Gifted Gorgeousness March 2016 - It's a Finish!

Hello everyone!

As it's the 15th it's time for the Gifted Gorgeousness check in hosted by the lovely Jo at Serendipitous Stitching.

The idea is you work on something that is a gift in some way, it could be the fabric/floss/chart was gifted to you or the final product is intended for a gift.

This year so far I have had to get the good old shoehorn out and be creative, stating this piece is for my future married self. Well that will come to an end with this check in as I have a finish!!!

Yippee!!!

Vault Boy & Girl by HappyStitchNet on Etsy

Stitched two over two on 28ct Lugana in Oatmeal by Crafty Kitten Fabrics

Start Date: 2nd January 2016

End Date: 14th March 2016

I'm so pleased with the final result! I know it's not a "traditional" wedding sampler but it is very us, we are gamer geeks to the core and if it wasn't for computer games we would never have met! I now just need to find the perfect frame then it can take pride of place in our geek room :)

For the next few months at least the GG Sal should be easier for me, as my next main project will be a baby sampler for some good friends of mine who are expecting, I just have to get the supplies together so I can begin.

Speaking of which, my evenweave of choice is Lugana but I am struggling to find just some plain white! Do any of you stitch on Jazlyn or Jobelan? What are your thoughts? How do they compare to Lugana?

Until next time!

Emma xo

Small SAL 2016 - January Check In

Hello Everyone!

Today is the check in date for the first installment of the Small SAL hosted by Stitching Lotus for the year! Also my first finish for the year - hurrah!

Happily this months stitched up very quickly, it was one of those small kits they always have by the tills in Hobbycraft. I seem to pick some of these up every time I visit so I should imagine a number of these will make an appearance this year for the SAL.

I still need to decide how to "finish finish" this. Probably a ornament, but I have plenty of time before next Christmas to figure that out :)

Until next time!

Emma xo

Christmas Finish

Good evening all

I hope you are all doing ok on this Wednesday - we are on our way to the weekend people :)

As the title of this post would suggest I have a finish to share with you guys. I've had the last three days off work and in between running errands I'm please to say I picked up the needle and managed to get a finish - YAY!

As I've mentioned before it is now kind of a tradition for me to stitch an ornament each year to place on the tree and due to my lack of crafting this year it was looking like I wouldn't get one done in time - but that was all fixed today.

The last time I shared this piece with you was waaaay back in January when I first started it, and I hadn't touched it again so this was my starting point this week...

And today I placed the final x - I think this is such a sweet pattern :)

Happy Holidays by Country Cottage Needleworks
Featured in the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments
Stitched on 16ct Rustico Oatmeal Aida in the called for DMC colours

Obviously as you can tell I still need to Finish finish this, I'm thinking of attempting my first flat ornament but I'm not sure if I am brave enough - but either way that will have to wait until after payday now to get the supplies needed.

So now this is complete what next? I'm not sure to be honest, I might just have a bit of a stash fondle and see what happens... :)

Until next time!

Emma xo

Christmas Finish!

Hello!

I'm back again sooner than I expected, I sat down on Sunday afternoon and happily sat making pom pom after pom pom and eventually I made enough to finish my latest crafting project.. :)

It was very simple to make, I had one of those polystyrene wreath shapes from the Christmas craft fair I visited last year, if memory serves me it cost £1.50. Together with my clover pom pom makers (I used two different sizes) and some wool this soon took shape.

It was a fun, easy make and I think it is going to look cute in the home over the festive period. Obviously I won't be able to hang this one outside - in Scotland this poor thing wouldn't last a day with our weather!

So I am thinking of hanging it in the hallway to add a bit of festive cheer :)

It felt nice to craft again. Maybe I might even pick up a needle again and get back to cross stitch - we shall have to wait and see!

Until next time...

Emma xo

Tribal Orca...FINISHED!

Good evening!

Yep, you read the title right, I have been working away on Tribal Orca over the weekend and this afternoon I placed the final stitch :)

I really enjoyed working on this project and I think the final result is great even if I do say so myself!

Tribal Orca by White Willow Stitching

Stitched on Deep Water by Colour Cascade Fabrics 14ct Opal Aida

So, my first finish of the year - hooray!

What will I work on next, well I'm not sure to be honest! I guess the next time I sit down to stitch I will peek in to my craft bag which holds all ten (or nine now!) projects for the year and whatever takes my fancy will be the one :)

In other news I have been a little behind in my blog reading and commenting as I started back on Slimming World again last weekend, so this past week I really focusing on that and getting myself organised. But it all paid off and I had my first weigh in yesterday and...

Yep, a whole 7 pounds in one week :D I was so happy and shocked!

I know it is because it is the first week but still I am off to a great start with my weight loss journey this year and I really want to add to what I managed to shift last year. I also ran three times this week making my total distance for February so far 11.5 km which I am pleased with.

Well, the weekend is almost over once again but thats ok, I have a short working week this coming week as I booked Thursday and Friday as holiday. No big plans but thought it was about time I took some time off :)

Until next time

Emma xx

Another Small Finish, Hooray for Trains!

Good Morning!

I hope you are all well. Over the past week I have worked on a couple of projects and I am please to say and even managed another small finish from my Crazy January Challenge.

First, I worked some more of Bothy Threads Sew Dinky Gingerbread house.

Before:

After:

As you can see I now have the outline of the Christmas tree and a small orange present waiting underneath it just waiting to be opened! :) I am still enjoying this one very much so fingers crossed I should have more to show you this week.

Last Thursday I took a trip back down to Yorkshire as over a year ago I bought tickets to see John Bishop with my Mum for her birthday, little did I know that in 12 months time I would be living in Scotland!

Our View, before the show began!

I have to say he was very funny and we both enjoyed it, if any of you are near to Leeds he is doing another show at the arena this Thursday (13th), although I don't know if tickets are still available.

The good part of this meant I had a 3 - 4 hour train journey (I go the cheaper route, changing at Carlisle via Settle in case any of you are wondering why it took so long) on my own so it was ideal stitching time! I decided to take one of my smaller projects just for the ease of it, and I was pretty sure I would be able to get near a finish on the journey there and back.

Tada!

This was the very first project I worked on this year, I only managed to complete the door and it hadn't been touched since. But now it is done, and another off my list! Making it 8/15, however I am not so sure if I will get the rest done in time!

Until next time,

Emma xx

I'm back...With a Finish Too!

Hello!

Greetings from Scotland!

You will all be pleased to know the move went very smoothly and we arrived here safe and sound over a week ago.

As we are staying with the inlaws for a few weeks we only have one computer set up, so we are sharing. So when I do get on to the computer I am usually using that time to apply for jobs etc.

No luck on that front yet but I will just keep on applying and fingers crossed something will come up eventually.

However, the good news is thanks to the lack of computer and gaming I have got another finish to share! Yippee!


This is the Lizzie*Kate Holly and Hearts Mystery SAL from last year. You may remember I got the first two parts done on time or there abouts but by the time part three arrived...well...it went away and Christmas came and went before it was finished.

But, at least it is now ready for this year! :D

All I need to do now is to try and find a frame, its a strange shape so I'm not sure how easy that is going to be.

I will be back soon with another post, I went on a little trip yesterday with the MIL and returned with some stash, meaning I had a new start today... :D

Until next time...

Emma xo

Another CJC14 finish!

Well, what can I say the stitching bug is well and truly back with me - hurrah!

I decided to pick up another of the projects I started for the January Challenge - it would be nice to get all these complete, as I still count them as WIPs even if they are only small.

This is how this sweet little chap looked the last time I showed you, way back on the 6th January this year...

Here he is now, he didn't take that long at all. I have no idea why I have been putting this one off as he is so sweet :)

So that makes it 7/15 done on all the new starts I had at the start of the year. Not too bad I guess!

Emma xx

Emma in Stitching Shocker!

Yes, you read right this past weekend...I STITCHED! Woohoo! *Dances*

Even better than that I even had a finish! Ok, so it was a small finish, but a finish is a finish :)

This was a project I started waaaaay back in January, for the Crazy January Challenge, on the tenth day.

After that it was never touched again until Saturday night. I thought to myself "enough is enough lets do some stitching!". So while watching Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version) I stitched to my little hearts content.

Yesterday I finished up the back stitch and left it to soak. This was my first time using soluble canvas and I have to say I am quite impressed, and would certainly use it again.

So there you have it. My CJC14 challenge currently stands at 6/15...wonder if I can get the rest finished before the end of the year...?

Until next time!

Emma xo

Small Crazy Jan Challenge Finish!

Good evening!

So the weekend is coming to a close, and it is almost time to head back to work again, however some good news is I have another finish!

This was my day 11 start of the Crazy January Challenge, so that means out of the 15 I now have 5 complete so 10 still to go...a third of the way there! I don't think that is too bad to say we still have 10 months to go!

This cute little chap is Rory Raccoon who came free with Cross Stitcher issue 268, I have to say I enjoyed stitching him a lot, I think he looks great in his little frame too :)

Not sure where he will live now he is complete, but I will figure that out later!

Emma xo

First Knitting Finish of the Year!

Good evening!

2014 is turning in to a very productive year already! Tonight I finished my first knitting project of the year, you may remember my sweet Nana bought me a gift for my birthday. Well I finally got round to knitting with it and once I got started it flew along!

Here is the finished article!

Here a small close up...

It was very simple to knit with, but has a very pretty finished effect!

Emma xo

Crazy January Challenge - Day Twelve

Another day another new start!

However happily today's project turned in to a finish too! Huurah! My third finish of the year :)

Today it was the turn of another Christmas card which came free with Cross Stitcher issue 272.

I think this is so sweet, and I love the little bell on the collar, and hey, I'm super organised for next Christmas with my first card complete, hehe :D !

Before I go, I also want to share a new project I am working on at the moment, I have decided to start a reading/book blog as it was one of my aims this year to read more. If you would like to take a look and perhaps follow my new adventure you can find my new blog here.

It is still very much a work in progress so please bear with me :)

Don't worry, my stitching blog will still be getting plenty of my attention! It has to with all these WIPs I have!

Until tomorrow!

Emma xo

Crazy January Challenge - Day Eleven & a Finish!

Good afternoon!

I hope you are all ok on this chilly Saturday afternoon?

I started my next new start this afternoon, this time it is Rory Raccoon, which came free with Cross Stitcher issue 268.

This is sweet stitch, I like the bright colours of the flowers compared to greys of Rory!

In the early minutes of this morning (00:02 to be precise) I finished one of my Crazy Challenge projects!

This was the vintage rose keyring which came free with issue 264.

It was a fun stitch and turned in to a pretty finish! I just need to decide on a way to cover the back, I'm thinking a piece of felt or something to hide the stitches.

Well, we are almost at the end of the Challenge, and I will admit now I am starting to look forward to it, who would of thought that I would have enough of new starts?! It will be good to get stuck in with a project and stick with it (for a few days at least!).

Until tomorrow!

Emma xo

Crazy January Challenge - Day 5...a Finish!

Hello!

So the weekend is coming to an end, all the children are back at school tomorrow around here meaning all the parents will be back to work too. I guess Christmas really is over for another year!

Today it was the turn of the Breast Cancer Bunting kit which came free with Cross Stitch Crazy issue 181. This was a fun stitch with three individual motifs to stitch up, and today I managed all three! Hooray!

First there was the flower...

Followed by the bird...

And finally, I think my favourite of the three the butterfly!

These cute little designs cheered me up, and got me looking forward to spring and more than a few hours of daylight again! Here they are all finished up as bunting. I have my Christmas bunting I made in 2012, perhaps I should look out for some more and get one for every season?!

So there you have it, my first finish of the Challenge, and also of 2014! Not bad going!

Untill tomorrow!

Emma xo

Late TUSAL, Scotland and a Finish!

Good Evening!

I hope you are all getting in to the festive spirit, we are well and truly on our way to Christmas now. It has been hectic round here for a number of reasons, but finally here is my last TUSAL shot for 2013!

It you have no idea what TUSAL is you can read more about it here and don't forget to sign up for next year soon! This is an easy SAL even I can (just about!) keep up with.

Those reds and blues at the top are from my latest finish!

This is from my a book I picked up earlier in the year, and this will be a Christmas gift for a close friend who this year joined the Navy, you may remember me going to Dartmouth to see her earlier in the year. So when I saw this it seemed very appropriate.

Now I just need to find a frame before December 22nd, which is when our little circle of friends have our own Mini Christmas, it always gets me in the festive spirit spending time with my closest friends have a delicious meal with a drink or two and swapping presents! Fingers crossed I find one!

We returned home yesterday after our long weekend away with the in laws up in Scotland. Other than the disasters with the trains getting there we had a great time and it was lovely to see them again. They took us out for meal and also took me shopping for my Birthday present. They spent far too much on me and got me a Pandora bracelet! But they insisted they wanted to buy me one. Dear David also got me a charm to add to it. I can't show you it now as it is hidden away until my birthday, but I will share some photos once it is my birthday :)

I think that is everything for now, however I will be back on Thursday when it is my turn to host Jo's Advent Blog Hop!

Have a great week! xx

Mii's Travelling Pattern - Finished!

Hello hello!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend, mine is cold, but good :)

So today I finished the travelling pattern which arrived to me from Steph, I decided on the "then" pattern of the two choices.

Ribbon Detail

Crazy Backing Fabric!

This of course now means the pattern is looking for a new home, if you wish to be the next one then you must (stolen from Mii's blog!):

1/ Be a serious stitcher and actually stitch one of the pattern and then pass it on,

2/ Be prepared to post the pattern anywhere in the world,

3/ Stitch the pattern in timely fashion (2 weeks maximum),

4/ Have an active blog to show us your work & organize a draw for the next stitcher

5/ and finally each stitcher to email me so that I can keep track of the chart

So if that sounds like you then please leave a "me please!" on this post. I will pick the next stitcher in a weeks time (the 16th). So good luck everyone!

This week we also managed to finally get round to getting a frame for Darth and hung in our Geek Room. Hurrah :)

Until next time, happy stitching!

Emma xo

Knitting Finish and Goodies in the Mail :)

Good Evening!

A mid week (ish) post - I am really spoiling you :D hehe

So after I completed part two of Holly and Hearts I wondered what to do next, then on Sunday as I was having a big clear out I came across some scarf yarn I bought a while ago that I forgot I had!

So Sunday night I made a start and managed to get it finished and washed last night. I figured it would look great with my new winter coat which is red, so I thought a black scarf with a little bit of sparkle will look lovely.

You can't see the sparkle so well in the picture sadly...at least I will be warm when waiting at the bus stop in the morning - last two mornings we have had frost!

After work yesterday when I got home I had a package waiting for me and I couldn't figure out what it could be?? It was from the lovely Steph at Show and Tell! I was the lucky one chosen for a travelling pattern but she kindly included lots of goodies for me too :) Thanks Steph! :D

Look at this! How cute! Now I just have to find somewhere for it to live out of furry paws reach :)

I made a small start on the travelling pattern also, I chose the "Then" version, shouldn't take too long so keep an eye out as it will be looking for a new home soon! :)

Excuse the shadow!

Valma, I have not forgotten you, the travelling pattern will be on its way as soon as I make it up to the post office on my lunch break at work, fingers crossed the next day or so!

Until next time!

Emma xo

Halloween Blog Hop!

Hello everyone! If you have stumbled upon my blog due to the blog hop been held by Jo at Serendipitous Stitching then welcome! If not then make sure you get yourself over there to join in the fun!

Hopefully you are finding your way around and finding all the letters out, the letter you will find here is...

T

As for stitching well I can finally share something I finished a couple of weeks ago...

Ta-da! 

This is a free pattern you can find here at Love Thy Thread

Mine is stitched one over one on 25ct in Rocket Queen dyed at Colour Cascade Fabrics

Your Journey now continues at http://astridxstitching.blogspot.co.uk/

Happy Halloween Everyone! xox

Travelling Pattern Needs a New Home!

Good evening!

Well we are half way through IHSW, how is everyone getting on?

I am pleased to say I have a finish!

Stitched on Crafty Kitten 25ct in Bracken

Hooray!

And with that the travelling pattern is now looking for a new home.

Would you like to be the next stitcher to enjoy this pattern?

If so please leave your name and blog/email in a comment on this post and I will pick someone at random next weekend.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Darth - Finished!

Hello!

Another quick post to share my happy news, Darth Cookies is now finished :D

Other half seems very pleased, so we will be making a trip to the shops to get a frame then he will take pride of place on one of the walls in the Geek Room!

Darth Cookies by Dork Stitch

Free Pattern Available Here

Stitched on 14 count white aida

2 over 1 full cross

Excuse the bad lighting, I couldn't wait until tomorrow to share a photo!

So now I will move on to the Lizzie*Kate Holly and Hearts Mystery Sampler, I have seen some people making a great start on it already and it looks lovely!

Emma xo