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