Halloween Fobs

Phew!!! Only just got these finished in time for Halloween. I thought I was doing so well when I had finished stitching them last week but time caught up on me and I only got round to making them up into fobs yesterday! They are Jinx and Jasper from the Just Nan chart Moon Riders. Stitched on 32ct Flax Belfast Linen using DMC threads. I found the little Halloween charms online from Jewellery Enchantments. They are just so cute that I had to add one to each fob.

This is Jasper with the little ghost charm




and this is Jinx with the little pumpkin charm.




This week I have also managed to find a little time to start putting together a web page with photos of our self-build at Spire Hill. I'm hoping to update weekly so if you would like to pop by from time to time to see how we are progressing I have added a link to the side bar which links directly to the page. The weather here has been very kind to us with the build so far and I'm really excited to actually be able to see where the rooms downstairs are going to be.

A Little Stashing!!

I've been stashing and I am really excited to have the Quaker Hornbook by Ellen Chester (With My Needle). I really love this but as it is only available to groups of 10 or more stitchers I never thought I would be lucky enough to have it but thought I would make enquiries with Ellen anyway, who suggested that I contact Linda at The Sampler Guild as she may be able to sell me a single kit and WOOHOO!!! she did and I'm so, so HAPPY!!! I haven't stitched a quaker piece yet but have a nice little collection growing which I'm really looking forward to making a start on!

My other new additions are A Quaker Pattern Book also by With My Needle and Ma Boîte à Trésors (My Treasures' box) by C Mon Monde...these I bought from Amy (Down Sunshine Lane). The Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks Frappuccino and Rose thread packs are my October auto shipment from Mary Kathryn (Handcrafts Online). I've been collecting all the LHN and CCN thread packs but so far have only finished the first three fruit packs and I am now half way through Berries...I have a lot of catching up to do!!

No new finishes to share yet but hope to have a couple of small Halloween finishes to post soon! :o)

Prairie Schooler Autumn Pinkeep

I have a finish at last!!! It's just a little one but I couldn't resist this cute little pinkeep from the September 2007 issue of The Gift of Stitching! I've used the listed DMC threads on 32ct Permin Wichelt Lambswool. The pumpkin fabric is what I've used to back the pinkeep. I have to confess that this is my first ever Prairie Schooler finish...I don't know why and it won't be my last because I enjoyed every stitch of it! Thanks so much for looking! :o)

Indigo Rose Pincushion

A new finish to share at last! This has been on my to do pile for quite some time so I'm really pleased to have it done. The design is by Indigo Rose from the Classic Stitches magazine, issue no. 54. I've used the listed DMC threads on 32ct Antique White Belfast linen and have finished it exactly as the model on the chart.


There are a couple of speciality stitches, the Triple Rice Stitch and Ribbed Spider's Web. This was my first time with the Spider's Webs and I was really pleased with how they turned out.


Thank you all so much for taking the time to visit my blog. I really do appreciate it and enjoy reading any comments left! :o)

Another big day!

It's another big day for Colin and I as we have at last exchanged and completed on the purchase of a plot of land for our next self-build. It's taken us so much longer then we had expected, what with legal issues with access onto the land and then getting our planning application for a 4-bedroomed house passed through planning. There were no problems with the plans, it's just the time that it's taken with the planning department...there's just no hurrying them along...lol!!

Obviously nothing much to see yet but here are a couple of photos of the jungle.



This last one is the view I will have from all the rooms to the rear, or so Colin tells me (trees to the left and right of the photo will be gone tomorrow). He laughs at me when he brings the photos home...I just can't find my bearings with the plot being so overgrown! We'll be making the most of this view with French doors with glass panels down each side. These will be in both the lounge and dining room which lead out onto a veranda. I've already got my name on the seat nearest the french doors in the lounge where I will sit and stitch...lol!


Once we've started getting on a bit with the build I shall regularly post progress pics on my website like I did before with our last build. I know family will be interested in seeing these but please feel free to pop along if you would like see how we are getting on!

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

This was Colin and I 25 years ago on our wedding day! Looking back now it only seems like yesterday! It was a wonderful day and the sun was shining then just as it is again for us today!


I just couldn't resist editing this post...lol!


Sarah Jayne, why ever would this photo embarass you! I think you made a pretty little bridesmaid beside the beautiful Mother of the Bride! :o)

Blackbird Designs quilting fabric

Remember the lovely quilting fabric I bought a few months ago by Blackbird Designs for Moda. I loved it so much that a couple of months ago I just couldn't resist pre-ordering 6 of the new designs! They arrived this morning...aren't they gorgeous...I absolutely love the dark colours!


This time I ordered overseas from Colonial Crafts (scroll to the bottom of the page for the prints I bought). The total for the six ½ yds came to $24.78 (£12.20), shipping was $11 (£5.40). I thought the total of £17.60 was really good, especially with them being ½ yds and from overseas!

No new finishes to share...

...because I've been having so much fun playing with my new computer!


Isn't it gorgeous...lol! We've always had the computer set up in the dining room so this time I wanted to go for looks! It's the new Sony Vaio LA3 with Vista...that's the bubbles screensaver you can see on the screen! I'm so excited I just love it! Was a bit worried about compatibility with all my favourite software but so far everything has setup fine. Printer, camera and scanner are all installed too, although the scanner did prove to be a bit of a pain! I thought I was going to have to replace it with a Vista compatible but I persevered and managed to get a driver installed eventually, much to the delight of DH, who's always watching the budget these days with our next new build about to start soon...lol!

I have recently finished a pincushion that just needs making up, so hope to post a picture soon!