A Nice Haul of Stash

I've had a trip to the Stitches and Craft Show at the Convention Centre today and picked up some lovely bits and pieces as usual. I've bought some linen fabric which can be used for ornaments etc, a cross stitch kit - Iris and Blackwork, another kit for needlework accessories, a kit to make a candlewicking cushion and a kit to make a dilly bag.

I've got Mum's sewing machine here while she is overseas so I must make an effort to get the dilly bag made while she's gone.

April Ornament - It Was A Close Shave

But I made it by the April 30 deadline. It's another pillow finish but I'm contemplating the purchase of a hot glue gun so I can attempt some pinkeep finishes with the other ones.

March Ornament Finished

And I've been flat out just doing that. Haven't been stitching much at all till this Easter weekend and I'm looking forward to doing more when we have a week's holiday in two week's time. A few more observations about this one: I hate stitching with metallic threads, I love Mill Hill beads and it is very tricky to take photographs of a three sided ornament.

February Ornament Done and Dusted

I have adored this one from start to finish. It's the most beads I have ever used for a project and my first little bit of stitching one over one for the "noel". I've got it finished now so the Tropical vacation window can have some attention before its time for March. I've voted for the March Ornament - now just have to wait and see what gets picked.

January Ornament for 2008 Ornament Challenge

And this one was really a challenge. I miscounted somewhere and ended up being one stitch out all down the middle but some how it has turned out ok. It is the Sweetheart Tree Noel Christmas Bellpull done on 18ct ivory aida. I started on linen but threw the towel in as I was having too much trouble counting.

However I've started February's Ornament which is "Noel in the Tree" from M Designs on beige 32ct linen and I'm loving it. The beads look wonderful and are much easier to do now that I've bought beading needles (duh!)

Some More Progress on the Tropical Vacation Window

In between several Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Stitching 2007

The pink ornament above was received from SueK in the "Xers" group Christmas Ornament exchange. It is absolutely stunning work with beading and metallic threads. I will certainly treasure it.

This angel was stitched by me for D's Kindy Teacher on plastic canvas and backed with sticky-back felt,

This is the ornament I stitched for E's Year 1 teacher - also on plastic canvas

And this was the ornament I stitched for Lucie as part of the Xsers Christmas Ornament Exchange.