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!

Surprise Package

Look what came in the mail yesterday...the most wonderful package from my dear stitching friend Katrina! We have both been collecting the Whitman's tins for the Fancy Work sewing sets. The Sampler and Bronze Griffin you can see in the picture were the last I needed to complete my collection and dear Katrina has found them for me! It was such a wonderful surprise...thank you so much for thinking of me Katrina and helping me to complete my collection...you know how much I appreciate it! :o)

I haven't been stitching much so no finishes to share this time! I could have got a good bit done last night but had settled down for a quiet evening with DH Colin to watch The Prestige on DVD. I'm stitching my first spider stitches so thought perhaps it wasn't a good idea to tackle these while trying to follow the film! It was Colin's birthday and we were home alone...lol! Our youngest Matthew had caught the train to London earlier in the day for an overnight stay with our eldest Jason...they both went to see Prince at the Millennium Dome in the evening.

Had a wonderful girls night out on Monday with my Mum, sister Sarah and my sister Debra who has been over from Cape Town staying with my Mum for two weeks. We went to the cinema to see Hairspray and then for something to eat after. We really enjoyed the film, it was so funny!

Another pinkeep and scissors fob!

The little fob has been finished for ages but I didn't want to post a picture until I had got around to making up the pinkeep so that I could show them together!

Both are from Brightneedle. The scissors fob is 'Bunny Hop' the complimentary companion piece to 'Tall Trees' which I have finished as an oval shaped pinkeep. I wanted it to look like the model finished on the chart, which has been mounted into a Sudberry House oval shaker pincushion. Stitched 1 over 2 on the listed 40ct Light Espresso R & R linen, also using the listed Olde Willow Stitchery and DMC threads. This was the first time I had stitched 1 over 2 on 40ct and have to say I really enjoyed stitching on such a small count. The fabric in the background is what I have used to cover the back of the pinkeep.