A new discovery and a small finish

This week I managed to finish a small book mark for Little Brother.   He indulges my embroidery hobby with smiles, occasional evidence of some interest and frequent chortles, so I was not about to create a huge framed masterpiece for his wall.   One interest we do have in common (with differing levels of obsession) is reading so a bookmark seemed a safe choice.   Little Brother is also a keen beekeeper so - the result?  This!

The design is unashamedly pilfered in bits and pieces from charts in my stash but overall I am pleased with the finished result.   On 32 count cream Belfast linen with left over Autumn Harvest Silk 'N Threads floss this was all from stash which has raised the happiness factor.
So this week the mailman can carry this off to Little Brother who will hopefully put it to good use and not chortle that the bees look like blowflies.

This morning I went with the HD3QBEM to a shopping mall on the north side of the city.   A shoe shop there carries her favourite ECCO brand but unfortunately nothing appealed today.   However we did discover Crafty Knitwits Cafe to which my wool-lover HD3QBEM could rapidly become addicted, I think.
Cute little tables covered in vintage textiles with hand embroidered linen napkins and cooking like Grandma used to make.  Fabric covered lampshades, menu cards in sweet little quilted covers.   All of this surrounded by woollen yarns and tempting knitting patterns.   Perhaps it was fortunate that she sported a Vision Impaired badge and was therefore legally unable to see and be tempted to purchase yet more yarn :-)   Down the stairs was a treasure trove of quilting fabrics.   Just as well I have a to-do list for 2014 and so was not be tempted to acquire.

Great place though and a delicious Hot Chocolate so we shall be back!
Last night I started the first Christmas ornament for 2014 - as a stop gap until my floss order arrives from ABCStitch.   I ordered the floss at the beginning of November and on Friday had an email to say it was being dispatched.   What an excessively long turn around time.   I shall be pleased when it arrives and I can make a start on The Mermaids Chest.
Now I am off to pick beans and Sweet Peas from the garden.   Tonight we are having salmon sushi for dinner and after that my car needs a wash.   With that today's list should be complete.