 1.55 hrs
Terra 2 hrs

I also cut out the material for Ladybird Delight Cushion. Have to finish picking out material for the applique.

May God bless you all and have a great week.
Annette B

Computer Problems

2011-06-26T08:22:00.000+10:00

This is just a short note. My computer refuses to connect to the internet, I am using DS computer at the moment and am not able to upload pictures.

I have also been having health issue and have been diagonised with a serious lung disease. I am really positive at this stage and see the lung specialist in 2 weeks time. In the meantime I am stitching up a storm. If you could please remember me in your prayers I would be most grateful.

God bless

Love Never Fails

2011-06-14T08:47:00.000+10:00

Mini Quilts

Yesterday while the guys watched Formula 1 - I turned my mini quilts, I now just have to stitch in the ditch around them, next it is onto the Quilt itself.

Love Never Fails is a quilt designed by Val Laird her Blog Journey of a Stitcher can be found by clicking on the above link.

The sun is out and there are clothes on the line, the breeze is quite cool, but who cares we have SUN!!!!

I am off in a few minutes to teach Scripture at 2 Public Schools, this is just so rewarding.

Catch you all later.

Annette B

Julia Flynn's Diary

2011-06-13T08:47:00.000+10:00

While having a browse around Blogger, I discovered a new Widget you can add to your Blog. You can now follow a blog by email. I love it and have added the Widget to the left hand side of my Blog. Consider adding one to your blog. When you subscribe to follow by email, you get all emails delivered into your inbox.


Julia Flynn - Little House Needlework (Dear Diary Series)

I love this piece with the little sheep. The pattern was given to me a couple of years ago as a Christmas Wish. I am going to do Elizabeth McGuire next in the series.

I am not sure how I am going to make them up. I am thinking maybe a Quilt or something.

The extra patterns in the Dear Diary Series - LHN

I am doing the extra patterns in the series into a cushion. This is it so far.

It is a long week-end here in Australia and the weather has been miserable, cold and rainy. I need some SUNSHINE, although the weather lends itself to stitching and reading.

Catch you all later and I really appreciate the comments you leave.

Annette B

Ladybug Delight

2011-06-06T08:02:00.002+10:00

Ladybug Delights

These are the fabrics I have chosen to do a cushion with. It is called Ladybug Delights. There is applique and stitching on the front, it should be easy to make up and I have chosen these colours to go with the colours in the lounge room.

I am off to the Drs. this afternoon to get back some results from blood tests and xrays taken last week. I am sure that everything will be fine and that I am worrying about nothing.

What stunning weather we have been having, just beautiful sunny days and cold nights, it takes one's breath away seeing the crystal clear colours.

Check out the Monday's Show and Tell at Cookies and Cream

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Odd Couple

2011-05-31T08:13:00.000+10:00

Where does the time go? I wish I knew.

I started this one for DS & DIL, I am really pleased with the progress so far and the colours are such a treat to work with.

I have been tidying up my craft room and repacking my craft books and materials that are in our storage shed under the unit. I will admit to stopping and looking through lots of patterns and wishing I had more time to stitch.

Life had been hetic in spurts - we had a Bible Boot Camp last month and I think we are all recovering from this. What an amazing time this was.

I am off to teach Scripture this morning and then hitting the local patchwork shop for a couple of pieces of fabric.

BOPS is finished

2011-03-28T14:57:00.000+11:00

I just love how this turned out. It is stitched over 1 on 28ct Silkweaver, Robin's Egg Blue. It took me nearly 37 hrs. I have enough room to put another Stiletto underneath this one.

My next start is Peacock Holiday, I have already done 1/2hr on it. It looks lovely against the hand dyed fabric. It also shouldn't take long to stitch. The hardest part will be doing the beads around the edges of it.

My DS and DIL should be here sometime this week, I am looking forward to seeing them both. The removalist loaded their furniture this morning. DH said that they would like our wooden dining table that is in storage underneath the unit. That means that I will be able to access more of my stash........Yayy.

We are having a very busy 2 weeks coming up as our Church is holding a Bible Boot Camp run by Arise Institute. I am so excited to be able to attend. There is still a lot more work to be done before it commences on 2nd April.

Have a great week and God bless you all.
Annette B

BOPS

2011-03-21T15:25:00.001+11:00

Bird of Paradise Stilleto

I have also updated my HAED Blog.

I can't believe how beautiful this is turning out. I am hoping to finish her this week. I must say though, I would hate to be in a crowd standing next to someone who was wearing these shoes, that point looks deadly.

I am so excited my DS & DIL are moving to within an 1 1/2 hrs of us. They will be here early in April.

Each day also brings my DD closer to coming to coming home. I can't wait to see her face to face.

Till next time.
Annette B

Bird of Paradise Stilleto

2011-03-07T10:36:00.000+11:00

I have updated my HAED Blog too.

I started this one and just love stitching on it. I am stitching it over 1 on 28 ct fabric. It is a very light Blue which doesn't show up real well. I am waiting for some threads to come from 123 to fill in some of the gaps. Hopefully it will be here today.

DH is going to have surgery on his wrist tomorrow, so it will be an early start to the day for us. I hope that they can finally fix it so that he is not getting so much pain.

These were the most amazing clouds that I have seen they were like big puff of cotton wool and the whole sky was full of them all day. It was incredible to see them.

Here is a picture of a beautiful rainbow from last week, it was a double rainbow but it didn't show up when I took the photo.

What a wonderful world God made for us to live in. It never ceased to amaze me when I see his handiwork everywhere.

God Bless

Annette B

A Delft Snowman

2011-02-14T15:25:00.000+11:00

There is not a lot to post about this week. I did start Bird of Paradise Stiletto but not worth posting a picture of it as it was mainly gridding. I have mainly worked on my HAED's this week and you can see the beautiful progress here

I couldn't resist a picture of the cute snowman my DD sent me. She bought it when she went to Holland. It is so beautiful. Have a very stitchy week everyone.

A Sorta Finish

2011-02-07T12:56:00.000+11:00

I have updated my HAED blog too, so go and check it out.

I guess technically I cannot call Deirdre a finish as I ran out of beads - I need another 8 would you believe. I have ordered a pack from 123 stitch.

The fabric is much brighter than that too.

I love how she has turned out.

My next start is Bird of Paradise Stilletto on a pale green 28 ct evenweave. I am going to be stitching this over 1.

Here is my wrap up for January 2011.

I stitched 73.40hrs.

Started
Terra - HAED SAL
Please My Wings - SAL with friend
Sweet Christmas
Snow Globe
Deidre

Finishes
Cassandra - Letters from Nora
Sweet Christmas - christmas orn
Snowmen Gathering
Finished Snow Globe

Aquired 2 Aust. craft magazines which came with 3 back issues that I didn't have. 5 HEAD patterns, one a gift and one from birthday Club and 3 from the Rewards program.

I have to be pleased with that.

Have a stitchy week.

Annette B

Snow Globe

2011-01-24T13:50:00.000+11:00

I have updated my HAED Blog too so pop over and take a look at A New Day Has Come.

I have had so much fun stitching these little guys and am so pleased with how they turned out. When you look at the globe the stitching is magnifyed and looks really neat. The best part was the assembling together of the globe - it was nice and easy. Not like the LK ornament.

I have also included a picture of Sweet Christmas. It took me ages to get the twisted cording around the ornament. You simply cannot get that effect by letting the cords twist back on themselves. I ended up getting DS to hold one end while I glue it around the ornament. I am very pleased with how it turned out though.

Till next week take care.

Annette B

Snowmen Gathering

2011-01-17T11:33:00.000+11:00

I have updated my HAED Blog so pop over and leave a comment as I love to read them all.

Snowmen Gathering © Imaginating

I love this piece and love how it turned out. The stastitcs are under the Finishes tab. I finished it quicker that I thought and so will have to skip the next start an Ornament from the 2010 JCSC. I have ordered the fabric and threads and hopefully they will come in this week, then add another week before they arrive.

My next stitch is going to be a very quick stitch of 2 little snowmen that I hope to put into a Snowglobe. I will probably finish them before the fabric comes and next on my list is Deirdre - Letters from Nora.

Annette B

Two Finishes

2011-01-10T08:47:00.001+11:00

I have updated my HAED Blog too with a couple of new starts.

I am really pleased with my stitching so far this year. I finished off Cassandra and love how she looks with all the beads. The picture doesn't do it justice. It just sparkles and the fabric is a little darker. All the statistic's for here are under 2011 Finishes Tab.

I have also stitched a small ornament from the JCSC 2005 issue called "Sweet Christmas: © Lizzie Kate. I ordered the small candy and small gingerbread. I couldn't find the exact gingerbread so wasn't sure what size to get. I thought I had ordered the larger candy but hadn't. I still like how it turned out though.

I do hate the making up process and that is probably the reason I love to stitch larger projects. I need to make a trim to put around it and as I am very low in white I will leave that until I get my order from 123 Stitch which is due any day.

Next stitch will be to finish Snowmen Gathering - Imaginating. I am about 3/4 done on it.

Happy stitching till next week.

Annette B

Cassandra

2011-01-02T16:14:00.000+11:00

I worked a little on Cassandra this last week. I am pretty sure I am going to run out of the colour Deep Fennel. There is not much left to stitch so I am hoping to finish this off this week maybe?????

There is still a little bit of beading to do.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that 2011 is a good one. Well it has to be as DD is coming home and I can't wait.

Last night we went out with friends to the local Gourmet Pizza and Pasta restaurant. The pizza's were yummy and the staff very very good. It is always nice to enjoy a great meal with friends.

Last night vandals graffiti ed the front wall of our church. I can't understand why some people have no respect for other's property.

It has been hot and muggy all day so will be going for a swim later on. Take care everyone.

Nearly forgot to add I will be adding up my stitching times for the year 2010 - even I have no idea who much they are.
Annette B

Time to look Forward

2010-12-29T10:38:00.000+11:00

I have this obscession about Diaries and Journals. I love looking at all the pretty covers and imagine my life story inside them. This year is no different. I bought a Spiritual Daily Planner - I am looking forward to plotting my spiritual life in these pages and praising God for his goodness to me. I have another one out near the computer and phone to put appointments in and lastly one to keep a record of my stitching in. I love this one as it has the week on one side and a blank page on the opposite page so that you can write whatever you want. I love it.

I got an email from DD last night and it is only 3 1/2 months before they leave the UK. They will be travelling around before coming home in August. I will be counting down the days.

She sounded so excited in her email. I think that they will probably have trouble settling down once they are home. They have been travelling nearly 2 year now and just love it.

I am looking forward to 2011 and what it holds for me. Are you too looking forward to a New Year. It is like starting with a clean slate but it will not be long before there are permanent marks on it that cannot be erased. I am so glad that when I come to God with my sins he cleans my slate and makes it brand new. I am so thankful for God's unchanging love. One thing I have learnt in the past year. That the Bible is true, God cannot lie, God loves is unconditional, God never forces us to love and obey him and God always keeps his promises. Here's to 2011.

Annette B

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T15:37:00.000+11:00

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas spent with family and friends.

I just love this Christmas quote.

"God walked down the stairs of Heaven with a Baby in his arms"

Take care in whatever you are doing and keep safe over the holidays.

Annette B

Making a List and Checking it Twice

2010-12-23T12:51:00.003+11:00

No not a Christmas list. A "To stitch list". I have also updated my HAED Blog link at the top of my Blog.

I have added a 2011 Stitching Page just under the heading - just click on it to see the list.

It has been a busy week with 3 birthdays in the family. DS turned 30 last Friday. It hard to image that it was 30 years ago that I held a small bundle in my arms and cried when he had dislocated hips. I remember saying to him "I am so sorry, life is hard enough without having problems like this". How little we knew of the hard road ahead of us, dislocated hips were a minor problem. Nathan was officially diagonised with cerebal palsy at 3 yrs old and it wasn't till he was 5 that he walked. He also had a growth hormone deficiency and had to have injections every day. He has been in and out of hospitals for operations with a major hip reconstruction in his teens. He has had plaster boots to stretch his tendons numerous times. Nearly dying at the age of 8 from a fall that fractured his skull - it is a miracle that he is alive today and God had a purpose for his life. He now works for God by burning CD's & DVD's that tell of His love for us - these go all around Australia and overseas. Dear son you are an inspiration to so many people and we love you so much. It is also my DIL's birthday on the same day and she is the same age. She has been a welcome addition to our family and lastly my dear dear Mum who is 81. I love you Mum and am so thankful to have had such a loving Mum who has always been there no matter what.

Box of goodies

I have been busy in my craft room making my list - one of the girls who were around last Friday evening for DS birthday asked when she saw my xstitch "I see you multi-task". I love it - sounds more sophisticated than rotation don't you think.

I know there is a challenge out there to start 15 pieces in January and then finish them by the end of the year. I always seem to be drawn to large projects so that would not be possible to have them finished by the end of the year. I have instead chosen 15 projects - some UFO's and some new pieces. "edited to add that I have no intention of finishing these 15 projects this year" I have had such fun playing in my stash. I am all ready for 2011.

This is my box of all my projects for 2011. I will use a Random No. system to pick which one I will stitch on next. I hope everyone is ready for Christmas - ours in going to be a very very quite one with 2 of our children overseas.

Annette B

Crawling out of a hole

2010-12-16T14:29:00.000+11:00

I looked at the last date on my blog and cannot believe that a year has nearly passed by.

2010 is a year that I would like to forget completely. A year that consisted of nearly losing my eldest son. I had a fall off a chair and hit my shoulder that caused excruiating pain for over 2 months. I had it x-rayed and scanned but they could find nothing. I still get pain a lot of the time when I do certain movements. DH's wrist from his work injury nearly 2 years ago is still giving him so much pain. He is now to have a second surgery on it in the New Year. Then to top it all off my dear Dad was diagonised with an agressive cancer on his ear and last week they took off his ear. He is feeling very self conscious about it. I told him it was better to have a Dad without an ear than no Dad at all.

This is a really sweet kookaburra that was sitting on the balcony above us. He wasn't fazed at all - just kept calm while we took lots of shots.

I have been doing a little bit more of stitching in the last 2 months. I am changing how I rotate my projects to try and help me get some things finished. I have been working on Cassandra © Nora Corbett. I love the colours in this especially her dress. It has a lot of 1/2 stitches and can be quite tricky. I am nearly at the 50 % mark. The second half should go quite quickly as there is not much stitching.

Annette B

Ornie arrived and Library Update

2010-02-22T15:06:00.000+11:00

HEAD's Up for 2010 has been updated with a gorgeous pic of Crabby Crush so go check her out and feel free to leave a comment - I love to read your comments and always reply to those whose profile has an email attached to it.

I heard the postman on his bike going by - I raced out to see what exciting things there might have been in the mail - bill (someone else can have that) and jammed in the top was a parcel from the US with the senders name Bonnie on it. I contained my excited for about 1 sec and then torn into it. I was not disappointed either. Here was an ornament beautifully stitched and made up and my veeeeerrrry favourite subject too.

Isn't he the sweetest little thing.

I have been stitching on The Library too - it has been mainly boring block stitching but I love the way it is turning out. I am going to run out of overdyed threads soon - I didn't realise that the pattern called for 2 of nearly every overdyed threads when I ordered the pattern.

I am still a little way off finishing page 1 of this. Next up to stitch is Five Snowmen

Stitching Times this week not as good as usual.

Crabby Crush QS - 10.50hr
Sweet Nectar - 3.20
Fallen Santa - .59
The Library - .56

Weekly Total -16.05
Yearly Total - 150.37 (It is all adding up)

I am teaching Religious Education Tuesday mornings now which I totally love. These children are soo sooo precious. They are so eager to learn and hear the stories of Jesus. It might be the only chance some of them have of ever hearing about God and I feel privileged to be able to do this small task.

Until next time God Bless

Annette B

Ornament Arrives

2010-02-17T16:14:00.000+11:00

I had an email from Bonnie to say her ornament arrived so here it is in full. I decided to finish it off with beads. This was my first go at doing this and am really pleased with how it turned out. I didn't have enough fabric left for the back so I joined 2 pieced together using the same method for the sides with the beads and wrote both our names on the back and the year. I loved stitching him.

Not the best shot - didn't notice the shade on it till later

side on

back.

I have nearly finished stitching the Fallen Down Santa which makes up the 6 santa's in this series so watch out for made up ornaments in the next couple of weeks.

I feel a little like a train wreck today. I helped out with a Bible study this morning and this young woman is in such a mess and it was a really emotional time for me. I feel drained but I know that God loves her. We are having another one next week and I know that God will help her in her search for truth.

Till next time God Bless and keep those needles threaded and stitches crossed.

Annette B

Love is in the Air

2010-02-14T11:06:00.001+11:00

She sits there lonely and sad. There ORT to be more to life she thinks than being filled to the brim with ORTS red, green, yellow and blue.

From a far she hears a voice, "You've cORT my eye you pretty thing filled with rainbow colours. We ORT to go on a date and see the world.

So off they go - She so beautiful in her threads.

He so handsome buttoned up

First date to the flower show.

Such a handsome couple on Valentines Day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have updated my Head's Up for 2010 blog with Leaf and Crabby Crush.

Times for the Week

Leaf - 11.25
Snowmen Gathering - 4.28
Sweet Nectar - 3.14
The Library - 1.33
Crabby Crush - 1.55

Weekly total - 22.35
Yearly total - 134.32

Have a beautiful day filled with love and stitches.

Annette B

Snowmen Galore

2010-02-12T14:15:00.000+11:00

How many snowmen does one need? If you are like me and love snowmen the number is endless. I don't know quite why I love snowmen - maybe it is because we don't get any snow where we live or maybe it is because which ever way you look at it you have to admit snowmen are cute.

Snowmen Gathering © Imaginating

I now have 7 snowmen stitched there are 10 in total. I love stitching on this and it is really good to take places when you have to wait awhile - like when DS went to do a computer job.

A little while back Cheryl of Prarie Grove Peddlar had a little bit of a different give-away on her blog. Everyone who emailed her would win a prize. The prize turned out to be one of her patterns. Cheryl is a beautiful and generous lady. We got to pick out a pattern and I have always wanted to try one of her Quilting patterns and of course you all know which subject I picked. It arrived this week and here is what I chose.

BTW she has a beautiful giveaway on her Blog again this week so pop over and put your name down who knows you might be the winner.

As it has been a week since I last posted here are my time wasted hrs and guess what look at the total whoo hooo over 100 hrs.

Week 6

Love Never Fails - 2.11

Five Snowmen - 5.02

Finishing off Ornament - 3.42

Sweet Nectar - 1.42

Leaf - 4.29

Snowmen Gathering 1.13

Weekly Total -18.19 hrs

Yearl total - 111.57

Where has this last week gone - I was going to post Wednesday then it was Thursday and well here it is Friday and I am just getting around to post.

Take care everyone and keep those needles threaded and stitches crossed.

Annette B

A Sneek Peek and Mail

2010-02-05T14:28:00.002+11:00

I can't believe that it is Friday already. I promised a sneek peek at Bonnies Ornament for the H.A.G.S exchange. It had to be a whimsical christmas ornament. I hope this is whimsical enough. What do you think?

You honestly don't think I was going to show too much now did you? It is in the mail and is winging it way to the USA as we speak. I so enjoyed making this. You'll all have to wait until she receives it before seeing more of it.

Earlier this year I entered a competition on Riona's Blog and I was the lucky winner of 12 charts. Well the parcel came in the mail today and here is what was in it. What a great lot of charts and included was the beautiful Sail Boat that I admired so much on her Blog. I am going to have so much fun stitching up these. I have always wanter to do a PS Santa and now I will be able to.

Riona is holding another giveaway and it is a beauty so hop on over and enter. I just love the darling sheep with all his different little blanket - beautiful.

We have a huge week-end at church with 2 guest preachers. One from the USA and one from Canada. I am really looking forward to hearing to hearing Herb Larsen from Canada as it was listening to his CD's that started our journey back to God so it will be a thrill to meet him in person. We have a luncheon at church tomorrow so I have been cooking my heart out this morning. An Apple and Cranberry Slice, Vegeterian Gluten Loaf and especially for DH a potato bake. So I am ready to knock off for the day.

Hope you all have a fantastic week-end - so keep on threading those needles and crossing your stitches with love - God Bless till next time.

Annette B

Giveaway on Laineys Stitching Hoose

2010-02-04T11:03:00.000+11:00

There is a beautiful giveaway on Laineys Stitching Hoose Blog. So what are you waiting for rush over there and enter. You'll be so glad you did.

A Birthday Present and a cute Chubby Face

2010-02-03T14:43:00.000+11:00

On Monday I heard the postie on his bike, didn't rush out as I wasn't expecting anything and he had a couple of beautiful things for me. Dot from These Two Hands Blog had sent me a couple of LHN charts for my birthday and one has the beautiful threads to stitch it with. I can't wait to start them but first I have promised myself to finish Julia Flynn. Thank you Dot for your lovely present.

I can't help but share this card that my DS and DIL got me - it made it laugh all day. He looks just like my little Duc except for the hair of course.....LOL. I will put it where I can see it when I stitch to put a smile on my face.

Hasn't he got the sweetest face (the snowman I mean) - when I was stitching him I had the eyes done and then the scarf outline around his face and he looked like a mummy - I stitched hard so he face would appear as he was freaking me out a little with his stare.

I was hoping to finish off an ornament today - it is 3/4 finished and I am doing the beads around the edges for the first time - I am happy with how it is turning out. I put it down when I got to the hanger yesterday and still haven't picked it up yet today.

I spent most of the morning cleaning the bathroom - Yuck why is this such a horrid job - that and cleaning the oven must be the top 2 of dislikes on most women's cleaning list. I also made a slice called Lemon Delicious. It was really strange as I cooked the base and let it cool and then poured the lemon on top - took it out of the oven and the thought ran through my mind that it doesn't look like the picture. Now it is a little cooler it appears that the lemon has gone to the bottom and the base to the top. As long as it tastes good I guess.

Well I had better finish this off as I have to go and pick up DH from work.

Till next time keep all your needles threaded and stitches crossed. God Bless

Annette B

My My Beautiful Sunday......

2010-01-31T17:54:00.002+11:00

My HAED's Up For 2010 Blog has been updated too so go and have a look at the lovely Crabby Crush QS

Before I start into the post - I keep forgetting to answer a question that Fidget of Flossy Lady left about the green frog cross stitch - it can be found at Patterns On Line and it is called Froggie Froggie.

Don't you just love a rainy Sunday spent with a girlfriend gossping, stitching and fondling stash. Well that was basically my day in a nutshell. See it doesn't take much to please me at all.

Kim also brought with her a present for me.

Look at that gorgeous fabric and pattern to make a cushion - my lounge is red black and green so these colours are perrrrfeccct and notice the odd one out - she know how much I love butterflies and purple and couldn't resist the beautiful fabric. I can't wait to start the cushion but I have promised myself to finish Love Never Fails first. Here is the next block nearly stitched. It is lavender.

and a close up. This has been so much easier to stitch since I discovered the secret of the pen to use to outline the stitching.

Now for the fun part: Wasted Time

This week has been one slack week and worst in January - somehow I just could not settle down to stitch - I was so restless all week.

Crabby Crush QS - 5.48
Sweet Nectar - 3.28
Julia Flynn - 4.40

Weekly time 13.56
Yearly time 93.38 (It sure is adding up)

Till Next time God Bless and may you have a wonderful stitchey week.

Annette B

Dear Diary

2010-01-28T11:21:00.001+11:00

Here is the first showing of Julia Flynn (Dear Diary) © Little House Needlework. Phyllis from the 123 MB gifted it to me for Christmas and when I have finished stitching it - it has already found a new home. I love how quick this is working up.

I am nearly at the 50% mark all ready. Once this is done I am going to stitch the additional pattern that comes with it and will probably make it up into a 2 sides hanging.

This morning DH and I went for a swim in the ocean - the water was a littl cool but once you dived under the waves it was heavenly and so refreshing. I should do this much more than I do as we can walk there in under 5 minutes. There was gorgeous bleached white seaweed which I collected and brought home. It is very fragile though and will have to store it in a little box.

I have had a ring from DD and DS for my birthday. It is so wonderful to see their faces on Skype. DD was ready to go to bed as it was after 10pm in London. DS in Sydney looked really trashed from his bicycle accident. He is one lucky guy - he has cuts to his face where his helmet dug in and bruising on his neck from the strap. He is still in a lot of pain and taking lots of pain killers. Wish I was closer to give him a gentle hug but I know his beautiful wife is taking good care of him.

DH and DS 2 are doing the grocery shopping for me today. Mum and Dad are coming to see me this afternoon, Kim my wonderful friend is coming down Sundary to take me out to lunch I thank God for surrounding me with loving family and friends. I am one very lucky woman.

Annette B

Australia Day

2010-01-26T09:28:00.000+11:00

Australia Day - here is my own little Aussie DS #2, well not so little but isn't he gorgeous. He was cheering during the tennis match and I couldn't help but snap a photo.

Yesterday was an extremely stressful day. We received a phone call that DS#1 had an accident on his push bike and was in hospital. He is home now but very sore and he can hardly move his jaw - his head is very sore. His bike is in a million pieces - I told him that I would rather the bike in a million pieces instead of him.

What does living in Australia mean to me:-

Freedom to worship God without fear, Freedom of free speech. Wide blue skies, pristine beaches, beautiful weather most of the time. Easy going people and the lifestyle. I am proud to be an Australian.

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free,
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare,
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share:
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,

Advance Australia Fair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a picture of the Chocolate Cherry Slice - well I guess it could be classed as Australian.

It has chocolate, coconut and cherries a little like a Cherry Ripe.

Australian food I love:-

Lamingtons,

Pavlovas,

Tim Tams

Cherry Ripes

Unique Australian Animals:-

Koala

kangaroo,

emu

platypus

echidna

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My favourite poem by Dorethea McKellar

I Love a Sunburnt Country

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains,
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me.

The tragic ring-barked forests
Stark white beneath the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
An orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the crimson soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart around us
We see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold;
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.

An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand -
Though Earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown Country
My homing thoughts will fly.

Hope you have enjoyed my thoughts on Australia.

Annette B

Sweet Nectar

2010-01-24T11:38:00.001+11:00

Forgot to add the first time that I have also updated HEAD's UP for 2010 with Leaf and Crabby Crush.

I have been working on Sweet Nectar for a SAL and thought I would post a picture of how this is looking. There is a lot of 1/2 stitches and so it makes the stitching go fast. I am coming up to areas though that are full stitches. This week should see me finish off another 10 rows. I will do a little backstitching so that it is not so overwhealming at the end.

I am going to change my background for this week as on the 28th I celebrate a birthday. For those who want to know just how old I am, all I am say is "I'm 49.95 plus GST" LOL.

This week on the 26th we also celebrate Australia Day. When I got the Sunday Mail this morning it came with a free Aussie hat which I wore when I got home. They all laughed at me. I can't understand why...LOL.

Friday night the Blueberry Friand Slice was enjoyed by everyone and they fought over the White Choc and Macad Slice. I am thinking I might make another one today along with a Chocolate cherry Slice. Am feeling a little lazy though and not moviated.

Here are my wasted times this week - not as good as last week - see all that cooking cut into my stitching time and what do I have to show for it except a few extra kilos on the hips.....grin.

Leaf - 13.21
Fallen Santa - 2.26
Julia Flynn (Dear Diary) - 1.21 (This is a new start and will post a pic later)
Sweet Nectar - 2.48
Crabby Crush 2.26

Total = 22.22
Yearly total = 79.42

Hope everyone is enjoying their week-end and till next time God Bless.

Annette B

TUSAL January

2010-01-22T13:13:00.000+11:00

I am a little late with this posting for the TUSAL. I wasn't sure whether I would do this again this year as I got a little slack at posting last year. I finally made up my mine a couple of days ago. I pulled out a bigger jar and it has the same see through lid as last years. I was sitting contemplating the jar last night and decided to decorate it with some stickers this year to add a bit of interest and then this morning when I was doing Blog Patrol I discovered that Karyn The Teakettle Corner has decorated her's too, so pop over and have a look at it Great minds think alike hehehehe. So without further ado I present for your enjoyment Miss P-ORT-able.

Last year's lid I filled with floss and this year I thought I would fill it with floss labels and maybe needles. I have been going through a few needles already this year - One lost who know's where.

My family thinks I am feeling a little off - all that cooking etc.It goes in spurts around this house. I will cook furiously and then they will have a drought so to speak. I just tell them to enjoy it while it happens. We are going out to a BBQ with friends and so I made another White Chocolate Macadamia Slice (3 in one week)

Because I have a fussy family I love it when we go out somewhere as it is an excuse to cook something that I LIKE and they don't so I made a Blueberry Friand Slice and it is as yummy as it looks.

I am loving playing with the photos in photoscape. We have a busy week-end coming up with lots of time enjoying friends company. Till next time try not to drool too much - Hugs and God Bless.

Annette B

Stitching & Cooking

2010-01-20T20:08:00.000+11:00

Notice which one came first in the title - Stitching Rules.

A couple of weeks ago I was going to make a recipe and I purchased some Philly Cream Cheese so you know what that means .......cheesecake. I finally got around to making it after much pestering from DH - Note he is back to work as of tomorrow for 3 days a week for 6 hrs each day for the next month and then the Dr. will assess his wrist. (For those of you who are new to my Blog DH injured his wrist and tore ligaments etc at work nearly 12 months ago - he underwent surgery in Nov and has been home recovering till now). I took photos of the White Chocolate Slice I made twice this week and the Citrus Curd Cheesecake Slice which melts in the mouth.

I have been having a wonderful time playing around with the photos in a programe which can be downloaded for free called Photoscape you can do all sorts of things with your photos - it is really user friendly and I love playing with it.

I have been stitching too - making great progress on Leaf, also started Julia Flynn (Dear Diary) © LHN last night and stitched on Falled Santa this morning

I just have to do the backstitching before making him up. Doesn't he look gorgeous. This is the last of the 6 Santas from the magazine Cross Stitch Card Shop.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments . I really appreciate that you take the time to read and comment it means a lot to me. God Bless till next time.

Annette B

Snowman and Friends

2010-01-17T11:32:00.002+11:00

I can't believe that we are through another week. Where does time go and why does it seem to go so fast?

I have updated my HAED's UP for 2010 with Leaf so pop over and see her.

Snowman Gathering - I am having so much fun stitching on this and it stitches up really quick as there are no colour changes.

Friendshiips
I won this chart from Tammy on the 123 MB we had a lot in common and we started emailed each other and have become great friends. I also did a Christmas exchange with Lynn from 123 MB and we also have become friends. The internet has certainly made the world a small place. About 10/11 yrs ago I met up with a group of Australian ladies from the internet - there was one particular lady and I who just hit it off and we decided to met each other regularly and stitch - we did and became wonderful friends. We don't meet as often as we would like but we email nearly daily and talk on the phone - we seem to know when the other is feeling down and we are there for each other through the tough times. Kim is an amazing quilter and stitcher and has just started 2 blogs so why not pop over and leave a comment Scullys Stitching and Scully's Cross Stitching just to tell you how in tune we are I just popped over to her cross stitching blog and she has changed her background and only this morning I changed the background on my Heads's Up Blog and we have chosen the same background. Luv you Kim and thanks for being my friend.

Now for something a little different. I don't wind my floss on to bobbins so I have a question for all those who don't.

Why do some skeins pull out smoothly and why do some end up like the cat has been playing with it?

Does anyone have an answer or is it just one of those unsolved mysteries?

I got so carried away with other things I forgot to post the wasted time this week so here goes.

Five Snowmen:- 6.56

Snowmen Gathering:- 5.25

Fallen Santa:- 3.22

Sweet Nectar:- 5.25

Leaf:- 5.18

Total 26.03

Yearly total 57.20 (time wasted) Yaahhhh

May you all have a fantabulous week and God Bless.

Annette B

Home Alone

2010-01-14T10:49:00.000+11:00

I am home alone for the first time for ages and it is really nice to have the house to myself for a change.

My computer decided to crash on Tuesday and of course the computer guru was at work so he finally got it up and running yesterday. Also the computer guru managed to go over our limit and the internet slowed down to dial up speed. Talk about frustrating - fortunately it was only for 3 days. So I haven't been able to read blogs as they were just taking too long to load so will have to do a little catching up.

I have managed to finish off my monthly goal for Five Snowmen and without further ado here are 2 and a bit snowmen.In fact I stitched an extra 10 lines as most of them were short lines.

I am enjoying stitching these so much I just love doing the fringes on their scarves so here is a picture just of their scarves.

Yesterday we went for a swim in the ocean and it was just so relaxing to float in the surf. The waves were just gentle and not rough at all. There was the occasional piece of seaweed floating by so I gathered a couple of strands to bring home and dry hoping they would retain their nice green colour but this morning they are a very dark green. Oh well the thought was there.

Well I am off to do some guilt free stitching. God Bless till next time.

Annette B

Scary

2010-01-10T08:25:00.000+11:00

Yesderday at church on of the kids had a snake. I kept well away and it looks like DS maybe should have too.I did feel a little sorry for the snake as the kids kept constantly handling the poor little thing.

Today it is 2 years since I lost my beautiful little furbaby Duc he brought such joy to my families life he left this life how he lived his life - fast. He was just over 12yrs old and still acted like a puppy. I swear he was human and understoon everything that was said to him. Here is a collage of some of my favourite pics.

Mr. Snowmen 2 has his red scarf and he is finished. I will be starting Snowmen 3 sometime today. I just love how these little fellows look.

Before I post time wasted this week. This is all said tongue in cheek. DH & I joke about it all the time. So without further ado

Crabby Crush QS - 16 hr 17 min

Sweet Nectar - 3 hr 38 min

Love Never Fails - 1.hr 57 min

Snowmen Gathering -2 hr 08 min

Five Snowmen - 4 hr 22 min

Weekly time wasted = 27 hr 30 min

Yearly time wasted = 31 hr 17 min

I am about to update Head's Up For 2010 so go check out Crabby Crush and her sweet little face.

Till Next time God Bless.

Annette B

Love Never Fails

2010-01-06T11:29:00.002+11:00

Here is the promised update on the stitchery for Love Never Fails Wallhanging. I am really looking forward to beginning the assembly of this wall hanging. I still have a couple more to embroider.

Love Never Fails © Val Laird

Australia Country Threads Vol 8 No 10

There is a spot in the centre of the wallhanging where you can change the saying whenever you like and there is a little bag to put them in when not in use.

About half way through last year I decided to keep all the charts that I have stitched and marked off. And here is a picture of them all.

Now they are shredded.

Till next time

Annette B

Sweet Nectar

2010-01-03T11:02:00.003+11:00

Well I have survived the first 3 days of the year and here it is Sunday the 3rd and time to update and post my wasted time for the last 2 days. I have also set up a seperate Blog called Heads Up For 2010 to document my HAED stitching for the year. I am hoping to make it up into a journal next year. So go and have a look and leave a comment. I love all your comments and thank you all for your kind words.

I am so pleased with how this is stitching up although I discovered that when I subbed out the material of the kit from an 18 ct aida that I used a 28 ct linen - so now I am a little worried that I am going to run out of thread. So I am using a pin start and using each thread until I can barely get the needle through the material.

I worked on Love Never Fails and will post a pic later. I have only a couple of saying to embroider before I can start putting it together.

So without further ado here are my wasted times for the last couple of days.

Sweet Nectar - 47 minutes to be precise

Love Never Fails - 2 hrs

Crabby Crush QS -1 hr

Total Time wasted: - 3.47

Till next time God bless.

Annette B

Here We Stand

2009-12-31T14:03:00.002+11:00

Here we stand on the brink of another year. It only seemed like yesterday that we were all worried about the Y2000 bug and now here it is 2010. Let me just say about 2009 I am glad that it is over - in March DD & then BF now Fiance left to go overseas and over 15 countries later they are not home yet. They are having an experience of a life time. DH twisted his wrist at work over 10 months ago and is still not back to work full time. He had surgery in November and is off work until mid January - say no more on having a DH underfoot. DS & wife will most probably be moving across the other side of the country.

Here are a couple of pictures from the Christmas present that DD organised for us.

She got a calender custom made with pictures of their trip for every month and everyone has their birthday in the calender. It is so beautifully done.

Now for the hard part setting goals for the Year 2010.What do I want to achieve this year.
First Non Stitching Goals

Spend time daily reading God's word and learning to trust him more. So often I hand over my problems to God and then snatch them back again.
Look for the positives and not the negatives.
Laugh more and love more freely
Lose weight for the sake of my health
Walk on the beach at least once a week
Learn how to use the camera properly

I am sure that there are others that I will think of later on

Stitching Goals

Finish Leaf
Finish Crabby Crush
DH sez I waste so much time stitching so let's just see how much time I can waste by keeping a record of my times.
Do a Stash bust report - see how much stash I can use with only buying the minimun

Goals for January

Finish Page 13 and do 37 lines on page 14 (288-325) on Leaf
Stitch 50 lines on page 5 (100-150)
Finish the last 20 lines on page 4 and 30 lines on page 5 of Five Snowmen
Stitch a little on, The Library, Snowmen Gathering, Sweet Nectar, Love Never Fails, Fallen Santa
Start Julia Flynn (Dear Diary) -LHN

Now that is out of the way here are a couple of pics of Five Snowmen to enjoy.

Nearly up to the tassels on his scarf.

Hasn't he got the cutest little face.

Have a Happy New Year and may 2010 be a Blessed Year for you.

Annette B

December Goals Finished

2009-12-28T10:37:00.001+11:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It was very quite here. We did manage to speak with DD who is in the UK and DS & wife who were in Melbourne.

I woke to a lovely email to tell me that I had won the weekly competition on Prarrie Grove Peddler Blog . I have wanted to do a candle mat and now I will have the opportunity to do one. Cheryl runs a weekly competition so pop over to her Blog to see what the prize is this week.

I didn't think I would make the cut with December goals but I did with 4 days to go - oop not quite I just remembered that I was going to start a new piece after page 4 of Crabby Crush QS - I changed my mind and decided I wanted to finish off Crabby Crush before starting the new one.

So here are 2 pictures of my stitching.

I am really pleased with how this is coming together. It is nice to be able to stitch blocks of colour after confetti stitching with Crabby Crush and Leaf.

artwork - Hannah Lynn

I just love the richness of the colours of this one. I only have one more full page and the rest are all part pages - that is why I decided to continue stitching on her. See the lovely Crab claw appearing - though I friend Kim keeps telling me that for a Lobster to be that colour he is aheeemm not alive - I now cannot stitch this without laughing.

We are finally getting some decent rain - it was always just missing us and even though we only just caught the sides of it it has been enough to give the ground a good soaking.

Are you all gearing up for a big finish to the Year 2009. I cannot believe that in a few days it will be 2010. I am considering what goals I will set for the Year 2010. So look out for the post later with more stitching pictures and some goals.

May God Bless you all till next time.

Annette B

The Gift

2009-12-23T10:54:00.001+11:00

Christmas is the season for giving gifts. With all the hurrying to and from the shops planning, keeping gifts a secret I wanted to do a special post about a very special Gift. The Gift of Jesus.

Because He Lives

God sent His Son - they called Him Jesus,
He came to love, heal and forgive;

Can you imagine what God went through when he sent us his Son as a little baby as a gift to us - knowing that in the end he would be killed and hung on a cross. God the Father and his Son Jesus have been together since the beginning of time and there was not a time when they were not one. Yet because he loved us so much he sent Jesus to us his very special Gift a priceless gift. A gift that a lot of people reject. I have rejected this gift at times and turned away from God. But thankfully He loves me too much to let me go and He has wooed me back to His side. He never forces me to love Him - He gives me freedom of choice and for that I am thankful and love Him even more. This Christmas I am gifting my life to Jesus. What gift will you give this Christmas?

May God's Peace be with you this Christmas Season and from my house to yours Merry Christmas.

I just love this video - The Father's Love Letter.

Annette B

More Snowmen and a Birthday

2009-12-20T18:25:00.001+11:00

Firstly DS # 2 turned 29 this last week. It was a wonderful celebration for the special child that God gave us. You see he has cerebal palsy but he never complains about his lot in life and the pain that he put up with in his ankles after walking or standing.for any length of time. He has taught our family so much about love and patience. It is a joy to see how he has given his heart to the Lord and is working for the Lord in the media industry. We will never know how many peoples lives he has reached until we reach the Kingdom of Heaven. We love you our special Child. Happy Birthday

Five snowmen © Sudberry House. This is such a fun stitch and seems to be stitching up fairly quickly. As the pattern name says there are 5 snowmen. It is being stitched on 28ct linen. Snowmen seem to be the flavour of the moment in this house. Just thinking about them makes me feel cooler.

I had an email from DD the minute is started snowing in London. She was so excited - she said she was running around with the schoolkids - this is the first time she has seen snow falling.

I had a little finish today and this was also one of Decembers goals.

Handstand Santa

Designer: Cross Stitch Card Shop

Threads: DMC threads

Fabric: 28ct handyed evenweave

Time: 10hr 20 mins

This is No. 5 in a series called Fun Santas from Cross Stitch Card Shop. I am one more to stitch and then I will make them up. They are such funky Santas.

We are finally getting some rain. Yaaaahhhhh. Yesterday we had our yearly Christmas service at Church. I only got to see about half of it as I was on the welcoming team. I love the kids who played the Nativity scene and the wise men with their camel. They were so cute. Then we had a big luncheon where the tables were laden with food. It was a special day spent celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to earth as a baby and gave his life so that I might have eternal life. What an awesome God we serve.

Annette B

Snowmen Gathering

2009-12-13T14:47:00.000+11:00

This was a new start last week and I just love how fast it is stitching up. I decided to stitch in on a really dark purple linen and it looks so beautiful. I am stitching it with 2 strands and 1 strand for backstitching. I tried the 2 for backstitching as suggested on the pattern but made it look too chuncky. I like the really delicate look the 1 gives.

This is how far I have stitched on The Library © LHN and once again I am so pleased with how this is looking on this fabric. The photos don't do them justice

The weather here the last couple of days has been quite hot and very muggy and oppressive. It is playing havoc with my asthma and I am constantly wheezing and tired. Last night we had a Ladies night out with some of the church ladies and coming home I was pulled up for a Random Breath Test. Note:- I don't drink alcohol and I haven't been pulled over for a breath test in years.

The policemen pushes the thing at me and I kindly ask him "Where do I blow".

He said " Just count to ten."

I reply "No seriously, where do I blow." Meanwhile all the girls in the back are killing themselves laughing.

He said "JUST COUNT TO TEN". I am still thinking maybe he wants to see if I can talk without slurring my words. After I had counted to ten he then explained that the machine reads my breath........LOL. As I knew it would it read O. We couldn't stop laughing all the way home. Next time I will know better.

Till next time may God bless you all and keep you safe during the Christmas Season.

Annette B

The Teakettle Corner Ma's Giveaway

2009-12-09T10:12:00.000+11:00

Go over and check out this awesome give away on The Teakettle Corner Ma's Blog. What a great prize for some lucky person.

Annette B

December Goals and...

2009-12-06T16:22:00.000+11:00

I have pulled out Sweet Nectar and put it on the scrolls ready for the SAL 2010 . I have always loved this piece and can't understand why I stopped stitching it. Hopefully I will be able to finish this off next year. I am not waiting till 2010 to start stitching it though. I also pulled out my Five Snowmen to stitch on in place of Rooster. I just love the bright colours on this. Will post a progress picture later on in the week.

I have been sorting out my goals for December so here they are.

Finish Page 4 on Crabby Crush QS - HAED
Start a new QS - you will have to wait and see which one.
Leaf - HAED. Stitch to Row 350 on page 14.
Five Snowmen - Stitch to row 90 on page 4
Start Snowmen Gathering - Imaginating
Finish Handstand Santa - Cross Stitch Card Shop
Stitch on, The Library and Love Never Fails Wallhanging.

Did I just write all those. I think something just took over my typing fingers.......LOL

Hope everything is going well for all your Christmas preparations so until next time God Bless and give you all peace and safety.

Annette B

Whoo Hooo Another Finish

2009-12-03T15:28:00.000+11:00

Frappuccino

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Linen Silkweaver solos One of a Kind Fabrics

Threads: Crescent Colours Silks

Time: 11hr 40 min

I just love how this looks - the fabric is a lot darker and I can't seem to get the colour right. There is enough fabric to do one of the companion pieces to this and I am not sure just which one I will do yet.

I have yet to set my December goals. After the finish of Rooster I didn't stitch for TWO whole days. Yesterday I did finish of a piece off for an exchange and forgot to take a picture. It was another cute frog and I was so pleased with how it turned out. Ialso sorted out the colours for "Vintage Christmas" a Dimensions Petite Kit. I am also subbing out the material so have to choose that and also choose some material for Snowmen Gathering - Imaginating. I am undecided as to choose a dark blue or hand-dyed dark green decisions decisions.

Till next time may God bless and keep you all safe.

Annette B

A Finish

2009-12-01T08:28:00.000+11:00

Rooster

Designer: Permin of Copenhagen Kit

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Linen Silkweaver Everglade

Threads: DMC

Time: 45 hrs

I just love how this turned out. I changed the fabric and it looks so pretty. This kit also had so much thread left over which I found quite remarkable.

Here is my update on Leaf for November just for you Yvonne. I just love how she looks and hopefully she will be finished next year.

Update on DH. The surgeon found a lot of inflamation around the injury site on his wrist and used a tool to clean it up. He told DH that he will probably got pain in it for the rest of his life. We now have to wait and pray that God's will be done in this. Also could you all pray for my DD who is teaching in the UK and she has got a very difficult class with 6 very disruptive boys. I am praying every morning that God will go with her into her classroom and help her make a difference in their lives.

Hugs

Annette B

A Yellow Rose

2009-11-29T07:52:00.003+11:00

Do two half eyes make a whole - not quite. She looks a little glassy eyed at the moment. But she has a yellow rose and you can just see the crab's claw and my girlfriend Kim likes to remind me that he is a cooked crab though. It puts a whole new slant on things when you think of him like this. It makes me wonder who has the crush - the young lady or the you know what crab.

Annette B

The Library

2009-11-22T18:22:00.003+11:00

I managed to get a little stitching done on this while DH was having his surgery. I just love how it looks on this fabric.

DH is recovering nicely but can't use his wrist until Friday when we have to see the Specialist. We don't know what the Dr. did yet.

I have hit the 50 % mark on Frappichino - the fabric is a lot darker in real life . I love using the silks. The next half should stitch up really quick.

It has been blowing a gale here all day which has kept the temperature down. It has been really pleasant stitching out on the balcony.

God bless you all till next time.
Annette B

Pass It Forward 2010

2009-11-16T18:48:00.002+11:00

I saw this on another Blog an thought what a fun idea. I thought of setting up something similar for the year 2010 with a slight variation if there is enough interest. I have set up a Blog with all the information Pass It On 2010.

Let's have some fun with this.

Annette B

2 New Starts

2009-11-13T14:43:00.004+11:00

I am loving stitching Frappichino. I won this chart as a PIF from the 123 Board. I just love how it looks on the fabric I chose. It doesen't really show the true colour. It was a little piece that I had from Silkweaver FOTM Club and it was just perfect. There should be just enough fabric to do either Cappichino or Latte on it too. The silks are really fun to work with but I cut myself on the thumb and it is still healing and the silk manages to catch on it lots.

The other new start that I have is The Library - Little House of Needlework and thanks to my wonderful friend Kim in sending me the fabric it looks perfect. I haven't done much but am loving stitching it. It is a real change from my usual over 1. I have also made good progress on Leaf and have now finished Page 12. I am going to post a pic on the HAED SAL Blog. Only 8 pages to go now. It is going to be tough keeping focused.

I am so excited as I won the giveaway on Riona's Blog for the Sue Hillis Santa charts. I never win anything and the last month I have won 3 things. So lots of stitching ahead of me. I am so thrilled as after seeing Sue Hillis' yearly Santas I was thinking of stitching them all so now I can get started.

I have had a wonderful week and God has really blessed me in so many ways. Next week will be really hetic as DH is scheduled to have surgery on his arm and DS has an infection on his leg. Till next time God bless and keep you all.

Annette B

Frogs Frogs everywhere

2009-11-04T17:22:00.013+11:00

I did a Frog exchange on the 123 Board and here is the gorgeous biscornu that Deane sent me. It is so cute and I use it all the time. I love the beads on the frogs feet and on the back is a lily pad. I have always wanted to stitch one of these but never got around to it. I just love it.

I sent her a little wall hanging with frogs both sides. I love frogs they are so beautiful. I have a couple of frog ornaments and a 3 D frog jigsaw sitting on my outdoor table that people just love to play with. I love the colours of the green frogs and also the feel of the frogs.

I have hardly done any stitching today. We went to Murwillumbah this afternoon to pick up some paper and there is a Quilting shop next door so I had a little peek inside and purchased this reel of varigated quilting cotton. The girls on the 123 board are experimenting with Sulky thread which is not available in Aust. so I will see how this stitches up done over 1.

I am thinking maybe 32 count fabric. We stopped in and visited with friends and she has 2 gorgeous dragonflies stitched - Nora Corbet designs and they are just stunning. We are heading out to a church meeting tonight so there will not be much stitching being done at all.

Annette B

Close Up of Crabby Crush QS

2009-11-03T12:22:00.005+11:00

Here she is in all her firery red hair. I love the richess of this piece. She stitches up fairly fast too. After finishing Page 3 I am going to have a break and start something else - keep tuned to see which one.

I have decided to alter my rotation a bit and have 2 main pieces and do 20 hours each so that I get to see a little more progress on them. I have done about 65% of Roosters so will finish off this and the other one is a UFO of Hummingbirds - just can't remember the name of it at the moment. It is a Dimensions Gold Kit. I have nearly finished off 20hrs on Roosters so when I start the Hummingbird I will post a pic.

I also decided for this month to keep a total of how many hrs a day I stitch just for fun. Yesterday I managed 5 hrs. Today will not be near that much as I can't seem to settle to anything today. I feel very restless.

Annette B

Isn't she Lovely

2009-11-02T22:51:00.002+11:00

Here she is in all her glory. I have only 8 more pages to go after this one. But of those 8 there are only 2 full sized pages. I am going to have to stay focused as there are lots of pale shades for her shoulder.

I had a new start to day. It is called Frappuccino by Little House Needleworks. I won it in a PIF (Pass it Forward) on the 123 Message Board. It came with beautiful silk Crescent Colour Silk Threads. I found a beautiful piece of Handyed fabric from Silkweaver that was just perfect. It doesn't have a name though.

Also my fabric came in the mail today from my wonderful friend Kim. She came to the rescue with Sugar Cane Crunch 32 count for "The Library" another Little House Needleworks. I hope to start that tomorrow. Two new starts in a week. That is rather rare for me. Watch for pics later on in the week.

Annette B

October Stitching

2009-11-01T19:13:00.003+11:00

Here is my Stitching for October

Can't believe

2009-10-17T21:50:00.002+11:00

I thought I would do an update. I have been really slack of late. I guess I have had so much happening and then again it is fairly mundane things. I was sick there for a few days with a touch of food poisoining and at the moment I think I have a cracked rib high up which is giving me a lot of pain but fortunately I can stitch without it hurting.

I have been working on my Rooster for my 10hr rotation and have nearly finished this round of the Rotation. It seems to have gone rather quick this time. I love how the Rooster is looking he looks really spiffy and the colours on the hand dyed fabric are so vibrant.

I have also started on a Wall Hanging called "Love Never Fails" which is from the magazine Australian Country Threads - although it now goes under another name. I have laid the blocks side by side for the time being. I am pleased with how it is coming along although DH said there are too many different fabrics......LOL.

We are thinking of moving and we are looking for a house this time. We are going to be losing all our privacy at the back as an appartment block is in the process of being built and the noise during the day is driving me crazy. Friday they had the radio blasting all day and it was so loud so that they could hear it above all the noise they were making. I just cannot see the sense in them having it going at all.

Well that is all the updates for now and I will try and do an update on Leaf in a couple of days as she now has lips.

Crabby Crush QS

2009-09-13T10:20:00.006+10:00

I have been working mainly on Crabby Crush this week and I have got down to her eyebrows. I just love how she is turning out.
This week I stitched about 2,000 stitches in Crabby Crush and 800 in Five Snowmen. I have just a little more to finish off the 10hrs on Five Snowmen. Then I will be starting 10hrs on Sweet Dreams a Stab & Stash pattern.

I am also going to try and start a small Friendship Hanging Quilt this week.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Five Snowmen

2009-09-04T12:27:00.003+10:00

Well One of Five anyway. I can't wait to finish stitching the bottom of this fellow and start on the next one. This is my 10 hr Rotation and I have only just started so finishing this page should be easy. I have also been stitching on a Christmas ornament for an exchange so no pictures. It is nearly finished and I am pleased with how it looks. I have also worked out how to finish it off.

I have also been working on Leaf lots this week and will post a pic of the HAED SAL Blog. Haven't even touched Crabby Crush QS this week.

We went for our first swim of the season on Tuesday and though the surf was quite cool to start with it was so refreshing and made me feel young again.

I am thinking of doing a Scrapbook up of my stitching for the year. I will do a couple of test pages and see if I like it or not. I thought it would be a good way to record my stitching. So watch this space to see what I can come up with. I am thinking of doing it month by month. I have never done any scrapbooking and still am not sure about this.

Crabby Crush QS

2009-08-27T08:39:00.001+10:00

Here she is and I just love the rich colour of her hair. I have already finished the half page that I set for this month. She is so much fun to stitch and she also seems to be stitching up quickly.

Leaf

2009-08-23T18:21:00.003+10:00

Here is the promised update of Leaf. You can just see the hint of her mouth on the side. I can't wait to get to page 12 and get her mouth stitched. It will bug me seeing just that little piece of red.

I had quite a good stitching week stitching 1,400 stitches on Leaf, 900 on Crabby Crush QS and 1,500 on Blue Pearls which was the picture in the last post.

The weather has taken a turn for the warmer and it has been lovely walking on the beach every day. Come 1st September we said we were going to go for our first swim for the season. I am really feeling tired today and am looking forward to an early night.

Has it really been that long

2009-08-17T20:03:00.003+10:00

Well life moves on quickly. Where it goes to I really have no idea.

Here is my Blue Pearls Mermaid QS - HAED. The artwork is by Elaine Cox. Page 1 seemed to take me forever as there was so much confetti stitching. So it was nice to have some solid stitching and it seems to have stitched up really quickly. I am glad to get back to doing a little confetti stitching.

My rotation is still in place and I am trying to stitch up half a page of Leaf and Crabby Crush every month. So far so good

Well my DD has arrived in the UK and now they are looking for a place to stay. My other big news is that DS and his wife are moving up here to live. I am just so excited.

I will try and post an update on Leaf and Crabby Crush later on this week.

Trying to Catch Up

2009-06-01T11:54:00.003+10:00

Here is my jar. It has a lot of nice blue thread in it from Crabby Crush. There is also a bobbin of Krinek 032 which I finished. I need to squash it down a little too.

I have a new start Crabby Crush QS - HAED. Artwork Hannah Disney. It has such beautiful bright colours in it. Will try and post a picture later on in the week. Also started Cassandra © Nora Corbet

I still have DH home with his wrist immobilised. This week he is going to start 3 hrs 2 days a week .

Also DD rang from Easter Island to say that her boyfriend popped the question and she is now engaged. They are not going to get married until she comes home which is going to be 2011/2012. Lots of time to plan and lose weight.

Also here are the times for May 09 not a good as last month.

Cassandra - 1.40
Dream of the Songflower Fairy - 4.20
Roosters - 8.30
Butterfly Ball - 6.25
O Holy Night - 2.40
Leaf - 17.40
Day Dreaming QS - 11.45
Crabby Crush QS - 7.55

Total : 60.55

I have also changed my rotation around. I wondered how long it would take me to feel overwhealmed by it. What I have done is used the Random Researcher to pick 5 out of the list and work on those for 10 hrs. If they have more than 1 page I used the Random Researcher also to decided how many pages to stitch before changing it out for another piece. If it only has 1 page then it will stay in the Rotation until finished.

So here is the new Rotation:
Dream of the Songflower Fairy - stitch 4 pages
Five Snowmen - stitch till finished
Sweet Dreams - Stitch 5 pages
Roosters - Stitch till finished
Blue Pearls - stitch 7 pages.

I am still keeping my little extra stitches happening too. I feel much better doing this.

Roosters

2009-05-15T09:34:00.004+10:00

Just a quick update to the Blog. I really don't know where the week has gone. DH has been having therapy on his wrist 3 times a week. I can't believe it is still so painful after 5 weeks.

I am way behind in reading Blogs so will try to catch up this week-end.

I have finished 10hrs of Roosters and really love how it is looking on the overdyed fabric.

Butterfly Ball

2009-05-06T14:32:00.003+10:00

I decided to so a snowflake theme this month as the weather here in Aust is getting cooler.
The sweetest sound in the world was my DD's voice on the phone. They are both well. They have been kept up todate with what is happening with the Swine Flu and they are in the process of trying to change a few dates with the Airlines so that they pushed back a further 2 weeks. They are in Chile at the moment.

Here are my main Focus pieces for the month of April. Leaf - again I didn't quite get the half page done. Daydreaming Fairy - well I think I WAS dreaming to think I could finish off page 2. It will get it finished in May and hopefully Page 3 will be started. I am really pleased with how these main two pieces are turning out. When Page 9 is finished of Leaf I will have met my yearly goal. Yippee.

Here are April's Stitching times (not quite as good as last month)
Sweet Dreams - 10.55 hrs
Tocatta In Green - 1.50 (finished)
White Christmas - 6
Roosters - 1.30 (started)
Blue Pearls Mermaid - 6.30
Froggie Froggie - 2.25
O Holy Night - 5.50 (started)
The Lord Giveth - 3.30
Leaf 21.25
Day Dreaming 21.40
Total = 81.35

Here is my New start Butterfly Ball. I had to do a bit of frogging. I discovered that Shanghai Linen is approx 40 count. I started stitching with 2 strands and decided it was too bulky and looked aweful so I frogged and am now using only 1 strand.

Also after the episode with people stealing images of other people's work I have decided to also initial my work in places that make it impossible to crop without it being noticable.

A Christmas Ornament

2009-04-30T07:17:00.003+10:00

Just a quick note before I get into stitching matters.

DH's wrist is still not better and he is having a MRI done on it before he goes to the surgeon next week.

Also DD & her partner are travelling somewhere in South America and I am worried sick about them and this Swine Flu. They are heading to Chile at the moment and are not due in Mexico until late July. I haven't heard from them for a few days now and the last email I had she had been sick with a sore throat etc. She tends to get colds easily. I am praying that God will keep them safe.

This was my extra stitch piece for the week. It is a quick and easy ornament. I love the colours on the fabric which is Belfast Linen 32 count - Dutch Blue. I am giving this ornament away. We are doing a Friendship Circle with the women of our church and I decided to stitch this for my partner.

Well it is the last day of April here in Aust. and I am not going to quite meet my goals for Leaf and Daydreaming Fairy QS. But I am okay with that.

My next surprise stitch is a new start called "Butterfly Ball". It is a gorgeous Alphabet with Butterflies all around it. It is from the Cross Stitcher's Club. I took out a subscription earlier on in the year and decided that as I have all these patterns I should at least stitch some of them. This pattern has the most beautiful colours in it and I am not sure yet whether to do it on a plain piece or a hand dyed. Will have to do a floss toss.

I have spent this morning filling in all the work sheets for my stitching for the month of April and today I will be just working on Daydreaming Fairy and maybe Leaf will post my times on the week-end. I don't think they are going to be as much as last week.

I am a big fan of HAED and they have a wonderful rewards programe going until someone decided to abuse the system and try to scam a free pattern by sending in a photo of the front page of a pattern - what were they even thinking it didn't even look stitching. Then to top it off another woman stole a picture of someone's finished piece from Facebook and didn't even bother trying to alter the picture at all. You could clearly see they were the same piece. That is why I label all my stitching. How low can people get. I am really saddened to see this happening but to tell the truth I expected this to happen somewhere along the line. What is this world coming too?

Totally Useless SAL / A New Start

2009-04-24T13:42:00.007+10:00

I pondered for days trying to find a nice jar/bowl to do the Totally Useless SAL. Firstly I decided on a long tall jar and the other morning I used the last Coffee in the Jar and I thought why not use this as you can put orts in the lid too. So here is my stitching orts for last month. A couple of DMC wrappers in there too. There looks more than what there really is as I haven't squashed them down.

Here is my new start Roosters. I discarded the aweful Aida and have gone for a beautiful 28 count green dyed Silkweaver linen.

It is a Permin Kit so there was no floss to pull and it was already organised on the card. I have had this kit for quiet a while. I was sitting there looking at the fabric when I noticed that I needed to add white to the threads as the chooks on this piece aren't stitched and so I would end up with green ones. It started me off giggling at the thought of green chooks.

My surprise stitch this week is "Oh Holy Night" a Christmas ornament from Gift of Stitching magazine and it is a new start and as it is only small I could possibly finished it. I have another new start coming up so keep tuned.

I still have DH home with his arm so I am not getting as much stitching done as I would have normally. We have finally heard from DD in South America. The managed to do the Inca Trail and they have been out to Lake Tittacu (sp?) I am too lazy to look it up.

We have a Bible Study group tonight and tomorrow at church we are having a themed luncheon - teenage food - so it will be full of junk.......LOL.

Snow Globe

2009-04-16T17:01:00.002+10:00

Here is an embroidered piece called Winter Snow Globe. It was fun to do EVEN the French Knots for the Snow. I will rummage around my fabric stash and see if I can find suitable material for the border. I tea dyed the fabric and it is a little lighter than the picture shows.

With my surprise stitch Sweet Dreams I managed over 7 hrs and will post an updated later.

The surprise stitch this week is Blue Pearls Mermaid. There is so much confetti stitching in this at the moment that I am just stitching mostly in 10 x 10 blocks so as not to get so confused. I am nearly finished Page 1.

Family news.
I have DH at home on Workers Comp at the moment last Tuesday week ago he was drilling at work and when the drill bit into what he was drilling it twisted his wrist and he has torn the tendons around the wrist area nearly off the bone. It was a trip to the ER were they x-rayed and strapped it and said to see his own Dr. after Easter. Our Dr. was appalled that it was not put into a half cast to stop movement of the wrist. Guess who is doing all the waiting on him.........ME.

DS & DIL got back from the wedding in Thailand safely I was worrying about them as I wasn't sure just which part of Thailand they were in. They were up the other end of the Island away from the riots and as soon as the wedding was over they flew to Singapore. DS said he would not go back to Thailand again. He described it as Sodom & Gomorrah but they loved Singapore

DD & SO were in the town of Cuszo waiting to go on their Inca Trail tour. They were extremely lucky to go as they were not letting anyone out of the city due to a strike. The buses and taxi's were being stoned as they left the city. They were the last group to do the Inca Trail as the tours have been cancelled due to the unrest. I am presuming they are on the Trail as the last I heard from them they were 3000 metres above sea level and not to expect ot hear from them for over a week. Again I leave them in God's hands.

Tocatta In Green - Finished

2009-04-07T14:52:00.003+10:00

Another finish. I really love how this has turned out. The flowers were a nightmare to stitch as was the backstitching of them. Heritage Stitchcraft always use funny stitching with their patterns and you have to be supper alert not to get caught out.

I am thinking I might do a material border around it.

Now onto Winter Welcome which is an embroidered piece. I am hoping to finish it off in this 10hr slot.

The surprise stitch this week is Sweet Dreams © Stab & Stash.

Two WIP's

2009-04-06T19:56:00.002+10:00

I am back from a fantastic week-end. We went to Brisbane to hear Pastor Alden Ho who is from the USA. He is such a wonderful speaker and so inspiring.The week-end was called "It's Time to Revive". We stayed over night on Friday at a motel with friends. It poured rain on the way home which was pretty scary. I am so sick of the rain I just wish it would go away.

DS and his wife flew out on Saturday to Thailand for 2 weeks. So I now have 2 of my children overseas. I had an email from DD this morning and the camera they brought especially to take underwater pics leaked and now she has a black screen. So we have to dig out the warranty and see what we have to do with it. They are going to have to buy themselves another camera as they are heading out to do the Muchu pichu - Inca trail next week.

This WIP is called "The Lord Giveth & the Lord Taketh Away". When DH saw it he said "She look's so said." There is a reason why she is so sad which the picture will reveal as I stitch it. She is such a little cutie.

The second is Froggie Froggie. I have decided to give this one away. Our Pastor and his wife have 3 gorgeous little boys who love frogs. I collect frogs and when they first came around they made a bee-line straight for my frogs. I just love the bright colours of this piece.

Goals for April

2009-04-01T17:04:00.003+11:00

I have only 3 more pieces to stitch on my Round 1 10hr Rotation.

Sweet Dreams - only 3 hrs to make it up to 20 hr Done
Tocatta In Green - I am hoping to finish this off this round.
White Christmas - Also hoping to finish this off. This one is an Embroidery.

After these are finished I will hit the Randomiser again to decide which order to stitch the list in.

I also am doing a surprise stitch in there too. This is randomly chosen at the start of each book I read and I will stitch on it till the book is finished. Just to add another variable to the rotation. At the moment it is The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away.

Permanent Rotation

Finish off Page 8 and stitch at least 1/2 page 9.
Finish off Page 2 of Daydreaming Fairy.

This should keep me busy for a while.

Annette B

Looking Back on March and a Finish

2009-03-31T19:10:00.008+11:00

I am really pleased with my stitching this month and have got through quite a bit.

I just snuck this finished piece into March. Those little noses were so fiddly to attach or was it just because my fingernails are so long at the moment. I kept getting the count of the crosses underneath and the Symnra crosses wrong. I was so glad to get it finished. I am going to put it into a hoop and then attach it to the hand of one of my larger soft snowman.

This is what I worked on this month.
Permanent Rotation:
Leaf -30.10
Daydreaming Fairy - 20.50

10hr Focus: (I got through a few slots this month)
Five Snowmen 5.55 hrs
Beatrix 3.55 (finished)
Froggie, Froggie - 10 hrs
Blue Pearls Mermaid - 10 hrs
Snowmen Are Like Stitches - 2.50 (finished)
January Snowdrops - 1.10 (finished)
The Lord Giveth & taketh away - 6.10 hr

Total hours 91 (10 more than last month)

Here is a picture of Five Snowmen I love the bright colours. It is really fun to watch them coming to life.

Annette B

Snowmen

2009-03-26T18:49:00.007+11:00

Another 10hr rotation slot finished. This brings up 40hrs on Blue Pearls Mermaid. This first page has been really slow going with just so much confetti stitching. I just love the colours on this and how the pearls show up.

I can't wait to get it into the Permanent Slot in the Rotation. When I have finished Page 2 on Daydreaming Fairy it will slot in there. I have just started Page 2 and the top half of the page is blocks of colour so hopefully it will stitch up quickly.

Next 10hr slot is Snowmen Are Like Stitches. I should be able to finish this off. It is such a cute little stitch. I can't even remember when I started it. It is in the UFO slot of my rotation.

If I can find it "Kingfisher" which is a kit and 3/4 stitched will go into the UFO slot. When we shifted I know I tried to put all my UFO's in a box but I have a feeling this one is still packed away downstairs in storage and I daren't touch anything down there as they are all stacked up and a dining table across the top. One wrong move and it could topple the lot - not a happy picture.

Well my baby is in Ecuador - I haven't heard from them yet. It was so hard saying good-bye and I was determined not to cry but I couldn't help it. I cried buckets. She is my baby after all. I know they are going to have a wonderful time and she is extremely organised. I will just pray every day that God will send his angels to protect them whever they are.

I just love the picture of the plane. People might say there is a UFO above the plane - it is just a sun flare off something. It is so neat. It looks like a goblet turned upside down.

Annette B

Little Babies

2009-03-23T16:28:00.004+11:00

Yesterday we went to have a look at some baby Alpaca's. We have a new Pastor at church and earlier this year they brought a couple of Alpaca's and they have since had babies. Their fleece is just so soft and beautiful. We got to feed them too. One female was really hungry and kept pushing the other 2 away from the bucket. One of them got a little bit excited while Nathan was feeding them and he got a little nip on his hand. They were just so cute.

Tomorrow is Departure Day for our DD and her partner. I can't believe that they are actually going to be leaving tomorrow. They have been planning this for 3 years and now it is finally here. South America is sooooo soooooo far away from Australia. I am going to miss here something fierce.

I will have to stitch to console myself.

Annette B

Blue Pearls Mermaid

2009-03-20T20:17:00.005+11:00

The beautiful QS was to take the place of Green dragonfly when she was finished but because I decided to do the 2009 HAED SAL it has been relegated to a slot in the 10hr rotation. Because we only get a page every 2 months for the SAL I am hoping to stitch more on Blue Pearls while I am waiting for another page. I forgot just how beautiful this piece is and the colours are so stunning. I remember watching Jan's progress on this and just how beautiful it looked.

I have been so busy today and haven't had much time to stitch. DD was here most of the morning sorting out and explaining all her paperwork to us as they fly out on Tuesday. I am sad already. We also had a visit from our new Pastor who is getting to know everyone. It was a lovely visit with his wife and 3 gorgeous little boys. I forgot just how active little boys can be.

Yesterday was pretty full too with Mum & Dad, DD & partner here for lunch. It was lovely to be all together. Tomorrow is going to be a full on day too with church in the morning and then a BBQ with DD and her friends. They are going to be missed so much.

So not much stitching time to be had in this house for another few days.

Japanese Quilt

2009-03-18T15:21:00.008+11:00

How beautiful is this Quilt. My girlfriend Kim made it for my son and his wife as a Wedding present. The pictures just do not do this justice at all. The circles are called Japanese coins. I just love it and all around the border are koi fish quilted with a varagiated thread. It was really hard to get a good picture of it.

I have been stitching on Blue Pearls Mermaid QS and just adore the colours on this piece. It is my 10 hr Focus piece and already I am over 5 hrs. I just can't put it down. I will though and stitch on Daydreaming Fairy QS. Nearly finished Page 1. I went and had Page 2 enlarged yesterday along with the next 4 pages of Leaf. I also got D,E,F Alphabet Fairies working copies done too.

I was so tired yesterday that I took a sleeping pill last night to make sure I had a good sleep. Had the chest xrays done yesterday. I have decided not to take the steriods that the Dr. prescribed as I hate what they do to my body. If I have an infection in the lungs I will just take the antibotics. I also have to have a couple of skin cancers removed next Monday from my face.

This time next week my baby will be at the start of her journey. I am missing her already and she hasn't even gone yet.

Annette B

Menacing Sky

2009-03-16T19:19:00.006+11:00

I went to do a little stitching this afternoon and looked through the window and the sky was black and green. I quickly looked at the weather map and saw a band of storms coming through. They looked really angry and I thought that we were going to really cop it. Fortunately it went around us yet again. We have had so many menacing storms come through and split and go either side.

Also I would like to thank Wendy for the award she gave me for my Blog this has been my first award

Here are the 10 Blogs I nominate for this award.

Elfin Stitches
Smokey from the Netherlands
Reading and Stitching
Shari's sharings
My Embroidery
Stitchitandie
Kielrain's Stitches
Stitches with Camels
Taking Life one stitch at a Time
Quietly Stitching

Happy stitching and Blogging.

Annette B

Froggie Froggie

2009-03-16T15:51:00.004+11:00

I finished my first 10 hrs on Froggie Froggie. As you can see he is very bright. I have finished 1 eye and love it. I am doing this on 32 count Oyster Lugana. The pattern said to do it with 1 strand on 14 ct. But I feel it doesn't give enough coverage. Next up is Blue Pearls Mermaid QS © HAED. I am still on the first page of this. It was supposed to be my focus after finishing Dragonfly but as I am doing the SAL this year she won't be worked on so much.

I am extremely tired. Yesterday afternoon I sat down to stitch and stitched for about 5 minutes before giving up from exhaustion. I haven't felt like this with my FMS for sooooo long, spent the afternoon having a nap. I went to the Drs. today JUST to renew my asthma prescription and when he listened to my chest he decided to send me off for a chest X-ray. I cough a lot with allergies asthma etc and noticed it had increased slightly - well sometimes I sound like I have a smoker's cough despite never having smoked in my life. Apparently my chest is very wheezy. Maybe that is why I am sooo tired. So I came out with 3 prescriptions, blood test forms and xray form.

Well I am off to have a cat nap. We have a lot of construction going on a block away and they are extremely noisy - will be glad when they have finished digging etc.

Annette B

Serenaded

2009-03-13T12:06:00.004+11:00

A couple of morning ago it was raining torrents and blowing quite strongly. I was sitting inside at the computer feeling quite snug and dry when I heard this beautiful melody. It continued on for quite a while and I said to Nathan 'That magpie sounds very close". He sure was there he was sitting on the balcony keeping himself out of the rain.

I had to laugh when Nathan said "I didn't think they sang like that.' They are usually known for their squarking noise and not the beautiful song we heard. I hope you enjoy the shots.
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I stole this from Yo Yo's Blog and she stole it from someone else's etc etc. I thought it was a really great idea as I love to read.

Do you like to to read new authors? Ever been in the bookstore or library and you're just not sure should you pick up that book with the interesting cover; you've never read this author, what shall you do? Well, to introduce us to new books out there this is what we do. Go get your current reading material. Let the book fall open to any random page, whether you've actually read that far or not doesn't matter. Now count down 7 or 8 or 9 lines and give us a snippet from your book. You have to give the book title and the authors' name. Oh, it can be any snippet at all, but please don't give away the whole book, it's a teaser-- not a spoiler.

So here is my teaser. It is from the book "Roaring of the Lamb" by Jack Lange

"Madeline put her arm around Alice as she sat next to her. "Alice, the Bible says that we shouldn't try to talk to the dead. It says there's only one go-between us and God, and that's Jesus. He's the one to talk to. The devil tells lies through dead people who come to us--they're not real at all. That wasn't your grandma- that was an evil angel pretending to be her."

Annette B

A Book and some mail

2009-03-11T13:46:00.006+11:00

When the mail came yesterday there was a package from the US. I couldn't remember ordering anything and was a little puzzled until I saw the sender. When I finished Greendragonfly I received an email from Ching Chou asking me to go to her ebay store and pick out a 4 x 7 picture. It was such a hard choice to make but I finally settled on Kimono Beauty. She is just stunning and I can't wait to have her framed. I just love the colours and the kingfisher to the side is so beautiful. Ching Chou is such a generous woman and I love her artwork. The colours are so bright and beautiful. This is her second print that I have.

I have just finished reading " La Prisonniere" by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi. This is an remarkable story of Malika Oufkir and her family who were prisonersf or 19 years in appaling conditions in a Morocco desert jail.

Malika grew up in the household of the King of Morocco but when her father was arrested in 1972 and executed after an attempt to asssssinate the King she and her family were goaled .

They managed a miraculous escape and the western world was alerted to their plight. It is incredible that they survived the ordeal at all. Malika was 19 years old and her youngest brother was only 2 0r 3.

What I find hard is that this happened so recently and the world never knew of their plight.

I am so lucky to live in a country where there is freedom of choice. Such a sad story - I found I couldn't put it down.

Annette B

Sunset

2009-03-09T14:05:00.003+11:00

I was sitting at the computer fiddling around when DS said wow look at the reflection of the sunset. I quickly raced outside with the camera and it was an amazing sunset.
I just stood there reflecting on what an amazing God I serve. His creations never cease to amaze me with their beauty and intricacies.

It was as if the sky was on fire there was just so many colours in that sunset.

I have been really tired after our Ladies Pamper Night. The room was done up so beautifully with white tablecloth with buckets of roses. We had stations for foot massages, hair straightening & curling, eyelash tinting, facials, make-up and underwear.

I ran the Circle of Friends programe which is are just starting in our church. With this programe you sign up for 2 months and get assigned someone to befriend and get to know better. We got 16 sign ups so I was really pleased with this number for our first programe.
A you can see the table was groaning with food. I was so busy I didn't get to eat any of it and that it the truth.....LOL.

This is me in the green with our first ladies for the Frienship Circle. As you can see in the background Ocean's Bounty. I took a couple of my HAED's to hang on the walls and there were lots of questions asked about my stitching.

I didn't get home till 11pm and couldn't sleep as the brain was buzzing from everything. We had to put the hall back to its original state as another church hold their services in the hall Sunday morning. Hopefully by tomorrow I will feel a little less tired.
Annette B

Beatrix

2009-03-05T20:43:00.001+11:00

Let me introduce Beatrix to you. She now joins Annabelle. Beatrix is such a delicate little thing and I just love how she has turned out on the fabric. The two little misses are simply divine. Cassandra is next up to be stitched.

I have had a rush of finishes this month.

I started Froggie Froggie today and this is going to be a real fun stitch - it has such vibrant colours.

I also started page 8 of Leaf. I am really pleased with how much progress I have made on her this year.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day as we are setting up a room at our church for a Women's Pamper Night. It is going to be a lot of fun.