Lots of stitching!

 I feel I've achieved so much this week!  Part of it was due to spending 24 hours confined to the house because I got pinged!  In the UK everyone was encouraged to put the Covid 19 app on there phones and if they came into close contact with any one who tested positive with the virus, they got pinged and told to get a PCR test done.  It generally occurs up to five days from getting pinged which meant I was away in the van and the only place I could have got within striking distance (on my own as Laurie wasn't pinged) was in the supermarket buying a pint of milk!! So like a good citizen I got my PCR test at a local drive through centre and the following day (20 hours later to be precise) I got the all clear.  I didn't think I had covid, I still wear a mask in shops and still step off the path if anyone comes too close, but its reassuring to get a negative and off course it all happens through the phone which is generally in my ruck sack on my back.  Well what it meant was I got a whole day to sew - not so bad after all!

The wings on the dragonfly finally got done!  Such fiddly work but I am so glad I persisted because I think the end result will look fantastic.  On Monday Faby Reilly will publish the first part of the assemble process.  

I did a bit more on Ambers little cross stitch,

and layered up the 'little sisters' table topper and decided in a moment of madness that I would hand quilt it.  My aim is to quilt one little sister a day, which means I should get it done by slow Sunday stitching (next week!) And I also admit I'm rather enjoying the process!

Slow Sunday stitching

 We've been away in our van again for a few days and it's been lovely.  Plenty of walking, lots of cake and some sunshine too!  I took three projects with me - well i never know what project will take my fancy. I started doing some more of the black outline on the Bayeux tapestry cockerel but it just doesn't hold my attention.  So for slow Sunday stitching I am determined to get the outline finished on the cockerel and then start filling it in.  Then I might feel more like outlining the leaf stems....well lets wait and see!

The second project I took with me didn't even make it out of the cupboard but the third one was the little picture I am cross stitching for Amber and I actually got lots done on this one.

I've made several of these initials as wedding gifts over the years.  The kits were made by Lanarte and I don't think you can buy them any more.  I manage to put all the threads from every kit together and hopefully I will have enough to finish this off, although I am already short of the gold, by about twenty cross stitches! Fortunately they are DMC threads (except the gold!!!!) and have the numbers attached so if I do run out I can at least buy the odd skein or two.

Dragonflies and Pumpkins

 I've been doing work on Faby Reilly's stitch a long and it is slowly coming together!

I really struggled with this wing - it's 26 gauge wire, organza and button hole stitch, the pattern is for 32ct  linen but mine is being stitched on 28ct.  Faby gives excellent instructions telling us how to convert the size wing to the right sized linen count, but did I get it? NO. But what is good is you can ask any question on the Facebook page and Faby answers it really quickly!  I must admit I am very pleased with how it turned out (I have another four wings to make for the last panel!)

I've added the sequins using a round eyelet stitch, some Queen stitches between the mayflies, whipped backstitch for the stems and raised satin stitch for the eyes and of course woven picot stitch for the tail! For slow Sunday stitching I will be adding the beads around the sequins and I might have another go at one of the wings!  Hop on over the Kathy's blog to see what everyone else is working on today.

I have got a finish to show before I go and it's Ambers pumpkin hat (beautifully modeled if I do say so by Amber herself)

P.S. And I made pumpkin risotto for supper last night - yum!

Dragonflies and hats!

 The heating was switched on earlier in the week but we are back to rather warm, sunny days again, which feels much more spring like than autumn!  I've been doing some work on the Faby Reilly project, it's quite slow going but it is so pretty I want to get it right.

Still a long way to go but I am really enjoying the process and should get the sewing complete before the end of the month when the instructions are published to start assembling the needle case.

When I was out on Wednesday I snapped this dragonfly!

and this Llama (or is it an Alpaca?) but that's a whole new story!!

I've also started knitting Amber a woolie hat!  Next Friday we are going to a pumpkin farm and I had a real urge to knit her a pumpkin hat to mark the occasion (when I say pumpkin I mean it's just orange yarn).

Mind you if its as warm as it has been today she definitely won't need a hat!

Tomorrow I will link up with Kathy for some serious slow Sunday stitching!

 

Slow Sunday Stitching

 I can't claim to be doing much stitching today I am suffering from a miserable head cold (and I know exactly who I caught it from)!  First cold in nearly two years I think - of course last year we were all wearing face masks so nobody caught a cold!

Still during the week I have managed to do some stitching!  My aim every month is to try and finish a couple of my UFOs so picked a couple that wouldn't take long.  My niece is nearly six and I've made her a Christmas tag since her first Christmas to put on her present and then hang on the Christmas tree. (apologies for mentioning the 'C' word, but it is October now so I think its acceptable!)

This week I remembered to buy a 2022 diary so decided that I could make the cover without to much trouble.  I must like aqua coloured fabric because this years diary is also made with the same colour fabric!

Well thats all for now folks.  Hop on over to Kathy's blog for some slow Sunday stitching!

P.S.  Very remiss of me not to add where the lovely hummingbird pattern came from!  You can find it HERE and she's called Sugar Baby!