Reveal date for a couple of things

At the last NH get together in April, there was a book exchange and we were asked if we would like to take part in a bookmark exchange as a reminder of our time together.

We were all given a little card to write your favourite colour, flower and sweet/chocolate inside. You added your name and address and sealed the envelope.

Clare held onto the envelopes and we each had to pick one making sure you didn't pick your own! The envelope i opened had Diane's (no blog) details inside. Her favourite flower was the carnation and the colours she liked were pink and blue. Her chocolate treat was Kit Kat.

A search of old magazines and i came up with a lovely chart for the perfect carnation - World of Cross Stitching Oct 2004 Issue 89.  It was charted in blues but with a fondle in the thread box i came up with these bright pinks.  Fabric was just a piece of 14ct sky blue aida which after stitching on, i then sandwiched inbetween the aida and the backing fabric some vilene interfacing and sewed the running stitch border to hold them together.  Ironing the interfacing stiffened he whole thing and i could then cut around the edge with the pinking shears. Careful forethought and planning beforehand i cut the bottom edge and tucked in the ribbon before i sewed the bottom border).  I was really pleased with how it turned out but forgot to take a pic of the choccie and ribbons i added to the envelope.

Ours truly was an exchange as Diane had chosen my card and here's the lovely parcel she sent to me. Such a delicate and pretty bookmark.  Thank you Diane.  Turkish delight in chocolate is my weakness in the chocolate variety.

As the others are revealed it will be interesting to see if any of the others ladies actually had an exchange or if they all had differing partners.

Last Sunday in the month and that means its time to reveal this months challenge design chosen by Christine. La-d-da Rose free chart was the choice for June.

The saying is from the poem written by Gertrude Stein in 1913 called Sacred Emily and appreared in the 1922 book Geography and Plays.  It has also had reference in other books too.  In 'Thinks' by David Lodgee and also in Stephen Kings fantasy series The Dark Tower.

Perfect timing for this design for the month of June as i was looking for something to stitch as a little 'pass the gift' for the Book Borrowers birthday party game and this beauty fit the bill.  It was won by a crafting lady who was thrilled with it's simplicity.

The start of July today and i have big plans to definately get the last block of Shores stitched this month. It needs to be done if its to get to the framers ready for the horticultural show in September and talking of that, i really need to get started on the annual 'Best in Show' piece that i stitch and frame for the overall show winner to keep each year.

I need more stitching time in my day..... i can see you all nodding at that statement lol