Radio silence

It's been a bit quite around here lately and all because of a wicked cold.  My GP tells me it is an upper respiratory illness which makes it sound tame.  I can assure you, it has been anything but tame!  I'm on the road to recovery but my stitching has taken a hit as has my blog reading and updating.

I took loads of pictures recently to post and it was only when looking at the ones already posted that I realised my camera really isn't up to the job.  So today I have ordered a new one and I'm hoping for some better quality pictures - watch this space.

I will be back soon but in the meantime - does this look familiar to anyone?  This is my stitch holder or as others may commonly refer to, a sofa!  I bet I'm not the only one with furniture decorated in this manner...?

If you recall I purchased a book - Red Home - and planned on making a thread catcher fabric basket.  Looks like I need to get on that asap.  I've already purchased the fabrics and cotton so all I need is time and energy.  Should be completed some time next year then :)

Until next time,

Claire

Money, money, money

I've not been doing a great deal of stitching but I've more than made up for it with my spending!  I thought I would share with you some of my recent purchases - I'll think you'll agree I had no other option but to buy them :)

One of my first purchases was this Malin Maline hanger 'double cake'.  It is the same site I got the 'Pretty Pastries' cross stitch that I have almost completed.  I'm hoping this might give me the final push to get it done.

From:
www.malinmaline.com - it is a French website but you can translate it into English if (like me) you need to.  They have such pretty things I am always tempted when I visit.


This is the backing fabric I've picked to back the finished piece - having looked again at the samples on the Malin Maline site I may now swap it for a dotty fabric.  What do you think?

Pretty Pastries by Malin Maline

I also picked this hanger for a recently completed cross stitch that is sitting in a box.  Adding a finish to my stitching was not one of my strong points until the new year of 2012 when I decided that I must:

• Finish some of my works in progress (believe me, there are many!)
• Do something with my cross stitch pieces other than hide them in a box

Let's just say I am still working on these resolutions and perhaps this blog will help me along the way.

My new copy of 'Cross Stitcher' arrived this week and along with 'Love Quilting and Patchwork' I can see that my resolutions may not be closer to being realised just yet.  I love the cushion cover on the front of Cross Stitcher and am very tempted to add it to my list of planned projects.

Not the best photo but believe me, it is gorgeous.  I've some more goodies to share but perhaps I'll leave them until next time.  Don't want you all thinking I am a compulsive shopper!

On a final note, my 'Secret Stitching Sweetheart' has been revealed.  The beautiful heart was completed by Christine at http://alchymyst.blogspot.co.uk.  If you haven't checked all the entries out already be sure to head over to Jo's blog  to have a look - http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.co.uk

Until next time,

Claire

Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop

Happy Valentines Day everyone.  I'm afraid to say I didn't receive a card in the post or flowers or chocolate :(  But I did receive a book I had ordered and that was just as good if not better - what can be better than a present to yourself that you really want?  I was very excited when I saw the package waiting for me on the mat and couldn't wait to open it.

And here it is.  It's 'Red Home' by Natalie Bird and includes ten red themed sewing projects for the home.  I brought this as it has a pattern for stitching a thread catcher and as I am always picking up bits of thread from around the house - or pulling them off my person - I thought this may help me to contain my mess in a stylish and practical way.  You need two contrasting pieces of fabric so now I'm looking forward to my day off tomorrow so I can go to my local fabric shop and have a browse.  And who knows, I may even go wild and choose non-red colours!  I also need to pick some backing fabric for the jubilee cushion cover I made the other day so it may be an expensive trip.

As it is Valentines I decided to get into the spirit of things and join in the Secret Stitching Sweetheart Jo has organised over at Serendipitous Stitching - http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.co.uk - please go and have a look.  You may have seen the colours I used for my stitching piece as I posted them a few days ago.  Well, here is the picture I have been sent.

I love it!  It is a beautiful piece of stitching and I love how it has been presented with the lovely spring flowers in the background.  I think I am going to have to up my game and this will certainly provide some inspiration.  I'm off to see what other people have created and see who made this fab heart.

Have a lovely day all and if like me you didn't receive any chocolates then pop out and buy some for yourself because you are totally worth it!

Claire

And if you are interested in getting a copy of the book I purchased mine from Red Raspberry Quilts -  http://www.redraspberryquilts.com
It's an Australian company so you pay international postage.  I can't fault the service and the book arrived well wrapped and in the promised timeframe.

Happy pancake day

Or Shrove Tuesday if you prefer. No pictures to share with you today but will be picking up my Home stitching any minute now.  Well, maybe after I've made some pancakes and a cup of tea.  I have to join in with the spirit of things.

I found another new blog to follow today - http://stjohnsstitcher.blogspot.co.uk.  Melissa is having a birthday/200 followers giveaway on her site so go take a gander and give her a follow.  I might take a look back through her old posts whilst enjoying some fried batter.  Let's hope I don't get lost in (inter)net space this evening and ignore my stitching but I do love seeing other peoples work

What a week!

Gosh, can't believe it's been so long since I was last here.  An infection and subsequent antibiotics laid me low and left me feeling so awful, I've done very little stitching.  And what I have done I can't share as it's for the Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop on Valentines Day - details here: http://tinyurl.com/avt9gn5 

I will share the colours I selected for my project, not the traditional colours others might plump for to represent valentines but they fit in well with my recent desire for bright circus colours.

 I also did a bit of sewing with my machine.  I made a 9 patch quilt last year (it was the Golden Jubilee and I was suitable inspired when choosing the fabric) and I have been looking at the left over material and thinking I really should do something with it.  Here is the result:

You can glimpse the quilt in the background.  Eventually this will become a cushion cover, I just need to select some backing fabric for it. 

Back to work tomorrow and hopefully some evening stitching too.  I've ordered some new bits and pieces to add to my ever expanding collection of projects.  Funny how even in the midst of feeling awful I can still summon the energy to spend money!

Until next time

Claire