February challenge reveal

Here we are almost at the end of February. 

 

For me, that means it's time to reveal the monthly Christmas challenge design chosen by Christine over at Needlecraft Haven and how I finished my version. 

 

February's choice was by Luli and there were two differing designs to choose from.

 

I used the design for a friends February - the month of love - birthday, stitched it in pink and ecru on a random pale pink fabric.  I also chose to backstitch around the edge - that wasn't on the charted design.  I fitted it into a round coaster and she loved it.

 

Then, I decided to stitch the same design again as I liked the first one so much.  Again, I backstitched the outline.  I made this one into an ornament.  A simple hoop finish with a Christmas ribbon I found in my stash that had a design that matched the stitching.  The others can be found in the gallery.

 

 

An urgent request for a school cardigan for my granddaughter, she is growing like a weed at the moment.  It has kept the knitting needles busy this past week.  All finished and handed over ready for the new school term.

 

She loves the special ladybird buttons and of course as its handmade there is no chance of her coming home in the wrong cardigan.

 

 

Yesterday morning there was a fabulous female green woodpecker on my feeder.  I went to get my camera and by the time I returned it was gone..... and then.... I spotted it on my neighbours back lawn.   Not a very clear picture but I had to record this as I have never seen one so close before, I though you might like to see my fuzzy picture taken through the window.  Perhaps you have seen one before?

 

 

I'll end this post now as I'll have another reveal to show you soon as it will be opening day for the meet up needlebook exchange on March 1st.  My parcel has arrived with its new owner and i have also received an envelope myself... not long to wait to rip it open.

 

I hope all is well in your part of the world.

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie 

 

Thank you Katie

 

Happiness is also an envelope in the post from a stitching friend across the pond.

 

 

 

 

Thank you Katie for the lovely charts from your 1,000th blog post competition.

 

Are you a visitor to Katies blog, Jeremiah's Mom?  If not, please pay her a visit, there is always something lovely to read about and wonderful stitching projects to watch grow.  I've learnt lots by reading her travel posts as she is often travelling with her family to exciting places.

 

Things here have not been up to par since mid December.  What with bugs, germs and ongoing health issues giving cause for concern for both myself and DH, normal service is far from happening in our house.  

 

 

Quiet times spent crafting haven't happened as much and plans I had for projects have not begun.  I have managed to keep up with things I had committed to and the exchange from the autumn meet up went off in the post earlier this week ready for opening day of 1st March.  The monthly challenge has also been stitched - its only tiny this month.  

 

This past weekend I did feel the urge for something new.  A new stitching start happened and I made a little more progress on it today.  

 

Oh no.... I've just noticed when I uploaded the photo that I have missed four little stitches off the bottom right hand corner inner border - isn't it funny how you see things when you look at a photograph but don't when you look at it on the frame.

 

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie

Gifted Gorgeousness - February

The 15th of the month is time for a Gifted Gorgeousness post.  

A chance for us bloggers to show off gifts we have received.  It could be yarn, a thread, a piece of fabric or something that's not for crafting but was sent/given to brighten your day.  Have you made or given a gift, that counts too as does a free chart you have found and have used, given by the designer.  Did you previously receive stash that you have finally got round to using? 

You can read more about 'GG' here.  It's the brainchild of Jo at Serendipitous Stitching

Today someone is celebrating a birthday.  It's Barb, do you read her blog?   I knitted a pair of fingerless mitts to keep her hands warm and added a couple of small other gifts (which I forgot to take a picture of)

 

Yesterday was Valentines Day, did you have a nice day?

 

Over at Needlecraft Haven we had an exchange.  Not a stitched one.  This time we had to exchange a pair of socks with a valentine theme and include 2 skeins of thread matching the sock colours and card.

 

I sent to Clare .... lovebird socks, 2 DMC threads and a wooden postcard

 

 

I received from Christine.  A very special gift that had a pack of 3 pairs of socks in it.

 

 

Thank you Christine x

 

Time to stop by your blog and see what gifted gorgeousness you are telling us all about for February.

 

Love and Blessings to you all

 

Julie 

 

 

 

Winter Warmers

It's been a time of more knitting than stitching recently.

Remember my Christmas wool gift from DH.....

 

I've knitted up the purple West Yorkshire Spinners double knitting ball into a thick pair of socks for myself and as we have been having some flakes of winter snow today, I've been wearing them ... very comfy and cosy warm.

 

 

A heating problem at work for DD and fingers chilled to the bone.  Can you be professional in your job whilst wearing fingerless mitts in a jazzy colour?

 

A perfect fit and she loved them......

 

A message from a family member for an extra layer for a little one......



 

 

The monthly challenge is stitched and a small exchange gift that needs to be in the post next week is also completed but you'll have to wait before I can reveal both of those.

 

Have a lovely weekend

 

Blessings to all

 

Julie