Cherished Stitches is stitched

A wonderful long weekend and that warm feeling of accomplishment. I completed the Cherished Stitches basket band and purchased the lining material but sad to say the whole basket is not complete yet . This is a baaaad photo but I promise a better one of the finished product. Blame the camera!

Also made a Quiet Book for my friend Jacquie's little daughter Ruth. She really is quiet but its always a good idea to have lots to entertain her through a lengthy church service and at two years old this type of book is just right. I gave it to Ruth on Sunday and she just loved it. I am her friend for life :-)

Thanks to Edgar

I found this on Edgar's blog and after checking out what the acronym in 10 stood for have completed this survey of my stitching habits!!!

1. How do you hold your fabric? Usually in my left hand as I stitch with the right
2. Floss licker? Not if I can help it!!!
3. How do you thread your needle? I hold the thread between thumb and forefinger of the left hand and push into the eye of the needle held in the right hand
4. What needle do you like best? John James usually #24 or #26
5. Are you a needle loser? On occasions some have been known to slip beyond reach down the edge of the chair – I’m preparing a hazard for the man who will eventually reupholster!
6. What fabric do you prefer to stitch on? 32 count linen but age is somehow forcing a change to 28 count for one over one. Has to be linen though!
7. Bobbins or floss bags? Both. Bobbins for cotton and floss bags for silk.
8. Are you a scissors collector? No. I only have one pair for each scissor fob, hussif, embroidery bag and/or basket……oops :-)
9. Do you do your own framing, and if so, do you lace or pin? Hardly ever and only if it is small and unlikely to be seen by too many others. I have a wonderful framer in the next city (about an hour and a half away) so I stockpile and then have a day out to deliver and another day out to collect! Always laced – I never pin.
10. Are you a floss floozy? Of course and getting worse.
11. Silk? I use it whenever I can - financial situation and availability permitting.
12. Railroader? Not really.
13. Are you a pattern or designer snob? No but I do have preferences and am always irresistibly drawn to anything that could be categorised sampler. This year I am trying to do needlework accessories that do not require framing as it is easier on the pocketbook.
14. Do you get antsy when you give someone a stitched gift? No. If they don’t like it that is usually their loss as it has been stitched with love and good wishes.
15. Have you reached S.A.B.L.E? I even had to ask what this was so obviously haven’t reached it – will I ever?

Had a busy night stitching last night but it is for the next HOE exchange so can't show you that yet - sorry. Have almost completed the Cherished Stitches basket band and as tomorrow is a public holiday I hope to complete the stitching and if possible get out to buy fabric to finish of the basket.

My thanks to Jan and Adele

Finally I have finished the two pieces I have made as thanks to Jan and Adele. These two are the wonderful ladies at the shop where I go twice a year to buy clothes. They helpfully suggest styles, and more importantly honestly say when they think something does not fit or suit. For a fashion ignoramus like me this help is vital and I rely on these two. I made the pink tassel for Jan as she just seems like a pink and roses lady and because Adele always seems to wear black as a basis what better than this biscornu with black as a base!

The Kiss is done

The Cricket Collection Magic Kiss is done and after several false starts has been turned into a pinkeep tassel. I'm hoping the niece-in-law likes it but as I intend to include a packet of Hersheys Kisses too she probably will.

As you can tell I had a weekend finishing and tonight hope to complete the third item and post tomorrow.

Kathy's Album

Kathy's album is done. Do you like the small grape fastners? I thought them apt since she is both keen on wine and will be spending THE 50th birthday in France. All in all a successful first effort at an album I think but I am not sure that I will ever repeat this.

Cherished stitches

Last night I was so tired I didn't go to the gym on the way home from work so instead had the evening to do my stitching. I am making good progress on the Cherished Stitches basket band - around a quarter done = one half of one band so there is a way to go yet. I love the colour scheme. Marsha from CrissCross Row kitted this all up for me when I ordered it around two years ago so it has taken a long time to get this far but I am hooked now so it will defintiely get finished.

Edda's biscornu arrived

Yesterday the postman left a card to say a parcel was waiting for me so before work this morning I rushed to Epsom Post Office and collected a wonderful package from Iceland! How excited I was to receive my first ever international exchange. Edda has sent me a beautiful autumn toned biscornu, and some really Icelandic colour belfast linen from Silkweavers as well as some threads and a postcard of the wonderful Aurora. This is a wonderful way to see other parts of the world and I really appreciate the thought Edda put in to this package.