Feb challenge reveal day

February, the month of love and this months challenge design chosen by Christine was just that.  Last month was Christmas so this month was something different.  We'll be back to Christmas again for March.

A lovely little design each month that we stitch and finish using whatever fabric and threads we choose ourselves and try out new skills when finishing.  A good way to practice something you might want to try on another project.

The Primitive Hare was Christine's choice for February and I saw it stitched by quite a few people over the month.

This was my version ......
 

I photographed it on the chart so you could see how the designer charted it in her finish.  I didn't add the date, instead I chose to add a little heart button.  I don't often do a heart shape as I seem to get it all wonky, but this little felted stuffed heart turned out quite well.

I've been knitting this past week and my summer cardigan is finished -

DH's new rib pattern socks are finished too -

A new stitching start was the Blue Ribbon Designs 'A Friend Indeed' that Clare gifted me in the friendship exchange this month - thank you Clare.  It was too nice to put away in the box and get forgotten about so onto the frame it went and stitch, stitch stitch....

The border met up nicely first time - relief!  I chose to stitch it smaller than charted, over 1 on 27 antique white Linda.   I think the stitching mojo has returned and I really enjoyed these tiny stitches.

 

I've been reading that quite a few of you are battling the germs that are about.  Wishing you a speedy recovery and there are some ladies who are experiencing sadness and tough times so i'm sending a friendship {hug} your way.

 

I hope you all have a lovely week. I've got an appointment with my RP consultant this week, fingers crossed she's got some more positive news for me this time round.

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie

 

Feet up = finishes

Enforced extra rest on doctors orders for the past few days has meant a couple of finishes.

 

The organza embroidery kit Tall Trees from Rowandean Embroidery had the final satin stitch trees added and sits beautifully in a wooden frame (frame purchased from Sainsbury's supermarket).   It was to be a gift but DH really likes it so I think perhaps we will be keeping this one and i'll have to think of something else for the gift. 

 

 

At Needlecraft Haven we do a seasons SAL of smalls. 

 

I have taken part for the past 3 years and this year when looking for something else came across a printed out set of charts from Lynn at Happiness is Cross Stitching for one of her older seasons design.  There is a link on the right hand side of Lynn's blog to the chart set and also a tab to her other free patterns at the top of her blog - thank you Lynn. 

 

Stitching completed, it's now also made up ready for when Spring arrives next month.

 

The front... 

 

and the back .... 

 

The other seasons are equally as lovely and will be finished just the same through the year.

 

It's parlour night with Miss Barb on Wednesday evenings and we all virtually stitch together on a weekly project whilst chatting and eating virtual cake! 

 

Mum bought me this bookmark kit on a holiday to Scotland and it's been sitting in my cupboard full of kits for quite a while.  I decided this year that some of those kits are going to be used.  So, this is my new Wednesday project for parlour nights.  I've just noticed I photographed it with the bookmark upside down - I must make sure that I check before I start next week that I have it the right way round. 

 

 

Sunday will be reveal of the monthly challenge so next time i'll be able to show you another finish as well.

 

Thanks for calling by ......

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie  x

 

 

Gifted Gorgeousness February inc Friendship Exchange

Gifted Gorgeousness - read all about it on Jo's blog, time to share things you have gifted to to others or anything that's been gifted to you.... fabric, threads, handmade goodies, anything you like really.

Feb 14th of course the postal service was going bonkers with valentine cards, gifts and flowers although I guess nowadays not so much with social media etc.  I took part in a friendship exchange at Needlecraft Haven with an opening day of valentines day.    Receiving day for our parcels was a few days earlier to make sure everyone received in plenty of time.

A list of items had been given that needed to go into the parcel -

Make, stitch or buy a friendship card
Skeins of thread (themed/colour of your parcel)
Small friendship gift
Freebie chart printed out

Instead of going with a red/love theme, i had a bit of an idea.  The flower of the month for February is the violet -

This was the first time I had received Mary's address in an exchange and even though I had actually met Mary at a meet up a few years ago she hadn't received a RAK bunny from me.  

I knitted up Miss Violet and added skeins of Vikki Clayton silks in violet and purple colours.   A nice card was purchased and a little slate saying on a hanging plaque about friendship.   I came across an old freebie chart from Cosmic Handmade from 2010 that was perfect for stitching friends.  All wrapped in purple tissue and tied with purple ribbon off it went in the post.

 Here's my parcel for Mary -

The parcel I opened came from Clare.  

Inside was a lovely card, heart shaped chocolates, rose scented soap petals, an organiser and Clare's chosen friendship chart came from Blue Ribbon Designs 'A Friend Indeed' and  it included the thread colours to stitch it. 

Thank you Clare, a lovely parcel you put together x

February 13th my brother and his wife celebrated their Silver Wedding.  I chose this beautiful simple chart from  Nia Cross Stitch and framed it with a silver mount and plain white frame. 

 

A friend celebrated her 70th Birthday this week too.  My handmade card found it's way to her.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what your GG post for February includes.

Love and blessings

Julie x

 

   

Busy hands

It's been really cold this weekend, I've had a quiet one at home. 

We even had a snow shower today.

I've enjoyed lots of crafting time.

A sock completed -

 

The back finished and start of a front on my cardigan -

 

 

A little embroidery, a host of french knots added  -

  

 

I've enjoyed other stitching that I can't show as yet.

 

I thought you might like to see the nativity figures the knitting group have made so far.

 

 

I hope you had a lovely weekend too.

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie x

 

Incowrimo

International Correspondence Writing Month (Incowrimo) - have you heard of it?

Linda is doing this challenge in February and sending one of her handmade cards out to people on each day of the month with a little note inside.

There have been some wonderful cards so far, if you don't follow her blog - Linda's Looking in New Directions Always' -  hop over and have a look.

In todays post I received one - isn't it lovely

 

As well as card making and scrapbooking Linda is also a stitcher and in the past we have stitched a SAL together of a Christmas stocking for our grandchild.  It was lovely to get to know Linda better during that time.  

 

She kindly passed on some sock wool which she wasn't going to use and I in return knitted her a bunny that helps to keep her craft room looking nice and tidy!

 

Thank you Linda for your kindness in sending me one of your lovely cards.   I feel very special to have been chosen to receive one.

 

Julie x

New Toys

My trusty magnifier broke at the weekend so I was searching for a new one.

I came across the Mighty Bright Vusion and it was offered on sale how could I resist.  Even better that it was offered at a better discount price at a well know UK sewing supplier and delivered next day, it arrived this morning.

Very lightweight, it unclips from the base to clip onto my frame.  The light has two strengths and it came with batteries included.  The magnifier is a bit smaller than my last one but I'm keen to give it a try this evening.  The base has rubber stoppers on the bottom (and it's magnetic) so will stand on the table and i'll be able to see to put on those fiddly little beads around the edges and it will be useful when making up ornaments and prevent me going cross eyed.

DS bought me some new sock needles for Christmas from Knit Pro after hearing me mention that the bamboo ones I was using were getting a little worn.  He must have looked at the ones I was using as I didn't tell him the size I needed and they were a complete surprise.  I've given them a try this week with a new pair of socks with a rib pattern DH was keen to try.

 

DD thought I might like another hobby.  Peter Rabbit colouring book and pencils were a nice present for those moments when concentration is lacking.  She knows that a crafter doesn't like idle hands. 

 

 

 

I hope you are having a good week so far.  We woke to a sprinkling of snow this morning but it soon melted quickly and then again this afternoon another light covering, which has also melted. 

 

Stay warm and cosy and happy crafting.

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie  x

 

How did I do in January?

Did you see the moon last night on the last day of January? 

The amazing full moon, blue moon (with their being 2 full moons in January), super moon (closest to he earth) all rolled into one.  For those of you in the USA you also had the blood moon too but here in the UK we didn't really see the redness.

We have a National Space Centre here in my city and you can read all about last nights moon here. 

I captured this with the camera, although it was very windy and we had such cloud cover it was hard to see it clearly every time i stepped outside during the evening.  I should have taken a picture whilst it was still daylight as the moon appeared DH tells me as it was much better then ... mental note to self for next time to try that and maybe listen to DH's advice!

My almanac for February tells me that 2nd February is Candlemas, or the old celtic name Imbolc.  Burning torches were carried across the land to purify it prior to planting and symbolise the strengthening sun each day.  It is supposed to see the passing of winter and the start of the agricultural year with lengthening days, warm soil and the promise of good harvests to come later in the year.  

 

Crocus and spring bulbs should be opening their buds to bring us some much needed colour into the garden, or into our homes in the form of small planters.  The snowdrop is a natural symbol of hope and purity and links to Candlemas celebrations.  They were once called Candlemas bells and it was said to be unlucky if you brought them into the house before Candlemas.

 

Mine in the garden are just opening their buds although I think Mr Squirrel might have stolen a few during the winter as we planted many more last year.

 

 

Candlemas is the Christian festival of light and lots more candles are lit at church services. The Christians celebrate Candlemas as it is the 40th day since the birth of Jesus and the end of Marys confinement.

It just so happens that my two baby Jesus' in the crib are complete and will be handed over to the knitting group tomorrow on Candlemas.  He was a bit fiddly to sew up and its not my best work but I think he'll be ok and one of him is slightly bigger than the other.
  

A little unfinished item in the workbox has been completed for a friends birthday.  Justine gave me this complete little bookmark kit when we met last Spring. 

 

All stitched and backed with white felt this cute little kitty sits inside the little card.  I'll add a book token inside as the recipient is a reader. 

 

 

I've had 5 craft finishes in January -

 

 

I've read 6 books during January -

 

 

Not a bad start to the year.  I've got 3 WIP projects in my basket moving forward into February - the secret stitch project, the organza picture embroidery and my knitted cardigan and there will be new things to add to the list as the month progresses with a SAL and an exchange to look forward to. 

I hope your January was a productive one too.

 

Love and blessings to you all

 

Julie