Round Robin returns home

Postie called today and i signed for a package, as soon as i saw the name on the back i knew what was inside. It was my very first round robin returning home that we started way back in February.

I was so worried about doing a RR that i've put it off for such a long time. As regular readers will remember, last October when we had the stitchers meet-up, Clare and Tina (no blog) persuaded Hazel (who also hadn't done a RR) and myself that there is nothing to fear and it really is good fun.

We caved in and gave it a go, and i must say i have thoroughly enjoyed stitching on other ladies work, some different designs that i would not normally have chosen to do.

I'm really thrilled with how mine turned out, thank you ladies for your beautiful stitching and hard work, it really does look fabulous and will be something i'll treasure.









Here's a close up of Hazel and Clare's blocks









and of Tina's and mine

I think all the robins have arrived safely home now, so definately a good experience for us all. You often hear such awful stories about problems with RR's and bad experiences with people not stitching and them getting lost.

Thanks again ladies for making my first experience so enjoyable, maybe i'll have another go sometime...

A little is better than none

Stitching has been a little more productive this week, not a lot but a little ....









The SAL's i'm doing received some attention this week. The weekly Sampler Girl 'In the Meadow' had it's usual Wednesday evening attention at the stitch club, but unfortunately we had a heated debate about the recent Terry Pratchett TV programme on assisted suicide so not a lot was stitched. It was a very thought provoking programme and gave me food for thought in the days after its airing, did anyone else watch it?

Shores also had a little time spent on it, more of a blank square than a finished one for June i think with this, never mind, i'll catch up.

No longer a figment of my imagination, but a reality, the June monthly ornament got stitched and made up. It couldn't be more simpler, but at least it's a finish and i'm still on track for one a month. I can't remember where this free one came from, can anyone help?

I'll have to try and remember to take a pic of the 6 ornaments i have so far this year all together, it's a nice collection.

Unfortunately, the monthly challenge has escaped me this month, sorry Christine, i didn't even get as far as printing the chart off!

This weekend the UK has been basking in the hottest days of the year so far, over 30 degrees and way too hot and humid for me and especially for little Isabelle, she is struggling keeping comfy and sleeping, but weighs in now at a healthy 8lb.

I heard on the news today that they are predicting a good thunderstorm to end this mini heatwave later today, that'll suit me just fine and also my garden.

It's a good job DH is handy with a watering can - although we are supposed to be having a ban on using water on the gardens if we dont get a good amount of rain - washing up water does help to keep my plants in pots looking nice, i have a pair like this that i can see from my kitchen window, so bright and cheery to look at.

Before i close this post today, i really wanted to share something that arrived in the post for Amy and Isabelle.

This was stitched by Kathy, she doesn't have a blog to show off her work, but i really wanted you all to see how beautiful it is. Kathy does read my blog, and i'd like to say thank you Kathy, Amy is really delighted with it and i'm sure the other readers here will also think you have done a lovely job.

DH commented that it really does look like Isabelle and i must admit, i have to agree with him, it does!

Thanks for stopping by, and welcome to the new visitors, it's always nice to see that someone new stopped by for a quick read.

Shocked (or should that be socked!)

In the absence of a real friend, sometimes this little 'sheep a knitting' and i will have a conversation about things and put the world to rights.

She's a really good listener and doesn't often give bad advice!

Recently though we had a conversation about something that astounded me.

A local department store with a very small craft section had a sale ready for a refurbishment. I don't often buy things there as the prices are quite high, but decided to take a look and see if there was anything worth picking up.

DH was with me and he was wandering around too, he came to me with a basket containing 2 balls of sock wool

Nothing exciting about that except his comment when he showed them to me "I seem to remember this band on the wool, isn't it the sort you have knitted me a pair of socks with?" Mouth agape and unable to utter a single word for a moment or two i just stared at him. "What" he said, "It is isn't it?" and yes, he was right and at 99p per ball it was a bargain.

All you keen eyed crafters will no doubt have noticed that the balls are different. There was infact only 1 ball of each colour left on the shelf and each ball will knit only 1 sock. I mentioned this fact to DH, but ever the bargain hunter he was not to be put off. "I'll have a pair of funky socks then won't i" says he.

Now, this is the man, that unless it's a shade of blue, blue or blue isn't usually interested. He doesn't do trendy at all! Big discussions followed about 'Will you wear them if i knit them?' and 'do you want one of each colour or half and half?'

He was undecided, so i made a start and got as far as the heel flap whilst he pondered and made up his mind.

As you can see, Mr Trendy with one foot in each colour has backtracked and decided that the leg part could be one colour and foot part another, so here we are the half 'n' half first sock that will have only cost a fraction of his other pairs.

I do hope i don't have to fight him to wear them when they are finished, or just maybe with him turning the big 60 in a couple of months, and recently becoming a grandpa he's turning in a cool dude LOL

Stitching news is not a lot has been happening this week. Some progress on In the Meadow by The Samper Girl for the Wednesday evening SAL,we now have a couple of caged birds.

No progress on Shores at all ths week, not a single stitch, so am way behind with that one for the month of June and the challenge and monthly ornament are a mere figment of my imagination so far.

More exciting things had to be done this week. It's the final round of the RR. This is Hazel's and the block i finally finished yesterday. There was a lovely choice of charts for this one, but i went with the sweet little robin in the end. It did give me a few little problems with the fractionals in it, but it's turned out lovely and i'm pleased with it.

Safely in the hands of Royal Mail as of this morning, it's winging it's way back to Hazel all completed and mine will be on it's way home soon too.

Yesterday here in the UK was Fathers Day, we had a lovely time with the family here for the day. Lovely to sit around the table and chat and laugh about old times and dad thoroughly enjoyed his day and his gifts and cards, his first Grandpa card too, that was really special. I hope you too had a lovely weekend with your loved ones.

Block 4's completed!

Today started out so lovely, the sun was beaming into my bedroom window at 6.30am, it woke me up so downstairs i went to make a cup of tea and headed back to bed with one for DH too.

After breakfast he set off for the allotment, that was a short visit though, as the heavens opened and he got soaked.

He did manage to pick our first lot of sweet peas up there though before the rain damaged them, they are really early this year and smell so beautiful in the sitting room.

I thought i would share them with you my friends, i do wish you could get the scent of them too.

Wednesday evening and i was at the stitching club for my weekly get together with like minded ladies.

I'd kitted up my new Sampler Girl start for the SAL at NH. In the Meadow and was in the Gift of Stitching magazine May 2010. Unfortunately, only a little bit was stitched as we had a little visitor. Amy came by to surprise the ladies and brought Isabelle to say thank you for the goodies she had received from them. Lots of cuddles and chat about baby things, it was an enjoyable evening but i'll have to do better next week LOL

With all the rain today, DH has been firmly planted in the sitting room on the sofa watching the motorsport thats been on the TV. I spent a lot of the day in the conservatory escaping it and managed to finish Block 4 of Shores. I'm really pleased with how it's looking now the top row is finished.









I've also started Hazel's RR this week too but i can't show you that just yet, that also is looking really lovely and i'm the final person to stitch on it. We're all due to get ours back later this month and i can't wait to see mine finished. This was my first RR and it's been a really lovely experience, maybe i'll do another sometime.

I hope you've all enjoyed a lovely weekend with your loved ones

Thank you

Hello dear friends

I am still here, just very busy at the moment. I would like to thank you all for your kind wishes on my new granddaughter, she is gorgeous and has stolen the heart of both Grandpa and myself. My heartfelt thanks to all who have emailed me and sent cards and gifts on this very happy occasion.

There's not been much time for crafting this past couple of weeks, hardly a stitch has been done.

I did have a lovely Sunday last weekend with a couple of hours to myself where i managed to make up the challenge piece for May, i had already stitched it in plenty of time for the reveal.

A lovely free design from Sablaise. Just a little pincushion this time for me, not very challenging, the other finishes can be seen in the album.

In the evening i have been more than a little tired and have had the knitting needles out instead of the stitching when i have felt the need for a crafting fix.

It doesn't need so much concentration to whip up a little bunny.

This little RAK was sent off to Hazel to brighten her days and she has named her Rosie Posy. I hope she is well behaved for you Hazel and i'm pleased that she arrived safely and you like her.

This little beauty dropped through my mailbox as a surprise for me. Cathey was the winner of my blogoversary draw at the beginning of the year.

She thought i would like 'a bunny for a bunny' and made me this beautiful little lady. The fabric is so gorgeous, can you see the tiny rabbits that are printed on it.

Thank you Cathey for this special little gift xx

Before i publish my post, someone else would like to say a few words....



Dear Mums friends

The words "thank you" just don't seem good enough to say for the wonderful cards and gifts that you sent to us to help celebrate the birth of our new baby daughter Isabelle.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, it really has been a very emotional time for us all and you have all made it even more special

love from Amy, Paul & Isabelle xxx



Thank you for your continuing friendship
{{big hugs}} to you all