Needle Pouch

I thought this was a really lovely idea for a different kind of finish for keeping needles safe, and have wanted to try it for some time.  It was a mystery SAL organised by Anne Marie in 2009.  Unfortunately by the time I stumbled across it the link to the finishing instructions no longer worked. I thought it looked quite straight forward though, so thought I would give it a go away!  I'm really pleased with how it's turned out!

The design I chose is different to the one used for the SAL - this one is Delicatesse from Dany which I have stitched on 40ct Newcastle Flax with DMC 310.  I would have liked bigger and prettier beads to attach to the ribbon, but all I could find in my stash with a large enough hole to thread the ribbon through were Mill Hill pebble beads!  I will have to keep an eye out for some large hole beads for when I make another.

Pop along to the album on Anne Marie's blog to see all the lovely finishes from the stitchers who participated in the SAL back in 2009.

I'm not sure when I will next be back blogging again because I'm off home soon to the UK for several weeks.  I'm so excited - I can't wait to see my boys, and to spend time with my Mum!  :o)

Our Amazing Weekend!

I don't often post about what I get up to, but wanted to share some photos of the lovely weekend we've just had at the Atlantis on the Palm that the company Colin works for treated us to.  It was AMAZING - the room, the food, everything!  We've been to the Atlantis a couple of times before, but never stayed overnight with access to all the areas.  Last year when the boys and Nic came to stay we took them fine dining at the Ossiano Restaurant.  That truly was an experience - even the menus were on iPads...lol

This is me sitting in the lobby.
The priceless Dale Chihuly sculpture was created using 3,000 hand blown pieces
that were individually placed to create the 10m high centrepiece.

This was our room and that's the bath just beyond the sliding panels. 

Colin checking out the hotel restaurants I should think...lol!

The bathroom.

I know, too many bathroom photos, but it was lovely!  I couldn't get over the size of it - I've never stayed in a hotel before with such a big bathroom...lol!

Colin and I taken from the back of the hotel.

There were several areas around the ground floor were you could stop and see into the Ambassador Lagoon.  It really was amazing.  We took lots of photos but they don't really do it justice.

View looking over our balcony.

 

View of the Arabian sea from our balcony.

We had a brilliant time, but not enough time to do everything we would have liked to have done as there was so much you could do there, which means I suppose we will have to go back again won't we...lol!

Sew & Sew

I've been going through my finishing box again, and this time I've pulled out one which I stitched in 2011.  It's a complimentary design called Sew & Sew from Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin.  I love anything Mary Garry, and can't tell you how excited I was when I received this several years ago with an order I placed from Needlecraft Corner.

I've seen it's finished as a needlebook before, and have always thought it would be the perfect finish for it.  For mine I rotated the top half of the design by 180 degrees, so that when the needlebook was closed the alphabet would be the right way round.  And, as I often like to add another little accessory I've also made a scissor fob and pincushion to go with it. 

I've stitched it one over two on 40ct Creme Brulee Linen from R & R Reproductions, using the listed Gentle Art Sampler Threads.  The fabric for lining the needlebook, the pincushion and backing for the scissor fob is Madeira from Blackbird Designs.  I've used silk ribbon for the needlebook and a piece of Weeks Dye Works wool felt for the needles.  The pincushion is finished with a little chenille trim.

I'm so thrilled that at long last it's finished!