And more Christmas

Both of these stitched up quickly and turned out a "good size" (according to the DBEM!)
I was pleased to find the bobble edging at a local shop and can now consider this project complete too.

One job this week is to cut the card squares needed to complete construction of the Quaker Friendship book.   But I have been easily distracted over the weekend with a Laurie R King book.   I love some of her writing - "the cat poured itself onto the floor and departed".
In my sentences cats leap or jump or are pushed but they don't pour.   However Laurie R King's phrasing is more picture than prose I think and for that reason has transferred itself to my notebook of memorable quotes. 

Christmas preparations almost complete

What does one do when there is no more DMC 221 left in the stash and one is part way through a cute ornament?

Today the DBEM and I went out to stock up on floss.   Well actually we went to a shopping mall and the DBEM went for a long walk.   She is on a "strength and balance" exercise programme and this was part of that. 
Since then I have done the household chores, been for a long brisk walk myself and completed two ornaments.
Voila!

Now it's time for beauty sleep.

Construction Zone

It has been a busy day chez nous but I did manage to go for  a long walk in the sunshine, do the grocery shopping, visit the library and take the DBEM out for lunch.   Clever moi!
Tonight I have completed the gift tags -  voila.   These have turned out just as I envisaged and I am pleased with them- there just may be more on the horizon.

Also I completed 2018 Ornament Number 4 - as a a small hanging pillow.   Yes I am satisfied with this one too.

And now I have the Hardanger Angel half clothed, needing arms and some hair on her head.   Photos will follow as she is not looking very beautiful yet. 
Then the only thing in the finishing basket is a Quaker Friendship Book which I had forgotten about.  I will get busy on that one as it doesn't appear to be too difficult to finish off.
But now, the DBEM has her hot water bottle and I have a date with The Hotel Inspector.

And another

Another scrap of linen and the gloss not yet put away in the cupboard so I've started Ornament number four.   This looked like turning out too big so I opted for over one which will try my patience!

The colours are Threadworks Christmas Green and Christmas Red - at least that's what I call them.

It's cold again tonight but we've had a mild patch for a week or so and today as I walked to work I noticed that the cherry tree in the churchyard had a couple of blossoms on it.  Maybe we will skip winter this year?

The DBEM gets worried when I walk in the rain.   This is the same woman who years ago thrust me out into raging southerly storms telling me I wouldn't dissolve in a little moisture!  Positions are sure reversed now and I am slowly coming to the conclusion that it must be far easier to care for an aging parent if one has raised a child.   But day by day we grow older together:-)

Christmas is coming

It's almost the shortest day here in New Zealand and soon we will literally be counting down to Christmas. 
I had a scrap of linen left over from the last ornament and rather than waste it created these which will be stuck to card to make gift tags,   What a good idea do I hear you say?   Well I think so.
I've not decided whether to fringe all four or not.   I'll stick this scarlet suede effect contact adhesive to thin card and glue the tags on.   With a ribbon through one end they should make effective gift tags.

Each year I make an ornament each for the nieces and nephews - five in total.   Tonight I started number four so am well on track.   But I do have another deadline project to be completed by September so must keep up the momentum.

I'm off to bed with a hot water bottle tonight.

Completed.

This weekend I had a long list of chores and then the DBEM added to it so I've been very busy.
And now with all the items crossed off my list I am feeling tired and virtuous.

The sweet peas are planted out.   Hopefully there will be a fragrant show in Spring.   11 of the 20 seeds planted actually sprouted which considering the seed was two years old is not a bad strike rate.

Christmas ornament number three was completed.   All three have the word Joy so I am going to look through my books for something a little different for the others.   Meanwhile I am stitching small red and green baubles for gift tags to use up the scrap of linen left over from this ornament.

And then next on the list is to construct the large hardanger angel.   I finally found a plastic spray bottle the correct height and have all the ingredients ready to go.   So next weekend's project is an angelic one.

Finishing Day

Tonight watching a surfeit of Royal wedding documentaries (while waiting for the real thing) I have finished off two items.

Here's how to use a minuscule scrap of linen - a scissor fob.  And the two sides are different.   Fiddly and unlikely to be repeated.

And Christmas Ornament number one.   Not sure I like this shape for ease of finishing but for an ornament which is only in use briefly once a year this will suffice.

Now I'm back to Harry and Megan ;-)

A coffee date

I promised a friend we'd meet up for coffee and I paired it with this delicious Pistachio and Pear tartlet. 

Then tonight I had to work the calories off so have been busy stitching on a Christmas Ornament. 

Does anyone remember Gift of Stitching - the web based magazine from back in the day?   This is one from there.   I have fallen in love with it, but as I've said before, my Christmas tree cannot fit another ornament.   So this one will go to another home.
I have another new project ready to start so when the green line and the last Rhodes stitch are done I will begin the Ukranian project.   Problem with that is that the DBEM and I have differing opinions on which pattern to choose.   Watch this space!